2022 Transfer Season

[hoopsalot]

It has to do with multiple posts about multiple players. I’m very happy Texas has Taylor Jones coming in. That, in my opinion, fills the big roster gap with both Ebo and Lattimore deciding not to return. The coaching staff appears to have thought similarly since they showed interest in numerous posts. (May or may not be interested in another big?) In contrast, we haven’t seen much about other guard transfer targets. Maybe Fields was just a special fit worth pursuing. But may not mean the staff is in a “we must get another guard mode.” We’ll see. Maybe a good fit with just one year to play wii be found.
Edit: As Kurupt points out, if Texas has another guard entering the portal that could change the equation. This fan would still prefer a one year guard player unless the player is very very special.

 

[Sincerely hookem]

Ok not going to lie I want to panic but Bic has shown us and proved that his way works so who am I to doubt it.
So although almost all the BIG names are gone that may be good because now we’ll see what the transfer portal was meant for in my opinion. A player that got either under recruited or went to a small school and over played. There are still literally hundreds of young women left.

 

[Sincerely hookem]

Central Michigan’s Molly Davis 5’7 CG
ECU Taniyah Thomas 5’11 G/W
My point is there are some players left who can help us we just don’t know them yet and even tho I be wanting to panic I know Vic is going to find her and if he don’t he will coach the ones he has.(they ain’t no sloutchs)

 

[Sincerely hookem]

Right now
PG-Rori
SG-Aaliyah
SF- Shay
PF-Moore/Gatson
C-Taylor
Bench-Hunter, Kobe,Muhammad,Jacki,Femme
It may not be a national championship team on paper but he could turn what we have now into a very scary team

 

[kurupt]

Central Michigan’s Molly Davis 5’7 CG
ECU Taniyah Thomas 5’11 G/W
My point is there are some players left who can help us we just don’t know them yet and even tho I be wanting to panic I know Vic is going to find her and if he don’t he will coach the ones he has.(they ain’t no sloutchs)

Are those players better than what we already have on the roster or coming in?

 

[justabbfan]

I watch wbb, never played nor do I know anything about the mechanations behind the scenes. That being said, I think if I were an elite player looking for a new team who my position coach will be would be very important and I would evaluate whether this person has the ability to teach, to improve my game and if they are a person I can relate to and spend hours with daily. Have we lost any portal players because of the uncertainty of the coaching staff? Don’t know but I do think all of that needs to be settled and soon.

 

[Born in ATX]

I watch wbb, never played nor do I know anything about the mechanations behind the scenes. That being said, I think if I were an elite player looking for a new team who my position coach will be would be very important and I would evaluate whether this person has the ability to teach, to improve my game and if they are a person I can relate to and spend hours with daily. Have we lost any portal players because of the uncertainty of the coaching staff? Don’t know but I do think all of that needs to be settled and soon.

The chatter online (so, might be speculation) is that Fields chose Arizona because of her relationship with a former OSU asst. coach who is on staff at UA. Out of high school, Fields originally committed to Cal and wanted to play in the Pac12, but switched to OSU right before her Freshman year when Cal's coach took an asst. coaching job in the NBA. She got out of her LOI with Cal and switched to OSU and the article I saw said she cited "relationships with a coach" as being important. So assuming we don't have a position coach hired for guards right now, then yeah - seems like maybe this could have made a difference. I'm all for getting those positions filled as soon as possible. However, interestingly, the reason the former OSU asst. coach is even on the staff at Arizona right now in the first place is because she was hired to fill a vacancy on Zona's staff that occurred last June when Vic snatched April Phillips off of Zona's staff! So its kind of ironic how this particular story all played out. But its over now, so I guess its time to focus on prospects that want to play here.

Finally, FYI - in Danny Davis' tweet this morning, he said we'll play Arizona this fall. Our game with them last Fall was supposed to be at a neutral site (Vegas), but they went covid on us and cancelled last minute. If they are going to be on our schedule this Fall, I wonder where the game will be played?

 

[utfannforlife]

The chatter online (so, might be speculation) is that Fields chose Arizona because of her relationship with a former OSU asst. coach who is on staff at UA. Out of high school, Fields originally committed to Cal and wanted to play in the Pac12, but switched to OSU right before her Freshman year when Cal's coach took an asst. coaching job in the NBA. She got out of her LOI with Cal and switched to OSU and the article I saw said she cited "relationships with a coach" as being important. So assuming we don't have a position coach hired for guards right now, then yeah - seems like maybe this could have made a difference. I'm all for getting those positions filled as soon as possible. However, interestingly, the reason the former OSU asst. coach is even on the staff at Arizona right now in the first place is because she was hired to fill a vacancy on Zona's staff that occurred last June when Vic snatched April Phillips off of Zona's staff! So its kind of ironic how this particular story all played out. But its over now, so I guess its time to focus on prospects that want to play here.

Finally, FYI - in Danny Davis' tweet this morning, he said we'll play Arizona this fall. Our game with them last Fall was supposed to be at a neutral site (Vegas), but they went covid on us and cancelled last minute. If they are going to be on our schedule this Fall, I wonder where the game will be played?

We’ll travel to Tucson. The neutral site game last season was added to the contract between the two schools, it didn’t supersede our original home and home schedule. Adia Barnes was on the Bird and Tuarasi show during the F4 and she talked about our upcoming game in Arizona this year.

 

[cnb]

I think some fans have fallen into the infatuation of the portal. I've stated from the beginning that the Center position was the biggest need, and they added one of the best if not the best in the portal. With Fields going to Arizona, I think whether or not Kyndell ends up in the portal is important interms of another perimeter player being a pressing need. Another Center as a backup is also something to obviously look into.

If not, Vic is going to have to do what coaches have been doing for years before the transfer portal. Which is to develop the talent that he has coming in as freshmen and that are already on the roster.

It is not an " infatuation" . It is as fundamental now as recruiting is . Look across the college landscape. The days of having a recruiting class for 4 yr is over. It's a 1 year, 2 year turn around at best. The hope is to keep somewhat of a core and try to " develop" them over whatever time you have with them.
IMO in this years recruiting class I see Ndjackaenga as being the only contender to being a major contributor. Muhammad is Lattimore part deux. We won't hear from Codio for a couple of years. We're an injury away to Harmon or our new big from having the season unravel. Would still like to see another big via the portal and a guard if at all possible.

 

[brnkj]

As for Fields, as someone previously mentioned, I tend to think that she may have been a special fit that Vic felt could help us out while we still have youth to develop at the wing. I trust his judgment whatever the case. Having said that I'm not at all bummed that she chose to go elsewhere. She's a good player and should fit into Adia Barnes' style nicely.

 

[Moooooo]

I wanted Lauren Fields on our roster for several different reasons. Right now, I can't imagine who on our team can try and effectively defend fifth-year seniors Ashley Joens and Taylor Robertson. I think Fields could have been the player to earn those defensive assignments. Adding a player to your roster is not always about how well they shoot the ball, or how many points per game they can average.

Losing Allen-Taylor and Warren also decreases our three-point shooters. We've added no one who can fill that void for this upcoming season. I'm saying that with the assumption that Jordana Codio will redshirt while she rehabs her injured knee.

 

[HornView]

So I’m assuming the May 2-8 recruitment shutdown period applies to the portal players as well?

 

[Born in ATX]

It is not an " infatuation" . It is as fundamental now as recruiting is . Look across the college landscape. The days of having a recruiting class for 4 yr is over. It's a 1 year, 2 year turn around at best. The hope is to keep somewhat of a core and try to " develop" them over whatever time he had with them.

This is why the Shane Laflin rumored hire (that Shane himself seems to have shot down) didn't seem that off-the-wall once you started to think about it. Vic has quoted Nick Saban on various matters multiple times in his pressers. It seems like he likes to follow what Saban says and appreciates the philosophies of successful coaches out there, regardless of the sport. There was talk last summer that Saban wanted to create a position for someone to do nothing but monitor athletes from other schools with an eye towards being able to aggressively be a player in the portal, as it was becoming clear that either you are going to adapt to the changes that are going on out there, or just find yourself getting run over by them. Yeah, and I know what Geno said during the final four - that no one has ever left his program and excelled at a top 20 program. I'm not buying that. We are now witnessing teams getting completely remade in very short order from the portal. And think about the investment of time it takes to recruit a high school player who still has to prove herself at the college level vs. how quickly the recruiting process goes with a portal player. The portal process is literally done in a few weeks, and you already have college film to look at for portal players. So it makes total sense to me to have someone like Laflin on staff, if anything, because we are going to need to be active players in the portal in the future whether we like it or not.

 

[kurupt]

It is not an " infatuation" . It is as fundamental now as recruiting is . Look across the college landscape. The days of having a recruiting class for 4 yr is over. It's a 1 year, 2 year turn around at best. The hope is to keep somewhat of a core and try to " develop" them over whatever time he had with them.
IMO in this years recruiting class I Ndjackaenga as being the only contender to being a major contributor. Muhammad is Lattimore part deux. We won't hear from Codio for a couple of years. We're an injury away to Harmon or our new big from having the season unravel. Would still like to see another big via the portal and a guard if at all possible.

It is an infatuation. IMO the portal for top programs should be used to fill holes or gaps at needed positions, preferably with an All-American/All-conference caliber player, while still maintaining some sort of team continuity. Unless you're a top program like Maryland and you have to replenish the roster with a bunch of transfers because of players that have transferred out. I'm not a fan of adding a bunch of transfers just to say that we did so.

Which it seems like some fans are, the reason I say infatuation. Especially those that probably aren't better than the players already on the roster like Shay, Kyndall, Kobe, or the incoming freshmen had they gotten a ton of minutes to put up numbers on a lesser team or lower level D1. program.

And most teams are an injury away to their best players from their seasons unraveling. I like Fields and wanted her on the team, but the team nor the fate of the season was going to hinge on her or any player that we bring in unless they're a top tier player.

 

[Bobcat]

Personally, I’m more thrilled about keeping Kyndall Hunter than anything to do with Lauren Fields. Much respect to Kyndall….

 

[brnkj]

LOL! Apparently the Baylor board is in a mild uproar over my calling them "Jerusalem On The Brazos."

 

[Sangre Naranjada]

Sometimes the truth hurts.

 

[brnkj]

I don't expect any recruiting news this week, May 2-8 is an NCAA designated recruiting shutdown.

 

[Born in ATX]

I don't expect any recruiting news this week, May 2-8 is an NCAA designated recruiting shutdown.

Good point. Maybe we can get a coach hired this week?

 

[brnkj]

Good point. Maybe we can get a coach hired this week?

Ugh, the frustration of waiting...

 

[JoeDallas]

I wanted Lauren Fields on our roster for several different reasons. Right now, I can't imagine who on our team can try and effectively defend fifth-year seniors Ashley Joens and Taylor Robertson. I think Fields could have been the player to earn those defensive assignments. Adding a player to your roster is not always about how well they shoot the ball, or how many points per game they can average.

Losing Allen-Taylor and Warren also decreases our three-point shooters. We've added no one who can fill that void for this upcoming season. I'm saying that with the assumption that Jordana Codio will redshirt while she rehabs her injured knee.

Kyndall Hunter might make some threes if she ever plays any.

 

[Moooooo]

Kyndall Hunter might make some threes if she ever plays any.

That's great. How will she do defending Ashley Joens, Lexi Donarski and Taylor Robertson? Unfortunately, giving up wide open 3-point shots is what will keep her off the court in those games.

 

[JoeDallas]

That's great. How will she do defending Ashley Joens, Lexi Donarski and Taylor Robertson? Unfortunately, giving up wide open 3-point shots is what will keep her off the court in those games.

That is a little pessimistic. Oh course she won't be guarding Joens, but you don't know that she can't guard their 3 point shooters. We didn't see her enough to say that.

Of course we will miss JAT and Warren's defense. Warren was good for causing the opponent a few turnovers in most games by taking charges alone.

 

[TempestHorn]

That's great. How will she do defending Ashley Joens, Lexi Donarski and Taylor Robertson? Unfortunately, giving up wide open 3-point shots is what will keep her off the court in those games.

This take is particularly harsh considering by several accounts she was dealing with an injury. I noticed a change in her foot speed when Vic played her in the Big 12 tourney versus when she was playing throughout conference. Not every freshman is going to play defense like Rori. If she's healthy and commits to it, I would think she'll show significant defensive improvement.

 

[Bobcat]

That's great. How will she do defending Ashley Joens, Lexi Donarski and Taylor Robertson? Unfortunately, giving up wide open 3-point shots is what will keep her off the court in those games.

Geez give her a friggin chance. You tout Audrey as a big loss, but do you realize how many turnovers she had almost every game? JAT will be missed, but Matharu is a much better shooter and now it’s her time. Hunter has a tremendous upside and was injured and a freshman. We move on. I for one am excited to see what Hunter can do and am thrilled that she stayed.

 

[brnkj]

Geez give her a friggin chance. You tout Audrey as a big loss, but do you realize how many turnovers she had almost every game? JAT will be missed, but Matharu is a much better shooter and now it’s her time. Hunter has a tremendous upside and was injured and a freshman. We move on. I for one am excited to see what Hunter can do and am thrilled that she stayed.

Agree that we might as well move on and forget about that which "we'll miss." Jo and Audrey came and played their four years then left. That's the norm and we move on to those who make up the roster for next season.

While I do agree that both of those seniors brought some exceptional defense, we don't know definitively that overall we won't be in better shape with more offensively skilled players who continue to improve on their defense. Also agree that Hunter will get there if she commits to and trusts the process. She's an exceptional talent in her own right

 

[Moooooo]

Geez give her a friggin chance. You tout Audrey as a big loss, but do you realize how many turnovers she had almost every game? JAT will be missed, but Matharu is a much better shooter and now it’s her time. Hunter has a tremendous upside and was injured and a freshman. We move on. I for one am excited to see what Hunter can do and am thrilled that she stayed.

Yes. And, in multiple video press conferences, Vic commented directly to Audrey that he wanted her to cut down on her turnovers. But, we all know how many different skills Audrey brought to the table.

Nobody is a perfect player. But, to see court time, a player needs to earn their coaches' trust by doing the things their head coach prioritizes, and doing it at an acceptable level.

In no way have I ever advocated for Kyndall to move on; I was excited when she committed to Texas, and still believe she can contribute. We can all agree that her offense is ahead of her defense after one season at Texas. And, yes, the injury might have slowed down her development. Do I see her as a starter this coming season? Not at the moment as the SG spot will most likely have Matharu on the court as much as possible barring foul trouble.

 

[flash34]

On a dark and dreary Wednesday here, guess I’ll weigh in on the fray regarding Hunter(again). Boy do I like shooters. Especially three point shooters with unlimited range and no conscious regarding letting ‘em fly. I’m ignoring for the time being, the seemingly lack of awareness of when and when not to shoot em. Apparently this forum has some of the same DNA. Most of us quickly recognized the lack of quickness/foot speed she has. Perhaps it is partially injury related but she simply couldn’t stay in front of her player…..so she backed off….even when prodded by Schaefer to get out and pressure. Equally frustrating to Schaefer and fans was an evident and expressed lack of knowing where to be in the defensive (and offensive) schemes. And her turnovers were maddening. She got better late in the year…..showing a little quickness on offense handling the ball. I simply have no clue if what I saw is a function of injury/lack of confidence/other…..and suddenly the light can go on in her second year. I had similar questions about Moore and she has apparently answered them for me…..it was about her injury and just need for a little experience. All we can do is speculate on what we see…..which is a small sample size….but still concerning. I would simply love to experience a mea culpa and admit my inadequacies this fall. Right now, I am left wondering if the concerns can be alleviated. Perhaps they can. I’m rooting for her. She has a unique snd needed offensive skill that few have. GO HUNTER!

 

[Moooooo]

This take is particularly harsh considering by several accounts she was dealing with an injury. I noticed a change in her foot speed when Vic played her in the Big 12 tourney versus when she was playing throughout conference. Not every freshman is going to play defense like Rori. If she's healthy and commits to it, I would think she'll show significant defensive improvement.

I'm not sure what's harsh about what I stated. Vic's philosophy seems to be to play those players who are committed to playing defense, and not allowing the player they are guarding to get wide open shots.

When we play offensive-minded teams like ISU and OU, the Texas guards who will see the most court time are those who can at least get a hand in the face of the opponent's best shooters.

 

[UrsusArctos]

On a dark and dreary Wednesday here, guess I’ll weigh in on the fray regarding Hunter(again). Boy do I like shooters. Especially three point shooters with unlimited range and no conscious regarding letting ‘em fly. I’m ignoring for the time being, the seemingly lack of awareness of when and when not to shoot em. Apparently this forum has some of the same DNA. Most of us quickly recognized the lack of quickness/foot speed she has. Perhaps it is partially injury related but she simply couldn’t stay in front of her player…..so she backed off….even when prodded by Schaefer to get out and pressure. Equally frustrating to Schaefer and fans was an evident and expressed lack of knowing where to be in the defensive (and offensive) schemes. And her turnovers were maddening. She got better late in the year…..showing a little quickness on offense handling the ball. I simply have no clue if what I saw is a function of injury/lack of confidence/other…..and suddenly the light can go on in her second year. I had similar questions about Moore and she has apparently answered them for me…..it was about her injury and just need for a little experience. All we can do is speculate on what we see…..which is a small sample size….but still concerning. I would simply love to experience a mea culpa and admit my inadequacies this fall. Right now, I am left wondering if the concerns can be alleviated. Perhaps they can. I’m rooting for her. She has a unique snd needed offensive skill that few have. GO HUNTER!

Well said @flash34 . All this shite here, all day.

Last season with the loss of AC, and Rori hitting the freshman wall for a bit we really needed Kyndall to play some minutes. She did not. Vic did not trust her on the court after we got into closer games. Injury, footspeed, attitude, difficulty adjusting to the speed of the college game, I don't know, but the result was apparent.

I am picturing a senior Hunter, taking charges like Audrey, in your face D like Rori and raining threes like hellfire. GO HUNTER!