Recruiting Problems??

[huskyniner]

Really? Not disagreeing with you or inciting a fight, but the majority of stuff I've read the past few days have discussed UConn being in the drivers seat, and simply needing to hold on for the final stretch. Plus, those Crystal Ball guys change their picks at the slightest drop of info; and we still lead by a healthy margin. (Disclaimer i don't put complete trust in the Crystal Ball but it would be illogical to totally dismiss it. They are right ~70% of the time)

I'm hoping you're right, but I also put no stock into the crystal ball guys. They have no accountability and have switched their picks minutes before a decision in the past. To me, they're like NFL mock drafts - fun to look at, but I give them no credibility.

 

[sawxfan23]

This is a ridiculous post. The recruiting class of Adams, Enoch and likely Stone is one of UConn's best ever.

I am really not sure where you came up with the "likely Stone" but I would say its more like 70/30 split he is going to Wisconsin.

 

[Dynasty]

I think the strategy was more troubling than anything else. Losing Ali was a shame and I have to think that was somewhat based on the fact that we had targeted many other players who played the same position, even after he had signed. I also think it was strange to go 100% all in on Mack, when we didn't even offer him until September. We started out way too far behind and were never able to catch up, and I wish that we had expended all the energy on Jones, a guy we were in on very early.

Exactly. KO's recruiting strategy needs improvement. He can't be all over the place in future recruiting classes.

 

[aceboon]

That's my one complaint in regards to the wings. If everything is on the up and up with Jones, I would've rather the staff just hone in on him instead of dipping out on his recruitment. Going all in on Mack and trying to get him after 2 months of recruiting when you had all the southern schools after him for over a year(except SC) was just crazy to me.

I think the strategy was more troubling than anything else. Losing Ali was a shame and I have to think that was somewhat based on the fact that we had targeted many other players who played the same position, even after he had signed. I also think it was strange to go 100% all in on Mack, when we didn't even offer him until September. We started out way too far behind and were never able to catch up, and I wish that we had expended all the energy on Jones, a guy we were in on very early.

All this said, a Stone commitment makes this class amazing. There will also be plenty of spring options with decommits and late bloomers. I just wish we had wrapped everything up earlier so that the staff could focus on the 2016 class.

 

[8893]

Who's Daryl?

Larry and Daryl's brother.

 

[UConnSwag11]

HFD??

 

[UConn3432]

Everything is fine, but at some point KO has to bring warm bodies into the program. Having 12-13 true scholarship players is extremely important to keep improving over the course of a season. It's very difficult when you can't practice against division 1 players.

 

[Bonehead]

I got 99 problems but a bitch ain't one...recruiting might be?

 

[boog204]

That's my one complaint in regards to the wings. If everything is on the up and up with Jones, I would've rather the staff just hone in on him instead of dipping out on his recruitment. Going all in on Mack and trying to get him after 2 months of recruiting when you had all the southern schools after him for over a year(except SC) was just crazy to me.

It seems like we didn't go "all-in" on Mack until the very end. One of Mack's quotes after committing to VCU was that Smart "believed in him" from the start. Clarke also said after his Tenn visit that it was clear that "they (Tenn) really wanted me." This implies that they didn't like that we were recruiting 2 other wings at the same time. There was also rumors on the VCU board at one point that we were asking Mack to hold off on a commitment until Clarke's commitment was made. Kind of connects to Mack's quote a little bit and how all of a sudden we were making up ground in the last week or so.

 

[aceboon]

Everything is fine, but at some point KO has to bring warm bodies into the program. Having 12-13 true scholarship players is extremely important to keep improving over the course of a season. It's very difficult when you can't practice against division 1 players.

They worked at the full alottment last year, they're short this year but you still have a 2 deep at every position(there's no way you can say there isn't a healthy competition at guard/wing), not really sure where you get the idea that they're not practicing against D1 players.

 

[aceboon]

It seems like we didn't go "all-in" on Mack until the very end. One of Mack's quotes after committing to VCU was that Smart "believed in him" from the start. Clarke also said after his Tenn visit that it was clear that "they (Tenn) really wanted me." This implies that they didn't like that we were recruiting 2 other wings at the same time. There was also rumors on the VCU board at one point that we were asking Mack to hold off on a commitment until Clarke's commitment was made. Kind of connects to Mack's quote a little bit and how all of a sudden we were making up ground in the last week or so.

The stuff from the VCU fans is nonsense, they were talking as if the staff was putting Mack on the backburner when based on the fact that they dipped out of Jones and Clarke's recruitment its clear that wasn't the case. They were going hard after him right after they offered him but trying to make up ground in 2 months against teams that had been recruiting him for a year was too much ground to make up.

 

[Go_Huskies]

It seems like we didn't go "all-in" on Mack until the very end. One of Mack's quotes after committing to VCU was that Smart "believed in him" from the start. Clarke also said after his Tenn visit that it was clear that "they (Tenn) really wanted me." This implies that they didn't like that we were recruiting 2 other wings at the same time. There was also rumors on the VCU board at one point that we were asking Mack to hold off on a commitment until Clarke's commitment was made. Kind of connects to Mack's quote a little bit and how all of a sudden we were making up ground in the last week or so.

I think there may be some truth to this. KO seems to be excellent at building relationships, motivation, and getting people to believe in him. He has all the tools to be an excellent recruiter. The only criticism I can think of is that he cast his net too wide by offering too many recruits and should next time concentrate on fewer recruits. But then again this year may be a one-off crazy scenario.

 

[Matrim55]

Why can't Ollie recruit? How do we get beat out by VCU and UNLV? Its absurd. If we don't get Diamond Stone it looks like recruiting is going to be a problem for a very long time. One top 50 recruit per season won't cut it anymore. UNLV has been gettings MCD's AA's year after year!

Bump!

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

Bump!

This seems unnecessary (and a little strange). There were legitimate questions about recruiting at one point. Of course some people went off the deep end but this is the Boneyard - it's not going to be long before people are calling Diarra, Gilbert and [I'm drawing a blank on the new kid's name] better than anything Duke or UK has ever pulled in.

Just enjoy it. You're not making the point you think you are and even if you were you look childish.

 

[mdkhusky]

Oh quit being a baby

 

[polycom]

This seems unnecessary (and a little strange). There were legitimate questions about recruiting at one point. Of course some people went off the deep end but this is the Boneyard - it's not going to be long before people are calling Diarra, Gilbert and [I'm drawing a blank on the new kid's name] better than anything Duke or UK has ever pulled in.

Just enjoy it. You're not making the point you think you are and even if you were you look childish.

Great voice of reason post man....

 

[joober jones]

I got 99 problems but a bitch ain't one...recruiting might be?

If you're having recruiting problems I feel bad for you son, I've got 99 problems but KO ain't one

 

[DogMania]

I think there may be some truth to this. KO seems to be excellent at building relationships, motivation, and getting people to believe in him. He has all the tools to be an excellent recruiter. The only criticism I can think of is that he cast his net too wide by offering too many recruits and should next time concentrate on fewer recruits. But then again this year may be a one-off crazy scenario.

I love this thread. I figure here's a good spot to chime in. Sure doesn't seem that casting a wide net hurt KO in the least. He tossed it out far and wide and has pulled in recruits all spring and summer long. I know I've mentioned my concern about the challenge our conference poses as far as recruiting is concerned, but KO and his staff have shown they've been able to overcome it. In addition to the 3 top tier transfers, he's built one heck of a 2016 class so far. I still would love to see us land Diallo and Gabriel. I think we still have a good shot at Diallo in 2017 and even in 2016 if he reclassifies, though JD seems a lot like Gabriel. I'm greedy. I'd love to have both. Those two on the floor at the same time would be big time match-up challenges for most teams. Place a big strong big between those two and that would be one tough front court on either end of the floor.

I think we have two ships left for 2016. I know we could use a big strong 5 though between Diarra and Enoch, we're probably fine at the 5 in a couple years. As long as you have a bunch of active talented long bigs, you can get away w/out having a big strong 7 footer, though it sure would be nice to have one in 2016 and beyond. A lot can happen between now and then. I'm all for filling those last two ships with the best talent possible and worry about a big later. I'm sure another ship will materialize that we're not aware of and we'll likely be find with who we have. It's not like we had dominating bigs in 2011 & 14 and our interior D was quite stout.

 

[superjohn]

I love this thread. I figure here's a good spot to chime in. Sure doesn't seem that casting a wide net hurt KO in the least. He tossed it out far and wide and has pulled in recruits all spring and summer long. I know I've mentioned my concern about the challenge our conference poses as far as recruiting is concerned, but KO and his staff have shown they've been able to overcome it. In addition to the 3 top tier transfers, he's built one heck of a 2016 class so far. I still would love to see us land Diallo and Gabriel. I think we still have a good shot at Diallo in 2017 and even in 2016 if he reclassifies, though JD seems a lot like Gabriel. I'm greedy. I'd love to have both. Those two on the floor at the same time would be big time match-up challenges for most teams. Place a big strong big between those two and that would be one tough front court on either end of the floor.

I think we have two ships left for 2016. I know we could use a big strong 5 though between Diarra and Enoch, we're probably fine at the 5 in a couple years. As long as you have a bunch of active talented long bigs, you can get away w/out having a big strong 7 footer, though it sure would be nice to have one in 2016 and beyond. A lot can happen between now and then. I'm all for filling those last two ships with the best talent possible and worry about a big later. I'm sure another ship will materialize that we're not aware of and we'll likely be find with who we have. It's not like we had dominating bigs in 2011 & 14 and our interior D was quite stout.

I would be really surprised if Hamidou Diallo goes somewhere else.

 

[pnow15]

Ollie will be cutting down the nets in the near future and someone will post: why can't Ollie recruit? Count on it.

 

[Senore]

I think getting Juwan Durham was a big win on someone injured now and currently (sort of) under the radar. This guy is a great investment, imo.

Ollie and UConn are still huge names in the sport. I miss you guys in conference. Louisville and UConn were a template on making one another better.

 

[MexicoHusky]

I miss Louisville as well. It's a shame what happened to the Big East. Louisville, UCONN, Cuse, Pitt, Nova, Gtown, WVU, etc......we were on the verge of sinking Tobacco Road as the center of NCAA basketball.

 

[Go_Huskies]

I love this thread. I figure here's a good spot to chime in. Sure doesn't seem that casting a wide net hurt KO in the least. He tossed it out far and wide and has pulled in recruits all spring and summer long. I know I've mentioned my concern about the challenge our conference poses as far as recruiting is concerned, but KO and his staff have shown they've been able to overcome it. In addition to the 3 top tier transfers, he's built one heck of a 2016 class so far. I still would love to see us land Diallo and Gabriel. I think we still have a good shot at Diallo in 2017 and even in 2016 if he reclassifies, though JD seems a lot like Gabriel. I'm greedy. I'd love to have both. Those two on the floor at the same time would be big time match-up challenges for most teams. Place a big strong big between those two and that would be one tough front court on either end of the floor.

I think we have two ships left for 2016. I know we could use a big strong 5 though between Diarra and Enoch, we're probably fine at the 5 in a couple years. As long as you have a bunch of active talented long bigs, you can get away w/out having a big strong 7 footer, though it sure would be nice to have one in 2016 and beyond. A lot can happen between now and then. I'm all for filling those last two ships with the best talent possible and worry about a big later. I'm sure another ship will materialize that we're not aware of and we'll likely be find with who we have. It's not like we had dominating bigs in 2011 & 14 and our interior D was quite stout.

Is there any objective data to determine how big a net KO has cast? It seems to me he offered fewer scholarships this year than last year. Again this is just my perception but I wonder if there is an authoritative source to determine if this is this the case.

I checked 247
- It has UCONN offering 24 players in 2016
- Uconn offered 49 players in 2015

This is not perfect because it doesn't tell me what time period they were offered. This is just a discussion not a game of talking trash or one-upmanship. Obviously something changed from last year to this year. I think there is evidence that Ollie choose to focus on a fewer players this year. That maybe the variable that changed from last year to this and led to this season's great success.

Source:
Get rid of spaces
http://connecticut. 247spor ts.com/ Season/ 2016-Basketball/Offers

 

[Dynasty]

Is there any objective data to determine how big a net KO has cast? It seems to me he offered fewer scholarships this year than last year. Again this is just my perception but I wonder if there is an authoritative source to determine if this is this the case.

I checked 247
- It has UCONN offering 24 players in 2016
- Uconn offered 49 players in 2015

This is not perfect because it doesn't tell me what time period they were offered. This is just a discussion not a game of talking trash or one-upmanship. Obviously something changed from last year to this year. I think there is evidence that Ollie choose to focus on a fewer players this year. That maybe the variable that changed from last year to this and led to this season's great success.

Source:
Get rid of spaces
http://connecticut. 247spor ts.com/ Season/ 2016-Basketball/Offers

That offers list isn't 100% accurate. There are a few more offers than that.

 

[imno1]

This is not perfect because it doesn't tell me what time period they were offered. This is just a discussion not a game of talking trash or one-upmanship. Obviously something changed from last year to this year. I think there is evidence that Ollie choose to focus on a fewer players this year. That maybe the variable that changed from last year to this and led to this season's great success.

Source:
Get rid of spaces
http://connecticut. 247spor ts.com/ Season/ 2016-Basketball/Offers

I'm out then

 

[ctchamps]

Is there any objective data to determine how big a net KO has cast? It seems to me he offered fewer scholarships this year than last year. Again this is just my perception but I wonder if there is an authoritative source to determine if this is this the case.

I checked 247
- It has UCONN offering 24 players in 2016
- Uconn offered 49 players in 2015

This is not perfect because it doesn't tell me what time period they were offered. This is just a discussion not a game of talking trash or one-upmanship. Obviously something changed from last year to this year. I think there is evidence that Ollie choose to focus on a fewer players this year. That maybe the variable that changed from last year to this and led to this season's great success.

Source:
Get rid of spaces
http://connecticut. 247spor ts.com/ Season/ 2016-Basketball/Offers

Let's hit the points people have discussed in the past impacting recruiting during the time frame you're interested in.
1) AAC. I'd rule this out since this hasn't changed during the time frame!
2) Type of season. If anything you would have expected easier recruiting following an NC versus a season in which the team was one and done in the NIT. So this correlation should be ruled out for the time frame you are discussing. The legacy of success still has to be considered in over all recruiting success but not with regards to the net casting/success ratio time frame you wish to discuss.
3) Patoni tiles: rule this out.
4) Practice Facility: I'd have to consider this. It was still under construction last recruiting cycle. Kids get a different feel when they go through a completed facility (unless they are considering a mechanical engineering degree). So this can account for some of the ability to cast a smaller net.
5) APR. Could significantly impact recruiting if coaches are at a serious contact disadvantage compared to other coaches. Since last season the APR restrictions were in place and not this season I don't think we should rule this factor out as the cause for perceived improvement in recruiting success.
6) Positional playing time. Arguable. On the one hand lots of playing time was available with so many players moving on before last season. On the other hand, as you suggest, the wide net could have turned off recruits because they might have felt KO wasn't primarily focused on them.

In the first recruiting cycle for KO (three season ago) KO made a tremendous effort to demonstrate to Abu he was the primary recruit KO wanted. That didn't change Abu's decision to go to NCS. So unless there was something done underhandedly by Gottfried or some alumnus, there are examples where a smaller net isn't necessarily more effective.
7 KO's ability to close out on recruits. I've stated my position on this before. I don't buy it.

In conclusion you have some plausibility to your argument imo. I still consider the APR and the development of relationships to be the primary if not the exclusive factor in the recent recruiting success versus KO's first two years.