Portal Thoughts Anyone?
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Sluconn Husky
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So true that one doesn’t have to utilize the portal, but one should… ever since whenever the dam broke in the portal levee… champions use the portal. Zeus or what’s his name who try’s to run the NCAA doesn’t change things soon it is vital to play this part of the game, unfortunately. Like the lottery: can’t win if you don’t play.
Please look at the model Hurley built. I think this is the right model for sustained excellence. Portal is and will be important going forward.
Utilizing the portal, particularly after years of injuries to the players, is a very good move. It gives us a few new players who have experience and the desire to make it into the WNBA. It also gives the returning (injured) players time to ease back into form. Re-injuries need to be avoided as some of them risk to be career ending.
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I believe Geno & Hurley talk all the time and enjoy each other as well as are genuinely happy for each other's success in the Basketball Capitol of the UNIVERSE. Hopefully they have each other's back in using the portal wisely now and into the near future.
I believe they BOTH will have successful receptions [as opposed to interceptions or fumbles] from the portal in the next 36 hours, and over the course of the week following....
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Raegan Beers is this year's Dorka. Both with 2 years of eligibility and clear demonstrated excellence at the D1 level. If anything, Beers has a higher level of achievement as a 3rd team AA as a sophomore while Dorka was a two time All Big 10 designee. They are both dominant post players who provide guidance and support to younger post players.
Jana might be fine on her own but as a player with no experience at this level and having to deal with whatever rust or worse from not having been able to play any ball for what will be over a year, clearly we could use a player with proven ability in the post.
Indeed with Beers added to the Huskie roster, I believe we will be the dominant team from start to NC finish (with the unfortunately necessary no injury caveat!)
Just think how taking Dorka off the Transfer Portal (not to even mention Sweet Lou!) was the right move at the right time and it can happen again!
And, her reason for the transfer will not concern Geno as it is entirely understandable.
Jana might be fine on her own but as a player with no experience at this level and having to deal with whatever rust or worse from not having been able to play any ball for what will be over a year, clearly we could use a player with proven ability in the post.
Indeed with Beers added to the Huskie roster, I believe we will be the dominant team from start to NC finish (with the unfortunately necessary no injury caveat!)
Just think how taking Dorka off the Transfer Portal (not to even mention Sweet Lou!) was the right move at the right time and it can happen again!
And, her reason for the transfer will not concern Geno as it is entirely understandable.
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Well said.
Despite having a lot of talent already, Geno could use an experienced big like Dorka. However, it's not just the portal. It's a big world out there (no pun intended). Have the BY recruiting gurus combined the planet for recruits? UConn has impressive name recognition overseas, the best of any U.S. basketball school. UConn should look for opportunities to leverage that.
Before anyone mentions it, yes, I know foreign players probably won't have the level of experience of portal players.
Before anyone mentions it, yes, I know foreign players probably won't have the level of experience of portal players.
HuskyNan
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Foreign players need to meet the same requirements as U.S. players as far as registering as a scholar-athlete with the NCAA clearinghouse, meet academic requirements, etc. Geno can’t just bring one in spur of the moment. Even walk-ons need to meet academic requirements. Ines was able to come because she had been accepted at a JUCO that meets NCAA standards
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Barring injuries, if you've recruited the right team in the first place, you don't need the portal. When people are clamoring for specific portal needs, it's a passive aggressive way of besmirching Geno and Co. and implying they haven't done their jobs correctly in the first place. When you already have Cam Spencer on the current roster, there is no need to go get another Cam Spencer. I do think Geno has whiffed on a true post who wants to stay in the post, bang, make bunnies, and rebound. That's why Beers would be a crucial get.
"Barring injuries" is doing a lot of work in your post.
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Far be it from us to besmirch Geno and Co.
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Whiff is a harsh word in that I'm not so sure he wants a player that "stays in the post." I'm pretyy certain he never wants that. I recall years ago on a TV show he used to have after Baylor got beat by Lousiville he remarked that he would have had Griner a play some outside the lane too. In fact, after the season was over a Baylor player remarked that all she ever did was stay on the outside.
Thus it seems it's no accident that in the past several years when he has gotten 6'4 or taller (Liv, Amari, and now Jana), they weren't/won't be back-to-the-basket type). Jana appears to be more back-to-back ofc than the others but she seems like she is a big combo outside/in. Not someone fixated in the post - as a true post.). Some will argue Liv was that in High School - but imo her game was not Offense the minute we saw her come to UCONN.
Anyhow, I wouldn't call this a "whiff" but a preference not to have a player just stay on the inside. I believe Geno probably figures - the more versatile a player is, the more valuable they become.
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Liza Karlen is visiting ND this weekend fwiw.