2024 Recruiting: Ahmad Nowell OV 6/8

[Chin Diesel]

I feel like as UConn men's college basketball fans we are as lucky as the Green Bay Packers fans going from Brett Favre to Aaron Rodgers. I will always regard Jim Calhoun as the greatest program builder that college basketball has ever seen and truly amazing in all aspects of coaching and running an elite Division 1 program ...

But I do not remember feeling THIS confident about our whole recruiting apparatus from top to bottom as I do now, and I have been following recruiting for around 35 years. Obviously Calhoun and co. started and continued getting many great players after The Dream Season of 1989-1990. But I am truly in awe of how great Danny Hurley and staff are at this whole process. When they zero in on a guy and decide he is their man, it does not matter how much he may be leaning toward another school (Examples include: Akok Akok and Andre Jackson - Syracuse and Adama Sanogo - Seton Hall), we become a serious threat and right now almost always close the deal.

Other staffs must HATE to see us coming... and I guarantee even Scheyer and company are secretly cursing that we have gotten involved with Cooper Flagg and have gained momentum. Honestly, at least on this one, give him truth serum and he would admit that he is hating seeing Danny and Co. involved even more than John Calipari. And THAT says it all.

I love this coaching staff! We are so darn lucky to get someone of the caliber and passion of Hurley in relatively short order after JC (even if the previous 4 to 5 years or so felt like we were in the middle of the Sahara desert with no water in sight. It has made this renaissance that much sweeter!).

Well said LStudfellow. I LOVED the Calhoun years & always felt confident in the man's decision-making. I always believed it was the "good old days in real time."

But Danny's successes are right there, especially in recruiting. I have run out of words (juggernaut, stellar?) to describe the effectiveness of strategic approaches. His work with Castle and Stewart were nothing short of brilliant.

If the '24 and '25 classes come together like we believe it can, there is little doubt in my mind he is Top 3 recruiter nationally...and maybe the best given he is not Duke, Kentucky, Kansas or UNC. It gives me chills.

It's really tough for fans to see the fruits of an HC building a staff and a program until results are shown.

Like any good foundation much of the work is done before you see results.

JC knew how to build a program. Part present, part future, balancing maximizing what you have while still pursuing highest level talent.

Hurley had hopped around a bit at lower level schools and didn't have resources to fully show breadth of his program building skills.

 

[NJHoops]

Hurley had hopped around a bit at lower level schools and didn't have resources to fully show breadth of his program building skills.

Yes and no, I think. He went from St. Benedict‘s to Wagner to Rhode Island to UConn. It was kind of an unconventional but very thoughtful and intentional career path. It’s true that the resources available were nothing like at UConn, but each program, including the high school one, was dramatically changed and improved when he left and moved up. I guess I don’t blame people for wanting to see it work first-hand at each next level, but the program building was always there.

Rhode Island hadn’t made the tournament since 1999 when he arrived, and the program was a disaster- basic things needed to run a program hadn’t been updated or implemented, even relative to A10 levels. He left it as a top of the conference program and had won a conference title and conference tournament and NCAA tournament games. Then, another example of why a head coach matters so much happened.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Yes and no, I think. He went from St. Benedict‘s to Wagner to Rhode Island to UConn. It was kind of an unconventional but very thoughtful and intentional career path. It’s true that the resources available were nothing like at UConn, but each program, including the high school one, was dramatically changed and improved when he left and moved up. I guess I don’t blame people for wanting to see it work first-hand at each next level, but the program building was always there.

Rhode Island hadn’t made the tournament since 1999 when he arrived, and the program was a disaster- basic things needed to run a program hadn’t been updated or implemented, even relative to A10 levels. He left it as a top of the conference program and had won a conference title and conference tournament and NCAA tournament games. Then, another example of why a head coach matters so much happened.

Not doubt he improved each of those programs. But none of those skills allow a coach to demonstrate they can build a program at the highest level nationally competing fornxhampionships and getting in to the living of any recruit.

There's always a risk projecting if what a coach did at a smaller school works at the national championship level. It's different contacts, different approaches and different goals. It's a small club of coaches who can do it and UConn, for the second time, has a coach in thst club.

 

[tzznandrew]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems like this national championship will benefit us more than any other one we've won.

Recruiting (in terms of ranking) permanently went up a level after the 1999 win. The program felt more lasting and less flash-in-the-pan.

I think this one will probably be the next most beneficial since I see Hurley continuing to grow—and this title puts both him and the program into a different level (with only UNC, Kansas, Kentucky).

 

[HuskyFich]

Recruiting (in terms of ranking) permanently went up a level after the 1999 win. The program felt more lasting and less flash-in-the-pan.

I think this one will probably be the next most beneficial since I see Hurley continuing to grow—and this title puts both him and the program into a different level (with only UNC, Kansas, Kentucky).

I think this one could be argued as the most impactful when we look at this in 10 years time.

The timing of this championship with the NIL landscape continuing to be the Wild West for probably 1-2 more years gives us a huge advantage, especially since we are doing it “the right way.”

This ‘24 class will be a huge factor for our future sustained success, and Hurley undoubtedly knows it. Abraham, Nowell, Ngognba, and a Flagg reclass(?) could be the greatest haul we’ve ever had.

Plus of course, throw in the theoretical Big 12 move. It would rejuvenate our athletic department and would give Hurley an even larger budget to operate with.

This is of course the blue glasses point of view outcome, but it is possible and more than a pipe dream.

 

[uconngb]

When did the current freshmen commit? It was last year, before UConn won the title in 2023. So the title didn’t help any of the 2023-2024 freshmen commit. The first class the title would help with would be the 2024-2025 freshmen. Right? Just like the 1999 title didn’t help recruiting until the 2020-2021 freshmen. Right?

Ok now my head hurts trying to explain this!

When did the current freshmen commit? It was last year, before UConn won the title in 2023. So the title didn’t help any of the 2023-2024 freshmen commit. The first class the title would help with would be the 2024-2025 freshmen. Right? Just like the 1999 title didn’t help recruiting until the 2020-2021 freshmen. Right?

Ok now my head hurts trying to explain this!

You’re right, got it now. My bad

 

[Mooch82]

I thought publicly he stated October timeline?

Believe that was Betsey. Haven’t seen timeline on Ngongba.

 

[CTFAN4LIFE]

Believe that was Betsey. Haven’t seen timeline on Ngongba.

Hmmm, yeah that could be. We're involved with so many excellent targets at once that they start to blur together.

 

[FearThePups]

Believe that was Betsey. Haven’t seen timeline on Ngongba.

I believe I read that Ngongba would declare close the the November timeline. I hope it’s much sooner.

 

[aburks41]

Believe that was Betsey. Haven’t seen timeline on Ngongba.

Per On3, Ngongba said no date is set but he plans to commit before the early signing period, which is in November.

So that could mean August or late October. Who knows

 

[Fan1978]

Book it danno

 

[Fan1978]

The Beltway Ballers aren't walking through that door.

Waquoit will in Saratoga for travers weekend. If you are there would like to buy you a drink or bottle of wine.

 

[Chief00]

I want guys that want to be here. Guys that take a slew of late visits are making good business moves for themself to maximize their situation. I can’t fault them for it. But I think Hurley wants a certain type of player that wants to be here and be part of a tradition that’s bigger than just them, but also serves to help them get in the league and showcase their ability.

I am always skeptical on the talk of culture, etc. However, I think Hurley has really nailed down the culture thing. His guys are good players but even better people.

Hurley, ideally likes to lock down recruiting by early August except for specific situations.

 

[UCTitleTown]

Book it danno

If he wants to win in college, there's only one option from that final four.

 

[aburks41]

I am always skeptical on the talk of culture, etc. However, I think Hurley has really nailed down the culture thing. His guys are good players but even better people.

Hurley, ideally likes to lock down recruiting by early August except for specific situations.

Chief! I haven't seen you around these parts in a long time

 

[CL82]

Not doubt he improved each of those programs. But none of those skills allow a coach to demonstrate they can build a program at the highest level nationally competing fornxhampionships and getting in to the living of any recruit.

There's always a risk projecting if what a coach did at a smaller school works at the national championship level. It's different contacts, different approaches and different goals. It's a small club of coaches who can do it and UConn, for the second time, has a coach in thst club.

I think it was a combination of things. Yes, Connecticut offers a championship level of support, facilities, brand value etc., but it's not like Hurley could've come out of Saint Benedict's to Connecticut and won a championship. He needed to develop as a coach along the way. That's tough to do in the unforgiving spotlight of a high major college.

Heck, Hurley is still learning and getting better. We saw that this year with his adjusting to the big east officiating. I truly believe the best is yet to come with this guy.

 

[UCTitleTown]

Chief! I haven't seen you around these parts in a long time

Most don't see him because he's on ignore.

 

[Palatine]

Heck, Hurley is still learning and getting better. We saw that this year with his adjusting to the big east officiating. I truly believe the best is yet to come with this guy.

I think this is an excellent point. No question we were getting screwed by the BE refs. Hurley's approach wasn't working so he changed it. Very smart and it was a successful tactical change. It should continue paying dividends next year and beyond.

Hurley had never coached at this level before the Huskies. Growing pains were part of the process. His next big challenge willl be adjusting as his staff moves moves on. Glad he doesn't have to do it this coming year.

 

[Waquoit]

His next big challenge willl be adjusting as his staff moves moves on. Glad he doesn't have to do it this coming year.

Already handled one move with aplomb.

 

[NJHoops]

Already handled one move with aplomb.

It will be fine. The list of coaches his staff’s have lost and had to replace over the years contains a lot of talent (Bobby Hurley, Luke Murray x2, Preston Murphy, Bashir Mason, Antonio Reynolds-Dean, Kenya Hunter). Some things are a lot easier at UConn than at a lot of other schools, and recruiting and hiring are two important ones.

 

[NJHoops]

Not doubt he improved each of those programs. But none of those skills allow a coach to demonstrate they can build a program at the highest level nationally competing fornxhampionships and getting in to the living of any recruit.

There's always a risk projecting if what a coach did at a smaller school works at the national championship level. It's different contacts, different approaches and different goals. It's a small club of coaches who can do it and UConn, for the second time, has a coach in thst club.

Sure, there’s always a risk, and you can’t ever know for sure if a thing can be done until it is. Winning a championship is obviously the goal, but lesser accomplishments at other schools are their own kind of difficult.

 

[aburks41]

Most don't see him because he's on ignore.

Touche

 

[LStudfellow]

I think this is an excellent point. No question we were getting screwed by the BE refs. Hurley's approach wasn't working so he changed it. Very smart and it was a successful tactical change. It should continue paying dividends next year and beyond.

Hurley had never coached at this level before the Huskies. Growing pains were part of the process. His next big challenge willl be adjusting as his staff move

Actually, his next big challenge is to start winning close games more often than he loses them. That needs to start happening during this coming basketball season even before we find out who will be the first to leave this amazing coaching staff to go on to be a head coach.

As of right now his record in his 5 years as head coach in games decided by 6 points or less is an unsightly 13-29. And before you go to blame it all on the first couple of years, we went 1-5 last year. Sorry, but that is downright ugly.

Now that he has demonstrated the ability to make critical adjustments that led directly to our winning our 5th National Title in dominating fashion, his next big hurdle is to start consistently winning close games.

And before anyone jumps to his defense... even with this current weakness/opportunity, I still believe there is no one I would rather have as our head coach right now, heading into the next 5, 10 years and beyond... and yes, I also believe this is the best coaching staff in the country (I stated this in a thread a month ago) and he is the right man to be the leader at the helm of this staff.

Just like the rest of us, he is a work in progress too.

 

[huskyblooz]

Would love to see Hurley make a push for the Boozers. Just to piss Scheyer off.

 

[UCTitleTown]

Would love to see Hurley make a push for the Boozers. Just to piss Scheyer off.

I'll never understand this assumption that kids should play for their Dad's alma mater. I think that's the last thing kids should do. Make your own name somewhere. Don't be Dad 2.0, or in the Boozer's case, Dad 2.0 and 2.1. Actually, if you look at it, very few players go to their Dad's school.

 

[Huskyforlife]

I can’t believe people are still hung up on the close games thing after how last season ended. He can keep losing close games if we continue making E8s or better.

 

[Waquoit]

I can’t believe people are still hung up on the close games thing after how last season ended.

Don't waste any energy with it. The opinions of anyone still trying to make hay about that can be safely ignored going forward. Saves you time in the long run.

 

[uconngb]

Don't waste any energy with it. The opinions of anyone still trying to make hay about that can be safely ignored going forward. Saves you time in the long run.

I am firmly in the camp of “Hurley is completely absolved of all transgressions” with the way last season ended. We’ve gotten way too complacent with how hard it is to win a NC. Now just keep actually doing your job unlike the last coach did after his NC and all will be well.

 

[Huskyforlife]

Don't waste any energy with it. The opinions of anyone still trying to make hay about that can be safely ignored going forward. Saves you time in the long run.

I’m just dreading the first 2 point loss of next season. It’ll be much worse than this.

 

[jleves]

I can’t believe people are still hung up on the close games thing after how last season ended. He can keep losing close games if we continue making E8s or better.

Don't waste any energy with it. The opinions of anyone still trying to make hay about that can be safely ignored going forward. Saves you time in the long run.

I think it's a legitimate concern. JCs teams would will their way through tough close games. There are always going to be some/many in a season. Learning how to get your team to pull through is important.

It's great that he got the team to just dominate through the tournament. But you still want to find a way to win the +/- 5 point games. It helps with everything - seeding, winning the league, getting through a tough tourney game, etc.

That said, the final game got to within 5 points with 5 minutes to go, so he did figure out how to make that not a close game. Or Hawkins did with a dagger three.

It's just another growth thing like not pissing off the refs. I'm pretty sure it's something that will get better.