2026 Recruiting: Caden Pierce (Transfer) potential interest

[RuffRuff]

No accounting for Furphy in this roster.

 

[CardiacAndre7]

No accounting for Furphy in this roster.

Furphy isn’t a 4

 

[RuffRuff]

Furphy isn’t a 4

He’s no where on that roster that was shared.

 

[mauconnfan]

Don’t pencil in Landrew to start. Move J Ross to backup 2. County probably won’t play. Now you have an open spot at the 3

Ross to the 2? Have you seen him handle the ball I think Furphy should still be here he should grow into back up 2. Mullins may be around as well so there’s your 3 and Landrew has the game to step in early.

 

[boog204]

Does he start over Stewie. I don’t see it. Stew would be in year 4 in the system

What do you think Stew will gain in another year? We've been hearing this for multiple years about the "jump." In 8 more minutes per game, he's averaging one more point and one more rebound while shooting it at his career average of 33% from 3. He has upped his assist totals as he's always been a willing passer. We all know he's very talented, but he just strikes me as a guy who still doesn't know what he is.

We should be looking to bring the best possible 4 we can, as I personally have no confidence that Stew can be a full-time, productive starter, and without Reed next year, we desperately will need some guys who can mix it up and rebound, especially at the 4.

That being said, this Pierce dude is not particularly awe-inspiring to me.

 

[boog204]

Or to throw at a really good backup PG and backup C like Malachi and Reed? If we get pierce I don’t see where a superstar fits unless we lose either Silas, Ball, or Reibe and need to replace a starter

Demary / Transfer
Ball / County
Landrew / Ross
Pierce / Stew
Reibe / Transfer

That roster screams for the need of a big-time, three-level scorer.

 

[RuffRuff]

What do you think Stew will gain in another year? We've been hearing this for multiple years about the "jump." In 8 more minutes per game, he's averaging one more point and one more rebound while shooting it at his career average of 33% from 3. He has upped his assist totals as he's always been a willing passer. We all know he's very talented, but he just strikes me as a guy who still doesn't know what he is.

We should be looking to bring the best possible 4 we can, as I personally have no confidence that Stew can be a full-time, productive starter, and without Reed next year, we desperately will need some guys who can mix it up and rebound, especially at the 4.

That being said, this Pierce dude is not particularly awe-inspiring to me.

Well stated - Stew has no identity at all. Is he a 3 (we won’t need him there next year). Is he a 4? What is his strength? This team has had a QB at the 4, that is not Stew. Like you if we are starting Reibe, want a dog on the glass at the 4. That isn’t Stew. We need some power in the PF to compliment a kid like Reibe.

 

[NJHusky]

What do you think Stew will gain in another year? We've been hearing this for multiple years about the "jump." In 8 more minutes per game, he's averaging one more point and one more rebound while shooting it at his career average of 33% from 3. He has upped his assist totals as he's always been a willing passer. We all know he's very talented, but he just strikes me as a guy who still doesn't know what he is.

We should be looking to bring the best possible 4 we can, as I personally have no confidence that Stew can be a full-time, productive starter, and without Reed next year, we desperately will need some guys who can mix it up and rebound, especially at the 4.

That being said, this Pierce dude is not particularly awe-inspiring to me.

Don’t disagree, but imo he has been playing out of position at the 3 because of AK. next year he finally gets to play in his natural spot

 

[Orc]

Well stated - Stew has no identity at all. Is he a 3 (we won’t need him there next year). Is he a 4? What is his strength? This team has had a QB at the 4, that is not Stew. Like you if we are starting Reibe, want a dog on the glass at the 4. That isn’t Stew. We need some power in the PF to compliment a kid like Reibe.

Agree. He’s not a 3. He can’t shoot. Not a 4 since he can’t rebound and defend. A 2? No way. I think he gets recruited over next year.

 

[ec33]

That roster screams for the need of a big-time, three-level scorer.

You would hope Ball and Demary woud fill that kind of scoring role. With Reibe being a heavy source of points as well.

I guess the question would be can Pierce truly be an AK replacement averaging 14 pts per game?

 

[RuffRuff]

Don’t disagree, but imo he has been playing out of position at the 3 because of AK. next hear he finally gets to play in his natural spot

He's played 41% more minutes, but only 27% more points. He's passing it a bit better I suppose. One thing with Stew is the guy never gets to the free throw line, as in never.

 

[RuffRuff]

You would hope Ball and Demary woud fill that kind of scoring role. With Reibe being a heavy source of points as well.

I guess the question would be can Pierce truly be an AK replacement averaging 14 pts per game?

I think it's safe to assume 3 of the 5 roster spots are covered with Demary, Ball & Reibe. That's a nice start.

From there, we have a hodge podge of players that can rotate in through the 3/4 with Furphy, Ross, Landrew & Stewart. That still seems light - I'd think that Hurley has to make some sort of splash there in the portal.

We need a backup PG and C, priority.

 

[NewBlood]

Do you think Painter and Purdue just started winning with Edey?

I mean one elite eight in the last 25 years outside of Edey, yeah, they wouldn’t be in my top 10 of schools as performance and prestige over the last two decades

 

[6&counting]

Or to throw at a really good backup PG and backup C like Malachi and Reed? If we get pierce I don’t see where a superstar fits unless we lose either Silas, Ball, or Reibe and need to replace a starter

Demary / Transfer
Ball / County
Landrew / Ross
Pierce / Stew
Reibe / Transfer

I think it's safe to assume 3 of the 5 roster spots are covered with Demary, Ball & Reibe. That's a nice start.

From there, we have a hodge podge of players that can rotate in through the 3/4 with Furphy, Ross, Landrew & Stewart. That still seems light - I'd think that Hurley has to make some sort of splash there in the portal.

We need a backup PG and C, priority.

Seems like a bunch of people missed the post where UConn calls Junior County the next Tristen Newton. He is a Silas backup, and him playing 0 minutes is not on the table.

For context as well, Caden Pierce is closer to 6'5 than his listed 6'7. Don't know if he would start or be a backup, but all the posters projecting him as the PF starter should realize how small a lineup that would be

 

[RuffRuff]

I mean one elite eight in the last 25 years outside of Edey, yeah, they wouldn’t be in my top 10 of schools as performance and prestige over the last two decades

Painter is well recognized across the sport as a top coach, very recently by his peers. Guy has shown an ability to turn 0 level recruits into studs, has a system and has show an ability to evolve. You can focus on what he hasn't done - same view can say Hurley hasn't made a S16 outside of two years. Need to look at the here and now. He is a GREAT coach.

 

[Lafayette]

Painter is well recognized across the sport as a top coach, very recently by his peers. Guy has shown an ability to turn 0 level recruits into studs, has a system and has show an ability to evolve. You can focus on what he hasn't done - same view can say Hurley hasn't made a S16 outside of two years. Need to look at the here and now. He is a GREAT coach.

Painter also have Ivey and Edey and couldn't get past St. Peter's a few years back. I guess he's learned to use good ball handlers and turn them into great ball handlers.

 

[Lafayette]

What do you think Stew will gain in another year? We've been hearing this for multiple years about the "jump." In 8 more minutes per game, he's averaging one more point and one more rebound while shooting it at his career average of 33% from 3. He has upped his assist totals as he's always been a willing passer. We all know he's very talented, but he just strikes me as a guy who still doesn't know what he is.

We should be looking to bring the best possible 4 we can, as I personally have no confidence that Stew can be a full-time, productive starter, and without Reed next year, we desperately will need some guys who can mix it up and rebound, especially at the 4.

That being said, this Pierce dude is not particularly awe-inspiring to me.

NIL money, women...what he should just "go pro"? He is either going to be back for his Senior year, or transfer, and he strikes me as a UConn dude.

 

[RuffRuff]

Painter also have Ivey and Edey and couldn't get past St. Peter's a few years back. I guess he's learned to use good ball handlers and turn them into great ball handlers.

All I can say here is New Mexico St.

Happens - he’s shown to grow from it.

 

[BigTenFan]

Purdue has 2 all Americans, a 7' 4" rim protector and a top International guard....I think they are pretty happy with the current team

 

[superjohn]

All I can say here is New Mexico St.

Happens - he’s shown to grow from it.

Hurley lost as a #5 seed to #12 seed New Mexico State

Painter lost as a #1 seed to #16 seed Farleigh Dickinson

Painter lost as a #3 seed to #15 seed St. Peter's

Painter lost as a #4 seed to #13 seed North Texas

Hurley won back to back national championships in the most dominant fashion ever. How about not bringing up Hurley's name when you're defending how great a coach Painter is.

 

[RuffRuff]

Purdue has 2 all Americans, a 7' 4" rim protector and a top International guard...I think they are pretty happy with the current team

They have a lot of answers this year. Loyer is shooting 52% from three.

 

[Mr. French]

I would be scared of Ivy transfers !!! They scream in Danny Wolf

 

[boog204]

NIL money, women...what he should just "go pro"? He is either going to be back for his Senior year, or transfer, and he strikes me as a UConn dude.

Huh? I’m not saying he should leave. He’s a useful player. But there’s this forever sentiment that we have to be mindful of him as we recruit. This place said he’d be a lottery pick at the beginning of his soph year and Liam should be a bench guy, this year Mullins wouldn’t/couldnt be a starter b/c of him, and now we’re pondering if we this Pierce would want to be here with a senior Stew. He has talent. We know that. But the thought of depending on him as our starting 4 is very problematic.

 

[RuffRuff]

Hurley lost as a #5 seed to #12 seed New Mexico State

Painter lost as a #1 seed to #16 seed Farleigh Dickinson

Painter lost as a #3 seed to #15 seed St. Peter's

Painter lost as a #4 seed to #13 seed North Texas

Hurley won back to back national championships in the most dominant fashion ever. How about not bringing up Hurley's name when you're defending how great a coach Painter is.

Thing is, I recognize Hurley as a great coach - but he's not perfect either. That's the point. Anyone can go digging to disprove someone's excellence, because it makes them feel better about their own program. I prefer objectivity - Painter is a great coach, so is Hurley. Arguably top two in the sport. I can’t think of any better.