Megan Walker Goes Pro [merged thread]

[Plebe]

What top talent transfer is going to take a chance on coming to UConn and risk sitting on the bench for much of the season? Evelyn and Z did not play as much as the players you mentioned who transferred to other teams. Some players should not have to go through some of the things they go through to play at UConn when they would not have to do so on another top team. UConn's system is too tough for many to learn in a single season.

On this point, UConn really needs a great season from Evina next year. Not only for the obvious reasons, but in this changing WCBB landscape Geno needs to show that a transfer can have success on his team.

The times they are a'changin'

 

[Jibariqua]

I was told by a men’s player (not UConn) that we helped when he lived here who is now at a mid major that she was 100% going pro BEFORE the season. I was like she’s a solid player that’s hard to figure and he was like it’s def going to happen, her mind is made up. He grew up with Alterique and her in Va. I didn’t know Alterique was from Va. until the kid told me. Met Alterique after a game and we talked about all 3 of them.

this is 100% credible info. They talk all the time. I don’t post ever on women’s board but been on men’s board for 20 years.

she was very good, but this is not a death knell. Westbrook is better than people know.

g: bueckers muhl
2g: williams
3 westbrook


I’d take that over anyone. doesn’t even touch on point forward Ania!

Not to question 100% credible info, but isn’t Alterique from Georgia?

 

[Plebe]

Depends on who is doing the warning.

Really, you're here to say "I told you so"?

Poor taste.

 

[bballnut90]

Needs to, maybe not. But the previous three champions all won with huge help from transfers. ND doesn't win without Shepard, Baylor doesn't without Jackson, and South Carolina--fortunate draw and all--doesn't without Gray.

There appears to be a larger learning curve to adjust to Geno's system than at most other programs. Players rarely hit the ground running playing in their first year for the Huskies, whether they're new recruits or transfers. The only transfer who has had success is Stevens and she didn't fully assimilate at Connecticut like most anticipated.

 

[Fiftyish]

Wow! Very disappointed in her decision. I hope the women's game doesn't start turning into "one and done" turnstile of the men's game. Next year just got a little more challenging.

 

[Rixxx]

One thing I know about Meg is she is a hard worker. She will work on her deficiencies so that she will become an all-round productive WNBA player. This will happen if she gets the right team/coach to draft her.
IMO she will be a 6-10 draft pick, first round. Ahead of her are the three women from OR, Cox from Baylor, Ty Harris at SC.

 

[Charliebball]

I agree. I think what we got was at times pretty good, complementary and underappreciated. What she wasn't was the occasionally fire starter & vocal leader that was capable of dragging the team across that mythical finish line especially when times got tough. BTW that latter job description/player remain vacant and is mandatory for the team to return to prominence.

some think that the freshman point guard from Minnesota will be very much that kind of player...........

 

[Zanzman]

Not to question 100% credible info, but isn’t Alterique from Georgia?

Born in Va moved in grade 7 think he played say in N C not sure if he knew walker in Va

 

[Carnac]

True, just was thinking things might've changed given Geno's comments yesterday...

If that’s true, then it would appear that Geno was blindsided by this news. To quote Shirley Temple when she was a cute little moppet: “Oh my goodness.” This adds more speculation to the debate of who starts next year.

 

[Charliebball]

Geno is very supportive to Megan]s decision. That is important,

UConn coach Geno Auriemma said in a statement. "When you have an opportunity to reach a certain goal that you set for yourself, I think it's important that you have an opportunity to take it.

"Meg's decided this is the right time for her to take advantage of this opportunity. Obviously, she had an incredible season this year and is incredibly talented. We support her 100 percent, and we're going to support her going forward. We wish her the best of luck as she begins her pro career."

whether he really means that or not in this case I'm not so sure he had a choice but to be supportive publicly.............that's what the vast number of coaches do in that situation otherwise they risk alienating other potential recruits who might consider the same action..........

 

[AmeriConn]

I agree. I think what we got was at times pretty good, complementary and underappreciated. What she wasn't was the occasionally fire starter & vocal leader that was capable of dragging the team across that mythical finish line especially when times got tough. BTW that latter job description/player remain vacant and is mandatory for the team to return to prominence.

Nailed it Coco! I so agree with you.

 

[Charliebball]

question for our recruiting addicts.............would Geno have recruited any differently had he known Walker was leaving after this season? Who would he have concentrated on?

 

[Kaizen]

whether he really means that or not in this case I'm not so sure he had a choice but to be supportive publicly.............that's what the vast number of coaches do in that situation otherwise they risk alienating other potential recruits who might consider the same action..........

Did Muffet say same words to Jackie Young last year?

 

[DaBball]

question for our recruiting addicts.............would Geno have recruited any differently had he known Walker was leaving after this season? Who would he have concentrated on?

No a recruiting expert, but I think he roughly added a player at every position. I don’t think there is a better player in 2020 than Edwards to fill in an opening at the 3/4.

 

[Charliebball]

Did Muffet say same words to Jackie Young last year?

I'd have to yield to Dillon on that one..............I will say that Geno seems to roll with the punches better then MM from what I have observed over the years.........

 

[CocoHusky]

question for our recruiting addicts.............would Geno have recruited any differently had he known Walker was leaving after this season? Who would he have concentrated on?

I agree with @DaBball. Geno accounted for this possibility, he concentrated on and got Edwards.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

What top talent transfer is going to take a chance on coming to UConn and risk sitting on the bench for much of the season? Evelyn and Z did not play as much as the players you mentioned who transferred to other teams. Some players should not have to go through some of the things they go through to play at UConn when they would not have to do so on another top team. UConn's system is too tough for many to learn in a single season.

Well, Evina transferred there.

Evelyn didn't play after it became apparent that, for whatever reason, she wasn't capable of playing at a UConn level.

Stevens was stuck in a numbers situation with an incredible team and still got 20+ minutes. That number was sure to go up had she returned.

Geno probably isn't looking for transfers simply for depth but, if he is, that wouldn't be the worst thing. Maybe that's all he does considering the issues you mention. But if a legit starter type player wants to come, he has to look at it, I'd think.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

There appears to be a larger learning curve to adjust to Geno's system than at most other programs. Players rarely hit the ground running playing in their first year for the Huskies, whether they're new recruits or transfers. The only transfer who has had success is Stevens and she didn't fully assimilate at Connecticut like most anticipated.

Stevens was awfully darn good all things considered. The question is what could she have been with another year.

I'm not sure there will be any transfer additions unless someone really good comes knocking.

 

[rip7774]

Not to question 100% credible info, but isn’t Alterique from Georgia?

Exactly that was what I thought too as i figured he was Georgia kid from seeing hat one game in HS Espn aired. But he grew up playing AAU with this kid in Virginia. They all ran in same circles. Was plan all along. We will be fine. Best of luck to Megan!

 

[hoopsfan22]

First time we have had two consecutive classes not win a national championship since 1989 and 1990.

 

[UConnCat]

Really, you're here to say "I told you so"?

Poor taste.

Among other things.

 

[DeeHusky]

unlikely Westbrook would go pro after missing the entire season...............I would assume she would like to reestablish her career but stranger things have happened

I just would not be surprised

 

[UConnCat]

I agree. I think what we got was at times pretty good, complementary and underappreciated. What she wasn't was the occasionally fire starter & vocal leader that was capable of dragging the team across that mythical finish line especially when times got tough. BTW that latter job description/player remain vacant and is mandatory for the team to return to prominence.

Yes.

 

[lebronfan23]

We will still win the National Championship in 2021! No other team in the country will be better than us.

 

[oldude]

Needs to, maybe not. But the previous three champions all won with huge help from transfers. ND doesn't win without Shepard, Baylor doesn't without Jackson, and South Carolina--fortunate draw and all--doesn't without Gray.

I absolutely agree. So what was the last team to win without the assistance of a key transfer....let me see now......who could it have been..,,,,I think they actually won 4 in a row if I recall.....

 

[Steelerone]

Thank you for the three years Megan. Hopefully with the players we have coming back and the ones coming in her loss will be minimal. I do truthfully believe that she will regret her decision. One more year would have moved her up much higher as a draft pick and she very well might have graduated with a national championship. As it is I am going to say she will go between seven and tenth in the draft,

 

[psconn]

Ouch! There goes our best offensive player. Geez. Well, I guess that cuts down some of the minutes logjam.

 

[Buckaroobanzai]

places even
Uconn is no longer a top 10 team without Megan .

Such prescience places even Cormac into a state of awe!

 

[Sluconn Husky]

We will still win the National Championship in 2021! No other team in the country will be better than us.

There is still the little problem of South Carolina. UConn losing its second-best rebounder will not make its job of beating the Gamecocks easier.

 

[BostonBay]

I'm not too surprised. I was one of those who predicted she would leave. She must have read the articles she would go Top 3 in the draft - published early in the year! She had a weird season - great start, but was very, very inconsistent for much of the rest of the year, until picking it up again late.

1). This is a big loss for the team next year. It appears Geno was caught off-guard as well. She was really the only consistent scorer that could be relied on for 20 or so every night. CD was next. so, in back-to-back seasons, we lose our most consistent top scorers. That has to catch up to you.

2). With all due respect, personally, I dont think she's WNBA ready. She definitely needed her 4th year. This year, she improved her outside shooting, and she really became a very good spot shooter. But, she couldn't create off the dribble, and was not a good finisher. She also can't post up. Average passer and court vision and defender. You also have to question her leadership ability as she looked aloof most of the time on the court, especially when the half-court game was struggling. Finally, she put up numbers against some very weak teams & she disappeared against good competition.

I see her as a 10-15 pick. I see her as a 2-guard. I dont think she has the game or the physical presence to play the 3 at the next level. I also dont think she'll be much of a contributor in her first year.

But, best of luck to her & thanks for the 3 years she gave the team.