Coach KO has really done a great job of casting a wide net and going after the top recruits. His work ethic is unbelievable, unless you followed his NBA career, in which case it's simply the Kevin Ollie way - being willing to do what a lot of coaches won't.
Seems like we're on almost every top prospect's A-list
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Sibeerian
Mush on, you Huskies
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We talk about whether various sportswriters or broadcasters or other fan bases consider us 'blue bloods,' but right now great players are telling us that UConn is one of the top destinations. That's the best yardstick of all.
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I really think this is a higher level of recruiting. Calhoun was only at this level once back when he was battling with North Carolina for the top recruits in the mid 2000s. He did have some of the top guys take officials back then.
I don't care about 1 year rental top guys. I just want UConn guys. Guys with a chip on their shoulder who play for the name on the front rather than the once on the back. Calhoun recruited like a champ, the players he recruited got us 4 chips!!
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UCONNfan1
I tend to agree with you - I really do. BUT I see nothing wrong with taking a guy like Drummond every other year or so. A high quality guy who really adds something to the team.
I also like that we seem to be in on almost every top kid, but to be honest, I sort of drown out all that chatter. SO many kids that it's hard to keep up, never mind get enthused for any of them. Don't get me wrong - I think it's great because like the lottery, you can't win if you don't play (or aren't on their list), but if we are choice #2 or 3, it doesn't do anything for us as a team or a program.
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I agree. Closing the deal is what it's all about in the end. It will be very interesting to see what the 2015 class turns out to be. But as you pointed out, you can't win these recruiting battles if you're not in the game.
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Personally Id love 3 top 50 - 150 recruits a year with the right heart, mindset, and genetics. Get em in the door, coach em up, play em for 3 years, let em leave with a ring, repeat. All the shenanigans that go on with the top 25-50 recruits (especially top 10) are pretty duck'd up in my opinion. I have no interest in packages, pun intended, or offering family members jobs or any of that garbage. Sure these are all kids, but if a guy has potential, the physical tools, and just about equally important the high character and right mindset, bring him in. I really don't care if he's a top 200 recruit. How many top 50 recruits really haven't been at least partially corrupted be the A_kissing ego trip on their ways up. I'll take the Shabazz Napiers over the Shabazz Muhammads everyday, all day.
Dogbreath2U
RIP, DB2U
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The official visits are a great indication that KO is being taken seriously by top recruits, but it was concerning when I looked at 24/7's list of top 5 teams, UConn was missing on most of those top guys. I imagine it could be one of those things that are not updated often, but it does predict Jalen Adams and Enoch to UConn. No UConn in top 5 for Malik Newman, Diamond Stone, Cheick Diallo, Isaiah Briscoe, Allonzo Trier, Jalen Brunson, and Bennie Boatwright. We are listed with 0% on Chance Comanche, Elijah Thomas, Deng Adel, and Tyler Dorsey. It would be great if KO could get a commitment from one of these guys this summer or early Fall.
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247 didn't have Daniel Hamilton going to Uconn either.....even after he verballed.
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Yea, I would put no stock at all into those top 5s. These guys haven't announced top schools so it is all guessing. Diamond Stone flew himself rom Milwaukee for an unofficial. That is very strong to me. He also never talks to media so how would these guys know? Ray Smith has predictions to UNLV and he cut them already, but is visiting today to a school they dont associate him with (us).
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Been telling everyone I could that this would happen. Ollie is going to recruit at a level never before seen at UConn.
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I think Ollie is going to recruit a higher level than Calhoun. Don't get me wrong Calhoun got top kids but I think BC of the practice facility and Ollie having a softer approach on players. But I love me some Calhoun. Nobody outcoached him, nobody.
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Ollie has NBA pedigree with a Ring. He's new and getting tons of positive exposure. Players (all levels) speak highly of him.
He's young, hot and on top of the world right now. Its no surprise that he is commanding respect from top recruits.
I have to believe that for a teenager to be in his presence can be bragging rights on the summer circuits. I will say that Ollie should have little problem closing the parent(s), it is the finicky teens that is the issue.
He's young, hot and on top of the world right now. Its no surprise that he is commanding respect from top recruits.
I have to believe that for a teenager to be in his presence can be bragging rights on the summer circuits. I will say that Ollie should have little problem closing the parent(s), it is the finicky teens that is the issue.
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