Poll - Agot Makeer's final three

[Charliebball]

This has been an interesting thread to peruse.

I can certainly see why Makeer would be interested in UConn and, particularly, South Carolina (more on that in a bit).
However, my gut and tendency to root for underdogs says "Why not Michigan State?"

One of the adages I see thrown a lot are that great players don't think about whether they'll play a lot, but how can you not when looking at the Husky and Gamecock rosters? McDonald All-Americans galore, leading scorers that don't start.

However, Staley has a way of getting a large number of her players court time. Going back a few years, one such player was also a lithe Canadian by name of Laeticia Amihere, who was heavily pursued by multiple schools before going to S. Carolina. She had her moments, but was never a star before moving onto -- and making -- a WNBA roster with the Atlanta Dream. I've got to think this kind of progression is known to Makeer.

UConn is, of course, known for finishing school, too, but I just haven't heard of strong mutual interest. But publicity doesn't matter if they have contact.

Michigan State -- not Michigan and, btw, not a "mediocre" school -- is very much headed in the right direction under Coach Robyn Fralick. For those not familiar, she holds the highest winning percentage of any coach in any division ever for her 10-year stint at Ashland in D-II. She then went onto Bowling Green and got that school -- hardly a hoops mecca -- into the WNIT (saw a great semifinal between them and Columbia a few years back). She's done a great job at Michigan State, bringing in transfers and working with the Suzy Merchant players who stayed. Now, it's time to bring in her own high schoolers. If she could bet a Makeer, that would be a major progression for the program.

I don't know the young woman, but I can guess which one would give her prominent court time sooner rather than later. Stay tuned.

I agree with your general thesis, but it's pretty clear that Geno is now far more open to playing freshmen who prove they deserve serious minutes.......obviously, if she wants starter's minutes from day one then MSU is her only choice out of the three programs....

 

[Dillon77]

I agree with your general thesis, but it's pretty clear that Geno is now far more open to playing freshmen who prove they deserve serious minutes.......obviously, if she wants starter's minutes from day one then MSU is her only choice out of the three programs....

Well, pretty clear when you have a Sarah Strong or -- a few years back -- Paige Bueckers.

(Last year, to me, was a bit of an anomaly with all the injuries.)

Makeer has two clear options: the S. Carolina/UConn Schools of Excellence run by HOF coaches vs a program that's ramping up under an excellent young coach.

 

[Charliebball]

Well, pretty clear when you have a Sarah Strong or -- a few years back -- Paige Bueckers.

(Last year, to me, was a bit of an anomaly with all the injuries.)

Makeer has two clear options: the S. Carolina/UConn Schools of Excellence run by HOF coaches vs a program that's ramping up under an excellent young coach.

True but KK and Shade are still getting meaningful minutes this season........

 

[cancontent]

True but KK and Shade are still getting meaningful minutes this season........

I don't think @Dillon77 is implying they're not contributing currently. Just highlighting what led to them playing the amount of minutes they got last season.

 

[Gus Mahler]

I like to harken back to Geno's statement after the November signing period that "[W]e're not done." Maybe Agot is pulling a Sarah.

 

[sun]

I wish that I could change my vote from UConn to Michigan State.
The reasons are many, but mainly because of the closer location for her family which she has stated is important to her, and because it's in the Big 10.
Other reasons include the Michigan State coach, the fact that she could easily transfer if she has a change of heart, and the Toby Fournier, Caitlin Clark & Juju Watkins effect that has led high school players to choose schools that are not typical powerhouses.
If I were her I wou;d also be concerned about Blanca coming to UConn.
The Michigan State coach has studied counseling, religion & psychology which I believe would help her to establish a special recruitment relationship with Agot.
Agot seems to be somewhat timid & I can't see any other reason for her to include Michigan State in her final 3 if the Michigan State coach didn't already have a positive influence on her.
Going to a school closer to Canada could also help her NIL.
I can't help but think that the BIg 10 is a more attractive conference than the Big East especially with USC & UCLA playing in it.
The Big 10 conference gets a lot of national attention & she'll be a bigger fish in a smaller pond of players at Michigan State while playing closer to home.

 

[oldude]

I like to harken back to Geno's statement after the November signing period that "[W]e're not done." Maybe Agot is pulling a Sarah.

I couldn’t tell if Geno was talking about Blanca, or someone in addition to Blanca.

 

[Dillon77]

I don't think @Dillon77 is implying they're not contributing currently. Just highlighting what led to them playing the amount of minutes they got last season.

Yup.

 

[donalddoowop]

I couldn’t tell if Geno was talking about Blanca, or someone in addition to Blanca.

Geno said there would be two more recruits coming in. At the time, Blanca had already committed so there was speculation who the other player would be. I want to know if UConn will still get Blanca because there has been no word about her since her commitment.

 

[Vowelguy]

I like to harken back to Geno's statement after the November signing period that "[W]e're not done." Maybe Agot is pulling a Sarah.

If Blanca comes and Azzi & CD graduate, UConn has 12 players next year. I'm sure Geno will add more whether thru recruiting or the portal.

 

[hoopsfan22]

If Blanca comes and Azzi & CD graduate, UConn has 12 players next year. I'm sure Geno will add more whether thru recruiting or the portal.

Azzi graduated last season I believe.

 

[Vowelguy]

Azzi graduated last season I believe.

Whatever. Fine. I was just using shorthand for "finish their time at UConn but NOT transferring."

 

[Cuango]

I don't think elite players at her level think that way.

True, I’m just not completely convinced she is an elite player. She’s very good obviously, but so are the ones I mentioned in my post, with Sarah being far beyond “elite”! I am far more concerned tha we get Blanca, who I believe to be better than Makeer. Again, I’m happy to see her commit to UConn if she does, I’m just sharing an opinion on probabilities.

 

[Bald Husky]

I couldn’t tell if Geno was talking about Blanca, or someone in addition to Blanca.

I believe that Lara Somfai was still in the mix until she jilted us for Stanford.

 

[cabbie191]

Past articles have her saying we’re her dream location, however, she raves about the M State community and program quite a bit recently.

When I lived in Michigan (2014-2020) I had a few meetings a year in Lansing, and quite a few on the MSU campus. It’s a really nice place (if you can ignore all the scandals associated with the place) - I would have, in hindsight, been happy to have been a Spartan during my own college days

 

[Alydar]

This has been an interesting thread to peruse.

I can certainly see why Makeer would be interested in UConn and, particularly, South Carolina (more on that in a bit).
However, my gut and tendency to root for underdogs says "Why not Michigan State?"

One of the adages I see thrown a lot are that great players don't think about whether they'll play a lot, but how can you not when looking at the Husky and Gamecock rosters? McDonald All-Americans galore, leading scorers that don't start.

However, Staley has a way of getting a large number of her players court time. Going back a few years, one such player was also a lithe Canadian by name of Laeticia Amihere, who was heavily pursued by multiple schools before going to S. Carolina. She had her moments, but was never a star before moving onto -- and making -- a WNBA roster with the Atlanta Dream. I've got to think this kind of progression is known to Makeer.

UConn is, of course, known for finishing school, too, but I just haven't heard of strong mutual interest. But publicity doesn't matter if they have contact.

Michigan State -- not Michigan and, btw, not a "mediocre" school -- is very much headed in the right direction under Coach Robyn Fralick. For those not familiar, she holds the highest winning percentage of any coach in any division ever for her 10-year stint at Ashland in D-II. She then went onto Bowling Green and got that school -- hardly a hoops mecca -- into the WNIT (saw a great semifinal between them and Columbia a few years back). She's done a great job at Michigan State, bringing in transfers and working with the Suzy Merchant players who stayed. Now, it's time to bring in her own high schoolers. If she could bet a Makeer, that would be a major progression for the program.

I don't know the young woman, but I can guess which one would give her prominent court time sooner rather than later. Stay tuned.

That has always been the case and yet the apex schools continue to fill their rosters with elite players. The thing that has changed over the years is that college is seen by top players as a stop on the path to a pro career, not the final goal. They can see what programs will train them for a successful pro career. And it's those same top players that win titles.

 

[HuskyNan]

True, I’m just not completely convinced she is an elite player. She’s very good obviously, but so are the ones I mentioned in my post, with Sarah being far beyond “elite”! I am far more concerned tha we get Blanca, who I believe to be better than Makeer. Again, I’m happy to see her commit to UConn if she does, I’m just sharing an opinion on probabilities.

I dunno, the people that have actually seen her play several times rank Agot #4 in the Class of 2025. They must think she's pretty good.

 

[marti3td]

My gut says South Carolina. Hope I am wrong because I was not confident SS was coming here but happy to be wrong on that one obviously.

 

[Urshurak]

South Carolina. Very unlikely she comes to UConn.

 

[Bone Dog]

I am focused on Blanca most of all. She looks great, super athletic and an intense defender above all. And for the following year Kate Harpring, after I saw her shut down Kaleena Smith in a game. And Kaleena Smith, too. I rewatched the Duke game from two seasons ago, the Phil Knight Classic, and was reminded, vividly, of what Nika brought to games that season, and we need to keep getting kids like that.

Bigs are important, sure. But we need the little pests, too.

 

[Skeets]

I’m picking UConn because I’m a homer and eternal optimist.

LOL, me too (and of this writing 74 other people). After reading your post I had to go with UConn.

 

[Tonyc]

I'm hoping UConn. Much like Sarah's announcement she keeps us waiting.

 

[Dillon77]

That has always been the case and yet the apex schools continue to fill their rosters with elite players. The thing that has changed over the years is that college is seen by top players as a stop on the path to a pro career, not the final goal. They can see what programs will train them for a successful pro career. And it's those same top players that win titles.

True enough. But you do see some stand-out players choose lesser known or just-about-there ones to go to and lift them to another level. A'ja Wilson, Brittany Griner come to mind for South Carolina and Baylor, respectively. Skylar Diggins revitalized Notre Dame, as has JuJu Watkins. Somebody has to help take that first giant step.

I'm not saying this prospect or that one will make that kind of difference, but some of them do...otherwise you wouldn't see new teams on the horizon.

 

[Stagnant]

I hope she comes here because next years class seems a little weak if I’m being honest.

I agree with this. I am back to being pretty concerned with UConn’s recruiting. I think somfai was the top target for UConn this cycle and UConn missed. No one has committed for 2026 yet. I would like to see a win on the recruiting trail right now.

 

[yhun89]

I agree with this. I am back to being pretty concerned with UConn’s recruiting. I think somfai was the top target for UConn this cycle and UConn missed. No one has committed for 2026 yet. I would like to see a win on the recruiting trail right now.

We’ve got a big chance for Vukosa and Robinson in 26. Big contender for Smith in 27 according to interviews.

 

[Charliebball]

I am very interested to see the future of recruiting for Dawn after she came out and said that she wants players that are for team success only as she is not looking to create players for the WNBA.

She's undoubtably looking for team players...........what coach isn't? If she's placing an emphasis on team play and improving overall basketball skills, then she is in fact preparing her players for pro ball.....

 

[uconnever]

We’ve got a big chance for Vukosa and Robinson in 26. Big contender for Smith in 27 according to interviews.

I too hope 2026 brings a great class, but I’m concerned with the 2025 class. If Azzi doesnt come back, next year will be a tough year. We will be good but in my opinion, literally no shot at a championship. That’s why I’m so hoping Jana and Ice give us something this year because this may be our last real shot in the foreseeable future. I also think with the way recruiting is looking, Sarah has to get her title this year or may have to wait until her senior year IF recruiting picks up in 2026. Just the way it looks to me.

 

[Dugway]

I dunno, the people that have actually seen her play several times rank Agot #4 in the Class of 2025. They must think she's pretty good.

I do not recall exactly where other players were ranked in High School, other than the #1's we have, and for whatever reason cannot find a dang link to a website. I think UConn has several who were ranked right in and/or around #4.

Just to put into perspective of our other players, and recognizing that H.S. rankings are only as good as what they are ... maybe none; but does anyone recall what the ranking was for:

Caroline Ducharme?
Ayanna Patterson?
Ice Brady?
KK Arnold?
Ashlynn Shade?
Morgan Cheli?
Allie Ziebell?

 

[Cuango]

I am focused on Blanca most of all. She looks great, super athletic and an intense defender above all. And for the following year Kate Harpring, after I saw her shut down Kaleena Smith in a game. And Kaleena Smith, too. I rewatched the Duke game from two seasons ago, the Phil Knight Classic, and was reminded, vividly, of what Nika brought to games that season, and we need to keep getting kids like that.

Bigs are important, sure. But we need the little pests, too.

Agreed on Harpring! She is probably my second most wanted recruit, after the Big O! My hope: Harpring, Vukosa, Robinson/Bjorn plus I’d like to see Geno look into Abuna Ruop, currently raked #48 to see if she would be right for us. She’s now 6’8” and could become a dominant post!

 

[Cornell Lt]

These recruit discussions always amuse me. If UConn doesn't get a certain prospect then they magically become not that good or they were not UConn good. If a prospect does commit to UConn then they are the greatest thing since sliced bread. There doesn't tend to be much middle ground.