Transfer Portal Starting to Load

[Chin Diesel]

Dauster actually went into what he thought were our "exit" candidates on his Top Dog's Pod this week, which is directionally aligned with consensus here. I know we can't talk about it here until the season is over.

Even once the season is over, there is not naming names until they announce they are in the portal.

 

[BGesus4]

Looks like Eaglestaff is already talking to the big boys

Is the Kentucky staff really the “best of the best” though?

 

[StllH8L8ner]

Is the Kentucky staff really the “best of the best” though?

Best of the best in all of Lexington.

 

[Chin Diesel]

I'll never object to having a banger who's really good at rebounding on a roster.

 

[Huskygrad88]

Is the Kentucky staff really the “best of the best” though?

What stinks for us is the Pope really is a good coach and seems like a good guy as well.

 

[BGesus4]

What stinks for us is the Pope really is a good coach and seems like a good guy as well.

I agree but “best of the best” is an extreme statement given his limited accomplishments

 

[boog204]

Only saw him versus Bama, and not really. Hurley can teach defense!

Ugh... We went through this this year. Really hope they walk back their "recruit offensive players and teach them to defend" rationale. No es bueno.

Watching this dude, though, is kind of wild. He's not particularly athletic, and he's very unorthodox. Plays very hard, though. I'm trying to think of a comp but struggling to come up with one.

 

[Umami Zen]

Articles speculating on Eaglestaff potential landing spots based on roster needs and his skill set. Kentucky(as already mentioned above)/Bama/Oklahoma.. Early short list prior to March Madness limitations being lifted. Always interesting how congratulation line handshakes present opportunities for staff to plant some seeds-in the portal era of hoops.

 

[DogMania]

I know nothing about any of these guys, but I want all of them. Treysen Eaglestaff, Jamichael Stillwell, and Hasan Abdul Hakim! Can you even fathom just how much name butchering potential is here?

On the "who could portal for us" question, look at the returning roster, think for 4 seconds, and go math-ing. Think it would be pretty obvious.

Wanting and getting all or most of them is Pitino's playbook, which so far seems to be working out pretty good for St John's.

I get what your saying...seems there will be a lot of good options. If we have a deep run and the staff is not sure what current players plan to portal, it could be problematic as to who to pursue and when to do so.

I'm sure adding a big combo guard who can attack the basket, has a good midrange game, can hit some 3s at a reasonable clip, rebound and defend, and hope can execute the motion offense is a must. Getting one before any current players decide to test the portal waters could impact their decision, but it doesn't look like any of the current players and incoming freshman fit this Need so I doubt the staff will wait too long if they identify 1 or 2 that fit the need.

Pulling the trigger on a big athletic wing or combo forward too early could have an adverse domino effect. Navigating the new world portal order, considering when it opens, is a messy proposition, that could be managed better if they didn't open it till a few days after the championship game. Note one caveat to this. If you pull the trigger early on a player, sometimes you run the risk of missing out on a better one who enters late, which worked in our favor when Timberlake chose KU and Cam Spencer fell into our lap.

I hope Hurley and his staff are able to retain the players they want and bring in 2 to 3 who are ready to fill the need right away. Note I'm not speculating as to who should leave or stay. The current roster are our guys that we root for. I leave the 2025-26 roster construction to the staff once that begins.

 

[RuffRuff]

Articles speculating on Eaglestaff potential landing spots based on roster needs and his skill set. Kentucky(as already mentioned above)/Bama/Oklahoma.. Early short list prior to March Madness limitations being lifted. Always interesting how congratulation line handshakes present opportunities for staff to plant some seeds-in the portal era of hoops.

Oklahoma does have the most reservation land of any state in the lower 48, not that it’s likely a major driver for him.

Separately it’s for those reasons I swore we were going to grab Haussen last year.

 

[RuffRuff]

 

[auror]

 

[RuffRuff]

Interesting - would apply to Mahaney as he was very much a volume shooter

 

[Kembafan]

A slight disagreement with Coach here: most guys need playing time in order to get better. So a transfer makes a lot of sense for players who aren't getting enough minutes.

 

[husky99]

Who is 6"4 or taller

 

[Edward Sargent]

Who is 6"4 or taller

Stone, Hill Acuff all 6'4" Fidler is 6'7" and the rest are 6"2 or less

 

[UCfor3]

A slight disagreement with Coach here: most guys need playing time in order to get better. So a transfer makes a lot of sense for players who aren't getting enough minutes.

Agree to some extent but you still need good coaching ideally with playing time. Playing time alone at Michigan did nothing for Reed with Howard as coach. Guys develop and get better in practice(with good coaching) and weight rooms both during the season and off-season. Playing time is a big part of the process as well as you mentioned to both improve and showcase your skills.

 

[auror]

Who is 6"4 or taller

I agree this makes some difference.

 

[Icehawk]

Hell, the only thing I care about is getting a tall guard who can defend. Previous seasons we were taller at almost every spot in most games and it does matter (says the shorty typing this).

 

[Huskyforlife]

Ohio St season just ended, bring me Bruce Thornton, please!

 

[huskyharry]

This year we have struggled defending on the perimeter. More height is helpful in defending the three but may mean less ability to stay in front of their man to prevent penetration.
On offense, we struggled against pressure defense and we have lacked someone who can penetrate and dish or score. Height may help somewhat with ability to finish at the rim but usually means less ability to penetrate.
IMHO ball-handling and lateral quickness/ability to stop an opponent who is good at penetration are the two most important qualities we need. Newell may be able to improve I these areas, as he limited limiting by injuries and lack of PT this year. However, I think someone like a little taller Devion Smith is what we need.

 

[Hi-Low]

I don't think UConn fans are "panicking" much at all about losing 50% of the current roster that is eligible to come back. The 50% that do come back are likely the ones contributing in big ways right now, if the other 50% don't come back they can be replaced....just the way things are now, year to year.

Although Dan Hurley says he wants them all back I doubt that's really the case, some spots need upgrades besides the incoming freshmen. It's a business now more than ever, they're all being paid something. Players have to go where they can play and make the most and UConn needs to put the best team it can on the floor every year....which means a mix of returning players, freshmen & portal to fill needs.

 

[Huskyforlife]

DJ Wagner entering per Trilly, wonder if Dan could have interest in the former Jersey star? 11-4 on 41/32/82 this year, there's untapped potential here.

 

[Agent0]

DJ Wagner entering per Trilly, wonder if Dan could have interest in the former Jersey star? 11-4 on 41/32/82 this year, there's untapped potential here.

If he was more of a true pg I think there would be some interest but he’s more of a 2

 

[auror]

If you're a starter on a team that is in decent shape to make the NCAA tournament and it leaks that you're entering the portal, I want 0 to do with you.