Rich: UConn still in good shape despite not getting DD or TR

[UConnCat]

Rich has some interesting quotes from ASGR's Bret McCormick:
http://blog.ctnews.com/elliott/

“I thought that was the best place she should have went, to be honest,’’ McCormick said. “Sure, it would’ve been great to go to Connecticut, but that’s one place that they’ll let her kind of do what she wants to do. (UConn coach) Geno (Auriemma) wouldn’t have let her do that. And I don’t want to make Connecticut mad, but based on what she’s shown that was probably the best place for her to go. If she wanted to buy into what Geno did then you want go play for Geno because there’s only one school legitimately year in and year out that can compete for the national championship. And that’s Connecticut. Every few years maybe Notre Dame. Every few years somebody else comes along. But that’s the only school that you can do that. And I know she really liked North Carolina. In the long run, it probably just worked out better for everybody I would say.’’

“They wanted Diamond and that would’ve been great if she went there,’’ McCormick said. “But still not getting her doesn’t hurt them a bit in my opinion because in my opinion dealing with that team it’s like, `OK, yeah, North Carolina looks good on paper. But they’ve still got to jell together and win.’ Look at Tennessee’s class about six years ago, they came in and that was an unbelievable recruiting class. Well, they did OK. They didn’t do great. I still think Connecticut’s the team to beat.’’

“That’s the thing that people don’t understand about Geno. He recruits the best players, but some of the players that everybody thinks is such a great player they might not be a good fit for Connecticut. There’s too many good players out there and the ones they’re recruiting. So if they get Linnae Harper or if they get Chong or they get Erica McCall, they’re right there with (North Carolina).’’

 

[EricLA]

Nice comments by Bret...

 

[speedoo]

Bret makes sense, if it's true that DD really does not want a structured team situation. No way she would have enjoyed playing under Geno.

And not getting TR was no shock at all, since Breanna and Morgan are a year ahead of her. And for that reason, I don't have high hopes that we will get McCall, even though with Heather leaving we will need a post for depth. But I'd really like to get both Chong and Harper, since we lose Kelly and Caroline.

 

[connboy77]

Bret makes sense, if it's true that DD really does not want a structured team situation. No way she would have enjoyed playing under Geno.

And not getting TR was no shock at all, since Breanna and Morgan are a year ahead of her. And for that reason, I don't have high hopes that we will get McCall, even though with Heather leaving we will need a post for depth. But I'd really like to get both Chong and Harper, since we lose Kelly and Caroline.

I agree, if we just get Chong and Harper I will still be a happy camper.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I'd like a guard and a big. McCall is the only remaining big. Chong seems like the most versatile guard, though Harper is very highly ranked. I think that Karlie Samuelson would be a nice niche--3-point specialist--player.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Just a thought: If Diamond had come to UConn and resisted Geno's system and structure, she could have had a career much like that of Charde.

At UNC, Diamond will enjoy playing in a fast-paced, wide-open, full-court offense. To be a truly great player, she'll need to learn higher-level decision making, half court offense, and defense. Maybe she can learn those in the WNBA if she is so inclined.

 

[easttexastrash]

"Good shape" may be the understatement of the decade where wcbb is concerned.

 

[msf22b]

I think that its silly that now that Diamond has decided to play at UNC, all the naysayers come out with regard her inappropriate attitude with regard UCONN BB.

 

[UConnCat]

I think that its silly that now that Diamond has decided to play at UNC, all the naysayers come out with regard her inappropriate attitude with regard UCONN BB.

Who are these naysayers?

 

[MilfordHusky]

I think that its silly that now that Diamond has decided to play at UNC, all the naysayers come out with regard her inappropriate attitude with regard UCONN BB.

I would say her view and desires, not attitude per se. She wants to play for a coach who will give her lots of freedom and will focus on full-court basketball. Sylvia may not teach her half-court basketball or defense. That suggests that she and UConn were not a good match, though we did not know that before. UNC should look spectacular running their fast break, but may struggle in other situations.

 

[JS]

I think that its silly that now that Diamond has decided to play at UNC, all the naysayers come out with regard her inappropriate attitude with regard UCONN BB.

Probably some sour grapes. And definitely some (whose integrity I'd never question) who thought that before but didn't want to say it as long as UConn was recruiting her.

You think they're all silly? I don't. There were reports she said she wanted to be the big star of her team (discussed more elsewhere, but also mentioned here) well before the Day It Rained Players on Carolina.

 

[Kevin G]

Well said Bret!!

 

[MilfordHusky]

Probably some sour grapes. And definitely some (whose integrity I'd never question) who thought that before but didn't want to say it as long as UConn was recruiting her.

You think they're all silly? I don't. There were reports she said she wanted to be the big star of her team (discussed more elsewhere, but also mentioned here) well before the Day It Rained Players on Carolina.

If Diamond wants to be the big star, does she want Russell on her team, or will she be at odds with Mavunga on that?

 

[Husky7882]

Just a thought: If Diamond had come to UConn and resisted Geno's system and structure, she could have had a career much like that of Charde.

At UNC, Diamond will enjoy playing in a fast-paced, wide-open, full-court offense. To be a truly great player, she'll need to learn higher-level decision making, half court offense, and defense. Maybe she can learn those in the WNBA if she is so inclined.

My thoughts exactly. I was going to post pretty much the same thing but you beat me to it.

 

[Husky7882]

I think that its silly that now that Diamond has decided to play at UNC, all the naysayers come out with regard her inappropriate attitude with regard UCONN BB.

I don't necessarily view it as "Diamond's inappropriate attitude" as much as I view it as a "good fit" vs a "bad fit". It's like when two people are compatible or incompatible, it doesn't make one a bad person and the other a good one. It's all a matter of "fit" and Geno knows that, he has said plenty of times that when recruiting a player he looks at a lot more than basketball ability, and he has also said that he has made recruiting mistakes in the past - and I doubt that he was talking about lack of bball skills.

At least this is how I see it and this article seems to confirm that.

 

[Ozzie Nelson]

I don't necessarily view it as "Diamond's inappropriate attitude" as much as I view it as a "good fit" vs a "bad fit". It's like when two people are compatible or incompatible, it doesn't make one a bad person and the other a good one. It's all a matter of "fit" and Geno knows that, he has said plenty of times that when recruiting a player he looks at a lot more than basketball ability, and he has also said that he has made recruiting mistakes in the past - and I doubt that he was talking about lack of bball skills.

At least this is how I see it and this article seems to confirm that.

DD and her buds think(thought) they can(could) start their own team and win a National Championship...NC was a stop on the train trip that was nice and and in need of customers.

Someone Hatched this plan, and it will be intersting to watch it play out.

 

[jsloanjr]

DD made her choice and we should all wish her well. Plus, its closer to home.........

 

[Kibitzer]

I think I will try to post something completely original.

First, I was shocked and disappointed that we didn't get a commitment from the best player since Maya or Diana. I knew we were doomed!

Then I thought about it and realized she wasn't all that good after all and, in any event, she would be a "bad fit" at UConn (don't we all know that UConn isn't for everybody).

The more I thought about it, the more I realized how happy she will be running up and down the court in an unstructured offense, with no pressure on her to play tough "D."

And I am happy in the knowledge that she will be closer to home, she will wreak havoc on Duke and Maryland, and that UConn will still be in, um, "good shape."

So (inspirational original thought!) I wish DD well, except when UNC plays UConn. And, just for good measure, LOL.

[Open mouth now, withdraw tongue from cheek.]

 

[easttexastrash]

I don't necessarily view it as "Diamond's inappropriate attitude" as much as I view it as a "good fit" vs a "bad fit". It's like when two people are compatible or incompatible, it doesn't make one a bad person and the other a good one. It's all a matter of "fit" and Geno knows that, he has said plenty of times that when recruiting a player he looks at a lot more than basketball ability, and he has also said that he has made recruiting mistakes in the past - and I doubt that he was talking about lack of bball skills.

At least this is how I see it and this article seems to confirm that.

Who is to say that DD would not have come to UCONN and played within the UCONN system in a very successful manner? Just because she doesn't want to play at UCONN does not suddenly make her an uncoachable player who would refuse to play within the structure of the program.

What is wrong with wanting to play in a run-and-gun system. It worked quite well for the LA Lakers during the "showtime" years. And since when does UNC not play defense? Those girls get after you on the press and can force a lot of turnovers. Just because it is not in a slowed down half court system does not mean that they are not giving their best effort.

She chose UNC and of course they think that they can win a championship. Why wouldn't they? It is a tremendous collection of talent and if they all like each other enough to band together to go to the same university I am guessing that they already have a very good start on chemistry with each other.

 

[Ozzie Nelson]

DD made her choice and we should all wish her well. Plus, its closer to home.........

I wish her well...but it is interesting to discuss and analyze. Imagine our message "bored" if we didn't engage in discussion, and just logged out and left with best wishes.

 

[easttexastrash]

I wish her well...but it is interesting to discuss and analyze. Imagine our message "bored" if we didn't engage in discussion, and just logged out and left with best wishes.

Agreed. The BY is a great forum for discussion of so many topics.

 

[Husky7882]

DD and her buds think(thought) they can(could) start their own team and win a National Championship...NC was a stop on the train trip that was nice and and in need of customers.

Someone Hatched this plan, and it will be intersting to watch it play out.

Oh, I agree Ozzie, and if she wants to accomplish that by going to a school where (to paraphrase Bret MCCormick) she’s allowed to do what she wants (unlike at UConn), then more power to her. That is why I do not believe UC was a good fit for her, which was the point I was trying to make in my original post.

Of course someone Hatched this plan, and apparently she and the others believed in it. And why shouldn't they? Remember KW and the rest of the TASSK class? How about Longhorn (sp?) and company at Maryland? I can see how such a sale can be convincing. As you say, it will be interesting to see how it all plays out.

 

[Husky7882]

Who is to say that DD would not have come to UCONN and played within the UCONN system in a very successful manner? Just because she doesn't want to play at UCONN does not suddenly make her an uncoachable player who would refuse to play within the structure of the program.

What is wrong with wanting to play in a run-and-gun system. It worked quite well for the LA Lakers during the "showtime" years. And since when does UNC not play defense? Those girls get after you on the press and can force a lot of turnovers. Just because it is not in a slowed down half court system does not mean that they are not giving their best effort.

She chose UNC and of course they think that they can win a championship. Why wouldn't they? It is a tremendous collection of talent and if they all like each other enough to band together to go to the same university I am guessing that they already have a very good start on chemistry with each other.

I did not say (or even think) that she is uncoachable, or that there is something wrong with playing in a run-and-gun system, or that UNC does not play defense, or that there is no way for her to lead UNC to a NC. However, after reading Rich Elliott's article, I did think of Charde Houston, a former UCONN player who was very highly regarded coming out of high school but who (I believe) would have thrived even more under a different college coach. That is not a diss on Geno or on Charde; what that is, IMHO, is a matter of "fit" and also how I view DeShields' situation.

As Elliott writes, "...every player at the top of the rankings does not necessarily make them an ideal fit for UCONN." I've heard Geno express this same sentiment himself, and I also happen to agree.

Believe me, unless they're playing UConn, I wish these young ladies nothing but good things. They made the decision that they felt was best for them, and I do not believe any of us has the right to criticize them for that.

 

[triaddukefan]

I was discussing Diamond with a Carolina fan at work earlier this week..... and we both agreed that she is a great fit at UNC and the style that Hatchell prefers to run. She and Gray should be a fearsome duo on the wings for the Heels.

And I am happy in the knowledge that she will be closer to home, she will wreak havoc on Duke and Maryland, and that UConn will still be in, um, "good shape."
]

 

[EricLA]

I was discussing Diamond with a Carolina fan at work earlier this week..... and we both agreed that she is a great fit at UNC and the style that Hatchell prefers to run. She and Gray should be a fearsome duo on the wings for the Heels.

i'm curious how you think Duke recruiting will go in the next few years - you guys lost Sam Williams to Louisville, and not Tricia Stafford-Odom to UNC. if Deshields, Gray, Muvunga, etc. are any indication of how STafford-Odom will do at recruiting kids to UNC, they could permanently launch themselves back into the upper echelon of WCBB...