February 2020 UConn Recruiting Thread | Page 25 | The Boneyard

February 2020 UConn Recruiting Thread

oldude

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If what you describe is against his better judgment, I doubt that he'd take her. I'm sure he'll know what the ramifications will be and that will form his decision.
We can certainly speculate about what Geno would or could do. We can also look at what he’s done in the past as predictive of what he’ll do in the future.

While some coaches such as Dawn have routinely brought in transfers, Geno has only done so when he came up short in prior recruiting years. Next year is clearly not a year when Geno came up short. He will coach the team he has.

When musical chairs starts immediately following the end of this season as hundreds of players place their names in the transfer portal, I am absolutely confident that Geno and UConn will not consider a single one.
 

oldude

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You said she was in a group of 4 that "could play about anywhere on the floor" which would include guard. I'm just saying that guard won't be one of them
My original post was in response to another post suggesting that UConn had 6 guards next year. I count only 3 with a number of versatile players capable of filling a G/W/F role. Mir is one of those players. She has a good enough handle to play guard if she had to. While I don’t necessarily see her doing so, over the years I’ve seen Geno use players such as Lou and even Stewie in a guard role to help break a press or initiate the offense. It’s probably better defined as positionless basketball.
 

oldude

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Auriemma didn’t hesitate to take Stevens when he had a veteran, talented team that was fighting for PT. IMO, his concern is winning games and NCs. This team is still small and thin inside next year and if he thinks he needs a veteran big to give ONO some help and give them a shot at a NC, I don’t think he’d hesitate now either. JMO, but I don’t think he worries about sending PT messages.
At the time of her transfer Geno, and everyone else, thought we'd have "Z" for TWO years. It was not until after the season that Z threw that surprise at everybody. IF Geno knew at the time she would be one-and-done, I confidently suggest he would have said "no thanks".
 

UcMiami

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As we have seen, integrating a transfer into Uconn is not usually smooth - there is a learning curve and usually quite a culture shock coming from programs they were dissatisfied with and led them to want to transfer.

Z had all the skill and desire, but figuring out how to play with Pheesa on the court at the same time was pretty rocky and was a reason why she was not starting.

The idea that a really skilled big would want to transfer to Uconn and that they would immediately integrate into the Uconn starting line-up is like expecting the same from freshmen - something that doesn't happen often.
 

CocoHusky

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For a big kid she’s got a quick release from the arc, and she can score in the paint. Two years from now she’s going to be a load for anyone to cover.
Real talk! I am salivating about two years from now sure. I’m also thinking why isn’t she the UCONN starting PF-TODAY!
 
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Which transfer exactly? And who’s minutes do you take?

Let’s do some speculating. The NCAA changes the rules allowing immediate eligibility for a 1st time transfers. Charlie Collier decides she doesn’t need to stay close to home for perennial underachieving TX. She enters the portal and calls Geno telling him she made a mistake and really wants to be a Husky. Against his better judgment, Geno gives her a scholarship.

Collier is a Big, but she spends a lot of time in Austin hanging around the arc, while letting Holmes do much of the dirty work in the paint, so Geno has to work really hard to get her to play near the basket.

Assuming Collier manages to satisfy Geno and earn the starting spot, that means both Aaliyah and Piath don’t see significant PT until their junior year. Collier in the starting lineup moves Megan to the Wing, which in turn dramatically cuts PT for that large group of players that will battle it out for PT at the 2 & 3 spots.

At the end of the year, there are wholesale transfers from UConn. In addition several verbal commits decommit, and Azzi decides to take her skills to a school where she knows she’ll play right away.

The top 3 teams in WBB next year will be SC, Stanford & UConn. Geno has everything he needs with the 11 players he will have to win a championship next season. All he has to do is coach them up, something he does better than any coach in the history of WBB. IMO Geno doesn’t need or want a graduate transfer.

Good post. Great points. There is another side to consider. Players who see college as their final goal might certainly choose to play where they are guaranteed minutes but there are more and more players who see college ball as a stepping stone to a professional career and no one gets players ready for that better than the UConn coaching staff. Look at Stokes. She may have started some games but she spent her time at UConn coming off the bench and despite her rep coming out of high school sat on the bench a lot for 2 years. There were some who thought she might leave but she stuck it out, developed, and has had a very nice pro career.
Azzi sees college basketball as the next level but not the top of her mountain. Getting 25 shots/32 min/game somewhere else may not get her to the top.
 

donalddoowop

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I won't speculate. But in general, there are quite a few 5 star juniors of size that are not happy in their current situation. With this new transfer rule looming I wouldn't be surprised if Geno hasn't accepted a few calls already.
Maybe I am wrong but, I believe the poster to whom I responded had a certain player in mind, one I've been thinking about for sometime now.
 

donalddoowop

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I can’t imagine UConn grabbing a one and done transfer next year, even if she’s a talented Big. Geno has 5 of his top 6 players returning, along with super transfer Evina, plus a talented group of 5 incoming freshmen. Taking a transfer sends the wrong message to a group of kids that will be at war every day in practice fighting for PT.
I was not thinking about a grad transfer. If I was a grad transfer I would not want to come to UConn. Chances of playing time at UConn for a gt seems too hard to come by.
 

EricLA

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Maybe I am wrong but, I believe the poster to whom I responded had a certain player in mind, one I've been thinking about for sometime now.
No reason why we can't speculate. What we AREN'T allowed to do is speculate on kids transferring FROM Uconn. But I bet there are a lot of kids out there who aren't thrilled with their current situations.
 

JordyG

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As we have seen, integrating a transfer into Uconn is not usually smooth - there is a learning curve and usually quite a culture shock coming from programs they were dissatisfied with and led them to want to transfer.

Z had all the skill and desire, but figuring out how to play with Pheesa on the court at the same time was pretty rocky and was a reason why she was not starting.

The idea that a really skilled big would want to transfer to Uconn and that they would immediately integrate into the Uconn starting line-up is like expecting the same from freshmen - something that doesn't happen often.
Indeed. Which is why a sophomore or junior transfer would be ideal, and give them time to integrate into and learn the system, especially since they could play right away. Watching Z struggle to work with Pheesa was tough, but who's to say her integration wouldn't have been perfect the next year? One of the problems Z had was while sitting out the first year she had little contact with the first team on the court. That wouldn't happen under these new rules.
 

SVCBeercats

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She is known by her signature hairstyle with her purple and yellow braids, which pays homage to the Lakers and more importantly her idol, Kobe Bryant. With her ‘mamba mentality’, she has proven many people wrong, including CROWN, that she not only need to considered among the best in the 2020 Class, but her drive and determination would leave little doubt that she deserved to be at the top.

She, herself, attributes her hair color to her deceased brother Jermaine who was a huge Lakers fan. Watch video below at about the 3.15 mark.
 

eebmg

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She, herself, attributes her hair color to her deceased brother Jermaine who was a huge Lakers fan. Watch video below at about the 3.15 mark.


Ah yes. My earlier post had thought it was connected to her brother some how but than the above quote did not pin that down. Glad to have closure.
 

CocoHusky

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I think you’re interpreting the term “guard” pretty broadly. Christyn, Paige & Nika are pure guards in my opinion. Evina, Anna, Aubrey & Mir are interchangeable pieces that can play just about anywhere on the floor.
I would strongly disagree with that last part of that if UCONN is relying on Anna ,or Evina, aubrey or Mir to play in the post or defend it UCONN is in major trouble. Christyn, Paige, Nika, Evina, & Anna are guards, combo guards if you want to stretch it. Megan, Aubrey, and Mir are Wing/Forwards. That only leaves 3 players ONO, Aaliyah and Paith on the roster next year to play 2 positions C and PF. The UCONN post is going to be manned by a junior and two freshman. Not only do I think Geno would gladly take some post help if he can get it, I think it is mandatory to get #12.
 
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Here's the thing. I'm not worried about everyone getting playing time. Here's why:

First, there are very few seasons where there isn't at least one player at UCONN who is out with an injury or illness. Of course I'm not rooting for that, but Touly was on the roster and was almost never healthy, Evina has had several surgeries, and that's just the recent past. Aubrey missed the 2016 season with a torn ACL. Lou missed a bunch of games a few years back. Tuck was often hobbled with knee issues. Etc etc...

Second, we know Gabriel is a big project. Mir - not sure how much of a project she will be. But it will certainly give the staff plenty of time to bring them along slowly.

Third, and this is perhaps a bit heartless, but here it is. The best players will play. Those who aren't up to snuff (skill or effort-wise) won't. If the kids not playing don't like it, up their effort, change their attitude, and/or work hard to get better. If they still don't like it, they may well transfer.
  • Almost without exception, the list of players we lost to transfer who left for more PT (or other issues after spending a year or so at UCONN), were never going to be starters, and were going to be reserves at best.
  • Johnson, Engeln, Banks, Walker, Coombs, Espinosa, Gordon, Boykin, Ekmark, Edwards - name one who even would have been a key reserve for UCONN. MAYBE Samarie Walker. Maybe...
I'm NOT rooting for kids to leave. But every kid who is coming KNOWS that UCONN is loaded. They know there will be limited minutes and it will be super competitive. I get the reality is often different when they get here and fully experience the situation, but Geno and the staff will do everything they can to help these kids be successful. IF they fall short or are unhappy and leave, we will wish them well - and go on and win multiple NC's. This is not T-league where everyone plays and gets a trophy.

So... while I can't guarantee it, recent history has shown we've NEVER had a top kid transfer out for PT issues.
Preach!
 
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I would strongly disagree with that last part of that if UCONN is relying on Anna ,or Evina, aubrey or Mir to play in the post or defend it UCONN is in major trouble. Christyn, Paige, Nika, Evina, & Anna are guards, combo guards if you want to stretch it. Megan, Aubrey, and Mir are Wing/Forwards. That only leaves 3 players ONO, Aaliyah and Paith on the roster next year to play 2 positions C and PF. The UCONN post is going to be manned by a junior and two freshman. Not only do I think Geno would gladly take some post help if he can get it, I think it is mandatory to get #12.
Right on! Charlie come on up where you know you should be!!!!
 
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Indeed. Which is why a sophomore or junior transfer would be ideal, and give them time to integrate into and learn the system, especially since they could play right away. Watching Z struggle to work with Pheesa was tough, but who's to say her integration wouldn't have been perfect the next year? One of the problems Z had was while sitting out the first year she had little contact with the first team on the court. That wouldn't happen under these new rules.
Keep un mind though, Z was allowed to play the 3 at Duke and develop bad big habits. At UConn, the coaching staff was clear that she had to learn how to be a real big.. that's challenging. I think most people in this discussion are referring to proven bigs as a transfer so its not the same scenario.
 

diggerfoot

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The following is pure, rampant speculation, which is why it's perfect for the Boneyard! Two events transpired over the course of Auriemma's tenure that I believe caused switches in his coaching philosophy. The first one I already suggested a few times. In 2001 we had the most stacked roster of the program but it did not gel well. Roster sizes generally have been smaller post 2001.

The other event was the back-to-back perfect seasons during the Moore/Charles era. I could be wrong (and I am sure there will be a few folks to point that out), but I think that created a mountain of expectations which led Auriemma to not be as patient giving players developmental minutes. Fifteen years ago I would have predicted there would be no way Auriemma takes another post in the transfer portal, given the current roster for next year; he would rather develop players for four years despite the ups and downs. Now I am not so sure.
 

oldude

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I would strongly disagree with that last part of that if UCONN is relying on Anna ,or Evina, aubrey or Mir to play in the post or defend it UCONN is in major trouble. Christyn, Paige, Nika, Evina, & Anna are guards, combo guards if you want to stretch it. Megan, Aubrey, and Mir are Wing/Forwards. That only leaves 3 players ONO, Aaliyah and Paith on the roster next year to play 2 positions C and PF. The UCONN post is going to be manned by a junior and two freshman. Not only do I think Geno would gladly take some post help if he can get it, I think it is mandatory to get #12.
I agree that from a traditional sense you are correct. But when you consider that UConn had a 2x AA center who was 5’11”, and that this year Aubrey has, at times, played the 5 while Anna has, at times, played the 4, there is certainly some versatility there. Assuming Mir is the second coming of Gabby, then we have another versatile option. Agree that Evina is at best a wing.

My thought is that UConn can basically field a team that can switch every screen & pick and roll, without getting into a defensive mismatch in the paint.
 

SVCBeercats

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And only minutes for maybe 9 of them.
1582856274041.png
 

JordyG

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Keep un mind though, Z was allowed to play the 3 at Duke and develop bad big habits. At UConn, the coaching staff was clear that she had to learn how to be a real big.. that's challenging. I think most people in this discussion are referring to proven bigs as a transfer so its not the same scenario.
But again, if she didn't have to sit a year, don't you think working with Geno and staff, something as a red shirt she couldn't do, would've made all the difference? Don't you think another year at UConn would've helped her become a far better back to the basket player? That's the advantage an immediate transfer will have. But I too am speaking of proven bigs as transfers, not projects. Proven sophomore and junior bigs.
 

JordyG

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:eek: Tell me about this transfer big. How big? Where is she coming from? is 12 Mintues per game worth transferring for ?
Uhuhuhuh. No speculating on specifics. But trust me, if she's a proven big she'll get more than the 18 minutes he has slotted for Aaliyah.
 

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