ND is Pipeline to WNBA

[Uhuru]

I've always preferred the Tennessee program to that of Notre Dame - for several reasons.

Tennessee has a great record as a collegiate program with a record of championships second only to UConn. They've never resorted to flopping like the Flopping Irish. And they are not known as habitual whiners like ND from the coach, from the fans, and from the team.

Finally, the Tennessee fans demonstrate more knowledge of the game. While the VolNation website contains some anti-Geno rhetoric, there is some discussion of basketball tactics, critique of coaching decisions, etc. There is none on McGraw's Bench. Maybe there is a more sophisticated forum for ND women's hoops? But, I seriously doubt it.

 

[CocoHusky]

When you're the best you don't need to talk about it, the results says it all. If you have to be talking yourself up it's probably due to a sense of inferiority.

Where I'm from ( Norristown, PA) guys that have to tell you how good they are don't last very long.
Geno '2014.

 

[Wbbfan1]

Actually UConn is very poor when it comes to using Social Media or its own SID to publicize the accomplishments of program, current players or Alumni. IMHO they rely on the horde for their publicity.ND is the best followed by Stanford and Duke. So Carolina, especially Dawn Staley really used Social Media to publicize their program.

I would be completely shocked if UConn WBB hasn't produced similar documents or brochures touting its accomplishments and those of its alumni that it has distributed to recruits during the recruiting process. What's different here is that ND has produced its in an article format and has made it publicly available on its website. It's also been promoted and circulated by ND's various twitter accounts (program, coaches). The UConn program keeps its stuff in-house and rarely uses twitter, particularly for recruiting purposes. The contrast in style and approach is what interests me.

 

[ScarlettB]

RU has as many current NBA players as ND, so I guess we could claim we are the premier pipeline to the WNBA - even though it is obviously not true. UConn wins that battle hands down. Both ND and RU do prepare their players to play at the next level - as does UT, Duke and several other schools.

 

[CocoHusky]

Thank you for this commentary, one of the few on this thread that makes sense to me. Of course the article in question is a bit of a puff piece, and, of course, it is purposely timed to favorably influence recruiting. The points that it makes relative to the "system" at Notre Dame are perfectly fair and entirely justified. For that reason alone, we UConn fans should be thankful that it was written. Is there anyone around here who thinks that highly prized recruits fail to apply the same criteria in their thinking to the one program that need not publicize the fact that it, and it alone, outshines ND in all of the areas touched upon by the author? By any standard, the writer did UConn a big favor by writing it. It is a trademark, in my opinion, of ND fans to always feel their teams and their programs are being "dissed" and ranked too low. That kind of whining should be far below fans of the ten time national champions. Did I say ten? Gee, I wonder if Lauren Cox and the other top recruits are aware of that...

Big, just a follow up since the article about ND being a pipeline to WNBA there have been 2 other article highlighting ND connections/ players to WNBA. One was predictable Jewell being name Rookie of the year. The other caught me by surprise, it was on the top banner of the ND WCBB page highlighting Devereaux Peters 2nd WNBA championship.
http://www.und.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/101415aad.html
I can't applaud loud enough what ND is doing by highlighting former ND players in the WNBA. I also now belive there is no intended/implied counter messaging to recruits of UCONN WCBB.

 

[mhshuskies]

Big, just a follow up since the article about ND being a pipeline to WNBA there have been 2 other article highlighting ND connections/ players to WNBA. One was predictable Jewell being name Rookie of the year. The other caught me by surprise, it was on the top banner of the ND WCBB page highlighting Devereaux Peters 2nd WNBA championship.
http://www.und.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/101415aad.html
I can't applaud loud enough what ND is doing by highlighting former ND players in the WNBA. I also now belive there is no intended/implied counter messaging to recruits of UCONN WCBB.

What the top banner didn't say was about how Peters was just along for the ride that was driven by UCONN alumni.

 

[CocoHusky]

What the top banner didn't say was about how Peters was just along for the ride that was driven by UCONN alumni.

Careful! Then ND fans would counter with Kalana Greene must also have been along for the ride also. There doesn't have to be a UCONN angle to everything ND does. I like the fact that ND is biggin up thier WNBA players. I honestly wish UCONN would do the same.

 

[Orangutan]

What the top banner didn't say was about how Peters was just along for the ride that was driven by UCONN alumni.

Funny, I don't remember Sylvia Fowles going to UConn

 

[UcMiami]

I would be completely shocked if UConn WBB hasn't produced similar documents or brochures touting its accomplishments and those of its alumni that it has distributed to recruits during the recruiting process. What's different here is that ND has produced its in an article format and has made it publicly available on its website. It's also been promoted and circulated by ND's various twitter accounts (program, coaches). The UConn program keeps its stuff in-house and rarely uses twitter, particularly for recruiting purposes. The contrast in style and approach is what interests me.

Actually we use the ESPN marketing arm to produce our WCBB promotional materials and broadcast them to the widest possible audience.

 

[huskyd]

Piece done by the ND athletic department about ND developing its players for the WNBA. Nicely done and just in time for recruiting season.

http://www.und.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/090315aap.html

Imagine what UConn could put together about its program if it were so inclined. They could add winning championships and Olympic and World Championship gold medals.

Geno once said he thinks UConn is the best women's basketball program in the country but "we don't go around flaunting it." Geno, I think you should change your mind on that.

I thought players went to ND primarily because of its academic reputation. The name has a certain athletic cachet, too. Muffet, like her or not, is a pretty good coach. But it makes no sense (to me) to go to ND if you want to play in the WNBA. UConn not only sends more players, it sends more top players who go on to affect the outcome of games. I've never heard Geno extol his program as a conduit to professional sport. Be nice if Irish stars completed their 4 year commitment . . .

 

[CocoHusky]

I thought players went to ND primarily because of its academic reputation. The name has a certain athletic cachet, too. Muffet, like her or not, is a pretty good coach. But it makes no sense (to me) to go to ND if you want to play in the WNBA. UConn not only sends more players, it sends more top players who go on to affect the outcome of games. I've never heard Geno extol his program as a conduit to professional sport. Be nice if Irish stars completed their 4 year commitment . . .

You are right it make no sense to go to a strong academic school like Duke, Stanford, or ND because WNBA basketball will prepare you for the rest of your life, and you'll never have to go apply for another job in the real world where an employer might actually put some value on your diploma. In fact, why worry about getting a diploma anyway? How contrary, It would be nice if ND stars stay for 4 years but you don't understand why they would go there in the first place.
This is good fodder for Geno's recent critique of "some" UCONN fans being so ..... (I trying not to get banned so I won't repeat it)

 

[meyers7]

I'd like to think that The Boneyard is loaded with a group of fair minded folks.

 

[huskyd]

You are right it make no sense to go to a strong academic school like Duke, Stanford, or ND because WNBA basketball will prepare you for the rest of your life, and you'll never have to go apply for another job in the real world where an employer might actually put some value on your diploma. In fact, why worry about getting a diploma anyway? How contrary, It would be nice if ND stars stay for 4 years but you don't understand why they would go there in the first place.
This is good fodder for Geno's recent critique of "some" UCONN fans being so ..... (I trying not to get banned so I won't repeat it)

I have no idea what you're talking about, Coco, nor do I see any relevance to what I wrote. Any woman who chooses a school in order to get a degree and to prepare for a life's work is a very smart woman indeed. Women who choose the schools you mention often base their choice on the excellence of the school's reputation and hence the value of its degree. That makes perfect sense. But if someone picks a school primarily for its being a springboard to the WNBA, that wouldn't make a lot of sense for many reasons, not the least of which is the few who actually make basketball a career (and a fairly low paying one at that). Education comes first, in my humble opinion. I would also argue that playing for UConn might meet both interests; they are not mutually exclusive.

 

[billnaples]

If my post came across as dissing Notre Dame--that was not my intent. But by numbers UConn has sent more to the WNBA and Europe than ND. I followed ND Basketball, a bit of their football, and most of the National TV games of ND Women. Muffet lost me for a while as a fan with her hissing contest with Uconn with less than truthful and less than professional comments. I'm back to liking Muffet but kind of waiting for her revert to form. ND talent, unlike some, I like Turner her potential is very high. Muffet has a record of coaching Big girls to goodness if not greatness starting with Riley and currently with Riemer and Turner. She has had some of the best guards in College BB that she developed--Mallory/the Australian kid and Loyd (among other). Point is ---
Tough competition is desired by Uconn and it's fans--being less than professional takes away from that.

No matter how close those string of Irish wins were the fact is they had some talented players and McGraw can coach. You don't get that many wins against geno and the teams he and staff have developed. But I went and read this piece on ND being the pipeline to the pros and the reality is Notre Dame is currently (at least according to the site I used for collecting the data) the seventh ranked school for roster members in the WNBA. Actually tied with Maryland with 5 each. The players now there are Achonwa, Diggins, Loyd, McBride, and Peters. . North Carolina and Stanford with 6, Rutgers and Tennessee with 7, and in second place a bit of a surprise was Duke with 8, UConn has 13 which does not include Taurasi nor Battle. Now I don't claim to be as good with names from the ND program but there were only two that jumped out at me from the historical list, Novasel and Riley. I think I got 13 or 14 others from their UConn careers who also had a WNBA spot at one time or another. So since the WNBA started nearing or at THIRTY former Husky's have turned pro. Anyone want to bet that the list grows by 2 this year, one next, and maybe two the next year. Without going into this year's recruits. The factors that go into where a kid will declare are many and varied. The pyramid to the WNBA is small

 

[triaddukefan]

No matter how close those string of Irish wins were the fact is they had some talented players and McGraw can coach. You don't get that many wins against geno and the teams he and staff have developed. But I went and read this piece on ND being the pipeline to the pros and the reality is Notre Dame is currently (at least according to the site I used for collecting the data) the seventh ranked school for roster members in the WNBA. Actually tied with Maryland with 5 each. The players now there are Achonwa, Diggins, Loyd, McBride, and Peters. . North Carolina and Stanford with 6, Rutgers and Tennessee with 7, and in second place a bit of a surprise was Duke with 8, UConn has 13 which does not include Taurasi nor Battle. Now I don't claim to be as good with names from the ND program but there were only two that jumped out at me from the historical list, Novasel and Riley. I think I got 13 or 14 others from their UConn careers who also had a WNBA spot at one time or another. So since the WNBA started nearing or at THIRTY former Husky's have turned pro. Anyone want to bet that the list grows by 2 this year, one next, and maybe two the next year. Without going into this year's recruits. The factors that go into where a kid will declare are many and varied. The pyramid to the WNBA is small

I cant see why that would be a suprise... even a bit of a surprise. Its not like Duke is on the level of Clemson or Wake Forest in terms of WCBB.

 

[billnaples]

I cant see why that would be a suprise... even a bit of a surprise. Its not like Duke is on the level of Clemson or Wake Forest in terms of WCBB.

Hope you did not infer a shot at Duke, my surprise was more at the lack of higher numbers from Tenn. and Stanford. Duke has not lacked for talent in what I have see of them, not as deep as UConn but I suspect Geno has simply out coached Gaial and Joann P and that accounts for more of the disparity on the scoreboard than the quality of players. But then what do I know. I am after all just a fan.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Actually UConn is very poor when it comes to using Social Media or its own SID to publicize the accomplishments of program, current players or Alumni. IMHO they rely on the horde for their publicity.ND is the best followed by Stanford and Duke. So Carolina, especially Dawn Staley really used Social Media to publicize their program.

I agree. Have you seen the new website! It still looks like the effort of some Div 3 school with no computer department. Roll over a drop down menu on the logical way to something you want to click on, oops, let's try a more circuitous route, damn that didn't work. And current? Forget about it. The use of YouTube infantile. etc

 

[CocoHusky]

I have no idea what you're talking about, Coco, nor do I see any relevance to what I wrote. Any woman who chooses a school in order to get a degree and to prepare for a life's work is a very smart woman indeed. Women who choose the schools you mention often base their choice on the excellence of the school's reputation and hence the value of its degree. That makes perfect sense. But if someone picks a school primarily for its being a springboard to the WNBA, that wouldn't make a lot of sense for many reasons, not the least of which is the few who actually make basketball a career (and a fairly low paying one at that). Education comes first, in my humble opinion. I would also argue that playing for UConn might meet both interests; they are not mutually exclusive.

Pretend if you must but specifically what I'm talking are your following statements:
1) But it makes no sense (to me) to go to ND if you want to play in the WNBA.
2) Be nice if Irish stars completed their 4 year commitment . . .
The latter is clearly a undeserved shot at Jewell because ND has only had 1 player leave early for the WNBA. The former statement is hopelessly misinformed. In each of the last 4 WNBA drafts ND has had a player drafted higher than ANY UCONN Player.
In 2012 it was Devereaux Peters #3 & Natalie Novosel # 8 ahead of Tiffany Hayes #14
In 2013 it was Diggins #3 ahead of Faris #11
In 2014 it was McBride #3 ahead of both #6 Dolson & #7 Bria Hartley
In 2015 it was Jewell #1 * ahead of KML at #3 & #11 Kiah Stokes
* Pretty good decision to come out early if you go #1 overall right?! Seems to me that ND is a very viable option for a player aspiring to play in the WNBA and hopefully your are now better informed.

 

[Deadrody]

Piece done by the ND athletic department about ND developing its players for the WNBA. Nicely done and just in time for recruiting season.

http://www.und.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/090315aap.html

Imagine what UConn could put together about its program if it were so inclined. They could add winning championships and Olympic and World Championship gold medals.

Geno once said he thinks UConn is the best women's basketball program in the country but "we don't go around flaunting it." Geno, I think you should change your mind on that.

Of course the UConn tagline would be, "UConn is pipeline to Championships, then WNBA"

 

[huskyd]

Pretend if you must but specifically what I'm talking are your following statements:
1) But it makes no sense (to me) to go to ND if you want to play in the WNBA.
2) Be nice if Irish stars completed their 4 year commitment . . .
The latter is clearly a undeserved shot at Jewell because ND has only had 1 player leave early for the WNBA. The former statement is hopelessly misinformed. In each of the last 4 WNBA drafts ND has had a player drafted higher than ANY UCONN Player.
In 2012 it was Devereaux Peters #3 & Natalie Novosel # 8 ahead of Tiffany Hayes #14
In 2013 it was Diggins #3 ahead of Faris #11
In 2014 it was McBride #3 ahead of both #6 Dolson & #7 Bria Hartley
In 2015 it was Jewell #1 * ahead of KML at #3 & #11 Kiah Stokes
* Pretty good decision to come out early if you go #1 overall right?! Seems to me that ND is a very viable option for a player aspiring to play in the WNBA and hopefully your are now better informed.

Why would I "pretend" anything? For whose sake? Why does this sound like something personal to you? I've explained what I meant at length and needn't do so again. As for taking a shot a Jewell, many were disappointed at her decision, especially ND fans. Women bb players distinguish themselves from men by staying the course (usually); I support that. It makes pulling for a woman's team a more predictable experience; we look forward to sharing the full four-year experience. The thought that Stewart would walk away from UConn w/out finishing her commitment is beyond unimaginable. I really care not a whit about the WNBA.

 

[billnaples]

That Loyd came out early was her decision to make. Should not be second guessing or ragging on her for making that choice. I would have hoped that she would have made her decision known to McGraw sooner than later.

As far as the draft order in the last 4 years seeming to favor ND grads I think Faris was a one member class, yet they won the NC.Want to explore the totality of the two programs over how long? Remember the year when 4 of the first 6 selections in the draft were from the Huskies. While I can't begin to suggest I know all the names of ND players like I do CT I can tell you I remembered a few Irish, Novasel and Riley to go with the more recent 5. When I check the historical WNBA member list I was not stunned to find I recall 14 MORE WNBA players beyond the current crop of 13. Seems more like Niagara Falls to the pros from Storrs.

 

[BroadwayVa]

No matter how close those string of Irish wins were the fact is they had some talented players and McGraw can coach. You don't get that many wins against geno and the teams he and staff have developed. But I went and read this piece on ND being the pipeline to the pros and the reality is Notre Dame is currently (at least according to the site I used for collecting the data) the seventh ranked school for roster members in the WNBA. Actually tied with Maryland with 5 each. The players now there are Achonwa, Diggins, Loyd, McBride, and Peters. . North Carolina and Stanford with 6, Rutgers and Tennessee with 7, and in second place a bit of a surprise was Duke with 8, UConn has 13 which does not include Taurasi nor Battle. Now I don't claim to be as good with names from the ND program but there were only two that jumped out at me from the historical list, Novasel and Riley. I think I got 13 or 14 others from their UConn careers who also had a WNBA spot at one time or another. So since the WNBA started nearing or at THIRTY former Husky's have turned pro. Anyone want to bet that the list grows by 2 this year, one next, and maybe two the next year. Without going into this year's recruits. The factors that go into where a kid will declare are many and varied. The pyramid to the WNBA is small

Thanks Bill---it WAS Novasel (the Australian) I was trying to recall---I really hated to see Uconn play the Mallory, Novasel teams, then along came Diggins to join them --and all three "jumped" into Uconn players and got to the foul line--but all three were great players and great 3 ball shooters.

 

[BroadwayVa]

That Loyd came out early was her decision to make. Should not be second guessing or ragging on her for making that choice. I would have hoped that she would have made her decision known to McGraw sooner than later.

As far as the draft order in the last 4 years seeming to favor ND grads I think Faris was a one member class, yet they won the NC.Want to explore the totality of the two programs over how long? Remember the year when 4 of the first 6 selections in the draft were from the Huskies. While I can't begin to suggest I know all the names of ND players like I do CT I can tell you I remembered a few Irish, Novasel and Riley to go with the more recent 5. When I check the historical WNBA member list I was not stunned to find I recall 14 MORE WNBA players beyond the current crop of 13. Seems more like Niagara Falls to the pros from Storrs.

I too wonder why any one on a UConn WBB board would be "ragging" on Loyd for making a decision that was her's and her's alone to make?? I can see that ND supporters are disappointed in her decision, obviously she had her reasons.

 

[CocoHusky]

Why would I "pretend" anything? For whose sake? Why does this sound like something personal to you? I've explained what I meant at length and needn't do so again. As for taking a shot a Jewell, many were disappointed at her decision, especially ND fans. Women bb players distinguish themselves from men by staying the course (usually); I support that. It makes pulling for a woman's team a more predictable experience; we look forward to sharing the full four-year experience. The thought that Stewart would walk away from UConn w/out finishing her commitment is beyond unimaginable. I really care not a whit about the WNBA.

Breanna Stewart COULD NOT leave for the WNBA before completing 4 years at UCONN. Most NCAA women's basketball CANNOT. In order to leave early for WNBA you have to turn 22 in the calendar year that the draft is conducted. So WCBB players DO NOT distinguish themselves from men. WCBB players HAVE TO STAY for 4 years unless Like Jewell and Amanda Zahui they turn 22........ If you are going to take a shot a Jewell for going to WNBA and not care about the WNBA you may want to at least learn the circumstances that allowed her to go. Otherwise.......

 

[huskyd]

Breanna Stewart COULD NOT leave for the WNBA before completing 4 years at UCONN. Most NCAA women's basketball CANNOT. In order to leave early for WNBA you have to turn 22 in the calendar year that the draft is conducted. So WCBB players DO NOT distinguish themselves from men. WCBB players HAVE TO STAY for 4 years unless Like Jewell and Amanda Zahui they turn 22... If you are going to take a shot a Jewell for going to WNBA and not care about the WNBA you may want to at least learn the circumstances that allowed her to go. Otherwise..

I don't know how we got into this silliness, Coco. No one said that players HAVE to stay for 4 years--only that, in my opinion, it's desirable that they do. Women can leave a program by simply dropping out, and they can leave a program by transferring to another school. Stewart could have done either--OR left for the WNBA at 22 if that situation was hers. My point (for the last time) is that I prefer that wbb players honor their commitments to stay with the teams that used a scholarship on them. My guess is that most fans feel the same way. Obviously, individuals can do what they want to do. I harbor no malice toward Jewell Loyd, nor do I feel that I have to support or oppose her decision. It's HER decision. If anything concerns me (and Geno) it's the pattern of young people leaving whenever a situation becomes unpleasant (for whatever reason). I, Geno, and most fans are happier when players fulfill their commitments. 'Nough said. Can we move on?