Zags: Dan Hurley revving up recruiting at UConn

[intlzncster]

Yeah the myth that Ollie couldn’t recruit is frustrating. He had a top 15 class just two seasons ago. The problem was that none of them stayed. There’s a former McD’s AA and a potential conference POY still on the roster that he brought here. Not to mention Sid Wilson. Hard to square that with an argument that he couldn’t recruit.

Vis a vis recruiting, KO was not very good at identifying talent in the middle of classes. Everybody can identify the top guys, that's easy. You make your meal with the meat of the class.

He wasn't great at identifying which guys personalities to fit his team and UCONN BB in general.

And as someone else said, he focused too much on the top guys without much effort/intent on the 2nd options. Ended up settling for the Plan C too often. This is one of the reasons for the weird roster constructions over the last few years. The best move would have been to focus mainly on a wide net of B level guys. Target the plan As who are really high on you, but recruit as if they won't come.

 

[intlzncster]

4 years?! Where do people come up with this stuff? He first injured it at the Jordan Brand Classic 2 years ago:

Alterique Gilbert injures shoulder at JBC

Once healthy, he's our starting PG. Period.

He injured it as a sophomore in highschool as well. But the first time it became a 'problem' was at the JBC.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

I get it - the counter argument is that KO’s attorney and the CBA still has him as a MBB Head Coach at UConn - please correct me if I am wrong?

That’s not a counter-argument.

 

[pj]

You don't view AG as a question mark who probably needs to be eased back into the rotation? That's the feeling I got from Hurley listening to his radio interviews. I don't see him averaging more than 15-20 minutes a game to start the season.

Sure, the first game he may get 15-20 minutes. Then if he feels good he'll rapidly win more time.

 

[UconnU]

4 years?! Where do people come up with this stuff? He first injured it at the Jordan Brand Classic 2 years ago:

Alterique Gilbert injures shoulder at JBC

Once healthy, he's our starting PG. Period.

Sorry 4 out of the last 5 years.

 

[CL82]

When you say "never managed to do much with them" -- with them meaning recruiting classes -- exactly how many recruiting classes did he have for their full four years at UConn? And when you answer that (the answer is all of 2), think about your use of "never."

KO is gone. How much longer do we have to listen to the incessant constant exaggeration of everything he ever did in his life?

I'm going with 3 months after his termination matter is settled.

 

[imno1]

Nothing dumber than people speculating on who starts and minutes on players they've never even seen play.

That’s what fans do especially during the off season. I take it that you’ve never posted an opinion on this board.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

Nothing dumber than people speculating on who starts and minutes on players they've never even seen play.

The speculation is dubious, but c'mon, there's lots dumber.

 

[Chief00]

That’s not a counter-argument.

They are saying he can’t be fired for cause without going through some long process - which isn’t completed yet. Therefore, it’s their position, KO is still the head coach.

 

[Confident Carl]

After the national championship in 2014 I expected a line of recruits stretching from KO’s offjice to the highway. He was the hottest property in college basketball. And of course this success led to the disastrous extension that haunts us all today. Yes we were AAC but we were a relevant blue blood where conference mattered not. Aside from Jalen, KO’s recruiting was dismal and reason enough for firing even though some of those classes were well thought of there were no major impact players (not transfers). It was like he swung and missed on everything then picked up what he could. Hurley can be the best coach on earth but he’s just not going to make it happen without getting some big talent, so these recruiting trips are everything. Hopefully he’s a closer.

True Ollie was the hottest property and everyone was concerned about the possibility of him going pro. I remember when the OKC job opened it was between him and Billy Donovan. Everyone was worried that KO would leave. No Question KO loves UCONN and signed the new deal but I've been told by good sources that his ultimate dream job is running an NBA team. If that's true and ultimately he was destined for the NBA then there may have been internal conflict and his heart may not have been 100% there. The rigors of recruiting and coaching up young players would could become laborious on an everyday basis and thus reflected in the final product. I still think losing the entire front line of Enoch, Durham and Jackson for whatever reasons in one season, was the beginning of the end. Something was off. If they remained at UCONN, KO would probably still be here. In Hurley's case, I believe he loves coaching college kids and I can see him retiring at UCONN.

 

[UconnU]

Nothing dumber than people speculating on who starts and minutes on players they've never even seen play.

Isn't this what fans typically do in the off-season? Speculate on next seasons depth chart, style of play, etc?

 

[imno1]

They are saying he can’t be fired for cause without going through some long process - which isn’t completed yet. Therefore, it’s their position, KO is still the head coach.

I may be completely wrong on this but I thought the argument is he can be removed as coach but may still be an employee unless they find just cause

 

[Chief00]

Really interesting connection to Cockburn. Wonder if it makes us the current favorite? Until the other blue bloods come calling I suppose.

Dre, Ben, Facey and Kemba were Jamaicans.

 

[Huskymagic]

CV not being mentioned by Hurley is not accidental. He’s going to lose lots of minutes next year and CV not happy about it.

Hurley is not going to play small with this team.

I’d say Adams, Gilbert Polley, Yakwe, and Carlton is our starting lineup.

If Gilbert not ready don’t be surprised to see Wilson to start at the 2 alongside Polley at the 3.


PS: We are going to play big like the old UCONN days.

 

[navery12]

We never seemed to get good at closing in after casting the wide net and it seems like we always held out for plan A and lost plan B in the process.

And Plans C, D, and E

 

[3rdbass]

4 years?! Where do people come up with this stuff? He first injured it at the Jordan Brand Classic 2 years ago:

Alterique Gilbert injures shoulder at JBC

Once healthy, he's our starting PG. Period.

He had an injury before that one during his sophomore year. He has had 4 shoulder injuries in 5 years so not sure about he starts. I think we will take it slow with him and personally I'm not counting on him based on his history and that is why I hope we still have 4 other guards to start the season.

 

[intlzncster]

I’d say Adams, Gilbert Polley, Yakwe, and Carlton is our starting lineup.

If Gilbert not ready don’t be surprised to see Wilson to start at the 2 alongside Polley at the 3.

Wilson is a way, way better player than Polley. If he doesn't start at the 3 I will be shocked.

 

[JMick]

Wilson is a way, way better player than Polley. If he doesn't start at the 3 I will be shocked.

I want to see how tall he actually is. Someone told me he was closer to 6'4 than 6'7. If that's the case we might see Wilson & Polley out there often.

 

[intlzncster]

I want to see how tall he actually is. Someone told me he was closer to 6'4 than 6'7. If that's the case we might see Wilson & Polley out there often.

From the picks I remember seeing of him on instagram 6'4 sounds off. Can't find anything right now but.

You can see him up against Polley a couple times in this clip:

 

[Son of Robert]

From the picks I remember seeing of him on instagram 6'4 sounds off. Can't find anything right now but.

You can see him up against Polley a couple times in this clip:

Sid looks like a player. Haven't seen too much of him, but he looks smooth and skilled.

 

[UconnU]

From the picks I remember seeing of him on instagram 6'4 sounds off. Can't find anything right now but.

You can see him up against Polley a couple times in this clip:

He's in the 6'6 range.

Polley is crazy long, I wonder what his wingspan is.

 

[Scrutineer]

I won't rehash how KO did recruiting while I tell you Dan Hurley and this staff are creating excitement for sure. Seems like they have 6 coaches out there blanketing the country.

Please, don't give the NCAA any ideas............

 

[JimHurley]

I want to see how tall he actually is. Someone told me he was closer to 6'4 than 6'7. If that's the case we might see Wilson & Polley out there often.

I see him on campus daily. I'd estimate 6'5-6'6. Polley, on the other hand, is very tall. Gotta be 6'9.

 

[intlzncster]

EOD, Hurley's gonna put the best talent on the floor. It's not a measurables competition.

 

[goskis2018]

I want to see how tall he actually is. Someone told me he was closer to 6'4 than 6'7. If that's the case we might see Wilson & Polley out there often.

I'm 6' 6 and he's at least my height. He's got big hair so I'm not sure exactly how much taller he is then me but he's definitely not 6'4 (unless he's 6'4 in socks but I seriously doubt it)

 

[HuskyHawk]

They are saying he can’t be fired for cause without going through some long process - which isn’t completed yet. Therefore, it’s their position, KO is still the head coach.

Their "Constitutional Rights" claim is one of the more ridiculous things I've seen. Should lose on a rule 12(b)(6) motion. I actually took the news of that lawsuit as positive for UConn's position, as it suggests that Ollie's team thinks the "cause" is likely sufficient, and instead of arguing that it is not is arguing that his due process rights were violated when they fired him before having a hearing and demonstrating that cause. But I was at Disney World when it was announced, so may have missed some details.

 

[browndog319]

I've been very impressed with Hurley thus far, very excited to see him on the sidelines this November

He’s got energy. He also came in and he’s showing he knows what to do.
I’ve been in my industry for over 20 years. When I interview or take a new job, I know how to do it. I can come in and immediately assess changes I need to make to improve things because that’s what I’ve been doing. What I need to learn is culture, organization, etc. And this is what we’re seeing from Hurley - he’s returning us to our culture of winning while keeping his learning of the university quiet and behind the scenes. His impact where we care is front and center. I am really pleased. Can’t wait till next year!

 

[jibsey]

Wilson is a way, way better player than Polley. If he doesn't start at the 3 I will be shocked.

I wonder what we can expect from Wilson? I mean a long 4* player a year older should be a major contributor, right?

 

[JMick]

EOD, Hurley's gonna put the best talent on the floor. It's not a measurables competition.

Has Wilson always been listed as a Guard/Forward like he is now on the UConn athletics website? A lot of people here slotted him in to start at the 4 but i think he'll play a lot more at the 2 than the 4 but mostly at the 3.

 

[UConnStats]

Sid Wilson measured in at 6'7 in shoes with a 7 foot wingspan when he signed with St John's.