2024 Transfer Portal

[Rooster1]

My worthless two cents, but here it is anyway. The NIL money freed up from RJ’s departure should be prioritized on two types of player for UT. First, a replacement for RJ as a shooter at the 3 spot. A true shooter. Second, a true center to play alongside Key and allow Jill and Strip to move to their natural 4 spot.

I get everyone wanting another PG, but there is enough at that position to work with on the current roster and incoming. First priority is finding a pure shooter to fill the quality shot vacuum created by RJ’s absence next season. And though we all hope Key continues to improve from her current condition/situation, you can’t bank on that. Her build and motor at this stage of her career do not seem conducive to the type of player everyone knows UT needs in the post for 25-30 minutes per game. Strip needs the freedom to play the 4, same for Jill.

UT has a bit of a backlog at the 4 if Sara, Jill and Karo all play there next year, so the focus on the shooter should be at the 3 spot. Everyone appreciates Tess, but she can’t be a starter there. Jewell should be the starting 2, Wells and company play the 1. Just an outsiders thoughts. It’s impossible to completely turn over a roster in one season, but next season is going to be even tougher with Tex and OK coming in and SC not losing any ground. Yeah, they might be as good or better next year when Fulwiley moves into a premier role.

Last thought, I am sure (hoping) CKH will do better scheduling OOC next year. It’s fine to load up when you know all the pieces are in place, but many teams have proven the past 2-3 seasons it is not necessary to overload in OOC for SOS. For teams already in a power 4 conference, over scheduling actually can be a detriment and wear a team down early.

Nobody saw SC being this good this year, it was supposed to be somewhat of a rebuilding year, albeit I think everyone knew they would still be dangerous. But as luck would have it, or lack thereof, SC was better than that and UT had to play them three times down the stretch. You never know how the conference will schedule games, but next year all the quality games any SEC team needs for SOS will be right in their own conference. I see the UT commitment to the NY early season tourney already, that seems like enough.

 

[madtownvol]

My worthless two cents, but here it is anyway. The NIL money freed up from RJ’s departure should be prioritized on two types of player for UT. First, a replacement for RJ as a shooter at the 3 spot. A true shooter. Second, a true center to play alongside Key and allow Jill and Strip to move to their natural 4 spot.

I get everyone wanting another PG, but there is enough at that position to work with on the current roster and incoming. First priority is finding a pure shooter to fill the quality shot vacuum created by RJ’s absence next season. And though we all hope Key continues to improve from her current condition/situation, you can’t bank on that. Her build and motor at this stage of her career do not seem conducive to the type of player everyone knows UT needs in the post for 25-30 minutes per game. Strip needs the freedom to play the 4, same for Jill.

UT has a bit of a backlog at the 4 if Sara, Jill and Karo all play there next year, so the focus on the shooter should be at the 3 spot. Everyone appreciates Tess, but she can’t be a starter there. Jewell should be the starting 2, Wells and company play the 1. Just an outsiders thoughts. It’s impossible to completely turn over a roster in one season, but next season is going to be even tougher with Tex and OK coming in and SC not losing any ground. Yeah, they might be as good or better next year when Fulwiley moves into a premier role.

Last thought, I am sure (hoping) CKH will do better scheduling OOC next year. It’s fine to load up when you know all the pieces are in place, but many teams have proven the past 2-3 seasons it is not necessary to overload in OOC for SOS. For teams already in a power 4 conference, over scheduling actually can be a detriment and wear a team down early.

Nobody saw SC being this good this year, it was supposed to be somewhat of a rebuilding year, albeit I think everyone knew they would still be dangerous. But as luck would have it, or lack thereof, SC was better than that and UT had to play them three times down the stretch. You never know how the conference will schedule games, but next year all the quality games any SEC team needs for SOS will be right in their own conference. I see the UT commitment to the NY early season tourney already, that seems like enough.

I concur with all your points except the point guard-- I don't Wells and Wynn is a formula for success. If the LVs find a great shooting guard, then perhaps they convert Jewel but I think that would still be a suboptimal move.

PG is huge. Old history but even the great Candace Parker, with a really good supporting cast and a legend coach, could not get over the championship hump until Bobbitt transferred in. Alexis Hornbuckle was a decent PG but she was much better as the off guard. Once the CPS could stop having to fit square pegs into round holes, everything clicked.

 

[glv98]

My worthless two cents, but here it is anyway. The NIL money freed up from RJ’s departure should be prioritized on two types of player for UT. First, a replacement for RJ as a shooter at the 3 spot. A true shooter. Second, a true center to play alongside Key and allow Jill and Strip to move to their natural 4 spot.

I get everyone wanting another PG, but there is enough at that position to work with on the current roster and incoming. First priority is finding a pure shooter to fill the quality shot vacuum created by RJ’s absence next season. And though we all hope Key continues to improve from her current condition/situation, you can’t bank on that. Her build and motor at this stage of her career do not seem conducive to the type of player everyone knows UT needs in the post for 25-30 minutes per game. Strip needs the freedom to play the 4, same for Jill.

UT has a bit of a backlog at the 4 if Sara, Jill and Karo all play there next year, so the focus on the shooter should be at the 3 spot. Everyone appreciates Tess, but she can’t be a starter there. Jewell should be the starting 2, Wells and company play the 1. Just an outsiders thoughts. It’s impossible to completely turn over a roster in one season, but next season is going to be even tougher with Tex and OK coming in and SC not losing any ground. Yeah, they might be as good or better next year when Fulwiley moves into a premier role.

Last thought, I am sure (hoping) CKH will do better scheduling OOC next year. It’s fine to load up when you know all the pieces are in place, but many teams have proven the past 2-3 seasons it is not necessary to overload in OOC for SOS. For teams already in a power 4 conference, over scheduling actually can be a detriment and wear a team down early.

Nobody saw SC being this good this year, it was supposed to be somewhat of a rebuilding year, albeit I think everyone knew they would still be dangerous. But as luck would have it, or lack thereof, SC was better than that and UT had to play them three times down the stretch. You never know how the conference will schedule games, but next year all the quality games any SEC team needs for SOS will be right in their own conference. I see the UT commitment to the NY early season tourney already, that seems like enough.

Great post, thanks. Agree with all and add that the need for a quality young post is even more acute since TK if she returns, Jill and Strip are all out of elig after next year. The need for an elite scorer or two (or three) to replace Rickea is also obvious. Agree w you on pg, if we can get a truly elite one ok, otherwise we are already way too guard heavy.

You mention luck or lack thereof of scheduling, playing SC 3 times. Please everyone spare me the motivational posters about making your own luck, etc., but if you honestly think about it, it's hard to even imagine a run of worse luck than the LVs had this year. That's part of what makes this all so agonizing. That and the run of bad calls (hi SC double dribble) that helped keep it horrible. It really feels like the universe was lined up against us at every turn. Silly question, but looking back do any SC fans feel bad about that at all?

Agree about easing up on the OOC schedule and I think without a doubt that will happen.

 

[VolFuture]

I concur with all your points except the point guard-- I don't Wells and Wynn is a formula for success. If the LVs find a great shooting guard, then perhaps they convert Jewel but I think that would still be a suboptimal move.

PG is huge. Old history but even the great Candace Parker, with a really good supporting cast and a legend coach, could not get over the championship hump until Bobbitt transferred in. Alexis Hornbuckle was a decent PG but she was much better as the off guard. Once the CPS could stop having to fit square pegs into round holes, everything clicked.

Depends on what they see Boyd and Cooper as

 

[spojo13]

I concur with all your points except the point guard-- I don't Wells and Wynn is a formula for success. If the LVs find a great shooting guard, then perhaps they convert Jewel but I think that would still be a suboptimal move.

PG is huge. Old history but even the great Candace Parker, with a really good supporting cast and a legend coach, could not get over the championship hump until Bobbitt transferred in. Alexis Hornbuckle was a decent PG but she was much better as the off guard. Once the CPS could stop having to fit square pegs into round holes, everything clicked.

It also makes me nervous that we’d be dependent on a player coming off an ACL tear. The comeback is hard and grueling, and unfortunately one tear puts them in danger of tearing it again(poor Keyen.) It seems like we’d be taking a risk like we did this past year without getting any new posts. It might take Destinee awhile to get back in to gear like Key. I’d feel a lot better knowing that we have another true PG on the roster.

 

[Rooster1]

I concur with all your points except the point guard-- I don't Wells and Wynn is a formula for success. If the LVs find a great shooting guard, then perhaps they convert Jewel but I think that would still be a suboptimal move.

PG is huge. Old history but even the great Candace Parker, with a really good supporting cast and a legend coach, could not get over the championship hump until Bobbitt transferred in. Alexis Hornbuckle was a decent PG but she was much better as the off guard. Once the CPS could stop having to fit square pegs into round holes, everything clicked.

Wells seems capable as long as she is thinking of being a facilitator first and shooter second, ala a Raven Johnson mentality. She would have Boyd and Wynn as backups. Sure, if the spot is there, add another point guard from the portal. All I said was the priority should be 1. Pure shooter @ three spot and 2. True Center. If UT spends $ on a PG before the other two priorities are completed I could see a lot of the same for next season's team. I think it goes without saying the shooter would need to also be athletic, i.e. a decent defender.

 

[Rooster1]

Great post, thanks. Agree with all and add that the need for a quality young post is even more acute since TK if she returns, Jill and Strip are all out of elig after next year. The need for an elite scorer or two (or three) to replace Rickea is also obvious. Agree w you on pg, if we can get a truly elite one ok, otherwise we are already way too guard heavy.

You mention luck or lack thereof of scheduling, playing SC 3 times. Please everyone spare me the motivational posters about making your own luck, etc., but if you honestly think about it, it's hard to even imagine a run of worse luck than the LVs had this year. That's part of what makes this all so agonizing. That and the run of bad calls (hi SC double dribble) that helped keep it horrible. It really feels like the universe was lined up against us at every turn. Silly question, but looking back do any SC fans feel bad about that at all?

Agree about easing up on the OOC schedule and I think without a doubt that will happen.

@glv98 After the SECT game I posted that UT deserved that win. They did of course.

 

[madtownvol]

It also makes me nervous that we’d be dependent on a player coming off an ACL tear. The comeback is hard and grueling, and unfortunately one tear puts them in danger of tearing it again(poor Keyen.) It seems like we’d be taking a risk like we did this past year without getting any new posts. It might take Destinee awhile to get back in to gear like Key. I’d feel a lot better knowing that we have another true PG on the roster.

Excellent point. i recall it took Jordan Walker a season to really show her ability. ACL recoveries take time,

 

[Rooster1]

Depends on what they see Boyd and Cooper as

Good point. I haven't mentioned Cooper yet, my bad. Coop will likely be a starter for UT next season, prob will swing around a bit at diff positions between 1-3 spots. She is that versatile. Prob not your no.1 starting PG most of the time, but will slide in there occasionally in games, she is qualified. She will also play some two spot, but with Jewell on the roster I suspect she spends most of her time at the 3 spot as the season progresses. I could be wrong here though, she might carve out more time at the 1-2 spots than I anticipate, that would be ideal for UT. I don't expect her to be a shooter next season (pure shooter, the type i referenced above). That's not her superpower as I have said before. She is a premier slasher however and gets to the rim like Rivers (NCSU) does, with ease. Look for her to be a jack of all trades next year with CKH inserting her into the 1-3 spots as needed.

UT still has to replace the pure shooter role of RJ first. Then a true center. If Coop becomes the starting PG, all the better for UT. There is no doubt in my mind Cooper is the best athlete on the UT roster next season, by a large margin. Many of you comment on how athletic Wynn is.....wait until you see Coop. She will be the fastest, quickest, and most agile player on the roster. And she will have the highest vertical from a standstill. She is pure athlete. She plays great defense to boot.

 

[VolFuture]

“Top 30” recruit out of highschool

I think she’ll go down to like a Wake Forest

 

[Volfan2012]

I would be ok with Cooper and Wells taking the one. That is a distributing and get to the basket position and this is Cooper's strong points. Jewell back locks down the two position and if Tess comes back she would only get the minutes as the Jewell back about ten a game if I was in charge of the subbing. I would move her off that three cause you need both a shooter and a creator at that position and this is where I would use the portal to get that player or a couple of players.
If you get that position taken care of in the portal then you have a three person four in Striplin, Hollingshead, and Puckett. All three need to get better cause I like a player in the portal we might could get that I think is better than any one of the three.
If Tamari comes back you still need to go for a five that could play at least 20 minutes a game as this is where we get killed when we take Tamari out and try to replace her with Jill or Karoline. You see it every game just look at that second quarter when Tamari sits out the entire quarter. Ended up minus 18 and rest of the game plus 11.
You take four players in the portal because of the 8 one year players you have on the roster. With only one 2025 recruit you have to do it and still hope to get about three more high schoolers in that 2025 class. That gives you a roster of 8 for 2025 and you can shore that up with 3 or four out of the portal before the start of the 2025 season.

 

[VolFuture]

Good point. I haven't mentioned Cooper yet, my bad. Coop will likely be a starter for UT next season, prob will swing around a bit at diff positions between 1-3 spots. She is that versatile. Prob not your no.1 starting PG most of the time, but will slide in there occasionally in games, she is qualified. She will also play some two spot, but with Jewell on the roster I suspect she spends most of her time at the 3 spot as the season progresses. I could be wrong here though, she might carve out more time at the 1-2 spots than I anticipate, that would be ideal for UT. I don't expect her to be a shooter next season (pure shooter, the type i referenced above). That's not her superpower as I have said before. She is a premier slasher however and gets to the rim like Rivers (NCSU) does, with ease. Look for her to be a jack of all trades next year with CKH inserting her into the 1-3 spots as needed.

UT still has to replace the pure shooter role of RJ first. Then a true center. If Coop becomes the starting PG, all the better for UT. There is no doubt in my mind Cooper is the best athlete on the UT roster next season, by a large margin. Many of you comment on how athletic Wynn is.....wait until you see Coop. She will be the fastest, quickest, and most agile player on the roster. And she will have the highest vertical from a standstill. She is pure athlete. She plays great defense to boot.

Yeah I don’t think we NEED a guard. We do need a post and a scorer

 

[Volfan2012]

“Top 30” recruit out of highschool

I think she’ll go down to like a Wake Forest

She is a total unknown what she could do cause she didn't get to play much at all. He has done that before he picks out his seven or eight and everyone else sits. Verhulst became a star at Oklahoma after being mostly a bench warmer for him.

 

[Rixxx]

Kim just trying to make that locker room as spicy as possible. I do NOT see her doing well there unless she is FULLY committed to playing in the post. Kim doesn’t like 5’6” players jacking up 3s and not rebounding. If you’re 6’5” playing for Mulkey your butt is gonna be in the paint getting boards and finishing layups.

Bettering $100 right now she transfers again after next season or Kim shows her the door mid-season.

At minimum, kid needs to be a 4 and get those boards. Morrow should be her mentor. Kim will/will not make her change her attitude. Stay tuned.

 

[glv98]

y worthless two cents, but here it is anyway. The NIL money freed up from RJ’s departure should be prioritized on two types of player for UT.

Not sure there's exactly NIL money freed up from RJ's departure. That was a one year deal fm Mercedes of Knox exclusively to keep her. Maybe the Furrows would do it again but maybe not. It's not like there's one big pot of money to pull from.

 

[Volfan2012]

Yeah I don’t think we NEED a guard. We do need a post and a scorer

Yes I'm off we need a point guard even though I was strongly on it before. Been watching a lot of Cooper high school film on youtube and think she fits that position quite well and we have three that can back it up or even start if needed. I am more for a three that can shoot the three and also create shots off the dribble and post players.

 

[Volfan2012]

Not sure there's exactly NIL money freed up from RJ's departure. That was a one year deal fm Mercedes of Knox exclusively to keep her. Maybe the Furrows would do it again but maybe not. It's not like there's one big pot of money to pull from.

Talaysia got a car that might be some of it right there.

 

[VolFuture]

Yes I'm off we need a point guard even though I was strongly on it before. Been watching a lot of Cooper high school film on youtube and think she fits that position quite well and we have three that can back it up or even start if needed. I am more for a three that can shoot the three and also create shots off the dribble and post players.

Dribbling yes pls god I’ve preached how rickeas biggest assets to us was her being our 3rd ball handler and the other forwards can’t

 

[Rooster1]

Not sure there's exactly NIL money freed up from RJ's departure. That was a one year deal fm Mercedes of Knox exclusively to keep her. Maybe the Furrows would do it again but maybe not. It's not like there's one big pot to pull from.

@glv98 UT boosters were paying RJ a handsome sum to play basketball. I know you hear or read many say UT is NIL poor...Rikea and Jewell were not free, they were making a NIL booster income. That is the money I was referring to. You knew this right?

 

[VolBall09]

Yes I'm off we need a point guard even though I was strongly on it before. Been watching a lot of Cooper high school film on youtube and think she fits that position quite well and we have three that can back it up or even start if needed. I am more for a three that can shoot the three and also create shots off the dribble and post players.

I do not think we need a PG. I think we need one more really quality wing and a true center.

I would be fine with us only taking two portal players even though we have room for more. I think you run too much risk of chemistry problems adding more than 2.

 

[Volfan2012]

At minimum, kid needs to be a 4 and get those boards. Morrow should be her mentor. Kim will/will not make her change her attitude. Stay tuned.

Unless she has changed with all the time off she is not a physical player has never played in there for Arkansas. If she shoots 25 percent from the three like she did at Arkansas and is jacking them up in a game. She will be buried on the bench at LSU. Mulkey don't mind you sitting at all. She has players on that bench that got less than five minutes a game this season.

 

[Volfan2012]

I do not think we need a PG. I think we need one more really quality wing and a true center.

I would be fine with us only taking two portal players even though we have room for more. I think you run too much risk of chemistry problems adding more than 2.

The only worries I have in taking just two is the 2025 roster which right now is three players. It would have to be a hefty 2025 class and portal as we'll need about 8 players if we only sign two from the portal. Were going to need about six even if we sign four.

 

[VolFuture]

The only worries I have in taking just two is the 2025 roster which right now is three players. It would have to be a hefty 2025 class and portal as we'll need about 8 players if we only sign two from the portal. Were going to need about six even if we sign four.

Problem with portal girls is who is willing to come to knowingly be a young backup

Especially if they are good

 

[xtpsrh08123]

Angel's lack of shooting and ball handling maybe her downfall in the W. Morris is quoted as saying I wasn't prepared. That's on Mulkey

Angel will be in the WNBA thats the point of why she came to LSU the rest is on her , Morris wasnt prepared because of her own mental illnesses clearly we have all seen . commited to UCLA - signed to Baylor - Then Rutgers - Then Texas A&M then LSU ....where she got a title but mulkey didn't prepare her lol smh

 

[Rooster1]

Problem with portal girls is who is willing to come to knowingly be a young backup

Especially if they are good

One of the reasons teams need to build their own organic farm system from the HS ranks, to avoid these roster issues. The portal is great as a resource to fill holes, it sucks as far as building complete rosters that dont have cliff years.