Transfer Portal

[ucp990411]

Khalid was 8.

 

[HooperScooper]

This says he was 93
I have a gut feeling he will be good.

This guy was 132 and is currently one of the four finalists for Naismith this year

Ochai Agbaji, Kansas Jayhawks, Shooting Guard

Ochai Agbaji is a 6-5.5, 195-pound Shooting Guard from Kansas City, MO. He is ranked No. 334 in the country by 247Sports. Agbaji is the No. 10 recruit in...

247sports.com

And this guy is 1 of the 4 also. Rated #164 in the 2020 class.

Johnny Davis, Wisconsin Badgers, Shooting Guard

Jonathan Davis is a 6-4, 185-pound Combo Guard from La Crosse, WI.

247sports.com

This guy also. Rated #334 in the 2020 class.

Keegan Murray, Iowa Hawkeyes, Small Forward

Keegan Murray is a 6-8, 205-pound Small Forward from Daytona Beach, FL.

247sports.com

FWIW Sanogo was #85 in that same class. Jaden Ivey from Purdue is a projected lottery pick and he was #89 in that same class. Should I continue?

I think we all know not to take the rankings so literally. But I always temper my expectations for freshmen. Just don't know what you'll get.

 

[businesslawyer]

Jailen Llewellyn please.


Thank you.

If RJ leaves, that is the obvious play here.

 

[businesslawyer]

And this guy is 1 of the 4 also. Rated #164 in the 2020 class.

Johnny Davis, Wisconsin Badgers, Shooting Guard

Jonathan Davis is a 6-4, 185-pound Combo Guard from La Crosse, WI.

247sports.com

This guy also. Rated #334 in the 2020 class.

Keegan Murray, Iowa Hawkeyes, Small Forward

Keegan Murray is a 6-8, 205-pound Small Forward from Daytona Beach, FL.

247sports.com

FWIW Sanogo was #85 in that same class. Jaden Ivey from Purdue is a projected lottery pick and he was #89 in that same class. Should I continue?

I think we all know not to take the rankings so literally. But I always temper my expectations for freshmen. Just don't know what you'll get.

Why in the world would we care about how players actually do in college when we have recruiting service rankings based on their high school careers to rely upon?

 

[CTFAN4LIFE]

Why in the world would we care about how players actually do in college when we have recruiting service rankings based on their high school careers to rely upon?

Damn those real world distractions.

 

[huskyfan224]

Are we done recruiting for this class and only can go after transfers? Saw Florida lost Malik Reneau, a top 30 power forward...I know PG is the glaring hole, but I'd take all the talent possible.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I agree with the proven part for sure. I’m on the hopeful side of guys stepping up to their talents when they don’t have anyone else to lean on. I agree with preferring to stay within the roster too.

With the portal route, I want whoever we get to play PG be able to manage getting Hawkins good shots, throw some lobs to AJ, feed Sanogo easy points, and if Akok is starting find him some easy looks from 3 and in the paint. We rarely saw any of that this past year. How many easy dump off baskets did we see?

I would LOVE a freshman year Gaffney tbh.

I think Gaffney will be much better than he was freshman year if Hurley gives him a shot.

 

[DansArmy]

You guys do know that Corey Floyd was rated in the low 100’s? Maybe he will be a stud but please tamper the expectations a little.

He was a starter on the best AAU team in the country that had the #1 and #2 recruits in the country, he was also very good as a sophomore and junior starting in a highly competitive NJ high school league that produced Sanogo, Jonathon Kuminga, etc. I’m not suggesting he’s the next bouk but I definitely wouldn’t sleep on him.

 

[the Q]

Niagara's Marcus Hammond just joined the portal. Another guard of interest?

6'2 160 from Queens.

Last year's stats: 18.1p, 4r, 2.9a, 2.2 to, 48 2p%, 37 3p%, 4.5 ftas at 83.1%, about 45% of shots from deep.

Finished the season on the All-MAAC first team.

Yes. This seems like the guy.


Right now at least

 

[mauconnfan]

I think Gaffney will be much better than he was freshman year if Hurley gives him a shot.

HH c'mon you haven't seen enough? I mean you seriously have high expectations for this team next year if he's your starting PG? I would be devastated. I like the kid, seems like a great kid but he's going into his senior year and had a year in which he regressed, and that from not all that much to speak of prior. I mean I'm praying your right but by no means would it be good to assume he's going to finally "break out".

 

[HuskyHawk]

HH c'mon you haven't seen enough? I mean you seriously have high expectations for this team next year if he's your starting PG? I would be devastated. I like the kid, seems like a great kid but he's going into his senior year and had a year in which he regressed, and that from not all that much to speak of prior. I mean I'm praying your right but by no means would it be good to assume he's going to finally "break out".

As a freshman, we all wanted him to play more, because the offense ran better. As a sophomore, he was a rock solid outside shooter that could get to the rim, but was defensively challenged and committed too many turnovers. Last season he greatly improved his defense and his A to TO ratio, but his shot completely left him. I think that's an anomaly, and I think it was caused by not being considered a primary scoring option. By coaching in other words, that hurt his confidence. If he returns, I expect he will play the improved D, and improved assist to TO ratio, with his previously good shooting. In short, I think bringing in Cole was great for UConn and terrible for Gaffney.

If we get a transfer PG, fine. If not, I think people will be pleasantly surprised by Gaffney.

 

[Horatio]

HH c'mon you haven't seen enough? I mean you seriously have high expectations for this team next year if he's your starting PG? I would be devastated. I like the kid, seems like a great kid but he's going into his senior year and had a year in which he regressed, and that from not all that much to speak of prior. I mean I'm praying your right but by no means would it be good to assume he's going to finally "break out".

Exactly. The kid doesn’t even look at or make a move towards the basket most of the time. It’s as if he’s traumatized and afraid of scoring. I have never seen anything like it at this level. And that’s not trashing a player. That’s facts.

 

[MJ1]

Are we done recruiting for this class and only can go after transfers? Saw Florida lost Malik Reneau, a top 30 power forward...I know PG is the glaring hole, but I'd take all the talent possible.

He committed to Florida under coach White, expected to follow him to Georgia.

 

[mauconnfan]

As a freshman, we all wanted him to play more, because the offense ran better. As a sophomore, he was a rock solid outside shooter that could get to the rim, but was defensively challenged and committed too many turnovers. Last season he greatly improved his defense and his A to TO ratio, but his shot completely left him. I think that's an anomaly, and I think it was caused by not being considered a primary scoring option. By coaching in other words, that hurt his confidence. If he returns, I expect he will play the improved D, and improved assist to TO ratio, with his previously good shooting. In short, I think bringing in Cole was great for UConn and terrible for Gaffney.

If we get a transfer PG, fine. If not, I think people will be pleasantly surprised by Gaffney.

We "all" didn't want him to play as a freshman although I know many did. Early in the year AG and CV were dreadful except on D where they were both very good. Later CV got hot, made everyone around him better no doubt including Gaff. The only thing Gaff did better than AG was NOT turn it over as much, but there was still no getting to the basket and certainly we lost a ton on the other end as he couldn't guard a chair. Minus 3-4 games over 3 years you can hardly point to anything thinking this is our guy next year. Instead we are in big trouble if Cole leaves, Rashool doesn't step up and if we don't get an impact PG in the portal. It is that simple I'm afraid. I won't be pleasantly surprised at all it would be unbelievably surprised but not at all expecting it from what we saw especially this year.

Lleuwellyn please.

 

[Horatio]

We "all" didn't want him to play as a freshman although I know many did. Early in the year AG and CV were dreadful except on D where they were both very good. Later CV got hot, made everyone around him better no doubt including Gaff. The only thing Gaff did better than AG was NOT turn it over as much, but there was still no getting to the basket and certainly we lost a ton on the other end as he couldn't guard a chair. Minus 3-4 games over 3 years you can hardly point to anything thinking this is our guy next year. Instead we are in big trouble if Cole leaves, Rashool doesn't step up and if we don't get an impact PG in the portal. It is that simple I'm afraid. I won't be pleasantly surprised at all it would be unbelievably surprised but not at all expecting it from what we saw especially this year.

Lleuwellyn please.

People don’t understand how bad it’s gonna be if RJ doesn’t come back. We don’t need another forward, wing or post player anytime soon. Just guards.

 

[Deleted at users request]

I think Gaffney will be much better than he was freshman year if Hurley gives him a shot.

This is my opinion too. It just seems to be a pretty unpopular one on the board. I think it’s underestimated how much confidence has to do with how guys play and how minutes are a part of that. Gaffney never being trusted in 3 years to have the lead guard role after a great freshman year couldn’t have been good for his confidence or morale. We just saw guys play a lot better when having their chance to lead this year, I feel like we’d see a consistent Gaffney if Hurley handed him the reigns.

Don’t expect him to win any all conference awards btw. But maybe a notch or two above a Craig Austrie type of guard for us. We have other talent on our team to where he doesn’t need to be the best player. Just get the ball to guys who can be.

 

[AdamaNation]

S

He's not a sniper so much as a bull. But he can shoot a bit.

i more of a purvis type?

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

Gaffney can make a huge leap for next year by just tightening up his (very) loose handle. He needs a basketball in his hands 24 hours a day 7 days a week until the first practice next season.

That one skill - if dramatically improved - would transform his whole game.

 

[August_West]

i more of a purvis type?

Helluva post/handle!

I hope so! I loved Rodney, just needed to stay off the out of bounds stripe a bit more. ;-)

 

[superjohn]

People don’t understand how bad it’s gonna be if RJ doesn’t come back. We don’t need another forward, wing or post player anytime soon. Just guards.

We need another high level guard even with Cole coming back

 

[Stinger92860]

Gaffney can make a huge leap for next year by just tightening up his (very) loose handle. He needs a basketball in his hands 24 hours a day 7 days a week until the first practice next season.

That one skill - if dramatically improved - would transform his whole game.

We cannot have a primary ball handler that dribbles with his back to the defender most of the time. Gaf needs to come off the bench as a 2G. I honestly believe we need 2 PGs If Cole leaves.

 

[August_West]

We need another high level guard even with Cole coming back

Cole aint coming back.

But you are right. We needed one this year with him here.

 

[lange10]

I tend to think Hurley didn’t take in a guard from the portal last off-season because he expected more from Gaffney this season. We saw how that turned out.

I don’t anticipate Hurley getting burned twice on that.

 

[RipCity]

I tend to think Hurley didn’t take in a guard from the portal last off-season because he expected more from Gaffney this season. We saw how that turned out.

I don’t anticipate Hurley getting burned twice on that.

I think Hurley actually did want one, failed to get one, and then used the convenient excuse that they didn’t want one to begin with.

 

[UConnDad]

I tend to think Hurley didn’t take in a guard from the portal last off-season because he expected more from Gaffney this season. We saw how that turned out.

I don’t anticipate Hurley getting burned twice on that.

So hope your right. It couldn’t be any more obvious.

 

[aburks41]

We need to do what Auburn did last offseason. They got KD Johnson and Wendell Green from the portal. We need to do the exact same

 

[auror]

I tend to think Hurley didn’t take in a guard from the portal last off-season because he expected more from Gaffney this season. We saw how that turned out.

I don’t anticipate Hurley getting burned twice on that.

I think Hurley actually did want one, failed to get one, and then used the convenient excuse that they didn’t want one to begin with.

I heard from someone who would absolutely know (whether they told the full truth without exaggeration is obviously another question) that one of the big names we floated around on the Boneyard last summer would've come here, but Hurley didn't want Gaffney to leave and it may have pushed him out.

That big name ended up sucking this season where he went, so it's hard to say if there was a blanket belief in Gaffney or just a "not that guy over Gaffney" situation.

 

[BrysonDeMan]

interesting addition to portal
i guess life after Kofi was not appealing

 

[Tenspro2002]

Niagara's Marcus Hammond just joined the portal. Another guard of interest?

6'2 160 from Queens.

Last year's stats: 18.1p, 4r, 2.9a, 2.2 to, 48 2p%, 37 3p%, 4.5 ftas at 83.1%, about 45% of shots from deep.

Finished the season on the All-MAAC first team.

Stats-wise, the scoring looks like a fine replacement for Cole, but only 2.9 A/2.2 TO isn't the distributing we need.

Also, 160 pounds is less than me and I'm 5'9. Yikes. Can this dude handle Villanova's guards?

 

[Hey Adrien!]

Jaylin Hunter hit the portal today.

In his junior season, he earned the keys to the starting PG position. 9.7p, 3.8r, 4a, 2.2 TO, 1.5s, 41.6 2p%, 33.9 3p% with about 40% shots from 3. 84.3 ft% in 2.2 FTAs a game.

He wouldn't be a starter for us, but would he be an interesting senior guard to partner with Diggins? Maybe a 20-20 minute (give or take) split?

Just spitballin' here. Either way, best of luck to him at his next school.