How about Elizabeth Williams Duke's center who IMHO is the 2nd best center in College WBB after Griner and is only a soph. Chelsea Gray All American PG; a junior; then they add this Year Alexis Jones who was the 3rd ranked player in the 2012 class. Duke's other starters aren't slouches either.
No where in my post did I say any of Duke's recruiting classes were better then Geno's 2012 class. What I said they've been able to get successive good recruiting classes even with a deep roster. Duke was able to get the 2nd ranked 2013 class even though they only graduate one player from this years team.
Duke's Roster - Link
Surely even you don't believe of the 30 players that are ranked between 20 to 50 in the 2013 class that there aren't a couple of players that could get get playing time and fit in at UConn. Look at some of the schools that signed players within this range.
Hoopgurlz Ranking - Link These are all 4 star players and as of today UConn only has 9 players on the roster for next year. IMHO the coaching staff went after some of the elite players in 2013 and didn't identify or go after many other players. Saniya Chong was a late addition to UConn's recruiting effort and fortunately they were able to sign her. Otherwise it would have been a completely wasted recruiting year. I also believe that a couple of these players would have signed with UConn if offered. Can I name them, no. However, UConn is usually one of the Top Schools listed by recruits along with Duke, Tenn etc, so logic tells me some would sign with UConn if offered. Some of these recruits signed with schools where they most likely would not start in their freshmen year.
Do I think that there will only be 9 players on the roster, maybe not as there was the walk-on player this year that is injured. From the posts about the practices, apparently she's watching them and involved at some level with the team. I would imagine IF she's healthy then she has a good chance at being added to the roster. Unless Geno signs a JUCO or foreign player which are highly unlikely then the only way the roster is added to is with walk-ons. Surely a player in the Top 50 would contribute and get more playing time then a walk on would. There are only two players in the Top 100 that are unsigned.
What was the biggest weakness for UConn over the last two years? Limited Production from the bench. When starters were in foul trouble or having a bad day, where were the points or defense going to come from. IMHO UConn beats ND in the Semi-Final both years, if UConn had a deeper bench. Last year, Geno did have KML who probably should have been starting over Caroline as KML did average more minutes per game. UConn probably should have won both years even with the limited bench. It would have been a little easier with scorers and defense off the bench like ND had. I think UConn beats A&M in Maya's Senior year, and probably loses to Baylor last year. Sure its all supposition on my part, as who knows what would actually happen. I just know what happened when Geno went to his bench.
Just think if this was already next year and Morgan and Kiah weren't able to play then UConn would only have 7 players available. Look at the number of minutes the starters would have to play in what should
be a blow out game.
Because of the lack of success in 2013, Geno is going to have to have a great class in 2014. They've already struck out on one of their targets, so who knows what will happen. While Geno should be able to over come the conference realignment garbage, who knows what actual impact that will have. You can bet coaches at other schools will add this to the list of items they currently use to recruit against UConn. Thus making Geno's job more difficult.
Are you seriously comparing any Duke class to a class of the 1,2 and 6 ranked HS players? It was a huge impact to getting several of the top 2013 players. Duke? Not so much. Please tell me the players that would deter the 2013 duke recruiting class from comitting to Duke based on playing time. Or these succesive "good" recruiting classes that come even close to the UConn monster class.
"There had to be players that would fit Geno's requirements ranked in the 20 to 50 range that would have been interested in UConn, if the coaching staff came calling."
Name them. Had to be??? Give me a break.
You have been beating this Kelly Faris class cost UConn the NC drum for a long time. It's just the way it goes. Yes, if EDD went to UConn and played like an AA there, UConn might have won another championship or even 2. But to say that any other player that was supposed to go to UConn would have made is difference is just guesswork. And nothing that can be said as FACT.
"Do I wonder why Kelly's and Saniya's classes ended up with only one player? Yes, most definitely as there has to be other players that meet Geno and the Coaching Staff's requirements just begging for an opportunity to play at UConn."
You really wonder why? The reasons for the Kelly class have been discussed here many times. Only to you is this still a mystery. If there were players as you described, they would be here playing.
As for the 2013 class, I'm sure you are familiar with the spring signing period, right? Transfers? I know it hasn't happened often, but it's possible.
If you think Geno will have only 9 players on the roster next year, you are crazy.