Entering the portal - 2026

[Excalibur]

What percentage of high level NBA players stick in college more than one year? More than two?

Most of the All-NBA players were identified as such well before they started college, so we're talking about exceptional role players and late bloomers, and it will always benefit them from seeing the toughest competition.

And that's the point. The guys who aren't sure-fire lottery picks want to maximize their earnings. They do that by transferring up, both because it increases their chances of being drafted and because they make more $$ while in college. This shouldn't be hard (though it apparently is for at least one person here).

 

[BGesus4]

There is an argument to be made that they could have been 40-0 with a NC.


You're welcome, was accurate on UM too. Maybe start squirming less and listening more.You can pretend Dusty isn't a great coach, because for some reason it takes away from Hurley. I'll live in the reality that Hurley is a great coach, but so is Dusty. Would seem reasonable.

I thought Duke was the only team that was a real monster after they beat Michigan. On the other hand, you did prove that you could read kenpom and ap rankings and change along with them.

 

[boog204]

There is an argument to be made that they could have been 40-0 with a NC.


You're welcome, was accurate on UM too. Maybe start squirming less and listening more.You can pretend Dusty isn't a great coach, because for some reason it takes away from Hurley. I'll live in the reality that Hurley is a great coach, but so is Dusty. Would seem reasonable.

Squirming? Never said he wasn’t a great coach. Taking Florida Atlantic to the F4 supplanted that several years ago.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

The poster that spent an entire offseason saying we didn’t need Silas (because Solo should be starting PG) coming after @husky429 for Nowell not working out is just peak comedy (and delusion).

 

[KemBuckets21]

Any credibility to the notion we're still in on Murauskas? Seems unlikely - but just curious.

 

[RuffRuff]

I thought Duke was the only team that was a real monster after they beat Michigan. On the other hand, you did prove that you could read kenpom and ap rankings and change along with them.

If that was my compass, I would have rode Purdue.

Squirming? Never said he wasn’t a great coach. Taking Florida Atlantic to the F4 supplanted that several years ago.

Then not sure what the point of bringing up Dusty is. Dusty is a barometer and a coach/program that is going to be right there every year - if he gets one of the top 1-2 bigs in the portal, to go along with their returning back court, they're going to be 1-3 in the country. I expect them to be top 5 every year Dusty is there.

I like revenge, but we need the parts. We can go in again and try to outscheme a more talented team, but would prefer not having to do that on average.

 

[tzznandrew]

And that's the point. The guys who aren't sure-fire lottery picks want to maximize their earnings. They do that by transferring up, both because it increases their chances of being drafted and because they make more $$ while in college. This shouldn't be hard (though it apparently is for at least one person here).

But wait, didn't Steph Curry and Dame Lilliard do just fine well over a decade ago?! Things in CBB surely don't change all that much in 15+ years, right?!

 

[Inyatkin]

If that was my compass, I would have rode Purdue.

Then not sure what the point of bringing up Dusty is. Dusty is a barometer and a coach/program that is going to be right there every year - if he gets one of the top 1-2 bigs in the portal, to go along with their returning back court, they're going to be 1-3 in the country. I expect them to be top 5 every year Dusty is there.

I like revenge, but we need the parts. We can go in again and try to outscheme a more talented team, but would prefer not having to do that on average.

You think as it stands right now Michigan has better "parts" than we do?

I mean, of course you do, but I'm not clear as to why

 

[Excalibur]

If that was my compass, I would have rode Purdue.

Then not sure what the point of bringing up Dusty is. Dusty is a barometer and a coach/program that is going to be right there every year - if he gets one of the top 1-2 bigs in the portal, to go along with their returning back court, they're going to be 1-3 in the country. I expect them to be top 5 every year Dusty is there.

I like revenge, but we need the parts. We can go in again and try to outscheme a more talented team, but would prefer not having to do that on average.

He'll always have an extremely talented team because (1) he's proven that he can win and (2) he's at the richest AD in the country (in terms of total resources).

 

[BGesus4]

If that was my compass, I would have rode Purdue.

Then not sure what the point of bringing up Dusty is. Dusty is a barometer and a coach/program that is going to be right there every year - if he gets one of the top 1-2 bigs in the portal, to go along with their returning back court, they're going to be 1-3 in the country. I expect them to be top 5 every year Dusty is there.

I like revenge, but we need the parts. We can go in again and try to outscheme a more talented team, but would prefer not having to do that on average.

Nah man, Purdue was not in the top tier within weeks of the season starting.
Somebody go dig up the ruff ruff posts after the Duke Michigan game… let’s not try to make it look like shinola now

 

[superjohn]

There is an argument to be made that they could have been 40-0 with a NC.


You're welcome, was accurate on UM too. Maybe start squirming less and listening more.You can pretend Dusty isn't a great coach, because for some reason it takes away from Hurley. I'll live in the reality that Hurley is a great coach, but so is Dusty. Would seem reasonable.

You said Purdue was the best, then Michigan was the best and one of the best teams ever who could go undefeated, then Arizona was the best, then Duke. You moved off of Michigan as soon as they lost their first game and then Duke was your new goliath after they beat Michigan. Florida was some sort of unstoppable force as well.

 

[RuffRuff]

I mean, if we’re just going to make stuff up, sure, have at it

Moving on Solo would be pretty cut throat, but I'm not sure anyone can argue that from a pure paper perspective, we could be a much more intriguing team with Mullins at the 2 and a new strong 4. That removes the defensive deficiency (which is huge, let's not kid ourselves), and makes us bigger/more physical in a sport that is becoming exactly that. We'll still have plenty of shooting. I want and expect Solo back, but more for the kid/person.

Nah man, Purdue was not in the top tier within weeks of the season starting.
Somebody go dig up the ruff ruff posts after the Duke Michigan game… let’s not try to make it look like shinola now

You said Purdue was the best, then Michigan was the best and one of the best teams ever who could go undefeated, then Arizona was the best, then Duke. You moved off of Michigan as soon as they lost their first game and then Duke was your new goliath after they beat Michigan. Florida was some sort of unstoppable force as well.

I know I was on Duke for their defense after that UM game. They were an elite defensive team with Ngongba healthy as they had 4 elite defenders. Let me know when I was on Purdue or Florida.

I spent time on UM, Zona and Duke because of their unique roster qualities.

 

[3rdbass]

I wonder if this is an option for big guy?

 

[Umami Zen]

Any credibility to the notion we're still in on Murauskas? Seems unlikely - but just curious.

How tight was he with Randy Bennett? His St Mary's coach now at ASU. They seem to be the leader with UConn/Duke also frequently mentioned. Duke has just signed another PF Drew Scharnowski (sp?) of Belmont. Seem to have a log jam at PF now. Could be a nice add if he's willing to come off the bench. Hard adjustment after being a starter. Getting him on campus sooner rather than later would make sense if Danny is still interested.

 

[ctbro1999]

Of course he wasn’t going to be Steph. Let’s not be ridiculous.

The point is he would’ve been better off developing as a star at Liberty who could’ve averaged 25 PPG as a junior instead of 9 PPG at Duke.

The point of course is not that he would’ve been Steph. Don’t be stupid. The point is he would’ve been much better off than transferring “up” to Duke.

This rivals one of RuffRuff's hotter takes.

 

[controlfade]

You said Purdue was the best, then Michigan was the best and one of the best teams ever who could go undefeated, then Arizona was the best, then Duke. You moved off of Michigan as soon as they lost their first game and then Duke was your new goliath after they beat Michigan. Florida was some sort of unstoppable force as well.

Oh right, this is the same guy who’s been rotating his “team to beat” take like it’s abi- weekly subscription service. Funny how that works—whoever looked decent last, suddenly becomes his long-term prediction.


And yeah, trying to argue with him is pointless. It’s not a discussion, it’s a hostage situation until he gets the last word. At some point you realize you’re not debating basketball—you’re just watching someone argue with themselves in real time.

 

[superjohn]

Moving on Solo would be pretty cut throat, but I'm not sure anyone can argue that from a pure paper perspective, we could be a much more intriguing team with Mullins at the 2 and a new strong 4. That removes the defensive deficiency (which is huge, let's not kid ourselves), and makes us bigger/more physical in a sport that is becoming exactly that. We'll still have plenty of shooting. I want and expect Solo back, but more for the kid/person.




I know I was on Duke for their defense after that UM game. They were an elite defensive team with Ngongba healthy as they had 4 elite defenders. Let me know when I was on Purdue or Florida.

I spent time on UM, Zona and Duke because of their unique roster qualities.

You flip flopped like crazy. You were saying Purdue was the best team in the country in the beginning of the season when they were #1. You were all over Michigan when they were #1, Arizona when they were #1, Duke when they were #1. Florida never made it to #1 so you didn't say they were the best but you still wouldn't shut up about them.

You'll do the same this preseason and all of next season. You'll select the other best teams and tell us over and over again on a daily basis why they're better than UConn.

 

[controlfade]

I spent time on UM, Zona and Duke because of their unique roster qualities.

Ah yes, the “unique roster qualities” defense—aka code for “I’m gonna switch my pick the second reality hits.”


You literally bounced from UM to Zona to Duke the moment each one took an L, like it was some kind of predictive genius instead of just chasing whoever hadn’t lost last. That’s not analysis, that’s scoreboard-watching with extra steps.


At this point your “team to beat” wasn't a take, it was just whoever survived your last post.

 

[Inyatkin]

Oh right, this is the same guy who’s been rotating his “team to beat” take like it’s abi- weekly subscription service. Funny how that works—whoever looked decent last, suddenly becomes his long-term prediction.


And yeah, trying to argue with him is pointless. It’s not a discussion, it’s a hostage situation until he gets the last word. At some point you realize you’re not debating basketball—you’re just watching someone argue with themselves in real time.

His one consistent point is that our players stink. He makes that one over and over again

 

[HW611]

The difference between me and the dude whose mommy never told him "no" is I'd never tell you I'm always right and I'll admit when I'm wrong.

I love how someone can lie and the mean girls clique just eats it up.

 

[RuffRuff]

Ah yes, the “unique roster qualities” defense—aka code for “I’m gonna switch my pick the second reality hits.”


You literally bounced from UM to Zona to Duke the moment each one took an L, like it was some kind of predictive genius instead of just chasing whoever hadn’t lost last. That’s not analysis, that’s scoreboard-watching with extra steps.


At this point your “team to beat” wasn't a take, it was just whoever survived your last post.

You mean the top 3 seeds in the country? Was never about winning or losing as much it was observing their rosters. UM was about the fact they had a front court bigger than most NBA FCs. Zona had a similar FC, with a high upside 2G and Senior PG, Duke about having 4 plus defenders plus mismatch Boozer. I don't evaluate teams through a scoreboard, But whatever you think.

 

[Bigbrad1029]

You're sure of this, are you

Yeah because he was at both St John’s games in MSG where his kid who is a guard had to cover and be covered by Dillon Mitchell a 6’8 athletic wing which wasn’t a fair fight …and yes we made it to the finals which was great but would have been eliminated by Duke if not for a ferocious second half comeback sealed by Mullins pure jumper near the buzzer…Point is that Mullins is a better 2 than Solo but Mullins is not a 3, we have Landrew and Ross for that. When you play Solo at the 2 and Mullins at the 3 it weakens the team at 2 positions…And unlike Solo , Mullins is a first round pick McDonalds All American who is coming back to round out his game to be a 2 in the NBA not a 3, and help us win a Natty
Why do you think Solo announcement taking so long? Dont you think it has so to do with playing time or does he just love the drama?
The idea here is to put the best players at each position that will let you win the Natty and hopefully a BE title along the way neither of which we accomplished with Solo at the 2 and Mullins at the 3, remember Hurley said UConn was there for rings not watches….Hopefully that changes in 27 and Solo decides to be a huge contributor as a 6th man

 

[Inyatkin]

Funny how "unique roster qualities" never included Alex Karaban, who could and did run circles around the guys trying to guard him. I guess 100 other guys could have done that

 

[7774]

I love how someone can lie and the mean girls clique just eats it up.

I love how you can talk down to/insult whomever, and that's apparently cool, but when people point out you're a disaster they're the "mean girls".

 

[444JR]

Personally I don't think that's correct. Mullins at the 2 allows Khamenia to slide to the 3 and then for us to either let Landrew play the 4 or to grab a guy in the portal. This was the plan if Freeman came on and it was planned bc it's obvious that Solo is better suited to come off the bench. I love Solo but the reality is that he is a shooter and not much else.

Out of loyalty Hurley may elect to start Ball but I think he's seen what that looks like (Samson over Tarris) and he's accepted the reality of this sport right now.

Landrew and Khamenia as interchangeable forwards makes the most sense to me. On defense they would pick up whoever the best matchup is for them.

Demary 6’4
Mullins 6’6
Landrew 6’6
Khamenia 6’8
Hines 6’10

Bench:
Solo 6’3
Ross 6’7
Machot 7’0 ??
County 6’4 / Transfer PG

9-man rotation.

High hopes that Landrew quickly becomes a must play freshman like Castle, McNeeley, and Mullins before him.

 

[husky429]

The poster that spent an entire offseason saying we didn’t need Silas (because Solo should be starting PG) coming after @husky429 for Nowell not working out is just peak comedy (and delusion).

He put up way better stats at Imhotep than Justin Edwards. There was reason to believe he had it.

Some kids just don't have that dog in them.

 

[Emoney2737]

Landrew and Khamenia as interchangeable forwards makes the most sense to me. On defense they would pick up whoever the best matchup is for them.

Demary 6’4
Mullins 6’6
Landrew 6’6
Khamenia 6’8
Hines 6’10

Bench:
Solo 6’3
Ross 6’7
Machot 7’0 ??
County 6’4 / Transfer PG

9-man rotation.

High hopes that Landrew quickly becomes a must play freshman like Castle, McNeeley, and Mullins before him.

There’s no shot solo is coming off the bench

 

[husky429]

I love how someone can lie and the mean girls clique just eats it up.

You're a bit like the kid who I just met with today. He called someone a fat-a and then cried foul when someone threw a pencil at him.

Don't dish it if you can't take it mama's boy

 

[RuffRuff]

Funny how "unique roster qualities" never included Alex Karaban, who could and did run circles around the guys trying to guard him. I guess 100 other guys could have done that

Will eat some crow there, was referring to him as a frosh/soph mainly in that his role on those teams was fairly downstream.

Him and Tarris were the major reasons we got to this NC - good to see him get a run that he truly owned. As great an ambassador of the program, and system, as it gets.

 

[husky429]

Landrew and Khamenia as interchangeable forwards makes the most sense to me. On defense they would pick up whoever the best matchup is for them.

Demary 6’4
Mullins 6’6
Landrew 6’6
Khamenia 6’8
Hines 6’10

Bench:
Solo 6’3
Ross 6’7
Machot 7’0 ??
County 6’4 / Transfer PG

9-man rotation.

High hopes that Landrew quickly becomes a must play freshman like Castle, McNeeley, and Mullins before him.

Solo starts but his minutes are closer to 20 than 30, and there are plenty of games his defense (if not improved) keeps him out of closing lineups.