We can not close the deal with recruits

[Uconnfanatic]

It's really odd. If things just looked awful from the start, you'd think these kids would never have any interest in coming here. But we keep hearing time and time again that these kids are in love with the program, and there's a lot of positive UConn buzz, just to have it all disappear days before they commit somewhere else. I have no idea what the hell is going on.[/QUOTE

It would seem that the parents are being influenced by the negative recruiting stuff that's being dished out about Ollie. The kids seem to love KO & the program. Wonder what it is that's having such a big influence on the parents that they overrule the kids desires. We have seen this at least twice now. And was Pikiell putting out negative crap about Ollie & UConn? If so, not cool.

 

[Uconnfanatic]

It's really odd. If things just looked awful from the start, you'd think these kids would never have any interest in coming here. But we keep hearing time and time again that these kids are in love with the program, and there's a lot of positive UConn buzz, just to have it all disappear days before they commit somewhere else. I have no idea what the hell is going on.

 

[Waquoit]

"The kids seem to love KO & the program."

How can anyone say that with a straight face considering the recent mass defections?

 

[Hi-Low]

Heard the same. ru made a monster push

Since KO has issues with closing & instilling confidence in recruits families mostly it seems.....where do we go to successfully fill the 2018 class?

We will badly need a wing type player in 2018 class and that should be #1 focus I think & then another PG.

The top 15 guys we are pursuing seem unlikely and even Carey seems like a longshot so which 1 or 2 top 100ish should the staff focus on (like RU focused on Mathis) they have a real shot with?

 

[8893]

KO should do a 180 and embrace the bad boy image. Show up with leather chaps, tatts, a National Flag Blue Mohawk and nipple rings.

 

[CL82]

Perception is reality with basketball recruits. You don't typically come back from where KO is right now. Maybe PJ Carlissimo at Seton Hall? I have to assume we'll be looking at a new staff after this season. It could change, but I think the train is heading into the station.

Sure you do. By winning. Whether or not it will happen is the question.

 

[methodology]

"The kids seem to love KO & the program."

How can anyone say that with a straight face considering the recent mass defections?

Cause the ones that stuck around probably do and you don't know if the ones who left, left because of disliking Ollie or they just didn't like their roles

 

[Uconnfanatic]

It would seem that the parents are being influenced by the negative recruiting stuff that's being dished out about Ollie. The kids seem to love KO & the program. Wonder what it is that's having such a big influence on the parents that they overrule the kids' desires. We have seen this at least twice now. And was Pikiell putting out negative crap about Ollie & UConn? If so, not cool.

 

[CL82]

KO should do a 180 and embrace the bad boy image. Show up with leather chaps, tatts, a National Flag Blue Mohawk and nipple rings.

 

[Whtdmd]

Yep, that's it. MAL commits to UConn knowing Alterique is in the backcourt then decides a year later he doesn't want to play here because Alterique is in the backcourt. It's amazing people still don't want to face what's right in front of them.

Mal from my sources was scared off. He got the excuse that he needed with Miller. Here is what I think/speculate went down. He was a highly rated recruit who had a lot of holes in his game. He was eligible for 16 but did a postgrad yr to improve his shooting n point guard skills. It did not happen, he average like 14 and 3 assists. Shooting 50% form free throw line and 30% from 3. He was air balling 3s when the two times when I saw him play when he was challenge. He was going to be a defense specialist for us this yr. There was no way he was getting minutes over Vital. He did not want to be the 4th guard since he is already old. BTW, all the Brewster games r on utube. Check him out, grossly overated

 

[8893]

If the narrative is that his sales pitch is ringing hollow with parents because the reality doesn't match the image projected, maybe it's time to change the image. Probably a better bet than changing the reality.

 

[CL82]

If the narrative is that his sales pitch is ringing hollow with parents because the reality doesn't match the image projected, maybe it's time to change the image. Probably a better bet than changing the reality.

It was the "new image" that you chose. I don't know you anymore. I'm thinking about calling Mrs. 8893 for an intervention.

 

[8893]

It was the "new image" that you chose. I don't know you anymore. I'm thinking about calling Mrs. 8893 for an intervention.

I was thinking Rodmanesque, i.e., bad boy.

I honestly have zero idea what type of behavior by KO is being alluded to here in recent months, except that it is said to be in conflict with a wholesome image.

 

[mauconnfan]

"The kids seem to love KO & the program."

How can anyone say that with a straight face considering the recent mass defections?

This would be a first huh, kids leaving because they and their family think they didn't play enough? Please stupid post.

The kids do like KO - the problem is obviously he's not winning over the parents as he should, huge issue as we are seeing but the kids still can bond with him. Better figure out the other stuff or it won't end well.

 

[CL82]

I was thinking Rodmanesque, i.e., bad boy.

I honestly have zero idea what type of behavior by KO is being alluded to here in recent months, except that it is said to be in conflict with a wholesome image.

Same, although I had a PM that was somewhat more detailed. If there's more, I'd love to hear it. It sure seems like some people have details. Hard to tell how much of htat is BY BS though.

 

[tower1]

1 crappy few seasons
2 lack of nba development since ollie took over (i understand there are a few guys
3 conference
4 huge number of kids transferring
5 ollie is not the fatherly coach we developed our program on
6 serious negative recruiting

These are the few things my contacts have said why uconn is losing recruits

Yep, along with rewarding coaches with big contracts after crappy seasons. Makes no sense. Did it with Diaco and then Ollie.

 

[GemParty]

Two descriptions that always burn us. "So & so was their top guy, the school went all in on him", & "they made a huge late push, promised him everything"

When will we learn? Carey is our top guy. Will we do the same?

Maybe our staff needs to take a sales coarse. In real estate, if you don't close, you don't eat.

 

[Waquoit]

This would be a first huh, kids leaving because they and their family think they didn't play enough? Please stupid post.

Four at a time? That's considered a drove! I think the kool-aid is rotting your brain.

 

[mauconnfan]

Four at a time? That's considered a drove! I think the kool-aid is rotting your brain.

No kool aid here. But coming from a guy who whines constantly about people getting to games then throwing out that a HC job at URI would be equal to that of the UConn job, well you should be proud of that representation LOL

 

[UCweCONN]

KO should do a 180 and embrace the bad boy image. Show up with leather chaps, tatts, a National Flag Blue Mohawk and nipple rings.

And singing YMCA? Actually, you may be on to something. To get out of the recruiting abyss, strictly recruit the top gay players. Host a recruit cruise instead of campus visits? Hire John Amaechi as big man coach. Maybe Bernie Fine as associate head coach? Now that's thinking outside the box.

 

[uchusky32]

Not sure what the blind eye is towards what both Mom's felt. KO needs to figute out why the last 2 parents didnt buy what he was selling. That trump everything else in the end.

 

[mauconnfan]

And singing YMCA? Actually, you may be on to something. To get out of the recruiting abyss, strictly recruit the top gay players. Host a recruit cruise instead of campus visits? Hire John Amaechi as big man coach. Maybe Bernie Fine as associate head coach? Now that's thinking outside the box.

Wow not politically correct but pretty damn funny

 

[Waquoit]

But coming from a guy who whines constantly about people getting to games

Just for the record, my consistent derision on this topic has always been firmly focused on "fans" that don't go to games badmouthing the better fans who do.

 

[mauconnfan]

Not sure what the blind eye is towards what both Mom's felt. KO needs to figute out why the last 2 parents didnt buy what he was selling. That trump everything else in the end.

No doubt there's issues but we are talking parents and their kids here. My parents went to every game me and my brother played until we were 30. When my brother played in the minors in the NY Penn League in the summer my dad took Fridays off and we went wherever the weekend series was despite it being anywhere from 4-5 hours away. They as parents want to be there - in Sids case they don't have to drive perfect fit at St Johns. In this case RU is 3 hours best from Baltimore, UConn is either a flight or 6-7 hours. It could be that simple right?

I'm not blind there's a HUGE issue and they both more than likely aren't that but I am sure of those 2 one of them are for that reason alone, at least one! It happens in close families and that's a good thing right?

 

[mauconnfan]

Just for the record, my consistent derision on this topic has always been firmly focused on "fans" that don't go to games badmouthing the better fans who do.

Oh so you can bad mouth YOUR program though. Nice keep up the good work Waq you're a gem.