So... What's next for recruiting??!

[Sluconn Husky]

Fuller interviewed Crystal Dangerfield at the U-17 to talk about the mutual interest between her and UConn. He also has a new recruiting target name for '16: Jaelyn Brown, a 6-1 wing from California. She's ranked 2nd by Hoopgurlz, 3rd by BlueStar, and 18th by Prospects Nation. Brown's AAU coach says she'll visit UConn in the Fall.

http://elmcitytoeaglevillenhr.blogspot.com/2014/05/couple-other-uconn-recruiting-targets.html


Here's a BlueStar writeup on Brown from last week:

We’ve profiled Jaelyn Brown in the past and her play this weekend dictates that we do it once again. The combination of size, skills and athleticism the 2016 wing brings to the floor has her among the elite in the class and could see her profile elevate among that top tier with a continued, focused effort. Her physical approach to attacking and creating is something that often only reveals itself at the colligate level. She can create her own looks but also has the skills and decision making to develop options for her teammates as well. The consistency on her perimeter shooting is something that is going to have to evolve to keep defenders honest and allow her to capitalize on the ability to produce off the drive. Brown is a force on the boards offensively and has the tools to produce double – doubles at will with the same focus at the other end.


http://www.bluestarmedia.org/index.php/component/k2/item/840-west-coast-premier-spring-invitational

 

[EricSD]

Jaelyn Brown - Vista Murietta High School. Probably about 45 minutes away from me here in San Diego. Pretty easy drive. If things heat up in UCONN's recruiting of her, I'll certainly enjoy taking a trip out to see her play...

It's pretty unreal as UCONN continues to recruit for 2015 to see the top kids in 2016 already on UCONN's list, and some of them enamored already with the UCONN mystique. They idolize current and former UCONN players, think of Geno as a "superstar" (their words, not mine), and watch us on TV all the time. How awesome is that?!

 

[Sluconn Husky]

High school stats are often misleading but Jaelyn Brown's are a bit scary and not in a good way. She shot 41% her first year and then regressed to 39% as a sophomore. She's a combined 24-133 from three. That's 18%. She's a 62% FT shooter with nearly 400 attempts. Yeesh.

I feel much more secure in the Napheesa Collier types who shoot 70% year in, year out.

 

[Mattydog7]

It hasn't been mentioned here, but Adamec said back in January that the Huskies' interest in Kalani Brown had "waned considerably".

http://snyuconn.com/uconn/style-points-dangerfield-jefferson-compare/

Her name still comes up here and there in recruiting articles but it's felt like UConn moved on a while ago. I saw her play in her state title game. She's huge and has some ability, but she's also a plodder who I don't think fits well with the super quick and mobile rosters UConn will have the next few years. Much better off, imo, to focus on Cox/McCoy.

Thanks for the info.

 

[UcMiami]

Jaelyn Brown - Vista Murietta High School. Probably about 45 minutes away from me here in San Diego. Pretty easy drive. If things heat up in UCONN's recruiting of her, I'll certainly enjoy taking a trip out to see her play...

It's pretty unreal as UCONN continues to recruit for 2015 to see the top kids in 2016 already on UCONN's list, and some of them enamored already with the UCONN mystique. They idolize current and former UCONN players, think of Geno as a "superstar" (their words, not mine), and watch us on TV all the time. How awesome is that?!

I just want to highlight something from you post - the bold section. The change-over to SNY while annoying to some fans who lost access and a great boon to some other fans who gained access is HUGE on the recruiting trail. CPTV was fabulous but it's broadcast footprint was CT, Western Mass, Rhode Island, and maybe a little bit of east central NY State. And unfortunately that footprint is not a hotbed of girls basketball talent. The footprint of SNY is national. Most of these girls' families probably have either direct access to SNY or on-line access to ESPN3 and can watch not just the 8-10 nationally televised games each year but all 39 or 40 games Uconn plays either live or archived. And should they not have access themselves you can bet one of their best friends does. A player like Dangerfield who 'idolizes' Moriah I am sure watched all 40 games last year Moriah played. That is a huge advantage, and it is not just the recruit, but also her parents and her friends. Even fairly local parents can't make it to every game and especially not the road games - but they can arrange to watch every one. This is the reason Uconn was so happy to get a comparable bid from a national broadcaster, and certainly not a disloyalty or unhappiness with the CPTV product.
And it is not just the games - kids that are interested in Uconn on just curious will have also caught the All Access programs and the Geno's Legacy shows - which are really really good and a great window into the workings of the team, the thinking of the coaches, the personality of the players, and the obvious affection shared between Geno and his current and former players (and some of the greatest women's players ever.) And again - the parents as well with have a feeling for the program before they start talking to the coaches.
I would not be surprised to learn that coaches on AAU or HS teams have even organized watch parties for some of this stuff. Certainly if I was trying to mold a team of young players I would be studying anything Uconn related I could get my hands on.

 

[pap49cba]

Perhaps it's my imagination but I can't recall a time when UConn seemed to be involved with so many prospects. Seems like a new name pops up almost every week. Am I crazy?

 

[UcMiami]

Perhaps it's my imagination but I can't recall a time when UConn seemed to be involved with so many prospects. Seems like a new name pops up almost every week. Am I crazy?

I think we are experiencing a little bit of a 'compression' because of the NCAA rules changes allowing official visits in the spring so we are in crunch time on 2015 recruits, 2016 recruiting is heating up and 2017 recruits are in the exploratory dance for coaches and players. It is a continuation of the trend toward earlier commitments, but has now become more official with the 5 month advance in the official visit calendar.
Add in the reality of a relatively short bench at Uconn and the fact that not all of the names will end up actually getting offers and I don't think it is that unusual.

 

[rvwsleep]

Perhaps it's my imagination but I can't recall a time when UConn seemed to be involved with so many prospects. Seems like a new name pops up almost every week. Am I crazy?

No, but what does one have to do with the other ?

 

[Sonny44]

Perhaps it's my imagination but I can't recall a time when UConn seemed to be involved with so many prospects. Seems like a new name pops up almost every week. Am I crazy?

Yes, but a good crazy Pap.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

A new recruiting piece from Fuller. Seeing as how upcoming rosters are getting pretty crowded with talent, I thought this quote from Erin Boley was interesting:

“It is important to me that the coach is going to get a lot out of me — and I want to graduate from college — but the class ahead of me is important too because it depends on the type of positions the players are playing,” Boley said.

http://www.nhregister.com/sports/20...cruiting-approach-due-to-national-team-duties

 

[MilfordHusky]

A new recruiting piece from Fuller. Seeing as how upcoming rosters are getting pretty crowded with talent, I thought this quote from Erin Boley was interesting:



http://www.nhregister.com/sports/20...cruiting-approach-due-to-national-team-duties

I hope Erin is not deterred.

 

[EricSD]

I hope Erin is not deterred.

I hope so too, but the way UCONN is stockpiling talent, if that's a big issue for her, then best to figure it out now before either side spends too much energy on the other. We have KLS, Boykin and Collier. Not sure which one has a game most similar to Boley's, but I'd guess that for the first 3 years, Boley would be coming off the bench behind that trio. It's certainly something for kids to take into consideration...

 

[JByron21]

I hope so too, but the way UCONN is stockpiling talent, if that's a big issue for her, then best to figure it out now before either side spends too much energy on the other. We have KLS, Boykin and Collier. Not sure which one has a game most similar to Boley's, but I'd guess that for the first 3 years, Boley would be coming off the bench behind that trio. It's certainly something for kids to take into consideration...

Yes, but at the same time, that same recruiting pitch was reportedly used by many opposing coaches for 2013 following the Stewart/Mo Jeff/Tuck class, and look what happened this past year. Injuries happen, players transfer, and unpredictability plays out every single season. The one constant is that players will continue to earn their playing time in practice, and as long as an individual puts in the necessary work, they will receive the playing time they deserve as long as Geno is around.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

.... and as long as an individual puts in the necessary work, they will receive the playing time they deserve as long as Geno is around.

What if you have a dozen talented players who earn lots of playing time? There are only 200 minutes per game to be had. I don't think it's coincidence that UConn had a class of one this past year, and I'm kind of shocked they're in on so many players for '16, particularly since '17 looks to be a spectacular year for talent.

 

[JByron21]

What if you have a dozen talented players who earn lots of playing time? There are only 200 minutes per game to be had. I don't think it's coincidence that UConn had a class of one this past year, and I'm kind of shocked they're in on so many players for '16, particularly since '17 looks to be a spectacular year for talent.

If that ends up being the case then that's a fantastic problem to have if you ask me. Dolson and Hartley came in with a class of five and left with two. That's just one example. Geno himself has been quoted about what he typically gets out of large recruiting classes, how many individuals reach those lofty expectations. What is your alternative? Saying no to top ten recruits? Nine national championships later, I have stopped questioning Geno's recruiting strategies.

 

[Buzzyboy]

I hope so too, but the way UCONN is stockpiling talent, if that's a big issue for her, then best to figure it out now before either side spends too much energy on the other. We have KLS, Boykin and Collier. Not sure which one has a game most similar to Boley's, but I'd guess that for the first 3 years, Boley would be coming off the bench behind that trio. It's certainly something for kids to take into consideration...

You might be right but coming off the bench for the first 3 years doesn't necessarily mean you wouldn't be getting a good amount of playing time, assuming you had skills and busted your butt in practice. We've had a number of girls coming off the bench getting a whole bunch of time so that shouldn't scare the "right type" of girl off! Hopefully Boley fills that bill.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

We've had a number of girls coming off the bench getting a whole bunch of time so that shouldn't scare the "right type" of girl off! Hopefully Boley fills that bill.

There just isn't going to be a whole bunch of time though. There's going to be a major minutes issue in 2015, and if they decided to take 2-3 more in '16 that'll continue to be the case. Barring numerous injuries, transfers, or player busts, of course.

 

[meyers7]

There just isn't going to be a whole bunch of time though. There's going to be a major minutes issue in 2015, and if they decided to take 2-3 more in '16 that'll continue to be the case. Barring numerous injuries, transfers, or player busts, of course.

Well you are always going to get that, so......I'd stockpile as much as possible. Remember more is better.

 

[UcMiami]

At the moment the 2016 team has 8-10 players depending on what Butler and Tuck decide to do regarding their fifth years. Starters playing 25 minutes per game leave 75 minutes per game for non-starters which is a fair amount of time to be divied up. Add in bumps, bruises, and illness and it for stretches of the season it can be a lot more. We have no idea how the 2014 class will develop either, nor truly how Chong, Tuck, and Butler will develop. For kids who want to play 30+ minutes their freshman year, they either have to be truly phenomenal or they have to go to less strong programs with much longer odds of making the FF and even then there are no guarantees.
As an example - a lot of us were quite high on Harper who ended up at KY last year, a team that only made it to the Sw16. She averaged 14 minutes a game with zero starts. For most HS players the transition to college really is a huge step up in competition and only a few will get to start and very few teams with starting freshman make a lot of post season noise.

 

[intlzncster]

Well you are always going to get that, so.I'd stockpile as much as possible. Remember more is better.

Absolutely. There's always shake out. Same as any sport, any team. The future never unfolds like you think it will. And no player is a lock (see EDD).

And good accompanying vid to make point.

 

[intlzncster]

At the moment the 2016 team has 8-10 players depending on what Butler and Tuck decide to do regarding their fifth years. Starters playing 25 minutes per game leave 75 minutes per game for non-starters which is a fair amount of time to be divied up. Add in bumps, bruises, and illness and it for stretches of the season it can be a lot more. We have no idea how the 2014 class will develop either, nor truly how Chong, Tuck, and Butler will develop. For kids who want to play 30+ minutes their freshman year, they either have to be truly phenomenal or they have to go to less strong programs with much longer odds of making the FF and even then there are no guarantees.
As an example - a lot of us were quite high on Harper who ended up at KY last year, a team that only made it to the Sw16. She averaged 14 minutes a game with zero starts. For most HS players the transition to college really is a huge step up in competition and only a few will get to start and very few teams with starting freshman make a lot of post season noise.

Just a guess, but I'm willing to bet both those players return for their 5th year. Hard to believe Butler would transfer to play just two years and also seems like the kind of stay in school kid. Morgan will need as much time as she can get post injury, and as of right now, the minutes are there. If injuries end up derailing her career (god forbid), then yes, I could see a KW type of situation unfolding.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

At the moment the 2016 team has 8-10 players depending on what Butler and Tuck decide to do regarding their fifth years. Starters playing 25 minutes per game leave 75 minutes per game for non-starters which is a fair amount of time to be divied up. Add in bumps, bruises, and illness and it for stretches of the season it can be a lot more. We have no idea how the 2014 class will develop either, nor truly how Chong, Tuck, and Butler will develop. For kids who want to play 30+ minutes their freshman year, they either have to be truly phenomenal or they have to go to less strong programs with much longer odds of making the FF and even then there are no guarantees.
As an example - a lot of us were quite high on Harper who ended up at KY last year, a team that only made it to the Sw16. She averaged 14 minutes a game with zero starts. For most HS players the transition to college really is a huge step up in competition and only a few will get to start and very few teams with starting freshman make a lot of post season noise.

I don't see why Butler or Tuck wouldn't play their 5th year, assuming Tuck can stay healthy which is a big if right now. As for the starters, I'd suggest it's likely Samuelson will exceed 25 m/game as a sophomore. Butler played 36 as a frosh at Georgetown so I don't see her playing less than 30 as a Husky if she's good.

I'd guess there will be a max of 80 minutes for the bench--and that's probably generous--five returnees plus whatever freshmen they bring in. That could be 80 minutes for 7-8 players, none of which exactly qualify as scrubs either. Using your Harper example, if two incoming FR get 14 per game, that would leave maybe 52 minutes for the other five on the bench, and probably not even that.

I love the '15 roster on paper, but the congestion that year is going to be even worse. It's likely three players will rarely see the floor.

 

[EricSD]

I don't see why Butler or Tuck wouldn't play their 5th year, assuming Tuck can stay healthy which is a big if right now. As for the starters, I'd suggest it's likely Samuelson will exceed 25 m/game as a sophomore. Butler played 36 as a frosh at Georgetown so I don't see her playing less than 30 as a Husky if she's good.

I'd guess there will be a max of 80 minutes for the bench--and that's probably generous--five returnees plus whatever freshmen they bring in. That could be 80 minutes for 7-8 players, none of which exactly qualify as scrubs either. Using your Harper example, if two incoming FR get 14 per game, that would leave maybe 52 minutes for the other five on the bench, and probably not even that.

I love the '15 roster on paper, but the congestion that year is going to be even worse. It's likely three players will rarely see the floor.

I agree with the first part, not necessarily your last statement though... There's no guarantee but very few kids leave after 4 years of college if they have hoops eligibility left. Parker is one of the very few exceptions I can think of. I agree that more is better, though. That's what I meant by my earlier comment that Boley might find herself coming off the bench for the first 3 years since she's behind our big 3 from 2014, so possibly it's something that might give her pause. Then again, possibly it's not. I don't think Durr is worried about any of the kids UCONN has recruited who are ahead of her age-wise...

When the 2015 kids are freshmen UCONN would have

Stewie, Jefferson
Tuck, Chong
Ek, Edwards, Williams, Nurse and Butler
Collier, Boykin, Samuelson

Assuming starters of Mo, Nurse, Tuck, Stewie and Butler, I would guess the starters would rarely see over 25 minutes per game. More likely some would be no more than 20, some about 25. That would leave more like 90 minutes to be split between the rest. In theory, each reserve could get more than 10 MPG. Pretty solid, even for a freshman at UCONN, and that's not counting injuries or transfers, and while hopefully neither happens, history has shown both are possible...

Bottom line - if a high school player, as terrific as she may be, really wants to make a huge impact her first year and start as well as play at least 20 minutes per game, UCONN is not the right school for them. UCONN is all about the team, and sometimes just being a part of it needs to be enough for a player learning the ropes, or a kid who ends up being more of a role player... If not, that''s often why we see the transfers...

 

[John Glass]

lets be honest here, some HS stars will pay their dues for a year or so, not many are going to be happy if they are 3rd string.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Assuming starters of Mo, Nurse, Tuck, Stewie and Butler, I would guess the starters would rarely see over 25 minutes per game. More likely some would be no more than 20, some about 25. That would leave more like 90 minutes to be split between the rest. In theory, each reserve could get more than 10 MPG. Pretty solid, even for a freshman at UCONN, and that's not counting injuries or transfers, and while hopefully neither happens, history has shown both are possible...

Bottom line - if a high school player, as terrific as she may be, really wants to make a huge impact her first year and start as well as play at least 20 minutes per game, UCONN is not the right school for them. UCONN is all about the team, and sometimes just being a part of it needs to be enough for a player learning the ropes, or a kid who ends up being more of a role player... If not, that''s often why we see the transfers...

Eric,

Stewart and Jefferson played 30 minutes per game as sophomores. Do you really think they're going to play 20-25 as seniors? If anything they could play more. Butler played 36 per at Georgetown. She won't get that at UConn, but being the only center she's going to play 25+, and that's being conservative. Tuck is a complete unknown. She could play 25 minutes, or half that, or not be healthy enough to play at all. Samuelson likely will be good enough to play 20+. Then there's Nurse, Ekmark, Williams..... What if Chong makes majors strides this year and deserves 20+? [mod edit]

To give you an idea of the talent congestion, let's say Tuck can't play and Chong transfers. Stewart (30), Jefferson (30), and Butler (25-30) could take up 85-90 minutes alone. Give KLS 20 and you're down to something like 90 minutes for Nurse, Williams, Edwards, Ekmark, Boykin, and Collier. One of the first two would probably be the starting guard and play 20+. That leaves app. 70 minutes for the other five. And that's minus Chong and Tuck in this scenario.

UCONN is all about the team, and sometimes just being a part of it needs to be enough for a player learning the ropes, or a kid who ends up being more of a role player..

Yes, but these kids want to play. They don't want to come to UConn to get 5-10 minutes.

 

[UcMiami]

Using this past years minutes as a guide for future minutes is a little problematic seeing as much of the year was spent with a six player rotation - if Geno had two or three more players that deserved playing time they would have gotten it and Stewart Hartley, Dolson, KML, and Jefferson would have gotten less. Forget about minutes and talk about effective minutes - Starters can be very effective with 10 minutes per half if their back ups are equally effective. Butler played 35 minutes per game at GU because there was no one else available with nearly her skill level on a team that won 11 games.
If all recruits are worried about is minutes than they should cross off their list Uconn and Duke and ND and Louisville and TN and SC and pretty much any other contending team - chose DePaul or Houston, or ... and they will get lots of minutes. If they want to contend for national titles they better chose a team with lots of good players on it already. And they better be prepared to spend a couple of years learning there trade while coming off the bench. There are very few Mayas and Parkers out there. Russell ranked #1 is going to be a bench player for a Sw16 caliber team her first two years sitting behind Harrison. And if she has the skill after next year, TN is certainly hoping they have another highly ranked recruit that will come in in 2015 to sit behind Russell for two years. And if they don't they probably will not get to a FF.

 

[Fiftyish]

Perhaps it's my imagination but I can't recall a time when UConn seemed to be involved with so many prospects. Seems like a new name pops up almost every week. Am I crazy?

No you're not crazy Pap. I think the big draw now is a chance to play in that powerhouse conference...the AAC.
I guess it isn't affecting our recruiting. At least not in a bad way.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Using this past years minutes as a guide for future minutes is a little problematic seeing as much of the year was spent with a six player rotation - if Geno had two or three more players that deserved playing time they would have gotten it and Stewart Hartley, Dolson, KML, and Jefferson would have gotten less. ...

I'd suggest the starters were too good to have their minutes cut. I think you'll see that this year too---Stewart, KML, and Jefferson playing pretty big minutes again. Either way, even if you took 5 minutes apiece away from them that still wouldn't add up to enough to compensate for a roster of 12 good-to-great players.

If all recruits are worried about is minutes than they should cross off their list Uconn and Duke and ND and Louisville and TN and SC and pretty much any other contending team

Those teams never have the quality of depth that UConn will have on paper. Seven, eight, maybe nine good talents tops. Twelve is a different story.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I think the starters have their minutes cut. Geno lost confidence in Saniya and Brianna, and Morgan was unavailable last year, so Geno used a rotation of 6. I expect at least 2 of the frosh and possibly Saniya compete for minutes. Stewie, Moriah, Kaleena, and Kiah will play 30+ in close games and 20-25 in blowouts. Morgan's status depends on her knee. The frosh seem unusually ready to play. I think they get PT. I think Coach wants a rotation of 8-9. If kids are ready, I see him going higher.

The following year, we loose Kaleena and Kiah, but add at least Natalie, Lou, NC, and DJB. That's a net gain of 2+. I think Natalie starts and Lou gets major PT. NC's energy will get her PT. DJB may be a little raw early on, but she'll compete too.

It's really hard to project. Morgan and Gabby could be AAs getting major minutes, or they may never be contributors. I certainly hope for the former. The point, though, is that injuries give others PT and the opportunity to make their mark. Having players available is a good thing when injuries hit.

 

[hoophuskee]

There has been a lot of talk of just "penciling in" Natalie as a starter and a near lock for 25 miintues. etc. I don't agree with that at all. It is possible sure. She will be competing againt three other super recruits head-to-head after Morgan leaves for palyign time. I wouldsay KLS is a lock becuase she has uniue scorign abilites for someoner her size and she can porbably guard finesse tall centers that move well w/o the ball that are more comfortable facing the basket . That's teh extent imo of KLS defendign centers imo but the other two maybe becuase I bleieve Morgan can defend centers and we've seen Walker defend Griner. Unless NC does't have bulk?

Anyway, IMO Geno has shown he doesn't get bogged down in convetional positions. Of course Steph Dolson was a center. Some players get locked down in a position but Gneo doesn't get tied down into it - for example, he doesn't go under the pattern of ""I have to start and give Natalie 25+ minutes in the eventual possibility I have to face a potential "Ruth Riley." Therefore, I need to play someone not as good so I can match up better against a potential Ruth Riley.""

Heck no. He is going to "ride" hard his best players as complete players. If Natalie is among his best - fine. But I am not sold she is going to be better than teh combination of KLS or DJB or NC. And barring injury Morgan is going to start two years from now. Though it is possible she leaves with Stewie after her jr year elgibility completes. My guess is she stays but who knows. If healthy Morgan is fabulous.

Natalie has fabulous players to compete with. Geno is not going to limit any of the others by awarding Natalie more playing time just because he is concerend of a rare "Ruth Riley" out there. This isn't to say Naatlie would be relegated to just 2 mintues. Just sayin- if all three (KLS or DJB or NC) are clearly better than NB, fom what we know of Geno, he will challenge any or all of them with improvement of their post defense so he can play "his best" and not have to react to another team. .

And I'm not sold that NB is better than the other recruits coming in. Though it wouldn't suprise that much if she is better than all of them overall at center and gets 25 minutes. It just seems there is some type of certainty on here that she is such an important piece that must / or is going to start. I can see us with a starting 5 of let's say Boykin, KLS, Collier, Gabby, and Nurse and potentially being extremely powerful, couldn't we all?