Two Sources Say 2 Aggies Showing Up

[Charliebball]

Who says they can't thrive in UConn's system? We're not talking about green underclassmen here. And, again, who is ready to make their mark that will have minutes taken away? Gordon, Camara, Bent, Irwin, and Coombs (health) are huge question marks. You wanna depend on the latter instead of two really good players who might want to finish their careers in Storrs?

I have mixed feelings about it..............on one hand it would be great to have additional players that can step right in and fill the holes left due to graduation, on the other hand I would have much preferred not needing to fill those holes via transfer..............the folks here view UConn as being a cut above when it come to recruiting and the four years of Geno tutelage that leads to a tight knit team on and off the court...............now everybody is happy that UConn is jumping right into the transfer game..............for those who constantly pound their chests about the UConn way I find it just a tiny bit hypocritical............

 

[biobioprof]

Not a fan of players taking official visits (at the schools' expense) to "explore their options", and then having the option to not transfer at all. Either you are, or you aren't. Pick a side. If the school "released" you, that should mean something.

Nobody is forcing the schools to offer the visits. And visiting multiple schools defore making a decision is exploring options. How does having their original school as one more option change that?

Should the original school have the option to rescind the remaining years of their scholarships? OK. But it would be an option A&M prefers to not use here.

 

[Charliebball]

Not a fan of players taking official visits (at the schools' expense) to "explore their options", and then having the option to not transfer at all. Either you are, or you aren't. Pick a side. If the school "released" you, that should mean something.

I find the whole graduate transfer road trip to be kind of distasteful.......

 

[oldude]

I have mixed feelings about it....on one hand it would be great to have additional players that can step right in and fill the holes left due to graduation, on the other hand I would have much preferred not needing to fill those holes via transfer....the folks here view UConn as being a cut above when it come to recruiting and the four years of Geno tutelage that leads to a tight knit team on and off the court.....now everybody is happy that UConn is jumping right into the transfer game....for those who constantly pound their chests about the UConn way I find it just a tiny bit hypocritical..

I suspect if any combination of MW, Batouly, Kyla, Molly, Mikayla, Lexi and AEH had earned Geno’s trust, or if Z had elected to return next year, UConn would not now be pursuing the two A&M grads.

As it stands right now Geno has 3 solid returning players, plus MW who should be a 4th starter. After that, it’s anyone’s guess whether any of the returning players or the two incoming freshmen will be able to step up as starters or key reserves.

 

[EricSD]

I have mixed feelings about it....on one hand it would be great to have additional players that can step right in and fill the holes left due to graduation, on the other hand I would have much preferred not needing to fill those holes via transfer....the folks here view UConn as being a cut above when it come to recruiting and the four years of Geno tutelage that leads to a tight knit team on and off the court.....now everybody is happy that UConn is jumping right into the transfer game....for those who constantly pound their chests about the UConn way I find it just a tiny bit hypocritical..

Come on. You keep saying the same stuff over and over in different ways.

First, the "UCONN way" has zero to do with transfers. Geno has a LONG history of taking transfers starting at least with Rita Williams back in 1995 - that was 10 years into his UCONN career and 23 years ago. So let's stop with the pretending that Geno has never done that, or that somehow he's suddenly changing the UCONN way that we supposedly "pound our chests" about.

The UCONN way has to do with a coaching philosophy that looks for kids with great character, who are good students, who play hard, who want to win, and who want to embrace the team concept of basketball. It has zero to do with UCONN accepting transfers.

Second, I guarantee you Geno was surprised that Stevens announced she was leaving early and he had no contingency plan for losing an expected starter for next season. This means we are thin in the post, hence the interest in Howard.

Third, Coombs is suffering from Deep Vein Thrombosis. At this time no one has any idea how serious it is, if she will be able to play next year, or if she will be able to play basketball again. We all hope for the best for her. However, if she's not good to go, UCONN's 1st guard off the bench MAY end up being Molly Bent. Geno would be foolish not to explore options.

Fourth, KLS and Pheesa will be seniors next season. Geno wants to do everything in his power to help THEM go out with a NC. He has 11. He'd love for them to get #2.

I believe you are a more recent follower of UCONN basketball - not a graduate of UCONN - and maybe more a fan of WCBB than a fan of UCONN, but to propound the idea that we are hypocritical (in this instance) is unfair...

 

[UConnNick]

Nobody is forcing the schools to offer the visits. And visiting multiple schools defore making a decision is exploring options. How does having their original school as one more option change that?

Should the original school have the option to rescind the remaining years of their scholarships? OK. But it would be an option A&M prefers to not use here.

Every school has the right to cancel any athletic scholarship on a yearly basis, or sometimes sooner under certain circumstances.

 

[southie]

I know we all have different opinions on the transfer issue (epidemic). Some folks ask (rhetorically) how this can be contained.

Well, to me, one way would be to limit every recruit/transfer to five official visits total; if you used them all while in high school, then you can pay for any additional visits should you decide to transfer or grad-transfer. Five official visits should be plenty for someone to find the right place during their college career.

 

[Vowelguy]

Geno has played 8 or 9 players when he’s had the opportunity. And he’s been willing to play 6 players when he hasn’t. By ‘oppprtunity’ I mean the players were deemed ready by him.

My point : I wouldn’t assume that a transfer is taking away playing time from a bench player. If the bench is up to his standards Geno will give them minutes. If not he will sooner play 5 kids 40 minutes than put in someone not up to snuff.

 

[Charliebball]

I suspect if any combination of MW, Batouly, Kyla, Molly, Mikayla, Lexi and AEH had earned Geno’s trust, or if Z had elected to return next year, UConn would not now be pursuing the two A&M grads.

As it stands right now Geno has 3 solid returning players, plus MW who should be a 4th starter. After that, it’s anyone’s guess whether any of the returning players or the two incoming freshmen will be able to step up as starters or key reserves.

You're exactly right and I find it rather disconcerting that UConn finds is in this particularly difficult situation.............enough said...........

 

[Charliebball]

Come on. You keep saying the same stuff over and over in different ways.

First, the "UCONN way" has zero to do with transfers. Geno has a LONG history of taking transfers starting at least with Rita Williams back in 1995 - that was 10 years into his UCONN career and 23 years ago. So let's stop with the pretending that Geno has never done that, or that somehow he's suddenly changing the UCONN way that we supposedly "pound our chests" about.

The UCONN way has to do with a coaching philosophy that looks for kids with great character, who are good students, who play hard, who want to win, and who want to embrace the team concept of basketball. It has zero to do with UCONN accepting transfers.

Second, I guarantee you Geno was surprised that Stevens announced she was leaving early and he had no contingency plan for losing an expected starter for next season. This means we are thin in the post, hence the interest in Howard.

Third, Coombs is suffering from Deep Vein Thrombosis. At this time no one has any idea how serious it is, if she will be able to play next year, or if she will be able to play basketball again. We all hope for the best for her. However, if she's not good to go, UCONN's 1st guard off the bench MAY end up being Molly Bent. Geno would be foolish not to explore options.

Fourth, KLS and Pheesa will be seniors next season. Geno wants to do everything in his power to help THEM go out with a NC. He has 11. He'd love for them to get #2.

I believe you are a more recent follower of UCONN basketball - not a graduate of UCONN - and maybe more a fan of WCBB than a fan of UCONN, but to propound the idea that we are hypocritical (in this instance) is unfair...

You're right on almost all counts...........I did not attend UConn..........my wife went to UConn undergraduate where I used to visit her frequently and before that my brother went to UConn so I have some affinity for the program dating back to the mid 70's...........the UConn "way" as I would describe it involves the recruiting of the best players that have the skills and the mindset to play ultimate team basketball, offensively and defensively.............that Geno spends day after day, month after month, year after year in practice teaching, praising and criticizing his players, giving them court time only when they have earned it, until they are a finely honed unit capable of playing basketball at a level seldom seen in WBB...........it seems to me that UConn recruiting has had a few hiccups (I will not criticize individual players) which has led to the situation the team finds itself in today...........would you not agree that having a player learn under Geno for four years is optimal and the norm and that taking one year graduate transfers is a direct reflection of the less then perfect recruiting situation? To me it's a break from tradition and I hope that it's not a sign of things to come.........enough said on my part

 

[Vowelguy]

Im not sure 'pursuing' is the right word.

Howard has indicated a desire to look around at great programs. She's a great rebounder and UConn could use some front line assistance. I think it would be crazy for either side to not want to meet to explore if there's a match.

With HS kids, Geno gets to know them and their progression over months and years. A campus visit is weighted more towards closing the deal bc so much has come before.

This, to me, seems much closer to a first interview in a very compressed timeline. Seems entirely possible they meet and decide it's not a match.

 

[EricSD]

the UConn "way" as I would describe it involves the recruiting of the best players that have the skills and the mindset to play ultimate team basketball, offensively and defensively...that Geno spends day after day, month after month, year after year in practice teaching, praising and criticizing his players, giving them court time only when they have earned it, until they are a finely honed unit capable of playing basketball at a level seldom seen in WBB

That seems to me to be essentially correct. But nowhere in there did you mention the subject of transfers, which is what we originally disagreed about.

Believe me - I have had numerous conversations off board with UCONN friends (who post here) and have vented my frustration about several topics that were hot buttons all year. It's one reason I rarely post during games in game threads - I get too fired up. But then I take a breath and by the time I get on the board, I'm more rational.

So yeah, I share the frustrations with other fans regarding certain topics that were discussed all year. But the fact that Geno is considering some grad transfers is NOT because he recruited the wrong kids, or didn't try. The list of kids he went after and who either chose elsewhere, or who he felt were not good fits, is pretty lengthy in the last 3-4 recruiting cycles. The kids who said "no" (or who we said no to) include Wilson, Canada, Drummer, Ogunbowale, Cox, Holmes,Westbeld, McCoy, Collier, DeCosta, Smith, Prince, Scott-Grayson, and others.

So I get your frustration, but felt it was unfair to label us "hypocrites" based on being thrilled a couple of high character AND high skill kids are interested, even tho they only have 1 year left.

If UCONN lands Amihere, Jones, Boston and Correa/Horston from 2019, and then Brink, Buekers, and Van Lith from 2020, I guarantee we will NOT be discussing transfers IN to Storrs in 2021...!

 

[tower1]

I do think that this might impact recruiting. Till now a player coming in to Uconn knew who their immediate competition was. For example O figured she was the center of the future because no one was ahead of her. It was a good position to be in. If they are going to have to contend with one year and out players then it would be very difficult to gage your position on the roster. You can not just say it is only one year, because the next year another 5th year student might show up again to replace the last graduate student who left. Is it possible that a team like Uconn could turn into a school with no freshman or underclass players but just graduate students and upper classmen transferring in for one or two years. They get their playing time as underclassmen at another school but then transfer in for their last year or two. Other schools might end up being Uconns Jr College's for basketball.

Give me a break, this is happening because Miss. Stevens left the program early for the WNBA. We are a little short handed for post players this year. Stop all the whining, Please. This in no way is going to affect our recruiting, So stop crying !

 

[Charliebball]

Give a break, this is happening because Miss. Stevens left the program early for the WNBA. We are a little short handed for post players this year. Stop all the whining, Please. This in no way is going to affect our recruiting, So stop crying !

it's his party.......he can cry if he wants to..........

 

[Hayven]

Give a break, this is happening because Miss. Stevens left the program early for the WNBA. We are a little short handed for post players this year. Stop all the whining, Please. This in no way is going to affect our recruiting, So stop crying !

I don’t get the criticism, either. Just a few days ago, most people on this board were saying its the end of UConn. Now we get some interest from potential transfers, and suddenly, it’s time to worry about the minutes of the team we have now?

We are a final four team with, or without, Williams and Howard. The addition of the two, will only benefit the chances of getting to the championship game.

 

[Bronx23]

I disagree with you from a couple of aspects. The UCONN staff has a responsibility to bring as much talent as possible. Since UCONN did not do anything to make D. Williams and A. Howard want to leave Texas A&M the word mercenary does not and should not apply here. The only thing UCONN did to make Storrs an attractive destination for D. Williams and A. Howard was win. The alternative to winning is not an option for this program-nor will it ever be.

Filling holes on any roster is a yearly endeavor including bringing new players. The development of the existing players will continue. The players on the existing roster were given ample opportunity and failed to fill those gaps adequately. To put it more bluntly: Danni Williams would not be visiting UCONN if one of the current UCONN guards had filled the gap that Geno identified very early into last season. That gap (contributing guard play) has increased significantly with the graduation of Kia Nurse who was a 4-year starter for the program.

There is an implicit assumption that you are making that Williams will move ahead of the other guards on the roster in Molly, Christyn, & Mikayla. If Danni does move ahead of those three players in one year in the UCONN system it will be because she has earned it which is the only UCONN way. UCONN has a need, Danni Williams has the ability to fill the need.

Incredibly well said!
After reading each post up to this point in this thread, this one struck me.
Being on the U Conn women's basketball team is a constant and never ending striving for ones best. If it's not enough, you must strive harder or learn from sitting and watching. There's always another day, another practice and maybe a new year (not for seniors or incoming graduate transfers). Being part of the whole has to become greater than ones individual accomplishments, or you don't come or you don't stay or you get better and do more to make yourself a more significant part of the whole.
As so many have said its not for everyone. One has to truly want it, be chosen, meet the relentless demands and expectations and adjust. If these two young woman at least want to consider being at U Conn, the coaches and team decides they are a good fit and they then choose to come, then that more often then not, it will work out for all.
This is the system and because if transfer rules now and in the future the system just needs a bit of tweaking.
Most importantly maybe, is one needs to earn it and continue to do so. That's on each individual.
Bronx23

 

[Psyjaxx]

You're exactly right and I find it rather disconcerting that UConn finds is in this particularly difficult situation...enough said......

After seeing Christyn Williams rise above the competition in the McDonald's All-American game it became clear to me that she is almost a lock to be the 5th starter - after Napheesa, Katie Lou, Danger, and Megan. Geno doesn't typically start freshman, but Christyn is truly a special player. She has played some international ball, and is ready for the speed and physicality of the college game. She has incredible court vision, a beautiful pull back jumper, a nice shot from the arc, and can pass with ease. Not to mention her ability to just take over and drive when needed. UConn will be more than alright next year - especially with Camara and ONO off the bench. (If A&M transfers come to Storrs, then it will be a long season for all of UConn's opponents.)

 

[Confident Carl]

I don't know what he knows, but I suspect some of that is based on being a coach for a long time and having learned that being panicked in public isn't going to help.

Geno was very cool and understanding (in the media) when Stevens announced her exodus, however I did hear reports of a broken phone and a wall being patched in his office.LOL!

 

[hjoerring]

Speaking of doing more with less, there is already a cacophony of voices out there saying that Uconn's winnings are based on having the best players. Some coaches (UT and others) have said there is little or no coaching demanded there-- what if he had to really coach. Some might even look at the last two years end results and smile. Now, were we to admit two graduate transfers as being discussed here, and if we were to run the table, how would the critics respond? Personally, I'm not in favour of this trend.

Yet, I know nothing about these players. Why are they transfering? Could they not have entered this years draft? The schools (USC, Tenn., Uconn, etc) listed and visited are so varied that I am unsure of the driving force. Outside of Uconn are these schools not in the same Conf.? That's a touch one for the coaches! What is being sold here-- that we will develop them into Uconn type players? If so, why are they considering Tenn where not a single Boneyarder thinks 'development' is an option. Or is it: Come help us win a championship? But again, Collier and the incoming Fr. need skilled and good competition to go up against in practice-- maybe that is it.
Hope it isn't "HAVE GUN WILL TRAVEL.....!"

 

[mbr33ct]

I have mixed feelings about it....on one hand it would be great to have additional players that can step right in and fill the holes left due to graduation, on the other hand I would have much preferred not needing to fill those holes via transfer....the folks here view UConn as being a cut above when it come to recruiting and the four years of Geno tutelage that leads to a tight knit team on and off the court.....now everybody is happy that UConn is jumping right into the transfer game....for those who constantly pound their chests about the UConn way I find it just a tiny bit hypocritical..

Agree but IMO this "transfer game" is here to stay. More and more graduate student athletes will take this route and who knows what the NCAA is going to do with the "regular" transfer students...sit out a year...don't sit out a year. The big can of worm has just gone to the "pull tab" version. This works out both ways after all, UConn lost Butler recently...should be some interesting years ahead.

 

[DEpup]

I agree with you. The transfer era is here and UConn needs to adapt in order to stay on top. It's just like any trend in the game and there is no room for being stubborn or living in denial. The current players need to look at transfers as a challenge to prove themselves and additional talent to get a NC.

 

[southie]

The last two NCAA champs have benefitted greatly from the transfer market.

 

[Charliebball]

Incredibly well said!
After reading each post up to this point in this thread, this one struck me.
Being on the U Conn women's basketball team is a constant and never ending striving for ones best. If it's not enough, you must strive harder or learn from sitting and watching. There's always another day, another practice and maybe a new year (not for seniors or incoming graduate transfers). Being part of the whole has to become greater than ones individual accomplishments, or you don't come or you don't stay or you get better and do more to make yourself a more significant part of the whole.
As so many have said its not for everyone. One has to truly want it, be chosen, meet the relentless demands and expectations and adjust. If these two young woman at least want to consider being at U Conn, the coaches and team decides they are a good fit and they then choose to come, then that more often then not, it will work out for all.
This is the system and because if transfer rules now and in the future the system just needs a bit of tweaking.
Most importantly maybe, is one needs to earn it and continue to do so. That's on each individual.
Bronx23

I'm curious......is anyone aware historically of UConn players ever telling Geno that they don't want a specific recruit joining the team? Is that really a possibility?

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Geno has stated many times and in many contexts that "we [the Huskies] are in the entertainment business", and make no mistake, the somewhat over the top reactions to 2 overtime losses in the Final 4 demonstrate just how much we value our entertainment. So you do what you can to put the best "product" on the floor. As has been pointed out by several posters, these may be nothing more than preliminaries in a compressed time sequence for two transferees. I would prefer "home grown", but I like winning a lot. Geno & Co. are far beyond earning our trust. If they're good, I'm good. OBTW I see one of the two staying exactly where she is and the other staying south of the Mason Dixon line. This, of course, is my small effort to assure Geno & Co. get exactly what they want. I'm taking one for the team.

 

[Bronx23]

I do think that this might impact recruiting. Till now a player coming in to Uconn knew who their immediate competition was. For example O figured she was the center of the future because no one was ahead of her. It was a good position to be in. If they are going to have to contend with one year and out players then it would be very difficult to gage your position on the roster. You can not just say it is only one year, because the next year another 5th year student might show up again to replace the last graduate student who left. Is it possible that a team like Uconn could turn into a school with no freshman or underclass players but just graduate students and upper classmen transferring in for one or two years. They get their playing time as underclassmen at another school but then transfer in for their last year or two. Other schools might end up being Uconns Jr College's for basketball.

Yes you raise legitimate valid concerns.
Of course almost every player wants, needs and should know where they stand and what looks like it lies ahead.
While I do think this will in specific situations, make some recruits choose elsewhere. The players that choose and commit to U Conn and its history, culture and exepectations are a slightly different breed. They are striving to become the best they can be and all the non stop hard work that demands. If they do all of much of what's expected they get to play and then hopefully succeed on the court and as people too. Some seem to be and have become stars of the game. Some become solid pros. Some enter whether it be coaching or medical school use these basketball and life lessons, to excel in their chosen field. In very few other places is their on the court and bench demeanor watched carefully, and their abilities to present themselves and speak to the media and in public stressed as much as at U Conn.
With the graduate transfer rule and seemingly big changes coming in transfer rules in general, the landscape changes for everyone. You either adapt or you don't.
What won't change much if at all, is how careful Geno, CD and the coaching staff are about whom they recruit and accept. Clearly involving you team and its player leaders in the process of determining if any player is the right fit, says a huge amount.
These seem to be two lovely, very bright, high achieving, skilled young women and basketball players. Both they (individually), their parents and advisors, as well as all the involved parties at U Conn have to all decide this is the right fit.
I'd think the next few weeks or so, it will clarify itself and decisions will be made.
Bronx23

 

[CocoHusky]

The last two NCAA champs have benefitted greatly from the transfer market.

Impact transfers and early entry into the WNBA have had the most significant inpact in determining the WCBB Champion over the past few years.
Jewell Loyd
Taya Reimer
Morgan Tuck
Natalie Butler
Kaela Davis
Alisha Gray
Jessica Shepard
Azura Stevens

 

[Sifaka]

Morgan Tuck
Natalie Butler
Kaela Davis
Alisha Gray
Natalie Butler




Jessica Shepard
Azura Stevens

OK, Nat's departure had an impact. But twice as much as the others? Hmmmmm....

 

[Golden Husky]

Speaking of doing more with less, there is already a cacophony of voices out there saying that Uconn's winnings are based on having the best players. Some coaches (UT and others) have said there is little or no coaching demanded there-- what if he had to really coach. Some might even look at the last two years end results and smile. Now, were we to admit two graduate transfers as being discussed here, and if we were to run the table, how would the critics respond? Personally, I'm not in favour of this trend.

Yet, I know nothing about these players. Why are they transfering? Could they not have entered this years draft? The schools (USC, Tenn., Uconn, etc) listed and visited are so varied that I am unsure of the driving force. Outside of Uconn are these schools not in the same Conf.? That's a touch one for the coaches! What is being sold here-- that we will develop them into Uconn type players? If so, why are they considering Tenn where not a single Boneyarder thinks 'development' is an option. Or is it: Come help us win a championship? But again, Collier and the incoming Fr. need skilled and good competition to go up against in practice-- maybe that is it.
Hope it isn't "HAVE GUN WILL TRAVEL.....!"

Coaches at other schools pitch, "You could help us win a championship." Geno says, "We could help you win a championship."

 

[tower1]

After seeing Christyn Williams rise above the competition in the McDonald's All-American game it became clear to me that she is almost a lock to be the 5th starter - after Napheesa, Katie Lou, Danger, and Megan. Geno doesn't typically start freshman, but Christyn is truly a special player. She has played some international ball, and is ready for the speed and physicality of the college game. She has incredible court vision, a beautiful pull back jumper, a nice shot from the arc, and can pass with ease. Not to mention her ability to just take over and drive when needed. UConn will be more than alright next year - especially with Camara and ONO off the bench. (If A&M transfers come to Storrs, then it will be a long season for all of UConn's opponents.)

I agree but Walker may have something to say about that. She showed flashes of what she can do last year. It's going to be an interesting year watching them all develop.

 

[Charliebball]

Speaking of doing more with less, there is already a cacophony of voices out there saying that Uconn's winnings are based on having the best players. Some coaches (UT and others) have said there is little or no coaching demanded there-- what if he had to really coach. Some might even look at the last two years end results and smile. Now, were we to admit two graduate transfers as being discussed here, and if we were to run the table, how would the critics respond? Personally, I'm not in favour of this trend.
"

Geno has always said that UConn's winning is based on having the best players...........