2025 Transfer Portal

[JstVisiting]

It wasn't a blanket rant ... Y'all got caught with a stray

I get that we're guests, but we don't have to pretend UConn wins top tier recruiting and portal battles with neat dorms and great academic programs while everybody else is a buncha dirty, player-buyin' cheaters.

I think the UConn fans who believe that stick to the UConn-only board.

 

[WBBTakeover]

Anybody check out this Raoul post re: Walz's commentary on $$$ in the transfer portal and how it's affecting recruitment and roster size.
Say what you want about Coach Walz, he does cut tot the chase:

Unfortunate, but he gets no sympathy from me.

 

[CAbballfan2]

She comes across as not just a stellar player but also a fine human being. I sure hope she is not the portal person Jeff Walz is talking about in post 1,553, earlier in this thread. I'd hate to think that her dad is selling her to the highest bidder.

From what I’ve heard, she’s looking for the highest bidder.

However, I’m pretty sure she’s not the player mentioned in that post.

 

[Zonepress]

I find the whole process sickening.........while the players certainly deserve a piece of the action, there has to be a more efficient and less destructive way to allocate the funding..........women's basketball was my respite from the same nonsense in the men's game but apparently that is no longer the case......

correct only difference between wcbb and mcbb
is the $ amounts and the number of schools
that have NIL money
my unsolicited suggestion is to turn off all the noise re NIL
and enjoy the games and the players which are better than ever

 

[triaddukefan]

I get that we're guests, but we don't have to pretend UConn wins top tier recruiting and portal battles with neat dorms and great academic programs while everybody else is a buncha dirty, player-buyin' cheaters.

I think the UConn fans who believe that stick to the UConn-only board.

 

[triaddukefan]

From what I’ve heard, she’s looking for the highest bidder.

However, I’m pretty sure she’s not the player mentioned in that post.

Of that list, the only "acceptable" one is UCLA. Any of the others I'll be throwing tantrums and possibly furniture.

 

[Bone Dog]

I of course have no problem with players making money off endorsements and such, but was there really NO way to regulate it so that the schools themselves weren't the ones (overtly) offering or arranging such deals at the front end?

I need another long shower.

Exactly. Apparently, the way the legal battles played out, some part of the NCAA's regulatory authority was still recognized and this tricked schools into thinking they could be punished for individual players' missteps. If only the advent of NIL had coincided with the phasing out of the NCAA's oversight of player compensation.

 

[jdote33]

Anybody check out this Raoul post re: Walz's commentary on $$$ in the transfer portal and how it's affecting recruitment and roster size.
Say what you want about Coach Walz, he does cut tot the chase:

300k is really life changing money (even in this crazy economy). I really have a hard time faulting the players and even parents for securing the bag, though I know money isn't everything. I didn't even think the payouts were really that high tbh. Someone said Lucy Olsen got a number like that from Iowa and I was thinking . It's so interesting. I can't but help wonder who it was Coach Walz was referencing.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

The term "the bag" is really annoying at this point but you can do a hell of a lot with 300k.

I would never say anyone is low character from profiting off the limited moments in their lives when they could make some real money for doing something they want to do.

for these college football players making possibly generational wealth before they even project as a true professional it's almost foolish not to leverage it.

A college is a college, football practices are football practices....if you can make 1.5m somewhere, what's the sense of doing the same job for 500k.

 

[cockhrnleghrn]

300k is really life changing money (even in this crazy economy). I really have a hard time faulting the players and even parents for securing the bag, though I know money isn't everything. I didn't even think the payouts were really that high tbh. Someone said Lucy Olsen got a number like that from Iowa and I was thinking . It's so interesting. I can't but help wonder who it was Coach Walz was referencing.

If someone offered me 300k/year, I'd leave the company I've been with for 31 years, but only if the offer was in NYC.

 

[Baller29]

Serah Williams wrapped up a visit to UNC in the last week

 

[CAbballfan2]

It’s a chance you’re taking. I’ve heard stories out of several schools that promise an amount and then the athlete never gets that amount. Not to mention the insane percentages these agents are charging. Or the lack of financial literacy these student athletes have, where they end up blowing most of it.

I think there’s just as many negatives as there are positives.

 

[Ladeeeeda]

It’s a chance you’re taking. I’ve heard stories out of several schools that promise an amount and then the athlete never gets that amount. Not to mention the insane percentages these agents are charging. Or the lack of financial literacy these student athletes have, where they end up blowing most of it.

I think there’s just as many negatives as there are positives.

Yes, and what value can be placed on all the other factors .....performance team, quality of life, team culture, alumni internship opportunities, and career connections for life after basketball to name a few. These intangibles matter for more for long term success in life.
Yes, and the agent fees are insane...10% is crazy

 

[hoopsdiva]

Serah Williams wrapped up a visit to UNC in the last week

I'm guessing she hasn't had a visit to UConn yet. The team has been busy with winning a championship, holding a parade and attending the WNBA draft.

 

[Stagnant]

Serah Williams wrapped up a visit to UNC in the last week

I would be shocked if she chose UNC. It’s LSU or UConn imo.

 

[oldude]

I'm guessing she hasn't had a visit to UConn yet. The team has been busy with winning a championship, holding a parade and attending the WNBA draft.

An Easter weekend visit with Sunday brunch over Geno & Kathy’s should lock it up for Serah to become a Husky.

 

[VA Huskie]

I would be shocked if she chose UNC. It’s LSU or UConn imo.

Maybe UNC has BIG $$? That could be a difference maker.

 

[southie]

I'm guessing she hasn't had a visit to UConn yet. The team has been busy with winning a championship, holding a parade and attending the WNBA draft.

In the 'Serah Williams' thread in the main board, I recall reading weeks ago someone posting that she visited UConn during the first weekend of the NCAA tournament. Not sure it was confirmed.

 

[visitingcock]

Maybe UNC has BIG $$? That could be a difference maker.

Why?

UConn and LSU have big dollars too.

 

[azfan]

The purity of women college basketball is gone. This reminds me of the days of college football and the recruiting battles in the 80's.

It was pure?

 

[Hawk]

In the 'Serah Williams' thread in the main board, I recall reading weeks ago someone posting that she visited UConn during the first weekend of the NCAA tournament. Not sure it was confirmed.

Yeah, there was also a story written on the 18th that they were going after her and their first round game was on 22nd. It was possibly an unofficial visit. https://www.ctinsider.com/sports/uc...tal-serah-williams-uconn-huskies-20226699.php

 

[VA Huskie]

Why?

UConn and LSU have big dollars too.

Well, maybe WBB borrowed some of Bill’s football dollars. Anyway, my point is that I’m not sure if Geno “buys” players outright. Meaning will he just outbid others or expect someone interested in the UConn experience to accept less.

 

[Stagnant]

UConn and UNC can’t beat LSU in an upfront NIL battle.

 

[ucmiami2]

Yeah, there was also a story written on the 18th that they were going after her and their first round game was on 22nd. It was possibly an unofficial visit. https://www.ctinsider.com/sports/uc...tal-serah-williams-uconn-huskies-20226699.php

FYI - There is no such thing as an 'official visit' for transfers, just for HS kids and their family. I think the NCAA has given up regulating anything with college kids.

 

[FanInNC]

Ummm....

She ain’t coming to State. I wish. But unless she’s in it solely for the culture and winning and loves great BBQ - she will find more $$ elsewhere.

Kara Dunn committing to USC over State hurts big time. State is fishing in the G5 waters now looking around the discount bins it seems. Sobering as a fan to realize you aren’t playing the same game as the top dogs in the portal.

 

[FanInNC]

People really think this?

I guess she's similar to Zoe Brooks in terms of the bad qualities that both share, but I'm not seeing Aziaha James or Saniya Rivers in her.

Why did Zoe Brooks take a stray here?

 

[jumpstart]

Well, maybe WBB borrowed some of Bill’s football dollars. Anyway, my point is that I’m not sure if Geno “buys” players outright. Meaning will he just outbid others or expect someone interested in the UConn experience to accept less.

UCONN doesn't have to 'buy' players. Their selling point is national exposure, national championships and national revenue sources through national brands. That may change when Geno retires but for now all eyes are on UCONN and South Carolina. That will be a major draw for both of those programs for the near future. There will be your UCLA's and So,Cal.'s along the way but they have a lot to prove to move into that territory.

 

[oldude]

UCONN doesn't have to 'buy' players. Their selling point is national exposure, national championships and national revenue sources through national brands. That may change when Geno retires but for now all eyes are on UCONN and South Carolina. That will be a major draw for both of those programs for the near future. There will be your UCLA's and So,Cal.'s along the way but they have a lot to prove to move into that territory.

While I agree that UConn doesn’t necessarily “buy” players per se, in this day of NIL, even at UConn, I absolutely expect that there is a conversation with any prospective HS recruit or transfer about compensation and financial opportunities. We know that Madison Reed is a big financial backer of UConn WBB, as are a number of other companies.

Geno certainly does not want to get into bidding wars. But he can point to Paige, Azzi and other players success in leveraging their financial compensation as a member of the most successful “brand” in WBB.

 

[Charliebball]

While I agree that UConn doesn’t necessarily “buy” players per se, in this day of NIL, even at UConn, I absolutely expect that there is a conversation with any prospective HS recruit or transfer about compensation and financial opportunities. We know that Madison Reed is a big financial backer of UConn WBB, as are a number of other companies.

Geno certainly does not want to get into bidding wars. But he can point to Paige, Azzi and other players success in leveraging their financial compensation as a member of the most successful “brand” in WBB.

What a pathetic state of affairs..........let's simply face the facts that players today (at least the more talented ones) are no longer student athletes, they are paid talent that use the excuse of being a student to make big bucks at a young age........I certainly can't blame them for it so at this point why doesn't the WNBA just lower the age limitations on college players so these bidding wars can be put to bed.......

 

[FanInNC]

I think it's super naive to think UConn isn't competing with NIL dollars to players.

Sure UConn is king when it comes to exposure, SC is probably on that level, not sure anyone else really is. But if TCU offers you $300k to play ball for a year and UConn offers $10k and exposure are we to think said player is going to pass up that kind of money to get a few more games on TV?

I think in this day and age you have to be in the ball park. The coaching, culture, branding, exposure - all of that is secondary. It can push thins over the top, say TCU offers 300k and UConn offers 250k - ok yeah maybe that is close enough to say, you know what? Lemme chase a ring and get the best coaching possible and exposure for a 50k discount. But IMO you have to be in the ballpark unless it's a super unusual case. Girls are making more playing in college than the W. It's not like you can say I'll take a significant pay cut today to get better coaching and exposure because I'll make it up on the back end when Im in the W.