Terry Larrier to Choose Between UConn and VCU

[djct1999]

At this point what job can you see him leaving for tho? Turned down NC State, MD, Ill, Minn, and UCLA just off the top of my head. UCLA is the only blue blood there but all except Minn are very good to great jobs, and Gottfried, Turgeon, and Groce have all pulled in alot of studs in the short times they've been in those spots so recruiting isn't an issue. Texas looks like it may open up, but I think Buzz Williams would have the inside line there. Other than that, what really looks more appealing than the jobs he's turned down? Also, unlike Stevens I don't see the NBA as an option because NBA teams wouldn't hire him with that playing style.

Exactly. The argument for him leaving was much stronger a few years back.

 

[Dove]

I think it's time to for go tradition. Starting in 2o minutes we should say 22 minutes whenever someone asks the open ended when question.

Have you ever been close to being tossed into a woodchipper?

 

[djct1999]

Eh, Larrier might like playing Indiana, Stanford, Maryland, Florida, Washington, Cincy, Memphis, Temple, and appearing 16 times on CBS, ESPN, ESPN2, which is much more than an A10 school can offer.

LOL. If that matters, he wouldn't have been a VCU lean for this long. I believe you threw that tv exposure argument out as well with Abu, and it didn't matter then either. What UConn needs to preach, and why I still find it shocking any kid would choose VCU over UConn, is our NBA pedigree. UConn is a NBA factory, a NBA lottery factory. Only a select few of schools can say that. Surely, VCU cannot.

 

[upstater]

LOL. If that matters, he wouldn't have been a VCU lean for this long. I believe you threw that tv exposure argument out as well with Abu, and it didn't matter then either. What UConn needs to preach, and why I still find it shocking any kid would choose VCU over UConn, is our NBA pedigree. UConn is a NBA factory, a NBA lottery factory. Only a select few of schools can say that. Surely, VCU cannot.

You really find that funny? It's bizarre to me that you think a kid would be enticed more by the A10 than all this?

Have people gone absolutely mad on this board?

My god.

I've never heard such absurdity. Sorry to come down hard on you, but I have a hard time trying to fathom how people can dismiss the teams on UConn's schedule and all the TV exposure. It's bizarre. To say the least.

 

[djct1999]

You really find that funny? It's bizarre to me that you think a kid would be enticed more by the A10 than all this?

Have people gone absolutely mad on this board?

My god.

I've never heard such absurdity. Sorry to come down hard on you, but I have a hard time trying to fathom how people can dismiss the teams on UConn's schedule and all the TV exposure. It's bizarre. To say the least.

I do find it funny because you threw that same argument out with Abu and clearly it doesn't matter. I am with you 100%, I can't imagine why any kid would choose VCU over UConn. I am not dismissing it, but clearly recruits are. I am laughing out loud because you constantly bring it up. I think its absurd that anyone on this board tries to make sense of a decision by some young adult you don't know and most likely have very little in common with.

 

[BLUEDOGHOUSE]

At this point what job can you see him leaving for tho? Turned down NC State, MD, Ill, Minn, and UCLA just off the top of my head. UCLA is the only blue blood there but all except Minn are very good to great jobs, and Gottfried, Turgeon, and Groce have all pulled in alot of studs in the short times they've been in those spots so recruiting isn't an issue. Texas looks like it may open up, but I think Buzz Williams would have the inside line there. Other than that, what really looks more appealing than the jobs he's turned down? Also, unlike Stevens I don't see the NBA as an option because NBA teams wouldn't hire him with that playing style.

I think Shaka Smart would be VERY interested in the head coaching job at Stanford if Johnny Dawkins gets fired after this year. Dawkins MUST make the NCAA Tournament or he is def gone. J.M. Tyree (professor) his half brother who he is very very close to could certainly endorse that move since he has ties to Stanford.

Shaka in my opinion would like the Stanford environment. Stanford of course is no blue blood in hoops but he could create his own legacy there.

So I say Stanford....

 

[djct1999]

I think Shaka Smart would be VERY interested in the head coaching job at Stanford if Johnny Dawkins gets fired after this year. Dawkins MUST make the NCAA Tournament or he is def gone. J.M. Tyree (professor) his half brother who he is very very close to could certainly endorse that move since he has ties to Stanford.

Shaka in my opinion would like the Stanford environment. Stanford of course is no blue blood in hoops but he could create his own legacy there.

So I say Stanford....

If I had to take a guess, I would say Texas. The entire men's athletic department is about to implode in Austin and I doubt they will stomach another bad year from our friend Mr. Barnes.

 

[upstater]

I do find it funny because you threw that same argument out with Abu and clearly it doesn't matter.

I'm not a lawyer or a Latin expert, but I once heard someone say post hoc ergo propter hoc in this context.

If the quality of the teams you play and TV exposure don't matter anymore CLEARLY (as you say), then we've gone through the looking glass.

Excuse me if I continue to think this position is insane.

 

[HuskyBballFan]

Some people here seem to think recruiting comes down to a kid just picking the best basketball program on his list and calling it a day.

We were late to the game with Larrier, at least compared to VCU. You didn't hear his name mentioned as someone Uconn was going hard after until the July recruiting period. Maybe it was because Larrier's stock didn't go through the roof until recently or maybe it was because of all the time Ollie put into guys like Hamilton and Oubre. But Shaka had a big head start here in terms of building the relationship and making his case. VCU could easily be in the new Big East at some point during Larrier's career and Shaka's obviously a coach that kids would be excited to play for. Plus, if it's true that Larrier is actually looking for a reason to head south, then we can't even play the "stay close to home" card.

The fact that we made his top 2 despite just recently joining the fray is a testament to Ollie, our history with wing players, and everything else that people are bringing up. But it doesn't automatically bring you to the front of the line.

 

[upstater]

Some people here seem to think recruiting comes down to a kid just picking the best basketball program on his list and calling it a day.

We were late to the game with Larrier, at least compared to VCU. You didn't hear his name mentioned as someone Uconn was going hard after until the July recruiting period. Maybe it was because Larrier's stock didn't go through the roof until recently or maybe it was because of all the time Ollie put into guys like Hamilton and Oubre. But Shaka had a big head start here in terms of building the relationship and making his case. VCU could easily be in the new Big East at some point during Larrier's career and Shaka's obviously a coach that kids would be excited to play for. Plus, if it's true that Larrier is actually looking for a reason to head south, then we can't even play the "stay close to home" card.

The fact that we made his top 2 despite just recently joining the fray is a testament to Ollie, our history with wing players, and everything else that people are bringing up. But it doesn't automatically bring you to the front of the line.

I'm the very person who pointed out in the White thread that UConn was late to recruit Larrier. I well know that. You know what else? Ed Cooley put in a lot more time on Abu than Gottfried did. And the reason why Abu picked NC State is that he perceived it to be a much better school than PC. Kids really do tend to pick the best programs that offer them (if playing time is available--but that's main caveat).

This dynamic plays out again and again and again.

 

[HuskyBballFan]

I'm the very person who pointed out in the White thread that UConn was late to recruit Larrier. I well know that. You know what else? Ed Cooley put in a lot more time on Abu than Gottfried did. And the reason why Abu picked NC State is that he perceived it to be a much better school than PC. Kids really do tend to pick the best programs that offer them (if playing time is available--but that's main caveat).

This dynamic plays out again and again and again.

Then why didn't Abu pick Uconn?

Why did Snider pick Illinois when he could have gone to UCLA, Uconn, or Michigan State?

There are a thousand other examples.

 

[jibsey]

You really find that funny? It's bizarre to me that you think a kid would be enticed more by the A10 than all this?

Have people gone absolutely mad on this board?

My god.

I've never heard such absurdity. Sorry to come down hard on you, but I have a hard time trying to fathom how people can dismiss the teams on UConn's schedule and all the TV exposure. It's bizarre. To say the least.

Not dismissing anything, this year we have a great schedule and with Louisville even an OK conference though not ideal, but what about next year and beyond. When we were building Calhoun recruited to the strength of the BE conference. And then we started to get highly ranked recruits like Khalid, Donyell, Rudy because they wanted to play against the best in the BE. Now we have to talk them into coming here not to play against the best but to play against a great OOC schedule? We are all hoping it's not going to make a difference to KO's ability to get players and because regardless of how hard he works, how great we have been in the past, and how many previous titles we have, you can't win without players. Maybe we won't have an answer for a while but many of us out there are concerned.

 

[upstater]

Then why didn't Abu pick Uconn?

Why did Snider pick Illinois when he could have gone to UCLA, Uconn, or Michigan State?

There are a thousand other examples.

Aren't we comparing UConn to VCU here? In my posts, I've been discussing quality of opponents and TV exposure. There is a huge gap between UConn and VCU. In the case of NC St and UConn, there is no advantage in terms of opponents for UConn--in fact, there's a deficit.

 

[upstater]

Not dismissing anything, this year we have a great schedule and with Louisville even an OK conference though not ideal, but what about next year and beyond. When we were building Calhoun recruited to the strength of the BE conference. And then we started to get highly ranked recruits like Khalid, Donyell, Rudy because they wanted to play against the best in the BE. Now we have to talk them into coming here not to play against the best but to play against a great OOC schedule? We are all hoping it's not going to make a difference to KO's ability to get players and because regardless of how hard he works, how great we have been in the past, and how many previous titles we have, you can't win without players. Maybe we won't have an answer for a while but many of us out there are concerned.

I'm going to give up at this point.

We are talking about VCU here.

We are talking about TV exposure too. When Louisville leaves, there will be MORE TV exposure. As per the contract. Not less. OOC opponents are ramping up as well.

Again, I am comparing UConn to VCU.

But I'm going to give up on this now since so many people are countering the idea that UConn has better TV schedules (yes, after Louisville leaves) and opponents. I'm just going to shake my head and leave it at that.

Have at it.

 

[DreamSeason]

I'm going to give up at this point.

We are talking about VCU here.

We are talking about TV exposure too. When Louisville leaves, there will be MORE TV exposure. As per the contract. Not less. OOC opponents are ramping up as well.

Again, I am comparing UConn to VCU.

But I'm going to give up on this now since so many people are countering the idea that UConn has better TV schedules (yes, after Louisville leaves) and opponents. I'm just going to shake my head and leave it at that.

Have at it.

I feel your pain.

 

[DreamSeason]

I can't stand when people make excuses for everything. It's always something or someone elses fault..etc.

Now with CR its the AACs fault...blah...blah...blah.

Players will come to UConn because it's UCONN!

In 2 years we start to decline.... I'll be the first to admit I was wrong but until then I'm betting on the name in front of the jersey and Ollie.

 

[djct1999]

I feel your pain.

Unfortunately, we all do.

 

[djct1999]

I'm not a lawyer or a Latin expert, but I once heard someone say post hoc ergo propter hoc in this context.

If the quality of the teams you play and TV exposure don't matter anymore CLEARLY (as you say), then we've gone through the looking glass.

Excuse me if I continue to think this position is insane.

Again, I don't think its insane one bit. I agree with you 100% and many times I am left scratching my head. Whats insane is that you think any of this matters to the people actually making the decisions.

 

[HuskyBballFan]

Aren't we comparing UConn to VCU here? In my posts, I've been discussing quality of opponents and TV exposure. There is a huge gap between UConn and VCU. In the case of NC St and UConn, there is no advantage in terms of opponents for UConn--in fact, there's a deficit.

Fine, you're right about the TV exposure. But that is just one of about two dozen different things that kids consider when choosing a school.

 

[BLUEDOGHOUSE]

If I had to take a guess, I would say Texas. The entire men's athletic department is about to implode in Austin and I doubt they will stomach another bad year from our friend Mr. Barnes.

I don't think Austin is the right place for Shaka. He could recruit and implement his system very well but geographically that state doesn't fit his ideology like Cali. Smart is a unique breed of coach. Stanford would be a challenge for him and a good fit. If I am a VCU fan it is Stanford that would be the most concerning.

How good will VCU be this year??? Good enough for Stanford to literally break the bank to get him. I think VCU landing Larrier increases the odds of Shaka staying at VCU (but not guaranteed at all though like Ollie at UConn).

UConn is in good position for Robinson. Inking Larrier sends Robinson packing. I would be happy with either. Both are excellent players.

I think Larrier would be a perfect fit at UConn and our brand would prepare him much better for the pros (his stock). If VCU lands him I will be happy for their fan base. It is a fun fun fun brand and the Peppas rock.

 

[husky91]

I think having a league where basically 2/3rds of the teams have publicly stated they are trying to leave as soon as someone is ready is not helping recruiting in this or fball. But who knows.

We just should make best of very bad situation for the time being and stop complaining since it's somewhat rhetorical.

I can't stand when people make excuses for everything. It's always something or someone elses fault..etc.

Now with CR its the AACs fault...blah...blah...blah.

Players will come to UConn because it's UCONN!

In 2 years we start to decline.... I'll be the first to admit I was wrong but until then I'm betting on the name in front of the jersey and Ollie.

 

[DreamSeason]

I think having a league where basically 2/3rds of the teams have publicly stated they are trying to leave as soon as someone is ready is not helping recruiting in this or fball. But who knows.

We just should make best of very bad situation for the time being and stop complaining since it's somewhat rhetorical.

Yes...lets make the best of it...pleassse

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

Now we have to talk them into coming here not to play against the best but to play against a great OOC schedule?

No. We still have enough clout to play a high quality schedule no matter what conference we're in.

Of course, we are going to need to continue winning most of the tough games we get. There is no margin for error, because the conference can't save you if you don't...

 

[ctchamps]

Have you ever been close to being tossed into a woodchipper?

Not yet! Although I did get bitten by a woodchuck. Actually it was a guy named Chuck and after he bit me he upchucked.

 

[caw]

The fact Larrier hasn't committed yet shows how strong his unofficial to UConn went.

VCU has been in the drivers seat, according to all recruiting analysts, for months and months. Him not committing on the trip was a huge boost for UConn.

Still feel VCUs trip needed a negative or at least a mediocre for him not to go there but Ollie made up a ton of ground with that unofficial. I'd put it at 60/40 Larrier ends up playing the gimmick that is havok. Furthest thing from the Cuse zone and yet darn close in prepping one for the NBA, and we all know how much a joke the Cuse zone is in prepping a kid.

Shaka is a good college coach, though overrated based on his final four run, but an NBA team would be suicidal to even contemplate hiring him. Watching both Ollie and Shaka coach last year, it's pretty obvious who would make a better NBA coach out the gate. Ollie's coaching of matchups and spacing is much better. Shaka will get lots of offers from other colleges but I'd bet Ollie gets serious NBA consideration first. Not saying either will ever leave but that would be my bet.