Duke nabs Lynee Belton; now #1 class?

[Aluminny69]

Ekmark was before the conference change. Williams and Edwards were after.


May 30, 2012 - Ekmark commits.
March 8, 2013 - Catholic Seven split from Big East and take name.
March 20, 2013 - Edwards commits.
March 30, 2013 - Williams commits.
April 3, AAC name made public.

I'm sure they were paying attention to all the conference changes in the months leading up to their commitments.

Thanks for taking the time to provide this info, DD. I for one appreciate your effort.

My two cents is this, as much as I love UConn basketball, from an objective and competitive standpoint, I dislike seeing ALL the top recruits going to one team. The fact that we are even considering going undefeated just highlights the lack of competitiveness. So, personally, I don't begrudge any top recruit choosing to go elsewhere, more power to them. Hopefully, Duke and N.C. will still be willing to play UConn during the regular season, and they will be exciting games.

Too many UConn fans appear to be anti-competition. Feel free to correct me if I am wrong.

 

[ochoopsfan]

UConn -hard work, sweat, determination, in your face basketball, top coaching, results = 8 NC
Duke - Great line ups on paper, Great planning and anticipation by the coaches and fans, snide tweets = Paper Tigers

note: due to the nature of paper books diminishing in our electronics crazy world, an alternate name of Kindle Tigers is also acceptable.

 

[meyers7]

Really? You don't think that the coaching staff at Uconn was reassuring the players that this will all work out?

Of course they knew. Their parents knew. Their HS coaches knew. Their AAU coaches knew.

Oh you were serious??? Wow, I thought you were being sarcastic. Umm, no I don't think those 3 thought too much about it. Calhoun and Belton? After the dust has settled, maybe some??

 

[meyers7]

Yes for Ekmark, but not the other 2.

disagree. See doggy's timeline.

 

[Icebear]

Mojo blowing up all over the place.

 

[meyers7]

Too many UConn fans appear to be anti-competition. Feel free to correct me if I am wrong.

I don't so much mind the competition, I just like to crush it.

Calhoun, IMO won't hurt us as much seeing as we have Ekmark, whom I think can/will play that 3 spot when KML leaves. She's a good shooter too. And with Jefferson, Chong, Williams, Edwards and Ekmark we can play a 3 guard offense.

But Belton hurts in that we still don't have any height in the 2013/2014 (hs) recruiting classes. We're looking at Stewart, Stokes and Tuck as the only 3 over 6-0.

 

[Aluminny69]

I don't so much mind the competition, I just like to crush it.

Calhoun, IMO won't hurt us as much seeing as we have Ekmark, whom I think can/will play that 3 spot when KML leaves. She's a good shooter too. And with Jefferson, Chong, Williams, Edwards and Ekmark we can play a 3 guard offense.

But Belton hurts in that we still don't have any height in the 2013/2014 (hs) recruiting classes. We're looking at Stewart, Stokes and Tuck as the only 3 over 6-0.

A valid concern...

 

[Paul1969]

All I care about is Wilson. She is big & strong and can play inside and out! Actually losing these two recruits to Duke may help Wilson actually decide there is room for her at UConn. Fingers still crossed.

 

[DavidinNaples]

Mojo blowing up all over the place.

It is all doggy's fault for messing w/ mojo forces....I repost this response to appease the mojo world...I'm prepared to go to human sacrifice if necessary....(not really) maybe a chicken...(not really)

"Mojo scares the heck out of me..... In order to balance out the mojo universe I predict the following. UConn will go winless, lose every game. KML and Stewie will not compete for POY. Geno will forget how to coach. CD will get thrown out of 7 games. No injured players will heal. Chong will make no impact. Nobody will visit the president next year. Boneyard posters will all stop loving this team and Wilson won't spend the next four winters in Storrs.... balance restored, I am off to see my gypsy voodoo lady to get my palm read and participate in a ritual cleansing..."

 

[HGN]

Wow, I never thought that the move to the AAC would have effected UConn's program even a little bit. With all the positives going for it like national recognition, yearly tough out of conf. schedule, winning tradition, having all games televised, new basketball center/HOF, etc. I thought that UConn would be immune from the effects of playing in the AAC. However after watching recruit after recruit after recruit making decisions to pass on UConn makes me wonder if the being in the AAC is ALOT BIGGER factor than I first thought.

HuskyFan , I been thinking the same thing. I never thought playing in the AAC would have any effect. Not sure that it has yet. But it just might. Duke seems to be benefitting early.

But no matter which Conference UConn is in , this team will RISE to the top.

 

[Outside Shot]

It is all but certain there will be roster attrition at Duke over the next few years. Happens a lot of places anyway.

 

[Icebear]

It is all doggy's fault for messing w/ mojo forces....I repost this response to appease the mojo world...I'm prepared to go to human sacrifice if necessary....(not really) maybe a chicken...(not really)

"Mojo scares the heck out of me..... In order to balance out the mojo universe I predict the following. UConn will go winless, lose every game. KML and Stewie will not compete for POY. Geno will forget how to coach. CD will get thrown out of 7 games. No injured players will heal. Chong will make no impact. Nobody will visit the president next year. Boneyard posters will all stop loving this team and Wilson won't spend the next four winters in Storrs.... balance restored, I am off to see my gypsy voodoo lady to get my palm read and participate in a ritual cleansing..."

Worst of all, David, doggydaddy scoffed at mojo last week. That's like whistling past the graveyard.

 

[Big UConn]

No they didn't want to sit on the bench for 3 years behind the #1, #2, and #5 players in the country in the previous recruiting class. If you don't think that playing in the AAC is "remotely" one of the reasons not to come to UConn then you need to seriously reevaluate your thinking.

So now, sitting on the bench is no longer a consideration but the AAC is?

Wow! I guess you see what you want to see.

 

[Big UConn]

Conference affiliation is a minor part of the decision making process. If you think it's a big enough reason to actually steer a recruit away from Uconn, you need to seriously reevaluate your thinking.

Well said, Doggy!

 

[meyers7]

All I care about is Wilson. She is big & strong and can play inside and out! Actually losing these two recruits to Duke may help Wilson actually decide there is room for her at UConn. Fingers still crossed.

Ah looking on the bright side.

 

[Fightin Choke]

So now, sitting on the bench is no longer a consideration but the AAC is?

Wow! I guess you see what you want to see.

I don't believe that is what Huskyfan23 meant. I read the comment to mean that both sitting behind Stewart, Tuck, and MoJeff AND being in the AAC has hurt recruiting. In fact, I think the implication is that playing behind good players is MORE of a disincentive than playing in the AAC, but if one were to believe that the AAC is not a factor at all, then that person is incorrect (i.e., UConn's conference affiliation is not a remote cause, but rather a proximate cause (but not the most important factor)).

 

[doggydaddy]

I don't believe that is what Huskyfan23 meant. I read the comment to mean that both sitting behind Stewart, Tuck, and MoJeff AND being in the AAC has hurt recruiting. In fact, I think the implication is that playing behind good players is MORE of a disincentive than playing in the AAC, but if one were to believe that the AAC is not a factor at all, then that person is incorrect (i.e., UConn's conference affiliation is not a remote cause, but rather a proximate cause (but not the most important factor).

I don't believe I have seen anyone say its no factor, just not the reason any recruit would not choose Uconn.

 

[doggydaddy]

Worst of all, David, doggydaddy scoffed at mojo last week. That's like whistling past the graveyard.

Yeah, it's my fault she chose Duke....lol.

Whatever makes you all feel better.

 

[cferraro04]

Coaching, playing time, chance of winning a championship, education, location, post college opportunities....conference????

 

[Big UConn]

I don't believe that is what Huskyfan23 meant. I read the comment to mean that both sitting behind Stewart, Tuck, and MoJeff AND being in the AAC has hurt recruiting. In fact, I think the implication is that playing behind good players is MORE of a disincentive than playing in the AAC, but if one were to believe that the AAC is not a factor at all, then that person is incorrect (i.e., UConn's conference affiliation is not a remote cause, but rather a proximate cause (but not the most important factor).

Really? Can you point to one case ANYWHERE, where that, the conference was a factor?

Inquiring minds like to know. You are obviously privy to information that should be shared.

 

[Huskyfan23]

So now, sitting on the bench is no longer a consideration but the AAC is?

Wow! I guess you see what you want to see.

What are you talking about? Anyone who can take the basic context out of a sentence can see that IMHO both playing time{sitting on the bench} and conference{AAC} both are a consideration for recruits.

 

[Fightin Choke]

Really? Can you point to one case ANYWHERE, where that, the conference was a factor?

Inquiring minds like to know. You are obviously privy to information that should be shared.

I believed you had misinterpreted huskyfan23's argument, so I clarified it as best I could. I actually never gave my opinion, nor did I imply I had inside information.

But now that you ask, it has already been discussed here on the Sierra Calhoun thread, that Kelly Kline of Full Court wrote "There was much speculation she would pick Connecticut where her brother Omar is a sophomore on the men's basketball team. However, Calhoun was swayed by the strength of the ACC and the vision of McCallie. "I believe in her and her vision for me," said Calhoun. "The program is knocking on the door of greatness." (LINK) Did Sierra actually assert that conference affiliation was an important determinant in selecting a college, or was that more Kline's interpretation of the situation after interviewing her (or simply reading her press release)?

 

[huskie joe]

Uconn is Uconn no matter what conference they are in. The only ACC school that even comes close to playing any defense might be Maryland. Duke and North Carolina both have recently landed a lot of talent and we were expecting some of that talent to end up in Storrs. Now lets see what happens with that talent.
North Carolina-1994 national champs
Duke-0

So far I am not impressed and I hope Geno schedules North Carolina again, so we can mop them up like we usually do. We need Aja!

 

[UConnCat]

I believed you had misinterpreted huskyfan23's argument, so I clarified it as best I could. I actually never gave my opinion, nor did I imply I had inside information.

But now that you ask, it has already been discussed here on the Sierra Calhoun thread, that Kelly Kline of Full Court wrote "There was much speculation she would pick Connecticut where her brother Omar is a sophomore on the men's basketball team. However, Calhoun was swayed by the strength of the ACC and the vision of McCallie. "I believe in her and her vision for me," said Calhoun. "The program is knocking on the door of greatness." (LINK) Did Sierra actually assert that conference affiliation was an important determinant in selecting a college, or was that more Kline's interpretation of the situation after interviewing her (or simply reading her press release)?

As if often the case, there is more to Calhoun's decision than has been or will be written by recruiting publications. I don't think conference affiliation was that important a factor; it's more of an additional reason mentioned after the fact when really other factors were more important. To quote Bush 41, it was more "that vision (for me) thing."

 

[Fightin Choke]

Uconn is Uconn no matter what conference they are in. The only ACC school that even comes close to playing any defense might be Maryland. Duke and North Carolina both have recently landed a lot of talent and we were expecting some of that talent to end up in Storrs. Now lets see what happens with that talent.
North Carolina-1994 national champs
Duke-0

So far I am not impressed and I hope Geno schedules North Carolina again, so we can mop them up like we usually do. We need Aja!

Maybe you haven't been keeping up with current events, but Notre Dame is now in the ACC and they play pretty good defense.

 

[Fightin Choke]

As if often the case, there is more to Calhoun's decision than has been or will be written by recruiting publications. I don't think conference affiliation was that important a factor; it's more of an additional reason mentioned after the fact when really other factors were more important. To quote Bush 41, it was more "that vision (for me) thing."

I look forward to hearing the real reasons for her choice, soon then, unless you would like to offer us a less cryptic teaser. Are you implying that McCallie is painting a more appealing scenario to recruits than Geno or Muffet? Becca Greenwell had narrowed her schools to Duke and ND last fall and eventually selected Duke, citing a better chance to win NC's. So maybe McCallie is a very good salesperson, as I'm not sure that Duke's odds of a NC are that much better than ND's (especially if Greenwell had chosen the Irish).

 

[UConnCat]

I look forward to hearing the real reasons for her choice, soon then, unless you would like to offer us a less cryptic teaser. Are you implying that McCallie is painting a more appealing scenario to recruits than Geno or Muffet? Becca Greenwell had narrowed her schools to Duke and ND last fall and eventually selected Duke, citing a better chance to win NC's. So maybe McCallie is a very good salesperson, as I'm not sure that Duke's odds of a NC are that much better than ND's (especially if Greenwell had chosen the Irish).

I have no idea why Calhoun or Greenwell chose Duke over ND. Maybe they preferred McCallie's personality. Calhoun said she really bonded with her.

 

[meyers7]

Yeah, it's my fault she chose Duke...

There it is, we got it on record now.

 

[EricSD]

I look forward to hearing the real reasons for her choice, soon then, unless you would like to offer us a less cryptic teaser. Are you implying that McCallie is painting a more appealing scenario to recruits than Geno or Muffet? Becca Greenwell had narrowed her schools to Duke and ND last fall and eventually selected Duke, citing a better chance to win NC's. So maybe McCallie is a very good salesperson, as I'm not sure that Duke's odds of a NC are that much better than ND's (especially if Greenwell had chosen the Irish).

Won't discuss the "crypticness" of Cat's post, but I agree with her, and it's doubtful we ever hear all the reasons. Same with Deshields. Suffice to say that none of the heavy hitters for UCONN (Geno or CD) went to any of Sierra's games recently while both Joanna and Muffet did.

As for the odds of winning a NC... ND certainly has gotten some great talent - Diggins, Loyd, Turner, but they've not really had the plethora of top talent that Duke has had. I'm not necessarily sure that one school or the other has a "better" chance of a NC going forward - this year is Duke's best chance IMHO in a while, and they are the clear #2 team in the nation entering the season.

It seems to me that Duke has done less with more talent that ND. To me that means either Muffet is a better evaluator of potential, a better developer of talent, or a combo of both. Joanne is a better recruiter, or Duke a better destination in the eyes of recruits, or both. I know some Duke fans weren't keen on the hiring of McCallie, and after she lost her 2 top assistants in Stafford Odom and Williams, but her recruiting has continued to be top notch...

 

[Big UConn]

I believed you had misinterpreted huskyfan23's argument, so I clarified it as best I could. I actually never gave my opinion, nor did I imply I had inside information.

But now that you ask, it has already been discussed here on the Sierra Calhoun thread, that Kelly Kline of Full Court wrote "There was much speculation she would pick Connecticut where her brother Omar is a sophomore on the men's basketball team. However, Calhoun was swayed by the strength of the ACC and the vision of McCallie. "I believe in her and her vision for me," said Calhoun. "The program is knocking on the door of greatness." (LINK) Did Sierra actually assert that conference affiliation was an important determinant in selecting a college, or was that more Kline's interpretation of the situation after interviewing her (or simply reading her press release)?

I think you are quoting Kelly Kline's interpretation of what SC said, not what SC ACTUALLY said. I believe that Kelly Kline may believe that what conference a team is in is important. Actually, so do I, in some sports. If I were a star football player, I would absolutely want to be in the SEC. No place else would do. If I were a star basketball player, UConn is the school. Conference is unimportant. We play the best teams in every conference around the country.

And as for Duke" knocking at the door of greatness," the door they are knocking at belongs to UConn.