What is Ollie's Perspective on Recruits?

[diggerfoot]

I don't follow recruiting closely, I know the AAC is not the conference we want to be in and I know the Internet tends to attract pessimists like moths to a light. However, I suspect that with the little bit I know about our players and recruits Ollie is feeling confident and optimistic about the future.

We have appropriate size and athleticism at each position. With the exception of basketball newbies like Brimah and Facey, they also have some offensive talent, and it's possible that with development even the newbies could have talent. A coach who is confident in his abilities to mold players has got to be salivating at the prospects with this crop whether they are one star or five star. We know by now that Ollie feels he is such a coach, and probably is feeling very, very good about what he has got to work with in the future, recruiting stars aside.

Now maybe Ollie is not such a coach to mold players, despite evidence to the contrary. If you believe that, then it makes sense to be alarmed with anything besides players who don't need much molding to begin with. I'm excited about the possibilities because I believe Ollie is excited about the possibilities of what he can do with the existing size, athleticism and talent he has recruited. Ten toes in!

 

[Kitaman]

Ollie is a coach with an NBA eye and in-depth knowledge of required skills. If he likes a recruit then he see Div 1 skill sets. That's the basis for a pro career. Not everyone can or will make the NBA but his players will succeed on the Div 1 level, with annual skill improvements to their game. Samuel and his other recruits are the start of a new day in Storrs and I too am excited of the possibilities of what he will mold with the clay he is recruiting.

 

[HooperScooper]

I'd add that Ollie seems to gravitate to recruits who show a high level of enthusiasm and effort on the court, not just talent. He equates those 2 traits with a good work ethic. If they have those 3 with at least some skills and inate ability he figures he can win with that.

I think the best teams at UConn were ones who had role players and a couple stars. So with Hamilton and Purvis UConn has stars and then fill the others around them and there's no reason UConn can't win big with that. Let UK, KU, UNC, etc. have 7 McDonald's All Americans. That's not the only way to win.

 

[OkaForPrez]

Let UK, KU, UNC, etc. have 7 McDonald's All Americans. That's not the only way to win.

Its not yet proven as the best way to win either.

 

[caw]

From Amore article:

"Ollie, a former point guard, said this week that his dream would be to have four players on the floor who could handle the ball at all times. He likes big guards, athletic frontcourt players, and versatility."

I think that spells out what Ollie is interested in.

 

[RichZ]

From Amore article:

"Ollie, a former point guard, said this week that his dream would be to have four players on the floor who could handle the ball at all times. He likes big guards, athletic frontcourt players, and versatility."

I think that spells out what Ollie is interested in.

I seem to recall a coach somewhere saying something about a wide body in the lane and four 6-7 guys with hops and a handle. I think it was Al McGwire, but I'm not sure any more.

 

[Vuce]

From Amore article:

"Ollie, a former point guard, said this week that his dream would be to have four players on the floor who could handle the ball at all times. He likes big guards, athletic frontcourt players, and versatility."

I think that spells out what Ollie is interested in.

JC liked to have that to a degree when he was coaching at Northeastern. When he got to Uconn he obviously needed more size to deal with the other programs in the Big East.

 

[caw]

JC liked to have that to a degree when he was coaching at Northeastern. When he got to Uconn he obviously needed more size to deal with the other programs in the Big East.

True, though JC often transformed his based on personnel.

 

[Danzz]

I think it is a good rule. Can you imagine the hysteria, media manipulation and social media campaigns if coaches could comment? Just look at this board during recruiting season and then imagine what it would be like if coaches could comment on recruits. The answer is verbals really don't mean very much and other coaches would find it open season on the players.

 

[Danzz]

True, though JC often transformed his based on personnel.

JC got criticized early on for not being able to coach big guys. Of course not having any high level big men before Donyell may have had something to do with that. Funny how success can change fans perceptions.

 

[caw]

JC got criticized early on for not being able to coach big guys. Of course not having any high level big men before Donyell may have had something to do with that. Funny how success can change fans perceptions.

I should have been clearer. He did vastly change the tempo he wanted from his teams and the type of plays he called based on his teams personnel.

 

[Waquoit]

JC got criticized early on for not being able to coach big guys.

That's true. But did you notice that the ones saying that were idiots?