Would I lose my posting privileges here if I were to suggest that scenario would be "good for women's basketball "?
Like the Ball family ~~~
I think it rubbed people the wrong way, but ultimately I don't think it will deter recruits in the future. And FWIW, I DO believe that Sam was offered because 1. Why would she need to lie? 2. She attended a game as recently as Jan and 3. No one from the UCONN staff has said otherwise. So let's just wish Sam the best in the future (except when playing us 
) and move on to other potential recruits. Let's be respectful of their personal lives and decisions...these young women deserve better.
But to make someone a lock this early in the game is foolish. I mean, I still remember when AEH was a lock! unfortunately, we know how that turned out. Anyway, have a great weekend everybody!
I’m guessing she doesn’t have that finesse about her that I like to see, all highlights I have seen of her have been boring. Jones, Owusu, Buekers, Fudd all have more exciting highlights. It’s not important for me to see, I’m not a coach. Just stating my perspective as a fan. I’m not upset about her going to ND; UConn always get every recruit their supposed to get, so does ND, and everybody else and it’s their time to get a number one recruit. And Hopefully the fact that Muffet saw it benefits her and gives her ample opportunities and better luck of Irish from having to wait 17 years to win another Natl championship.
Some thoughts...
1. I'm still sad that we didn't get Sam Brunelle, but the article in the Courant still vexes me ("...I'm terribly vexed"). As I mentioned before, it comes across as sour grapes given that ND, our rival, just beat us in the tournament. I doubt it would have ever been written if she chose a school other than ND. And I give little credibility to something based off of "sources familiar with the process". I mean, by that definition, it could be anyone from this board! LOL
2. On the topic of recruits, I wanted to add my 2 cents on Paige B. and Azzi F. both of whom are UCONN targets. Although they are close friends with SB, I don't think her commitment to ND will play a huge factor. Here are some reasons why I believe this:
a) Both players have the talent to play basketball professionally if they keep working at their game. And if that's the goal, they should
prioritize a strong relationship with a coaching staff who can develop their game. This may be Geno, Muffet, or whoever...but it's a
unique bond between the player and coach.
b) Friendships can still exist between players on different teams. And most of these kids are constantly forming new friendships in high
school, AAU, and national teams. And just because your friend will be on the same team doesn't guarantee that you'll get to play with
them. For example, De'Janae appeared to be very close to Lou and Pheesa, but ended up transferring to PSU. And apparently Te'a
Cooper was tight with Diamond but they never played a collegiate game together. Moreover, if you play professionally, you're not
likely to play along side your best friends.
c) Even the closest of friends (aka sisters) sometimes pick different schools...even if it's across the country
d) Education and the "college experience" are bigger factors because students must prepare for a life beyond basketball...whenever that
may be.
So IMHO, there are more important factors than "friendships" when committing to a school. And who knows....maybe they'll choose ND after all!
"In a world where you can be anything...be KIND"
Thanks for the correction!
I got mixed up on Diamond's redshirt year and the year Te'a injured her knee. Nevertheless, despite being close friends, they never got a chance to play more than a year together due to unforeseen circumstances (ie. Te'a's injury and Diamond's early departure). And I'm not trying to imply that they both chose UT solely based on their friendship. Rather, that we shouldn't assume close friends of commits are "locks" for a university, because nothing guarantees that they'll play together (injuries, transfers, etc).
@DeeHusky if your only basis of comparing these players is highlight tapes that is is both lazy and completely inadequate because you have so much more information available to you. I don't know how you would distinguish between Brunelle or Jones highlight tapes because in those tapes every player makes every shot and every pass leads to an assist. What other information is available to you ?
It doesn’t take all of that for me. Your perspective is for you and mine is for me. I saw supplementary and not necessarily cornerstone that’s that. I don’t care if it seems suspicious because I honestly feel like every school gets all the recruits that they’re supposed to get. I’m a firm believer in everything working itself out. Some people just aren’t built for UConn jersey and that will always be that! She’ll be great at Notre Dame and hopefully she does fantastic just not against UConn!
