Mississippi State just got better

[Bama fan]

Geno should have learned by now that when you are among friends, some of them are not your friends. I do not envy him his lot. Damned if he does or doesn't.

 

[BroadwayVa]

How many transfers from UConn have turned into superstars at their new school? EDD obviously, but she transferred out of basketball entirely.

If basketball was only for superstars teams would only consist of 3 players. Kid transfer for lots of reason, one of which is: They love the game and want to play, regardless of their talent. Old stumble bum me walked around with a BB in my hand, and played anyone any time--if I needed talent, I'd never play.

 

[Charliebball]

You may remember a series of articles about the NCAA transfer process made it clear that they were going to totally revamp the system and that within a year or two it would be much easier for athletes to transfer with the eventual possibility of total freedom of movement between schools without a waiting period...........haven't heard much about this lately but perhaps we're seeing the first phase of that here........

 

[donalddoowop]

You open up a whole new can of worms if you allow athletes to transfer without penalty.

No, no. The NCAA should either grant waivers to all or none. They are already a suspect organization. They should at least have guidelines for why waivers are granted for some and not for others.

 

[trisailin]

I think from the very beginning there were a whole host of people LOOKING TO BE OFFENDED. Of course to them Geno's comments were "ripping" AEH in the media....it NEVER occurred to them that his comment was taken WAY out of context.
My reading then (and still is) - if a player (any player) is not ALL IN on UCONN WBB, then "we don't want you here". "ALL IN" in the case of UCONN WBB means not only on the court, but also off the court. 24/7/365. There is no slacking off ever.
And for those of us on the outside (almost every person on the BY) - we DO NOT deserve any complete "transcript" for any past, present, or future player (regardless of how much any BY member thinks they deserve such).

 

[CocoHusky]

Geno should have learned by now that when you are among friends, some of them are not your friends. I do not envy him his lot. Damned if he does or doesn't.

Geno was among friends and supporters when the remarks were made. There is no greater friend and supporter of the program than the person who took the video. There was no ill intent or trickery in the taking or the posting of the video.
There was also no intent by Geno to "trash" a player. If the intent was to trash, Geno could have been much more specific about what "the program" asked and reminded AEH to do and she failed to do. Let's be very clear the requirement that AEH failed was a PROGRAM REQUIREMENT.

"We have simple rule at Connecticut" was what Geno said.

 

[Kevin G]

I do not understand the rationale of some posts stating that Miss St will be a Final Four team now that AEH is eligible?! I think they are one based on McGowan and Howard alone.

AEH played one semester, 7 total games, and most of them were mop up minutes. I do not get it and I never saw it.

 

[JoePgh]

If, after taking the video into account, the NCAA concluded that her departure was in substance involuntary (regardless of the euphemisms used by both Geno and her to describe it), then granting a waiver was a reasonable decision. I believe the purpose of the "sit out" rule is to give programs some stability and some protection against players transferring on a whim, but if a player leaves after a coach (in one way or another) lets her know that it would be in her best interest to leave, that is another story entirely.

I agree that the waiver might not have been granted if the video did not exist.

 

[01Neaggrad02]

Didn't Shiana Twain sing "That Don't Impress me Much" ....

 

[j66kicker]

Geno was among friends and supporters when the remarks were made. There is no greater friend and supporter of the program than the person who took the video. There was no ill intent or trickery in the taking or the posting of the video.

100% Correct. If you saw the video, there was absolutely no way Geno didn’t know he was being recorded.

 

[HopJim]

Geno was among friends and supporters when the remarks were made. There is no greater friend and supporter of the program than the person who took the video. There was no ill intent or trickery in the taking or the posting of the video.
There was also no intent by Geno to "trash" a player. If the intent was to trash, Geno could have been much more specific about what "the program" asked and reminded AEH to do and she failed to do. Let's be very clear the requirement that AEH failed was a PROGRAM REQUIREMENT.

"We have simple rule at Connecticut" was what Geno said
Curious at the desire to defend Geno on this one. Intent not a factor. As the leader of the most prominent women's sports program in the US, he is smart enough to know that whatever is said wherever it is said is going to become public.

 

[CocoHusky]

Curious at the desire to defend Geno on this one. Intent not a factor. As the leader of the most prominent women's sports program in the US, he is smart enough to know that whatever is said wherever it is said is going to become public.

Definitely no intent to defend Geno remarks in this instance. I have previously stated that these particular remarks were perhaps better left unsaid. My intent was to defend the taker and poster of the video as a "non-Friend" ( enemy?) and to clarify that a Program expectation (rule) was not met by AEH.

 

[CL82]

Last sentence: More than be surprised that he OK'ed the waiver; I'd be surprised if he did not help with the process. Geno has been gracious with many transfers--Geno pops off and when he calms down (like all of us) he is more rational. AEH deserves to play Div 1 if her talent and desire matches MS St needs. It was my understanding, I'll ask @rocky, that without a warrant it was illegal to record a person without their permission/

A warrant is less the issue than consent. The question is better stated as whether the speaker had a reasonable expectation of privacy. If so, you need "consent" to record the conversation. In most states anyone who is a party to the conversation can give that consent. That means that you can record a conversation that you are a party, in most states. Eleven states require the both (all?) parties to consent to recording a conversation. Pennsylvania is one of those states. An interesting question is whether a public figure speaking to a large group has an expectation of privacy in that conversation.*

* The comments above are not legal advice should not be considered a substitute for a consultation with attorney. The reader relies upon them at their own risk and CL82 shall have no responsibility for any damages regarding them. CL82 makes no warranty regarding them other than that's what he found out when he used "The Google." The word Google is a licensed trade name. CL82 is not affiliated with Google or any other search engine, but uses them from time to time in accordance with various license agreements. Sometimes he "borrows" license agreement-like language and inserts them into posts. This is largely done for comedic effect. The Boneyard is not responsible for CL82's posts or his somewhat tortured sense of humor.

 

[UConnCat]

Nothing will change.

Here we go. Another dead horse is in for another beat-down.

 

[CL82]

What have been the penalties to the most recent transfers?

On the men's side Sid Wilson attended a summer class at St. John's and "transferred" to UConn and was forced to sit out a year.

 

[Carnac]

Happy to see she was cleared...it's dumb that players get penalized for transferring schools.

AEH could provide a boost for Mississippi State, i think she's the highest ranked player Vic's coaches at MSU), but if she can provide consistency from deep, Mississippi State will be tough.

I’m a UConn fan, but I’m happy for AEH. For whatever reason, committing to UConn didn't work for her. My reaction to this news is good for her. She's an 18/19 year old that's still trying to figure things out, and Geno is an old coach set in his ways. Their personalities clashed, so be it.

Geno and UConn are not for everyone, even though Geno's program is "one size fits all" (same rules for everyone). Most coaches feel the same way. It's MY WAY or the highway. That was my college coach's approach, and we all knew it. Like Geno, he wanted things done HIS way. Since none of us wanted to leave, we did things his way.

She’s a young college age athlete and should be playing somewhere. I’ll be interested to see how her availability and play impacts her team. I'm wishing her the best just like I wish Charli Collier all the best.

In the case of these two, it was never meant to be. I’m not mad at anyone. Holding no grudges, let's move on. Becoming eligible to play is good for her and Miss St, and will have zero impact or effect on UConn.

The Huskies have their own in-house issues to deal with. The health and continuous development of our players, and the success of the program is MY only concern. I've got tunnel vision. I'm focusing and concentrating on #12 this year, nothing else. No outside distractions. Somebody is going to win it, why not us? I’m just glad the season has begun. Like Tom Brady says, "LETS GO!!!

 

[DanishBulldog]

AEH seems to have settled in very well at MSU judging by her twitter account.

If she has issues with work ethic, she went to the wrong coach, but dismissal from UConn may have been the wake up call that she needed.

If game one is an indication of how teams plan to play defense against MSU this year, AEH will have a LOT of wide open 3 opportunities.

 

[DanishBulldog]

Nothing yet on Promise Taylor. It would be interesting to hear the NCAA explain why AEH gets the waiver vs Taylor not getting the waiver.

 

[Dillon77]

Any news on Promise Taylor, the sophomore center who transferred from Ole Miss? She also put in for a waiver.

And, interestingly (at least from my perspective), she was the one I thought we'd hear about first because her request would involve a coaching change at her previous school. (Matt Insell, who recruited her, was the coach let go at Mississippi. Ironically, he's now an assistant at Middle Tennessee State for his father where Tenn. transfer Anastasia Hayes just announced she's attending. Insell and his dad both recruited Hayes out of high school.)

The NCAA has seemingly been open to approving some waiver requests from players who have ultimately left programs that have had shake-ups in the coaching staffs, e.g.: Natalie Romeo (to Washington) and Jessica Shepard to (Notre Dame), both from Nebraska; and, Chatrice White (to FSU) from Illinois. All three athletes seemingly got an "atta' girl" from their former schools, as well. That's why I thought Taylor might have a better chance than Espinoza-Hunter.

The opaque (heck, metal) curtain that the NCAA keeps on these applications is frustrating for overall fans, to say the least in part because of the "what really matters" aspect is ???. The NCAA would be better served to reexamine this process and -- at the very least -- have a very discernible lists of factors that will be examined and weighed.

 

[CocoHusky]

I’m a UConn fan, but I’m happy for AEH. For whatever reason, it didn’t work here for her. She’s a basketball player and should be playing somewhere. Becoming eligible to play is good for her and MS, but will have zero impact on UConn.

The Huskies have their own issues to deal with. I’ll be interested to see how her availability and play impacts her team.

The impact of AEH's immediate eligibility on UCONN will be TBD because Mississippi State and UCONN might meet up in the NCAA tournament. In much the same way Jessica Shepard's immediately eligibility impacted UCONN in the tournament last year. One of Mississippi State weakness this year was expected to be guard play and outside shooting to complement McGowan and Howard inside. AEH will certainly help MSU with that weakness.

 

[Plebe]

The impact of AEH's immediate eligibility on UCONN will be TBD because Mississippi State and UCONN might meet up in the NCAA tournament. In much the same way Jessica Shepard's immediately eligibility impacted UCONN in the tournament last year. One of Mississippi State weakness this year was expected to be guard play and outside shooting to complement McGowan and Howard inside. AEH will certainly help MSU with that weakness.

But wouldn’t AEH have become eligible after the fall semester even without a waiver?

 

[CocoHusky]

Any news on Promise Taylor, the sophomore center who transferred from Ole Miss? She also put in for a waiver.
And, interestingly (at least from my perspective), she was the one I thought we'd hear about first because her request would involve a coaching change at her previous school. (Matt Insell, who recruited her. Ironically, he's now an assistant at Middle Tennessee State where Anastasia Hayes just announced she's attending.)
The NCAA has seemingly be open to approving waiver requests from players who have ultimately left programs that have had shake-ups in the coaching staffs (Natalie Romeo (to Washington) and Jessica Shepard to Notre Dame and Chatrice White (to FSU) from Illinois. Note the initial cause at Illinois was an assistant coach).
The opaque (heck, metal) curtain that the NCAA keeps on these is frustrating for overall fans, to say the least. The NCAA would be better served to reexamine this process and -- at the very least -- have a very discernible lists of factors that will be examined and weighed.

You bring up some interesting points. Last year I had this theory that the NCAA was moving towards "Waivers for everyone" as @UConnCat coined it. Trying to think of waivers request that were submitted but denied. Cooper at SC was the only one I could think off. Have there been others?

 

[Bama fan]

Geno was among friends and supporters when the remarks were made. There is no greater friend and supporter of the program than the person who took the video. There was no ill intent or trickery in the taking or the posting of the video.
There was also no intent by Geno to "trash" a player. If the intent was to trash, Geno could have been much more specific about what "the program" asked and reminded AEH to do and she failed to do. Let's be very clear the requirement that AEH failed was a PROGRAM REQUIREMENT.

"We have simple rule at Connecticut" was what Geno said.

I did not intend to imply that the video was taken surreptitiously or released with malicious intent. My wording was poor. But at times friends do things that get you in hot water without intent to harm. My point is/was that Geno should know that and also that his job is so public that he is destined to be misquoted or misunderstood. I am not blaming anyone, merely sympathizing with all involved. Sorry for the lack of clarity. AEH was apparently warned and either chose to ignore the advice or was incapable of complying. Too bad all around.

 

[DaBball]

I do not understand the rationale of some posts stating that Miss St will be a Final Four team now that AEH is eligible?! I think they are one based on McGowan and Howard alone.

AEH played one semester, 7 total games, and most of them were mop up minutes. I do not get it and I never saw it.

What she brings to the table for their team is what makes them more of a final four team at this point than previously. They obviously have a great 5 in McCowan and a great 4 in Howard. They are two of the best in the NCAA at their position. Holmes also provides them a solid PG. Not spectacular, but solid in the same way that William was. They badly needed an outside shooter who can play the 2... and that is what AEH gives them.

 

[CocoHusky]

But wouldn’t AEH have become eligible after the fall semester even without a waiver?

No. We tracked this very carefully at the time it happened right down to checking the Mississippi State academic calendar. From published reports AEH did not enroll at Mississippi State until after the Spring semester had already started. AEH stated an intent to enroll in community college after her departure from UCONN and I'm not sure how that works in terms of transfer rules and credit. Bottom line, from published reports was that AEH would not become eligible to play at MSU until the summer of 2019.

 

[Dillon77]

You bring up some interesting points. Last year I had this theory that the NCAA was moving towards "Waivers for everyone" as @UConnCat coined it. Trying to think of waivers request that were submitted but denied. Cooper at SC was the only one I could think off. Have there been others?

I can't think of another request on the WCBB front, but can think of one on the Notre Dame campus: football to be exact. Alohi Gilman, a safety, transferred from Navy and petitioned for a waiver to play the 2017 season. The NCAA in September denied Gilman’s request for immediate eligibility, so he did not play in 2017. He's currently starting and playing well for the Irish (first of three years of remaining eligibilty).

It was, in part, is rejection by the NCAA that didn't have ome sfolks in the ND Athletic office that optimistic about Shepard's petition a few weeks later.

 

[victor64]

Lets say she met the requirements and stayed. Where would she fit in the rotation this year? Lets assume she gets stronger and understands the offense, would she make the top 7? In before Coombs? Irwin?

I don't think she showed enough in the short time she was here to be a contributor this year. I remember thinking how similar the games of Lexi and AEH were. I wonder if she will guard enough to satisfy Vic. My guess is spot duty at best for AEH this year.

 

[TitleTown]

No, no. The NCAA should either grant waivers to all or none. They are already a suspect organization. They should at least have guidelines for why waivers are granted for some and not for others.

That was my entire point, I want there to be zero waivers granted. I think if you allow athletes to transfer without penalty you are just creating another scenario that you have to police. You don't think coaches, boosters, etc won't abuse a free transfer policy? It will become a rotating door of talent, and the smaller mid major schools will be looked at as feeder programs for the bigger schools.

 

[CocoHusky]

Lets say she met the requirements and stayed. Where would she fit in the rotation this year? Lets assume she gets stronger and understands the offense, would she make the top 7? In before Coombs? Irwin?
I don't think she showed enough in the short time she was here to be a contributor this year. I remember thinking how similar the games of Lexi and AEH were. I wonder if she will guard enough to satisfy Vic. My guess is spot duty at best for AEH this year.

When AEH left she was already ahead of Coombs, Bent and Gordon in the rotation at guard. 7th sounds about right, but I think the UCONN rotation this season will only go 6 deep.

 

[uconnell]

Surely the friend and supporter of Geno and UC wbb could haveuseddiscetion on whether or not to release the video to the public! With a friend li,e that who needs Enemies?
I wonder what the consideration of this friend or the intent was in releasing it?