Richard Springs Commits to UConn

[444JR]

"I think I can stretch the floor and become a really good combo forward,'' said Springs. "I'll also bring a ton of energy whether I'm in the game or on the bench. I also want to become the best rebounder in the conference."

Richie Springs commits to play for UConn men

UConn crossed the last item off its recruiting shopping list for the upcoming season by securing a commitment from 6-foot-9 power forward Richie Springs. Springs visited UConn Sunday and announced his...

www.theday.com

 

[Chief00]

You deserve a ton of credit for the Big East news but acting like your post about Springs was telling us he's committing is not a good look

You understand that’s not how Chief usually communicates. I don’t fault others for communicating more directly but that’s not how I choose to communicate for a variety of reasons regarding a recruit. I think most astute posters on this forum know what I meant by the below 6 months ago. Please keep in mind coaches are not suppose to discuss a recruit until a signed commitment and often being more direct dries up sources or adversely impacts other players.
As someone who predicted Dre in Storrs in the summer of 2011 for that autumn semester, I have come to learn how to do it more subtilely, especially when other scholarship situations are involved. It that instance, things had to be cleaned up after the fact.

 

[HuskyHawk]

what do you think happens if hurley can only sign 2 guys and thomas is one of them but cliff is not?

does hurley take jackson over brown-ferguson or cardwell? jackson might be the better prospect but center is the biggest positional need. is that what the list here is saying?

My guess is that with two scholarships, and with Springs behind Carlton plus Whaley the next two seasons, we now take best players available. If that is a center, fine. If not, we get one in 2021 when we have a huge class.

 

[NJHoops]

Imagine not making every thread about oneself. Lots of people actually know a lot of things and don’t crave internet attention for doing so.

They very much want a big in the ‘20 class to pair with a senior Carlton and, aside from Vital, there are two others on the roster who could pursue pro options.

 

[ToolzieFan]

Imagine not making every thread about oneself. Lots of people actually know a lot of things and don’t crave internet attention for doing so.

They very much want a big in the ‘20 class to pair with a senior Carlton and, aside from Vital, there are two others on the roster who could pursue pro options.

Yeah, as someone with zero inside knowledge, I just get the feeling that somehow we will have three scholarship available in 2020. Thomas, Jackson, and a solid big man would be a great class to me.

 

[pj]

Video has been posted a few times but there are a few highlights from Springs(#13) and shows the connection he'll have straight away with Bouknight. Springs easily looks like the tallest, longest guy on the court. Great assist to Bouk towards the end.

Impressed with Bouknight. When he wants to turn on the quickness, he flashes right by guys.

 

[jollari]

Yeah, as someone with zero inside knowledge, I just get the feeling that somehow we will have three scholarship available in 2020. Thomas, Jackson, and a solid big man would be a great class to me.

I can’t seem to find the reference but I’m pretty sure that one of the Horde’s articles (I thought Borges at the Register) announcing Springs had listed we’d be going after 3-4 players in 2020. I hesitate to even mention this because it looks to have been edited but I’m wondering if others read the same thing?

 

[JMick]

I can’t seem to find the reference but I’m pretty sure that one of the Horde’s articles (I thought Borges at the Register) announcing Springs had listed we’d be going after 3-4 players in 2020. I hesitate to even mention this because it looks to have been edited but I’m wondering if others read the same thing?

I read that too and was a little surprised

 

[Njalum1422]

I can’t seem to find the reference but I’m pretty sure that one of the Horde’s articles (I thought Borges at the Register) announcing Springs had listed we’d be going after 3-4 players in 2020. I hesitate to even mention this because it looks to have been edited but I’m wondering if others read the same thing?

I believe it was Amore’s in the Courant but it appears to have been edited as well.

 

[navery12]

Springs commitment should put us around #18 in 247's class rankings for 2019. They haven't moved him to the 2019 class yet so used the closest graded player they had (ironically Paul Mulcahy who we recruited)

 

[HuskylnSC]

Lol

Great get!! Congrats to the staff for getting this done!! And I know I speak for all TRUE fans when I say thank you to those on this board that provided legit info on the progress of this recruitment. Vs the CASUAL fan who is only on here for self-aggrandizement and brought nothing real to the table. What’s next Chief, are you gonna break the story to “stay tuned, we are not done recruiting for the future”??

Good job by the staff, none of which Chief knows better than anyone else on this board!!

Excuse me while I stand up for the casual fan. Self-Aggrandizement! this post is nothing but your trying to stake a claim to self-glory while trying to elevate yourself to some level of insider while putting down us casuals. I come to the table to with thanks, but it is not your table. There are some who provide interesting tid-bits. Which is actually the level of real information. Its fun to speculate on rumors, innuendos and assumptions. But in the end of the day there are only 8-10 real insiders and about 90% of them report to Dan Hurley. Go UConn, Go Hurley (BTW Chief, I enjoy your notes and the provocative way you spice up the board.)

 

[Son of Robert]

Welcome Richie Springs to UConn Nation! Glad to have you here. Looking forward to having you on the team for the next few years.

Really pleased that Hurley filled this roster spot with a good prospect, one who will develop, but will also get minutes this year, filling a serious need we have at the power 4 spot. I welcome the addition of Richie Springs, an active interior player with height, length and IQ, who gets after it on the boards, and provides versatility and depth on both offense and defense. Did not want to see us play this year with no muscle at the 4 spot.

We are a better more complete team; feeling much better about this year now.

 

[Waquoit]

Interesting how our road to the big-time came when we recruited nationally successfully and the key to our rejuvenation seems to be how well we can continue to recruit locally.

 

[Guapo]

Interesting how our road to the big-time came when we recruited nationally successfully and the key to our rejuvenation seems to be how well we can continue to recruit locally.

It’s not that simple. We have to reestablish that local recruiting foundation.

 

[pj]

Interesting how our road to the big-time came when we recruited nationally successfully and the key to our rejuvenation seems to be how well we can continue to recruit locally.

That was in an era when ESPN was new, national television exposure was exciting to kids, and the Big East brought great TV exposure that other conferences were lacking, so Calhoun could sell to players all over the country. Now those advantages over other conferences are gone, and what matters most is relationships with the AAU and prep school coaches, and player networks generally. Those are best cultivated locally, because there's no substitute for frequent in-person contact. We have a terrific local talent base and if we re-establish ourselves as the top program of the northeast, local recruiting will be enough to make us a consistent top-10 program.

 

[Huskyforlife]

Interesting how our road to the big-time came when we recruited nationally successfully and the key to our rejuvenation seems to be how well we can continue to recruit locally.

Pretty sure Hurley mentioned at his intro presser, he's gonna start rebuilding those local connections, and build outwards.

 

[ctchamps]

Full game footage of Springs. Solid passer from the elbow and blocks. Lots of room a for improvement!

This kid understands the game. I take back my comparison to Facey. The last big to big passer we had was Daniel Hamilton. In this game Richie looked better than that. He’s the anti Selvie play wise.

He moves to the basket for rebounds the moment the ball is released. More impressive is he has an eye for how the ball comes off the rim.

The Macduffie coach knows how to teach his players. I would have pulled the trigger for this kid on this game alone.

My take is that coach Hurley preferred securing a back up five to Carlton this year and maybe take Richie next year depending on how the chips fell.

UConn fans are going to love Bouknight. He’s exciting and does things that will make opposing coaches lose sleep before playing us.

Richie is a player who will go unnoticed by many fans but will be a major contributor. The one thing that is a question mark is whether this kid can become strong and fast enough to play at this level and if so when.

If the scholarship situation and needs weren’t so critical taking Richie is a no brainer. If we had more depth with the four and five positions Hurley would have the option of red shirting Richie. That likely won’t happen.

I’m not sure the type of conditioning Sal will have Richie do given the likelihood he’s still growing but he has the frame to be big and muscular.

IMO Richie has a very small probability (2%) of being a bust, a 48% chance of being an important role player and a 50% chance of a Hilton trajectory.

This is the type of recruit that could make or destroy the reputation of Hurley. Richie is not without risk. But if he reaches my optimistic potential Dan will look like a genius.

 

[Chief00]

Excuse me while I stand up for the casual fan. Self-Aggrandizement! this post is nothing but your trying to stake a claim to self-glory while trying to elevate yourself to some level of insider while putting down us casuals. I come to the table to with thanks, but it is not your table. There are some who provide interesting tid-bits. Which is actually the level of real information. Its fun to speculate on rumors, innuendos and assumptions. But in the end of the day there are only 8-10 real insiders and about 90% of them report to Dan Hurley. Go UConn, Go Hurley (BTW Chief, I enjoy your notes and the provocative way you spice up the board.)

Thank you. The Grind continues after celebrating last night. Next man up?

 

[Chief00]

This kid understands the game. I take back my comparison to Facey. The last big to big passer we had was Daniel Hamilton. In this game Richie looked better than that. He’s the anti Selvie play wise.

He moves to the basket for rebounds the moment the ball is released. More impressive is he has an eye for how the ball comes off the rim.

The Macduffie coach knows how to teach his players. I would have pulled the trigger for this kid on this game alone.

My take is that coach Hurley preferred securing a back up five to Carlton this year and maybe take Richie next year depending on how the chips fell.

UConn fans are going to love Bouknight. He’s exciting and does things that will make opposing coaches lose sleep before playing us.

Richie is a player will go unnoticed by many fans but will be a major contributor. The one thing that is a question mark is whether this kid can become strong and fast enough to play at this level and if so when.

If the scholarship situation and needs weren’t so critical taking Richie is a no brainer. If we had more depth with the four and five positions Hurley would have the option of red shirting Richie. That likely won’t happen.

I’m not sure the type of conditioning Sal will have Richie do given the likelihood he’s still growing but he has the frame to be big and muscular.

IMO Richie has a very small probability (2%) of being a bust, a 48% chance of being an important role player and a 50% chance of a Hilton trajectory.

This is the type of recruit that could make or destroy the reputation of Hurley. Richie is not without risk. But if he reaches my optimistic potential Dan will look like a genius.

Great post. It’s good to see the appreciation of Big to Big passing and respect for rebound positioning and instinct - before the ball hits the rim.
I know Jim Calhoun always taught how important desire is in rebounding. This kid recognizes the importance of it and goes out and does it.

 

[MDHuskFan]

I’ll never be able to dislike a kid who says he wants to lead the league in rebounding

 

[ctchamps]

Great post. It’s good to see the appreciation of Big to Big passing and respect for rebounding positioning and instinct - before the ball hits the rim.
I know Jim Calhoun always taught how important desire is in rebounding. This kid recognizes the importance of it and goes out and does it.

I agree. People should watch this game just to observe what we’ve been missing for a long time. I’m hoping there will be opportunities for Richie and Carlton get some playing time together. I can’t imagine Dan will do this early in the game because Richie will be needed as a backup to let Carlton rest or gets in foul trouble but that combo on the floor together has me excited.

 

[Chief00]

I’ll never be able to dislike a kid who says he wants to lead the league in rebounding

Exactly. I will take that over First Night showboating every time.

 

[Chief00]

I agree. People should watch this game just to observe what we’ve been missing for a long time. I’m hoping there will be opportunities for Richie and Carlton get some playing time together. I can’t imagine Dan will do this early in the game because Richie will be needed as a backup to let Carlton rest or gets in foul trouble but that combo on the floor together has me excited.

They are both good kids and coachable and Coach Hunter does a good job, in Chief’s opinion.

 

[Taco]

I just want to know how tall this kid is, is he the 6'7 he's listed as or is he the 6'10 BYers keep quoting.

The 6-10 are Hilton units

 

[AZHuskiePop]

The fantastic Four

I will be happy if Boukright and Akok stay 2 years as long as they are drafted high.

 

[bmayuc]

Reminds me a lot of Kevin Freeman. Active strong rebounder and finisher, versatile athletically. KFree never really succeeded in expanding his game but he was one of my favorite warriors for his tenacity and grit.

 

[Candyman]

This kid understands the game. I take back my comparison to Facey. The last big to big passer we had was Daniel Hamilton. In this game Richie looked better than that. He’s the anti Selvie play wise.

He moves to the basket for rebounds the moment the ball is released. More impressive is he has an eye for how the ball comes off the rim.

The Macduffie coach knows how to teach his players. I would have pulled the trigger for this kid on this game alone.

My take is that coach Hurley preferred securing a back up five to Carlton this year and maybe take Richie next year depending on how the chips fell.

UConn fans are going to love Bouknight. He’s exciting and does things that will make opposing coaches lose sleep before playing us.

Richie is a player who will go unnoticed by many fans but will be a major contributor. The one thing that is a question mark is whether this kid can become strong and fast enough to play at this level and if so when.

If the scholarship situation and needs weren’t so critical taking Richie is a no brainer. If we had more depth with the four and five positions Hurley would have the option of red shirting Richie. That likely won’t happen.

I’m not sure the type of conditioning Sal will have Richie do given the likelihood he’s still growing but he has the frame to be big and muscular.

IMO Richie has a very small probability (2%) of being a bust, a 48% chance of being an important role player and a 50% chance of a Hilton trajectory.

This is the type of recruit that could make or destroy the reputation of Hurley. Richie is not without risk. But if he reaches my optimistic potential Dan will look like a genius.

C'mon man, a 3 star recruit who was picked up out of necessity will in no way destroy Hurley's reputation if he is a bust.

If the word redshirt ever came up with Springs he would have stayed at Brewster, so even if we had the depth that was never an option.

 

[Towney007]

The rebounding and general smash-i-ness of Springs is what I like. And frankly, we just haven't had guys like that recently. And it's still a gaping hole on this roster. We get pounded in and when we shoot poorly, there's zero margin for error.

I think so long as people maintain perspective on him and what he is - he'll be a guy people like. IMHO - he's no NBA kinda guy. Four year banger with the potential to expand his game a little bit; but even if he just gets better at what he does well already - he'll be a good piece to have.

 

[Chief00]

The rebounding and general smash-i-ness of Springs is what I like. And frankly, we just haven't had guys like that recently. And it's still a gaping hole on this roster. We get pounded in and when we shoot poorly, there's zero margin for error.

I think so long as people maintain perspective on him and what he is - he'll be a guy people like. IMHO - he's no NBA kinda guy. Four year banger with the potential to expand his game a little bit; but even if he just gets better at what he does well already - he'll be a good piece to have.

Good post / somehow it’s become fashionable to minimize the importance of rebounding and quite frankly Chief doesn’t understand that. There have been just too many teams that have eaten our lunch on the offensive glass the last few years creating losses.

 

[McLovin]

@Towney007 you mentioned in the other thread there was a backstory on why we picked up Springs for 2019 (other than the fact the staff liked him)... can you share any of that yet?