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Post by bulkey on Apr 12, 2021 14:37:33 GMT -5
Remember the series of disappointments in recruiting after the Stewie class? So many near misses. Past year or so, virtually all the news have been great.
Why the change?
1. Maybe nothing changed. Stuff just happens. N = a too low number for statistical significance. Nothing really "changed" in either direction.
2. UConn's incredible success scared off some but now talent is finding opportunity again in Storrs.
3. Just a lot more talent to be had and the blue chip schools are getting more of their fair share: look at Stanford, suddenly.
4. Social media is so powerful that it serves to make even brighter the schools that already glimmer.
thoughts?
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Post by zoney on Apr 12, 2021 14:58:11 GMT -5
bulkey - I wonder how much impact Paige had on some of the recruiting? And I mean Paige at a personal level.
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Post by semper on Apr 12, 2021 15:03:46 GMT -5
I remember that Geno was not happy about recruiting and he said so several times in his interviews. I think that some of the uptick has to do with putting lots of renewed energy into the process. But of course Paige has been amazingly good for the process. No doubt about that!
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Post by UConnChapette on Apr 12, 2021 15:09:59 GMT -5
I think it is a healthy percentage of #3 at play. I am not sure social media plays that big of a part. Not social media related, but would we have landed Azzi if she and Paige were not best friends? Maybe yes, maybe no. I think the fact that Azzi and Paige spent a lot of time together during the COVID shut down helped them gel and Azzi, knowing Geno would develop her better than any other coach with the added benefit of having her BFF there solidified her decision.
There is also, perhaps, the knowledge among these kids that Geno will not coach forever. Even if he would want to, at some point his age and health are going to be a factor. He has less coaching years ahead of him and many more behind him. Maybe these latest recruits think that they will be among the last players to be coached by a legend and GOAT and seeing how successful UConn players are in the pros want to get in now before he retires.
Another possibility is after Stewie's incredible 4 years, maybe kids wanted to go somewhere where they could make their own mark, knock UConn off the top tier. Now that it has been a few years since we have won a national championship, kids may be starting to think "I want to help get UConn back to the pinnacle".
Who knows what goes through the minds of 16, 17, 18 year olds.
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BJ42
Purebred Husky
Posts: 458
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Post by BJ42 on Apr 12, 2021 19:37:48 GMT -5
Just a thought but I think it's possible that GA has adjusted his recruiting procedure a little. With social media dominating HS kid's lives now coaches like Walz, Staley, Barnes, and probably others have started recruiting and offering kids very early since with the girls, the on going relationships seem to be very important to them. GA for many years tended to do a lot of scouting and research and when finally satisfied that the kid was a UConn type recruit, would then offer just prior to or during the JR year. That is now considered late by the kids and their advisors. He's still very selective but I think he's been convinced to identify and speed up the process because of the top recruit's tendency to verbal earlier now to solidify their spot after having a year or more relationship with the coaches. Brady committing prior to her Soph. year is a good example.
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