Why would a recruit choose UConn?

[Tonyc]

UConn has so much more to offer for those who want to play WCBB. First of all all the games are televised so if you family and friends want to watch you they can on tv. I don't believe any other school can offer that. Next assuming past history UConn wins NCs and is a Final Four team almost every year. Odds are if you come to UConn you will attain that goal. Professional Ball in the WNBA or overseas, or Olympics. UConn UConn UConn. So what are the draw backs. Well when I look at kids who want more playtime as freshman, or stay close to home so their parents and friends can watch them. Well for the winners, I say this, which was taught to me by a former touring pro from the PGA tour. When your good people will tell you your good you don't have to tell anybody how good you are. If you want to make it on the big stage, your going to have to pay a huge price, pay it in advance and their are no guarantees. Your going to have to do what others wont do and your going to have to give up your good times with sacrifice to become the best you can be. Most of all you need the best teachers available. So for those great HS players out there looking for a career in BB. There is only one UConn and theyre number 1. I think when you look at some of the great players in WCBB who never won a NC, Im sure inside many of their heads theyre thinking if I only went to UConn I would've won a NC, and all that talk about how tuff it is, and its cold in CT and you'll be away from home really dosnt matter because you missed out on your dream. There are no second chances. You see your development is the most important part of your future. Its not about your freshman or sophomore years, its about what you accomplish your junior and senior years. How many teams have non starters who are playing in the WNBA and Overseas making big time money? UConn does. You see if you don't change the way you think and approach your future...well your HS years will be just like your College years.

 

[sTu]

I prefer the less rational reason. They come because of the dairy bar.

 

[MilfordHusky]

And the Boneyard.

 

[UcMiami]

Tony - I think that is simplistic. Uconn is just not right for a bunch of very talented driven kids for any number of reasons. And winning a championship is great, but the four years between 18 and 22 spent in college are to important too a young persons development to make it all about basketball. As an example - BG was not ready to leave TX at 18. And she was not ready to be an Olympian at 21. If she played for Geno for four years would she be a better player - maybe/probably. But if she was miserable personally during those 4 years, she would probably not be a better ball player and would definitely not be a better person. And maybe she really doesn't like Geno - amazingly some people do not! So just simple personal chemistry makes a huge difference between coach and player.
An example of a player that I think would have been better elsewhere is Charde. She was very talented but I think had a real problem with Uconn and Geno. I respect her for staying and working through it, but I don't think it was a 'happy time' and I think she might have fared better and developed more with a different coach at a different school.

 

[Zorro]

I don't think it is really a matter of "having to give up your good times", Tony, so much as experiencing a change in what constitutes "good times". I think that Geno's kids have a helluva good time. Look at the videos they have made. Sure they work hard, but working hard is in its own way having a good time, IF it is toward a goal. And it is a more lasting good time than, say, lounging around in the dorm watching, say, the Kardashians, as I am led to believe a lot of college women do. I am willing to bet that if you asked almost any of our players past or present, not just Maya and D and Sue and the other greats, but Marci Czel and Stacey Marron and Heather and Nicole Wolff, "did you have a good time in your years at UConn?", the answer would be overwhelmingly in the affirmative. And those who didn't have a good time here probably wouldn't have had a good time anywhere.

 

[Bestiarius]

There is no doubt that going to UConn vastly improves your chances of going to the final four and winning a NC.

Some elite players feel that they are good enough to make almost any school a final four contender, so they go elsewhere to become a star. But, the odds are against it. Injury has dashed many a dream. A slump at the wrong time can be devastating. UConn is a team that is strong enough to weather these storms. Caroline and Brianna had some injury misfortunes that hampered them, but they still are proud possessors of championship rings.

Regarding talk of Connecticut weather as a recruit deterrent – it irks me. The weather in CT isn’t that bad, and the winter isn’t that long. There are a lot colder places, Minnesota for one, where the words freeze andass are very commonly heard. In fact, most of the B1G school locations are colder than CT.

There is a lot of good in a CT winter. First, it’s beautiful when it snows, and that provides a whole host of fun like skiing, sledding, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, ice fishing, ice skating, hockey, and more (like being close to New York City and Boston). For years, my wife and I raced sailboats on Long Island Sound every Sunday afternoon from November to April. Winter is fun! By the time you’re starting to get tired of it, it’s over and spring arrives, opening up a whole new variety of activities and a change of scenery.

So, for recruits who have spent their lives in other parts of the country, I suggest coming to Connecticut. You’ll add a whole host of new life experiences, and probably pick up a national championship or two as a bonus.

 

[cohenzone]

I prefer the less rational reason. They come because of the dairy bar.

Beat me to it. Of course Tony left out the most obvious reason. Himself.

 

[alexrgct]

Geno's first full recruiting cycle at uconn brought in the 1987 recruiting class, which had Kerry Bascom. Since then, every single recruiting class has been to at least a Final Four. Geno is also in the midst of a 14-year stretch during which Uconn has averaged a national championship every other year. During that same timeframe, only five other schools have won one. Throw in all of the successful pro alumnae, Olympians, etc., and the value proposition is clear: if you want to be the best basketball player you can be on the best team with the best chance to compete for an NC, Uconn is the place.

This does not mean Uconn is for everyone. New England is remote for a lot of kids. For every Diana or Kaleena, there are 10 kids who wouldn't dream of leaving Cali to go cross country. Add to it that Storrs is not much of a college town, that a lot of sun belt kids don't like winter, and that for many kids the proximity of cool places doesn't make up for the college town itself wing nice, and you're destined to lose some recruits that way. Some kids aren't going to relate to Geno. He's incredibly demanding and accepts nothing less than the best he sees a kid being able to produce. That's tough for a lot of kids to deal with at age 18.

Bottom line, Uconn can't get them all, but Geno and CD do recruit hard and successfully all over the country on a level few other programs can match.

 

[Ozzie Nelson]

UConn has so much more to offer for those who want to play WCBB. First of all all the games are televised so if you family and friends want to watch you they can on tv. I don't believe any other school can offer that. Next assuming past history UConn wins NCs and is a Final Four team almost every year. Odds are if you come to UConn you will attain that goal. Professional Ball in the WNBA or overseas, or Olympics. UConn UConn UConn. So what are the draw backs. Well when I look at kids who want more playtime as freshman, or stay close to home so their parents and friends can watch them. Well for the winners, I say this, which was taught to me by a former touring pro from the PGA tour. When your good people will tell you your good you don't have to tell anybody how good you are. If you want to make it on the big stage, your going to have to pay a huge price, pay it in advance and their are no guarantees. Your going to have to do what others wont do and your going to have to give up your good times with sacrifice to become the best you can be. Most of all you need the best teachers available. So for those great HS players out there looking for a career in BB. There is only one UConn and theyre number 1. I think when you look at some of the great players in WCBB who never won a NC, Im sure inside many of their heads theyre thinking if I only went to UConn I would've won a NC, and all that talk about how tuff it is, and its cold in CT and you'll be away from home really dosnt matter because you missed out on your dream. There are no second chances. You see your development is the most important part of your future. Its not about your freshman or sophomore years, its about what you accomplish your junior and senior years. How many teams have non starters who are playing in the WNBA and Overseas making big time money? UConn does. You see if you don't change the way you think and approach your future...well your HS years will be just like your College years.

"When I was 17" as Frank would sing...lot to expect a teenager to cognitively process. At 17 I was a doofus. Still am.

 

[HGN]

UConn is certainly not for everyone........But for those select and lucky 15 players that want to matriculate at a very good school ; play WCBB at the very highest level ; and have a chance to play for the NCAA National Championship every year ; there is no better place to play than UCONN.

 

[EricLA]

Good thread and good comments by everyone. I'll just add that I can understand some fans feeling (in the most basic form) that UCONN has the best basketball program in the nation by a pretty wide margin. It's not just the Olympians and players in the WNBA that is impressive. To me even more so are the kids like Jess Moore, Ashley Battle, Kelly Schumacher, Kalana Greene and maybe a few others who were barely in the top 20 or not even in the top 30 coming out of HS, but managed to be developed enough to make it in the pros (I do think Battle was probably top 15 so maybe she's not the greatest example). I mention Greene because after her ACL injury, she had to become a different player and rely more on skills than athleticism. The staff helped teach her those things and she's a starter in the WNBA.

If the ONLY think a kid cares about is winning NC's and playing with and for the best, then of course UCONN is really the only choice. But there are so many other options and other valid choices for kids that include much better weather, more vibrant college towns, better campuses, and closer proximity to their homes. I really respect the kids like KML and Jefferson who travel far from home and come from warm sunny climates to play at UCONN. It's simply amazing that the staff can continue to get top kids to Storrs.

 

[HGN]

Good thread and good comments by everyone. I'll just add that I can understand some fans feeling (in the most basic form) that UCONN has the best basketball program in the nation by a pretty wide margin. It's not just the Olympians and players in the WNBA that is impressive. To me even more so are the kids like Jess Moore, Ashley Battle, Kelly Schumacher, Kalana Greene and maybe a few others who were barely in the top 20 or not even in the top 30 coming out of HS, but managed to be developed enough to make it in the pros (I do think Battle was probably top 15 so maybe she's not the greatest example). I mention Greene because after her ACL injury, she had to become a different player and rely more on skills than athleticism. The staff helped teach her those things and she's a starter in the WNBA.

If the ONLY think a kid cares about is winning NC's and playing with and for the best, then of course UCONN is really the only choice. But there are so many other options and other valid choices for kids that include much better weather, more vibrant college towns, better campuses, and closer proximity to their homes. I really respect the kids like KML and Jefferson who travel far from home and come from warm sunny climates to play at UCONN. It's simply amazing that the staff can continue to get top kids to Storrs.

Eric , I am not surprised that the staff continues to get top kids to come to Storrs.......It depends upon what the kid wants for college and a BB career. Kids come to Storrs for a good college education and to be the best and play the best. They have competed in HS . Perhaps even won Regional and State Championships. Now they have become addicted to winning. Now they want a NCAA National Championship to add to their hardware. And there is no better place to get that NC than in Storrs.

 

[UcMiami]

Eric - what impresses me most with the players you mentioned (and I will add Ketia Swanier to that list) is not that they get to the WNBA but that they stay in the WNBA. With the influx of new talent every year and the small rosters and shrinking franchises for the non-star quality players to be able to retain their places is truly impressive - Of course Sue and DT and Maya will be playing year after year, but Ketia?, Battle?, Jess?!!! That is a true testament to them and to the coaching/training they received at Uconn.

 

[EricLA]

Eric - what impresses me most with the players you mentioned (and I will add Ketia Swanier to that list) is not that they get to the WNBA but that they stay in the WNBA. With the influx of new talent every year and the small rosters and shrinking franchises for the non-star quality players to be able to retain their places is truly impressive - Of course Sue and DT and Maya will be playing year after year, but Ketia?, Battle?, Jess?!!! That is a true testament to them and to the coaching/training they received at Uconn.

Good one - forgot about Ketia! Another great example!!

 

[arty155]

...I think that Geno's kids have a helluva good time.... .

“We tell recruits, ‘If you want to win championships, come to UConn,’ ” Auriemma said. “ ‘If it’s all about you, then don’t come to UConn. It’s about us, it’s not about you. We want you to become an All-American, but we want you to do it within the team framework.’ ”
-------------

sis·ter·hood

/ˈsistərˌho͝od/

Noun

1. The relationship between sisters.
2. The feeling of kinship with and closeness to a group of women or all women.

 

[meganmatthews]

UConn has so much more to offer for those who want to play WCBB. First of all all the games are televised so if you family and friends want to watch you they can on tv. I don't believe any other school can offer that. Next assuming past history UConn wins NCs and is a Final Four team almost every year. Odds are if you come to UConn you will attain that goal. Professional Ball in the WNBA or overseas, or Olympics. UConn UConn UConn. So what are the draw backs. Well when I look at kids who want more playtime as freshman, or stay close to home so their parents and friends can watch them. Well for the winners, I say this, which was taught to me by a former touring pro from the PGA tour. When your good people will tell you your good you don't have to tell anybody how good you are. If you want to make it on the big stage, your going to have to pay a huge price, pay it in advance and their are no guarantees. Your going to have to do what others wont do and your going to have to give up your good times with sacrifice to become the best you can be. Most of all you need the best teachers available. So for those great HS players out there looking for a career in BB. There is only one UConn and theyre number 1. I think when you look at some of the great players in WCBB who never won a NC, Im sure inside many of their heads theyre thinking if I only went to UConn I would've won a NC, and all that talk about how tuff it is, and its cold in CT and you'll be away from home really dosnt matter because you missed out on your dream. There are no second chances. You see your development is the most important part of your future. Its not about your freshman or sophomore years, its about what you accomplish your junior and senior years. How many teams have non starters who are playing in the WNBA and Overseas making big time money? UConn does. You see if you don't change the way you think and approach your future...well your HS years will be just like your College years.

Tonyc, don't hold back. Tell me how you really feel about Uconn.

 

[meganmatthews]

But really, Tonyc, that was an impressive endorsement for Uconn. So impressive that I read it to my sister (who is 8 months pregnant.) The following day, she went to the doctor for an ultrasound scan. Amazingly, in the baby's right hand was a tiny letter of intent to Uconn. Now that's impressive.

 

[DaddyChoc]

Morgan Tuck is another great example... mild-mannered, old-soul who you would think wouldn't like Geno's style now is a National Champ in her 1st season coming from the mid-west

 

[Geno-ista]

Tony - I think that is simplistic. Uconn is just not right for a bunch of very talented driven kids for any number of reasons. And winning a championship is great, but the four years between 18 and 22 spent in college are to important too a young persons development to make it all about basketball. As an example - BG was not ready to leave TX at 18. And she was not ready to be an Olympian at 21. If she played for Geno for four years would she be a better player - maybe/probably. But if she was miserable personally during those 4 years, she would probably not be a better ball player and would definitely not be a better person. And maybe she really doesn't like Geno - amazingly some people do not! So just simple personal chemistry makes a huge difference between coach and player.
An example of a player that I think would have been better elsewhere is Charde. She was very talented but I think had a real problem with Uconn and Geno. I respect her for staying and working through it, but I don't think it was a 'happy time' and I think she might have fared better and developed more with a different coach at a different school.

UC- you are right about charde for sure! Griner and Geno according to both of them really enjoyed the time they spent together in USA tryouts in Philly I think. And it was a lot of time as I remember.

 

[Geno-ista]

Morgan Tuck is another great example... mild-mannered, old-soul who you would think wouldn't like Geno's style now is a National Champ in her 1st season coming from the mid-west

Daddy Choc- and geno loves her- really loves her. I met her parents during the big east tmt- beautiful people. She seams to get him and has figured out how to handle him. She has been cool and calm on the court , and became confident and unfair aid to make mistakes. I think she is going to become a monster for us. She played a lot during crunch time down the stretch. Getting off track. But u wouldn't figure their personalities to mesh is great observation!

 

[DaddyChoc]

she seems to be a kid that Geno would never bark at

 

[JS]

Morgan Tuck is another great example... mild-mannered, old-soul

What's an old-soul?

Is that what Old King Cole was a merry one of?

 

[DaddyChoc]

chillin, laid back... dont mingle with "kiddie stuff", serious... not easily amused... not loud or a attention seeker






(mods still up at this hour )

 

[JS]

Geno is also in the midst of a 14-year stretch during which Uconn has averaged a national championship every other year.

Eight for eight is the lion's share of undefeated.

Of course fans of Baylor, TAMU, MD, NC, TT and TX can also say they've never experienced a championship game loss. But of these only Baylor has more than one win (i.e. 2).

And then there are the fans of most NCAA teams that've never experienced a championship game loss -- nor a win either.

Which fans know best what it feels like to lose a championship game? Tennessee lost five of them, of which three were to UConn.

 

[alexrgct]

Four were to Uconn- 1995, 2000, 2003, 2004!

This on top of the USC loss in 1984.

Plus there was the national semis shallacking in 2002.

Yes, the LVs will always have the 1996 national semis and the 1997 regional finals, but that's still gotta sting a lot. It's no wonder UConn is so hated.