2020 Piath Gabriel commits to UConn [Merged Thread]

[DefenseBB]

Not being ranked in the top 100 concerns me as those types of players, especially 6"5" sized ones, sometimes never develop to be contributors. Maybe the light switch truly went on and she will blossom, however lest us not forgot all the discussions about Kyla and how she was overlooked and should have been a top 100 player had she participated in more AAU Travel basketball. Color me cautious here. Optimistic but cautious.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

1) Not every kid that is actually good has a hype video out there.
2) Typical BY snark? Impossible! Neither @meyers7 nor @vowelguy have chimed in on this particular subject yet.

Kia Nurse certainly did not. Though there was a lot of stands shot stuff from her HS games up there in poutine land!

Poutine

Poutine, a Canadian Classic. Golden French fries drizzled with thick, brown gravy and topped with melted cheese. Make the best Poutine right at home!

thecozycook.com

 

[RockyMTblue2]

i THOUGHT HER A CARRIER (AS SHE DISHES IT OUT)

You saying she walks??? Just kidding. I get it.

 

[CocoHusky]

Not being ranked in the top 100 concerns me as those types of players, especially 6"5" sized ones, sometimes never develop to be contributors. Maybe the light switch truly went on and she will blossom, however lest us not forgot all the discussions about Kyla and how she was overlooked and should have been a top 100 player had she participated in more AAU Travel basketball. Color me cautious here. Optimistic but cautious.

Far different situation than when Kyla came on board though. Kyla has had "multiple" AAs caliber playing ahead of her at the forward position (Gabby, KLS, Napheesa, & Azura). If Piath finds herself in the same situation UCONN will be very fortunate and so will she.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Far different situation than when Kyla came on board though. Kyla has had "multiple" AAs caliber playing ahead of her at the forward position (Gabby, KLS, Napheesa, & Azura). If Piath finds herself in the same situation UCONN will be very fortunate and so will she.

I may be on a limb here, but I've had my poutine for breakfast and feeling bullish. Piath will rock us all before she's through. She'll also be like a rock.



Any excuse to play my Bob Seger! But I mean it. Run into Stef, get the fog out on the bench. Same is going to be Piath's game in part.

 

[Argonaut]

Not being ranked in the top 100 concerns me as those types of players, especially 6"5" sized ones, sometimes never develop to be contributors. Maybe the light switch truly went on and she will blossom, however lest us not forgot all the discussions about Kyla and how she was overlooked and should have been a top 100 player had she participated in more AAU Travel basketball. Color me cautious here. Optimistic but cautious.

Kyla could be a starter in 90% of other D1 programs. She works hard, plays hard, and from all indications is a good all around lady and a phenomenal teammate.

So PG turns out to be like Kyla, that’s more than okay with me.

 

[DefenseBB]

Kyla could be a starter in 90% of other D1 programs. She works hard, plays hard, and from all indications is a good all around lady and a phenomenal teammate.

So PG turns out to be like Kyla, that’s more than okay with me.

So let’s apply your percentage to the number of programs 349x 90% is 314 programs you say she could start at. There are 65 P5 Schools so I have to question you assumption. So no, Kyla would not start at 90% of all D1 programs. 80% for sure, contributor on an additional 5% probability, bench supporter for the rest. I have significantly higher expectations for PG than what Kyla has provided thus far. Maybe this year Kyla finds her niche because as you noted, she is a very hard worker, great teammate and seems like a wonderful young lady.

 

[Argonaut]

So let’s apply your percentage to the number of programs 349x 90% is 314 programs you say she could start at. There are 65 P5 Schools so I have to question you assumption. So no, Kyla would not start at 90% of all D1 programs. 80% for sure, contributor on an additional 5% probability, bench supporter for the rest. I have significantly higher expectations for PG than what Kyla has provided thus far. Maybe this year Kyla finds her niche because as you noted, she is a very hard worker, great teammate and seems like a wonderful young lady.

I think Kyla would be vying for a starting position this year in the following P5 programs:

Washington
Washington State
Colorado
Nebraska
Kansas State
Kansas
TCU
Mississippi
Oklahoma State
Wisconsin
Northwestern
Michigan State
Purdue
Indiana
Vanderbilt
Florida
Alabama
Auburn
Clemson
Georgia Tech
Wake Forest
Virginia Tech
Virginia
Pitt
Penn State
Boston College
Notre Dame (I wouldn’t have them on this list in any other year, but Muffy’s cupboard was left bare)

So, 89%.

I stand corrected.

You can disagree, that’s fine, but I think she, like many other UConn benchers, are much better basketball players than they’re given credit for.

 

[CocoHusky]

I think Kyla would be vying for a starting position this year in the following P5 programs:

Washington
Washington State
Colorado
Nebraska
Kansas State
Kansas
TCU
Mississippi
Oklahoma State
Wisconsin
Northwestern
Michigan State
Purdue
Indiana
Vanderbilt
Florida
Alabama
Auburn
Clemson
Georgia Tech
Wake Forest
Virginia Tech
Virginia
Pitt
Penn State
Boston College
Notre Dame (I wouldn’t have them on this list in any other year, but Muffy’s cupboard was left bare)

So, 89%.

I stand corrected.

You can disagree, that’s fine, but I think she, like many other UConn benchers, are much better basketball players than they’re given credit for.

Might have been easier to list the schools where Kyla wouldn't start.
Texas
Baylor
Stanford
Oregon
Louisville
South Carolina
Mississippi State
Oregon State
Maryland
ND
?????

 

[DEpup]

Might have been easier to list the schools where Kyla wouldn't start.
Texas
Baylor
Stanford
Oregon
Louisville
South Carolina
Mississippi State
Oregon State
Maryland
ND
?????

I don't know. I think TX and ND could be possibilities for Kyla.... they are in need.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

So let’s apply your percentage to the number of programs 349x 90% is 314 programs you say she could start at. There are 65 P5 Schools so I have to question you assumption. So no, Kyla would not start at 90% of all D1 programs. 80% for sure, contributor on an additional 5% probability, bench supporter for the rest. I have significantly higher expectations for PG than what Kyla has provided thus far. Maybe this year Kyla finds her niche because as you noted, she is a very hard worker, great teammate and seems like a wonderful young lady.

Just out of curiousity how many of those 65 P5 terrors finished in the top 65 last year. Remeber @DefenseBB, I love you guy, but tolerate a little snark attack back!

 

[Gus Mahler]

i THOUGHT HER A CARRIER (AS SHE DISHES IT OUT)

I think a program like UConn's needs a light aircraft carrier (aka light fleet carrier) to complement a super carrier such as Cardoso. Not as big, presumably more nimble and faster, and can launch from long. Maybe Durant-like. A Hebard who can launch. Maybe a Tuck who is faster with a great outlet pass. Can Edwards be that player?

Come to think of it, maybe Liv?

Are Light Carriers Poised to Make a Comeback?

 

[Alydar]

Just out of curiousity how many of those 65 P5 terrors finished in the top 65 last year. Remeber @DefenseBB, I love you guy, but tolerate a little snark attack back!

Good point, but take a look at the 65 teams below that and the contrast is stark. Irwin would be the star.

 

[DEpup]

I think a program like UConn's needs a light aircraft carrier (aka light fleet carrier) to complement a super carrier such as Cardoso. Not as big, presumably more nimble and faster, and can launch from long. Maybe Durant-like. A Hebard who can launch. Maybe a Tuck who is faster with a great outlet pass. Can Edwards be that player?

Come to think of it, maybe Liv?

Are Light Carriers Poised to Make a Comeback?

YES!

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Good point, but take a look at the 65 teams below that and the contrast is stark. Irwin would be the star.

Crap, I'm saying something about the P5 65 to start a good old BY tussle and you make a good, but entirely different point! Meanwhile, is ONO 18 hands tall or not! I think I'm entitled to an answer. I think I've earned it. A line from A few Good Men.

 

[DEpup]

Good point, but take a look at the 65 teams below that and the contrast is stark. Irwin would be the star.

Aside from playing time, Irwin is probably going to be a great coach someday. Watch her on the bench and she is constantly talking and engaged. I've been at games close up and she is constantly strategizing. Maybe the body gene pool didn't give her what her mind can contemplate. A future coach can't get better training than at UConn.

 

[soxfan23]

Not being ranked in the top 100 concerns me as those types of players, especially 6"5" sized ones, sometimes never develop to be contributors. Maybe the light switch truly went on and she will blossom, however lest us not forgot all the discussions about Kyla and how she was overlooked and should have been a top 100 player had she participated in more AAU Travel basketball. Color me cautious here. Optimistic but cautious.

Wait until the final rankings are released, I bet that Gabriel will be a Top 75 recruit, maybe even Top 50.

 

[Alydar]

Aside from playing time, Irwin is probably going to be a great coach someday. Watch her on the bench and she is constantly talking and engaged. I've been at games close up and she is constantly strategizing. Maybe the body gene pool didn't give her what her mind can contemplate. A future coach can't get better training than at UConn.

The best coaches often are not the best players. Geno is a perfect example. The ability to motivate players, to inspire them, is IMO far more important than playing talent.
While Irwin doesn't have all the elite physical tools she has size and she is tough as nails. I remember Gardler, less blessed with talent than Irwin, who spent 3 years picking splinters but who played meaningful minutes as a senior. Irwin's minutes will be limited but I think we'll see her more often in the 1st 3 periods. Bent's minutes will be determined by Westbrook and Makurat.
Both these players know where to be in Geno's offense, and given all the new/inexperienced talent this year, being in the right spot may be a rare commodity. And we know how much Geno values positioning. I hope they never get into a big game because that means the newbies are doing good.

 

[Alydar]

Wait until the final rankings are released, I bet that Gabriel will be a Top 75 recruit, maybe even Top 50.

She's at an Adidas school. I hate to be cynical (not really), but which company has the bigger advertising contract with ESPN/FoxSports? Adidas or Nike?

 

[DEpup]

Wait until the final rankings are released, I bet that Gabriel will be a Top 75 recruit, maybe even Top 50.

You are so right! UConn bump.... although it appears she has broken out and got the attention of almost every east coast school.

 

[Alydar]

Geno does not like rosters larger than 12 though so that's probably the cap.

I think Geno said that too many freshmen slows down practices, as basic things have to be repeated over and over, slowing down the process.

 

[soxfan23]

She's at an Adidas school. I hate to be cynical (not really), but which company has the bigger advertising contract with ESPN/FoxSports? Adidas or Nike?

I am not sure what you mean here?

 

[oldude]

Not being ranked in the top 100 concerns me as those types of players, especially 6"5" sized ones, sometimes never develop to be contributors. Maybe the light switch truly went on and she will blossom, however lest us not forgot all the discussions about Kyla and how she was overlooked and should have been a top 100 player had she participated in more AAU Travel basketball. Color me cautious here. Optimistic but cautious.

There is a major difference between Kyla and Piath. Kyla, the daughter of a coach, played basketball since she was a little girl. As a result, Kyla is very skilled and has an incredibly high basketball IQ. Kyla’s limitation is her athleticism.

Piath on the other hand began playing basketball around 7th grade according to her coach. She is very much a work in progress as she is still learning the game. Her greatest advantage is her size and athleticism.

 

[Alydar]

I am not sure what you mean here?

ESPN makes it's $$$ from advertising. If you had a business and your biggest customer's daughter was in a beauty pageant and you were a judge, might you be a bit biased? Just offering that as a possibility. I knew a cameraman for pro golf tournaments and asked him once if players signed by big PGA advertisers got more airtime. He looked at me, winked, and said "that would be unethical".

 

[diggerfoot]

While echoing Alydar's thoughts on Irwin I, like a broken record, would like to point out Conlon to DefenseBB. With less athleticism than Irwin she started on two National Championship teams, for one of the two best programs of the land at the time. One could interpret that to mean she could start on any team, but that would be the wrong lesson. It all depends on the roster. There are some teams that never would have started Conlon because of their roster situation. Even mediocre teams might be stacked at a position; even the best teams may find themselves lacking at a position, but with enough ability and the right coaching can make do. Rumor has it that we lack in "bigs" which, to this date, is good news for Gabriel. Blanket judgements of players based on their UConn careers over one small sampling of time necessarily involves false assumptions.

 

[DEpup]

While echoing Alydar's thoughts on Irwin I, like a broken record, would like to point out Conlon to DefenseBB. With less athleticism than Irwin she started on two National Championship teams, for one of the two best programs of the land at the time. One could interpret that to mean she could start on any team, but that would be the wrong lesson. It all depends on the roster. There are some teams that never would have started Conlon because of their roster situation. Even mediocre teams might be stacked at a position; even the best teams may find themselves lacking at a position, but with enough ability and the right coaching can make do. Rumor has it that we lack in "bigs" which, to this date, is good news for Gabriel. Blanket judgements of players based on their UConn careers over one small sampling of time necessarily involves false assumptions.

Let's not forget Conlon was in the backcourt with DT who basically played position 1-3 for those teams. Loved Conlon though. She played her role with DT beautifully...

 

[Carnac]

Wait until the final rankings are released, I bet that Gabriel will be a Top 75 recruit, maybe even Top 50.

No doubt she’ll get that “UConn” bump.

 

[Carnac]

I think Geno said that too many freshmen slows down practices, as basic things have to be repeated over and over, slowing down the process.

Transfers anyone? Since transferring has become a trend, should we expect another transfer or graduate transfer next year?

 

[DEpup]

Transfers anyone? Since transferring has become a trend, should we expect another transfer or graduate transfer next year?

I have to think at least one. You're so right. It's just part of the mix now.

 

[NewCorn]

i THOUGHT HER A CARRIER (AS SHE DISHES IT OUT)

UConn Launches The USS Gabriel