How do you feel about UConn's recruiting?

[jibsey]

Answer is: Much better now. Can't overestimate what these 2 transfers mean to the program even though they are 1 year. We can still go after the highest profile players without clogging up scholarships. Immediately in the picture as a title threat this year. Shows college basketball that regardless of conference UCONN is not going anywhere and remains one of the nation's most competitive programs. We will be in the conversation all year. I now expect KO to follow this with a killer class for 16.

 

[caw]

We missed on Purvis out of High School

Meant Enoch. Not sure how I did that considering I had his name listed just a sentence later. And obviously referred to him as the top 50 kid.

The high school recruits are Brimah, Hamilton, Lubin, Adams and Enoch.

 

[3rdbass]

TBD. 16' is definitely the class were KO will determine if he can recruit with the big boys. If we can't start off getting MD over VCU with a new coach to start this year then that can't be a good sign. We can't afford to miss in 16' is the bottom line and hope to sustain our success on the court unless we are going to become Transfer U to get talent.

 

[willie99]

the same as I ever have, it's good & we're fine

tradition or history or results have given me very thick skin and a lot of optimism

we're not UK or KU or Dook or UNC, we never ever have been in terms of recruiting

but they're not us either, in terms of developing talent and WINNING with what you have

 

[rip7774]

I think the staff (not KO) kinda blows as recruiters! KO does all the heavy lifting. When is last time a recruit mentioned one of these guys? I think they are a strong tactical staff but that is not the question posed.

I have a pretty good contact and he would use more harsh words towards them.

KO can be a monster recruiter, in AAC or ACC. I think he is grinding, I hope he can see if a change needs to happen. We should not doubt him, he is the best!

 

[Hoophound]

I think the staff (not KO) kinda blows as recruiters! KO does all the heavy lifting. When is last time a recruit mentioned one of these guys? I think they are a strong tactical staff but that is not the question posed. I have a pretty good contact and he would use more harsh words towards them. KO can be a monster recruiter, in AAC or ACC. I think he is grinding, I hope he can see if a change needs to happen. We should not doubt him, he is the best!

I just can't figure out how warriors like KFree and Moore can't recruit. They are young, hip, intense and bleed blue. Hobbs was a head coach at a major D1 program and Miller has done it all. These guys have to know a few things about recruiting. And, btw, our recruiting is much better than we are acknowledging. I'll take experienced one and dones over freshman one and dones any day and Adams and Enoch are very nice players. I think we are just privy to all of the "No's" that go on in recruiting. We used to be oblivious.

 

[CL82]

My thoughts exactly - you created a Shot storm here OP.

...well done. The offseason Shot storms is what drives traffic to the site... well that and the best pizza thread.

I don't see KO dumping anyone off the staff, but if someone leaves we need a big time proven recruiter regardless of whether or not he has a UConn affiliation.

 

[Stainmaster]

I just can't figure out how warriors like KFree and Moore can't recruit. They are young, hip, intense and bleed blue. Hobbs was a head coach at a major D1 program and Miller has done it all. These guys have to know a few things about recruiting. And, btw, our recruiting is much better than we are acknowledging. I'll take experienced one and dones over freshman one and dones any day and Adams and Enoch are very nice players. I think we are just privy to all of the "No's" that go on in recruiting. We used to be oblivious.

I believe that KFree is the DBO and thus is not able to recruit players. Anyway, since none of us are being recruited by them or have family members who are/have been (to my knowledge at least), it's really not fair to speculate which of our assistants are or aren't getting it done.

 

[jibsey]

Taking shots at the recruiters over their effort or techniques, results? If we had someone who traveled with them for a couple weeks or month to see this from the inside then different story. The recruits don't look at our logo and melt the Way some here think they should. We all know the negatives they go up against, so based on what has just happened they get props.

 

[Waquoit]

While I may have not been too optimistic with the process, the fact remains is we are going to field a pretty good team next season and that's all that matters. We have to keep our head above water until we get rescued.

 

[Chief00]

I think one thing that people don't fully appreciate is that while Gibbs and Miller are not lottery locks, they are certainly solid NBA prospects. Miller especially, if his 3 point shooting improves he may very well end up as a second round steal. At the college level he is an elite defender and rebounder, will be interesting to see how much more NBA attention he gets now that he is at UConn as opposed to Cornell.

Don't get me wrong I am very happy to get both guys - but I would seldom bet on anyone's three point shooting to improve since the odds are against it .

 

[tzznandrew]

Don't get me wrong I am very happy to get both guys - but I would seldom bet on anyone's three point shooting to improve since the odds are against it .

It may go up some since he's no longer the primary offensive player, but that's not really what we need or want from him--at least not in huge doses.

 

[Chief00]

I have evaluated Adams and I am impressed.

 

[scrappy2.0]

Don't get me wrong I am very happy to get both guys - but I would seldom bet on anyone's three point shooting to improve since the odds are against it .

Mr Chief-- you could not be more wrong with that statement.

 

[sammydabiz]

I have evaluated Adams and I am impressed.

Great! I can go to sleep now knowing you gave him your seal of approval

 

[Matrim55]

Don't get me wrong I am very happy to get both guys - but I would seldom bet on anyone's three point shooting to improve since the odds are against it .

Quite frankly, that's a spectacular post.

 

[HooperScooper]

Don't get me wrong I am very happy to get both guys - but I would seldom bet on anyone's three point shooting to improve since the odds are against it .

I'm not sure what that means. I would assume that most players improve their three point shooting percentages with more experience. It also helps to play on a good team with other shooters so you get more open shots. Didn't Miller shoot like 27% from three last year? With a percentage that low the odds are he will do better next year. And look at this way, if not then he won't be shooting very many of them or he'll be on the bench!

 

[Gurleyman]

Quite frankly, that's a spectacular post.

He's spot on. If you look at our last couple national championship teams - no key players other than Bazz, Boat, Giffey, Kemba and Daniels were improved three point shooters later in their careers.

Meanwhile, Beverly made 100 percent as a freshman and was downhill from there. That's a little more normal.

 

[huskyharry]

Frankky,

I actually now would describe my feelings as "ecstatic" in reference to UCONN recruiting...and there may still be two other super prospects to follow (I hope so at least)

 

[tzznandrew]

Quite frankky, I was cutting Chief some slack. A fifth year player who hasn't shot 3s well probably won't shoot 3s well.

I don't think he meant that =that no player improves their shooting.

 

[Gurleyman]

Quite frankky, I was cutting Chief some slack. A fifth year player who hasn't shot 3s well probably won't shoot 3s well. I don't think he meant that =that no player improves their shooting.

Bigs who have good shooting form do get better with their range as their careers go on, even well into the NBA. Guys like Love and Bosh are now three-point marksmen who barely shot them earlier in their careers. I saw Horford and Z-Bo hit threes recently in crunch time - they never would have been out there a few years ago and we'll probably see Blake Griffin shoot them more in coming years. For former Huskies, Cliff, Donyell and CV all became three-point specialists in the NBA over time.

Doesn't mean Miller will be great at them - but I wouldn't be surprised if he shoots them around 35 percent - well enough to draw defenders out there. Odds are, he will only shoot them with good looks, whereas some of them at Cornell were probably contested. But it's also possible he doesn't knock them down early in the season and then isn't allowed to wander back out there any more - maybe picking and popping in the 15-18 foot range instead.

 

[Matrim55]

Miller has a slow release, which means it's tough for him to get clean looks from 3 if he's the No. 1 option.

If he's the No. 4 option, tho, there will be times when our ball movement is quick and the help defense can't leave guys like Gibbs, Rodney or DHam open. At which point Miller gets plenty of time to take his shot.

He'll take fewer 3s but hit more of them with us. Chief, who is an expert on the fundamentals of the game, should know the above - it's simple pace-and-space, stretch 4 game theory.

 

[EricLA]

I haven't read the entire thread so I'm only really replying to the optimism I feel about future recruiting.

First, I am just a tiny bit concerned about the amount of regular, graduate and 5th year transfers we seem to be landing lately (Kromah, Cassell, Purvis, Miller, Gibbs). Don't get me wrong - there were specific reasons and circumstances for each one and some of the kids were ones we'd already recruited but chose to go elsewhere. It's great to get the 1 year kids who can contribute right away, but it's not something I'd like to see a lot of every year.

Having said that, obviously I think the kids we've gotten have been (and will be) terrific additions and are what we need right now. I imagine the coaches are more focused on getting kids right out of HS so they can develop them from day 1. I also understand that some of the recruiting gaps are due to the circumstances surrounding Ollie's transition to UCONN, and even some speculation about him jumping to the NBA (he's been courted at least twice now).

Bottom line - I think we've gotten over the "bumps" and am very optimistic about our recruiting - now, and in the future.

 

[Citrusdog]

I'm optimistic!!

I truly believe Kevin knows what he is doing... we're just a bunch of demanding ...'need it now' fans.... I truly think he eventually pass father Calhoun in championships... which is a very bold statement (I know).... I think our team is in great hands ...just my insignificant.. post-stroke opinion.... but it is truly how I feel. What no one talks about (and it should be - my opinion) is assistant coaches. I think some might leave and new ones might come. Personally... I would expect huge things from assistant coaches... if I were a head coach. I imagine if Kevin and Ray worked together... that might get scary. Nothing like getting great talent and recruiting height (which cannot be taught) .. but you need to take 'medium' recruits and move them forward. A college basketball player who cannot make 7 out 10 from the charity stripe - either is pitiful or has lousy coaching. How would we evaluate our assistants as 'recruiters'? There are guys out there that can recruit the stuff out of an Oreo.

 

[Stainmaster]

I imagine if Kevin and Ray worked together... that might get scary.

Bad scary. Ray's a legend but he is not coaching material. He doesn't have the personality and would be much happier keeping to himself and his family when he retires.