2022 Transfer Portal Discussion

[60's Guy]

I don’t understand how any of those signings are the moves to put us over the top. For all we know Carrington can have a freshmen year that is very similar to the one Walton had. Also McIntosh is as much of an unknown as anyone else we still can bring in. He’s an unproven guard in the Big Ten & he was very interested but we chose Cooper instead.

Sure, everybody stays healthy we'll be very competitive. Hasn't happened in the last 10 years for the Gophers.

 

[60's Guy]

We have depth this year even if No one else is added. We have 10 men. If you think Ramberg is good enough for a minute here and there, it's eleven. Last year he had six guys who could play.

If we presently have 10 this year...last year year we had 9. Battle, Willis, Stephens, Sutherlin, Loewe, Curry, Thompson, Ihnen and Fox.
The 10 this year are better for sure but stuff has always happened to our roster along the way.

 

[Gopherfan84]

Yeah I would agree with "we aren't there yet" With all due respect to Ben Johnson Minnesota will never be there with the likes of those two that you mention. We can all be hopeful that at some point in the not to distant future the Gopher will be Big 10 competitive again year in and year out.

thanks for the feedback

Totally agree we won’t get there. It’s why I think we need to follow the Tony Bennetts and Matt Painters of the world

 

[Gopherfan84]

and who are your sources? Or did you just pick coaches you like that happen to win ha

Since you have 0 idea, I will just go the later . Those coaches all have had plenty of kids transfer so

I know coaches and kids who’ve been recruited by D1 institutions. Those are my sources. I trust the info I shared with you

 

[tjgopher]

Agreed, filling a spot to fill a spot is foolhardy and another topic.
I subscribe to PJ's philosophy: "My job as a coach is to recruit somebody better to take your spot. Your job is to change your best and not let that happen."

Richard had 8 good players in many of his seasons. That's all he played and every year guys got hurt, suspended, quit or somehow were not available. Each year we went from Top 25 to losing often because quality players were unavailable to replace the top 7 or 8.

Now we are thinking it will work for Ben. We don't have eight 5 star guys on our rosters who can absorb absences.

Who ever said eight would work for Ben? I've said most programs play eight. I have said most programs are now likely to have 10 good, quality scholarship basketball players, not 13. There is not a need to add 2-3 additional scholarship players just to add them or as some sort of insurance. I believe for a number of reasons. Leave a spot or two open is important in a transfer portal world. It is hard to get practice time in during the season, so it is best to only have to worry about ten guys practicing. You just simply don't want 3 scholarship guys on the roster rotting away, not even practicing.

If having 10 good, Big Ten caliber players on the roster isn't enough depth, so be it. Then, you haven't recruited a high enough level to win. In today's day and age, it is nearly impossible to have any difference makers at the end of bench that could just pop in and play if you suffer a few injuries.

You have ten good ones, three get injured/COVID, whatever, you still have 7 that are playing. Any more injuries or issues than that, and you aren't winning anything important anyway (Michigan State, Ohio State, etc included).

 

[leib0039]

Who ever said eight would work for Ben? I've said most programs play eight. I have said most programs are now likely to have 10 good, quality scholarship basketball players, not 13. There is not a need to add 2-3 additional scholarship players just to add them or as some sort of insurance. I believe for a number of reasons. Leave a spot or two open is important in a transfer portal world. It is hard to get practice time in during the season, so it is best to only have to worry about ten guys practicing. You just simply don't want 3 scholarship guys on the roster rotting away, not even practicing.

If having 10 good, Big Ten caliber players on the roster isn't enough depth, so be it. Then, you haven't recruited a high enough level to win. In today's day and age, it is nearly impossible to have any difference makers at the end of bench that could just pop in and play if you suffer a few injuries.

You have ten good ones, three get injured/COVID, whatever, you still have 7 that are playing. Any more injuries or issues than that, and you aren't winning anything important anyway (Michigan State, Ohio State, etc included).

So your assertion here is that there is no doubt Ihnen and Fox will have 0 effects of their major injuries, TT will be good, our 4 freshman will all be able to play a big role and Cooper is a stud. If all those things happen and we have 0 injuries we're set! Heck you said 3 could get hurt and we still are pretty set.

Wow, there's optimism and there is that. Good for you! I meanwhile will choose to leave in reality ha

 

[ethomasp31]

I haven’t coached Division 1 basketball….but I know in my fantasy football teams it’s important to have 4-or 5 good running backs…..and 4 to 5 good WRs. With byes abs injuries you really need that. Plus sometimes guys just go into a slump. I would think that coaching a Division 1 basketball team would be a lot like running my fantasy football rosters.

 

[WriterGoph]

So your assertion here is that there is no doubt Ihnen and Fox will have 0 effects of their major injuries, TT will be good, our 4 freshman will all be able to play a big role and Cooper is a stud. If all those things happen and we have 0 injuries we're set! Heck you said 3 could get hurt and we still are pretty set.

Wow, there's optimism and there is that. Good for you! I meanwhile will choose to leave in reality ha

Fox was already good to play the last 1/4 of last season, but they just chose not to burn one of his years for a small amount of games. Pretty sure Ihnen was hurt before Fox was, IIRC. If not before, they were close.

If Ben was concerned about what he was seeing with Ihnen's injury recovery, do you think he would be hyping his upside and expected impact for this season in an interview?

 

[tjgopher]

So your assertion here is that there is no doubt Ihnen and Fox will have 0 effects of their major injuries, TT will be good, our 4 freshman will all be able to play a big role and Cooper is a stud. If all those things happen and we have 0 injuries we're set! Heck you said 3 could get hurt and we still are pretty set.

Wow, there's optimism and there is that. Good for you! I meanwhile will choose to leave in reality ha

I haven't asserted that at any point. But, what I have asserted is that adding three marginal players right now won't change much in terms of wins or losses if we go through some hardships. So, I would not clutter the roster in year two with marginal players, especially if they are multi-year players. For a number of reasons I've already cited. That's all.

I said if you had ten quality scholarships guys who can play, three could get hurt and you can still get by. Any more than that and you're in trouble, even if you added three guys who were otherwise going to ride the pine all year. There are no difference makers at the end of the bench. But, if you want to add some bodies to help yourself fall asleep at night, power to you.

As I mentioned, if Ben found a great sharpshooter, I'd be on board with adding one. Short of that, I'm good placing some good faith and trust in the roster that's there, including guys they worked hard to recruit.

Bottom line, if Ben can't recruit well enough to get 10 good scholarship guys here, adding #11, #12, and #13 is not going to make one bit of difference. May not be this year that he has 10 good scholarship guys, but playing the young guards could ensure they do next year, etc.

Very few teams fill their 13 scholarships unless it is filling it out by rewarding seldom-used walkons. There's a reason for that.

 

[Mulligan]

I haven’t coached Division 1 basketball….but I know in my fantasy football teams it’s important to have 4-or 5 good running backs…..and 4 to 5 good WRs. With byes abs injuries you really need that. Plus sometimes guys just go into a slump. I would think that coaching a Division 1 basketball team would be a lot like running my fantasy football rosters.

Fascinating. How do you decide whether a player fits your culture?

 

[Dakota2]

In my opinion had we also got one of hunter or McIntosh and one of Walton Jones or strong yes I think that puts us over the top. In year 2 I define that as a top 1/2 of the league team and a top 8ish seed in the tournament.

If we had gotten Jones and Walton we could easily compete with ten on scholarship. It doesn't matter if you give out 10 or 13 scholarships. It matters who you get.

 

[MNVCGUY]

So your assertion here is that there is no doubt Ihnen and Fox will have 0 effects of their major injuries, TT will be good, our 4 freshman will all be able to play a big role and Cooper is a stud. If all those things happen and we have 0 injuries we're set! Heck you said 3 could get hurt and we still are pretty set.

Wow, there's optimism and there is that. Good for you! I meanwhile will choose to leave in reality ha

Johnson is going to have a very good idea of where Fox and Ihnen are in their recoveries and what they can and can't do. If he was worried I would assume they would have done more to bring in front court players as opposed to just getting Garcia and not really targeting any others. He is also going to know where TT is at in his development and what kind of role he might be able to play.

Every team has question marks heading into every season and there is only so much you can do to prepare for all the worst case scenarios. Last year was a very unique situation where a lot of factors all came together to leave us in a rough spot roster wise.

We are in a very different place right now and the roster as is looks solid but I am hopeful that they add another guard here at some point.

This is the time of year when every fanbase is supposed to be thinking their team is going to have a great year but we have a number of posters here that just aren't willing to embrace the joy of being a fan in the off-season when hope springs eternal.

 

[DeathClutch]

This wins the day.

You lose everyday, with your same ole schtick.

 

[ethomasp31]

Fascinating. How do you decide whether a player fits your culture?

Culture and fit doesn't matter....i just want the most good players I can get. If I have Justin Jefferson, Cooper Kupp and Davante Adams, Justin Jefferson better improve his best.

The point I'm trying to make is some people are looking at constructing a roster like they do a fantasy football roster. Ben Johnson wants to make sure his freshmen get minutes. First because he is trying to develop them, but also he wants to keep a roster happy. He has a good freshmen class coming in. He doesn't want to lose half of them next year because they aren't happy. At first I thought we should try and get as many good players as possible. We should give out all 13 scholarships. After thinking about it, he is only going to be playing 8 or 9 guys. We are actually pretty deep. I listened to his press conference and what he was saying makes sense. I also like the way he answered the question about NIL. I think we will sign one more point or combo guard and that will be it.

 

[Tucker32]

Just start:

Cooper
Battle
Garcia
Fox
Thompson

Then play exclusively zone D.

Problem solved

Thompson? No. Ihnen will be the fifth starter.

Fascinating. How do you decide whether a player fits your culture?

how do you do it when you hire someone? Every organization does that. You talk with the kid, you talk with other people, etc. It’s why the visits for possible transfers are so different than high school kids. They are still evaluating these kids when they bring them in, and the kids are assessing fit as well for how they might be used. Some think they already have an offer when they visit, and they all don’t.

 

[skiumah1]

Thompson? No. Ihnen will be the fifth starter.

Ihnen is the big X-Factor for me going into the year. Love the ceiling on him and think he could really make us a nice ball club. Cooper, Garcia, Battle, and Fox(hopefully) will all be solid.

 

[BarnBurner]

Johnson is going to have a very good idea of where Fox and Ihnen are in their recoveries and what they can and can't do. If he was worried I would assume they would have done more to bring in front court players as opposed to just getting Garcia and not really targeting any others. He is also going to know where TT is at in his development and what kind of role he might be able to play.

Every team has question marks heading into every season and there is only so much you can do to prepare for all the worst case scenarios. Last year was a very unique situation where a lot of factors all came together to leave us in a rough spot roster wise.

We are in a very different place right now and the roster as is looks solid but I am hopeful that they add another guard here at some point.

This is the time of year when every fanbase is supposed to be thinking their team is going to have a great year but we have a number of posters here that just aren't willing to embrace the joy of being a fan in the off-season when hope springs eternal.

Very.
Unique.
Situation.

 

[Dakota2]

If we presently have 10 this year...last year year we had 9. Battle, Willis, Stephens, Sutherlin, Loewe, Curry, Thompson, Ihnen and Fox.
The 10 this year are better for sure but stuff has always happened to our roster along the way.

We played with six last year, the starting five plus Sutherlin. We are way better off right now and I expect one more.

 

[Dakota2]

Very.
Unique.
Situation.

Was it or not?

 

[GophersInIowa]

Fascinating. How do you decide whether a player fits your culture?

For me it's if they put up good numbers, they're a good fit. If they don't, they're a bad fit.

 

[GophersInIowa]

My hope at the very least is they add a 5th year guard that can play some minutes if needed and be a good team player if he doesn't (anti-Brock Stull).

 

[BarnBurner]

Was it or not?

Nope. Same , exactly, for everyone else.

Don’t even give the “we had the whole team save one” transferred rubbish.

 

[Dakota2]

Nope. Same , exactly, for everyone else.

Don’t even give the “we had the whole team save one” transferred rubbish.

I see. Everyone else in the country had a failed program, new coach, and three guys to start his tenure. Ok, you are surely correct there was nothing unique about it. Good analysis Barnaby.

 

[BarnBurner]

I see. Everyone else in the country had a failed program, new coach, and three guys to start his tenure. Ok, you are surely correct there was nothing unique about it. Good analysis Barnaby.

Lots of schools get new coaches.
Cbj didn’t want any of the previous roster, save II. That’s what we’ve been told here on gh. By those in the know. Culture issues with those players.
Every other program in the country recruits kids. Lots of other programs are failing, based on your own post above.
Dak a$$ is an apologist who is ginning up excuses. Quickly and consistently. Great work dak a$$!!!!

 

[Spaulding!No!]

Northern Illinois passed on hiring Benny. Is this being overlooked?

 

[Dakota2]

Lots of schools get new coaches.
Cbj didn’t want any of the previous roster, save II. That’s what we’ve been told here on gh. By those in the know. Culture issues with those players.
Every other program in the country recruits kids. Lots of other programs are failing, based on your own post above.
Dak a$$ is an apologist who is ginning up excuses. Quickly and consistently. Great work dak a$$!!!!

Where did you get the idea he didn't want Robbins, Gabe, and Brandon Johnson? Is there anything here you understand. No answer required.

 

[BarnBurner]

Where did you get the idea he didn't want Robbins, Gabe, and Brandon Johnson? Is there anything here you understand. No answer required.

Been said here numerous times. May want to pay closer attention.

Guess cbj didn’t do a good job in recruiting those kids if he wanted them.

 

[bfriedrichs10]

Northern Illinois passed on hiring Benny. Is this being overlooked?

What's your point

 

[Dakota2]

Been said here numerous times. May want to pay closer attention.

Guess cbj didn’t do a good job in recruiting those kids if he wanted them.

Oh dear, Barnaby, even the children know he wanted those three seniors to stay, Gabe more than any. He and Gabe were very close so, yes, Ben failed to turn him around on his decision. But Ben also understood Gabe's mind had been made up long before Ben was hired. Gabe was just burned out here and the mental strain of his shooting slump demanded a fresh start.

Brandon Johnson was a big loss. Ben failed to get him to stay. To keep Robbins he had to retain his uncle on the staff. Ben wisely chose to go with Thorson for the long term benefit offsetting the loss of Robbins for one season. He made the right choice so no failure there,

 

[BarnBurner]

Oh dear, Barnaby, even the children know he wanted those three seniors to stay, Gabe more than any. He and Gabe were very close so, yes, Ben failed to turn him around on his decision. But Ben also understood Gabe's mind had been made up long before Ben was hired. Gabe was just burned out here and the mental strain of his shooting slump demanded a fresh start.

Brandon Johnson was a big loss. Ben failed to get him to stay. To keep Robbins he had to retain his uncle on the staff. Ben wisely chose to go with Thorson for the long term benefit offsetting the loss of Robbins for one season. He made the right choice so no failure there,

The apology tour continues. Along with the built in excuses.

Great work!!