2025 Recruiting - WBB

Ellis21d said:
Is Texas really committing for this amount of money? Someone may be ponying it up!
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OTF sayin that OU is surging late in this recruitment. Says we still have the upper hand but barely. OU has replaced Tech in her top two.

Guess blow u found enough coins in the seat cushions to make a late run.
 
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Hate to rain on anyone's parade, but really, why would Chavez come to Texas? She's used to shooting freely and often, something Texas teams do not do with their guards. I mean just look at the stats. No guard coming to Texas has been given free rein to take over a game like Ju Ju, Hannah, or Paige. In fact, they seem most hesitant to shoot (Gonzales and Lee) of if they do shoot often, it seems to irritate Vic (Matharu). Vic is more about forwards and post players. He'd have to change his whole way of coaching, and that might not go over too well with his post players and forwards. That being said, could it be possible that Vic is willing to change or that Chavez wants to become more a team player? I'd love to see Texas land her because perimeter shooting would go up about a 100%, but I'm not convinced it will happen.
 
Most probably already know this, but a university cannot “pay” an athlete. An NIL deal is more about that particular athlete’s ability to influence brands.

“Universities cannot directly influence NIL deals, but they can provide resources, guidance, and policies to help athletes navigate the NIL landscape and ensure compliance with NCAA and state regulations.”

The athletes and their agents/parents determine which university is going to position them best for successful NIL deals.

Texas can deliver a very large viewing audience that corporations will find attractive. Texas can also deliver major donors who can influence these deals as well. But, Texas cannot technically pay her to come here.

“Texas One Fund is the Official NIL collective of The University of Texas, existing to obtain Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) opportunities for The University of Texas student-athletes. Texas One connects student-athletes with national and regional brands, businesses and organizations, utilizing Texas Athletes’ NIL to promote, grow and highlight these brands in the marketplace.”

I know laws are changing so I am open to others’ take on what it means when they say she is shopping NIL deals.
 
I doubt Vic would be recruiting Chavez so heavily if he didn’t think she would fit into his system. If I remember correctly, Victoria Vivians and Blair Schaefer had the green light from the outside and it worked out pretty well all the way to a couple of Final Four championship games
 
HornView said:
I doubt Vic would be recruiting Chavez so heavily if he didn’t think she would fit into his system. If I remember correctly, Victoria Vivians and Blair Schaefer had the green light from the outside and it worked out pretty well all the way to a couple of Final Four championship games
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Well, I know that Vic has previously said that Jordan Lee has the green light, but she doesn't seem to shoot very much. I sure do love it, though, when she and Shay light up!:fire:
 
HornView said:
I doubt Vic would be recruiting Chavez so heavily if he didn’t think she would fit into his system. If I remember correctly, Victoria Vivians and Blair Schaefer had the green light from the outside and it worked out pretty well all the way to a couple of Final Four championship games
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Good recall on Vivans. She had a lot of freedom with her 3-point shots at MSU it seemed; don't recall about Blair.

For a true freshman last season, Vic gave Booker a lot of freedom with her perimeter. Obviously, that comes with trust.
 
Bucksgal said:
She's used to shooting freely and often, something Texas teams do not do with their guards. Vic is more about forwards and post players. He'd have to change his whole way of coaching, and that might not go over too well with his post players and forwards. That being said, could it be possible that Vic is willing to change or that Chavez wants to become more a team player? I'd love to see Texas land her because perimeter shooting would go up about a 100%, but I'm not convinced it will happen.
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Vic has been quoted so many times that "you win with guards". And, that's true especially in the post-season as your guards are the ones with the ball in their hands the majority of the time.

If Chavez and Vic didn't think it was a good match, they wouldn't still be involved this late in the recruiting process.
 
Moooooo said:
If Chavez and Vic didn't think it was a good match, they wouldn't still be involved this late in the recruiting process.
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Of course, I hope what you and everyone else thinks comes true...I'm just pointing out that the team statistics don't show that recruiting a high scoring guard on this team will result with the likes of Hidalgo and Watkins.
 
If she simply wants to shoot along with everyone else on the team chunking it up too, then she’s going to OU. If she wants a team that will maximize her quality of shots, then it’s between SC and Texas, with Texas getting the edge for being closer to home. And if staying home is her priority, then Tech wins. Honestly, I wish her the best for simply not wanting to play for Mulkey. That tells me she comes from good people and has her priorities right.

There are a handful of Universities that can position almost any good athlete for big NIL deals and UT is on that list. Some athletes, however, have the ability to do that for themselves almost anywhere. The fact that she is “shopping it around” tells me she is looking for a University that can position her. I just don’t think Tech can do that.

But I have absolutely no idea what I’m talking about. And according to her Dad, neither do the supposed “experts”.
 
If we sign Aaliyah Chavez, and Rori Harmon and Laila Pheila both return for the 2025-26 season, what would you projected lineup be at the 1-3 spots? I'm also assuming Lee, Booker, and Preston remain with the team.

We'd have 3 players (Harmon, Chavez, and Preston) not counting Booker) whose natural position is point guard. Chavez and Preston both have the height to play shooting guard which is a bonus.

Shooting guard could have any of number of starters such as Chavez, Phelia, Preston, and maybe even newbie Aaliyah Crump

Booker is set at small forward. We'd have newbie Crump and returnees Laila Phelia and Jordan Lee as likely backups unless they win a starting spot at SG.

Hopefully, I didn't leave anyone out. If all those players are next season's roster, then I can't see any transfer portal additions at those three positions.
 
How interesting to think of all the possibilities. I know it won't happen, but I would like to see Booker go back to point guard, at least some of the time -- especially if Rori doesn't come back. She is a good small forward, but I thought being point guard tapped her talents more. She had more control over the game, didn't have to depend on a pass all the time to get a shot. but was still an excellent passer with great court vision.
 
Moooooo said:
If we sign Aaliyah Chavez, and Rori Harmon and Laila Pheila both return for the 2025-26 season, what would you projected lineup be at the 1-3 spots? I'm also assuming Lee, Booker, and Preston remain with the team.

We'd have 3 players (Harmon, Chavez, and Preston) not counting Booker) whose natural position is point guard. Chavez and Preston both have the height to play shooting guard which is a bonus.

Shooting guard could have any of number of starters such as Chavez, Phelia, Preston, and maybe even newbie Aaliyah Crump

Booker is set at small forward. We'd have newbie Crump and returnees Laila Phelia and Jordan Lee as likely backups unless they win a starting spot at SG.

Hopefully, I didn't leave anyone out. If all those players are next season's roster, then I can't see any transfer portal additions at those three positions.
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A plethora of options. I’ve been waiting years to use that word and still I’m not sure used it correctly. And Moore might be in there somewhere. Although generally thought of as a 4, she’s small to be a 4. All those mentioned “could” return. Realize it’s not probable though. Would love to hear the conversations between Schaefer and players. I’m sure there will be a surprise or two or three in there.
 
Most of the uncertainty is regarding Chavez obviously. I cant get too excited or distraught until March 25. After that, Kati bar the door in regards to roster speculations. Then just waiting until end of basketball season with a Natty to REALLY finalize roster for next year. But then portal window. A portal at the 5 is mandatory. Other positions are optional.
 
Agreed about a BIG portal pickup (literally).

Depth (w/Chavez and assuming all who can do come back)
1 - Harmon/Preston
2 - Chavez/Phelia/Lee/Codio/Graves*
3 - Booker/Mwenentanda/Crump
4 - Moore/Carlton
5 - Oldacre/Boutilier*

*But well, you know

Some four guard lineups next year will be VERY likely.
 
Lots of possibilities with a combination on the floor where three perimeter players can score, create, AND run point. Our offense would look WAYYYY different. Harmon/Chavez/Booker could literally run any play that can take advantage of whatever the defense is giving you. Same could be said for other guard combinations we may have, although I do think this particular one would be the most dynamic and versatile.

We definitely need an impact five and four out of the portal. Amo is my favorite but her health has been a question mark her entire career pretty much. We can't afford to play the what if game... recruit the portal aggressively to beef up our front line. The worst case scenario would be we get all the pieces we need, everyone comes back healthy, and we have depth that rivals South Carolina and UCLA.
 
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I am trying really hard not to speculate too much about and any (specific) possible attrition this coming offseason. I don't completely understand Rori and A-mo's decisions to participate in Senior Day despite having one season of eligibility remaining. Not sure if they have stated anything publicly about why they made that decision, but I missed it if they did.

As has been mentioned, Chavez's scheduled decision on March 25th (which can be deferred even later if that's what she and her family decide) might have an effect on our PG/SG depth chart going forward if she announces for and eventually signs with Texas.

All the years prior to December 2023 (when Rori got injured) when our coaches were recruiting Chavez, I'm sure Vic's fingers-crossed expected plan was that Rori would exhaust her eligibility in Spring 2025, and Chavez and Preston would have the opportunity to compete for the starting PG spot. Things can change so suddenly and unexpectedly.

My post earlier today was mainly because we have several more days until the official announcement of the NCAA bracket and there's not a lot to discuss at the moment. I'm not ready to say good-bye to any of our current players who have remaining eligibility. We all know that attrition is unavoidable due to NIL and other factors. Tough decisions for players and coaches alike.
 
I, too, have been wondering if Amo or Rori will take advantage of their additional year due to medical redshirts. I’ll be surprised if Amo stays. I don’t think she has interest in the WNBA and, given her injury problems, she likely would not be a draft prospect. She has said in interviews that she hopes to get into game analysis and announcing. I believe she spent much of last summer in California after being awarded an internship in that field. I think Rori may stay. I hope so. Not sure if there will be WNBA interest. She can probably make more money staying in Austin.
 
In a recent interview I watched (forget where), A-Mo discussed the objectives she set for herself for college and shared them with Vic prior to committing. One of her objectives was to earn a Masters degree. Don't believe she's earned her undergraduate degree from Texas yet, but education seems very important to her.
 
I think it's possible that Rori may not come back if Chavez commits here. If Rori leaves, and Chavez doesn't commit here, we might be looking for another point guard in the portal. I think Booker probably prefers playing either shooting guard or forward. I only say that because those positions seem more natural for her size and speed. Of course, I would prefer that we get Chavez, and Rori returns as well.
 
Bucksgal said:
Hate to rain on anyone's parade, but really, why would Chavez come to Texas? She's used to shooting freely and often, something Texas teams do not do with their guards. I mean just look at the stats. No guard coming to Texas has been given free rein to take over a game like Ju Ju, Hannah, or Paige. In fact, they seem most hesitant to shoot (Gonzales and Lee) of if they do shoot often, it seems to irritate Vic (Matharu). Vic is more about forwards and post players. He'd have to change his whole way of coaching, and that might not go over too well with his post players and forwards. That being said, could it be possible that Vic is willing to change or that Chavez wants to become more a team player? I'd love to see Texas land her because perimeter shooting would go up about a 100%, but I'm not convinced it will happen.
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I also do not see her at Texas. She just strikes me as someone who likes the small town feel and does not want to share the spotlight with anyone else. She wants to be the star, like Caitlin was at Iowa. But it's beyond me that anyone would want to play in the **** hole known as Lloyd Noble.

Your comment about Vic favoring the High/Low play with his post players is an interesting one. The only real critical thing I harp on with Vic is that he really has not done a great job recruiting tall post players out of high school since he took over at Texas. Can you name me the last star post player Vic has signed out of high school, taller than 6'3". Crickets.........................

You know that Vic recruited Kyla heavily out of high school, but she chose to go to Miami anyway. For some reason, elite post players do not want to come here from high school.
 
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