Christyn Williams's Final 2: UConn and SC

[trb123]

As of today ESPN has 21 five-star players ranked 98 and 20 five-star players ranked 97.
Three are uncommitted. One (#27) is going to ND. ND has 3 commitments in the second half of the list.
Two players (#16 and #20) committed to Stanford.
Texas has 3, one of whom may have been blown over there by the hurricanes.
We will soon know if this is a down year for recruitments perhaps accompanied by posts from non-UConn fans who would strongly disagree with us.

"Failure to secure a good to adequate post player is not an option".

We have gone after A'ja Wilson (perhaps), Lauren Cox and Charlie Collier.
Did we seriously look at a work horse down the list during recruitments?

 

[Charliebball]

As of today ESPN has 21 five-star players ranked 98 and 20 five-star players ranked 97.
Three are uncommitted. One (#27) is going to ND. ND has 3 commitments in the second half of the list.
Two players (#16 and #20) committed to Stanford.
Texas has 3, one of whom may have been blown over there by the hurricanes.
We will soon know if this is a down year for recruitments perhaps accompanied by posts from non-UConn fans who would strongly disagree with us.



We have gone after A'ja Wilson (perhaps), Lauren Cox and Charlie Collier.
Did we seriously look at a work horse down the list during recruitments?

If you're a UConn fan you have to live with this kind of disappointing outcome from time to time...........while we're not privy to all of the recruits they offer each year, I think it's fair to say that UConn's offers are few and far between..........the coaches are just not going to "settle" for a player with a less then stellar attitude while perhaps they'll take a very good but not great athlete............skilled posts are hard to come by and skilled posts with great motors and attitudes are harder yet to find................if AS stays two years all should be fine, if not it's going to be a bit of a problem when facing the Texas teams...........

 

[oldude]

One of the challenges for UConn when recruiting BIGS, is that there are a number of BIGS that are perfectly capable players for most schools that just can’t play in Geno’s system.

Geno wants all 5 players on the floor to be able to move effectively in UConn’s motion offense, pass the ball and cut, and switch on defense. There’s only a handful of BIGs each year athletic enough that are capable of playing at that level. Think Stewie, Steph, Z hopefully, and likely ONO and Ezi if they come to Storrs.

 

[j66kicker]

Failure to secure a good to adequate post player is not an option.

IMO if UConn fails to secure a "very good to great" post, settling for and "adequate to good" post should not be an option.

 

[BobbyJ]

True, but it also works both ways. Both schools and recruits are responsible for this. Coaches can recruit over other recruits forcing them to look elsewhere for playing time. This is probably the reason for most transfers.

Exactly. Pushing recruits to the curb, before and after they arrive happens more often than many people realize. Beware of “ Smiling Faces “. Sometimes they don’t tell the truth.

 

[HuskyFan1125]

Interestingly enough regarding post players, I have and always will trust GA and staff when it comes to recruiting.
That being that I wonder if the verbal of Charli Collier offset <maybe> the recruitment of a couple of New York post players. Danielle Cosgrove? Olivia Owens?

 

[Charliebball]

Interestingly enough regarding post players, I have and always will trust GA and staff when it comes to recruiting.
That being that I wonder if the verbal of Charli Collier offset <maybe> the recruitment of a couple of New York post players. Danielle Cosgrove? Olivia Owens?

I tend to doubt it, I'm not aware of much long term interest in either of those two other then from some folks on this board who were excited by their proximity and their height...........

 

[Sluconn Husky]

With Collier, UConn was set at the post position through the 2021 season. Now they have to scramble to find another serviceable post player(s) to fill the void they thought they had filled with her. UConn has no BIG (6'5"+) post players committed, or waiting in the on-deck circle.

If Geno is successful in recruiting ONO, Boston and Brunelle, he would then be able to cancel the red alert, and return to Def-Con1.

Keep in mind that UConn was recruiting Nelson-Ododa and Boston all the time Collier was still a UConn verbal. So it wasn't like UConn only wanted one larger post player and it doesn't mean UConn is in desperation mode at the moment as they continue to recruit those two. Perhaps Magbegor's recruitment was a domino effect of Collier's change of mind. Either way, she potentially gives UConn lots of insurance for the loss of Collier.

 

[CocoHusky]

Whether UConn fans choose to admit it or not, Charli Collier's sudden change of heart threw UConn's long range recruiting plans into "crisis" mode. With Collier, UConn was set at the post position through the 2021 season. Now they have to scramble to find another serviceable post player(s) to fill the void they thought they had filled with her. UConn has no BIG (6'5"+) post players committed, or waiting in the on-deck circle.
The key in deciding what to do and who to pursue, is tied to how long Stevens has committed to playing at UConn. SHE is the wildcard in this poker game. I can't believe Geno would accept Stevens as a transfer for only one year, especially since his need for a post player is critical. No doubt the length of time she was willing to commit to had to be the main topic of discussion, as there were other in-depth discussions about other items concerning the plausibility of her joining the program. Her ability to fit in and handle the academics was a no brainer.
UConn needs post players (plural). Entering a season without an adequate post presence is something I doubt Geno wants to do again. He won't have Williams or Butler to turn to next time. Failure to secure a good to adequate post player is not an option. If Geno is successful in recruiting ONO, Boston and Brunelle, he would then be able to cancel the red alert, and return to Def-Con1.

The program is not in "crisis" mode because Charli Collier changed her mind and regardless of what Azura decides to do UCONN will still remain competitive for National championships for the foreseeable future. While there might be some 6'4" post players willing to wait in UCONN's on deck circle the fact of the matter is that such a circle does not exist. UCONN is and will remain very selective about the type of post players it offers-there will be no panic or compromise of the UCONN standard.

 

[Ouremblem]

Interestingly enough regarding post players, I have and always will trust GA and staff when it comes to recruiting.
That being that I wonder if the verbal of Charli Collier offset <maybe> the recruitment of a couple of New York post players. Danielle Cosgrove? Olivia Owens?

Cosgrove committed to Notre Dame and Owens to Maryland.

 

[UConnCat]

That being that I wonder if the verbal of Charli Collier offset <maybe> the recruitment of a couple of New York post players. Danielle Cosgrove? Olivia Owens?

No, Geno looked at both early on and decided not to pursue them.

 

[UConnCat]

UConn should chase her no matter the outcome with Williams and ONO.

I think that's right.

The season for Canberra (Ezi's team) concludes in January. So if Ezi is going to consider playing in the US that decision and visiting schools was always going to spill over in to 2018. I know of one school that has tried to make progress with Ezi and has so far gotten nowhere. We'll see what happens with a better coach and a better program.

 

[Go/huskies]

I think that's right.

The season for Canberra (Ezi's team) concludes in January. So if Ezi is going to consider playing in US, that decision and visiting schools was always going to spill over in to 2018. I know of one school that has tried to make progress with Ezi and has so far gotten nowhere. We'll see what happens with a better coach and better program.

in this video at about the 3:15 mark she talks about staying in Australia or going to the U.S. for college, but she says "depends on whether I get offered a scholarship to the school in America I want to go to." My guess would be UCLA maybe.

 

[UConnCat]

My guess would be UCLA maybe.

Why?

 

[JordyG]

in this video at about the 3:15 mark she talks about staying in Australia or going to the U.S. for college, but she says "depends on whether I get offered a scholarship to the school in America I want to go to." My guess would be UCLA maybe.

And Geno wouldn't offer her a scholarship? Why would that be?

 

[CocoHusky]

in this video at about the 3:15 mark she talks about staying in Australia or going to the U.S. for college, but she says "depends on whether I get offered a scholarship to the school in America I want to go to." My guess would be UCLA maybe.

Why?

And Geno wouldn't offer her a scholarship? Why would that be?

UCLA did make some sense because Ezi's fellow Aussie Chantel Horvat is a freshmen there. Chantel Horvat was briefly on UCONN recruiting radar. Don't think this is a question of UCONN wouldn't offer Ezi more that the circumstances have changed. Horvat didn't get a UCONN offer because UCONN had Lexi Gordon signed (or verbal) and Megan Walker was still undecided. Ezi likely did not get a UCONN offer because UCONN had Charli Collier verbal , ONO still undecided , and no indication that Ezi would actually want to come to the US. The circumstances have changed for both UCONN and Ezi to the point where I'm not sure the "right school" for her is UCLA anymore because Ezi has Olympic aspirations. Ezi come on down, or is it over, or is it up-just get to Storrs, CT!

 

[UConnCat]

UCLA did make some sense because Ezi's fellow Aussie Chantel Horvat is a freshmen there.

So that's it? Horvat chose UCLA so that mean's that's the school Ezi wants? Hmmm. Horvat chose UCLA for a few reasons (her father was quite enamored with UCLA) and I'm not sure any of them have anything to do with Ezi Magbegor. Who knows, though. Maybe UCLA is her dream school.

 

[JordyG]

UCLA did make some sense because Ezi's fellow Aussie Chantel Horvat is a freshmen there. Chantel Horvat was briefly on UCONN recruiting radar. Don't think this is a question of UCONN wouldn't offer Ezi more that the circumstances have changed. Horvat didn't get a UCONN offer because UCONN had Lexi Gordon signed (or verbal) and Megan Walker was still undecided. Ezi likely did not get a UCONN offer because UCONN had Charli Collier verbal , ONO still undecided , and no indication that Ezi would actually want to come to the US. The circumstances have changed for both UCONN and Ezi to the point where I'm not sure the "right school" for her is UCLA anymore because Ezi has Olympic aspirations. Ezi come on down, or is it over, or is it up-just get to Storrs, CT!

Something I think we may have overlooked. The fact that Horvat is at UCLA is well known. Does anyone here think that UCLA has not offered Ezi a scholarship already? I would think they have, and I think they may have offered before the World's. I think the most telling statement was "whether I get offered a scholarship to the school in America I want to go to." Could it be she actually doesn't want to play out there and would rather play at UConn?

 

[CocoHusky]

Something I think we may have overlooked. The fact that Horvat is at UCLA is well known. Does anyone here think that UCLA has not offered Ezi a scholarship already? I would think they have, and I think they may have offered before the World's. I think the most telling statement was "whether I get offered a scholarship to the school in America I want to go to." Could it be she actually doesn't want to play out there and would rather play at UConn?

Maybe @wallman or other bruin fans might want to chime in but I remember reading (summer of 2016) on the Bruinonline from a handle bruindatedata (???) a complaint stating that UCLA was not interested in or did not offer Ezi.

 

[Charliebball]

everybody is just spinning their wheels on the Ezi story...........we rarely know what UConn is doing on the recruiting front right here in the good old USA, never mind a far away continent..........it's an interesting idea that's worth exploring but the odds of her ending up at UConn seem somewhat unlikely to me........personally, I'm looking for an athletic 6'3"+ post in North America or even Europe who has a well known interest in playing in Storrs CT............

 

[UConnCat]

everybody is just spinning their wheels on the Ezi story

And you know this how? Has it ever occurred to you that some here might know a little bit more about UConn recruiting than you do?

 

[Charliebball]

And you know this how? Has it ever occurred to you that some here might know a little bit more about UConn recruiting than you do?

undoubtedly true on the recruiting knowledge but I've read every article I could find on her and even had an email chat with an Australian newspaper reporter who responded to my question about the odds of her coming to UConn..........he said possible but not that likely..........you are allowed to have a differing opinion here.............right?

 

[donalddoowop]

I think her dream school is SF, no, Syracuse, no USC, or maybe Oregon. However, I think her choice is Uconn.

 

[Charliebball]

I was curious to see exactly where Australian born WBB players are playing in the US this season.........too lazy to do an accurate count but more seem to stay on the West coast but not as many as I would have thought........

NCAA Women: 2017/18 Division I

 

[UConnCat]

undoubtedly true on the recruiting knowledge but I've read every article I could find on her and even had an email chat with an Australian newspaper reporter who responded to my question about the odds of her coming to UConn.....he said possible but not that likely.....you are allowed to have a differing opinion here...right?

Of course, then call it a contrary opinion.

There's a lot of (wrong-way) wheel-spinning on recruiting here but not much when it comes to Magbegor. No one has made any predictions. No 40% or 20% chances. For some of us it's just talk based on information we've heard. Most sensible people here have talked about the uncertainty that she'll even choose to play in the US. No more spinning-of-wheels than the other recruiting nonsense that's posted here.

 

[Charliebball]

Of course, then call it a contrary opinion.

There's a lot of (wrong-way) wheel-spinning on recruiting here but not much when it comes to Magbegor. No one has made any predictions. No 40% or 20% chances. For some of us it's just talk based on information we've heard. Most sensible people here have talked about the uncertainty that she'll even choose to play in the US. No more spinning-of-wheels than the other recruiting nonsense that's posted here.

other then what Keil Moore said when made mention that UConn should consider recruiting her, I'm not aware of any other solid news on the Ezi front............if you know anything solid about her college plans I'd love to hear it...........you might not agree with it or enjoy it but there are more "Professional" opinions about some of the US based players that are clearly being recruited hard by UConn............when I say spinning our wheels I mean there is very limited information from which we can construct an educated opinion............this stuff is supposed to be fun...........you seem to get a bit defensive about what other's may think if it differs with your opinion.............

 

[UConnCat]

other then what Keil Moore said when made mention that UConn should consider recruiting her, I'm not aware of any other solid news on the Ezi front..if you know anything solid about her college plans I'd love to hear it......you might not agree with it or enjoy it but there are more "Professional" opinions about some of the US based players that are clearly being recruited hard by UConn..when I say spinning our wheels I mean there is very limited information from which we can construct an educated opinion..this stuff is supposed to be fun......you seem to get a bit defensive about what other's may think if it differs with your opinion...

Who said anything about the so-called "professional" opinions about US players? I surely haven't.

I'm not defensive at all. I've rarely if ever predicted which school a recruit will choose even when I might have some inside information. I've offered no such opinion on Magbegor, nor has anyone else. It's just a discussion. Again, my objection is to disparaging others for "spinning their wheels" on Magbegor when there's a ton of wheel-spinning on recruiting here every single day. There's an entire thread devoted to a kid who is now in the 9th grade!!

 

[MilfordHusky]

I was curious to see exactly where Australian born WBB players are playing in the US this season....too lazy to do an accurate count but more seem to stay on the West coast but not as many as I would have thought...

NCAA Women: 2017/18 Division I

There are 18 players on the list. Kristy Wallace plays for the most high-profile program on the list, Baylor. I don’t know all the players, but it seems that there aren’t any strong pro prospects. Ezi is different in that she has world-class potential. I have my fingers crossed.

 

[Charliebball]

There are 18 players on the list. Kristy Wallace plays for the most high-profile program on the list, Baylor. I don’t know all the players, but it seems that there aren’t any strong pro prospects. Ezi is different in that she has world-class potential. I have my fingers crossed.

I just wanted to see if there was a preference for what geographic part of the country they tend to end up in.......

here's the list of elite Australian high school players

Aussie High School Prospects: Women

 

[Charliebball]

Who said anything about the so-called "professional" opinions about US players? I surely haven't.

I'm not defensive at all. I've rarely if ever predicted which school a recruit will choose even when I might have some inside information. I've offered no such opinion on Magbegor, nor has anyone else. It's just a discussion. Again, my objection is to disparaging others for "spinning their wheels" on Magbegor when there's a ton of wheel-spinning on recruiting here every single day. There's an entire thread devoted to a kid who is now in the 9th grade!!

I didn't view spinning one's wheels as being disparaging, just frustrating because of the lack of good information on the recruit..........as I always say when I voice an opinion negative to UConn's chances............nothing would make me happier then to be 100% wrong as was the case with Megan Walker and hopefully again with Christyn Williams