2022 Transfer Portal Discussion

Donate To GopherHole
MNVCGUY said:
I get a kick out of how easy some people make it sound. Fox got hurt, just go pluck another Big from the portal.

The portal provides a lot of options for coaches to patch their roster but the challenge is that you have to evaluate and try to get to know the player over a really short amount of time in order to figure out if this guy is going to be a fit for your style and your program.

All things considered Johnson was very successful with the players he pulled from the portal in 2021. Battle and Willis were both great. Loewe, Sutherlin, and Stephens were all solid contributors and Fox remains a TBD due to injury but was highly sought after and probably would have been a big contributor had he been able to play.

Only real miss in the portal was Daniels, but hitting on 6 out of 7 is pretty impressive.

For 2022 he needs to find guys on the level of Battle and Willis to fill some key spots on the roster. I'm excited to see who he brings in. The nice thing for this year is that he doesn't have to rebuild an entire roster, just fill in around the guys he has returning.
Click to expand...
Agreed. Interesting to note that the two best transfers are guys Ben had previous relationships with. He recruited Willis to the Gophers previously, and he was recruiting both Battle and Stephens to Xavier while he was an assistant there. If he can duplicate their contributions in the portal this year, it will be a major success. The point about needing to evaluate transfers quickly is well taken.
 

MNVCGUY said:
Odd that 247 doesn't list him as a transfer but yeah I should have included him I guess. He unfortunately didn't prove to be much more than a body for practices but on the plus side he also didn't tie up a scholarship long term.

That is another key with the portal, if you are going to miss on a player make sure it is one year guy and not one that is going to be around for a while.
Click to expand...
I think the rules say that for a transfer, you don't have to guarantee their scholarship for X years (whatever it is). It can be a one year renewable deal.

Now sure, that is pretty damn cutthroat to "force out" a guy who has years left and wants to stay here. But I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest that it happens every year.
 

MNVCGUY said:
True, but once a kid uses up their free transfer they are less likely to transfer again as it would mean sitting out a year.

I am really curious to see what kind of philosophy Ben brings to the portal this year. Last year the focus was clearly on a few top targets and then on adding a bunch of one year players to leave a ton of flexibility for 22 and beyond.

Will be interesting to see if he targets more multi-year guys this time around.
Click to expand...
Apparently, the grad transfer rule is still in play.

So for example, kid goes somewhere year 1 redshirts, then uses the free transfer to go elsewhere in year 2. Graduates after year 4 with a year left. He gets to transfer for free again.

This is happening with a former Gopher volleyball player, is why I am aware of it.

I thought they killed the grad transfer rule with the new free transfer rule, but I guess not.
 

Gophers_4life said:
Apparently, the grad transfer rule is still in play.

So for example, kid goes somewhere year 1 redshirts, then uses the free transfer to go elsewhere in year 2. Graduates after year 4 with a year left. He gets to transfer for free again.

This is happening with a former Gopher volleyball player, is why I am aware of it.

I thought they killed the grad transfer rule with the new free transfer rule, but I guess not.
Click to expand...
I can see why they would leave the grad transfer rule in place, rewards those kids who take care of business in the classroom by giving them so extra flexibility for their final year.

I was referring more to bringing in younger players on their free transfer. If you bring in a freshman or sophomore you better be confident they are going to work out.

Unless of course your point about there not being any guarantee on the scholarship. That said, would think coaches would want to avoid getting a reputation for forcing guys out if they can avoid it.
 

Gophers_4life said:
Apparently, the grad transfer rule is still in play.

This is happening with a former Gopher volleyball player, is why I am aware of it.

I thought they killed the grad transfer rule with the new free transfer rule, but I guess not.
Click to expand...

Unless I see an amendment, I'm assuming the grad transfer rule is dead for football and basketball based on what I've read (more than once) in the past.

Remember, sports other than football and basketball have had less restrictions on transfers for some time. The fact that the grad transfer rule can still be used in lesser sports doesn't mean it can be used in the top two sports.
 


cjbfbp said:
Unless I see an amendment, I'm assuming the grad transfer rule is dead for football and basketball based on what I've read (more than once) in the past.

Remember, sports other than football and basketball have had less restrictions on transfers for some time. The fact that the grad transfer rule can still be used in lesser sports doesn't mean it can be used in the top two sports.
Click to expand...
The rule change was much simpler than you're thinking.

The general rule is that student-athletes get one free transfer. Volleyball, soccer, track, etc.

All they did was strike-out an exemption to the general rule for athletes in football, M/W basketball, and I think baseball maybe hockey(?), that they didn't qualify for this free transfer. Now they do.


So it would make sense to me, to keep things simple and focused, that they didn't touch the grad transfer rule.
 

I think everyone here is REALLY overthinking this transfer thing. There might be a rule in place, but its the NCAA, they don't follow anything. Outside of basketball/football, transfers are essentially free, there is no sitting out and you can do it as much as you want, because lets be honest, the NCAA doesnt care if someone want to swim for the U or Texas. For football/basketball the "waiver" process essentially means the same. Again, Gach/Robbins are the easiest example, came here 1 year no wait, left that year and no wait at the new school. Unless you transfer 4 times in 4 years and none of it has to do with family/coach you are never going to have to sit out.
 

leib0039 said:
I think everyone here is REALLY overthinking this transfer thing. There might be a rule in place, but its the NCAA, they don't follow anything. Outside of basketball/football, transfers are essentially free, there is no sitting out and you can do it as much as you want, because lets be honest, the NCAA doesnt care if someone want to swim for the U or Texas. For football/basketball the "waiver" process essentially means the same. Again, Gach/Robbins are the easiest example, came here 1 year no wait, left that year and no wait at the new school. Unless you transfer 4 times in 4 years and none of it has to do with family/coach you are never going to have to sit out.
Click to expand...
Gach and Robbins had to apply for and be granted waivers to the transfer rule in order to play here immediately for 2020-21.

Then the new transfer rule went into place and they were allowed to use their free transfer to leave and play immediately in 2021-22.
 

Gophers_4life said:
Gach and Robbins had to apply for and be granted waivers to the transfer rule in order to play here immediately for 2020-21.

Then the new transfer rule went into place and they were allowed to use their free transfer to leave and play immediately in 2021-22.
Click to expand...
Sure, you might have to apply for a waiver, I don't disagree, but they essentially never deny it. That is my point, its a rule that isnt really a rule. Like if the speed limit is 55 you are technically speeding at 56, I doubt anyone has ever gotten a ticket for going 56 in a 55.
 



Gophers_4life said:
The rule change was much simpler than you're thinking.

The general rule is that student-athletes get one free transfer. Volleyball, soccer, track, etc.

All they did was strike-out an exemption to the general rule for athletes in football, M/W basketball, and I think baseball maybe hockey(?), that they didn't qualify for this free transfer. Now they do.


So it would make sense to me, to keep things simple and focused, that they didn't touch the grad transfer rule.
Click to expand...

I think I've seen the grad transfer issue addressed in a Q&A format on the NCAA website. The response was that situation still fit into the one-time rule. The NCAA does make a point that they apply more restrictions to transferring in the top two sports. So, I could see that one might be able to use the one-time transfer rule and the grad transfer rule in a lesser sport.
 

leib0039 said:
Sure, you might have to apply for a waiver, I don't disagree, but they essentially never deny it. That is my point, its a rule that isnt really a rule. Like if the speed limit is 55 you are technically speeding at 56, I doubt anyone has ever gotten a ticket for going 56 in a 55.
Click to expand...
Agree with you there.

And the NCAA basically said "we're sick of dealing with all these waivers".
 

cjbfbp said:
I think I've seen the grad transfer issue addressed in a Q&A format on the NCAA website. The response was that situation still fit into the one-time rule. The NCAA does make a point that they apply more restrictions to transferring in the top two sports. So, I could see that one might be able to use the one-time transfer rule and the grad transfer rule in a lesser sport.
Click to expand...
My point is just that, I don't think they do put more restrictions on the main sports, anymore.

If the language in the updated handbook says otherwise, then I will have been proven wrong and will admit so.
 

leib0039 said:
Sure, you might have to apply for a waiver, I don't disagree, but they essentially never deny it. That is my point, its a rule that isnt really a rule.
Click to expand...

Certainly last offseason was a free-for-all where the rules weren't enforced but I'm far from confident that this offseason will be the same. The problem with last offseason was that so many players who weren't eligible for the one-time transfer rule transferred to new teams anyway and enforcing the rule would have had disastrous implications. If the NCAA gets on the bullhorn early and pledges to enforce the rule in all reasonable situations, they might be able to curtail what went on last offseason.
 



cjbfbp said:
Of course not. I've given Ben plenty of credit for the first transfer commits he got. You must have me confused with someone else. I'm not a simple minded moron who processes information completely in black and white/all or nothing. I don't know why people assume that a criticism for one aspect of performance implies a criticism for all aspects of performance.
Click to expand...
Thats fair, tough to always keep track of where everyone is at. I'm not assuming its a criticism of every aspect of performance, but when its closely related I think its okay to ask. As MNVCGUY said, I think its best to miss on a guy that has one year rather than multiple, so while it does suck, it was a band aid that didn't work out imo.
 


MNVCGUY said:
I get a kick out of how easy some people make it sound. Fox got hurt, just go pluck another Big from the portal.

The portal provides a lot of options for coaches to patch their roster but the challenge is that you have to evaluate and try to get to know the player over a really short amount of time in order to figure out if this guy is going to be a fit for your style and your program.

All things considered Johnson was very successful with the players he pulled from the portal in 2021. Battle and Willis were both great. Loewe, Sutherlin, and Stephens were all solid contributors and Fox remains a TBD due to injury but was highly sought after and probably would have been a big contributor had he been able to play.

Only real miss in the portal was Daniels, but hitting on 6 out of 7 is pretty impressive.

For 2022 he needs to find guys on the level of Battle and Willis to fill some key spots on the roster. I'm excited to see who he brings in. The nice thing for this year is that he doesn't have to rebuild an entire roster, just fill in around the guys he has returning.
Click to expand...
Good post. We did have a couple of misses, but overall found guys that could be solid contributors. As someone else had said if we truly wanted to be competitive in the B1G, a guy like Loewe probably would have been a 10-14 minutes a game guy. But also very tough to do in one year with so many roster spots that need to be filled. Still think he was a great get. If we can have the same success rate on guys that fit well in our system, I think we will be in a solid place going forward.
 

cjbfbp said:
Certainly last offseason was a free-for-all where the rules weren't enforced but I'm far from confident that this offseason will be the same. The problem with last offseason was that so many players who weren't eligible for the one-time transfer rule transferred to new teams anyway and enforcing the rule would have had disastrous implications. If the NCAA gets on the bullhorn early and pledges to enforce the rule in all reasonable situations, they might be able to curtail what went on last offseason.
Click to expand...

I've heard some people suggesting they expect the "freebies" to continue this offseason and then get tightened up heading into the fall of 2023, after next basketball season.

I personally don't think the NCAA will ever go totally back to the pre-COVID strictness of waivers. They will continue to be "pro-player" and grant more waivers than not. But, I agree, not sure it will be the "free for all" it is now.
 
Last edited:

Speaking of "mid-major" talent, I noticed a kid from Woodbury playing for Davidson yesterday in the A-10 championship. Michael Jones. Solid player. Looked up his stats -- 12 ppg/4 rpg, good shooter (career 41% 3pt), good floor game yesterday, key player on a conference title team. 52 career starts. His bio says he shot 49% on 3pt at Woodbury, averaged 32 pts/game as a senior.

Didn't appear super athletic, but is 6-5 and thick. Looked like a better version of Luke Loewe to me. Missed his freshman year at Davidson with injury, so he's a fourth-year player with two years of eligibility left after this year.

No idea what he wants to do, if anything. But, if he wanted to take his Davidson degree and transfer "up" for his final two years of eligibility, I think I'd take him as a key reserve for the Gophers. Obviously, only reason I bring him up is he's from MN, which could be a draw for him. No idea what his intentions are, as I had never heard of him before seeing him in that A10 game yesterday.

Total speculation on my part, apologies if this is the wrong thread to offer this info.
 

Spottedmuskie said:
Players like Stephens Loewe, and Sutherlin are player we want in 7-9 depth chart, not two starting. Stephens and Loewe got eaten
Click to expand...

Blackhammer said:
Part of the reason for starting strong and fading was because our veteran transfers knew how to play in comparison to freshmen coming in. Unfortunately they didn’t have much upside.
Click to expand...
I would say it had more to do with the big ten being a jump in competition and lack of depth. Willis and Battle were 37-40 minutes a night most games and even Loewe, Stephens and Curry were flirting with 35. In the BTT four starters played 40, the other played 39. Teams will often shorten the rotation to seven this time of year, but most could rely on their depth from Nov-Feb, we were playing six, seven guys from day one. Got put in a tough spot this year, but going forward that cannot happen again. Hopefully on opening we have a solid nine man rotation and guys like JOJ and Henley can work there way in, if there's an injury
 

tjgopher said:
Speaking of "mid-major" talent, I noticed a kid from Woodbury playing for Davidson yesterday in the A-10 championship. Michael Jones. Solid player. Looked up his stats -- 12 ppg/4 rpg, good shooter (career 41% 3pt), good floor game yesterday, key player on a conference title team. 52 career starts. His bio says he shot 49% on 3pt at Woodbury, averaged 32 pts/game as a senior.

Didn't appear super athletic, but is 6-5 and thick. Looked like a better version of Luke Loewe to me. Missed his freshman year at Davidson with injury, so he's a fourth-year player with two years of eligibility left after this year.

No idea what he wants to do, if anything. But, if he wanted to take his Davidson degree and transfer "up" for his final two years of eligibility, I think I'd take him as a key reserve for the Gophers. Obviously, only reason I bring him up is he's from MN, which could be a draw for him. No idea what his intentions are, as I had never heard of him before seeing him in that A10 game yesterday.

Total speculation on my part, apologies if this is the wrong thread to offer this info.
Click to expand...
Davidson also doesn't have graduate programs, so he would have to transfer to continue playing. I actually think it's pretty realistic that this one could happen, I guess I thought he only had one year of eligibility, but would love to have two years
 

Fleckoff said:
Davidson also doesn't have graduate programs, so he would have to transfer to continue playing. I actually think it's pretty realistic that this one could happen, I guess I thought he only had one year of eligibility, but would love to have two years
Click to expand...
He could double-major at Davidson and keep enrolling there. If that was really the desire, not a problem.

Or like you say, why not come back to the U and get a grad degree?

2019-20 and 2021-22 count for him, with 2020-21 being the free covid year. So would have 22-23 and 23-24.
 




MinnGopher said:
As MNVCGUY said, I think its best to miss on a guy that has one year rather than multiple, so while it does suck, it was a band aid that didn't work out imo.
Click to expand...
Yes, of course. I'm very happy that a couple of players aren't returning (although there are a few one-year players I wish could return!). But, that doesn't lessen the aggravation experienced in this season.
 

tjgopher said:
Speaking of "mid-major" talent, I noticed a kid from Woodbury playing for Davidson yesterday in the A-10 championship. Michael Jones. Solid player. Looked up his stats -- 12 ppg/4 rpg, good shooter (career 41% 3pt), good floor game yesterday, key player on a conference title team. 52 career starts. His bio says he shot 49% on 3pt at Woodbury, averaged 32 pts/game as a senior.

Didn't appear super athletic, but is 6-5 and thick. Looked like a better version of Luke Loewe to me. Missed his freshman year at Davidson with injury, so he's a fourth-year player with two years of eligibility left after this year.

No idea what he wants to do, if anything. But, if he wanted to take his Davidson degree and transfer "up" for his final two years of eligibility, I think I'd take him as a key reserve for the Gophers. Obviously, only reason I bring him up is he's from MN, which could be a draw for him. No idea what his intentions are, as I had never heard of him before seeing him in that A10 game yesterday.

Total speculation on my part, apologies if this is the wrong thread to offer this info.
Click to expand...

No apologies needed. This is exactly the place for a post of this kind. He was mentioned here before by another poster. I didn't know him as I don't follow HS basketball but he would be a valuable transfer acquisition. I believe the previous poster also mentioned that Davidson doesn't have a graduate school (or at least not much of one) so if he were interested in being a true graduate student, the U of M would be a fine place for that.
 

Lots of names have dropped in the transfer portal so far today. Up to 343 now from about 290+ last night.
 




You must log in or register to reply here.



Top Bottom