CONNECTICUT RECRUITING UPDATE

COMMITMENT ALERT: Doug Wiggins, PG (East Hartford, CT)

If Jim Calhoun and the University of Connecticut were not already disliked in NYC by St John's fans prior to today, well, add some more fuel to the fire! Connecticut, just days after parting ways with Ramar Smith, have added a new commitment in Wiggins. Wiggins, as many will recall, was a verbal commitment to St John's and was supposed to be Norm Roberts point guard of the future. Here is the NY Post article on the flip-flop: Wiggins Commits to UConn.

Projected 2006-2007 Roster:
Seniors: Marcus Williams (PG), Josh Boone (PF/C)
Juniors: Rudy Gay (SF)
Sophomores: AJ Price (G), Marcus Johnson (WG), Jeff Adrien (F), Craig Austrie (G), Robert Garrison (PG).
Freshmen: Curtis Kelly (BF/C), Jerome Dyson (G), Jonathan Mandeldove (C), Stanley Robinson (F), Ben Eaves (F), Doug Wiggins (PG)

Links to our previous Connecticut recruiting write-ups: October 27 report, October 26 Reports, October 12 Report, Sept 19 Report, Sept 18 Report, Sept 6 Report, July 8 Report, July 25 Round-Up.

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Recruiting battles sometimes can make bigger rivals of programs and fans than the actual game on the court. This is sure to get the fans at St John's riled up! With less than two weeks until the early signing period, Doug Wiggins has de-committed from St John's and has now pledged to Connecticut. Wiggins chose the Redstorm early in the process and since that time has seen his stock rise considerably. With Connecticut and Ramar Smith parting ways, Wiggins jumped at the chance to join the Husky program, much to the dismay of the Redstorm faithful.

Wiggins is an excellent point guard and should thrive in the Connecticut system. He is very quick and has an excellent handle with the ability to score and distribute. he needs to add some strength for the college game, but should be an excellent player in the Big East.

Connecticut is still in search of added depth to the front court. Hamady N'Diaye is a name that still seems to be involved with UConn, but his status is up in the air with a move to a new prep school from Florida to California. As the early signing period bears down on us, it seems to be a stretch to think they will add another quality post in this signing period. They will probably be better off to wait until spring when they can get a read on exactly how their scholarship situation will sort out and be in prime position for any late blooming player or JUCO talent. I still think a JUCO big man would be a perfect fit for their roster.

We will keep you updated, UConn has not stayed quiet very long this season!

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CONNECTICUT RECRUITING UPDATE

ALERT: RAMAR SMITH NO LONGER COMMITTED TO UCONN

Gregg Doyel, at CBS Sportsline, reports in bis weblog that Ramar Smith is not longer committed to Connecticut. He is citing Scout.com as his source. It was rumored at the time Smith withdrew after a week from South Kent Prep that he might not stick with UConn, well, it looks like UConn is not sticking with him. Here is the weblog post by Doyelin his Dribbles: Smith and Uconn Part.

Projected 2006-2007 Roster:
Seniors: Marcus Williams (PG), Josh Boone (PF/C)
Juniors: Rudy Gay (SF)
Sophomores: AJ Price (G), Marcus Johnson (WG), Jeff Adrien (F), Craig Austrie (G), Robert Garrison (PG).
Freshmen: Curtis Kelly (BF/C), Jerome Dyson (G), Jonathan Mandeldove (C), Stanley Robinson (F), Ben Eaves (F)

Links to our previous Connecticut recruiting write-ups: October 26 Reports, October 12 Report, Sept 19 Report, Sept 18 Report, Sept 6 Report, July 8 Report, July 25 Round-Up.

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In the past two weeks, Connecticut has landed a couple new commitments for 2006 with Stanley Robinson and have lost a couple recruit in Will Harris and Ramar Smith. Smith seems to be in academic limbo if you have been following the articles on his transferring from school to school in the last several months, so, his qualifying status was probably a longshot, so, if UConn wanted to head in another direction, his presence would no longer deter a possible recruit.

smith is a powerful wing guard that can score, early reports from UConn practices are very favorable for Marcus Johnson and Craig Austrie and another commitment, Jerome Dyson all sound to be solid players in the mix next year. The wildcards are, of course, Marcus Williams and AJ Price. Of course, Price has to get past his legal problems and get cleared medically AND shake off two years of rust. Williams, if he clears his legal problems, also has NBA possibilities as well. So, a true PG might still be a player the Huskies could find a need for. Would Eugene Harvey interst UConn again? It is probably a safe bet that coach Jim Calhoun will land a top PG in the 2007 class. Another shooter is also a good fit for UConn, but, starting the process all over again 2 weeks prior to the signing period might be tough.

As more information becomes avaialable, we will try to stay on top of it.

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CONNECTICUT RECRUITING REPORT

VERBAL COMMITMENT ALERT: Ben Eaves, F (Worcester Academy)

Here is the article from the Hartford Courant on the latest Husky addition: Eaves Commits to UConn.

Projected 2006-2007 Roster:
Seniors: Marcus Williams (PG), Josh Boone (PF/C)
Juniors: Rudy Gay (SF)
Sophomores: AJ Price (G), Marcus Johnson (WG), Jeff Adrien (F), Craig Austrie (G), Robert Garrison (PG).
Freshmen: Curtis Kelly (BF/C), Ramar Smith (G), Jerome Dyson (G), Jonathan Mandeldove (C), Stanley Robinson (F), Ben Eaves (F)

Links to our previous Connecticut recruiting write-ups: October 12 Report, Sept 19 Report, Sept 18 Report, Sept 6 Report, July 8 Report, July 25 Round-Up.

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Well, the Connecticut Huskies and Hall of Fame head coach Jim Calhoun have done it again, they targeted 6'7 forward Ben Eaves of Worcester Academy and went and got him. Eaves visited the Connecticut campus officially this past weekend and decided UConn is where he wants to make his college home.

Eaves was a virtual uknown in the recruiting world until coming to the United States from England late this summer to attend Worcester Academy. During the recruiting contact period, many high-major coaches from around the country attended open gym workouts at many of the New England prep schools and Worcester Academy is a regular stop and that is when Eaves made a name for himself. Pittsburgh, Providence, Georgia Tech, Marquette, USC, etc all stopped in at Worcester and left impressed enough by Eaves to leave a scholarship offer on the table. Connecticut, previosuly described as his "dream school", was too good of an opportunity for Eaves to pass up and he decided on the Huskies shortly after his visit. He had visited Providence the week prior for their Midnight Madness.

The courant article quotes Worcester Academy head coach Eddie Reilly, who played for UConn assistant George Blaney at Holy Cross, quite extensively on Eaves' game. Since Eaves played solely in England up until now, not much is known about the 6'7 210 lb small forward. Reilly lists Eaves shooting ability and versatility as his strengths and his athletic ability has also been reported to be very good. Sounds like an excellent addition to the Connecticut program.

With the Eaves commitment and the decision of Will Harris to look elsewhere, Connecticut is slated for 14 scholarships for the 2006-2007 season, which is one higher than the NCAA limit of 13. Obviously, Rudy Gay is a likely NBA lottery pick and Josh Boone, who is expected to graduate in three years, is another 1st round possibility. Marcus Williams and AJ Price also have their futures up in the air, Williams could also be a 1st round NBA selection after the season. So, they could have up to three more scholarships open, but it is most likely they continue to recruit some additional front court help. The names of players to make an impact up front are dwindling, Hamady N'Diaye remains in the mix, but with everything that has surrounded him and his prep school, he would be a really high risk player to depend on qualifying and getting cleared by the NCAA. Jonathan Mandeldove and Curtis Kelly probably need another body upfront to play right away. In the spring, a serviceable JUCO big man could be a good fit for the Huskies.

This is obviously an outstanding class for Connecticut and one of the better reloading jobs you will ever see. They will hope Mandeldove continues his impressive improvement and playing against major college talent everyday in practice at Hargrave should prepare him for his first season in the Big East. A year ago he was signing with VCU and averaging about 12 PPG in high school, now, he is a member of one of the elite programs in the country, but his improvement will be monitored closely to address the possible need in the front court for next season, especially if Josh Boone moves on to the NBA. They should be set at the wing with impressive freshmen Marcus Johnson and incoming recruits Stanley Robinson and Ben Eaves. Robinson can also play some big forward as well and Jeff Adrien looks to be the type to excel at the college level. The guards will be helped greatly if AJ Price can get past all the outside issues and become part of the rotation, and, of course, if Marcus Williams stays for a senior season. Freshmen Craig Austrie and Robert Garrison should be able to team with Jerome Dyson and Ramar Smith to form a talented group and Marcus Johnson will be very much in the mix at all three perimeter positions. Curtis Kelly has had somewhat of a disappointing spring and summer and will need to show more consistency and added strength inside, he chose the right coach who will get the most out of him, his potential is limitless.

We will continue to follwo the recruiting juggernaut that Jim calhoun has created at UConn for any late additions the Huskies will look to add.

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CONNECTICUT RECRUITING UPDATE

VERBAL COMMITMENT ALERT: Stanley Robinson, F (Birmingham, AL)

The Hartford Courant, citing a report on Rivals.Com, has the story on Stanley Robinson's commitment: Stanley Robinson Commits to UConn.

Projected 2006-2007 Roster:
Seniors: Marcus Williams (PG), Josh Boone (PF/C)
Juniors: Rudy Gay (SF)
Sophomores: AJ Price (G), Marcus Johnson (WG), Jeff Adrien (F), Craig Austrie (G), Robert Garrison (PG).
Freshmen: Curtis Kelly (BF/C), Will Harris (F), Ramar Smith (G), Jerome Dyson (G), Jonathan Mandeldove (C), Stanley Robinson (F)

Links to our previous Connecticut recruiting write-ups: Sept 19 Report, Sept 18 Report, Sept 6 Report, July 8 Report, July 25 Round-Up.

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Jim Calhoun and his Connecticut staff has done it once again this year. With the early signing period closing in, just four weeks away, the Huskies had added to their recruiting haul with Stanley Robinson from Huffman High in Birmingham, AL. As a junior, the 6'9 220 lb Robinson averaged 16 PPG and 9 rebounds. Robinson can play both forward spots, he has the size to play the 4 and the athletic ability to play the 3. The past success of UConn in getting big wings to the NBA probably had a big role in his decision and he could be a perfect replacement for Rudy Gay, who will likely declare for the NBA draft after this upcoming season.

With Jerome Dyson, Ramar Smith, Stanley Robinson, Will Harris, Curtis Kelly and Jonathan Mandeldove, this is being called possibly the best class assembled by Jim Calhoun. The recent national championship, the plethora of UConn players in the NBA and the Hall of Fame credentialed coach is making Connecticut one of the elite destinations among the best players in America. In the new Big East, UConn is definitely among those raising the bar and others are going to have to keep up or catch up.

Looking over the projected roster, there is 14 names for next year. The list still contains AJ Price whose status medically and legally is unclear. Also, Rudy Gay is most likely a top 5 NBA pick in the next NBA draft and Josh Boone and Marcus Williams, who also has legal issues, could also be 1st round picks in the June NBA draft. So, that roster fo 14 could be sliced down to 10 very easily, and all 10 players would be freshmen or sophomores.

I think their biggest need is still in the middle. They were very actively recruiting Deon Thompson and Alex Stepheson and both decided to go elsewhere. It is still a tough sell, even for Connecticut, to recruit another C or BF in the class to compete with Kelly and Mandeldove because most want to be the lone recruit for the position in their class. Also, they might want to wait out the process a little bit and see what happens in the spring. It is expected that Josh Boone will graduate in three years and move to the NBA, but things can change. Also, adding a JUCO front court player to give them a little experience and maturity is not a bad route to go and will give the class some balance.

They still have a tentative date set with Lance Thomas, but he plays a very similar position as Robinson, so, I doubt there would be a match at this point. Point guard is still somewhat of a question mark as neither Ramar Smith or Jerome Dyson would be ideal point guards, but with Garrison and Austrie, and maybe Price or possibly Williams, there will be enough talent to get by and should but Connecticut in prime position to land a top point in 2007 and I am sure they are laying the groundwork there.

One thing is for certain, UConn and Jim Calhoun is proving in the new Big East, the rich get richer and the rest better keep up!

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