2019/20 UConn Recruiting

[Dillon77]

I think the op's feeling was SB was not quite as good as advertised and thus would be having a bit more difficulty then expected.....as we've seen at UConn..highly ranked players out of high school don't always see the court as much as anticipated and I would assume MM like Geno, doesn't start players based on their initial rankings......

The high school accomplishments are somewhat irrelevant. What is far more significant was that Megan Walker was playing behind 3 established college All-American players KLS, Napheesa & Gabby at her position as a freshmen at UCONN. Azura Stevens a legit national player of the year candidate could not crack the UCONN starting lineup. Even if Megan were a guard she would have been trying to displace a 4 year UCONN starter and the eventual National Defensive player of the year in Kia Nurse. Don't see any such obstacles for Brunelle's unless the ND recruiting pickups significantly at the forward position.

Sometimes, timing and circumstances are everything: If Sam Brunelle was an incoming freshman this year, she sure might have trouble getting a lot of playing time with Jess Shepard moving to the high post and Brianna Turner down low.

However, in 2019, circumstances change dramatically and Sam Brunelle, Anaya Peoples and whomever (else?) will constitute the class of 2019 all will have ample opportunity to duke it out with the Class of 2018 (K. Gilbert, J. Nixon, A. Prohaska and D. Cosgrove) for playing time. As Coco pointed out, only Jackie Young will be around from the primary 2018 NC six, so MM will have a chance to rejigger the motion offense in a way to get the best players on the floor to join Ms. Young. I'd bet one of those ND Big Mac's that Mikayla Vaughn is at the low post for rebounding and defensive purposes. Outside of that, game's open.

And once they're on campus, these are the players MM presumably wanted enough to have there, so rankings are irrelevant in the mix (save for the reasons that might've helped the player achieve them. Then again, some folks slip under the radar....).

That will be a fun year to observe.....

 

[oldude]

Meg was 7th in the rotation, and there were 6 top-10 (mostly top-6) draft choices ahead of her. That explains a lot relative to past freshmen and next year’s frosh. Megan Walker can play the game.

In terms of high school accomplishments, it’s hard to say because it’s a team game, but Sam’s team was knocked out in the Virginia quarter-finals, when she was slowed by a freshman defender. In contrast, Megan’s Monacan team won 3 straight Virginia championships (in a larger size class, I believe). She scored something like her team’s last 15 points to capture the narrow win as a senior. Geno gave her a hard time, saying if she had played like that all game, no 4th quarter heroics would have been needed. Meg’s efforts were much like those of Kaleena, who outscored the entire Berkeley team in the second half in the California finals.

There are 6 HS classes in VA. MW was part of 3 straight championships in Class 4 with her Monacan HS teammates. Brunelle’s William Monroe team plays in Class 3, one class smaller. As you point out, Monroe lost to Hopewell in the Class 3 quarterfinals. Hopewell lost their next game in the Class 3 semifinals.

 

[oldude]

Overall what I'm pointing out is the inaccuracy (danger!) of a single point evaluation. For example Samantha may have performed poorly at USA basketball last summer but Haley Jones & Rickea Jackson did not make that team. Which is worse, making the team and performing poorly or not making the team at all?

I think anyone would prefer making the team than not, but here’s another question to ponder. Brunelle appears to have a well developed basketball skill set and a high basketball IQ. At a school like ND, MM will certainly do everything possible to put her in a position to succeed.

But if you’re recruiting HS players from the Class of 2019, and you’ve already got a pretty good feeling that you’ve got 2 big, talented front court players coming in (Boston & Amihere), so you’re looking for a 2/3 type player, do you go after the most developed basketball player (Brunelle) or the better athlete with a bigger upside (Jones or Horston)?

 

[DEpup]

this actually brings up an interesting question to be answered after next season....coming out of high school who is the more accomplished player, Sam Brunelle or Megan Walker?

MW. I still don't understand the Brunelle fascination on this board. Every time I have seen her play, it has been uninspiring.

 

[donalddoowop]

MW. I still don't understand the Brunelle fascination on this board. Every time I have seen her play, it has been uninspiring.

What about her play does not impress you? I'm asking because I have not seen her play except on mix tapes. Also, you are not the only one unimpressed by her overall game. Further, are there any 2019 front court players that you have seen who are Uconn type of players?

 

[CocoHusky]

I think anyone would prefer making the team than not, but here’s another question to ponder. Brunelle appears to have a well developed basketball skill set and a high basketball IQ. At a school like ND, MM will certainly do everything possible to put her in a position to succeed.
But if you’re recruiting HS players from the Class of 2019, and you’ve already got a pretty good feeling that you’ve got 2 big, talented front court players coming in (Boston & Amihere), so you’re looking for a 2/3 type player, do you go after the most developed basketball player (Brunelle) or the better athlete with a bigger upside (Jones or Horston)?

For me personally and I can't believe I'm saying this because it agrees with @Charliebball, if Brunelle wanted to come to UCONN I would accept her at UCONN and still continue to pursue other players EVEN if those players played the same position. A bird in the hand ......

 

[MilfordHusky]

MW. I still don't understand the Brunelle fascination on this board. Every time I have seen her play, it has been uninspiring.

Sam has size, a nice shot, and a #1 ranking. Many of us have to look closely to see flaws in her game, but they are there. She’s still very good.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I think anyone would prefer making the team than not, but here’s another question to ponder. Brunelle appears to have a well developed basketball skill set and a high basketball IQ. At a school like ND, MM will certainly do everything possible to put her in a position to succeed.

But if you’re recruiting HS players from the Class of 2019, and you’ve already got a pretty good feeling that you’ve got 2 big, talented front court players coming in (Boston & Amihere), so you’re looking for a 2/3 type player, do you go after the most developed basketball player (Brunelle) or the better athlete with a bigger upside (Jones or Horston)?

Brunelle may have been the more developed player last summer, when Sam made Team USA and Haley did not, but I’m not sure who is more developed as of today. Mitty had a great season, and Haley Jones was the driving force behind that success. One of the coaches doing a home visit told Haley there was “no one like [her] in America.” While I don’t know who it was, that sure sounds like Geno-speak to me.

 

[Alydar]

I'll start by saying that I read a lot of "sour grapes" in many of the posts about SB since she verballed. I haven't seen her live and I don't put much stock in "highlight videos". My impressions of her came watching a few of the U16 games last summer. It was plain that she entered those games as the feature player on the team. Players looked to get her the ball and when she got it she looked to shoot. Everything about her offense was impressive with the exception of her shooting accuracy. At that point in time she was reported to be a strong UConn lean on this board. No one here seemed concerned with her mediocre shooting. Myself? I was too busy watching Bueckers and Fudd, who didn't start but both of whom looked to be very efficient scorers. That has continued to be my opinion.

SB didn't become the No 1 recruit in her class because she has flaws. She is tall, moves well and generally has all the skills and polish that point towards a successful college career. Other than her shooting (and that's a big other) she reminds me of KLS as a high schooler. Tall but more comfortable away from the physical play in the block. Looks like she will thrive in Notre Dame's "offense first" system.

And to those who assume that Bueckers and Fudd will follow their friend I offer the example of KLS and her sisters. SB will be a junior when Bueckers is a freshman and a senior when Fudd enters college. Friendships today are often long-distance. When I was at UConn a phone call to South Bend cost about $2.00 a minute. Today a video chat is free.

 

[Dillon77]

I'll start by saying that I read a lot of "sour grapes" in many of the posts about SB since she verballed. I haven't seen her live and I don't put much stock in "highlight videos". My impressions of her came watching a few of the U16 games last summer. It was plain that she entered those games as the feature player on the team. Players looked to get her the ball and when she got it she looked to shoot. Everything about her offense was impressive with the exception of her shooting accuracy. At that point in time she was reported to be a strong UConn lean on this board. No one here seemed concerned with her mediocre shooting. Myself? I was too busy watching Bueckers and Fudd, who didn't start but both of whom looked to be very efficient scorers. That has continued to be my opinion.

SB didn't become the No 1 recruit in her class because she has flaws. She is tall, moves well and generally has all the skills and polish that point towards a successful college career. Other than her shooting (and that's a big other) she reminds me of KLS as a high schooler. Tall but more comfortable away from the physical play in the block. Looks like she will thrive in Notre Dame's "offense first" system.

And to those who assume that Bueckers and Fudd will follow their friend I offer the example of KLS and her sisters. SB will be a junior when Bueckers is a freshman and a senior when Fudd enters college. Friendships today are often long-distance. When I was at UConn a phone call to South Bend cost about $2.00 a minute. Today a video chat is free.

Good post. Only nit: SB (Class of 2019) is only a year older than Bueckers (Class of 2020). Video chat and a walk among the best girls' dorms at ND are still free.
(I'll be out there this weekend for my youngest daughter's graduation so I'll triple check!)

 

[Charliebball]

I'll start by saying that I read a lot of "sour grapes" in many of the posts about SB since she verballed. I haven't seen her live and I don't put much stock in "highlight videos". My impressions of her came watching a few of the U16 games last summer. It was plain that she entered those games as the feature player on the team. Players looked to get her the ball and when she got it she looked to shoot. Everything about her offense was impressive with the exception of her shooting accuracy. At that point in time she was reported to be a strong UConn lean on this board. No one here seemed concerned with her mediocre shooting. Myself? I was too busy watching Bueckers and Fudd, who didn't start but both of whom looked to be very efficient scorers. That has continued to be my opinion.

SB didn't become the No 1 recruit in her class because she has flaws. She is tall, moves well and generally has all the skills and polish that point towards a successful college career. Other than her shooting (and that's a big other) she reminds me of KLS as a high schooler. Tall but more comfortable away from the physical play in the block. Looks like she will thrive in Notre Dame's "offense first" system.

And to those who assume that Bueckers and Fudd will follow their friend I offer the example of KLS and her sisters. SB will be a junior when Bueckers is a freshman and a senior when Fudd enters college. Friendships today are often long-distance. When I was at UConn a phone call to South Bend cost about $2.00 a minute. Today a video chat is free.

definitely some sour grapes but if the story is to believed, Geno saw some deficiencies that prompted the pulling of the offer thus one could say that her play simply wasn't good enough for UConn..........in fact you could argue that Geno was actually doing SB a huge favor because if he didn't pull the offer and benched her it wouldn't have been fair to her...........also one must assume that Geno knew by pulling the offer it could have an impact on the other recruits that are close with SB but did it any way...........personally I would have taken SB if for no other reason then that it would attract the other two future recruits but that's me..........

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Blue Star's Mark Lewis on last weekend's Across Border Global Games. Included is 2022 T'yana Todd who has UConn interest.


T’yana Todd – 2022 – 5-10 – Guard – Ontario– Athletic…Solid build at guard…Has some length already…Individual skills are sharp…Good first step…Low release on shot at this point


Jordan Horstan – 2019 – 6-2 – Combo – Ohio– Impressive Spring continues for her…Attacking more and more…Consistency is evolving…Using both her size and athleticism to exploit match-ups…Beginning to look for her own more…Big plus…Involves teammates in transition and half…Physical tools are there to be an even more elite defender


Merissah Russell – 2020 – 6-1 – Guard – Ontario– Size and solid build in the backcourt…Uses both strength and athleticism to attack…Mixes up both speed and direction…Hesitation gets defenders out of their stance…Can handle contact and finish at the rim but the floater is there as well…Pull up is fluid…Experience shows in her game…A proven commodity…Can play with and against any level



Across Border Global Games - Bluestar Media

 

[DEpup]

What about her play does not impress you? I'm asking because I have not seen her play except on mix tapes. Also, you are not the only one unimpressed by her overall game. Further, are there any 2019 front court players that you have seen who are Uconn type of players?

To me, its the shot inefficiency coming from a poor shot selection. I have also seen her sort of disappear or allow herself to be taken out of the mix.

 

[CocoHusky]

I'll start by saying that I read a lot of "sour grapes" in many of the posts about SB since she verballed. I haven't seen her live and I don't put much stock in "highlight videos". My impressions of her came watching a few of the U16 games last summer. It was plain that she entered those games as the feature player on the team. Players looked to get her the ball and when she got it she looked to shoot. Everything about her offense was impressive with the exception of her shooting accuracy. At that point in time she was reported to be a strong UConn lean on this board. No one here seemed concerned with her mediocre shooting. Myself? I was too busy watching Bueckers and Fudd, who didn't start but both of whom looked to be very efficient scorers. That has continued to be my opinion. SB didn't become the No 1 recruit in her class because she has flaws. She is tall, moves well and generally has all the skills and polish that point towards a successful college career. Other than her shooting (and that's a big other) she reminds me of KLS as a high schooler. Tall but more comfortable away from the physical play in the block. Looks like she will thrive in Notre Dame's "offense first" system. And to those who assume that Bueckers and Fudd will follow their friend I offer the example of KLS and her sisters. SB will be a junior when Bueckers is a freshman and a senior when Fudd enters college. Friendships today are often long-distance. When I was at UConn a phone call to South Bend cost about $2.00 a minute. Today a video chat is free.

I mostly agree with your sour grapes comment and have stated so. However, the comment that "No one here seemed concerned with her mediocre shooting" is not an accurate recollection.
Examples of comments regarding her shooting are contained in this thread.
USA U16 National Team Game Info.
In addition to the sour grapes Samantha is also suffering from the irrational scrutiny of being the number 1 player in the class and BTW similar concerns were voiced about Megan Walker shooting at USA basket during the prior summer.
u18 usa VS vENEZULA 1:30 Pm

 

[DEpup]

In contrast, you don't see that shooting efficiency issue with Chrystin Williams. Yay!

 

[DEpup]

Personally I've always thought it was in the pre-shot work. Everyone has their spots and you've got to do the work to get your spot so you can take your high percentage shot.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

In contrast, you don't see that shooting efficiency issue with Chrystin Williams. Yay!

Oh I don't know about that.


Christyn Williams profile, FIBA U17 Women’s World Championship 2016 | FIBA.COM

Christyn Williams profile, FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2017 | FIBA.COM

 

[CocoHusky]

Oh I don't know about that.


Christyn Williams profile, FIBA U17 Women’s World Championship 2016 | FIBA.COM

Christyn Williams profile, FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2017 | FIBA.COM

 

[Alydar]

Good post. Only nit: SB (Class of 2019) is only a year older than Bueckers (Class of 2020). Video chat and a walk among the best girls' dorms at ND are still free.
(I'll be out there this weekend for my youngest daughter's graduation so I'll triple check!)

I stand corrected about the classes but by free I meant that most college students have internet and even for a monthly fee the phone calls and chatting is included. When I was at UConn in the early 70's I guy on my dorm floor used to run up phone bills of $100/mo talking to his girlfriend long distance, and that was when you could buy a case of Boh for $3.00. Going to different schools was a relationship killer. Some posters seem to think that if you still have to go to school with your friends to stay close but social media has changed all that. Geno has said that it's hard to develop animosity between teams today because the players all know each other and stay in touch on-line. Bueckers and Fudd may or may not attend ND but their desire to remain close to SB won't (IMO) be much of a factor, if at all.

 

[Orangutan]

You know, for this being the UConn recruiting thread, y'all are spending a lot of time talking about a Notre Dame commit.

 

[Alydar]

definitely some sour grapes but if the story is to believed, Geno saw some deficiencies that prompted the pulling of the offer thus one could say that her play simply wasn't good enough for UConn.....in fact you could argue that Geno was actually doing SB a huge favor because if he didn't pull the offer and benched her it wouldn't have been fair to her......also one must assume that Geno knew by pulling the offer it could have an impact on the other recruits that are close with SB but did it any way......personally I would have taken SB if for no other reason then that it would attract the other two future recruits but that's me.....

What is the source of the story? Unnamed informed sources? Most likely at least third hand hearsay at best or maybe just based on speculation. I expressed the speculation somewhere that a parent who posts on a message board a couple of weeks before his daughter commits is not the type of parent to whose daughter Geno makes offers but I called it high octane inference based on speculation. The history of the last 10 years is evidence that many elite level players who get UConn offers choose to go elsewhere. It just seems that some can't accept that. Then there are some who, because UConn didn't win the NC for 2 years, are announcing the end of the line for the UConn dynasty. Over on the Irish board there are some who think that Brunelle, Bueckers and Fudd are inseparable. Again, inferences based on assumptions. Speculation is the heart and soul of wcbb off-season boards but some are having a cow as a result.

 

[JordyG]

You know, for this being the UConn recruiting thread, y'all are spending a lot of time talking about a Notre Dame commit.

What ND commit?

 

[Alydar]

You know, for this being the UConn recruiting thread, y'all are spending a lot of time talking about a Notre Dame commit.

She has a long way to go to match the posts about Wilson.

 

[EricSD]

What is the source of the story? Unnamed informed sources? Most likely at least third hand hearsay at best or maybe just based on speculation. I expressed the speculation somewhere that a parent who posts on a message board a couple of weeks before his daughter commits is not the type of parent to whose daughter Geno makes offers but I called it high octane inference based on speculation. The history of the last 10 years is evidence that many elite level players who get UConn offers choose to go elsewhere. It just seems that some can't accept that. Then there are some who, because UConn didn't win the NC for 2 years, are announcing the end of the line for the UConn dynasty. Over on the Irish board there are some who think that Brunelle, Bueckers and Fudd are inseparable. Again, inferences based on assumptions. Speculation is the heart and soul of wcbb off-season boards but some are having a cow as a result.

Bingo. You won't hear the staff talk about it, but in the past, Geno has passed on players who had overly involved parents. Geno recruits the family almost as much as he recruits the player, and a parent who will be calling him and/or the staff way too often once a kid gets on campus is not a situation he wants to deal with.

Levar Ball is a perfect example of a parent he would not want to deal with. Delino Deshields is a bullet I'm sure he was happy to dodge (publicly called out Holly Warlick for not playing DD enough). Not sure how involved Omar Calhoun Sr. was with his daughter, but his son played for Ollie, and that whole experience would not have flown with Geno.

Of course it's all speculation. Did the UCONN staff change their minds about Brunelle after the initial offer? Were her parent(s) overly zealous in their interactions during her recruitment? Was it something else? Her father's (?) last post said he would have loved to have seen her at UCONN. He also noted that the coaches stopped recruiting her. It's possible that close to the end, Brunelle still wanted to come to UCONN, but we will never know for sure unless the family tells us directly, which is highly unlikely.

 

[Charliebball]

What is the source of the story? Unnamed informed sources? Most likely at least third hand hearsay at best or maybe just based on speculation. I expressed the speculation somewhere that a parent who posts on a message board a couple of weeks before his daughter commits is not the type of parent to whose daughter Geno makes offers but I called it high octane inference based on speculation. The history of the last 10 years is evidence that many elite level players who get UConn offers choose to go elsewhere. It just seems that some can't accept that. Then there are some who, because UConn didn't win the NC for 2 years, are announcing the end of the line for the UConn dynasty. Over on the Irish board there are some who think that Brunelle, Bueckers and Fudd are inseparable. Again, inferences based on assumptions. Speculation is the heart and soul of wcbb off-season boards but some are having a cow as a result.

I'm just repeating the story as I've read it here..........I have no idea if it's 100% fact or 100% fiction.............BTW when was it determined that the mystery poster was SB's father? Does anybody know that for certain or is that just another part of the yarn? I view the whole saga like a mystery novel.........a very thin paperback..........

 

[Charliebball]

You know, for this being the UConn recruiting thread, y'all are spending a lot of time talking about a Notre Dame commit.

I'm going to remind you of that the next time UConn lands a recruit that ND wanted.............I bet you boys and girls will be posting about it ad infinitum

 

[donalddoowop]

To me, its the shot inefficiency coming from a poor shot selection. I have also seen her sort of disappear or allow herself to be taken out of the mix.

Thank you.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

 

[Charliebball]

I have to admit it would be kind of refreshing if she ended up at Minnesota

 

[Mdoggie]

I have to admit it would be kind of refreshing if she ended up at Minnesota

She ain't going there. Lol