2025 Recruiting: Niko Bundalo Update

[TheHorde]

Hurley said he wants Aidan to hit his scoring average from the last 2 years but with fewer shot attempts/better efficiency

I’d love it if he does I’m pulling for him. But I see Ball and then Stewart as the next most likely guys to be the third leading scorer. But I think we both realize too that this year’s team won’t be quite as good defensively as last year’s and will need to get some scoring from the supporting cast.

 

[youseethat]

I'm beginning to think some of you people aren't happy without something to complain about. We could have the #1 class in the country and some of you would still complain about the guys we didn't get

 

[ctchamps]

4 freshmen in your top 8 rotation makes you awfully young for a championship contender in the transfer portal era. The last 2 years, none of the Final Four had more than 2 freshmen in their end of season rotation. Even without COVID seniors next year, teams will still grab veterans from midmajors and the resource-lacking high majors.

You can take 4 freshman, but taking top 50 guys means they expect to be in the rotation. If they're not, they'll leave anyways, so you don't gain much benefit from having them. So taking a 4th top 50 guy has a big opportunity cost. 3 and a development guy is much better than 4 top 50 guys IMO.

This reasoning suggests that getting Mullins would create a Final Four problem.

It’s not an easy decision to pass on a player that fits the character and skill set Hurley values. He has to weigh that against the maturity and experience that can be gained through the portal.

He also puts value in keeping his current players happy. Recruiting over them can be perceived negatively depending on what they were told and could impact team chemistry this year.

It’s fascinating that the coaches might be in a position that forces them to turn away incredible talent who would prefer coming here.

 

[ucp990411]

Exactly why I am not buying the Duke hype. Their freshmen might be really good but tough to to rely on several freshmen and win a championship. And while we may have a terrific freshmen class coming in next year we all need relax with expectations

 

[superjohn]

I'm beginning to think some of you people aren't happy without something to complain about. We could have the #1 class in the country and some of you would still complain about the guys we didn't get

We would have the #1 class with Bundalo and I have a feeling bendm would complain about it.

 

[bendm]

We would have the #1 class with Bundalo and I have a feeling bendm would complain about it.

Then You missed the point of every post I’ve made in this thread. I said I couldn’t be happier with a class of Adams/Reibe/Mullins. If Hurley takes Bundalo too that’s gravy and I 100% trust him. It’s The posters that are coveting Bundalo without recognizing how it could affect current players or that are going even further and declaring it’s fine if some are forced out, that I’m taking issue with.

 

[superjohn]

If Hurley takes Bundalo too that’s gravy and I 100% trust him.

Would've saved yourself a lot of posts in this thread.

 

[TheHorde]

Then You missed the point of every post I’ve made in this thread. I said I couldn’t be happier with a class of Adams/Reibe/Mullins. If Hurley takes Bundalo too that’s gravy and I 100% trust him. It’s The posters that are coveting Bundalo without recognizing how it could affect current players or that are going even further and declaring it’s fine if some are forced out, that I’m taking issue with.

I covet him but I trust the staff on roster construction because they’ve earned it 100%.

 

[bendm]

Would've saved yourself a lot of posts in this thread.

I have said that… It’s The posters that are coveting Bundalo without recognizing how it could affect current players or that are going even further and declaring it’s fine if some are forced out, that I’m taking issue with. These arent contradictory viewpoints.

 

[awy]

I'm not expecting guys to get squeezed out. hurley will get more guys than people expected squeezed into the league.

 

[CT2SC]

I have said that… It’s The posters that are coveting Bundalo without recognizing how it could affect current players or that are going even further and declaring it’s fine if some are forced out, that I’m taking issue with. These arent contradictory viewpoints.

Exactly. I’ll trust Hurley regardless of what he decides but people wanting to stockpile talent like Duke and Kentucky when UConn has been winning natties with a different approach. I’d be very surprised if Hurley decided to run off experienced players just to sign more highly rated freshman. Team chemistry and morale are a big part of this as well.

 

[superjohn]

I have said that… It’s The posters that are coveting Bundalo without recognizing how it could affect current players or that are going even further and declaring it’s fine if some are forced out, that I’m taking issue with. These arent contradictory viewpoints.

We don't know the roster for next year yet you're assigning starting positions and minutes to players 13 months before the season. You were saying you couldn't believe how difficult recruiting is for Hurley yet you're talking about Hurley turning away a 5 star recruit because our talent is too good and you don't want any players leaving. Again, trust the coach.

 

[444JR]

 

[Fan1978]

I covet him but I trust the staff on roster construction because they’ve earned it 100%.

I think if he does not take Bundalo it will be to leave space for a veteran or 2 in transfer portal to compliment the outstanding youth and maximize chance to win number 8

 

[dennismenace]

This was my thought initially and then I realized one of the few victory laps left for Hurley to take is to win a freshman-based championship in this era, essentially telling squid and scheyer to suck it

Interesting thoughts but doesn't seem like the kind of motivation DH has consistently stressed in his culture formation.

 

[bendm]

You were saying you couldn't believe how difficult recruiting is for Hurley yet you're talking about Hurley turning away a 5 star recruit because our talent is too good and you don't want any players leaving

counting Mullins I posted that two 5* commits ago so yes mission accomplished

 

[FearThePups]

I'm beginning to think some of you people aren't happy without something to complain about. We could have the #1 class in the country and some of you would still complain about the guys we didn't get

It’s Connecticut after all.

 

[Umami Zen]

I'm liking the trend for 2025. Two studs on board. Looking forward to Wednesday's announcement. Epic class potential with more to come. What's not to like about how Danny and his staff are killin' it on their targets.

 

[JerseyAlum]

Mullins annoucement is in 2 days, right? That, if he's here and all crystal balls favor us ~80% likely, means Adams, Reibe, Mullins. Besides, Bundalo is more likely to go to Ohio State than UConn by almost every account I've read.

 

[RuffRuff]

Mullins annoucement is in 2 days, right? That, if he's here and all crystal balls favor us ~80% likely, means Adams, Reibe, Mullins. Besides, Bundalo is more likely to go to Ohio State than UConn by almost every account I've read.

Yup. Unless IU Vito Corleoned it with a bag offer Mullins can’t refuse in the last few days he should be coming. Haven’t seen many leans at all towards OSU, mainly toss up, would be curious to see where you’ve heard that and if before/after the Reibe commit.

 

[KemBuckets21]

Mullins annoucement is in 2 days, right? That, if he's here and all crystal balls favor us ~80% likely, means Adams, Reibe, Mullins. Besides, Bundalo is more likely to go to Ohio State than UConn by almost every account I've read.

Where did you see that he was an OSU lean? The only thingI saw was an article, I believe from on3, that suggested UConn was the leader for Niko at the time.

 

[JerseyAlum]

Where did you see that he was an OSU lean? The only thingI saw was an article, I believe from on3, that suggested UConn was the leader for Niko at the time.

Same: On3 has updated (when? dunno) to Ohio St 31%, Michigan St 22%, UNC 14%, UConn 12%: Niko Bundalo - Prolific Prep - Power Forward

 

[RuffRuff]

I don’t think anyone really knows what Niko is thinking - he’s likely waiting for a couple dominos to fall, gather a bit more info in next week (including Mullins), and then take it from there. If anything I’ve seen UConn as the lean, although skeptical of how educated those leans are. This is just one to be patient on and treat it like gravy if it does happen.

 

[Jbirdp5]

I see the point, but even under that scenario (assuming Liam, Solo, and Stewart all go to the league) we would be returning two point guards (aidan and Ahmad), plus Ross and Abraham. That is a solid nucleus by which to anchor a young team

And Tarris would also be back giving you an experienced 5 man to pair with Reibe. It wouldn't be the most experienced roster but you wouldnt be leaning on all freshmen;