Recruiting Needs for 2013

[Wbbfan1]

According to many evaluators the HS Class of 2013 could be special with players that could be the missing pieces for some teams that would enable them to compete for a National Championship. For UConn they need to get players that will enable them to possibly start another run of consecutive National Championships. UConn needs depth and a critical need at 2 guard to replace Bria when she graduates.

My projected roster for 2013/2014. Projected starters are listed 1st and then ranked in order.
Center: Dolson (SR), Stokes(Jr), Johnson(Sr)
Forward: Stewart(So), Tuck(So)
Wing: KML (Jr), Engeln (Sr)
2 Guard: Bri (Sr)
PG: Moriah(So) Banks(Jr)
IMHO with the exception of Stef all players are capable of playing more then one position. Stewart is capable of playing wing, forward or center.

UConn will graduate Kelly Faris, Caroline Doty and Heather Buck, two likely starters from the 2012/2013 team. My projected recruiting needs and in order of priority are:

1)2 Guard, capable of lighting it up from the bench and be Bria's replacement when she graduates. Rebecca Greenwell would be my choice but she doesn't have UConn in her list of interested schools. Haven't heard who Geno is looking at.
2)Wing and we know Geno would love to get one or both of two players . Players are also capable of playing multiple positions.
3)Combo Guard capable of playing either guard position. Would like to see some size here.
4) Center

Obviously if you have the opportunity to get Mercedes Russell out of Oregon who is the #1 ranked player and is a center then you get her even though center is not the most pressing need. If not, get a center who can use a year or two of seasoning before she would start.

I'm sure many will disagree with the above premises but that's okay.

 

[cohenzone]

You left out poor Lauren, who is currently seeing more floor time than Johnson.

 

[VAMike23]

 

[Wbbfan1]

You're right, Lauren should be added after Bria or KML. If I could edit my post I would add her after KML.

You left out poor Lauren, who is currently seeing more floor time than Johnson.

 

[JS]

If I could edit my post I would add her after KML.

Why can't you edit your post?

Oh, it looks like you did.

 

[HuskyNan]

I did. Posts are only editable for 30 minutes.

 

[meyers7]

Haven't heard who Geno is looking at.

From what I have heard and seen (on here and Nan's site):

Diamond DeShields W
Taya Reimer F
Karlie Samuelson G
Jannah Tucker G
Stephanie Mavunga F

 

[doggydaddy]

For UConn they need to get players that will enable them to possibly start another run of consecutive National Championships.

So, you are giving up on this year and next year?

Obviously if you have the opportunity to get Mercedes Russell out of Oregon who is the #1 ranked player and is a center then you get her even though center is not the most pressing need.

She hasn't visited Connecticut and doesn't appear to be planning a visit.

 

[Aluminny69]

Realistically speaking, barring injuries, Brittney Griner is the dominant type of player who makes Baylor the prohibitive favorite for two consecutive National championships. That doesn't imply "giving up", but merely being realistic. Anything can happen.

 

[Jonathan Husky]

Realistically speaking, barring injuries, Brittney Griner is the dominant type of player who makes Baylor the prohibitive favorite for two consecutive National championships. That doesn't imply "giving up", but merely being realistic. Anything can happen.[/quote

I am not sure Baylor will be the prohibitive favorite next year. The addition of Breanna, Morgan and Moriah will make UConn at least a co-favorite.

 

[alexrgct]

Realistically speaking, barring injuries, Brittney Griner is the dominant type of player who makes Baylor the prohibitive favorite for two consecutive National championships. That doesn't imply "giving up", but merely being realistic. Anything can happen.

I wouldn't call Baylor a prohibitive favorite for two NCs. UConn came within five points of them in their own gym. I think ND, Stanford, or UConn could beat them this year, though I do think Baylor is the clear favorite. Next season, UConn overcomes its biggest vulnerability (size), adds depth, and will have its two most effective offensive weapons on the current team back and more experienced.

In sum, I see Baylor as the obvious #1, but not the prohibitive favorite this season, and UConn and Baylor as co-favorites next season.

A crunch-time lineup of Bria, KML, Kelly, Breanna, and Stef is going to be really, really tough to beat, and I fully expect Kiah, Breanna, Morgan, Moriah, Heather, and Caroline, to be able to contribute on some level as well. That is a ridiculously stacked team. Baylor will be very good, and UConn won't have anyone like Griner on the team, but I wouldn't bet against UConn in 2012-13.

 

[dtbtbtb]

It will be a lot to ask from a freshmen even as talented as Stew to be able to stop Griner who will be a senior with additional experience as most probably part of the Olympic team but if anyone can do it, it will be her!

 

[MilfordHusky]

That's what I'm talkin' 'bout!

 

[alexrgct]

It will be a lot to ask from a freshmen even as talented as Stew to be able to stop Griner who will be a senior with additional experience as most probably part of the Olympic team but if anyone can do it, it will be her!

I don't think anyone will stop Griner next year, but Stewart will make everyone on UConn's lineup better:

• Allows Kelly to be sicked on smaller players.
• Prevents opposing defenses from swarming Stef in the post.
• Spins KML down down to a 2. All of a sudden, UConn becomes a pretty big team (Bria "5'7"", KML 6'0", Kelly 5'11", Breanna 6'4", Stef 6'5") instead of the undersized one we have currently.

So Griner will get hers, but UConn is going be extremely tough to handle in its own right.

 

[jdubct]

It will be a lot to ask from a freshmen even as talented as Stew to be able to stop Griner who will be a senior with additional experience as most probably part of the Olympic team but if anyone can do it, it will be her!

If it were 1 on 1, I'd agree. Stewart and the other incoming freshmen will significantly add to a more experienced team next season and with so many scorers will be very difficult to guard. This year's team almost beat Baylor on their home court. So as a team effort with improved play, next year's team could win the national championship.

 

[VAMike23]

Realistically speaking, barring injuries, Brittney Griner is the dominant type of player who makes Baylor the prohibitive favorite for two consecutive National championships. That doesn't imply "giving up", but merely being realistic. Anything can happen.

I would agree they are the favorite at the moment for this year's NC. Not that we couldn't beat them if we meet them in the FF, but they are still the favorite to most observers. (After watching us play against them in Waco, I relish the opportunity for a rematch....)

However, I think next year's UCONN squad will--by tournament time--be a very, very formidable team, with no disrespect intended to this year's team. I predict that the 2013 NC game will be a titanic battle between Baylor and UCONN. I don't think Baylor will be the prohibitive favorite. Could very well be a "pick'em" situation amongst oddsmakers, with BYers like me picking the Huskies of course....

 

[Wbbfan1]

No, I haven't given up and I think UConn can definitely win the National Championship in 2012/2013 and in 2013/2014 . Who he signs in 2013 will go along way in determining if UConn will compete for National Championships in the immediate years after that. Get the right players in 2013 and who knows UConn may just be going for their 2nd or 3rd National Championship in 2014 and be in a position to win it all again in 2015.

I'm not as optimistic on this years team and a great year is getting to the Final Four. If the cards fall right like they did for A&M, then UConn just might win it all this year.

I don't think Mercedes Russell will come to UConn, but Chris Dailey has made at least one trip to Oregon to watch her play and who knows they might get lucky. I think Russell will go to a school where she would immediately start. I don't see her wanting to sit a year behind Stef or for that matter Breanna Stewart.

 

[Sonny44]

No way Baaylor beats us next year, no way, no how.

 

[Dairyair]

I seem to remember a lot of people, and not just on the Boneyard, had UConn the big favorite last year, Maya's senior year. But that didn't work out, did it? <dang it!>

 

[Suebird10fan]

No way Baaylor beats us next year, no way, no how.

A bit strong Sonny, but basically I'm with you.

Yes, Baylor's really good, but they're beatable. Heck, we almost beat them in their own gym. And Heather Buck alone has proven that Griner isn't unstoppable. Now, it's damned near impossible to score against her on penetration--I'll give you that. But you don't have to score on penetration to beat them. Again, didn't we prove that in Waco in a game that we clearly could have won with more poise down the stretch? And, oh by the way, if either ND or UConn played Baylor on a neutral court, what would happen if Griner picked up two quick fouls? Suddenly this "prohibitive favorite" would be more likely than not to lose the game.

So, yes Baylor's a bit better than UConn this year, but at best a 2-to-1 favorite on a neutral court. I'd say more like 3-to-2. And, ND also has the horses to beat Baylor if they bring their A game.

Next year Baylor will be the same team. They're virtually all juniors and typically there is very, very little improvement between junior year and senior year. Newcomer Beebe might help a bit but not much. UConn on the other hand brings in a player who Geno has already said may be his best ever. Plus, KML gets another year of experience and I for one expect huge, huge things from her next year. Plus, Bri and Stef get some more seasoning. And Moriah Jefferson is the highest rated guard ever by Hoopgurlz. And have you seen what Morgan Tuck has been doing lately?

Could Baylor beat us next year? Sure. Will they? I doubt it.

Yes, I'm sure the consensus in the world of WCBB is that Baylor and UConn will be co-favorites next year. Rubbish IMHO.

 

[Tonyc]

With Kiah coming on and BB looking good and Caroline getting healthly, look out Baylor. I really like our chances the next time. Why all we need to do is make 6 foul shots.

 

[alexrgct]

Just to clarify something- "prohibitive" to me sounds like a it would take a near-miracle for Baylor to lose. In fact, three teams have gotten within single digits of them. Give Baylor props for being talented and mentally tough (and still undefeated), but their margin for error is just not what what, say, UConn's was in 2009 and 2010. They should win, but they can lose.

Next year, Baylor will be improved. If Griner plays in the Olympics, she could definitely improve somewhat from that experience. Sims has room for improvement. And between their recruiting and some folks that are missing this season that are returning, they'll have some depth. Plus, if they win it all this season, they'll have more swagger.

I just think UConn has kids coming in who immediately and fundamentally change the kinds of lineups UConn is capable of using, thereby eliminating key vulnerabilities on the current team AND making players on the current team more effective. Plus we have a number of underclassmen who could improve significantly by next season. That's what makes UConn so scary.

 

[Suebird10fan]

Just to clarify something- "prohibitive" to me sounds like a it would take a near-miracle for Baylor to lose. In fact, three teams have gotten within single digits of them. Give Baylor props for being talented and mentally tough (and still undefeated), but their margin for error is just not what what, say, UConn's was in 2009 and 2010. They should win, but they can lose.

Next year, Baylor will be improved. If Griner plays in the Olympics, she could definitely improve somewhat from that experience. Sims has room for improvement. And between their recruiting and some folks that are missing this season that are returning, they'll have some depth. Plus, if they win it all this season, they'll have more swagger.

I just think UConn has kids coming in who immediately and fundamentally change the kinds of lineups UConn is capable of using, thereby eliminating key vulnerabilities on the current team AND making players on the current team more effective. Plus we have a number of underclassmen who could improve significantly by next season. That's what makes UConn so scary.

Alex, I think you're overestimating the extent to which Baylor will improve next year.

If you look at a large sample of WCBB players and compare Jr and Sr years, on average you find very, very little improvement. A bit more between Soph and Jr years, but much, much more between Fr and Soph years.

As far as depth, Baylor loses Condrey, who has been a legitimate part of their rotation and picks up Beebe. It's possible that other freshmen will contribute but when you get down in the rankings past #20 or so, the odds of meaningful minutes on a championship caliber team drop precipitously. I'd say much less than 50/50 that they get meaningful minutes next year from anyone but Beebe.

Quantifying in terms of points, I see Baylor improving by about 2, maybe 3 points next year, UConn by about 10 to 12.

 

[Suebird10fan]

Alex, rereading I missed your comment about people missing this year. Who is that? Shanay Washington is playing--is she still affected by her injury? Anyone else?

 

[Scotter]

I have to admit that as much as recruiting interests me because of the player evaluation and projection aspects much like the NBA and NFL drafts interest me, I'm finding it hard to get worked up about who UConn will get in the class of 2013. I just can't convince myself that the future of the program is at stake with the class of 2013 when Geno basically secured the future in the last two recruiting classes. I'll be more than content with whoever really wants to be a Husky out of the 2013 class.