Angel Reese in the portal | Page 2 | The Boneyard

Angel Reese in the portal

Reese didn't make the U16 or U17 teams. She was at the trials though.
That's funny. She was the number 2 player in the class of 2020 right behind Paige. Did she seriously not make any of the USA teams?
 
With all of the talent entering the portal, and the Immediate help that some of them could provide to UConn, it will be interesting to see if Geno goes fishing and pulls one or more of those players in.
 
That's funny. She was the number 2 player in the class of 2020 right behind Paige. Did she seriously not make any of the USA teams?
She probably would've after her senior year of HS, but she played with her AAU team instead and won a title. She didn't make the Clark/Fudd/Citron World Cup team last summer but she might have pulled out of the trials? 2021 USA Women's U19 World Cup Team Announced
 
That's funny. She was the number 2 player in the class of 2020 right behind Paige. Did she seriously not make any of the USA teams?

Eh, there are only so many spots and Reese has an unorthodox game. I wouldn't put a ton into that. DeBerry made a US team but was overmatched in the tourney and barely played her freshman year.
 
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With all of the talent entering the portal, and the Immediate help that some of them could provide to UConn, it will be interesting to see if Geno goes fishing and pulls one or more of those players in.
The rich will get richer...but I hope these top programs maintain some sense of commitment to kids they recruit out of high school. It used to be if you were an all-american freshman, you could spend a year in a program and "provide immediate help" the next year. Now if you do not start year one you may get recruited over by an upper class women from another program, not to mention out of high school.
 
Maybe all these savvy business women/players are planning on going to states with no state income tax. Keep more of their dollars in their own pocket.

Seriously, I can see every one of these players thinking that South Carolina is looking good and there being a line of like 300 players out her office door and around the building interviewing with Dawn for one of two spots.

I know there will be exceptions, but you don't see anyone who can really play leaving UConn, South Carolina, or Stanford. Any other schools that are fairly safe? Louisville? LSU with Kim?

The other thing, is what are the motivating factors for each player? Is it always more playing time? Is it finding a place where it's fun and comfortable? Is it about winning a ring?
 
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Of all the top WBB programs in the country, MD was the biggest disappointment imo. A year ago the Terps “high octane” offense lead the nation in scoring. When everyone on the team decided to come back, I thought MD had a legitimate chance to challenge the Big 3 (SC, Stanford, UConn) for the national championship.

Covid and injuries hurt MD, like many teams, but the losses piled up even when the team was relatively healthy. At 23-9 MD took a big step backwards this season, and the recent departures clearly indicate that serious problems exist in the program.
In Maryland's defense, they were literally never healthy. Miller was out for the first stretch of the year and never looked like she was fully herself, and Owusu got injured in February and missed about a month, not to mention they lost Benzan for a few games. Besides the first weekend of the tournament, neither player looked fully in rhythm at the same time. Also worth noting, they played a brutal schedule (13 games vs top 4 seeds or Sweet 16 foes) and all 9 losses were to Sweet 16 teams. They should've been better and were a disappointment considering expectations, but they had a lot working against them this year.
 
Reese would be a perfect fit at UCONN IMO. Gives them size and rebounding, plus she'd fit well in a motion offense with her size and perimeter skills. Good shot blocker with potential to be an outstanding defender. Huge motor, draws a ton of fouls, high energy and seems like a supportive teammate. If I'm Geno she's my top choice out of the portal options so far.
 
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Four guards is enough?
when 3 of them are a lock to start yes, then you have Muhl off the bench. If Uconn is going to get a guard it's going to be someone from a mid major or someone that knows they're coming off the bench to get a spark. Fairfield's guard makes 100% sense and is nearby.
 
Explode Blow Up GIF by reactionseditor
 
Eh, there are only so many spots and Reese has an unorthodox game. I wouldn't put a ton into that. DeBerry made a US team but was overmatched in the tourney and barely played her freshman year.
Understand. Was just trying to see who has a relationship with her - Paige and Azzi has tremendous connections through USA basketball
 
It’s very much like the NBA. We probably see some top players team up to form even more super team groups. Or the current super teams get even more super.
No question that the college game is headed in this direction. Players are trying to maximize their futures. A form of free agency has developed. I don't blame the players, for the top players it's shaping their future much earlier than in the past. The college portion of this portion of their life is more economically driven.
 
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It’s very much like the NBA. We probably see some top players team up to form even more super team groups. Or the current super teams get even more super.
Well, DD tried it at UNC years ago, and that fell apart, however perhaps WBB coaches and programs weren't ready for it then? There is chatter on social media that some players may join up and go to a mid-major or HBCU together, however since it's chatter, I'll leave it in my draft folder until it actually happens.
 
IMHO she is not a good fit for UCONN. This has nothing to do with her skills: one of the best offensive rebounders in the country, good shot blocker, good handle for a big, willing passer and a great motor. It's about the lack of discipline and the lack of maturity on the court and the bench. If she can't play for Brenda she can't play for Geno (unless she is looking to be coached harder and I don't think that is the case).
 
We have enough guards. We need some BIGS
For those who have failed to actually look at next years roster.

We have

1/2/3 spots - The Kid, Fudd, Muhl, CFD (that's 4 for 3 spots)


4/5 spots - Edwards, Juhasz, Griffin, DeBerry, Brady, Patterson, Gabriel (that's 7 for 2 spots)

Yea, we are probably going to have to use Griffin or Patterson or ??? at the 3 spot some. Which isn't really ideal.
 
IMHO she is not a good fit for UCONN. This has nothing to do with her skills: one of the best offensive rebounders in the country, good shot blocker, good handle for a big, willing passer and a great motor. It's about the lack of discipline and the lack of maturity on the court and the bench. If she can't play for Brenda she can't play for Geno (unless she is looking to be coached harder and I don't think that is the case).
You may be right. The only caution I would make is that some of the same criticisms were made about Evina at TN, and we all now know that Evina turned out to be a wonderful addition to UConn WBB. So when it comes to Reese, we have to ask ourselves is it the kid or the coach?

Brenda has lost a lot of really talented players through the years. Shakira Austin at MS may be this year’s top draft pick in the W, and by all accounts she was a great teammate and leader at Ole Miss.
 
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IMHO she is not a good fit for UCONN. This has nothing to do with her skills: one of the best offensive rebounders in the country, good shot blocker, good handle for a big, willing passer and a great motor. It's about the lack of discipline and the lack of maturity on the court and the bench. If she can't play for Brenda she can't play for Geno (unless she is looking to be coached harder and I don't think that is the case).
I saw some of this in her first year...and not so much since. If she wanted to play for UCONN...I'd take her if I had to fit her in my carry-on luggage. You have a single player that checks off multiple needs and more importantly elevates an already really good team. She can get chirpy, but UCONN needs players that will not back down....ever.
 
As a fan I hate to see a player transfer but I understand why they do. According to the US Department of Education 25% of students enrolled in a four year school will transfer sometime and yet some on here suggest that athletes should not have the same privilege. There are many reasons students transfer and I would think being a division 1 athlete exposes one to more reasons to transfer. The NCAA only allows one transfer without sitting out so I don’t see any athletes shopping their talents from year to year. Sure it could lead to some super teams but in reality I do not see that happening often if at all. If an athlete is unhappy with their situation I am all for them being allowed to pursue “greener pastures” just as any other student can.
 
For those who have failed to actually look at next years roster.

We have

1/2/3 spots - The Kid, Fudd, Muhl, CFD (that's 4 for 3 spots)


4/5 spots - Edwards, Juhasz, Griffin, DeBerry, Brady, Patterson, Gabriel (that's 7 for 2 spots)

Yea, we are probably going to have to use Griffin or Patterson or ??? at the 3 spot some. Which isn't really ideal.
Agree.
But unless the freshman are really talented and Aubrey is healthy and our existing players get much better than, this lineup is may not be good enough.
I know our players may improve as well.
I really do not like when Geno cuts himself short by saying -
All the years I won ( except maybe one) I always hand the best team — the most talent going into the finals.
The Princeton of the world and the men’s game prove that coaching and experience can beat talent. I.e Duke.
 
I miss the old days when receiving a $100.000, 4 year full scholarship for a "FREE" education meant something to a student athlete ...........
It still does mean something to a lot of kids. It's unfair to paint the majority of athletes with this brush. We won't know all the reasons for why they transfer.

Yes, some will be doing it for what we believe are selfish reasons, others are taking advantage of the system which I have no issue with. If you can get your masters by leveraging the COVID year if it's offered to you, why not?

And if we look at the numbers, estimating 1000 athletes in the portal (yes I know it will likely be higher), that's about 20% of all athletes in D1. This means 80% will remain with their program. This is no different than transferring stats for non-scholarship students.
 
Agree.
But unless the freshman are really talented and Aubrey is healthy and our existing players get much better than, this lineup is may not be good enough.
I know our players may improve as well.
I really do not like when Geno cuts himself short by saying -
All the years I won ( except maybe one) I always hand the best team — the most talent going into the finals.
The Princeton of the world and the men’s game prove that coaching and experience can beat talent. I.e Duke.
I also wouldn't lock players like Brady, Patterson, Aubrey, and Edwards into just the 4 and 5 categories. They can play the 3 too....just closer to the basket. Brady even further out. She has a smooth jumper. And Ducharme can play 2,3 or 4 in my opinion. I hope the days of just playing 6 to 7 players regularly is over. You need more versatility because opponents are more versatile.
 
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