That fact that koval is from New York and hasn't visited Uconn yet is a very bad sign.
I think the geographic edge theory doesn't apply so much for foreign players. For US players from the northeast I presume we have a pretty big advantage, but Koval is from Ukraine. Boston didn't seem to favor us or feel geographical linked to the area either. I have no idea about Koval's family or where they are now, I'm just saying Koval may not think of herself as a New Yorker or northeast resident.
Regardless "if" Uconn has not offered I am a little surprised. Unlike a couple of other programs that had many very talented bigs (SC and Stanford) we have tried to survive with a mostly three big rotation the last couple of years, and last year the third big (Ayanna) was not performing up to the usual Uconn standards, at least not yet.
This year we have two talented prospects to potentially play the 5 and maybe some at the 4, but like Ayanna they are not yet proven, so it appears there is a need for another 5. If we are potentially not offering Koval or Tac, and the 2025 class doesn't seem to have any true 5's at their level, it might mean that Geno is supremely confident that Ice and Jana are both the real deal and he can wait until the 2026 class (Big O) to look for the next one.
Another alternative explanation is the limitation on available free rides and if we only have room for one more big from the 2024 class, we have to concentrate on Strong or potentially Carlton. The uncertainty over who returns for a potential 5th year and who doesn't can really make knowing what you do and don't have available difficult.
Both are ranked in the top 5 and are can't-miss "elite" recruits.
