UConn Men Lose Out on Recruit

Because you needed more proof that Jim Calhoun will likely be coaching again this fall...

According to Adam Zagoria of ZagsBlog.com, Kris Dunn, a UConn recruiting target, appears set to sign with Providence College.

Teams lose recruits all the time, and with the Huskies' recent signings (DeAndre Daniels and Omar Calhoun), losing out on Dunn isn't the blow to the program that it might've been this spring after Kemba left for the NBA, the Huskies lost three scholarships for academic shortcomings, and Jamal Coombs-McDaniel transferred. But the Dunn news is still noteworthy.

Details from Zagoria: "Dunn had reportedly narrowed his list to Providence and UConn, but a source close to the Huskies staff said head coach Jim Calhoun had not been in recent contact with Dunn and that UConn was instead focusing on bigs like Andre Drummond, Jarnell Stokes, Anthony Bennett and Chris Obekpa."

Interesting.

We've mentioned it before but coaches with one foot out the door headed for retirement and the golf course, typically aren't this active in recruiting. Then again, everybody seems to think Calhoun will be back (and recruits say they've heard as much … directly from Calhoun), so all that's left to do is, you know, make an official announcement.

Interesting subplot: if Dunn does indeed sign with Providence, that will be a great catch for a program looking to get back in the national conversation. Dunn's considered one of the best point guards in the country, and we suspect that Friars new assistant coach Andre LaFleur had a lot to do with it.

Quick refresher: LaFleur was on the Huskies staff until mid-April, when he left for Providence. He didn't think UConn gave him the best chance at an eventual head-coaching gig, so he made a move. But it also meant that one of the Huskies' best recruiters was taking his talents elsewhere in the Big East. At the time, we were concerned LaFleur's departure would leave a huge recruiting void in Storrs but clearly Calhoun still carries a lot of clout when it comes to talking to prospective Huskies (also not hurting: a national title).

As for Dunn, it sounds like the Huskies decided to focus their efforts on other players at other positions. Given that Shabazz Napier and Ryan Boatright have the point guard position locked up for the next few years, it's probably the right decision. And if UConn somehow happens to land Andre Drummond because of it, then even better.

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