Caption this photo (accidentally merged with Qadence transfer thread)

[WBBTakeover]

The UCLA exodus isn't too alarming IMO and makes a lot of sense when you break it down:

Dudley/Socka-Ngueman probably don't sign with UCLA to begin with if they knew Barker/Gardiner were transferring in for their first 2 years. Neither got much playing time this year.

I would argue that while Kendall Dudley didn't get a ton of PT, she did get a fair amount of time for a freshman on a stacked roster. The issue is that she was not ready to make an offensive contribution to warrant more minutes. She was a liability on that end of the floor.

Her transferring had as much to do with how she looked in her minutes as it did with how many minutes she received. In other words, development was an issue. After seeing her play a few times, I could tell that she was leaning towards transferring because she didn't seem comfortable with what she was being asked to do offensively. Elite recruits do not want to look "lost" when they play.

 

[broooce]

Agree with sentiments here on Q. Unless a top P4 team with real prospects of quality playing time (and likelihood of earning a tournament bid) makes an offer, I would love to see her consider a top mid-major and be the star/focal point of such a team that will likely win their conference title & bid. She deserves the opportunity to defend her national championship!

 

[Dublin]

Thank you for choosing UConn, Q! Best of luck wherever you go

You will always be a Huskies' National Champion!

 

[tomcat]

KInda thought this might happen. Wishing her nothing but luck. As someone else suggested, another less competitive Big East program might be perfect bfor her. She'd get more time and an opportunity to grow. She's from Maryland. Maybe GTown?

 

[MHD789]

Hope she has a ton of options. Would love to follow her journey forward.

 

[Vowelguy]

They better stay exceptionally healthy.

They're not going to only have 8 players in a month.

 

[NYCHUSKIES]

@HuskyNan there are two threads talking about this same topic. Why haven't you erased one or lock up one of threads. You're quick as heck to erase my new threads when you think it should be in another created thread

 

[JoePgh]

Just about every other team in the Big East should be happy to get Qadence if they can. If she wants to stay close to home, Georgetown or Villanova would be logical choices, assuming that they make an offer.

 

[ec33]

They're not going to only have 8 players in a month.

Six players already committed to the program and its future just transferred out because opportunities were lacking. Finding quality players that don't care that they likely won't ever play should be an interesting quest. Usually, this is a spot for freshmen (which they already are counting on) and rising sophomores (who just hit the portal).

 

[BruinGold]

The UCLA exodus isn't too alarming IMO and makes a lot of sense when you break it down:

Dudley/Socka-Ngueman probably don't sign with UCLA to begin with if they knew Barker/Gardiner were transferring in for their first 2 years. Neither got much playing time this year.

Cain was buried on the bench. Aarnisalo proved her value earlier in the year and was likely getting fewer than ideal minutes next year with Leger-Walker on board.

Jones leaving also makes sense with Leger-Walker being healthy next season. She's a streaky shooting 5'4 SG and was the clear weak spot in their starting 5. She probably doesn't want to come off the bench her senior year, plus it appears they're recruiting over her and making a push for Gianna Kneepkens in the portal.

Janiah Barker joining UCLA last year never made a lot of sense logistically, and Cori Close in so many words has said it was more Janiah wanting to come to UCLA than UCLA wanting Janiah. Most suspected she'd be draft bound after this year, but instead she's portal bound. This makes sense because she's at best a 4th or 5th option on UCLA and likely wasn't starting next year with Betts/Dugalic/Jaquez/Gardiner all back.

All that said, UCLA's starting lineup is still pretty darn solid:
C-Lauren Betts
F-Angela Dugalic
G/F-Gabriela Jaquez
G-Kiki Rice
G-Charlisse Leger-Walker

Bench:
Timea Gardiner
Siena Betts
Lena Bilic (supposedly one of the better European recruits coming in)

If they're healthy and play to their potential, they're easily winning the B1G next year and will make the Final Four again.

The bigger concern is there's going to be a huge exodus of talent after next year with only Siena Betts and Bilic projected to be returnees. Close to haul in some kids via the portal but right now it appears all eggs are in "win the title in 2026" basket because the looks quite bare for 2026-2027 right now.

This is a very on-point post, and I agree with everything in it. As of this post, Amanda Muse is on the roster, so that's 9 returning or incoming players. Commenters have been counting to 8 and either leaving Bilic or Muse out of that count. Although I personally am not in the loop, I do talk quite a bit with someone who works around the program. So, my 3rd-hand information is that while Barker may have introduced herself to Coach Close, the staff was very excited about her providing the kind of grit and attitude that may have been missing the previous season when the Bruins lost to LSU in the tournament.

Also, my 3rd-hand information is that Charlisse Leger-Walker looks VERY good in practice, specifically from 3-point range. That could be A reason for Londynn Jones to go into the portal, as CLW takes over the "sharp-shooter" role while also capably running the point, etc. Of course, we're all just guessing at what players are thinking, and we often are missing something that isn't public knowledge.

 

[Terrierdog]

Sadly saw this coming. Q has so much potential, I hope she finds a good home.

Me too. Tho I was hoping she could stay and become the next Aubrey. I will miss her. She was fun to watch during her freshman season.

 

[Dublin]

Just about every other team in the Big East should be happy to get Qadence if they can. If she wants to stay close to home, Georgetown or Villanova would be logical choices, assuming that they make an offer.

Unless there's something we BYers don't know, Geno et al are working the phones talking Q.

 

[Huskie837]

Go luck Q!

 

[MilliniumPrince]

Totally expected, but still a bit sad. Best wishes to her....unless she goes to LSU, Tennessee, ND, or South Carolina

 

[Huskie837]

Good luck Q!!

 

[ABCDFE]

Q wishing you the greatest success at your future destination

 

[mhshuskies]

Gotta love it!

View attachment 108669

Inevitability

 

[HuskyNan]

@HuskyNan there are two threads talking about this same topic. Why haven't you erased one or lock up one of threads. You're quick as heck to erase my new threads when you think it should be in another created thread

Gosh, maybe I should give up eating dinner and relaxing after my work day so I can be on the Boneyard 24/7. Wouldn’t want anyone to be upset a thread exists longer than they think it should