I would love to see SC assume the roll of UConn's new archenemy. It would be a nice change of pace and good for BOTH programs. Dawn will not back out of this series no matter what happens. She's also not afraid to play anyone, anywhere, anytime.
The outlook is for SC to be extremely formidable over the next 5-6 years and beyond. They should remain a constant top 5 program for years to come. As far as the Boston theft, no grudges here. They did exactly what they were suppose to do in recruiting her. They simply did a better job of recruiting her than we did. I think the loss of Marisa Moseley had something to do with it. Bad timing for UConn, but the opportunity for Moseley to go back to her Alma Mater (Boston University) as head coach. An opportunity she could not pass up. As the Chinese Shaolin Master said to Kwai Chang Caine (Grasshopper in the 1970's TV series Kung ) after Kwai Chang snatched to pebbles from his hand "time for you to go". She didn't snatch any pebbles from Geno's hand, or walk on rice paper without leaving any foot prints, but It was time for her to go.
Moseley had established a relationship with Boston which Lister could not (not enough time). SC (assistant coach Jolette Law) also did an excellent job recruiting Aaliyah and her mother, wining and dining them like royalty on their official visit. We don't know what if any promises were made to Boston during her recruitment. She was a starter the entire year winning the following awards along the way:
National Freshman of the Year (ESPN, USBWA, WBCA)
Lisa Leslie Center of the Year
All-America Second Team (AP, USBWA)
All-America Honorable Mention (WBCA)
All-SEC First Team
SEC Defensive Player of the Year
SEC Freshman of the Year
Which is why I would have liked to see Aaliyah come here. She would have solved all of UConn's post player needs during her time here.
It was Aaliyah's choice of where she wanted to go, but I'm sure mom had a great deal of influence in that decision. The word is that mother and daughter are very close. Bottom line: Boston was not destined to come here. So, be ye not concerned with what might have been, but turn the page, and move on to the next recruit, enter Amari DeBerry.
As Geno always says..........
."We're going to win with you or without you". I wish Dawn and her program all the best........... except of course when they play UConn.