How Can Uconn Recruit Anymore Players

[Tonyc]

The roster over the next few years is silly

Posts Wings Points Guards

Stef Kelly Caroline KML
Kia Tiff Bria Lauren
Heather Breanna BB
MJ Tuck Jefferson

Most likely coming in after next season is Diamond and a year later Sierra both wings . So what positions will UConn be recuiting for? A post.... Mercedes would be a good fit as Stef will be a senior and Heather a graduate and Kia and upper classman. Another scorer at the guard/wing. Thats about it.

 

[Wonkster]

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Thank you from all of us, Tonyc, for doing Mickie DeMoss's work for her. Good job!
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[EricSD]

my answer to that is simple. and i'm sure it's similar to what Geno says (altho he says way more and better than i do for sure).

you don't come to UCONN if you expect to start from day 1 and to be a star or achieve personal accolades. you come here because you know there's no better coaching staff in the country who will get you to become the very best player you can be. you come here because you WANT to work harder than you ever thought you could to be part of something great. you come because you want to be a great teammate and do whatever it takes to help your team win. you come because you want to win conference championships and National Championships.

We all know UCONN is not for everyone. Brianna Banks said it wonderfully when talking about effort at practice "I thought i went hard in high school, but my hard is nothing like their hard". Geno wants effort and excellence. but he won't ask the same from a bench player as he will from a starter. As Shea said, he knows just how much to push every player to get them to be the very best they can be.

i think Tony's point partly references Xylina's decision and how that has worked out. X would most likely

 

[EricSD]

never have been a starter for UCONN - playing behind KML and Bree and Morgan for at least 3 years. X's decision to drop UCONN was mutual per John A. Some tried to make it sound like she wasn't sure after the super show and since she didn't make her decision on UCONN's time, she was dropped. i wasn't there, but that's not the reports we read, and not what happened. it relates to my point about why UCONN is not for everyone. i'm betting in conversations with Geno and Xylina that they both realized UCONN was probably not for her.

But his point does go back to the insane recruiting UCONN has done recently. we will have (most likely) 13 kids on the roster barring injuries or transfers. 6 of those kids are legit top 10 kids in their respective classes. UCONN will have many blowouts and lots of time for the bench to see PT, but unless you want to add more benchies, how many do you really need?

Geno has said he prefers a team of 12. if he ONLY gets 2 kids from 2013, that will give us a team of 12. if we had X, obviously we'd need only 1 to get to 12. obviously he'll go with 13 or 14 but we are loaded and stacked.

 

[EricSD]

man this 1180 characters thing sucks.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I feel your pain Eric. I expect to be pegging all season long.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

OBTW I am already major league stoked(Dolson and BS perfect together) about next year, but this year is fine enuff for me.

 

[VAMike23]

Geno has said he prefers a team of 12. if he ONLY gets 2 kids from 2013, that will give us a team of 12. if we had X, obviously we'd need only 1 to get to 12. obviously he'll go with 13 or 14 but we are loaded and stacked.

OK .... I'll just pick two kids at random, totally at random....... how 'bout these two ??

 

[alexrgct]

And if there's any chance we can get in on Mercedes Russell, late to the party as we are, you have to take her.

Some kids are not going to come to UConn because of the depth right now. That's fine. We have 13 very fine players on tap for 2012-13, are recruiting three top-5 kids to come in for 2013-14, plus Mavunga (when Caroline, Kelly, and Heather all leave), and for 2014 are currently looking at Sierra Calhoun (who sounds like a mortal lock to commit from her father's comments) and Brianna Turner (gonna be a dogfight, but she's a game-changer by all accounts). If UConn hits on more of those players than it misses on, the Huskies are set through the 2018 season. If Geno and CD miss, UConn is already set through 2015 or 2016.

If I'm Russell or Turner, I know Stef leaves after 2014 and there's a huge opportunity at the post. Both Reimer and DeShields are versatile enough to get in early and often in the rotation. In short, I think UConn depth is not going to scare the specific kinds of kids they're targeting right now for the 2013 and 2014 classes.

 

[magical2]

man this 1180 characters thing sucks.

This really sucks. I already have had 2 posts that I kept having to eliminate words and sentences One I finally gave up on and eliminated it completely Re: recruiting talent! of course it will be used by other schools as stated above! Eric's response will be a piece of what is presented to those special kids we want and that want to really be a Huskie

 

[magical2]

UGhhhhhhh this limit has screwed up 2 posts already Re; Recruiting comments above will be what other schools say,and kids see for themselves! Then of course there will be what Geno says and the special kids who want to be a Huskie

 

[Vowelguy]

I don't know what you are talking about. 2012 recruiting is done, so we're talking about 2013 (and beyond) now. When the 2013s are Frosh, here's the upperclassmen:

Sr: Hartley (G), Engeln (G), Michala (F), Stef (C)
Jr: Banks (G), KML (W), Stokes (F/C)
So: Moriah (G), Tuck (F), Stewart (C)

There's plenty of room for more good players, particularly PGs and Forwards.

 

[magical2]

I don't know what you are talking about. 2012 recruiting is done, so we're talking about 2013 (and beyond) now. When the 2013s are Frosh, here's the upperclassmen:

Sr: Hartley (G), Engeln (G), Michala (F), Stef (C)
Jr: Banks (G), KML (W), Stokes (F/C)
So: Moriah (G), Tuck (F), Stewart (C)

There's plenty of room for more good players, particularly PGs and Forwards.

We have already offered at least DD and Reimer,I would be ecstatic to have both.. No response has appeared
regarding CDs visit with Russell nor the particulars of the rest of her west coast trip. I like Tucker and Mavunga on Nans list. I also liked Harper and a cpl of the 2014 kids who played on the USA 16 team. They played along with Russell,Reimer,Harper,Tucker,Mavunga the 3 2014 kids and a cpl of kids not showing any interest at this time.
Calhoun has alot going for her to be a Huskie in 2014.

 

[EricSD]

And if there's any chance we can get in on Mercedes Russell, late to the party as we are, you have to take her

If I'm Russell or Turner, I know Stef leaves after 2014 and there's a huge opportunity at the post. Both Reimer and DeShields are versatile enough to get in early and often in the rotation. In short, I think UConn depth is not going to scare the specific kinds of kids they're targeting right now for the 2013 and 2014 classes.

you are right of course, but while i said it would take 2 players to get to 12, i thought he'd take 3 or 4 and get to 13 or 14...

 

[Wonkster]

I don't know what you are talking about. 2012 recruiting is done, so we're talking about 2013 (and beyond) now. When the 2013s are Frosh, here's the upperclassmen:

Sr: Hartley (G), Engeln (G), Michala (F), Stef (C)
Jr: Banks (G), KML (W), Stokes (F/C)
So: Moriah (G), Tuck (F), Stewart (C)

There's plenty of room for more good players, particularly PGs and Forwards.

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Absolutely. And let's keep the 3/4 member recruiting class thing going for the next decade, huh? I hope Geno has finally committed to not letting his teams come into the Final Four huffing and puffing because they are undermanned and just plain tired. We have flirted with disaster more than once, and need to protect the Huskies' season from the unplanned emergencies which happen to nearly every team, like the flu, colds, banged up knees, hip pointers and worse.
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[connboy77]

I guess the major question with future recruiting is, would a recruit that is good enough to start for just about any other team in the country want to be a bench player at UCONN? Every team has their share of injuries, so a bench player today could be a starter tomorrow. As we all know UCONN is not for everyone, and I don't think anyone would want a player on UCONN, no matter how talented, if they weren't 100% dedicated to the team.

 

[doggydaddy]

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Absolutely. And let's keep the 3/4 member recruiting class thing going for the next decade, huh? I hope Geno has finally committed to not letting his teams come into the Final Four huffing and puffing because they are undermanned and just plain tired. We have flirted with disaster more than once, and need to protect the Huskies' season from the unplanned emergencies which happen to nearly every team, like the flu, colds, banged up knees, hip pointers and worse.
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Geno committed to this? EDD, McCormick, Walker, etc....leaving, all his fault. Now he won't let things like this happen again.

 

[Tonyc]

A couple of points I was trying to make and were brought out. X most likely didnt commit to UConn and I beleive she wanted to play for UConn but look whos ahead of her. Uconn is loaded with the very best of the best. Think about this. If your ranked say 15th in next years class you most likely wont start for UConn????? You can start for most other teams. On poster was right and nailed it we are pretty much looking at 2013. From next season forward for a couple of years we just may have the greatest assembleage of players ever in WCBB. But whats mindboggleing is Geno is already looking at 2013. When you look at our bench its most likely ranked number 2 in the country behind our starters. Yes we have alot of great players and they will all play because they are that good. But truly is there room for any more great players? We are in a nice place right now. For all the other teams they are in a good place to because they dont have to worry about UConn competeing for recruits. UConn has everybody they need for now.

 

[Sonny44]

Geno is right; 12 good players are all we need.

 

[HuskyFan1125]

OK .... I'll just pick two kids at random, totally at random....... how 'bout these two ??

Im ok with this pair

 

[connboy77]

Im ok with this pair

So am I!

 

[RoyDodger]

I guess the major question with future recruiting is, would a recruit that is good enough to start for just about any other team in the country want to be a bench player at UCONN? Every team has their share of injuries, so a bench player today could be a starter tomorrow. As we all know UCONN is not for everyone, and I don't think anyone would want a player on UCONN, no matter how talented, if they weren't 100% dedicated to the team.

Well, I guess we might as well put up the championship banners for the next few years right now. If UConn is that good that top players in the country would start everywhere else, but not in Storrs, how can UConn lose?

 

[doggydaddy]

Well, I guess we might as well put up the championship banners for the next few years right now. If UConn is that good that top players in the country would start everywhere else, but not in Storrs, how can UConn lose?

Well, actually, he said "recruit" and you are saying "player". Quite the difference, wouldn't you say?

 

[RoyDodger]

Well, actually, he said "recruit" and you are saying "player". Quite the difference, wouldn't you say?

I don't understand your point. Connboy was talking about whether top recruits would want to come to UConn to be a benchplayer in light of all the great players on the team who would start before the recruit.

 

[pap49cba]

A couple of points I was trying to make and were brought out. X most likely didnt commit to UConn and I beleive she wanted to play for UConn but look whos ahead of her. Uconn is loaded with the very best of the best. Think about this. If your ranked say 15th in next years class you most likely wont start for UConn????? You can start for most other teams. On poster was right and nailed it we are pretty much looking at 2013. From next season forward for a couple of years we just may have the greatest assembleage of players ever in WCBB. But whats mindboggleing is Geno is already looking at 2013. When you look at our bench its most likely ranked number 2 in the country behind our starters. Yes we have alot of great players and they will all play because they are that good. But truly is there room for any more great players? We are in a nice place right now. For all the other teams they are in a good place to because they dont have to worry about UConn competeing for recruits. UConn has everybody they need for now.

All it takes is one or two injuries to key players and this whole equation changes. You can never have enough good players.

 

[UcMiami]

The issue of freshman minutes is true for every top program at certain positions every year and of course it affects the recruiting picture. Some recruits will be concerned about their minutes and the players ahead of them, but generally those are not players that Uconn has a lot of interest in. For the players that put playing time at the top of the list, they are going elsewhere - for those that care about team and team success ahead of personal goals Uconn points to the fact that they compete for NCs almost every year. I am not going to check carefully, but since around 2000, Uconn has been in the final four 9 times. No other team comes close. That is one string of 5 years and another of 4 years. You want great success for your team, come to Uconn.

 

[doggydaddy]

I don't understand your point. Connboy was talking about whether top recruits would want to come to UConn to be a benchplayer in light of all the great players on the team who would start before the recruit.

No problem. I'll explain.

Connboy said - "I guess the major question with future recruiting is, would a recruit that is good enough to start for just about any other team in the country want to be a bench player at UCONN?

Then you said - "Well, I guess we might as well put up the championship banners for the next few years right now. If UConn is that good that top players in the country would start everywhere else, but not in Storrs, how can UConn lose?"

I took your comment to be about all players, not just recruits as Connboy was saying. But in re-reading, I see what you meant. So,

 

[VAUConnFan]

Regardless of what a recruit says publicly or to his or her respective coaches while being recruited, it is all about playing time. Period! To Coach Auriemma's credit, he does not make any promises of playing time. Then again, he is making these pitches to top recruits who have a reasonable expectation of garnering significant playing time at whatever program they choose. The UConn program is a lot like the civil service in that they are only recruiting the players who grade out at or near the top. They are not digging too far down the list to just fill roster spots.

 

[UcMiami]

VAUConnFan - sorry but that is just not true. There are a whole bunch of other issues involved starting with coaching staff and location. Lots of people don't like Geno, lots of recruits don't want to leave home and others want to get far away. Some want a city location and some love cows. Some want a challenge or a winning environment even if they know that they will get limited minutes.
Recently at Uconn we had Gardler who was told if she came to Uconn she would never play, but if she went elsewhere she could start. And Heather knew she would play from day one at Holy Cross or she could sit behind Tina at Uconn. People kept saying Heather would transfer, but she loves her team however frustrated she has been personally. And last year we had a freshman that was getting big minutes and was intergral to the team and then quit.
It is not just about minutes.

 

[VAUConnFan]

UcMiami - Everything you have said is true about the factors that go into program choices. There are a lot of other issues. Bottom line, it's about playing time. If an athlete expects to play, they will commit. If they come out of high school or junior college to be part of a winning program playing only during mopup time have different priorities, such as paying for their college education. But a top ballplayer is going where they project themselves playing significant minutes making a significant contribution.

However, let's throw out Meghan Gardler. She was coming to UConn since the day she was born. Heather Buck came to UConn fully expecting to play significant backup minutes during her first two years and then taking over the starting role. Because it has not worked out that way has prompted her to reevaluate her situation. She is, obviously, content with where she is. Maybe, just maybe, there is less pressure on her now that very little is expected of her. She will graduate with her nursing degree and move on. Not everyone accepts this, thus the many transfers within college sports.
Out freshman transfer last year was, in fact, playing significant minutes. Playing time was not the issue with her transfer. But playing time was almost surely an issue when she chose to commit. At a point in her recruitment, she was the top recruit in the country. Naturally, she would expect to play anywhere, even UConn. But, as you alluded, there were other issues at play.

Then, there's the issue of parents...