Recruiting after a super year(s)

[Adesmar123]

I think that after super runs, UConn has had some difficulty recruiting. With the Nan rumor about Wilson, it might be true again - at least for post players.

After the run in the early 2003-4' did UConn have trouble recruiting the top 5 or so for a few years?

I'd also like to tie it in with the UConn is "too good" criticism. There are two ways to get UConn not to be the super power. One is to have everyone get better. The other is to limit UConn recruiting. Think of the criticism of UConn for being "too good". Is there discussion among some groups of WCBB advising recruits not to go to UConn for the good of the game? Or go anywhere but UConn?

I know we could build a conspiracy theory that would rival the Kennedy assassination and the WTC, but is there a part of WCBB that wants UConn to drop a notch in quality to meet everyone else?

 

[HoopsFan21]

There's not enough of a sample regarding recruiting following super years to draw any conclusions. Furthermore, that would be counterintuitive. Usually a school winning and getting tons of media coverage should help. As far as the conspiracy theory, I seriously doubt it. Schools have always recruited negatively against each other.

 

[j66kicker]

There's not enough of a sample regarding recruiting following super years to draw any conclusions. Furthermore, that would be counterintuitive. Usually a school winning and getting tons of media coverage should help. As far as the conspiracy theory, I seriously doubt it. Schools have always recruited negatively against each other.

It's like Nick Saban - in the pros the worst team gets the top draft pick. In college the best team gets the top 10 draft picks.

 

[Deadrody]

I recall a quote from Geno after the Sue Bird / Diana run, something to the effect that recruiting was harder for a bit because "nobody wanted UConn to win all the time". Just a natural reaction of some players to want to make their own legacy and go somewhere else where they can beat UConn instead of being just a part of the existing dynasty.

 

[UcMiami]

I think the recruiting is much more tied to graduation than performance - get a class of Stewart, Tuck, and Jefferson to an already solid team and the next year or two will be tough. Have two post players graduate in two years creating an obvious need and you have a better chance of getting high interest in the next two years.

 

[trb123]

I have some questions:

Why did we not try to get someone at the level of Stokes or Dolson (based on ratings) instead of fixating on Apostrophe Wilson?

Or did we try and they did not bite? That has happened before. Courtney Paris, Samarie Walker (the one that gave us the finger) and a host of players I know who went to Duke are so busy counting there their championship rings that they can afford to pass on us.

 

[alexrgct]

To answer the OP's question, UConn's first good recruiting class after 2004 was 2006. Among others, a kid named Tina from CTK was a part of the class.

 

[semper]

We tried; and failed.

 

[HGN]

Some kids just feel that they want to go somewhere that they think they can make a difference...... UConn is not for the individual player but for a true team player. And some kids don't want to be where they are not always the center of attention. Lets be honest , most of these kids come from programs where they were THE STAR of the team. Got all the headlines and interviews ; was All-conference and All-League. And was the Undisputed best player on the team and in the division. Some just don't know how to share the spotlight.

UConn will probably have a tough year , or 2 , in recruiting because many kids will think that because UConn won the NC

Many kids coming out of HS get PT because they are good , the tallest , or the most skilled on their respective team. UConn is considered too well stocked for many kids to earn PT. But if that kid is willing to work hard and EARN PT then come to Storrs.

If you want to learn to play the right way. And realize that there are 4 other players on the floor with you , and that you win as a team , then UConn is for you. A lot of kids coming out of HS have to learn that.

 

[semper]

We are very well stocked with guards!

 

[johnnyc]

We tried; and failed.

UConn just had one of the greatest WCB seasons, won a NC and your already in fail mode? The front court will be fine for two years and yeah at some point will have to have a freshman play significant time at a front court position just as Dolson had to as a freshman. That didn't work out so bad.....2 NCs.

 

[semper]

Sigh. All I meant was we tried to get several of the most highly ranked post players in the last two years. They went elsewhere. Of course, I don't think we failed in a general sense. Oy.

 

[johnnyc]

Sigh. All I meant was we tried to get several of the most highly ranked post players in the last two years. They went elsewhere. Of course, I don't think we failed in a general sense. Oy.

I know that.....it was meant to be lighthearted. Just added a smiley!

 

[UcMiami]

To start with Uconn only has real interest in a very select group of players - they have to have a certain skill level, they have to have a certain playing style and they have to have a certain personality. That reduces the field to may twenty players a year. Next they have to have a real interest in Uconn and not just be flattered that Uconn is interested in them. Down to ten and those ten are very high on most others top programs lists as well so the competition is fierce.
And a player like Meghan was not recruited but recruited herself and those players are very rare, and not dissimilar to a Lawlor type of player.

 

[Sonny44]

I have some questions:

Why did we not try to get someone at the level of Stokes or Dolson (based on ratings) instead of fixating on Apostrophe Wilson?

Or did we try and they did not bite? That has happened before. Courtney Paris, Samarie Walker (the one that gave us the finger) and a host of players I know who went to Duke are so busy counting there their championship rings that they can afford to pass on us.

I think this post has merit. We seem to fly all over the country to look at rising stars whom everyone is competing for. Shouldn't we be on the lookout for 2nd level performers also, or are we. I mean kids who don't have the stats, but have potential. Kids at that age develop at different rates. Every year there are some mid to low ranked freshmen who emerge as surprises. I think we could develop a knack for this. Take a gamble on one per year or so. I know its easier said than done, but we face a disadvantage because, not a lot of talent is coming out of the Northeast.

 

[easttexastrash]

But if that kid is willing to work hard and EARN PT then come to Storrs..

Here we go again...any player that does not choose UCONN is not willing to work hard and is more interested in immediate gratifiation.

 

[Icebear]

Here we go again...any player that does not choose UCONN is not willing to work hard and is more interested in immediate gratifiation.

That is not what HGN said.

 

[UcMiami]

I think this post has merit. We seem to fly all over the country to look at rising stars whom everyone is competing for. Shouldn't we be on the lookout for 2nd level performers also, or are we. I mean kids who don't have the stats, but have potential. Kids at that age develop at different rates. Every year there are some mid to low ranked freshmen who emerge as surprises. I think we could develop a knack for this. Take a gamble on one per year or so. I know its easier said than done, but we face a disadvantage because, not a lot of talent is coming out of the Northeast.

The issue there is it takes a supremely confident kid to choose Uconn when like happened with Stokes after her freshman and sophomore years people she meets and complete strangers (including some who post here) expect them to transfer. And Kiah was actually quite highly ranked. Players like Meghan Gardler were told by friends and acquaintances that she would never see the court and why had she decided to come to Uconn.
And Uconn does travel the country looking at all the players at these tournaments so the initial net is quite broad, and they also have coaches and others recommending that they check out players that might not have gotten to play in those tournaments. If they see a kid like Stef who didn't fit the mold in many ways, they follow up. Geno said when he saw her at first, he thought he was wasting his time, she was constantly falling down. But then he saw that when she went down, she didn't complain, she bounced up and busted her but butt to get back into the play, over and over again. And she had great hands.

 

[Sonny44]

The issue there is it takes a supremely confident kid to choose Uconn when like happened with Stokes after her freshman and sophomore years people she meets and complete strangers (including some who post here) expect them to transfer. And Kiah was actually quite highly ranked. Players like Meghan Gardler were told by friends and acquaintances that she would never see the court and why had she decided to come to Uconn.
And Uconn does travel the country looking at all the players at these tournaments so the initial net is quite broad, and they also have coaches and others recommending that they check out players that might not have gotten to play in those tournaments. If they see a kid like Stef who didn't fit the mold in many ways, they follow up. Geno said when he saw her at first, he thought he was wasting his time, she was constantly falling down. But then he saw that when she went down, she didn't complain, she bounced up and busted her but butt to get back into the play, over and over again. And she had great hands.

That's good example then. Do you remember what she was ranked?

 

[doggydaddy]

I think this post has merit. We seem to fly all over the country to look at rising stars whom everyone is competing for. Shouldn't we be on the lookout for 2nd level performers also, or are we. I mean kids who don't have the stats, but have potential. Kids at that age develop at different rates. Every year there are some mid to low ranked freshmen who emerge as surprises. I think we could develop a knack for this. Take a gamble on one per year or so. I know its easier said than done, but we face a disadvantage because, not a lot of talent is coming out of the Northeast.

How do you know they haven't looked for that person?

 

[HGN]

Here we go again...any player that does not choose UCONN is not willing to work hard and is more interested in immediate gratifiation.

ETT, please re-read my post. You are way off base.

 

[CCinCT]

I'm thinking that 9 NC's in what, 19 years and being able to refer to a 4 year stretch (2005-8) as "the dark ages" is kind of telling me not to worry about Geno's recruiting. At least while he's still around. Geno, CD, and staff will "muddle through" somehow.

 

[Sonny44]

How do you know they haven't looked for that person?

"or are we"

 

[doggydaddy]

"or are we"

Proper punctuation is your friend.

 

[Geno-ista]

I have some questions:

Why did we not try to get someone at the level of Stokes or Dolson (based on ratings) instead of fixating on Apostrophe Wilson?

Or did we try and they did not bite? That has happened before. Courtney Paris, Samarie Walker (the one that gave us the finger) and a host of players I know who went to Duke are so busy counting there their championship rings that they can afford to pass on us.

We tired for Stephanie Mavunga (NC), Taya Reimer (ND) those two will be able to handle the post very well in yrs to come. I understand we tried hard for them.