Cox most likely was admired on being recruited by UCONN. Why not take a visit on uconn's dime. She was never leaving Texas. Some recruits just like the idea of being recruited by UCONN rather then being seriously into committing to the program. Recruiting is a gamble u just never know. But I'm pretty sure GENO knows who's serious about UCONN or just more into being recruited by them.
This is a generalization, but I feel as though
many programs would
happily pay for a #1 recruit's official visit to their campus, even if that recruit has clearly expressed that they are leaning in a different direction. This is b/c an official visit can be a
major difference-maker and actually significantly change a recruit's interest level, to the extent that some programs really jockey to schedule a trip at not only a time that will best showcase their program, but also aiming for preferable placement in the order or sequence of a recruit's official visit schedule with other schools (the first visit is often deemed the best spot by many for various reasons).
Off the top of my head, I recall Mistie Bass was openly leaning toward Tennessee but nevertheless Duke still pursued and flew her out for a visit, she ended up "falling in love with the campus," signed with Duke, and stayed all 4 years without any indication of regret. It's the best opportunity to make your "pitch" to a recruit, it's condensed over just one weekend's time, and if they schedule multiple recruits for the same weekend they only have to roll out the red carpet once while presenting their case to more than one player. I imagine hosting a recruit for an official visit is the less risky part versus the regular contact, home visits, and regularly showing up in the stands of a recruit's games over a longer period of time.
And lastly, while this applies more to up-and-coming programs, the buzz generated when a #1 recruit visits your program is probably considered an incentive in and of itself. For example, even if Megan Walker is clear with all other suitors that she is leaning toward either Notre Dame or UConn, Texas and Virginia still benefit by having their name among her finalists (while Tennessee missing the cut probably hurts their program, in terms of the "brand," more than the cost of a long-shot visit would).
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