Transfer Portal 2024

I'd love to have either one. Nye definitely seems to be the more "pure" shooter, and she's got a decent game off the bounce as well. LP is quite a bit more athletic, and definitely wayyy more athletic than Shaylee. She's able to create for herself and others (being that she was forced to play PG out of necessity this past year). If you look at her shooting percentage in the previous season, she shot 41% from 3 so she's not exactly a slouch. She definitely solves some problems both offensively and defensively that we've experienced the past couple of seasons.

 

Vic needs to nail a couple of big names, and the talent that goes with it. Jones has really been the only one, and I'm not sure she was top 10. Shaylee was a good get, but she wasn't that highly ranked. Reality is he's probably lost more talent than he's replaced, certainly if you consider Celeste.

Jerritt is certainly doing it, and to a lesser extent MW. Vic needs to go get the top talent.

 

We can add Coach Wizz and Aaliyah Moore to the IG follows/follows back

 

Sometimes, it's all about timing. From the timeline we see, it appears that an official visit for Laila Phelia was scheduled before Aaliyah Nye even entered the transfer portal. You can't ask the coaching staff to put their recruiting efforts on hold hoping a specific player will (finally) decide to enter the transfer portal. Most believe it's not a coincidence that Nye's decision came after one of the Bama assistant coaches moved on to Tennessee just a few days ago.

Sometimes, you have to pursue the players who reciprocate your interest and move forward before you miss out.

I don't know who of Phelia or Nye played more SG and SF; but, I think we need the more "natural" shooting guard. Bottom line is that player has to fit Vic's scheme offensively and defensively. Not sure which player has more quickness, or who is better defensively. But, if our coaches already have Phelia in for an official visit, they must feel she's a good fit.

 

Interesting though, what Vic has accomplished with this "lack" of talent.

 

Yes, he has done a great job.

 

From one year ago in Baton Rouge . . .

 

I've seen some really bad reading comprehension on these boards but that may take the cake. Please tell me the University of Texas did not give you a degree. Please tell me no school above Walsh Middle School gave you a degree.

I made no mention at all about Vi'c's recruiting whatsoever yet you ascertain I've made a post stating Vic sucks at recruiting. Vic has done very well at most everything and gets the most out of his players, but his portal gets considering the history, resources and money our school has can only be described as disappointing. Especially considering the holes to be filled. Even TCU is kicking his butt at this point. And others posting here have pointed out Shaylee's lack of athleticism compared to Phelia and Nye. Maybe he'll get one of those, but he doesn't have a signature yet.

In the last few years Jerritt has gotten the #1 OH in the portal and the #1 libero. There are no NC's without those players. Even Jenna Wenaas would be the best player on any non top 10 team. Show me one top 5 portal player Vic has signed? Shaylee has been good and Taylor has been good, but Taylor only dreams about having the athleticism of a Reese of Cardosa. And you simply don't beat the Dawn Staley until your talent is at least really close. And Taylor wasn't a difficult get considering she was homesick. To win a natty in the new world we live in takes great recruiting AND filling holes with portal players.

And one could argue Booker is the only true difference maker Vic has recruited. There may be a couple coming in, that remains to be seen, but Jak and Mahammed, no way. Again, Vic has done very well with what he has, but Texas only has 1 player that would start for any other top 5 team and John Wooden couldn't win a natty with that.

 

Rori Harmon? Auriemma certainly thinks she is a difference maker.. The portal does make things more difficult. It allows the “super powers” to fill holes quickly, avoiding anything remotely resembling a rebuilding year. As it is, I like our roster. I would love to see the addition of Phelia. Slot her in at the two. Shay is the “fixer” off the bench. We hope the freshmen guards are great, but they do not have to be great right away. The five position is a possible weak link in my view. But I do not know how Herron is progressing and what Vic’s vision is. Vic still has faith in Jones. That I believe.

 

This is pretty much spot on except for, IMO, Rori has definitely been a difference maker. If not for injury, perhaps Amo would be as well. She's only played a couple of seasons so we'll see how it goes with her. The ability is definitely there, it's just a matter of how much the nagging injuries affect her development. Regarding the transfer portal, you make arguments that are 100% valid.

 

IMO, the transfer portal is akin to "get rich quick" schemes. Both the players and coaches are betting that the year or possibly two these transfers will be with a new team that: 1) the team will benefit as a whole through advancing in the tournament; 2) the individual player will benefit from NIL and helping the team win. Unfortunately, that isn't always the case; see LSU this year as an example.

Vic has the bones of a great team already on the roster. What I think he finds difficult in some of the transfers he has tried to sign in the past is that they see the current roster and wonder about playing time, ex: trying to secure a backup point guard last offseason with Rori already at point. He's also a demanding coach. Some players just don't want to work that hard. I get it.

All in all, the assertion that Vic has not signed what some would call a difference-maker is true. But it's not for lack of trying, at least in my view.

 

I think this is a more fair and robust assessment of Vic's recruiting wins than what @Run Pincher posted.

 

Yep... it's definitely not "easy" to play at Texas because Vic is notorious for demanding extremely hard work that a lot of players just don't want to put in. But there are 12 teams in the WNBA with 12 roster spots each. That's not even enough for three deep at every position.

There is so much talent in WCBB these days challenging each other and experienced pros for a place on a roster. They won't secure/maintain one of those spots without working their tails off.

 

Yes, I agree, but I left Rori out because I meant players that were playing at the end of the season. My mistake for not making that clear. Vic has done well at recruiting, but my point about the transfer portal still stands, still no one has pointed out a top 5 portal get.

 

Your passion certainly shines through and, while admirable in its intensity, I have no interest in expending that amount of energy in this arena. Not sure where the umbrage comes from. You were casting aspersions on Vic's ability to attract top level talent. My observation is that he has gone to the elite 8 the last three seasons. That had not happened here. And, as for my education, or lack thereof, it's Muhammad.

 

DeYona chooses Auburn

 

Beers on a visit to Oklahoma . . .

 

Makes sense. What a bitter-sweet experience it will be to see DeYona at Moody, if that's how the schedule plays out.

 

Auburn picking up steam. Adding both Gaston and Scott provides a good roster upgrade I think.

 

Laila Phelia says her goodbyes to Michigan in Instagram about 30 minutes ago or so . . .

 

What "history" ? National title 34 years ago? 2-3 Final Fours from 1987-2003?

What is it that you are expecting this portal season? Texas basically has 4-5 returning starters who will not give up their starting spots easily; and, we have 1 known available scholarship, probably 2 at most. To state any comparison to TCU (who is overhauling the majority of their roster) is hilarious.

 

Jerritt Elliott has been at Texas for like 24 years. Vic has been at Texas for 4 years.

It took Jerritt six years to reach his first Elite 8, eight years to reach a Final Four, and 12 years to win his first national title. It didn't happen overnight. His success in the portal has been a result of his success on the court, but also having starting spots open up which incoming transfers were ready to claim.

Another comparison which just leaves me scratching my head.

 

I’m still scratching my head trying to figure out how TCU is kicking Vic’s butt. Make it make sense…

 

NIL and the transfer portal is a new world. If you do not partake and protect your players, it will be hard to compete. Many programs are putting money into women's sports because of the fact that a few players can really change the game play. Mike White has Mac (P) from Arizona State and she was a Pac 12 freshman pitcher and he has Estelle Czech from NC State, also another terrific pitcher. Without those two, we are in the middle of the Big 12. Two strong hitters, Joley Mitchell came from Notre Dame and Bella Dayton came from Arizona. That and his freshman make for a top program. I hope Vic gets one or two solid players.

 

Get in where you fit in.

 

You have to have scholarship room to partake in the portal. When you have most of your team wanting to stay, the only choice you have is trying to force them to portal. My very limited memory makes me think that Vic likes developing players. He's not likely to force someone out if he thinks he has a chance to make them better.

One player we don't hear anything about is Abbie Boutilier. I know she was hurt when she came in. She was walking without a boot halfway through the season. I have to believe she will be utilized this year...hopefully?

 

Without any evidence of this account’s credibility, I’m posting this because it fits the outcome I’m hoping for…

 

I didn't grow up ingrained in Texas Longhorns culture. As a freshman on the 40 acres, I never took to burnt orange. But once I graduated I appreciated our school color because EVERYONE knows burnt orange is only associated with The University of Texas. And Mack Brown took it to another level with his encouragement to Longhorn nation, "Come early, be loud, stay late, wear burnt orange".