From Lou to Eternity: The Monumental Recruiting Topic Drift Thread

[hoophuskee]

You got it hoophusky.

What a great great movie.

 

[hoophuskee]

They'll lose 4 players between 15-16, either 3+1 or 2+2 depending on whether Tuck gets another year (and what is taking so long with that decision?).

I agree that Williams is a question mark, unfortunately. I have not seen Nurse in a game though, just some highlights. Based on what I've read I think she'll be a good player. Maybe never great but good.

I keep trying to figure out the '15 minutes situation and I just can't, partly because I think KLS and Collier are immediate impact players. Something like:

Stew-30
MoJeff-30
Butler-25-30 (call it 27)
KLS-22
Collier-18
Nurse-20
Ekmark-18
Chong-18
Edwards-10

That's 193 which leaves 7 minutes for Boykin, and that lineup doesn't include Tuck or Williams who I took out in a worst-case scenario. And of course Durr isn't factored in either since she's still a hypothetical at this point.

I'm discounting 2015-2016 season. Extremely doubtful there will be any issues that year. But here is what can be if I were to put Butler over Boykin. The following year-- 60 minutes open up.

Stewie - 30
Mo Jeff - 30
Butler/KLS/ Collier -- 70 (In your scenario I can keep at 67 and give three more to Boykin)
Boykin-- 12
Nurse - 25
Ekmark/Chong -- 25 (one of them will emerge gettign 15 the other gets 10)
Edwards - 8

If KLS and NC are impact as you say and you want to give them more- you can knock off minutes for any other players except Stewie and Mo Jeff. There are eight minutes at sf I gave to any combo between Nurse and Ekmark. If you knockoff their minutes you can limit Boykin, Butler or Edwards too in order to give more to the impact players you mentioned.

 

[Kibitzer]

This projection of minutes played is not as complicated as some make it out to be. Here's how it works.

Geno will play five players at a time for 40 minutes of every single game (and a few more for OT games). His choice. Winning games and championships has priority over player contentment. All the players know this.

So he will play the players he chooses to play that will win games and championships.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

I'm discounting 2015-2016 season. Extremely doubtful there will be any issues that year. But here is what can be if I were to put Butler over Boykin. The following year-- 60 minutes open up.

Stewie - 30
Mo Jeff - 30
Butler/KLS/ Collier -- 70 (In your scenario I can keep at 67 and give three more to Boykin)
Boykin-- 12
Nurse - 25
Ekmark/Chong -- 25 (one of them will emerge gettign 15 the other gets 10)
Edwards - 8

If KLS and NC are impact as you say and you want to give them more- you can knock off minutes for any other players except Stewie and Mo Jeff. There are eight minutes at sf I gave to any combo between Nurse and Ekmark. If you knockoff their minutes you can limit Boykin, Butler or Edwards too in order to give more to the impact players you mentioned.

The '15-'16 year is when there WILL be issues. Your outline looks similar to mine except with fewer minutes for Chong, but that's an example of what I'm talking about. You CAN jam them in there if you: A) remove Tuck and Williams from the roster, B) give players like Chong and Edwards 10 minutes a piece.

[mod edit; transfer talk; two strikes]

Geno will play five players at a time for 40 minutes of every single game (and a few more for OT games). His choice. Winning games and championships has priority over player contentment. All the players know this.

The players may realize winning comes first but they also come to UConn to play, not sit for 80% of the game. This many good players means some will sit. Sure, it won't be a problem for Geno. He'll pick his favorites and they'll play.

 

[johnnyc]

This is silly. You've got a player in Durr who is ranked 1 or 2 in the polls and said to have the talent of DT and your thinking we should pass on her. It has also been said she is pro UConn and UConn wants her. So why all the questions. Get her verbal and worry about everything after that. I believe UConn will be so strong that everybody will play and almost everybody will start at some point. Why because there will be slumps and injuries. How silly to think we have the number 1/2 player in the country with all that talent compared to DT and we wouldn't continue to recruit her??????????????? Im not drunk. Come on guys. Asia Durr and your thinking you would pass on her. Hey when Diana verballed we had a transfer. These things happen. Its all about the team and if somebody wants more PT and they dont think they will get it then they should leave. Attitude is everything and being happy all round is necessary for everybody to succeed. Listen if we can get Durr we need to sign her when shes ready. She would be a huge asset. What is all this nonsense about. This is a no brainier.

Lol.....meyers was handling himself well but no one can get the point across quite like you Tony!

 

[pap49cba]

I keep getting this recurring image in my head.... I can't shake it...

 

[chrissaran]

Natalie is a 5, just like Stef. Morgan Tuck, who you don't even list, would be her backup. The others aren't strong enough to handle bigger post players, so now you have even fewer minutes. Katie will be playing the 2 and 3, which means she won't be getting Natalie's minutes, Morgan will as the backup, unless of course the starting lineup is: Stewie, MoJeff, Morgan, Katie and take your pick of Chong, Ekmark, Nurse, Edwards, or Williams. If you want a truly big lineup, insert one of the forwards, always a possibility.

 

[xHunt3r]

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.

UConn does not have a 6 person roster... I don't think they have ever had just a 6 person roster... and I don't understand where you think I suggested that they should have one. I was responding to the idea that Geno is "doing it wrong" by not bring in more players then he has. I don't see how anyone can complain about recruiting when UConn just won back to back Championships, is on a 46 game win streak, and is the favorite again going into next season. I think the hall of fame coach with 9 championships kinda has this thing figured out...

As to your Svet and Shea comment... of course losing two of your best players is going to keep the team from winning a championship. You can't recruit around that. Take two of the best players from any championship team and it is unlikely they win. Rebecca and Jen, Sue and Diana, Tina and Maya... Geno is not going to just have another player of their caliper sitting on the bench ready to come in.

 

[meyers7]

Buzzyboy,

We'll see. I find it unlikely that Geno will restrict an all-time great like Stewart to 25 minutes as a senior. Or even Jefferson for that matter. He certainly didn't this past season, and depth really isn't a reason. The team had an average MOV of 35. He definitely could've sat those two more but he likes them on the court.

Actually you're wrong again. (IF I'm reading this correct and you meant this past season depth wasn't a reason.)

This last season, depth absolutely was an issue. We had one of the shortest rosters ever (well at least since say '95). We had 8 scholarship players for most of the season. And for parts only 7.

Next year we are only at 10 (with Butler r/s) and Tuck and Williams coming off injuries. Could be caught a little short there too. And we are integrating 4 freshmen. Luckily we have 2-3 AA's to compensate for this.

SOOOOO, having 12-13 scholarship players in '15-'16 (before any injuries) would actually be a good thing. Actually something we should strive for.


Gotta keep this thread going.

 

[EricSD]

I'm not sure about locking the thread - in fact I see no reason to. Lots of differing opinions, no one being overly nasty or getting personal in disagreeing with others, and the world's longest and most viewed thread, so why not?!!

 

[JS]

Lots of differing opinions, no one being overly nasty or getting personal in disagreeing with others, and the world's longest and most viewed thread, so why not?!!

Will correct that slightly: No nasty or personal posts currently visible.

Some deletions, even on very respected posters who got fed up with seemingly endless refrains; some edits to get rid of transfer talk (against the rules, as most are aware).

In short a moderated thread, but not overly so. And with amazing vitality despite some barren and/or redundant stretches of ping-pong posting.

40,000 views, anyone?

 

[Alexmia]

OK everyone, let's just move on. There is nothing to see here. Nobody got hurt, so just move on.

 

[FollowerCT]

This thread does let anyone know the character of the people posting on the BY ... what a great bunch of people! ... people who create their own collective boundaries of interaction and aren't afraid to say so if he or she feels the boundaries have been over-stepped ... thanks to the moderators for structuring this board for human beings ...

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Actually you're wrong again. (IF I'm reading this correct and you meant this past season depth wasn't a reason.)

This last season, depth absolutely was an issue. We had one of the shortest rosters ever (well at least since say '95). We had 8 scholarship players for most of the season. And for parts only 7.

I hope you realize that no matter how many times you type that someone is wrong it doesn't make it a fact.

Yes, I was talking about this season in a very specific manner, that being the minutes given to Stewart and Jefferson which you seem to have missed or ignored. One or sometimes both were out there in the dying minutes of 20+ point leads when they could've easily been on the bench. Geno likes to play them. Hence, I very much doubt their minutes take a drastic hit when the larger rosters arrive.

Finally, to make it clear to everyone, I have zero problem with a bigger roster. The future looks exciting with what they have coming in. But that doesn't mean you can squash that many good players in that few of minutes.

 

[dtbtbtb]

At this point, while we may think highly of the 4 incoming Fr. the truth is that we don't know how they will adjust to the college game so why do we worry about how many minutes will each get in 2015/16? let them show this coming year how well they can play the college game (and in the demanding UConn system) before wondering who will get 10 or 15 or 20 min. per game....

 

[easttexastrash]

I can hardly wait to see this group of talent together. Just to clarify, Stewart and Samuelson will have one year together, correct? If so, I do not want to play you that year.

 

[dtbtbtb]

I can hardly wait to see this group of talent together. Just to clarify, Stewart and Samuelson will have one year together, correct? If so, I do not want to play you that year.

Stewart senior year will be Samuelson fr year...how about if Durr as well is part of it? will you want to play us than?

 

[easttexastrash]

Stewart senior year will be Samuelson fr year...how about if Durr as well is part of it? will you want to play us than?

Just freaking scary! Geno will never retire at this rate!

 

[meyers7]

I hope you realize that no matter how many times you type that someone is wrong it doesn't make it a fact.

True, it's a fact because it's a fact. Whether I write it or not is irrelevant. I am just pointing it out. Maybe trying to educate.

Yes, I was talking about this season in a very specific manner, that being the minutes given to Stewart and Jefferson which you seem to have missed or ignored. One or sometimes both were out there in the dying minutes of 20+ point leads when they could've easily been on the bench. Geno likes to play them. Hence, I very much doubt their minutes take a drastic hit when the larger rosters arrive.

Well then see, you are wrong. Depth was a concern this year. How can it not be with only 7 scholarship players??? I mean, duh???

Finally, to make it clear to everyone, I have zero problem with a bigger roster.

You certainly seem to. At least a lot more than most of us and Geno anyway.

 

[meyers7]

40,000 views, anyone?

Gapers Block?

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Well then see, you are wrong. Depth was a concern this year. How can it not be with only 7 scholarship players??? I mean, duh???

This is yet another example. Again, my point about Stewart and Jefferson? Completely ignored. You just sort of build any argument you like and then go after it.

But I'll go along with the strawman. Depth was a terrible, horrible problem this past year, what with the 40-0 record, 35-pt average margin of victory, and one opponent that challenged them (Baylor). If only they had a few more players they might've accomplished something.

 

[JS]

Gapers Block?

 

[pap49cba]

JS - Is there any way to IGNORE an entire thread so it doesn't appear on my screen?

 

[UcMiami]

I hope you realize that no matter how many times you type that someone is wrong it doesn't make it a fact.

Yes, I was talking about this season in a very specific manner, that being the minutes given to Stewart and Jefferson which you seem to have missed or ignored. One or sometimes both were out there in the dying minutes of 20+ point leads when they could've easily been on the bench. Geno likes to play them. Hence, I very much doubt their minutes take a drastic hit when the larger rosters arrive.

Finally, to make it clear to everyone, I have zero problem with a bigger roster. The future looks exciting with what they have coming in. But that doesn't mean you can squash that many good players in that few of minutes.

Geno likes to play good basketball and with 7/8 scholarship players and 2 walk-ons that he was only going to play in the last minute, you had to have 2-3 starters on the floor at all times except the last minute. With only three tall players two of the three would play most of the time - there were a few minutes a game he played all three and few that he played only one. As for wings/guards ... Banks spent about six weeks dealing with a tender ankle and both she and Chong seemed to hit a wall and were not playing very good basketball at the end of the season so the team was down to 6 reliable players with another two players he was only comfortable playing to give wing/guards a breather and two walk-ons he only played in the last minute. Thus a lot of minutes for the starters.
When he had a full roster with solid bench players he trusted he played his 'star' players about 25 minutes a game. That is likely to be the pattern in 2015-16 IF all the recruits and current players turn out as good as everyone here believes they will. And there will likely be a slight bias to upper classmen over freshman.

 

[JS]

JS - Is there any way to IGNORE an entire thread so it doesn't appear on my screen?

Yes. You could put everybody in it on ignore.

Which of course raises the question whether you can ignore yourself.

Am not aware of anyone trying it, but then, this is the Boneyard.

 

[UConnCat]

Yes. You could put everybody in it on ignore.

Which of course raises the question whether you can ignore yourself.

Am not aware of anyone trying it, but then, this is the Boneyard.

Actually, merely putting the original poster on ignore will remove the entire thread. Much more efficient.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

When he had a full roster with solid bench players he trusted he played his 'star' players about 25 minutes a game. That is likely to be the pattern in 2015-16 IF all the recruits and current players turn out as good as everyone here believes they will. And there will likely be a slight bias to upper classmen over freshman.

If you look back over the best players in UConn history, really only Ralph and Charles fit under that 25 minute mark, and Shea's lack of minutes had at least something to do with her injury issues/history. Look at the numbers for the rest:

Tarausi: 24, 29, 32, 32

Moore: 30, 31, 28, 33

Lobo: 23, 32, 29, 29

Sales: 22, 27, 27, 27

Bird: 28, 28, 30


It's probably true that quality freshmen in '15 will ease the load a bit, but I still think Stewart and Jefferson will play a ton their senior seasons.

 

[Sonny44]

Yes. You could put everybody in it on ignore.

Which of course raises the question whether you can ignore yourself.

Am not aware of anyone trying it, but then, this is the Boneyard.

But wait please.
pap49 had a great question. Since the website remember each of us, it directs us to the last unread message automatically.
Why then couldn't we have a delete or hide button for posts we think are nonsense?
For example, a few weeks back I got so sick of the continuous A'ja and DD posts. People go on and on about fruitless topics which often turn into garbage, or gossip or belligerence.
Or let's say a member is interested in UCONN women's basketball only. One could block out or delete one by one OT posts.
Just some thoughts.

 

[Zorro]

Will correct that slightly: No nasty or personal posts currently visible.

Some deletions, even on very respected posters who got fed up with seemingly endless refrains; some edits to get rid of transfer talk (against the rules, as most are aware).

In short a moderated thread, but not overly so. And with amazing vitality despite some barren and/or redundant stretches of ping-pong posting.

40,000 views, anyone?

 

[Bestiarius]

With so many outstanding players, Geno will introduce a new strategy. The players will be divided into two teams. Each team will play 16 minutes. The remaining (last) 8 minutes will be played by the best performers of each team.

Knowing minutes will be limited, players will go all out while they are on the court and will be competing to play the last 16 minutes. This will result in tremendous offense and defense. Opponents will rarely get over half court within 10 seconds. This will provide the Huskies with an unprecedented number of offensive opportunities and steals. Players will be so satisfied with the number of shots and points the get, there will be no complaints of not enough playing time. Look for winning margins of at least 100 points.

This system will provide UConn with great competition every game - themselves.