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Hope it's not true

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I don't think there is anything I worry less about than UConn's recruiting.

It'd be disappointing if Diamond went to Maryland, sure, but bringing in the #1, 2 and 7 prospects to go along with KML, Stokes, Hartley and Dolson would lessen that blow just a little bit.
 
HuskyMJ said:
As a fanbase I think we are being way too cocky. We are used to winning recruiting battles but no coach gets every player they want that goes for Geno, Coach K, or anyone. There is no need to bad mouth schools like Tennessee, Maryland, or wherever else DD is looking. Tennesse has things UCONN cannot offer. UCONN offers things Tenn can't offer. Maryland offers things UCONN doesn't offer. It is all relative and subjective. And one aspect people never consider is outside of the basketball court. Maybe academic program at school A is better than school B. Maybe campus of school B is better than campus of school C. Maybe school A is closer to home than school C. Maybe school B has cooler uniforms than school A. No matter the reason the decision is more complex than just the basketball program.
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All true. Back when a bunch of people on this board were saying that she was all but a lock to play at UConn, I began getting this funny feeling. Maybe it's just a bad-mojo thing, but honestly, it'd be good to not express so much confidence that is based only on the logic created between the ears. UConn is one of several, or maybe two. That's all anyone can say with certainty. Everything else is speculation.
 
I've given up thinking that Uconn's fortunes depend on one particular recruit. We didn't get Chiney, X-girl or Sara Hammond and you know what? So what?

DD will be a star wherever she matriculates but the Uconn TEAM and SYSTEM will be just fine whatever happens.
 
Tonyc said:
Well I think its all for the papers and fans. I cant see DD going to MD. Her dad was a professional ball player. He knows the value of a coach who can develop you and make you the best. You know many fans were concerned Breanna would go elsewhere. That wasnt going to happen either. I really dont think UConn has much to be concerned with with DD coming. Geno was at her game for a reason and I dont believe it was to convince her to come, DD wanted to come to UConn 4 years ago and I dont think thats changed. She wants to follow in Mayas footsteps. WIth that said UConn is going to win alot of NCs over the next 6 years barring major injuries and I think she would want to be a part of that. With that said UConn will have the number 1 ranked team in the country and their next 5 could also be a top 5 team. If Geno backs off DD then you know shes going elsewhere. If Geno dosnt back off, as he wants players who want UCOnn then you know he's set her free to go elsewhere
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"If Geno backs off DD then you know shes going elsewhere." ?? We will see that how Tony? I love you man, but what does that mean?
 
RockyMTblue2 said:
"If Geno backs off DD then you know shes going elsewhere." ?? We will see that how Tony? I love you man, but what does that mean?
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My read is Tony is thinking about Geno's often stated response of pursuing players that REALLY want to come to UConn.
 
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RockyMTblue2 said:
"If Geno backs off DD then you know shes going elsewhere." ?? We will see that how Tony? I love you man, but what does that mean?
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I think he means that if Geno would not bother to go to see her this past week if she was going elsewhere.
 
IMO, DD will go to UCONN when its all said and done.......Maybe, UCONN scares her and that is ok....Its better to know that now then it is to find out 30 days after she arrives on campus........
 
HuskyMJ said:
As a fanbase I think we are being way too cocky. We are used to winning recruiting battles but no coach gets every player they want that goes for Geno, Coach K, or anyone. There is no need to bad mouth schools like Tennessee, Maryland, or wherever else DD is looking. Tennesse has things UCONN cannot offer. UCONN offers things Tenn can't offer. Maryland offers things UCONN doesn't offer. It is all relative and subjective. And one aspect people never consider is outside of the basketball court. Maybe academic program at school A is better than school B. Maybe campus of school B is better than campus of school C. Maybe school A is closer to home than school C. Maybe school B has cooler uniforms than school A. No matter the reason the decision is more complex than just the basketball program.
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A lot less complex if their goal is to play in the pros and be drafted #1.
 
alexrgct said:
Eric, no one is going to have a 100% success rate with players, but I don't think it's debatable that UConn does a better job developing players on balance than anyone else. Geno had to do just that in order to develop a powerhouse in the first place. It's not often talked about, but Bascom, Lobo, Jen, Kara, and Keesh, all had to reach their potential for 1995 to happen. Extraordinarily, they all did. And you look at what happened afterwards with Shea, Svet (who fought Geno on doing the little stuff- cant imagine how she would have been with other coaches), TASS, D, Tina (another player who really needed serious coaching to reach her potential), Maya, etc. And that's just at the top. Who knows what Kelly, for instance, becomes at another program.

Of course, other schools develop players, and a lot of it is self-motivated. One thing is for sure- EDD would be much better defensively if she played for UConn. And when I watch Maryland, they run a lot of individual offense. That's especially bad for a player like DD, who's likely to end up relying on individual athleticism rather than a team-oriented offense. UConn not only has quality PG play, but an entire offensive system that is designed around getting the best shot possible. No one else does that.

Ultimately, I believe DD will be a great player wherever she goes, but if that ends up being UConn, she has the best chance to be the best player she can possibly be.
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Alex - i'm not arguing that anyone will have a 100% success rate. my point is that so many UCONN fans say "well, if you want to be developed to the best of your potential, there's no other option than UCONN". i used to feel that way but the reality is it's simply not true. in fact, one could argue that UCONN spends so much time working on the team concept that it's somewhat to the detriment to the individual player. you think EDD would be averaging 28+ PPG at UCONN? no she wouldn't. and it seems to me that every player who is in the WNBA currently and a star for their team, as well as all the players on the US National team who aren't UCONN grads, developed pretty well at other schools.

and that's one reason why UCONN isn't for everyone. a kid who wants to be the star of her team of have the offense revolve around her probably isn't going to thrive at UCONN, and again, that's no criticism of UCONN. i'd much rather have the teams we've had and the successes we've had than any other team out there, especially how we've positioned ourselves to take the lead in NC titles from Tennessee. but i think the degree that "UCONN develops players better" is often very minute. i can't tell you how many times i've cringed when someone has said "how much better would _____ be if she'd come to UCONN"...
 
It is still true, eric. In the words of an old James Bond theme song by Carly Simon, "Nobody Does it Better."
 
Icebear said:
Sorry, but until Maryland proves it can do something with that talent I stand by my comment that Maryland is a waste of talent. First off they can start to learn to play defense. I did not say they have no talent.
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Actually, your quote that I was responding to was "The potential waste of another excellent college career." So Alyssa Thomas is a potential waste of another college career by going to Maryland. And all the four (Toliver, Coleman, Langhorne, Harper) other top 2-5 draft picks in the WBA wasted their careers not to mention that they won a NC in 2006. Regarding doing something with their talent, I think Maryland did pretty good this year with a lot less talent than UConn or Duke have. Regarding their lack of defense, this is so true but it's gotten better since 2007-09 and this year they have limited some teams to some of their lowest scores of the year. However, I wouldn't except you to have ever noticed any of that. As such, I take exception to your statement that going to Maryland is a waste of another excellent college career.
 
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Yes, I know it was my quote. And I stand by that I believe that talent will be wasted at MD. I see it as great talent that will never achieve what is possible for them under Frese and staff.

After winning the national championship with a great deal of good fortune that same talent never fulfilled its promise again. That should not have happened. It did and does because of the lack of commitment to defense and playing with discipline.

Actually, I live in PA and know well how MD's season has done and no they still don't play defense.
 
Nah!...the Diamond isn't afraid...it is the mother of all gems. It is at the top of the chart on Moh's Scale of Hardness... Diamond is a competitor...if she chooses to go to some place other than UConn it won't be because she is scared. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Diamond will be wearing Husky Blue and playing on the greatest UConn team ever assembled.
 
It's not so much scared; it's the big fish in a little pond syndrome.
 
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I see this "she is wasting her career" mentality on other boards, including Baylor. I suspect that Freese will suddenly be a better coach if DD were to choose MD. I think Geno and Mulkey are both great coaches but to imply that a player is somehow wasting her career by playing for another coach is a bit ridiculous. I would argue that Charde Houston didn't develop as well under Geno as she might have elsewhere. Liz Sherwood developed much better at Vandy. It is sometimes about being a good fit and playing for a coach that you relate to.

Not all young girls are prepared for the high pressure at UCONN and don't want to be told by Geno and CD that they suck and have praise witheld even when they are playing well and showing signs of development.
 
easttexastrash said:
I see this "she is wasting her career" mentality on other boards, including Baylor. I suspect that Freese will suddenly be a better coach if DD were to choose MD. I think Geno and Mulkey are both great coaches but to imply that a player is somehow wasting her career by playing for another coach is a bit ridiculous. I would argue that Charde Houston didn't develop as well under Geno as she might have elsewhere. Liz Sherwood developed much better at Vandy. It is sometimes about being a good fit and playing for a coach that you relate to.

Not all young girls are prepared for the high pressure at UCONN and don't want to be told by Geno and CD that they suck and have praise witheld even when they are playing well and showing signs of development.
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There are many schools where she would be better off than at MD. It is not a MD versus UConn issue except that it has been reduced to that. I would see her better of a Louisville as I said early in the thread. Baylor would be another. Notre Dame. Stanford. Penn State. etc.
 
Icebear said:
Yeah, but it will be a school of sharks at UConn.
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Who, exactly, might be the sharks that she "might fear?"

If we are lucky enough to get her, she will get her share of PT.

(Actually, IMO, the incoming class will require that coach A adjust to the radical change in the new talent level of the entire team. Meaning: He may have to give up his reluctance to start freshmen. Especially if the freshmen are obviously better at their positions than a returning player. Adjustments will have to be made. For example, I can't imagine Kelly starting and Morgan sitting.)

Peace,

John Fryer
 
None, but she would be one more shark in the shark tank and not a shark in the guppy pond.
 
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John Fryer said:
(Actually, IMO, the incoming class will require that coach A adjust to the radical change in the new talent level of the entire team. Meaning: He may have to give up his reluctance to start freshmen. Especially if the freshmen are obviously better at their positions than a returning player. Adjustments will have to be made. For example, I can't imagine Kelly starting and Morgan sitting.)
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You mean like the radical level of talent he already has on this team. You keep suggesting this and Geno stays faithful to his process. Those new kids will have to LEARN how to play within the UConn system and that will take time. It isn't just a matter of being talented it is about being able to function within what and how UConndoes and it is hard to displace experienced starters from that role.
 
John Fryer said:
Who, exactly, might be the sharks that she "might fear?"

If we are lucky enough to get her, she will get her share of PT.

(Actually, IMO, the incoming class will require that coach A adjust to the radical change in the new talent level of the entire team. Meaning: He may have to give up his reluctance to start freshmen. Especially if the freshmen are obviously better at their positions than a returning player. Adjustments will have to be made. For example, I can't imagine Kelly starting and Morgan sitting.)

Peace,

John Fryer
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Yeah, we get it. You don't think Kelly should start. I'm grateful that UConn has the kind of coach that is loyal to his players.

You would remove a player that has started for two years with a freshman? Geno won't.
 
doggydaddy said:
Yeah, we get it. You don't think Kelly should start. I'm grateful that UConn has the kind of coach that is loyal to his players.

You would remove a player that has started for two years with a freshman? Geno won't.
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Thanks, DD! How JF can think that Geno would sit Kelly - who is the heart of this team - for an unproven freshman must live in another dimension (or is perhaps - dystopic??) Morgan may come TO BE fabulous, but Kelly IS fabulous for many reasons. Methinks JF always lives for "Next year is going to be sooo much better" and does not stop to appreciate who we have! Sorry, edgy waiting for tonight...
 
ChicagoGG said:
Thanks, DD! How JF can think that Geno would sit Kelly - who is the heart of this team - for an unproven freshman must live in another dimension (or is perhaps - dystopic??) Morgan may come TO BE fabulous, but Kelly IS fabulous for many reasons. Methinks JF always lives for "Next year is going to be sooo much better" and does not stop to appreciate who we have! Sorry, edgy waiting for tonight...
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Every player will have their opportunity to start. Eventually. But you have to earn your stripes, as they say.

It's simple and Geno won't complicate it. Next year they lose one starter. Lewis will fill that slot.

The following year, Doty and Faris will be gone. 2 of the 3 sophs (Stewart, Jefferson and Tuck) that year will start. That will be an interesting decision, but a long way off.
 
Guys you have to look at who starts and who comes off the bench as a two step thing. 1. There is who starts in November. And, 2. Who starts beginning to late February. Geno will remain loyal to his seniors Kelly, Doty will start early. He will bring his future all stars off the bench. As the season progresses he will tweek the line-up based on results. If he is happy with the results of bring his future all stars off the bench and starting his seniors he will stay with it. If he feels that in order to win in the post season he has to adjust the line-up he will. Either way Stewart, Tuck and Jefferson will get huge minutes so it won't matter all that much who starts.

Think of it this way. If you are a coach and you start your best five and UConn starts...Doty, Dolson, Faris, KML and Bria...and after 6 minutes you look at the score and UConn is leading by 5...then off the bench comes Kiah Stokes, Breanna Stewart, Moriah Jefferson, Morgan Tuck and Brianna Banks...you know your in big trouble.
 
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