From Lou to Eternity: The Monumental Recruiting Topic Drift Thread

[Sluconn Husky]

If you are a future recruit afraid of competition or not confident in your abilities, UCONN is probably not gonna be recruiting you.

This isn't about being afraid of competition or lack of confidence. It's about having so many top-tier players that there will only be PT for about 7-8 of them. It's about future recruits wondering if they'll just be recruited over and not play when considering UConn. Maybe that won't happen, but it's not out of the question.

 

[meyers7]

You have yet to prove how they are like this one, but if it makes you feel better to be "right", by all means.

I did, I guess it just went over your head. Sorry.

Not so much me being right, as you were wrong.

 

[meyers7]

This isn't about being afraid of competition or lack of confidence. It's about having so many top-tier players that there will only be PT for about 7-8 of them.

Yea, and them not having the confidence to be one of the 7-8.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

At no point have you proven the situations to be the same. The end result (transfers), yes, the situations, no.

And, again, confidence has nothing to do with it. Confidence doesn't get you minutes when there are 200 to be had and 12 good/great players. Some are sitting, period. Doesn't matter how good or how confident they are.

 

[pap49cba]

At no point have you proven the situations to be the same. The end result (transfers), yes, the situations, no.

And, again, confidence has nothing to do with it. Confidence doesn't get you minutes when there are 200 to be had and 12 good/great players. Some are sitting, period. Doesn't matter how good or how confident they are.

So what exactly is your prescription to remedy this perceived problem?

 

[Buzzyboy]

Undefeated season and a 9th nation championship(2nd in a row)... looks to me like things worked out just fine with this "narrow net" approach.

There is a significant possibility of someone pulling up lame or breaking down in some other manner when they're subjected to the amount of minutes that a 6 person roster imposes. I don't like the odds that someone wouldn't get hurt! Sure, it managed to work out last year though I'm sure we experienced a lot more stress than we would have liked, particularly in the games in Nebraska but we did get a national championship, right? What you're suggesting is a version of Russian roulette where you turn a gun on yourself, pull the trigger and you managed to survive so NO PROBLEM. To me that's a big problem because a great season can be (and has been) lost due to injries. Remember losing Svet and Shea, getting beat by a Notre Dame team that UConn would have handled easily without their losses. Maybe you wouldn't mind UConn just using six scholarships all the time because it would save the University some money so why not do it, right? Everyone's always looking for ways to cut expenses, right? Geno has gone through the years playing without using his 15 potential scholarships because he thought it was silly to waste it on players that might not be up to the task of giving beneficial minutes when needed. It appears that he now has the opportunity to have a lineup that can provide quality minutes from top to bottom and since he's been burnt by some season ending injuries in the past, he's decided to bring in more kids. More power to him.

 

[Kibitzer]

At no point have you proven the situations to be the same. The end result (transfers), yes, the situations, no.

And, again, confidence has nothing to do with it. Confidence doesn't get you minutes when there are 200 to be had and 12 good/great players. Some are sitting, period. Doesn't matter how good or how confident they are.

I'll quote a statement once (or more) made by the inimitable W.C. Fields to help you see the light:

"If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. And if that doesn't work,
QUIT!

No use being a damned fool."​

 

[JS]

So what exactly is your prescription to remedy this perceived problem?

Keep repeating it's a problem until it dies of the tedium.

 

[pap49cba]

The tedium level was reached quite some time ago.....

 

[Sonny44]

I think for more parity in WCBB it might be a good idea to lower the limit of scholarships to 12. The ideal would be to get three good recruits a year. We might not get the 35 point margin of victory that we're used to, but UCONN would still thrive and probably continue to dominate.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Keep repeating it's a problem until it dies of the tedium.

Did you not notice it was Meyers who brought the subject back up by quoting one of my posts from days ago? I'm not changing my opinion.

 

[HoopsFan21]

I think for more parity in WCBB it might be a good idea to lower the limit of scholarships to 12. The ideal would be to get three good recruits a year. We might not get the 35 point margin of victory that we're used to, but UCONN would still thrive and probably continue to dominate.

Not a bad idea, though I don't think that would slow the UConn juggernaut much. You could bring the scholly limit down to 9 and I suspect UConn would still dominate.

 

[pap49cba]

Did you not notice it was Meyers who brought the subject back up by quoting one of my posts from days ago? I'm not changing my opinion.

Still waiting for an answer to my question....

 

[Suebird10fan]

It's important to distinguish a few questions.

Should Geno continue to recruit Durr? Absolutely. She would significantly enhance UConn's future prospects, and recruiting her violates no commitments he made to other recruits.

If as fans our bottom line is NCs should we hope that Durr comes aboard? Again, yes without a doubt.

Can Geno add Durr to the mix without creating serious challenges in maaging minutes and keeping everyone happy? No, not possible. Yes, shit happens, injuries, etc. But the 2015-16 is stacked with guys that will deserve serious minutes. In order to project depth in out years I often go through the roster and ask how many minutes would each person typically get in a competitive game playing for a championship quality team. If it adds up to much less than 250, I get a little nervous, cuz shit happens. On average about 20% of the minutes usually goes away due to injuries, transfers, Geno's doghouse, etc. Hence the need for at least 250. Over 270 and we're pretty deep. I performed the exercise for the 15-16 roster and came up with 315! Add in Durr and you're at something like 345! Even if you lost 25% of those minutes somehow, someone or someones are getting squeezed in a big way for playing time. I for one would welcome it but there's no denying the (hypothetical) challenge.

 

[HoopsFan21]

It's important to distinguish a few questions.

Should Geno continue to recruit Durr? Absolutely. She would significantly enhance UConn's future prospects, and recruiting her violates no commitments he made to other recruits.

If as fans our bottom line is NCs should we hope that Durr comes aboard? Again, yes without a doubt.

Can Geno add Durr to the mix without creating serious challenges in maaging minutes and keeping everyone happy? No, not possible. Yes, happens, injuries, etc. But the 2015-16 is stacked with guys that will deserve serious minutes. In order to project depth in out years I often go through the roster and ask how many minutes would each person typically get in a competitive game playing for a championship quality team. If it adds up to much less than 250, I get a little nervous, cuz happens. On average about 20% of the minutes usually goes away due to injuries, transfers, Geno's doghouse, etc. Hence the need for at least 250. Over 270 and we're pretty deep. I performed the exercise for the 15-16 roster and came up with 315! Add in Durr and you're at something like 345! Even if you lost 25% of those minutes somehow, someone or someones are getting squeezed in a big way for playing time. I for one would welcome it but there's no denying the (hypothetical) challenge.

UConn averages a transfer/year. I don't see why that wouldn't continue. I'd be surprised if Geno doesn't account for this while he is recruiting and building future teams (or should I say DYNASTIES?!).

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Still waiting for an answer to my question....

There is no answer other than stopping when you think you have enough. And for those who think the answer is to fill up with as much talent as you can and let things sort themselves out, how come Geno doesn't max the roster out to 15 every year then? The staff stops recruiting when they feel they have enough.

Is it a huge deal that'll be a problem in the upcoming years? Hard to know for sure, but there will without question be a minutes crunch. Again, unless there are disastrous injury issues.

 

[meyers7]

I'll quote a statement once (or more) made by the inimitable W.C. Fields to help you see the light:

"If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. And if that doesn't work,
QUIT!

No use being a damned fool."​

You are right, doesn't look like I can get through to Slu.

 

[UCONNfan1]

I'm not sure how far the discussion veered off from where the original "disagreements" came from. I do agree with several, SIUconn included, who said that there could potentially be a serious minutes crunch with so much talent and kids probably hoping/expecting to get at least 15, and more likely 20 MPG.

But I also agree with anyone who says that we should continue to recruit Durr big time and pray she comes to Uconn. From what we are reading about her, she's a Diana Taurasi type of talent. If that's true, then it puts her up in the pantheon of players with names like Taurasi, Moore, Delle Donne and Stewart. When you add in Samuelson, who is close to, if not equivalent, to the aforementioned players (maybe she's a hair less?), or like Charles, KML, and Jefferson, then I would say we have yet again possibly hit the mother-lode.

If we end up with those 4, we might actually have 4 of the top 5 players in the nation. TASS team beware - there's a new Sheriff in town!

 

[hoophuskee]

I agree in part what slu is saying but I also believe that Geno knows what he is doing. Anyhow, look over the past 10+ years or so. Player’s get over-recruited in order to get a premiere player. Maya over Charde (we just went to E8 year before and Charde was solid in her jr year). Bria over Dixon. KML and Mo Jeff over Doty. When we had EDD verbal I can recall Kalana Greene stating “that’s my position.” Renee Montgomery bumped Ketia Swanier. Nicole Wolff and Ann Strother were brought in to bump Ashley Battle. Stewart and Tuck bumped Stokes.

All the players I mentioned that got bumped got an opportunity though. And several that did get bumped did wind up playing WNBA pro ball. Many, many kids that’s their dream to play pro ball. SO if Geno gets them there even after being bumped, at leats so far, locker room issue doesn’t apply.

I do dispute what I’ve read a couple of times “have enough to win.” What does that really mean? What if DD goes to Notre Dame along with Durr because we chose to back off because we thought we were “good enough to win?” I know DD wants to move closer to home now- but she still is a kid and can change her mind. So even if we don’ get Durr – nothing wrong with going after other super players because “good enough” is relative at the moment.

Eric’s excellent post brought up concerns as well of both Morgan and Gabby. It has to be a concern for their entire years here. You can’t pretend their knee injuries didn’t exist. And there is a chance Morgan leaves with Stewie and MoJeff. Now we have eight players and suppose not out of the question that one gets hurt and one seriously underperforms. Now we’re back six players.

So if no Durr, and Gabby’s knees limit her, and Kia is a better sg than pg and if Sadie doesn’t live up to her billing (all not out of the realm of possibility, why wouldn’t we want/try to get Durr? ) SO maybe we’re going to force Kia Nurse to play her second strongest position and not her best if she is better at sg or Gneo wants two pg's on the floor instead? . It’s possible sg could be her better spot despite her starting pg on Canadian team if Canada is weak at the pg but strong enough on the wing. And we don't go after the pg because we wanted to be fair to the bench players?

 

[Scotter]

To me that's a big problem because a great season can be (and has been) lost due to injries. Remember losing Svet and Shea, getting beat by a Notre Dame team that UConn would have handled easily without their losses.

UConn didn't handle Notre Dame that season when they did have everyone healthy. There's isn't much evidence that UConn would have won any game easily against Notre Dame that season injuries or no injuries.

 

[chip]

Why hasn't this thread been locked? Just from several of the posts on this page alone things seem way over the line of appropriate. I think I've seen threads get locked for much less. Am I wrong?

 

[JS]

Why hasn't this thread been locked? Just from several of the posts on this page alone things seem way over the line of appropriate. I think I've seen threads get locked for much less. Am I wrong?

You'd have to be specific as to what's over the line in your opinion and why. That's best done by private message to HuskyNan, Biff or me, or by the Report function, and we'll be glad to respond.

As a general comment, you're seeing direct and implied transfer talk in this thread and a certain amount of annoyance with its duration.

Couple that with repeated assertions of a conundrum -- that future recruiting may be hurt by the recruitment of a particular outstanding player -- and the posited establishment of a reputation for "recruiting over" -- and you have a formula for tension.

To clarify, the board has a strict rule against transfer talk that names a specific player or players who have not announced an intention to transfer. The rule doesn't cover generalized transfer talk, and there's the rub. Many here don't like it, whether it's within the rules or not.

They especially are not going to like it if it goes on and on in multiple threads, largely spurred by one poster with great energy for the subject. For those who don't like it, think endless fingernails on the blackboard.

So the annoyance with that is coming out, but neither the discussion nor the response has, to this point, struck us as being over the line.

 

[Sonny44]

You are right, doesn't look like I can get through to Slu.

On a board like this we like to banter around our opinions and try to accept others. Most people in this thread are trying express the plusses and minuses of overstocking talent using AD as an example. But the discussion seems to have turned into arguments, ad nauseum. You seem frustrated apparently because you are trying to change someone's opinion or perspective. That may not be an achievable goal.

 

[UConnChapette]

There is no answer other than stopping when you think you have enough. And for those who think the answer is to fill up with as much talent as you can and let things sort themselves out, how come Geno doesn't max the roster out to 15 every year then? The staff stops recruiting when they feel they have enough.

Is it a huge deal that'll be a problem in the upcoming years? Hard to know for sure, but there will without question be a minutes crunch. Again, unless there are disastrous injury issues.

On the one hand, you seem to feel that Geno should stop recruiting Durr because it may lead to previously committed top talent transferring down the road or impacting future recruits who may fear being recruited over with better talent. But on the other hand, you are defending Geno and the staff for not maxing out the scholarships by stopping recruiting when they feel they have enough.

Based on your above bolded statement...are you now saying that the fact that Geno and staff has not stopped recruiting Durr is an indication that he does not feel he has enough and is therefore okay in the ongoing recruitment of top talent??

So confused...

 

[UcMiami]

I find this all so interesting.
First - there is the idea that Geno chooses his team - recruiting is really tough business and the reality is 17 years olds choose the team by deciding which school they will attend and 19-21 year olds choose by deciding to transfer, and dumb luck decides when injuries occur. He certainly didn't choose to have just one player join last year, and until this spring had no idea BB would decide to transfer, and certainly didn't want to lose Tuck for a year. This coming freshman class is great but if he had a choice in the matter he would probably gladly trade any one of his wing/guards for a forward/post player of comparable talent, but that didn't happen because of the choices made by 17 year olds.
Second - I love this incoming class, but none of the folks ranking HS talent is overly thrilled about any of them - the highest ranked in HG is Willimas who is coming off her second ACL and I believe is #14. With the brilliant coaching staff at Uconn I am sure they will all be drafted in the top 6 when they graduate rolleyes but I don't think that is guaranteed. One need not look back that far to see players like McLaren who never got to 20mpg in any of her 4 years, but was still very successful and appeared to enjoy her four years. And Stokes hasn't had an easy time on the court but ... The idea that everyone has to get 30 minutes a game to be happy is foolish - that they want to play that much is a given, but that they need that from freshman year forward ...
Third - that the same issues do not exist on every contending team. If you are serious about contending for NCs you are going to go to a team that has a lot of talented players, and you better hope that they continue to recruit talent as good as you or better during your four years. And that if you are not making huge strides, someone else will be taking minutes away from you. If those are not your expectations, then you will probably not compete for NCs (and probably will not end up very successfully in any chosen career path.)
Fourth - The benefits of playing and learning at Uconn for select players are great - Ketia Swanier for example averaged under 20 minutes per game in her career and yet had a much longer WNBA career than many higher ranked players who played 30+ minutes a game at other schools. It isn't just minutes per game, but what you learn and accomplish in those minutes and in the comparable hours of practice.

I have no idea who will or will not come to Uconn of the players being recruited, but if minutes and competition for playing time is the major consideration, they probably aren't being offered scholarships to start with.

 

[triaddukefan]

 

[Icebear]

View attachment 6161

Good question.

 

[JS]

Nobody's making hay with the original thread topic, but we might do a straw poll on what the topic now is.

I guess everybody's looking to find out. Gonna hit 35,000 views within hours.

 

[triaddukefan]

Nobody's making hay with the original thread topic, but we might do a straw poll on what the topic now is.

I guess everybody's looking to find out. Gonna hit 35,000 views within hours.

I kept seeing this thread at the top of the page and was

about why this thread had gotten so long....over a recruit who committed a month ago.... i'll have to play catch up

 

[caramel]

It's important to distinguish a few questions.

Should Geno continue to recruit Durr? Absolutely. She would significantly enhance UConn's future prospects, and recruiting her violates no commitments he made to other recruits.

If as fans our bottom line is NCs should we hope that Durr comes aboard? Again, yes without a doubt.

Can Geno add Durr to the mix without creating serious challenges in maaging minutes and keeping everyone happy? No, not possible. Yes, happens, injuries, etc. But the 2015-16 is stacked with guys that will deserve serious minutes. In order to project depth in out years I often go through the roster and ask how many minutes would each person typically get in a competitive game playing for a championship quality team. If it adds up to much less than 250, I get a little nervous, cuz happens. On average about 20% of the minutes usually goes away due to injuries, transfers, Geno's doghouse, etc. Hence the need for at least 250. Over 270 and we're pretty deep. I performed the exercise for the 15-16 roster and came up with 315! Add in Durr and you're at something like 345! Even if you lost 25% of those minutes somehow, someone or someones are getting squeezed in a big way for playing time. I for one would welcome it but there's no denying the (hypothetical) challenge.

If Durr says I am coming,then Connecticut will take her.You never,ever have too much talent.
As far as minutes go,there is and always has been two staunch rules at Connecticut.Work hard and play by the system.There are times even the best can sit,because of less effort in practice,or fluctuating from the game plan presented.
This gives others a chance for minutes,to step up and move forward.
There is also a strong chance throughout the season of injuries,sickness,etc., which gives others a chance to play.

The most important part of Connecticut basketball,is team first.There is not a person presently on the team,or coming to the team,who will not understand this.
All the girls have and will have this planted into their mind. Those that understand this,get minutes,and those that do not,will probably not.I am confident,under any circumstance,that everyone who plays by this system,and gives full effort,will find minutes in the games,some games a little less and some games a little more.
As these young ladies enter their junior and senior years,they will enjoy more minutes,as long as they conform to the system in place.
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