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KLS Chooses UConn - TheFarm07 - 05-19-2014

Apparently, success on the court leads to success in recruiting (unless you're Stanford).

UConn is going to replace one sharpshooter (Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis) with another lights-out shooter for the next 4 years.  They have 3 of the top 10 recruits in the Class of 2015 to combine with Stewart, Jefferson and Tuck in their senior years.  Geno found his next superstar to continue the long line -- Lobo, Bird, Taurasi, Moore, Charles, Mosqueda-Lewis, Stewart, Katie Lou...

You can't blame KLS for choosing a program of that caliber -- Auriemma sets the bar sky high and as a top recruit, those championship banners and dominance are hard to say "no" too.

Another top recruit we're missed out on over the last few years -- Brianna Turner, Jordin Canada, now Katie Lou. 

I guess 6 Final Fours in 7 years and a Stanford degree doesn't sell that well anymore.

Re: KLS Chooses UConn - Jskass - 05-19-2014

We assume that these players were all accepted, and that they prioritize academics highly-- at least one of which isn't true in these cases. As a third kid, I also wanted to go to a different school from either of my sisters. Frankly, I thought she might choose Notre Dame, which while not Stanford, is better academically than UConn.

Re: KLS Chooses UConn - BobK - 05-20-2014

I think just one was accepted.  Lou is an excellent student.  Excellent.  "nuff said, I now go back in mourning. 

Re: KLS Chooses UConn - Jskass - 05-20-2014

agree on the mourning. really hoping we get Kyra Lambert, the number four. Now I'm thinking that this opens up a scholarship so we'll hear that the other O's Olivia '14 and Erica  '15 are both coming (with OO as walk-on for first year but then with a scholarship available for her soph year). I noticed a major "yea" bunch of tweets re: them about 1-2 months ago so assume she was admitted.

seems like we're in the running for only about 3 top 50 recruits in 2015 - Lambert, McWilliams and Williams  - but sometimes we just haven't heard, plus our coaching staff is terrific at finding undiscovered talent. I'm looking for a 6'5" Lili Thompson caliber post player to complement all the outstanding guards we have and will be adding the next few years!

Re: KLS Chooses UConn - TheFarm07 - 05-20-2014

(05-20-2014, 11:41 AM)Jskass link Wrote:agree on the mourning. really hoping we get Kyra Lambert, the number four. Now I'm thinking that this opens up a scholarship so we'll hear that the other O's Olivia '14 and Erica  '15 are both coming (with OO as walk-on for first year but then with a scholarship available for her soph year). I noticed a major "yea" bunch of tweets re: them about 1-2 months ago so assume she was admitted.

seems like we're in the running for only about 3 top 50 recruits in 2015 - Lambert, McWilliams and Williams  - but sometimes we just haven't heard, plus our coaching staff is terrific at finding undiscovered talent. I'm looking for a 6'5" Lili Thompson caliber post player to complement all the outstanding guards we have and will be adding the next few years!


I know because our academic standards force us to be creative and find unsung talents like with our football team, but given the nature of football and basketball, a superstar in football is not as important as it is in basketball.  Tara had great game plans against UConn last month and Baylor in 2012, but after close first halves, pure talent won out and we could not compete with them.

We will probably play the bridesmaid to UConn for the next few years until we are lucky enough to find a few superstars within a couple of years of each other (if we ever do.)  KLS is a great student and she has two older sisters playing for the Cardinal and even still, it was not good enough.

Given our incredible success over the last few decades since Tara took over, I know there's not much sympathy out there, but we are not even close to UConn's stratosphere.  Think about this, twice in the last six-seven years, UConn has had two undefeated seasons with each game decided by at least double digits.  That's just pure hegemony over the women's game.

Re: KLS Chooses UConn - 81alum - 05-21-2014

Well, this is depressing, but Tara is simply going to have to pull off a few more of her magic tricks.  I wish KLS well, but I cannot fathom encouraging my own daughter to choose Connecticut over Stanford on the basis of any sports program.  I wonder if KLS is as academically inclined as her sisters?  And I wonder if the professional opportunities in WBB is harming Stanford's recruitment of elite athletes?  If so, there are some foolish decisions being made--but maybe that isn't it.

And yes, with 3 of the top ten recruits, Connecticut looks like a hegemony, and yes this will be very bad for WBB in the long run.  I am disappointed for Stanford, of course, but I am deeply disappointed for the game if all the suspense goes out of the national championships for the next few years.

Re: KLS Chooses UConn - BobK - 05-21-2014

Yes she is 4. Plus.    Some really excellent posts here. 

Re: KLS Chooses UConn - Jskass - 05-21-2014

and Notre Dame is probably disappointed too because if KLS wanted something different from her sisters yet still somewhat academically oriented, then Notre Dame would have been ideal -- plus supposedly it was down to the two of them. Furthermore, they seem able to attract some of the top athletes (Reimer, Jewel Loyd, this fall Brianna Turner) but still are no closer to UConn than Stanford!

Our only hope for some parity in WBB for the next 5 years is that UConn loses some players after they arrive there. Pretty disappointing for us and the sport.

Re: KLS Chooses UConn - Spiny_Norman - 05-21-2014

I attended the Coach's Road Show in LA last evening.  Tara said that she expected to sleep like a baby this season - waking every few hours and crying.  I think she was joking but I'm not quite sure.



Re: KLS Chooses UConn - washingtonismoney - 05-21-2014

(05-21-2014, 01:08 PM)Spiny_Norman link Wrote:I attended the Coach's Road Show in LA last evening.  Tara said that she expected to sleep like a baby this season - waking every few hours and crying.  I think she was joking but I'm not quite sure.

Anything else of interest? Don't they usually have coaches of other sports?

(Sorry to be demanding.)

Re: KLS Chooses UConn - BobK - 05-21-2014

Several comments.  Banks had transferred from UConn

Shaw Muir and Dawkins also with Tara in LA.

Anything more from Tara.  Recruiting? 

Re: KLS Chooses UConn - Spiny_Norman - 05-21-2014

The crowd's keen interest in women's hoops must have been dulled by the excellent beef tenderloin and the open bar.  No one asked a question of Tara after her prepared remarks.  She did say that she has been picking the brain of Mark Madsen (who was in attendance) to get ideas.  Not sure if she is looking for help with offense, defense or both.

But her explicit words were that next season is a big challenge.  Tara does not know where the points will come from.  She does not know where the leadership will come from.  Not sure where the inside toughness will come from.  We are likely to see a lot of different players and looks in the non-conference games as the coaches try to find a winning rotation.

The coaches are very circumspect at events like these to comment about recruits who have not already signed.  They realize that nothing is off the record.  I'll post notes from the other coaches in a separate thread.

Re: KLS Chooses UConn - TheFarm07 - 05-21-2014

(05-21-2014, 06:02 AM)81alum link Wrote:Well, this is depressing, but Tara is simply going to have to pull off a few more of her magic tricks.  I wish KLS well, but I cannot fathom encouraging my own daughter to choose Connecticut over Stanford on the basis of any sports program.  I wonder if KLS is as academically inclined as her sisters?  And I wonder if the professional opportunities in WBB is harming Stanford's recruitment of elite athletes?  If so, there are some foolish decisions being made--but maybe that isn't it.

And yes, with 3 of the top ten recruits, Connecticut looks like a hegemony, and yes this will be very bad for WBB in the long run.  I am disappointed for Stanford, of course, but I am deeply disappointed for the game if all the suspense goes out of the national championships for the next few years.

In the ESPNW article regarding KLS's choice, she was quoted as saying: "I wanted to push myself to be the best; I wanted to play for the best." That should be a wake-up call to Tara.  They either have a choice to accept 2nd best or work harder and adopt a more competitive mindset to achieve what Auriemma is doing at UConn.

There was an article during the lead-up to this year's Final Four where it mentioned the Stanford coaching stuff had "zero frustration or anger" about not winning a title in the numerous Final Four appearances they've had in the last few years.  Contrast that sentiment with an interview with Auriemma where he mentioned that he simply wasn't satisfied with his team surviving each round of the NCAA tournament to get to the end, but wanting to dominate each opponent to send a message to the rest of the field.  I think that says something about the mentality of each program and quite frankly, I think it plays a role in the success that Auriemma has, when expectations are to be the best and nothing less is acceptable.

I think it shows too in the box scores.  Some people might criticize UConn for "running up the score" during games, but I think it shows that they have the instinct to put opponents away and show them no mercy.  They don't ease up and isn't that a sign of disrespect too? When you think you have the game clinched and you relax and don't give your opponent respect by thinking they can come back?

Too many times I've seen Stanford up 15 points with 10 minutes to go and end up winning by only a dozen points or so.  You may ask what's the big deal? A win by 10 counts the same as a win by 30, but I think it sets the precedent that Auriemma wants them to be at their best and not go through the motions even when they are up by a lot.

Yes, UConn has had elite caliber players, but so do other programs.  UConn can only play 5 players at a time like any other school; not every top basketball player can play for them.  Other programs have great coaches who can come up with great game plans and have great fundamentals as well and Tara does a great job doing that.

I think it's the mindset of UConn that distinguishes them.

Re: KLS Chooses UConn - Jskass - 05-21-2014

really good points on the mindset etc. I remember being personally appalled by the comment that Stanford is fine with not having won despite all the Final Fours -- perhaps because I attended the 2012 FF in Denver and knew we had a real shot at Baylor!

We all agree 2014 will be rebuilding, so maybe if our expectations are low, there will be pleasant surprises.  Also, with all the past emphasis on Chiney it is fair to speculate about leadership on the team. There probably is a fair amount, but question is whether the leaders will also be starters. Seems, for example, that Erica Payne was often encouraging in the huddle the way Chiney used to -- but due to her injury or for other reasons she hasn't seen much playing time. Would be nice if she were able to step it up and be out there on the court more!

Also, remember that the sophomores were mentored by Chiney and other strong seniors+ so McCall, Johnson and gang might step it up. Also, Dan Olsen is major league positive on Kaylee Johnson, Brittany McPhee, and Taylor Rooks also looks like a scorer. But agree that it might take another year for them to be really strong, and we need to be able to get some high profile/caliber recruits in 2015.

It must be frustrating for Tara when the players who would come don't get in and then one who gets in (and we really want - KLS) opts out..seems like lots of examples this year of players who mention us in the top list don't come (Suggs) but I'm remaining positive, hoping that we hear good news soon. It gets challenging this time of year when kids are committing right and left to every other school but Stanford, but there are still gems left on the list of top players.

Re: KLS Chooses UConn - TheFarm07 - 05-21-2014

(05-21-2014, 06:36 PM)Jskass link Wrote:really good points on the mindset etc. I remember being personally appalled by the comment that Stanford is fine with not having won despite all the Final Fours -- perhaps because I attended the 2012 FF in Denver and knew we had a real shot at Baylor!

We all agree 2014 will be rebuilding, so maybe if our expectations are low, there will be pleasant surprises.  Also, with all the past emphasis on Chiney it is fair to speculate about leadership on the team. There probably is a fair amount, but question is whether the leaders will also be starters. Seems, for example, that Erica Payne was often encouraging in the huddle the way Chiney used to -- but due to her injury or for other reasons she hasn't seen much playing time. Would be nice if she were able to step it up and be out there on the court more!

Also, remember that the sophomores were mentored by Chiney and other strong seniors+ so McCall, Johnson and gang might step it up. Also, Dan Olsen is major league positive on Kaylee Johnson, Brittany McPhee, and Taylor Rooks also looks like a scorer. But agree that it might take another year for them to be really strong, and we need to be able to get some high profile/caliber recruits in 2015.

It must be frustrating for Tara when the players who would come don't get in and then one who gets in (and we really want - KLS) opts out..seems like lots of examples this year of players who mention us in the top list don't come (Suggs) but I'm remaining positive, hoping that we hear good news soon. It gets challenging this time of year when kids are committing right and left to every other school but Stanford, but there are still gems left on the list of top players.


Thanks for the response and bringing up some good points.  Who's left that's a top recruit for the Class of 2015?  Kyra Lambert? 

For the Class of 2016, I saw we were scouting Lauren Cox out of Texas and Anna Wilson already committed.

If McCall develops into a top tier player and Rooks/McPhee/K. Johnson (either or both of them) really emerge as great players, we should be deeper than we've been and more multi-faceted than relying on Chiney all the time.

Deviating from the original topic of this thread, what do you think our starting lineup will be?

PG    A. Orrange        Senior
SG    L. Thompson    Sophomore
W    B. Samuelson    Senior
F      E. Payne/T. Rooks/K. Johnson (sophomore)
F/C  E. McCall          Sophomore

Do you think this line-up could win the Pac-12?  It might depend on how fast UCLA's top-ranked recruiting class gels...

Re: KLS Chooses UConn - 81alum - 05-21-2014

That line up is a strong possibility, but there is so much unknown.  I am fairly certain that Amber, Lili, Bonnie, and McCall will start at the beginning of the season.  I have no idea who will play the 4--Kailee Johnson did not show us much last year especially with some sort of an injury at the end, but one has to believe that she is a candidate for a starting role.  We can expect the biggest improvements to come from the sophomores.  Amber and Bonnie are solid, but I doubt they will give us very more than they already have.  Erica Payne...I just don't know.  If she came on strong she would be a little like Ruef, becoming a major piece in the puzzle late in her career. 

And don't count out Taylor Greenfield.  She has been a starter earlier in her career, and she does have some nifty offensive moves under the basket.  Her play late in last season was out of character for her, and it is entirely possible that come next season she will regain her form.

I keep thinking that a healthy Karlie could compete to start at the 2 or 3--if it were not for Lili and Bonnie I would be certain of it.  She  certainly will be a significant part of the rotation there. 

Then who knows how quickly the frosh will come on?  McPhee and Rooks could both compete at the 3.  Kaylee Johnson could see a lot of time.  How versatile are they?  How quickly will they develop?  Who can play at the 4?  How well can any of them defend without fouling?  Lili became a surprise starter.  One of those three could as well.

As far as competing--I sense our biggest challenges will be competing against bigger teams.  Ruth Hamblin is going to be a problem, as will any team with a couple of competent 6'3" or better posts. 

The biggest question I have is whether Tara is going to fundamentally change the character of the team, now that her personnel will be radically different.  I somehow doubt that we will continue the high/low post game or even very much of the triangle with the personnel we have.  But what will we do?

It is a mystery.  But that is why Tara is Tara.