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Caption this photo (accidentally merged with Qadence transfer thread)

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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.
 
bballnut90 said:
The UCLA exodus makes a lot of sense IMO 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.

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

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

Has Dugalic confirmed she's back? She was draft eligible I believe.
Bench will also have Baby Betts and whatever they get from the portal.
 
She didn't do it too often, but I thought she had the quickest drive to the basket from outside or the corner.
 
Never allowed to discuss players who we think may be leaving, but behind the scenes, most of us knew this was a probability. As several have said, no real path for PT, especially given the players coming in (Blanca specifically), and Carol making a comeback.

But on the positive side, she hopefully had a great time, got to play in, and win, a NC game, and I think she will thrive at a school with less talent ahead of her. We KNOW she can shoot and score!

Best of luck, Q. It was a joy watching you play - hope you find success!!
 
Vowelguy said:
Has Dugalic confirmed she's back? She was draft eligible I believe.
Bench will also have Baby Betts and whatever they get from the portal.
Expand ...
Edited it to include Betts, thanks.

I'm not sure regarding Dugalic, she does have another year of eligibility though. Even if she's gone they still have Gardiner/Siena Betts that can fill Dugalic's spot. Gardiner was an elite player in 2023-24. Not sure if she was injured this year or what, but she just wasn't nearly as good.
 
I've always enjoyed your warm smile and athleticism. I'm so sad to see you leave, but optimistic and hoping for the best in your next college and basketball experiences. I'm so delighted that you're leaving having experienced a championship and the friendships you've made here. Know that your fans remain your fans always. Best wishes :)
 
I figured that would happen, and frankly I was hoping she would enter the portal. Only because she is a pretty good basketball player and too many players were ahead of her. I think she can make a difference on another team, and I'm glad that she is a National Champion. I wish her much luck and hope she finds a team that can use her. Good luck Q.
 
UConn has a roster bursting at the seems with players, especially with players returning for an extra year of eligibility. Other than Strong, this years class saw very little playing time. They will be looking for more playing time next year. Add Patterson and the incoming freshmen class, Fisher, Quinonez, and GMM, there just isn’t enough minutes to go around. The Portal is just the new norm in college athletics. Coaches and players meet at the end of each season and decide what is in the best interest of the player and team and move forward.
 
Too bad, one of my favorite huskies, but a sensible move from her standpoint. She was Aubrey like in her uniqueness, i.e. quickest to the ball on the team and an outside shot to boot. Would fit in well with a Tn type team that values athleticism combined with shooting potential. She could likely end up at a comparable level conference like ACC or SEC. Expect she will be heard from again
 
One thing I noticed about Q this season was that, for some reason, she became less aggressive in taking shots when she is in the game compared to last year, when pretty much every time she was in the game, we could count on her taking the open 3. She is more aggressive on defense, even when she makes mistakes, so perhaps she was told to work on other parts of her game. Good luck wherever you land.
 
bballnut90 said:
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.
Expand ...
They better stay exceptionally healthy.
 
With all concessions to the things we can't see (practice, academics, etc.), coach's incomparably legacy, I personally found his approach with the kid appalling. Not at all infrequently, endgame, a massive lead, the bench is empty, except for her, until the last minutes. A real testament to the incredible character of the players on this team, that she always appeared, at least in the public eye, engaged, and valued.

Long way from coach's post-game, somber, hallway confession in the immediate aftermath of last season's Iowa semi-final heartbreaker. When asked about regrets, things he might have done differently, he specifically mentioned the lack of playing time afforded Samuels.

So, good for her - hopefully she'll find a spot where her personality and skill set flourish. We'll be watching and rooting.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Best of luck to her. I thought she would wait until Monday to make the announcement. This is her championship, too.
 
Boom!
Sad to see her go without achieving all her goals- but glad she got to experience the NC. Hope she finds an awesome landing spot. Great kid
 
We haven’t heard the end of Q yet. She just needs more playing time to get a better feel for balling at this level. Hopefully she ends up on a team where she can freelance a bit and not worry so much about making a mistake and putting pressure on herself. I like her and wish her only the best. Always a Husky young lady!
 
donalddoowop said:
McClean got decent playing time.
Expand ...
This.

Recorded / watched all of Maryland's tournament games. McLean was an important role player, on the court at critical times. Poffenbarger, as mentioned prior, was a starter, with limited playing time in the dance due to a knock. Amari played, hit a jumper (1-2), with a rebound and a block, in six critical fill-in minutes down the stretch of their incredible OT win over Alabama.
 
Sigh, I could see this coming. We'll all miss her. At least she leaves with an NC.
 
There’s talent here, but there’s a lot of talent on the team and it’d be really hard to break through the rotation. Best of luck Q!
 
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