Heckel to UConn (merged threads) | Page 7 | The Boneyard

Heckel to UConn (merged threads)

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victor64 said:
Azzi is a weakness? Shade plays 2, Fisher is a swing. Ziebell is a top 10 recruit and the second best shooter on the team.
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2nd best?......better thn Sarah?
 
HuskyNan said:
The No. 13 player in the class of 2024, Heckel spent her freshman season with the USC Trojans, averaging 6.1 points, 1.9 assists and 1.3 steals in 16.9 minutes per game.

She’ll slot in as UConn’s backup point guard behind KK Arnold and will provide some much-needed ball-handling. Without Heckel, the Huskies would’ve needed to rely on Azzi Fudd, Morgan Cheli and Kelis Fisher — none of whom are true floor generals — to spell Arnold, which would’ve left them vulnerable if anything happened to the rising junior.

www.theuconnblog.com

UConn signs USC transfer Kayleigh Heckel

The Huskies add a much-needed ball-handler in the backcourt.
www.theuconnblog.com www.theuconnblog.com
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I think Geno has taken the route of plan for rainy days. Over the last 5 years plus we’ve seen a bunch of injuries derail the team and what would’ve been potential national championship runs. What Geno is doing is now is smart. As Paige said in her national championship game interviews is there’s a formula that they believe works, but at a blink of an eye that can change…unless you build the type of depth Geno & Co. are building now and what I think will be for the foreseeable future.
 
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Urshurak said:
They know exactly what they signed up for with Geno. It was made crystal clear. If they feel “recruited over” then that’s on them to get better. In my opinion, Geno brings in players with a team first mentality. Remember how he has to practically threaten Paige and Azzi to shoot? Those are the kind of players he wants. It’s not about “feelings and puppy love.” Never has been and never will. Not with Geno there anyway.
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Personal insult aside (I’m sure you thought that was cute), I’ve seen other coaches ripped to shreds on this board for recruiting over players.

Heckle entered the portal during the open period when a player can transfer and not incur a one-year penalty. She didn’t commit until after the portal was closed. That pretty effectively makes it impossible for another player to decide that they don’t want to stay if she’s going to be there. I’m not remotely suggesting that a UConn player would have or should have transferred. I’m simply saying that it’s pretty damn unfair that they don’t have the same free opportunity to make a decision. You can’t put your name in the portal on a “precautionary” basis, because you’re loyality to the team will be questioned, and you have no guarantee that your coach would even take you back. People complain about the portal being unfair to the high school players. I’d say it’s just as unfair to existing players and signed recruits.
 
Sluconn Husky said:
Nothing super new here I don't believe, but a good dive into Heckel by Vanoni regardless:

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Thanks for referring the article.
Noteworthy for me by Vannoni:
Her commitment to UConn this week gives the Huskies four of the top-15 high school recruits from the Class of 2024. Star forward Sarah Strong was No. 1, followed by Ziebell at No. 7, Morgan Cheli at No. 11 and Heckel at No. 13.
 
Zarathustra said:
This clip is another response to the question "CAN Kayleigh Heckel play
defense?" Well, yes, she can.... but also "YOU DON'T TUG ON SUPERMAN'S
CAPE".... and "YOU DON'T MESS WITH 'BUCKETS' ". That video sequence
should also have the coda: " AND ONE!!"
Expand ...
That play has been all over the internet and Paige said a lot more than "And One" when the sound is played.....

Even though Paige smoked her, her language was definitely not PG rated.... Not that it bothers me at all. But I was a little surprised.

You will have to do your own searching for the video with microphone nearby....

Btw,

I think KK is an excellent point guard and should absolutely be the starter next year.
 
Jbigfan said:
edit: I wonder what sort of conversations Geno had with Lindsay Gottleib about this

I wondered same thing…they seem to have a deep respect for each other.
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I doubt that Auriemma had any conversation with her about it. He didn’t recruit Heckel away from Gottlieb. Heckel was already in the portal when he contacted her.
 
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Felt the need to add something, so I went and found this from a Cali paper:

"However, Heckel was not a superstar-level player. She struggled in the Big Ten Tournament and endured a bumpy ride for much of the month of February. Her lack of size and physical stature was a clear limitation. It's not as though UConn will instantly be able to change or work around that.

We're not saying or implying UConn won't get full value from Kayleigh Heckel. We are saying UConn won't instantly create a big transformation or immediately turn her into a star. If Kayleigh Heckel does play at a star level in Storrs under Geno, it will probably be a two-year process."

trojanswire.usatoday.com

Former Trojan Kayleigh Heckel transfers to UConn and Geno Auriemma

Kayleigh Heckel goes from USC to UConn, which will have everyone talking.
trojanswire.usatoday.com trojanswire.usatoday.com
 
Now Geno's problem is going to be how to find playing time for all the guards. Sometimes less is better.
 
Puppy Love said:
Personal insult aside (I’m sure you thought that was cute), I’ve seen other coaches ripped to shreds on this board for recruiting over players.

Heckle entered the portal during the open period when a player can transfer and not incur a one-year penalty. She didn’t commit until after the portal was closed. That pretty effectively makes it impossible for another player to decide that they don’t want to stay if she’s going to be there. I’m not remotely suggesting that a UConn player would have or should have transferred. I’m simply saying that it’s pretty damn unfair that they don’t have the same free opportunity to make a decision. You can’t put your name in the portal on a “precautionary” basis, because you’re loyality to the team will be questioned, and you have no guarantee that your coach would even take you back. People complain about the portal being unfair to the high school players. I’d say it’s just as unfair to existing players and signed recruits.
Expand ...
Seems like you are looking for something to complain about. I went to Juilliard as a transfer; don’t ever remember another trombonist complaining that I took their spot in the top orchestra. Being surrounded by talent is not a bad thing, nor is it unfair if someone else is better.
 
RockyMTblue2 said:
Felt the need to add something, so I went and found this from a Cali paper:

"However, Heckel was not a superstar-level player. She struggled in the Big Ten Tournament and endured a bumpy ride for much of the month of February. Her lack of size and physical stature was a clear limitation. It's not as though UConn will instantly be able to change or work around that.

We're not saying or implying UConn won't get full value from Kayleigh Heckel. We are saying UConn won't instantly create a big transformation or immediately turn her into a star. If Kayleigh Heckel does play at a star level in Storrs under Geno, it will probably be a two-year process."

trojanswire.usatoday.com

Former Trojan Kayleigh Heckel transfers to UConn and Geno Auriemma

Kayleigh Heckel goes from USC to UConn, which will have everyone talking.
trojanswire.usatoday.com trojanswire.usatoday.com
Expand ...
lol. Classic case of trying to comfort themselves over a substantial loss. Without TVO and Howells they’re stuck with Samuels and Londynn Jones at guard. Good luck with that. By the middle of next season, there will be much gnashing of teeth over at USC as they watch what K9 is doing in Storrs.

And as for playing time concerns, 200 mins divided by 15 = 13 mins per player. That’s plenty.
 
.-.
RockyMTblue2 said:
Felt the need to add something, so I went and found this from a Cali paper:

"However, Heckel was not a superstar-level player. She struggled in the Big Ten Tournament and endured a bumpy ride for much of the month of February. Her lack of size and physical stature was a clear limitation. It's not as though UConn will instantly be able to change or work around that.

We're not saying or implying UConn won't get full value from Kayleigh Heckel. We are saying UConn won't instantly create a big transformation or immediately turn her into a star. If Kayleigh Heckel does play at a star level in Storrs under Geno, it will probably be a two-year process."

trojanswire.usatoday.com

Former Trojan Kayleigh Heckel transfers to UConn and Geno Auriemma

Kayleigh Heckel goes from USC to UConn, which will have everyone talking.
trojanswire.usatoday.com trojanswire.usatoday.com
Expand ...
Talk about “damned by faint praise.” Matt Zemek, a clown writing for a pro-USC publication called Trojans Wire, is doing his damnedest to diminish Kayleigh Heckel now that she’s heading to UConn. Those grapes are about as sour as it gets.

With all the players they lost from this past season’s team, don’t think for a second that USC wouldn’t give anything to have Kayleigh Heckel on the court this coming season.
 
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Puppy Love said:
Personal insult aside (I’m sure you thought that was cute), I’ve seen other coaches ripped to shreds on this board for recruiting over players.

Heckle entered the portal during the open period when a player can transfer and not incur a one-year penalty. She didn’t commit until after the portal was closed. That pretty effectively makes it impossible for another player to decide that they don’t want to stay if she’s going to be there. I’m not remotely suggesting that a UConn player would have or should have transferred. I’m simply saying that it’s pretty damn unfair that they don’t have the same free opportunity to make a decision. You can’t put your name in the portal on a “precautionary” basis, because you’re loyality to the team will be questioned, and you have no guarantee that your coach would even take you back. People complain about the portal being unfair to the high school players. I’d say it’s just as unfair to existing players and signed recruits.
Expand ...
The person most directly impacted by the Chen transfer is the most public cheerleader of this addition.

Serah Williams coming in right over the top of two former starters (on a national championship team) is a far more dramatic addition to the roster and received far less rending of garments.

The players hurt by adding Heckel are people who would have been largely playing out of position at the expense of (not to be too dramatic) the entire basketball program (the team, the coaches, the athletic department, the University, the fanbase).
 
Zarathustra said:
This clip is another response to the question "CAN Kayleigh Heckel play
defense?" Well, yes, she can.... but also "YOU DON'T TUG ON SUPERMAN'S
CAPE".... and "YOU DON'T MESS WITH 'BUCKETS' ". That video sequence
should also have the coda: " AND ONE!!"
Expand ...
Jim Croce trying to "school us" on what NOT to do:



King of 42nd Street?!?

Go Huskies!!!
 
RockyMTblue2 said:
Felt the need to add something, so I went and found this from a Cali paper:

"However, Heckel was not a superstar-level player. She struggled in the Big Ten Tournament and endured a bumpy ride for much of the month of February. Her lack of size and physical stature was a clear limitation. It's not as though UConn will instantly be able to change or work around that.

We're not saying or implying UConn won't get full value from Kayleigh Heckel. We are saying UConn won't instantly create a big transformation or immediately turn her into a star. If Kayleigh Heckel does play at a star level in Storrs under Geno, it will probably be a two-year process."

trojanswire.usatoday.com

Former Trojan Kayleigh Heckel transfers to UConn and Geno Auriemma

Kayleigh Heckel goes from USC to UConn, which will have everyone talking.
trojanswire.usatoday.com trojanswire.usatoday.com
Expand ...
Golly, a freshman struggled in her first conference tournament. That’s never happened before. (Directed at the writer, not you Rocky)

The article linked sounds like sour grapes. The same guy wrote this in March:

USC really needed this. Kayleigh Heckel really needed this. Heckel was instrumental in winning the road game at Maryland in January. She came up big in several other USC wins this season. Having her as part of the rotation -- a player who can be depended on at both ends of the floor -- is an important part of a potential Final Four run.

trojanswire.usatoday.com

Kayleigh Heckel steps up for USC in March Madness victory

Kayleigh Heckel made very good use of the 2-week break between the Big Ten Tournament and the NCAA Tournament. This is big for USC.
trojanswire.usatoday.com trojanswire.usatoday.com
 
HuskyNan said:
Golly, a freshman struggled in her first conference tournament. That’s never happened before. (Directed at the writer, not you Rocky)

The article linked sounds like sour grapes. The same guy wrote this in March:

USC really needed this. Kayleigh Heckel really needed this. Heckel was instrumental in winning the road game at Maryland in January. She came up big in several other USC wins this season. Having her as part of the rotation -- a player who can be depended on at both ends of the floor -- is an important part of a potential Final Four run.

trojanswire.usatoday.com

Kayleigh Heckel steps up for USC in March Madness victory

Kayleigh Heckel made very good use of the 2-week break between the Big Ten Tournament and the NCAA Tournament. This is big for USC.
trojanswire.usatoday.com trojanswire.usatoday.com
Expand ...
I can only imagine what this joker would say if his girlfriend dumped him…….
 
uconnever said:
Exactly, I don’t know why people keep saying this, Morgan can handle it for a few moments from game to game, but a back up point guard, no way! We play a team with real defensive pressure and she would have problems. I like her and can’t wait to see her game develop, but she’s no point guard. We definitely needed another real point guard.
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How do you know she is not a point guard? How many times did she play point guard last season for you to come to that conclusion? You also don't know how she would handle real defensive pressure. You are commenting as if it is a fact.
 
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oldude said:
Welcome to the Basketball Capital of the World Kayleigh Heckel. You chose wisely. :cool:
A couple thoughts on the newest Husky:
  • We can surmise many reasons for Kayleigh's choice. Her family in Port Chester is less than 2 hrs from Storrs and even closer to their alma mater at St Johns or across the river at Seton Hall. She'll be contending for a national championship the day she arrives and will develop under the best coaching staff in WBB. I also tend to believe that playing on a team that cares for each other like UConn does, probably means as much to Kayleigh as anything.
  • We can also surmise that Kayleigh's decision to transfer to UConn had nothing to do with starting, PT or NIL. While I have no doubt that Kayleigh expects to compete for PT and a starting spot, you know she received no guarantees from Geno.
  • Finally, this is the first time ever that UConn WBB will have 15 scholarship players on the roster. UConn can go small, BIG and everything in between. For you math majors, using a binomial equation, with 15 players on the roster Geno can roll out 3,003 different 5 player combinations. :eek:
Next season can't get here soon enough......
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I hate math although dating a UConn grad math teacher. But I love your numbers.
 
HuskyNan said:
Golly, a freshman struggled in her first conference tournament. That’s never happened before. (Directed at the writer, not you Rocky)

The article linked sounds like sour grapes. The same guy wrote this in March:

USC really needed this. Kayleigh Heckel really needed this. Heckel was instrumental in winning the road game at Maryland in January. She came up big in several other USC wins this season. Having her as part of the rotation -- a player who can be depended on at both ends of the floor -- is an important part of a potential Final Four run.

trojanswire.usatoday.com

Kayleigh Heckel steps up for USC in March Madness victory

Kayleigh Heckel made very good use of the 2-week break between the Big Ten Tournament and the NCAA Tournament. This is big for USC.
trojanswire.usatoday.com trojanswire.usatoday.com
Expand ...
Wonderful sleuthing Nan. Well done.
 
BobbyJ said:
I doubt that Auriemma had any conversation with her about it. He didn’t recruit Heckel away from Gottlieb. Heckel was already in the portal when he contacted her.
Expand ...
Hunh,? The timing you lay out makes it more likely, not less, that Geno had a friendly conversation with Lindsay to get the inside scoop on what Hayleigh is like in the locker room and as a teammate.
 
Paradoxically, Kayleigh’s addition means minutes distribution will be flatter than it would have been if she didn’t come to UConn:
  • UConn will now be 3-deep at every player’s natural position - taking liberties with Serah since she will play the “5” most of her minutes at UConn (for optimal play (below), hedge against contingencies, and optimal 4-year farm system (below));
  • The “hole” at backup PG (which I worried about in the OOC) with Morgan’s injury is filled; there is no need for OOC backup PG triage thus giving Geno and CD more bandwidth from the start;
  • Compared to this year (high on expectations, long on incomers + walking wounded + players in new roles with only Paige as the certain commodity), next year’s team has a running jump start (below);
  • Thus, next year’s team’s competitive minutes against all teams from the start of the season will be less of an adventure than this year’s team up to the TN game;
  • Hence more “garbage” time which is likely going to be “quality garbage” time — no need to wait for the Big East schedule to start the annual team metamorphosis to peak postseason form;
  • I imagine that Geno’s mix-match experiments will be more quality fun stemming from intense quality 15-player practices, where most player development happens and the quality versatility of most players;
  • Thus, over 40 minutes, the quality of game play will be less choppy, and player’s game minutes, even in garbage time, will not be “zero-calorie” minutes.
At bottom:
  • Next year’s team has a running jump start compared to this year’s team;
  • Geno’s large roster minutes distribution which he first deployed in the early TASSK years, and which he deployed again this year with a (5)+4 rotation will be deployed again next year with a possibly (5)+6 rotation;
  • The running jump start is due to this year’s 6 peak-team-postseason-form players having offseason improvements vs this year’s players at the start of the season who would later mature together with Geno’s long experimentation with Board anguished “are we there yet” commentary — during the season;
  • The running jump start is also due to having less longer runway players (incomers + walking wounded + rusty players) of which there were 9 this year (5 incomers + 4 walking wounded) vs 6 next year (5 incomers + 1 walking wounded (Morgan)); Caroline and Ayanna have the off-season to remove some rust;
  • The 5 incomers next year include much shorter runway players (Serah who will start right away, Kayleigh as a quality PG backup and Blanca who will start, maybe after a very short &1 acclimation period);
  • The running jump start is also due to the carryover of chemistry and playbook (small ball, half-court, running game, defense, etc.) rejiggered with the loss of Paige’s great (pantheon by UConn’s standards) versatility and efficiency, Kaitlyn’s steadiness and Aubrey’s x-factor play and the addition of Serah;
  • Paige and Sarah’s versatile effectiveness coupled with Azzi’s late bloom made Geno’s large-roster-mix-matching this year very formidable;
  • Next year, instead of the Big 3 (which only simultaneously performed as the Big 3 after the TN game), the team will possibly have (from the start) a Big 2+3, with Azzi rediscovering and honing her versatile game (positions (1)-(3), a la Paige sans (4) position); the “2” in Big 2+3 are Azzi and Sarah and the “3” are Ash (or Caroline, should she regain her form), Serah and Blanca (potential comparable to Jazzy Davidson);
  • Serah’s arrival turbo-charges the running jump start as Geno will have early and larger bandwidth to improve on this year’s template with more, more experienced and offseason-targeted-improvementpost players playing at their (other) natural positions (e.g. Ice at the (4), Sarah also playing the (3)/(4) with Blanca / Morgan / Caroline who will also play the (3)/(4)); Ayanna will be available at the (4)/(5);
  • The early and significant focus on post-play farm system (Serah and Sarah improving the other post players in practice) will also improve this year’s anemic passing into and within the post;
  • The running game, which Geno didn’t fully unleash this year until his half-court schemes and defensive schemes were mastered, will be available from the start with this deep agile roster;
  • Geno has the luxury for more strategic substitutions and feeding the hot hand which can vary from game to game;
  • Thus, next year will possibly be even a better poster child for “position-less” pick-your-poison large-roster beautiful basketball; maybe, the board’s fevered “are we there yet” flavor next year will be less intense(?).
Geno’s large-roster template in the portal/ NIL/ Super team arms race era will be achieving a sustainable state with some of its main draws being:
  • perennially vying for championships (one of Geno’s stated reasons for foregoing retirement);
  • best-in-class farm system development of players with acclaimed exposure and pedigree for post-college basketball careers (at the next level or in other basketball-adjacent careers);
  • this development involves stark player base assessments, mentoring on the beautiful basketball that John Wooden enjoyed, and best “basketball player” polishing trajectory within the confines of a collegiate career and heading into the next level for those who get drafted.
&1 For continuity from this year’s peak postseason team and to prioritize Serah’s acclimation into the starting lineup, Ash may be the better choice to start at the “3” than Blanca in the early OOC.
  • Blanca will also will benefit from a smoother transitional glide path with a short adjustment into U.S. collegiate life (her Italian experience helps), Geno’s schemes (especially defense and 3-pt shooting), and any language barriers (Geno’s colorful Italian helps);
  • With a clear team 40-minute hell mix-match template (thanks, Paige), every player has clear off-season high-reward development goals such as shooting (KK and Blanca, particularly), natural position offense (Ice, Jana, Ayanna, Caroline, Allie), passing into the post (everyone), vocal leadership (Azzi, Sarah, KK), etc.
 
Puppy Love said:
I don’t see a comparison. Kaitlyn Chen played three years at Princeton and was a proven performer. To be blunt, there is no way that at least one of Allie, Morgan, Kelis, KK or Ash won’t feel ‘recruited over’, especially because Heckel has 3 years of eligibility. I know, they all have equal opportunity to earn minutes, but this is a lot of competition. Hopefully, I’ll be wrong, but I don’t see this as a net positive.
Expand ...
I worry about this also. Particularly with Allie and Kelis.
 
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