it's time

[upstater]

or drummond was going to prep school until kriss dunn decided not to. boatright was going to wvu until huggy bear signed jabari hinds as well. daniels shocked the world by committing without ever coming for a visit. i believe his dad was quoted as saying they saw what jeremy lamb did and he believed daniels could do more. was it a stellar recruiting class? sure. but it was far from conventional. one that sort of fell into uconn's lap. do you really think that will happen again?

and this year is very different. 1. an aging coach who missed 10 games for health related issues. 2. a 2013 tourney and big east tourney ban. 3. 3 transfers 4. no frontcourt 5. a program getting slammed nationally.

?? And Emeka was a spring signee and so many of our star players were similar. Heck, Kemba was very much like Boatright, an afterthought. You can't dign Calhoun for any of this.

 

[djct1999]

?? And Emeka was a spring signee and so many of our star players were similar. Heck, Kemba was very much like Boatright, an afterthought. You can't dign Calhoun for any of this.

Emeka was 10 years ago. I think we all can agree that if Calhoun was 60 and not 70 all of this would be much less dire.

 

[djct1999]

furthermore, from dave borges.....
"If you’re asking me as someone who would advise a kid, I’d have a hard time telling him he’s gonna play for Jim Calhoun for four years. And I don’t think, unless they have a much better year next year, that he’s going to have a guarantee he’s going to be able to name a successor. Those are pretty big sticking points."

The coach added that a coach-in-waiting would help UConn because "any time you can show continuity, where the program is gonna be, that allows a kid to make a four-year decision, regardless of whether he wants to be in college for four years."

This coach also had some interesting things to say about this past year's UConn team -- namely, that the general knock around basketball was that the Huskies "didn't get along well ... at all" -- particularly the guards. At least one recruit has said he witnessed this discord first-hand while at a UConn practice.

 

[HuskyBballFan]

This isnt an attack on Calhoun or whether he can recruit or not. Its a realistic assessment of where we are. The ban is less important than the fact that Coach has 2 years left and no real indication on who will follow him. Its called negative recruiting and I personally believe it has already had an impact on who really is considering UConn and the talent that coincides. Do you for one minute think that other coaches are telling kids, aau coaches, mentors etc....that uconn is a mess, that calhoun is done after this year or next, that starters from the championship team couldnt wait to get out of there. true or not, that has impact and it has and will continue to hurt UConn until clarity on the program's future is provided.

We know for a fact that other schools are negatively recruiting against Uconn and the uncertainty of Calhoun's future. My point is that schools didn't just start doing this yesterday. They did it last year and we still got Boatright, Drummond, and Daniels. They did the year before that and we still got Napier, Lamb, Roscoe, etc.

 

[djct1999]

We know for a fact that other schools are negatively recruiting against Uconn and the uncertainty of Calhoun's future. My point is that schools didn't just start doing this yesterday. They did it last year and we still got Boatright, Drummond, and Daniels. They did the year before that and we still got Napier, Lamb, Roscoe, etc.

we already spoke about drummond, boat an dd.....the year before? outside of scoe, the other two were our 2nd and 3rd targets after missing out on our top recruits. i think we need to stop drawing comparrisons to our past. this situation is completely different and we have no past experience to base it on. just 3 months ago, people denied that we would miss the tournament and that there would be a mass exodus. so we can continue to proceed with blinders on or the administration and coach can provide clarity. is that asking too much?

 

[specialisthusky]

omg the kids that brought us our third national championship were 2nd and 3rd targets! Coach is one year older than he was when he won his third national championship! The world is ending!!!

take a deep breath, suffer through this season and get over it. All these threads are exact replicas of 2010 only taken slightly further due to the ban. Its going to be ok doomsday folks, either Coach or Ollie will help get UConn back to the level it was oh so long ago in 2011 once the postseason ban is over.

 

[upstater]

Emeka was 10 years ago. I think we all can agree that if Calhoun was 60 and not 70 all of this would be much less dire.

You missed my point entirely. You showed that many of UConn's recruits this year were afterthoughts or signed on after the fact.

How is that any different than players like Kemba Walker or Emeka Okafor or a whole range of others?

In other words, what's changed?

 

[upstater]

furthermore, from dave borges.....
"If you’re asking me as someone who would advise a kid, I’d have a hard time telling him he’s gonna play for Jim Calhoun for four years. And I don’t think, unless they have a much better year next year, that he’s going to have a guarantee he’s going to be able to name a successor. Those are pretty big sticking points."

The coach added that a coach-in-waiting would help UConn because "any time you can show continuity, where the program is gonna be, that allows a kid to make a four-year decision, regardless of whether he wants to be in college for four years."

You want me to bring up Nate Blue's quotes about UConn being done?

 

[djct1999]

You missed my point entirely. You showed that many of UConn's recruits this year were afterthoughts or signed on after the fact.

How is that any different than players like Kemba Walker or Emeka Okafor or a whole range of others?

In other words, what's changed?

When Emeka first came to Storrs he was considered a project. He was hardly a blue chip recruit. That being said, Emeka flourished 3 years later. Oh wait, in the current situation, Calhoun wont be here for that development. In fact, best case scenario, for a 2013 recruit he will be here for 1. So my point is, because of that, recruits wont come. This isnt 10 years ago....its not even close. We are talking in circles here, so to be clear, my point is because of Calhouns contract/health status and all the other negative stuff going on, it will be very difficult for this staff under current terms to land an top 50 recruit.

 

[djct1999]

You want me to bring up Nate Blue's quotes about UConn being done?

lol......nah. lets put blinders on and pretend everything is fine. lets pretend its 2004 all over again. i really hope Calhoun and staff can sign that kid from Baltimore. I heard Rudy Gay is really good......is that better?

 

[HuskyBballFan]

We are talking in circles here, so to be clear, my point is because of Calhouns contract/health status and all the other negative stuff going on, it will be very difficult for this staff under current terms to land an top 50 recruit.

Yes, we are talking in circles. You keep bringing up that people think it's 2004 all over again but nobody is saying that. What I'm saying is that it may be 2010 all over again.

What we're going through now is nowhere near as unprecedented as you are making it out to be. Did you not remember the 2010 offseason - when we were coming off a terrible year, we were in the middle of an unresolved NCAA investigation and worried about a separate postseason ban, our head coach had health issues, and he didn't even have a signed contract? The Boneyard had 25 different "sky is falling" threads on a daily basis.

And if you're unimpressed with the recruiting class we brought in that year, I don't know what to tell you.

 

[djct1999]

Yes, we are talking in circles. You keep bringing up that people think it's 2004 all over again but nobody is saying that. What I'm saying is that it may be 2010 all over again.

What we're going through now is nowhere near as unprecedented as you are making it out to be. Did you not remember the 2010 offseason - when we were coming off a terrible year, we were in the middle of an unresolved NCAA investigation and worried about a separate postseason ban, our head coach had health issues, and he didn't even have a signed contract? The Boneyard had 25 different "sky is falling" threads on a daily basis.

And if you're unimpressed with the recruiting class we brought in that year, I don't know what to tell you.

I do remember that very well. And what happened? The school and Coach announced a new 4 year contract that he said he trully expects to coach for its entirety. Exactly my point. We need clarification like we received in 2010 for the program to regain some stability. With clarity and stability, the program then can continue to move forward. Without it, then this doubt and uncertainity will only escalate exponentially.

 

[upstater]

When Emeka first came to Storrs he was considered a project. He was hardly a blue chip recruit. That being said, Emeka flourished 3 years later. Oh wait, in the current situation, Calhoun wont be here for that development. In fact, best case scenario, for a 2013 recruit he will be here for 1. So my point is, because of that, recruits wont come. This isnt 10 years ago....its not even close. We are talking in circles here, so to be clear, my point is because of Calhouns contract/health status and all the other negative stuff going on, it will be very difficult for this staff under current terms to land an top 50 recruit.

Emeka was much wanted, by the Spring he had offers from Texas and Arkansas. He was a top 50 or 75 recruit. We got him after losing out on Jamal Sampson and Ike Diogu and a few others. He was pretty good his freshman year.

Again, you miss the point. I'm not arguing it's like 10 years ago. I'm saying that the caveats you brought up regarding the recruitment of players in the last class (when Calhoun's age and health were in question) were also there when Calhoun landed players like Jeremy Lamb and Kemba Walker and Emeka Okafor. Of the battles that Calhoun won outright, I can only think of AJ Price, Jeff Adrien and Rudy Gay as wins, and well, Andrew Bynum. But more often than not, the top 50 who come to UConn are of the Villanueva/Okafor/Kemba/Lamb variety, and their stories mirror those of Boatright and Daniels.

 

[upstater]

I do remember that very well. And what happened? The school and Coach announced a new 4 year contract that he said he trully expects to coach for its entirety. Exactly my point. We need clarification like we received in 2010 for the program to regain some stability. With clarity and stability, the program then can continue to move forward. Without it, then this doubt and uncertainity will only escalate exponentially.

Do you think the players are dumb?

You must.

Because if you really believe that Calhoun clarifying his status to fans (without you knowing if he's clarified it to players already) is going to change anything, I don't know what to tell you.

Calhoun at this point is year-to-year, and the players know that. Daniels, Drummond, Boatright, acknowledged that long before they even showed up to stores. And Omar Calhoun underscored that point as well.

 

[specialisthusky]

I do remember that very well. And what happened? The school and Coach announced a new 4 year contract that he said he trully expects to coach for its entirety. Exactly my point. We need clarification like we received in 2010 for the program to regain some stability. With clarity and stability, the program then can continue to move forward. Without it, then this doubt and uncertainity will only escalate exponentially.

we're not 4 years removed from a 4 year contract that coach said he trully expects to coach for its entirety...I'm pretty sure Calhoun isnt going into recruiting visits saying "hey I'm recruting you but i dont know if ill be there for this season." he's going in likely with Ollie next to him saying "I have two years left under my contract. Play for me for at least the next two years and let's kick as much ass as possible on my farewell tour, and then play for this 13 year nba vet if my time comes to an end...oh and did you see our practice facility?"

its not as doom and gloom as you want it to be. Its one year, followed by a likely Calhoun farewell tour, followed by a practice facility and the Ollie era. I don't understand how a Hall of Fame coach staying for the remainder of a contract or possibly longer is at all bad for a program that needs stability, yet there are people arguing we need to regain stability...so let's change coaches.

 

[Excalibur]

furthermore, from dave borges.....
"If you’re asking me as someone who would advise a kid, I’d have a hard time telling him he’s gonna play for Jim Calhoun for four years."

Most of these kids don't think they're staying for four years anyway.

 

[djct1999]

Do you think the players are dumb?

You must.

Because if you really believe that Calhoun clarifying his status to fans (without you knowing if he's clarified it to players already) is going to change anything, I don't know what to tell you.

Calhoun at this point is year-to-year, and the players know that. Daniels, Drummond, Boatright, acknowledged that long before they even showed up to stores. And Omar Calhoun underscored that point as well.

I am really starting to think you dont understand the recruiting process. Unless Calhoun and the university clarify his future, coach in waiting, etc. the program will be a lame duck. recruits understand that and unless you start to, you may be one of those guys two years from now looking back, saying how did we get here. this notion that coach can continue "to do what he does" is the solution is dumbfounding to me. i do appreciate the loyalty to calhoun and i get it. i am not suggesting that the school fire him. but to draw comparissons to our past or to progress as status quo only makes the current matter worse.

 

[djct1999]

we're not 4 years removed from a 4 year contract that coach said he trully expects to coach for its entirety...I'm pretty sure Calhoun isnt going into recruiting visits saying "hey I'm recruting you but i dont know if ill be there for this season." he's going in likely with Ollie next to him saying "I have two years left under my contract. Play for me for at least the next two years and let's kick as much ass as possible on my farewell tour, and then play for this 13 year nba vet if my time comes to an end...oh and did you see our practice facility?"

its not as doom and gloom as you want it to be. Its one year, followed by a likely Calhoun farewell tour, followed by a practice facility and the Ollie era. I don't understand how a Hall of Fame coach staying for the remainder of a contract or possibly longer is at all bad for a program that needs stability, yet there are people arguing we need to regain stability...so let's change coaches.

unless he wants to reach on whats left with this class, he is recruiting kids for 2013-14 at w hich point he will have 1 year. what recruit will link their future to that? come on.

 

[AJC88]

What if Calhoun coaches after two years? Has he said anywhere that he wouldn't consider coaching after this current contract expires? I know he's 70 and has health issues, but if the guy is healthy I don't suddenly see his fire burning out because a contract expires.

 

[AJC88]

I am really starting to think you dont understand the recruiting process. Unless Calhoun and the university clarify his future, coach in waiting, etc. the program will be a lame duck. recruits understand that and unless you start to, you may be one of those guys two years from now looking back, saying how did we get here. this notion that coach can continue "to do what he does" is the solution is dumbfounding to me. i do appreciate the loyalty to calhoun and i get it. i am not suggesting that the school fire him. but to draw comparissons to our past or to progress as status quo only makes the current matter worse.

I don't think you understand the recruiting process, DJ. Calhoun never came out until September last year to the public that he was staying, yet DD, Drummond, and Boatright all committed long before then. Hmmm... maybe he does indeed tell players something when he sits down with them during visits.
Just because Coach isn't letting you in on his intentions doesn't mean he's keeping it a secret from recruits.

 

[djct1999]

Do you think the players are dumb?

You must.

Because if you really believe that Calhoun clarifying his status to fans (without you knowing if he's clarified it to players already) is going to change anything, I don't know what to tell you.

Calhoun at this point is year-to-year, and the players know that. Daniels, Drummond, Boatright, acknowledged that long before they even showed up to stores. And Omar Calhoun underscored that point as well.

when daniels, drummond, & boatright came, calhoun had 3 years left and the entire landscape was far more optimistic. i am pretty sure all 3 of those kids felt that they were 1 and done or 2. my guess is none of them expected to be in storrs after calhoun left.

 

[djct1999]

I don't think you understand the recruiting process, DJ. Calhoun never came out until September last year to the public that he was staying, yet DD, Drummond, and Boatright all committed long before then. Hmmm... maybe he does indeed tell players something when he sits down with them during visits.
Just because Coach isn't letting you in on his intentions doesn't mean he's keeping it a secret from recruits.

right. and roscoe left because he wanted minutes at the 3. at this point, we are losing quality players not gaining them. whatever calhoun is saying must be working.....right?

 

[HuskyBballFan]

I am really starting to think you dont understand the recruiting process. Unless Calhoun and the university clarify his future, coach in waiting, etc. the program will be a lame duck. recruits understand that and unless you start to, you may be one of those guys two years from now looking back, saying how did we get here.

And you understand the recruiting process? You think that the fact that Calhoun hasn't told Don Amore about his intentions for next year means that he's doing the same thing to recruits? You think that recruits read the Boneyard and Hartford Courant and say "oh my God, I don't know if Calhoun is coming back" or do you think that maybe they talk directly to the source?

Jim Calhoun was out recruiting Bradley Hayes last week. You think his message to Hayes was "hey Bradley, I really think you should come to Uconn. I have no idea who your coach is going to be, but you should come anways." RJ Evans said the only way he wouldn't commit to Uconn is if Calhoun wasn't coming back...and two days after he said that he committed to Uconn.

I have no idea why Calhoun likes to play this cat and mouse game with the media every year. It may be that he just can't stand having to answer the question and has the "I'll tell you when I want to tell you" mentality. Who really knows. But I promise you that the fact that Calhoun hasn't told you his intentions doesn't mean that he's being as ambiguous with recruits.

 

[Excalibur]

Wrong inquiry. Compare where the program will be one year from now with Calhoun staying vs. how it will be under some nameless second rate coach. That's what we're going to get if we have to hire someone now. Nobody is taking the job in late Spring, with a postseason ban looming, players running out the door (and more leaving if there's a coaching change) and no practice facility.


I'm yet to hear a legitimate response to this.

And I'm still waiting -- because there is no response.

 

[HuskyBandDad]

And I'm still waiting -- because there is no response.

You are correct - no good coaches are coming here because they all want to go to Va Tech (sarcasm)