Asia Durr Narrows list; topic morph circa p. 4 to Tennessee's status/outlook

[Kevin G]

Is anyone else surprised that Duke made the list?! Sure it's a great school but Coach McCallie hasn't done anything with the talented players she has picked up. Doesn't make sense to me. But then again it's Asia's decision.
Best of luck

 

[rvwsleep]

Haha. BY is so worked up from off-season self congratulation and basking in recruiting success that NOBODY is given a shot at beating UCONN, regardless of the graduation of our 2 senior All Americans. The, "Hope ND doesn't get her" [Durr] sentiment is at least evidence that some might be concerned that another great coach with the right group of great athletes might at least pose a threat to the 195-game winning streak at some point.

Winning 2 straight NC's and having the 2 recruiting classes that UConn has had are a good reason to celebrate. As far as "NOBODY is given a shot at beating UConn"... I see qualifiers mentioned frequently when the 2014-2015 season is discussed (I.E. injuries). I would describe it as confidence rather than "worked up".
As far as South Carolina goes, a great freshman class, but a lot to ask from them this year. Next year could be a different story.

 

[j66kicker]

Winning 2 straight NC's and having the 2 recruiting classes that UConn has had are a good reason to celebrate. As far as "NOBODY is given a shot at beating UConn"... I see qualifiers mentioned frequently when the 2014-2015 season is discussed (I.E. injuries). I would describe it as confidence rather than "worked up".
As far as South Carolina goes, a great freshman class, but a lot to ask from them this year. Next year could be a different story.

I agree the celebration and confidence are justified. But, rather than just "worked up", at times here it's at least "all WHIPPED up." Nothing wrong with that - hey, it's a homer message board. I'm guilty too sometimes, but at some point there will be a reminder that that our players are, alas, only human.

 

[UCONNfan1]

No competition expected from South Carolina?

Not really. Sure SC added Wilson, but UCONN countered with Samuelson, Boykin and Collier. And for the next 2 years, I have a hard time seeing anyone beat UCONN. There are a lot of good teams with a solid amount of talent, but none of them have the plethora of top shelf talent UCONN has...

 

[UCONNfan1]

Haha. BY is so worked up from off-season self congratulation and basking in recruiting success that NOBODY is given a shot at beating UCONN, regardless of the graduation of our 2 senior All Americans. The, "Hope ND doesn't get her" [Durr] sentiment is at least evidence that some might be concerned that another great coach with the right group of great athletes might at least pose a threat to the 195-game winning streak at some point.

Just my opinion of course, but even if ND lands her, I'm not sure they fare any better than they did in the last NC game - a loss of 20 points. People said "yeah but if they had Achonwa it would have been closer". Sure, but if they didn't hit about four 3-pointers that were ridiculously lucky shots, it would have been a 30 point blow out...

Loyd would be a senior when Durr is a freshman. They only get 1 year together. but even still, with Jefferson as a senior, and the rest of the guards UCONN has, UCONN would be stronger in the guard positions. ND's strength at that point would be more in the post - Reimer and Turner.

In the post, a lot depends on Butler. Is she more Dolson, or more Buck? IF she's more like Dolson, then ND wouldn't even have an advantage in the post. We won't really know till November of 2015. Let's hope that by then, UCONN has McCoy and/or Holmes in tow and on the horizon...

 

[j66kicker]

Who would be the biggest threat to UCONN's 195-0 streak if they got Durr?

 

[Kibitzer]

Comments in this thread (by almost all posters about all teams) seem to rely on the assumption that every player named, all now in high school, is destined for greatness at the NCAA D1 wcbb level.

Just as every player recently drafted in the first round of the NFL draft will ultimately be enshrined in the HoF in Canton.

Makes our TonyC look like a pessimist.

 

[JoePgh]

Nurse.

My money is on Sadie Edwards, with Saniya Chong as the next most likely (to be the point guard after Moriah graduates). I think that Kia Nurse and Courtney Ekmark are more likely to get most of their minutes at the 2, 3, or even the 4 positions. That is because of their size and the fact that no one has identified ball handling as a major strength of either player.

 

[Dickers]

JoePgh Dribbling? What do you think a point guard on a national team does? Kick the ball up the court? Of course its a strength of Nurse.
You have to watch some more international games. Hopefully, you will see Nurse and Canada when then play the US in CT.

 

[msf22b]

That would not be pleasant. A hypothetical trio of the freshman Durr, the Sophomore Turner, and the senior LLoyd, might just be NC-worthy.

I'd rather pencil them in for the final-4
Hard to handicap them as champs.
5 all-stars usually defeats 3

 

[hoophuskee]

That would not be pleasant. A hypothetical trio of the freshman Durr, the Sophomore Turner, and the senior LLoyd, might just be NC-worthy.

Sure they would be- and ofc that year we're stacked.

 

[Zorro]

I want Salvadore!!!!

 

[sawxfan23]

My money is on Sadie Edwards, with Saniya Chong as the next most likely (to be the point guard after Moriah graduates). I think that Kia Nurse and Courtney Ekmark are more likely to get most of their minutes at the 2, 3, or even the 4 positions. That is because of their size and the fact that no one has identified ball handling as a major strength of either player.

I can see Edwards making a run along with Nurse for the starting PG after Jefferson leaves but there is no way{unless forced by injuries} that Chong starts at PG.

 

[Orangutan]

Come on to Baylor, Durr! You can be developed like Sims!!!

A certain Indiana school has a pretty good track record with guards recently. This is a pleasant surprise to me. Didn't have her figured for ND. I think Ogunbowale is more likely for ND but I'd thrilled with either one (or both, of course).

 

[intlzncster]

In the post, a lot depends on Butler. Is she more Dolson, or more Buck? IF she's more like Dolson, then ND wouldn't even have an advantage in the post. We won't really know till November of 2015. Let's hope that by then, UCONN has McCoy and/or Holmes in tow and on the horizon...

Butler did more at the D1 level in her freshman year than Buck did in 5 years at UCONN.

 

[asuwish]

http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-comme...st-baylor-duke-louisville-maryland-notre-dame



Uconn is not on Durr's final list, but not to panic people, we still have a KILLER squad.

Anywhere but ND. Durr and Turner would form a very very dangerous inside outside pair.

 

[Bestiarius]

Somehow, it seems that UConn almost always finds a way to encourage opponent mega stars to have a bad game against UConn when it counts most. I guess Geno's teams are incredibly lucky.

 

[Bayareahusky]

Looking at some of the posts.....

On Butler.... she doesn't take a back seat to anyone Her merits will be earned by herself, and she will need help from nobody..... remember Dolson was not a world beater when she arrived, and thanks to coaching, and her own hard work and discipline, she blossomed..... Natalie has had one solid year already.... so she is ahead of the game.....

On Duke, and why someone would be eager to go there.... sure Coach P may not be the top of the top echelon.... but (and here is a good separate thread debate) where else ya gonna go if you are in the south and you want to stay realtively close to home? We will see how Staley does at SC, but I do not see a top flight coach down there (apologies to Baylor, but Kim - though good - does not make my "A" list) Duke is still an academic force, and its WCBB program still has good exposure...... not a bad choice..... won't win a chmpnshp there, but a good program and a solid education.

Oh yes, there has been a sugar high here, admittedly, since the 15 class has gotten their additions..... but I still think ND is a constant threat..... Loyd is a "playah", Turner, we will see, she could be a transcendant player..... and if Durr heads there.... I am such a big believer in Muffet's coaching talent, and her staff (whose abilities I know less about) .... they absolutely can pose a threat to us.....

But with geno, staff, and the raw talentwe have now and coming in as well, I feel we are a kevlar program..... it should be pretty sturdy

 

[Kibitzer]

Throughout this thread, focus is on offense (e.g., "Who plays the 2, 3, or 4?," etc.

UConn is certainly strong offensively, but it is their suffocating team defense that racks up the banners and rings.

For emphasis: team defense!

 

[sivad40]

Andy Landers strikes out once again when it comes to landing an elite instate players. Has any major college coach consistently lost out on landing elite instate top players as much as Andy has? Roy and K got alot of criticism for John Wall leaving the state of North Carolina. Gary Williams during his last few years at Maryland lost on a ton of talent but that was more about Gary not wanting to deal with the handlers of some of elite players.

 

[intlzncster]

Andy Landers strikes out once again when it comes to landing an elite instate players. Has any major college coach consistently lost out on landing elite instate top players as much as Andy has? Roy and K got alot of criticism for John Wall leaving the state of North Carolina. Gary Williams during his last few years at Maryland lost on a ton of talent but that was more about Gary not wanting to deal with the handlers of some of elite players.

Gary Williams puts that idea out there, but he does the same things all other coaches do; I think Gary uses that as an excuse for failure. His real problem is that he's just not that good. He caught lightning in a bottle with the crew he had in the early 2000s, but outside that, he's been less than impressive.

Roy and K are heads and tails and light years better coaches than Landers. Not even in the same league (figuratively and literally).

In sum, Landers is a good, but not great, coach. Jim Foster category.

 

[hjoerring]

After reading through these posts I am not convinced that Durr had Uconn at the top of her list. Of course 8 of 10 top players will list Uconn and all the other premier programs. As far as I know she hasn't visited though she has played with Uconn bound players. This is not a requirement but an opportunity to share an experience with potential teammates. In the past a top player could wait around before signing on to the school of her choice because her status/position was secured. However, the top schools and classes have many good players jumping aboard for you to wait to the last minute. Had she wanted to come to Uconn and had jumped aboard early in the game the whole picture would have changed-- perhaps more tranfers. My guess (and it is exactly that) is that she had ND, Duke and MD as destinations. It is also possible that Uconn cooled off a little after signing Nurse and deciding that there are some very good (p)guards in the next class. Seriously, if Nurse is a PG or a combo- isn't she annointed, given her experience- not to count out others. I believe in the old saying that- greed kills and/or too much of a good thing is not good for you.

 

[meyers7]

I believe in the old saying that- greed kills and/or too much of a good thing is not good for you.

It's an "old" saying for a reason.

 

[sivad40]

Gary Williams puts that idea out there, but he does the same things all other coaches do; I think Gary uses that as an excuse for failure. His real problem is that he's just not that good. He caught lightning in a bottle with the crew he had in the early 2000s, but outside that, he's been less than impressive.

Roy and K are heads and tails and light years better coaches than Landers. Not even in the same league (figuratively and literally).

In sum, Landers is a good, but not great, coach. Jim Foster category.

Gary was never a great recruiter in the first place and he used that excuse for losing out to top DMV recruits in his latter years at MD.


Landers is a good coach and an okay recruiter.

 

[01Neaggrad02]

Allen would be a Jr.

She is a junior this year. She is in Stewie's class

 

[Fightin Choke]

She is a junior this year. She is in Stewie's class

No, Stewart was in the recruiting class with Jewell Loyd (2012): LINK
Lindsay Allen (25th) was in the recruiting class with Saniya Chong (2013): LINK

 

[Paul1969]

No, Stewart was in the recruiting class with Jewell Loyd (2012): LINK
Lindsay Allen (25th) was in the recruiting class with Saniya Chong (2013): LINK

allen will be a Jr when DUrr is a freshman and Lloyd will be a Senior. (Just another way of looking at it)

 

[Aluminny69]

Butler did more at the D1 level in her freshman year than Buck did in 5 years at UCONN.

But what if Buck had gone to Georgetown? She might have played more. Liz Sherwood did much better at Vanderbilt than she did at UConn. If Sherwood had played at Vanderbilt first, then transferred to UConn, we might have expected big things from her too.

 

[intlzncster]

But what if Buck had gone to Georgetown? She might have played more. Liz Sherwood did much better at Vanderbilt than she did at UConn. If Sherwood had played at Vanderbilt first, then transferred to UConn, we might have expected big things from her too.

It's not as if Heather played more she would have been one of the best freshman in the country and set a few records like Natalie. I'm not sure how the Liz Sherwood example pertains. I guess it means Natalie could be much better after transferring?

Heather Buck could have been a nice player elsewhere, sure, but not remotely close to what this kid was doing. Heather struggled to hit layups through her Jr year...and she was practicing against and working with the best. Butler absolutely crushed it. Her UCONN bio is superlative:

scoring double-figures in all but four of those contests...The 6-foot-5 center finished fifth in the nation in rebounding (13.3 per game) and first among all freshmen in Division I women's college basketball... After averaging 13.9 ppg and 13.4 rpg, Butler earned a trio of postseason accolades from the Big East Conference. The Virginia native received Big East Freshman of the Year, All-Big East Second Team and All-Big East Freshman Team honors... A record-setting rookie campaign witnessed her set conference standards for freshman rebounding with a total of 425 boards... On two occasions the freshman pulled down a career-high 20 rebounds in a single game, tying the league rookie record for single-game rebounding... Her breakout season also established the season record in blocked shots with 59... Butler also made significant contributions on the offensive side of the ball, notching 24 double-doubles including 15 in conference play... Her 24 double-doubles tied for ninth-best in the country and first among freshman... Her 445 points were second on the team...

 

[Tonyc]

We are still the team to beat. DD to Tenn and Durr to anywhere doesnt matter. They will need to have some talent to surround them. They will as freshman but as of now dont in the future. UConn does. When DD and Durr are Juniors then lets talk about who can challenge UConn.

What team this season can give UConn a game when KML and Stewart are healthy? I dont see one. Could UConn lose a game. Sure they can and it would be a fluke. The questions this season are....will Morgan Tuck be healthy enough to make an impact....will the freshman class make an impact and who will step up and be counted on....will Saniya Chong be the player she was in high school and make an impact... I think yes yes yes.

Bottom line next season we wont have KML and it is important that Tuck is a force this season for that reason. We need a couple of the freshman to step up. Saniya although she wasnt the prolific scorer we saw in hs didnt make alot of mistakes. Im looking for her improvement this season.

UConn has the pieces to the puzzle for the next 5 seasons and the question is how they will develop. No other team has as many pieces for the next 5 seasons that UConn does.

As far as Butler if she were at ND and Durr was going there how many of you would be worried about ND? Natalie will be a big time star at UConn and at 6'5 there is nobody at her height and her numbers at GTown are huge especially for a freshman. Butler is key to our winning NCs beginning next season and beyond.