Enough about bad recruiting

[Fossil]

Geno said it himself in one of the FF off-day pressers: he used to be able to make his recruits into the player he wanted them to be but has now had to adjust to the modern reality that today’s kids are different & some compromise must occur— willingly or otherwise.

Something Dawn said in her off-day presser rings true & I imagine accounts for much of her success/appeal: she engages people where they stand & tries to meet them halfway.

Just like the days of Bobby Knight in the men’s game are long past, I think a similar change is needed to sustain the highest levels of success in the women’s game. Perhaps Geno can/will continue to reach FF’s without any tweaks in approach, but winning more championships may be another story.

I agree with you that coaches need to change with the times and Gino has said that he is doing that he treats kids differently now than he did 10 years ago. From what I see it’s more of a recruiting philosophy in that I don’t see many dogs on the team with the exception of Nika with Paige being the unicorn. Caroline may emerge as that type of player she seems willing to mix it up in the paint. But from observing the game against South Carolina they appeared to have numerous young ladies willing to mix it up. I believe that’s why Connecticut struggled with UCF where they were willing to mix it up for the win. UCF is not nearly as individually talented as Connecticut is but the willingness to bang at every position pays dividends. I would not say that Connecticut is soft but I might say there’s not a lot of dog in them. I think South Carolina’s Biggs Exposed that.

 

[darrell]

I remember after we only got Aubrey in 2019, everybody called Coach a “bad recruiter” and that “no wants to play for UConn anymore”. The following year, he gets Paige. After that, Azzi and Caroline. Coming next year is Ayanna and Ice. 2023 already has Ashlynn and KK. Call him whatever, but Geno (and co. of course) are wonderful recruiters.

 

[ccwarrior]

I remember after we only got Aubrey in 2019, everybody called Coach a “bad recruiter” and that “no wants to play for UConn anymore”. The following year, he gets Paige. After that, Azzi and Caroline. Coming next year is Ayanna and Ice. 2023 already has Ashlynn and KK Arnold. Call him whatever, but Geno (and co. of course) are wonderful recruiters.

Can we wait to see how many titles these new recruits win before we make these definitive statements? i think most folks on this board are too nice to speak the truth - that we should care less about the national rankings of recruits and more about their actual skill levels and relentless will to outwork other players. Don’t forget about leadership as well - how could our seniors not show up in the national title game? Is that what we expect from Uconn women’s basketball?

 

[Longtime fan]

I agree with everything except the comparison of this SC team being the Stewie era of UConn. SC is very good but they will never be that era of greatness.

Hard to know. I will predict this: Boston ( when she turns pro ) will be the number one selection in the draft. She will be rookie MVP in the WNBA and, soon enough, league MVP. Breanna did much the same. Boston may not quite be Stewie, but close enough. As you know, SC could have won the title last year, but Boston's "put back " shot at the last second rolled out of the rim instead of into the net. SC was that close to two in a row. And three is their target. ( I know, Stewy had 4 ).

 

[Longtime fan]

Can we wait to see how many titles these new recruits win before we make these definitive statements? i think most folks on this board are too nice to speak the truth - that we should care less about the national rankings of recruits and more about their actual skill levels and relentless will to outwork other players. Don’t forget about leadership as well - how could our seniors not show up in the national title game? Is that what we expect from Uconn women’s basketball?

Good Point. It is delivery to potential that matters. Look at what Nika Mühl delivers. Look at Edwards. Certainly Paige is
100% ( " promise" to "delivery" ) and AZZI and Caroline seem on target for that as well. By contrast, DeBerry has lagged. But the key is the character of the kids who get recruited. DeBerry may have seen the light and is now ready to work and bring her skill sets ( which are terrific ) to the court. And Piath has been working hard from day one. You have to find the desire. Geno and his team have been pretty terrific doing that. I think that's why we tend to quickly assume that any recruit who commits to UCONN is going to be great. Even though that will not always be the case.

 

[Littlemin]

I agree with you that coaches need to change with the times and Gino has said that he is doing that he treats kids differently now than he did 10 years ago. From what I see it’s more of a recruiting philosophy in that I don’t see many dogs on the team with the exception of Nika with Paige being the unicorn. Caroline may emerge as that type of player she seems willing to mix it up in the paint. But from observing the game against South Carolina they appeared to have numerous young ladies willing to mix it up. I believe that’s why Connecticut struggled with UCF where they were willing to mix it up for the win. UCF is not nearly as individually talented as Connecticut is but the willingness to bang at every position pays dividends. I would not say that Connecticut is soft but I might say there’s not a lot of dog in them. I think South Carolina’s Biggs Exposed that.

Alert to all tired of my posting on this subject, ignore this……..

So to be repetitive, there is a big difference between not being tough and being soft. I don’t think Uconn players are “soft” but rather are “not tough”. What I really mean by that is that is, to me, “soft” implies not being willing to mix it up but not playing “tough” is more a reflection on personality and general style of play. There is no doubt that the Uconn players could and would play tough when given an example to follow (playing follow the leader so to speak) but it is not in the nature of most of their players to initiate playing that way. I have made no bones about my feelings in this area and Auriemma chose to essentially bench the player who brought that “tough” mind set to the court. IMO, it eventually cost them, others may disagree.

 

[TCC Kid]

I've read so much about how Geno has to recruit better..4 out of the last 5 years Geno has recruited the #1 HS player in the nation..I mean that's ridiculous..there are other teams in the WCBB..yes Walker never lived up Uto expectations and CW too although she was pretty good for 4 years..Paige is generational and the jury is still out on Azzi..where it hurt was not getting Boston..who like Paige is generational..well sorry you can't get every # 1 recruit or that would "be bad for basketball"..If Boston had come to Uconn I think it's safe to say they would have won the NATY the last 2 years..but it didn't happen..next year Stanford gets the #1 in 6'7 Betts..Uconn fans should consider themselves lucky b/c DT said the other night her first choice was Stanford and how about KLS coming to Uconn instead of following her 2 sisters to Stanford..no Geno's recruiting has been terrific..people say he should recruit taller and longer players. there isn't a lot of them out there..this year he has Deberry we will have to see how that pans out..He missed out an A'ja cuz she wanted to play close to home..Collier had commited to Uconn then changed her mind when her mother got sick so went to Texas..things happen..I'm sure every coach in the nation would have liked to get the #1 player 4 out of the last 5 years

Baddd Recruiting. I hope Dawn, Tara, Walz, UCF, Tenn all have Bad recruiting seasons. Actually, I don't. It is what it is. As for DeBerry, She will be good. Great?? If we remember J. Moore from Alaska --she hardly knew what a basket ball was for. CD (Christine Dailey) turned her into a pretty good post. Not great, but greatness isn't a common attribute for humans. We are lucky to be average. I'd like to see more PT next season for DeBerry, by Geno's comments that is going to happen. Dolson, was the last "bulky" post and as inexperienced as she was she was tasked to guard Griner in her --second or 3rd game as a husky. She turned out well. Ameris can do the same.
Recruiting,especially now, I've never seen so many transfers, is a crap shoot. Geno is at a disadvantage because he plays it straight--no perks, no promises, no guarantee on PT. Those whose mothers told them they are STARS, belong in other programs, not UC, with Geno you must prove it.

 

[TCC Kid]

I agree he's going to have to start doing that with so many kids going into the portal...Wolters is a good example but so is Steph Dolson of what your talking about

I too would like to see the Maximum number allowed recruited. Like an overfilled pot it will by nature level it out. It will give Geno and the staff the opportunity to become gardeners; do a lot of weeding. As we saw this season, Flu/Virus/colds/ injuries/ sicknesses quickly reduce your team and its ability to play. Two or even three individual Uconn teams a real pain for Geno but with tranfers, injuries, it may be necessary.