I realize that we believe we have the best coaches in the nation, and feel that they really do develop kids to the best of their abilities, and while I disagree that just because someone gets PT during a game does not mean they are being developed, I also try to resist the notion that any kid who chooses UCONN would have been "developed better" while here.
To further expand on my first point - Natalie Butler. She's getting 0 PT in games this year, but I'm betting she's developing at least as much as anyone else on the team. For my 2nd point - Charde Houston is a perfect example of a kid who did not develop a tremendous amount while at UCONN, and there are tons of other players in the WNBA who certainly were developed at their respective colleges and are having terrific pro careers.
Does UCONN push their players harder than most? Sure. Does Geno challenge them to try to get them to grow to be better than even they thought they could? Of course. Are there coaches out there right now with kids who are juniors and seniors who aren't any better now than when they were freshmen? Yes. BUT some of that has to do with the fact that either maybe some of these kids peaked in high school, or they simply weren't as good as their ranking coming out of their senior years.
I'm not sure I have a point, per se, but I did want to add what I did to the conversation...
E- really interesting points. But I believe,
more critical than any other factor in a player's development and quest for 'greatness' over 4 years in college, more important than whether they've already peaked, were overrated to begin with, or the coaching they receive (which I rank as 2nd most crucial), is what they have
inside- their heart. It's a uniquely special kid who has the drive, the guts, desire, hunger, unquenchable fire- whatever the hell you want to call it- the will to be the very best they can become. Not just say they want to be the best, but put forth all that is required to get achieve it. And sustain that not for a few days or months, but year after year. No amount of great coaching or supportive parenting can create that burning in a kid. The kid has to want it and be willing to do
anything and
everything required to achieve that greatness. I believe very very very few kids (or adults) have that inside them. In women's basketball (UConn, that is), Diana Taurasi and Maya Moore are two such singularities. Perhaps Stewie, but we won't know that for years.