Transfer portal opens today.

[CrimsonTitles]

I'm seeing a lot of wishful thinking from some fans but there is a huge drop off from what we are currently sitting at and what we had last year. I've seen numerous times people saying we upgraded with Bowen from Nelson which to me is laughable. With that being said, I'd be shocked if we don't lock up some big names in the coming weeks. We should have the ability to pay for the right guys with Philon, Cliff, Nelson, Sears, and company no longer with us. The NIL coffers should be more than available if we were able to secure the same allotment as last year.

Yeah, we're definitely not done. It's looking like Cedric Coward may not even visit, so I think we end up with Rylan there. Rylan visited this past weekend. I probably would expect a commitment from him soon, unless we somehow get Coward in for a visit. I don't know if we will end up with any big names, just because any big names still available will have exorbitant asking prices. I suspect our coffers are higher than usual, but I still don't know that we are going to spend $4 million on a player.


This feels to me, a lot like '23-'24 where we don't have a ton of proven talent on paper at the moment, but with several guys who may be under the rader right now, but will be household names come April. After what we lost following the '22-'23 season, I don't think anyone had particularly high expectations for '23-'24, but we made it all the way to the Final Four. I'm not saying we're going to do that, but my general feeling about the roster right now is about the same as it was this time in 2023, maybe even a little more positive now, because Nelson didn't come on board until later. I don't know anyone who expected Mark Sears to become what he was after his first season here. We still have a lot of blue chip talent left on the roster, so there are plenty of candidates for a similar jump in production.

 

[Joefus]

Keep checking hoping for news because a starting lineup of Holloway, Wrightsell, bethea, Bowen, Williamson/Sherrell does not sound top 10.

Expecting wrightsell back for the first half of the season may be a bit optimistic. If he tore his Achilles he may not be full speed till halfway thru the season. If Holloway has to be the 1 we probably shouldn’t count on him to shoot as well as this past season either. If we don’t get some guards soon we are gonna have a rough go of it before sec play.

 

[Bpilktree]

Coward chose Duke which should not be huge surprise after weekend events. Reid has transferred to Oklahoma as well. The roster right now is lacking so might be a bit of retool type year unless we make some more high upside moves.

 

[Coach D]

Expecting wrightsell back for the first half of the season may be a bit optimistic. If he tore his Achilles he may not be full speed till halfway thru the season. If Holloway has to be the 1 we probably shouldn’t count on him to shoot as well as this past season either. If we don’t get some guards soon we are gonna have a rough go of it before sec play.

Good point. So even worse off. Part of the reason I don’t really want Cedric Coward other than he adds depth and to the injury report. lol I know there’s a plan and actions happening but just seems pretty quite compared to last year with hints and things popping up.

 

[Coach D]

Yeah, we're definitely not done. It's looking like Cedric Coward may not even visit, so I think we end up with Rylan there. Rylan visited this past weekend. I probably would expect a commitment from him soon, unless we somehow get Coward in for a visit. I don't know if we will end up with any big names, just because any big names still available will have exorbitant asking prices. I suspect our coffers are higher than usual, but I still don't know that we are going to spend $4 million on a player.


This feels to me, a lot like '23-'24 where we don't have a ton of proven talent on paper at the moment, but with several guys who may be under the rader right now, but will be household names come April. After what we lost following the '22-'23 season, I don't think anyone had particularly high expectations for '23-'24, but we made it all the way to the Final Four. I'm not saying we're going to do that, but my general feeling about the roster right now is about the same as it was this time in 2023, maybe even a little more positive now, because Nelson didn't come on board until later. I don't know anyone who expected Mark Sears to become what he was after his first season here. We still have a lot of blue chip talent left on the roster, so there are plenty of candidates for a similar jump in production.

Griffen helps but not the answer. Not very good ball handling even for a 2 but could be a small 3. (I know position less players) but someone has to be able to handle pressure. Doubt we match Aggies in an offer to him plus he is from Texas so I give them the edge for now.

That team had better guard talent/known than right now. Granted think expectations weren’t high. Bad out of conference record which was frustrating but gelled nicely/Sears making magic.

Just need to get a solid guard that Can really handle the ball and then I’ll be excited and anything else would be gravy to me. Either way pumped to be talking about bball especially to this extent as contenders and not just hoping to do ok enough in conference to make tourney.

 

[cdub55]

Hopefully Oat's has an eye on who he wants and will get them. Otherwise it is quite concerning if we are going 0'fer recently on guys he was targeting. I hate to be debby downer but the reality is Oat's days are numbered if that is true. Can't imagine he is happy with continually getting outbid by programs who are coughing up the money to get the blue chip guys. Hopefully this isn't the case and we know who we want and it is just a matter of time before the rest of us know as well. Just my .02

 

[BamaHoopsBoi]

Hopefully Oat's has an eye on who he wants and will get them. Otherwise it is quite concerning if we are going 0'fer recently on guys he was targeting. I hate to be debby downer but the reality is Oat's days are numbered if that is true. Can't imagine he is happy with continually getting outbid by programs who are coughing up the money to get the blue chip guys. Hopefully this isn't the case and we know who we want and it is just a matter of time before the rest of us know as well. Just my .02

At this point it's hope we get more donations or hope the NCAA comes up with some way to regulate this crazy money war. I'm not too optimistic about either happening.

 

[BAMARICH]

Hopefully Oat's has an eye on who he wants and will get them. Otherwise it is quite concerning if we are going 0'fer recently on guys he was targeting. I hate to be debby downer but the reality is Oat's days are numbered if that is true. Can't imagine he is happy with continually getting outbid by programs who are coughing up the money to get the blue chip guys. Hopefully this isn't the case and we know who we want and it is just a matter of time before the rest of us know as well. Just my .02

I’ll up that to .04 cents. This roster looks far more like 23-24 than last year’s version. Am starting to hear rumblings that last year’s NIL was more of a one-year thing rather than a precedent to hit annually.

Couple of things that could be in play here. One is that we don’t have the NIL firepower to really compete with the big boys year in and year out - and if that’s the case I think many of you are correct about Oat’s tenure with us likely being numbered.

Two is that we actually prefer to go back to a model more similar to 23-24… guys with good upside who gel and overachieve rather than trying to load up on “dynamic players”. In this scenario we probably keep Oats for a longer period if it’s his idea… but downside is that the ceiling of a team is only a Final Four appearance. No chance of winning it all.

 

[CrimsonTitles]

I think too much is being made of our NIL situation. This is really the first time we've truly been burned by the portsl. Yes, we've lost players every year, but until now, we've been very fortunate that those losses were either due to playing time or program fit. This was bound to happen at some point, and I still believe it's mostly because Reid and Stevenson waited too long to make their decisions. There are guys available, but the problem now is, the ones are who are still available, are going to have higher price tags because of supply and demand. This also should be the last offseeason that it's truly pay for play. If that judge approves that settlement this summer, then it won't really matter how much we have to pay these guys, and we can go back to just selling the program. It also may be that players are more expensive this year, because they know this will be the last time they will be able to cash in. I wouldn't panic just yet, until we see what happens with this settlement, because it should be a game changer.

 

[Joefus]

I don’t think it’s matter of being out bid (we were obvi) but more so I don’t think oats thought philon was gonna close the door on coming back and we got caught with our pants down. My 2 cents

 

[CrimsonTitles]

I don’t think it’s matter of being out bid (we were obvi) but more so I don’t think oats thought philon was gonna close the door on coming back and we got caught with our pants down. My 2 cents

I think that may still be in question. The Next Round ended up in my Spotify queue today somehow, and before I changed the channel, I caught a segment about Philon. They played an interview with him that was done at some point for another show, and they asked him if he maintained his eligibility, and sorta gave a nondefinitive answer. He just said he was all in on the draft, and then when the interviewer asked again straight up if he still had eligibility if he wanted to return, and he said "I think." So I don't know if the door is fully closed on that. I don't really expect him to return, but as to whether the door is completely closed, I don't know whether it is or not.

 

[BAMARICH]

I don’t think it’s matter of being out bid (we were obvi) but more so I don’t think oats thought philon was gonna close the door on coming back and we got caught with our pants down. My 2 cents

Honestly, I’m wondering if it’s not going the route of lower profile players. Last year, there were a lot of egos on the team - and when you have to sit your seniors down and talk to them about defensive effort, there’s an issue. I’m wondering if Oats isn’t more interested in coaching up hungry, less talented players as opposed to guys who have repeatedly been told they’re the best thing since sliced bread. I’d love to ask CNO “which team did you enjoy coaching most - the 24-25 team or 23-24?”

 

[Coach D]

Honestly, I’m wondering if it’s not going the route of lower profile players. Last year, there were a lot of egos on the team - and when you have to sit your seniors down and talk to them about defensive effort, there’s an issue. I’m wondering if Oats isn’t more interested in coaching up hungry, less talented players as opposed to guys who have repeatedly been told they’re the best thing since sliced bread. I’d love to ask CNO “which team did you enjoy coaching most - the 24-25 team or 23-24?”

I think that is hopeful thinking. Sears and several players were on last years team and that team had to be begged to play d as well. CNO has also gone after the top talent both recruiting and transfer. Just missed on them other than a decent recruiting class just not stellar.

 

[BamaMoon]

I don't know where we stand with basketball NIL nor how CNO feels about where we stand.

I'm about to state the obvious, but I guess I do so therapeutically. But if we mess around and let CNO get frustrated, and he bails for a blueblood who will unleash the coffers, we'll regret it the moment it happens.

KY wanted CNO rather than Pope. If UNC can't get it turned around, they'll be beating down his door.

CNO is on record as saying he loves T-town and the small-town environment it provides for raising his family.

But a coach coaches to win and CNO has tasted the taste of getting to the final four and he knows if he has the right type of players for his system, he can win multiple NCs.

I just hope ADGB can figure this thing out so that CNO can color his legacy Crimson.

 

[CB4]

Our next puzzle piece from the portal:

Former Tarleton State PF Keitenn Bristow commits to Alabama

.

www.on3.com

 

[BamaHoopsBoi]

Our next puzzle piece from the portal:

Former Tarleton State PF Keitenn Bristow commits to Alabama

.

www.on3.com

Now that was completely out of the blue. Never heard of Tarleton State.

 

[CrimsonTitles]

Now that was completely out of the blue. Never heard of Tarleton State.

This has been in the works for a few weeks. He visited us either last week or the week before. I can't remember. He might be more of a project, but he's got decent upside. He was the WAC freshman of the year I like this pickup. He's got 3 level scoring ability, with solid defensive upside. I think he's viewed as a replacement for Stevenson, though a little shorter.

 

[TiderJack]

Here is some of his highlights and he looks ideal for CNO's system. Has a good 3 pt stroke and quick to the basket. Needs some work in the weight room and training table. I like this pick-up.

 

[BamaMoon]

Didn't see his measurables but like his vid.

Surely the goodness he has a better shot than Stevenson!

 

[Bama Shoals]

Didn't see his measurables but like his vid.

Surely the goodness he has a better shot than Stevenson!

6'8" 180 lbs is what he is listed at.