Do I remember Geno saying....?

[Man-Man]

We will lose this season (2011-12) but after that we won't lose for (a couple years) or something like that? If so shouldn't UConn be #1 at some point and the can Baylor repeat talk a moot point? I'm kinda pumped up for this season.

 

[EricLA]

I can't find the article where Geno actually said that, but in John A's blog in September 2011, he said "You did notice, I hope, that center Breanna Stewart was the only high school player to make the Pan American Games team? No wonder Geno thinks UConn won't lose a game for two years once Breanna, Moriah Jefferson and Morgan Tuck get here next season"

That was a quote from John A, not Geno.

ok on edit, i found this in articles from the middle of September 2011...

“It’s one of those years where we’re going to have to catch a couple of breaks, which is good,” Auriemma said. “But next year and the year after,” he deadpanned, “we won’t lose a game.”

I think that's part of Geno's unique sense of humor. I'm betting he thinks we will be very good. I'm also betting he really doesn't expect to go 78-0 for the next 2 years. And finally, I bet if/when UCONN does lose, SOME fans will point to that and say "see - he was wrong".

I'm still wondering about his comments regarding 2013 that the recruiting will be wrapped up soon with names no one expects.

 

[Man-Man]

I actually don't think an undefeated season or 2 is out of the question IF, freshmen are as advertised, everyone buys in, pg position is solid and no major or even sub major chemistry affecting injuries.

 

[Wonkster]

... I'm still wondering about his comments regarding 2013 that the recruiting will be wrapped up soon with names no one expects.

I think Geno's pulling our chain just to see what kind of speculation we're willing to indulge in while trying to decode his bluff.

 

[EricLA]

I think Geno's pulling our chain just to see what kind of speculation we're willing to indulge in while trying to decode his bluff.

I tend to agree, but if true, also think it's not very amusing...

 

[01Neaggrad02]

Yeah, but if Geno implied that statement, was it at a point where he though we might actually land Diamond? I know I should not say it, but the fact we do not have a single player committed for 2013 is concerning. We will Caroline, Kelly, and Heather. The following year we lose Stef, Bria, Lauren. And the fact that a good post player takes a year or two to develop, I just wish we had a big coming in that year.

 

[Tonyc]

From what we've seen in the past most of our commitments come in the fall Sept - Nov. We just have to wait. For now we are set for the next 2 years. If Geno says he's got something then he's got something. Hey I never ever thought Diamond wouldnt come, she didnt. That was a big surprise. So lets see what happens in the near future. In any event the next 4 years with Bre, Mo and Mogan will be alot of fun.

 

[HuskyFan1125]

I trust Geno and I'm sure he and the assistant coaches have been recruiting hard and will likely see something soon! Who? I have no idea, but I was thinking that even a 2 player class of let's say Chong and McCall is pretty darn good!

I respect the fact that the recruits are waiting but I'm starting to get antsy!!!

 

[Wonkster]

... I was thinking that even a 2 player class of let's say Chong and McCall is pretty darn good! I respect the fact that the recruits are waiting but I'm starting to get antsy!!!

A 3-player class of Chong, McCall and Harper is even better!

 

[01Neaggrad02]

A 3-player class of Chong, McCall and Harper is even better!

Does anyone know where the three individuals stand nonetheless. What about Harper and Davis playing together? Any chance she can come up north?

 

[Fightin Choke]

Yeah, but if Geno implied that statement, was it at a point where he though we might actually land Diamond?

IIRC, it was AFTER Cinco de Mayo (the day UNC celebrated).

 

[Fightin Choke]

I tend to agree, but if true, also think it's not very amusing...

I agree, Eric. It's a very curious thing for him to say. If he's only messing with people, it seems to me that Huskies fans would be more adversely affected than anyone else, so why do it? As the comment was made more than a month ago (it was a bit before the end of May, just before Ekmark verbally committed), it was incorrect no matter how one looks at it. Odd. Could he have made the comment as leverage to get a specific prospect to commit? Does Geno ever recruit in a way where he has multiple offers out for, say, a guard, and says whoever commits first gets the slot?

 

[EricLA]

I agree, Eric. It's a very curious thing for him to say. If he's only messing with people, it seems to me that Huskies fans would be more adversely affected than anyone else, so why do it? As the comment was made more than a month ago (it was a bit before the end of May, just before Ekmark verbally committed), it was incorrect no matter how one looks at it. Odd. Could he have made the comment as leverage to get a specific prospect to commit? Does Geno ever recruit in a way where he has multiple offers out for, say, a guard, and says whoever commits first gets the slot?

I don't pretend to know what goes on behind closed doors - but Geno has been the most successful recruiter in WCBB history, or at least since 1995. I don't think he'd try to use leverage against recruits, but he's an upfront and honest guy. He generally narrows down his search and does not make numerous offers to lots of players at the same position unless he wants all of them.

Case in point - i think if he'd not gotten Tuck and Stewart, he may have shown much more interest in Bria Holmes. But she never actually got an offer. I know she was interested, and UCONN certainly courted her, but I believe they wanted Tuck and Stewart more, and when it became clear they wanted UCONN, no offer ever materialized for Holmes.

UCONN has always seemed to cast a rather narrow net - honing in on specific players they really want, as opposed to casting a really wide net and recruiting 10-15 players in a class. But i don't recall enough about recruiting going back to 1995 or prior if he was ever after several players at the same position and said "first to commit gets to come". I think it's been more like "we want you, and need you to make a decision soon because if you don't want us, we have a backup plan", or something like that...

 

[trisailin]

You also might recall that not every good good female basketball player is cut out to play for Geno. There are expectations of behavior that extend beyond the basketball court and Chris passes early on lots of kids.

 

[Vowelguy]

IIRC, it was AFTER Cinco de Mayo (the day UNC celebrated).

No it was way before that. I'm guessing in Nov or Dec after we had the 2012 LOIs.

 

[Vowelguy]

Yeah, but if Geno implied that statement, was it at a point where he though we might actually land Diamond? I know I should not say it, but the fact we do not have a single player committed for 2013 is concerning. We will Caroline, Kelly, and Heather. The following year we lose Stef, Bria, Lauren. And the fact that a good post player takes a year or two to develop, I just wish we had a big coming in that year.

I don't see 2013 recruiting mattering until several years down the road, if then. Don't get me wrong, more is generally better, but overall the team is pretty well stocked for the next few years.

 

[UConnCat]

No it was way before that. I'm guessing in Nov or Dec after we had the 2012 LOIs.

I think the posts in this thread are addressing two comments made by Geno. The OP asked about his comment that his team would not lose a game for the next two seasons. That comment was made before the start of last season (Oct-Nov, 2011). The other Geno comment raised in this thread is the one about wrapping up the 2013 class soon and with players we're not expecting. This latter comment was made about a month ago and in jest in my opinion.

 

[Fightin Choke]

No it was way before that. I'm guessing in Nov or Dec after we had the 2012 LOIs.

Are we talking about the same thing? Here is the post you made on May 29th, 2012. Was this an old tweet or something?
http://the-boneyard.com/threads/2013-recruiting-tease.19358/