My thought on Geno recruiting transfers

[EricLA]

I know it's transfer season and we've already seen a lot of folks leave their schools, with more to come for sure. I want to preface this by saying it's only my opinion, but given how long I've followed the program, I think my opinion is at least somewhat accurate.

We all know Geno rarely recruits transfers or JUCO players. He's done it in the past with great success (Rita Williams), but more recently, with 2 years eligibility, Rashidat Sadiq only lasted 1 year at UCONN. In general, when a kid comes to UCONN, no matter how good they are, it takes anywhere from half a season to the entire year for Geno to "undo" all the bad habits from high school (or college) and to start teaching them hoops the way it's supposed to be played (or the UCONN way).

If you have to do that with a JUCO player, it only leaves you 1 year to really get the most out of them. At least with a kid transferring after their freshman season, a whole year of practice might be enough to get them on the same page as their UCONN teammates. But here's the thing - players like Butler are the exception.

I'm not sure if Geno went after her or vice versa, but I get the feeling that any kid who wants to transfer to UCONN really needs to convince Geno to take her, not the other way around. Not because Geno is arrogant or stubborn, but because it does take a long time to undo bad habits, and it's even harder when a kid already has a year or 2 of college play under her belt.

Kids who are leaving schools are usually either escaping a bad situation, looking for more PT, or both (or wanting to be closer to home). If they are already a proven college entity, it's even easier for coaches to say "come here and be a starter" or "come here and earn a ton of PT". Kids who are transferring probably are already a bit gunshy, and if you have a coach like Geno saying "come here - we need to undo all the bad crap you think you know, and if you work hard enough and are good enough, you will earn PT based on that. We promise you nothing except the opportunity to be the best you can..."

I think in a way, convincing a transfer to come to UCONN is more difficult than a high school junior. Which is one reason, along with the rest above, why I think transfers to UCONN are so rare...

 

[UcMiami]

I think there is really very little 'recruiting' that goes on with transfers. Mostly the player and or their representative reaches out to a few programs they are interested in to see if there would be any interest, and not coaches actually trying to recruit a player who announces they are transferring. (Not talking about JuCo because that is a very different situation, more akin to HS recruiting.

 

[iri10]

If you have the luxury of being choosy, I think it works best if 1) they leave after freshman year and thus have 3 years of eligibility left, and 2) they have a good reason for leaving.

#1 is so that, hopefully, the player can give you two good years after they've spent their first year acclimating to the team's system. With #2, I imagine that a coach would want to avoid someone who is flighty in general, lest they transfer a second time. Someone with a good, concrete reason for leaving might be less likely to transfer a second time than someone who "just didn't like the feel at my first school."

 

[wbfree]

I know it's transfer season and we've already seen a lot of folks leave their schools, with more to come for sure. I want to preface this by saying it's only my opinion, but given how long I've followed the program, I think my opinion is at least somewhat accurate.

We all know Geno rarely recruits transfers or JUCO players. He's done it in the past with great success (Rita Williams), but more recently, with 2 years eligibility, Rashidat Sadiq only lasted 1 year at UCONN. In general, when a kid comes to UCONN, no matter how good they are, it takes anywhere from half a season to the entire year for Geno to "undo" all the bad habits from high school (or college) and to start teaching them hoops the way it's supposed to be played (or the UCONN way).

If you have to do that with a JUCO player, it only leaves you 1 year to really get the most out of them. At least with a kid transferring after their freshman season, a whole year of practice might be enough to get them on the same page as their UCONN teammates. But here's the thing - players like Butler are the exception.

I'm not sure if Geno went after her or vice versa, but I get the feeling that any kid who wants to transfer to UCONN really needs to convince Geno to take her, not the other way around. Not because Geno is arrogant or stubborn, but because it does take a long time to undo bad habits, and it's even harder when a kid already has a year or 2 of college play under her belt.

Kids who are leaving schools are usually either escaping a bad situation, looking for more PT, or both (or wanting to be closer to home). If they are already a proven college entity, it's even easier for coaches to say "come here and be a starter" or "come here and earn a ton of PT". Kids who are transferring probably are already a bit gunshy, and if you have a coach like Geno saying "come here - we need to undo all the bad crap you think you know, and if you work hard enough and are good enough, you will earn PT based on that. We promise you nothing except the opportunity to be the best you can..."

I think in a way, convincing a transfer to come to UCONN is more difficult than a high school junior. Which is one reason, along with the rest above, why I think transfers to UCONN are so rare...

I don't understand why you think all transfers have bad habits. Most transfers transfer because they are unhappy. There's a myriad of reasons why kids transfer. Personality conflicts with coaches, teamates, classmates. Homesick. They don't like the school, playing time, weather, or just a bad fit. Just because a kid comes from another program doesn't mean they weren't coached incorrectly.

 

[01Neaggrad02]

Brittany Hunter was a transfer..... Just saying

Excellent addition to UCONN

 

[Fightin Choke]

I don't understand why you think all transfers have bad habits. Most transfers transfer because they are unhappy. There's a myriad of reasons why kids transfer. Personality conflicts with coaches, teamates, classmates. Homesick. They don't like the school, playing time, weather, or just a bad fit. Just because a kid comes from another program doesn't mean they weren't coached incorrectly.

I think Eric is saying that almost all college players (transfers or not) have bad habits and Geno needs to purge those tendencies before he can mold them into what he wants. Geno demands more from his players and is less tolerant of bad habits than most college coaches.

 

[cohenzone]

Well, we have one transfer right now who might have to play a prime role next year and had no playing time issue at her previous school. Natalie Butler undoubtedly reached out to UConn. Beyond her and Hunter, they took Rigby, and the JUCOs mentioned above. He does not mind taking transfers or JUCOs if the situation seems good. He hasn't had to very often, but right now with a few new players having bailed soon after joining the program the last two years, this might be one of those times.

 

[CocoHusky]

I don't understand why you think all transfers have bad habits. Most transfers transfer because they are unhappy. There's a myriad of reasons why kids transfer. Personality conflicts with coaches, teamates, classmates. Homesick. They don't like the school, playing time, weather, or just a bad fit. Just because a kid comes from another program doesn't mean they weren't coached incorrectly.

The use of the words "bad habits" kind of mask the issue and the point Eric is trying to make because bad is subjective and emotional. A better way to say it might be that UCONN runs complex defense and offense, it takes time to learn this which is same reason you don't see many Freshmen starting on day one at UCONN. Stevens played at Duke for coach JPM so incorrect coaching and lack of development is not something we should spend much more time wondering about. That just makes Stevens success all the more remarkable. Here is something to ponder, when Stevens resumes playing she will likely be battling A'Ja Wilson & Kelsey Mitchell for NPOY.

 

[ochoopsfan]

Was Natalie Butler a UConn recruit while in HS. I dont remember.

 

[uconnfan68]

Was Natalie Butler a UConn recruit while in HS. I dont remember.

No. Not even on the radar from my memory.

 

[Blueballer]

Brittany Hunter was a transfer..... Just saying

Excellent addition to UCONN

Yes she was and that is how rare it is for them to accept a transfer. Hunter and Butler are the only ones who transferred in that I remember. (Not counting JUCOS)

 

[MilfordHusky]

Was Natalie Butler a UConn recruit while in HS. I dont remember.

Nat was a late bloomer. She was a so-so player as a soph. Her junior year, she surprised folks and became a double-double machine. Her senior year, she continued that. I think she committed to G'town at some point during her junior year. She had a few mid-level schools recruiting her, if I recall correctly.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Jess McCormack also transferred in. The very tall Aussie played for the U. of Washington, and had a nice freshman season. She transferred to UConn and had Achilles surgery. She went home at some point and never came back. Jess became a netball player down under. She never suited up for UConn.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jessica_McCormack

 

[Kibitzer]

Any player who hopes to transfer to UConn must convince Geno of three things:

1. Her reason(s) for transferring are understandable (no "issues");
2. She can play (UConn potential); and,
3. She really wants to come to UConn.
​

OK, Ms Stevens, if you want to win big-time, get up to Storrs and make your case.

 

[Sonny44]

Any player who hopes to transfer to UConn must convince Geno of three things:

1. Her reason(s) for transferring are understandable (no "issues");
2. She can play (UConn potential); and,
3. She really wants to come to UConn.
​

OK, Ms Stevens, if you want to win big-time, get up to Storrs and make your case.

I think 1 could easily be waived in this case.

 

[BroadwayVa]

I know it's transfer season and we've already seen a lot of folks leave their schools, with more to come for sure. I want to preface this by saying it's only my opinion, but given how long I've followed the program, I think my opinion is at least somewhat accurate.

We all know Geno rarely recruits transfers or JUCO players. He's done it in the past with great success (Rita Williams), but more recently, with 2 years eligibility, Rashidat Sadiq only lasted 1 year at UCONN. In general, when a kid comes to UCONN, no matter how good they are, it takes anywhere from half a season to the entire year for Geno to "undo" all the bad habits from high school (or college) and to start teaching them hoops the way it's supposed to be played (or the UCONN way).

If you have to do that with a JUCO player, it only leaves you 1 year to really get the most out of them. At least with a kid transferring after their freshman season, a whole year of practice might be enough to get them on the same page as their UCONN teammates. But here's the thing - players like Butler are the exception.

I'm not sure if Geno went after her or vice versa, but I get the feeling that any kid who wants to transfer to UCONN really needs to convince Geno to take her, not the other way around. Not because Geno is arrogant or stubborn, but because it does take a long time to undo bad habits, and it's even harder when a kid already has a year or 2 of college play under her belt.

Kids who are leaving schools are usually either escaping a bad situation, looking for more PT, or both (or wanting to be closer to home). If they are already a proven college entity, it's even easier for coaches to say "come here and be a starter" or "come here and earn a ton of PT". Kids who are transferring probably are already a bit gunshy, and if you have a coach like Geno saying "come here - we need to undo all the bad crap you think you know, and if you work hard enough and are good enough, you will earn PT based on that. We promise you nothing except the opportunity to be the best you can..."

I think in a way, convincing a transfer to come to UCONN is more difficult than a high school junior. Which is one reason, along with the rest above, why I think transfers to UCONN are so rare...

]

First Eric---How dare you have an opinion of your own!!! Having said that--I agree with you (again). Geno probably is ARROGANT because he has 30 plus years to know his methods are working. Lots of transfers go closer to home, to be with friends, and as you say more PT, or to move from a bad match/situation.
Having said all that---I hope he at least has a long look at Azura Stevens (sp?) from Duke--if she is a team match, she could be a very very good addition.

 

[BroadwayVa]

Any player who hopes to transfer to UConn must convince Geno of three things:

1. Her reason(s) for transferring are understandable (no "issues");
2. She can play (UConn potential); and,
3. She really wants to come to UConn.
​

OK, Ms Stevens, if you want to win big-time, get up to Storrs and make your case.

1 and 2 are a given----the question of 3, is one that only Ms Stevens will answers if/when she knocks on Geno's door she may have no desire to play for Geno--then all your questions are meaningless.

 

[BroadwayVa]

Jess McCormack also transferred in. The very tall Aussie played for the U. of Washington, and had a nice freshman season. She transferred to UConn and had Achilles surgery. She went home at some point and never came back. Jess became a netball player down under. She never suited up for UConn.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jessica_McCormack

Yes and she was one of many like EDD that never played a minute for UConn that are counted by the naysayers as proof that UConn has those that jumped ship--there were "NEVER WERE's"

 

[BroadwayVa]

Yes she was and that is how rare it is for them to accept a transfer. Hunter and Butler are the only ones who transferred in that I remember. (Not counting JUCOS)

Ms Hunter was a medical transfer---UConn Med Ctr did what Duke couldn't--Ms Hunter had a 3 way love affair she loved what Geno did for her, she loved Geno and the fans loved her. Her potential was very high.
We have yet to see the true potential of Natalie Butler--she has great hands and shoot extremely well--not super on defense--but she'll learn over the summer.

 

[BroadwayVa]

The use of the words "bad habits" kind of mask the issue and the point Eric is trying to make because bad is subjective and emotional. A better way to say it might be that UCONN runs complex defense and offense, it takes time to learn this which is same reason you don't see many Freshmen starting on day one at UCONN. Stevens played at Duke for coach JPM so incorrect coaching and lack of development is not something we should spend much more time wondering about. That just makes Stevens success all the more remarkable. Here is something to ponder, when Stevens resumes playing she will likely be battling A'Ja Wilson & Kelsey Mitchell for NPOY.

Bad Habits---Kids bring in AAU attitude ( I can play. (Sveta) I don't need to play defense, etc) Fundamentals .
Many kids come to College lacking fundamentals and Geno is a stickler on a BB player knowing how to dribble (with either hand) how to lay up with the off hand, how to pass, when to pass, etc--the things that separate Uconn players from all others. That I believe is what Eric was saying (I make to pretense of speaking for Eric). Duke probably does not spend time on fundamentals--Geno's old time fundamental video tells it all (for Bob stores)

 

[CocoHusky]

Bad Habits---Kids bring in AAU attitude ( I can play. (Sveta) I don't need to play defense, etc) Fundamentals .
Many kids come to College lacking fundamentals and Geno is a stickler on a BB player knowing how to dribble (with either hand) how to lay up with the off hand, how to pass, when to pass, etc--the things that separate Uconn players from all others. That I believe is what Eric was saying (I make to pretense of speaking for Eric). Duke probably does not spend time on fundamentals--Geno's old time fundamental video tells it all (for Bob stores)

As long as we stick with this language (bad habits) we will continue to talk pass each other and @wbfree has a more valid point which was:
" I don't understand why you ( Eric) think all transfers have bad habits."
I realize she was not a transfer but what "bad habits" did Kelly Faris come to UCONN with for example?
Every player comes to UCONN with a set of skill, UCONN more than most insists that players improve upon their skill set while at UCONN. As a freshmen when Duke played UCONN Stevens was the second leading scorer in the game and the only player to give Duke a pulse. That's right, she out scored (Stewie, KML, & Elizabeth Williams, & Morgan). If she transfers to UCONN we are getting a skilled player and a conversation about "bad habits" or what fundamentals she did or didn't pick up at Duke would be kind of pointless IMO.

 

[CL82]

I think I agree with Eric, though I might phrase it differently.

Becoming a "UConn player" is a process. It requires skill, character/commitment, and time. It is that third component that makes transfers challenging. Kids who come to us out of high school come during the summer are indoctrinated into the mind set and work ethic by the time of the first practice. Most then spend a year or so, the best a bit less, others a bit more, figuring out what their role is on the team and what they need to do to be successful.

Natalie is a good example of this. She's a good player, with a decent a skill set and physically blessed and she struggles to be effective on the court. I like her. I think she's going to have a bigger role next year, and I acknowledge her injury setting her back but the fact that talented a kid like her looks so out of sync sometimes shows how challenging it is to succeed here. The loss of a year makes that daunting process even more challenging, so only really outstanding kids are going to be worth the investment by the staff. JMHO.

 

[meyers7]

We all know Geno rarely recruits transfers or JUCO players. He's done it in the past with great success (Rita Williams),

Don't think he actually recruited Williams from Mitchell College. IIRC, he had recruited her in HS, but didn't know if she had the academic chops for UCONN. I believe he asked her to prove herself at a JC, which she did and then she came on board in her Soph year.

 

[msf22b]

Jess McCormack also transferred in. The very tall Aussie played for the U. of Washington, and had a nice freshman season. She transferred to UConn and had Achilles surgery. She went home at some point and never came back. Jess became a netball player down under. She never suited up for UConn.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jessica_McCormack

Funny about Jess
She played some BB, some netball and completely disappeared from public view 2 or 3 years ago
Having lived in NZ for a few, (and having broken the story that was not coming to UConn)
I tried to follow her career
Dropped completely off the radar screen.

On Edit: searched again, there is a NZ born Jess McCormack in London, active as a hit, jewelry designer, but its not the same person...Our (?) Jess was born in Hamilton (North Island, not far from Aukland...super bad memories of that place); the London Jess is from ChristChurch, South Island and at 31 is a few years older.

 

[BRS24]

I think I agree with Eric, though I might phrase it differently.

Natalie is a good example of this. She's a good player, with a decent a skill set and physically blessed and she struggles to be effective on the court. I like her. I think she's going to have a bigger role next year, and I acknowledge her injury setting her back but the fact that talented a kid like her looks so out of sync sometimes shows how challenging it is to succeed here. The loss of a year makes that daunting process even more challenging, so only really outstanding kids are going to be worth the investment by the staff. JMHO.

Although Natalie was allowed to practice with the team last year, there is still nothing that substitutes real game speed. Now that she's played some game minutes, she can use that experience this summer to improve upon her skills. It takes both mental and physical quickness to play the game as Geno envisions.