PG Alterique Gilbert (McDonald's All-American)

[Gringo]

Did Daniel Hamilton feel wanted? Did Jalen Adams feel wanted? There are a ton of similarities in what type of recruit both were. Both didn't require the "nursing" of handlers, both have two, involved, supportive parents, both appreciated the family aspect of the UConn program, both appreciated that they would have to earn time, both knew that they would leave UConn a better person and basketball player. Not all recruits are the same. I am certain that KO makes the players he values feel wanted. The rest, the stories, the quotes from third party's is all hearsay.

You're missing my point. You are right that we don't really know for sure that we are being outworked by other coaches on the recruiting trail. However there are quotes from Bruce Brown and anecdotal evidence that this may be the case. The point isn't that we will never close big recruits it is the following:

If other schools are doing a better job with something so simple as keeping in constant contact and making kids feel wanted that is a big issue. We can lose recruits for lots of reasons, however not contacting out top targets enough should not be one of them. You and I will never know if this is the case, only the kids can say why they chose one school over another.

 

[selles]

Not calling at all, to a guy you would want if the top choices fall through, suggests laziness.

The problem with the whole laziness theme is that Kevin Ollie has never given any indication of being lazy in any way, shape or form. Quite the contrary. I don't know why we stopped calling Brown. I'm sure we had our reasons, and I'm equally sure KO saying 'you know, I'm just going to take a nap' wasn't one of them.

 

[ctchamps]

With Brown, no doubt there were desperate for a ballhandler/shooter for 2015 and had no idea Sterling Gibbs would be available until his visit. For 2016, Gilbert, Diallo, and probably others too are higher priorities.

But what I wonder is why you would stop calling entirely. Why not keep calling and just say, look, we love you and your game and in the right circumstances we'll be delighted to have you, but at the moment your offer is not committable because we want to give some other guys a chance to take that spot first. Just keep regular contact. Even if you are going steady with Gilbert and Diallo, why can't you continue to flirt with Brown? Not calling at all, to a guy you would want if the top choices fall through, suggests laziness.

It would be prudent to continue communication unless they were sure of Gibbs and didn't want to prevent Brown from an alternative decent choice. That's integrity, not laziness.

We have witnessed the efforts of Ricky Moore, KO, Kelis Fisher. KO demonstrated it with his determination to prove he was NBA worthy. Ricky demonstrated it to JC after his suspension that he was going to be the best defensive player in college. KFree played through cramps that still make me cringe. They are anything but lazy.

 

[djct1999]

You're missing my point. You are right that we don't really know for sure that we are being outworked by other coaches on the recruiting trail. However there are quotes from Bruce Brown and anecdotal evidence that this may be the case. The point isn't that we will never close big recruits it is the following:

If other schools are doing a better job with something so simple as keeping in constant contact and making kids feel wanted that is a big issue. We can lose recruits for lots of reasons, however not contacting out top targets enough should not be one of them. You and I will never know if this is the case, only the kids can say why they chose one school over another.

I understand your point. I just don't buy this notion that KO is being outworked by other coaches. A guy who played in the USBL, CBA, and had a million 10 day contracts, is being outworked?????? Please. I never believe what a recruit or their AAU coach tells the media. Kids like Bruce Brown can say whatever they want. What I want to know, and what we can't hear, is KO's side. Why did he start contacting Bruce Brown less? That's the real story.

 

[huskiesNhoos]

This problem with the whole laziness theme is that Kevin Ollie has never given any indication of being lazy in any way, shape or form. Quite the contrary. I don't know why we stopped calling Brown. I'm sure we had our reasons, and I'm equally sure KO saying 'you know, I'm just going to take a nap' wasn't one of them.

It seems like we backed off of Brown because we wanted him in 2015, and for 2016 Diallo is our clear top choice. Which is unfortunate, because Brown is a heck of a player too

 

[husky99]

The evidence points to your source being Fishy!

I'm not questioning that your source (might even be Fishy's source) is closer to the situation than I, or most of this community, but there is something that I would like to know. Is he within the coaching circle?

My source is not fishy(I do not think he is a fan of mine)...and not on the staff. I mostly talk to reporters, a few aau guys, some top tos reporters from a few recruiting sites and a few D level boosters. No direct staff.

 

[HuskyBballFan]

Whether the "lazy" narrative is true or not in general, it doesn't apply to Bruce Brown. He isn't saying that UConn doesn't call as much as the other schools - he's saying that UConn never calls anymore. That's not laziness, that's moving in another direction completely.

And if there's any truth to Diallo reclassifying, then it's obvious what the new direction is. They play the same position and they're both local, but Diallo just so happens to be the one whose best friend is already committed to UConn. And to sweeten the pot even more, he's probably the better player (though I'd be more than happy with Brown too).

 

[Inyatkin]

So we've gone from super-awesome winning streak to our staff is lazy based on no new information, just conjecture. Makes sense.

 

[Hugo]

Whether the "lazy" narrative is true or not in general, it doesn't apply to Bruce Brown. He isn't saying that UConn doesn't call as much as the other schools - he's saying that UConn never calls anymore. That's not laziness, that's moving in another direction completely.

And if there's any truth to Diallo reclassifying, then it's obvious what the new direction is. They play the same position and they're both local, but Diallo just so happens to be the one whose best friend is already committed to UConn. And to sweeten the pot even more, he's probably the better player (though I'd be more than happy with Brown too).

IMO, this scenario makes the most sense. KO and the staff being lazy just isn't the problem.

 

[FASTEDDY]

Whether the "lazy" narrative is true or not in general, it doesn't apply to Bruce Brown. He isn't saying that UConn doesn't call as much as the other schools - he's saying that UConn never calls anymore. That's not laziness, that's moving in another direction completely.

And if there's any truth to Diallo reclassifying, then it's obvious what the new direction is. They play the same position and they're both local, but Diallo just so happens to be the one whose best friend is already committed to UConn. And to sweeten the pot even more, he's probably the better player (though I'd be more than happy with Brown too).

What I just don't get is: why not keep contacting Brown just in case we don't get Diallo?

What's the downside of keeping our options open and having backup plans?

Diallo has completely blown up (which was likely based on how talented he is) and he is getting huge love from everyone. While I totally want Diallo (and Gilbert) they have both clearly said that they are wide open and both seem to have the hots for Louisville and others. We are by no means guaranteed (or even likely) to get either one. Our chances may be better than average but far far from guaranteed.

Why not show Brown love and have a good shot to get him just in case Diallo goes in a different direction? This staff seems to have gone all in (or really heavily in on both Gilbert and Diallo) while perhaps not showing the necessary love to other (still very good) players. there either is something else about Brown that they don't like as much or its a bad recruiting / coaching move by our staff.

 

[Brochacho]

By all indications Ollie wants to run a 2 PG offense and have shooters at the 3 and 4. Bruce Brown doesn't fit in, he's a pure 2 who isn't a great shooter.

 

[Fishy]

By all indications Ollie wants to run a 2 PG offense and have shooters at the 3 and 4. Bruce Brown doesn't fit in, he's a pure 2 who isn't a great shooter.

And yet he'd probably be a fine replacement for Purvis should he leave after this season.

 

[upstater]

They play the same position and they're both local, but Diallo just so happens to be the one whose best friend is already committed to UConn.

Hmmm, but then Bruce Brown is Jalen Adams's first cousin.

 

[dennismenace]

The big difference is Louisville doesn't put anyone in the NBA, UConn does.

I don't follow pro basketball much at all but can this be due to UL style of mostly full court press defense? Like UConn it is a guard centered offense but the frenetic pressing style which results in easy baskets for guards and maybe wings is not at all the norm in the pro's is it? Maybe the same reason Syracuse (zone) has the same problem?

 

[Rocktheworld]

Not calling at all, to a guy you would want if the top choices fall through, suggests laziness.

Yeah, KO, who relentlessly worked and fought to stay in the NBA across 13 seasons on 11 different teams, who Jim f-ckin Calhoun personally hand picked to take the reins, is lazy. Brilliant conclusion.

 

[JimHurley]

And yet he'd probably be a fine replacement for Purvis should he leave after this season.

I think Ollie is hoping that Hamidou Diallo will be the replacement for Purvis which is why he stopped recruiting Bruce Brown. I've seen Bruce Brown play in person twice, he isn't all that impressive. I certainly don't see him being an impact player at UConn.

 

[David 76]

I do care about my disappointment, and I'm not going to spin my brain into a frenzy worrying about it - just hope for the best. As a fan, it's easier to do that since what I think (and you) has no effect on how likely it is that a recruit would come to UConn or not.

I certainly don't care about you, your disappointment or how you feel. Don't worry.

Not sure if I pissed you off . Didn't mean to do so. I agree we have no effect in the process and should not spin our brain in a frenzy. And some people are too soon to count their chickens. But other times, just expressing enthusiasm draws "warnings" here. And people tamp down their hopes so it won't upset them later. I don't get it. If you don't want your heart to swell and, at times, to break, one should not be a fan.
I think the roller coaster ride is worth it.

 

[pj]

You guys are a tough crowd. I certainly don't think KO is lazy, and never said it. But there are multiple people on the staff who can recruit. If there's any chance a guy might help the team, you keep in touch. Integrity implies honesty, not neglecting to call. Until they commit, Diallo and Gilbert are not sure things ... so you need backup plans.

Maybe Brown did something to make the staff think he couldn't ever be UConn material. But they obviously thought differently before, and it seemed the drop in calls coincided with his decision to stay in 2016 ... so that suggests it wasn't something that emerged about him, it was turning attention to better prospects and other matters.

Another aspect to this is there are some kinds of work people enjoy, and some they don't. Going into the gym and working on basketball may be enjoyable and calling recruits not. A guy can be the most non-lazy person in the world about basketball, but lazy in recruiting. Maybe lazy is the wrong word here, perhaps something like a slackard in recruiting would be better. But we all know people who are at good at and enjoy some parts of their job and not good at and shun others.

 

[David 76]

Maybe Brown was a big priority when we had a big need for a guard for 2015. We got Gibbs and Brown didn't come out for 2015. Now he might be less interesting than Diallo.
Our staff has weaknesses but the assumption that they are missing the obvious things is a bit demeaning.
They landed 3 very good transfers and Momadou. Then they didn't King (as expected) and Gilbert and Diallo are not dropping quickly into our laps and posters are :
1) getting all kinds of anxious
2) going after the staff

I think the staff deserves a little benefit of the doubt after this spring

 

[HuskyCLT]

Not sure if I pissed you off . Didn't mean to do so. I agree we have no effect in the process and should not spin our brain in a frenzy. And some people are too soon to count their chickens. But other times, just expressing enthusiasm draws "warnings" here. And people tamp down their hopes so it won't upset them later. I don't get it. If you don't want your heart to swell and, at times, to break, one should not be a fan.
I think the roller coaster ride is worth it.

Nah, didn't really piss me off. I basically agree with you anyways. The bold part ^ is the only point I was really trying to make.

 

[UConnSwag11]

kid looks like a uconn guard and would benefit from not playing zone defenses and playing in a pro-style offense by a former pro

 

[mauconnfan]

This kid would be wasted in a zone, he's a pick pocket you need on switches and stuff - he's not going to Cuse he's rather be Kemba than Flynn.

 

[RMoore1999]

The big difference is Louisville doesn't put anyone in the NBA, UConn does.

Actually, the big difference is the substitution of a "C" for an "A".

"ACC" vs. "AAC"

 

[UConnSwag11]

Actually, the big difference is the substitution of a "C" for an "A".

"ACC" vs. "AAC"

We just got recruits who said it didn't matter bc of our ooc and TV exposure. Don't think its that big. Kids went to vcu for crying out loud

 

[JimHurley]

Even though he says he hasn't cut his list down from 5, I'm pretty positive he will pick either us or Louisville. I'd give us a 55-45 chance to land him but I don't feel as good as I did last month.

 

[UConnSwag11]

Even though he says he hasn't cut his list down from 5, I'm pretty positive he will pick either us or Louisville. I'd give us a 55-45 chance to land him but I don't feel as good as I did last month.

I think he did cut it. Us louisville Cuse Illinois and Texas I think

 

[JimHurley]

I think he did cut it. Us louisville Cuse Illinois and Texas I think

Yes that is his final five. But I think it's gonna be either us or Louisville. I'd put money on it.

 

[husky99]

One top tos reporter said he will take all five visits and there is not favorite (I did not say that ,AG said that in an interview coming soon from what I can interrupt )

 

[lange10]

Planning to decide in September.

While other five-star players are taking their time and moving through the process, Gilbert took the first step by cutting his list to five last month.

Connecticut, Louisville, Illinois, Texas and Syracuse remain for the No. 23-ranked prospect in the ESPN 100.

The Huskies received his first official visit.

“It was my first time being on a college campus, so I learned a lot from that,” Gilbert said. “They showed me a lot of things I wasn’t expecting, as far as basketball, on the court, off the court. I had a lot of fun there.”

Connecticut is thought to be in good shape, but Louisville and Illinois are also in consistent contact with Gilbert. The Cardinals recently nabbed five-star small forward V.J. King, and that opened up Gilbert’s eyes a bit.

“I’m talking to V.J. a lot,” he said. “I’ve been watching him the past couple of years, and I like his game. I think that was a big move for Louisville to get V.J., so I’m definitely looking into that opportunity.”

Gilbert said he plans to decide in September.

http://espn.go.com/blog/ncbrecruiting/on-the-trail/insider/post?id=14036

 

[JimHurley]

I really hope he doesn't go to Louisville just because VJ is going there. UConn is the place for him. We produce the best PG's in the country and nobody can deny that.