r/CollegeBasketball user claims to have insider info on Cooper Flagg -> UConn*

[AntG168]

 

[AntG168]

I hope this is all not just one big cruel prank by Cooper

 

[tzznandrew]

I don’t think you’ll find many unbiased people who will say the ACC is a better basketball conference than the big east. Not in recent history.

Dude, they have more historic programs and more final fours and titles in almost every window of time you can pick. They were awful last year, and the Big East will be better this coming year. But Duke-UNC-Louisville-Syracuse-Virginia-NC State trumps UConn-Villanova-Georgetown historically by a mile. Duke and UNC are both more historic programs than UConn, and while each is under new management, each has a title in recent memory. It's diluted, and top to bottom it doesn't match the Big East (especially once you add Cal, Stanford, and SMU [LOLOLOL]), but you are blinding yourself if you don't think it has more prestige programs.

 

[UconnU]

Something to monitor, we’ve never had a #1 overall pick.

 

[superjohn]

Not probably, it does. Duke has 11 more Final Fours and Elite 8s than us. 6 more title game appearances.

We equal them in titles, which is obviously awesome. But our meaningful history starts in 1990 (and far too many suggest 1999), and theirs starts in 1960 (and far too many suggest 1986).

Given the fact that they had a 30 year head start, we look pretty good. But their post-season record, head to head, is way better, even if you think "title or bust."

Titles are the only thing that matters. Nobody cares that the Bills always finished in second place or Greg Norman always finished in second place.

 

[UConnTrumbull]

I hope this is all not just one big cruel prank by Cooper

Definitely not a prank but could just be a kid liking posts of other athletes. Timing certainly interesting though

 

[tzznandrew]

Titles are the only thing that matters. Nobody cares that the Bills always finished in second place or Greg Norman always finished in second place.

Yeah, we're going to agree to disagree. Titles are the most important thing, but give me a team that is winning titles and competing for them every year rather than a team that is mediocre and wins the title every now and then.

In other words: it was more fun to be a UConn fan from 1990-2004 than it was from 2010-2022 even though there were the same number of titles.

I understand and accept that college basketball has a lot of randomness. A healthy program with real history is proud of its conference titles and Final Fours. The "title or bust" thinking is shallow and values far too much randomness. You got to win some, sure (looking at you, Kansas, a supposedly historic program...) but those other benchmarks are a much better sign of a healthy and strong program.

 

[MuchoDogYears]

How is this complicated? The first six champions of this Millenia were: MSU, Duke, Maryland, Syracuse, UConn, North Carolina. Louisville and Virgina later won as well as Villanova. So that's 6 current ACC schools and 2 current Big East schools. SEC also has two (Florida, UK) and Big XII has two (KU, Baylor). Big Ten has just that one in 2000 and the old Pac had zero.

Even if you want to consider just the last decade, it's 3 ACC schools and 2 Big East schools.

For fun facts, the Big Ten dominates the loser side of the NC game. Since 2000, Indiana, Michigan State, Ohio State, Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin have all lost title games.

Every team that won an NCAA title while in the Big East that later joined the ACC you’re crediting as an ACC title?
So the greatest college BB teams ever, UCLA in the 60’s-70’s, you’re giving all their titles to the Big 10?

IMO, the conference that a team is in when they win a title keeps the title.

 

[superjohn]

Dude, they have more historic programs and more final fours and titles in almost every window of time you can pick. They were awful last year, and the Big East will be better this coming year. But Duke-UNC-Louisville-Syracuse-Virginia-NC State trumps UConn-Villanova-Georgetown historically by a mile. Duke and UNC are both more historic programs than UConn, and while each is under new management, each has a title in recent memory. It's diluted, and top to bottom it doesn't match the Big East (especially once you add Cal, Stanford, and SMU [LOLOLOL]), but you are blinding yourself if you don't think it has more prestige programs.

Who cares about historic, Syracuse did all their damage in the Big East. That's where their history is. Louisville did a lot of their damage in the Big East and they're atrocious now. Realignment threw all the historical stuff out the window. Obviously those schools have more history than Creighton who leveled up when they joined the Big East. You measure the conferences on where their programs are now.

 

[Waquoit]

Those in-the-know, please let us know if those crystal balls start to get cloudy.

 

[CardiacAndre7]

I hope this is all not just one big cruel prank by Cooper

I think we should know better at this point to out too much stock into the likes/follows. It’s spurned us too many times before.

 

[CardiacAndre7]

Titles are the only thing that matters. Nobody cares that the Bills always finished in second place or Greg Norman always finished in second place.

Same amount of titles + more of everything else. It’s not that difficult.

 

[superjohn]

Yeah, we're going to agree to disagree. Titles are the most important thing, but give me a team that is winning titles and competing for them every year rather than a team that is mediocre and wins the title every now and then.

In other words: it was more fun to be a UConn fan from 1990-2004 than it was from 2010-2022 even though there were the same number of titles.

I understand and accept that college basketball has a lot of randomness. A healthy program with real history is proud of its conference titles and Final Fours. The "title or bust" thinking is shallow and values far too much randomness. You got to win some, sure (looking at you, Kansas, a supposedly historic program...) but those other benchmarks are a much better sign of a healthy and strong program.

I will always take titles over everything. I'll take our awful Ollie stretch when we were stuck in the AAC and the 3 titles in the 11 tournaments we were eligible for over every team in the country and it's not even close.

 

[tzznandrew]

Who cares about historic, Syracuse did all their damage in the Big East. That's where their history is. Louisville did a lot of their damage in the Big East and they're atrocious now. Realignment threw all the historical stuff out the window. Obviously those schools have more history than Creighton who leveled up when they joined the Big East. You measure the conferences on where their programs are now.

If you want, sure. In both this and your other point, you are far too short sighted. Syracuse and Louisville have a historic fan base which means they will likely rebound better than the average program. They also have better ratings because more people know and care about them. The average college basketball fan cares far more about them than Creighton or Providence. Or Boston College or Wake Forest, to be honest. But it's not like the only college basketball fans are 12-18. Most people remember the teams that were good in the last 15-20 years and who got coverage then, and that drives ratings and popularity.

San Diego State has been far better than Louisville in the last few years. Are you betting on them to be better than Louisville over the next decade because of "where they are now"?

 

[TheHorde]

Who cares about historic, Syracuse did all their damage in the Big East. That's where their history is. Louisville did a lot of their damage in the Big East and they're atrocious now. Realignment threw all the historical stuff out the window. Obviously those schools have more history than Creighton who leveled up when they joined the Big East. You measure the conferences on where their programs are now.

And Maryland did some damage in the ACC…and left. The ACC led the way in the initial conference realignment which imo has hurt college sports and many natural rivalries.

 

[superjohn]

Same amount of titles + more of everything else. It’s not that difficult.

I'm aware they have more tournament appearances, Final 4's, yada yada. Titles are what matters. I look forward to passing them in titles soon. They can brag about all their Final 4's and Elite 8's.

 

[Deepster]

So true. Even when you think you have good recruiting Intel, things can change dramatically.

Hooper and I had an inside source back in the day that told us that NYC 2G Russell Robinson who was a friend and AAU teammate of AJ Price (who had recently committed to UConn) was pretty much a Husky lock after his official visit and was just going to honor his visit to Kansas the upcoming weekend. Right after that visit, Robinson returned a Jayhawk. I didn't doubt our inside source whatsoever. Kansas pretty much told him that with AJ going to UConn his chances of playing any point guard there would be zero while Kansas they would play him at the point guard position.

Unfortunately in a twist of irony, AJ missed most of his first couple years with the medical condition, which would have possibly open the PG door for him, Russell Robinson was never given a shot to play the point at KU and was relegated off the ball where he had a marginal career at Kansas. Who knows if he would have been a viable point guard at UConn since I think he was a combo at best who might have been able to fill a few minutes at the one if needed.

The bottom line is, things can change dramatically in recruiting and in life in general. How many times have many of us believe we landed on a decision when after experiencing something new we completely changed our mind.

With that said, I think Cooper is a pretty mature kid and has a good idea what he's looking for. I wouldn't be surprised with the rumors that he already knows, based on his visits and discussions with the coaches, players and others involved, that UConn has some things that he is looking for that he doesn't believe Dook can offer.

Now I haven't followed every detail around Cooper's recruitment, so correct me if I'm wrong. I don't remember any substance as to why so many recruiting gurus predicted Dook other than Cooper saying that Dook was his dream School, that Jason Tatum is his favorite player (not sure I got that one right) and probability because he fits the highly ranked uber talent that Dook usually lands and UConn doesn't. I don't remember anything he or someone from his circle has said that specifically pointed to Dook being the leader.

So setting some of the rumors aside, I believe we've always been in the running for him but wouldn't be shocked with whichever program he chooses. Some have mentioned here that after his visit we either closed the gap or became the favorite. Other than Cooper saying some things he likes about UConn, there's not been anything he or anyone close to him has said that points to a leader. Though his immediately canceling his Kansas OV right after he completed his UConn visit has always giving me pause. That just seems like a reaction that he saw what he liked, realizing there was no need to go and visit Kansas. Him not canceling his Duke visit could mean that he still wants to learn what he can to make his final decision between the two programs or it could mean he now favors UConn but feels he should keep to that commitment since they've recruited him for a very long time. I'm hoping the latter.

Usually you never find out exactly why a recruit chooses one program over the others, but in this case I'd really like to know either way. I hope that question is asked and answered.

Listen DM. I get your back and you’ve been under control. This one is too much. Let’s not slip back to the point I have to throw the haiku whammy back on you.

 

[tzznandrew]

I will always take titles over everything. I'll take our awful Ollie stretch when we were stuck in the AAC and the 3 titles in the 11 tournaments we were eligible for over every team in the country and it's not even close.

Would you take our 2012-2023 or Dukes? Or UKs? Or UNCs?

Which fan base had more enjoyment over that time? More of the heartbreak that builds real fans?

You're being weirdly obtuse because it helps UConn look good.

I, too, want to win a title every year. But I loved 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2002, 2009—these are what made me a fan. 2017, 2018—these were years that I barely survived as a fan. They were brutal.

I want to be a program that is more like UConn 1990-2011 than it has been. Give me good teams every year that have a legit shot. It's also obviously better for recruiting if you are good and on TV all the time.

 

[AntG168]

Dude, they have more historic programs and more final fours and titles in almost every window of time you can pick. They were awful last year, and the Big East will be better this coming year. But Duke-UNC-Louisville-Syracuse-Virginia-NC State trumps UConn-Villanova-Georgetown historically by a mile. Duke and UNC are both more historic programs than UConn, and while each is under new management, each has a title in recent memory. It's diluted, and top to bottom it doesn't match the Big East (especially once you add Cal, Stanford, and SMU [LOLOLOL]), but you are blinding yourself if you don't think it has more prestige programs.

Okay. Citing Louisville, Cuse, and NC State is LAUGH OUT LOUD FUNNY. In the current landscape the ACC is not and will not be better than the BE. No one is arguing this outside of the Boneyard

 

[TheHorde]

Would you take our 2012-2023 or Dukes? Or UKs? Or UNCs?

Which fan base had more enjoyment over that time? More of the heartbreak that builds real fans?

You're being weirdly obtuse because it helps UConn look good.

I, too, want to win a title every year. But I loved 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2002, 2009—these are what made me a fan. 2017, 2018—these were years that I barely survived as a fan. They were brutal.

I want to be a program that is more like UConn 1990-2011 than it has been. Give me good teams every year that have a legit shot. It's also obviously better for recruiting if you are good and on TV all the time.

1994 and 1996 still hurt though man

 

[Greathusky]

From Reddit: More Flagg Rumors

Reddit - Dive into anything

www.reddit.com

 

[tzznandrew]

Okay. Citing Louisville, Cuse, and NC State is LAUGH OUT LOUD FUNNY. In the current landscape the ACC is not and will not be better than the BE. No one is arguing this outside of the Boneyard

NC State is historically like St. John's. Bench tier. Only they have titles.

If you think Louisville and Syracuse are irrelevant you are far too short-sighted and way too online.

 

[superjohn]

If you want, sure. In both this and your other point, you are far too short sighted. Syracuse and Louisville have a historic fan base which means they will likely rebound better than the average program. They also have better ratings because more people know and care about them. The average college basketball fan cares far more about them than Creighton or Providence. Or Boston College or Wake Forest, to be honest. But it's not like the only college basketball fans are 12-18. Most people remember the teams that were good in the last 15-20 years and who got coverage then, and that drives ratings and popularity.

San Diego State has been far better than Louisville in the last few years. Are you betting on them to be better than Louisville over the next decade because of "where they are now"?

You're all over the place. I'm talking about what conference is better in basketball.

You can assign all the Big East championships won by schools who now play in the ACC and pretend that's ACC success if you like and talk about TV ratings if you like. You can even talk about Dean Smith, K, Roy, and Boeheim if you like. The Big East is better than the ACC in basketball now.

 

[drayenob]

 

[CardiacAndre7]

I'm aware they have more tournament appearances, Final 4's, yada yada. Titles are what matters. I look forward to passing them in titles soon. They can brag about all their Final 4's and Elite 8's.

C’mon…