UcMiami
How it is
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2011
- Messages
- 14,154
- Reaction Score
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I think the main driver of the expanding roster is the transfer portal, with the secondary being the rash of injuries. I think every coach is aware of what a mess the transfer portal makes of their long term planning and has had to adapt. Geno also isn't likely to do a deep dive into the portal like some have - so far the transfers he has taken are grad transfers - Dorka was unusual in that she graduated in three years so he had her for two years.Both.
Plus a light-bulb finally clicked with him that a vast reservoir of international talent is uniquely available to him.
It takes a special player to appreciate being part of a deep roster that focuses on practice-driven development. Geno is finding enough recruits he really wants by also tapping internationally. (Hopefully, there will be no more reprise of departures from recent classes).
- Geno and players who played for him at UConn are very well respected internationally and by US players that play FIBA basketball on international teams;
- So, if Geno reciprocates interest in a presumably great international recruit — which U.S. recruiting services typically ignore — who want to be trained by the best, Geno has a great shot at getting them;
- Gandy, Blanca, hopefully Lara, hopefully Olivia are arguably recent Geno recruiting predilections;
- we should thank Morgan Valley for the focused recruiting work she has done;
- we should also thank Nika, Lou, Aaliyah and Dorka for the recent deep impressions they left with Geno.
As far as 25/26 classes - I suspect he has a good idea of who is leaving when and there may be more scholarships opening up. But two 4 player classes in a row would by necessity shrink following classes, if every one stays.