2022 Transfer Season

Bucksgal said:
I see she played 28 minutes and scored 11 points in her first game. Virginia must have filled her head with "rebuilding" dreams and promised her minutes to get her to transfer. They definitely fulfilled one promise last night, but otherwise, I don't understand why she'd transfer to Virginia whose performance over the last few years has been mediocre.
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Mediocre is fairly generous in my opinion. Tina Thompson is 28-55 since taking over, 13-30 in conference play. Unless she can sell UVA on not counting their shortened Covid season last year (5 games, 0-5) and McLean’s arrival, I don’t see her keeping that job much longer.
 
DFW_Horn said:
As far as seniors returning, I’d say the only player that might return next season would be Lauren. The fact they changed her class on the roster from junior to senior well after the initial roster updates indicates this is probably her last season.
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Not sure when the last time was where Vic discussed his seniors "moving on" after this season, but a lot has changed since the beginning of the season when all signs pointed to them not returning for their fifth season:

- We started the season with 14 scholarship players; 3 seniors
- RS-Fr. Precious Johnson announces in late September that she will be transferring out
- We sign 3 high school recruits for the class of 2022 in November
- RS-Fr. Ashley Chevalier announces in early December that she will be transferring out

So, not counting Ebo, Warren, and Allen-Taylor, we are looking at 12 scholarships allotted for the 2022-23 season. Based on what's happened at Texas (and everywhere) the last 2 years, attrition will probably claim 1-2 more Longhorns prior to the start of the next season (and probably sooner as the deadline to enter the transfer portal and be automatically eligible for the one-time transfer exception will be bumped up from July 1 to mid-May, I believe).

So, if you're Vic, what do you do with those 3 (minimum) scholarships available? Rickea Jackson from the transfer portal is a no-brainer (assuming Vic wants her, and she wants Texas).

I've lobbied hard for Ebo to return as we didn't sign anyone similar to her in November, and finding someone similar to her in the transfer portal will be extremely difficult (unless it's Jessika Carter).

With Chevalier's unexpected departure, we now need a backup point guard; we didn't sign one in November. Matharu can be a backup, but she is currently our biggest scoring threat that I'd hate to disrupt her play at SG. Joanne returning another season could be the solution; don't know Joanne's immediate plans after the season (grad school, career, pro ball, etc.).

Audrey Warren isn't necessarily "needed" as much as a Center (Ebo) and backup PG (Joanne), but Vic loves her toughness and versatility; Vic's mentioned how much practice time and games she's missed during her Texas career, and that not being an issue this season is really helping her individual development and success. Like Joanne, I don't know Audrey's immediate plans after the season (grad school, career, pro ball, etc.).

Haven't gotten wind of any JUCO players being recruited, nor of any additional 2022 high school recruits being pursued. After post-season coaching changes, there could be some 2022 players wanting out of their LOI's (like Lattimore last summer). And, of course, they'll be a lot of players nationally entering the transfer portal; Vic stated that he is careful when using the transfer portal as player has to fill a roster need, and he doesn't want to stunt a returning player's growth and development.

Obviously, Vic could save some of those available scholarships for the 2023 recruiting class. But, if you are going to take that approach, you might as well try hard to convince Lauren, Audrey, and Joanne to return as that they won't affect the 2023 scholarships.
 
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If there ever was a time to pack the arena it’s Saturday! We need to pull out all the stops for Rickea even though she already has a relationship with coach D and Vic. Let’s go Vic work your magic:hookem:
 
Now THIS is what I call Tuesday Good News! Horns need that “difference maker”. I really like all our current and committed players. For sure we are a Elite 8 contender every year. At some point Horns have to land somebody like Jackson to be a Final Four contender. What better way than Jackson……now. Young team, open spot, new arena, former coach. I like Schaefer’s chances on this one.
 
So, we have one anonymous message board (Lady Vols) indicating that Rickea Jackson will visit Texas this weekend; I will take that as good, positive news (which at least has not been disputed anywhere). Additional messages today indicate that this will be her last visit (after having already visited Ole Miss and Tennessee).

If she truly only has 3 finalists (and we're getting the final visit this weekend), that means the following to me:

- she's not set on continuing to play in the SEC (which she stated was one of the reasons she chose Miss. State out of high school)

- better odds competing against 2 schools instead of 4 schools

- getting the last visit is typically a good thing in recruiting; for transfers, sometimes the first visit is more indicative of the favorite


Other random thoughts (which are simply me trying to remain positive)

- Vic has a lot more post-season success than the head coaches at Ole Miss and Tennessee

- Rickea has played for 3 different head coaches in college; if she doesn't choose to transfer to Texas, she'll end up playing for 4 different head coaches in her 4 collegiate seasons. Most expect next season to be her final one before declaring for the WNBA draft, so there's a lot at stake for her final season (individual and team goals). She knows exactly what to expect with Vic as her head coach. So, better the devil you know than the devil you don't.

- Rickea will be a starter no matter which school she chooses to attend; so, not sure depth charts matter all that much. But, at Texas, we don't have a lot of returning experience at SF. Shay Holle has made a lot of strides the second half of this season, but she's our only returning wing player who is at least 6'0 tall.
 
Will somebody cut and paste or forward Mooo’s very definitive explanation on why Jackson should come to Texas? Forward to Jackson or her mom.
 
Rickea to Texas just seems so logical and likely for all of the reasons already expressed.

Call me cynical, but methinks Vic wanted to get 10K+ fans at the game Saturday for reasons over and above showing the Seniors our appreciation. Smart.
 
Glad she made it in for her official visit.

She did not post anything on IG about her official visits to Ole Miss and Tennessee, so I will take that as a positive (in my head) . . .
 
It might not mean anything, but Rickea did just start following Femme Masudi on IG. Doesn't seem like she's followed anyone "new" from Ole Miss or Tennessee over the last few weeks. And, no one else at Texas other than Femme.

Rori is the lone Texas player I saw who just started following Rickea on IG.

And, looks like Coach April and Calamity started following her on IG, but not sure how recent (maybe a a couple of days ago?).
 
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The weekend is almost over. But still time for Jackson to call Schaefer from home and commit. We need to end great weekend with this.
 
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