Mir in transfer portal

[Carnac]

yes, and we've had transfers go to Georgia and Arkansas in the SEC...

Lexi Gordon went to Texas Tech (not necessarily a major program), but now is now at Duke, and doing quite well.

First Team Academic All-Big 12 (2019-20)
Jordan Brand All-American (2017)

At Texas Tech (2019-20, 2020-21):
Appeared in 48 games, with 45 starts over two seasons.

As a Senior at Texas Tech (2020-21):
Started all 25 contests for Texas Tech, averaging 15.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 0.7 steals … posted nine games with 20+ points, including a season-high 28 points against Incarnate Word … collected two double-doubles versus Southern and TCU … drained 47 three-pointers and hit 80.2 percent from the charity stripe … ranked 14th in the Big 12 in scoring, tied for sixth in 3-point field goals per game (1.9), seventh in free throw percentage and eighth in minutes played (34.7) … made at least one 3-pointer in 23-of-25 contests … averaged 19.0 points per game over her final five games of the season … notched 23 points on the road at Iowa State.

As a Junior at Texas Tech (2019-20):
Appeared in 23 games for the Lady Raiders after sitting out the first six games of the season due to NCAA transfer rules … made 20 starts and averaged 13.0 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game — all career highs … was a sharpshooter for the Lady Raiders, finishing second on the team in three pointers (46) and three-point field goal efficiency (36.5) … recorded 14 double-digit games, three games of 20-or-more points and two 30-plus point games … had 16 games with five or more rebounds and three double-digit rebounding games … recorded three double-doubles on the season … led Texas Tech in scoring and rebounding five times each … finished fifth in the Big 12 in three-point field goals per game on two attempts … was among an elite list of five Big 12 players averaging 12+ points, 6+ rebounds and 2+ assists, with that group also including Lauren Cox (Baylor), Lauren Heard (TCU), Joyner Holmes (Texas) and Peyton Williams (Kansas State) … was one of three Big 12 players with multiple 30-point games in 2019-20 … named to the Academic All-Big 12 First Team.

 

[browns]

Not a surprise

 

[oldude]

Do you include Duke in that echelon ?

If you’re talking about Lexi Gordon, I will qualify my prior statement to point out that the player has to transfer “from” UConn.

The best I could think of is AEH to MS St, but even at MS St there were extenuating circumstances. Initially, AEH got some PT off the bench. Subsequently, after Chloe Bibby was injured, Vic Schaefer started AEH because he needed a shooter to spread the floor. The following year, after Vic brought in more talented players, AEH moved far down the bench, eventually transferring to Seton Hall.

 

[oldude]

Not sure, but didn't Espinoza-Hunter transfer to Mississippi St?

Yes, see my discussion above.

 

[OviedoFLHusky]

Best of luck to Mir. Wherever she ends up, I hope it keeps that big, beautiful smile on her face.

 

[Forego]

yes, and we've had transfers go to Georgia and Arkansas in the SEC...

Samaria Walker transferred to Kentucky - not sure if Kentucky was considered a top team back then but they looked pretty threatening to Louisville yesterday.

 

[Charliebball]

I don’t know what the record is for mid-season transfers, but it will surely be broken this year. With the end of the fall semester at hand, there are currently 98 D1 WBB transfers in the portal, and that does not include Mir or anyone else in the past 24 hrs.

the new transfer rules have led to this crazy mid-season activity.............really not good for team stability...........is everybody wondering who's the next to leave in every DI program in America?

 

[hoopsdiva]

I'm not surprised (maybe by the timing), but still sad to see her leave. She was one of my favorites. I hope she finds a school that's a good fit for her both academically and basketball-wise. I'll be rooting for her wherever she lands.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

It's the right thing for Mir and UConn. Of guard dimensions without developed guard skills. Best of luck to her.

 

[eebmg]

If you’re talking about Lexi Gordon, I will qualify my prior statement to point out that the player has to transfer “from” UConn.

The best I could think of is AEH to MS St, but even at MS St there were extenuating circumstances. Initially, AEH got some PT off the bench. Subsequently, after Chloe Bibby was injured, Vic Schaefer started AEH because he needed a shooter to spread the floor. The following year, after Vic brought in more talented players, AEH moved far down the bench, eventually transferring to Seton Hall.

Lexi started out well but is 1-17 from 3 over last few games. Not sure she is a starter for a top 25 team.

 

[Charliebball]

Seems like both parties (UCONN and Mir) should have figured this ( lack of fit or adequate skills) during the recruiting process.

agreed...........incredibly athletic but to be a leaper under 6'0" without ballhandling skills, or a real midrange or outside shot is not a formula for success at this level........

 

[eebmg]

If I am a BE coach, I would go after her hard and remind her she would get to play against UConn a few times. Maybe I am weird but I would find that very appealing as a competitor.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Seems like both parties (UCONN and Mir) should have figured this ( lack of fit or adequate skills) during the recruiting process.

I think it was a reach to offer Mir, butUConn was thin in numbers and they hoped with her athleticism she would blossom.

 

[AmeriConn]

Not that we should, but is it possible that we could pick up a very good player, if one becomes available, in the transfer portal?

 

[oldude]

I did check on Mikayla Coombs at UGA. After basically coming off the bench last year, she is now a starter averaging 28 mpg. At 8-1, UGA is a pretty good team right now, so I’ll stand corrected on my comment about UConn players not transferring to “top programs.”

 

[pk1234]

yes, and we've had transfers go to Georgia and Arkansas in the SEC...

Mississippi State (AEH) is the only close to truly "elite" program that we've lost a transfer to in prior year. Georgia and Arkansas are good programs, but not "elite". Mississippi State was for a while, but clearly aren't any more.

We haven't lost any transfers to: Louisville, Oregon, Stanford, South Carolina, Baylor, Maryland...

 

[Conndog]

I'm sad it didn't work out for Mir (and Saylor). I disagree with comments that "Geno needs to develop the bench more so that players won't leave". You can put lipstick on a pig all day long, but it's still a pig.

Was it necessary to have that last sentence? I'm sure it wasn't meant towards anyone in particular, but given the topic being discussed and the individual player central to it, it just seems in poor taste

 

[AmeriConn]

There is a place for everyone. They just have to find it. Get in where you fit in. Hers may or may not be in a P-5 program or on a top 25 team. A mid-major program may suit her best. There MUST be mutual attraction here. Water seeks its own level. Mir will find a better fit and be OK! I just had a thought....I wonder if Shea Ralph at Vanderbilt would have any interest in Mir? She knows her well.

It might just be a good fit for both.

 

[JoePgh]

I did check on Mikayla Coombs at UGA. After basically coming off the bench last year, she is now a starter averaging 28 mpg. At 8-1, UGA is a pretty good team right now, so I’ll stand corrected on my comment about UConn players not transferring to “top programs.”

You could also add Arizona State, which is where Courtney Ekmark transferred and became a two-year starter. They aren't so good now, but they were Top 25 and Sweet 16 level for a number of years, including (I believe) the years when Courtney played for them.

 

[Huskee11]

Unfortunately, this was predictable.

I wish Mir well. It will be interesting to see what she can do if she gets playing time somewhere, and how she does it. She has weaknesses, but some definite strengths as well.

I think ok defenders in high school can become great defenders in college. But it seems rare that an ok shooter in high school becomes a good/great shooter in college. Kia Nurse, maybe?

We are now faced with the possibility of having eight players in uniform for the Louisville game, with no depth at all at the guard/wing positions.

It wasn`t that long ago we were all giddy about having the deepest team in Connecticut history. Me included. 14 became 8 rather quickly.

I don`t expect to see Nika or Azzi before January, but let`s hope Aubrey can lace them up for Louisville.

Where on earth would we be if Evina didn`t come back?

 

[Charliebball]

Can anybody think of a UConn transfer in the past ten years that you wished they could have been able to keep? Very few have made long lasting impacts on their new programs from what I have observed......

 

[JoePgh]

Can anybody think of a UConn transfer in the past ten years that you wished they could have been able to keep? Very few have made long lasting impacts on their new programs from what I have observed......

Well, there is always Samarie Walker.

 

[Dillon77]

I did check on Mikayla Coombs at UGA. After basically coming off the bench last year, she is now a starter averaging 28 mpg. At 8-1, UGA is a pretty good team right now, so I’ll stand corrected on my comment about UConn players not transferring to “top programs.”

I watched her during the ND-Georgia game just after Thanksgiving. She had an insane number of steals (8?), in contributing to Olivia Mile's worst day in college (thus far). Mikayla is still very instinctive on defense with good burst speed, which helps her dart into passing lanes. On offense, she's still a drive-first player. Solid contributor on that UGA team.

 

[UConnFanMSM]

...I am sorry to hear this and hope she might reconsider. Like her athleticism.

 

[Fairfield Fan]

She's a player. She will get plenty of time somewhere, not quite a fit here.

Let's be clear: Coach Geno certainly felt she would be a great fit here. That's why he recruited her. And, yes, she was impactful in nearly every game she entered. But she never got a big chance. She did make the most of the chances she got. Very sad that she's gone. And that Poffenbarger is gone, too. High hopes.

 

[Fairfield Fan]

Mississippi State (AEH) is the only close to truly "elite" program that we've lost a transfer to in prior year. Georgia and Arkansas are good programs, but not "elite". Mississippi State was for a while, but clearly aren't any more.

We haven't lost any transfers to: Louisville, Oregon, Stanford, South Carolina, Baylor, Maryland...

We had a player go to Arizona. That program was on the verge of its current elite status.

 

[amishboy]

I think it was a reach to offer Mir, butUConn was thin in numbers and they hoped with her athleticism she would blossom.

IIRC, wasn’t that basically how it turned out with Gabby Williams? At the time she was recruited and signed, the thinking was, “we’re not quite sure what she is, but she sometimes makes some incredible plays on the court!”

 

[pvdoggy]

Seems like both parties (UCONN and Mir) should have figured this ( lack of fit or adequate skills) during the recruiting process.

This is the part I do not understand about Uconn recruiting. It is probably not the case but it certainly feels like among the top programs in wbb, Uconn seems to have had a relatively high number of transfers in the last 5-6 years compared to other programs.

 

[Ozimoto]

I don't buy the idea that if a player transfers from any program they aren't as "dedicated" as the coach. Players that Geno recruits want to play. When they come to UConn they all think they have what it takes to make the team (otherwise I doubt Geno would recruit them. I'm also sure he is honest with them about where the team is and where they might fit AT THAT TIME) but circumstances change overnight in college basketball these days when a new, highly ranked recruit signs or a talented transfer player comes on the team. And the new transfer rules make that scenario very likely, especially at powerhouse programs. And it doesn't have to indicate a "problem" with the program.

When you sign on to play at a top program, sometimes no matter how hard you work your level of talent/skill, basketball IQ, coupled with injuries, academic challenges, whatever, means you are simply not as good as the other top recruit sitting next to you. For many of these kids, that is a reality they have never encountered before. It doesn't mean you are a failure or a useless player. For some, never seeing the floor and being the best practice player/team mate you can be is enough. For others, they just want to play meaningful minutes in games so they go someplace where their talents/abilities allow them to play. To me, that represents a choice of what you want out of life, not a lack of dedication.

 

[Tonyc]

A large part of the problem at UConn is you have so many players who are top 10 and they continue to come. Its very difficult to get playtime when you have all those HS number 1 2 and 5 players with more coming in. Geno has done a good job of spacing players over the years and by that I mean getting top players every two years to replace those who are graduating. For example when you have a top 3 player who is a junior you can bring in a freshman top player to replace the player ahead of her in two years. That player will be developed over their freshman and soph years and ready to start in their junior or soph year.

I had been told Mir was a really good player by those who saw her in HS and AAU ball. The problem at UConn is she has so many top players ahead of her. Good luck to her and she will do fine on another team.

We have CW Evina Nika Paige Azzi Caroline Amari Liv Dorka Edwards all top players with Ice (4) and Patterson (3) coming in next season and KK for the following season. Its tuff to crack that lineup.