Sara Scalia enters the transfer portal

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gmarx said:
Kadi Sissoko improved, but still inconsistent. Powell and Pitts also improved, but were they team players? It takes a team so let them go and let's build a team! It's easy to blame the coaches but the ease of the transfer portal goes against team loyalty and let's not forgot the dollars College stars can make now. Paige is the highest dollar star both male/female is that not what we read? Is Sara and family thinking about that.....you betcha ya.
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Lame. Scalia’s are thinking about $$? Come on Mr. Whalen
 


Ignatius L Hoops said:
I don't believe there was some Pitts-Powell-Bello-Scalia axis of evil that pushed this team to the depths of the Big Ten. I think it was plain and simple...coaching. Anyway, we now follow four years with another fresh start. I'm guessing next season is make or break for Whalen. Five years provides evidence enough.
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I don't think the team was pushed to "depths of the Big Ten." They finished tied for 9th and 2-6 games better than the bottom four teams. They finished about in their historical position in the 20 years of being in the Big Ten. They also made the post season, one won game, and lost to a great team who is in the finals of the WNIT.

Now, I think it is highly likely that they may hit the depths of the Big Ten next year. They, need their highly-touted freshmen to make a huge impact, which is a really 'tall' order. And, they need to recruit a couple of transfer players who make an equally huge impact and provide leadership and stability, which is another tall order. And, they need some solid reserves. This is a difficult task, but I don't think we should give up now. When Powell left, some people thought the team would fold. They actually played some good basketball after that. Maybe, the chemistry on the team will be better next year with all new players and provide better results.
 

walleye said:
This is a difficult task, but I don't think we should give up now. When Powell left, some people thought the team would fold. They actually played some good basketball after that. Maybe, the chemistry on the team will be better next year with all new players and provide better results.
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One step back... two steps forward? Let's hope a fresh start is good for all. If Micheaux transfers, I will wave the white flag!
 


walleye said:
I don't think the team was pushed to "depths of the Big Ten." They finished tied for 9th and 2-6 games better than the bottom four teams. They finished about in their historical position in the 20 years of being in the Big Ten. They also made the post season, one won game, and lost to a great team who is in the finals of the WNIT.

Now, I think it is highly likely that they may hit the depths of the Big Ten next year. They, need their highly-touted freshmen to make a huge impact, which is a really 'tall' order. And, they need to recruit a couple of transfer players who make an equally huge impact and provide leadership and stability, which is another tall order. And, they need some solid reserves. This is a difficult task, but I don't think we should give up now. When Powell left, some people thought the team would fold. They actually played some good basketball after that. Maybe, the chemistry on the team will be better next year with all new players and provide better results.
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Yes, "depths" was a bit much. Illinois, Wisconsin, Rutgers and Penn State were truly terrible teams.

But, Whalen took over a team coming off an NCAA appearance and returning a talented nucleus. Instead of building on that, we've continued to slide further and further away from the big dance.

I thought we would finish 9-9 in the B1G this season; but we struggled to get 7 wins. More important, we are currently dangerously close to wiping the slate clean of players and starting over. I didn't expect to be trying to elbow the B1G bottom feeders aside to get to 9th. Illinois, Wisconsin, Penn State, Purdue and Rutgers (sort of) have all changed coaches since Lindsay arrived. If you're Whalen, that's not a comfortable neighborhood in which to reside. And I'm doubting whether she has a map to a better future.
 

ecoperson said:
One step back... two steps forward? Let's hope a fresh start is good for all. If Micheaux transfers, I will wave the white
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MOGopher said:
"Peter Scalia said there were times when Sara, well-known for her work ethic in the gym, was looking for teammates with the same commitment."

We discovered the underlying issue. Sara was more committed to winning than her teammates.
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Talk about throwing teammates under the bus. Woah!
 

Ignatius L Hoops said:
Yes, "depths" was a bit much. Illinois, Wisconsin, Rutgers and Penn State were truly terrible teams.

But, Whalen took over a team coming off an NCAA appearance and returning a talented nucleus. Instead of building on that, we've continued to slide further and further away from the big dance.

I thought we would finish 9-9 in the B1G this season; but we struggled to get 7 wins. More important, we are currently dangerously close to wiping the slate clean of players and starting over. I didn't expect to be trying to elbow the B1G bottom feeders aside to get to 9th. Illinois, Wisconsin, Penn State, Purdue and Rutgers (sort of) have all changed coaches since Lindsay arrived. If you're Whalen, that's not a comfortable neighborhood in which to reside. And I'm doubting whether she has a map to a better future.
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I wasn’t impressed with her nucleus coming in, just because they had the one Bello in post but were undersized team and still had problems inside offensively and defensively.

I too was very very disappointed in this team this year. I expected similar record as you. I too definitely have doubts that have crept in but I still think there is hope and think Whalen can can do it but she will really have to make good decisions with this reset next year because she won’t have another 4 years without solid evidence of improving the program.
 

Wow. Another kick in the gut. This one really hurts but you always wish the players the best on their next move. Hopefully the incoming group of freshmen players do not get cold feet. See what we can get in the transfer portal if we get anyone. If not, we strap up with the players we have and go from there.
 



I’m not saying that Whalen has proven to be a good coach. But you need to separate the transfer issue from the coaching issue. Look at the transfer portal list - there are a couple dozen schools that have between five and eight girls transferring this year. Quite a few are power fives, and several were even in the NCAA tournament. There are teams that were considered successful this year, but their players, for whatever reason, think they deserve more. More wins. More court time. More “focus on me”. Some of it is because of Covid, as there are not enough spots left for all of the players. We are in a period of necessary contraction this year, as teams absorb the Covid year players along with their incoming freshmen. Tack on the fact that players don’t have to wait a redshirt year anymore for their first transfer, and this is what we’re going to be seeing for a while. The high school recruiting process is very stressful and can be a lot to handle, especially if parents have never gone through it and don’t know what questions to ask, or from whom. The one-free-transfer rule all has given these players a do over, a reset button.
 

What if inept coaching is causing the transfer issues?

No one knows if the players transferred because of Whalen. The only known fact to date is that Whalen has not been a good coach.

She was on KFAN Tuesday with Charchian and pretty much acknowledged that fact. Ironically she praised Scalia and the next day Scalia entered the portal.
 

Roland Brooks said:
What if inept coaching is causing the transfer issues?
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immature player? In general I don’t think young adults make the wisest decisions. In actuality, it usually takes 2 to tango.
Roland Brooks said:
No one knows if the players transferred because of Whalen.
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According to Scalia’s father she isn’t leaving because of her relationship with Whalen, so take that for what it is worth. But!!! she wants to win now and she is probably not confident that can happen with the loss of players and recent sub 500 record. Whalen is head coach so record and loss of players is her fault.

I’ll speculate on the others:
Hedman: Rode the bench hard so probably lack of playing time is an issue, that can make a player mad at the coach. So Whalen is the reason.

Sconiers: Rode the bench hard this year compared to last year so probably lack of playing time is an issue, that can make a player mad at the coach. So Whalen is the reason.

Strande: Rode the bench hard so probably lack of playing time is an issue, that can make a player mad at the coach. So Whalen is the reason

Smith: Someone who follows instagram has noted some family troubles on her instagram so I will go with that for the reason or in combination with losing some of her buddies to transfer. I’ll say 50% Whalen then.

Powell: She left mid year, I don’t see that happening unless major rift with head coach. Whalen!

Sissoko: Gaardsy alluded to her being 24 on B2B on Thursday, and that being a reason. I will conclude then that her clock is ticking similar to Scalia and she hoped to find a tournament team to join or go play professionally in Europe. I think the later is foolish at this time, so I will go with the former. Whalen again!

total of 6.5 players gone because of Whalen.

I think almost all of us can agree that few would be worried if it was just Hedman, Strande, Sconiers and Smith leaving even though some of them may have potential and/or are good depth players. This is likely because all have a good chance of being replaced by someone with similar or better “value”. People are likely only alarmed by the loss of Powell, Scalia and Sissoko but the loss of others doesn’t help.



Roland Brooks said:
The only known fact to date is that Whalen has not been a good coach.
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Where do we find this fact? Ok, ok I’ll go with this as a fact as she has been objectively, at best, a mediocre to decent coach based on winning percentage/RPI/NET rankings.
Roland Brooks said:
She was on KFAN Tuesday with Charchian and pretty much acknowledged that fact. Ironically she praised Scalia and the next day Scalia entered the portal.
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Yes, heard this discussion. I was alarmed at how little research Charchian had done before interviewing Lindsey. Disappointing interview in the sense that more time was spent catching him up on the team and not breaking new ground. Whalen did make it clear that she felt Scalia was most improved on the team.


I have to ask myself, when you and others say players are leaving “because of Whalen”. Is that a reference to some unfairness, mistreatment or even abuse by Whay? Or is it a reference to the reasons i say 6.5 players are leaving because of Whalen above? If it is the later, I have no argument. If it is the prior, I disagree vehemently, based on my observations of players and Whalen’s interactions with players at all home games (we are season ticket holders) and all broadcast games on B1G+ or otherwise.
 




In my opinion, for whatever it’s worth, Sara should have waited for the elite four to come in. It’s much too easy to just leave. No matter where she goes not many players are going to have the work ethic that she has, but maybe the ones coming in do!!
 

Sara's father cited the "maybes" in his "clock is ticking" comment. Too many maybes for too many years encourages you to look elsewhere.
 

samloupete said:
In my opinion, for whatever it’s worth, Sara should have waited for the elite four to come in. It’s much too easy to just leave. No matter where she goes not many players are going to have the work ethic that she has, but maybe the ones coming in do!!
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Let's hold off on the 'elite'. I've seen them all play and each one has a lot to work on to make any immediate impact in college basketball. Perhaps a few years for some.
 

Bunyan said:
Let's hold off on the 'elite'. I've seen them all play and each one has a lot to work on to make any immediate impact in college basketball. Perhaps a few years for some.
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You have?

Curious what each one needs to work on? Didn't a MN freshman just win Pac-12 FRESHMAN of the year at Utah? Along with another MN Freshman making huge impact for Utah in Johnson and Kneepkens. Each of the four or at the very least three of the four were more prepared and well rounded than those two were coming out of High School so curious what you feel they need to work on.
 
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bball_craz_26 said:
You have?

Curious what each one needs to work on? Didn't a MN freshman just win Pac-12 player of the year at Utah? Along with another MN Freshman making huge impact for Utah in Johnson and Kneepkens. Each of the four or at the very least three of the four were more prepared and well rounded than those two were coming out of High School so curious what you feel they need to work on.
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No to MN freshman winning Pac-12 player of the year. That would be Haley Jones (Stanford, Coaches vote). Kneepkens (Utah) received Freshman of the Year (Coaches vote). Media voting had Cameron Brink (Stanford) as Player of the Year and Jada Curry (California) as Freshman of the Year.
 

Freshman of the year is what I meant. but still a MN freshman. Not sure how the four players the gophers get everyone act like they are 2-star players who will be nothing by projects.

If they decided to go elsewhere this entire forum would act like they missed out on four Breanna Stewarts...but they stay home... must have something wrong with their game
 


wow... interesting... I truly thought she wouldn't stay in the big ten.
 


Seems like a weird spot, Indiana is a pretty slow paced defensive minded team. She'll do well there but definitely not the fit I expected.
 

iuhoosiers.com

Indiana Adds Geary, Parrish and Scalia - Indiana University Athletics

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana women's basketball announces the additions of Alyssa Geary, Sydney Parrish and Sara Scalia to its 2022-23 roster.
iuhoosiers.com iuhoosiers.com

Moren on Scalia
"Sara is a phenomenal pickup for us. She is one of the very best 3-point shooters in the country. It is important for us that we find players that fit our culture and mesh with our team. I think we found a perfect fit with Sara. Along with her shooting, Sara can play both on and off the ball. We have had to game plan against Sara, and she was one of the toughest players to prepare for. She has unbelievable shooting range and the ability to get to the rim."
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whalenfan said:
Seems like a weird spot, Indiana is a pretty slow paced defensive minded team. She'll do well there but definitely not the fit I expected.
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agree.. she will help their 3 point shooting.. but that's about all honestly.. that team is Berger and Holmes.. guess Sara is the 3rd option?
 


Whalen made her the face of the Gophers and she used it to increase her own value and move up
in the BIG10. Well played.
 

Roland Brooks said:
If she is the third option that team will be pretty good. Very good third option
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When we had Powell, would Sara have been considered our 2nd option? I think so, and I think Sissoko had the talent to be our first option if she developed her back to the basket game.
 


I am glad that she found a place quickly and hope it is a good fit. I thought she would land on more of a marquee team like Powell did with Tennessee. However, on a marquee team, she might get much less playing time than she is used to. Maybe, Indiana is a team that will give her a lot of playing time and be quite competitive next year with the addition of new players.
 

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