You assumed I was criticizing Dawn by implication. I'm not. I think loyalty is a remarkable feature of Dawn's program, too. The key element is that the kids are loyal even though neither of them promises playing time to anyone. It's all earned in practices and in game performance. This was my point throughout.
As it happens, I have seen a number of interviews with kids who left. There was an interesting one by Saylor Poffenbarger. Initially, her mom had declared that her daughter left seeking the better academics of U. Arkansas. But later Saylor admitted that she found Geno's system overly restrictive. I imagine this is a common theme among kids who depart. Others leave because they want more playing time. And there are some of these who still speak glowingly of their time at UConn, just as I'm sure there are for SC.
The one I haven't seen any comment from is Mir McLean, who went to Virgina and then Maryland. I'd be curious to hear her impressions of the various schools she's been to. I also can't help but notice a sad irony in Saylor's initial decision. Had she stayed just a little longer, she would have gotten lots of playing time because of all the injuries. I think she also has the skillset Geno would have found invaluable. This was a fateful decision for her, and the fates were not on her side. I suspect she's significantly impaired her prospects for a pro career with that decision.