2023/2024 Portal News

brnkj said:
I think we pass. She had her chance to come to Texas. Next...
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I agree wholeheartedly. She had her chance and chose a program where everyone was leaving (handwriting on the wall). She did that silly piggy-back ride on Esmery (the nomad) Martinez, got hyped, and committed that weekend. Then she became 1/2 the player she used to be. She did us all a favor because we ended up with Shaylee and Sonya. I think Vic is going to be incredibly selective this time.
 
Jacob Johnson said:
Based on who’s in the portal as of now I would be happy to get the following…

1. Jada Curry
2. Kennedy Todd Williams
3. Kiki Jefferson
4. Taylor Valladay
5. Jada Walker

there will of course be more entries into the portal but that’s my list as it stands. Would love for JJ to officially enter and another true big. My next statement has no meaning whatsoever but I still think Deja Kelly belongs in a Texas uniform:)
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That is a great list. Other than Jayda Curry, we haven't seen our coaches show their interest via social media. What I don't think we need are more 5'11 - 6'1 wing SG/W players (as we have Booker, Gonzales, Holle, Maul, Ndjakalenga, and Codio).

What we do need is a player who can play some PG and is quick on defense (like Quinerly who we are all watching to see if she joins the portal); seems like Curry has those skills, too. Taking either of those players reduces the 2024 scholarships by one. Would also love someone who is a great 3-point shooter.
 
Born in ATX said:
I agree wholeheartedly. She had her chance and chose a program where everyone was leaving (handwriting on the wall). She did that silly piggy-back ride on Esmery (the nomad) Martinez, got hyped, and committed that weekend. Then she became 1/2 the player she used to be. She did us all a favor because we ended up with Shaylee and Sonya. I think Vic is going to be incredibly selective this time.
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I believe Vic has a good idea who his returners will be, and has very specific skill sets he's looking for. Probably won't add more than one or two players unless a big piece of our puzzle leaves.
 
Moooooo said:
I predict she will land at Minnesota, Oklahoma, or Kansas State.
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You never know, Gotta think Vic will go after her knowing we need offense and she can play some D as well. With the Moody center, a RS B12 title, and a player who seems like she enjoys being coached hard it could happen!
 
xdxmmxchxxl said:
You never know, Gotta think Vic will go after her knowing we need offense and she can play some D as well. With the Moody center, a RS B12 title, and a player who seems like she enjoys being coached hard it could happen!
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I guess you are forgetting when Aliyah Mathuru took her down (literally) in last season's Big 12 semi-final game. I can't imagine she likes Texas very much, but who knows?

Also, she has played mostly zone defense the last 3 seasons; not sure if ISU plays anything but zone against other teams like they do against us. It would be a huge adjustment for her to adapt to Vic's style of defensive intensity.
 
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Moooooo said:
I guess you are forgetting when Aliyah Mathuru took her down (literally) in last season's Big 12 semi-final game. I can't imagine she likes Texas very much, but who knows?

Also, she has plaid mostly zone defense the last 3 seasons; not sure if ISU plays anything but zone against other teams like they do against us. It would be a huge adjustment for her to adapt to Vic's style of defensive intensity.
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None of us "know."
 
So with the return of Gonzales do y’all think it changes how Vic handles the portal. I personally think he still adds another two guard who can handle the point guard position at times and another guard who can knock it down from the perimeter and maybe another 5 player.
 
Moooooo said:
I guess you are forgetting when Aliyah Mathuru took her down (literally) in last season's Big 12 semi-final game. I can't imagine she likes Texas very much, but who knows?

Also, she has played mostly zone defense the last 3 seasons; not sure if ISU plays anything but zone against other teams like they do against us. It would be a huge adjustment for her to adapt to Vic's style of defensive intensity.
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Nope, not many things about this team I tend to forget about. I guess you are forgetting she was defensive player of the year last season? A player doesnt win that by playing non-competitive zone. She’s a great face guard defender, and looks like she could adjust to just about any defensive scheme to me.
 
xdxmmxchxxl said:
Nope, not many things about this team I tend to forget about. I guess you are forgetting she was defensive player of the year last season? A player doesnt win that by playing non-competitive zone. She’s a great face guard defender, and looks like she could adjust to just about any defensive scheme to me.
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Yes, I totally forgot that considering how many posts I've made about it here over the last year, and even a couple of weeks ago! :D

As much as our fans here have dogged her for unjustly winning that award last year over Rori and Ayoka, it is kind of funny that now that she's entered the transfer portal she's worthy of DPOY. (NOTE: I say that in jest as I have no idea how you felt about her winning that award one year ago)
 
Moooooo said:
Yes, I totally forgot that considering how many posts I've made about it here over the last year, and even a couple of weeks ago! :D

As much as our fans here have dogged her for unjustly winning that award last year over Rori and Ayoka, it is kind of funny that now that she's entered the transfer portal she's worthy of DPOY. (NOTE: I say that in jest as I have no idea how you felt about her winning that award one year ago)
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I was in complete agreement with you and everyone else here she shouldn’t have won that award; but she did! The committee saw something in her defensive abilities.

Watching her this season, I have noticed she is a very good on ball/face guard defender, but on Rori or Ayoka’s level? When hell freezes over maybe.

And I don’t typically follow your posts I hadn’t seen you mention that.
 
Jacob Johnson said:
So with the return of Gonzales do y’all think it changes how Vic handles the portal. I personally think he still adds another two guard who can handle the point guard position at times and another guard who can knock it down from the perimeter and maybe another 5 player.
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I think Vic knew she was returning.

I don't think it's a coincidence that the 2 (potential) transfer players we've seen our coaching staff follow on IG are quick, athletic guards who can play some PG.

I'm glad that Shaylee can run the point for us when Rori is not on the floor; the mismatch is when she has to defend the opponent's PG (who is typically quicker). With Sonya moving on, maybe Shaylee would be better suited to play SF, especially on the defensive end.

Let's say we get Quinerly. I could see our starting lineup be:

PG - Rori
SG - Quinerly/Shaylee/Booker/Maul/Codio
SF - Shaylee/Booker/Holle/Ndjakalenga
PF - DeYona/Aaliyah/Amina
C - Taylor/Hadi

I would be surprised if we target a transfer Center. If we do, it most likely affects our numbers for the 2024 class (and Adhel Tac) unless she only has 1 year of eligibility remaining (same as Taylor).
 
Moooooo said:
I think Vic knew she was returning.

I don't think it's a coincidence that the 2 (potential) transfer players we've seen our coaching staff follow on IG are quick, athletic guards who can play some PG.

I'm glad that Shaylee can run the point for us when Rori is not on the floor; the mismatch is when she has to defend the opponent's PG (who is typically quicker). With Sonya moving on, maybe Shaylee would be better suited to play SF, especially on the defensive end.

Let's say we get Quinerly. I could see our starting lineup be:

PG - Rori
SG - Quinerly/Shaylee/Booker/Maul/Codio
SF - Shaylee/Booker/Holle/Ndjakalenga
PF - DeYona/Aaliyah/Amina
C - Taylor/Hadi

I would be surprised if we target a transfer Center. If we do, it most likely affects our numbers for the 2024 class (and Adhel Tac) unless she only has 1 year of eligibility remaining (same as Taylor).
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If we had a chance to land a big time Center would you want it or do you want to just recruit HS? Do think Faye and Taylor are sufficient enough? I had my doubts at times this season but also lots of bright spots at times.
 
I can't say I see where Donarski would fit in on our roster; we just have so many wing players her size (Maul, Codio, Booker, Gonzales, Ndjakalenga, Holle) and probably every single one (when healthy) is faster than she is. I can admit she is a better and proven 3-point shooter (40% as a freshman) than all of them, although not this year; she shot 55-173 (31.8%) from beyond the arc this season.

A 3-year starter at ISU who played over 30 minutes a game, I'm gonna bet she wants to go somewhere she will be a guaranteed starter.

Lexi Donarski - Women's Basketball - Iowa State University Athletics (cyclones.com)
 
xdxmmxchxxl said:
If we had a chance to land a big time Center would you want it or do you want to just recruit HS? Do think Faye and Taylor are sufficient enough? I had my doubts at times this season but also lots of bright spots at times.
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So hard to predict who is gonna stay healthy; having quality depth at every position should be the goal. Since I haven't seen anyone in the transfer portal who fits the bill (elite Center), I haven't thought about the numbers too much. I'm sure Vic would take an elite Center.

The Center from Boston College (rising Junior) might not necessarily be considered elite, but she seems productive; I just can't imagine she'd come (despite being coached by Wisdom-Hylton two seasons ago) knowing we have older players than her in Taylor and Hadi.

My preference is to take the "proven" transfer over a high school recruit; seems less risky, and potential immediate production.
 
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Moooooo said:
So hard to predict who is gonna stay healthy; having quality depth at every position should be the goal. Since I haven't seen anyone in the transfer portal who fits the bill (elite Center), I haven't thought about the numbers too much. I'm sure Vic would take an elite Center.

The Center from Boston College (rising Junior) might not necessarily be considered elite, but she seems productive; I just can't imagine she'd come (despite being coached by Wisdom-Hylton two seasons ago) knowing we have older players than her in Taylor and Hadi.

My preference is to taken the "proven" transfer over a highs school recruit; seems less risky, and potential immediate production.
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I agree it has to be a proven, probably P5 center who’s been there and done that who could easily mesh into Vics system, otherwise she would just get overshadowed by Tay/Faye already having a year playing under his system.

But like you said, you never know with injuries or portal(Faye) who we may lose so we need a center in some capacity and I don’t see that being Boutillier.

In all honesty for us to be a title contender I think Taylor has to be our 2 and Faye our 3 in the center rotation. Faye is too foul prone and Taylor isn’t quick enough on her feet defensively.

and yes, no elite center in the portal yet, but I’m sure quite a few will enter before it’s all said and done and with the amount of time we heard Vic say our inside game needed to improve I’m sure he will be on the lookout.
 
xdxmmxchxxl said:
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I agree it has to be a proven, probably P5 center who’s been there and done that who could easily mesh into Vics system, otherwise she would just get overshadowed by Tay/Faye already having a year playing under his system.

But like you said, you never know with injuries or portal(Faye) who we may lose so we need a center in some capacity and I don’t see that being Boutillier.

In all honesty for us to be a title contender I think Taylor has to be our 2 and Faye our 3 in the center rotation. Faye is too foul prone and Taylor isn’t quick enough on her feet defensively.

and yes, no elite center in the portal yet, but I’m sure quite a few will enter before it’s all said and done and with the amount of time we heard Vic say our inside game needed to improve I’m sure he will be on the lookout.
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Unless there's a transfer out in the front court, I would stand pat with what you have if I'm Vic. Taylor and Faye obviously need to improve but I think they're more than capable to compete for a title. IMO the weakest link this year was the perimeter play.

Just imagine how much more effective the front court would've been if the lane wasn't always clogged due to the perimeter players inability to consistently make jump shots to space the floor. And not being able to keep athletic perimeter players in front of them on the defensive end. If I'm Vic, all my attention would be on improving the guard position.
 
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xdxmmxchxxl said:
If we had a chance to land a big time Center would you want it or do you want to just recruit HS? Do think Faye and Taylor are sufficient enough? I had my doubts at times this season but also lots of bright spots at times.
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Let's hypothetically assume that everyone returns, and we pick up an explosive combo guard like Quinerly. Trust me... if the right center came into the portal Vic would definitely go after her.

It was never the intent at the outset to have Faye starting, but injuries to Jones and Amo created just that. Faye is very active and plays hard, but a lot of times plays hard without being under control. Jones is very skilled, but the last time Vic addressed her situation in a presser (that I can recall) was a couple of weeks ago and he mentioned that she still does not do full workouts because of the lower back issue.

I don't think, if given an alternative, he would put all his chips in the basket that fully depends on those two at the five. Back issues don't go away. You learn instead to treat and live with them, and they can flare up at any moment without warning. The big kid coming in is going to be a project, and as someone else said previously, will most likely be a red shirt in our first year. We need another solid five if one comes available.
 
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kurupt said:
Unless there's a transfer out in the front court, I would stand pat with what you have if I'm Vic. Taylor and Faye obviously need to improve but I think they're more than capable to compete for a title. IMO the weakest link this year was the perimeter play.

Just imagine how much more effective the front court would've been if the lane wasn't always clogged due to the perimeter players inability to consistently make jump shots to space the floor. And not being able to keep athletic perimeter players in front of them on the defensive end. If I'm Vic, all my attention would be on improving the guard position.
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Agree on the perimeter play. I'm sure that's his #1 priority.. as it should be.
 
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kurupt said:
Unless there's a transfer out in the front court, I would stand pat with what you have if I'm Vic. Taylor and Faye obviously need to improve but I think they're more than capable to compete for a title. IMO the weakest link this year was the perimeter play.

Just imagine how much more effective the front court would've been if the lane wasn't always clogged due to the perimeter players inability to consistently make jump shots to space the floor. And not being able to keep athletic perimeter players in front of them on the defensive end. If I'm Vic, all my attention would be on improving the guard position.
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Oh definitely 100% our bigs are more than capable to be successful with a much better offense, but in the event we don’t get that offense this offfseason, we need a more dominant big.
 
brnkj said:
Let's hypothetically assume that everyone returns, and we pick up an explosive combo guard like Quinerly. Trust me... of the right center came into the portal Vic would definitely go after her.

It was never the intent at the outset to have Faye starting, but injuries to Jones and Amo created just that. Faye is very active and plays hard, but a lot of times plays hard without being under control. Jones is very skilled, but the last time Vic addressed her situation in a presser (that I can recall) was a couple of weeks ago and he mentioned that she still does not do full workouts because of the lower back issue.

I don't think, if given an alternative, he would put all his chips in the basket that fully depends on those two at the five. Back issues don't go away. You learn instead to treat and live with them, and they can flare up at any moment without warning. The big kid coming in is going to be a project, and if someone else said previously, will most likely be a red shirt in our first year. We need another solid five if one comes available.
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I always value your posts brnkj, always spot on!
 
xdxmmxchxxl said:
I always value your posts brnkj, always spot on!
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Thanks, likewise... and I meant to mention that I agree with you, the ideal rotation at center would be a starter, then Jones, then Faye. Jones has shown she's really productive in that role playing about 20 minutes a game. Unfortunately fives are hard to come by. Come on down, Jessica Carter! :thumbup:
 
All this is speculation so far. If you look at the wbb landscape there isn’t any more dominant 5 IMO that we would go after to put b4 Faye and Tay. Real quick Boston, Kitley, Reese, Brink all are staying put or WNBA. Yes if Jessica Carter hopes in then yea please throw parade to get her here but give me some names of who would legit come in and take the they spits effectively.
 
Another thing we NEED GUARDS not just one either. We have to many wings IMO and no true guards besides Rori I would say Maul but she ain’t played a min of college ball yet. Our weakness was no guard depth. Also take into account I would be shocked if nobody leaves. We need more than one.
 
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