Brenda reportedly used negative recruiting tactics to get Harper and Langhorne away from UConn. That is much of the basis for the dislike here. Plus, Walz was the key in getting them the championship. Brenda is good at recruiting and the rah-rah stuff, but not at Xs and Os.
The Comcast Center is very impressive. I think it helps Brenda sell the program. I think only Louisville has a better arena at this point.
the other thing about that - i'm not sure we were ever going to get Langhorne, but Harper had already verbaled when she was re-contacted by Maryland and a week or so later, she rescinded her verbal to UCONN. now, was it one of the assistants who contacted her after her UCONN verbal? perhaps. but did they do it with the encouragement and blessing of Freese, or was the HC completely in the dark.
if they did it with her blessing, shame. if she was completely in the dark, then poor management skills of her staff. either way she's never going to be rooted for by many UCONN fans. she may be lovely in person these days, and may have overcome things in her personal life, but that's no excuse for being a sleazy recruiter.
In addition to Harper was the recruitment of Kristi Tolliver, I believe, which also had reports of a Maryland sleaze factor to it. there were also some reports that she was a witch with reporter types (i think it was Clay Kallum - it was over on the Rebkell Junkies board back in the day)... maybe she's mellowed recently, but she did seem to be a bit of a prima donna...
