2022 Transfer Portal Discussion

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GophersInIowa said:
For me it's if they put up good numbers, they're a good fit. If they don't, they're a bad fit.
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If that were the case every blue blood would be attached to every stud. They are not. They pick and choose appropriately to make their club better. Like a puzzle, last year Remy Martin was that perfect puzzle piece.
 

Dakota2 said:
No apologies here, Barnaby. It's not either Ben is great or Ben sucks. That black and white analysis is something for you children.
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The CBJ protection detail has quite a few members. You are most definitely one, dak a$$.
 



BarnBurner said:
The CBJ protection detail has quite a few members. You are most definitely one, dak a$$.
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Here's why I don't fit, Barnaby. I see nothing to apologize for. Last year greatly exceeded my expectations which were for about 10 wins and one or two in league play.

So far approaching a new season I am quite satisfied. The talent on this roster is multiples of what we had last year. So is quality depth.

We're in good shape coming out of a program in shambles. I don't know of anyone willing to take the job who could have done better so far.
 

Dakota2 said:
Here's why I don't fit, Barnaby. I see nothing to apologize for. Last year greatly exceeded my expectations which were for about 10 wins and one or two in league play.

So far approaching a new season I am quite satisfied. The talent on this roster is multiples of what we had last year. So is quality depth.

We're in good shape coming out of a program in shambles. I don't know of anyone willing to take the job who could have done better so far.
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Muss had a clause for the gopher job didn't he with the buyout being lower only for the MN job?? I can't remember honestly

But I think he could be one that could do better...
 


BarnBurner said:
The CBJ protection detail has quite a few members. You are most definitely one, dak a$$.
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What do you have against Ben Johnson….or are you just a negative person. They out performed just about everyone’s expectations last year and if you look at the roster we have for next year, if Garcia is eligible we should have one of the best teams we have had the last 10 years with lots of young guys coming in.
 



ethomasp31 said:
What do you have against Ben Johnson….or are you just a negative person. They out performed just about everyone’s expectations last year and if you look at the roster we have for next year, if Garcia is eligible we should have one of the best teams we have had the last 10 years with lots of young guys coming in.
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I think 4 conference wins was about in the realm of the expectations of most. The roster construction was poor, but I think the effort was terrific. Most here like Ben, I actually think BB does as well. This is a very important year coming up.
 

ethomasp31 said:
What do you have against Ben Johnson….or are you just a negative person. They out performed just about everyone’s expectations last year and if you look at the roster we have for next year, if Garcia is eligible we should have one of the best teams we have had the last 10 years with lots of young guys coming in.
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Pretty clear Burner is one of those people who is only happy when he has something to complain about and his primary goal is just to get a rise out of people.

He is very Reusse like in that way. Probably isn't the complete jerk he comes across as but it is his schtick and he is very committed to the bit. :)
 





bga1 said:
Most here like Ben, I actually think BB does as well.
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You bring up an interesting question here. Do most like Ben or not? A fundamentally related question is "Why should anyone care about the answer to that question?"

I will volunteer that I neither like nor dislike Ben Johnson. Personally, I think the assumption that we're supposed to "like" new coaches from the get go is ridiculous. Coaches aren't hired and paid big money to be my hero or object of affection. They're hired to perform in a very tough job.

I don't tune into an athletic competition to watch coaches. I don't tune into coaches' television shows to listen to them talk. I don't care much about what they say. I only care about the product they put on the floor. I can grow to like or dislike a coach over time based on the cumulative performances of that coach's teams. Sure, a coach's personality and temperament matter to a degree but most coaches aren't egregiously offensive in their manners.

I like Fleck because he's earned that appreciation. Ben Johnson hasn't earned that kind of appreciation yet but he hasn't earned scorn either.
 
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ethomasp31 said:
What do you have against Ben Johnson….or are you just a negative person. They out performed just about everyone’s expectations last year and if you look at the roster we have for next year, if Garcia is eligible we should have one of the best teams we have had the last 10 years with lots of young guys coming in.
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Absolutely nothing.

I like him. Seems like a great guy.

Wins are what I want to see. Lots of them.

Best teams in the last 10 years, eh. Hope so. Will be up to cbj to get them there. We shall see.
 

cjbfbp said:
You bring up an interesting question here. Do most like Ben or not? A fundamentally related question is "Why should anyone care about the answer to that question?"

I will volunteer that I neither like nor dislike Ben Johnson. Personally, I think the assumption that we're supposed to "like" new coaches from the get go is ridiculous. Coaches aren't hired and paid big money to be my hero or object of affection. They're hired to perform in a very tough job.

I don't tune into an athletic competition to watch coaches. I don't tune into coaches' television shows to listen to them talk. I don't care much about what they say. I only care about the product they put on the floor. I can grow to like or dislike a coach over time based on the cumulative performances of that coach's teams. Sure, a coach's personality and temperament matter to a degree but most coaches aren't egregiously offensive in their manners.

I like Fleck because he's earned that appreciation. Ben Johnson hasn't earned that kind of appreciation yet but he hasn't earned scorn either.
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This is spot on.
 


bga1 said:
I think 4 conference wins was about in the realm of the expectations of most. The roster construction was poor, but I think the effort was terrific. Most here like Ben, I actually think BB does as well. This is a very important year coming up.
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I don't want to go back to an old thread....but I don't think there were very many people on this board who thought we would get to a win number in the teens. I was seeing more 0-2 B1G wins than 4-5. Regardless of the win total (I actually thought they would win 5-6 B1G games), they were more competitive than almost everyone on this board thought they would be....and they were a fun team to watch. Besides that, next years team will be much better than last years team and this coaching staff actually targets and recruits Minnesota players.
 

cjbfbp said:
Do most like Ben or not? A fundamentally related question is "Why should anyone care about the answer to that question?"
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When I was in high school, this question would have been utterly irrelevant (cf. Bob Knight). In 2022, I think it is an absolutely essential question. This new generation of high school graduates, have been raised in a world where they have been exposed to a host of different leadership styles. Johnson's "likeability" is absolutely an important question to ask. You might say "Johnson is your coach, not your best friend" and think the argument has been won. But, you'd be old school dead wrong. A coach can and absolutely should not only be a teacher, but also an advocate for each one of his student athletes. Both require trust on and off the court. As a former student athlete and a relatively young one at that, I think Johnson checks some important boxes for potential recruits. Coach K retired. Jay Wright retired. Gregg Marshall forced to resign. Reputation and style are going to be less relevant in this new era of college hoops. NIL, marketing, and faith in the coaching staff to protect those interests are likely to plan a bigger role.
 
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cjbfbp said:
You bring up an interesting question here. Do most like Ben or not? A fundamentally related question is "Why should anyone care about the answer to that question?"

I will volunteer that I neither like nor dislike Ben Johnson. Personally, I think the assumption that we're supposed to "like" new coaches from the get go is ridiculous. Coaches aren't hired and paid big money to be my hero or object of affection. They're hired to perform in a very tough job.

I don't tune into an athletic competition to watch coaches. I don't tune into coaches' television shows to listen to them talk. I don't care much about what they say. I only care about the product they put on the floor. I can grow to like or dislike a coach over time based on the cumulative performances of that coach's teams. Sure, a coach's personality and temperament matter to a degree but most coaches aren't egregiously offensive in their manners.

I like Fleck because he's earned that appreciation. Ben Johnson hasn't earned that kind of appreciation yet but he hasn't earned scorn either.
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At the end of the day, you are correct that wins are how a coach is judged. But all other things equal, I will root for a nice guy versus an SOB every time.

Listening to a coach speak provides a glimpse into their philosophy... about basketball and life. I am in the minority here but I still believe that a coach also has a responsibility to help these young athletes navigate the challenge of growing to adulthood and being solid members of the community.

Fleck has been much more successful as a life coach than an in game coach. However, his reputation as a life coach has gotten him in the front door of many families who want their sons to grow up to be men. Johnson has a reputation for being a caring guy and building relationships and I am sure that many recruits and their families will be more apt to sign on the dotted line because of it.
 

VolitileGopher said:
When I was in high school, this question would have been utterly irrelevant (cf. Bob Knight). In 2022, I think it is an absolutely essential question. This new generation of high school graduates, have been raised in a world where they have been exposed to a host of different leadership styles. Johnson's "likeability" is absolutely an important question to ask. You might say "Johnson is your coach, not your best friend" and think the argument has been won. But, you'd be old school dead wrong. A coach can and absolutely should not only be a teacher, but also an advocate for each one of his student athletes. Both require trust on and off the court. As a former student athlete and a relatively young one at that, I think Johnson checks some important boxes for potential recruits. Coach K retired. Jay Wright retired. Gregg Marshall forced to resign. Reputation and style are going to be less relevant in this new era of college hoops. NIL, marketing, and faith in the coaching staff to protect those interests are likely to plan a bigger role.
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Well, you're probably right when it comes to recruits but I'm not a recruit. I'm just a fan.
 

MNVCGUY said:
Pretty clear Burner is one of those people who is only happy when he has something to complain about and his primary goal is just to get a rise out of people.

He is very Reusse like in that way. Probably isn't the complete jerk he comes across as but it is his schtick and he is very committed to the bit. :)
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MNV, you are spot on. Barny is OK as long as you understand his little game of juvenile agitation. I actually enjoy him.
 

cjbfbp said:
You bring up an interesting question here. Do most like Ben or not? A fundamentally related question is "Why should anyone care about the answer to that question?"

I will volunteer that I neither like nor dislike Ben Johnson. Personally, I think the assumption that we're supposed to "like" new coaches from the get go is ridiculous. Coaches aren't hired and paid big money to be my hero or object of affection. They're hired to perform in a very tough job.

I don't tune into an athletic competition to watch coaches. I don't tune into coaches' television shows to listen to them talk. I don't care much about what they say. I only care about the product they put on the floor. I can grow to like or dislike a coach over time based on the cumulative performances of that coach's teams. Sure, a coach's personality and temperament matter to a degree but most coaches aren't egregiously offensive in their manners.

I like Fleck because he's earned that appreciation. Ben Johnson hasn't earned that kind of appreciation yet but he hasn't earned scorn either.
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Very fair, especially the last part.
 

cjbfbp said:
You bring up an interesting question here. Do most like Ben or not? A fundamentally related question is "Why should anyone care about the answer to that question?"

I will volunteer that I neither like nor dislike Ben Johnson. Personally, I think the assumption that we're supposed to "like" new coaches from the get go is ridiculous. Coaches aren't hired and paid big money to be my hero or object of affection. They're hired to perform in a very tough job.

I don't tune into an athletic competition to watch coaches. I don't tune into coaches' television shows to listen to them talk. I don't care much about what they say. I only care about the product they put on the floor. I can grow to like or dislike a coach over time based on the cumulative performances of that coach's teams. Sure, a coach's personality and temperament matter to a degree but most coaches aren't egregiously offensive in their manners.

I like Fleck because he's earned that appreciation. Ben Johnson hasn't earned that kind of appreciation yet but he hasn't earned scorn either.
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Don't disagree with your take except I do think Ben has earned some respect already. He has already met the toughest test any coach would ever be faced with and done well so far. The rebuild of a decimated program is still a mighty long road so he has to keep earning respect. So far so good.
 

cjbfbp said:
You bring up an interesting question here. Do most like Ben or not? A fundamentally related question is "Why should anyone care about the answer to that question?"

I will volunteer that I neither like nor dislike Ben Johnson. Personally, I think the assumption that we're supposed to "like" new coaches from the get go is ridiculous. Coaches aren't hired and paid big money to be my hero or object of affection. They're hired to perform in a very tough job.

I don't tune into an athletic competition to watch coaches. I don't tune into coaches' television shows to listen to them talk. I don't care much about what they say. I only care about the product they put on the floor. I can grow to like or dislike a coach over time based on the cumulative performances of that coach's teams. Sure, a coach's personality and temperament matter to a degree but most coaches aren't egregiously offensive in their manners.

I like Fleck because he's earned that appreciation. Ben Johnson hasn't earned that kind of appreciation yet but he hasn't earned scorn either.
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You're the exception. Most people want to "like" the public figures connected to that which they are interested, including coaches of the teams they follow.

In real life, the uber competent can also be poison in the office because people don't "like" them. Likeability isn't everything, and maybe not most important, but it is a real factor in most environments, including building a college basketball program from the ground up.
 

ethomasp31 said:
I don't want to go back to an old thread....but I don't think there were very many people on this board who thought we would get to a win number in the teens. I was seeing more 0-2 B1G wins than 4-5. Regardless of the win total (I actually thought they would win 5-6 B1G games), they were more competitive than almost everyone on this board thought they would be....and they were a fun team to watch. Besides that, next years team will be much better than last years team and this coaching staff actually targets and recruits Minnesota players.
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Last place.
 

Dakota2 said:
Don't disagree with your take except I do think Ben has earned some respect already. He has already met the toughest test any coach would ever be faced with and done well so far. The rebuild of a decimated program is still a mighty long road so he has to keep earning respect. So far so good.
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Stop repeating this nonsense because it's not true. There were only 2 players in the portal when Ben was hired. The decimation and rebuild to a last place team was his own choice, and one of the main reason's he hasn't earned my respect.

You're acting like the Gophers were coming off of a scandal or something, which they weren't. Ben inherited what most other first year head coaches inherited last season. This team could have, and should have been better.
 
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GopherWeatherGuy said:
Stop repeating this nonsense because it's not true. There were only 2 players in the portal when Ben was hired. The decimation and rebuild to a last place team was his own choice, and one of the main reason's he hasn't earned my respect.

You're acting like the Gophers were coming off of a scandal or something, which they weren't. Ben inherited what most other first year head coaches inherited last season. This team could have, and should have been better.
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The decimation was not his own choice. No one wanted to stay with Ben from the previous regime. He rebuilt the entire team based on the handful of recruits who were willing to take a chance on a first-time, no-name head coach.

Ben didn't pout or make excuses... he rolled up his sleeves and simultaneously hired a coaching staff, recruited the portal, and began recruiting the 22s. He then led his team (down 2 likely starters due to season-ending injuries) to an undefeated non conference record and, despite not coming up with a lot of Ws, took the remaining group of odds and ends into arenas across the B1G and did not look completely out of place.

Most new head coaches did not face anywhere near this type of adversity last season. Most head coaches bring at least some members from their previous staff with them. Ben was like a one-man show for the better part of 2 months yet still fielded a competitive team... this earned my respect.
 

GopherWeatherGuy said:
Stop repeating this nonsense because it's not true. There were only 2 players in the portal when Ben was hired. The decimation and rebuild to a last place team was his own choice, and one of the main reason's he hasn't earned my respect.

You're acting like the Gophers were coming off of a scandal or something, which they weren't. Ben inherited what most other first year head coaches inherited last season. This team could have, and should have been better.
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If Ben is anything like me he is not bothered in the slightest about your respect.
 


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