2025 Transfer Portal

[Xville]

I don’t know what it adds up to. But I woulda taken all of it and spent it one dude.

What the hell were they thinking on Hugley by the way. He was awful. Didn’t anyone watch any game tape on that guy? Did he just suddenly have 2 left feet and mittens on his hands? He was AWFUL.

I can only imagine how many more wins we would have had with Abou. 2-3 at least. Free goes to his natural position and Swain or Foster are 6th man along with Hunter and Maddox off the bench.

Traore was supposed to be the starter with Jerome and free backing up the 5. Hugley was just a throw in, end of the bench/needed for practice kind of guy as he got used to his new body.

With a healthy traore, x is probably somewhere in the 6-8 seed range. Probably lose in the second round, but it would have made the pieces fit a whole lot better. Free having to play the 5 all year long wasn’t really fair to him

[xukeith]

During the time Miller left and this Tuesday when we see Pitino at 3pm, who is overseeing the transfer portal?
Do the "old" assistants get paid though July 1?

[GoMuskies]

With a healthy traore, x is probably somewhere in the 6-8 seed range.

What are you basing this on? Did you ever actually see Traore play (I'm genuinely curious if you watched him play at wherever he was before he came to Xavier)?

[GoMuskies]

During the time Miller left and this Tuesday when we see Pitino at 3pm, who is overseeing the transfer portal?

Pitino and his staff. The same guys who were on staff at UNM (possibly minus the one guy who might get hired by UNM).

[Xavier]

During the time Miller left and this Tuesday when we see Pitino at 3pm, who is overseeing the transfer portal?
Do the "old" assistants get paid though July 1?

Xavier (Pitino and his staff) is certainly reaching out to transfers right now.

[XU_Lou]

What are you basing this on? Did you ever actually see Traore play (I'm genuinely curious if you watched him play at wherever he was before he came to Xavier)?

Wasn't it "Final 4" a few months ago?

[xavbball]

Sean pushed the "we'd be much better with Traore" narrative. Knowing he had one foot out the door the day he came back and made all those empty promises, I wouldn't put much stock in what he said. It's more likely Traore would have been just as big of a disappointment as Hugley was.

[Xville]

What are you basing this on? Did you ever actually see Traore play (I'm genuinely curious if you watched him play at wherever he was before he came to Xavier)?

I've only seen tape of the guy. But here's my rationale outside of just Traore which I'll get to in a minute....Miller said he was going to be the starter. That slides Free to his more natural position, slides Swain to his more natural position, and puts foster on the bench. X's starting lineup was extremely short in the Big East, but suddenly with a healthy Traore, all of a sudden we are 6'11, 6'8, 6'8, 6'4 and 6'0. We got beat up consistently in the middle without Traore, and rebounding was an issue until the end of the season which was probably more of a product of who we played the last seven games.

Now with Traore...he averaged a double-double...I know it's big west but let's take some points and some rebounds away....Let's say he averages 8 and 7 and provides an inside presence when our guards were getting consistently beat off the dribble all year long, at least there is someone to challenge and compete. Fair?

I think he's worth at least 2-3 more wins. Is that crazy? TCU, Georgetown, UC? A 23-8 regular season. I'd have to think that gets us to the 8 seed territory.

To me, it certainly makes the pieces fit a hell of a lot better, and provides a lot more opportunity for Free to stretch the floor a bit more, and have more of a Nunge/Free 2 man game going up with the pick and pop.

[XUBison]

Reportedly 20% would be 1 mil of Xavier's NIL budget…

Okay, so I keep seeing reference to this $5M number. Are we saying The X NIL collective was exhausted with this most recent roster, and it has since raised $5M, all of which is to be spent on next seasons’ roster? In other words, donors are expected to continue funding at a $5M level, presumably with annual escalations, every year for eternity?

Or is the collective managed so the inflows outpace the outflows, thereby creating a sustainable war chest? This is an honest question, because I have no idea. The latter seems more logical, so is the war chest up to $5M, some portion of which is available for next season? Or is it conceivable the fund has banked something like $7M-$10M, $5M of which is available for next year’s roster? How real is this $5M number anyway, or is it basic message board conjecture? Perhaps those who donate are provided some of these details and can shed some light?

[Xville]

Okay, so I keep seeing reference to this $5M number. Are we saying The X NIL collective was exhausted with this most recent roster, and it has since raised $5M, all of which is to be spent on next seasons’ roster? In other words, donors are expected to continue funding at a $5M level, presumably with annual escalations, every year for eternity?

Or is the collective managed so the inflows outpace the outflows, thereby creating a sustainable war chest? This is an honest question, because I have no idea. The latter seems more logical, so is the war chest up to $5M, some portion of which is available for next season? Or is it conceivable the fund has banked something like $7M-$10M, $5M of which is available for next year’s roster? How real is this $5M number anyway, or is it basic message board conjecture? Perhaps those who donate are provided some of these details and can shed some light?

Lots of good questions here, but answers none of us are ever going to get unless one of us is one of those big ass donors. As far as spending next year, Field of 68 guys and maybe Rick as well, have said that number, so that's where it's coming from. With Fanta and Dauster, I'd trust them knowing about what number each Big East team is spending...they have enough contacts to know whats going on in the conference.

[Xville]

Sean pushed the "we'd be much better with Traore" narrative. Knowing he had one foot out the door the day he came back and made all those empty promises, I wouldn't put much stock in what he said. It's more likely Traore would have been just as big of a disappointment as Hugley was.

I'll just say that yeah it's hard to trust what Miller said at this point. However, it wasn't just him. Adam and Paul were saying the same thing and they are around the team almost on a daily basis. They were extremely hyped with everything that they saw...no one had said anything about Hugley all summer other than he was a bench guy that maybe is ready by conference play to contribute here and there, they were talking a lot about Traore. There was a very noticeable reset of expectations from those two along with Rick once Traore went down.

[GoMuskies]

Did Adam and Paul ever say anything that conflicted with anything Miller said? I'm not judging, but they're not exactly independent media.

[Xville]

Did Adam and Paul ever say anything that conflicted with anything Miller said? I'm not judging, but they're not exactly independent media.

I mean I guess that's fair but let's say he was Abou level last year, which really isn't saying much. 6 and 6 with a little bit of an inside presence...provided some length but gets to play alongside Free instead of Gytis. I'd have to think that's worth 2-3 more wins.

2 players go back to their natural position, and it elongates a bench.

[XUBison]

The nil part of this doesn't bother me...I mean get whatever you can at the time that you can get it.

However, is there ever any chance of putting up some guardrails around the portal? I'd really like a one-time free portal entry, with a sit out year if you switch again unless there is a coaching change. That would really alleviate a lot of the challenges we are seeing today.

I assume it would take some acts of congress to be able to implement something like this, so i'll just concede its never going to happen lol

When I read how tenuous the House settlement could be, I thought there’s no way to stabilize this without an act of congress. That said, I don’t understand why there can’t be multi-year contracts, even in the current environment, but especially once things move to revenue sharing. “We’ll give you $500K for one year, or $1.2M for two.” Wouldn’t most guys take the two-year deal?

I would at least love to see a standard that requires a minimum two-year commitment of incoming freshmen. I think it would be good for both the programs and the kids. It would allow for better development for one thing, but the uncertainty of this environment has to be stressful for many players, especially 17-18 yr-old high school kids. Alas, individual schools are not apt to disadvantage themselves in recruiting, so we’re back to the CBA or congress.

[MHettel]

I've only seen tape of the guy. But here's my rationale outside of just Traore which I'll get to in a minute....Miller said he was going to be the starter. That slides Free to his more natural position, slides Swain to his more natural position, and puts foster on the bench. X's starting lineup was extremely short in the Big East, but suddenly with a healthy Traore, all of a sudden we are 6'11, 6'8, 6'8, 6'4 and 6'0. We got beat up consistently in the middle without Traore, and rebounding was an issue until the end of the season which was probably more of a product of who we played the last seven games.

Now with Traore...he averaged a double-double...I know it's big west but let's take some points and some rebounds away....Let's say he averages 8 and 7 and provides an inside presence when our guards were getting consistently beat off the dribble all year long, at least there is someone to challenge and compete. Fair?

I think he's worth at least 2-3 more wins. Is that crazy? TCU, Georgetown, UC? A 23-8 regular season. I'd have to think that gets us to the 8 seed territory.

To me, it certainly makes the pieces fit a hell of a lot better, and provides a lot more opportunity for Free to stretch the floor a bit more, and have more of a Nunge/Free 2 man game going up with the pick and pop.

I dont think that’s crazy. We got 8 & 7 out of Abou last year. We had no center this year. Period.

[Xville]

We have reached out to Khamari out of UNCW. Not eye popping and didn’t even start but teams must see something in him because this is who he’s received interest from:

X
Miss st
Kansas
Vcu

Among others

[XUBison]

Lots of good questions here, but answers none of us are ever going to get unless one of us is one of those big ass donors. As far as spending next year, Field of 68 guys and maybe Rick as well, have said that number, so that's where it's coming from. With Fanta and Dauster, I'd trust them knowing about what number each Big East team is spending...they have enough contacts to know whats going on in the conference.

Okay, so there’s some real scoop behind the number— good to know. I’m not sure why you’d have to be a big donor to get this info. Let’s say I wanted to donate $2K, Xavier/the fund managers aren’t going to answer some of those questions if I’m so inclined to ask? I get that $2K doesn’t mean much in the grand scheme of NIL funding, but it is a very real commitment for most, and I assume the collectives are reliant on those kinds of donations in quantity to a signficant degree. It seems strange those managing the fund would balk at a $2K donation if it were contingent on some basic details about the fund’s mechanics and health. That does seem to be the case, however, which I don’t get. I mean, aren’t the collectives nonprofits, meaning they are required to publish their annual financial reports?

[GoMuskies]

We have reached out to Khamari out of UNCW. Not eye popping and didn’t even start but teams must see something in him because this is who he’s received interest from:

X
Miss st
Kansas
Vcu

Among others

Four year guy at UNCW. Rare anymore! I went to their game against TX Tech here in Wichita, and he did not make an impression. For whatever little that's worth.

[xuphan]

We have reached out to Khamari out of UNCW. Not eye popping and didn’t even start but teams must see something in him because this is who he’s received interest from:

X
Miss st
Kansas
Vcu

Among others

This roster needs studs and role players. Wonder if he would be in the latter category.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Four year guy at UNCW. Rare anymore! I went to their game against TX Tech here in Wichita, and he did not make an impression. For whatever little that's worth.

Why did those two teams play in Wichita?

[Xville]

This roster needs studs and role players. Wonder if he would be in the latter category.

I’d think he’d be role player? I know x also has reached out to dent obviously and Powell. Haven’t seen anything else public

[GoMuskies]

Why did those two teams play in Wichita?

NCAA Tournament

[noteggs]

Very interesting on high Conwelll and Swain are ranked on 247 transfer portal. Conwell 7th for guards and Swain 4th for forwards. Sure it will change but both will see a big payday.

[Xville]

Think I saw that conwell entered with a do not contact..so assuming iu or Texas is the play. Probably more iu.

[Xavier]

Very interesting on high Conwelll and Swain are ranked on 247 transfer portal. Conwell 7th for guards and Swain 4th for forwards. Sure it will change but both will see a big payday.

Imagine if X landed those guys last year- we’d be so pumped for what was to come. (4th ranked forward 7th ranked guard). I think Sean is a good coach, but underwhelming to say the least this year.

X is in the mix with a few guys:
https://x.com/tiptonedits/status/1905042330266091551?s=46&t=KSvFnm-Lpouy3B6BA2rQBg

https://x.com/travisbranham_/status/1905351447320854557?s=46&t=KSvFnm-Lpouy3B6BA2rQBg

https://x.com/247hshoops/status/1905666504953143437?s=46&t=KSvFnm-Lpouy3B6BA2rQBg

I only know how to post the link so format isn’t great. But likes of UConn, Kansas, Louisville, and plenty of SEC schools going after some of these guys as well. I’d like Marquel Sutton, just because Texas is interested too. But he fits the mold well for Pitino.

[Xavier]

And New Mexico forward Filip Borovicanin player went into the portal with a no contact tag as well. Be shocked if Xavier isn’t in play.

https://x.com/tobias_bass/status/1905744876349821344?s=46&t=KSvFnm-Lpouy3B6BA2rQBg

[Xville]

And New Mexico forward Filip Borovicanin player went into the portal with a no contact tag as well. Be shocked if Xavier isn’t in play.

https://x.com/tobias_bass/status/1905744876349821344?s=46&t=KSvFnm-Lpouy3B6BA2rQBg

Gotta think either x or Colorado state. Colorado state got one of pitino’s assistant coaches

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Pitino will have to fill one assistant's spot for certain. Should pair that with a quality player he brings in.

[Xavier]

Big East player of the year enters the transfer portal. I remember people thinking Xavier’s program was over because Desmond Claude entered.

[Xville]

Big East player of the year enters the transfer portal. I remember people thinking Xavier’s program was over because Desmond Claude entered.

Not surprised. He probably told slick Rick to shove it up his ass, benching him like that, and the fanbase was sending him death threats, so yeah prolly time to move on

[xuphan]

Gotta think either x or Colorado state. Colorado state got one of pitino’s assistant coaches

Any info on this guy? Seems like a consistent starter but his stats are not very impressive.

[Xville]

Any info on this guy? Seems like a consistent starter but his stats are not very impressive.

Wish I knew. Nothing about his stats wise impresses. I wonder if he’s a good defender? Don’t mind getting a bunch of 6’9, 6’10 guys though even if they are just rotational players.
Obviously had some talent as he was a top 100ish guy and started at Arizona. Cant find anything about him skill wise

[Xavier]

Yeah, ever since X ran a line up with the smallest player being Dante Jackson I loved height/length. I’d guess just a culture guy that’s a solid defender and disrupter. NM starting line up had 3 guys at 6’9 or taller

[XUBand]

Dent going to UCLA. Not surprised.

[Xavier]

Dent to UCLA. Grew up there, no clue why you’d want to play for Mick though

[xuphan]

Dent going to UCLA. Not surprised.

Not surprised at all. Hopefully we get some good news on the portal front next week.

[Xville]

That’s interesting because I don’t think they have the best nil support surprisingly. No way they were the ones that offered the most money considering the teams that reached out.

[Xville]

Dante being retained by pitino. I guess that’s good for continuity purposes

[xuphan]

Dante being retained by pitino. I guess that’s good for continuity purposes

Great to hear!

[GoMuskies]

Dent going to UCLA. Not surprised.

Cronin may be at Villanova is Willard gets what he wants from Maryland.

[D-West & PO-Z]

NCAA Tournament

Oh, duh. I forgot UNCW was in it.

[Xville]

Forsythe reopened his commitment as well. Only roddie and traore left… wondering if we will take nm two recruits. Both guards, one a pg and the other a combo. The combo is a four star and had some decent offers but only 6’

[GoMuskies]

The Texas Tech PG looks to be about 5'9". You can certainly be small and effective at the highest level. But you'd better be crazy quick.

[MHettel]

The Texas Tech PG looks to be about 5'9". You can certainly be small and effective at the highest level. But you'd better be crazy quick.

No thanks. I’d like some length on the perimeter defensively.

Swain was a nightmare. Back in the day Macura and Reynolds in the 1-3-1 zone.

A 5’9” guy might be OK offensively (Lavender), but it really causes issue with what kind of defense you can use. Little guys can’t disrupt passing lanes and need help if they get isolated. Imagine being a coach and drawing up a game plan facing a team with a 5’9 guard. Paul Scruggs would eat that guy alive.

[GoMuskies]

Somehow they're in the Elite Eight.

[Xville]

I dont mind it if you have shot blockers on the backside. Tennessee can get away with Ziegler on the defensive side because 1.) Ziegler is quick as hell and a menance, and 2.) they have 6’10 and 6’11 athletic forwards.

Hmm two teams with pgs under 6’0 in the elite eight.

My main concern with the recruit being 6’0 was that he isn’t listed as a pg but a combo. I think that’s a big difference.

[MHettel]

Somehow they're in the Elite Eight.

Yeah. I agree. Somehow.

I assume we’re talking about Hawkins. He’s listed at 5’11”. Which is still small. And he shot 32% from the field. And got to the line less that 3 times a game.

Are they in the Elite 8 because of him or in spite of him?

[Xavier]

I know there’s challenges with the portal but there are a lot of freshman going into the portal being recruited by blue bloods and top programs they never would’ve gotten the chance to play for. One of auburns better players was playing at a community college a few years ago. Just great opportunities for kids that never would’ve gotten them otherwise.

[Caveat]

I know there’s challenges with the portal but there are a lot of freshman going into the portal being recruited by blue bloods and top programs they never would’ve gotten the chance to play for. One of auburns better players was playing at a community college a few years ago. Just great opportunities for kids that never would’ve gotten them otherwise.

The mid majors are functionally juco programs at this point.

Put a year of tape out and get picked up / paid by someone when you prove you were better than your recruiting rankings.

[xavbball]

For all the NIL critics saying X won't be able to compete in this era, take a look at the Texas Tech and Florida high school and transfer classes from the last two years. Mostly three and four star players, not loaded with all-conference portal stars or five-star McDonald's All-Americans. They’re just like us. And yet, one of these teams is headed to the Final Four.

[xuphan]

For all the NIL critics saying X won't be able to compete in this era, take a look at the Texas Tech and Florida high school and transfer classes from the last two years. Mostly three and four star players, not loaded with all-conference portal stars or five-star McDonald's All-Americans. They’re just like us. And yet, one of these teams is headed to the Final Four.

Not an NIL critic as I think players should be compensated for the money they bring in but major reform is needed with NIL and the portal. It’s a joke that the NCAA still uses the “student athlete” phrase when most of these D1 football and basketball players are chasing the bag. How many school have some of these guys bounced around to? What kind of a degree are they getting moving around so much? Maybe academic transfer credits are accepted more that they use to be. John Hughley is on his fourth school right?

Anyways, it is hard to watch college basketball when smaller schools who develop players lose out on them to money. Also hard to get behind programs whose players stay for only a season or two. Will we ever have another 4 year player at X. Will we ever retire another jersey in the Tas? Sorry but D1 college football and basketball have become pro sports and need to first be recognized at such and start to form a CBA that benefits the players, programs, and fans. Hopefully change is coming soon because an unregulated NIL world is going to make D1 college football and basketball uncompetitive for most and draw fans away. The current climate is similar to MLB where a few teams can buy the best talent and outspend the rest.

[MHettel]

For all the NIL critics saying X won't be able to compete in this era, take a look at the Texas Tech and Florida high school and transfer classes from the last two years. Mostly three and four star players, not loaded with all-conference portal stars or five-star McDonald's All-Americans. They’re just like us. And yet, one of these teams is headed to the Final Four.

Ok. I went ahead and looked.

Tx Tech-

Toppin average 12/9 on 62% shooting with 1.9 blocks and 1.1 steal as a freshman on New Mexico which was in a 5 bid league. Thats a TOP transfer guy
Williams averaged 8/7/3 with 1.4 steals as a starter on Nevada as a freshman. 2nd year at TT.
McMillan is a 5th year guy, 2nd year at TT. Previous starter for a season at GCU. Averaged 11/3/4 with 44% from 3 in his last year at GCU.
Anderson is a freshman
Hawkins started 2 years at Howard, 13/4/6 with 2 steals both years at Howard. Then a year at
Minnesota where he went 10/4/8 either 2 steals. First year at TT.
Overton had 11/3/1 as a freshman at Drake last year.
Walton is a fifth year guy and spent 2 years at UNC. Can assume he’s a 4 or 5 star recruit out of HS and became a starter at TT with modest overall numbers
Federico started 2 years at Pitt and had about 5/5 with 1.5 blocks in about 20 minutes a game.

2 conclusions I draw. 1). Nearly the entire roster transferred in. 2) nearly all of them had previously put up at least respectable numbers

Florida- similar, but with 2 homegrown soph. The rest of the roster had previously put starting experience and success at lower schools. But not exactly guys they were taking a chance on. Imagine a handful of Adam Kunkels.

[xavbball]

Ok. I went ahead and looked.

Tx Tech-

Toppin average 12/9 on 62% shooting with 1.9 blocks and 1.1 steal as a freshman on New Mexico which was in a 5 bid league. Thats a TOP transfer guy
Williams averaged 8/7/3 with 1.4 steals as a starter on Nevada as a freshman. 2nd year at TT.
McMillan is a 5th year guy, 2nd year at TT. Previous starter for a season at GCU. Averaged 11/3/4 with 44% from 3 in his last year at GCU.
Anderson is a freshman
Hawkins started 2 years at Howard, 13/4/6 with 2 steals both years at Howard. Then a year at
Minnesota where he went 10/4/8 either 2 steals. First year at TT.
Overton had 11/3/1 as a freshman at Drake last year.
Walton is a fifth year guy and spent 2 years at UNC. Can assume he’s a 4 or 5 star recruit out of HS and became a starter at TT with modest overall numbers
Federico started 2 years at Pitt and had about 5/5 with 1.5 blocks in about 20 minutes a game.

2 conclusions I draw. 1). Nearly the entire roster transferred in. 2) nearly all of them had previously put up at least respectable numbers

Florida- similar, but with 2 homegrown soph. The rest of the roster had previously put starting experience and success at lower schools. But not exactly guys they were taking a chance on. Imagine a handful of Adam Kunkels.

Some additional info from the last two recruiting classes for each program:

Florida:
2023 - 9 incoming players (6 transfers), ranked #51 nationally
2024 - 6 incoming players (3 transfers), ranked #61 nationally

Texas Tech:
2023 - 8 incoming players (6 transfers), ranked #66 nationally
2024 - 6 incoming players (4 transfers), ranked #48 nationally

X:
2023 - 11 incoming players (4 transfers), ranked #25 nationally
2024 - 7 incoming players (all transfers), ranked #37 nationally

Not a single player recruited by Florida or Texas Tech was beyond our reach. We've consistently brought in "better" overall classes each year. Florida's Alex Condon was a three-star recruit ranked #214 nationally. We haven't recruited or taken a chance on a player in the 200 range since Dontarius James and Keonte Kennedy in 2018.

Florida just made their first F4 since 2014.
Texas Tech has thrived despite losing players and coaches to other programs and without the luxury of massive NIL dollars. 4 S16s, 2 E8s, and 1 F4 in the last seven years.

[Xville]

Saw that daytons Malachi smith is in the portal. Tough ny guard. Wonder if there is any mutual interest there and wonder what the plans are for roddie Anderson

[drudy23]

A team would be nice.

[Xville]

A team would be nice.

He’s got essentially a little over 3 weeks to do it. Kind of insane if you think about it. I’d expect at least 2-3 guys this week, along with some clarification on traore and roddie

[Xavier]

I saw Craft is looking at Dayton and DePaul.

Something to think about with Miller. He was 100% ready to leave after year one. So, did he ever have any plans to develop guys like Craft or Green? I don’t particularly think those guys had a huge future but I do think Sean sacrificed future and development for 1 year runs until he got a new gig

[D-West & PO-Z]

The mid majors are functionally juco programs at this point.

Put a year of tape out and get picked up / paid by someone when you prove you were better than your recruiting rankings.

Yeah but for every mid major kid that jumps up there’s a high major kid who couldn’t quite cut it that comes down. Or a freshman that would have been high major that now goes mid major. Think Kam Craft.

[xuphan]

He’s got essentially a little over 3 weeks to do it. Kind of insane if you think about it. I’d expect at least 2-3 guys this week, along with some clarification on traore and roddie

Have you heard any visits scheduled? I know X has made lists for several players out of the portal but haven’t seen anything in terms of visits. I’d assume he would get the New Mexico forward next week but beyond him it’s anyone’s guess. Pitino has his work cut out for him.

[Section 200]

I saw Craft is looking at Dayton and DePaul.

Something to think about with Miller. He was 100% ready to leave after year one. So, did he ever have any plans to develop guys like Craft or Green? I don’t particularly think those guys had a huge future but I do think Sean sacrificed future and development for 1 year runs until he got a new gig

With complete respect to Craft and Green, was there enough positives to develop for Sean's system? I think it fair to say Sean helped Boum, Olivari and Conwell become better players so he can develop folks. Not our concern anymore, but I don't think this critique is fair for Miller. Lots of other things to be pissed at him about.

[Xville]

Swain posted a picture of himself in an x uniform this morning. Could he be hinting at something?

[GoMuskies]

I'd 100% trade having Miller for having Swain another year.

[xavbball]

Something to think about with Miller. He was 100% ready to leave after year one. So, did he ever have any plans to develop guys like Craft or Green? I don’t particularly think those guys had a huge future but I do think Sean sacrificed future and development for 1 year runs until he got a new gig

Sean had no intention of building a transfer era model that would work at a program like Xavier. He was focused on short-term results so he could move on elsewhere and sold us on the flawed idea that you need to "get old and stay old”. As a result, younger players like Green never had a chance to develop, and we all accepted it as the reality of the current landscape. Then, after losing to one of the youngest teams in the country in the tournament, he took the Texas job and suddenly the narrative became that Xavier didn’t have the resources. Absolute nonsense.

As I’ve already mentioned in this thread, success without five-star recruits and massive NIL budgets is entirely possible. Florida and especially Texas Tech are two examples in recent years. You have young international players at Florida like Alex Condon who wouldn’t have been recruited by Sean and if he did Sean likely would’ve pushed him out after a year to make room for a fifth-year transfer. Meanwhile, Texas Tech has thrived despite having three coaches in seven years and losing star players to programs like Creighton. Yet, they’ve consistently found success in this era. It can be done at Xavier.

[bjf123]

Swain posted a picture of himself in an x uniform this morning. Could he be hinting at something?

https://media4.giphy.com/media/qESBZRcLXrFUbE9r8Z/giphy.gif



I'd 100% trade having Miller for having Swain another year.

^^^This^^^


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[drudy23]

I still find it unbelievable that Miller was looking after year 1 after all he said in coming back. He literally just lied through his teeth to get a job to springboard it to something else.

If I was Christopher, there would have been a come to Jesus moment after finding out he was shopping after year 1.

Part of me is starting to think that Sean Miller has pulled the wool over the eyes of many in establishing how good he really is. He may be better at marketing spin for himself than he is at actually being capable of producing what he says is so important to him.

[Xavier]

Here’s the deal. He argued you have to do more with less at X. But that wasn’t the case in the A-10. You had every advantage in the A-10. At Arizona he he great years, but also had a coach go to prison. They had every advantage in the pac 12. Then he did well with Steele roster, and sucked after. It’s easy to look back and think he certainly hasn’t over performed.

In the end I think he’s still a good coach who destroyed his reputation with X fans. The way Rick put it was wonderful. “Underwhelming full of catch phrases”. I think Sean is going to be out coached often in the SEC and Texas will never be a real threat to win the league.

[IM4X]

Swain posted a picture of himself in an x uniform this morning. Could he be hinting at something?

Might have to get a Big Mac cause “I’m lovin’ it.”

It would be wonderfully insane if Dante and Pinto can keep our man Swain!

[IM4X]

I'd 100% trade having Miller for having Swain another year.

I’ll second that.

[xuphan]

Might have to get a Big Mac cause “I’m lovin’ it.”

It would be wonderfully insane if Dante and Pinto can keep our man Swain!

Anything is possible but wouldn’t get your hopes up.

[Xville]

Anything is possible but wouldn’t get your hopes up.

Agreed. But I’m looking for absolutely anything that could be considered good news at this point

[UCGRAD4X]

Anything is possible but wouldn’t get your hopes up.

With hopes largely where they are, there is only one direction.

[X-band '01]

Might have to get a Big Mac cause “I’m lovin’ it.”

It would be wonderfully insane if Dante and Pinto can keep our man Swain!

That would really be something if UC President Neville Pinto helped convince Swain to stay at X.

[xuphan]

Agreed. But I’m looking for absolutely anything that could be considered good news at this point

If you are looking for good news we should get a commitment from the New Mexico transfer forward Filip.

[paulxu]

If I was Christopher, there would have been a come to Jesus moment after finding out he was shopping after year 1.

If I was Christopher, I'd have said: "Sean, so happy you'll finish your career here. Should be no problem then for a $20 million buy-out."

[Xavier]

I’d really like Washington from NM to commit. Haven’t heard anything about Powell, but with Dante being the Ohio HS recruiting guy, him sticking on might help. Probably going with his coach though I’d assume.

Would absolutely love Washington, Powell, swain back court. Might as well have some hopes for now, I wouldn’t expect commitments until after the press conference. Slowly seeing more and more portal players saying X reached out but you really have no idea the extent of that.

[MHettel]

I still find it unbelievable that Miller was looking after year 1 after all he said in coming back. He literally just lied through his teeth to get a job to springboard it to something else.

If I was Christopher, there would have been a come to Jesus moment after finding out he was shopping after year 1.

Part of me is starting to think that Sean Miller has pulled the wool over the eyes of many in establishing how good he really is. He may be better at marketing spin for himself than he is at actually being capable of producing what he says is so important to him.

I see no purpose in the “come to Jesus meeting”. GC had no way to deal with Miller. Miller may have saved GCs job and they both probably knew it.

What exactly would GC have said in the meeting? I’ll fire you? If you are just gonna lay down a weak bluff, then don’t even have the meeting.

[stammina0721]

I see no purpose in the “come to Jesus meeting”. GC had no way to deal with Miller. Miller may have saved GCs job and they both probably knew it.

What exactly would GC have said in the meeting? I’ll fire you? If you are just gonna lay down a weak bluff, then don’t even have the meeting.

GC is either stupid or he is a bi+ch. It's one or the other. Either he was too stupid to understand the game and let a coach get leverage over him or else he knew the game and still let Miller do whatever he wanted. I'm sorry but you don't get to a position like that and get blindsided... and if that is the case it's just more proof he is dumb and shouldn't have his job. There is no other explanation.

[Xavier]

If it was somewhat known by some, I’m sure Greg had an idea. Who’s to say he didn’t have a meeting? Miller has been lying his ass off, he’s good at saying what people want to hear.

I think if Greg felt worried at all about his job, he’d hire Mack again. I commend him for going outside the family. I hope it works out. His job isn’t in any danger.

[xukeith]

Watching the Final 4 teams and others in this weekend's Elite 8 games , I started digging into rosters and seeing how elite these teams are from X's teams.
Usually Final 4 teams have 3-4 4 and 5 star recruits and simply overwhelm "lesser" teams all season.

With the exception of Duke, most of these Elite 8 teams have many transfers from lesser conferences, and with a few(2-3) underclassmen who have only been to their respective schools since frosh year.
How was the SEC able to have 4 NCAA teams in this elite 8?
Was it quality coaching putting together specialized rosters?
What does Bruce Pearl, Todd Golden, and Kelvin Sampson, etc. see in a transfer that turns into an extremely talented guard or forward. Is it elite foot speed, off the charts length, quick hands? How can the Big East help the top 4-5 teams get and develop transfer talent to then dominate other teams?

[GIMMFD]

If it was somewhat known by some, I’m sure Greg had an idea. Who’s to say he didn’t have a meeting? Miller has been lying his ass off, he’s good at saying what people want to hear.

I think if Greg felt worried at all about his job, he’d hire Mack again. I commend him for going outside the family. I hope it works out. His job isn’t in any danger.

Yeah, it was a ballsy hire, I hope it pans out, but I agree with giving him props for not taking the obvious choice and going after someone who has potential.

[IM4X]

That would really be something if UC President Neville Pinto helped convince Swain to stay at X.

Yes, he’s a good lad that Neville fellow.

[IM4X]

If I was Christopher, I'd have said: "Sean, so happy you'll finish your career here. Should be no problem then for a $20 million buy-out."

Agree. So what was the buyout? It would be rather disappointing to find out the number was less than $10 million.

[FishingXfan]

Agree. So what was the buyout? It would be rather disappointing to find out the number was less than $10 million.

From rumors about 2mill. Chump change to a school like Texas.


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[Xavier]

Agree. So what was the buyout? It would be rather disappointing to find out the number was less than $10 million.

At the time, Greg knew the next hire was important for him. The second miller was a possibility, he had to do whatever he could to get him. If it’s reportedly accurate (around 2-3 million) I don’t necessarily fault him. Knowing what he knows now, I think he’d do it again. In a bizarre twist, Millers actions almost give Greg new life. Greg kinda gets a free pass for hiring him and it not working because Sean showed his true colors. No one is more hated by Xavier fans than Miller.

[MHettel]

Watching the Final 4 teams and others in this weekend's Elite 8 games , I started digging into rosters and seeing how elite these teams are from X's teams.
Usually Final 4 teams have 3-4 4 and 5 star recruits and simply overwhelm "lesser" teams all season.

With the exception of Duke, most of these Elite 8 teams have many transfers from lesser conferences, and with a few(2-3) underclassmen who have only been to their respective schools since frosh year.
How was the SEC able to have 4 NCAA teams in this elite 8?
Was it quality coaching putting together specialized rosters?
What does Bruce Pearl, Todd Golden, and Kelvin Sampson, etc. see in a transfer that turns into an extremely talented guard or forward. Is it elite foot speed, off the charts length, quick hands? How can the Big East help the top 4-5 teams get and develop transfer talent to then dominate other teams?

I’ve watched a lot of tournament games this year and a lot of SEC. Let’s not fool ourselves, the SEC has the deepest pockets of all of the conferences. And it football money. But they made a concerted effort to effort to spend it on basketball and it worked gloriously.

Great player can look average with average teammates. Good player can look great with good teammates. All of the top 5-7 SEC teams are pretty loaded with talent. It doesn’t matter if it’s a 4 or 5 star guy. That’s out dated at this point. Would you rather have a 4 star Freshman SG or Ryan Conwell? A 5 star freshman wing or Swain as a junior.

It’s about accumulating talent NOW. I didn’t see any John Hugleys out there for Florida. Why is that? Because the probably cost about half of what their backup big costs. And we’re shopping in one market, and they are in another one.

Money, guys. Money, money, money.

How many years were we like 1 guy short. 1 stud off the bench and we’re a FF team. But fouls or injury creep up and were done.

I was pretty bullish on our team this year. Traore hurt. But Hugley hurt worse.

This is a trend. Maybe not enough data yet to establish this, but we will just continue to see the talent migrate “up” to where the money is.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Any reports on what we paid for Pitinos buyout?

[cutterX]

I think i saw somewhere Pitino's buyout was $375,000 but not sure. Doesn't seem like that would be high enough.

[Xville]

I'd like Washington as well. Good Size, great on-ball defender...two years left. His shooting improved...if he can get that to the 35% range, with all the other things he can do well, he'd be a great fit.

The more I see about Jaylen Petty (former NM commit), the more i like. Yes he's only 6' , but he shot 46% from 3, and again is another great defender.

CJ luster is a guard I saw that we reached out to. He was on a really bad Stony Brook team, but shot 42% from 3 at a high volume (almost 8 3attempts a game)

Marquel Sutton is a forward from Omaha. I want this dude. 6'9, 220 athletic and he rebounds. Averaged 19, 8 on a team that made the tourney. He has been contacted by a lot of the bigger boys...so it will take some cash but i think he's worth it.

[Xavier]

Agreed with the above. Sutton, while tough, would be my #1 target. I’m looking forward to the press conference being over and some names start dropping.

[drudy23]

Basically, the roster is going to be potentially a couple of NM transfers and the rest mid-major portal guys.

Will the Crosstown Shootout inevitably die in the NIL era? There is zero dedication to program anymore. It's 99.9% about the cash.

[GoMuskies]

Why would the Crosstown Shooutout die? The fans still hate each other. That's enough. The players just probably won't fight anymore. That's a good thing.

[drudy23]

Why would the Crosstown Shoutout die? The fans still hate each other. That's enough. The players just probably won't fight anymore. That's a good thing.

I don't know. But I doubt guys from NM or random national portal guys really care about it or have even heard of it.

I guess we need a team first.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Why would the Crosstown Shooutout die? The fans still hate each other. That's enough. The players just probably won't fight anymore. That's a good thing.

Exactly what I was going to say. The game is for the fans. Yes it’s fun when the players don’t like each other either but more than anything it’s for the fan bases and we generally hate each other.

[Xville]

From Trilly's discord there is a picture of a whiteboard with players on it and attached money to said player. Trilly says it's real and looks like Millers..

Has Swain/Conwell at 2m each, also has Traore listed at 500k. We will see if it's accurate, but fuck Miller regardless.

[Caveat]

Basically, the roster is going to be potentially a couple of NM transfers and the rest mid-major portal guys.

Will the Crosstown Shootout inevitably die in the NIL era? There is zero dedication to program anymore. It's 99.9% about the cash.

There isn't a sport on the planet that successfully operates with all players on one year deals and complete roster turnovers yearly. At some point, things in college sports will change to ensure some level of yearly stability and player retention.

The current model is in no way sustainable.

[drudy23]

There isn't a sport on the planet that successfully operates with all players on one year deals and complete roster turnovers yearly. At some point, things in college sports will change to ensure some level of yearly stability and player retention.

The current model is in no way sustainable.

Agree unfortunately.

Does someone insert some common sense along the way, or do they just wait until it burns before making changes?

And who is the right entity to make those changes?

[GIMMFD]

There isn't a sport on the planet that successfully operates with all players on one year deals and complete roster turnovers yearly. At some point, things in college sports will change to ensure some level of yearly stability and player retention.

The current model is in no way sustainable.

Wonder if we'll start seeing two year NIL deals become legal, which even then brings its own set of problems, like sure you get a kid at a mid-major for $500k for two years, but happens if after 1 year a P5 school offers him $750k for two years, you take that move 10/10 times I'd think, it's a mess and I don't really know how to fix it tbh.

[Xavier]

From Trilly's discord there is a picture of a whiteboard with players on it and attached money to said player. Trilly says it's real and looks like Millers..

Has Swain/Conwell at 2m each, also has Traore listed at 500k. We will see if it's accurate, but fuck Miller regardless.

Seems suspicious to me. Will say even though I hate Miller, I wouldn’t be mad at swain or conwell for going with him. They signed up to play for Sean, it kinda makes sense.

Of course I’ll root against them but just bc it’s Texas. If Swain ended up at OSU I would be indifferent towards him.

[Xavier]

All Wright, PG from Valparaiso, is visiting Xavier tomorrow. Freeman of the year in the MVC

https://valpoathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/all-wright/6977

[Caveat]

Wonder if we'll start seeing two year NIL deals become legal, which even then brings its own set of problems, like sure you get a kid at a mid-major for $500k for two years, but happens if after 1 year a P5 school offers him $750k for two years, you take that move 10/10 times I'd think, it's a mess and I don't really know how to fix it tbh.

I imagine you could put a buyout in the deal of some sort -- if the SEC/B10 schools wants the player badly enough, they'll pay his $1M/$2M buyout.

[MHettel]

All Wright, PG from Valparaiso, is visiting Xavier tomorrow. Freeman of the year in the MVC

https://valpoathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/all-wright/6977

Wait. His name is All Wright? And he has a brother named Always Wright? We gotta get this guy, right?

[xuphan]

All Wright, PG from Valparaiso, is visiting Xavier tomorrow. Freeman of the year in the MVC

https://valpoathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/all-wright/6977

Is Valpo in the MVC? Seems like a decent pickup.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

This is nuts, KU had a down season by their standards but had some nice pieces on their bench. Almost all of their players either exhausted eligibility or left just like us. I think only incoming freshmen and AJ Storr are left.

[Xavier]

Is Valpo in the MVC? Seems like a decent pickup.

https://x.com/tiptonedits/status/1904310568531681594?s=46&t=KSvFnm-Lpouy3B6BA2rQBg

Seems like a handful of solid schools have reached out. He ended the season pretty strong. That tweet is a week old so prolly why you don’t see Xavier on it despite the visit

[Three Point Pete]

Wait. His name is All Wright? And he has a brother named Always Wright? We gotta get this guy, right?What about his cousin, Wrongor Wright?

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[JTG]

What about his cousin, Wrongor Wright?

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They are cousins with the Shit brothers, Dip, Dum, and Noe.

[flatspat]

They are cousins with the Shit brothers, Dip, Dum, and Noe.

Do not forget the Dovers. Ben, Eileen and Skip

[MHettel]

Just crazy to look at the Portal.

Kerr Kriisa now in the portal for the 3rd time. Ranked 50 in 2023 with a “score” of .93. Ranked 122 last year with a “score” of .92. He’s not yet ranked this year but somehow has a score of .95 after playing 9 games for UK mostly off the bench.

Kanaan Carlyle was in the portal and rated #15 after solid freshman year at Stanford. Played 1 year at IU and averaged 4 points. Back into the portal this year and ranked…..135 (John Hugley is ranked 100).

AJ Storr was #4 last year. He put up 6 points a game in 16 minutes coming off the bench at Kansas. Shot 38%. Not in the portal….yet

[GreatWhiteNorth]

I’m anxiously waiting for our first transfer to commit. Who can that be?

[xu82]

I’m anxiously waiting for our first transfer to commit. Who can that be?

I’ll do it if it will help you feel better. I’m probably cheaper than the other guys too, so I’ve got that going for me.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Just crazy to look at the Portal.

Kerr Kriisa now in the portal for the 3rd time. Ranked 50 in 2023 with a “score” of .93. Ranked 122 last year with a “score” of .92. He’s not yet ranked this year but somehow has a score of .95 after playing 9 games for UK mostly off the bench.

Kanaan Carlyle was in the portal and rated #15 after solid freshman year at Stanford. Played 1 year at IU and averaged 4 points. Back into the portal this year and ranked…..135 (John Hugley is ranked 100).

AJ Storr was #4 last year. He put up 6 points a game in 16 minutes coming off the bench at Kansas. Shot 38%. Not in the portal….yet

How does Kriisa have any eligibility left?

[Xville]

Swain is on his visit to Texas today :( . A time I’d actually be ok if he went to Ohio state. Please don’t go to Texas. anywhere other than with that scumbag.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Swain is on his visit to Texas today :( . A time I’d actually be ok if he went to Ohio state. Please don’t go to Texas. anywhere other than with that scumbag.

You don’t want to play in that half empty arena Dailyn!

[Xville]

Jovan milvecic from unm now in the portal. Will be a soph. 6’10 260 and shot 2 threes a game making 45%. I’ll take it. Stats nothing to write home about but he was a freshman and I’ll take all the 6’9 and up we can take. Tired of us getting pushed around in the big East by more physical teams

[Three Point Pete]

How about UU fwd. Keanu Dawes? Watched game today vs. Butler.

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[drudy23]

How does Kriisa have any eligibility left?

And he's honestly not very good anymore. Pass.

[XUGRAD80]

Jovan milvecic from unm now in the portal. Will be a soph. 6’10 260 and shot 2 threes a game making 45%. I’ll take it. Stats nothing to write home about but he was a freshman and I’ll take all the 6’9 and up we can take. Tired of us getting pushed around in the big East by more physical teams

Would be really nice for X to not be considered “under sized” anymore. Kid is from Toronto, Canada. Cincinnati! Ohio is much closer to home than New Mexico.

[Xville]

Hopkins to sju. Stole a couple million the last two seasons at Providence and then heads to an in conference team. Seems to me a weird fit. He can score but don’t remember him playing much d.

[Cincypunk.org]

Hopkins to sju. Stole a couple million the last two seasons at Providence and then heads to an in conference team. Seems to me a weird fit. He can score but don’t remember him playing much d.

St. Johns is just going to keep buying the best players from teams in their own conference?

Brutal.

I don’t like this timeline of college basketball.

[Cincypunk.org]

Hopkins to sju. Stole a couple million the last two seasons at Providence and then heads to an in conference team. Seems to me a weird fit. He can score but don’t remember him playing much d.

St. Johns is just going to keep buying the best players from teams in their own conference?

Brutal.

I don’t like this timeline of college basketball.

[nickgyp]

St. Johns is just going to keep buying the best players from teams in their own conference?

Brutal.

I don’t like this timeline of college basketball.

Best team that money can buy? Nah, can’t be. Must be the courses in his major that only St. John’s can provide….

[drudy23]

Nothing is off limits, certainly not "don't get players within your own conference". There are no rules anymore, just chaos.

[xu82]

Nothing is off limits, certainly not "don't get players within your own conference". There are no rules anymore, just chaos.

Somebody wake me if they fix this crap.

[Xville]

interesting tidbit here....Conwell has visited IU and is visiting Louisville today. Wonder if there is any mutual interest in going to Texas?

[Xavier]

Kinda wild that Kentucky and Arkansas are trying to get swain, too. He’d fit Arkansas well, but would coach cal take him form his buddy Sean? On the inside I’d rather enjoy if neither go with Sean. But ultimately wouldn’t mind, it is the coach they committed to.

[murray87]

I missed Dent's commitment to play for the YTG. And reportedly for 3mill?? Have mercy......

[nickgyp]

I missed Dent's commitment to play for the YTG. And reportedly for 3mill?? Have mercy......


I used to be able to identify with players at Xavier because they attended my alma mater as students. It’s more difficult to identify with them as millionaires. If only I had figured a way out years ago of identifying with George Steinbrenner other than singing, “I’m a Yankee Doodle Dandy” even though I wasn’t born on the Fourth of July.

[drudy23]

Do the same educational requirements still apply in this new NIL era? Not that I care, I'm just curious.

"Didn't come here to play school"

[bjf123]

Do the same educational requirements still apply in this new NIL era? Not that I care, I'm just curious.

"Didn't come here to play school"

I’d be shocked if any of the guys jumping from school to school each year are anywhere close to graduating after 4-5 years. I doubt some of them even go to class after the first semester is finished.


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[ArizonaXUGrad]

I just scanned the new entrants. There are a ton of guys from good teams that had good season with good coaches, yet the player is still in the portal despite being starters or getting significant minutes.

The top money teams will still have turnover each year and will fill it with the best available players. When I really think about it, I am concerned about the 100+ ranked teams. If they get a freshman that pans out, he will most assuredly bail for the money. They will perpetually be behind the teams that are able to spend the most money.

Yes I get the coach/staff have to be good talent evaluators, but the next semi-cinderella team will be a Billy Bean type who finds diamonds in the rough.

[Xavier]

All Wright was at the presser. Seems like X would be the favorite to land him. I saw Anderson is staying as well.

[Xavier]

https://x.com/cbbcontent/status/1907168385156207033?s=46&t=KSvFnm-Lpouy3B6BA2rQBg

NEWS: Milwaukee transfer & one of the nation's best rebounders Jamichael Stillwell is down to six schools, he tells me.

Oklahoma
West Virginia
UCF
Memphis
Virginia
Xavier



Not going to post all of these, but X is certainly popping up in more and more of these announcements….he’d be a great get.

[Wiggy1227]

Now have two reasons to hate Texas.
Please NCAA gods let us play them in the tourney next year

[Xville]

Swain committed to Texas. Fucking disgusting.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Yep. Gross. Def not loyal to the soil.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Now have two reasons to hate Texas.
Please NCAA gods let us play them in the tourney next year

At least we’ll know how to defend him if that happens!

[xuphan]

Swain committed to Texas. Fucking disgusting.

All In!! Horns down!!

[Xavier]

At least Texas board seems to think they are out on Conwell though.

[Caveat]

At least Texas board seems to think they are out on Conwell though.

Word is that he’s asking for $2M.

[94GRAD]

interesting tidbit here....Conwell has visited IU and is visiting Louisville today. Wonder if there is any mutual interest in going to Texas?

I highly doubt he's going to Texas. Having hangout with his parents post games in the Cintas, I'm assuming he'll go to IU so he's close to family

[noteggs]

All Wright was at the presser. Seems like X would be the favorite to land him. I saw Anderson is staying as well.

While at the event, heard we have 3 players coming in the next 30 hours.

[Xavier]

While at the event, heard we have 3 players coming in the next 30 hours.

As in- guys visiting or guys committing?

[Section 200]

All In!! Horns down!!

lol! Miller isn't afraid of change - a bit over a week ago it was All In!! Horns Down!! and this week its All In!! Horns Up!!

Hope Swain got a huge payday & that X goes farther in the NCAA tourney next year

[drudy23]

Swain committed to Texas. Fucking disgusting.

Oh well.

He can't shoot. We saw what good coaches will do to take away threats when guys on the floor can't and won't shoot. We saw it with Dwon Odom and we saw it with Swain.

Both good players with major holes in their game. Miller is over-paying, for sure.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

All Wright was at the presser. Seems like X would be the favorite to land him. I saw Anderson is staying as well.

Anderson is staying? So we have one player?

[Xavier]

Anderson is staying? So we have one player?

Pitino said we have 2, and Traore was there. So I’m guessing he meant Anderson and Traore unless he has a commitment from some we don’t know about

Dunno who this guy is but Virginia freshman was on campus today as well:
https://x.com/247hshoops/status/1907229891692527851?s=46&t=KSvFnm-Lpouy3B6BA2rQBg

[Xavier]

Conwell to Louisville. Good for him

[drudy23]

Conwell to Louisville. Good for him

That's a great fit for him. He can't be the focus with the talent they have. He will make them better for sure.

[noteggs]

As in- guys visiting or guys committing?

Visiting

[xuphan]

Visiting

Looks like the New Mexico transfer Filip has committed to X!

[D-West & PO-Z]

Looks like the New Mexico transfer Filip has committed to X!

We’re back baby!

[GIMMFD]

Conwell to Louisville. Good for him

He's gonna be great for Kelsey next year tbh, also happy for him, think he'll thrive there.



Looks like the New Mexico transfer Filip has committed to X!

Finally good news for us! Start of roster building baby!

[Xavier]

Powell commits to UNC, wow. What an upgrade

[GoMuskies]

I mean, I guess. WV was better than UNC last year. Maybe it will finally be an upgrade when UNC decides to hire a coach.

I love some Chapel Hill, though.

[MHettel]

I wonder what the locker room dynamic is nowadays.

Assume you have a team that accomplished quite a bit with a young roster that can return. Several guys want their “number”. There is only so much to go around. A couple guys get what they want and a couple guys leave to get what they want. But a couple other just accept a lower number to stay with the team. And then a couple new guys come in making as much or more as the 2 guys that got paid and absolutely more than the couple guys that stayed for a lower number.

6-7 guys fighting for 5 starting spots. Another 1-2 guys trying to get into the rotation.

A bunch of 20 year old kids, even trying the hardest, can’t avoid having that devolve in a toxic mess.

[waggy]

Would be very surprising if Traore went anywhere. He's has to be very involved in a rehab schedule, right? He can't be counted on for next year regardless of team. It's a bonus if he is able to help X.

[MHettel]

Looks like the New Mexico transfer Filip has committed to X!

Glad we got a guy but this is a little underwhelming. Kinda like the Foster commitment last years. We needed so much and he just didn’t address any of it. Turned out ok. But it seemed odd that our first move was to grab a depth piece.

This Borovicanin guy feels similar. Was a started last year but put up only 6/4/1 with really no blocks or steals. Shot 41% from the floor, including 31% from 3.

Maybe good at boxing out? Versatile on Defense? Not much shows up in the box score. I’d really be excited about an impact guard and a scoring big.

This guy could be a good bench piece.

He did go to Zona for 2 years, so obviously has something in his game to be noticed.

[D-West & PO-Z]

A bunch of 20 year old kids, even trying the hardest, can’t avoid having that devolve in a toxic mess.

I mean I guess that could happen (as it does at times in normal jobs, or could in pro sports as well) but at least from all the Xavier guys you see each one retweeting liking and congratulating all their teammates when they enter the portal and when they sign on elsewhere.

Just seems like another worst case scenario people drum up about NIL that I have yet to see come to fruition, or certainly not much. Haven’t heard of any examples.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Would be very surprising if Traore went anywhere. He's has to be very involved in a rehab schedule, right? He can't be counted on for next year regardless of team. It's a bonus if he is able to help X.

I mean he should be ready to go for X in plenty of time as long as surgery went well and rehab is progressing normally. Of course you always have to be worried about injuries, but I’d say his ACL injury is less concerning that the reoccurring foot injuries Free had. Get as much big man depth as we can but there’s no reason to think Traore can’t do next year what Miller brought him to do this past year.

[waggy]

there’s no reason to think

Yeah, no reason at all. Can't think of any.

[Xavier]

Glad we got a guy but this is a little underwhelming. Kinda like the Foster commitment last years. We needed so much and he just didn’t address any of it. Turned out ok. But it seemed odd that our first move was to grab a depth piece.

.

I mean. We have 2 (now 3) guys. Do you expect big numbers from 13 newcomers? lol. He started almost every game for an at large team that beat Marquette and gave MSU a great game. Seems like a good rotation/culture piece. But at some point, you need 12 guys. Be prepared that not all of them are going to be great.

Kind of a weird comparison to foster though, he started every game. Wasn’t bad, wasn’t great, but was the best player in the biggest game. So with a roster size of 2, I’d take a foster level output right now.

[MHettel]

I mean I guess that could happen (as it does at times in normal jobs, or could in pro sports as well) but at least from all the Xavier guys you see each one retweeting liking and congratulating all their teammates when they enter the portal and when they sign on elsewhere.

Just seems like another worst case scenario people drum up about NIL that I have yet to see come to fruition, or certainly not much. Haven’t heard of any examples.

What the fuck!?

Did you just say what you said? Another worst case scenario about NIL that hasnt come true?

What fucking world are you living in?

I was the ultimate alarmist about NIL and the Portal and even I’m shocked at how quickly it has rocked this game.

It has all come to fruition. It’s a fucking disaster. Are you just fucking dumb, or perpetually optimistic?

[MHettel]

I mean. We have 2 (now 3) guys. Do you expect big numbers from 13 newcomers? lol. He started almost every game for an at large team that beat Marquette and gave MSU a great game. Seems like a good rotation/culture piece. But at some point, you need 12 guys. Be prepared that not all of them are going to be great.

Kind of a weird comparison to foster though, he started every game. Wasn’t bad, wasn’t great, but was the best player in the biggest game. So with a roster size of 2, I’d take a foster level output right now.

was Foster supposed to be a starter? Assuming Traore was available, suddenly we have Hunter, Swain and Foster as potential starters at 3. my guess is that he was meant to be a sixth man.

Foster was the first guy we got. at the time we had lost Q, and still had Claude. we needed shooting deperately. foster was not at all what we needed…at that time. later, dez left and conwell showd up and fosters fit made more sense. good pick up, but not my priority.

lets land our priority guys. scoring guard & scoring big

[Xavier]

We need a roster. We have 2 guys and you’re saying we really shouldn’t be looking for a 6th man type like Foster, who turned out to be a reliable starter. You can’t just tell rotational pieces to hold off with a roster size of 2. Seems weird at this point you’re turning down in your opinion a foster type: a 6th man who can be a reliable starter. We have two guys! lol

Plus, you kind make my point for me. We got foster when you think we shouldn’t have because the fit was off and he would be a 6th man. Once roster filled out, he turned out to be a good fit after all. Why can’t that be the same for what’s going on here?

[XUGRAD80]

What the fuck!?

Did you just say what you said? Another worst case scenario about NIL that hasnt come true?

What fucking world are you living in?

I was the ultimate alarmist about NIL and the Portal and even I’m shocked at how quickly it has rocked this game.

It has all come to fruition. It’s a fucking disaster. Are you just fucking dumb, or perpetually optimistic?

Is every professional team or workplace in your world a place where all anybody does is worry about how much money they are making, and how much money their teammates/workmates are making?

[XUGRAD80]

I believe that Pitino wants strong DEFENSIVE players who love to play BB, first and foremost as his highest priorities. From what I’ve heard him say, or have heard attributed to him, those 2 attributes are his highest priorities. Not shooting. Not scoring. So I expect him to recruit players based not on their points per game, but on how he thinks they will fit into HIS system. Not the “let it fly” system we have seen the last 20 years. Not how they can play packline defense. But how they can play pressure on the ball defense. With defense creating offense. Look at Houston and look at SJU if you want to see what Xavier BB is going to look like, and what kind of players Pitino is going to recruit. Don’t even look at ppg averages. It’s a new world.

[Xville]

I believe that Pitino wants strong DEFENSIVE players, who love to play BB first and foremost, as his highest priorities. From what I’ve heard him say, or have heard attributed to him, those 2 attributes are his highest priorities. Not shooting. Not scoring. So I expect him to recruit players based not on their points per game, but on how he thinks they will fit into HIS system. Not the “let it fly” system we have seen the last 20 years. Not how they can play packline defense. But how they can play pressure on the ball defense. With defense creating offense. Look at Houston and look at SJU if you want to see what Xavier BB is going to look like, and what kind of players Pitino is going to recruit. Don’t even look at ppg averages. It’s a new world.

Agree with all of this. I don’t foresee us signing a bunch of guys with eye popping numbers. It’s going to be a real team build.

And not surprised by hetts comments. The guy posts something positive once a decade.

[Xville]

The more I read about try Washington, the more I want him. He’s a lockdown defender and he can handle the ball. Not the best shooter but he’s improved in that aspect. He’d be a really nice get

[Xville]

this dude was visiting yesterday. I like just how many big guys we are going after. It is desperately needed, and glad to see that it's a point of emphasis for this staff:

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/5143921/anthony-robinson

Again, not eye popping numbers by any means, but young, a top 100 guy and someone that X can hopefully develop if he were to come here.

Garnering interest from Kansas, Notre Dame and Miami among others.

[Olsingledigit]

I wonder what the locker room dynamic is nowadays.

Assume you have a team that accomplished quite a bit with a young roster that can return. Several guys want their “number”. There is only so much to go around. A couple guys get what they want and a couple guys leave to get what they want. But a couple other just accept a lower number to stay with the team. And then a couple new guys come in making as much or more as the 2 guys that got paid and absolutely more than the couple guys that stayed for a lower number.

6-7 guys fighting for 5 starting spots. Another 1-2 guys trying to get into the rotation.

A bunch of 20 year old kids, even trying the hardest, can’t avoid having that devolve in a toxic mess.

You put your right foot in you put your right foot out then you shake it all about

[D-West & PO-Z]

was Foster supposed to be a starter? Assuming Traore was available, suddenly we have Hunter, Swain and Foster as potential starters at 3. my guess is that he was meant to be a sixth man.

Foster was the first guy we got. at the time we had lost Q, and still had Claude. we needed shooting deperately. foster was not at all what we needed…at that time. later, dez left and conwell showd up and fosters fit made more sense. good pick up, but not my priority.

lets land our priority guys. scoring guard & scoring big

This literally makes no sense, lmao.

We have a roster of 2 and both didn’t play last year and you want to ignore the addition of a starter with size on a tournament team that was on the team of our new coach?

Some people are insufferable.

[D-West & PO-Z]

What the fuck!?

Did you just say what you said? Another worst case scenario about NIL that hasnt come true?

What fucking world are you living in?

I was the ultimate alarmist about NIL and the Portal and even I’m shocked at how quickly it has rocked this game.

It has all come to fruition. It’s a fucking disaster. Are you just fucking dumb, or perpetually optimistic?

Yes. More fear mongering for the sake of fear mongering.

Also, I keep waiting for you to give up college basketball. You’re on here more than ever! When will the ruined sport finally be rid of you???

[D-West & PO-Z]

And not surprised by hetts comments. The guy posts something positive once a decade.

100%

[D-West & PO-Z]

What the fuck!?

Did you just say what you said? Another worst case scenario about NIL that hasnt come true?

What fucking world are you living in?

I was the ultimate alarmist about NIL and the Portal and even I’m shocked at how quickly it has rocked this game.

It has all come to fruition. It’s a fucking disaster. Are you just fucking dumb, or perpetually optimistic?

Surely since it’s so obvious that all college basketball locker rooms are a toxic mess of jealousy and resentment you can point of a handful or examples of where this has been the case and show how it derailed their season. Right?

[Xavier]

This guy is on campus today

https://x.com/pdtscouting/status/1901740775798370413?s=46&t=KSvFnm-Lpouy3B6BA2rQBg

Evansville's Gabriel Pozzato is entering the transfer portal per multiple reports

The 6'7 Italian freshman averaged 15.3 points per game this season, was all MVC freshman team and one of the most prominent players in the nation

HM Prospect+ NBA upside

[D-West & PO-Z]

This guy is on campus today

https://x.com/pdtscouting/status/1901740775798370413?s=46&t=KSvFnm-Lpouy3B6BA2rQBg

Evansville's Gabriel Pozzato is entering the transfer portal per multiple reports

The 6'7 Italian freshman averaged 15.3 points per game this season, was all MVC freshman team and one of the most prominent players in the nation

HM Prospect+ NBA upside

Nice. Seems like we have a lot of young talent visiting which is great bc we will need guys with multiple years.

[xubrew]

What the fuck!?

Did you just say what you said? Another worst case scenario about NIL that hasnt come true?

What fucking world are you living in?

I was the ultimate alarmist about NIL and the Portal and even I’m shocked at how quickly it has rocked this game.

It has all come to fruition. It’s a fucking disaster. Are you just fucking dumb, or perpetually optimistic?


Almost no one wanted the portal and/or NIL to be totally unregulated and almost everyone knew this is what would happen if it became that way. The problem wasn't that no one knew that. The problem was they didn't think it would ever happen and never put any guard rails up or made any concessions before it happened to keep it from happening.

It went from "They'll never take us to court!" to "Well, we'll never lose in court!" to "Damn! The courts really fucked this up!!" Acknowledging that things could have done to mitigate all this is just not in their DNA.

How alarmed are you about the possibility/probability of NCAA's eligibility rules being declared illegal by the courts within the next few years?? I mean...imagine that world! 28 year olds playing in their tenth season at their ninth school who have never even taken a single class!!

[Xville]

Nice. Seems like we have a lot of young talent visiting which is great bc we will need guys with multiple years.

Yep. It certainly was a point of emphasis by Pitino in the press conference to get guys in and develop/retain them. How much of that is realistic in this day/age? who knows we will see, but i have said it repeatedly for the last 2-3 years that we need to start developing a culture again, getting guys in and retain them. That's either thru young portal guys, or freshmen recruiting. That was probably my favorite part by Pitino yesterday...his emphasis of attract and RETAIN. Miller didn't give an f because he wasn't going to be here long enough, but with the dollars that X has (which isn't peanuts but isn't Louisville/Duke etc either) that's the way we compete. Retain the guys you want, go to the portal for 2-4 guys a year instead of 8-9, and freshmen recruiting. This is the way.

[nickgyp]

[QUOTE=Olsingledigit;802828]You put your right foot in you put your right foot out then you shake it all about[/

Are you next suggesting the program will “turn itself around”? it sounds kind of hokey….😏😏😏😏😏😏😏😏

[MHettel]

We need a roster. We have 2 guys and you’re saying we really shouldn’t be looking for a 6th man type like Foster, who turned out to be a reliable starter. You can’t just tell rotational pieces to hold off with a roster size of 2. Seems weird at this point you’re turning down in your opinion a foster type: a 6th man who can be a reliable starter. We have two guys! lol

Plus, you kind make my point for me. We got foster when you think we shouldn’t have because the fit was off and he would be a 6th man. Once roster filled out, he turned out to be a good fit after all. Why can’t that be the same for what’s going on here?

Foster didn’t have a real fit. We desperately needed a shooter. And we got Foster who was a rebounding guard on a team that played about the fastest pace in the country. We had Claude at the 3. We needed a 2 and Foster was it. Did Miller already know Claude was leaving? He didn’t enter the portal for about another month. Was the presence of Foster a reason why Claude left? Foster ended up fitting on the final roster but his addition at the time was questionable. No way that Miller knew exactly how the chips would fall.

Back to Filip. I realize that we need a whole roster. On most teams, starters play around 70-75 of the total minutes. I’m not sure that Anderson is a starter. Traore probably is, but he’s injury considerations. I’d be most excited when we land a couple starters that fit a need. Traore is mostly a defense and rebounding big, so we’re on the hunt for a big that can score in the post. I assume Filip is a 4. Maybe he’s a 3 but his size and stats suggest a 4. Did he come here to be a backup? Maybe. Or maybe he’s here to start. Well that underwhelms me if so. And if he’s here to be a backup we still need to recruit a starting 4 and that could complicate things when the coach brings a starter from his last team and now he’s recruiting a guy to that same position.

I’m planning to gauge the roster when we are done in the portal. Last year it worked out fine and I was excited about it. The Traore injury wrecked that.

This is just a weird start is all I’m saying. We need a key piece in place to build around. We have 3 guys now but not that key piece

[Xville]

This guy is on campus today

https://x.com/pdtscouting/status/1901740775798370413?s=46&t=KSvFnm-Lpouy3B6BA2rQBg

Evansville's Gabriel Pozzato is entering the transfer portal per multiple reports

The 6'7 Italian freshman averaged 15.3 points per game this season, was all MVC freshman team and one of the most prominent players in the nation

HM Prospect+ NBA upside

I like the look of this kid. Hard to tell from MVC just how athletic but looks athletic at that level...6'7, has the ability to shoot though not great shooting numbers. Assuming he's more of a 3 than a 2?

[GoMuskies]

Yes, please get Enrico Pallazzo on Xavier's team. Great umpire!

[Caveat]

The Italian memes must continue.

[xuphan]

this dude was visiting yesterday. I like just how many big guys we are going after. It is desperately needed, and glad to see that it's a point of emphasis for this staff:

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/5143921/anthony-robinson

Again, not eye popping numbers by any means, but young, a top 100 guy and someone that X can hopefully develop if he were to come here.

Garnering interest from Kansas, Notre Dame and Miami among others.

Ya, we just brought in the big from New Mexico with not eye popping stats. Bigs who need development worry me because you typically get more busts than not. Hopefully we get an impact Big soon who can slot into the starting lineup. One is fine but you don’t want a roster full of them.

[Xville]

Ya, we just brought in the big from New Mexico with not eye popping stats. Bigs who need development worry me because you typically get more busts than not. Hopefully we get an impact Big soon who can slot into the starting lineup. One is fine but you don’t want a roster full of them.

Here’s how I look at it. Get 4-5. We have traore and then this one. Get 2-3 more. Let’s say we have 5 big men.. 2 starters, 3 development. Get that at the guard spot too… maybe 3 solid guys, 2 developing and then 2-3 hybrids. There’s your 12-13 dudes. 8 man pure rotation, 5 development. Some of those development guys may leave but maybe some stick around and become real players. If not, no harm no foul. Not everyone is going to be in the rotation, on a 12 man team. I’m good with just getting as many bigs as you can. I’m so sick of being undersized the last few years. We need big dudes to compete night in and night out and we need enough of them so that an injury doesn’t completely derail the season.

[LOLmickcronin]

Here’s how I look at it. Get 4-5. We have traore and then this one. Get 2-3 more. Let’s say we have 5 big men.. 2 starters, 3 development. Get that at the guard spot too… maybe 3 solid guys, 2 developing and then 2-3 hybrids. There’s your 12-13 dudes. 8 man pure rotation, 5 development. Some of those development guys may leave but maybe some stick around and become real players. If not, no harm no foul. Not everyone is going to be in the rotation, on a 12 man team. I’m good with just getting as many bigs as you can. I’m so sick of being undersized the last few years. We need big dudes to compete night in and night out and we need enough of them so that an injury doesn’t completely derail the season.

I keep seeing people saying this but this isn’t reality. Guys aren’t going to come here to ride the bench and be a developmental guy. You’re either good enough to play here and complete in the big east or you’re going to a mid major to make a little money and try to work your way up. You’re not going to get guys to come in and ride the bench. And if you do they’ll Trey green do kam craft their way out anyway.

[Xavier]

^^^^ “let’s build a program like Marquette! Develop and keep players!”

“Why are we going after projects they will just leave”

[Xville]

I keep seeing people saying this but this isn’t reality. Guys aren’t going to come here to ride the bench and be a developmental guy. You’re either good enough to play here and complete in the big east or you’re going to a mid major to make a little money and try to work your way up. You’re not going to get guys to come in and ride the bench. And if you do they’ll Trey green do kam craft their way out anyway.

What's the alternative? We only have so much money. We can't afford 12 BE ready players. No one can.

If the guys 10-12 leave, they leave. You hope some of them take a little bit longer view, knowing that "I'm getting paid. I can develop and play here spot minutes, maybe develop to the point where I'm a key cog next year"

[D-West & PO-Z]

I keep seeing people saying this but this isn’t reality. Guys aren’t going to come here to ride the bench and be a developmental guy. You’re either good enough to play here and complete in the big east or you’re going to a mid major to make a little money and try to work your way up. You’re not going to get guys to come in and ride the bench. And if you do they’ll Trey green do kam craft their way out anyway.

You acknowledge we aren’t going to have a rotation of 13 players right? If we can agree on that then what you are saying makes no sense. Unless you’re suggesting we are going to use only 8-9 scholarships and the rest will be walk ons?

[XUGRAD80]

I guess the alternative is to just pick up 7-8 BE type starters and use walk-ons to fill the rest of the roster?

Edit:.i see that D-West just barely beat me to this idea/question.

My take….ALL players want to start and want to get minutes. I wouldn’t want someone on my teams that didn’t. That wasn’t a competitor. But if they aren’t going to do that at a school like X they then have a choice to make….do they stay in a top notch major university program, and take in all the perks that come with that? Or do the drop down a level and accept what that brings?

I’m sitting here watching the Reds on TV and I’m wondering how many of the backup players want to be sent back down to the minors so they can get playing time? I’m sure that 99.9% of them would rather sit on the bench in the bigs than be a superstar in the minors. Not only is the pay much better but so are all the other things that go with it.

I think that there are more players than a lot of people think that accept that they need to improve their game to play at a BE level, but are also willing to take the time, and do the work, necessary to get to that level.

[MHettel]

I keep seeing people saying this but this isn’t reality. Guys aren’t going to come here to ride the bench and be a developmental guy. You’re either good enough to play here and complete in the big east or you’re going to a mid major to make a little money and try to work your way up. You’re not going to get guys to come in and ride the bench. And if you do they’ll Trey green do kam craft their way out anyway.

This is DEAD on.

You can want to bring in some guys for the deep part of the bench if you want. Try it. Go ahead. It’s not up to YOU though. It’s up to them. And playing is what they want to do. So they can make money NOW and hopefully more later.

It’s not that the 10-12 guys will leave. It’s that the 10-12 guys won’t even come.

Fletcher and Anderson are good examples. We paid both knowing full well they weren’t going to play. Kinda dumb in my opinion, and it only makes sense given their unique circumstances. Roddy saved a year of eligibility and got paid (brilliant). Fletcher was on an extended recovery and managed to get paid as well. Under THOSE circumstances, it makes sense for the player. But Fletcher left anyway, so does it make sense for us?

[GoMuskies]

Who knows, but Fletcher PROBABLY stays if Miller stays, so it COULD have worked out for us. Granted, no idea if he's any good anymore, so it might not have worked out anyway.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Yeah, no reason at all. Can't think of any.

Jayden Quaintance at ASU tore his ACL about a month ago. He said he would be ready by September. Traore tore it right at the season start in November. I would expect he is either already lightly training or close to being ready.

[Xville]

This is DEAD on.

You can want to bring in some guys for the deep part of the bench if you want. Try it. Go ahead. It’s not up to YOU though. It’s up to them. And playing is what they want to do. So they can make money NOW and hopefully more later.

It’s not that the 10-12 guys will leave. It’s that the 10-12 guys won’t even come.

Fletcher and Anderson are good examples. We paid both knowing full well they weren’t going to play. Kinda dumb in my opinion, and it only makes sense given their unique circumstances. Roddy saved a year of eligibility and got paid (brilliant). Fletcher was on an extended recovery and managed to get paid as well. Under THOSE circumstances, it makes sense for the player. But Fletcher left anyway, so does it make sense for us?

The roster at several big programs including those at St. Johns, Creighton and UCONN would like a word. It can be done, just because Miller had no interest in it, doesn't mean it isn't happening all over the country. Will Pitino want to? Not sure, but he made development a point over and over yesterday.

[Xville]

Lots of smoke that All Wright has committed. He'd be our scoring guard, and 3 years left to boot.

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/5241430/all-wright

[GoMuskies]

https://media.tenor.com/RU6RhWS3ZlgAAAAM/dazed-and.gif

[GoMuskies]

Ryan Conwell is "All in" at Louisville. Sorry, I just find his use of that phrasing amusing.

https://x.com/35KYSportsMedia/status/1907503391263306186?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5 Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1907503391263306186%7Ctwgr% 5Ed425c73069e8df576f89cb39b2b98b5a2863aed9%7Ctwcon %5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2F247sports.com%2Fcollege%2Flo uisville%2Fboard%2F103990%2Fcontents%2Fconwell-248123212%2F

[Xville]

Haven't seen anything official so we will see.

Wright, Anderson, and Washington would be a nice start to the guard group though. All 6'3 6'4 guys..Washington and Anderson both can handle the ball. Shooter in Wright, Lock down defender in Washington. It'd be a heck of a start if all three are here.

[Xville]

Ryan Conwell is "All in" at Louisville. Sorry, I just find his use of that phrasing amusing.

https://x.com/35KYSportsMedia/status/1907503391263306186?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5 Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1907503391263306186%7Ctwgr% 5Ed425c73069e8df576f89cb39b2b98b5a2863aed9%7Ctwcon %5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2F247sports.com%2Fcollege%2Flo uisville%2Fboard%2F103990%2Fcontents%2Fconwell-248123212%2F

That's gross. That phrase needs to be throw in the trash. Conwell of all people should know not to use it, it's bs.

All-in for one whole year making 2 mil....wow so amazing. Insert eyeroll here.

[D-West & PO-Z]

This is DEAD on.

You can want to bring in some guys for the deep part of the bench if you want. Try it. Go ahead. It’s not up to YOU though. It’s up to them. And playing is what they want to do. So they can make money NOW and hopefully more later.

It’s not that the 10-12 guys will leave. It’s that the 10-12 guys won’t even come.

Fletcher and Anderson are good examples. We paid both knowing full well they weren’t going to play. Kinda dumb in my opinion, and it only makes sense given their unique circumstances. Roddy saved a year of eligibility and got paid (brilliant). Fletcher was on an extended recovery and managed to get paid as well. Under THOSE circumstances, it makes sense for the player. But Fletcher left anyway, so does it make sense for us?

So what is your contention then? We will get 8 maybe 9 scholarship players and then the rest of the team will be walkons? What other alternative is there?

We will find out in a matter of weeks, but I’m guessing guys 10-13 will not be walkons.

[bleedXblue]

I think X will be ok. I said earlier in the year that we need a strategy that doesn't depend so much on 5-7 transfers every year. My question is, where are the the players ranked 50-125 in high school this year going? If they think their going to get good minutes at a Top 25 school, that's going to be harder than ever. With transfers getting the vast majority of the minutes, the schools that figure out how to recruit those players wont be so dependent on the portal. Of course, the real key is talent evaluation and being able to find the right guys.

[XUGRAD80]

The new roster limits allow 15 kids on the BB roster. It’s going to up to the schools to decide how many of those 15 they put on scholarship and/or how many of them they pay. My guess is that X will have a full compliment of scholarship players and that all of them will know coming in that they will only minutes they get are the ones they will earn.

[D-West & PO-Z]

The new roster limits allow 15 kids on the BB roster. It’s going to up to the schools to decide how many of those 15 they put on scholarship and/or how many of them they pay. My guess is that X will have a full compliment of scholarship players and that all of them will know coming in that they will only minutes they get are the ones they will earn.

The 15 is just scholarship right? You can have walk ins as well?

Like this past season the rule was 13 scholarship players and then however many walkons. Is that correct?

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Portal closes in 20 days. Pitino has 20 total days to fill 10 scholarship spots.

[Xavier]

Haven't seen anything official so we will see.

Wright, Anderson, and Washington would be a nice start to the guard group though. All 6'3 6'4 guys..Washington and Anderson both can handle the ball. Shooter in Wright, Lock down defender in Washington. It'd be a heck of a start if all three are here.

Heard Illinois and Baylor had early push for All Wright but yeah, he’s pretty much locked in at X now. Trilly mentioned Texas, Texas Tech, TCU, and X are all involved with Tru.

[94GRAD]

The 15 is just scholarship right? You can have walk ins as well?

Like this past season the rule was 13 scholarship players and then however many walkons. Is that correct?

I believe 15 is the max, whether they are on scholarship or not.

[xubrew]

The 15 is just scholarship right? You can have walk ins as well?

Like this past season the rule was 13 scholarship players and then however many walkons. Is that correct?


I believe 15 is the max, whether they are on scholarship or not.

It's 13 scholarship and 15 total for those that opted in. For those that opted out the scholarship limit is still 13 but I don't think there is an actual roster limit.

[MHettel]

Portal closes in 20 days. Pitino has 20 total days to fill 10 scholarship spots.

I don’t think that’s how it works. I don’t think you can enter the portal after it closes. But that’s not a deadline to sign guys from the portal.

[xubrew]

I don’t think that’s how it works. I don’t think you can enter the portal after it closes. But that’s not a deadline to sign guys from the portal.

Correct. Once someone is in the portal they stay in there until they are matriculated by a new school. Players could be in there for four years.

[noteggs]

From what I heard, Fletcher was swing and a miss. Wondering if it was back to back ACL injuries or ability. He just signed with High Point. Now I really like their program, but rather a pretty big drop off from his other stops.

[bleedXblue]

Portal closes in 20 days. Pitino has 20 total days to fill 10 scholarship spots.

you can still grab any incoming frosh who've decommitted........

[MHettel]

So what is your contention then? We will get 8 maybe 9 scholarship players and then the rest of the team will be walkons? What other alternative is there?

We will find out in a matter of weeks, but I’m guessing guys 10-13 will not be walkons.

I don’t disagree with what you would like to have happen. I just do see a practical way to get there.

We appear to have 3 starters now. We should focus on a starting 2 & 3 next.

From there, we should looks for the rotation guys…6,7&8. We would reasonably “sell” those guys on some PT.

After that, what do we have to sell? Do we engage a low major D1 starter and offer him a chance to sit on our bench? Do we take a guy that failed at the high major level and offer him a chance to sit on our bench? Do we find an uncommitted freshman and offer him a chance to sit on our bench?

These guys will realize the starting jobs are taken. They might think they can compete for the 6/7/8 spots. But they could also just go to Miami or Dayton and be the starter. And probably not for less money than we were offering for a bemch role.

I guess we could pick up a Deonte Miles type of guy. And older dude that never quite clicked and he may be content. But on the other hand I’m not looking for dudes content to sit on the bench.

But yeah, we WILL fill out the roster but I’m not counting on a bunch of guys that buy into the idea of being here to develop for a year first. They can develop while PLAYING at LaSalle.

I don’t have an answer. I think it’s naive to think we are going to attract guys that have no immediate role AND they will develop into a player that eventually earns a key role. That’s what freshmen used to be. No they just leave if they didn’t play (or did play in some cases).

[Olsingledigit]

From what I heard, Fletcher was swing and a miss. Wondering if it was back to back ACL injuries or ability. He just signed with High Point. Now I really like their program, but rather a pretty big drop off from his other stops.

I heard that his family had asked Sean to not play him. The little he did play I was very impressed. He was a McDonald's All American. As long as mom and dad are dictating the pitch count i can see why he ends up at High Point. Sounds as though Pitino passed on him too.

[Xavier]

We appear to have 3 starters now. We should focus on a starting 2 & 3 next.

But yeah, we WILL fill out the roster but I’m not counting on a bunch of guys that buy into the idea of being here to develop for a year first. They can develop while PLAYING at LaSalle.

I don’t have an answer. I think it’s naive to think we are going to attract guys that have no immediate role AND they will develop into a player that eventually earns a key role. That’s what freshmen used to be. No they just leave if they didn’t play (or did play in some cases).

I’m not sure about that. I honestly don’t know that Anderson or flip are starters. Regardless, as someone who always says $$ is the only reason players go places, you dont think it’s possible X pays more for a 8th man than lasalle does for a 5th?

[D-West & PO-Z]

I don’t disagree with what you would like to have happen. I just do see a practical way to get there.

We appear to have 3 starters now. We should focus on a starting 2 & 3 next.

From there, we should looks for the rotation guys…6,7&8. We would reasonably “sell” those guys on some PT.

After that, what do we have to sell? Do we engage a low major D1 starter and offer him a chance to sit on our bench? Do we take a guy that failed at the high major level and offer him a chance to sit on our bench? Do we find an uncommitted freshman and offer him a chance to sit on our bench?

These guys will realize the starting jobs are taken. They might think they can compete for the 6/7/8 spots. But they could also just go to Miami or Dayton and be the starter. And probably not for less money than we were offering for a bemch role.

I guess we could pick up a Deonte Miles type of guy. And older dude that never quite clicked and he may be content. But on the other hand I’m not looking for dudes content to sit on the bench.

But yeah, we WILL fill out the roster but I’m not counting on a bunch of guys that buy into the idea of being here to develop for a year first. They can develop while PLAYING at LaSalle.

I don’t have an answer. I think it’s naive to think we are going to attract guys that have no immediate role AND they will develop into a player that eventually earns a key role. That’s what freshmen used to be. No they just leave if they didn’t play (or did play in some cases).

I think this is actually pretty comical and ironic because your take is actually mid major actually benefit from the NIL because they can pay players close to or similar to major schools and offer playing time. And I don’t disagree! Like I’ve said the portal works both ways. Guys who would have been on high major rosters for one reason or another are going to mid major teams.

As far as the conversation I was saying we won’t fill our roster with walkons after the 8th man. They will be guys worth a shot and scholarship who want to come in and compete for rotation minutes.

Generally these type guys aren’t being guaranteed minutes and many have great confidence in themselves and their abilities and think they can earn mins. Those are the guys that will fill the back end. Will they stay after that if they don’t play? Maybe maybe not probably depends on their options and what Pitino tells them.

I do like that the guys we have been talking to or signing are guys that are going to be in the rotation and have multiple years left. Then if your 10-13 guys leave you aren’t recruiting a whole new team and maybe the next year you hit on one of those depth pieces.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Correct. Once someone is in the portal they stay in there until they are matriculated by a new school. Players could be in there for four years.

Missed that, thanks for the clarification.

[IM4X]

This guy is on campus today

https://x.com/pdtscouting/status/1901740775798370413?s=46&t=KSvFnm-Lpouy3B6BA2rQBg

Evansville's Gabriel Pozzato is entering the transfer portal per multiple reports

The 6'7 Italian freshman averaged 15.3 points per game this season, was all MVC freshman team and one of the most prominent players in the nation

HM Prospect+ NBA upside

This kid is a beast! Wow is he exciting, looks more athletic than even Swain. 100% -GET HIM SIGNED AND IN AN X UNIFORM!

[MHettel]

I’m not sure about that. I honestly don’t know that Anderson or flip are starters. Regardless, as someone who always says $$ is the only reason players go places, you dont think it’s possible X pays more for a 8th man than lasalle does for a 5th?

In my example we filled out spots 1-8. That’s the rotation. It’s 9-13 that will be difficult to fill. I mean we could just get some awful dudes. But the thesis is that we’d get guys to develop into rotation players.

But my answer is that I would think l our #9 guy would make about the same as a LaSalle starter. But not our #8 guy. Guys in the rotation should get 90% of the money.

Heck, the 5 starters should get 70%. The 2 rotation guys should split 20%. Scraps from the rest.

[xuphan]

This kid is a beast! Wow is he exciting, looks more athletic than even Swain. 100% -GET HIM SIGNED AND IN AN X UNIFORM!

Pitino seems to be going after freshman and sophomore transfers. Figure this is him wanting to build young and keep a core group around over multiple years. Really like the strategy as long as he sprinkles in some senior leadership as well.

[Xville]

In my example we filled out spots 1-8. That’s the rotation. It’s 9-13 that will be difficult to fill. I mean we could just get some awful dudes. But the thesis is that we’d get guys to develop into rotation players.

But my answer is that I would think l our #9 guy would make about the same as a LaSalle starter. But not our #8 guy. Guys in the rotation should get 90% of the money.

Heck, the 5 starters should get 70%. The 2 rotation guys should split 20%. Scraps from the rest.

Yes, 8-9 at most will be in rotation, rest are “developmental” guys. Those could be spots anywhere from 9-13. They don’t know going in they are 8 or they are 13. Nothing is guaranteed. They will be paid, some of those guys will develop and may become key cogs the following year, the 11-13 guys probably
Move on. You can still fill 12 spots with scholarship players. Teams do it all the time, even teams in our own comference

[Xavier]

In my example we filled out spots 1-8. That’s the rotation. It’s 9-13 that will be difficult to fill. I mean we could just get some awful dudes. But the thesis is that we’d get guys to develop into rotation players.

But my answer is that I would think l our #9 guy would make about the same as a LaSalle starter. But not our #8 guy. Guys in the rotation should get 90% of the money.

Heck, the 5 starters should get 70%. The 2 rotation guys should split 20%. Scraps from the rest.

I’m really not against that strategy at all. I think there’s different ways to go about it and be successful. It sure sounds like Pitino is committed to making a culture at Xavier, and that might be the best way to go if we aren’t a top spending school. As drudy points out, we need visionary from everywhere to compete. Outspending people is probably the least likely chance of being successful. At least continued success, I think if they did your strategy- it would hit every few years and others it could be a disaster.

I’m excited to see the plan play out though. I’m a die hard so I’m always excited but I’m getting the feel there is some new energy for X. I actually expect that to grow as people get to know Richard.

[IM4X]

Pitino seems to be going after freshman and sophomore transfers. Figure this is him wanting to build young and keep a core group around over multiple years. Really like the strategy as long as he sprinkles in some senior leadership as well.

Agree. We’re going to love the final roster, if he cannland guys like this and All Wright and a few upperclassmen veterans.

[LOLmickcronin]

Yes, 8-9 at most will be in rotation, rest are “developmental” guys. Those could be spots anywhere from 9-13. They don’t know going in they are 8 or they are 13. Nothing is guaranteed. They will be paid, some of those guys will develop and may become key cogs the following year, the 11-13 guys probably
Move on. You can still fill 12 spots with scholarship players. Teams do it all the time, even teams in our own comference

If your 7-8 guys are getting paid the same as your 11-13 guys you’re wasting money. And at an apparently NIL strapped school like x you should be spending 90-95% of what you have on an 8 man rotation. Otherwise you’re settling for less at 5-8 to fill out a bench that won’t play anyway. Why do it? I don’t want a cianni and a Deonte miles and a Trey green that burn up 100K plus for zero production when we could have used that towards a better starter.

[drudy23]

One hour I hear "NIL strapped school" and the next it's a "position of strength" - which is it?

[XUGRAD80]

The 15 is just scholarship right? You can have walk ins as well?

Like this past season the rule was 13 scholarship players and then however many walkons. Is that correct?

Nope….15 people on the ACTIVE roster. Redshirts don’t count against your active roster. It’s up to the schools how many people scholarships they hand out, but they can’t go over the 15 limit no matter what the mix.

[XUGRAD80]

Portal closes in 20 days. Pitino has 20 total days to fill 10 scholarship spots.

Nope…..players have 20 days left in which to enter the portal. They can then take all the time they want to choose a school, up until classes start next fall. However, if they wait to long they may find that there isn’t a spot for them. That happens every year to some players. All the players in the portal will not find new homes. It’s the chance they take.

[Section 200]

One hour I hear "NIL strapped school" and the next it's a "position of strength" - which is it?

Nobody that knows tells. It could be both at the same time- X certainly has less NIL $$$ than Duke but might have more than UC for example so that is both strapped and position of strength.

[MHettel]

Yes, 8-9 at most will be in rotation, rest are “developmental” guys. Those could be spots anywhere from 9-13. They don’t know going in they are 8 or they are 13. Nothing is guaranteed. They will be paid, some of those guys will develop and may become key cogs the following year, the 11-13 guys probably
Move on. You can still fill 12 spots with scholarship players. Teams do it all the time, even teams in our own comference

We almost agreed. Until you said they won’t know if they are #8 or # 13.

They WILL know. Cause I’m willing to pay #8 100K and I’m willing to pay #13 20K.

If I have 120k to fill out my last guy in the rotation, the LAST thing I want is 2 guys @60 each.

This was my issue with last years team. Hugley? Why? He didn’t even fit our style of play. We had the guy lose 50 pounds and he was awful. Fletcher, Anderson and the walk ons all got money….that could have been better used elsewhere. Period.

How much did we pay Trey Green? He didn’t make it 10 games before he quit. And make no mistake, he quit. He was exhibit A on the idea that you pay a guy to be a developmental piece. But he could even hack it for a year without bailing out. Craft used us for a year. Had a solid year at Miami and will cash in as a trophy portal guy for a decent mid major….or a rotation piece for a high major….right back where he started.

I would spend the money on the order of what I need. As a result, out last few guys should get the least money and be the least needed. They will know when they see superior guys already signed up and we have little dollars for them.

I kinda look at it as an MLB Baseball franchise. 95% of the money gets spent on the MLB club. 4% probably goes into AAA. The other 1% is spent on bus rides from Nowhere, Iowa to Nowhere, Wisconsin.

[LOLmickcronin]

One hour I hear "NIL strapped school" and the next it's a "position of strength" - which is it?

I have zero inside info but base it on the guys we get and don’t get. Why wouldn’t dent follow his coach? Bc ucla gave him a lot more than X could. The last few offseason we’d be reported to be interested in lots of guys that ended up going to bigger schools for more $$. And we end up grabbing a couple good ones and a couple underwhelming guys and end up on the bubble.

I realize it’s not ALL about the Nil amount but it’s a big part of it and where all the top guys land is telling.

[MHettel]

Nope…..players have 20 days left in which to enter the portal. They can then take all the time they want to choose a school, up until classes start next fall. However, if they wait to long they may find that there isn’t a spot for them. That happens every year to some players. All the players in the portal will not find new homes. It’s the chance they take.

Yeah not all of the players will find a home. But this year is different. All traditional seniors have moved on AND all of the Covid guys as well. More guys leaving this year than normal. Those roster spots have to get filled. It’s either gonna be with marginal freshmen that would otherwise be in D2 or the typical portal guys that might be left without a chair when the music stops.

[LOLmickcronin]

We almost agreed. Until you said they won’t know if they are #8 or # 13.

They WILL know. Cause I’m willing to pay #8 100K and I’m willing to pay #13 20K.

If I have 120k to fill out my last guy in the rotation, the LAST thing I want is 2 guys @60 each.

This was my issue with last years team. Hugley? Why? He didn’t even fit our style of play. We had the guy lose 50 pounds and he was awful. Fletcher, Anderson and the walk ons all got money….that could have been better used elsewhere. Period.

How much did we pay Trey Green? He didn’t make it 10 games before he quit. And make no mistake, he quit. He was exhibit A on the idea that you pay a guy to be a developmental piece. But he could even hack it for a year without bailing out. Craft used us for a year. Had a solid year at Miami and will cash in as a trophy portal guy for a decent mid major….or a rotation piece for a high major….right back where he started.

I would spend the money on the order of what I need. As a result, out last few guys should get the least money and be the least needed. They will know when they see superior guys already signed up and we have little dollars for them.

I kinda look at it as an MLB Baseball franchise. 95% of the money gets spent on the MLB club. 4% probably goes into AAA. The other 1% is spent on bus rides from Nowhere, Iowa to Nowhere, Wisconsin.

Exactly this. The folks arguing the other side seem to forget some of the mediocre players we’ve had to settle for that WHEN they got minutes were grossly overmatched in the big east. A bunch of 60K guys to fill out a roster is nice but won’t win games. A high priced 7 man rotation is risky bc of injuries but gives you a real chance to win and retain those guys.

[MHettel]

I have zero inside info but base it on the guys we get and don’t get. Why wouldn’t dent follow his coach? Bc ucla gave him a lot more than X could. The last few offseason we’d be reported to be interested in lots of guys that ended up going to bigger schools for more $$. And we end up grabbing a couple good ones and a couple underwhelming guys and end up on the bubble.

I realize it’s not ALL about the Nil amount but it’s a big part of it and where all the top guys land is telling.

Yeah. Good points here. We got Maddox late. He probably expected starter money at a big 5 school. Probably expected a starter role too. And in the end XU may have had slightly more money to offer than Illinois and UofL (or whoever was competing with us). We probably said this is what we have and you can be a rotation guy and have the opportunity to play your way into a starting role. He probably didn’t have a more compelling financial offer and as a senior, he not playing for next year. He’s playing for right now. Get paid first, hope for on-court success next.

I really feel that most people engaged I this discussion tend to look at the world through their own eyes. But yet your own perspective is irrelevant.

Take the perspective of a 20 year old kid that just got offered 3X the amount of his parents income to play basketball all for a year. Be in those shoes and you suddenly see why we are where we are

[Xavier]

Didn’t the number one player in the portal go to Iowa? Assuming Iowa must have paid him the most?

Every situation is different. Paying 7 guys a ton has a lot more risk. If you hit, it might be your best shot. But X has had season ending injuries to starters each of last 3 years. Season over. Or, the highest paid player from the portal last year went and sucked it up at KS St. if one, or two, of the guys don’t meet expectations- season over. Start from scratch next year.

[MHettel]

Didn’t the number one player in the portal go to Iowa? Assuming Iowa must have paid him the most?

Every situation is different. Paying 7 guys a ton has a lot more risk. If you hit, it might be your best shot. But X has had season ending injuries to starters each of last 3 years. Season over. Or, the highest paid player from the portal last year went and sucked it up at KS St. if one, or two, of the guys don’t meet expectations- season over. Start from scratch next year.

Check the guy that went to Iowa. I don’t have the details, but wasn’t he a D2 player? That played for the drake coach that was his coach at D2. And the. A year at Drake and he’s a star. And the. His coach goes to Iowa and he follows.

That’s one guy of several thousand. He probably thought his Bball career started and ended at the D2 level. Then he connects with a coach who suddenly has years later has him at a high D1 situation. All house money there.

Is he typical? No. He extraordinary.

[Xville]

Didn’t the number one player in the portal go to Iowa? Assuming Iowa must have paid him the most?

Every situation is different. Paying 7 guys a ton has a lot more risk. If you hit, it might be your best shot. But X has had season ending injuries to starters each of last 3 years. Season over. Or, the highest paid player from the portal last year went and sucked it up at KS St. if one, or two, of the guys don’t meet expectations- season over. Start from scratch next year.

Correct. No coach is only going to pay only 7-8 guys. Too much risk, and with everything that pitino said it is clear he is going to focus on retain and develop. Not sure where some of you have been but yeah we are never going to get the dents of the world in the portal. It’s never going to happen. It never has, and it never will.

We will see what the roster looks like in a few weeks but I’m willing to bet we have somewhere between 10-12 guys on scholarship and they will all be getting paid.

[Xville]

Exactly this. The folks arguing the other side seem to forget some of the mediocre players we’ve had to settle for that WHEN they got minutes were grossly overmatched in the big east. A bunch of 60K guys to fill out a roster is nice but won’t win games. A high priced 7 man rotation is risky bc of injuries but gives you a real chance to win and retain those guys.

Who do you get to practice against those 7 guys? Injury? Think Coleman Hawkins was worth that high price tag? How about ballo at iu?

You think those same 7 guys that were so concerned about the money are the easiest ones to retain? You don’t think they will want more the following year, or be the likeliest to go back to “free agency?”

When you have 5 mil you have to be extremely smart about who you identify and have commit. Some of you all think for every kid it’s only about the money and that’s all. For some I’m sure it is, but it’s certainly not for everyone.

[MHettel]

Correct. No coach is only going to pay only 7-8 guys. Too much risk, and with everything that pitino said it is clear he is going to focus on retain and develop. Not sure where some of you have been but yeah we are never going to get the dents of the world in the portal. It’s never going to happen. It never has, and it never will.

We will see what the roster looks like in a few weeks but I’m willing to bet we have somewhere between 10-12 guys on scholarship and they will all be getting paid.

And a year from now we can discuss how that went. How did we do? And how many guys we got this year are committed to the next year.

I don’t have that answer. One of us do. But I have my guess.

[Xville]

We almost agreed. Until you said they won’t know if they are #8 or # 13.

They WILL know. Cause I’m willing to pay #8 100K and I’m willing to pay #13 20K.

If I have 120k to fill out my last guy in the rotation, the LAST thing I want is 2 guys @60 each.

This was my issue with last years team. Hugley? Why? He didn’t even fit our style of play. We had the guy lose 50 pounds and he was awful. Fletcher, Anderson and the walk ons all got money….that could have been better used elsewhere. Period.

How much did we pay Trey Green? He didn’t make it 10 games before he quit. And make no mistake, he quit. He was exhibit A on the idea that you pay a guy to be a developmental piece. But he could even hack it for a year without bailing out. Craft used us for a year. Had a solid year at Miami and will cash in as a trophy portal guy for a decent mid major….or a rotation piece for a high major….right back where he started.

I would spend the money on the order of what I need. As a result, out last few guys should get the least money and be the least needed. They will know when they see superior guys already signed up and we have little dollars for them.

I kinda look at it as an MLB Baseball franchise. 95% of the money gets spent on the MLB club. 4% probably goes into AAA. The other 1% is spent on bus rides from Nowhere, Iowa to Nowhere, Wisconsin.

So the least needed guys should get paid next to nothing and be better than Hugley. Got it. Would love to know where you find these guys lol.

I don’t think you can take what has happened the last few years under miller and apply it to what pitino is going to do. We all know by now that miller had one foot out the door from the moment he took the job. Pitino stated over and over development, retain, culture and program.

[MHettel]

Who do you get to practice against those 7 guys? Injury? Think Coleman Hawkins was worth that high price tag? How about ballo at iu?

You think those same 7 guys that were so concerned about the money are the easiest ones to retain? You don’t think they will want more the following year, or be the likeliest to go back to “free agency?”

When you have 5 mil you have to be extremely smart about who you identify and have commit. Some of you all think for every kid it’s only about the money and that’s all. For some I’m sure it is, but it’s certainly not for everyone.

Well all the guys we got for the last 2 years seem to be pretty interested in money.

We literally have ZERO returning minutes next year. Not one guy on next years roster will have played a minute for Xavier previously. We will have had around 45 guys over the last 4 years.

This daydreaming about a bygone age when players developed over a 4 year career is just insane . Those days are over.

I’d rather have a solid strategy centered around the current environment than one that reminisces about some former situation.

We’re not getting freshmen that sit on the bench. We had one lined up last year. He bailed and went to WVU. Now he’s headed to UNC. Is he a UNC level talent? I don’t know and it doesn’t matter. But he’s gonna be wearing powder blue next year and making more money than most of us.

Economics people. Follow the basic economics principles. Is said this would happen. Mid major teams would become the minor leagues to the teams with deep pockets. It’s literally happening.

And yet there are endless hypothetical ideas that just fall flat in the shadow of reality.


Money, money, money….in every situation, always. That’s how to anticipate the next move. And the one after that, and the one after that, etc

[Xville]

And a year from now we can discuss how that went. How did we do? And how many guys we got this year are committed to the next year.

I don’t have that answer. One of us do. But I have my guess.

It depends on makeup.. how many still have eligibility? My guess, pitino doesn’t want to do this every year. Probably a lot more comfortable getting 3-4 guys every year instead of what miller was doing.

[Xville]

Well all the guys we got for the last 2 years seem to be pretty interested in money.

We literally have ZERO returning minutes next year. Not one guy on next years roster will have played a minute for Xavier previously. We will have had around 45 guys over the last 4 years.

This daydreaming about a bygone age when players developed over a 4 year career is just insane . Those days are over.

I’d rather have a solid strategy centered around the current environment than one that reminisces about some former situation.

We’re not getting freshmen that sit on the bench. We had one lined up last year. He bailed and went to WVU. Now he’s headed to UNC. Is he a UNC level talent? I don’t know and it doesn’t matter. But he’s gonna be wearing powder blue next year and making more money than most of us.

Economics people. Follow the basic economics principles. Is said this would happen. Mid major teams would become the minor leagues to the teams with deep pockets. It’s literally happening.

And yet there are endless hypothetical ideas that just fall flat in the shadow of reality.


Money, money, money….in every situation, always. That’s how to anticipate the next move. And the one after that, and the one after that, etc

You live in a world where you think that’s the only thing every 18-22 year old thinks about day in and day out. Just not the case. For some, yeah probably. For others, not so much.

As far as Xavier and this year , well yeah the coach left. Of course that’s going to happen. The year before swain could have gone to a whole lot of places, as well as McKnight, as well as free etc etc. they didn’t.

I’m not talking about 4 year development, and I doubt pitino was either. 2-3 years. He’s recruiting and having guys visit that are a lot of freshmen and sophomores. It’s pretty clear what he’s trying to do, maybe pay attention.

[Xavier]

I honestly don’t care how the money is spent, Pitino and his staff have X amount to build a program. If it doesn’t work we will move on. Miller clearly was going year to year bc he just wanted to get on to the next job. It obviously wasn’t working, but injuries played a major part in that.

I feel like Hett argued Miller should have a backup plan to injuries, but now saying you shouldn’t . I don’t think we will see the same roster turnover with Pitino that we did with Sean, but again Sean had one thing on his mind- what’s the fastest way to get out of Xavier.

[xukeith]

I think the probability that any player on any men's basketball roster will stay at that program for 3-4 years is minute. Does it happen? Rarely.
This is the opportunity for most "good" basketball players to get paid a ton of money and if invested properly sets up their life forever. It is not likely to be every single year with most players. But strike while the opportunity exists.

Next year X and most BE programs will be more competitive with revenue sharing with other "good" basketball programs.

I guess if I was a 1st year athlete collecting $400,000 at Xavier and I was average, not great, I would stay at X if I felt I was a part of a winning roster and my NIL opportunities were similar to a $400,000-500,000 paycheck. If I was being offered 100% more and play on a less than average team, I could not see myself staying at X.

[LOLmickcronin]

You live in a world where you think that’s the only thing every 18-22 year old thinks about day in and day out. Just not the case. For some, yeah probably. For others, not so much.

As far as Xavier and this year , well yeah the coach left. Of course that’s going to happen. The year before swain could have gone to a whole lot of places, as well as McKnight, as well as free etc etc. they didn’t.

I’m not talking about 4 year development, and I doubt pitino was either. 2-3 years. He’s recruiting and having guys visit that are a lot of freshmen and sophomores. It’s pretty clear what he’s trying to do, maybe pay attention.

You’re definitely right that it’s not all about money. Obviously kids still have affinity for certain coaches, campuses, etc, or regions (such as conwell wanting to at least keep it close to family).

But then money will still play in to some degree when these guys make their choices.

You have to remember that while Xavier is special to all of us to some 19 year old kid being recruited by 6-7 places it’s not. And the campus itself is not blowing any of these guys away. So if we offer $400K and some other comparable program offers $600,000 that’s a life changing amount of money for these guys. It does matter a lot to them and their families and not even in a bad way.


So yes while more than just $$ matters it does go a long way to getting any of the top guys and staying competitive.

[XUGRAD80]

There are approximately 70 schools that make up the “power 4” conferences. Each is limited to 15 players for its complete roster. That’s 1,050 roster spots. But some contend that only 8-9 players per school will actually get playing time and be willing to stay. So in that scenario those school only have about 500-600 openings this year. On the other hand, probably no more than a handful of those schools can afford to pay all of those players at the upper level of the pay scale, so if a player is going to go only to who pays them the most, some of those players are going to have to look elsewhere than those P4 programs for a big payday. In addition, not many of those schools really have more than 3-4 open roster spots because they DO HAVE some returning players who aren’t moving elsewhere looking for a better pay day. So in reality there are really only about 300-400 open P4 roster spots this year. (That’s and average of 4-5 per school). MOST of the players in the portal are from NON P4 Schools, and are looking to move up. But there aren’t as many openings as there are players wanting to fill them. There are currently some 1200 players in the portal. Another several hundred are expected to enter sometime in the next 20 days.

Bottom line….there are gong to be lots of very good players that don’t find a spot in the P4 conference schools as the schools don’t have enough openings, or enough money, to accommodate them all. Sure, they will get the very best. But hasn’t it always been that way? Xavier (and the rest of the BE) will be fine.

[Xville]

You’re definitely right that it’s not all about money. Obviously kids still have affinity for certain coaches, campuses, etc, or regions (such as conwell wanting to at least keep it close to family).

But then money will still play in to some degree when these guys make their choices.

You have to remember that while Xavier is special to all of us to some 19 year old kid being recruited by 6-7 places it’s not. And the campus itself is not blowing any of these guys away. So if we offer $400K and some other comparable program offers $600,000 that’s a life changing amount of money for these guys. It does matter a lot to them and their families and not even in a bad way.


So yes while more than just $$ matters it does go a long way to getting any of the top guys and staying competitive.

Sure money plays a part I agree. However, x is never going to get that top guys. X doesn’t have the funds for that, and I don’t think those are the kinds of guys x wants anyways. Because for those guys, I think it is all about the money, and it may not pan out with those guys anyways. Some of the top guys weren’t worth the money that they got. Nigel pack, Coleman Hawkins, oumar ballo.. I could go on and on. All they are looking for is a payday. I’ll take the guy that’s comfortable making the 400k when he could make more but sees a culture being put in place, a coach and style they are most comfortable with, sees a team that they can win with, love the game of basketball etc.


In the end, I think x is in a good spot. Reportedly we have about 5 mil and I’m confident that pitino will find good players to get us back to the second weekend being pretty routine, and at that point we will knock down the door eventually. How he spends it is up to him and his staff, and I doubt his strategy is get the best 7 guys and screw the rest. Too much risk involved in that strategy. We shall see soon, but I like what I heard the other day, we will see how it comes to fruition over the next few years.

[xubrew]

I don't want to get involved in this, but the way most basketball players are built is that very few bench guys think of themselves as being bench guys. They don't go to a school knowing they will end up on the bench. They go there expecting to play (whether it's realistic or not) and end up on the bench. So, you wouldn't want to recruit anyone and tell them that their role will be to be a developmental player even if that's what you intend for them to be. They're going to be told they'll have an opportunity to compete for a key role.

[D-West & PO-Z]

And a year from now we can discuss how that went. How did we do? And how many guys we got this year are committed to the next year.

I don’t have that answer. One of us do. But I have my guess.

If history tells us anything no matter how it goes, you’ll claim you were correct.

[Xville]

We are now in a dead period until the 10th. No visits or anything so don't be alarmed if we don't hear of any more guys visiting or being contacted.

Hopefully though we hear of some official commitments today or tomorrow. It would be nice to have 5-6 guys at the end of the week.

[D-West & PO-Z]

You live in a world where you think that’s the only thing every 18-22 year old thinks about day in and day out. Just not the case. For some, yeah probably. For others, not so much.

As far as Xavier and this year , well yeah the coach left. Of course that’s going to happen. The year before swain could have gone to a whole lot of places, as well as McKnight, as well as free etc etc. they didn’t.

I’m not talking about 4 year development, and I doubt pitino was either. 2-3 years. He’s recruiting and having guys visit that are a lot of freshmen and sophomores. It’s pretty clear what he’s trying to do, maybe pay attention.

Hett doesn’t let facts get in the way of his opinion. Of course he talks about money only with all our players leaving and fails to mention the coach left. Of course he completely disregards guys like Freemantle, Swain, McKnight staying when they surely could have made more elsewhere. Of course he claims the locker rooms all across college basketball are in turmoil due to resentment and jealousy on NIL money and then when asked for any examples ignores the question and provides none.

This is all par for the course and absolutely exhausting.