2023/2024 Portal News

Moooooo said:
If it were that easy, everyone would be doing it and enjoying the highest success. Just because you reach out to the best players in the portal doesn't mean they want to come join your program; the reasons vary.

Based on social media, our coaching staff reached out to players like Lauren Betts, Te-hina PaoPao, Endyia Rogers, Jewel Spear, etc. Not one visited.
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Well said @Moooooo and I believe most (if not all) of the top portal transfers already knew where they were going when they entered, or at least had a good idea. We obviously weren't a chosen destination for whatever reason. It is what it is... no harm no foul as far as I'm concerned.

I would have loved to have one of those top guards from the portal, but at the same time I like the commitment to the younger recruits. I think it'll be exciting to watch the development of the freshmen and sophomores.
 
Moooooo said:
If it were that easy, everyone would be doing it and enjoying the highest success. Just because you reach out to the best players in the portal doesn't mean they want to come join your program; the reasons vary.

Based on social media, our coaching staff reached out to players like Lauren Betts, Te-hina PaoPao, Endyia Rogers, Jewel Spear, etc. Not one visited.
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I don't doubt many players look at the defensive system (94 feet of no fun) and offensive system (dribble drive) that Vic runs, which is PG centric and controls from the sidelines and they're not interested even to visit. They're more interested in a pro style offense that allows them more offensive freedom to average 20 points instead of expending energy in holding opponents to 59 points or less on defense. Vic's system is a demanding one requiring high accountability that many players do not want.

But I'd still take Vic and his system over others, including Kellie Harper's program that allows star players the freedom to do what they want, because Vic produces results, proofs in the pudding. He's still the coach who gets the most out of his players, and does the most with least (not a single MDAA on those back-to-back Final Four teams).

I've accepted it comes with the territory. It goes both ways as Vic has said in the past, he's very selective in recruiting to a fit.
 
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loyallonghorn said:
I don't doubt many players look at the defensive system (94 feet of no fun) and offensive system (dribble drive) that Vic runs and controls and they're not interested even to visit. They're more interested in a pro style offense that allows them more offensive freedom to average 20 points instead of expending energy in holding opponents to 59 points or less on defense. Vic's system is a demanding one requiring high accountability that many players do not want.

But I'd still take Vic and his system over others, including Kellie Harper's program that allows star players the freedom to do what they want, because it produces results, proofs in the pudding. He's still the coach who gets the most out of his players, and does the most with least (not a single MDAA on those back-to-back Final Four teams).

I've accepted it comes with the territory. It goes both ways as Vic has said in the past, he's very selective in recruiting to a fit.
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Totally agree
 
It could be Vic's system, it could be something else. I dunno.:idk:
But Vic did pretty good last year. The other thing is Jerritt has been getting exactly what he needs and MW has been getting mostly what he needs, except for a real lockdown pitcher. Both those a VERY hard to get from the portal. Texas SHOULD be able to outdo 95% of other schools.

I think we all believe developing from Freshman is best, but sometimes you have a real gap that needs to be filled. Right now that gap is someone that can take the load off Rori with little drop off. I'm not picky, that's all I'm asking for. Otherwise, Rori may not make it to the post season.
 
Another thought... If it comes to this, Shaylee may do a better job backing up Rori with Madi on the floor to help her break any pressure.
 
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Sincerely hookem said:
Ain’t gonna lie I’m feeling mixed emotions about this one although we was in the running for her out of hs I didn’t feel like we needed her now and I get it. Only thing with that is WE STILL DONT HAVE ANOTHER TRUE GUARD OR COMBO GUARD so why take a unproven C. I might bite those words later but right now I stand on it.
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We had more than one scholarship available. I believe Vic clearly stated in an interview a few weeks ago that he was targeting a transfer backup point guard (combo guard) and a "best available" transfer (regardless of position).
 
brnkj said:
Well said @Moooooo and I believe most (if not all) of the top portal transfers already knew where they were going when they entered, or at least had a good idea. We obviously weren't a chosen destination for whatever reason. It is what it is... no harm no foul as far as I'm concerned.

I would have loved to have one of those top guards from the portal, but at the same time I like the commitment to the younger recruits. I think it'll be exciting to watch the development of the freshmen and sophomores.
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Recruiting (high school level) is about forming relationships; while those relationships don't always result in actually signing those recruits, they are more important than ever as they could lay the groundwork for a connection to a future transfer portal entrant.

That being said, Blair Schaefer doesn't have any/many previously-formed recruiting relationships. She doesn't have any connections that Vic himself doesn't already have. That was one of the reasons why I wasn't a fan of her being hired to replace Dionnah Jackson-Durett; we lost a lot when Dionnah moved on, and I don't think we replaced all that she contributed (especially recruiting connections). That's one of the downfalls of hiring an assistant coach with zero coaching experience (high school or college).

We are o-fer in adding a guard with PG skills this offseason; and, it is our most glaring roster need. I contribute getting Taina Mair to visit Texas to Lindsay Wisdom-Hylton based on her connection to Mair while being the recruiting coordinator at Boston College before being hired by Texas. While it might have just been a courtesy visit, it's the only visit from a guard we've received.

Obviously, we are all aware that there is still more time to land that guard who can back up Rori; but, right now, it appears as if the pickings are slim, as has been the interest in Texas.
 
Moooooo said:
Recruiting (high school level) is about forming relationships; while those relationships don't always result in actually signing those recruits, they are more important than ever as they could lay the groundwork for a connection to a future transfer portal entrant.

That being said, Blair Schaefer doesn't have any/many previously-formed recruiting relationships. She doesn't have any connections that Vic himself doesn't already have. That was one of the reasons why I wasn't a fan of her being hired to replace Dionnah Jackson-Durett; we lost a lot when Dionnah moved on, and I don't think we replaced all that she contributed (especially recruiting connections). That's one of the downfalls of hiring an assistant coach with zero coaching experience (high school or college).

We are o-fer in adding a guard with PG skills this offseason; and, it is our most glaring roster need. I contribute getting Taina Mair to visit Texas to Lindsay Wisdom-Hylton based on her connection to Mair while being the recruiting coordinator at Boston College before being hired by Texas. While it might have just been a courtesy visit, it's the only visit from a guard we've received.

Obviously, we are all aware that there is still more time to land that guard who can back up Rori; but, right now, it appears as if the pickings are slim, as has been the interest in Texas.
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Once again very well-said.
 
(Walk-on) Sarah Graves started following Chandler Prater on IG, and vice versa. With Graves being the only one of our players active on social media recently, I'm guessing none of our scholarship players are in Austin; all must have headed home/out after final exams.
 
Moooooo said:
(Walk-on) Sarah Graves started following Chandler Prater on IG, and vice versa. With Graves being the only one of our players active on social media recently, I'm guessing none of our scholarship players are in Austin; all must have headed home/out after final exams.
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I think just about everyone is on vacation. Probably not the best timing to bring in a recruit but they probably wanted to get her first visit.
 
Moooooo said:
(Walk-on) Sarah Graves started following Chandler Prater on IG, and vice versa. With Graves being the only one of our players active on social media recently, I'm guessing none of our scholarship players are in Austin; all must have headed home/out after final exams.
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Prater started following Jordana Codio on IG
 
TXSNOS said:
No offense but if you are that stupid no one can really explain it to you.
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Well, I have an idea or two but since that would be pure speculation I chose not to say. As far as stupid is concerned... I laugh... quite the pot and kettle situation. Only an embicile with zero home training would make such an unprovoked statement.
 
TXSNOS said:
No offense but if you are that stupid no one can really explain it to you.
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Yeah, if I have learned anything at all from being on Hornfans, it is that @brnkj knows absolutely nothing at all about basketball, and said lack of knowledge is only exceeded by his specific blindness with respect to our Women's basketball program. :rolleyes1:
 
BALL IS LIFE said:
Prater is visiting USC right now
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Interest in USC always puzzles me. They haven't won a conference championship since 1994. Since 2000, they've only made 4 NCAA tournament appearances. They haven't even made it to the sweet 16 since 1994. If someone wants to go find worse traffic than even Austin has, then I guess that's your destination. But every time I visit that place, I find myself more and more thankful I've never lived there.

PS - If you get NIL opportunities out there, they better be incredible. The taxes are mind-boggling. And they will apply whether you claim permanent residency out there or not.
 
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brnkj said:
Agreed and she had a great example playing for Karen, who is IMO hands down THE BEST recruiter Texas WBB has ever seen.
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she was insanely good at recruiting! Part of me wished she would take a pay cut and demotion and work for Vic when he was hired. I think they would’ve complimented each other amazingly well!
 
Aston's evolvement was pretty intricate. Back in the early 2000's, she really brought in some great talent to help Jody Conradt's program become relevant again. But, her ambition and impatience and maybe even some bitterness after supposedly being told she would not be considered to succeed Conradt upon her impending retirement caused her to join Mulkey at Baylor.

She desperately wanted to be a collegiate head coach. Took the head coaching job at UNC-Charlotte before moving (laterally) to coach North Texas to be closer to her family in Arkansas. Finally got her chance at Texas when asked to replace Goestenkors.

As the Texas head coach, Aston did make Texas relevant again. She was a tireless worker and recruiter. I think what somewhat changed Aston's goals of winning championships was she discovered that having a personal and family life were more important; there's nothing wrong with that as her priorities are hers; but, those change in priorities affected her commitment to the Texas basketball program. Don't think she had the energy to progress both her professional and personal goals to the highest degree. Her "settling" for the head coaching job at UTSA indicated to me that winning championships was no longer her goal.
 
Moooooo said:
Aston's evolvement was pretty intricate. Back in the early 2000's, she really brought in some great talent to help Jody Conradt's program become relevant again. But, her ambition and impatience and maybe even some bitterness after supposedly being told she would not be considered to succeed Conradt upon her impending retirement caused her to join Mulkey at Baylor.

She desperately wanted to be a collegiate head coach. Took the head coaching job at UNC-Charlotte before moving (laterally) to coach North Texas to be closer to her family in Arkansas. Finally got her chance at Texas when asked to replace Goestenkors.

As the Texas head coach, Aston did make Texas relevant again. She was a tireless worker and recruiter. I think what somewhat changed Aston's goals of winning championships was she discovered that having a personal and family life were more important; there's nothing wrong with that as her priorities are hers; but, those change in priorities affected her commitment to the Texas basketball program. Don't think she had the energy to progress both her professional and personal goals to the highest degree. Her "settling" for the head coaching job at UTSA indicated to me that winning championships was no longer her goal.
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That's a very reasonable interpretation of Aston's career arc. I still root for her success.
 
With regards to Coach Aston, from the outside looking in, my observations are once recruits learned that Aston couldn't 1) win conference championships, 2) advance past the Sweet 16 (except one Elite 8 appearance), 3) develop players beyond their MDAA status, and 4) struggled with in game X's and O's, the recruiting well dried up and she was no longer that great recruiter she was early on.

That last class she recruited, there were no more MDAA's coming to Aston, the best player was Shay Holle (I love her defense, hustle, and attitude), #97 in ESPN recruiting ranking. Texas was her dream school and she was coming to the 40 acres no matter who was coaching.

Others included Ashley Chevalier (we know what happened to her - riding the pine at Texas and Texas Tech), Elyssa Coleman (never a power 5 player) and a huge reach on Precious Johnson (who was a 10-year project).

Note: DeYonna Gaston was a Vic recruit. Gaston de-committed from Mississippi State once she learned Vic was headed to Texas.

Therefore, before Vic entered the picture, Aston was no longer the great recruiter she once was.
 
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