I guess I don't get the panic...

[UConn990411]

It's not that people are panicking, but there are a bunch of otherwise reasonable people making it out to be a really troubling sign. Or implying that the title and facility means we should have our pick of recruits, which really isn't how it works.

Really troubling? No. But there's a group on here who feels this staff is missing a knockout recruiter, and recent events haven't proven them wrong.

I'm not panicking one bit, but that doesn't mean this staff can't improve from a recruiting standpoint. That's all I've been trying to say.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

Lol at the notion that someone can't be positive on a program coming off 2 titles in 4 years, based on the fact they are less than sold on a program that has had 5, 5, 3 and a 2 win season in progress.

 

[sdhusky]

Just some general observations:

1. College basketball has become a year by year sport. Since UConn has a good team in 14-15, I can't worry too much the future.

2. Many 17 and 18 year olds make sub-optimal decisions. How can you get emotional over that?

3. UConn didn't get to the top by dominating in recruiting. When did so many UConn fans decide to tie results so directly to recruiting hype.

4. The only other sport where coaching has as big an impact is college football. Kevin Ollie is at worst a top 15 coach in the sport. As long as he is here there is a very high floor for the program.

I'm panicking because without Mack, UConn may NEVER WIN ANOTHER GAME. Ever.

 

[Tenspro2002]

From an on-court, basketball standpoint, there's probably nothing to worry about regarding our 2015-16 team in light of these recruiting misses.

If Purvis, Hamilton, and Brimah return, we'll be bringing back almost everyone, replacing Boat with Adams, and adding Enoch. That's a pretty formidable roster, and you could argue we wouldn't even have room for guys like Briscoe/Newman or Clarke/Mack/Jones or Stone who are looking for 25-30 mpg.

If Purvis leaves (unlikely), we'll still be in good hands at the 1/2 with Adams/Cassell/Samuel. Getting Newman would be a boon, but it isn't necessary.

If Brimah leaves (unlikely), we'll be in big trouble at the 5. Under the small chance this does happen, losing Stone would hurt big time.

If Hamilton leaves (possible), we'll be in trouble at the 3. If this happens, failing to get a top wing will hurt, but this is maybe a 50/50 proposition.

It's understandably difficult to sell these recruits, who are looking to start and get major minutes right away -- as they should -- on being an insurance policy.

Unfortunately, this issue clouds our ability to say whether the staff is truly underperforming on the recruiting trail. In a vacuum, we should be doing better, but these playing-time concerns could be the major factor. Only in subsequent years, in which we're offering guys basically open spots on the roster, will we be able to determine whether our coaches, brand, prestige, and reputation are sufficient to win these high-profile recruiting battles.*

* Adams and Enoch were important gets, but we basically didn't have to beat anyone out for them. That's good, but that won't always be the case. Sometimes we're going to have to beat the UNLVs, Wisconsins, UVCUs, Kentuckys, and Tennessees of the world to get the guys we want.

 

[HuskyBballFan]

* Adams and Enoch were important gets, but we basically didn't have to beat anyone out for them. That's good, but that won't always be the case. Sometimes we're going to have to beat the UNLVs, Wisconsins, UVCUs, Kentuckys, and Tennessees of the world to get the guys we want.

Jalen Adams chose Uconn over Kansas and Louisville.

Sam Jr. chose Uconn over Louisville.

Daniel Hamilton, who everyone and their mother thought was going to college with his brother, chose Uconn (and never wavered) over the chance to play with his brother, close to home, at UCLA.

The problem is that the recruiting misses get 1,000 times more attention than the recruiting successes.

 

[boog204]

Jalen Adams chose Uconn over Kansas and Louisville.

Sam Jr. chose Uconn over Louisville.

Daniel Hamilton, who everyone and their mother thought was going to college with his brother, chose Uconn (and never wavered) over the chance to play with his brother, close to home, at UCLA.

The problem is that the recruiting misses get 1,000 times more attention than the recruiting successes.

True, but Adams never visited either of those two schools and Louisville stopped recruiting Cassell late in the game. To me Adams and Enoch were no doubt recruits for us and I think other schools viewed it that way as well.

 

[HuskyBballFan]

True, but Adams never visited either of those two schools and Louisville stopped recruiting Cassell late in the game. To me Adams and Enoch were no doubt recruits for us and I think other schools viewed it that way as well.

Louisville "stopped recruiting" Cassell literally a couple of days before he announced for Uconn. They stopped recruiting him because they knew they lost. The exact same thing applies to us and Briscoe this year.

And regarding Adams, people are consistently asking here "Why aren't these point guards lining up to play for Kevin Ollie?" Well, one of the best point guards in the 2015 class was so sure he wanted to come to Uconn that he didn't feel the need to check out Allen Fieldhouse or the Yum Center. That's what you call a good thing.

 

[Waquoit]

Yeah I know it's crazy to have more confidence in Kevin Ollie than Bob Diaco based on the evidence we have in hand...

I wasn't bringing in another board, I was trying to answer the thought in your subject line. Why the panic (or better, deep concern)? I was alluding to the process I assumed you use when you plunk down cash on your sports picks. Looking at the trend of recruiting last year and this, we are losing battles for our top choices to, by and large, inferior programs. Last year it became comical, we'd lose a guy and a bunch of posters would say "Next!" The same thing is happening this year and coming off an NC and the building of a new BB facility, it's not so funny. Of course, getting a commitment from Stone changes the entire paradigm. But it hasn't happened yet and until it does my concern will remain. And to tie this up using a wagering comparison. I read here that the Crystal Ball says Stone is 81% to come to UConn. If one could convert that to a bet, it would mean you would get paid 4-1 if he went someplace else. Would you take that bet and for how much? I would and for a lot. At least 20 bucks.

 

[whaler11]

I wasn't bringing in another board, I was trying to answer the thought in your subject line. Why the panic (or better, deep concern)? I was alluding to the process I assumed you use when you plunk down cash on your sports picks. Looking at the trend of recruiting last year and this, we are losing battles for our top choices to, by and large, inferior programs. Last year it became comical, we'd lose a guy and a bunch of posters would say "Next!" The same thing is happening this year and coming off an NC and the building of a new BB facility, it's not so funny. Of course, getting a commitment from Stone changes the entire paradigm. But it hasn't happened yet and until it does my concern will remain. And to tie this up using a wagering comparison. I read here that the Crystal Ball says Stone is 81% to come to UConn. If one could convert that to a bet, it would mean you would get paid 4-1 if he went someplace else. Would you take that bet and for how much? I would and for a lot. At least 20 bucks.

Ah, yeah I don't use trends at all.

That 81% sounds high to me so I'd take 4/1, but I wouldn't be shocked if he committed.

 

[WestHartHusk]

Jalen Adams chose Uconn over Kansas and Louisville.

Sam Jr. chose Uconn over Louisville.

Daniel Hamilton, who everyone and their mother thought was going to college with his brother, chose Uconn (and never wavered) over the chance to play with his brother, close to home, at UCLA.

The problem is that the recruiting misses get 1,000 times more attention than the recruiting successes.

Good perspective.

 

[Pudge]

Are we bipolar here?

How can this thread have a list like Robert Swaim, Chad Wise; Scottie Hazelton ... then declare Jim Calhoun was a "better" recruiter than Kevin Ollie given that chock of evidence. The fact is: I don't think we are markedly changed. Ollie is going to get really good guys. You can tell he attracts strong feel & can sell. We don't need to be in the room. Like Calhoun, there will be Ollie guys that come. We will work every angle to get those right kids. Germans. Israelis. Africans. Also welcome. We have what we need & a Diamond would be a great bonus.

 

[Waquoit]

Ah, yeah I don't use trends at all.

I guess I assumed wrong.

 

[Gurleyman]

I wasn't bringing in another board, I was trying to answer the thought in your subject line. Why the panic (or better, deep concern)? I was alluding to the process I assumed you use when you plunk down cash on your sports picks. Looking at the trend of recruiting last year and this, we are losing battles for our top choices to, by and large, inferior programs. Last year it became comical, we'd lose a guy and a bunch of posters would say "Next!" The same thing is happening this year and coming off an NC and the building of a new BB facility, it's not so funny. Of course, getting a commitment from Stone changes the entire paradigm. But it hasn't happened yet and until it does my concern will remain. And to tie this up using a wagering comparison. I read here that the Crystal Ball says Stone is 81% to come to UConn. If one could convert that to a bet, it would mean you would get paid 4-1 if he went someplace else. Would you take that bet and for how much? I would and for a lot. At least 20 bucks.

Last year, I think there was some legitimate cause for concern. New coach, no longer in a power 5 league, needing a new infusion of talent after the transfer exodus and Bazz/Giff/DD/Boat all potentially gone, etc. I think we were all on edge about the future of the program and whether we could bring in top recruits any more.

This year, in our current recruiting efforts over the last couple months, we have 11 scholarships tied up for 2015-16 and are two deep at every position already (including 5 bigs) with Adams and Enoch signed. All 11 look like rotation guys, with Cassell now a clear quality member of our backcourt (although jury is still out on Lubin). Our top targets we are losing out on now are efforts to go 3 deep at other positions (mostly a third 3, with Briscoe a token effort to get a fifth guard and Stone a third center). That's hard to do. Typically, nobody in the top 50 wants to fight two incumbents for minutes or wait their turn for a year or two. Stone doesn't have to worry about that, he'd supplant some of the incumbents right away, but the wings did with Hamilton and Calhoun here - and that's likely why Briscoe won't sign at Kentucky in the fall, until he sees what happens with their current guards.

It's puzzling to me how many veteran yarders don't get this and only see the "we lost recruits to VCU and UNLV" trees and not the forest. When we had a team loaded with 11 freshmen and sophomores, our entire recruiting class was Donnell Beverly, who wasn't a top 200 kid. Nobody wanted to come here when we were two deep at every position, so our recruiting efforts died on the vine. The next year, we did get Kemba with a crowded backcourt, which we were probably fortunate to pull off, but even he signed at a time when AJ Price looked like a shadow of himself (slow and unathletic) and the PG position looked up for grabs.

If folks are genuinely concerned that we can't fill all 13 scholarships with quality rotation guys, they're setting the bar too high for our recruiting efforts. Doesn't matter where else recruits go, we're recruiting against our own roster as much as we are the other schools. Next year, with Phil, Omar, and some combination of DHam, Brimah and Purvis probably leaving (and Stone, if we get him), I think there will be a genuine cause for concern again if we can't get our top targets for a new infusion of talent. But right now, we're not recruiting for immediate needs, and that's always an uphill battle. Recruits will always care more about getting time in the game facility than the new practice one.

 

[hoophuskee]

Last year, I think there was some legitimate cause for concern. New coach, no longer in a power 5 league, needing a new infusion of talent after the transfer exodus and Bazz/Giff/DD/Boat all potentially gone, etc. I think we were all on edge about the future of the program and whether we could bring in top recruits any more.

This year, in our current recruiting efforts over the last couple months, we have 11 scholarships tied up for 2015-16 and are two deep at every position already (including 5 bigs) with Adams and Enoch signed. All 11 look like rotation guys, with Cassell now a clear quality member of our backcourt (although jury is still out on Lubin). Our top targets we are losing out on now are efforts to go 3 deep at other positions (mostly a third 3, with Briscoe a token effort to get a fifth guard and Stone a third center). That's hard to do. Typically, nobody in the top 50 wants to fight two incumbents for minutes or wait their turn for a year or two. Stone doesn't have to worry about that, he'd supplant some of the incumbents right away, but the wings did with Hamilton and Calhoun here - and that's likely why Briscoe won't sign at Kentucky in the fall, until he sees what happens with their current guards.

It's puzzling to me how many veteran yarders don't get this and only see the "we lost recruits to VCU and UNLV" trees and not the forest. When we had a team loaded with 11 freshmen and sophomores, our entire recruiting class was Donnell Beverly, who wasn't a top 200 kid. Nobody wanted to come here when we were two deep at every position, so our recruiting efforts died on the vine. The next year, we did get Kemba with a crowded backcourt, which we were probably fortunate to pull off, but even he signed at a time when AJ Price looked like a shadow of himself (slow and unathletic) and the PG position looked up for grabs.

If folks are genuinely concerned that we can't fill all 13 scholarships with quality rotation guys, they're setting the bar too high for our recruiting efforts. Doesn't matter where else recruits go, we're recruiting against our own roster as much as we are the other schools. Next year, with Phil, Omar, and some combination of DHam, Brimah and Purvis probably leaving (and Stone, if we get him), I think there will be a genuine cause for concern again if we can't get our top targets for a new infusion of talent. But right now, we're not recruiting for immediate needs, and that's always an uphill battle. Recruits will always care more about getting time in the game facility than the new practice one.

Do we need a big (pf or c)?

 

[Gurleyman]

Do we need a big (pf or c)?

In this class, no. We have 5 with Enoch on board.

The caveat is that Stone increases our talent level and gives us a post scoring element we have lacked. He'd be an impact player and help our title chances next season. It'd be a bummer for some of the returning bigs to lose minutes, but that's life in the big city.

The following year, yes. Very much so. We lose Nolan, and maybe Brimah (and also probably Stone if he comes). Signing Stone is great short term, but doesn't give us a long term answer. We'd still have Enoch, Facey and Lubin - all of whom are better suited for the 4.

 

[ctchamps]

Do we need a big (pf or c)?

With Enoch you have a pretty similar front court to the front courts of the past two NCs. Enoch might have a similar game to DD, Facey similar to AO. And you have AB anchoring things. So the short answer is no. Additionally if you get Stone, does it cause the same problems as happened when Drummond came to UConn? No one knows. But I take him in a heart beat to find out. And I wouldn't lose any sleep if he goes elsewhere.

 

[CTBasketball]

My only fear is that we have too many guards. That might hinder the teams progress to mesh.

I fully believe the front court with Brimah, Nolan, Facey, and Lubin will be one of the ten best front courts in the country. Just needs time. Ollie, Glen Miller, and Kevin Freeman will get them there.

 

[Yankees32123]

Give me Mario Kegler (SF) and Schnider Herard (C) next year and we'll be set losing Stone/Brimah/Phil and Hamilton/Omar

 

[pj]

Would you take that bet and for how much? I would and for a lot. At least 20 bucks.

Gives me an idea of Waquoit's income bracket.

 

[ctchamps]

My only fear is that we have too many guards. That might hinder the teams progress to mesh.

I fully believe the front court with Brimah, Nolan, Facey, and Lubin will be one of the ten best front courts in the country. Just needs time. Ollie, Glen Miller, and Kevin Freeman will get them there.

After watching the Bryant game it is clear that the pace KO wants is the exact opposite from last season on the offensive end. Maybe as the season progresses he will have the team be more deliberate on offense, but for now he's asking the team to push the ball, half court as well as full court. On defense he's insisting things be the same as last season.

The luxury of having six good guards allows the team to go all out on offense and defense. There were times last season the team needed to be deliberate to give RB and SN rests on the court.

 

[CTBasketball]

After watching the Bryant game it is clear that the pace KO wants is the exact opposite from last season on the offensive end. Maybe as the season progresses he will have the team be more deliberate on offense, but for now he's asking the team to push the ball, half court as well as full court. On defense he's insisting things be the same as last season.

The luxury of having six good guards allows the team to go all out on offense and defense. There were times last season the team needed to be deliberate to give RB and SN rests on the court.

This is true, but it doesn't help the chemistry of the team. Sometimes less is more. There are a lot of players, quite frankly who deserve starting minutes, but won't get them.

 

[ctchamps]

This is true, but it doesn't help the chemistry of the team. Sometimes less is more. There are a lot of players, quite frankly who deserve starting minutes, but won't get them.

Oh no, quite frankly!!!!. No argument about potential problems. It's up to the players to decide if team is more important than individuals. AO and RS had problems with this.

 

[David 76]

This has been a funny argument to follow.
It would be crazy to panic over loosing out on our last four recruits with all the good thing that have happened but, I don't think anyone has really done that (maybe a stray or 2 ?).
What I see our people looking for how to improve this process or looking for the cause of this problem and others taking great offense at the thought that their might be room for improvement.
We lose both wings we spent months recriting plus a third we went after Clarke visited plus Briscoe. Here are the responses to the suggestion that we learn something:
1) WE are UCONN we win Championships w/o talent. (To follow that logic getting Stone and Newman would destroy us.)
2) In KO we trust and he is as developed at recruiting as he will ever could be.
3) We are doomed by the AAC even though all the wings went to conferences as low or lower.
4) We got Enoch & Adams, doesn't that mean we stop trying)
5) We have too many wings, even though half of them are PGs. Wait until Purvis and Hamilton are gone before recruit for those positions. After all Adams came here in spite of all our guards but Mack & Clarke are too good to compete with Omar and a possible Hamilton. (I know some will jump to say posssibly Purvis, TSam & Jr could play the 3 but I would remind you to look at Adam's example and risk saying all of the above are at least as likely to play PG as SF. I say more likely
5) Only UK stacks up talent. And Duke, Kansas, Ariz., Fl.,UNC,. "Ville. In other words our peers.

I am not the least panicked. I love our Team, our coaches and our 2 recruits. Also, recruiting is not over. But I think these conversations take on the tone of a loyalty pledge where doubters get attacked. If you think for one second that KO and crew are not looking at how to recruit more efficiently/effectively, I think you are wrong. And I think posters have a right to notice that we wen't 0 for 4 recently and discuss it.

 

[ctchamps]

This has been a funny argument to follow.
It would be crazy to panic over loosing out on our last four recruits with all the good thing that have happened but, I don't think anyone has really done that (maybe a stray or 2 ?).
What I see our people looking for how to improve this process or looking for the cause of this problem and others taking great offense at the thought that their might be room for improvement.
We lose both wings we spent months recriting plus a third we went after Clarke visited plus Briscoe. Here are the responses to the suggestion that we learn something:
1) WE are UCONN we win Championships w/o talent. (To follow that logic getting Stone and Newman would destroy us.)
2) In KO we trust and he is as developed at recruiting as he will ever could be.
3) We are doomed by the AAC even though all the wings went to conferences as low or lower.
4) We got Enoch & Adams, doesn't that mean we stop trying)
5) We have too many wings, even though half of them are PGs. Wait until Purvis and Hamilton are gone before recruit for those positions. After all Adams came here in spite of all our guards but Mack & Clarke are too good to compete with Omar and a possible Hamilton. (I know some will jump to say posssibly Purvis, TSam & Jr could play the 3 but I would remind you to look at Adam's example and risk saying all of the above are at least as likely to play PG as SF. I say more likely
5) Only UK stacks up talent. And Duke, Kansas, Ariz., Fl.,UNC,. "Ville. In other words our peers.

I am not the least panicked. I love our Team, our coaches and our 2 recruits. Also, recruiting is not over. But I think these conversations take on the tone of a loyalty pledge where doubters get attacked. If you think for one second that KO and crew are not looking at how to recruit more efficiently/effectively, I think you are wrong. And I think posters have a right to notice that we wen't 0 for 4 recently and discuss it.

It's all good whether we have panic, fear, concern, believe it's a non issue, we are confident, or believe the evidence is incomplete. It's all good whether we argue one way or another, whether we comment on it or not, whether we chose to accept things or debate them, whether we approach gently or pounce. As it was in the beginning so shall it be in the end. Stated differently it's the same old same old.

 

[CTBasketball]

Oh no, quite frankly!!!!. No argument about potential problems. It's up to the players to decide if team is more important than individuals. AO and RS had problems with this.

I guess you're right. I guess what I'm trying to say is that if the players put the team first, team chemistry will be fine. Team first, players second. But having a surplus of players at the same positions makes it harder for all parties to be happy.

With that being said, I believe KO is the best at solving these problems. So to answer my question, I agree with you. We'll be fine.