2025 NCAA Portal Champions | The Boneyard

2025 NCAA Portal Champions

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jdote33

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jdote33 said:
This thread is a bit premature as we await transfer decisions from some talented players. But let the debate begin. Who won the portal in 2025? In my opinion thus far it comes down to TCU, SC and Ole Miss.

I think Tennessee is making a late push. I also think UCLA has addition by subtraction

www.cbssports.com

Winners, losers and a sleeper: How the transfer portal shuffled the women's basketball landscape

An expert roundtable of who won and lost the 2024-25 transfer portal.
www.cbssports.com www.cbssports.com
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My personal feeling is I'd like to stuff this entire plot/timeline into the X-Men Days of Future Past portal and hope it never reemerges in the Canon Plot.
 
jdote33 said:
This thread is a bit premature as we await transfer decisions from some talented players. But let the debate begin. Who won the portal in 2025? In my opinion thus far it comes down to TCU, SC and Ole Miss.

I think Tennessee is making a late push. I also think UCLA has addition by subtraction

www.cbssports.com

Winners, losers and a sleeper: How the transfer portal shuffled the women's basketball landscape

An expert roundtable of who won and lost the 2024-25 transfer portal.
www.cbssports.com www.cbssports.com
Expand ...
@jdote33 I note that you are knowledgeable about UCLA. It's an interesting comment about "addition by subtraction."

I'm assuming that the rumors are true and that Leger-Walker (1/2) is going to be a significant upgrade at guard. Sienna Betts (4/5) has looked very good at her level. Lena Bilic (2/3/4) is a wild card.

So, you think that, at least in aggregate, the loss of Jones/Aarnisalo/Cain is made up by the addition of CLW. The loss of Barker/Socka-Nguemon, made up for by S. Betts, and the loss of Dudley made up for by the addition of Bilic. (I, also, think that CLW and S. Betts are going to be great, and that Bilic may be surprising.)

At least for 25-26, I can agree with you, provided there are no injuries, and assuming that what we saw from the freshmen was all that we were going to see from them. I will be interested to see how they develop at their new teams, and frankly, I would rather have Aarnisalo for 3 more years than Leger-Walker for 1 year (I think).

But, man, there is a big hole after next year. And injuries happen. Even if the Bruins pick up Kneepkens (BIG IF), she would also be gone after next year. So, I expect at least a couple more portal pick-ups, if only for depth.

I'm a glass half-full kind of guy, and I can do math and have seen good high school players never live up to their rankings before (if we are writing off this year's freshman class), but, man I hate a thin bench. UCLA now has a demographic problem, and is really rolling the dice on recruiting this summer... unless they plan on being buyers in next year's portal.
 
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Most of the time ‘winning the portal’ is a reflection of what you have lost. Sometimes you need to replace the whole team (Ole Miss/SMU) and sometimes you need a specific piece or upgrade while also not blowing up team chemistry or your locker room. SC and UCONN didn’t get a lot, but they got what they needed.
 
jdote33 said:
www.espn.com

Women's NCAA basketball: Top 10 transfer portal winners

Whether remaking rosters or filling needs, Tennessee, Ole Miss, South Carolina and LSU won the transfer portal.
www.espn.com www.espn.com
Charlie C says Tennessee
Expand ...

Since y'all ain't trying to pay me, I just fixed the banner I made a few years ago.

Congratulations to Rocky Top

Screenshot_20250501-062535.jpg
 
Absolutely incredible in 13 months the players. That this staff had brought in.
 
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Sifaka said:
Granted, they have brought in many fine players. And they
finished 8th in their conference. :eek:

eta- and all those fine players lost to lowly Vanderbilt

twice!
Expand ...
It has been just over a year. I think you will see difference in this years team. This is the second portal class btw.
 
I really don't see the point of this. Didn't LSU win it after their national championship in 2023? How'd that turn out?
 
Sifaka said:
Granted, they have brought in many fine players. And they
finished 8th in their conference. :eek:

eta- and all those fine players lost to lowly Vanderbilt

twice!
Expand ...
Sure, they finished 8th but they also made it to the sweet sixteen in Coach Caldwell's first season and had upset wins over good teams, including UConn and Ohio State. Considering it was virtually new roster and system, it's a good season.

Second, Vanderbilt is "lowly"? How so? Prior to Coach Ralph's arrival, sure, but that's not the case now in my opinion.
 
.-.
cancontent said:
Sure, they finished 8th but they also made it to the sweet sixteen in Coach Caldwell's first season and had upset wins over good teams, including UConn and Ohio State. Considering it was virtually new roster and system, it's a good season.

Second, Vanderbilt is "lowly"? How so? Prior to Coach Ralph's arrival, sure, but that's not the case now in my opinion.
Expand ...
Erm…how can I say this diplomatically?

I was tweaking our Lady Vol For Life and For Better or Worse.
He/she is like an orange TonyC, ebullient optimism overflowing always.

As to the facts, sure, you're right. Caldwell has clearly improved things, and, so far… is right up there with Kellie Harper, except Caldwell can build a good staff and recruit.

Vandy? Yup, Shea has them headed in a good direction, but..other than smacking TN a couple of times, how did they finish in the sec rankings?


I cheated, had to look it up. They finished in 9th place, one slot below TN. Now that's probably better than some recent years, but not yet an earth shattering demonstration of excellence.
Ninth out of sixteen. Bottom half.

www.secsports.com

Standings - Women's Basketball - Southeastern Conference

Comprehensive coverage of SEC football, basketball, baseball and more, including live games, scores, schedules, standings and news
www.secsports.com www.secsports.com
 
Sifaka said:
Erm…how can I say this diplomatically?

I was tweaking our Lady Vol For Life and For Better or Worse.
He/she is like an orange TonyC, ebullient optimism overflowing always.

As to the facts, sure, you're right. Caldwell has clearly improved things, and, so far… is right up there with Kellie Harper, except Caldwell can build a good staff and recruit.

Vandy? Yup, Shea has them headed in a good direction, but..other than smacking TN a couple of times, how did they finish in the sec rankings?


I cheated, had to look it up. They finished in 9th place, one slot below TN. Now that's probably better than some recent years, but not yet an earth shattering demonstration of excellence.
Ninth out of sixteen. Bottom half.

www.secsports.com

Standings - Women's Basketball - Southeastern Conference

Comprehensive coverage of SEC football, basketball, baseball and more, including live games, scores, schedules, standings and news
www.secsports.com www.secsports.com
Expand ...
Yes, but considering how Coach Ralph has them trending in a better direction, using the term "lowly" didn't seem fair.
 
Sifaka said:
Erm…how can I say this diplomatically?

I was tweaking our Lady Vol For Life and For Better or Worse.
He/she is like an orange TonyC, ebullient optimism overflowing always.

As to the facts, sure, you're right. Caldwell has clearly improved things, and, so far… is right up there with Kellie Harper, except Caldwell can build a good staff and recruit.

Vandy? Yup, Shea has them headed in a good direction, but..other than smacking TN a couple of times, how did they finish in the sec rankings?


I cheated, had to look it up. They finished in 9th place, one slot below TN. Now that's probably better than some recent years, but not yet an earth shattering demonstration of excellence.
Ninth out of sixteen. Bottom half.

www.secsports.com

Standings - Women's Basketball - Southeastern Conference

Comprehensive coverage of SEC football, basketball, baseball and more, including live games, scores, schedules, standings and news
www.secsports.com www.secsports.com
Expand ...
The rivalry refuses to die
 
Sifaka said:
Erm…how can I say this diplomatically?

I was tweaking our Lady Vol For Life and For Better or Worse.
He/she is like an orange TonyC, ebullient optimism overflowing always.

As to the facts, sure, you're right. Caldwell has clearly improved things, and, so far… is right up there with Kellie Harper, except Caldwell can build a good staff and recruit.

Vandy? Yup, Shea has them headed in a good direction, but..other than smacking TN a couple of times, how did they finish in the sec rankings?


I cheated, had to look it up. They finished in 9th place, one slot below TN. Now that's probably better than some recent years, but not yet an earth shattering demonstration of excellence.
Ninth out of sixteen. Bottom half.

www.secsports.com

Standings - Women's Basketball - Southeastern Conference

Comprehensive coverage of SEC football, basketball, baseball and more, including live games, scores, schedules, standings and news
www.secsports.com www.secsports.com
Expand ...
One thing to remember. The next day after the game at Vanderbilt Caldwell had her baby.
 
stwainfan said:
One thing to remember. The next day after the game at Vanderbilt Caldwell had her baby.
Expand ...
Pfft. I did grocery shopping with my 2 year old toddler in the early stage of labor. Pat Summitt famously went on a recruiting trip to see Michelle Marciniak a day or two before she gave birth. We ain’t made of glass
 
As my HS track team used to say, "on paper, we bad". Then the season started and we still couldn't beat the top two teams in our conference. My point is that everyone is hyping certain schools for the transfers they are getting, however the real proof of portal winners will be how they do in March 2026.
 
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BRS24 said:
As my HS track team used to say, "on paper, we bad". Then the season started and we still couldn't beat the top two teams in our conference. My point is that everyone is hyping certain schools for the transfers they are getting, however the real proof of portal winners will be how they do in March 2026.
Expand ...
These "champions of the portal" discussions are no different than what we see during free agency and drafts. It gives the media something to spin for us to debate during the lull of the off-season. Just another way to get more clicks to help build advertising numbers. Like you said, we'll know for sure in 2026.
 
Yeah there's no official banner though I do like @triaddukefan artwork. It cracks me up every time. To me it's just another bball discussion and look on who capitalized on the portal. I just like hearing ppls perspective on teams acquisitions. Since there is no official champion it's interesting to hear how ppl assess which team did the best in the portal.
 
HuskyNan said:
The rivalry refuses to die
Expand ...
I was thinking the same thing.

There is a thread on the men's board asking whether St. John's is our new "rival" because they got the better of us last year and are going to be very good this year. No doubt they'll be good this year but rivalries aren't a day-to-day varying thing based upon the relative success of other programs.

I am guilty of saying that the lady Vol rivalry was dead due to their recent lack of success, prior to last year. But the truth is, they are the program that we love to hate and I suspect that that is mutual.
 
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