Asia Durr talks recruiting

[Wonkster]

... ND won more championships before Skylar than while she was there or after.

Yeah --- ONE.

LOL!!

 

[triaddukefan]

you guys are a little harsh on Russell. i remember reading some of the same nonsense about Harrison and Glory Johnson when they were underclassman. Russell will be a VERY good player. her skill set is far more advanced than Glory or Harrison as freshman. just wait and watch....and remember the criticism...

As I recall, the TN folks were *extremely* harsh regarding Breanna Stewart and her struggles during the middle part of her first year. And then the NCAA Tournament happened...

 

[UcMiami]

Larry Bird almost won a national championship, singlehandedly, at Indiana State.

Just emphasized the operative word in your statement.

 

[UcMiami]

No offense to Russell, but her numbers were far inferior to Dolson as a freshman, and it took Stef about 2 years to seriously commit to a strength/conditioning/diet program to transform herself to the great player we saw this past year. Elizabeth Williams was just terrific her freshman year.

Tina Charles averaged about 22 minutes per game as a freshman (a little higher than Russell) and managed 12.7 PPG. Kara Wolters only managed to average 15 MPG as a freshman, but scored over 11 PPG that first year. WCBB is riddled with post players who had really solid freshman seasons, and then continued to get even better. In Tina and Kara's cases, it led to NC's and NPOY honors. I don't doubt Russell will be a really solid player, but to call her a potential superstar seems a stretch. I understand you backed off saying if she's not improved by the time she's a junior, but even if she is improved, she's a very long way from a superstar.

Diamond Deshields? Superstar. Kaleena Lewis? Superstar. Brianna Stewart? Super star. Mercedes Russell? Not so much...

I think it is valid to look at roster when looking at Stef and Tina - they both were 'the' center on their freshman teams - Harrison was the center for TN and Russell has time to develop behind her. Add in better guard play, a better offensive system, and better coaching and development is likely to take longer. Not saying she will be great but lets give her some time.

 

[Geno-ista]

Mark my words now....Holly Warlick will be the 1st coach to beat Geno in a Championship game....call me crazy or a homer....but I seriously see it happening...I for one was frustrated with Holly at times but I've seen growth in Holly, she'll get there!

How have all these All Americans underachieved as a team so badly. I think there is a group of coaches that would have gotten much more from their talent. She seams like a great person- but I'm not feeling it. I could be wrong.

 

[cockhrnleghrn]

Just emphasized the operative word in your statement.

Considering he was the only good player on the team, it was pretty impressive that he led them to the championship game.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

Tennessee may already have that superstar in Mercedes Russell. I think Tennessee Fans are a little to quick to give up on players. Posts take a little longer to develop then guards. Give the kid a break she is only a freshman. If she has not improved by the time she is a junior then yes Tennessee Fans have a right to be concerned. She was ranked #1 coming out of high school.

I do not see Mercedes Russell ever being an elite center! She can't sprint downcourt she runs very strangely! She will be an Elizabeth Williams of Duke clone a good not great, never living up to their #1 potential! I think Kiah Stokes is going to surprise the WCBB world and have a breakout senior year! She just has to add a 12'-15' jump shot to her game to be an outstanding C! Her defense/rebounding already is top rate!

 

[TDiNozzo]

I can see why Durr smiled when asked about Tenn..... She is thinking ... I just used my best answer, and now he's going to ask me about 4 more schools....nice......think quick......

 

[Orangutan]

I do not see Mercedes Russell ever being an elite center! She can't sprint downcourt she runs very strangely! She will be an Elizabeth Williams of Duke clone a good not great, never living up to their #1 potential! I think Kiah Stokes is going to surprise the WCBB world and have a breakout senior year! She just has to add a 12'-15' jump shot to her game to be an outstanding C! Her defense/rebounding already is top rate!

You say that like being an Elizabeth Williams clone is a bad thing. I think almost every program would love to have such a thing.

This is not really aimed at you, but too many people criticize her for what they think she should be rather than appreciating her for how good she is.

 

[sivad40]

There is seriously ONLY ONE! Any other school is a pipe dream to get what she wants. I'll say it again: There are two kinds of recruits, one that is driven to get a NC and the other that chooses somewhere other than UCONN!

A highly ranked girls soccer player was asked why she picked ND instead of going to the dynasty program UNC (21 national titles). She said that growing up as a soccer player, there's two kinds of soccer players, those that want to play for UNC, and those that want to beat UNC.

 

[Bestiarius]

A highly ranked girls soccer player was asked why she picked ND instead of going to the dynasty program UNC (21 national titles). She said that growing up as a soccer player, there's two kinds of soccer players, those that want to play for UNC, and those that want to beat UNC.

In that instance, more accurately, it would be those who want to play for UNC, and those that want to be beaten by UNC.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

You say that like being an Elizabeth Williams clone is a bad thing. I think almost every program would love to have such a thing.

This is not really aimed at you, but too many people criticize her for what they think she should be rather than appreciating her for how good she is.

Orangutan- - With all the hype both Williams and now Russell had coming out of HS they should be better than they play now! Williams was dominated by UCONN big girls the past 2 years and in other games she didn't show me much except some blocked shots! Her offense is way behind! Concerning Russell for some reason I get bad vibes when I watch her play!

 

[AnotherVolFan]

Give her time....Mercedes will be the best center in WCB by her Jr year! All the things she needs to improve on are very achievable...... (Strength, Conditioning)....there is really only one good thing that makes post players great and that's footwork. Every game I seen or attended MR footwork was qyite good to be a freshman. And you can't teach height...she'll be great once we have guards that can knock the 3 down. And I can't knock Khia for her defenses and rebounding but she'll have to work on her offensive skill set to have a breakout season as MOST here think she will have.

 

[Orangutan]

Williams didn't rate herself. The hype was externally created. If she had been ranked the #50 player coming out, the viewpoint on her would be totally different.

 

[AnotherVolFan]

Williams didn't rate herself. The hype was externally created. If she had been ranked the #50 player coming out, the viewpoint on her would be totally different.

I wouldn't put too much stock in recruiting rankings anyhow.....its so odd how unevenly ranked players are throughout different services. And that 2012 class with KML at the top wasn't that strong but EW deserved her #2 ranking...she just hasn't lived up to the potential of a #2 recruit. Just like Cierra Burdick....just from watching her play I would have never thought she was #3 :-/

 

[HuskyNan]

you guys are a little harsh on Russell. i remember reading some of the same nonsense about Harrison and Glory Johnson when they were underclassman. Russell will be a VERY good player. her skill set is far more advanced than Glory or Harrison as freshman. just wait and watch....and remember the criticism...

Too many UConn fans forget it took a year and a half each for both Asjha Jones and Tina Charles to "get it". Posts need a longer time to adjust, it's just a fact. If Mercedes had gone to just about any other school fans here would be more forgiving of Mercedes' learning curve.

 

[jdubct]

Too many UConn fans forget it took a year and a half each for both Asjha Jones and Tina Charles to "get it". Posts need a longer time to adjust, it's just a fact. If Mercedes had gone to just about any other school fans here would be more forgiving of Mercedes' learning curve.

And, Geno wanted to recruit her but she wasn't interested in going to Uconn.

 

[doggydaddy]

Too many UConn fans forget it took a year and a half each for both Asjha Jones and Tina Charles to "get it". Posts need a longer time to adjust, it's just a fact. If Mercedes had gone to just about any other school fans here would be more forgiving of Mercedes' learning curve.

I'm really doubtful of that. It wouldn't be as much a topic of conversation, but her performance is not near the freshman Charles and certainly not that of the #1 recruit.

Russell - 6.3 ppg, 5 rpg, 40 blocks.

Charles - 12.7 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 81 blocks.

Big difference.

Asjha was not the #1 recruit.

 

[doggydaddy]

I wouldn't put too much stock in recruiting rankings anyhow.....its so odd how unevenly ranked players are throughout different services. And that 2012 class with KML at the top wasn't that strong but EW deserved her #2 ranking...she just hasn't lived up to the potential of a #2 recruit. Just like Cierra Burdick....just from watching her play I would have never thought she was #3 :-/

Russell was either #1 or #2 recruit in the services. Are you saying she was over ranked? Clearly Burdick was.

 

[HuskyNan]

I'm really doubtful of that. It wouldn't be as much a topic of conversation, but her performance is not near the freshman Charles and certainly not that of the #1 recruit.

Russell - 6.3 ppg, 5 rpg, 40 blocks.

Charles - 12.7 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 81 blocks.

Big difference.

Asjha was not the #1 recruit.

UConn had better guards. The kid can't score if she doesn't have the ball.

 

[Icebear]

UConn had better guards. The kid can't score if she doesn't have the ball.

But that doesn't address the rebounds and blocks.

 

[doggydaddy]

UConn had better guards. The kid can't score if she doesn't have the ball.

Not buying that one. Charles was better her freshman year and Russell underperformed for a number one recruit.

I'm not sure why you are arguing those facts.

 

[HoopsFan21]

Give her time....Mercedes will be the best center in WCB by her Jr year! All the things she needs to improve on are very achievable. (Strength, Conditioning)....there is really only one good thing that makes post players great and that's footwork. Every game I seen or attended MR footwork was qyite good to be a freshman. And you can't teach height...she'll be great once we have guards that can knock the 3 down. And I can't knock Khia for her defenses and rebounding but she'll have to work on her offensive skill set to have a breakout season as MOST here think she will have.

Kiah is unlikely to be the prolific screener and assist machine that Dolson was. Not too many centers average 2.5 A/G in a single season, let alone over their entire career, or shoot 42% from behind the arc as Stef did her junior year. Very few centers will ever have the offensive skill set of Dolson, so one must be reasonable about their expectations. As far as putting points on the board, I think Kiah will be just fine in place of Dolson. Assuming Kiah does not improve going into next year (unlikely that she won't get at least marginally if not quite a bit better) and given Dolson minutes, Kiah would average about 8 points per game, or about 4 less than Dolson. I really don't understand why people get down on Kiah's offensive game. Maybe it's not as complete as Dolson's, but from a points standpoint, there really isn't going to be a precipitous drop off. Replacing Bria's offensive output and defense is going to be a much bigger deal I think, and I'm not sure Chong or Banks will come as close to being a replacement for Bria as Kiah will be for Dolson.

 

[HuskyNan]

Not buying that one. Charles was better her freshman year and Russell underperformed for a number one recruit.

I'm not sure why you are arguing those facts.

I was not arguing your stats, which I've pointed out numerous times don't always show the whole picture. If we judged players solely on stats, Kelly Faris would have been a bust. I'm arguing with the fact that the kid played in a horrible system.

I'm not getting into this with you people any more because there's no point. The kid wears orange so she was overrated coming out of high school. If she'd come to UConn, and Geno recruited her hard, people would be falling all over themselves to point out what I've already said.

 

[Bestiarius]

I was not arguing your stats, which I've pointed out numerous times don't always show the whole picture. If we judged players solely on stats, Kelly Faris would have been a bust. I'm arguing with the fact that the kid played in a horrible system.

I'm not getting into this with you people any more because there's no point. The kid wears orange so she was overrated coming out of high school. If she'd come to UConn, and Geno recruited her hard, people would be falling all over themselves to point out what I've already said.

This isn't a normal case of homerism. It's pretty clear she was overrated based on what previous number 1 players did their first year. We're talking about her rating peers to be people like Moore, Delle Donne, Griner, Ogwumike, Stewart.

Plus it's not that she played in a horrible system, she plays in a horrible system. There is no indication that anything will be changing anytime soon.

 

[Orangutan]

She's still just 18. She may not being matching up with other top recruits yet, but I think it's only fair to see how much she improves over the summer before we tag her with labels like "overrated".

 

[sawxfan23]

UConn had better guards. The kid can't score if she doesn't have the ball.

Do you know how many put back oppotunities and rebound opportunities she got per game last year from poor shot selection from those guards you speak of? I mean if anything at 6'6 her stats should have been padded if anything.

 

[Bestiarius]

She's still just 18. She may not being matching up with other top recruits yet, but I think it's only fair to see how much she improves over the summer before we tag her with labels like "overrated".

We can only judge on what we’ve seen and the stats that are produced. The future is unknown. We’ve got an entire year of Mercedes work to look at. There’s no justification for allowing more time before commenting. Do we have to wait until next season to comment on all Freshmen? Perhaps we should give Diamond a chance to improve? I shudder at that thought.

So how about we leave next year to next year? No one knows what will happen. Dolson performed a miracle transformation over a summer. We praised Graves her first year. As a Soph she also performed a miracle transformation, but in the wrong direction. Next year, Mercedes might follow or better one of these two examples, or perhaps settle somewhere in between. We’ll see, and I’m sure we’ll comment again.

 

[doggydaddy]

I was not arguing your stats, which I've pointed out numerous times don't always show the whole picture. If we judged players solely on stats, Kelly Faris would have been a bust. I'm arguing with the fact that the kid played in a horrible system.

I'm not getting into this with you people any more because there's no point. The kid wears orange so she was overrated coming out of high school. If she'd come to UConn, and Geno recruited her hard, people would be falling all over themselves to point out what I've already said.

You people?

Conversely, if she wasn't a member of the hated orange, you wouldn't say boo to the criticisms.

Of course most Uconn fans will support Uconn players, even if they underperform.

I saw several Tennessee games and she had trouble getting good position to receive entry passes from guards. She was constantly pushed away from the post. I agree that the offensive system didn't help but I don't see how anyone can she didn't underachieve.

One last thing. Yes, stats don't tell everything, but Charles freshman year was nothing like Russell's and I was just trying to show you your comparison was wrong. You might not think numbers tell everything, but national freshman of the year and Big East freshman of the year for Charles trumps anything that Russell ever dreamed of.

 

[doggydaddy]

She's still just 18. She may not being matching up with other top recruits yet, but I think it's only fair to see how much she improves over the summer before we tag her with labels like "overrated".

She may prove to be a better player, probably will, but her performance in her freshman year tells me the ranking services got this one wrong.