Recruiting question

[Black Ninja]

Although I loved WBB for all these years I've never followed recruiting before. Now I was surfing around on the net and came across a UConn site that stated (well questioned) whether or not GG would be able to recruit as well at Texas as she was able to do at Duke.

Now to me this sounds preposturous, I don't really know how else to put it, BUT are they right???

Now on one hand I can understand the appeal of Duke to a basketball recruit, but DAMN this is The University of Texas we're talking about here, do any of you buy the notion that UT is going to impede GG's recruiting any??

Maybe this is my ignorance talking but I would think that being at UT would greatly INCREASE GG's recruiting due to the available facilities/funds at her disposal, not to mention the sheer history of the program in WBB's beginnings. What am I missing or is this just UConn fans trying to comfort/convince themselves that Kelsey Bone is a lock for UConn??

 

[orangehoops]

the new staff will have great success recruiting to the university of texas. not only is there an unsurpassed committment to excellence in women's athletics at texas, academically it is one of the finest public institutions of higher learning. in fact, academically speaking, it's ranked ahead of most private schools. add to that the appeal of the appeal of the city of austin and do the math.

there are lots of fans of other schools who fool themselves -- and try to fool others. the reality is that hidden deep inside of most is the envy they have of TEXAS.

 

[basketsofhorns]

My daughter just graduated last June from a top ten private university. I can tell you that given the choice of a lot of schools, she chose small class size, good chance at forming relationships with professors.

I also remember my first 500+ class at UT. It was intimidating. Duke offers different advantages for students than Texas does. Give the media attention to the East coast in women's basketball, I'd say Duke has numerous ways in which it would be more advantagous than Texas.

All that said, I think lots of kids prefer the great sports support women receive at UT. I think the lure of Austin is great for many young people. I'd say there are advantages to Texas in recruiting some young women and advantages to Duke in recruiting others.

I hope we get the ones who will do well in our basketball system and do well in the university system.

 

[Driftwood]

As basketsofhorns states, Texas has advantages and disadvantages in recruiting. One coach told me the hardest part of recruiting a player from the East or West coast is to get them to visit the campus. Some kids think we are out in the hinterlands and it takes a visit to convince them to the contrary.

Private schools like Stanford and Duke have a special appeal to the brightest kids who can meet their entry requirements. It is a certain prestige factor that exists whether based in fact or not. Finally, the weather is sometimes a factor for a player who values the change in seasons or who prefers milder summers to the Texas heat. In general we have an advantage with Texas players because of the history of our programs and because of the state pride in UT.

We will continue to win some and lose some on the recruiting field.

 

[BabHorn]

It still bewilders me when people complaint about size of the campus or the large classes. What's intimidating about them? It's not like one has to know every student. It's not like one won't spend most of the time in a certain part of the campus depending on the major. Professors at Texas are just as welcoming to students that make the effort to get to know them as those at small schools. I attended a small college and UT and didn't find the difference to be intimidating. Rather it was great to have so many options and the choice to select with what group or groups to get involved, which professors to get to know or which to ignore. Once I selected a major, I basically took all my classes in one building and went to one library. The rest of the campus might as well have not existed except when I was interested in getting involved in what was going on.

 

[basketsofhorns]

Bab, Sounds like you enjoy the energy created by lots of people and lots of choices. Good for you! Think about Jamie Carey and how focused and determined she was. I can see why a smaller class ratio, where she can be thoughtful and listen and then, at the appropriate time contribute would suit her personality (lots of assumptions here). I know it suits mine. I don't want to have to work so hard to make an impression in the classroom. With 500 other people competing for time and questions and my learning style, it was tough.

 

[2duckfans]

I am from Virginia originally and visited the research triangle area frequently years ago - Duke is very selective and has a gorgeous campus. I suspect a well timed recruiting visit (spring would be best IMO) could win over a prospect.

Texas does offer the Plan II experience for a student who is very serious about his/her studies. I think Plan II could compete with an "ivy league" or private school education. Has UT ever had a Plan II player?

 

[Driftwood]

Bab, you missed the point here. How many Profs did you know personally? How many were on a first name basis with you? How many times did you go down to the local bar to shoot pool for grades? If you win you get an A and if the Prof wins, you get an F. College life is really impersonal in a 50,000 student university. Some students opt for a smaller more personal situation. I was a very good pool shooter.

It was a highlight of my undergraduate time to know my profs one on one. I met their families, knew how they voted in the last election and knew their passions. This was the best part of my undergraduate education and it was almost totally absent in graduate school at Stanford.

There is much to be said for small classes with personal interaction between prof and student. Class size does make a difference!

 

[VinceYoungScores]

Different strokes.

 

[horntooter]

Seems like the difference between Texas and Duke or Stanford are pretty clear. For students who meet the academic requirements and want the academic rigors and prestige, Texas will not compete. But it was the UConn forum that stated GG won't be able to recruit in Texas, presumably to reassure UConn fans that Kelsey Bone wouldn't consider UT. Really?? Is UConn ranked higher academically? Certain fields of study will vary, but overall that's a negative. Does UConn have better weather? Well, I guess it depends on whether one's preference is snow or sun. Is class size smaller at UConn than UT? They have "several introductory classes in large lecture halls with as many as 350 students." Is the community environment more appealing in Storrs than in Austin? Give me a break. Can Storrs compete with the Live Music Capital of the World? I don't think Coach G will have any difficulty recruiting to UT. Recruits will consider where they fit the best as far as coaching style, academics, community and make their choices.

 

[BabHorn]

Definitely.

The ones that I liked, I got to know well and on a first name basis. I worked with them on committees, went to parties at their homes, etc. But I didn't do that with every prof. Nor did I shoot pool for grades or I would have flunked out.

Also, I like watching people and how they interact, so a big campus was great.

 

[justawbbfan]

I would think GG will be able to recruit just as well at Texas as Geno is at the armpit of the world, UConn. Seriously, why would anyone really want to go to UConn? Give me a break.

 

[BBV_Horn]

UConn is dreamin'.......

I would like to show every prospective recruit the videotape of "Coach" Auriemma going off on Diana Taurasi, (the best player he ever had) and ripping her to shreds.....publicly insulting your player seems a bit contrary to what a recruit is looking for..

If you read this board, Kelsey, know that I am not blowin' smoke here, there is LOTS of evidence of that man's disgusting tactics.

 

[orangehoops]

horntooter -

THANK YOU!!!!!

duke is an incredible university, texas is an incredible university. goestenkors is an incredible coach. gail and company will be every bit as successful recruiting at texas as they were anywhere else -- probably won't need to travel as far to recruit the players they want.

BBV-

yep. and look at charde houston. one of the best high school players in a long time. had she played for a more nurturing coach like gail, i believe she'd have had a better college career. geno is a great coach -- no doubt about that. but everyone doesn't respond to being humiliated, belittled, and talked to like they have tails swinging from their bodies.

picking the right program is so important. more parents need to be as involved in the process as kelsey's mom. wherever bone decides to go, it will undoubtedly be the result of an educated and well thought-out decision making process.