#1recruit for 2023 picks USC

[SCGamecock]

NIL and tinsel town. She bout to get paid!! I ain’t mad at her. Get yo bag as they say. She gone be a starrah! My opinion ONLY. Not a basketball decision.

I also agree with this. It’s easy to compare this to Wilson’s decision to stay home back in 2014, but before Wilson committed, the Gamecocks were coming off 3 straight trips to the NCAAT, with two of those years ending with Sweet 16 berths and they won the SEC regular season for the first time in 2014.. before Wilson even stepped on campus. Not to mention, Wilson walked on SC’s campus with the #2 (arguably #1) recruiting class.

Wilson and Watkins are walking into completely different situations. Don’t get me wrong, I love the decision and I think Watkins will still do well with NIL opps as the bonafide star at USC. But it’s going to take a SERIOUS upgrade in talent via recruiting and the portal to make USC a contender in that short amount of time. I’m not sure Gottlieb is capable of that kind of draw, heck very few coaches are.

I admire her want to stay near her family and elevate her city and a dormant program. I think this could be good for USC in the long run. An academic decision would’ve been Stanford, there’s no school finer when it comes to combining athletics and academics. An athletic decision would’ve been SC, Watkins with Fulwiley & Co. would’ve for sure competed for national championships.. and the SEC has a big stage for WBB, that’ll only get bigger as LSU rises and Texas joins. No doubt her spotlight would’ve been bigger.

This decision was more than those things above, it was about family and community.

 

[SCGamecock]

I’m a little further out. About 45 minutes from the Galen Center, an hour fifteen from Westwood if the traffic flow on the 10 fwy is moving.

I too would love for UConn to come to So Cal for games with USC and UCLA, but I can’t think of a reason why they would want to. Unless they want to go to Disneyland and Universal Studios. Or stroll the boardwalk on Venice Beach or the Santa Monica Pier. None one of those attractions are worth a 5 hour plane trip in both directions.

SC is restarting a series with UCLA (originally intended to be homecoming games for Watkins). Was talk of a 4-game series.

 

[socal613ws]

anyone questioning Goetlib anymore? didn't think so!

 

[CocoHusky]

I agree. She did not choose USC because of their head coach Lindsey Gottlieb, but in spite of her. Former HC at Cal. Gottlieb did nothing of notoriety while there.

That's debatable. Gottlieb was a hot coach for a hot minute in her time a Cal and managed to accomplish much more than Cori Close has with UCLA despite UCLA having much more heralded recruits including #1 recruiting class. Among Gottlieb's accomplishment at Cal was winning a share of a regular conference title and an appearance in the FF in 2013. It is also noteworthy that she left Cal for the NBA to be an assistant for Cleveland Cavs. She has also been named coach of the year in two difference conferences. At one point her name was being floated for consideration as the US National Team coach. Getting Juju is a great start and might lead to her getting some additional high power recruits.

 

[TheFarmFan]

anyone questioning Goetlib anymore? didn't think so!

Trust me, the questions will only grow louder now that she has the talent to make mediocrity utterly unacceptable.

 

[eebmg]

Took me 10 times to look at USC and convince myself it did not stand for University of South Carolina

 

[visitingcock]

Took me 10 times to look at USC and convince myself it did not stand for University of South Carolina

SoCal. Not SCar.

 

[SCspur]

Southern Cal isn’t exactly “lacking” in talent. They have Rayah Marshall who was on the PAC 12 All Freshman team & McDonald’s All American, Clarice Akunwafo who was also an McDonald’s All American, Taylor Bigby who was highly rated out of HS from Oregon, and just got McDonald’s All American Aaliyah Gayles as a PG for this year. I think we can go ahead and pencil in 24’ top 25 Forward prospect Mackenly Randolph (Zebo’s Daughter) there as well. She already plays on Sierra Canyon with Juju and those two are pretty much inseparable “besties”.

I’ve also heard talks that Kennedy Smith and Destiny Agubata are highly considering to attend schools together and are high on both UCLA and USC @Mdoggie can you confirm this? I’m not convinced with Gottlieb’s coaching either but if she can pick up some more talent these next few classes they might have something.

 

[darrell]

Former HC at Cal. Gottlieb did nothing of notoriety while there.

They were a tournament team all but one year, made the Final Four once during her time and she has five former players that has/have had WNBA careers. All of this, while competing against Oregon, OSU, Stanford and UCLA for star recruits.

That’s a better resume than most coaches could say.

 

[ochoopsfan]

Gottlieb did nothing of notoriety while there.

Gottlieb took Cal to the FF, once and won the Pac12 regular season title.
Same as Neighbors at Washington
Same as Graves at Oregon
Same as Rueck at Oregon State.
Something Close has yet to do, with more overall talent

 

[Carnac]

Southern Cal isn’t exactly “lacking” in talent. They have Rayah Marshall who was on the PAC 12 All Freshman team & McDonald’s All American, Clarice Akunwafo who was also an McDonald’s All American, Taylor Bigby who was highly rated out of HS from Oregon, and just got McDonald’s All American Aaliyah Gayles as a PG for this year. I think we can go ahead and pencil in 24’ top 25 Forward prospect Mackenly Randolph (Zebo’s Daughter) there as well. She already plays on Sierra Canyon with Juju and those two are pretty much inseparable “besties”.

I’ve also heard talks that Kennedy Smith and Destiny Agubata are highly considering to attend schools together and are high on both UCLA and USC @Mdoggie can you confirm this? I’m not convinced with Gottlieb’s coaching either but if she can pick up some more talent these next few classes they might have something.

I attended USC women's BB games regularly (with my children who are now grown and have adult children) in the glory years 1983-84 when they were back-to-back national champions with Cheryl Miller and the McGee twins leading the way. Tickets and parking was real cheap back then. I would love to see the USC women's program return to prominence. Watkins should help them win some games they would not have won without her.

She could play with them NOW!!! She's that good. I've seen her twice in person. Like folks use to say about Azzi, she's the real deal.
She will live up to all the hype. USC WBB has been dormant for decades. They finished 12-16/5-12 (10th in the Pac 12) last year. With respect to Gottlieb, I stand corrected. It appears she had more success at Cal than I realized. I'll follow Juju her 4 years at Troy. Let's see what level of success her team can find the next 2-3 years. Thanks to all that responded.

 

[Mdoggie]

@SCspur I will do some research and speak to a few coaching friends in the Etiwanda sphere. I’m also in the Sierra Canyon area 2-3 times a week. I’ll keep my ears to the ground.

 

[EricLA]

I’m a little further out. About 45 minutes from the Galen Center, an hour fifteen from Westwood if the traffic flow on the 10 fwy is moving.

I too would love for UConn to come to So Cal for games with USC and UCLA, but I can’t think of a reason why they would want to. Unless they want to go to Disneyland and Universal Studios. Or stroll the boardwalk on Venice Beach or the Santa Monica Pier. None one of those attractions are worth a 5 hour plane trip in both directions.

Are you kidding? Those are great places to visit!

Keep in mind we got Ice out of San Diego. We recruited Cunningham out of SD as well. Back in the day we got Houston out of SD and went after Wiggins hard in La Jolla (SD). The west coast has a lot of great players - and while I know UCONN is a huge brand (ie. international), it can't hurt to play out here for more than just a homecoming for Ice.

And of course, selfishly, I'd love to see them come out here so I could get to a live game.

 

[Carnac]

Are you kidding? Those are great places to visit!

Keep in mind we got Ice out of San Diego. We recruited Cunningham out of SD as well. Back in the day we got Houston out of SD and went after Wiggins hard in La Jolla (SD). The west coast has a lot of great players - and while I know UCONN is a huge brand (ie. international), it can't hurt to play out here for more than just a homecoming for Ice.

And of course, selfishly, I'd love to see them come out here so I could get to a live game.

Don't get me wrong. I would love for Geno to bring his Huskies out here to So. Cal every two years. I would not miss any of those games. I would love to see THIS YEARS edition of the Huskies in person.....in Storrs. Seeing a game in Gampel is high on my bucket list. I'd have to attend two games. 3000 miles and a 5 hour plane ride is too far and too long to see only 1 game.

And when I do, I will make the most of that trip. Keep hope alive. Who knows, maybe it will happen. The folks that live in and around Hartford/Storrs that can go to games at will, are lucky to have an elite WCBB program like UConn whose games they can support and attend regularly.

We know they have to come to the San Diego area in 2025 for Ice's homecoming game. I will be at that game, probably with my road dog, MDOGGIE. Only an hour & forty-five minutes away for me. Less time than a quick trip to Las Vegas. Plenty of mid-major colleges and universities to choose from in the greater San Diego metropolitan area.

 

[baggerbob]

Wow. Will anyone see her play ?

Yes she will be in the Big 10 for the majority of her career, national coverage.

 

[Mdoggie]

@SCspur Destiny A. No longer plays for Etiwanda with Kennedy. Destiny is on the Santiago roster in Corona Ca. So there’s that.

 

[MSSportsGuy]

I too wonder if Gotlieb will show us anything comparable to her FF run at Cal but getting top flight talent to stay home is a good way to start.

 

[SCGamecock]

Don't get me wrong. I would love for Geno to bring his Huskies out here to So. Cal every two years. I would not miss any of those games. I would love to see THIS YEARS edition of the Huskies in person.....in Storrs. Seeing a game in Gampel is high on my bucket list. I'd have to attend two games. 3000 miles and a 5 hour plane ride is too far and too long to see only 1 game.

And when I do, I will make the most of that trip. Keep hope alive. Who knows, maybe it will happen. The folks that live in and around Hartford/Storrs that can go to games at will, are lucky to have an elite WCBB program like UConn whose games they can support and attend regularly.

We know they have to come to the San Diego area in 2025 for Ice's homecoming game. I will be at that game, probably with my road dog, MDOGGIE. Only an hour & forty-five minutes away for me. Less time than a quick trip to Las Vegas. Plenty of mid-major colleges and universities to choose from in the greater San Diego metropolitan area.

I attended 3 UConn WBB games at Gampel during my time living in CT.

Gasp… am I a bigger UConn fan than the great Carnac?!?! … just kidding.

 

[jake0414]

Gottlieb took Cal to the FF, once and won the Pac12 regular season title.
Same as Neighbors at Washington
Same as Graves at Oregon
Same as Rueck at Oregon State.
Something Close has yet to do, with more overall talent

Neighbors never won a Pac-12 regular season championship. In his four season starting in 2014-15 his Washington teams finished 6th, 5th, 5th (advanced to NCAA FF) and tied for 2nd. His last Husky team lost in the sweet sixteen. I don’t believe any of Close’s teams had anywhere near the talent of Graves’s Ducks with Ionescu, Hebard, Sabally, Cazorla, and Boley, et al. Disappointed that Covid cancellation didn’t let us see that special 2019/2020 Oregon team take on South Carolina and other top teams in the NCAA Tournament.

I get your point that Close underachieved with the Canada, Billings, Drummer, Hayes, Caldwell class. I am hopeful the Bruins can finally breakthrough with its second top recruiting class. We will get our first clue this weekend when the Bruins play in the Battle 4 Atlantis opening with South Dakota State.

 

[Carnac]

I attended 3 UConn WBB games at Gampel during my time living in CT.

Gasp… am I a bigger UConn fan than the great Carnac?!?! … just kidding.

No. I've never been to Gampel. I've never been to Connecticut. I've never been to the east coast. NY, Washington D.C., Boston, the Carolinas, etc. are virgin lands to me. I'm a west coast guy. Never had any reason/business to visit that part of the country.

I very much want to go. I would love to visit the Smithsonian Air & Space museum in Washington D.C. I'd like to see all of the famous planes and space craft on display there.

But an east coast trip is not possible right now. My "need" list far outweighs my "want" list. If I did reside in CT. I can assure you I would be a season ticket holder for as long as I was there. I would buy the best seats available. Price would be no object. Good seats cost. No "rafter" or top row seats for Carnac. I want some Bob Uecker seats.......you know, on the front row. That commercial was filmed at Dodger Stadium. I recognize those seats. I've sat there a few times.

Not to hijack the thread, again I wish Juju all the best, and I will be following her during her 4 year lay over at USC on her way to the WNBA.

 

[ochoopsfan]

Great few days for USC Trojans basketball program

 

[socal613ws]

Trust me, the questions will only grow louder now that she has the talent to make mediocrity utterly unacceptable.

maybe so but this is the best hc Usc wbb has had in what 25 years? I will gladly take her over any of those previous hc's. The pac 12 is gearing for a powerhouse conference until Usc Ucla leave. Usc/Ucla/Stanford/Oregon/Oregon st/Arizona all I expect to be tourny teams.

 

[ochoopsfan]

I get your point that Close underachieved with the Canada, Billings, Drummer, Hayes, Caldwell class. I am hopeful the Bruins can finally breakthrough with its second top recruiting class. We will get our first clue this weekend when the Bruins play in the Battle 4 Atlantis opening with South Dakota State.

Add Onyenwere to the teams with UCLA. A lot of WNBA talent.

 

[jake0414]

Add Onyenwere to the teams with UCLA. A lot of WNBA talent.

Onyenwere joined the Bruins in 2017/18 for Canada, Billings and Hayes’s senior season and was a role player her freshman year. Can add junior Kennedy Burke too. That team lost to Mississippi State in the elite eight. MSU advanced to the 2018 Championship Game losing to Notre Dame in the Championship game where Ogunbowale seemingly fouled Morgan William on a late steal attempt but didn’t get the benefit of a call. Arike hit the game winning thre point shot as time expired.

Onyenwere became a breakout star for the Bruins the following year. That 2018/2019 Bruin team started slow but jelled as the season progressed. It defeated Ionescu’s Oregon Duck team in Eugene. Admittedly the Ducks didn’t have Hebard for that game. The #6 seed Bruins beat Evina Westbrook’s Tennessee in the ncaa opening round and #3 seed Maryland in College Park in the round of 32. Unfortunately UCLA got paired with UConn in the sweet sixteen, took a one point lead into the 4th quarter before losing 69-61. I think the Bruins would have made the elite eight and perhaps the final four had it not been paired with the Huskies. They were playing that well.

 

[bballnut90]

Onyenwere joined the Bruins in 2017/18 for Canada, Billings and Hayes’s senior season and was a role player her freshman year. Can add junior Kennedy Burke too. That team lost to Mississippi State in the elite eight. MSU advanced to the 2018 Championship Game losing to Notre Dame in the Championship game where Ogunbowale seemingly fouled Morgan William on a late steal attempt but didn’t get the benefit of a call. Arike hit the game winning thre point shot as time expired.

Onyenwere became a breakout star for the Bruins the following year. That 2018/2019 Bruin team started slow but jelled as the season progressed. It defeated Ionescu’s Oregon Duck team in Eugene. Admittedly the Ducks didn’t have Hebard for that game. The #6 seed Bruins beat Evina Westbrook’s Tennessee in the ncaa opening round and #3 seed Maryland in College Park in the round of 32. Unfortunately UCLA got paired with UConn in the sweet sixteen, took a one point lead into the 4th quarter before losing 69-61. I think the Bruins would have made the elite eight and perhaps the final four had it not been paired with the Huskies. They were playing that well.

UCLA was quite impressive in 2018-19--great dark horse team. Worth noting, the UCONN game was also in Albany so it was a road game for UCLA. It may have been a different result on neutral court. 2018-19 was brutal for anyone to upset their way to the Final Four though. Notre Dame/Baylor were the 2 best teams and met in the title game, UCONN/Oregon had home crowds until the Final Four, and Louisville/Mississippi State had great squads that were #1 seeds that year. One of the better years overall in women's basketball.