Malik Newman Update

[DogMania]

IMO you're over-thinking this. Newman is looking for the school that provides him with the opportunity to develop as a player then move on to the NBA. He basically said that in this quote.

“From a guard standpoint, almost every year they always have a top guard,” Newman said. “They always go to the league and do great things like Kemba [Walker] and I’m sure Shabazz [Napier] is going to do and Ray Allen and those type of guys. It’s a guard school. Coach Ollie was a point guard himself. He knows how to teach me.”

He knows our successful track record with guards and that is something that will be very enticing to him.

I hope you're right. Seems that many of the top rated recruits are both willing and excited to step into UK's revolving door as top talent from the prior year slip out the other side. And as for KU, I'm not sure why they keep on attracting top tier talent on a consistent basis considering their post season track record. I know they are a storied program, but Self has a horrible post season history (1 NC, unless I'm missing another one they've had) considering the level of talent they pull in year after year. Zona is often a destination for top talent now that Miller has established himself after the Lute era painfully came to an end. ESPN recruits for UNC and Dook, making those programs seem like bigger than life.

Although I was as big time KO supporter from the word go. He's exceeded my expectation, so I'm not counting him out on successfully recruiting the likes of Newman and Stone. I wonder what KO thinks as far as recruiting one or more possible 1-and-dones.

One last thought, we all get caught up with the rankings which don't reflect true talent. A player like Jalen Adams might turn out to be one of the best PG-Combos in this class even though there will be many guards ranked higher than him. And it seems the equation for success is having a team that is led by a handful of top players who are juniors and/or seniors. You're often better off recruiting a player outside the top 15 or 20, that will hit their stride their junior year than to keep on loading up on top 15 to 20 kids that leave after a year. If the NBA changes things and forces college players to stick around for 2 years compared to just 1, teams stockpiled with talent like UK, might have enough to win some NCs on a consistent basis.

Anyhow, I hope Newman's words weigh heavily in his decision and that UConn is still in the mix when he's ready to pull the trigger.

 

[Husky1964]

ESPN lists MSU and Alabama as the only schools offering Newman!!!! Does he have academic issues???

 

[DogMania]

ESPN lists MSU and Alabama as the only schools offering Newman!!!! Does he have academic issues???

Unless the player or those in his camp mention who offered him, it's hard to tell which programs have done so. Coaches are not allowed to make such comments, so Newman might have a slew of offers that we don't know about. I haven't heard any bad things about Newman on any level, so I'm assuming he's going to be okay, though that's only a guess.

 

[Danpisco12]

Unless the player or those in his camp mention who offered him, it's hard to tell which programs have done so. Coaches are not allowed to make such comments, so Newman might have a slew of offers that we don't know about. I haven't heard any bad things about Newman on any level, so I'm assuming he's going to be okay, though that's only a guess.

This, and also ESPN's recruiting info is terrible.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

We need to get a guy like Emeka on the staff as soon as possible

Or, even better, a guy who actually coaches bigs.

 

[David 76]

Those 4 "blue chip" teams include KU (for reasons I can't understand) and UNC which has been on a bit of a decline and is facing a major investigation. From a logical (not sentimental) perspective, It us, UK & Duke. I worry more about AZ. than Kansas or UNC at this point.
I think we are getting close to being judged for our championships and not our "pedigree". And what a wonderful world it will be!

 

[HooperScooper]

Newman and Stone would obviously be awesome, but we already have two solid guards and I really don't like the idea of recruiting over anybody just on principal. I don't care if other programs do it and recruits de/recommit and screw around all the time, I just don't want UConn to perpetuate that stuff (and I don't think it would do anything good for the long term image of the program). Just bring me Enoch and Comanche and Ill be happier than a pig in sh_t.

I hate the term "recruiting over". WTH does that even mean? A coach should accumulate as much talent as possible on the roster and let the players compete for playing time. Just like it's done at every level beyond youth sports. How is a coach supposed to know when recruiting a player if he's going to be better or worse than other players he has on the roster already?

 

[UCONNfan1]

I hate the term "recruiting over". WTH does that even mean? A coach should accumulate as much talent as possible on the roster and let the players compete for playing time. Just like it's done at every level beyond youth sports. How is a coach supposed to know when recruiting a player if he's going to be better or worse than other players he has on the roster already?

I totally agree with this. I realize there are only so many spots on a roster, but one never knows if there will be injuries, transfers, or kids jumping early. It seems like JC, and now Ollie, have done a fantastic job of getting mostly kids who stay at least 2 years.

I'm with you though - get the talent and stockpile it. Not like Kentucky, but what's wrong with having a terrific group of guards like Adams, Jackson, Cassell, Samuel, and Purvis? No reason at least 2 of the non-starters can't earn 10 MPG PT if they are good enough...

 

[intlzncster]

Or, even better, a guy who actually coaches bigs.

Did I hear 'Clyde Vaughn'? Where's chief?

 

[intlzncster]

I hate the term "recruiting over". WTH does that even mean? A coach should accumulate as much talent as possible on the roster and let the players compete for playing time. Just like it's done at every level beyond youth sports. How is a coach supposed to know when recruiting a player if he's going to be better or worse than other players he has on the roster already?

Yeah, as if these high school rankings mean duckck all in the end anyway.

 

[elduderino]

I hate the term "recruiting over". WTH does that even mean? A coach should accumulate as much talent as possible on the roster and let the players compete for playing time. Just like it's done at every level beyond youth sports. How is a coach supposed to know when recruiting a player if he's going to be better or worse than other players he has on the roster already?

Recruiting over, see Calipari coaching, see over guys like Kyle W and Ryan H for the next best thing, see not showing any faith or commitment in guys youve invited into your program. Its a revolving door program and UConn has zero rings as a revolving door, so why start now?

 

[intlzncster]

Recruiting over, see Calipari coaching, see over guys like Kyle W and Ryan H for the next best thing, see not showing any faith or commitment in guys youve invited into your program. Its a revolving door program and UConn has zero rings as a revolving door, so why start now?

Nah, if you are good enough, you play. If you are not, you don't. We've done a ton of 'recruiting over' in our time. Look recently at Michael Bradley and Andre Drummond.

 

[HooperScooper]

Recruiting over, see Calipari coaching, see over guys like Kyle W and Ryan H for the next best thing, see not showing any faith or commitment in guys youve invited into your program. Its a revolving door program and UConn has zero rings as a revolving door, so why start now?

I have no idea what that means. I don't subscribe to the practice of pushing guys out of the program to free up scholarships. I don't think UConn has done that. But there are only up to 13 scholarship guys on a roster. The best players play. So if a coach has 8 guys coming back for the next season, including 5 starters, the coach should go out and only recruit players that he knows are definitely worse than the 8 he has coming back? Think about what you are saying. It makes no sense.

 

[Scot-e]

Recruiting over, see Calipari coaching, see over guys like Kyle W and Ryan H for the next best thing, see not showing any faith or commitment in guys youve invited into your program. Its a revolving door program and UConn has zero rings as a revolving door, so why start now?

Recruiting over, see Calipari coaching, see over guys like Kyle W and Ryan H for the next best thing, see not showing any faith or commitment in guys youve invited into your program. Its a revolving door program and UConn has zero rings as a revolving door, so why start now?

Nonsense. . You get the best players you can and the ones that stand out in practice do not ride the pine. Any player that is not interested in that should go play for Kansas or UNC.

 

[CAHUSKY]

I don't subscribe to the practice of pushing guys out of the program to free up scholarships. I don't think UConn has done that. .

Really? Calhoun made it clear to a number of players over the years that they likely wouldn't see much playing time if they returned. Is that pushing guys out??? Maybe not, but we aren't innocent.

 

[elduderino]

Its agree to disagree time for me. I think a few of you guys are being a bit conveniently naive. Recruiting over has everything to do with the allocation of limited scholarships and nothing to do with fighting for playing time once you have one.

 

[HuskyWarrior611]

Its agree to disagree time for me. I think a few of you guys are being a bit conveniently naive. Recruiting over has everything to do with the allocation of limited scholarships and nothing to do with fighting for playing time once you have one.

You must not like the commitment of Jalen Adams then since we are basically recruiting over a guy like Sam Cassell Jr or Daniel Hamilton since we recruited over a guy like Omar. Maybe we shouldn't get any more bigs in fear that guys like Lubin or Nolan wouldn't get the playing time they deserve

 

[elduderino]

You must not like the commitment of Jalen Adams then since we are basically recruiting over a guy like Sam Cassell Jr or Daniel Hamilton since we recruited over a guy like Omar. Maybe we shouldn't get any more bigs in fear that guys like Lubin or Nolan wouldn't get the playing time they deserve

Youre not even in the same area code as what I argued here. If you were, you could understand that Im not opposed to any of our current players or recruits. But Im also not thrilled with Ali decommitt, the constant Turtle decommitt speculation, and our continued pursuit of "elite" guards when the well acknowledged need is for bigs. I do not want UConn to be any past, present or future version of Cal's UK.

 

[HuskyWarrior611]

Youre not even in the same area code as what I argued here. If you were, you could understand that Im not opposed to any of our current players or recruits. But Im also not thrilled with Ali decommitt, the constant Turtle decommitt speculation, and our continued pursuit of "elite" guards when the well acknowledged need is for bigs. I do not want UConn to be any past, present or future version of Cal's UK.

I understand now. I'm not happy with the Ali decommit either. But it happens all the time in college sports in general. We have no idea why he committed. It could of had nothing to do with him recruiting other players. You can't stop recruiting other guys just because you have a commit because you can't have a situation where you do have a decommit and then the program is left out to dry. Who said we aren't recruiting bigs either? We just had stone and Enoch on campus the past couple of weeks. I honestly wouldn't mind if Turtle left to make room for a guy like Malik.

 

[Dynasty]

I hate the term "recruiting over". WTH does that even mean? A coach should accumulate as much talent as possible on the roster and let the players compete for playing time. Just like it's done at every level beyond youth sports. How is a coach supposed to know when recruiting a player if he's going to be better or worse than other players he has on the roster already?

There is more to it than that.

Recruiting takes a certain level of commitment to what a coach is saying to you. Ali and Jackson felt comfortable enough to end their recruitment early and commit to UConn. Since we don't know how Coach Ollie recruited Ali and Jackson and what he said to them, so to make things easier I'll just use the consenus for what posters on the board seem to want for the class (2 guards, 1 big, 1 SF) and use it as Coach Ollie's sales pitch. If Ollie told Ali and Jackson that they would be the 2 guards in the class and he accepted their commitments then what reason does he still have to recruiting guards for? I understand keeping tabs on guys just in case but there seemed to a new offer to a new guard after game during evaluation period.

On the flip side, let's say at this time next year Ali and Jackson just enrolled to UConn and the staff is already on to the 2016 class then Coach Ollie doesn't owe Ali and Jackson anything since he kept his word about them being the only 2 guards in the 2015 class. If Ollie were to get 2 more guards in 2016 (say Tyus Battle and Derryck Thornton ) and they are better than Ali and Jackson and Ali and Jackson don't receive much playing time their sophomore year then it is their fault for not improving to the standards to the rest of the guards on the team.

Basically, what my extremely long point is is that if Coach Ollie thought there would be better guards out there then there was no need to allow Jackson and Ali to commit early only to recruit over them as if they weren't committed at all. I don't think recruiting over another player if he is already on the team is a problem. However, doing it while players are still in the recruitment process I don't think is okay.


* Of course assuming Jackson indeed decommit *

 

[7774]

There is more to it than that.

Recruiting takes a certain level of commitment to what a coach is saying to you. Ali and Jackson felt comfortable enough to end their recruitment early and commit to UConn. Since we don't know how Coach Ollie recruited Ali and Jackson and what he said to them, so to make things easier I'll just use the consenus for what posters on the board seem to want for the class (2 guards, 1 big, 1 SF) and use it as Coach Ollie's sales pitch. If Ollie told Ali and Jackson that they would be the 2 guards in the class and he accepted their commitments then what reason does he still have to recruiting guards for? I understand keeping tabs on guys just in case but there seemed to a new offer to a new guard after game during evaluation period.

On the flip side, let's say at this time next year Ali and Jackson just enrolled to UConn and the staff is already on to the 2016 class then Coach Ollie doesn't owe Ali and Jackson anything since he kept his word about them being the only 2 guards in the 2015 class. If Ollie were to get 2 more guards in 2016 (say Tyus Battle and Derryck Thornton ) and they are better than Ali and Jackson and Ali and Jackson don't receive much playing time their sophomore year then it is their fault for not improving to the standards to the rest of the guards on the team.

Basically, what my extremely long point is is that if Coach Ollie thought there would be better guards out there then there was no need to allow Jackson and Ali to commit early only to recruit over them as if they weren't committed at all. I don't think recruiting over another player if he is already on the team is a problem. However, doing it while players are still in the recruitment process I don't think is okay.


* Of course assuming Jackson indeed decommit *

So basically you admit you have no idea how these guys were recruited and then invent a scenario in which you feel they were treated badly.

That's like not watching a movie, making up your own plot to the movie, and then giving the movie a bad review.

 

[mauconnfan]

Recruiting depth is what it is……kids get hurt, things happen. You recruit kids who want to play, think they're good enough to play, have ten toes in!! If they want to be the team and need to play 35-40 minutes then this isn't the place and I am sure KO let's them know that. If you want to be a Husky you're going to work hard to become a better player, person and student-athlete…….if you want to be a basketball player readying himself for the next level then go to kentucky!

 

[intlzncster]

Youre not even in the same area code as what I argued here. If you were, you could understand that Im not opposed to any of our current players or recruits. But Im also not thrilled with Ali decommitt, the constant Turtle decommitt speculation, and our continued pursuit of "elite" guards when the well acknowledged need is for bigs. I do not want UConn to be any past, present or future version of Cal's UK.

That kind of thing happens from time to time. Mo Harkless comes to the mind. Cleveland Melvin too.

We're in no danger of becoming UK. Lot's of offers doesn't mean lots of commitments.

Would love to see them pick up a big by the end of the summer. I think they will too.

The reality is, you have to keep recruiting, because you don't know if someone is going to decommit for other reasons. If you get a decommit and you don't have the pipeline full/hot, you are out of luck. The game doesn't end when you get a commit.

 

[intlzncster]

So basically you admit you have no idea how these guys were recruited and then invent a scenario in which you feel they were treated badly.

That's like not watching a movie, making up your own plot to the movie, and then giving the movie a bad review.

If Ollie uses Jimmy's sales pitch (which, from interviews, I think he does iirc), then no playing time is ever promised. The company line has always been, "you get what you earn in practice".

 

[aceboon]

this board can be so damn weird at times. we get a committment from a kid that KO has been recruiting since his freshman year and we got talk of turning into UK and over recruiting kids, as if TSam/Cassell Jr/Purvis should be the only guards on the roster heading into 2015, and Purvis has the kind of talent where he can be gone in a year so we needed guards anyway. The staff is going after the same kind of kids they always pursued over the last 20 years, nothing has changed.