College Basketball Transfer Portal 2024-2025

[D-West & PO-Z]

UConn just won back to back championships and everyone goes on and on about their depth.

Hurley played 6 guys double digit mins in the finals and 7 in the semifinals.

[Xavier]

In Sean’s first year back he talked a lot about how he liked playing shorter rotations, having 7 guys play a ton of minutes together. Thought the best way to grow and develop was by playing a ton of minutes together. I think it was somewhat coach speak because at the time we only had 7 guys. When Freemantle went down we only had 6.

In recent interviews he talked about the most impressive part of UConn was how there was a seamless transition when bench guys came in. And he talked about how X asked three guys (Claude/McKnight/Q) to do so much they started to fall apart towards the end. The depth part is important incase of injuries or foul trouble.

I don’t think there’s a minutes guarantee. I don’t think anything is promised. I think Sean wanted to get as much talent as he could and go from there. I expect 9 rotational guys getting playing time in the Non conference and that number dwindling down to 7-8 for conference play and March.

[XUGRAD80]

We seem to go through on the board every off-season, no matter who the coach has been. Every year we have some people talking about how deep the team might be and that they hope that X plays 10 deep, presses, and wears the opposing teams down. And every year we see lots of players get minutes prior to the conference season and then the rotation is whittled down to 7-8 players that get 90% of the minutes. No matter who the coach has been, this is what has happened. While past performance is no guarantee of future events….i expect the same thing to happen in the season to come.

[MHettel]

We seem to go through on the board every off-season, no matter who the coach has been. Every year we have some people talking about how deep the team might be and that they hope that X plays 10 deep, presses, and wears the opposing teams down. And every year we see lots of players get minutes prior to the conference season and then the rotation is whittled down to 7-8 players that get 90% of the minutes. No matter who the coach has been, this is what has happened. While past performance is no guarantee of future events….i expect the same thing to happen in the season to come.

And I disagree based on the fact that in years past the talent drop off has been severe. 2 years ago we had 7 guys play, with Claude getting a dozen minutes of so as #7. The drop off from his was Tandy, Edwards, Miles, and Craft. So yeah, I’m playing Nunge 33+ minutes and Boum is going 36-37 minutes. Jones, Free and skunk all at or near 30 minutes a game. Hunter at 25+.

The talent drop off was dramatic, so we played guys more minutes. Think about the Sweet 16 game against Texas. We had already lost Fremantle. We were going 6 deep and had to use Edwards at times. We got clobbered.

Look at next years 1,2,&3 position. In a 7 man rotation, you’ve got 4 guys to cover those position. In the front court, you’d have 3 bigs to cover the 4&5. If you go 8 man rotation, you generally end up with 3 guys for the 1&2, a starting 3 and a combo forward that can play some 4. Then 3 bigs up front.

Let’s assume we go 8 deep. Mc Knight, Conwell, Maddox, Foster, swain, Free, Hunter, Hugley. Thats 8 and we have only 1 true Center, so we’d get destroyed inside. No Powell, no Green.

Or, assume we bring in a quality 5 to go with Hugley (which by all accounts we plan to do). Now, you slot that guy in as one of the 8, and someone else gets left out. Is it Swain? Is it Foster? Is it Hunter? Swain and Hunter give you some defense. Foster gives you some bully ball at SG. You just keep these guys on the bench because you’re committed to a 8 man rotation max? That makes no sense. If we get a shot blocking center, you wouldn’t want to see him paired up with Hunter and Swain if we need to stop a run or protect a lead when it matters.

You have to play these guys. Back in the day you could sit a kid for an entire year and they couldn’t do much about it. If they transfer, they would sit out ANOTHER year. That the main reason they gutted it out. They could see their spot on the roster the following season so they stayed.

If Green stays, and doesn’t play ( and god forbid Swain too). Then why would they stay again next year. Just to be over recruited again?

You have 2 choices here. Give kids what they want ( some money and some PT) OR be in a state of perpetual annual roster turnover.

[paulxu]

You have 2 choices here. Give kids what they want ( some money and some PT) OR be in a state of perpetual annual roster turnover.

I don't think those are mutually exclusive. You give them the $ and PT, and somebody gives them more $ and PT next year = roster turnover.

[IM4X]

For the record, I understand what you are saying and I get it. I was just passing along what has been indicated by guys who are around it everyday. It may turn out differently.. but just looking at who is now on the roster and minutes available, it’s going to be pretty difficult. I mean here is reality:


Pg McKnight Maddox
Sg Conwell Maddox foster
Sf swain foster hunter
Pf free hunter
C Hugley, whatever other center we get


Other bench:

Green
Powell

He’s probably going to get some early run but at some point, I’d be shocked if miller doesn’t concentrate on an 8-9 man rotation. That’s be tough for Powell to crack.

Now with all that said, it’s a very long time until November. Who knows if free or rome stay/get healthy and if green stays. However, this is just as it stands today

Yes. I think we both understand what the other person is trying to convey. It does appear likely Sean will have more players on the roster deserving of minutes next season. That reality has not been lost on me. At the same time, we are now dealing with the reality of the transfer portal.

If a freshman shows signs that he could be a meaningful contributor to the team, Sean is not going to want to risk losing him to the portal because he didn’t give him time in a game to show what he can do. Sean played Swain, Green and even Nzeh (though it’s possible Nzeh was initially okay with being a redshirt candidate). By playing them, he was able to determine if they were capable of playing well at the high- major level right away and if not, if they looked like they could be ready next year.

It’s not as simple as it used to be when there wasn’t a transfer portal/NIL. I’d imagine Sean will be less hesitant about redshirting a kid and telling him he might get time next year. Most kids today are not going to want to wait around another year for “a chance” to get some playing time next year, when another school will guarantee them playing time along with money.

I hope Powell can at least come in looking similar to the way Swain did this past season, where part of his game is BE ready (like Swain’s defense) and other parts of his game show flashes of elite ability (like Swain’s athleticism. blocking ability and different ways he can score). If not, then he may end up like Nzeh. I just want him to feel X fans believe he COULD BE a meaningful contributor next season.

[XU_Lou]

Is Justin Abson from Appy about to become the newest Muskie?

He posted a photo of himself in a X uni about 3 hours ago. This is presumably post-MI visit.

He's also following Sean and Xavier B-ball.

https://twitter.com/JustinAbson21

[XUGRAD80]

Is Justin Abson from Appy about to become the newest Muskie?

He posted a photo of himself in a X uni about 3 hours ago. This is presumably post-MI visit.

He's also following Sean and Xavier B-ball.

https://twitter.com/JustinAbson21

I suggest not reading to much into that, as it is common practice for kids being recruited to have their picture taken in a uniform before they leave and for the kids to follow the coaches on Twitter. On the other hand, I do think that X is a strong contender for him.

[XUGRAD80]

And I disagree based on the fact that in years past the talent drop off has been severe. 2 years ago we had 7 guys play, with Claude getting a dozen minutes of so as #7. The drop off from his was Tandy, Edwards, Miles, and Craft. So yeah, I’m playing Nunge 33+ minutes and Boum is going 36-37 minutes. Jones, Free and skunk all at or near 30 minutes a game. Hunter at 25+.

The talent drop off was dramatic, so we played guys more minutes. Think about the Sweet 16 game against Texas. We had already lost Fremantle. We were going 6 deep and had to use Edwards at times. We got clobbered.

Look at next years 1,2,&3 position. In a 7 man rotation, you’ve got 4 guys to cover those position. In the front court, you’d have 3 bigs to cover the 4&5. If you go 8 man rotation, you generally end up with 3 guys for the 1&2, a starting 3 and a combo forward that can play some 4. Then 3 bigs up front.

Let’s assume we go 8 deep. Mc Knight, Conwell, Maddox, Foster, swain, Free, Hunter, Hugley. Thats 8 and we have only 1 true Center, so we’d get destroyed inside. No Powell, no Green.

Or, assume we bring in a quality 5 to go with Hugley (which by all accounts we plan to do). Now, you slot that guy in as one of the 8, and someone else gets left out. Is it Swain? Is it Foster? Is it Hunter? Swain and Hunter give you some defense. Foster gives you some bully ball at SG. You just keep these guys on the bench because you’re committed to a 8 man rotation max? That makes no sense. If we get a shot blocking center, you wouldn’t want to see him paired up with Hunter and Swain if we need to stop a run or protect a lead when it matters.

You have to play these guys. Back in the day you could sit a kid for an entire year and they couldn’t do much about it. If they transfer, they would sit out ANOTHER year. That the main reason they gutted it out. They could see their spot on the roster the following season so they stayed.

If Green stays, and doesn’t play ( and god forbid Swain too). Then why would they stay again next year. Just to be over recruited again?

You have 2 choices here. Give kids what they want ( some money and some PT) OR be in a state of perpetual annual roster turnover.

Only time will tell but if I was a betting man I’d like my chances of winning a bet.

[XU_Lou]

I suggest not reading to much into that, as it is common practice for kids being recruited to have their picture taken in a uniform before they leave and for the kids to follow the coaches on Twitter.

For sure, and agree. However, I noticed he didn't post any photos for the other schools he's visited, and it doesn't look like he's following anyone from those schools: GA, Miami and MI yesterday. It looks like he posted that X photo after his MI visit, which seems like a pretty good indicator.

Appears to be a solid addition if it happens. Plus, has 2 years left.

BTW, does anyone have a handle on whether Sean would/is dipping his toes into the international market if a stud center were available?