Recruiting: 2013 and such!

[easttexastrash]

If they have a freshman as their #1 option, they are going to be hurting.

That may be true...for the first year. Baylor had a freshman as their first option when BG was a freshman and they went to the Final Four. If the player is special enough it can work out pretty well. DD looks pretty special, from what I've seen.

 

[triaddukefan]

Who WILL be the #1 option at UNC her freshman year?

They wont challenge for the top of the ACC that year regardless

after that..... well.... we will just have to see.

 

[MilfordHusky]

They wont challenge for the top of the ACC that year regardless

after that..... well.... we will just have to see.

If you guys can hold them off for her first 2 years, that would be good. By the time the 2013 class are juniors, I think they have the advantage in the ACC.

 

[easttexastrash]

If you guys can hold them off for her first 2 years, that would be good. By the time the 2013 class are juniors, I think they have the advantage in the ACC.

And possibly the nation if they can add a 17th and 18th player.

 

[triaddukefan]

If you guys can hold them off for her first 2 years, that would be good. By the time the 2013 class are juniors, I think they have the advantage in the ACC.

We will definitely be top dog in the ACC for the next two years. Depending on who else we can get for 2013.... and we will be in good shape for the 2014-15 year. After that??? Well..... I might have to move out of North Carolina for a few years

 

[HuskyNan]

We will definitely be top dog in the ACC for the next two years. Depending on who else we can get for 2013.... and we will be in good shape for the 2014-15 year. After that??? Well..... I might have to move out of North Carolina for a few years

Fear not, Sylvia is still the UNC coach.

 

[John Glass]

If they have a freshman as their #1 option, they are going to be hurting.

I am not sure what #1 option means, the leading scorer, crunch time scorer, or player who takes the most shots ? UNC should have plenty of firepower, and could have a great fast-break. There will be plenty of depth in the backcourt, and DD could play the 4 part time. Every game could have a different leading scorer, I don't see DD having to score 18 ppg for UNC to be good.

 

[HuskyFan1125]

I could be wrong but what's going on with the 2013 UNC recruits could easily backfire! Some of the best made plans never work out for whatever reason! Just something to ponder! In the immediate, I wonder what her roster will look like this fall?!?!?

 

[jsloanjr]

The New Elite players want to make the desires known early, so they can start to have fun in their Junior and Senior years........Plus, its cheaper on the families and schools........

 

[easttexastrash]

I could be wrong but what's going on with the 2013 UNC recruits could easily backfire! Some of the best made plans never work out for whatever reason! Just something to ponder! In the immediate, I wonder what her roster will look like this fall?!?!?

That holds true for every program in America. It is not uncommon for programs to have attrition, such as EDD and Walker leaving UCONN. It's part of college sports that players transfer.

 

[easttexastrash]

I am not sure what #1 option means, the leading scorer, crunch time scorer, or player who takes the most shots ? UNC should have plenty of firepower, and could have a great fast-break. There will be plenty of depth in the backcourt, and DD could play the 4 part time. Every game could have a different leading scorer, I don't see DD having to score 18 ppg for UNC to be good.

To me, number 1 option means the go-to player, such as LeBron James at Miami and Kevin Durant at OKC. Every team needs a player that wants to take the big shot, and that will probably be DD at UNC. Baylor was lucky enough to have two go-to players last year in Sims and Griner.

I truly believe that as a freshman Stewart will be UCONN's go-to player next season. She seems to be so smooth and confident that she will be willing to step up and put the team on her shoulders.

 

[HuskyNan]

I truly believe that as a freshman Stewart will be UCONN's go-to player next season. She seems to be so smooth and confident that she will be willing to step up and put the team on her shoulders.

I disagree. I think Bria Hartley and Stef Dolson will continue to be the go-to players.

 

[easttexastrash]

I disagree. I think Bria Hartley and Stef Dolson will continue to be the go-to players.

I think that at the end of a game when a big shot is needed that I would go to Stewart. Maybe she needs the first year to assimilate into the offense but it would be difficult for me not to give her the ball and let her make a play.

I think that she will defer to the current players most of the game but will take control when the game is on the line.

What an embarrassment of riches UCONN will have next season.

 

[doggydaddy]

To me, number 1 option means the go-to player, such as LeBron James at Miami and Kevin Durant at OKC. Every team needs a player that wants to take the big shot, and that will probably be DD at UNC. Baylor was lucky enough to have two go-to players last year in Sims and Griner.

I truly believe that as a freshman Stewart will be UCONN's go-to player next season. She seems to be so smooth and confident that she will be willing to step up and put the team on her shoulders.

I hope you are right about Stewart. That means that potential AA's Dolson, Hartley and Lewis will be role players....lol. What a team!!!!!

 

[HuskyNan]

I think that at the end of a game when a big shot is needed that I would go to Stewart. Maybe she needs the first year to assimilate into the offense but it would be difficult for me not to give her the ball and let her make a play.

I think that she will defer to the current players most of the game but will take control when the game is on the line.

What an embarrassment of riches UCONN will have next season.

Geno has been very consistent about not wanting to put undue pressure on his freshmen. Even Maya and Diana Taurasi were not the go-to players on their respective teams as freshmen. This coming year, Geno has the more experienced Bria, Stef and Kaleena which means he doesn't need Breanna to be the #1 option. He will not expect Breanna to carry the team in any manner whatsoever.

 

[connboy77]

I disagree. I think Bria Hartley and Stef Dolson will continue to be the go-to players.

I think UCONN could have five go-to players on the court at the same time(Bria Hartley, Stef Dolson, KML, Breanna Stewart, and Morgan Tuck or Mo Jefferson).

 

[doggydaddy]

Geno has been very consistent about not wanting to put undue pressure on his freshmen. Even Maya and Diana Taurasi were not the go-to players on their respective teams as freshmen. This coming year, Geno has the more experienced Bria, Stef and Kaleena which means he doesn't need Breanna to be the #1 option. He will not expect Breanna to carry the team in any manner whatsoever.

Hartley or Lewis will be taking that shot at the end of the game in the one game where there be a possible game ending shot.

 

[Kibitzer]

I hope you are right about Stewart. That means that potential AA's Dolson, Hartley and Lewis will be role players....lol. What a team!!!!!

Next season's All-American team is largely set: Griner, DelleDonne, and Diggins seem to be locks. Sims and Chiney are both likely, but not certain.

I fully expect Hartley to make at least 2nd team (five player squad), if not first. Kaleena will be no more than a vote or two behind her.

Steph will compete with every center but Griner for another season, then I think it's between her and Williams.

I can only dream about how voters will deal with Breanna et al before Kaleena and Bria graduate.

Does the NCAA allow a lottery?

 

[VAMike23]

I disagree. I think Bria Hartley and Stef Dolson will continue to be the go-to players.

How do you see KML's role, and performance, evolving in her 2nd go-round?

 

[easttexastrash]

I think UCONN could have five go-to players on the court at the same time(Bria Hartley, Stef Dolson, KML, Breanna Stewart, and Morgan Tuck or Mo Jefferson).

IMO, if you have 5 you have none. Just my opinion, but it takes a player like Maya, BG, Nneka, EDD, etc., at that critical moment. Not every player has the instincts for the moment, which is why I think Stewart will be the crunch-time player. I think this is something that UCONN was missing last year and will likely have in Stewart.

 

[Alydar]

How many games in the last 5 years has UConn needed a big shot at the end? two or 3 maybe? I can think of Baylor 2 years ago and St Johns last year. I think Stewart is the type of player who wants the ball and the shot at the end. Hartley is another. Stewart's value next year will be the matchup nightmare she presents because of her inside/outside game. She will end up as the dominant player simply because of the things she can do. Teams will be forced to game plan for her and that will make Dolson even more effective. But this isn't the NBA where many games come down to the last minute.

 

[triaddukefan]

How many games in the last 5 years has UConn needed a big shot at the end? two or 3 maybe? I can think of Baylor 2 years ago and St Johns last year. I think Stewart is the type of player who wants the ball and the shot at the end. Hartley is another. Stewart's value next year will be the matchup nightmare she presents because of her inside/outside game. She will end up as the dominant player simply because of the things she can do. Teams will be forced to game plan for her and that will make Dolson even more effective. But this isn't the NBA where many games come down to the last minute.

Precisely...... how many big shots do you need when you are blowing most teams out by 30 ???

 

[VAUConnFan]

If they have a freshman as their #1 option, they are going to be hurting.

Was not Maya UConn's #1 option as a freshman?

 

[UcMiami]

I think by the end of their respective freshman seasons both Maya and Diana had become the go to players though they certainly didn't start the years in that fashion.
I also think Uconn's offense is such that a go to player is not necessarily the one to take the shot, but needs the offense to go through them on a critical offensive set.

 

[jdubct]

Was not Maya UConn's #1 option as a freshman?

She was primarily a 3 point shooter her freshman year.. Charles and Montgomery were the primary options with lots of shots left for Maya.

 

[meyers7]

Was not Maya UConn's #1 option as a freshman?

No don't think so. As jdubct said, Charles and Montgomery (or probably Montgomery and Charles, in that order) where options ahead of Maya.

 

[easttexastrash]

Precisely...... how many big shots do you need when you are blowing most teams out by 30 ???

In the spirit of Sophia Petrillo: Picture it...Denver, 2012...UCONN vs Notre Dame....

A five loss season obviously indicates that there are times that a go-to player that you know can get you a bucket is required. You can't really dismiss that with a roll of the eyes, even though it may make you feel smug and aloof.

 

[easttexastrash]

How many games in the last 5 years has UConn needed a big shot at the end? two or 3 maybe? I can think of Baylor 2 years ago and St Johns last year. I think Stewart is the type of player who wants the ball and the shot at the end. Hartley is another. Stewart's value next year will be the matchup nightmare she presents because of her inside/outside game. She will end up as the dominant player simply because of the things she can do. Teams will be forced to game plan for her and that will make Dolson even more effective. But this isn't the NBA where many games come down to the last minute.

How can you say 2 or 3 when UCONN lost 5 games last year? And in my opinion, had Maya taken over sooner in the NCAA tourney the year before UCONN would not have lost to ND. I felt that she allowed her teammates to do their part longer than she should have before she decided to take over the game.

When I say "at the end of the game" I don't mean the last 5 seconds...I mean the last 5 minutes and OT, if it occurs. Teams need a player who takes over when the game is tight.

 

[Icebear]

Was not Maya UConn's #1 option as a freshman?

No, it was Rene.

 

[CamrnCrz1974]

Next season's All-American team is largely set: Griner, DelleDonne, and Diggins seem to be locks. Sims and Chiney are both likely, but not certain.

Disagree on Diggins. She has to adjust to not having some very talented teammates around her who allowed her to be a scorer and distributor. She will need to be a true playmaker more this year, especially for her teammates. While I think she will have a very good year, I think you might see her on the Second Team, rather than the First.