Cooper Flagg on at 9pm tonight against Boozer twins

[AntG168]

And so this guy announcing a HS basketball game has been giving marching orders by ESPN brass to say Cooper Flagg is going to Duke? Do people think that? This is checkers not 4D chess. The 30,000-foot view is that Flagg is a heavy Duke lean.



We all know Vitale's obsession with Duke, although he's also said a lot of nice things about UConn and JC. In any event, he's a person.

To your first question: YES. They indeed are instructed to highlight the brands that represent their company.

No one is suggesting they say he isn’t a Duke lean. But to not mention UConn one time as a finalist when they’ve done so for every other recruit they spoke about is intentional. They listed the finalist for every other recruit they spoke of. Someone watching the broadcast that had zero knowledge of the recruitment would’ve walked away thinking he’s already committed

 

[mauconnfan]

And so this guy announcing a HS basketball game has been giving marching orders by ESPN brass to say Cooper Flagg is going to Duke? Do people think that? This is checkers not 4D chess. The 30,000-foot view is that Flagg is a heavy Duke lean.



We all know Vitale's obsession with Duke, although he's also said a lot of nice things about UConn and JC. In any event, he's a person.

I agree Dickie V has a Duke lean but he’s been absolutely respectable to UConn throughout his years as well.

And there’s no doubt Flagg seemingly has been a big Duke lean for a while. But if you want to report accurately there has to be a mention of UConns run to keep this kid in New England. By no means do I think he has marching orders but there is also no denying ESPN is a heavy Duke lover and will “assist” when they can.

 

[Ricker]

@nomar, consider this is a thread about ESPN televising a high school game drawing viewers to watch a special talent that will drive viewership for the next year playing in college. ESPN scheduled it as content on one of their major channels in competition with Sunday Night NFL Football, not just on their host of ancillary channels. Viewership drives advertising which supports ESPN. At Duke that viewership to see phenom Flagg, will be on ESPN a lot, at UConn it will be on FOX a lot. This isn't the 60th ranked recruit, and ESPN isn't a disinterested party in this particular case. Just like Nike showcases their programs, Adidas paid to keep Kansas strong, etc Biancardi knows ESPN has a vested interest this time. With another recruit he would report that it is a two horse race with Duke the perceived leader by observers. He knows his employer, and thus himself, is served by a Duke decision.

(Only stating my view and not really arguing against a different take. Ultimately, the issue isn't consequential. I'm just glad ESPN televises Hoophall and some of these competitions to see these kids before college)

 

[nomar]

@AntG168 @mauconnfan @Ricker

Fair points. My short rebuttal is that the 247 Crystal Ball still says 100% Duke.

I don't expect announcers to know everything. I remember Mike Patrick used to do the play-by-play for the WCBB Finals for ESPN despite seemingly knowing very little about WCBB.

I also don't know what purpose intentionally omitting UConn's name serves. Is it supposed to impact Flagg's decision?

 

[mauconnfan]

@AntG168 @mauconnfan @Ricker

Fair points. My short rebuttal is that the 247 Crystal Ball still says 100% Duke.

I don't expect announcers to know everything. I remember Mike Patrick used to do the play-by-play for the WCBB Finals for ESPN despite seemingly knowing very little about WCBB.

I also don't know what purpose intentionally omitting UConn's name serves. Is it supposed to impact Flagg's decision?

If you know Biancardi he is a recruiting guy more than an announcer. He knows the situation without a doubt. No need to have said anything about UConn unless you just aren’t too good at your job or there are other reasons only he would know.

 

[Palatine]

Not “anti UConn” more so “Pro Duke” or “Pro ACC”. Do we really need to go into the reasons why?

It’s not conspiracy. It’s them promoting their assets.

It's a Connecticut company that has been given (over the years) billions in tax breaks. Yet they rarely lift a finger in terms of support of the state university.

I really blame the governors. They have never leaned on ESPN the way other governors would have if they were a local asset.

 

[TheHorde]

There’s a difference between saying Cooper is a Duke lean and saying he’s going to Duke. Media is supposed to be objective. They again showed they’re not objective.

 

[CL82]

Has Flagg set a timeline for his announcement? I remember him saying that he would make a decision shortly after the Duke visit. obviously, I want to know his decision, but, I feel like a delay probably is something that cuts in our favor.

 

[TheHorde]

Has Flagg set a timeline for his announcement? I remember him saying that he would make a decision shortly after the Duke visit. obviously, I want to know his decision, but, I feel like a delay probably is some thing that cuts in our favor.

No.1 recruit Cooper Flagg recaps UConn visit and previews Duke with 247Sports

Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 player in the country, discussed his recent UConn visit and previewed his upcoming visit to Duke with 247Sports at the Border League.

247sports.com

This sounds like he’s truly not made up his mind yet and isn’t certain of the timing of a decision yet.

 

[nomar]

Has Flagg set a timeline for his announcement? I remember him saying that he would make a decision shortly after the Duke visit. obviously, I want to know his decision, but, I feel like a delay probably is something that cuts in our favor.

From a couple days ago:

Flagg told 247Sports that he has no visits planned, as of now, following his time at Duke and when he gets home it sounds as though he could go into decision-making mode.

"I think I am just going to take my time and think about it," he said of the next step following Duke. "Continue to just think about it and make a decision when I feel ready. I don't really have a timeframe yet."

Delay is definitely our friend -- if he schedules a press conference for 2 days after his Duke visit, we're toast.

 

[navery12]

Delay is definitely our friend -- if he schedules a press conference for 2 days after his Duke visit, we're toast.

I don't think this is the case at all. He's taking 2 visits, and he'll have completed both. It's equally plausible that he takes the Duke visit, realizes he doesn't like Duke as much as UConn, and schedules an announcement

 

[CONN78SEJ]

I don't think this is the case at all. He's taking 2 visits, and he'll have completed both. It's equally plausible that he takes the Duke visit, realizes he doesn't like Duke as much as UConn, and schedules an announcement

This whole recruiting battle between Duke and UConn is very very reminiscent of the battle between UConn and Tennessee for the services of the great Maya Moore. Tennessee was the heavy favorite and when she finally chose UConn, Pat Summitt (who thought she had Moore in the bag) all but accused Uconn of cheating, refused to ever play Uconn again. Moore of course went on to be UConn’s all time leading scorer and led them to three national championships.

 

[nomar]

I don't think this is the case at all. He's taking 2 visits, and he'll have completed both. It's equally plausible that he takes the Duke visit, realizes he doesn't like Duke as much as UConn, and schedules an announcement

I always feel good when a guy visits Storrs and schedules an announcement for right afterwards.

Don't get me wrong -- this is all reading tea leaves. I just think if Duke doesn't strike while the iron's hot that's good for us.

 

[navery12]

I always feel good when a guy visits Storrs and schedules an announcement for right afterwards.

Don't get me wrong -- this is all reading tea leaves. I just think if Duke doesn't strike while the iron's hot that's good for us.

I agree, but this going on until the spring wouldn't make me feel great either. He's not going to suddenly be more interested in UConn in April

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

I also don't know what purpose intentionally omitting UConn's name serves. Is it supposed to impact Flagg's decision?

It's a setup for "Shock the World 2.0"

 

[AZHuskiePop]

May I ask why you think ESPN is anti-UConn?

Maybe because the ACC is ESPN and Big East Fox
it kills them when Nova or UConn win a NC . The WWL in sport doesn’t even have the best college basketball team with all the money they spend .
They got the AAC cheaply ( $2 million) then underpaid in last contract causing UConn to go to the Big East znd FoX.
Given the Big East and ESPN joint history any success we or the conference enjoys has to bother them ,

 

[husky429]

FWIW I watched 2 EYBL games and 2 games from Montverde last season. This is what I wrote down for thoughts. I'd keep in mind that I can't help but hold him to a higher standard than any other kid we've had for an OV. I'm thinking of him like an NBA player:

• Completely different player at Montverde than AAU on offense. At MVA, he doesn't shoot 3s much at all, doesn't handle it much. Just plays effecient basketball as part of the team. Plays almost always off-ball. In AAU he's handling it, passing, shooting at will, basically looking like a humongous guard at times. Will be interesting to see how Boyle uses him at MVA this off-season.
• He does take some bad shots though. To be fair, they were mostly with a big lead.
• His passing is the best part of his offensive game IMO--creative and unselfish. VERY good passer. Could see him averaging 3+ assists his year in college. That's much harder to teach than improving a jumpshot, so this is awesome to see.
• Handles are pretty good--very good for being 6'9. Better in half-court than transition, which is unique. Seems like like being in control... kind of the opposite of Andre who thrived in chaos ballhandling.
• Looks like he could end up at 6'9 225 in a couple years.
• Very low TO. Makes the right read almost all the time.
• Still an underdeveloped body compared to Boozer, but Flagg's skill level is much higher.
• Needs to improve his shooting to be the NBA all-star he's pegged to be. Release is sometimes a little janky, especially when he is catching and shooting or shooting FTs.
• Defensive instincts are astoundingly good. The best part of his game is on that end of the floor.
• Switches from 1-5 (seriously), contests everything straight up, gets his hand in the passing lanes.
• He doesn't always fight through screens the way I'd like him to, but Kevin at MVA is holding him accountable for that.
• Typical MVA kid with a uber-high BBIQ.
• Has a Karaban-esque effect on the team where he just seems to move the ball really well at opportune moments. The whole flow of the team looks better with him on the floor.

It's probably sacrilege to say but he kind of reminds me of Lebron in high school. Not as freakishly athletic, but Flagg is taller/longer. I'm not sure I see "generational talent" yet by any means, but it's obvious that the potential for a long career for all-star appearances is possible if he continues putting in the work and improving faster than his peers. If he becomes a volume 3 point shooter on 35%+ and gets stronger, he's going to absolutely dominate the league.

 

[uconnfan68]

I agree, but this going on until the spring wouldn't make me feel great either. He's not going to suddenly be more interested in UConn in April

He’d probably like to be part of a 3-peat.

 

[August_West]

I agree, but this going on until the spring wouldn't make me feel great either. He's not going to suddenly be more interested in UConn in April

This might go until spring.

 

[Chin Diesel]

It would be malpractice for ESPN not to gently push over the cliff announcers, commentators and any other on air talent to promote players attached to their properties and guide them to promote recruits to go to ESPN properties.

People need to remember the E is entertainment. It a business and rheybwant eyeballs on their properties.

 

[August_West]

rheybwant

My wife says that isnt a word. ;-)

 

[Chief00]

May I ask why you think ESPN is anti-UConn?

I have not seen this telecast but I suppose the argunent would be the Big East is on Fox Sports 1&2 while the ACC is on ESPN. So naturally they woukd promote that?

 

[nomar]

I have not seen this telecast but I suppose the argunent would be the Big East is on Fox Sports 1&2 while the ACC is on ESPN. So naturally they woukd promote that?

That's what people in the thread have been saying and I'm not dismissing it. It's just that people on this board were making the same claim about ESPN hating UConn back when ESPN did show Big East/UConn games.

 

[Waquoit]

This might go until spring.

Serious question, why do you think that?

 

[UCfor3]

That's what people in the thread have been saying and I'm not dismissing it. It's just that people on this board were making the same claim about ESPN hating UConn back when ESPN did show Big East/UConn games.

Fans can be insecure and ESPN always slobbering over the "traditional" blue bloods like Kentucky & Duke fed in to that insecurity. Vitale would hysterically start talking about those teams with zero segue during a game that didn't involve them. Fine if he talked about other top teams also, but some people roll their eyes hearing ahout Duke's high school verbals while watching Florida play Indiana.