2022 Transfer Portal Discussion




They're only at 10 scholarship players right now, right? So would think they really need to add at least one more at a minimum.
I am only getting to 9.
Ihnen, Fox, Payne, Battle, Joseph, Thompson, Carrington, Henley, Cooper

If they get one more and then give one to Ramberg for the year- they would be a 11. It feels like self imposed probation to leave these scholarships open but, I guess they have a plan and it must include staying healthy.
 

I am only getting to 9.
Ihnen, Fox, Payne, Battle, Joseph, Thompson, Carrington, Henley, Cooper

If they get one more and then give one to Ramberg for the year- they would be a 11. It feels like self imposed probation to leave these scholarships open but, I guess they have a plan and it must include staying healthy.
Garcia...
 


I am only getting to 9.
Ihnen, Fox, Payne, Battle, Joseph, Thompson, Carrington, Henley, Cooper

If they get one more and then give one to Ramberg for the year- they would be a 11. It feels like self imposed probation to leave these scholarships open but, I guess they have a plan and it must include staying healthy.
Garcia
 

I am only getting to 9.
Ihnen, Fox, Payne, Battle, Joseph, Thompson, Carrington, Henley, Cooper

If they get one more and then give one to Ramberg for the year- they would be a 11. It feels like self imposed probation to leave these scholarships open but, I guess they have a plan and it must include staying healthy.
You might be missing a kind of big one in your list..... :)

Garcia would be 10, Ramberg getting a scholarship would make 11.
 


At this point I’m not adverse to adding Samuels and Watkins. Can Cooper and one of those two play at the same time? Im thinking yes. But, really thinking it’s one or the other.
 



I just have an issue with this. We have 3 open right now, this isnt like hey are are Duke and stacked with 7 McD AA and 4 other guys if we don't fill two spots meh whatever. We have 3 open spots and the coach in May says nah we're good, maybe add a guy I guess. Again, I get it, we arent going to get 5 Garcia's in the portal, I am fine with that, and I know everyone has their reasons, but we are still a big 10 school, we cant manage to get even say 2 more guys who can at least contribute something??? This is how you end up playing 5 guys 40 minutes in a tournament game.

To me you need should at least be able to find specialists for those 2 spots. A 3pt shooter, a pure pg, a shot blocking C, a lockdown defender SOMETHING. You mean we couldnt talk Doug Edert into a role on a big 10 team over going to Bryant? Daniel Akin 10p 8r per game at Cal Baptist, we can't sell him on 1 year at big 10 school to provide a veteran big? Craig Beaudion, 2 years ago at Clev St shot 40% from 3. Like I am not trying to say we should be in on Shannon, Scheierman or Kendric Davis here. These are guys down the rankings from small schools going to other small schools for part roles. This just to me leaves a bad taste in my mouth and says we tried but ohh well we didnt get it done we will just go with this.

If you are essentially rolling with 10 guys you better be REALLY REALLY confident they are almost all going to contribute. I think most of us feel TT isnt going to bring a ton, JOJ sounds like a big project so not much, then you are down to 8, 3 freshman that hope do well but honestly they are tough to know for sure, then Fox/II who we all hope bust out from injury but we've seen with Curry, injuries can be tough. Add to that we have only 3 G on the roster (well unless people think II is now somehow a SG!??!) with 2 of them being freshman. This all sounds like 1 injury or disappointing player away from a team with 4 guys in the top 10 in minutes again.... Sorry if people think this is just pessimism, its not, its more disappointment/concern.
 

I just have an issue with this. We have 3 open right now, this isnt like hey are are Duke and stacked with 7 McD AA and 4 other guys if we don't fill two spots meh whatever. We have 3 open spots and the coach in May says nah we're good, maybe add a guy I guess. Again, I get it, we arent going to get 5 Garcia's in the portal, I am fine with that, and I know everyone has their reasons, but we are still a big 10 school, we cant manage to get even say 2 more guys who can at least contribute something??? This is how you end up playing 5 guys 40 minutes in a tournament game.

To me you need should at least be able to find specialists for those 2 spots. A 3pt shooter, a pure pg, a shot blocking C, a lockdown defender SOMETHING. You mean we couldnt talk Doug Edert into a role on a big 10 team over going to Bryant? Daniel Akin 10p 8r per game at Cal Baptist, we can't sell him on 1 year at big 10 school to provide a veteran big? Craig Beaudion, 2 years ago at Clev St shot 40% from 3. Like I am not trying to say we should be in on Shannon, Scheierman or Kendric Davis here. These are guys down the rankings from small schools going to other small schools for part roles. This just to me leaves a bad taste in my mouth and says we tried but ohh well we didnt get it done we will just go with this.

If you are essentially rolling with 10 guys you better be REALLY REALLY confident they are almost all going to contribute. I think most of us feel TT isnt going to bring a ton, JOJ sounds like a big project so not much, then you are down to 8, 3 freshman that hope do well but honestly they are tough to know for sure, then Fox/II who we all hope bust out from injury but we've seen with Curry, injuries can be tough. Add to that we have only 3 G on the roster (well unless people think II is now somehow a SG!??!) with 2 of them being freshman. This all sounds like 1 injury or disappointing player away from a team with 4 guys in the top 10 in minutes again.... Sorry if people think this is just pessimism, its not, its more disappointment/concern.
I wish Greder would have asked Johnson a follow up question to better understand his thought process on scholarships. It would seem that extra schollies could be put to good use for a 'development' program on either a long-term project or a specialist like you say.

Is this Johnson's short-term philosophy during the first couple of years or is this a long-term preference to manage player expectations?

Someone needs to ask the follow up questions!
 

I just have an issue with this. We have 3 open right now, this isnt like hey are are Duke and stacked with 7 McD AA and 4 other guys if we don't fill two spots meh whatever. We have 3 open spots and the coach in May says nah we're good, maybe add a guy I guess. Again, I get it, we arent going to get 5 Garcia's in the portal, I am fine with that, and I know everyone has their reasons, but we are still a big 10 school, we cant manage to get even say 2 more guys who can at least contribute something??? This is how you end up playing 5 guys 40 minutes in a tournament game.

To me you need should at least be able to find specialists for those 2 spots. A 3pt shooter, a pure pg, a shot blocking C, a lockdown defender SOMETHING. You mean we couldnt talk Doug Edert into a role on a big 10 team over going to Bryant? Daniel Akin 10p 8r per game at Cal Baptist, we can't sell him on 1 year at big 10 school to provide a veteran big? Craig Beaudion, 2 years ago at Clev St shot 40% from 3. Like I am not trying to say we should be in on Shannon, Scheierman or Kendric Davis here. These are guys down the rankings from small schools going to other small schools for part roles. This just to me leaves a bad taste in my mouth and says we tried but ohh well we didnt get it done we will just go with this.

If you are essentially rolling with 10 guys you better be REALLY REALLY confident they are almost all going to contribute. I think most of us feel TT isnt going to bring a ton, JOJ sounds like a big project so not much, then you are down to 8, 3 freshman that hope do well but honestly they are tough to know for sure, then Fox/II who we all hope bust out from injury but we've seen with Curry, injuries can be tough. Add to that we have only 3 G on the roster (well unless people think II is now somehow a SG!??!) with 2 of them being freshman. This all sounds like 1 injury or disappointing player away from a team with 4 guys in the top 10 in minutes again.... Sorry if people think this is just pessimism, its not, its more disappointment/concern.
How many guys do you think we will play? We recruited 4 freshmen and I expect at least 3 to get decent minutes. We have Fox, Garcia, Battle, Ihnen, Thompson & Cooper who will get minutes. Where are the minutes for these other guys are going to come from? If you bench the some of the fresh then we will complain about them being in the portal next year
 

I wish Greder would have asked Johnson a follow up question to better understand his thought process on scholarships. It would seem that extra schollies could be put to good use for a 'development' program on either a long-term project or a specialist like you say.

Is this Johnson's short-term philosophy during the first couple of years or is this a long-term preference to manage player expectations?

Someone needs to ask the follow up questions!
Long term projects was one of the biggest complaints about Pitino
 



I wish Greder would have asked Johnson a follow up question to better understand his thought process on scholarships. It would seem that extra schollies could be put to good use for a 'development' program on either a long-term project or a specialist like you say.

Is this Johnson's short-term philosophy during the first couple of years or is this a long-term preference to manage player expectations?

Someone needs to ask the follow up questions!
Exactly right. How many years will we go with less than 13 scholarships in order to make sure everyone gets playing time? I hope this is the last of that.
 

How many guys do you think we will play? We recruited 4 freshmen and I expect at least 3 to get decent minutes. We have Fox, Garcia, Battle, Ihnen, Thompson & Cooper who will get minutes. Where are the minutes for these other guys are going to come from? If you bench the some of the fresh then we will complain about them being in the portal next year
Just a quick guess on what would be logical
PG Cooper 30 min 10 min open
SG
SF Battle 32 min Ihnen 8
PF/C Garcia 32 min Fox 24 Ihnen 12 Payne 12

That to me seems close-ish. That means we have 50 minutes open at PG/SG. That to me is a HUGE gamble on two freshman, who again might be very good but arent nba bound super stars in year 1. We can hope they are good but no one really knows. I would hope one of these two PG options can come in and fill that 10min a game backup role where its not a total disaster when Cooper is out (or heck if Cooper isnt good!) Again, to me an Edert would have been nice. Hey you are the 7th man, if you get hot you get 24 min tonight the freshman under 20. maybe next game he is off and one of the freshman is hot, great play them a few extra minutes. I just want options in case it doesnt go 100% to plan. Right now just imagine if Cooper got hurt, we would be royally screwed. Or imagine Carrington/Henley arent ready. SF/PF/C I have no real concerns, we have some depth and talent. but the G spots looks precarious.

As far as "dont leave a scholarship open take a project!" Those are tough in todays climate. You almost assuredly end up with a Diedhou who is worthless but takes up a spot for 4 years, Thiam who wasnt good and leaves after a year or a guy who thinks he is good and leaves because he didnt play. I understand not doing that, but I just think there are so many options for a 1 or 2 year player who can do SOMETHING it feels foolish to not use your full arsenal of scholarships in our position.
 

Thompson Sophomore (Stretch 4)
Payne Freshman (Post)
Fox Junior (Post)
Garcia Sophomore w/COVID(Stretch 4) probably only staying 2 more years
Ihnen Junior (Stretch 4/Wing)
Battle Junior/with COVID (Small ball 4 and Wing). I think he will stay 2 more years
Cooper Junior/with COVID (PG)
Henley Freshman (Wing)
Carrington Freshman (Combo Guard)
JOJ Freshman (Small ball 4 and Wing)

That is 10 players that in theory would all be coming back next year. I believe Coach Johnson wants at least 3 scholarships for Freshmen and at least 1 transfer.

In his perfect world, he would get a 5th year senior back up PG and a stud shooting guard/wing to complete this year's team. The great thing about 5th year players eligibilty wise is that having them would not affect the amount of scholarships Coach Johnson would have for 2023. If a very good shooting guard/combo guard (Jones, Walton, etc.)who has 2 or more years of eligibility wants to come here, I doubt they would turn him away. In lieu of that, I see the Gophers taking either Samuels or Watkins (5th year backup PGS) and if they can find a 1 year wing (ala Stephens or Loewe), that will be it. If they cannot find a 1 year guard, they will role with Carrington and Henley.
I would think for the 2023 recruiting class, they want a HS PG (Chatman) and an athletic/ and or highly skilled HS wing (Maybe Winter or someone else). I would imagine they would leave 1 spot for the transfer portal. There will be at least 4 openings for 2024.
 

I just have an issue with this. We have 3 open right now, this isnt like hey are are Duke and stacked with 7 McD AA and 4 other guys if we don't fill two spots meh whatever. We have 3 open spots and the coach in May says nah we're good, maybe add a guy I guess. Again, I get it, we arent going to get 5 Garcia's in the portal, I am fine with that, and I know everyone has their reasons, but we are still a big 10 school, we cant manage to get even say 2 more guys who can at least contribute something??? This is how you end up playing 5 guys 40 minutes in a tournament game.

To me you need should at least be able to find specialists for those 2 spots. A 3pt shooter, a pure pg, a shot blocking C, a lockdown defender SOMETHING. You mean we couldnt talk Doug Edert into a role on a big 10 team over going to Bryant? Daniel Akin 10p 8r per game at Cal Baptist, we can't sell him on 1 year at big 10 school to provide a veteran big? Craig Beaudion, 2 years ago at Clev St shot 40% from 3. Like I am not trying to say we should be in on Shannon, Scheierman or Kendric Davis here. These are guys down the rankings from small schools going to other small schools for part roles. This just to me leaves a bad taste in my mouth and says we tried but ohh well we didnt get it done we will just go with this.

If you are essentially rolling with 10 guys you better be REALLY REALLY confident they are almost all going to contribute. I think most of us feel TT isnt going to bring a ton, JOJ sounds like a big project so not much, then you are down to 8, 3 freshman that hope do well but honestly they are tough to know for sure, then Fox/II who we all hope bust out from injury but we've seen with Curry, injuries can be tough. Add to that we have only 3 G on the roster (well unless people think II is now somehow a SG!??!) with 2 of them being freshman. This all sounds like 1 injury or disappointing player away from a team with 4 guys in the top 10 in minutes again.... Sorry if people think this is just pessimism, its not, its more disappointment/concern.
How many programs do you think fill all 13 scholarships without giving 12-13 to walk ons? This isn’t a new concept and it’s more the norm for the last 5 years. Guys don’t want to come here and be number 12-13. Guys that are willing too get ripped on for being “wastes”. Remember Gas and Michael Hurt?
 




Ramberg must be on scholarship. Wonder if they'll try to add a player like Zeigler late in the summer. He would have really helped the team last year.
 

Why do you think these kids won't graduate college?
Most schools require a minimum number of credits to be completed at that university. Maybe you went to Baylor for 3 years, you are now 30 credits from a degree, but that changes once you leave. Now you have to fulfill degree requirements, plus a minimum number of credits at the new university in order to graduate (usually 40 + which is more than a full academic year) with a degree from your new university.
 

Just a quick guess on what would be logical
PG Cooper 30 min 10 min open
SG
SF Battle 32 min Ihnen 8
PF/C Garcia 32 min Fox 24 Ihnen 12 Payne 12

That to me seems close-ish. That means we have 50 minutes open at PG/SG. That to me is a HUGE gamble on two freshman, who again might be very good but arent nba bound super stars in year 1. We can hope they are good but no one really knows. I would hope one of these two PG options can come in and fill that 10min a game backup role where its not a total disaster when Cooper is out (or heck if Cooper isnt good!) Again, to me an Edert would have been nice. Hey you are the 7th man, if you get hot you get 24 min tonight the freshman under 20. maybe next game he is off and one of the freshman is hot, great play them a few extra minutes. I just want options in case it doesnt go 100% to plan. Right now just imagine if Cooper got hurt, we would be royally screwed. Or imagine Carrington/Henley arent ready. SF/PF/C I have no real concerns, we have some depth and talent. but the G spots looks precarious.

As far as "dont leave a scholarship open take a project!" Those are tough in todays climate. You almost assuredly end up with a Diedhou who is worthless but takes up a spot for 4 years, Thiam who wasnt good and leaves after a year or a guy who thinks he is good and leaves because he didnt play. I understand not doing that, but I just think there are so many options for a 1 or 2 year player who can do SOMETHING it feels foolish to not use your full arsenal of scholarships in our position.
I just want to know how many teams in college hoops play 12 guys? The SG minutes will go to the combo guard that we bring in and the freshmen. It would not be in our best interest to add in guys who think they are impact players are want a larger role. That will affect the chemistry and hurt the development of the freshmen wings. There isn't anyone who will push us over the top. Teams have been banking 1 or 2 scholarships and giving to walk-ons for years. It gives recruiting flexibility.
 

Most schools require a minimum number of credits to be completed at that university. Maybe you went to Baylor for 3 years, you are now 30 credits from a degree, but that changes once you leave. Now you have to fulfill degree requirements, plus a minimum number of credits at the new university in order to graduate (usually 40 + which is more than a full academic year) with a degree from your new university.
They also have to fulfill eligibility requirements that will keep them in that ballpark.
 

Long term projects was one of the biggest complaints about Pitino
Exactly! College basketball isn't about kids staying on scholarship anymore. It's about a 2-3 year investment, then transferring. Mid majors are the new minor leagues for the Power 5 conferences.

Sure, would be nice to have another shooter here, but realistically there's only so many minutes to go around.
 


I just want to know how many teams in college hoops play 12 guys? The SG minutes will go to the combo guard that we bring in and the freshmen. It would not be in our best interest to add in guys who think they are impact players are want a larger role. That will affect the chemistry and hurt the development of the freshmen wings. There isn't anyone who will push us over the top. Teams have been banking 1 or 2 scholarships and giving to walk-ons for years. It gives recruiting flexibility.
I think you are missing the point, my concern is depth and having to push guys to 35+ min a game and while having 0 depth. For example, stars like Murray, TJD, Ivey, Kofi played around 31 min a game, Willis/Battle were up around 36-37 a night. I want to be able to put guys in for those 5-10 min a game and not get destroyed. Or gasp an injury might happen and I would like to not be DOA. How many people said "well you can't blame Ben for injuries in year 1" Well sure that is bad luck, but if you have a team with only 10 scholarship players and only 3 guards, if 2 go down its harder to feel bad for you. Thats just poor roster management. I dont expect to get 12 guys and play them all 20 minutes a night, but I dont want to look and the bench and go well as the 14 seed the only shot we have to win this game against Penn St is to play all 5 guys 40 minutes! And some of that depth can slowly fade as the season goes, I would expect at full strength in the Big 10 tournament you trim your bench minutes a little, thats fine, but in a full season you need depth and guys capable of doing SOMETHING.
 

I think you are missing the point, my concern is depth and having to push guys to 35+ min a game and while having 0 depth. For example, stars like Murray, TJD, Ivey, Kofi played around 31 min a game, Willis/Battle were up around 36-37 a night. I want to be able to put guys in for those 5-10 min a game and not get destroyed. Or gasp an injury might happen and I would like to not be DOA. How many people said "well you can't blame Ben for injuries in year 1" Well sure that is bad luck, but if you have a team with only 10 scholarship players and only 3 guards, if 2 go down its harder to feel bad for you. Thats just poor roster management. I dont expect to get 12 guys and play them all 20 minutes a night, but I dont want to look and the bench and go well as the 14 seed the only shot we have to win this game against Penn St is to play all 5 guys 40 minutes! And some of that depth can slowly fade as the season goes, I would expect at full strength in the Big 10 tournament you trim your bench minutes a little, thats fine, but in a full season you need depth and guys capable of doing SOMETHING.
How do you keep those 12 all happy? Arkansas will be a fascinating case study this year.
 


Looks like it comes down to whose Tweet you trust most....Greder or Fuller.

Greder - Open to adding a combo guard, won't use all scholarships
Fuller - Likely only using 1 of 2 remaining scholarships to add a combo guard

Greder's is worded in a way that is concerning, Fuller's makes a ton of sense.

Add one more guard from the portal and put Ramberg on Scholarship leaving the final scholarship open for a late add if needed or bank it for next year. If Samuels commits I can see Johnson feeling pretty set with the roster as is heading into 22-23.

Backcourt - Cooper, Samuels, Carrington, Henley, Ramberg
Frontcourt - Garcia, Battle, Fox, Thompson, Payne, Ihnen
Redshirt - Ola-Joseph (maybe Thompson)
 

Johnson's Press Conference yesterday talked specifically about how he will allocate the scholarships and the philosophy behind not using every one. (7:25 in video). He wants "to see guys improve and grow and the best way to that is through playing time." "Transfers have to be the right ones that work." "Don't want to hinder any young kids that we really like and stunt their growth." "They can help us this year and obviously in years to come if they can get that experience."

Ben used a 'bird in hand' philosophy early in the transfer portal because there are so many variables and didn't want to be stuck if something fell through. They cast a broad net for guys that they like and feel like they are in pretty good shape if they can get a couple of recruits.

Feels pretty good at this point. Looking to add depth and maybe a combo piece. Really likes roster.
 
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