New strategy for Geno?

[CBear01]

Many of us continually think WHY? Why Molly? Why Kyla? My reaction from reading posts is that we cannot seem to see what Geno's "master plan" is until their arrival - since this is now TWO recruits that are not so high on the "rank" lists (our recruiting track record deems this "odd"). Of course we all have the highest confidence in Geno...

Read this in the Courant:
"Players that possess a high IQ for the game will rise to the forefront," said Chicago Sky coach Pokey Chatman, the former LSU coach. "And the pace of the game will change and coaches will be able to implement much more strategy."

Could Geno have predicted the change in WCBB early on looking to add players with incredible talent AND a super high bball IQ? Not to mention straight A students...

We have seen time and time again how Geno is a master at putting all the right pieces together. Haven't done my research but I bet AEH is another player with a pretty darn good report card...

Are we looking at a new strategy for domination? I just love how every year we continue to be a dominant team but in a new and different way. Geno loves rolling the dice and is far from craps.

 

[UcMiami]

Simple Answer: NO

I think the biggest issue is Geno and CD do not like one player classes - he has had experience recruiting the year after landing three great recruits and it has generally not been great in terms of him getting the best players he desires. He finds two really smart, good players who are under the radar and may not be quite as talented as his 2015 recruits, but have great desire to play at Uconn, and are willing to accept the 'you get the playing time you earn' philosophy understanding that they may end up with Valley type minutes as opposed to Stewart type minutes, but will run through a wall for that chance. He has the scholarships available and offers them and they say YES.

I think the coaching staff has a pretty good idea of who else from 2016 might come, and I think that list is down to one or maybe two players - he still has the open scholarships for her or them and he knows that they are not going to be dissuaded by Bent and Irwin should they be leaning towards Uconn. But, he now has at least three players that he wants to work with.

And I also think the ranking services are pretty good at defining the top 1-3 players in a class, and not bad at identifying the next ten or so - after that, it is a much more cloudy picture. Being ranked 25th or 50th is not that different from a potential success rate. The coaches see something in these two that has not showed up in ranking service reports - it sounds like Bent is coming on strong with her game, and neither has had that much national exposure.

 

[caramel]

Agree with UcMiami,exposure for some really good skill players is very limited,and since most of us do not scout the talent out there,you have to trust those that do scout and always find hidden gems in the process.In my opinion,20 to 50,in this modern era,is not that far apart,as to talent.50 to 75 or 80,same thing.The key has been and always will be,what else,besides talent,does the young lady have,and I have found that what Connecticut values as much as talent,are the intangibles,such as court smarts,desire,work ethic,team thinking,passion for the game,and the ability to be taught.Obviously,this staff sees something in both girls mentioned above,and though they may never be stars,they will contribute in some way,somehow.They may even surprise us.A new car may have the horsepower and looks,but it still needs wheels to go.

 

[jsloanjr]

Its huge puzzle that Geno and CD are great at making a complete picture........Stay tuned!!!!

 

[JoePgh]

I think that a key factor in Geno's decision to recruit both Kyla and Molly is that they both have a personal connection to the local region. Molly is from New England and, as I recall, Kyla 's mother grew up in Branford. That means that they should be comfortable at UConn even apart from basketball, and are unlikely to transfer even if their playing time turns out to be minimal.

In the most pessimistic case, they will be good practice players, good citizens, and really good students. In a more optimistic case, they will also fill a useful role in actual games, even against competitive opponents.

While it is not a certainty, I tend to think that the latter scenario is more probable.

 

[DaddyChoc]

I think that a key factor in Geno's decision to recruit both Kyla and Molly is that they both have a personal connection to the local region. Molly is from New England and, as I recall, Kyla 's mother grew up in Branford. That means that they should be comfortable at UConn even apart from basketball, and are unlikely to transfer even if their playing time turns out to be minimal.

In the most pessimistic case, they will be good practice players, good citizens, and really good students. In a more optimistic case, they will also fill a useful role in actual games, even against competitive opponents.

While it is not a certainty, I tend to think that the latter scenario is more probable.

I agree... a team full of superstars would never work, you need a few that doesn't mind doing the high-five thing after a 3

enjoy the ride on the Husky Express...

 

[uconnfan68]

I agree... a team full of superstars would never work, you need a few that doesn't mind doing the high-five thing after a 3

enjoy the ride on the Husky Express...

These kids are scholarship players... not walk-ons. And I have nothing but respect for the walk-ons.

 

[DaddyChoc]

These kids are scholarship players... not walk-ons. And I have nothing but respect for the walk-ons.

Tahirah, Jacquie, Heather, Michala, and Cassie were all scholarship players... when the game was out of reach they got some playing time. All humble kids who accepted their situation

 

[cohenzone]

From what I've seen of Kyla's tapes (and I put low stock in highlight tapes) she is skilled. She is big, a quick release and a lot of hoops smarts. She may not be an All-American, or ever see a lot of floor time, but I wouldn't be surprised if she becomes a nice contributor. I haven't seen much of Bent so I can't say, but I seriously doubt that these kids were offered just on the idea that they have no chance at being on the floor at better than garbage time.

 

[DaddyChoc]

there's not enough time for all 12 player in a game... Gabby, who we all drooled over, didn't get any burn during big games (and NCAA Tourney).

 

[hjoerring]

It's all about balance in every which way. They will balance the ship- rather then tilt it this or that way. Also, should we not land (a)nother superstar for the class well, don't worry, be happy. Say it out load: BALANCE IN EVERYWAY. There have never been so many loaded ships out there, some so loaded that even with the utmost of modesty they seem unable to contain their giddiness. But, are they really balanced? Behold. Mutiny lurches ahead, waiting, just when we think we have pulled a fast one!

CBear01, an interesting twist on an old thread however; I doubt that this is the case. Yet, there are some very smart and good players ou there who normally head directly to the Ivy Schools. These players are (my guess) not thinking about bb after college. There are of course exceptions, but in the main they seek a satisfying 4years of the game. If a school like Uconn have become attractive to these players then it is a win win for both sides. The Program doesn't need to become "NerdNation" II (heard that somewhere- a ref. to Stanford/Duke/Ct Sun wbb), but it will be even harder to use the academic elitism as a sly of the mouth in our company.

 

[Joobie]

At this point, I think that it's all about CHARACTER. I have said all along, that Geno gets exceptional young women who also are good basketball players to come to Connecticut. He & CD know what to do to get the best from their recruits ON the court, but I think he's looking for a certain type of kid who will also represent the program well off the court.

 

[Nuyoika]

Didn't people ask "Why Stefanie Dolson?" As long as its other teams asking why, I'm ok with that.

 

[UcMiami]

Gardler has always been an exemplar for me - limited upside player, with great pedigree, and willing to run through a wall (as long as it didn't muss her hair - joke, famous 3 pointer reference!) Great teammate, occasional contributor in important moments, no complaints, great family - limited pro career overseas. She and her type of player make the Uconn machine run smoothly.

You can list off lots of players highly ranked and not, who contributed as much or more outside of games as they did in their minutes during games. And a lot of surprises to us all-knowing fans as to which players blossomed and which did not.

 

[cohenzone]

there's not enough time for all 12 player in a game... Gabby, who we all drooled over, didn't get any burn during big games (and NCAA Tourney).

Floor time obviously depends on a what happens during a game and for the younger players, how ready they are to contribute to the team's needs as GA sees it. But there are a few things we know. The first is that UConn will be ahead in enough blow outs that every player will see the floor in a good many games. Second, there will be some games where, for reasons of looking to team (as opposed to player) development, he'll substitute less than the score seems to call for. Third is that GA definitely shortens his bench during the later tournament rounds, so that players like Gabbie might be looking at least a year away, but can still see plenty of floor during the season. Nurse got her time because nobody ahead of her was better at what the team needed, although Chong can and has brought some good things to the table. When Irwin and Bent arrive, the dynamics are certain to very different from the coming year. And aside from the unknowns about this years class, as good as it seems to be, we really don't know what to expect from Ekmark who will be a year removed from her leg issue and hopefully her rust. The main point though, is I think, aside from maybe being fun to talk about, there can't be any real expectation about how certain recruits will turn out based on really no evidence other than the often flawed evaluation of "experts" and who we on the BY might have been reading about since the kid was in 3rd grade.

 

[PhillyCoach]

IMHO This thread has almost everyone on the same page. CBear likes the high IQ perspective; DaddyChoc knows we can't have 12 Superstars; hjoerring believes it is all about BALANCE, BALANCE, BALANCE; Joobie stresses the Character issue, and UcMiami feels Geno hates the one player class and the "Outside of game contributions" are the key. I have to strongly agree with them and others. This is on my list of reasons why UConn has 10 NC. Geno/CD take more elements into consideration than other teams. It is the ART & Science of recruiting and putting together a team. We all know how team chemistry and dynamics are a "make or break" issue. What does a certain type recruit look like --- it is like --Geno/CD know it when they see it!

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

This is a great thread! as I've stated previously, I coached HS Wrestling for 32 years and I love the process of putting a team together! I never recruited the kid who might be a stud but has a shaky personality and could be trouble down the line! Give me the kid from a good family, hard worker, good student, who won't embarrass everyone in tough situations. The kid with potential that BECOMES even a moderate star is a success story! If you can get enough studs with all the +'s above you'll have a great team! Out of 306 kids that went through our program we had 5 that our coaches could say we had problems with them! We were really blessed!
I like GENO/CD & staff going after great Human Beings that are also great players!
Recruit the total person and you rarely go wrong!

 

[CBear01]

What I think will work best for Geno is the idea of "winning" the 4 minutes between each media timeout. A nice little psychological trick! This will still work...slightly longer time between media time outs now...but I can see him looking for his squad to go out and "win" each quarter.

I guess not really a new strategy however....

Didn't everyone know Geno is also a Psychology professor at UConn? Lol