Walker's Visit this weekend

[connboy77]

Like I said she's Notre Dames to lose. Was watching the Jordan all star Classic the other day on ESPN 3. The commentators were staying how strange it was that UCONN only had one player playing. UCONN should be attracting the best kids every year and I can't understand the life of me why all the kids seem to be flocking to the likes of Baylor Texas and Notre Dame. Rosters loaded and still continue to sign top recruiting classes every single year. Makes me think that kids are now realizing the AAC confrence is horrendous and kids in my opinion are being told to go anywhere but UCONN. Sick of uconn's dominance, and kids are being swayed away. Can't continue to stay on top without signing the top kids. That's the best way to catch up to UCONN sign all the best talent. Just my 2 cents. As much as I love my huskies I think the UCONN era is coming to a end. We will never see the dominance and the history of top recruits again. Times have finally coming to a change.

Two years ago we brought in Nurse who starts for the Canadian National team, Gabby who was top ten, Cortney who was top 15, and Edwards who was highly rated before she transferred. Last year we brought in Katie Lou#1, Collier#6, and Boykin top15. Next year we bring in Dangerfield#3 and two vastly underrated recruits. In the 2017 class we already have Lexi Gordon and Hunter, two very good recruits and if you believe the Virginia Journalist, Megan Walker#1 is very close to committing to UCONN. Yes Mike, the future doesn't look to good for UCONN.

 

[wire chief]

And I understand that Jupiter is aligned with Mars.

Then peace will rule the planets...

 

[HuskyNan]

Then peace will rule the planets...

And love will steer the stars.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I found her follow-up tweet interesting "keeping one foot out".

 

[RockyMTblue2]

She did, but it was one day later than her "Great Day" tweet

There are other tweets there that could have you playing head games with yourself. Couple to the effect about in the end you have to do what's good for you. Shades of Brittany Hunter and her dad run through my mind. My advice: look away, look away! I think she's going to go down the announced line of things and we will not know until fall. Question becomes what Geno and company will do in the interim. Don't be surprised. Hmmm... where was Geno going Saturday morning?

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Keeping one foot out....

One example: http://nymag.com/scienceofus/2014/08/

 

[caramel]

And love will steer the stars.

This is the dawning of the age after three big stars,age after three big stars........

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Walker scored 18 points Sunday as her Boo Williams travel team went 3-0 at the Rose Classic.

 

[CocoHusky]

I know this is a thread about Megan but keep in mind that Jade Williams is also realistically down to ND and UCONN now also. Jade's other two choices were Duke and Utah. Duke=Dumpster fire at the moment and Utah was always a head scratcher. Hate to be additional wet blanket but Jade might be more "significant" get for UCONN right now than Walker-just throwing that out there.

 

[TitleTown]

... My advice: look away, look away! I think she's going to go down the announced line of things and we will not know until fall. Question becomes what Geno and company will do in the interim. Don't be surprised. Hmmm... where was Geno going Saturday morning?

We will know right after she visits Notre Dame in the Fall and gives them her verbal commitment.

 

[HuskyNan]

Keeping one foot out....

And shake it all about.

 

[Dillon77]

I know this is a thread about Megan but keep in mind that Jade Williams is also realistically down to ND and UCONN now also. Jade's other two choices were Duke and Utah. Duke=Dumpster fire at the moment and Utah was always a head scratcher. Hate to be additional wet blanket but Jade might be more "significant" get for UCONN right now than Walker-just throwing that out there.

Coco- I'm kind of taking the same tack as you here. After the ND Awards Ceremony, Muffet was asked about the 2017 recruiting goals, and she specifically said "bigs and a guard." Yes, Ms. Walker and Evina Westbrook are (most probably) among the targeted guards but we also have a guard/wing walking on campus -- Jackie Young -- who is one fine player and is joining Marina Mabrey. So, while I'd love to procure one of them, I think those bigs (the Williams, amongst them) are really critical, for both ND and UConn.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

And shake it all about.

Yeah, for some of us, of a certain age, the Hokey Pokey did suggest itself. But who's the Hokey and who's the Pokey? Is Pokey Chapman still coaching? I figure she is referring to Geno's circle, because we all know that once you're in you never get out.

 

[MilfordHusky]

And love will steer the stars.

Marilyn McCoo et al.!

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Marilyn McCoo et al.!

It took you long enough - sheesh!

 

[MilfordHusky]

And shake it all about.

Sounds hokey to me.

 

[MilfordHusky]

It took you long enough - sheesh!

I was busy yesterday. I was waiting for my BY friends to jump in.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I was busy yesterday. I was waiting for my BY friends to jump in.

After I posted the Staples Singers Will the Circle Be Unbroken ( a reference which turned out to be too abstruse!), I rested.

 

[Charliebball]

Coco- I'm kind of taking the same tack as you here. After the ND Awards Ceremony, Muffet was asked about the 2017 recruiting goals, and she specifically said "bigs and a guard." Yes, Ms. Walker and Evina Westbrook are (most probably) among the targeted guards but we also have a guard/wing walking on campus -- Jackie Young -- who is one fine player and is joining Marina Mabrey. So, while I'd love to procure one of them, I think those bigs (the Williams, amongst them) are really critical, for both ND and UConn.

Dillon would you say that MM looks for the same kind of player as Geno or is she a bit looser when it comes to individualism among the recruits..........I have to attribute some of UConn's recent recruiting issues with the limited number of "Boot camp" ready players that are willing sacrifice all for the good of the team...............

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Stewie, Mo and Tuck ... they changed the waters didn't they. Check this out:


Granddaughter Says Life Is Too Hard. That’s When Grandma Pulls Out A Carrot, Egg & Coffee

 

[CocoHusky]

Dillon would you say that MM looks for the same kind of player as Geno or is she a bit loser when it comes to individualism among the recruits.....I have to attribute some of UConn's recent recruiting issues with the limited number of "Boot camp" ready players that are willing sacrifice all for the good of the team.....

Since 2012 UCONN and ND have gone head to head for the following significant players. I defining head to head as where Both UCONN & ND were among the players top 3-5 finalist.
Jewell Loyd
Michaela Mabrey
Taya Reimer
Brianna Turner
Kathryn Westbeld
Katie Lou Samuelson
Arike Ogunbowale
Napheesa Collier
Erin Boley
Lauren Cox
Megan Walker
Jade Williams

 

[Charliebball]

Since 2012 UCONN and ND have gone head to head for the following significant players. I defining head to head as where Both UCONN & ND were among the players top 3-5 finalist.
Jewell Loyd
Michaela Mabrey
Taya Reimer
Brianna Turner
Kathryn Westbeld
Katie Lou Samuelson
Arike Ogunbowale
Napheesa Collier
Erin Boley
Lauren Cox
Megan Walker
Jade Williams

It looks like ND has a distinct recruiting advantage based on that list......are we able to say why that is? Is it just a preference for the school, is it just a better fit in terms of playing time/position or is it that the ND program is a little bit more up to date in how each player is handled on a personal level.....is MM as demanding a coach as Geno.........are her practices as tough?

My feeling is that many of today's most talented players are not willing to squelch their egos for the benefit of the team nor are they willing to put out 110% when they know they can get by with 80%...........so the question is are their enough great players out there to fortify the UConn program and if not would Geno rather take less talented players and take his chances, championships be damned!!

I don't know the answer..............just asking........................

 

[intlzncster]

Since 2012 UCONN and ND have gone head to head for the following significant players. I defining head to head as where Both UCONN & ND were among the players top 3-5 finalist.
Jewell Loyd
Michaela Mabrey
Taya Reimer
Brianna Turner
Kathryn Westbeld
Katie Lou Samuelson
Arike Ogunbowale
Napheesa Collier
Erin Boleye
Lauren Cox
Megan Walker
Jade Williams

Muffet: 7
Geno: 2

Push: 1
Undetermined: 3

 

[bschwartz]

11 to 1, 'nuff said about recruiting.

 

[Jim R]

It looks like ND has a distinct recruiting advantage based on that list.are we able to say why that is? Is it just a preference for the school, is it just a better fit in terms of playing time/position or is it that the ND program is a little bit more up to date in how each player is handled on a personal level.....is MM as demanding a coach as Geno....are her practices as tough?

My feeling is that many of today's most talented players are not willing to squelch their egos for the benefit of the team nor are they willing to put out 110% when they know they can get by with 80%......so the question is are their enough great players out there to fortify the UConn program and if not would Geno rather take less talented players and take his chances, championships be damned!!

I don't know the answer....just asking....

Question many have asked. While there are many reasons why recruits select others, the two hurdles UCONN has always faced are: 1) Location - Hmmm...the weather of Connecticut....or, almost anywhere else? Can you imagine, how many of those cited above, if Geno's 11 championships had taken place at Duke (to name one), would've chosen elsewhere? 2) School's history/prestige.
Despite these, 11 championships, and counting - not too shabby!

 

[Dillon77]

Dillon would you say that MM looks for the same kind of player as Geno or is she a bit looser when it comes to individualism among the recruits.....I have to attribute some of UConn's recent recruiting issues with the limited number of "Boot camp" ready players that are willing sacrifice all for the good of the team.....

Charlie: As CocoHusky detailed in post #171, ND and UConn do go after a lot of the same (kind of) players. And even those that don't pop up on such lists often play like could be on the other's team (Madison Cable, Morgan Tuck come to mind).

There have been a couple of articles this year that go into a bit of detail about Muffet's (evolving) attitudes toward players and recruiting.
(This one goes into a slew of other topics but scroll on down: The Evolution of Muffet)

Her priorities -- as I've read -- seem to be:
- Need to be an exceptional player (sorry for stating the obvious)
- Play/contribute to/do well within the ND system of playing ball (fitting with her teammates is important, too)
- Being a fit in the university
- And...this is one of those evolving factors: Muffet wants to like being around this person for the duration of their time together. This is stated explicitly in another article, but hinted at here. It's a good thing...if they can concentrate on the relationship, the emotion of the "x's and o's," is minimized a bit and they can attack the goal together.

To some degree, this pushes everything closer to the small end of the funnel and they end up looking at fewer people. She mentioned there are three or four targets for the 2017 group. Although she's not explicit about who the "top liners" are, you can bet the top ones expected are fully vetted by Muffett, Niele Ivey and the rest of the staff. And she's also looking to recruit to what the roster needs/turnover is going to be...there will be no stockpiling.
That's fair to all concerned, in my mind.

As for your question, there does seem to room for a player to flex her individual talents -- Arike Ogunbowale comes to mind this year, but I'm sure Muffett had to initially grin and bear it when Michaela Mabrey started launching some her "somewhere from Ohio" three pointers.
So there's some flexibility there. Still, as the commentator in the Jordan Brand game said, you kind of know a Muffet McGraw player when you see one...Erin Boley certainly fits, as will Jackie young. Of course, could've seen them in Storris, just like I could've seen KLS in South Bend.

Would welcome any input from Orangutan, Flying A or any other Irish watcher....

 

[UcMiami]

Dillon would you say that MM looks for the same kind of player as Geno or is she a bit looser when it comes to individualism among the recruits.....I have to attribute some of UConn's recent recruiting issues with the limited number of "Boot camp" ready players that are willing sacrifice all for the good of the team.....

I would say they both recruit very similar personalities - a lot of the difference in actual players recruited is likely the result of the recruit's early stated preference than Muffet or Geno having different recruiting philosophies - I doubt either coach wastes much time with a recruit who holds their nose when the ND or Uconn name is mentioned!

Where there may be a slight difference is in track record - Geno has the recent NCs, Muffet doesn't, so for a supremely talented recruit, Muffet might stretch her criteria a little more than Geno is willing to. If gene had no NCs in the last ten years he might be a little less selective than he is.

 

[HuskyNan]

Since 2012 UCONN and ND have gone head to head for the following significant players. I defining head to head as where Both UCONN & ND were among the players top 3-5 finalist.
Jewell Loyd
Michaela Mabrey
Taya Reimer
Brianna Turner
Kathryn Westbeld
Katie Lou Samuelson
Arike Ogunbowale
Napheesa Collier
Erin Boley
Lauren Cox
Megan Walker
Jade Williams

You forgot Skylar Diggins. Yes, Skylar critics, Geno recruited her hard but she's from South Bend and grew up an ND fan. That she considered the Huskies is amazing.

 

[Dillon77]

Since 2012 UCONN and ND have gone head to head for the following significant players. I defining head to head as where Both UCONN & ND were among the players top 3-5 finalist.
Jewell Loyd
Michaela Mabrey
Taya Reimer
Brianna Turner
Kathryn Westbeld
Katie Lou Samuelson
Arike Ogunbowale
Napheesa Collier
Erin Boley
Lauren Cox
Megan Walker
Jade Williams

For 2017, I've read both Geno and Muffet have personally looked at LaDazhia Williams, the 6'2"forward out of Florida, but I don't know if UConn and/or ND are among the top three schools on her list

 

[CocoHusky]

It looks like ND has a distinct recruiting advantage based on that list.are we able to say why that is? Is it just a preference for the school, is it just a better fit in terms of playing time/position or is it that the ND program is a little bit more up to date in how each player is handled on a personal level.....is MM as demanding a coach as Geno....are her practices as tough?

My feeling is that many of today's most talented players are not willing to squelch their egos for the benefit of the team nor are they willing to put out 110% when they know they can get by with 80%......so the question is are their enough great players out there to fortify the UConn program and if not would Geno rather take less talented players and take his chances, championships be damned!!

I don't know the answer....just asking....

I'm not sure that ND has a recruiting advantage just based on this list. If you look deeper and individually I'm not sure you will ever come away with an overall reason. ND, Duke, & Stanford all have better academics than UCONN but lesser WCBB if you use Championships as the measuring stick. I also don't think ego plays a part at this level of recruit, because let's face it Tara and Muffett are no more tolerant of ego than Geno. All other things being equal I think this level of recruits priority comes down to playing time and of late how close can I be to home and still play in top echelon of WCBB. The former (playing time) accounts for Turner, Durr, Rhimer & McCall not being on a UCONN roster and the latter (close to home) accounts for (Wilson, Cox & Delle Donne) also not being on a UCONN roster.