Transfer Portal 2026

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DietCokeFan said:
I cant remember when the portal officially opens; just know its sometime close to the championship game. I am assuiming that is when we can expect to see some visits? I wonder how quickly Coach P moves and who she has in mind for contacting.
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Last years transfer commits
Glenn 4/18
Tonga 6/7
Berschers 4/21
 

Does anyone remember how long after the wbit Johnson entered?
 

When I Googled the transfer portal details yesterday, the top result was a Law Firm providing advice to athletes, noting that since the portal is only open from April 6-20, this year, it puts athletes at a big disadvantage because that's not much time to figure out academic programs, aid and NIL deals. I find that somewhat hilarious because if someone's going to transfer, they're not starting to think about it or figure that out starting on April 6. I think its a good thing. It does clarify things much more quickly for coaches and teams and allow them to get to work. And less drama for us. haha.
 


Iowa's Addie Deal intends to enter the portal. Going to be a wild portal with Iowa's 5* in the portal.
 





I had some fun tonight and fed the Gophers cumulative state sheet into Chat GPT along with all sorts of assumptions like Woodson plays healthy all season and then asked the app, "what do the Gophers need in the transfer portal to get back to the Sweet Sixteen?" Sharing this for fun, not as some sort of argument or that Chat GPT knows better than Coach P.

🔑 Step 4: EXACT portal needs (priority order)​


1. 🥇 High-level POINT GUARD (non-negotiable)​


This is the biggest need by far


What they need:​


  • 4–6 APG type
  • Low turnover rate
  • Can defend Big Ten guards
  • Doesn’t need to score 20—but must organize everything

Why:​


  • No Battle = no offensive organizer
  • Braun is better off-ball scorer, not full-time PG

👉 Without this, ceiling drops from Sweet 16 → bubble team



2. 🥈 Starting-caliber CENTER (rim protector)​


Second must-have


What they need:​


  • 6'3”–6'5” minimum
  • Rebounding + shot blocking
  • Can guard elite Big Ten posts (Iowa, UCLA, etc.)

Why:​


  • Current roster has no proven Big Ten post presence
  • You cannot survive March without:
    • defensive rebounding
    • rim deterrence

👉 This is the difference between:


  • Round of 32 exit vs Sweet Sixteen


3. 🥉 Physical DEFENSIVE FORWARD (3/4 hybrid)​


Underrated but critical


What they need:​


  • 6'0”–6'2” wing/forward
  • Elite defender
  • Rebounding + toughness
  • Doesn’t need high usage

Why:​


  • Lost Glenn/Tonga physicality
  • Big Ten is extremely physical on wings

👉 This player raises the floor and matchup versatility



4. 🎯 Bench SCORING GUARD (microwave)​


Luxury—but important for March


What they need:​


  • Instant offense off bench
  • Shooter or slasher
  • Can carry second unit

Why:​


  • Prevent Braun burnout
  • Avoid scoring droughts


🧱 Step 5: Ideal portal class (realistic build)​


If I were constructing this roster:


Portal additions:​


  1. Starting PG (25–30 MPG)
  2. Starting C (20–25 MPG)
  3. Rotation forward (15–20 MPG)
  4. (Optional) scoring guard


🏀 Step 6: What that gives you (Sweet 16 formula)​


Starting lineup (ideal)​


  • PG: Transfer (true lead guard)
  • SG: Braun
  • SF: McKinney
  • PF: Woodson
  • C: Transfer

Bench:​


  • Grocholski (6th starter)
  • Klick / Senden
  • Freshmen (situational)


🚨 Bottom line​


To get back to the Sweet Sixteen, Minnesota MUST:


✅ Add:​


  • 1 true point guard
  • 1 legit rim-protecting center

➕ Strongly consider:​


  • Physical wing defender
  • Bench scorer


🧠 Final insight (this is key)​


This roster is closer than it looks.


Because:


  • Braun = All-Big Ten star
  • McKinney = rising two-way piece
  • Woodson (healthy) = matchup weapon

👉 If they hit on just 2 portal players (PG + C)
they are legitimately a top-4 Big Ten team again


👉 If they miss on PG specifically:
they likely take a step back despite returning talent
 



Chat GPT is never perfect. Like why would Grace be on the bench? That's why its useful tool but requires human intervention on the front and back ends.
 

Do they stay or do they go? Wondering if we'll see some announcements this week from our Gopher players. Already some announcements for the men's program. Hoping Coach P is able to retain her key players. The portal is going to look like a candy store this year and the Gophers have positioned themselves to do well in the portal, but Coach P and staff will have to choose wisely.
 


LakeWoebegone said:
I had some fun tonight and fed the Gophers cumulative state sheet into Chat GPT along with all sorts of assumptions like Woodson plays healthy all season and then asked the app, "what do the Gophers need in the transfer portal to get back to the Sweet Sixteen?" Sharing this for fun, not as some sort of argument or that Chat GPT knows better than Coach P.

🔑 Step 4: EXACT portal needs (priority order)​


1. 🥇 High-level POINT GUARD (non-negotiable)​


This is the biggest need by far


What they need:​


  • 4–6 APG type
  • Low turnover rate
  • Can defend Big Ten guards
  • Doesn’t need to score 20—but must organize everything

Why:​


  • No Battle = no offensive organizer
  • Braun is better off-ball scorer, not full-time PG

👉 Without this, ceiling drops from Sweet 16 → bubble team



2. 🥈 Starting-caliber CENTER (rim protector)​


Second must-have


What they need:​


  • 6'3”–6'5” minimum
  • Rebounding + shot blocking
  • Can guard elite Big Ten posts (Iowa, UCLA, etc.)

Why:​


  • Current roster has no proven Big Ten post presence
  • You cannot survive March without:
    • defensive rebounding
    • rim deterrence

👉 This is the difference between:


  • Round of 32 exit vs Sweet Sixteen


3. 🥉 Physical DEFENSIVE FORWARD (3/4 hybrid)​


Underrated but critical


What they need:​


  • 6'0”–6'2” wing/forward
  • Elite defender
  • Rebounding + toughness
  • Doesn’t need high usage

Why:​


  • Lost Glenn/Tonga physicality
  • Big Ten is extremely physical on wings

👉 This player raises the floor and matchup versatility



4. 🎯 Bench SCORING GUARD (microwave)​


Luxury—but important for March


What they need:​


  • Instant offense off bench
  • Shooter or slasher
  • Can carry second unit

Why:​


  • Prevent Braun burnout
  • Avoid scoring droughts


🧱 Step 5: Ideal portal class (realistic build)​


If I were constructing this roster:


Portal additions:​


  1. Starting PG (25–30 MPG)
  2. Starting C (20–25 MPG)
  3. Rotation forward (15–20 MPG)
  4. (Optional) scoring guard


🏀 Step 6: What that gives you (Sweet 16 formula)​


Starting lineup (ideal)​


  • PG: Transfer (true lead guard)
  • SG: Braun
  • SF: McKinney
  • PF: Woodson
  • C: Transfer

Bench:​


  • Grocholski (6th starter)
  • Klick / Senden
  • Freshmen (situational)


🚨 Bottom line​


To get back to the Sweet Sixteen, Minnesota MUST:


✅ Add:​


  • 1 true point guard
  • 1 legit rim-protecting center

➕ Strongly consider:​


  • Physical wing defender
  • Bench scorer


🧠 Final insight (this is key)​


This roster is closer than it looks.


Because:


  • Braun = All-Big Ten star
  • McKinney = rising two-way piece
  • Woodson (healthy) = matchup weapon

👉 If they hit on just 2 portal players (PG + C)
they are legitimately a top-4 Big Ten team again


👉 If they miss on PG specifically:
they likely take a step back despite returning talent
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That’s pretty impressive- thanks for sharing
 



tripledouble said:
What's going on at Iowa State? I believe that the transfer count is up to 9 and it might be headed to 12. That must have been a toxic environment or terrible chemistry. I think I've read that Fennelly has a lifetime contract, but will he survive this?
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He has a contract that runs through next year. I thought he'd retire after next season and leave an empty cupboard (projected roster was for like 7 seniors). He surprised me by burning the program to the ground this spring. The program went from Top Ten in December to completely boned in less than three months. Nice career finishing legacy for him.

Full Disclosure: I've hated the guy for quite some time.
 
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Holy Man said:
The vulture that I am suggests that their chaos helps our regional recruiting. No sympathy for the Cyclones. They proved on the men’s side that it can get turned around in a hurry though.
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They are cooked as far as HS recruiting and have been for a few years. After signing the Audi Crooks and Addy Brown class they haven't had a Top 100 recruit in the 2024, 2025 or 2026 classes. No Minnesota gals since Rae Johnson and Kristen Scott. Rae is Tessa Johnson's older sister and, in my opinion, was treated like crap at ISU (she was a fine PG in her own right). They both had a 5th year option and neither took it. I was hoping maybe they would come "home" for a grad year with the Gophers.
 

ISUnorth said:
He has a contract that runs through next year. I thought he'd retire after next season and leave an empty cupboard (projected roster was for like 7 seniors). He surprised me by burning the program to the ground this spring. The program went from Top Ten in December to completely boned in less than three months. Nice career finishing legacy for him.

Full Disclosure: I've hated the guy for quite some time.
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Fennelly always seems like a "does just enough" type of coach, it's crazy that he's built a 30 year career out of that at Iowa State.

I grew up in Lincoln in the 90s so I remember watching him bring some great teams into the Bob Devaney Sports Center, especially with good ole Brenda Frese's little sister Stacy. But that was the very beginning of his career in Ames.

He's had a few other peaks over the years but nothing I'd consider worthy of a 30 year career at one school or his "untouchable" status.
 

Don't know what to think about the Iowa departures. Are these defections exposing a crack in their foundation? I don't necessarily think so, but I could be wrong. Addie Deal didn't impress me much this year, but she was a McD's All-American and she did make the BIG freshman team. Iowa has always done a great job of developing players but maybe the transfer portal won't give them the time to do that with some of their high school recruits. I thought previously that they done a good job recruiting, capitalizing on their Final Four success, but with these transfers, maybe their starting to lose momentum...or maybe that's just the nature of the portal system and players want playing time.
 

tripledouble said:
Don't know what to think about the Iowa departures. Are these defections exposing a crack in their foundation? I don't necessarily think so, but I could be wrong. Addie Deal didn't impress me much this year, but she was a McD's All-American and she did make the BIG freshman team. Iowa has always done a great job of developing players but maybe the transfer portal won't give them the time to do that with some of their high school recruits. I thought previously that they done a good job recruiting, capitalizing on their Final Four success, but with these transfers, maybe their starting to lose momentum...or maybe that's just the nature of the portal system and players want playing time.
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It's a portal issue and an entitlement issue. 5*? There's a lot to be said that you can't develop players anymore because they all think they should start their freshman year. Nobody wants to earn their way anymore. Parents telling them they need more playing time so you need to move on. If you don't want to work hard you should move on. I had high hopes for Addie and wish her the best.
 

More Likely​

Starting lineup (ideal)​

  • PG: Transfer (true lead guard)
  • SG: Grocholski
  • SF: McKinney
  • PF: Woodson
  • C: Transfer

Bench:​

  • Braun (6th starter)
  • Klick / Senden
 

On3 said that faith Wiseman entered the portal from Indiana. She's 6'4". Don't know how good she is. Just looking at height.
 


Not sure where else to ask the question. There is a Gopher Fund where you can designate $$ for the WBB team. There is the Dinkytown group (and don't know if the money can be designated to WBB). Which is better to donate to for WBB to help with portal recruiting? This would be a good time to understand.
 

Belzx009 said:
Zahara Bishop from Benilde has entered the portal. She was one the Bug East freshman team. I don’t know that she is a point guard…, but she is listed at 6’ feet.
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In press release when she signed, she was listed as a combo guard.
 

In regards to the talk of who starts, I hope we get to the point where it doesn't matter. With some of the elite teams, players coming off the bench are as or almost as good and no one cares because they keep rotating players. That's my dream.
 

EaganGopher22 said:
Not sure where else to ask the question. There is a Gopher Fund where you can designate $$ for the WBB team. There is the Dinkytown group (and don't know if the money can be designated to WBB). Which is better to donate to for WBB to help with portal recruiting? This would be a good time to understand.
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DTA you can 100% designate where your contributions go. If you want to support transfers in the portal and retaining our current players DTA is where you will have the biggest impact, IMO
 

Gopher_In_NYC said:
That’s pretty impressive- thanks for sharing
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Thanks. I was just messing around with it but I got pretty detailed in my inputs or assumptions to have it search the stats and player reports. Its nowhere near perfect but fun exercise. I don't do fantasy football or sports of any kind but I bet it would be useful for that!
 

EaganGopher22 said:
Not sure where else to ask the question. There is a Gopher Fund where you can designate $$ for the WBB team. There is the Dinkytown group (and don't know if the money can be designated to WBB). Which is better to donate to for WBB to help with portal recruiting? This would be a good time to understand.
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Might be best to call Gopher Fund directly for explanation... as I understand, $$$ to Gopher Fund can be designated for WBB, but don't go to NIL. DTA $$$ can be designated for WBB and go to NIL. Both types of contributions go to Gopher Score.
 

If you donate through the Golden Gopher Fund, your contribution should go to the women's basketball enhancement fund. That fund is used by staff in a multitude of ways by the program. It can not be used to pay the players. And, there are a number of ways to support the program through the GGF such as locker sponsorships, as well. They can tell you what opportunities are available for you. And, as noted, with Dinkytown, you can specify you want the money to go to women's basketball and that allows them to direct dollars and NIL opportunities to the players. If your bank account allows, both help the program.
 

Gracie Merkle is hitting the portal. I think she would be a great fit in coach P's style - but I would bet she would come with a big price tag.
 

DietCokeFan said:
Gracie Merkle is hitting the portal. I think she would be a great fit in coach P's style - but I would bet she would come with a big price tag.
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She would be the perfect fit. Hopefully she sees that more than money. Like obviously the Gophers could offer her some but not as much as other schools.
 

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