From Storrs: The UConn Basketball Podcast

In this week’s episode of the From Storrs podcast, hosts Michael Cohen and Tom Moore discuss the potential ramifications of an injury to UConn power forward Nik Khamenia, who dropped out of the win over Wagner on Monday night.Their discussion focuses on short- and long-term solutions for head coach Dan Hurley and the Huskies’ coaching staff, depending on the severity of the injury. At the time this show was record — around 10 a.m. on Wednesday morning — the team had not released any details about Khamenia’s status.Additional segments include a breakdown of UConn’s win over then-No. 16 Michigan at TD Garden last week and a preview of the looming showdown with Ohio State on Friday night at PeoplesBank Arena.Tom’s weekly trip down memory lane focuses on UConn’s run to the 1999 national championship, which included a Final Four victory over the Buckeyes.Support the show: https://fromstorrs.substack.com/subscribeIn this episode* Braylon Mullins and Silas Demary Jr.’s performance against Michigan* How UConn managed early foul trouble* What top-locking is and how it challenges UConn’s offense* Khamenia’s role and potential lineup implications following his injury* UConn’s defensive effort against Wagner* Players who could take on larger roles against Ohio State* Analyzing the Buckeyes’ roster and playing style* Memory: the 1999 Final FourChapters0:00 — Welcome and episode setup1:17 — UConn’s win over Michigan3:45 — First-half foul trouble9:34 — When to play through fouls16:07 — Michigan’s top-locking defense22:55 — Silas Demary Jr.’s performance30:58 — Wagner recap31:53 — Nik Khamenia’s injury and lineup impact44:12 — Who could fill Khamenia’s role?52:14 — UConn’s defensive numbers against Wagner56:39 — Previewing Ohio State1:09:36 — Looking back at the 1999 Final Four1:22:32 — Wrap-up Get full access to From Storrs at fromstorrs.substack.com/subscribe

In this week’s episode of the From Storrs podcast, hosts Michael Cohen and Tom Moore break down UConn’s season-opening win over Gardner-Webb and preview the matchup with Michigan. Their discussion focuses on the Huskies’ disruptive defense, the highly effective transition offense, early rotation questions and key matchups — including the point guard battle between Silas Demary Jr. and Elliot Cadeau. Tom also looks back on UConn’s memorable 30–0 run against Illinois at TD Garden in the Elite Eight and discusses what coaches value when evaluating transfers. In this episode* Tom’s reflections on Luke Murray’s first game as head coach at Boston College* UConn’s 86–46 win over Gardner-Webb and the defensive pressure that fueled it* Braylon Mullins’ 20-point performance and Nik Khamenia’s offensive versatility* How blocks and steals can spark UConn’s transition game* Questions around the rotation, free throws and offensive rebounding* A preview of UConn–Michigan, including critical matchups* Tom’s memories of UConn’s 30–0 run against Illinois* The qualities that can make a transfer recruit stand out* Memory: The recruitment of Hilton ArmstrongChapters0:00 — Welcome and Tom’s visit to Boston College3:21 — What makes a good head coach beyond X’s and O’s9:52 — UConn’s win over Gardner-Webb12:03 — Defensive pressure and “blowing up” screens18:52 — UConn’s bigs and defensive versatility23:26 — Braylon Mullins, confidence and player development27:56 — The Huskies’ transition offense32:12 — Rotation questions and areas to improve38:32 — Previewing Michigan45:16 — Silas Demary Jr., Elliot Cadeau and the center matchup52:31 — Remembering UConn’s 30–0 run against Illinois1:00:14 — Fan question: What makes a transfer valuable?1:03:59 — Hilton Armstrong’s development and recruiting story1:07:01 — Closing remarksFrom Storrs is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a paid subscriber. Get full access to From Storrs at fromstorrs.substack.com/subscribe

Episode 1 of From Storrs is finally here! Journalist Michael Cohen and former UConn assistant coach Tom Moore are excited to launch the debut episode of their new show. Tune in for a conversation about what we learned from the Huskies’ three exhibition games, how this roster came together, where head coach Dan Hurley’s team needs to grow and much more. Stick around for Tom’s unbelievable story about the time former UConn point guard Khalid El-Amin nearly missed a season opener due to an unexpected, last-minute eligibility issue hours before tipoff at Madison Square Garden. We hope you enjoy! Please subscribe and tell a friend. Get full access to From Storrs at fromstorrs.substack.com/subscribe

Is there anything better than a deep dive into UConn basketball?For a state like Connecticut, where college hoops will always be king, nothing gets the juices flowing quite like the transition from summer to fall. Crispy air, crunchy leaves and the wonderful realization that another season of watching the Huskies is right around the corner.Here at From Storrs, a new home for independent reporting on UConn basketball, we’re thrilled to launch an accompanying podcast that will stand alongside my written coverage of the team. The show is going to be cohosted by former UConn assistant coach Tom Moore, who spent more than 20 years with the Huskies while working for both Jim Calhoun and Dan Hurley. Along the way, Tom helped lead the program to four national titles. Each week, we’ll break down anything and everything UConn: from recapping the most recent games to analyzing a hard-fought Big East race, from catching up with former UConn players to exploring the ins and outs of how a championship-caliber program operates. Nobody can offer better insight than Tom. The podcast will be free for everyone as our show gets off the ground, with both audio and video formats available on various platforms: Substack, iTunes, Spotify and YouTube, among others. Eventually, certain episodes are likely to move behind a paywall.For now, though, we hope that you’ll subscribe, tell a few friends and enjoy the show as much as we love making it. Basketball season has officially arrived! Get full access to From Storrs at fromstorrs.substack.com/subscribe