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For those interested in "CHAMPIONSHIP" team building = see the
ATHLETIC, New York TIMES sports section article today by BRIAN
HAMILTON. The Article compares and contrasts PRUDUE and
UCONN techniques to building NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP CALIBER
TEAMS.== Recruiting, PORTAL, and players " buying into" a lesser
"ROLE" ( i.e. fewer minutes, fewer points ) for the greater TEAM result.
It is worth a read /review for those following this thread : PORTAL
SHOPPING LIST. In this "ATHLETIC " article there are some insightful quotes
from H.C. Hurley, the H.C. from Purdue, and the Writer Brian
Hamilton... ENJOY.... I found it VERY educational, and somewhat
provocative!!
 
Cuango said:
Even so, another big in the 6’4”+ range, if a good one becomes available, would suit me just fine. Given what we have gone through these past three+ years, It certainly won’t hurt to have an extra big in the cupboard!
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I think another top big is a priority, but adding another player beyond that to complete the maximum 15 is a much more difficult decision. There is an opportunity cost there. The number of 2025 free rides we can offer is potentially affected. Paige, Azzi and Caroline could all return for 25/26. If we added two players now with two years eligibility left, we could be shut out from any additional recruits from the class of 2025.

If we didn't fill that last spot, or did one of the two with a player only eligible for next season, then we would guarantee we could add at least one more 2025 recruit (Somfai?). Yes I know something else may happen, and even be likely to happen that opens up a 25/26 spot, but the roster crunch issue may not be totally behind us yet.
 
Okay, lets lay this thing out.
Two days ago, we reached 15 players with the addition of Strong. Two days later, we are down to 13. Last year we started out with 14 and ended up with 8. The kids coming back from injuries are not guaranteed when they will be ready. Patterson, DuCharme were supposedly ready this year, but it didn't turn out that way. I feel confident that we will be ok at the guard position, but there are too many questions about the Bigs. In order to compete with SC, we have to have a good post presence, so bulking up the roster in that position should be the priority. We need to get an experienced Big from the portal that can play everyday. Someone mentioned the men's team and the two centers rotation. That is the answer and getting a big post will give us the backup we need to pursue the NC. SC will be formidable again, and we have to keep up to remain in contention for the big prize.
 
DrummerDee said:
6'6" Kyla Oldacre out of Miami of Ohio.
2023-24 (As a Sophomore)
  • Started all but one non-conference game
  • Played nearly 31 minutes, scoring 10 while blocking three shots and grabbing eight boards to help Miami past Southern Nov. 17
  • Held it down in the paint, scoring 10 while reeling in seven boards to aid in the 75-70 win against DePaul Dec. 8
  • Scored 11 points and nabbed six boards against No. 10/13 Baylor
  • Reeled in a career-best nine boards at Boston College Jan. 4
  • Notched a career-high six blocks to help Miami set a program record for blocks in a game during the win against Wake Forest Jan. 7
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If we were to go to the portal this is the type of player I'd want. I've never seen her play, but I think a kid from a school that might not make a FF may want to come to a school that might - the same way Cam Spencer transferred from Rutgers for the men. But with Geno, stats sometimes (most times) take a back seat to team chemistry.
 
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DrummerDee said:
6'6" Kyla Oldacre out of Miami of Ohio.
2023-24 (As a Sophomore)
  • Started all but one non-conference game
  • Played nearly 31 minutes, scoring 10 while blocking three shots and grabbing eight boards to help Miami past Southern Nov. 17
  • Held it down in the paint, scoring 10 while reeling in seven boards to aid in the 75-70 win against DePaul Dec. 8
  • Scored 11 points and nabbed six boards against No. 10/13 Baylor
  • Reeled in a career-best nine boards at Boston College Jan. 4
  • Notched a career-high six blocks to help Miami set a program record for blocks in a game during the win against Wake Forest Jan. 7
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Did Oldacre grow 2 or 3 inches since high school? I remember her as a skilled but slow low post player who had trouble running the floor. She may not have The stamina for the UConn defense and transition game. Of course signing her for 3 years could clog up the scholarship chart which is not how Geno normally thinks about transfers. Unless she really fits the team chemistry, I don’t see Geno going this route.
 
jabstep said:
I agree even with some form of head gear.
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After 6 months of recuperation, analysis and treatment for her condition, it would seem likely that the next step would be to play some type of summer ball. I would hope this would be under consideration as it would give her (and the team) the answer to her availability for the upcoming season.
 
Bald Husky said:
Okay, lets lay this thing out.
Two days ago, we reached 15 players with the addition of Strong. Two days later, we are down to 13. Last year we started out with 14 and ended up with 8. The kids coming back from injuries are not guaranteed when they will be ready. Patterson, DuCharme were supposedly ready this year, but it didn't turn out that way. I feel confident that we will be ok at the guard position, but there are too many questions about the Bigs. In order to compete with SC, we have to have a good post presence, so bulking up the roster in that position should be the priority. We need to get an experienced Big from the portal that can play everyday. Someone mentioned the men's team and the two centers rotation. That is the answer and getting a big post will give us the backup we need to pursue the NC. SC will be formidable again, and we have to keep up to remain in contention for the big prize.
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This sounds to me to mean: Have a starting "BIG" ... have a BIG to "spell" her teammate so that
everyone gets plenty of rest (split playing times, though not necessarily equal)... and having
an" insurance" player for the event of an injury, or to develop her talent over two years. Of course
there might be some opponents where GENO might decide to have two BIGS in the game at the
same time... then the third player is the Backup in that rotation.
 
Getting Lucy Olson would be like the Vikings getting Brett Favre you hated him when he was in Green Bay but when he came to the Vikings grew to love him so I guess as long as she doesn’t throw back across her body in the championship game she could be really good for the Huskies
 
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To start with don't we already have an offer out to a HS kid from Florida 6'1" F Emely Rodrigues. The thinking originally was this was 'conditional' based on the Strong offer, but I suspect Geno already knew Strong was coming when he offered Emely and he knew he had one or two additional spots opening up. Might be wrong but coaches know a lot more than we board members.

If Emely comes that is a 14 member roster already, and I think it is getting a little crowded for 2025. That would suggest that getting a 2-3 year transfer player might clog up the 25 and 26 HS recruiting picture. And would point to only taking a top tier transfer if you are losing out on a future HS star.

I am intrigued by
The C out of BU - local, SR, 6'4" center, 19pts/11reb, 3bk/gm in 36min/gm POY and DPOY this year. The Patriot league isn't a power conference, but she is an agile big with 4 years experience and would be here just one year. At the moment I think she is the best post player transferring for a one year stint. Not sure there is anyone else in that conversation at the moment.

As far as phenomenal players with longer windows ... Timea Gardiner out of Oregon State 6'3" with 2 years left is tops in the power player category, though she isn't a center. 11/7 pts/rbs and shot 40% from 3 on 172 attempts in 27 minutes mostly off the bench. No idea if she would consider leaving the western half of the country (home Utah), and her skills may duplicate Strong's.

More developmental and a 3 yr window ... Aussie Pania Davis out of NMJC 6'6" center. 14/10/3 pts/rbs/bks in 27mins. Don't know much about her but the size and history with the Aussie DLeague is interesting.

Oldacre out of Miami has size at 6'6" but limited experience and 3 years of eligibility.

Should have a flood of new players in the next week, but will there be anyone of note? And if Emely is not coming, a longer term transfer is more attractive.
 
Can anyone recite what Cam Spencer meant ( portal Transfer ) to the men's team this year ??
Another big next year ( with the right qualifications ) is a must.
Chen with her vast experience and winning attitude would be a fine addition while KK matures at PG.
 
I am not sure if @Vowelguy or others have tracked this, but when was the last time UConn had 15 scholarship players on its roster?
Of course, given the injuries of the last few seasons, I can understand the importance to UConn of having an incredibly deep roster.
 
Fossil said:
Getting Lucy Olson would be like the Vikings getting Brett Favre you hated him when he was in Green Bay but when he came to the Vikings grew to love him so I guess as long as she doesn’t throw back across her body in the championship game she could be really good for the Huskies
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As a Vikings fan, you are speaking for yourself, correct? :D I stopped watching Vikings game and all NFL when Favre joined the team.
 
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ERWUC65 said:
Lots of great thoughts here, but not one mentions Hailey Van Lith. Controversial for sure, but think of the experience and knowledge of the top competition. Love to hear comments about her vs Chen.
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I would run as far and as fast as I could to steer clear of Hailey Van Lith. Has some talent, Jeff Walz would attest to that, but I think she brings with her a swagger and attitude that doesn’t fit to how Geno plays and operates his program.
 
CamrnCrz1974 said:
I am not sure if @Vowelguy or others have tracked this, but when was the last time UConn had 15 scholarship players on its roster?
Of course, given the injuries of the last few seasons, I can understand the importance to UConn of having an incredibly deep roster.
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I think it never happened before during Geno's time and before that era I don't think it happened because just a few players were on scholarships.
 
MilfordHusky said:
Now that we know we have at least 2 scholarships available, whom do you want?

If she enters the portal, I’d grab Reagan Beers, as an experienced center is a need.

I’m curious about the 6’6” Aussie JuCo in New Mexico. Her recent videos are much improved.

I like Emely Rodriguez out of the Dominican Republic and Miami, though she may be a S. Carolina lean.

Kaitlyn Chen would be an intriguing option, and keeping her away from Stanford and UCLA could be a huge plus.

Though she plays on a pro team, I still have not heard anything definitive that Juste Jocyte is not an unpaid amateur. She’s really, really good. Think a 6’1” lean version of Kelsey Plum.
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Dorka an experienced center took one full year to learn the Geno system. How much time does your Center have? That's the critical part--time. I agree with an experienced Center an the Princeton forward. Emelie, I like again time and position. This fall Uconn will be LOADED. The question is --is Uconn loaded with the Right people in the right positions. We know of 4 current that are what we need.
 
hoopsdiva said:
What about Janiah Barker?

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Is she a TOUGH Forward that can fill in at PoST in dynamic situations? DeBerry is a Forward--and remained a forward--how well di that work out for both?
 
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cancontent said:
I wouldn't hold this year against her. That Oregon team underperformed big time as a group in my opinion. Still perplexed as to what's gone wrong over there.
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I think some of it was when Mark Campbell left the program. He was a huge recruiting cog for the program.
 
Gus Mahler said:
All things considered, I encourage Geno to slip into the portal for some frontcourt help. My strong preference would be for a grad transfer (irrespective of the position).

I see a significant a difference between a grad transfer and the other version. I don't support the play immediately part of the undergrad transfer, but that toothpaste is out of the tube. A grad transfer rewards academic achievement: You did the work and you got your degree. And if in fact another school offers a graduate program of interest and your original school does not, and you have a year of eligibility left, then I support the transfer and the immediate opportunity to play. In sum, at least on paper, the grad transfer rewards academics. Beyond all that, a scholarship for a grad transfer does not take up a scholarship that could be used on a recruit in future years, and a recruit knows that that player will not be around when it comes her time to matriculate and lace them up.

The undergrad transfer does no such thing. It helps the rich stay rich or get richer. So I prefer UConn, with their preeminent brand, not engage in it, if possible. If Geno does go for an undergrad, he needs to walk a fine line (as others have noted) and not make a current young player feel like she's being recruited over.

I'm eager to see how it all turns out. Good luck, Geno.
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We’ll stated Gustav
 
UConnCat said:
Gardiner (Oregon State) now in the portal.
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My first question for all in the portal ---Is Why are you here and not playing? Grad students are a different story--almost
 
My first choice would be a 6"5 or more
Then a 1-2 guard

With preference for Graduated transfers

I would like to add 2 KK's (Standford - Notre Dame) to our roster.

And please don't call Hailey VL
 
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