[81alum]

Wiggy is one.
Top 25 several.

We won those battles

We win some battles with UConn that don't go down to the wire like this one has.  Geno was interested in Erica McCall and in Maya Dodson early on, for example, but if a player doesn't want to be courted then it doesn't get to a cliffhanger like this one. 

And Wiggins and Appel and Chiney and Nneka.  Probably others.  We've won quite a few more than we've lost.

Geno knows it, too.  When we beat UConn in the semis in 2008 (breaking out of an 11 year final four shutout) he gave a gracious interview after the game.  He said something like "She's a great coach.  She hasn't always had the greatest players or more people would know it.  But she has them now."  Tara had Jayne and Candice--players Geno wanted and didn't get.

[81alum]

Wiggy is one.
Top 25 several.

We won those battles

We win some battles with UConn that don't go down to the wire like this one has.  Geno was interested in Erica McCall and in Maya Dodson early on, for example, but if a player doesn't want to be courted then it doesn't get to a cliffhanger like this one. 

And Wiggins and Appel and Chiney and Nneka.  Probably others.  We've won quite a few more than we've lost.

Geno knows it, too.  When we beat UConn in the semis in 2008 (breaking out of an 11 year final four shutout) he gave a gracious interview after the game.  He said something like "She's a great coach.  She hasn't always had the greatest players or more people would know it.  But she has them now."  Tara had Jayne and Candice--players Geno wanted and didn't get.

[CompSci87]

I remember hearing that UConn wanted both Bonnie and Karlie. I don't know how far those recruitments went, and I don't remember if either was top 25.

A recent Rebkell post had this list, though others disputed the "final 2" statement for some:

http://boards.rebkell.net/viewtopic.php?...65#1549665

Trying to think of recent prospects that came down to a final 2 of UCONN and STANFORD.

Jayne Appel (Stanford)
Chiney Ogwumike (Stanford)
Bonnie Samuelson (Stanford)
Karlie Samuelson (Stanford)
Erica McCall (Stanford)

Sue Bird (UConn over Stanford and Vanderbilt)
Katie Lou Samuelson (UConn, may not have been final 2)

[CompSci87]

I remember hearing that UConn wanted both Bonnie and Karlie. I don't know how far those recruitments went, and I don't remember if either was top 25.

A recent Rebkell post had this list, though others disputed the "final 2" statement for some:

http://boards.rebkell.net/viewtopic.php?...65#1549665

Trying to think of recent prospects that came down to a final 2 of UCONN and STANFORD.

Jayne Appel (Stanford)
Chiney Ogwumike (Stanford)
Bonnie Samuelson (Stanford)
Karlie Samuelson (Stanford)
Erica McCall (Stanford)

Sue Bird (UConn over Stanford and Vanderbilt)
Katie Lou Samuelson (UConn, may not have been final 2)

[2006alum]

FWIW, and yes this is all tea leaves, but the fact that she is postponing, and that she cares so much about the effects of the fire on the greater Bay Area, make me think she may be leaning toward Stanford. At a minimum, it rules out of the "announce UCONN with Boston" narrative some UCONN fans were speculating about.

[2006alum]

FWIW, and yes this is all tea leaves, but the fact that she is postponing, and that she cares so much about the effects of the fire on the greater Bay Area, make me think she may be leaning toward Stanford. At a minimum, it rules out of the "announce UCONN with Boston" narrative some UCONN fans were speculating about.

[warren65]

I know only what I have read on this board.  But I do have a theory about what is happening with Haley Jones.  It is based on the uncertain premise that the Stanford coaches already know about Haley's choice.  

For a long time, Laeticia Amihere and Haley Jones were both listed as interested in Stanford.  They are both highly talented wing players.  Laeticia held off making a choice until the last minute, then, earlier this week, committed to South Carolina.  My theory is that Laeticia was genuinely interested in considering Stanford, but made this decision after hearing from the Stanford coaches that they no longer could promise Laeticia a scholarship that was now safely allocated to Haley.  

To echo what I've said, 

this theory could be 

WRONG, wrong, wrong,

But I like the theory, so I'm sticking with it until Haley makes her announcement.

[warren65]

I know only what I have read on this board.  But I do have a theory about what is happening with Haley Jones.  It is based on the uncertain premise that the Stanford coaches already know about Haley's choice.  

For a long time, Laeticia Amihere and Haley Jones were both listed as interested in Stanford.  They are both highly talented wing players.  Laeticia held off making a choice until the last minute, then, earlier this week, committed to South Carolina.  My theory is that Laeticia was genuinely interested in considering Stanford, but made this decision after hearing from the Stanford coaches that they no longer could promise Laeticia a scholarship that was now safely allocated to Haley.  

To echo what I've said, 

this theory could be 

WRONG, wrong, wrong,

But I like the theory, so I'm sticking with it until Haley makes her announcement.

[81alum]

I know only what I have read on this board.  But I do have a theory about what is happening with Haley Jones.  It is based on the uncertain premise that the Stanford coaches already know about Haley's choice.  

For a long time, Laeticia Amihere and Haley Jones were both listed as interested in Stanford.  They are both highly talented wing players.  Laeticia held off making a choice until the last minute, then, earlier this week, committed to South Carolina.  My theory is that Laeticia was genuinely interested in considering Stanford, but made this decision after hearing from the Stanford coaches that they no longer could promise Laeticia a scholarship that was now safely allocated to Haley.  

To echo what I've said, 

this theory could be 

WRONG, wrong, wrong,

But I like the theory, so I'm sticking with it until Haley makes her announcement.

Except that we know Haley was admitted, that she took an official here, etc., and neither of those things are true (so far as we know) for Amihere.  Plus our all-knowing guru of recruiting (listening Bob?) doesn't seem to have picked up any Amihere vibes for a long time.

Unless...were you suggesting that Amihere was waiting to be sure Jones wasn't going to South Carolina before she (Amihere) committed?

But I have my own pet theory that brings me comfort too.  It is what we fans do under conditions of stress:  rationalize and engage in motivated reasoning!  And so long as we restrict that mode of thought to our fandom and don't let it bleed over into serious matters, then we'll be just fine :)

[81alum]

I know only what I have read on this board.  But I do have a theory about what is happening with Haley Jones.  It is based on the uncertain premise that the Stanford coaches already know about Haley's choice.  

For a long time, Laeticia Amihere and Haley Jones were both listed as interested in Stanford.  They are both highly talented wing players.  Laeticia held off making a choice until the last minute, then, earlier this week, committed to South Carolina.  My theory is that Laeticia was genuinely interested in considering Stanford, but made this decision after hearing from the Stanford coaches that they no longer could promise Laeticia a scholarship that was now safely allocated to Haley.  

To echo what I've said, 

this theory could be 

WRONG, wrong, wrong,

But I like the theory, so I'm sticking with it until Haley makes her announcement.

Except that we know Haley was admitted, that she took an official here, etc., and neither of those things are true (so far as we know) for Amihere.  Plus our all-knowing guru of recruiting (listening Bob?) doesn't seem to have picked up any Amihere vibes for a long time.

Unless...were you suggesting that Amihere was waiting to be sure Jones wasn't going to South Carolina before she (Amihere) committed?

But I have my own pet theory that brings me comfort too.  It is what we fans do under conditions of stress:  rationalize and engage in motivated reasoning!  And so long as we restrict that mode of thought to our fandom and don't let it bleed over into serious matters, then we'll be just fine :)

[qwerty49]

To echo what I've said, 

this theory could be 

WRONG, wrong, wrong,

You are ever-optimistic, but you are correct in that you are wrong.  Bob posted a while back that Amihere was out of play for quite some time.

[qwerty49]

To echo what I've said, 

this theory could be 

WRONG, wrong, wrong,

You are ever-optimistic, but you are correct in that you are wrong.  Bob posted a while back that Amihere was out of play for quite some time.

[warren65]

Ah . . . another perfectly good theory ruined by the facts.   
I hate it when that happens.  

Well, I will remain hopeful until Haley makes her announcement.

[warren65]

Ah . . . another perfectly good theory ruined by the facts.   
I hate it when that happens.  

Well, I will remain hopeful until Haley makes her announcement.

[BobK]

Wiggy is one.
Top 25 several.

We won those battles

[BobK]

Wiggy is one.
Top 25 several.

We won those battles

[Spiny_Norman]

Haley Jones to announce on Wednesday morning.
[twitter]https://twitter.com/haleyjoness19/status/1067083752512188416[/twitter]

[Spiny_Norman]

Haley Jones to announce on Wednesday morning.
[twitter]https://twitter.com/haleyjoness19/status/1067083752512188416[/twitter]

[BobK]

Darn. Thanks spiney. Here I am on twitter every 10 seconds I completely missed its on weds

[BobK]

Darn. Thanks spiney. Here I am on twitter every 10 seconds I completely missed its on weds

[jonnyss]

i worry that festive announcements may not favor stanford.

[jonnyss]

i worry that festive announcements may not favor stanford.

[crackpot]

My money's on Oregon. I would love to lose this bet, though.

[crackpot]

My money's on Oregon. I would love to lose this bet, though.

[Jskass]

i worry that festive announcements may not favor stanford.

agreed. assuming UConn because I haven't read all sorts of quotes about how academics are primary or even equal to bball.

[Jskass]

i worry that festive announcements may not favor stanford.

agreed. assuming UConn because I haven't read all sorts of quotes about how academics are primary or even equal to bball.

[qwerty49]

OK, since we're all guessing, I will guess ND.  And yes, I too hope I am wrong.

[qwerty49]

OK, since we're all guessing, I will guess ND.  And yes, I too hope I am wrong.

[Jskass]

OK, since we're all guessing, I will guess ND.  And yes, I too hope I am wrong.

speaking of ND, they were a bit out of control in Vancouver. Admittedly they faced a pro-OSU crowd (including this Stanford fan), but Ogunbowale's elbow was quite deliberate and if she were not given the benefit of the doubt by refs, she could very well have been ejected. Also notably Mabrey had a fit when she was called for a foul. If not for the ref's back being turned she could have gotten a T. All the fans on our side of the court (and the benches) saw it.

[Jskass]

OK, since we're all guessing, I will guess ND.  And yes, I too hope I am wrong.

speaking of ND, they were a bit out of control in Vancouver. Admittedly they faced a pro-OSU crowd (including this Stanford fan), but Ogunbowale's elbow was quite deliberate and if she were not given the benefit of the doubt by refs, she could very well have been ejected. Also notably Mabrey had a fit when she was called for a foul. If not for the ref's back being turned she could have gotten a T. All the fans on our side of the court (and the benches) saw it.

[2006alum]

BTW- for what it's worth, Jones's twitter account has liked both the PAC-12 Network's tweet about having 5 WBB teams in the AP Top 20 this week, and also our WBB twitter account's tweet about Lacie having made 7 steals in a game - the first time a Stanford women's player has done that since Candice Wiggins in 2007. And also a Bol Bol highlight from the Oregon game. Nothing I can see that's UConn or Domer related.

I do wonder about this: sure, signing UConn is a big deal for any number one recruit, but it's not entirely clear to me if it's that noteworthy. UConn has had the ESPN no. 1 recruit three of the last four years (Williams in 2018, Walker in 2017, and KLS in 2015 - plus no. 3 Dangerfield in 2016). To my best recollection, none of those players had quite such a big event for it. I also feel somehow like if she wants her classmates and school to be part of it, that it would be a place you'd think they might also be invested in - i.e., somewhere local, or at the very least west coast. I could be totally wrong about that, and I think you're right that hyping it up has much more of a UConn flavor to it, but I guess it just seems like it would be a much bigger news story if she signed with us or Oregon than with UConn, because if it's UConn, it's simply another year, another no. 1 recruit. Nothing that new here.

But I suppose we'll find out in 24 hours.

[2006alum]

BTW- for what it's worth, Jones's twitter account has liked both the PAC-12 Network's tweet about having 5 WBB teams in the AP Top 20 this week, and also our WBB twitter account's tweet about Lacie having made 7 steals in a game - the first time a Stanford women's player has done that since Candice Wiggins in 2007. And also a Bol Bol highlight from the Oregon game. Nothing I can see that's UConn or Domer related.

I do wonder about this: sure, signing UConn is a big deal for any number one recruit, but it's not entirely clear to me if it's that noteworthy. UConn has had the ESPN no. 1 recruit three of the last four years (Williams in 2018, Walker in 2017, and KLS in 2015 - plus no. 3 Dangerfield in 2016). To my best recollection, none of those players had quite such a big event for it. I also feel somehow like if she wants her classmates and school to be part of it, that it would be a place you'd think they might also be invested in - i.e., somewhere local, or at the very least west coast. I could be totally wrong about that, and I think you're right that hyping it up has much more of a UConn flavor to it, but I guess it just seems like it would be a much bigger news story if she signed with us or Oregon than with UConn, because if it's UConn, it's simply another year, another no. 1 recruit. Nothing that new here.

But I suppose we'll find out in 24 hours.

[81alum]

Apparently, the twitter clues point our way.

I also think that the hyped up announcement feels like it points another way.

Now, what I'd really like to know, is whether Tara and maybe the team get an invite to come to the announcement :)

[81alum]

Apparently, the twitter clues point our way.

I also think that the hyped up announcement feels like it points another way.

Now, what I'd really like to know, is whether Tara and maybe the team get an invite to come to the announcement :)

[Hulk01]

The setup and timing hints at something worth a big celebration. 
That seems to disqualify Oregon and perhaps Connecticut.
Connecticut takes a second hit; its so damn far away.

Notre Dame: Catholic, better school than the previous two, outstanding team.
Stanford: America's dream school, parents and friends can come to all the games, close by, superb academics--and would set off a party.

Stanford.  Good chances this wasn't even close.

[Hulk01]

The setup and timing hints at something worth a big celebration. 
That seems to disqualify Oregon and perhaps Connecticut.
Connecticut takes a second hit; its so damn far away.

Notre Dame: Catholic, better school than the previous two, outstanding team.
Stanford: America's dream school, parents and friends can come to all the games, close by, superb academics--and would set off a party.

Stanford.  Good chances this wasn't even close.

[Jskass]

If only we were the decision makers!

[Jskass]

If only we were the decision makers!

[2006alum]

Boneyard UConn fans are super cynical and mostly seem convinced it's either South Carolina or us. Man oh man, for a team that's lost two games in two seasons, won four of the last six national championships, and has three of the four no. 1 high school recruits in their starting lineup, their fans engage in an insane amount of hand-wringing and chicken littling. Apparently if the no. 1 and 3 recruits in ONE recruiting cycle don't pick UConn, it is concrete proof that Geno is a terrible recruiter. I guess that's what comes from unrealistic expectations. Me personally, I'm excited to see our program get better over the next few seasons, and hopeful that tomorrow Jones will announce she wants to be part of that. =)

[2006alum]

Boneyard UConn fans are super cynical and mostly seem convinced it's either South Carolina or us. Man oh man, for a team that's lost two games in two seasons, won four of the last six national championships, and has three of the four no. 1 high school recruits in their starting lineup, their fans engage in an insane amount of hand-wringing and chicken littling. Apparently if the no. 1 and 3 recruits in ONE recruiting cycle don't pick UConn, it is concrete proof that Geno is a terrible recruiter. I guess that's what comes from unrealistic expectations. Me personally, I'm excited to see our program get better over the next few seasons, and hopeful that tomorrow Jones will announce she wants to be part of that. =)