2015 HS Recruiting - Oct update

[hoophuskee]

I can understand that the Cox and McCoy seem like players you cannot refuse, but I think UConn will get another guard in 2016 (perhaps in addition to one of those 2). The reason I say this is while there are 4 guards in the 2014 class, there are none in 2015 and so far only 1 in 2016. Would Geno really want to get just a single guard over a 2-year span? Seems pretty unbalanced. Not fatally flawed or anything, but less than desirable.

Supposedly that's not what Geno is thinking. You can read the KI thread. First post on it, and here is a link. In the body it seems Geno is looking for 2 posts and 1 guard. He has the guard and one post.

http://www.courant.com/sports/uconn...ream-was-uconn-basketball-20141021-story.html

 

[hoophuskee]

I was thinking ball handling and guarding other teams' guards. I'm not sure you'd want Samuelson doing that. And Ekmark probably shouldn't either, but she's in a class with plenty of guards, so that's not a concern. As far as guard need, I don't anticipate any until the 2014 class graduates, and if Dangerfield is the only guard in the 2016 class, then Geno would be relying on freshman/sophomore guards to play the 2 and spell the 1. Again, not a fatal flaw but less than desirable, IMO.

And slu is right. In 2016 we'll have Chong as a sr, our freshman guards wil be jr's and frosh Dangerfield.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

In 2016 - Tuck is a wldcard. Will she be healhty? Will she want to stay or leave with Stewie and MoJeff? Now you've just given Cox/McCoy Tuck's minutes if she leaves.

Tuck's health is always a question but for the moment she seems fine so I think we have to go with that in any hypothetical scenario. I can't see her leaving early but who knows. It would still be a logjam for two years anyway. The result of bringing in such talented players.

 

[hoophuskee]

Tuck's health is always a question but for the moment she seems fine so I think we have to go with that in any hypothetical scenario. I can't see her leaving early but who knows. It would still be a logjam for two years anyway. The result of bringing in such talented players.

If Tuck is healthy - other than Stewie, Lloyd andMoJeff - who is better?

Tuck looked really, really, really good last year.

 

[Fightin Choke]

Trust me, under no circumstances would I have KLS or Ekmark defending guards. Nurse, Edwards, and Dangerfield all have reputations as quality defenders, plus Jefferson for another year so I think they're okay from that standpoint.

I'm not sure I understand which year(s) you are referring to when UConn would have fr/so at guard.

I am referring to the year after the 2014 class graduates. Clearly UConn will not lack guards before that time. But after the 2014's graduate, UConn will have just a single guard to go along with lots of 3's, 4's, and 5's in the senior (KLS, Collier, and Boykin) and junior (Dangerfield, Irwin, Cox/McCoy) classes. That is, unless Geno snags another guard in 2016 to pair with Dangerfield. If not, then the starter at the 2 would have to be a sophomore or a freshman. Again, not a serious liability, but not entirely desirable either.

Supposedly that's not what Geno is thinking. You can read the KI thread. First post on it, and here is a link. In the body it seems Geno is looking for 2 posts and 1 guard. He has the guard and one post.
http://www.courant.com/sports/uconn-womens-basketball-blog/hc-kyla-irwin-dream-was-uconn-basketball-20141021-story.html

And if you read that link, the thinking BEFORE the Irwin commitment was 1 post with two guards. But after Kyla committed, he changed his thinking to 2 posts (Kyla and another yet-to-be-determined) and Dangerfield. There are a couple ways to interpret that. First, it may be that he is so far along with the recruiting of McCoy and/or Cox (or Felecia A.) that he doesn't want to stop that process. Or he thinks the 2nd post would be a talent he could not refuse, i.e., they would bring something special to the team and the post position that he fears Kyla cannot. He could just absolutely LOVE Kyla, but still wants a shot-blocking presence in the post. Hence, when Kyla committed, he figured he'd have to alter his plan of getting a second guard in 2016 and instead get a second post.

 

[UConnCat]

I am referring to the year after the 2014 class graduates. Clearly UConn will not lack guards before that time. But after the 2014's graduate, UConn will have just a single guard to go along with lots of 3's, 4's, and 5's in the senior (KLS, Collier, and Boykin) and junior (Dangerfield, Irwin, Cox/McCoy) classes. That is, unless Geno snags another guard in 2016 to pair with Dangerfield. If not, then the starter at the 2 would have to be a sophomore or a freshman. Again, not a serious liability, but not entirely desirable either.

And if you read that link, the thinking BEFORE the Irwin commitment was 1 post with two guards. But after Kyla committed, he changed his thinking to 2 posts (Kyla and another yet-to-be-determined) and Dangerfield. There are a couple ways to interpret that. First, it may be that he is so far along with the recruiting of McCoy and/or Cox (or Felecia A.) that he doesn't want to stop that process. Or he thinks the 2nd post would be a talent he could not refuse, i.e., they would bring something special to the team and the post position that he fears Kyla cannot. He could just absolutely LOVE Kyla, but still wants a shot-blocking presence in the post. Hence, when Kyla committed, he figured he'd have to alter his plan of getting a second guard in 2016 and instead get a second post.

I can't get my head around what you're saying. Geno has the 2016 and 2017 classes to recruit guards so the position will be adequately covered when the the 2014's graduate in 2018. I know Kyra Irwin repeated what she thought Geno said but, again, we really don't know what the remainder of the 2016 class will look like. I'll look for information from the Horde on how and with whom Geno intends to fill out the rest of the 2016 class and even then it may be subject to change. Geno then has the 2017 class to recruit some guards. I also don't get the concern about starting a freshman or soph at the 2-guard spot, particularly in a year when there will be plenty of experienced players to fill the other positions. The starter at the 2-guard spot this season is likely to be a freshman or soph. Moriah Jefferson started at the point as a sophomore and led UConn to a national championship. If, come 2018, Megan Walker is a Husky (just as an example), there won't be much concern.

 

[EricSD]

To echo what Cat was saying and to answer what Choke was asking... AFTER the 2014 kids graduate the roster will look like this:

SR: Collier, Boykin, Samuelson
JR: Dangerfield, Irwin, ??
SO: ??
FR: ??

UCONN already has their 1 of the future. I do not see any of the others as guards, which has pretty much been said by both of you. Given the 2014 class is so guard heavy, I would be surprised if UCONN landed another high level guard from 2016 unless Chou or Ionescu really wants to come. He already offered Espinosa-Hunter from 2017. He also was reported checking out Gondrezik (a 2016 guard) but i'm not sure how far that went. I'm guessing he takes a couple guards from 2017, at least 1 will be a very high level 2G, which would likely be the starter as a sophomore. I'm guessing he's looking at classes of at least 3 now - no one likes a class of 1, and classes of 2 are not ideal either. But it depends on how it all shakes out...

 

[itsasport]

According to the chart, #'s 4,5,7 and 9 haven't committed yet. So, there still cold be some major shifts in the rankings.

Regarding guards of the future..Andrea Espinoza-Hunter and Mo'ne Davis are already wearing Husky sweatshirts.
Andrea will be a top rated guard. Mo'ne is an incredible natural athlete, a fanatic about mechanics, with years to prepare for her goal to play at UConn. (Tony C, do you want to chime in?)

 

[j66kicker]

According to the chart, #'s 4,5,7 and 9 haven't committed yet. So, there still cold be some major shifts in the rankings.

Regarding guards of the future..Andrea Espinoza-Hunter and Mo'ne Davis are already wearing Husky sweatshirts.
Andrea will be a top rated guard. Mo'ne is an incredible natural athlete, a fanatic about mechanics, with years to prepare for her goal to play at UConn. (Tony C, do you want to chime in?)

But Mo'ne throws like a girl

 

[meyers7]

But Mo'ne throws like a girl

Don't matter, does she shoot like a girl?

 

[Sluconn Husky]

If, come 2018, Megan Walker is a Husky (just as an example), there won't be much concern.

I actually get what Fightin Choke is saying now. He's looking way into the 2018 season, and I can see his point. Right now Dangerfield is the only guard set to be on the '18 roster. That said, I'm hopeful of your scenario quoted above. Walker's more of a small forward, imo, but I was still dreaming of a Collier, KLS, Cox, Dangerfield, Walker starting 5 for 2018 the other day. I think Geno could nap during games with that lineup.

 

[ed4ourgirls]

If Morgan's knee turns out to be problematic down the road, I can't imagine that
she would leave early. She could work on a Masters degree on the house, and
think about implementing Plan B if basketball (playing) is not going to be a
long term option.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

If Morgan's knee turns out to be problematic down the road, I can't imagine that
she would leave early.

Tuck doesn't strike me as a player who would leave early anyway. She wanted an extra year because she already missed out on one. I know Parker left without taking the additional year but that's an exception, imo.

 

[j66kicker]

Tuck doesn't strike me as a player who would leave early anyway. She wanted an extra year because she already missed out on one. I know Parker left without taking the additional year but that's an exception, imo.

Parker was married to a much higher paid NBA player. IMO your life would be much cushier doing a 5th year at UCONN than a low-paid first year in the much more Spartan WNBA

 

[Vowelguy]

According to the chart, #'s 4,5,7 and 9 haven't committed yet. So, there still cold be some major shifts in the rankings.

Not sure where you got that from.
See post 4 above -- #5, #7, #16, #19 were available.
#5 to ND, which moved them from 9th to 4th.

Unless one school gets several of the top players still remaining, there won't be huge movements in the ranks. TN is probably the only school with a chance to crack the top 5.

 

[itsasport]

Not sure where you got that from.
See post 4 above -- #5, #7, #16, #19 were available.
#5 to ND, which moved them from 9th to 4th.

Unless one school gets several of the top players still remaining, there won't be huge movements in the ranks. TN is probably the only school with a chance to crack the top 5.

 

[mtsuraider06]

Not sure where you got that from.
See post 4 above -- #5, #7, #16, #19 were available.
#5 to ND, which moved them from 9th to 4th.

Unless one school gets several of the top players still remaining, there won't be huge movements in the ranks. TN is probably the only school with a chance to crack the top 5.

If TN gets Brown, Mompremier, or both, where would they end up? Just asking. I know their visit to TN went very well, but in terms of a commitment, it's a waiting game. Brown isn't announcing until 11/15. Haven't heard about Mompremier.

 

[itsasport]

I did miss the post showing the added recruit and substantial rise in ranking for ND. I was using what I thought was the current list on the first page.

So, I was correct. There was one major shift so far.

 

[hoophuskee]

I am referring to the year after the 2014 class graduates.


And if you read that link, the thinking BEFORE the Irwin commitment was 1 post with two guards. But after Kyla committed, he changed his thinking to 2 posts (Kyla and another yet-to-be-determined) and Dangerfield. There are a couple ways to interpret that. First, it may be that he is so far along with the recruiting of McCoy and/or Cox (or Felecia A.) that he doesn't want to stop that process. Or he thinks the 2nd post would be a talent he could not refuse, i.e., they would bring something special to the team and the post position that he fears Kyla cannot. He could just absolutely LOVE Kyla, but still wants a shot-blocking presence in the post. Hence, when Kyla committed, he figured he'd have to alter his plan of getting a second guard in 2016 and instead get a second post.

yes sure. He's after 1 more post right now -- but ofc that could change.

 

[hoophuskee]

I actually get what Fightin Choke is saying now. He's looking way into the 2018 season, and I can see his point. Right now Dangerfield is the only guard set to be on the '18 roster. That said, I'm hopeful of your scenario quoted above. Walker's more of a small forward, imo, but I was still dreaming of a Collier, KLS, Cox, Dangerfield, Walker starting 5 for 2018 the other day. I think Geno could nap during games with that lineup.

I see whathe i saying too. But I don't agree with the extent of his point. It's not a big deal ot have a young frosh or sooph as a starter as logn as not too much is relied upon.

UCONN won title in 99-00 with soph Bird.
UCONN won title in 01-02 with soph DT.
UCONN won title in 02-03 and 03-04 with with a bunch of frosh and soph.
UCONN won title in 09-10 with soph Maya and Frosh Tiff
UCONN won title in 10-11 with soph Tiff
UCONN won title last two years led by a sioph and lastyear our staring pg was a soph.

Take a look at ND--
their only title came in 00-01 and the sfg was Soph Alicia Ratay.
Take a look at last year- among ND's best ever and you had Lloyd (soph) and Allen (frosh).

 

[hoophuskee]

If Morgan's knee turns out to be problematic down the road, I can't imagine that
she would leave early. She could work on a Masters degree on the house, and
think about implementing Plan B if basketball (playing) is not going to be a
long term option.

Sure -- but if her knee becomes problematic in the manner you speak - there was a discussion as to how many minutes are available. Her injury would open up minutes unfortunate as that may be.

 

[hoophuskee]

Tuck doesn't strike me as a player who would leave early anyway. She wanted an extra year because she already missed out on one. I know Parker left without taking the additional year but that's an exception, imo.

Just a wild guess from me. If she is a top 5 player and -- if she's a top 5 player in the sr class I have a hard time believing we'll lose- then my wild guess is that she would. These kids come into the same class together -- all I can picture is Swin referring to her teamamtes as her sisters. Sure "sister" is also probably referred to others on the team but I think you do get a special bond for players you first come up with. You have shared all the same highs and lows - even the classes etc.

Now you have an opportunity to take the next step in your life- I can only assume she WANTS to be a pro player. If she is going to be a top 5 pick- I think she leaves with her "sisters" and probably 4 titles.