Fudd is down to UCLA and UConn

[JonathanXIV]

Seems to me that the internet and social media removes much of the advantage of being in a big media market, since there are few geographic limitations to markets now.

 

[Rb335]

UCLA home attendance - 2.9k/game.
UCONN home attendance - 9.5k/game.

The only womens basketball teams with bigger home audiences in 2019/20 than UCONN were South Carolina, Oregon, Iowa State, LA Sparks & Phoenix Mercury.

The top recruit in the country deserves to be watched. I hope that if she chooses UCLA, the local fans take notice.

 

[Rocket009]

Azzi should also consider how easy it is to do things like breathe

 

[bluedevil]

I think if it is true that Fudd is down to UConn and UCLA, I can't see her choosing UConn. There must be a very strong pull coming from UCLA that has them included in the final two. It won't bother me so much if she chooses UCLA. I'm just glad she did not have ND, Maryland, or Stanford in her final two. oldude, she could do for UCLA what Wilson did for SC and what Sabrina did for Oregon. I hope she leaves that for some other player to do. UCLA is the right choice if she is thinking about playing time and being the biggest star but, UConn would be the best choice if she wants to experience team play. Of course, that is in addition to the academic and social aspects she desires.

I forget but did Sabrina help Oregon win something important? I really don't remeber and I have no dog in that hunt..

 

[WFFL]

I forget but did Sabrina help Oregon win something important? I really don't remeber and I have no dog in that hunt..

Made them a contender for 2 years that is All

 

[bluedevil]

Who knows what Azzi's thinking is on choice of school. If it is the best place to hone her bball skills and make a career of bball, UConn has more than a little edge. If it is a preference for warm weather, UCLA has the big edge. Growing up in DC, Azzi is used to cold, rainy days and four real seasons, so Connecticut weather is something she is used to. Connecticut is really a charming place, with lovely summers and falls, small towns with village greens and colonial buildings, and snow in the winter, which has its charms. If the big city calls, NYC and Boston are easy to get to and a damn sight more interesting than LA. Or head to the Cape or the mountains of MA or VT. Depending on your taste, CT has as much or more to offer than LA. Besides, student athletes are very busy and don't have all that much free time anyway.

And don't forget casinos and pizza!

 

[Kaizen]

And don't forget casinos and pizza!

Within 2 hrs drive from UCLA, there are Pala, Harris, Pechanga, Morongo and San Manuel Casinos. San Manuel Casinos has 5,100 slot machines. Morongo has 4,000 slot machines too. I used to go those casinos for their lobster buffets.

Weather wise I still like New England with beautiful spring and fall scenes. LA is too hot this year. We have air condition none stop on since June.

 

[eebmg]

Seems to me that the internet and social media removes much of the advantage of being in a big media market, since there are few geographic limitations to markets now.

Paige was pretty popular in MN.

 

[jumpstart]

The LA scene is a huge draw....and it probably would not hurt her chances
of turning pro one day...but....not smart. Maybe she is not totally sold on being possibly upstaged by Bueckers....I would be surprised if she chooses UCLA but stranger things have happened.

 

[oldude]

This is probably one of the main reasons Fudd is interested in UCLA, she could change her number to 30 and be like the female Steph Curry. But I see only about 4 people posted about it on there message board, either they don’t believe they have a chance or Women’s basketball just isn’t that big of a deal in WestWood.

We’ve already seen that Paige has the top marketing appeal of any HS recruit, male or female. She will be playing for a perennial national power in a state with only one professional team, the Sun. Her marketing opportunities will be significant.

LA is great if you’re LeBron James or Mookie Betts. Women’s college basketball has a lot of competition from all the major professional sports along with big time college football. Hard to carve out a marketing presence in that environment, particularly for an individual like Azzi who appears to have a generally subdued personality.

 

[Alydar]

Interesting possibility suggested there.

I agree about the rules changing things but there will still be lots more value in a program with a national presence. UCLA games are on a paywall-protected regional streaming service that covers all PAC12 sports, meaning that several games won't even be available to watch live. And it may not be relevent now but in UCLA's last home game the paid attendance was 3000 in a 12,800 seat arena.

 

[WestsideWaltz]

I live in LA and don't think for a second she's going to UCLA. However, Cori Close has created a very strong culture among her teams, and that means Christian, inclusive. She's a wonderful lady and I think a decent though not great coach. UCLA is a great school with a great atmosphere. Since it's such a heavy female sports school, she'd fit in.

I also don't think that this is some sort of red herring. Fudd is looking at UCLA seriously but won't come to Westwood. Obviously, there are factors we don't know about, like maybe a communications major or even someone she likes who is considering UCLA. Jackie Gemelos reportedly went to USC because of the latter.

 

[Mdoggie]

Whatever coach she likes the best will win. Don’t read anything else into it.

 

[WestsideWaltz]

View attachment 59393

Azzi should also consider how easy it is to do things like breathe

The West Coast has been in the midst of one of the worst and longest fire seasons in its history. Comparing air quality at this time is not really fair.

 

[Bama fan]

UCLA=Red Herring.

UCLA= Bruins

 

[the Q]

UCLA= Bruins

UCLA = university of California, losers anonymous

or (credit my friend the usc alum)

U clowns lose again

 

[hoopsfan22]

The West Coast has been in the midst of one of the worst and longest fire seasons in its history. Comparing air quality at this time is not really fair.

The fires happen every year. It's just as fair to use that against California as it is to use the mostly cold school years one endures when they go to UCONN.

 

[Figurehead]

Oregon has taken it fair share of prospects away from UCLA in the last three years. I think Coach Graves is batting 100% against Coach Close during that time frame. I would expect nothing less from Geno to close the deal.

 

[j66kicker]

The West Coast has been in the midst of one of the worst and longest fire seasons in its history. Comparing air quality at this time is not really fair.

Haha. I lived in LA and we didn't need fires for bad air quality (although they do happen every year). Just a little of the usual Santa Ana winds, and the air goes from "bad" to "very bad".

Having said that, I still loved it there. Saying there's just as much to do in Storrs is ridiculous.

I agree coach should be #1 consideration. And playing for a full house all the time, and on TV all the time, should be a strong factor if she's intending to market herself. Nobody in LA gives a rip about girls basketball.

 

[Carnac]

UCLA home attendance - 2.9k/game.
UCONN home attendance - 9.5k/game.

The only womens basketball teams with bigger home audiences in 2019/20 than UCONN were South Carolina, Oregon, Iowa State, LA Sparks & Phoenix Mercury.

The top recruit in the country deserves to be watched. I hope that if she chooses UCLA, the local fans take notice.

UCLA WBB is nowhere near the draw that UConn is. Too many other local attractions and choices to spend free time. Parents, family and friends and the real Bruin boosters attend the women's games. The men's games are still a draw. The UCLA campus is only 5 miles from the beach (per Google maps). Westwood Village, Rodeo Drive, Marina Del Rey, The Hollywood Walk of Fame are all close by. They seldom have smog in Westwood. Fog yes, smog, no. The ocean breeze usually pushes any smog to the east towards me.

Only the true WCBB fans know who she is. She WILL NOT create any new interest in their program. I doubt their attendance will increase notably. USC's WBB program draws even less. It always has. Too many other attractions and detractions, like the Lakers/Clippers at the Staples Center less than 2 miles to the north of the Galen Center.

 

[Argonaut]

UCLA=Red Herring.

 

[Carnac]

Come to UConn. Her and Paige legit may not lose when they share the court

Two dominant players can make a difference, and win a few championships...... Shaq /Kobe, Magic/Kareem, Michael/Scottie, Stewie /Sue, LeBron /Anothny Davis (pending).

 

[JonathanXIV]

Haha. I lived in LA and we didn't need fires for bad air quality (although they do happen every year). Just a little of the usual Santa Ana winds, and the air goes from "bad" to "very bad".

Having said that, I still loved it there. Saying there's just as much to do in Storrs is ridiculous.

I agree coach should be #1 consideration. And playing for a full house all the time, and on TV all the time, should be a strong factor if she's intending to market herself. Nobody in LA gives a rip about girls basketball.

Again. Two words - Diary Bar.

 

[connboy77]

Right now I don't think anyone knows where Azzi will end up. I was very confident that Boston would end up at UCONN and we all know how that turned out. Who ever Azzi chooses to play for I wish her the best of luck. I'm very happy about the players we now have and the future players that have already verballed to UCONN.

 

[Bama fan]

Again. Two words - Diary Bar.

Is a "Diary Bar" where you go to record your deeply personal thoughts and drown your sorrows? We called them "locals" in Pittsburgh. But mostly did not write as much as bloviate.