2023/2024 Portal News

brnkj said:
I'd be a little surprised to see her go somewhere within the B12 where she'd be facing her teammates of the past two and three seasons.
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Seems like intra-conference transfers are the norm these days. OU got one from OSU. UCLA got one from Stanford. Ole Miss got one from Florida. And, on and on . . .
 
Born in ATX said:
This was true throughout the last 3+ days but she appears to have unfollowed that account now (checked it from 2 separate IG accounts just now). She does still follow all the same players and coaches she followed over the weekend and at the end of last week. The only official college WBB account I see a follow from her on at this time is Illiniwbb.
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When Texashorns posted that Taina Mari had started following TexasWBB account on Instagram, I went to check; I did not see it. Checked pretty much every day from then until now; never saw it. Didn't see her following TexasWBB; and, didn't see her listed on TexasWBB as a follower. For whatever reason, just never saw it. While I do occasionally have refresh issues on IG, it eventually refreshes and I see what someone else reported seeing; this was the one exception.
 
Last offseason, we knew we needed to find someone to replace Lauren Ebo and start at Center; Vic signed Taylor Jones and Hadi Faye. We also needed to find a starter at SG/W with the departures of Joanne Allen-Taylor, Aliyah Matharu, and Audrey Warren. Vic signed Sonya Morris and Shaylee Gonzales. We also lost Kobe King-Hawea and Latasha Lattimore to the transfer portal.

When we were all stating our predictions for who would be starters for the 2022-23 season, I recall posting that neither Gonzales nor Morris came to Texas with the intention of coming off the bench. One of the allures to coming to Texas was probably the depth chart at their positions. Sure enough, they both started pretty much all the games where they were healthy.

This offseason, we are in a different situation. We have only lost one player to the transfer portal, and she was already MIA the entire season; so, no shocker other than how long it took for her to move on. Our needs are primarily in the backcourt. But, we have returning starters who will make it challenging for incoming transfers to earn their way into the starting lineup. We definitely need more guards who can play some backup PG minutes, and who can defend; bonus if they can shoot well from the perimeter; but, the better their skills, the less likely they want to be backups.
 
Looking like Taina Mair might be on a visit to Maryland. Saw on IG where she is following Brenda Frese, and vice versa.

She also seems to be getting interest from Virginia Tech and West Virginia.
 
Moooooo said:
Looking like Taina Mair might be on a visit to Maryland. Saw on IG where she is following Brenda Frese, and vice versa.

She also seems to be getting interest from Virginia Tech and West Virginia.
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I'm not surprised that she's getting that type of interest... not surprised at all.
 
I am a little concerned about the news from this team about transfers. I know in part it is Coach Vic's style to be private and in part it is loyalty to current players, but our bench was simply too short. Even if we had several players who fit a role like Holle, it would have helped immensely. I am fine in getting surprised but other programs are so aggressive.
 
I’m starting to wonder why Texas is not even getting top transfers on campus for a visit at the very least. Is there a designated NIL person? Money should be no issue.Seems like it’s old school mentality. Better wake up and catch up.
 
BALL IS LIFE said:
I’m starting to wonder why Texas is not even getting top transfers on campus for a visit at the very least. Is there a designated NIL person? Money should be no issue.Seems like it’s old school mentality. Better wake up and catch up.
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Well, the very top transfers are being seen visiting teams that (1) finished in the final four or at least the elite 8 and appear likely to finish there again this year; and (2) a ready made starting spot. Next you have schools that are at a higher level than the player’s previous school that offer a prominent role to the player. Only about 2 or 3 schools (i.e. South Carolina and UConn) are so desirable they may be able to attract elite transfers w/o a high degree of certainty that they will have a starting job. Will be interesting to see how the action changes when South Carolina and LSU have made their matches. UConn has shown nothing publicly to indicate they are looking for a transfer in this year.
 
I’m just say it I’m concerned because we honestly haven’t done anything to get better. I get it there is some stability in keeping players and player development but we had big flaws that showed at their end of the year and they’re being addressed. We have 1 proven guard who we depended on way to much and it took away from her scoring. Too many wings that none really shoot the 3 ball well enough to spread the floor. Out bigs are sufficient but not all Americans. Not saying adding a transfer fix’s problems but something gotta give. Quinerly isn’t leaving wvu IMO so it’s a no go on that. I think at this point we need a shooter and another guard.
 
I’m venting my frustration but and another thing everybody else is getting better even the new kids ( Houston & BYU) Baylor, OSU, & WVU all got better. KState and Kansas got they bigs to stay and come back. Yes, we won the big 12 but it was a down year if we being honest. I was working on my AAU team evaluations and so after I finished I had free time to do a fun one of ours and I seriously found flaws. We are unproven and even the ones that have proven Shaylee and Rori they had flaws to they game this year. Rori couldn’t shoot the 3 ball and ft% dipped below what pg should be and Shaylee was inconsistent and not a good backup pg option she is a 2 guard trending towards wing or 3 guard in 3 guard system. Deyona still coming but not arrive. Jak &Codio idk tbh but If Jak can make that soph leap she could be good. Tay and Faye wish I could merge them into 1 person. Tay needs to get healthy to be fair but Faye is good for being a backup but she proved we a different starter. Maul and Booker are freshman so we don’t know what to expect tbh. I hope both come in and kick butt and take names. Amina is another that I hope takes a step and develops some offense. AMo just get healthy
 
hoopsalot said:
Well, the very top transfers are being seen visiting teams that (1) finished in the final four or at least the elite 8 and appear likely to finish there again this year; and (2) a ready made starting spot. Next you have schools that are at a higher level than the player’s previous school that offer a prominent role to the player. Only about 2 or 3 schools (i.e. South Carolina and UConn) are so desirable they may be able to attract elite transfers w/o a high degree of certainty that they will have a starting job. Will be interesting to see how the action changes when South Carolina and LSU have made their matches. UConn has shown nothing publicly to indicate they are looking for a transfer in this year.
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I understand your point on but what are schools like USC doing to get players like Morrow interested and they just got a big time commit from a person in our back yard in Rian Forester (San Antonio). When it comes to the X’s and O’s of coaching a game Vic is 1000% trustworthy. When it comes to connecting with youth of today that responsibility falls on his staff and to this point I’m unimpressed. We are going into the season relying on Rori, a player coming off multiple serious leg injuries and a freshmen. I guess my final point would be a team like Texas, who is coming off a conference championship and 2 elite 8s should be held to elite standards when your paying a staff elite pay.
 
Sincerely hookem said:
I’m venting my frustration but and another thing everybody else is getting better even the new kids ( Houston & BYU) Baylor, OSU, & WVU all got better. KState and Kansas got they bigs to stay and come back. Yes, we won the big 12 but it was a down year if we being honest. I was working on my AAU team evaluations and so after I finished I had free time to do a fun one of ours and I seriously found flaws. We are unproven and even the ones that have proven Shaylee and Rori they had flaws to they game this year. Rori couldn’t shoot the 3 ball and ft% dipped below what pg should be and Shaylee was inconsistent and not a good backup pg option she is a 2 guard trending towards wing or 3 guard in 3 guard system. Deyona still coming but not arrive. Jak &Codio idk tbh but If Jak can make that soph leap she could be good. Tay and Faye wish I could merge them into 1 person. Tay needs to get healthy to be fair but Faye is good for being a backup but she proved we a different starter. Maul and Booker are freshman so we don’t know what to expect tbh. I hope both come in and kick butt and take names. Amina is another that I hope takes a step and develops some offense. AMo just get healthy
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Pretty much every thought you expressed is exactly how I feel.
 
Think I'm just gonna sit back and let folks work themselves into a frenzy. :D

I provided my thoughts/explanations, but to no avail apparently.
 
I get it @Moooooo but at the same time can you really say you not concerned and we got em right where we want em. I’m not asking for a team that doesn’t have flaws cause I think that’s impossible but our flaws are showing like split ends and to top it off our flaws don’t outweigh our strengths. To be good or great your strengths have to overshadow your flaws. Take SC for instance they flaws got exposed at the end of the year yes but for the most part they strengths made up for it. Vics first 2 teams embraced the grit and grind of defense mentality and took pride in it and last year that team didn’t plus we couldn’t score.
 
Moooooo said:
Think I'm just gonna sit back and let folks work themselves into a frenzy. :D
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Frenzy is apparently my happy place but didn't Sonya sign around May 20th and Shaylee July 11th or is that wrong? What gets me going is seeing other teams picking up folks while we do not.
 
Do Jak or Amina have much range? Don't remember them shooting much from outside. I never think Holle shoots enough.
 
Moooooo said:
Think I'm just gonna sit back and let folks work themselves into a frenzy. :D

I provided my thoughts/explanations, but to no avail apparently.
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Not to no avail... You were so correct in everything you said IMO. We only have a couple of spots, and we have specific needs. While other teams are piling on new players, we don't have the room for them. The two spots that we do have cannot be filled by just anyone. Therefore we can't go out and recruit as many people in the portal as others are. It has to be a combo guard that can play and contribute right away, and the difference maker at any position like Vic said. Honestly I think that difference maker at any position needs to be a good solid five player. But that's just my opinion.
 
Sincerely hookem said:
I get it @Moooooo but at the same time can you really say you not concerned and we got em right where we want em. I’m not asking for a team that doesn’t have flaws cause I think that’s impossible but our flaws are showing like split ends and to top it off our flaws don’t outweigh our strengths. To be good or great your strengths have to overshadow your flaws. Take SC for instance they flaws got exposed at the end of the year yes but for the most part they strengths made up for it. Vics first 2 teams embraced the grit and grind of defense mentality and took pride in it and last year that team didn’t plus we couldn’t score.
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We have 13 ships filled; that leaves 2 openings. We have starters returning at every position, except for Sonya's; that will be filled by Shay Holle or Madison Booker. We are 2 deep at every position, and 3 deep at SG, SF and PF (once everyone is healthy).

Does that mean everyone is of All-Conference caliber? No. Does it mean some new transfer can't come in and win a starting spot from an incumbent? No. What it means is that other than finding a quick, athletic player who can play some backup PG and defend quick opponents, we don't have a lot of playing time to offer incoming transfers. And, the one confirmed transfer who has visited Texas has those skills.
 
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Based on IG follows/followers, looks like Jordyn Merritt has mutual interest in Texas Tech and Oklahoma State.
 
brnkj said:
Jak yes... Amina no.
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Amina's first shots in games were absolutely horrible. Air balls from 6-8 ft! Made me wonder about why she had been ranked so highly in high school. To her credit (and the coaches) she gradually got better with her shots. Not great, but better. She is a determined young lady and I think with a lot of off-season work, she will show up next year with a much better shot. And her defense is special. I really think she can be a big contributor on the team going forward.
 
CreakyHorn said:
Amina's first shots in games were absolutely horrible. Air balls from 6-8 ft! Made me wonder about why she had been ranked so highly in high school. To her credit (and the coaches) she gradually got better with her shots. Not great, but better. She is a determined young lady and I think with a lot of off-season work, she will show up next year with a much better shot. And her defense is special. I really think she can be a big contributor on the team going forward.
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She's pretty good on the offensive glass. Hopefully with some work over the summer she'll become better at converting those to baskets. Same with Hadi.
 
I think she's smarter than to choose LSU, but I kind of wish she would. That would create an overload in their front court positions and probably send at least one to the portal.
 
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brnkj said:
I think she's smarter than to choose LSU, but I kind of wish she would. That would create an overload in their front court positions and probably send at least one to the portal.
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HVL looks to be going to LSU. It looks good on paper but that is a lot of egos and mouthing on one team. Considering Reese, Morrow, and HVL are all ball dominant players someone will have their scoring cut in half. The amount of trash talk to go along with Mulkey and her antics will be unbearable.
 
Jacob Johnson said:
HVL looks to be going to LSU. It looks good on paper but that is a lot of egos and mouthing on one team. Considering Reese, Morrow, and HVL are all ball dominant players someone will have their scoring cut in half. The amount of trash talk to go along with Mulkey and her antics will be unbearable.
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Remember Amo wore Morrow out in that DePaul exhibition. Morrow got points, but it took her about 50 shots to get them. Adding her to the LSU front line with most likely push Sy'Myah Smith down the depth chart with Del Rosario coming in at the 5. Angel Reese has made it clear she is in no hurry to go to WNBA. She will be at LSU another two seasons. I'd take Smith in a heartbeat if she were to hit the portal. She is a very talented player offensively around the basket. But I don't think Morrow will choose LSU. South Carolina sounds like a logical choice so she can play alongside Cordoso. She's promoted as a wing/forward, but she cannot defend at the wing position against P5 competition.
 
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