Report: Michala is transferring to Wisconsin

[VAMike23]

If it's true, I will be very sorry to see her go. Certainly "on paper" such a move is not hard to understand in her case, given the players who are coming in. I loved watching her lead the high-5 brigade on the bench, and her crazy antics in all the videos. Seems like someone who is really well-liked all around.

Being with her sister and being so close to Chi-town seems like a move with great upside for her. Best wishes, if and when this is confirmed!

 

[UConn990411]

Probably a good move for her - she has the athleticism to play at this level, but it just wasn't going to happen with the posts UConn has/has coming in.

She always seemed like a real pleasant kid, so best of luck to her.

 

[justML]

Best of luck to her. Wisconsin is getting a great kid!

 

[Zorro]

Good for everyone concerned. With the infusion of this year's (arguably) three best high-schoolers, she was not going to get any playing time here. She will probably play at Wisconsin, maybe start, and it frees up a scholly for UConn. Vaya con Dios y muy buena suerte, Michala.

 

[Sonny44]

Goodbye Michala and good luck at Wisconsin. You were good for our team, always upbeat and real charge cheering the your mates on from the bench.

 

[Wbbfan1]

Sorry to see Michala leave, but if she wants playing time, its a good move for her. Didn't see her getting any more minutes with Morgan and Breanna coming on board.

 

[JS]

This thread developed rather rapidly while the mods weren't looking. The people who chimed in against speculation are correct, and the thread required much editing to get back to what was reported about Michala by Fuller/Hansen.

No more "I wouldn't be surprised" stuff about transfers please. That's dead against the board rules.

When it's reported in an article or blog by a reputable journalist, it's fair game for discussion here. Tweets are a little more of a judgment call, depending on the apparent source and the content.

Cat's right about what was tweeted to Hansen, in response to his tweet, being too remote. A known reliable source isn't behind it and it lacks the details, such as a destination, that can give a report some weight.

All the best to Michala. She was hampered by a lengthy recovery from injury, and the new situation, including a sit-out year while practicing with the team, might not be a bad thing.

 

[Ozzie Nelson]

Biff, Bam, Boom....gotta love the MOD SQUAD.

 

[msf22b]

I always was curious about how she felt about her situ; how her health was, what practicing was like, how she felt about sitting...
Seemed like a great and loyal kid
I never got around to it or even exploring the ethical aspects or propriety.
Sort of sorry I didn't
Not for sensationalism, just knowledge.

 

[boontonbomber]

i'm thrilled for michala, especially if it means that she'll get to play the game that has always been a big part of her life. it takes a great deal of courage to transfer.

 

[cferraro04]

Of course it is always in the best for kids to do what they and their families believe is in their best interest. In that regard I wish Michala much success in her future basketball career. On the other hand, given what has happened to the men's program with the NCAA...I hope transfers don't work against our QPR rating. I would hate to see something like that happen to the women's program.

 

[MilfordHusky]

If confirmed, it makes some sense. MJ would get far more PT and be with her sister, which would be good for them.

Interestingly, when one participant asked John A. in his chat last week about possible transfers, John said he knew nothing but said it might make sense under certain circumstances. The one name he mentioned was Michala's. Coincidence, lucky guess, or hinting?

Best wishes for success and good health, wherever Michala decides to play.

 

[Vowelguy]

Biff, Bam, Boom....gotta love the MOD SQUAD.

We know about Biff. Does that make JS = Bam and Nan=Boom, or vice versa?

 

[alexrgct]

It was difficult to see where she was going to fit into the rotation with the depth of talent coming in at the four. I wish her nothing but the best of luck and hope she will have a great BB experience at Wisconsin. Certainly, from a college town, caliber of school, and proximity to home (without being TOO close) standpoint, she seems to have made a great choice.

 

[JS]

We know about Biff. Does that make JS = Bam and Nan=Boom

Yeah. That sounds right.

First, Nan's a boomer, and I'm not.

Second, I'm a Bad Ass Mod, and she's not.

 

[doggydaddy]

Yeah. That sounds right.

First, Nan's a boomer, and I'm not.

Second, I'm a Bad Ass Mod, and she's not.

I thought you were a big ass mod...from what I can see!

 

[Icebear]

Blessings Michala and all the best wishes for you. We loved you here and will love you there, too.

 

[UConnCat]

Doesn't look like we'll get any confirmation from UConn tonight. From Rich Elliott's blog:

ESPN HoopGurlz tweeted this afternoon that UConn sophomore Michala Johnson will transfer to Wisconsin.

However, a team spokesman said that while UConn is aware of the report that Johnson intends to transfer, the school has no plans to release anything official tonight concerning the matter.

Johnson, a 6-3 forward, averaged 1.5 points and 1.2 rebounds in 4.9 minutes in 26 games this season. In 56 career games with the Huskies, she is averaging 1.4 points and 1.4 rebounds in 5.1 minutes.

Stay tuned …

http://blog.ctnews.com/elliott/

 

[UCONNfan1]

perhaps not surprising, but echo the thoughts of all fans who are sad to see her leave. she was really making the most of her limited minutes - especially towards the end of the season, but without a return to her pre-ACL days, it was hard to see where she'd earn any substantial PT given the pure talent of Tuck and Stewart.

she always had a smile on her face and i really liked her desire to take the ball right to the basket whenever she was in the post. and she really seemed to enjoy herself every minute she as on the court or on the bench. Best of luck, Michala! i'll be curious to see what kind of college career she carves out for herself at Wisconsin...

 

[Kevin G]

I always rooted for Michala and if she is transferring I wish her the best. As long as she is happy that is all that matters

 

[5sidedlarry]

Per Jim Fuller/HoopGurlz

i wish her all the best good person decent ball player

 

[JS]

I thought you were a big ass mod...from what I can see!

Wondering whether you mean I have a big ass or I AM a big ass.

But won't inquire, because (a) I won't be thrilled with the answer either way, and (b) you might respond that the two conditions aren't mutually exclusive.

And then where would I be? Devoid of plausible deniability, that's where.

Think instead I'll start arbitrarily deleting all your posts.

Save the investigators some work.

 

[UConnCat]

Now unofficial confirmation courtesy of Jim Fuller's blog. http://elmcitytoeaglevillenhr.blogspot.com/

Here is what I have to report regarding Michala Johnson. First, a source close to the situation confirmed that the sophomore forward will be transferring from UConn at the end of the spring semester. Although ESPN HoopGurlz reported on twitter that Johnson would be heading to Wisconsin (where here younger sister is committed to play) and WTNH had a report confirming that information, my source did not know of her final destination.

UConn is not planning to release a statement on the matter tonight but once the details are ironed out, I expect that the school will put out a release.

Johnson averaged 1.5 points, 1.2 rebounds and 4.9 minutes in 26 games as a sophomore. She will have two years of eligibility remaining but will have to sit out next season per NCAA transfer rules.

Update: Rich Elliott is reporting that Michala informed Geno today. Let's hope it was before the news went public via twitter-news.

 

[sarals24]

Wait, if she transfers I thought she lost a year of eligibility?

 

[alexrgct]

Wait, if she transfers I thought she lost a year of eligibility?

No, but she will presumably have to sit out next year. She has five years to play four.