UConn Signee/Verbal Recruit Thread (AEH, Gordon, Coombs, Others) | Page 2 | The Boneyard

UConn Signee/Verbal Recruit Thread (AEH, Gordon, Coombs, Others)

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Huskies Rule said:
I posted this Dangerfield clip several months back, but it's so darn exciting it's worth repeating.
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Thanks Huskies. The video from 2 1/2 years ago was impressive enough to envision Danger starting next year. After viewing several more recent videos and seeing the stats and comments from the U19 tournament (with Wilson and other college players--plus Collier, etc) Danger is absolutely a clone of MoJeff. Danger is doing things now that Mo did last year (which was a big improvement year for Mo.)
Don't want to get too crazy, but Danger will have more PG skills and experience than any other UConn huskie next year. Nurse is a super 2-guard who can play point. Chong is a combo 1-2 guard, but will have to improve TREMENDOUSLY to keep Danger from starting as a freshman. If Chong gets more confidence, vision, decision making, leadership, change of direction, swagger, and passing savvy--then the battle for next year's PG will be fun to watch. Not sure Chong has the emotional make-up or mental toughness to lead the team consistently. I like Chong a lot. She is almost as quick as MO, has a good 3 pt. shot when confident, has the speed and some recognition to drive to the hoop in a small opening. IMHO her passing is suspect, her leadership is still in early development, and her confidence can be eroded too quickly. Final word - - Chong is one of the best back-up combo guards in the nation. She can fill in when necessary and score big-time on occasion. Of the top 10 teams in the nation--Which of those teams has a back-up guard better than Chong? None come to mind at the moment.
Chong is a perfect sub and role player when Geno sees the situation. If she improves enough this year and continues to develop enough to start next year, then UConn will have a PG that could lead to another run for a NC.
 
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PhillyCoach said:
Thanks Huskies. The video from 2 1/2 years ago was impressive enough to envision Danger starting next year. After viewing several more recent videos and seeing the stats and comments from the U19 tournament (with Wilson and other college players--plus Collier, etc) Danger is absolutely a clone of MoJeff. Danger is doing things now that Mo did last year (which was a big improvement year for Mo.)
Don't want to get too crazy, but Danger will have more PG skills and experience than any other UConn huskie next year. Nurse is a super 2-guard who can play point. Chong is a combo 1-2 guard, but will have to improve TREMENDOUSLY to keep Danger from starting as a freshman. If Chong gets more confidence, vision, decision making, leadership, change of direction, swagger, and passing savvy--then the battle for next year's PG will be fun to watch. Not sure Chong has the emotional make-up or mental toughness to lead the team consistently. I like Chong a lot. She is almost as quick as MO, has a good 3 pt. shot when confident, has the speed and some recognition to drive to the hoop in a small opening. IMHO her passing is suspect, her leadership is still in early development, and her confidence can be eroded too quickly. Final word - - Chong is one of the best back-up combo guards in the nation. She can fill in when necessary and score big-time on occasion. Of the top 10 teams in the nation--Which of those teams has a back-up guard better than Chong? None come to mind at the moment.
Chong is a perfect sub and role player when Geno sees the situation. If she improves enough this year and continues to develop enough to start next year, then UConn will have a PG that could lead to another run for a NC.
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Agreed, Philly. Given the clip is a bit dated, can you even imagine where Crystal's basketball skills, physical maturation, and understanding of the game will be by the time she arrives on campus?? Gotta go wipe the spittle. Holy mackerel!
 
PhillyCoach said:
Thanks Huskies. The video from 2 1/2 years ago was impressive enough to envision Danger starting next year. After viewing several more recent videos and seeing the stats and comments from the U19 tournament (with Wilson and other college players--plus Collier, etc) Danger is absolutely a clone of MoJeff. Danger is doing things now that Mo did last year (which was a big improvement year for Mo.)
Don't want to get too crazy, but Danger will have more PG skills and experience than any other UConn huskie next year. Nurse is a super 2-guard who can play point. Chong is a combo 1-2 guard, but will have to improve TREMENDOUSLY to keep Danger from starting as a freshman. If Chong gets more confidence, vision, decision making, leadership, change of direction, swagger, and passing savvy--then the battle for next year's PG will be fun to watch. Not sure Chong has the emotional make-up or mental toughness to lead the team consistently. I like Chong a lot. She is almost as quick as MO, has a good 3 pt. shot when confident, has the speed and some recognition to drive to the hoop in a small opening. IMHO her passing is suspect, her leadership is still in early development, and her confidence can be eroded too quickly. Final word - - Chong is one of the best back-up combo guards in the nation. She can fill in when necessary and score big-time on occasion. Of the top 10 teams in the nation--Which of those teams has a back-up guard better than Chong? None come to mind at the moment.
Chong is a perfect sub and role player when Geno sees the situation. If she improves enough this year and continues to develop enough to start next year, then UConn will have a PG that could lead to another run for a NC.
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Coach: I really, really like what you've said here about Chong. My thoughts on her mirror yours almost exactly. It's been disappointing to me during my time reading this board how relatively little "love" she gets from posters here, and I wonder why that is. I also feel (along with others) that she was unfairly singled out for inadequacies in that Stanford game last year. You've used the "top 10" route for illustration. I like to think of it as: She'd be starting for all but about 10 (or fewer) teams in America. At any rate, she's a very important cog in this year's machine.

My only slight divergence with you is really just a matter of degree. I don't think she needs to improve all that much to be an effective starter at PG. I'll employ a different imprecise word and say she needs to improve moderately. But I'm glad you said all these things.
 
Gus Mahler said:
Coach: I really, really like what you've said here about Chong. My thoughts on her mirror yours almost exactly. It's been disappointing to me during my time reading this board how relatively little "love" she gets from posters here, and I wonder why that is. I also feel (along with others) that she was unfairly singled out for inadequacies in that Stanford game last year. You've used the "top 10" route for illustration. I like to think of it as: She'd be starting for all but about 10 (or fewer) teams in America. At any rate, she's a very important cog in this year's machine.

My only slight divergence with you is really just a matter of degree. I don't think she needs to improve all that much to be an effective starter at PG. I'll employ a different imprecise word and say she needs to improve moderately. But I'm glad you said all these things.
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Coming from the Popular Imposter, I appreciate the positive feedback. After pondering, reflection, and further analysis I have to concede to your point of "moderately" improving (on the whole). If I had time (I am watching tennis) I would break down the dozen skills of the PG and we could see that some need a little improvement, some moderate and maybe a couple "tremendously."
 
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Gus Mahler said:
Coach: I really, really like what you've said here about Chong. My thoughts on her mirror yours almost exactly. It's been disappointing to me during my time reading this board how relatively little "love" she gets from posters here, and I wonder why that is. I also feel (along with others) that she was unfairly singled out for inadequacies in that Stanford game last year. You've used the "top 10" route for illustration. I like to think of it as: She'd be starting for all but about 10 (or fewer) teams in America. At any rate, she's a very important cog in this year's machine.

My only slight divergence with you is really just a matter of degree. I don't think she needs to improve all that much to be an effective starter at PG. I'll employ a different imprecise word and say she needs to improve moderately. But I'm glad you said all these things.
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I would go so far as saying an improvement 'confidence and swagger' is the single area that would turn serviceable into significant for Chong. All other 'deficiencies' she exhibits flowing from this one issue.
 
The video of Dangerfield is very impressive. But it's not enough to convince me she will start. There's a huge jump in the level of competition from HS to college. Jefferson had to adjust and so will Dangerfield.

I have watched videos of Chong and also watched unedited complete games from HS where she looked like she was ready for the pros. She had a bad defensive performance in the second game of her sophomore year, on one of the toughest courts for a visitor to play. I don't think Geno demoted her for that. I think that Nurse simply outplayed her and earned the starting position. My suspicion is that the UConn staff was reluctant to start a freshman on the road in her first 2 college games, but that the way she performed off the bench at Stanford told them she was ready to handle it.

Like someone said above, UConn is very fortunate to have a guard on the bench that is very fast, plays with both hands, can play the point and score both inside and outside.
 
Alydar said:
The video of Dangerfield is very impressive. But it's not enough to convince me she will start. There's a huge jump in the level of competition from HS to college. Jefferson had to adjust and so will Dangerfield.

I have watched videos of Chong and also watched unedited complete games from HS where she looked like she was ready for the pros. She had a bad defensive performance in the second game of her sophomore year, on one of the toughest courts for a visitor to play. I don't think Geno demoted her for that. I think that Nurse simply outplayed her and earned the starting position. My suspicion is that the UConn staff was reluctant to start a freshman on the road in her first 2 college games, but that the way she performed off the bench at Stanford told them she was ready to handle it.

Like someone said above, UConn is very fortunate to have a guard on the bench that is very fast, plays with both hands, can play the point and score both inside and outside.
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Though Saniya played poorly on defense at Stanford, so did most of the rest of the team. She was one of the few bright spots on offense. I think a key for her this year will be her confidence. She can be a very valuable reserve.
 
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I haven't seen this clip of Kyla Irwin posted on the BY before. Although I'm not sure of the level of competition, Kyla is fun to watch; she's aggressive and physical with a solid all-around game. While she doesn't appear super athletic, she does look to be very strong in her fundamentals. She's comfortable using her left and right hand around the basket (reminds me of Stef with those baby hooks in the paint), has a good handle for a big kid, goes strong to the basket, has excellent range on her outside shot, rebounds and plays aggressive defense (unafraid to take the charge) and she's a very good passer. With another year of HS and being the hard worker she is said to be, she will get much better before arriving at Storrs.

Kyla's unranked by the ratings services, and it's probably been a long long time that a kid NOT in the national top 100 has gotten lots of playing time at UConn (please correct me if I'm wrong on that), but I think she's gonna fit in absolute great as a versatile role player who can contribute in so many ways off the bench. Kyla's definitely a winner and a keeper.

 
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I've mentioned before that I don't put much stock into highlight films, especially made baskets. It's the the other things that can't be isolated just for a highlight film that say a lot more about the player. The films of both Dangerfield and Irwin show a lot of very good skills. Dangerfield's clips remind me of what was great about MoJeff's tapes. She is an ankle breaker. She has a very quick release and good form. Irwin has very good footwork, good court vision, has very good range and shooting form, and uses her physical strength well. Obviously the level of high school competition varies widely, but I wouldn't assign Irwin an end spot on the bench yet, certainly not as her career develops.
 
Irwin makes that behind the back pass with both hands! Gives a new meaning to back door. Sorta reminds me of some of Sveta's moves. The next couple of years are going to be full of all sorts of great stuff for fans to chew on! :)
 
HR, CZ, and RMB2 - agree. She does remind me of Stef in shorter body - her body type does not immediately scream 'world class athlete', but the balance, footwork, and coordination when you watch is surprising because of that. She definitely has skills and drive - and could very well surprise us all in a similar way to Stef's transformation at Uconn.
 
Andi in her own words...

Andi_1.png ​
"Hi y’all ! My name is Andra Espinoza-Hunter, but go by Andi and I’m 15 years old. I just began my first day of junior year yesterday. I attend Blair Academy, which is a smaller private boarding school in Blairstown, New Jersey. Yes that means I live at school, and sorry it’s nothing like Zoey 101, but it’s still amazing ! I’ve been attending Blair since my freshman year and I’ve been fortunate enough to win two Prep A state titles, I’ve also won a New York Class A State Championship in 8th grade, so all together I have three state championships. You guys are probably thinking wow you played varsity in 8th grade, yep I played varsity in 7th and 8th grade. I also play AAU with the Philadelphia Belles u17 Nike EYBL. I’m not sure if you guys know this, but I’ve verballed to play basketball at the University of Connecticut, and I can’t wait to become a part of the husky family!..."

[MORE]
 
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JavaMan said:
Andi in her own words...

"Hi y’all ! My name is Andra Espinoza-Hunter, but go by Andi and I’m 15 years old. I just began my first day of junior year yesterday. I attend Blair Academy, which is a smaller private boarding school in Blairstown, New Jersey. Yes that means I live at school, and sorry it’s nothing like Zoey 101, but it’s still amazing ! I’ve been attending Blair since my freshman year and I’ve been fortunate enough to win two Prep A state titles, I’ve also won a New York Class A State Championship in 8th grade, so all together I have three state championships. You guys are probably thinking wow you played varsity in 8th grade, yep I played varsity in 7th and 8th grade. I also play AAU with the Philadelphia Belles u17 Nike EYBL. I’m not sure if you guys know this, but I’ve verballed to play basketball at the University of Connecticut, and I can’t wait to become a part of the husky family!..."

[MORE]
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Andi is a Morgan Tuck protege--going for FIVE championships. :)
 
JavaMan said:
Andi in her own words...

"Hi y’all ! My name is Andra Espinoza-Hunter, but go by Andi and I’m 15 years old. I just began my first day of junior year yesterday. I attend Blair Academy, which is a smaller private boarding school in Blairstown, New Jersey. Yes that means I live at school, and sorry it’s nothing like Zoey 101, but it’s still amazing ! I’ve been attending Blair since my freshman year and I've been fortunate enough to win two Prep A state titles, I’ve also won a New York Class A State Championship in 8th grade, so all together I have three state championships. You guys are probably thinking wow you played varsity in 8th grade, yep I played varsity in 7th and 8th grade. I also play AAU with the Philadelphia Belles u17 Nike EYBL. I’m not sure if you guys know this, but I’ve verballed to play basketball at the University of Connecticut, and I can’t wait to become a part of the husky family!..."

[MORE]
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The very first thing she mentions when she talks basketball is team championships. Sounds like she'll fit perfectly into that "husky family."

But that Southern 2nd person plural pronoun Y'all...:eek:
 
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Huskies Rule said:
The very first thing she mentions when she talks basketball is team championships. Sounds like she'll fit perfectly into that "husky family."

But that Southern 2nd person plural pronoun Y'all...:eek:
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Hey - at least she used "Y'all" as the plural, not the true Southern plural form, "All y'all." (Possibly when Andi gets here our 2016 Tennessee recruit will need to learn her how to talk)
 
ANSWERS PLEASE. I understand we have not even had the first exhibition game of the 2015/16 season so the question is of course very premature. That said does UConn currently have signed letters of intent from Dangerfield, Irwin, and Bent? Are all three, as of now, coming for the 2016/17 season or am I getting one (Bent?) too early? If they are all supposed to be in the mix for November of 2016 then it would seem we have a pretty crowded bench with 13, a doen of whom would be recruited/scholarship athletes. That roster sie is so out of character for Geno and we're all still talking about the possible addition of Cox. Just wondering. Hope all are having a great day.
 
billnaples said:
That said does UConn currently have signed letters of intent from Dangerfield, Irwin, and Bent? Are all three, as of now, coming for the 2016/17 season or am I getting one (Bent?) too early?
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They sign their LOI in November and all will be freshmen next year.
 
billnaples said:
ANSWERS PLEASE. I understand we have not even had the first exhibition game of the 2015/16 season so the question is of course very premature. That said does UConn currently have signed letters of intent from Dangerfield, Irwin, and Bent? Are all three, as of now, coming for the 2016/17 season or am I getting one (Bent?) too early? If they are all supposed to be in the mix for November of 2016 then it would seem we have a pretty crowded bench with 13, a doen of whom would be recruited/scholarship athletes. That roster sie is so out of character for Geno and we're all still talking about the possible addition of Cox. Just wondering. Hope all are having a great day.
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Bill - every year there are two signing periods for current HS seniors - the 'early period' in November (which is now when most seniors sign their letters) and the 'standard period' in April (which is now just 'stragglers' who hadn't decided by Nov. but used to be when most letters were signed.)

A coach can 'offer' a scholarship really at any time of year at any age from birth, and a player can 'commit' to a school at any time from birth onward, but none of that is in anyway binding on either party until the LOI is executed, and that can only happen during the recruits senior year (or after they have graduated.)

On edit - So no junior or younger player who has 'committed' is actually signed and sealed - but yes Bent, Danger, and Irwin are all 2016. Geno has said his ideal roster size is 11, but control of who is willing to come each year and who they want to come is not up to him, but the vagaries of 16-18 year olds and the talent pool in any given recruiting class.

When he offered Bent, the writing was on the wall for the other guard/wing type players who had been on the recruiting radar - they were not coming. Uconn is still involved with Cox and obviously would gladly accept her commitment which would take the scholarship roster to 13 - a level it hasn't been at for quite some time, but not unheard of (if Morgan stays and I think she will.) And it would probably reduce the size of the recruiting classes in future years.
 
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Sluconn Husky said:
. . . comments I've seen on several other boards from people trying to denigrate the play of Crystal Dangerfield. Among other things being peddled is that Dangerfield is turnover prone and some sort of chucker.
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A good example of a message board legend, gaining momentum among the gullible commentariat. We should not be surprised at this dissing of a player from Tennessee who has committed to UConn.
 
UcMiami said:
Uconn is still involved with Cox and obviously would gladly accept her commitment which would take the scholarship roster to 13 - a level it hasn't been at for quite some time, but not unheard of (if Morgan stays and I think she will.) And it would probably reduce the size of the recruiting classes in future years.
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Based on all I have read should Cox indicate a willingness to join the UConn program I would agree roster size is irrelevant. I totally agree that Tuck should and hopefully will stay. If for no other reason then she may be a one of a kind and will own five national championship rings. Now there is some circular reasoning.
 
It's interesting to me just how excited we can become over recruits before they ever slide into our uniform. I share the board's enthusiasm for Dangerfield, and I hope that Irwin does become "a smaller Dolson", but it's a lot to ask of any point guard to think that she might start as a freshman for UCONN, especially knowing that Chong will be here and that Nurse can, and probably will, spend some time at point.

Irwin may develop into a "Dolson type" but that will also take work. I would be very happy to think that she might give us Crocket type minutes, spelling forwards and developing into a bruiser under the backboard. If we get more than that then she will hang like so many others have from the UCONN tree as another of the coaching staff's great accomplishments.

These kids are joining the best team in the country and the competition for playing time will be fierce. I hope they get here and set the world on fire, but they'll have to go through Chong and Boykin to find court time.
 
UcMiami said:
Geno has said his ideal roster size is 11, but control of who is willing to come each year and who they want to come is not up to him. . . . Uconn is still involved with Cox and obviously would gladly accept her commitment which would take the scholarship roster to 13 - a level it hasn't been at for quite some time, but not unheard of (if Morgan stays and I think she will.) And it would probably reduce the size of the recruiting classes in future years.
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This post is helpful for us to us to understand Geno's apparent reticence in offering Daniel Patterson, among other quality HS players who have reportedly appeared on the UConn radar. Looking ahead, and with roster size in mind, Geno is faced with some decisions that are unique to UConn:

1. He simply doesn't have room on the roster for all of the blue-chippers who want to come to UConn;

2. He can and will continue to be highly selective;

3. He must also very carefully manage offers with team needs (e.g., posts/guards) in mind; and,

3. He must spread out his incoming classes so as to avoid those too large (>4) or too small (<2) so as to maintain a steady stream of incoming/graduating talent.​

In addition he must clear his crystal ball to identify possible future injuries (e.g., Nicole Wolff) or transfers (e.g., Elena).

I believe we can count on a couple things:

1. Geno knows how to count to 15. More seriously, there ain't no way that he either over-recruits (above allowable 15) or pulls schollies (if Morgan wants to stay 5 years, she stays).

2. Geno and his staff will remain faithful to the principles and standards they have so rigidly established about PT (no promises), code of conduct, and attitude.

3. UConn will continue to view competition in the rear view mirror.​
 
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Kib - nice post, welcome back from 'vacation'! :rolleyes:

Along those lines and the Crystal Ball capabilities of the coaches - I believe the 'ideal size' of eleven that I mentioned dates back to a period before the last 5 years with a spate of transfers and injuries, and that he may have revised the number of scholarship players for his team upwards understanding that players are more likely to transfer today than they were 5 years ago, and that injuries just happen, and playing/practicing with a healthy roster of 7 which he has done, or advertising on campus for walk ons as was done two years ago is not an ideal way to run the program.

(The other number of course is three - the perfect repeating class size - but that is even harder to maintain year after year. In a perfect world for Geno, he gets three good recruits each year so he has a roster of 12, that does not change year after year after year. And of course the required balance within such an ideal recruiting scheme of one guard, one wing, and one 4/5 player in each of those three player classes, just doesn't happen! If only recruiting for his college team was as easy as recruiting for the National team!)
 
UcMiami said:
In a perfect world for Geno, he gets three good recruits each year. . . .And of course the required balance within such an ideal recruiting scheme of one guard, one wing, and one 4/5 player in each of those three player classes, just doesn't happen!
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It nearly happened several years ago, when Sherwood (post), Wright (PG) and Robinson (shooting guard) all came together as freshmen. Apparently Geno's crystal ball got foggy cuz all three transferred before returning as sophomores. I also recall two solo classes (Ashley Valley and Kelly Faris).

Shows that recruiting is an art, not a science.

Plain dumb luck (e.g., Butler) helps.

Alas,
 
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