February 2020 UConn Recruiting Thread

[MilfordHusky]

I think Mil although she is back playing after her injury it's still going to take the rest of the season for her to come back to full Knifing form.

She was more of Fudd the Butter Knife last night.

Great kid!

 

[BobbyJ]

I also attended the game with Milford Husky. It was my first time watching Azzi Fudd in person. While she has deep 3-pt range, her mid-range game is more impressive to me. Her handle allows her to get into the lane repeatedly and she can both create and get off her shot with ease. There is an economy in her movement. No excessive dribbling or wasted movement - just enough to beat her defender. I would love to see our current players do the same. I agree with MilfordHusky regarding "not taking over the game." She chose to pass to teammates [who failed to convert or turned the ball over] when she should have been the focal point of the offense.

Very similar to what I’ve seen in video of her. She and Bueckers are deadly in that mid range area and I don’t understand why more kids don’t learn to exploit that area as IMO, it’s the easiest place to get to and score from.

 

[Alydar]

It's been a year because Azzi has been injured. A lot means exactly that. Eg. Azzi was practically a lock to make the U19 team this summer=missed opportunity. There was also the video of both of them with Chloe. Paige also got the cover of slam magazine-first HS girl ever. That cover would have likely gone to Azzi as the reining HS Girls Naismith winner. If slam had any marketing sense they would have put both on the cover. Paige was at Azzi first game HS back from injury in DC. Again for kids that live over 1000 miles apart they are together a lot.

That's all true but where in your reply to my question is "a lot" of playing together? I don't think Bueckers is eligible for U18 this coming summer, nor U19 in 2021.

My point is that Fudd was quoted as saying that it's fun to both play with Bueckers and against her. If she was to choos UConn they could do both on an almost daily basis while if she goes to any other elite program the best she could do is once or maybe twica a year. Add to that the fact that they will have little control of where they play as pros.
I'm not saying Fudd will pick UConn because of that. I hope she picks the school that is best for her. But to suggest that playing elsewhere will allow them to compete against and with each other just makes no sense to me.

 

[CocoHusky]

That's all true but where in your reply to my question is "a lot" of playing together? I don't think Bueckers is eligible for U18 this coming summer, nor U19 in 2021.

My point is that Fudd was quoted as saying that it's fun to both play with Bueckers and against her. If she was to choos UConn they could do both on an almost daily basis while if she goes to any other elite program the best she could do is once or maybe twica a year. Add to that the fact that they will have little control of where they play as pros.
I'm not saying Fudd will pick UConn because of that. I hope she picks the school that is best for her. But to suggest that playing elsewhere will allow them to compete against and with each other just makes no sense to me.

Sure you are.

So where is Fudd going to go where she gets to play Bueckers a lot.

 

[Alydar]

Sure you are.

Alydar said:

So where is Fudd going to go where she gets to play Bueckers a lot.

No, I am not. I am commenting on one aspect of her decision-making process. And also trying to make sense of your comment that they could play a lot if she went elsewhere.

 

[MSGRET]

Of course, Paige and Azzi could see each other when their respective collegiate teams play each other once a year in a nationally televised home and home series on ESPN. Say, in early December (during the regular season).


Oh, we Irish fans need to aim high!

On a somewhat serious note, I'm late to this particular part of the Azzi saga, but where has she/her mind trust indicated they might pull a late announcement, a la Sabrina? If so, this development could mean schools in the Fudd Crusade would/should cover themselves with getting other shooting guards. Of course, UConn has already done that. ND, with MM now announcing she'll expend her roster, is certainly showing mutual interest with several other top off guards.

Afater this year ESPN will not have the right to televise UConn's home games against ND. Fox or CBS will be the ones televising those games. ESPN would have to pay for those rights and I don't see either one giving them up when it comes to UConn games.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

More Paige highlights from Tuesday night (2/11):

 

[UcMiami]

Very similar to what I’ve seen in video of her. She and Bueckers are deadly in that mid range area and I don’t understand why more kids don’t learn to exploit that area as IMO, it’s the easiest place to get to and score from.

Because generally they don't need it in HS and they don't concentrate on it in games when they can get to the basket with ease or bomb threes. Same with a lot of bigs having to develop their mid range game after they turn pro because even in college they could dominate in the paint and their college coaches didn't push them.

 

[BobbyJ]

More Paige highlights from Tuesday night (2/11):

Rare ability on offense to make the game go at the pace she wants.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I've seen some good teams in person or on video: #1 ranked Christ the King with Tina and Lorin, #1 Collins Hill with Maya, #1 Mater Dei with Kaleena, #1/2 St. Johns with Azzi, and #1 Hopkins with Paige et al. I don't recall a team as good and balanced as Hopkins. Paige may be the best player I've seen other than Maya. Like Maya, she's on a different level.

 

[CocoHusky]

Afater this year ESPN will not have the right to televise UConn's home games against ND. Fox or CBS will be the ones televising those games. ESPN would have to pay for those rights and I don't see either one giving them up when it comes to UConn games.

Not sure that's the case. ND & UCONN usually play as part of the Jimmy V classic. Don't see ESPN walking away from that EVER. The men's game is played at a neutral site such as MSG. ND has to regain some shine on that golden dome to remain an option for the Jimmy V classic.

 

[MSGRET]

Not sure that's the case. ND & UCONN usually play as part of the Jimmy V classic. Don't see ESPN walking away from that EVER. The men's game is played at a neutral site such as MSG. ND has to regain some shine on that golden dome to remain an option for the Jimmy V classic.

The only reason that is done is because currently both teams are under the ESPN umbrella when it comes to televised games. Once they are in the Big East Fox and CBS has the rights to the home games of Big East teams. That is why this years Seton Hall and DePaul games where on FS1 they were away games for UConn. Do you think that Fox or CBS would give up their television rights to ESPN when they have teams like ND, South Carolina, Baylor, Vandy, Ohio State or any other P5 team coming into Gampel or the XL Center, I don't think so.

 

[UcMiami]

The only reason that is done is because currently both teams are under the ESPN umbrella when it comes to televised games. Once they are in the Big East Fox and CBS has the rights to the home games of Big East teams. That is why this years Seton Hall and DePaul games where on FS1 they were away games for UConn. Do you think that Fox or CBS would give up their television rights to ESPN when they have teams like ND, South Carolina, Baylor, Vandy, Ohio State or any other P5 team coming into Gampel or the XL Center, I don't think so.

If it is on a neutral court like the Casino which is often the case with the V then it does not fall under any league contract.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I agree with Road Warrior. Azzi’s midrange game may be her bread and butter, despite having a great 3-point shot and a ridiculous left-handed scoop shot. Visitation tried to play her straight up in the City Championship game last year. She lit them up for 38 and had a 10-15 foot pull up anytime she wanted. She made almost all of them.

 

[formerlurker]

Hello to the most knowledgeable and passionate fan base I know.

It's been a few months since I've looked through threads here and I have to admit I'm a little disappointed in all of you. You're only up to recruiting updates for the current month?

From what I can gather, we're going to take a few lumps again this year but the Dynasty will withstand and most definitely grow as we continue to welcome quality, talented young women to the program.

Someone PM me when you figure out how to keep up with the growth and offer a live recruiting thread

 

[MSGRET]

Hello to the most knowledgeable and passionate fan base I know.

It's been a few months since I've looked through threads here and I have to admit I'm a little disappointed in all of you. You're only up to recruiting updates for the current month?

From what I can gather, we're going to take a few lumps again this year but the Dynasty will withstand and most definitely grow as we welcome quality, talented young women to the program.

Someone PM me when there's a real time thread

If you would look at the first page of the Feb recruiting thread you would see the previous months. The recruiting is done on a monthly basis.

 

[formerlurker]

If you would look at the first page of the Feb recruiting thread you would see the previous months. The recruiting is done on a monthly basis.

Hi, MSGRET. Thank you.

But, with all due respect, if you would look up you'd see my intended joke going over your head.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Well, I saw Mir last week and Azzi last night. Is that close enough to real-time?

Any more current could be an NCAA violation.

 

[EricLA]

So we may need to be even MORE patient.

Patient, yes, but not hold a spot "open" for her. IMHO Geno should go out and land 2 more total studs for a class of 4. IF Azzi decides to come, then we end up with 5. I'd love to see him land 2 out of Rivers, Miles, Moore and Iriafen.

No idea if that's remotely possible, but even with one of those and another (Ducharme/Citron or whoever), it would be a tremendous class. Landing Azzi would put it as one of the all time best, but even without her, it's likely the top class, and more importantly, a class UCONN needs (ie. size).

 

[BobbyJ]

Patient, yes, but not hold a spot "open" for her. IMHO Geno should go out and land 2 more total studs for a class of 4. IF Azzi decides to come, then we end up with 5. I'd love to see him land 2 out of Rivers, Miles, Moore and Iriafen.

No idea if that's remotely possible, but even with one of those and another (Ducharme/Citron or whoever), it would be a tremendous class. Landing Azzi would put it as one of the all time best, but even without her, it's likely the top class, and more importantly, a class UCONN needs (ie. size).

I agree with the numbers but of those 4, as much as I like Iriafen, Moore is the only one that I think would leave her home area for UConn. And I might be wrong there too.

 

[JordyG]

She was more of Fudd the Butter Knife last night.

Great kid!

LOL "Butter Knife".

 

[MilfordHusky]

LOL "Butter Knife".

But she’ll be a Ginsu next year.

 

[Huskie02]

Patient, yes, but not hold a spot "open" for her. IMHO Geno should go out and land 2 more total studs for a class of 4. IF Azzi decides to come, then we end up with 5. I'd love to see him land 2 out of Rivers, Miles, Moore and Iriafen.

No idea if that's remotely possible, but even with one of those and another (Ducharme/Citron or whoever), it would be a tremendous class. Landing Azzi would put it as one of the all time best, but even without her, it's likely the top class, and more importantly, a class UCONN needs (ie. size).

Agree! Can’t sit back and for Fudd to decide. She has already said how difficult it is for her to make a decision. In the meantime we don’t want to lose other potential recruits.

 

[CocoHusky]

I agree with the numbers but of those 4, as much as I like Iriafen, Moore is the only one that I think would leave her home area for UConn. And I might be wrong there too.

Don't know if I'm starting a bandwagon or jumping on one so I'll apologize in advance. If UCONN fails to land one of Hollingshead, Moore, or Iriafen in 2021 then I'm officially devoting my energy to be the campaign manager of the Maya Nnaji to UCONN.
Top 5 reason:
1) Her chemistry with Paige is amazing.
2) She is incredible skilled for a big.
3) She not from California.
4) Her brother at Arizona is probably going to be an NBA lottery pick so she is going to have a chip on her shoulder and prove she belongs in that family.
5) We need another Maya at UCONN.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I agree with you guys. As we said before, “There’s always room for Jell-o. And there’s always room for Azzi.”

I’m optimistic, but there is no guarantee that we get Azzi. We need to get 1-2 more players, excluding Azzi, for 2021. I’ve seen Saylor and she does everything well. She’s also 6’2” and athletic. Amari is reportedly at least 6’5” and is having a good season. They are a great start to the class. But I would like to add 2 from the group of Rivers, Moore, Iriafen, Miles, Citron, and Ducharme. Azzi can be the cherry on top.