Morgan's Plans For Next Year -- New Info

[HoopsFan21]

Good lordy!. I must have missed the part where Geno was "pushing her out".

Icebear said it or implied it. No idea if Geno said it. I taped last night's show and have yet to watch it.

 

[CocoHusky]

Icebear said it or implied it. No idea if Geno said it. I taped last night's show and have yet to watch it.

Yea. Geno is being a big bully pushing Morgan out the door like that. I'll have to mention this to Nona when I see her on Sunday. She'll get Geno right!

 

[Bgillon]

A Master's degree is for people like you and me. People with fame don't need one. In fact, they don't even need a degree.

If you remember, Geno would not let DT back on campus until she got her degree. He is very proud of his players developing as polished women; intellectually, personally, and basketball wise.

 

[TRest]

Icebear said it or implied it. No idea if Geno said it. I taped last night's show and have yet to watch it.

Apparently it's a mystery.

 

[reno tony]

A Master's degree is for people like you and me. People with fame don't need one. In fact, they don't even need a degree.

Fame doesn't give you knowledge or good judgment. I read all the time how famous people, not like you and me, are filing for bankruptcy, charged with avoiding taxes, and every other thing that happens to regular people. I can't help but think that those famous people might have benefited from a Master's degree in their chosen field of investment.

 

[ME Husky Fan]

Just another perspective - I wonder if Tuck has any notions about putting next year's team on her back. As to the knee I think reality has to set in and that is this is chronic and her playing time in the WNBA might be limited at best. If she commits it means almost no rest after the college season and a very abbreviated and tough WNBA schedule, presuming she plays for whatever team drafts her. Income at the WNBA level has a cap to it and I don't think she'd be able to augment that income by playing overseas, what with the knee problems she has. The counter - she comes back, gets her degree, hangs her hat on her collegiate laurels and makes her mark in the private sector, or coaching, who knows?

 

[Tenspro2002]

The tea leaves have been pointing in this direction for a while, especially after the most recent period of missing games due to chronic knee problems.

If you've followed sports (or politics, or any high-visibility profession) for long enough, you learn always to take what is said with a grain of salt. That's not to say Morgan was lying when she said in October she has no intention of leaving after this year. But at that point, she was saying the prudent thing, to avoid stirring up controversy. It would have been the prudent thing to say whether she knew she was coming back, knew she was leaving, or hadn't decided.

But at the end of the day, these are business decisions. We saw it with Jewell Loyd. It shouldn't be surprising that the pure business decision for Morgan is to start her professional career as soon as possible, since she only has limited time in the sport. That's become even more evident in recent weeks. If she wants a Masters degree, she can always get that later. She can't always play basketball.

This was always the likely outcome.

That said, I will be happy to be wrong if she surprises and decides to come back.

 

[CocoHusky]

Just another perspective - I wonder if Tuck has any notions about putting next year's team on her back. As to the knee I think reality has to set in and that is this is chronic and her playing time in the WNBA might be limited at best. If she commits it means almost no rest after the college season and a very abbreviated and tough WNBA schedule, presuming she plays for whatever team drafts her. Income at the WNBA level has a cap to it and I don't think she'd be able to augment that income by playing overseas, what with the knee problems she has. The counter - she comes back, gets her degree, hangs her hat on her collegiate laurels and makes her mark in the private sector, or coaching, who knows?

WNBA salaries capped?
WNBA Minimum salary =$50, 607 for 1 Summer of Basketball!
UCONN Income =$0 May 2016-April 2017.

 

[hardcorehusky]

Geno is beyond the point of pushing someone out. If a kid wants to sit on our bench for 4 years, he will let them do that. If they want to leave and get more playing time or better individual stats, he won't stop them. He has always done what is best for the player/student. The program is bigger than one player and kids like to play for him for as much as cares about them as a person as he does a player.

 

[Zorro]

Z, That and both Diana and Sue have noted the availability of the kind of PT and other care in the pros is significantly less than at UCONN. I noted your exact argument last week.

Br'er Bear; Then you were, of course, exactly correct and perspicacious. I missed your post.

 

[Trappist]

Has Morgan ever said anything about coaching? She's often described as a "coach on the floor." She's the hardest worker in practice. Her leadership is unchallengeable - Geno once said that she'd been the elected captain of every international team she has ever played on. Maybe a 5th year as a player while enrolled in graduate school. Then a year as a graduate assistant (a la Jaz Lister) and if an opening occurred at UCONN - Assistant Coach. Why not?

 

[Icebear]

Yea. Geno is being a big bully pushing Morgan out the door like that. I'll have to mention this to Nona when I see her on Sunday. She'll get Geno right!

In pushing her out the door I didn't mean aggressively but rather like a mother bird pushing young birds out of the nest. The tone of the comments on Joyce's show was pretty clear. It wasn't negative just something of a strong nudge.

 

[Bill In Georgia]

Been There Done That!!

So if I were her Daddy..her Agent (to be) ...or the family s financial adviser I would, lay out a seven year plan.

1. Graduate with your class.

2.- Return for your 5th year and win your 5 ring, and get your Masters!!

3.- Move to the European/Russian Pro's… Barter for a 2 year, 3 million dollar contract, with options for the 4 & 5 year. The Russians would probably jump on this….Five year National Champion … Never before done ...Probably will never be matched… A decent PR firm would go nuts with her credentials.

4.- Hire a sound financial adviser, with state and off shore interests.

5.- After 4 -5 years and a ton of $$$, retire.

6.- Come back to the states and sign with a WNBA club, play 1 to 2 years for the resume factor.

7.- Retire, and sit back and enjoy life but tell UConn when one of the assistants move on, “I would like to be considered.

8.- Sign with UConn, $100K to cover expenses, and teach and “What A Recruiting Tool”

9.- When ready, meet the right guy, have a family, maybe retire and enjoy the well

founded $$$$$$$$$ ….

Bill in Georgia
"A 20+ Year Board Member"

 

[Bonpland]

WNBA salaries capped?
WNBA Minimum salary =$50, 607 for 1 Summer of Basketball!
UCONN Income =$0 May 2016-April 2017.

Coco, That's if it's all about money. I'd hope that a mature young woman like Morgan would assess her future more carefully than by allowing herself to be lured away from here over fifty thousand dollars. (What does a year of graduate school cost in Storrs?).

And if coaching is in her future (a girl who loves basketball but has a bad knee does what to stay in the game?) than where better to osmotically gain experience than by spending another year with Geno?

I'm surprised that so many Board members seem to think that hers will be stricctly a business decision. There is, or should be, more at play here. (By the way if it is about the money, how much more is Shea making here than she ever made playing pro?)

Morgan is standing at a crossroad. We can all hope that she'll do what's best for her and that she won't be swayed by the promise of a small paycheck (to play professionally part time), or by a bunch of oldtimers who want to see her stay on here for our future entertainment.

As has been pointed out by several here, some of whom may be in the know, in her mind she might be gone already. But if she does leave I hope its not for the promise of a WNBA salary, but rather because she's pursueing a dream.

 

[ME Husky Fan]

WNBA salaries capped?
WNBA Minimum salary =$50, 607 for 1 Summer of Basketball!
UCONN Income =$0 May 2016-April 2017.

50K and then what? 50K goes nowhere these days.. Another year at UCONN - free education, free R&B, travel, treated like a queen, priceless...

 

[Dougie]

Actually, given the fragility of her knee, an MBA would be -long term - the better choice.
Remember, the WNBA is short money and coming right after the long season and the Final Four victory, there won't be a lot of time to rest.
Heck, 5 Championships at UCONN would be just as impressive on a resume as four plus a year in the WNBA.
As others have said, this will be a decision by the heart not the head.

Maybe she should just compromise and join the WMBA.

 

[CocoHusky]

50K and then what? 50K goes nowhere these days.. Another year at UCONN - free education, free R&B, travel, treated like a queen, priceless...

$50K greater than nothing was the point. $50K was for 1 summer was another point. Then what? She has the rest of the year (9 Months) to I don't know: get endorsements, coach, teach, work, rehab, go to grad school. Her education is not free and she travels to play basketball-lets not get that twisted- and from all that room and board and UCONN tuition mess that people keep talking about she cannot buy her mother a decent Christmas present like she will be able to do with her pay check from the WNBA. Morgan is a queen I give you that, but don't pretend that she has not given back UCONN more than UCONN has given her. It is time for her to move on, if that is what chooses to do. There is this great big world outside of UCONN WBB which Morgan needs to start conquering. For those that are thinking UCONN degree and the value of it, how about if Morgan graduates and goes to Harvard, Princeton or Yale or Duke or Stanford and get her graduate degree from there. That will set her up much better for conquering the world than spending another year at UCONN.

 

[j66kicker]

Been There Done That!!

So if I were her Daddy..her Agent (to be) ...or the family s financial adviser I would, lay out a seven year plan.

3.- Move to the European/Russian Pro's… Barter for a 2 year, 3 million dollar contract, with options for the 4 & 5 year. The Russians would probably jump on this….Five year National Champion … Never before done ...Probably will never be matched… A decent PR firm would go nuts with her credentials.

4.- Hire a sound financial adviser, with state and off shore interests.

5.- After 4 -5 years and a ton of $$$, retire.

6.- Come back to the states and sign with a WNBA club, play 1 to 2 years for the resume factor.

7.- Retire, and sit back and enjoy life but tell UConn when one of the assistants move on, “I would like to be considered.

8.- Sign with UConn, $100K to cover expenses, and teach and “What A Recruiting Tool”

9.- When ready, meet the right guy, have a family, maybe retire and enjoy the well

founded $$$$$$$$$ ….

Bill in Georgia
"A 20+ Year Board Member"

That's DT money - very very top of the scale. For a less flashy kid right out of school with no WNBA resume and questionable knees? Not gonna happen.

 

[zakalex]

Coaches in the WNBA might insist that Morgan play more minutes than Geno would if she stayed a 5th year at UConn. What if during play her knee gets even more damaged and complete recovery is never an option. Should a 22 year old woman risk being in pain or losing mobility for the rest of her life? There are already too many former athletes hobbling around now with severe arthritis in repaired joints and other afflictions that are a direct result of too much pounding playing sports.

 

[Oldbones]

So as the only romantic to post so far.... there is nothing that she will do in the W that will compare, in the end, to her remaining here and leading her team on a quest for a fifth title. The routine of professional sport will be there in a year. She rolls the dice on injury wherever she goes. If her knee is that delicate she may only have a year left in it anyway.

She owes us nothing. If it's her dream to play in the WNBA and she fears that if she waits that dream may never happen, then she should go. But someday she'll look back and wonder if she could have Taurasi'd this young team to another title.

She doesn't stay here for just another year of college basketball, she stays here with a chance to make history.

She'll do well with either choice; she'll do well in life, but if she stays here she'll have a chance to be a legend. If she moves on we'll look for her name in the box scores next year and be happy for her when she plays well. And we'll miss her.

"Taurasi'd." Another WCBB neologism that I like almost as much as "Barncastled."

 

[Zorro]

What are the dates of the Russian, Chinese, etc. seasons? Anyone know?

 

[BroadwayVa]

Here is something that I have not seen anybody consider. What would it do to her endorsements value to be the first and only player in history to have won five (count 'em, FIVE) National Championships? Might jack it up just a skosh, don't you think? Also, if the condition of her knee is such that it might blow out at any time, why in the name of common sense would she play in the WNBA for peanuts when she could play just about anywhere overseas for megabucks? Her knee would be just as much at risk wherever she played.

To repeat a phrase: Lordy, Lordy, Lordy---Who in the world is anointing Uconn another championship next year?? Have you seen the competetion without Stewie and Moriah??? USC-Wilson, a terrific scorer, blocker Turner--ditto (and a good to great supporting cast), Baylor, and on---Without Stewie and Moriah do you really think Uconn is a shoe in for another NC??
Butler, Collier, Katie Lou, Chong, Gabby--have never had to carry the team against top teams.

So Smarty Pants Tuck will opt to go to the WNBA and Europe/China and make some bucks and a salable name--Name recognition, if known widely enough has taken athletes further than all the degrees promised. She will graduate with Stew/Moriah and go 3, 4,5,6 in the draft--nice money.
Lew Alcindor had the same choice -- and yes he had name recognition--worth millions.

Look at Megan--if not for UConn and fans--she'd be working in the dark annals of some office--She has name recognition if only in CT and she has done well with it..Advanced degrees are overrated and overpriced. As Geno once said Uconn has many PHD waiters as Duke.

As some one said--only at years end will we really know--until then we have expressed our ARM PITS--(everyone has one)--if only to vent out ignorant thoughts. (Ignorant isn't a curse word--it only means you don't know what you don't know)

 

[BroadwayVa]

I am a little surprised that no one has picked up on this sentence buried deep in John Altavilla's story in Wednesday's Courant:

"You can tell [Geno] will miss [the seniors], and it's beginning to look more and more, at least in the eyes of WNBA decision-makers, that Tuck will leave after this season, as opposed to accepting her medical hardship season."

He went on to quote Geno talking about the contributions of all three seniors, implicitly grouping them together as if none of them will be in Storrs next year.

I also saw Morgan quoted recently as saying that it has been her ambition to play in the WNBA since she was 14 years old. If that is true, then "carpet diem" would seem to be a relevant precept. The longer she spends in college, the greater the chance that her knee could blow up completely (as Shea's finally did), precluding any chance of a pro career. So if she considers it really important to experience the professional level of basketball, she had better seize that opportunity as soon as it presents itself.

Having said that, even though her play would warrant her being a lottery pick, I don't think she will be because of the knee issue. That probably means that she will be drafted later, by a better team, which can afford to risk its #1 draft pick on someone who will be great for as long as she can play, which may not be for very long.

The rug today???

 

[MilfordHusky]

Just another perspective - I wonder if Tuck has any notions about putting next year's team on her back. As to the knee I think reality has to set in and that is this is chronic and her playing time in the WNBA might be limited at best. If she commits it means almost no rest after the college season and a very abbreviated and tough WNBA schedule, presuming she plays for whatever team drafts her. Income at the WNBA level has a cap to it and I don't think she'd be able to augment that income by playing overseas, what with the knee problems she has. The counter - she comes back, gets her degree, hangs her hat on her collegiate laurels and makes her mark in the private sector, or coaching, who knows?

Two points:

1. I've thought for over a year that connections will be a factor for Morgan. I know she is strongly connected with Stewie and Moriah. That's a given. But if she feels very strongly connected to the younger players, coaching staff, fan base, and college life, that can offset the Class of 2016 connection. If she wants to tutor Gabby, Napheesa, and Natalie, that pull could be strong.

2. For all the WNBA rookies, the calendar from the senior season to the rookie year to a season abroad and back to the WNBA is brutal. It means constant play year-round. Maybe Morgan could use some rest. I'm worried about her knee.

 

[Paul1969]

If Tuck returned she could be National Player of the Year

 

[Geno-ista]

I love Morgan! I have always thought she would leave when the time for the decision came- and never wavered. She's so mature for her age- well beyond her years. I think the knee issues may be secondary. This was my gut feeling over the summer, and it remains. She has nothing left to prove. She'll leave with her two amigos. We'll know by Senior Night I guess!!! I guess if she goes to mid court she's gone. Is there an earlier cut off than that?

 

[JordyG]

$50K greater than nothing was the point. $50K was for 1 summer was another point. Then what? She has the rest of the year (9 Months) to I don't know: get endorsements, coach, teach, work, rehab, go to grad school. Her education is not free and she travels to play basketball-lets not get that twisted- and from all that room and board and UCONN tuition mess that people keep talking about she cannot buy her mother a decent Christmas present like she will be able to do with her pay check from the WNBA. Morgan is a queen I give you that, but don't pretend that she has not given back UCONN more than UCONN has given her. It is time for her to move on, if that is what chooses to do. There is this great big world outside of UCONN WBB which Morgan needs to start conquering. For those that are thinking UCONN degree and the value of it, how about if Morgan graduates and goes to Harvard, Princeton or Yale or Duke or Stanford and get her graduate degree from there. That will set her up much better for conquering the world than spending another year at UCONN.

At one time I was skeptical about the value of leaving. But Coco all of your arguments simply make too much sense. I'd hate to see her go, but yes, there is an entire world out there other than Storrs. Better grad schools as well. Her real mark will be made there no matter how hallowed we think UCONN's walls, no matter how much value we see as her legacy at UCONN.

 

[OldAlum]

Question about "Geno encouraging Tuck to leave" comments. I didn't hear the comment. But from the quotes it seemed like he said she should have Senior Game this year. To me, that does not equal leaving after this year, necessarily. I am thinking that perhaps he felt that she should celebrate with the teammates she came in with. She can decide later to stay or go. If she stays, we all hope that at the end of that year she can enjoy seeing her name on the Wall of Honor, even though it would not be her "senior game". Perhaps someone who heard the comment can clarify with context?

 

[Artifact]

In short, Morgan's career in the WNBA will only go as far as her knee will go !

 

[FairView]

I would hate to see Morgan go.
But if she did, that would mean either she or Jefferson could play for the Sun.