2014 McDonald's All-Americans named today

[tcf15]

ESPN released their new rankings today- Hamilton dropped from 26 to 31.

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/playerrankings/_/order/true

 

[CTBasketball]

ESPN released their new rankings today- Hamilton dropped from 26 to 31.

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/playerrankings/_/order/true

Thomas Welch jumped from ~90th to 33rd. I guess the McDonalds AA effect is real with ESPN.

 

[ctchamps]

Thomas Welch jumped from ~90th to 33rd. I guess the McDonalds AA effect is real with ESPN.

At some point in time people will realize that the primary focus of ESPN is to get ratings for ESPN and not to create insightful analysis about sports. Unfortunately if history is an example I doubt the majority of the general public has the discernment to come to this understanding. If we couldn't understand the manipulation of banking in the housing market, something with a major impact on our lives, I doubt we will figure the manipulation within the entertainment world.

Fortunately, with all the Dickie V hype, UConn has managed considerable success. JC, in spite of his success, still struggled to get the talent relative to his success. He did fine. ESPN or any hype machine has only marginal impact on coaching ability. I think KO will do just fine as well.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

It's not like McDonald's knows who to make good hamburger either.
If this keeps a single person from eating there -- player, fan, or child -- then it's a good thing.

 

[Kitaman]

DHam is coming to a good place where premium beef is made! We make 'em' from scratch not pre-cooked (ready made).

Think of UConn as 'Plan B'.

 

[huskiesNhoos]

Think of UConn as 'Plan B'.

Because we get rid of unwanted problems?

 

[Kitaman]

Because we get rid of unwanted problems?

No

 

[UConNation]

No

mmmmmmmmm (salivating all over my desk at work now)

 

[CL82]

yup, uconn has never had an McD's AA, not only does ESPN have a complete anti-uconn agenda but so do the people who pick these rosters. In fact, I heard McDonald's CEO hates huskies and made a personal call to organizers of the game to make sure no player whom is committed to Uconn is chosen...

Conspiracy Kitty says:
That bastard! First scalding hot coffee and now this!

 

[TheChamps990411]

Im not a conspiracy guy but with what ive seen over the last few years regarding uconn i simply can no longer against it.

 

[huskymedic]

At least he has a sense of humor about it:

Dham_51:26am via Twitter for iPhone
The face I made when I heard I didn't make mcdonalds pic.twitter.com/ecGeiRP9od

 

[ASweet3781]

We joked about it but you have to figure at some point this can hurt us or has hurt us in landing some big fish. These players want to be on the team. If they know they are a guarantee to make it by committing to UNC, KY, Kansas, Duke, etc. than that is a huge advantage.

 

[aceboon]

Good grief, another name to add to the ignore list

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

We joked about it but you have to figure at some point this can hurt us or has hurt us in landing some big fish. These players want to be on the team. If they know they are a guarantee to make it by committing to UNC, KY, Kansas, Duke, etc. than that is a huge advantage.

Wait, what? A kid is going to base his college choice on whether or not he gets to play in an all-star game in high school?

 

[UConn990411]

Maybe I'm alone here, but I couldn't give less of a about things like player rankings and the McDonald's All-American Game.

After 2010-11, none of you should either.

 

[superjohn]

Maybe I'm alone here, but I couldn't give less of a about things like player rankings and the McDonald's All-American Game.

After 2010-11, none of you should either.

I care about it for the kid, he was royally screwed and I think it has something to do with the College he's going to next year.

 

[boog204]

We joked about it but you have to figure at some point this can hurt us or has hurt us in landing some big fish. These players want to be on the team. If they know they are a guarantee to make it by committing to UNC, KY, Kansas, Duke, etc. than that is a huge advantage.

So when DHam leads us to a final four, a high school recruit is going to think, "Damn, I really like UConn... Their style, KO, DHam, etc. But I just can't commit b/c I won't get to play in the McDonald's game."

Look, the all-star games add a modicum of notoriety. But all that matters is what a prospective recruit sees on the court. Nobody is going to alter their college plans based on some perceived bias for a high school all star game.