2014 Recruits

[meyers7]

Some questions (at the end) about the 2014 class.

Ok we know the following verbals:
Courtney Ekmark (G 6-0)
Gabby Williams (G 5-11)
Sadie Edwards (G 5-10)

The recruits we've been associated with (recently, I haven't heard anything on Drummer in awhile):
A'ja Wilson (F 6-5)
Kathryn Westbeld (F 6-2)
Lynee Belton (F 6-2)
and
Sierra Calhoun (W 6-0)
Taylor Rooks (W 6-0)
Lexi Gussert (G/W 6-0)

Assuming Geno can't take all 6 (actually there are only 5 scholarships left anyway) and assuming they would all want to come,
How many do you think he would take? 2? 3? 4? 5?
Which players would be your priority? 1 big 1 wing, 2 bigs and a wing, 2 of each, 3 bigs a wing, 1 big and 3 wings, etc. ????
Which players do you think are Geno's priority?
In your fantasy scenario who do we get???

 

[jdubct]

Wilson and one of the two other forwards and at most one of the wings. So, 2 or 3 more.

 

[MilfordHusky]

It may depend on what Geno foresees in 2015 in terms of talent and likelihood of recruiting, but I think Wilson is wanted/needed for sure. She seems like a transcendental player. Then 1-2 more. I like Westbeld and Calhoun, but the other kids sound good too.

The 3 recruits so far are fairly tall for their positions, but we need some kids at 6'2" and bigger.

 

[connboy77]

I think Geno will take at least two more maybe three. Considering who we already have, adding Wilson would make UCONN'S 2014 class the best in the country. Adding one or two more additional recruits would make this class equal or better then the 2012 class. We can only hope!

 

[Kibitzer]

It seems like Wilson is most sought, possibly Westbeld next. Should both commit, pure joy on the Boneyard and "Good luck, kid!" message for the others.

On the other hand, should Calhoun commit, at least one "big" will jump on the train before it leaves the station.

Geno is holding good cards and knows how to play them. Meanwhile, I'm sure there's a lot of texting going on.

 

[ju6381]

To me it looks like 3 groups with room for 1 from each.

Group 1
A'ja Wilson

Group 2
Sierra Calhoun
Lexi Gussert
Taylor Rooks

Group 3
Lynee Belton
Kathryn Westbeld

 

[glenn fisk]

To me,this is kind of sitting in a fancy restaurant,trying to figure out which gourmet steaks the family will have tonight.Myself,I would be very happy with any three or four of those young ladies posted,and I trust Geno will have an exceptional class when all is said and done!

 

[UcMiami]

To me,this is kind of sitting in a fancy restaurant,trying to figure out which gourmet steaks the family will have tonight.Myself,I would be very happy with any three or four of those young ladies posted,and I trust Geno will have an exceptional class when all is said and done!

And I'll bring the wine!

 

[semper]

It will be a celebratory feast IF we get Wilson. We just have to have a big. That must be the top priority, in my view.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Westbeld would help in terms of size. Wilson is taller and might help more in the height department. But the key with Wilson is that she's really, really good. Think Stewie. Think Candace Parker. Think skills we've rarely--or maybe never--seen before.

 

[reno tony]

Wilson and Calhoun. Save the other scholarships for the following year.

 

[Kibitzer]

Think skills we've rarely--or maybe never--seen before.

Your memory is too short.

I am reminded of the occasion when Marilyn Monroe returned from her triumphant visit to entertain troops in Korea. She was understandably giddy and exuberant when she told her hubby, Joe DiMaggio, "Oh, Joe! Thousands of men standing and yelling and screaming! You've never heard anything like it!!!"

Joe never batted and eye as he responded quietly: "Yes I have."

 

[Sonny44]

A'ja and Kathryn for me.

To me it looks like 3 groups with room for 1 from each.

Group 1
A'ja Wilson

Group 2
Sierra Calhoun
Lexi Gussert
Taylor Rooks

Group 3
Lynee Belton
Kathryn Westbeld

 

[01Neaggrad02]

Wilson and Calhoun. Save the other scholarships for the following year.

Why? if he goes with five.... he would have 12 players if I am thinking about this correctly. If he goes with 4 like you suggest he only has 11.

While a smaller roster allows the students to play more... I would like to see a larger roster so individuals can be rested and if we have an injury or two we can try to make an adjustment. Next year with 9 players, and having Banks coming back from her ACL tear... I hope she is okay, but I am nervous about that.

 

[doggydaddy]

Banks coming back from her ACL tear... I hope she is okay, but I am nervous about that.

Why? Has there been any indication that her rehab isn't going well?

The majority of players come back fine after 6-8 months. And even more have no re injury issues.

Lets try a little positive thinking with Banks. And I'm not just saying this to you, but other posters who have posted similar thoughts.

 

[reno tony]

Why? if he goes with five.... he would have 12 players if I am thinking about this correctly. If he goes with 4 like you suggest he only has 11.

While a smaller roster allows the students to play more... I would like to see a larger roster so individuals can be rested and if we have an injury or two we can try to make an adjustment. Next year with 9 players, and having Banks coming back from her ACL tear... I hope she is okay, but I am nervous about that.

We actually agree about five being the number. He already has Gabby Williams, Courtney Ekmark and Sadie Edwards. Wilson and Calhoun would make it five. Then he has scholarships to reload for the next class.

 

[01Neaggrad02]

Sorry you are correct. For some reason I was thinking 4. Mainly because I was hoping for a class of 6 myself. Ekmark, Edwards, Williams, along side Wilson, Westbeld, and Calhoun.

Just think if I had my way... we would have two e's, three w's and a c.

 

[alexrgct]

If UConn secures the commitment of A'ja Wilson, there's a very real chance that UConn wins the next five NCs. BTW, I'm not sure that's a good thing, though as a fan and Connecticut resident, I'd certainly enjoy it. But with KML and Breanna seeming to be as advertised, getting three national #1s in four years would really tip the balance of power to the level it would have been had EDD stayed at Uconn.

 

[01Neaggrad02]

If UConn secures the commitment of A'ja Wilson, there's a very real chance that UConn wins the next five NCs. BTW, I'm not sure that's a good thing, though as a fan and Connecticut resident, I'd certainly enjoy it. But with KML and Breanna seeming to be as advertised, getting three national #1s in four years would really tip the balance of power to the level it would have been had EDD stayed at Uconn.

Don't forget that Asia Durr who has UCONN as one of her top schools the following year. If I am not mistaken she is also a #1.

 

[John Glass]

Why? Has there been any indication that her rehab isn't going well?

The majority of players come back fine after 6-8 months. And even more have no re injury issues.

Lets try a little positive thinking with Banks. And I'm not just saying this to you, but other posters who have posted similar thoughts.

What are the stats regarding re-injury ? 10% , 20%, or higher ?

 

[MilfordHusky]

If UConn secures the commitment of A'ja Wilson, there's a very real chance that UConn wins the next five NCs. BTW, I'm not sure that's a good thing, though as a fan and Connecticut resident, I'd certainly enjoy it. But with KML and Breanna seeming to be as advertised, getting three national #1s in four years would really tip the balance of power to the level it would have been had EDD stayed at Uconn.

I love second chances.

Or, as Neaggrad notes, let's go one better and nab 4 straight no. 1s.

 

[Icebear]

What are the stats regarding re-injury ? 10% , 20%, or higher ?

There are no consensus figures. The issue does appear related to the pace of return.

http://www.aaos.org/news/aaosnow/dec12/clinical7.asp

http://sportsmetrics.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Obj-Criteria-Return-to-Athletics-PhysSM-2011.pdf

http://sportsmedresearch.blogspot.com/2011/08/increased-re-injury-risk-after-acl.html

 

[doggydaddy]

There are no consensus figures. The issue does appear related to the pace of return.

http://www.aaos.org/news/aaosnow/dec12/clinical7.asp

http://sportsmetrics.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Obj-Criteria-Return-to-Athletics-PhysSM-2011.pdf

http://sportsmedresearch.blogspot.com/2011/08/increased-re-injury-risk-after-acl.html

Here is one more.

http://lowerextremityreview.com/article/rehab-speeds-return-after-acl-surgery

Based on everything I've read, odds are good that Banks will be back to her former self and will not be reinjured. That was my only point. Why focus on the negative?

 

[Icebear]

Here is one more.

http://lowerextremityreview.com/article/rehab-speeds-return-after-acl-surgery

Based on everything I've read, odds are good that Banks will be back to her former self and will not be reinjured. That was my only point. Why focus on the negative?

I wasn't replying to you just to John Glass's question. Fact is that the recidivism rate is relatively low in most of the articles I've read but the one key element is the speed of return. Enough time must be given for complete healing and one of the central issues is that pain sensors are damaged through the surgery and the athlete may not be able to judge pain and stop to rest soon enough to avoid damage. That is where UCONN's great medical and training staff come in.

You're a curmudgeon compared to me when it comes to optimism.

 

[UcMiami]

Dog and Ice - we all hope for a full and speedy recovery and no re-injury and the general stats are good on that front. But we have seen and heard from Uconn players in the past that it often takes a while for them to fully trust the repaired knee. KG took a year of playing well before she started playing really well. And a player who depends on their speed as a rule has a little more trouble adjusting. I expect BB to be playing well this year and to be healthy, but I am not sure she starts out that way from game one.
The other issue is that she is working her b__t off to rehab which means that she is not working on her game the way she did after her freshman year. She made a great leap forward last year, but it doesn't help that she can't physically be developing her game this off-season.
This is not negativity, just tempering some of the unbridled enthusiasm of the BY with a little reality check.