2025 Transfer Portal Watch

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Terrance Brown to Utah. He played well against MN in FD game. I can understand if Niko or he passed on MN. Big Ten body maybe not ready, and more volume shooter like Caleb was esp against us. MN kid.
 




Holy Man said:
Still desperately need a big body or two. Small ball works in lesser leagues and occasionally in bigger ones, but a complete team needs a force in the middle to make bunnies, get rebounds and keep others away from the basket.
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Yup, we need some bangers, wide bodies and space eaters! Important role on a winning squad!!
 


SplitDecision said:
Terrance Brown to Utah. He played well against MN in FD game. I can understand if Niko or he passed on MN. Big Ten body maybe not ready, and more volume shooter like Caleb was esp against us. MN kid.
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He's a good player but I wouldn't describe his game against the gophers as playing well. He was 4 of 22. Probably his worst game of the year.
 

Eastside Forever said:
Yup, we need some bangers, wide bodies and space eaters! Important role on a winning squad!!
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Houston rotation consists of 5 guards and 3 forwards. All 3 forwards are 6'8" 230-235.

I have loved the guard heavy/versatile forward rotation in college basketball for a long time. You don't need a huge, old school center to be good in today's game.
 

GopherWeatherGuy said:
Houston rotation consists of 5 guards and 3 forwards. All 3 forwards are 6'8" 230-235.

I have loved the guard heavy/versatile forward rotation in college basketball for a long time. You don't need a huge, old school center to be good in today's game.
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Those forwards are athletic types that can get up in the air.
 

GopherWeatherGuy said:
Houston rotation consists of 5 guards and 3 forwards. All 3 forwards are 6'8" 230-235.

I have loved the guard heavy/versatile forward rotation in college basketball for a long time. You don't need a huge, old school center to be good in today's game.
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Agreed. I think the old school center is a thing of the past in todays college BB.
 






bga1 said:
On the offensive end that is probably true. Defensively, it is still a big deal to have a guy that changes shots. Michigan sure did well this year with 2 7 footers.
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Didn’t we still beat Michigan this year?

Having an athletic big guy is nice. But they can struggle to guard versatile forwards who can shoot from the perimeter, which can easily expose them on defense too. This is why someone like Payne still only plays 20 mpg and isn’t a full time starter.
 



GopherWeatherGuy said:
Houston rotation consists of 5 guards and 3 forwards. All 3 forwards are 6'8" 230-235.

I have loved the guard heavy/versatile forward rotation in college basketball for a long time. You don't need a huge, old school center to be good in today's game.
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You definitely don't need a traditional big to be good on offense in today's game.

Defensively you can probably survive most nights as well without a true center but some matchups against teams with a strong inside presence might be difficult.

edit - I see BGA and I had very similar takes.....as to the Michigan game....honestly still don't know how we won that game.....of all the odd things that happened last year, winning that one was easily one of the strangest.
 
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MNVCGUY said:
You definitely don't need a traditional big to be good on offense in today's game.

Defensively you can probably survive most nights as well without a true center but some matchups against teams with a strong inside presence might be difficult.

edit - I see BGA and I had very similar takes.....as to the Michigan game....honestly still don't know how we won that game.....of all the odd things that happened last year, winning that one was easily one of the strangest.
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It is weird though.

"True" bigs don't play against teams that go small all that often. Coaches are petrified of the true big having to guard the perimeter.

It happens every night. "Old school" seven-foot inside guy is on the floor. Opposing coach goes small and the seven-footer is removed from the game for fear he can't guard the perimeter. It is counter intuitive, as I would think an old school 7-footer would love to post up against a small lineup, but he rarely gets the chance. (unless its Zach Edey).
 

MNVCGUY said:
You definitely don't need a traditional big to be good on offense in today's game.

Defensively you can probably survive most nights as well without a true center but some matchups against teams with a strong inside presence might be difficult.

edit - I see BGA and I had very similar takes.....as to the Michigan game....honestly still don't know how we won that game.....of all the odd things that happened last year, winning that one was easily one of the strangest.
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Houston is also the best defense in the country this year. Drake was the 2nd best. Both employ basically all guys 6’8 and below.
 


MNVCGUY said:
You definitely don't need a traditional big to be good on offense in today's game.

Defensively you can probably survive most nights as well without a true center but some matchups against teams with a strong inside presence might be difficult.

edit - I see BGA and I had very similar takes.....as to the Michigan game....honestly still don't know how we won that game.....of all the odd things that happened last year, winning that one was easily one of the strangest.
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Khaman Maluach from Duke is 7'2" and contributed ZERO rebounds in 21 minutes of play this past Saturday. And 1 block.

Not trying to dispute anything that you've written...just weird to see stats like that.
 

GoldenMAV30266 said:
Houston is also the best defense in the country this year. Drake was the 2nd best. Both employ basically all guys 6’8 and below.
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Interesting. Having a true rim protector is certainly a coveted luxury for any team but you can be a dominant rebounding team with active and fundamentally sound 6'7 type of guys.

Dusty Rychart couldn't jump over a curb but was always in great position to rebound. Jordan Murphy wasn't more than 6'6 but got the job done with physicality and a high motor.

I'd still welcome a 7-footer that deters opponents from coming into the lane, though.
 


“Bobby Durkin has great size for his skill set,” Shaw’s scouting report read. “A legit wing, he has a smooth jump shot with a repeatable release and excellent balance. Durkin is able to get into his shot off the bounce or off the catch. He can create space for himself off the live dribble. Durkin is an excellent passer, with vision from multiple spots on the floor.

“He can secondarily initiate in the half-court or create shots as the shot clock winds down. Lateral quickness will be a question, but he gives effort and has an IQ on the defensive end. Durkin is a good rebounder and has an innate toughness. He is someone who could outplay his ranking in college. Durkin averaged 18.4 points on the UAA Next Circuit.”

www.on3.com

Former Davidson SF Bobby Durkin commits to Minnesota

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www.on3.com www.on3.com

Go Gophers!!
 

Slim Tubby said:
Interesting. Having a true rim protector is certainly a coveted luxury for any team but you can be a dominant rebounding team with active and fundamentally sound 6'7 type of guys.

Dusty Rychart couldn't jump over a curb but was always in great position to rebound. Jordan Murphy wasn't more than 6'6 but got the job done with physicality and a high motor.

I'd still welcome a 7-footer that deters opponents from coming into the lane, though.
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What worries me is recalling Ben's first squad that had Battle and Willis but no one that could stop anyone in the paint or get boards. Now we already have Crocker Johnson, a good defender, but we certainly need more size.
 

bga1 said:
What worries me is recalling Ben's first squad that had Battle and Willis but no one that could stop anyone in the paint or get boards. Now we already have Crocker Johnson, a good defender, but we certainly need more size.
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All we would need is someone who can get rebounds and make free throws. Big Frank with a stroke at the line. One of those kind of fellows ought to be findable.
 

MNVCGUY said:
You definitely don't need a traditional big to be good on offense in today's game.

Defensively you can probably survive most nights as well without a true center but some matchups against teams with a strong inside presence might be difficult.

edit - I see BGA and I had very similar takes.....as to the Michigan game....honestly still don't know how we won that game.....of all the odd things that happened last year, winning that one was easily one of the strangest.
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I think it was the 7 footer from OR that Indiana had 2 years ago (K Ware) was there first in 25 years or so.

I think that you never needed a traditional center. Its just when defenses shift to always seeing the 5 out 3 ball, ,or whatever is the style of the day, someone will respond with the right training and it will be a thing again.

Just watching skinny ol Rudy Gobert. If the other team doesn't muscle him, he can absolutely dominate the inside game and thats the NBA.

Sure is nice when you stop hitting shots for a 5 minute stretch to be able to make a few simple low post bucket. stop runs, keeps your team close until their clicking again.
 


GoldenMAV30266 said:
Houston is also the best defense in the country this year. Drake was the 2nd best. Both employ basically all guys 6’8 and below.
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Given the choice I would probably take an athletic 6'8" guy vs. a less athletic 7'0" player. You lose a little size but if the smaller guy is going to be quicker and if he has good instincts can still be very effective against the taller player.
 

MNVCGUY said:
Given the choice I would probably take an athletic 6'8" guy vs. a less athletic 7'0" player. You lose a little size but if the smaller guy is going to be quicker and if he has good instincts can still be very effective against the taller player.
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And don't forget about reach/wingspan.
 

MNVCGUY said:
Given the choice I would probably take an athletic 6'8" guy vs. a less athletic 7'0" player. You lose a little size but if the smaller guy is going to be quicker and if he has good instincts can still be very effective against the taller player.
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I guess it depends on the player, but I'm leaning towards there too. Shoot the best Gopher rebounder of all time is Jordan Murphy at 6'6. But Trevor Mbakwe was a machine at 6'8 , and so was Oturu (although he's scratching the surface of a traditional big at 6'10).

I wouldn't sacrifice talent for size. If two guys are willing to commit to play the 5, one being a perfect fit at 6'9 and the other being a "meh" fit at 7'1 I'll take the perfect fit
 

Slim Tubby said:
Interesting. Having a true rim protector is certainly a coveted luxury for any team but you can be a dominant rebounding team with active and fundamentally sound 6'7 type of guys.

Dusty Rychart couldn't jump over a curb but was always in great position to rebound. Jordan Murphy wasn't more than 6'6 but got the job done with physicality and a high motor.

I'd still welcome a 7-footer that deters opponents from coming into the lane, though.
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If you had a team with 3 Jordan Murphy’s playing the 3, 4, and 5 you could lead the nation in boards
 

Are we an Adidas school by chance? He is now in the portal

NIL nightmare? Ian Jackson signs with adidas​

Posted Feb 16, 2024
Here is when it gets interesting with NIL. On Wednesday, 5-star UNC Basketball signee Ian Jackson entered into an agreement with adidas to utilize their name-image-likeness as a brand ambassador. No matter what Jackson is paid by adidas, he cannot wear their shoes or apparel when he is on the court for the Tar Heels, because UNC is a Nike school. (Chapelboro.com)
 

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