Hamilton Update

[ctchamps]

I'd love a personal visit by Daniel, Issac, Jordan, their parents, any siblings I forgot and at least four extended family members, 6 members of his high school team, 7 from his AAU (overlaps only count once), both his AAU and high school coach, his elementary school coach, Kevin Ollie, two assistants, Jim Calhoun and maybe Susan Herbst. I don't need confirmation from Manuel, sloth, Kasongo, or any Crystal Balls. I refuse to believe he is coming until that happens. Or he plays his first game. In fact I'm pretty sure there is no youngest Hamilton, he's just Jordan trying to correct the mistake of going to Texas over UConn.

I would be much happier if his grandmother moved to Storrs. Then the speculation could be Daniel and Isaac to UConn and give the UCLA fans agita.

 

[hthusky74]

Firm statements he is coming? Is that sort of like "You won't lose your existing insurance"? If he doesn't sign a LOI they should proceed to see if they can sign someone else close to his caliber and tell him we changed our minds.

 

[ctchamps]

So we have three groups of fans on this issue. Those who have been Kasongo'd one two many times, those who are nervously optimistic but are careful to express the optimism to avoid ticking off the mojo g-ds, and those who have their panties in a bunch because they perceive Dan Hurley's behavior as an insult to UConn's manhood.

 

[hthusky74]

So we have three groups of fans on this issue. Those who have been Kasongo'd one two many times, those who are nervously optimistic but are careful to express the optimism to avoid ticking off the mojo g-ds, and those who have their panties in a bunch because they perceive Dan Hurley's behavior as an insult to UConn's manhood.

I'd rather see Hamilton stuck at the last minute trying to find a team rather than us stuck at the last minute trying to find a player. If his committment to UConn is that weak, good luck to him, let's move on. It's not a macho thing at all. It's got an acronym, cya!

 

[ctchamps]

I'd rather see Hamilton stuck at the last minute trying to find a team rather than us stuck at the last minute trying to find a player. If his committment to UConn is that weak, good luck to him, let's move on. It's not a macho thing at all. It's got an acronym, cya!

You're proposing that his commitment isn't firm. But that is speculation. None of us really know. All we know is that if he does indeed decide to go to UCLA UConn is scr*wd. But what if he is firm on his commitment. There is no proof that an absent LOI means kids are not committed. We could end up scr*wing ourselves.

Certainly there is a danger for UConn with this process. We all are aware of that. But you're advocating KO make a lesson with this kid. Since we have no way of being certain how Dan Hurley's decision will play out, the lesson can only be construed as retaliation. I'm willing to take the chance that things turn out well. I'm willing to trust the kid and his family at their word. I've been burned by people in business who went against their word, people I've trusted so I'm well aware of human nature. But I've also had many situations where people honored their commitments. It's a crapshoot. I'm just not fatalistic.

 

[Gurleyman]

Firm statements he is coming? Is that sort of like "You won't lose your existing insurance"? If he doesn't sign a LOI they should proceed to see if they can sign someone else close to his caliber and tell him we changed our minds.

Ridiculous.

We're having a snit about him not being firm to his commitment to us with an LOI, so our response is to not to be firm in our commitment to him? Great idea. That would be like solving the concern that you might see something unpleasant by stabbing yourself in the eyeballs.

Don't follow recruiting it you don't have the stomach for it.

 

[phillionaire]

Make sure you have a ladder to remove ball from peach basket

There won't be too many baskets being made because goal tending is still legal.

 

[tcf15]

Ridiculous.

We're having a snit about him not being firm to his commitment to us with an LOI, so our response is to not to be firm in our commitment to him? Great idea. That would be like solving the concern that you might see something unpleasant by stabbing yourself in the eyeballs.

Don't follow recruiting it you don't have the stomach for it.

lol at the idea you can just go out and get someone close to Hamilton's caliber, too.

 

[8893]

Recruiting anxiety always brings out the best in our fanbase, as we take out our frustrations with the process on each other instead.

It is not unreasonable to question the commitment of a recruit who declines to sign a LOI. However firm his commitment may be, there is no denying that the reason he is not signing is to leave his options open. His family’s personal experience likely gives him very good reasons for that; but likewise UConn’s own recent experiences with wavering commitments (among other recruiting issues) has given much of our fanbase good reason to believe that the school should protect itself better from putting all its eggs in one basket and being burned.

At the end of the day, the only two people who really matter in this situation are KO and DHam. If KO trusts him, that’s good enough for me. KO has a lot more to lose than anyone else in this process. This is his call.

 

[CAHUSKY]

I'm so old school that I think freshman should not even be eligible to play. #HowFarDoYouWantToTakeThisStupidLine

At your age its a stupid line. I promise it will have more appeal when you're 45.

 

[8893]

At your age its a stupid line. I promise it will have more appeal when you're 45.

Unless he's Benjamin Button, I don't think that's happening.

 

[7774]

Firm statements he is coming? Is that sort of like "You won't lose your existing insurance"? If he doesn't sign a LOI they should proceed to see if they can sign someone else close to his caliber and tell him we changed our minds.

 

[HuskyHawk]

So we have three groups of fans on this issue. Those who have been Kasongo'd one two many times, those who are nervously optimistic but are careful to express the optimism to avoid ticking off the mojo g-ds, and those who have their panties in a bunch because they perceive Dan Hurley's behavior as an insult to UConn's manhood.

I'm in the middle category. I'll leave it at this...I trust Kevin. I trust him to know whether Daniel is solid or not and to a have an understanding with the kid that if he wavers, he'll call KO immediately. He does owe UConn that much, that's just common decency. He's a stud, and we can't replace him in this class, so it isn't worth trying. The reality is he plays the position where we have the most depth anyway, so we'd be ok without him next year.

 

[ctchamps]

I'm in the middle category. I'll leave it at this...I trust Kevin. I trust him to know whether Daniel is solid or not and to a have an understanding with the kid that if he wavers, he'll call KO immediately. He does owe UConn that much, that's just common decency. He's a stud, and we can't replace him in this class, so it isn't worth trying. The reality is he plays the position where we have the most depth anyway, so we'd be ok without him next year.

Most sensible perspective imo. Not sure if its the most sensible because I agree with you and its my approach to this situation, or because it is THE MOST SENSIBLE approach and everyone else has it wrong.

 

[Rico444]

If he doesn't sign a LOI they should proceed to see if they can sign someone else close to his caliber and tell him we changed our minds.

Hamilton is a 5-star, top 20 ranked kid...good luck finding someone in 2014 with those kind of accolades.

 

[hthusky74]

Hamilton is a 5-star, top 20 ranked kid...good luck finding someone in 2014 with those kind of accolades.

And if he signs elsewhere good luck finding someone in 2014.

 

[hthusky74]

I'm in the middle category. I'll leave it at this...I trust Kevin. I trust him to know whether Daniel is solid or not and to a have an understanding with the kid that if he wavers, he'll call KO immediately. He does owe UConn that much, that's just common decency. He's a stud, and we can't replace him in this class, so it isn't worth trying. The reality is he plays the position where we have the most depth anyway, so we'd be ok without him next year.

My contention is still one in the hand is worth two in the bush. The recruiting process has gotten worse and worse in recent years. There is a lot of sleaze out there and it is just a real bad scenario in general.

 

[Gurleyman]

We've lost commits before (Ramar Smith, Cleveland Melvin, Mo Harkless, etc.). Life goes on. And I see no reason at this point to worry that his commitment isn't as solid as it's ever been.

Given that his older brother has lost a year of eligibility that he can never get back, it makes perfect sense if he decides he's not going to sign anything binding. We can say there's no way Ollie will leave or there's no way the NCAA will put us on probation again, but there's no reason for the Hamilton family to consider that a 100 percent sure thing. They have evidence to the contrary that stuff happens.

People here are saying "until he signs, I'm not convinced", but why not just say that until he says he's opening up his recruitment, he's on board? A LOI just makes us feel better - it does nothing for him.

 

[Rico444]

And if he signs elsewhere good luck finding someone in 2014.

I'm fully aware of this. So why should we give Hamilton a reason to back out of his commitment by recruiting a lesser player at his position in his class?

 

[Gurleyman]

My contention is still one in the hand is worth two in the bush. The recruiting process has gotten worse and worse in recent years. There is a lot of sleaze out there and it is just a real bad scenario in general.

If we went by your way of thinking, we never get Caron, Rashad, DeAndre and who knows who else.

Recruiting has always been sleazy. The UCLA dynasty of the 60s was one part John Wooden, one part Sam Gilbert/recruiting sleaze.

 

[Scot-e]

He is 17- he loves KO and has said nothing to make anyone think he is backing out. The talking heads and haters love to write that makes people read what they write. HE he comes he comes- if he does not then we will do the best we can without him and move on.

KO is nearly a preacher- who is going to back out on a preacher?

 

[DogMania]

Until he decides to go somewhere else. I'm old school, sign the LOI or, at least come out and confirm your comitt meant. Until then, I assume he's not coming.

I'm with you on this CA. If he isn't going to sign his LOI, which I understand why he's probably not going to do so due to how things played out with his brother, he should at least make a public announcement so that both the fans and other programs know that at least at this moment he's intending to go to UConn. Note, I'm not talking about a statement from his coach or dad relayed through some reporter, but a direct quote! I realize it's his prerogative to handle this as he likes. This is just my opinion in what I'd like to see him and any recruit do that tells a coach that he's going to join his program but does not want to sign his LOI.

In fact that might work in his favor in that he and his family won't constantly be bothered by coaches who might continue to recruit him. With that said, there will always be some coaches out there who won't hesitate to try to pry a recruit away from the school he has committed to.

 

[huskyharry]

Do high school kids have the right to decide where they will attend college? Yes
Does it make me feel uncomfortable that DHam is not going to sign an LOI? Yes
Is that a reason to criticize the kid or make a public stink about recruiting a replacment? NO
Best case scenario: DHam shows up as promised in the Fall of 2014 & his skills dramatically improve the Huskies' opportunities for success.
Worst case scenario: DHam decides to take his talents elsewhere at the last minute and UConn cannot find a replacement at that point.
Potential mitigating circumstances: DD and/or RB come back for their senior year and we have plenty left in the cupboard for success (RP coming, TS, OC, AB, PN, Kelis Fisher, LT all returning and we add Sam Cassell, Jr. and Rock Lubin) & then address the recruiting deficit in the 2015 and 2016 classes.
Chances that pulling my hair out or posting neurotic thoughts on the boneyard will make a difference in this scenario: 0%
Remember the Serenity Prayer!

 

[Peacefrog]

I'm with you on this CA. If he isn't going to sign his LOI, which I understand why he's probably not going to do so due to how things played out with his brother, he should at least make a public announcement so that both the fans and other programs know that at least at this moment he's intending to go to UConn. Note, I'm not talking about a statement from his coach or dad relayed through some reporter, but a direct quote! I realize it's his prerogative to handle this as he likes. This is just my opinion in what I'd like to see him and any recruit do that tells a coach that he's going to join his program but does not want to sign his LOI.

In fact that might work in his favor in that he and his family won't constantly be bothered by coaches who might continue to recruit him. With that said, there will always be some coaches out there who won't hesitate to try to pry a recruit away from the school he has committed to.

Good Lord, he just tweeted that he "loves his UConn fam" after his recent visit. That is a direct quote, what else do you want, a press conference? I understand the angst to a point but put yourself in his shoes for a moment. Would you feel the need to make some kind of announcement to put bulletin board posters at ease? Ridiculous, right? It seems clear he is communicating with the coaching staff who are quite comfortable with his committment. He may owe some reassurance to Ollie which it sounds like he has given. He owes us absolutely nothing and is probaby smart to not even acknowledge our existence.

 

[hthusky74]

Good Lord, he just tweeted that he "loves his UConn fam" after his recent visit. That is a direct quote, what else do you want, a press conference? I understand the angst to a point but put yourself in his shoes for a moment. Would you feel the need to make some kind of announcement to put bulletin board posters at ease? Ridiculous, right? It seems clear he is communicating with the coaching staff who are quite comfortable with his committment. He may owe some reassurance to Ollie which it sounds like he has given. He owes us absolutely nothing and is probaby smart to not even acknowledge our existence.

And we owe him nothing at this point.

 

[Leebo]

I don't understand why fans feel entitled to get worked up over someone's life decisions when the only thing at stake for us is how enjoyable it is to watch a basketball team play.

 

[UConn Dan]

Remember the Serenity Prayer!

Serenity Now?

 

[Peacefrog]

And we owe him nothing at this point.

Indeed. Your point being......................

 

[Leebo]

Indeed. Your point being......................

That UConn should kick him to the curb for not signing the moment the signing period began.

 

[Peacefrog]

That UConn should kick him to the curb for not signing the moment the signing period began.

I wanted to believe that nobody would be that foolish. Glad he's not calling the shots.