Big girl needed.

[BroadwayVa]

I don’t know who UConn has been recruiting, but I’ll say it until I die: Stefanie Dolson was ranked #39 by ESPN Hoopgurlz (2010). She turned out to be one of the best centers in UConn history and dramatically improved everything about her game while at UConn. I can’t imagine that players like her exist in a vacuum. There have got to be other players ranked lower than what their potential really is. I don’t think they need to be 6’6 (I’d happily take a 6’3 rim protector like Kiah Stokes or a 6’2/6’3 athletic leaper like the Ogwumike sisters), but I imagine a “project” player that needs a little extra focus might be worth it if it ends in a story like Stefanie Dolson.

Unrelated to post players, but Kayla McBride was ranked #20 in the 2010 Hoopgurlz class and she made quite the name for herself at Notre Dame. Kelly Faris was ranked #34 the year before and we all know how great she turned out to be. Kia Nurse was ranked at #33 in 2014 and once again we all know how great she turned out to be.

Some top 10 post players never really planned out and ended up falling off of the map. My point being that instead of trying to get top 10 players, invest in players a little lower that buy into UConn’s system and want to get better.

That was the point of a post I made to Charlieball this past summer. Uconn does not need a number one, 2, or 5--they need one big, strong, teachable, quick learner--Step wasn't the exception to prove the point, she and others like her are available for the asking. (No not Steff this year). I suspect the REAL choice is an European who is big that can hit the floor with fundamentals and provide good minutes. Transfers have been notoriously needing retraining to fit the Uconn program--that takes 2 years.
We must remember Steff as a Senior was much different than that Frosh. However, she was thrown at Griner and did a decent, not great job. The Nurse from Wikitywalk, StoningtonMystic area did a great job on Griner .But wasn't a superb top of the line Center. Moore was a project for 3 years and then provided nice minutes (no not Maya).
Point of this is there are 39th ranked centers and there are 39th ranked centers--some get to be Steff and other do not. .

 

[Charliebball]

No doubt Rueck likes height and will take on projects and succeed at them. By doing so (in combination with landing some 4 star players), he put WBB at OSU on the map, after starting as head coach nine years ago with only 1 player on his entire roster.

I have great respect for what he has accomplished...............he would be on my list of outside coaches to replace Geno if UConn went in that direction.........

 

[bballnut90]

they improve but that improvement doesn't all take place after
one season.....my comment was specifically about how much they will improve by next season......I hope a whole lot...

Pretty much every former top 5 UCONN recruit made a big jump in production from their freshman to sophomore season if they were needed to step up to the plate. The following list of players are examples of that:
Megan Walker
KLS
Napheesa Collier
Crystal Dangerfield
KML
Breanna Stewart
Moriah Jefferson
Morgan Tuck (if you consider 2014-15 her soph year)
Bria Hartley


No one who was that highly touted hasn't been able to make the jump by their sophomore season. No reason to think ONO or CW will be any different.

 

[BobbyJ]

Cam sincere thanks for continuing to educate me personally and the BY in general. My main point was very poorly stated. Dolson & Stokes are often cited as an example of why UCONN should look at players that are "lower ranked" -aka, outside the top 10. The reality is that both players were very close to being top 10 players in their respective classes. I used the selection of both players to McDonalds AA game as an illustration of that point. Clearly the ASGR rankings (9th for stokes and 12th for Dolson) would have been a better way to make that same point.

I have an opinion on this but I’d be interested in hearing yours and CamrnCrz1974. How much emphasis, stock etc. do you feel college coaches put into all these rankings as opposed to what they and their assistants see when watching these kids in person and on video?

 

[CocoHusky]

I have an opinion on this but I’d be interested in hearing yours and CamrnCrz1974. How much emphasis, stock etc. do you feel college coaches put into all these rankings as opposed to what they and their assistants see when watching these kids in person and on video?

I think very little emphasis is placed on these ranking by most the coaches.

 

[southofnorth]

Cam sincere thanks for continuing to educate me personally and the BY in general. My main point was very poorly stated. Dolson & Stokes are often cited as an example of why UCONN should look at players that are "lower ranked" -aka, outside the top 10. The reality is that both players were very close to being top 10 players in their respective classes. I used the selection of both players to McDonalds AA game as an illustration of that point. Clearly the ASGR rankings (9th for stokes and 12th for Dolson) would have been a better way to make that same point.

My point was that they both had *potential* to be top 10 players. Neither came into UConn with overwhelming skills. Dolson was a good player her freshman year, but compared to her senior year she was terrible her freshman year. Kiah Stokes was always a good shot blocker, but didn’t really find her role until her senior year. I’m not saying they were bad because of their rankings. I’m saying a top 10 ranking does not equal a great basketball player.

 

[Charliebball]

Pretty much every former top 5 UCONN recruit made a big jump in production from their freshman to sophomore season if they were needed to step up to the plate. The following list of players are examples of that:
Megan Walker
KLS
Napheesa Collier
Crystal Dangerfield
KML
Breanna Stewart
Moriah Jefferson
Morgan Tuck (if you consider 2014-15 her soph year)
Bria Hartley


No one who was that highly touted hasn't been able to make the jump by their sophomore season. No reason to think ONO or CW will be any different.

Of those you mentioned, some (Stewart, Collier) seemed to get there quicker then others................I think CW will be just fine once she gets her confidence back.................it may only take one really good game to get her on track................ONO is going to be a dominant player at both ends of the court but I have a feeling it will take her another year to build the kind of strength she needs to be a consistent low post performer..............the bottom line is UConn needs to replace almost 40 points and 15 rebounds per game and it's not going to be easy...........

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Pretty much every former top 5 UCONN recruit made a big jump in production from their freshman to sophomore season if they were needed to step up to the plate. The following list of players are examples of that:
Megan Walker
KLS
Napheesa Collier
Crystal Dangerfield
KML
Breanna Stewart
Moriah Jefferson
Morgan Tuck (if you consider 2014-15 her soph year)
Bria Hartley


No one who was that highly touted hasn't been able to make the jump by their sophomore season. No reason to think ONO or CW will be any different.

Yeah, but we need 2 ONOs. 1 CW is enough. Don't want to be piggy.

 

[Husky pride]

And your evidence that Geno and his staff are "complacent" is what? I don't think that word exists is their vocabulary.

Let me give it a way out shot.....how about the current bench?

 

['nuff sed]

I have an opinion on this but I’d be interested in hearing yours and CamrnCrz1974. How much emphasis, stock etc. do you feel college coaches put into all these rankings as opposed to what they and their assistants see when watching these kids in person and on video?

Almost zero, if not zero, if not absolute zero (after watching hours of slow white girl video clips)

 

[MSGRET]

Come on. I guess Gabby got her tattoo after she committed to UConn? Maybe Geno will finally figure out this recruiting thing and win a national championship or two.

Actually Gabby had her tattoo while in High School, it was in honor of her mother's French heritage. Gabby and her older sister got matching tattoo's saying in French "Nothing will break our bond".

 

[BobbyJ]

Almost zero, if not zero, if not absolute zero (after watching hours of slow white girl video clips)

Agreed. You and Coco seem to support my opinion that these rankings are meaningless. Which makes me wonder why so many on here care about them and try to use them to support opinions about the success and college readiness of recruiting classes. The fans and the gurus are just guessing.

 

[CocoHusky]

Agreed. You and Coco seem to support my opinion that these rankings are meaningless. Which makes me wonder why so many on here care about them and try to use them to support opinions about the success and college readiness of recruiting classes. The fans and the gurus are just guessing.

The debate about the ranking has been going on for a very long time. Some posters throw the rankings out as absolute proof of whatever point they are trying to make (usually why a player is not living up to expectation) There are a few posters like @CamrnCrz1974 and @HuskyNan who have great knowledge of how the ranking are put together. There are a few other posters @vowelguy who used to do a composite rankings and there are quite a few others that understand that it is significant when a player reaches "consensus" number 1.
True confessions: I became obsessed with my daughters rankings when they were in HS. In the process got to know quite a few or the raters Glenn Nelson, Chris Hansen, Mark Lewis, & Dan Olson. They are universally good people who were very patient with me and answered every question I had. The key is to understand the rating philosophies and what goes into them.
This 2011 article by Mark is among the most treasured recruiting tips I have my daughter who is now involved in HS coaching pass on to her players and parents.
Lewis: Skills that separate you

 

[HopJim]

Of those you mentioned, some (Stewart, Collier) seemed to get there quicker then others......I think CW will be just fine once she gets her confidence back.......it may only take one really good game to get her on track......ONO is going to be a dominant player at both ends of the court but I have a feeling it will take her another year to build the kind of strength she needs to be a consistent low post performer....the bottom line is UConn needs to replace almost 40 points and 15 rebounds per game and it's not going to be easy......

Charlie, ditto your comments re: ONO. If you watch her under the boards, its not just strength but body type that limits her production. Shorter players with wider bodies are able to move her on both offensive and defensive positioning. Not sure how much of this is due to genes and can be improved in weight room (and the UConn daily bar).

 

[willtalk]

I don’t know who UConn has been recruiting, but I’ll say it until I die: Stefanie Dolson was ranked #39 by ESPN Hoopgurlz (2010). She turned out to be one of the best centers in UConn history and dramatically improved everything about her game while at UConn. I can’t imagine that players like her exist in a vacuum. There have got to be other players ranked lower than what their potential really is. I don’t think they need to be 6’6 (I’d happily take a 6’3 rim protector like Kiah Stokes or a 6’2/6’3 athletic leaper like the Ogwumike sisters), but I imagine a “project” player that needs a little extra focus might be worth it if it ends in a story like Stefanie Dolson.

Unrelated to post players, but Kayla McBride was ranked #20 in the 2010 Hoopgurlz class and she made quite the name for herself at Notre Dame. Kelly Faris was ranked #34 the year before and we all know how great she turned out to be. Kia Nurse was ranked at #33 in 2014 and once again we all know how great she turned out to be.

Some top 10 post players never really planned out and ended up falling off of the map. My point being that instead of trying to get top 10 players, invest in players a little lower that buy into UConn’s system and want to get better.

I think that a players ranking is not everything he looks for. He also looks for someone that is coach-able and will buy into his system. That was the case with Dolson. It is not that the over all quality of posts has gone down, but rather the number of players who fit the criteria of buying into the system and being coach-able.

 

[HopJim]

I think that a players ranking is not everything he looks for. He also looks for someone that is coach-able and will buy into his system. That was the case with Dolson. It is not that the over all quality of posts has gone down, but rather the number of players who fit the criteria of buying into the system and being coach-able.

Charlie, ditto your comments re: ONO. If you watch her under the boards, its not just strength but body type that limits her production. Shorter players with wider bodies are able to move her on both offensive and defensive positioning. Not sure how much of this is due to genes and can be improved in weight room (and the UConn daily bar).

Sorry, meant to say "dairy bar." I know a few of those milkshakes work wonders for me.

 

[hoophuskee]

Let me give it a way out shot.....how about the current bench?

I don't agree with this.

Who could've predicted that Coombs would have an awful shot at this point in her career? On this very site there was a thread created and many stated how impressed they were of her play. I don;t recall reading anything negative. Hey she has super potential. If that shot falls of hers ever starts to fall she could be be one heckuva player.

As for Camara, she was ranked in high teens or low 20's before going to Ky for a year I think? I can remember reading that she was pretty good as a frosh in the sec. Were you able to tell right off the bat she wouldn't contribute much?

What about the kid from Texas that was going to come but after the Hurricane hit she decided to stay at home. She changed her mind for most probably family reasons and that makes Geno "complacent?"

And for anyone suggesting "just get a big kid in the 20's or 30's rankings." Well these kids can look into the future and as a fan so can we, right? More than likely UCONN is going to be in the hunt for a top 5 recruit the following year etc. So any implied suggestion "just get the 20-30 ranked player" is hollow. And as fans we see what happens when the players dont get playing time. They leave. They want to play. IMO all of this has not even a spec of a billionth inch of "complacency."

OFc I'ma bias fan. I used to say way back during DT's time - I never understood why some scoring bigs never came to compete for the center position with an opportunity to play for DT. I see the same thing for next year. What an opportunity there is if you have confidence that you're good. UCONN's backcourt will be tremendous next year.

 

[eebmg]

Big girl found

 

[BobbyJ]

Big girl found

She's still kind of on the horizon but the game is slowing down for her and ONO is coming. And she's gonna be a pain in the ass when she gets there.

 

[eebmg]

She's still kind of on the horizon but the game is slowing down for her and ONO is coming. And she's gonna be a pain in the ass when she gets there.

Even if we find another big through Graduate transfer or International, they would not be good enough (or know the system well enough) to supplant ONO. At best, a backup.

 

['nuff sed]

Agreed. You and Coco seem to support my opinion that these rankings are meaningless. Which makes me wonder why so many on here care about them and try to use them to support opinions about the success and college readiness of recruiting classes. The fans and the gurus are just guessing.

It's a cottage industry. Mostly run by men.

What do you think of a guy who makes his living off of "rating" some young girls future.

And IMO the whole thing needs some oversight. These are kids, and it starts very early.

 

[Dokey]

It doesn't look good. UConn finds itself without truly dominant players, other than Crystal, next year. Walker and Williams will need to drastically improve their game. ONO will never be quick so needs to beef up and stay out of foul trouble. I expect Oregon to be dominant program in 2020s.

 

[Ukonnfan]

It doesn't look good. UConn finds itself without truly dominant players, other than Crystal, next year. Walker and Williams will need to drastically improve their game. ONO will never be quick so needs to beef up and stay out of foul trouble. I expect Oregon to be dominant program in 2020s.

ONO, she will be very, very good.

 

[Chong-Master]

yes, if Geno and his coaching staff is presently pursuing a couple of additional players to fill out the 2019/2020 roster, via Graduate Transfers and International Players, that getting 1 "Big Player" [6' 6" Type] and possibly a Point Guard to back up CD, would be the priority. I believe that Griffin will surprise allot of people next year, and will be that Wing Scorer that will fill the void left by KLS. Then Geno has to really score big for the 2020 recruiting class.

 

[JonathanXIV]

It doesn't look good. UConn finds itself without truly dominant players, other than Crystal, next year. Walker and Williams will need to drastically improve their game. ONO will never be quick so needs to beef up and stay out of foul trouble. I expect Oregon to be dominant program in 2020s.

Walker needs to "drastically" improver her game. Don't you think that's overstating it just a bit? How good does she have to be before you are satisfied?

 

[Dokey]

Walker needs to "drastically" improver her game. Don't you think that's overstating it just a bit? How good does she have to be before you are satisfied?

Good enough to consistently replace Pheesa or Lou as a guaranteed 20 point a game scorer. Same for Williams. I think she can.

 

[Joevacc]

What about the two Polish girls that might be looking at Uconn

 

[donalddoowop]

Good enough to consistently replace Pheesa or Lou as a guaranteed 20 point a game scorer. Same for Williams. I think she can.

No one on the team is a guaranteed 20 points a game scorer and Ono is already quick.

 

[JonathanXIV]

Good enough to consistently replace Pheesa or Lou as a guaranteed 20 point a game scorer. Same for Williams. I think she can.

I don't think a "drastic" improvement is needed for Walker to be a replacement for Lou's output.