UConn Insider

It started as a sort of therapy session for jilted columnist Jeff Jacobs, who came up empty in his search for his beloved ConFLiCT trophy earlier this week. But, inevitably, the latest episode of the UConn Insider podcast shifted its focus to the man behind the manufactured rivalry that’s still haunting him more than 1,500 miles away: former UConn football coach and current Nebraska defensive coordinator Bob Diaco. Jacobs joined beat reporter Mike Anthony and online producer Chris Brodeur to discuss the strange odyssey of the rivalry that wasn’t between the Huskies and UCF (7:00), their favorite Diaco-isms (9:30), where the coach’s career appears to be headed (12:00) and the parallels between a Diaco press conference and one featuring Jim Calhoun (15:00). Then, the guys consider whether the battered Bryant Shirreffs should return as the Huskies’ starting quarterback this season (20:30). They discuss the idea, posited by coach Randy Edsall, that many of the younger players on this team are “hitting the wall” (27:00) and wrap things up with some attendance talk (38:00).

Columnist Jeff Jacobs joined UConn women’s beat reporter Paul Doyle for a jam-packed episode of the UConn Insider podcast previewing the Huskies’ 2017-18 season. Doyle and Jacobs share their impressions from ESPN’s NCAA women’s basketball media day (1:30); examine the social consciousness of women’s basketball players in the wake of Breanna Stewart’s revelation that she was sexually abused as a child (3:45); and take a look at how the team’s chemistry is developing (12:00). The guys discuss the Huskies’ depth (17:00), Kia Nurse’s development as a long-distance shooter (18:30), Azura Stevens’ potential as a breakout star (22:45), the apparent lack of formidable foes within the Top 25 (32:00) and Crystal Dangerfield’s emergence as a confident ballhandler capable of running the offense (36:00). They wrap up by assessing the women’s college basketball coaching ranks and whether a true Geno Auriemma foil is on the horizon (44:00).

Beat reporter Dom Amore and columnist Jeff Jacobs were in studio to discuss another pivotal year for coach Kevin Ollie and the Huskies, who are incorporating eight newcomers on a roster that was already lacking experience. The guys chat about Jalen Adams, who could be ready to make a familiar leap to the role of superstar guard from Roxbury, Mass., (2:00); their early impressions of the on-court product two exhibitions into the preseason (3:30); the trouble with sending out a small lineup (5:30); the idea of team chemistry and how it’s developing among the Huskies’ young core (7:15); Alterique Gilbert’s leadership DNA (13:15); the development of Mamadou Diarra (16:10); Eric Cobb’s prospects as a lane-filler with a Kevin Freeman-esque nose for rebounds (20:00); the unique resume of Terry Larrier (25:00); and whether or not Ollie’s seat is getting warmer (31:40).

Columnist Jeff Jacobs joined UConn women’s beat reporter Paul Doyle for a jam-packed episode of the UConn Insider podcast previewing the Huskies’ 2017-18 season. Doyle and Jacobs share their impressions from ESPN’s NCAA women’s basketball media day (1:30); examine the social consciousness of women’s basketball players in the wake of Breanna Stewart’s revelation that she was sexually … Continue reading "UConn Insider, Episode 33: Women’s Basketball Preview"

Beat reporter Dom Amore and columnist Jeff Jacobs were in studio to discuss another pivotal year for coach Kevin Ollie and the Huskies, who are incorporating eight newcomers on a roster that was already lacking experience. The guys chat about Jalen Adams, who could be ready to make a familiar leap to the role of … Continue reading "UConn Insider, Episode 32: Men’s Basketball Preview"

Beat reporter Mike Anthony and columnist Jeff Jacobs discuss a dismal all-around performance by the UConn football team against Missouri (1:15), a major setback for the embattled secondary (4:50), Jamar Summers’ interception taunting flap (7:35), the tumultuous journey taken by this year’s senior class (12:20), whether preseason projections have more or less matched reality (15:40) and coach Randy Edsall’s latest assessment of the culture around the program (18:25). Then, the guys preview a tough matchup with a highly motivated — and heavily favored — South Florida team (23:50), break down what Arkeel Newsome’s continued absence means for the offense (25:00) and discuss Edsall’s Twitter presence (34:00). Finally, Jake gives his review of the bacon jalapeno macaroni and cheese (35:20) at Rentschler Field.

The Courant's Jeff Jacobs and Mike Anthony are back to break down another win for the UConn football team — does this mean the Huskies are streaking? The guys break down a wild final drive for Tulsa that could have resulted in a crushing, go-ahead touchdown as time expired (1:30). They then discuss Tulsa's comeback (7:30), the Huskies' improved secondary (9:20), the Memphis loss serving as a turning point (10:45), the impact of losing Arkeel Newsome for 3-4 weeks (17:05), the atmosphere at the Rent (23:15), Jamar Summers' return from illness (27:15) and Jake's plans for a friendly wager with a student journalist as the Huskies prepare to take on his alma mater, Mizzou (30:00). Then, CTNOW's Suzie Hunter joins the show for a review of the Randy Edsall Burrito Bowl (33:00).

UConn men’s beat reporter Dom Amore chatted with the program’s patriarch, Jim Calhoun, from the confines of his new office at the University of St. Joseph. Calhoun and Amore discussed returning to the recruiting trail (2:30); the void he felt away from the game (5:45); the fateful discussion, with athletic director Bill Cardarelli, that brought the coach out of semi-retirement (9:20); chasing the Division III equivalents of Duke and North Carolina as a fledgling program seeking foundational victories (12:00); his lasting partnership with former UConn assistant coach Glen Miller and the ways in which they differ as talent evaluators (14:30); the famous former coaches whose counsel he sought as he contemplated a return to a role like this (17:50); and the state of his relationship with the current UConn team (19:00). Lastly, Calhoun envisioned what the first Blue Jays game might look like with him on the sideline, and whether or not that game would even take place in the school’s Hoosiers-esque gym (27:00).

Columnist Jeff Jacobs joined women's beat reporter Paul Doyle and men's beat reporter Dom Amore for a roundtable discussion on all things UConn hoops on the heels of an eventful AAC Media Day in Philadelphia. The guys discuss the talent gap between the women and the rest of the league (2:00), the modest preseason ranking for the men (6:30), the Wichita State men owning the preseason spotlight (10:00), a fascinating race for the conference's Player of the Year award among the UConn women (11:15), the need for Jalen Adams to emerge as a true star for the men (18:30), the trademark intensity of Cincinnati men's coach Mick Cronin (26:20) and the increased prestige of the league as a whole thanks to an impressive assemblage of coaches (30:00).

Columnist Jeff Jacobs and beat reporter Mike Anthony join online producer Chris Brodeur for another round of UConn football talk, this time following a dramatic road win over Temple. The guys discuss the season's first game-changing defensive play (1:10), UConn's situational defense in the fourth quarter (2:30) and the Huskies' modest offensive output (5:00). Jake takes a victory lap after singling out safety Tyler Coyle on last week's show, he of the critical pick-6 against the Owls (8:00). That sets off a history lesson about Randy Edsall's recruiting track record, which has seen the coach unearth quite a few diamonds in the rough and develop them into NFL regulars (10:30). Then, the guys discuss cornerback Jordan Swann's wild Saturday (13:20), the Huskies' young secondary finding some stability (15:30), Edsall's emotional postgame remarks (19:00) and wrap with a scouting report on Tulsa (26:00).