2025 Transfer Portal

[Stagnant]

This is what I was afraid of. That the big east would lose some of their best players. Villanova and Marquette in particular were teams I was hoping would stay together.

 

[LwrcasefaN]

I know what you mean. Maybe the way to tame it is to move the window back, not forward. Require players to commit earlier in the season, before the tournaments, not later. Maybe make the month of January the portal window, or February.

If it works, I’m all in. I haven’t put any deep thought into an actual process…just going on a feeling. My one beer during this time period isn’t as satisfying anymore. Now I’m up to two. lol

 

[azfan]

I

Team culture is the most important thing a coach has to attend to if she wants to create a program and not just a team. This is one of the things that drew us to admire Geno and UConn. Even we appreciate the culture he’s built, and we’re just observing from a distance. Imagine the impact it has on the young people who sign on for it. Even in the lean years, they come to love their team and

Absolutely!

And I think this is why the hand ringing about nil transfer portal is over done. The vast majority of basketball particularly the local level is not P4 or elite. As I've watched NAU, Grand Canyon, the local community college I'm able to see athletes engaged in sport and various levels of successful coaching and creating culture.

The vast vast majority of participants in women's college basketball and the fans of those teams will be marginally impacted or not impacted at all. We still have the opportunity to see varying levels of achievement of team culture under coaches working with athletes.

The analogy I think of is first world problems. These are first world issues for the top 25 programs of P4 conferences but the 80% of the athletes who are not in those arenas are unaffected. So the moral to that story is if you like your old time rock and roll you can still find Old Time basket ball it may not be on TV but you can go down to the gym to see it.

 

[oldude]

I know what you mean. Maybe the way to tame it is to move the window back, not forward. Require players to commit earlier in the season, before the tournaments, not later. Maybe make the month of January the portal window, or February.

That sounds like the old system binding players to their current teams for a year, and a class action suit waiting to happen.

 

[ERWUC65]

I think this current year may be the last fun year for me watching women's basketball. Best coaching will not matter. Who has the most bucks to throw around. I am getting really scared waiting to see if anyone on our team announces after the season that they got an offer for $2,000,000 and could not afford to turn it down. Just holding my breath. But even if we keep everyone, I see a lot of schools with big bucks who will grab all the best players from all the other teams. No mid major will keep their best players. Even the schools in the SEC or Big10, if you are not a top school with big bucks say good bye. See Vanderbilt. The only good news seems to be a lot of players are fed up with the stars who insist the game is about them. See what is happening at USC and Notre Dame. I think that is what Paige has been fighting against her whole time at UConn. It can't be about me, it has to be about the team. That is how you build lasting friendships and happy teammates who all work together. We get players like Diana who is great, but averages around 17 points, or Breanna who averages under 20 and Paige who is under 20. When you have 5 really good players on the floor, no one should average over 20 for the season. Only in crunch time does Paige now realize she has to take over, especially if Azzi is having an off night shooting. I really think Paige would love it if Azzi shot 10 for 12 from long range in our upcoming game and Paige scored 12, as long as we win. That is what most makes her great. Hopefully everyone on our team loves their teammates, loves the atmosphere, and of course most all they love the Boneyard and our support and outstandingly helpful criticism and other comments and no amount of money could lure them away.

Like you, I am concerned about what's happening in Womens College BB, but it's just a logical consequence of what has been happening in Mens, and other college sports as we experience the demise of the true student athlete and go to the era of the mercenary for hire. Fortunately, UConn, under Geno, will always be old school and continue with the emphasis on education and the college experience. I believe we can hang with him and enjoy the new competitive challenges. If, however, the NCAA decides that Women can be one and done like the Men, we are doomed.

 

[Bone Dog]

That sounds like the old system binding players to their current teams for a year, and a class action suit waiting to happen.

That there's a portal window at all is a class action suit waiting to happen. Why should there be any restrictions? If the argument the NCAA would make is that it's "in the interest of the sport and the athletes" any particular date could be argued for under such reasoning. Eventually, this sort of argument will lose its credibility.

 

[Geew1992]

 

[Zarathustra]

Lots of posters refuse to add emojis to their supposed sarcastic comments. The rest of us are supposed to be mind-readers.

I, for one, don't "mind" what I read.... I sometimes enjoy chess...
but the mind games on the BONEYARD are much more entertaining.... As
they say in Australia " Check, mate". Another loose connection!
Go Huskies! Beat the Bruins!

 

[Jonathan14]

The way things are going, why bother watching/following college athletics? You might as well go watch professional sports. They also get paid, but at least they are more skilled.

I hear you. And it used to be that you had the chance to watch players develop over four years. Now, with one-third of the players in the portal (and counting!), a player staying all four years is the exception rather than the rule. A player on a pro contract is likely to stay with a team longer than a college athlete—is that really possible?

As a UConn fan, I'm crossing all my fingers that we buck this trend and don't lose anyone to the portal after the season.

 

[Rings R Us]

Uhm. That’s all I got.

I'd take her for a year!

 

[jdote33]

I think you’re probably right but what’s puzzling is they got decent minutes. There have been cases of highly ranked freshmen riding the bench (see Betts, Lauren) but it seemed to me that Howell and Heckel were both major contributors.

If the rumors are true and Heckel enters as well I think USC is in trouble next season. With this year’s freshman trio and Jazzy Davidson I thought they’d still be elite even without Juju but I don’t think they can afford to lose half that quartet.

It's really an interesting and fascinating discussion. I thought that as well regarding Heckel and Howell even throughout the season. I mean I think Heckel legit could be better right now than TVO. And Howell was probably the best shooter on the team once she got in campus. On top of that it must be hard to play with superstars who get the majority of the attention and credit. It has to be a bit humbling. The storylines and even the questions the players receive are often times not even about them. I guess it's the idea of being in a team you have to buy into but often times individual stars are lifted up instead of the team. And as a teammate you are working just as hard and ultimately want the best things for you as well. And it's not just on the college level. Frankly it's not really even about sports. Theres this tension between am I doing something where I'm fulfilling my potential or am I doing something that even if rewarding is limiting the person/player I perceive myself to be. Like is a ring worth it, if I'm not allowed to reach my potential. Like was it worth it for Saniyah Rivers? I get deciding to leave. But on the flip side ultimately there can only be so many stars.
Nevertheless it could just be about 700k. Lol. But I've seen this a lot in sports and fans and media say certain players are selfish and have egos. One, that could be absolutely right and still not be a negative thing. And 2, I think it's hard to not be fulfilled.

 

[Huskee11]

Haleigh Timmer from South Dakota State entered the portal and has committed to Oklahoma State.

Only bringing it up because South Dakota State beat Oklahoma State in the first round of the NCAA in Storrs. Timmer had 11 points in 38 minutes.

I guess OKSt coach Jacie Hoyt liked what she saw.....

 

[Jonathan14]

This is what I was afraid of. That the big east would lose some of their best players. Villanova and Marquette in particular were teams I was hoping would stay together.

Oh, man, this one really bums me out. Maddie is a good player and a cornerstone of that team, especially after Lucy Olsen left. Poor Denise Dillon. For her sake—and the Big East's—I hope Jasmine Bascoe doesn't transfer out too.

 

[Plebe]

... Hopefully everyone on our team loves their teammates, loves the atmosphere, and of course most all they love the Boneyard and our support and outstandingly helpful criticism and other comments and no amount of money could lure them away.

I enjoyed your post and agreed with most of it, but for goodness’ sake I hope Geno and CD have implemented custom parental controls on all of the players’ devices to prevent them from accessing the Boneyard...

 

[azfan]

I hear you. And it used to be that you had the chance to watch players develop over four years. Now, with one-third of the players in the portal (and counting!), a player staying all four years is the exception rather than the rule. A player on a pro contract is likely to stay with a team longer than a college athlete—is that really possible?

As a UConn fan, I'm crossing all my fingers that we buck this trend and don't lose anyone to the portal after the season.

Still can.

I've watched unbelievable player development at McClintock High School, Mesa Community College, Arizona Eastern, and Northern Arizona University. And in the old days with CCT and I think those days are going to return with Molly Miller at ASU.

And you're absolutely correct this is one of the most enjoyable things about watching Athletics is the development from the point when they come in as freshmen to the point that they leave five years later.

I remember when Reagan Schenk came to NAU as a freshman point guard. 5 years later she had a triple-double and had made a lasting impact on the program. I was crossed falling after her graduation because the freshman had been sitting behind her in her fifth year was Taylor Feldman who I was convinced would never be able to play Big sky level basketball.

Flash Forward Taylor was the second leading scorer in the Big sky tremendous leader as well as a constant point guard.

I know all of the dedicated fans on the BY have had this experience both in the distance past recent past and we'll have in the future

So yeah it's still possible to watch this perhaps not at the elite power 4 level but I suspect that you're local high school, community college, or state school or smaller private school you will be able to see this. I know I hvw

 

[Plebe]

Geno Auriemma, UConn Named a Top Landing Spot For Notre Dame Star Olivia Miles​

Yeah, the theory is a head scratcher but not surprised people are putting it out there. Was confused by the way the post framed the question.

These clickbait articles are an unflattering testament to the state of media culture.

Talk about a weasel statement: “UConn named a top landing spot...” Okay great, but named by whom?

The article links back to a USA Today piece by some no-name writer that simply throws out a list of 5 potential “landing spots” for Miles (UConn, USC, S. Car., Texas, TCU), but with absolutely zero attribution to any sources whatsoever, anonymous or otherwise.

 

[UConnCat]

I work with someone who knows L. Olsen. I asked about the reasons for her transferring:

NIL $$ (NovaMBB gets whatever $ available)
Games on FloSports (big issue)
Vague reference to Denise Dillon. No specifics.

 

[Jonathan14]

Still can.

I've watched unbelievable player development at McClintock High School, Mesa Community College, Arizona Eastern, and Northern Arizona University. And in the old days with CCT and I think those days are going to return with Molly Miller at ASU.

And you're absolutely correct this is one of the most enjoyable things about watching Athletics is the development from the point when they come in as freshmen to the point that they leave five years later.

I remember when Reagan Schenk came to NAU as a freshman point guard. 5 years later she had a triple-double and had made a lasting impact on the program. I was crossed falling after her graduation because the freshman had been sitting behind her in her fifth year was Taylor Feldman who I was convinced would never be able to play Big sky level basketball.

Flash Forward Taylor was the second leading scorer in the Big sky tremendous leader as well as a constant point guard.

I know all of the dedicated fans on the BY have had this experience both in the distance past recent past and we'll have in the future

So yeah it's still possible to watch this perhaps not at the elite power 4 level but I suspect that you're local high school, community college, or state school or smaller private school you will be able to see this. I know I hvw

Great point, and you're absolutely right. Here in Connecticut, we have a bunch of colleges, and, given that we're a small state, none of them are that far from where I live. While UConn is the big draw, we also have DI Central CT State University, Fairfield, Quinnipiac, Sacred Heart, and Yale (my alma mater). Then we've got four DII schools, ten DIII schools, and two NJCAA schools with women's basketball programs. This is a good reminder that if I don't like the direction that big-time DI sports are heading, I can vote with my dollars, feet, and eyeballs and support some of these other programs in my backyard.

 

[Plebe]

I work with someone who knows L. Olsen. I asked about the reasons for her transferring:

NIL $$ (NovaMBB gets whatever $ available)
Games on FloSports (big issue)
Vague reference to Denise Dillon. No specifics.

I have nothing to comment on Dillon, but with the glaring inequities between MBB and WBB and the deplorable FloSports deal (and the two are linked phenomena), is it any wonder the more skilled players are leaving for greener pastures?

 

[JstVisiting]

Talk about a weasel statement: “UConn named a top landing spot...” Okay great, but named by whom?

The article links back to a USA Today piece by some no-name writer that simply throws out a list of 5 potential “landing spots” for Miles (UConn, USC, S. Car., Texas, TCU), but with absolutely zero attribution to any sources whatsoever, anonymous or otherwise.

Four biggest clickbait programs available and the widely rumored leader. Grape job. Editor probably asked why Notre Dame wasn't in there.

"I've never heard of this TCU thing? Drop them for Notre Dame! People love the Irish!"

 

[bballnut90]

These clickbait articles are an unflattering testament to the state of media culture.

Talk about a weasel statement: “UConn named a top landing spot...” Okay great, but named by whom?

The article links back to a USA Today piece by some no-name writer that simply throws out a list of 5 potential “landing spots” for Miles (UConn, USC, S. Car., Texas, TCU), but with absolutely zero attribution to any sources whatsoever, anonymous or otherwise.

Reminds me of all the hype regarding Paige refusing to go to Dallas or skip the draft altogether despite zero credible sources

 

[triaddukefan]

With the recent news, I wonder if the thread starter regrets making this thread

 

[Vowelguy]

Reminds me of all the hype regarding Paige refusing to go to Dallas or skip the draft altogether despite zero credible sources

No that was just on the boneyard

 

[Bigboote]

Yes - and no. Gottlieb's theory of game plan was, and I quote, "let JuJu be Juju." That would not have flown with Tara at Stanford, Geno at UConn, or Dawn at SCAR. You earn your playing time at those schools, or you transfer (see Betts, Lauren; Rivers, Saniya; and half of UConn's late 2010s classes).

I personally thought Iriafen regressed this season as she stagnated offensively and did not get appreciably better on defense. . . .

I was thinking something along the same lines. Maybe Howell has pro aspirations and doesn't think Gottlieb is the right coach to develop her for the next three years. Off the top of my head, the only player I can think of that Gottlieb sent to the W for any significant career is Clarendon.

Howell's a big guard who shoots well. If she gets a little stronger and develops a few more offensive and defensive skills, she certainly could have a shot at a pro career.

 

[cancontent]

No that was just on the boneyard

Howard Megdal has written about it as well. It's not solely a BY conspiracy

Dallas Wings hold top WNBA pick, Paige Bueckers holds the cards - The IX

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