2014 Priorities

[UConNation]

At a minimum, it would be great to get a four to five star big and guard.
Who they will be depends upon what the player wants and whether Coach Ollie thinks they would have ten toes in.
It seems like UConn is listed by 20-30 players, so hopefully that is a good prognostic sign.

We get listed by 20-30 ESPN 100 players every year this time of the year. It's too early to know which way they're leaning.

 

[Huskyforlife]

I'd like to lock up hill,gant, and chuckwu now if possible. Than add Joseph to that and that's a dream 2014 class

 

[husky99]

I'd like to lock up hill,gant, and chuckwu now if possible. Than add Joseph to that and that's a dream 2014 class

black also

 

[upstater]

I'd rather reproduce a Jake Voskuhl or Josh Boone.

It took Thabeet 3 years to be a legitimate contributor on both ends of the floor, and Calhoun basically sold out that generation of players for Thabeet's development. Fortunately both he and the team blossomed in time to become a Final Four contender, but I'd rather not sacrifice two years on the hope that a project develops into a stud.

The Thabeet I remember was a force like no other in the country in both his sophomore and junior seasons. At this point, I think it's safe to say we need to temper our expectations.

 

[Tenspro2002]

Maybe I'm not giving Thabeet enough credit for what he did sophomore year, but I remember him being a liability on the offensive end.

Either way, it's safe to say Calhoun staked the 2007-2009 teams to Thabeet's development, and if he had come up short that entire 3-year span would have been a waste.

I'd rather get more of a sure thing than a project in the frontcourt.

 

[aceboon]

Maybe I'm not giving Thabeet enough credit for what he did sophomore year, but I remember him being a liability on the offensive end.

Either way, it's safe to say Calhoun staked the 2007-2009 teams to Thabeet's development, and if he had come up short that entire 3-year span would have been a waste.

I'd rather get more of a sure thing than a project in the frontcourt.

What do you mean by this comment? Who else was he supposed to play at C? Mandeldove, Curtis Kelly, or Gavin Edwards? Thabeet was better than all 3 of those guys despite his limitations on offense. His sophomore year UConn was a top 4 team in the BE and they were a 4 seed in the tourney. Who knows what would've happen if AJ didn't blow his knee out but its not like UConn wasn't a very successful team 2 out of Thabeet's 3 years.

 

[HuskyBballFan]

Either way, it's safe to say Calhoun staked the 2007-2009 teams to Thabeet's development, and if he had come up short that entire 3-year span would have been a waste.

Still not making any sense. The 2007 team struggled, the 2008 was very good, and the 2009 team was really good. It was virtually the same group of players on all three teams, and those guys collectively got better during those three years - none more than Thabeet. How could that era have been a waste?

 

[HuskiesAllDay]

Still not making any sense. The 2007 team struggled, the 2008 was very good, and the 2009 team was really good. It was virtually the same group of players on all three teams, and those guys collectively got better during those three years - none more than Thabeet. How could that era have been a waste?

He is making sense, you just disagree with him. The 2008 and 2009 teams were good BECAUSE Thabeet worked out. Which is his point. We are not at the point roster wise where we can take on a project. I have no idea if Chukwu qualifies as such, but if he does, then his point stands. If Thabeet didn't develop then 08 and 09's teams wouldn't be nearly as good.

Obviously, you can say that about any player, but the original point is that we need impact players right away not so called projects.

By the time the 2014 class gets to campus, Shabazz, Wolf, Giffey and Olander will all be gone. Boat and Daniels and even possibly Calhoun as well. That is why it is such a vital recruiting class for us. Chukwu looks very good in his videos, but I would have to agree with the original point that we need players who can help right away, not two or three years from now.

 

[Rico444]

He is making sense, you just disagree with him. The 2008 and 2009 teams were good BECAUSE Thabeet worked out. Which is his point. We are not at the point roster wise where we can take on a project. I have no idea if Chukwu qualifies as such, but if he does, then his point stands. If Thabeet didn't develop then 08 and 09's teams wouldn't be nearly as good.

Obviously, you can say that about any player, but the original point is that we need impact players right away not so called projects.

By the time the 2014 class gets to campus, Shabazz, Wolf, Giffey and Olander will all be gone. Boat and Daniels and even possibly Calhoun as well. That is why it is such a vital recruiting class for us. Chukwu looks very good in his videos, but I would have to agree with the original point that we need players who can help right away, not two or three years from now.

Every big man is a project. Those that aren't, are ranked in the top 15 prospects. So, yeah, if given the choice, I would say Calhoun should've gone after Kevin Love or Deandre Jordan, but don't mind him taking the player he knew would take a year to get acclimated, but eventually become great. I also trust his ability to evaluate talent.

 

[aceboon]

He is making sense, you just disagree with him. The 2008 and 2009 teams were good BECAUSE Thabeet worked out. Which is his point. We are not at the point roster wise where we can take on a project. I have no idea if Chukwu qualifies as such, but if he does, then his point stands. If Thabeet didn't develop then 08 and 09's teams wouldn't be nearly as good.

Obviously, you can say that about any player, but the original point is that we need impact players right away not so called projects.

By the time the 2014 class gets to campus, Shabazz, Wolf, Giffey and Olander will all be gone. Boat and Daniels and even possibly Calhoun as well. That is why it is such a vital recruiting class for us. Chukwu looks very good in his videos, but I would have to agree with the original point that we need players who can help right away, not two or three years from now.

The poster said that Calhoun sold out 2 years of the other player's development, no offense to him but that is one of the dumbest things I've ever read on here. That team in Thabeet's 2nd year was a top 4 BE team, 4 seed in the NCAA, a year after they were terrible, which was not solely Thabeet's fault, JC's young teams mostly always go through those kind of issues. With that kind of progress, no NCAA, 4 seed, then Final 4, how in the hell did JC sell out the rest of the team to develop Thabeet at C when there were no better options to play ahead of him?

 

[upstater]

He is making sense, you just disagree with him. The 2008 and 2009 teams were good BECAUSE Thabeet worked out. Which is his point. We are not at the point roster wise where we can take on a project. I have no idea if Chukwu qualifies as such, but if he does, then his point stands. If Thabeet didn't develop then 08 and 09's teams wouldn't be nearly as good.

Obviously, you can say that about any player, but the original point is that we need impact players right away not so called projects.

By the time the 2014 class gets to campus, Shabazz, Wolf, Giffey and Olander will all be gone. Boat and Daniels and even possibly Calhoun as well. That is why it is such a vital recruiting class for us. Chukwu looks very good in his videos, but I would have to agree with the original point that we need players who can help right away, not two or three years from now.

How about this then? Brimah and Facey and Nolan will hold the fort down until Chukwu becomes a monster all-world stud!!!

 

[uconnbill]

Maybe I'm not giving Thabeet enough credit for what he did sophomore year, but I remember him being a liability on the offensive end.

Either way, it's safe to say Calhoun staked the 2007-2009 teams to Thabeet's development, and if he had come up short that entire 3-year span would have been a waste.

I'd rather get more of a sure thing than a project in the frontcourt.

I don't know. I like a center that can block shots, rebound and score some. The reason UConn was and is known as Wing U was because of the 2's/3's are the scorers. I would like Hill, Black, Chukwu and another three.

 

[HuskiesAllDay]

How about this then? Brimah and Facey and Nolan will hold the fort down until Chukwu becomes a monster all-world stud!!!

I LOVE THAT!!!!

I wasn't arguing whether Chukwu would be good or not. Or that our current players wont turn out to be very good either. just that given the choice, I would rather take a guy who can contribute now rather than later.

 

[HuskiesAllDay]

The poster said that Calhoun sold out 2 years of the other player's development, no offense to him but that is one of the dumbest things I've ever read on here. That team in Thabeet's 2nd year was a top 4 BE team, 4 seed in the NCAA, a year after they were terrible, which was not solely Thabeet's fault, JC's young teams mostly always go through those kind of issues. With that kind of progress, no NCAA, 4 seed, then Final 4, how in the hell did JC sell out the rest of the team to develop Thabeet at C when there were no better options to play ahead of him?

Yeah that is ridiculous. I didnt really see that he said that. Thats absurd.

 

[HuskiesAllDay]

Every big man is a project. Those that aren't, are ranked in the top 15 prospects. So, yeah, if given the choice, I would say Calhoun should've gone after Kevin Love or Deandre Jordan, but don't mind him taking the player he knew would take a year to get acclimated, but eventually become great. I also trust his ability to evaluate talent.

Agreed sort of. Josh Boone wasn't a project. He also wasn't a huge huge recruit or a superstar as a freshman either. He was a very good freshman player who contributed right away.

I guess I would love another Josh Boone right now (rather than Freshman Thabeet). Does that make sense?

 

[Tenspro2002]

Look, all I'm saying is that Calhoun hitched the 2007-2009 wagon to Thabeet's development. He happened to work out and develop into a monster on defense and reliable on offense, especially in that 3rd year. He is a big reason why we went to the Final Four.

But, in the hypothetical universe where he doesn't pan out -- as is often the case with projects --and we're left with second-string Gavin Edwards at center, the team isn't nearly as successful. In this universe, you'd be right to argue that we would have been better off going after a lower-risk, lower-ceiling prospect.

All I'm saying is that going forward, we shouldn't always be enamored of these project big men. Obviously we're not getting the next Anthony Davis (or even Andre Drummond) every year. Like the post above says, a guy like Josh Boone would be ideal.

 

[aceboon]

Look, all I'm saying is that Calhoun hitched the 2007-2009 wagon to Thabeet's development. He happened to work out and develop into a monster on defense and reliable on offense, especially in that 3rd year. He is a big reason why we went to the Final Four.

But, in the hypothetical universe where he doesn't pan out -- as is often the case with projects --and we're left with second-string Gavin Edwards at center, the team isn't nearly as successful. In this universe, you'd be right to argue that we would have been better off going after a lower-risk, lower-ceiling prospect.

All I'm saying is that going forward, we shouldn't always be enamored of these project big men. Obviously we're not getting the next Anthony Davis (or even Andre Drummond) every year. Like the post above says, a guy like Josh Boone would be ideal.

I just don't see where he hitched his wagon to him, Thabeet was obviously a major piece but he wasn't the team, that team was driven by AJP imo. AJ tears his ACL, they look disorganized and they lose to San Diego. AJ gets completely taken out by MSU's D on the high ball screen, they lose in the Final 4. Thabeet was expected to develop into a competent C the same way expectations were placed on Adrien, Sticks, Dyson, and AJ at their positions, JC didn't place the immediate future of the program on Thabeet's shoulders.

 

[7774]

Look, all I'm saying is that Calhoun hitched the 2007-2009 wagon to Thabeet's development. He happened to work out and develop into a monster on defense and reliable on offense, especially in that 3rd year. He is a big reason why we went to the Final Four.

But, in the hypothetical universe where he doesn't pan out -- as is often the case with projects --and we're left with second-string Gavin Edwards at center, the team isn't nearly as successful. In this universe, you'd be right to argue that we would have been better off going after a lower-risk, lower-ceiling prospect.

All I'm saying is that going forward, we shouldn't always be enamored of these project big men. Obviously we're not getting the next Anthony Davis (or even Andre Drummond) every year. Like the post above says, a guy like Josh Boone would be ideal.

I have no clue why you think Thabeet was such a project compared to Josh Boone. What is your definition of a project?

 

[kansashusky]

I realize we all probably read to much into the social media, and I am doing the same. However, when Purvis posted a Husky on instagram, Black commented that he didnt realize Purvis was considering us and said "You going there? Hit me up!" So that is good they are least are friends and Purvis can try and help recruit him here.

A guy can dream right?

 

[Rico444]

The issue with this talk about Boone is that there may not have been a Josh Boone available in that class, who was also interested in coming to UConn. It's not like there are that many big men who are ready to contribute at the college level immediately; I mean, Chukwu is about the 9th or 10th ranked center prospect by Scout. Any lower than him, and you start talking about serious project level (Brimah, Hilton, etc.). So, leaving out the elite centers in the class, that only really leaves you with a few more choices, and who knows how many of them are interested in coming to UConn? It's not like Calhoun is Calipari, who pretty much gets the pick of the litter. He has to gamble sometimes. And it usually worked out.

 

[3uconn]

I realize we all probably read to much into the social media, and I am doing the same. However, when Purvis posted a Husky on instagram, Black commented that he didnt realize Purvis was considering us and said "You going there? Hit me up!" So that is good they are least are friends and Purvis can try and help recruit him here.

A guy can dream right?

We can only hope that they are good friends. We will need everything to get him.

 

[BearJWS]

UConn might have 4-6 scholarships available. UConn could probably sign several of these guys. There will be lots of holes in the lineup come 2014. I think someone like Hill, Chuckwu and Abu/Black would be priorities. I ideally I would love Abu since he would be the inside scorer/banger that UConn roster lacks. We'd have too many skinny guys without someone like him. I'm not sure if Black is a banger, but he sounds more of a combo forward, but rugged, which would also be good to have on the team. UConn could then fill in with another PG and/or SF type.

 

[Huskyforlife]

Woah! When was this?

I realize we all probably read to much into the social media, and I am doing the same. However, when Purvis posted a Husky on instagram, Black commented that he didnt realize Purvis was considering us and said "You going there? Hit me up!" So that is good they are least are friends and Purvis can try and help recruit him here.

A guy can dream right?

 

[Danzz]

Jordan McLaughlin. He is a 5 star PG and probably is the best player with Uconn on his list.

 

[kansashusky]

Woah! When was this?

Sometime last week. I really do think Purvis is well connected with good talent and hopefully helps recruit.

 

[BLUEDOGHOUSE]

He is making sense, you just disagree with him. The 2008 and 2009 teams were good BECAUSE Thabeet worked out. Which is his point. We are not at the point roster wise where we can take on a project. I have no idea if Chukwu qualifies as such, but if he does, then his point stands. If Thabeet didn't develop then 08 and 09's teams wouldn't be nearly as good.

Obviously, you can say that about any player, but the original point is that we need impact players right away not so called projects.

By the time the 2014 class gets to campus, Shabazz, Wolf, Giffey and Olander will all be gone. Boat and Daniels and even possibly Calhoun as well. That is why it is such a vital recruiting class for us. Chukwu looks very good in his videos, but I would have to agree with the original point that we need players who can help right away, not two or three years from now.

Chukwu is a beast bro...Go watch him play live. He will be a menace right away.

 

[BLUEDOGHOUSE]

The issue with this talk about Boone is that there may not have been a Josh Boone available in that class, who was also interested in coming to UConn. It's not like there are that many big men who are ready to contribute at the college level immediately; I mean, Chukwu is about the 9th or 10th ranked center prospect by Scout. Any lower than him, and you start talking about serious project level (Brimah, Hilton, etc.). So, leaving out the elite centers in the class, that only really leaves you with a few more choices, and who knows how many of them are interested in coming to UConn? It's not like Calhoun is Calipari, who pretty much gets the pick of the litter. He has to gamble sometimes. And it usually worked out.

Chukwu is the real deal. I don't profess to know more than Scout because they know everything but Chukwu will be a lottery pick IMO in Mock drafts in his Sophomore year of college hopefully at UConn. He eventually will become an NBA lottery pick. 2 years in college is all he needs in my opinion.

 

[3uconn]

@jerrymeyer247: Kaleb Joseph is an explosive athlete at pg. Miami, Pitt, Cuse, UConn, Maquette, Duke (no offer) high on his list. #exclusiverun

Very good player. Top 50 in his class.