2025 Recruiting: Niko Bundalo Update

[RuffRuff]

This... If Hurley/UConn decide to move on then that should be more than enough for all of us keyboard warriors (multiple years of typing classes here, mf'ers) to know that it's the right move either from a talent, chemistry, or personality or whatever standpoint. The fact that three other schools are doing the same should just be the further proof. People here "coveting" him are completely missing the point, imo...

Easy to get enamored with his size * skill * intensity, as would a fun tool in the toolbox to see what Hurley could do with. But there’s more than enough smoke out there to suggest something is awry. And this is from programs that could really use the top 25 type recruit as none have landed one to date. Izzo, while seems he’s dating out a little, still recruits with cultural intention.

Staff was wining and dining Reibe and Mullins and you never heard anything in terms of putting time in with NB. They probably moved off even before the Reibe announcement.

 

[Ricker]

This... If Hurley/UConn decide to move on then that should be more than enough for all of us keyboard warriors (multiple years of typing classes here, mf'ers) to know that it's the right move either from a talent, chemistry, or personality or whatever standpoint. The fact that three other schools are doing the same should just be the further proof. People here "coveting" him are completely missing the point, imo...

As a "coveter", maybe yes and maybe no. Since the Mullins commitment there have been statements by our trusted inside source, that multiple unnamed players were ready to sign with UConn and the ball was in our court. That would seem to most likely be Furphy and Bundalo. That probability could very easily be the reason other teams went in a different direction at the 4, it doesn't automatically prove they all had discovered a negative. Lastly, 'show me the money'. Do you know for sure we have the NIL resources to take an unlimited number of top 20-30 players and properly flow money to our existing guys? Is there no possibility Bundalo is impacted by a budget constraint? Maybe you are right and we have the NIL, but maybe its iffy. There are other possible views of the circumstantial 'evidence'. I think Adams committed and was our 'bird in hand', Reibe was prioritized by position need, Mullins prioritized as best shooter, and Bundalo least prioritized because of position with the guys we expect back. Hurley isn't going to publicly say whether our resources were getting stretched because its like telling the enemy you're running out of ammunition. I don't expect to really know, but Furphy is likely lower cost. In the early stages of recruiting the 2024 class it was being reported that $3 million was considered an overall competitive NIL budget for a whole team according to published speculations at the time. I am really impressed with our NIL efforts If our resources have literally doubled since then. My only point is, not taking Bundalo doesn't mean there is a negative everybody has discovered. You may be right or there may be other explanations.

 

[Lambeau]

If NIL is stretched, can't Benedict get an obvious sponsor deal for the 5 position done with Hartford law firm Reid and Riege?

 

[AllHusky]

As a "coveter", maybe yes and maybe no. Since the Mullins commitment there have been statements by our trusted inside source, that multiple unnamed players were ready to sign with UConn and the ball was in our court. That would seem to most likely be Furphy and Bundalo. That probability could very easily be the reason other teams went in a different direction at the 4, it doesn't automatically prove they all had discovered a negative. Lastly, 'show me the money'. Do you know for sure we have the NIL resources to take an unlimited number of top 20-30 players and properly flow money to our existing guys? Is there no possibility Bundalo is impacted by a budget constraint? Maybe you are right and we have the NIL, but maybe its iffy. There are other possible views of the circumstantial 'evidence'. I think Adams committed and was our 'bird in hand', Reibe was prioritized by position need, Mullins prioritized as best shooter, and Bundalo least prioritized because of position with the guys we expect back. Hurley isn't going to publicly say whether our resources were getting stretched because its like telling the enemy you're running out of ammunition. I don't expect to really know, but Furphy is likely lower cost. In the early stages of recruiting the 2024 class it was being reported that $3 million was considered an overall competitive NIL budget for a whole team according to published speculations at the time. I am really impressed with our NIL efforts If our resources have literally doubled since then. My only point is, not taking Bundalo doesn't mean there is a negative everybody has discovered. You may be right or there may be other explanations.

Fellow “coveter”, doubt that there is a character flaw that bad, and agree we may never know.

However RuffRuff, great phrase used in connection with Izzo, “ Izzo, while seems he’s dating out a little, still recruits with cultural intention.”. Perfect description of Hurley also. Never saw that one before. Cultural intention. Bingo.

 

[CL82]

We have Solo, Aidan and Nowell coming back. How many PG’s do we need???

How many you got?

 

[husky429]

Fellow “coveter”, doubt that there is a character flaw that bad, and agree we may never know.

However RuffRuff, great phrase used in connection with Izzo, “ Izzo, while seems he’s dating out a little, still recruits with cultural intention.”. Perfect description of Hurley also. Never saw that one before. Cultural intention. Bingo.

We never would have receuited Bundalo as long as we did if there were any major red flags

 

[AntG168]

We never would have receuited Bundalo as long as we did if there were any major red flags

I think our backing off says more than anything that they think Stewart might need another year and they love Abraham. With Stewart and Abraham where does Bundalo play?

 

[boog204]

As a "coveter", maybe yes and maybe no. Since the Mullins commitment there have been statements by our trusted inside source, that multiple unnamed players were ready to sign with UConn and the ball was in our court. That would seem to most likely be Furphy and Bundalo. That probability could very easily be the reason other teams went in a different direction at the 4, it doesn't automatically prove they all had discovered a negative. Lastly, 'show me the money'. Do you know for sure we have the NIL resources to take an unlimited number of top 20-30 players and properly flow money to our existing guys? Is there no possibility Bundalo is impacted by a budget constraint? Maybe you are right and we have the NIL, but maybe its iffy. There are other possible views of the circumstantial 'evidence'. I think Adams committed and was our 'bird in hand', Reibe was prioritized by position need, Mullins prioritized as best shooter, and Bundalo least prioritized because of position with the guys we expect back. Hurley isn't going to publicly say whether our resources were getting stretched because its like telling the enemy you're running out of ammunition. I don't expect to really know, but Furphy is likely lower cost. In the early stages of recruiting the 2024 class it was being reported that $3 million was considered an overall competitive NIL budget for a whole team according to published speculations at the time. I am really impressed with our NIL efforts If our resources have literally doubled since then. My only point is, not taking Bundalo doesn't mean there is a negative everybody has discovered. You may be right or there may be other explanations.

My thing is that it's not just us who have purportedly backed off. That's some smoke, especially, as some others have mentioned, Bundalo plays a position of need. I, in no way am asserting a "flaw" with the kid, but there's got to be some sort of reasoning behind a top 30ish player being passed on. Could very easily be NIL and more power to him to chase that bag. I would, too, if I wasn't a 5-8 PF. But something is strange in Denmark sitch.

My "coveter" context is we have moved on. There is a reason that Dan Hurley and the brass have and there is absolutely no reason for anyone to dwell on it without immediately saying Dan Hurley is right. He has earned that in spades. If he decides to recruit and bring in the 9th man on my high school's team I trust he knows what he's doing.

 

[UCTitleTown]

I think it comes down to offering a group of players we'd love, and taking the ones that commit first. Bird in the hand, and the ones that commit early are clearly the most excited to be Huskies. The guys that stall are either not all-in or stalling for a better offer.

 

[AllHusky]

Rye bah( I forget how to actually spell his name) was a trumps all others recruit I believe, probably Mullins too. So you have those 2 plus Adams and sleep well at night. Going with Furphy over Bundalo is just a roster construction preference. Guards win Championships! Kemba Shabazz, Shabazz Boat really carried their teams

 

[RuffRuff]

Hooper do your thing.

Also, Self on an interview recently stated he’d never spend the kind of money being thrown around for a OAD, pertaining to Dysbantsa. Kansas officially out there. As will likely any program looking to win, as opposed to rebrand. Really only see two options for him, BYU and KSt.

 

[JerseyAlum]

Arkansas is going to pick up Thomas + 1 more I think, maybe even Bundalo. If we get a 4th my money is on Furphy.

 

[Improviser]

Arkansas is going to pick up Thomas + 1 more I think, maybe even Bundalo. If we get a 4th my money is on Furphy.

If so, would not be a bad haul.

4 ready and willing immediate contributors.

 

[RuffRuff]

Arkansas is going to pick up Thomas + 1 more I think, maybe even Bundalo. If we get a 4th my money is on Furphy.

My gutt says Bundalo to Louisville. Arkansas has a variety of other 4s on their radar. Ark will likely end up with three 5 stars, once Thomas and a 4 commit. Duke likely getting Henderson to go along their 3 already. UK likely to land Lewis and Wilson. When dust settles we'll have #4 recruiting class by total points and by average score per recruit. What could bump us is if Furphy comes and how he is weighted. The difference will likely be that our guys stick longer, producing longer term value. UK will be running a class somewhat similar to ours, with a focus less on the OAD's and more in that 15-30 range. I really like what Pope is doing directionally. All said, you don't win with your recruiting score, but it's a nice start.

Arizona could also be interesting if they land Peat & Burries to go along with Aristode.

 

[HooperScooper]

Hooper do your thing.

Also, Self on an interview recently stated he’d never spend the kind of money being thrown around for a OAD, pertaining to Dysbantsa. Kansas officially out there. As will likely any program looking to win, as opposed to rebrand. Really only see two options for him, BYU and KSt.

Alternate access below. See, I'm good for something besides asking personal questions and pointing out when you've posted a duplicate post.

Mailbag: Predictions for Kiyan Anthony and 5-star Meleek Thomas, Alabama's recruiting efforts, Duke's next commitment & more​

 

[AllHusky]

Alternate access below. See, I'm good for something besides asking personal questions and pointing out when you've posted a duplicate post.

Mailbag: Predictions for Kiyan Anthony and 5-star Meleek Thomas, Alabama's recruiting efforts, Duke's next commitment & more​

Also great BY name for what you do!

 

[HCCForever]

My typing class was on an actual typewriter. I worked on computers for over a decade before using a keyboard to access it. It was switches and pushbuttons before that.

I took after school class in typing. No hit teacher but most valuable class I took in high school since I became s computer programmer. We used manual Royal typewriters and switched to Selectrics on occasion.

 

[AzHusky]

I also took typing classes in high school. When I went into the navy, I was miles ahead of the other sailors in "A" school learning to type on a teletype machine. Typing turned out to be one of the best classes I took in school.

 

[formerlurker]

asdf jkl;

 

[Improviser]

No doubt about it, taking a typing course (I think in Junior High), and supplementing it with listening to a typing course on a victrola with a vinyl record at home, was a wise choice.

Way back when in the 70's and beyond until the advent of office computers, I had an IBM Selectric to type letters. Thing may have cost $500, but never died.

Glad I learned how to use the typewriter. Made the transition to the computer and keyboard so much easier. Helped to deal with the transitional times secretaries left unexpectantly, and work had to go out.

 

[HCCForever]

No doubt about it, taking a typing course (I think in Junior High), and supplementing it with listening to a typing course on a victrola with a vinyl record at home, was a wise choice.

Way back when in the 70's and beyond until the advent of office computers, I had an IBM Selectric to type letters. Thing may have cost $500, but never died.

Glad I learned how to use the typewriter. Made the transition to the computer and keyboard so much easier. Helped to deal with the transitional times secretaries left unexpectantly, and work had to go out.

It helped me as well at CPI in East Hartford. I could either keypunch myself or wait overnight for keypunch operators to type my programs for timely computer runs.

Work and school became much more productive with word processing apps like Multimate and Word Perfect. Typing term papers on a typewriter was a real hassle unless you typed perfectly.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

I believe this thread will be incomplete until someone chimes in about the Dvorak keyboard layout.

 

[RuffRuff]

Don’t agree with everything these guys say but I couldn’t agree more with this take on AJ:



It’s overall pretty amazing how different Flagg and AJ handled their recruitment. I have so much more confidence Cooper will be the better long term pro, simply because of foundational intangibles and handling.

 

[AzHusky]

After listening to this podcast, if this is how this kid really is, do you want him on your team? He is being offered 4 million dollars to be this laid-back player. Haven't watched a second of him playing, but just hearing the 4 things he is looking for is a joke.