Great Quotes from Cronin on Recruiting

[JackBauer151]

Part of an interview with Courantblogs Cronin talks about recruiting in the new league....

“Today’s kid is so different,” Cronin said. “I don’t know how much they even know [about conference affiliation] or care. ESPN is the key . For us, we have 17 games on ESPN, that’s what kids care about, other than what’s going to affect them – their apartment, their dorm, your locker room, the gear. If a certain kid is hell bent on the ACC or the Big 10, you’re not going to get him anyway. . I tell everybody – Conference USA was good enough for a lot of guys like Kenyon Martin to be first pick in the draft, for Derek Rose to be MVP of the NBA, so don’t let other schools fool you, the most important thing is your relationship with your coaches at the end of the day. As long as were with ESPN, we have a great platform and our league’s going to flourish.”

For the full interview with Coach Cronin which includes officiating and playing games in New York here is the link.....

http://courantblogs.com/uconn-men/t...aac-officiating-with-cincinnatis-mick-cronin/

 

[Bearcat22]

Thanks for posting the link Jack. It's a really interesting read for those of you who haven't checked it out. I thought Cronin's thoughts (below) on the possible difference in officiating between the AAC and Big East were really interesting. I've wondered the same if the AAC might be a more wide-open game versus the rugby scrums of the old Big East.

“I think the more interesting thing will be the officiating. We’re now part of the [Men’s Basketball Officiating Consortum] headed up by Curtis Shaw, where as John Cahill took over the [“new” ] Big East. So for the teams, Cincinnati, Louisville, South Florida, Connecticut, Rutgers, you wonder, ‘How are the games going to officiated?’ Within league play, there’s definitely a difference. That’s the unknown more so. You can scout your opponent, but what is unknown is going to be how some of the games are going to be called. I learned when I got into the Big East, I was building a program and. I learned real quick, it’s a blood bath. You better get tough enough before you even think of getting skilled enough. You better not get run over first, that’s the first step to victory. In this league, maybe it won’t be quite as crazy.”

 

[BearcatSpaniard513]

Thanks for posting the link Jack. It's a really interesting read for those of you who haven't checked it out. I thought Cronin's thoughts (below) on the possible difference in officiating between the AAC and Big East were really interesting. I've wondered the same if the AAC might be a more wide-open game versus the rugby scrums of the old Big East.

“I think the more interesting thing will be the officiating. We’re now part of the [Men’s Basketball Officiating Consortum] headed up by Curtis Shaw, where as John Cahill took over the [“new” ] Big East. So for the teams, Cincinnati, Louisville, South Florida, Connecticut, Rutgers, you wonder, ‘How are the games going to officiated?’ Within league play, there’s definitely a difference. That’s the unknown more so. You can scout your opponent, but what is unknown is going to be how some of the games are going to be called. I learned when I got into the Big East, I was building a program and. I learned real quick, it’s a blood bath. You better get tough enough before you even think of getting skilled enough. You better not get run over first, that’s the first step to victory. In this league, maybe it won’t be quite as crazy.”

Well hopefully it's the same shock for some of these smaller schools coming into this league and we set the aggressive tone. With our defense and depth, we better out run every team we play, besides maybe UL and Memphis. We have had a rep for playing physical for as long as I've been watching going back to Huggs early teams. I hope these officials don't call petty fouls this year. With our style being tough and physical is our biggest advantage. I am getting sick of the NFL and NCAAF games calling an excessive amount of calls.