Natalie Butler [merged thread]

[sawxfan23]

Natalie was apparently not very good in 10th grade. She's been improving very rapidly. It's hard to say how good she can become, especially at UConn. It seems as if she could be comparable to Stef in shot blocking and rebounding after 4 years on campus. Stef's shooting and passing are exceptional. I wouldn't expect Natalie to be that good at all. If it came to pass, it woud be a huge bonus. As others have noted, she will be surrounded by considerable talent and brings much needed height. Maybe her game will be more similar to Kiah's. Even if Natalie never progresses to beyond a "poor man's version" of Stef, she would still be a solid player and contributor. Plus she sounds like a great kid. I hope we are fortunate enough to get her.

And this is exactly what I said in my post earlier!

 

[stamfordhusky]

that is a major NCAA violation if the coach talks to a student/athlete from another school

No it is not - if she has permission from the school, which she obviously had. BUT that is completely different from having a release, which is what was unclear originally. I responded to your statement saying "of course she has her release", since there was no "of course" about it at that point. As I said previously, a number of players in recent years have visited schools without having a release - and there were no NCAA violations.

 

[doggydaddy]

I think alot of people here need to temper their expectations a little bit. Butler is not the offensive player that Dolson is and probably will never be. She isn't as good a passer, doesn't have as much range, and is not as polished a finisher as Dolson and honestly that is OK. Butler is a great fundamental player that is open to coaching and does all the little things right. She is a good screener, rebounder, finisher in the paint, and shot blocker and can without a doubt help the Huskies if she decides to come to UConn. Lets just not expect the second coming of Dolson because she is not that talented a player.

I understand what you are trying to say, Sawx. And if you want to temper your expectations, more power to you.

I'm not sure why you feel the need to tell other posters how to feel about this. Some folks always see the best in situations. Why does that bother you?

Cat said it well. I don't see a lot of people going over the top crazy over this. Discussions have been reasonable.

I'm curious how much you have seen her play since you seem to know details about her game.

I will say that 14 ppg and 13 rpg are fantastic for any division I player. And she had a better year than Dolson did her freshman year.

 

[Husky1964]

OT!!!!!!!! She went to the same HS as Uconn's former QB Mike Nebrich, now at Fordham!!!

 

[John Glass]

No it is not - if she has permission from the school, which she obviously had. BUT that is completely different from having a release, which is what was unclear originally. I responded to your statement saying "of course she has her release", since there was no "of course" about it at that point. As I said previously, a number of players in recent years have visited schools without having a release - and there were no NCAA violations.

No it is not - if she has permission from the school, which she obviously had. BUT that is completely different from having a release, which is what was unclear originally. I responded to your statement saying "of course she has her release", since there was no "of course" about it at that point. As I said previously, a number of players in recent years have visited schools without having a release - and there were no NCAA violations.

http://www.goutsa.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=205405306

so written permission is not a release ?

 

[Buzzyboy]

why was she ranked only #140 in the 13 class?

I'm not sure. It sounds like she is a hard working kid with a great work ethic and that would kinda remind some folks here of one Stef Dolson. Stef wasn't thought of that highly before coming here and she developed into an All American. The worst case scenerio she could be a nice backup but with the numbers she had in her freshman year, I'm inclined to think she'd more likely be a nice contributor. Lets hope that it works out on both sides and she decides to become a Huskie. I would still be looking at getting that center that we've been recruiting for 2015 but it sure would be nice to have someone locked in for the next few years.

 

[UcMiami]

The difference being that Dolson played against toughest teams in the country with all the pressure of winning at UConn on her while Butler played against significantly less talented teams with virtually no pressure.

Yeah - but Dolson also played her freshman year on a team led by Maya Moore and a few other not too shabby players ... who exactly did Georgetown have last year?

 

[EricSD]

I am not saying she is not a good player I am saying that she is not as good as Dolson thats all.

Fair enough, but you know this how? Honestly, on a really bad team, her freshman numbers were much better than Stef's freshman numbers. I totally agree - she is not as good as Stef as a senior. But none of us watched all 35 or so games Natalie played in this year, so it seems like it would be hard to tell how "good" she was compared to Stef as a freshman.

 

[Buzzyboy]

There was some remarks about her not being another Stef because she wasn't the offensive player, didn't have the passing skills that Stef had. Well, I'm not going to say that players like Stef grow on trees but Stef, herself, wasn't nearly as good a passer or scorer in her freshman year at UConn as she developed into. If this kid comes here (hopefully) she will have the benefit of great coaching and the opportunity to play against some overtly talented players in practice that should help her develop herself. She definitely sounds like a girl who has a willingness to really work hard (ala Dolson) to become the best she can be and that sounds pretty exciting to me. Hope she becomes a Huskie!

 

[Kibitzer]

The only two things that Stef Dolson and Natalie Butler have in common is that both are 6'5 and both are white (just like Rigby, remember her -- a transfer TO UConn?).

The Uconn factor has not yet been established (but wouldn't that be nice!). Beyond those two physical characteristics, one is a graduating senior with two NC rings and a unique connection with President Obama and the other is a "rising sophomore" who was recruited by Brown, coached by Lewis, and may want to see a steady hand at the coaching helm for the rest of her college career. We know nothing of Natalie's dance moves.

Thus, the comparison (Stef v. Natalie) is inevitable but not really fair to either of them. Useful only to stimulate message board discussion, ultimately inconclusive.

Somebody else asked how Geno "missed" Butler. He didn't.

In high school, her development (then!) did not justify even a first look, let alone a UConn scholarship offer. Now that she has vastly exceeded all expectations as a Div I wcbb player (at 6'5" yet), I believe that Geno will consider making her a difficult-to-refuse offer.

To paraphrase Joe Adco ck (old MLB player, describing the impossibility of sneaking a cute pitch past Hank Aaron):

"Trying to slip a recruit past Geno is like trying to slip a sunrise past a rooster."​

And, yes, I like our chances with Ms Butler.

 

[Buzzyboy]

I understand what you are trying to say, Sawx. And if you want to temper your expectations, more power to you.

I'm not sure why you feel the need to tell other posters how to feel about this. Some folks always see the best in situations. Why does that bother you?

Cat said it well. I don't see a lot of people going over the top crazy over this. Discussions have been reasonable.

I'm curious how much you have seen her play since you seem to know details about her game.

I will say that 14 ppg and 13 rpg are fantastic for any division I player. And she had a better year than Dolson did her freshman year.

I couldn't agree more with everything that you've said. We may never get her but if we want her and she agrees, she can't be anything but an asset. That old expression that you can't "teach big" is so true and her numbers suggest that she's got some talent along with a great work ethic that sounds like a winner to me.

 

[stamfordhusky]

http://www.goutsa.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=205405306

so written permission is not a release ?

Correct. As I said in my other two posts, a school can give a player written permission to talk to other schools without giving a release. As I also said, there have been recent situations where that was the case. In one case, St. Joseph's coach Phil Martelli gave one of his players permission to talk to schools about transferring and then screwed him by refusing to grant a release.

 

[Geno-ista]

Maybe not a good idea to put too much weight on the wording of a tweet. Sounds like she is thinking about transferring ...to UConn. She wouldn't have visited if UConn weren't granted permission to contact.

Coaching change at G'town may be part of the reason.

If there is a coaching change- do they still have to sit out the year?

 

[reno tony]

How does it work with transfers? Would she be able to work out and practice with the team and coaches during her year off?

 

[UcMiami]

If there is a coaching change- do they still have to sit out the year?

Yes - unless there is some special circumstance that the NCAA over-rules (see PSU football sanctions) - coaching changes mean nothing in terms of the transfer rules.

How does it work with transfers? Would she be able to work out and practice with the team and coaches during her year off?

A transfer cannot play in games and I don't believe is allowed to travel with the team, but can practice. With a release they are allowed to be on scholarship for the year, without a released they have to pay their own way.

 

[UConndad6]

Here you go, draw your own conclusion.

 

[stamfordhusky]

Yes - unless there is some special circumstance that the NCAA over-rules (see PSU football sanctions) - coaching changes mean nothing in terms of the transfer rules.

A transfer cannot play in games and I don't believe is allowed to travel with the team, but can practice. With a release they are allowed to be on scholarship for the year, without a released they have to pay their own way.

1. Occasionally the NCAA has allowed a player to play immediately when there have been major problems that led to the coaching change. For example, several of the players who played under Mike Rice at Rutgers did not have to sit out at their new school. That probably won't happen here - particularly since for the 2015-16 season the NCAA is apparently altering the rule that allows hardship waivers - but it is an outside possibility.

2. You are correct that a redshirt player cannot travel with the team - although she can arrange her own travel and pay her own way if she wants to go to an away game.

 

[HuskyNan]

\
I am not saying she is not a good player I am saying that she is not as good as Dolson thats all.

I spoke to people that had coached Stef as a high schooler and they told me she wasn't an impact player and that she would only be a very good role player in college. Stef also had nominal competition in high school while Natalie has the first year of college under her belt already so she would be more prepared for the rigors of college. And remember, we didn't really have an inkling Stef would be the best center in the country until some time in her sophomore year. In addition, Natalie would be able to practice with the Huskies for a year before actually playing.

The Seton Hall coach said she has upside. Since he's actually coached against her, I'll take his word for it. If she goes elsewhere, I'll wish her luck but, man, I'd love to see her in a UConn uni.

 

[RegisteredUconn]

... and I believe she will be a big time player with a couple of NC's

Surely you're speaking of a "baker's couple" correct?

Baker's Dozen = 13
Baker's Couple = 3

 

[MilfordHusky]

Here you go, draw your own conclusion.

Nice! Thanks!

She cleans the glass, moves without the ball, and can shoot with the left. I think she can play.

 

[Sonny44]

I think alot of people here need to temper their expectations a little bit. Butler is not the offensive player that Dolson is and probably will never be. She isn't as good a passer, doesn't have as much range, and is not as polished a finisher as Dolson and honestly that is OK. Butler is a great fundamental player that is open to coaching and does all the little things right. She is a good screener, rebounder, finisher in the paint, and shot blocker and can without a doubt help the Huskies if she decides to come to UConn. Lets just not expect the second coming of Dolson because she is not that talented a player.

Why? Dolson wasn't all that stuff as a freshman.

 

[Icebear]

Nice! Thanks!

She cleans the glass, moves without the ball, and can shoot with the left. I think she can play.

And lifts her knees when running down the court. She is raw but there is a lot there to work with.

 

[Sonny44]

\
I am not saying she is not a good player I am saying that she is not as good as Dolson thats all.

Natalie Butler Hometown Newspaper Article: http://www.fairfaxtimes.com/apps/pb...an-season-at-georgetown&template=fairfaxTimes

Great Natalie, bring Logan along with you.

 

[Sonny44]

If there is a coaching change- do they still have to sit out the year?

Also, could she practise with the team?

 

[Shenandoah]

And lifts her knees when running down the court. She is raw but there is a lot there to work with.

You mean that she can elevate higher than a sheet of paper?

 

[Geno-ista]

Yes - unless there is some special circumstance that the NCAA over-rules (see PSU football sanctions) - coaching changes mean nothing in terms of the transfer rules.

A transfer cannot play in games and I don't believe is allowed to travel with the team, but can practice. With a release they are allowed to be on scholarship for the year, without a released they have to pay their own way.

Thks UC!

 

[Fiftyish]

I think alot of people here need to temper their expectations a little bit. Butler is not the offensive player that Dolson is and probably will never be. She isn't as good a passer, doesn't have as much range, and is not as polished a finisher as Dolson and honestly that is OK. Butler is a great fundamental player that is open to coaching and does all the little things right. She is a good screener, rebounder, finisher in the paint, and shot blocker and can without a doubt help the Huskies if she decides to come to UConn. Lets just not expect the second coming of Dolson because she is not that talented a player.

Wow! Major buzzkill...

 

[LadyVols9]

fair question: so why is this possible transfer not as controversial as Diamond? both are unhappy and want change. seems funny to me that all is "normal" if a 6"5" center wants to play for UCONN.

for the record, I see nothing wrong with Butler going to UCONN or any other school. Just pointing at the obvious.

 

[reno tony]

Here is a video of her playing defense agains Xavier. She looks a little lost at times. Doesn't show any Georgetown offensive plays.

 

[sarals24]

fair question: so why is this possible transfer not as controversial as Diamond? both are unhappy and want change. seems funny to me that all is "normal" if a 6"5" center wants to play for UCONN.

for the record, I see nothing wrong with Butler going to UCONN or any other school. Just pointing at the obvious.

She wasn't National Freshman of the Year, she didn't bring four other top recruits with her, there are actually obvious factors (coaching changes) that make her transfer a bit less baffling. Diamond's transfer has been extremely controversial because it seemingly came out of nowhere.