What was rush accepting Cobb commitment?

[champs99and04]

I actually think Durham is the big wildcard upfront. Its clear he actually knows how to play and has better basketball instincts than any other big man that KO has brought in, he just needs more time to trust and develop his body after the ACL tears. If he can make a big jump this summer in those 2 areas it wouldn't suprise me if he becomes a 25mpg(at the minimum) player next year up front.

As for TSam I would just like to move on from that Purvis/Brimah/Facey/TSam group all together, no need to go back imo.

Agree on Durham, he's the guy that can change the ceiling of next years team. I just have no idea what to expect.

I'd rather spend a scholly on T-Sam than burn a four year on somebody we're reaching for, but I'll acknowledge that his connection to the program is the only reason I feel that way. Perhaps if he's willing to twist in the wind for a while we'll eventually have one open for him.

 

[Matrim55]

What was the rush on accepting Bonzie Colson's commitment? Oops we didn't.
What was the rush on accepting Bruce Brown's commitment? Oops we didn't.
What was the rush on accepting Tyrique Jones's commitment? Oops we didn't.

We haven't recruited as well as we should've over the last five years because we were determined to hit home runs, and ended up with a lot of strikeouts.

In this instance there's nothing wrong with hitting an opposite-field single that could end up as extra-bases on the turn.

 

[Tenspro2002]

I actually think Durham is the big wildcard upfront. Its clear he actually knows how to play and has better basketball instincts than any other big man that KO has brought in, he just needs more time to trust and develop his body after the ACL tears. If he can make a big jump this summer in those 2 areas it wouldn't suprise me if he becomes a 25mpg(at the minimum) player next year up front.

As for TSam I would just like to move on from that Purvis/Brimah/Facey/TSam group all together, no need to go back imo.

I'm not sure Durham will ever have enough bulk to really hold down the 5. (God-willing the string-bean era is over.)

I see him more as a bigger stretch-4 when we go big, vs. Jackson who is a smaller stretch-4.

 

[James]

imo, kevin ollie is a great defensive coach and recruiter, but his lack of creativity offensively in game and even skill development is worrisome and needs work. For one thing, i'm sure we all saw how terrible the bigs were at screening and rolling as a threat. The thing with pnr is the strong roll itself is a quintessential action in modern hoop, instead he spends a lot of time trying to 'play inside out' for low % jump hooks or running guys off floppy with no good screening happening. Maybe this kid could be that strong screener and body on the offensive glass.

 

[businesslawyer]

Didn't have a problem with the signing, definitely had a problem with the timing. If you wan to take a flier on a kid, fine. Don't do it when the current front court is basically full of fliers. We needed a proven player and at this point in the process that was only going to be accomplished through the grad market. If that means scouring for a grad transfer and you end up losing Cobb, so be it.

We essentially added a depth piece to a front court that isn't any good rather than adding a depth piece - T-Sam - to a back court that is ready to go. That seems backwards to me.

God that's dumb. You know why? Because the coaches offered knowing which grad transfers might be seriously interested in UConn and you don't. It's like criticizing a blackjack player's decision to draw on a 14 when he knows what cards are in the deck and you don't.

 

[champs99and04]

God that's dumb. You know why? Because the coaches offered knowing which grad transfers might be seriously interested in UConn and you don't. It's like criticizing a blackjack player's decision to draw on a 14 when he knows what cards are in the deck and you don't.

OK you're right, the staff definitely knew they had no chance at any grad transfers on March 7th, despite the fact that the majority of the country's seasons were still ongoing and despite the fact that they're not technically allowed to contact players until they are officially given their release. Many of these kids themselves don't know where they want to play college ball next season but the UConn coaching staff does. OK.

 

[businesslawyer]

OK you're right, the staff definitely knew they had no chance at any grad transfers on March 7th, despite the fact that the majority of the country's seasons were still ongoing and despite the fact that they're not technically allowed to contact players until they are officially given their release. Many of these kids themselves don't know where they want to play college ball next season but the UConn coaching staff does. OK.

Kids aren't speaking to schools. Their AAU and high school coaches know how to gage interest. And if you think this board knows whose high school or AAU coach may have a player wanting to move but our coaches don't, I don't know what to tell you.

 

[champs99and04]

Kids aren't speaking to schools. Their AAU and high school coaches know how to gage interest. And if you think this board knows whose high school or AAU coach may have a player wanting to move but our coaches don't, I don't know what to tell you.

You think high school and AAU coaches are privy to the thoughts of kids 4+ years removed from high school? If I'm trying to put myself in the shoes of a potential grad transfer...that's a tough decision, a decision that, at this juncture, I probably haven't even made for myself. Sure you can put feelers out if you're the UConn coaching staff, but until the kid himself is in a position where he's not occupied with the grind of a season, I don't know how accurate of a gauge that is. It has nothing to do with me "knowing" what players want to move, it's a skepticism that player X from St. Bonaventure decided where he wanted to play college ball in 2018 two months ago.

 

[Towney007]

Yeah I mean this team is pretty talented. In terms of raw talent, you're not going to do better at most positions on the floor. They desperately need bulk and size. This guy fits the bill and whoever made the analogy it's an opposite field single. Then sure. That's what it is. Minutes, boards and anything else is a gift. If the players that need to take a step forward take a step forward, this is a solid add.

 

[hoophuskee]

I don't agree with the OP at all. I think UCONN needs a big. At worst mix and match - when we play the burly teams we have two big guys. Next year Adams should be a beast, shouldn't he?

 

[hardcorehusky]

If Ollie said- Steve Enoch- you haven't put it all together yet and I am not going to bring in another accomplished big to push you in case you don't take the next big step. That my Boneyard friends, would be suicide on the season. Durham is not ready, Diarra is coming of injury and a good high school freshman center isn't going to take us to the promised land. Cobb fits a big need- he is big and has the opportunity to push his way into the lineup. At worst case, he gives us a little experience and a big body- something we haven't had in ages.

As for pick and roll or pick and pop basketball- Cobb isn't it. Neither was AB and Facey (who had a stretch of 8 games where he was confident in his shot) were guys who were pick and pop guys. Moving forward, who knows.

I would love to see Durham redshirt to build up strength and confidence. He is not a 5- he is a 4 that is still 25 lbs too light and lacks the confidence to show everyone why he was the #27 recruit in the country.
Finally, looking at 5th year guys- staff did it 2 years ago, didn't this past year. Would love to know their thoughts on them.

 

[navery12]

It was only a few short months ago that fans were complaining that too often we don't take guys who want to commit because we're holding out hope for better players. I can't keep up with what KO should be doing anymore

 

[rip7774]

My point as OP (not a KO basher) was we r really tight scholarship wise. If we were taking 4 kids then no issue. Just seems we need a shooter and most of all low post banger (I would add who can score some). Not sure he fills role of scorer and we have done so well (Kromah, Miller, Gibbs, and even Evans) and with only one left looking at potentially 0 for 2018 (I understand Jalen prob not here for Sr year).

I love adding a tough player as we were so weak inside this year. But seems like high risk move with such limited scholarships.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

My point as OP (not a KO basher) was we r really tight scholarship wise. If we were taking 4 kids then no issue. Just seems we need a shooter and most of all low post banger (I would add who can score some). Not sure he fills role of scorer and we have done so well (Kromah, Miller, Gibbs, and even Evans) and with only one left looking at potentially 0 for 2018 (I understand Jalen prob not here for Sr year).

I love adding a tough player as we were so weak inside this year. But seems like high risk move with such limited scholarships.

It seems that you believe this kid would have waited until mid April, late April, whenever to commit while knowing the only reason we wanted him to wait was to allow us to pull the offer if we found someone better.

Please tell me how we could have presented this scenario to someone and have any chance of him saying "sure coach, I'll be happy to jeopardize my chances with the other schools looking at me just to be there if you can't find someone better".

 

[rip7774]

I work closely w a Juco in my town and there is no rush for these kids. None. It is not at all the same as HS recruiting.

I just think with our severely limited scholarships a 5th year big who is a bonafide scorer / rebounder a la Shonn Miller would have been better fit. Then next year that spot is open.

What schools were hot on his trail?

 

[boog204]

I don't know, I've watched the majority of games this tourney and I feel like every team has at least 3-4 guys who are 6-8+ 230+ and tough. We have one (Enoch) and he's soft as hell. Vance and Kenton might be listed there, but they are soft too. I'm digging the idea of a guy who is 6-10 280 throwing his weight around and being able to slam someone with a screen. Bare minimum, I think this was a solid signing as we need someone with some toughness and a bird in the hand... This is not a guy who was a nobody. He was a 4 star signee with P5 offers out of high school and now. Considering the make-up of our team going further, I actually think Cobb is a better choice compared to a one year mercenary. No offence to Miller at all, but in a lot of ways we would have been better served having Facey play more last year so he could have (conceivably) been even better this year.

 

[jibsey]

Yeah, I remember the time they flat-out refused to recruit Diamond Stone, Abdul-Malik Abu, Jessie Govan, and Zach Brown because they thought Brimah, Facey and Enoch were all superior.

Have you been watching mid major teams in the tournament? Because if you haven't you missed a lot of talented players that weren't named Diamond Stone. There are a lot of choices out there and the ones they chose for us were not very good.

 

[rip7774]

I don't know, I've watched the majority of games this tourney and I feel like every team has at least 3-4 guys who are 6-8+ 230+ and tough. We have one (Enoch) and he's soft as hell. Vance and Kenton might be listed there, but they are soft too. I'm digging the idea of a guy who is 6-10 280 throwing his weight around and being able to slam someone with a screen. Bare minimum, I think this was a solid signing as we need someone with some toughness and a bird in the hand... This is not a guy who was a nobody. He was a 4 star signee with P5 offers out of high school and now. Considering the make-up of our team going further, I actually think Cobb is a better choice compared to a one year mercenary. No offence to Miller at all, but in a lot of ways we would have been better served having Facey play more last year so he could have (conceivably) been even better this year.

Good points. I agree w everything u said. Facey would have been served well. We really need Durham or Diarra to be useful or I think we will have trouble rebounding. Hope this guy can help.

 

[boog204]

Good points. I agree w everything u said. Facey would have been served well. We really need Durham or Diarra to be useful or I think we will have trouble rebounding. Hope this guy can help.

I have a bizarre optimism/expectation that Enoch will be a very solid center for us next year. I think he is very close to being a 12 and 7 guy. If Durham and Diarra can be closer to 100% they should give us another element. Durham is very talented, but is too timid/weak/scared to trust himself just yet. Understandable. Diarra, on paper, is the guy that we have missed for many years. That undersized, tough "warrior" type who overachieves. Those guys destroy us on a daily basis (see Gary Clark and every big man on SMU over the last 5 years).