Malachi Richardson announcing on Friday

[BUHusky]

Huh. A lot of fawning over Boeheim in that Zags article, though there's a real chance Boeheim won't even be there in 2015 when Richardson hits campus. Oh well.

With Prince committed, I'd rather UConn focus on landing a really solid big instead of yet another shooting guard/swingman. There is potential for a real logjam at guard in 15-16, "potential" being the key word.

 

[UConn990411]

Syracuse, eh?

Apparently Malachi has always dreamed of a long, illustrious D-League career.

(Note: I'm taking a shot at Syracuse here, not MR.)

 

[BUHusky]

I've never understood how they get such great classes over and over again. They don't take many of those kids and put them in the NBA and the ones they do don't have stellar careers other than the one and done who they didn't develop, but rode. They don't win big games. One championship over 30 years of getting top classes isn't burning things down. I can't believe upstate New York is a huge draw to most (kinda like Storrs, but maybe worse). As has been pointed out, playing a zone doesn't exactly get anyone ready for NBA defense. So how do they draw these top kids year in and year out? I just don't get it.

While I agree for the most part with what you're saying, there are a couple things to look at beyond just what you said.

1) "No one plays defense in the NBA" is view shared by lots of people these days. And I think that perception really goes to heart with some kids who figure playing zone in college isn't really going to be a detriment to their development/NBA readiness, especially with perimeter players. Outside of LeBron, Kobe (in years past at least...), and CP3 there aren't many top tier perimeter players that play really good defense as well.

2) With the recent NBA success of Dion Waiters and Michael Carter-Williams (I know it's only about a month into the season but so far Carter-Williams is the run away Rookie of the Year (vomit...)) the current perception, whether right or wrong, is that Boeheim produces stud guards. Calipari has been using that same "perception" for years at first Memphis and now Kentucky. Kids (and parents) eat that stuff up.

 

[aceboon]

there is no perception that Boeheim produces stud guards, that narrative doesn't exist. I've relented on my MCW hate because dude does look like he's the real deal, but Waiters is a volume shooting knucklehead on a lottery team, he's a dime a dozen player in the NBA.

 

[specialisthusky]

This could be purely coincidental, but when is the last time a kid has "announced" for UConn? I honestly cannot recall an instance of one of our players setting an announcement date and picking UConn. I'm sure it's happened, but I'm drawing a blank.

Darius Smith

 

[upstater]

Malachi was destined for the Orange

 

[tcf15]

I do remember that video of Kaleb Joseph, and he had a coach that sounded like Boeheim on speaker phone. Boeheim was telling him that their last three point guards were lottery picks, and he wanted Joseph to be #4. So Boeheim definitely uses that to his benefit, and he'd be crazy not to, but their production in the NBA, aside from MCW, leaves a little more to be desired.

 

[ColoradoUCFan]

Ollie is one big man away from coming back loaded for 2 seasons and a real big chance to be a top favorite. Someone to play PF with Brimah or center with him.

We do. His name is Kentan Facey. He's proven he's a monster on the boards. NY state POY. He's going to flourish with playing time.

 

[Dynasty]

Official...

Jerry Meyer ‏@jerrymeyer247 26s
2015 wing Malachi Richardson (#26/#16) has officially committed to Syracuse. http://Post original url/16UWM5w

 

[Scot-e]

I'll take D Ham all day over Richardson.

 

[caw]

Official...

Jerry Meyer ‏@jerrymeyer247 26s
2015 wing Malachi Richardson (#26/#16) has officially committed to Syracuse. http://Post original url/16UWM5w

Good luck to him, he's a good kid, though obviously misinformed about how to become successful at basketball.

 

[Jaybo]

I hate him

 

[Zionn]

I'll take Prince all day over Richardson.

fixed ; )

 

[husky99]

Good luck ... next

 

[aceboon]

Assuming Purvis and Hamilton spend more than a year here we would have Purvis, Hamilton, Calhoun, Ali, and even Cassell Jr as guys who can play at the 2/3 spots, not really a big need there.

 

[alexd]

 

[caw]

No it doesn't. Mitchell is a PG/SG. Richardson is a SG/SF. I don't think they were hard up for Mitchell anyway.

 

[HuskyBballFan]

My very early prediction based on absolutely nothing is that Uconn and PC split Mitchell and Jalen Adams.

 

[caw]

Ohh they are recruiting him, but I don't think he is a priority.

 

[upstater]

Another New Jersey Catholic school kid.

That makes UConn ZERO for 78. It's a talisman for UConn. If we ever nab one, the program will collapse into a black hole.

 

[HuskyBballFan]

Another New Jersey Catholic school kid.

That makes UConn ZERO for 78. It's a talisman for UConn. If we ever nab one, the program will collapse into a black hole.

Maybe Diaco can put in a good word for the basketball team while he's down there.

 

[OkaForPrez]

Another New Jersey Catholic school kid.

That makes UConn ZERO for 78. It's a talisman for UConn. If we ever nab one, the program will collapse into a black hole.

Didn't Kevin Freeman play at Patterson Catholic?

Edit: He Did. We've got one on staff