I'll take either kid from Jersey (Ellison or Traci Carter) at this point.
Relax, it was definitely said tongue in cheek. The serious question though is if KO would maintain total loyalty to a kid even if it's clear he won't cut it at this level or would he encourage him to look elsewhere? It happens all the time in almost every program, let's not pretend it doesn't.
I agree that conference is only slightly overblown in terms of recruiting acumen by our fans, but the Kentucky comparison doesnt work here. Its true that the SEC isnt a very good bball conference, but its still the SEC, arguably one of the best overall sports conferences to be an athlete in, a conference that has historically played by its own (dirty) rules and whose programs treat their athletes like demi-gods. Also, despite Kentucky being in a super tty SEC (bball wise), they STILL get at least one major primetime game that ESPN hypes up all week leading up to it. This whole past week ESPN was showing their primetime hype promos for Duke-Virginia (totally understandable, one of the biggest games of the year) followed by Kentucky-Missouri (bleh, what an awful game to watch) yet it was still a major game the network was pushing. Why? Because its Kentucky, and they have developed their image and brand into something that viewers want to watch whether we like it or not. This is one area UConn really needs to work on.I still don't think our conference is much of a problem when it comes to recruiting, because most kids don't really care about what conference they play in. Kids wouldn't be going to Kentucky if they cared about playing in a good conference.
What they do care about is becoming lottery picks. Go read quotes about how Calipari recruits kids. It is 100% about the NBA. Kentucky as a school is not emphasized, the SEC is not emphasized, playing college games is not emphasized.
So when Kemba Walker is the best player in college and gets drafted 9th, that's bad for us. When Shabazz is the best player in college and gets drafted 24th that is bad for us. Deandre Daniels playing great in the NCAA tournament and getting drafted in the second round is bad. Andre Drummond getting drafted 9th after being the consensus #2 player in his class is bad.
People complain about the conference, but we could play in the SWAC and kids would come here if we were producing top draft picks.
Not sure if it's the competition or if he's improved.
Why not take both? We had 2 schollies available...According to ESPN recruiting, Brown is spotty with his ball-handling. I'll take a top 100 recruit any day but I think I prefer Carter or Ellison from NJ over Brown if he reclassifies.
I guess I haven't noticed that much hype when it comes to Kentucky's conference games, at least relative to Kentucky's current position in college basketball. Obviously they get hyped quite a bit, because they have the biggest and most passionate fan base, and ESPN cares about money, which equates to ratings.I agree that conference is only slightly overblown in terms of recruiting acumen by our fans, but the Kentucky comparison doesnt work here. Its true that the SEC isnt a very good bball conference, but its still the SEC, arguably one of the best overall sports conferences to be an athlete in, a conference that has historically played by its own (dirty) rules and whose programs treat their athletes like demi-gods. Also, despite Kentucky being in a super ty SEC (bball wise), they STILL get at least one major primetime game that ESPN hypes up all week leading up to it. This whole past week ESPN was showing their primetime hype promos for Duke-Virginia (totally understandable, one of the biggest games of the year) followed by Kentucky-Missouri (bleh, what an awful game to watch) yet it was still a major game the network was pushing. Why? Because its Kentucky, and they have developed their image and brand into something that viewers want to watch whether we like it or not. This is one area UConn really needs to work on.
I also agree with you 100% on everything else you said after the first paragraph 7774, Kentucky is doing recruiting right, and we can learn something from Cal (gross I know).
Because I also think we need a stretch 4 who can space the floor out or a legit big. Enoch is still an unknown. If he isn't what many hope for next year, our front court will still be a glaring weakness.Why not take both? We had 2 schollies available...
Give me Carter, Malik and Pervis Ellison.
Dana Altman hasn't gotten one second of good press in two years and is basically hanging on because he's too expensive to fire.
But if he's on a kid we're on, we're done.
Lightbulb starting to go on for any of the 'alls' well' crowd?
I remember saying I thought he was overrated. Remember when you contributed anything of substance to this board? I don't either.Or you were wrong about him. Remember when you said UConn didn't need Dorsey? That was funny.
Sensitive? wowI remember saying I thought he was overrated. Remember when you contributed anything of substance to this board? I don't either.
Is
The real question is - Is the lightbulb going off in the UConn Basketball offices. It doesn't seem like it would be Ollie's nature to replace a less than successful assistant, but the trend is not our friend here.
everything is fine, we won a NC last year and scheduled for another one in 2018, go root for UK /sI don't want to underestimate the fact we have Jalen and Steve coming in, but the reality is we need more next year somehow. And it isn't looking all that good!
I can't see KO forcing an assistant out and I don't see any of them leaving after this season. We are in dire need of a big-time recruiter, but I don't see any changes in the near future.
Well, that gets a little harder, I'd say, when they're all members of the UConn family. I never wholly liked keeping all those spots for former players, as much as I admire all each of them has done for us. Get an AAU connected person, pay whatever we have to for that, and let KO close.It's a job. They're employees. If they aren't getting it done, they'll be replaced.
everything is fine, we won a NC last year and scheduled for another one in 2018, go root for UK /s
Huh? "go root for UKs" not sure what you're getting at?
I think "/s" is shorthand for "end sarcasm"?
Haha basically what Stairmaster said, "/s" means "sarcasm off".Oh cool. I'm stupid so thanks for updating me on the symbols of texting/tweeting/shorthand.
People are really shouting from the mountain tops for traci carter and ellison , both 3 star recruits. When you lose your best three shooters its hard to come back the next year and have a competitive offense, i suspect uconns roster composition is fine but just in need of development. KO hasn't brought in a huge class yet, but each year he's gotten one good guy. Brimah/Hamilton/Adams
This would be true if this team didnt have such glaring holes in multiple positions. Considering the two ball handler system Ollie uses, as well as a total lack of a single reliable 3pt shooter or offensive paint presence, this team is fundamentally flawed, which is why Im not getting so worked up about the seeming underperformance. They are simply not built right to win. With these problems being well acknowledged, Ollie's recruits for this upcoming season are not enough to be competitive next season, especially since we are replacing our best player and ball handler with a freshman, albeit a very talented one.A good recruiting year is two quality players who can contribute quickly (guards as freshman, bigs as sophs) and 1 project who has a chance to develop as an upperclassman.
We have two good players this year in Enoch and Adams, it will be on paper a decent recruiting year if we can bring in one more player, like one of the Germans. But the roster has holes due to past weak classes, we need another ballhandler and shooter. Don't see any candidates for another year.
Remember when we shrugged off Ali and Jackson decomitting..... We needed those scholarships for more talented players we said...