Dom Amore’s Sunday Read: Why Cooper Flagg fits UConn’s model of ‘basketball people'

[AntG168]

We didn’t pay for him to visit

 

[businesslawyer]

I want to believe this. I did believe it. But if he’s a UConn lean why is no one but Frank Isola saying so? Amore could’ve put “he is thought to be a UConn lean heading into the weekend”. If people know why not just say it?

There’s an obvious response to that, which is because no one other than Isola — through Scalbrini — has a friggin clue. The player and family are being very closed mouthed about the whole thing, and maybe only a handful of folks with relationships to the Flaggs know anything.

 

[AntG168]

There’s an obvious response to that, which is because no one other than Isola — through Scalbrini — has a friggin clue. The player and family are being very closed mouthed about the whole thing, and maybe only a handful of folks with relationships to the Flaggs know anything.

Makes sense. That’s just not normally how these things go.

 

[TheChamps990411]

If it goes until next April, what’s the upside for Duke and what’s the downside for UConn?

Nothing. I just dont think him making a decision a month or more from now matters. I think he already knows where hes going.

 

[Huskyforlife]

What’s the point of paying for a visit if we know he’s a duke lock anyways? It’s such a stupid made up rumor.

 

[TheHorde]

Nothing. I just dont think him making a decision a month or more from now matters. I think he already knows where hes going.

I think if he decides before March, particularly by the end of December, that is a neutral to net positive for Duke. If you believe UConn will make a deep run in March, that Duke won’t, and that UConn will have 1-2 lottery pics in next year’s draft, then waiting until April decide would be a net positive for UConn.

 

[2Infinity]

Cooper will make his decision soon, if he hasn’t already. He’s not waiting around till spring. He wants to move on from this and focus on his game. His mother said as much.

 

[AntG168]

I think if he decides before March, particularly by the end of December, that is a neutral to net positive for Duke. If you believe UConn will make a deep run in March, that Duke won’t, and that UConn will have 1-2 lottery pics in next year’s draft, then waiting until April decide would be a net positive for UConn.

He’s not waiting until april

 

[Leebo]

I don't think there's much to be gained by focusing on how much he smiles. He doesn't seem to smile much.

 

[August_West]

“But, for me, it’s about relationships still."

In other words, the hugs.

We didn’t pay for him to visit

You don’t know that. And who cares?

 

[TheHorde]

He’s not waiting until april

I’d tend to agree with you.

 

[TheHorde]

You don’t know that. And who cares?

You don’t know that they did either.

 

[TheChamps990411]

Anyone want to puke?

Jon Scheyer On What Makes Duke Special

On3's Jamie Shaw asked head coach Jon Scheyer what it is that makes Duke so special after Countdown to Craziness.

www.on3.com

I could cut and paste his reasons and apply it to any school. He could not have given a more generic response. Also saw the pitches the other players made and they were basically "dukes the best, education is top notch, yay us!"

 

[August_West]

You don’t know that they did either.

Did I say I did?

 

[KembaStepback]

It's wild to me that people will just make stuff up. Paying for a visit? These people dont know squat.
Based on pictures I'd say he's trying to look cool. He did the same thing for uconn pics. Unless I missed big smile ones. I think the uconn follows..esp with guys like Shabazz...mean a lot. I also think his connection with Hurley means a lot too.

 

[HooperScooper]

Soooo Duke insiders are saying we paid for Flagg to visit. Which would actually match what @kansashusky said before fwiw.

View attachment 92364

Yeah because it all started from the same source (and I use that term loosely).

We already discussed this and debunked that theory. Considering all the facts and what we know it makes absolutely 0 sense. None.

Just wait what we'll see out there if he commits to UConn. You're going to see all kinds of stuff about how UConn paid Flagg more and that's the reason he's going to UConn. And I will just roll my eyes at all of it.

 

[TheHorde]

Did I say I did?

You commented to the other poster that they didn’t know for certain that UConn didn’t pay Flagg to visit. I remarked that you don’t know that they did pay him to visit. I never said you claimed they did.

 

[TheChamps990411]

I think if he decides before March, particularly by the end of December, that is a neutral to net positive for Duke. If you believe UConn will make a deep run in March, that Duke won’t, and that UConn will have 1-2 lottery pics in next year’s draft, then waiting until April decide would be a net positive for UConn.

It goes much further and deeper than that. Most kids decide to go to a school because they want to play for that particular coach. Thats the most important thing. Coach, culture and competition is how most kids decide on a school. Can this coach give me the type of coaching im looking for to develop and succeed? Is the culture surrounding the program fit who i am as a person on and off the court? Am i going to be able to compete at and against the highest level and have a chance to win? If Cooper is the type of kid he seems to be then these are the things that matter most to him.

 

[Verne]

We didn’t pay for him to visit

Imagine thinking this and also seeing the same recruit cancel a visit to... Kansas... The biggest NIL/Cash cow cohort currently operating in college basketball. Kansas is basically writing blank checks do recruits and portal-ers. If Cooper was in this for the money you don't cancel a visit to Kansas.

Duke fans are absolutely wild.

 

[HooperScooper]

There’s an obvious response to that, which is because no one other than Isola — through Scalbrini — has a friggin clue. The player and family are being very closed mouthed about the whole thing, and maybe only a handful of folks with relationships to the Flaggs know anything.

Well his mother did do an interview with Goodman and Davis and spoke about the recruitment in pretty good detail. I'm not sure what you mean about "closed mouthed". Did you want Flagg and his family to tell everyone where he's leaning or going to commit to? I'm just confused what you're referring to.

 

[KembaStepback]

Who cares if we did? Who cares if we paid more and that's why he comes? If he comes here it was worth it.

 

[August_West]

You commented to the other poster that they didn’t know for certain that UConn didn’t pay Flagg to visit. I remarked that you don’t know that they did pay him to visit. I never said you claimed they did.

Right. So what’s your point? That ant is crazy? He’s the one that made a definitive statement over something he knows nothing of. Not me.

 

[TheHorde]

It goes much further and deeper than that. Most kids decide to go to a school because they want to play for that particular coach. Thats the most important thing. Coach, culture and competition is how most kids decide on a school. Can this coach give me the type of coaching im looking for to develop and succeed? Is the culture surrounding the program fit who i am as a person on and off the court? Am i going to be able to compete at and against the highest level and have a chance to win? If Cooper is the type of kid he seems to be then these are the things that matter most to him.

I agree with that and I think the differences in the bodies of work and results between Hurley and Scheyer will be even more stark by next spring.

 

[AntG168]

You don’t know that. And who cares?

You don’t know that I don’t know. See how that works

 

[UConnSwag11]

Did this person write the pitch? What was the pitch?