Transfer Portal thread

[Bonafanatic]

I figured I’d start this off with a little speculation on the chances that our core guys return in the order of my perceived likeliness, although 3-5 could go in almost any order:

1. Holmes — let’s face it. He had a very bad senior year. The Oklahoma game (and NIT as a whole) erased some of the smudge but he’s better than what we saw this year and frankly, he’s probably the only starter who couldn’t immediately play pro somewhere or transfer to a bigger school. He’s also a tremendous student and may want a master’s degree anyway. For better or worse, he’ll be back.

2. Welch — He was coy about his decision on the sbunfurled and friends podcast but I must’ve had 20 people at MSG tell me that Dom’s Dad had been going around saying he’ll be back. I hope he’s telling the truth.

3. Adaway — Outside the NIT, he was our most consistent scorer and on many nights our best player. I’ve heard from a few people who say he’s done with college. They’re probably speculating as much as I am with this post but I can’t blame him if it’s true. Six years would be a long time to be a college student.

4. Lofton — He’s a special player and could immediately go overseas and make a ton of money. He could also try to transfer to a bigger school to raise his profile but frankly his only glaring weakness and the one thing keeping him from taking the next step is his outside shooting. Is another year in the college system going to correct that? The one scenario where I see him coming back is if Shoon sticks around.

5. Shoon — The one guy the team needs the most is probably the least likely to stick around. If he leaves, Shoon will get a serious look in the G/D leagues and could earn a two-way contract as a defensive specialist off the bench in the NBA. The one scenario where I see him coming back is if Kyle sticks around.

 

[Bonniesmaga2020]

As has been said elsewhere, I’m all for anyone coming back that wants to. I will however say that I do not need/nor do I want to see Holmes playing 38 plus mins a game if he comes back.

 

[Community Bank 3Pt Tee]

I’m hearing the same about Dom, and I’m hearing Holmes enrolled in grad school at Bona’s.

I don’t really want to get into it all now with so many unknowns. I’ll just say this. If we return those 2 and fill out the remaining starting 5 with Quadry, LB and Coul, it ain’t gonna be a very fun season. No offense intended to any of our guys.

 

[Bonafanatic]

I’m hearing the same about Dom, and I’m hearing Holmes enrolled in grad school at Bona’s.

I don’t really want to get into it all now with so many unknowns. I’ll just say this. If we return those 2 and fill out the remaining starting 5 with Quadry, LB and Coul, it ain’t gonna be a very fun season. No offense intended to any of our guys.

I actually wouldn’t hate that. Let’s be honest, the band-aid has to come off at some point. Unless there’s a miracle and they all come back, the team will not be as good. But it’s time for a change and as bad as Holmes was this season, he’s a good leader and if we’re gonna have a bunch of turnover, I wouldn’t mind him being the one to set the example. Same with Dom who is twice the player he was his freshman year defensively.

 

[brownindians85]

I think I agree BF. I could get behind that lineup. Holmes pressed too much all season. He was 110% effort when we needed 90. Dial it back, play to your strength. And FFS, not for 38 minutes a game. If he can do that he's an asset. Dom is our only pure shooter we've seen, though they say LB is as well.

Adams is a firecracker. He is a spark, I can't wait to see him get meaningful minutes. Going to be a small lineup in this case.

The selfish fan POV says all 5 stay another year, guaranteed a bubbly existence at worst, and a team that can do damage at best. But Adaway is already old and the best player, low-pro ready, he can make money. World situation would be the only reason I'd see him back. Kyle and Shoon are the wildcards. They both need to improve. Shoon does not dominate superior bigs so he either transfers up or goes G league and faces them every game. He needs to develop offense. Staying here puts him in a conference he could dominate if he does so. Looks like a superstar, possibly drafted after 2023. And Kyle, I dont know. I just don't see NBA. Adequate pro at some point. Tbh, I could see him coaching down the road.

As you say, gotta rip the bandaid at some point. I mean, Grant Golden will be at Richmond til he's 40, but they don't grant SBU 12th year schollies. They're gone at some point.. better while Schmidt is still young (ish).

 

[sbu79]

For a myriad of reasons, I have felt for some time that I would prefer all 5 guys move on after this year. This was their year to "run it back," and we saw the results. I don't think another year in Schmidt's system would be of benefit to most of them. I would not hold it against Kyle or Osun if either transferred to another (bigger) program for further development, and Adaway should go get whatever money he can.

Having said that, I think if Jaren and Dom were to return, next season could potentially be like 2018-2019 when Courtney and LaDarian brought along a bunch of newbie players and holdovers that gelled by the end of the year. It was a long way from the Caymans to the last shot in the A10 championship game. I think the reality is that we don't know what potential this year's bench has, but it looks like Bona is active contacting guys in the portal, and don't forget, in addition to those guys, Rumpel and Evans will be available, so who knows.

A comment about Schmidt: a few years back he did a video sitdown with JP Butler on media day where he pretty much said he recruits starters and scout team members. He's never going to play more that 7 or 8 guys, but he has shown that guys that come in as Freshman and never see the floor can become the starters down the road (Dion Wright, LD, for example). So, could there be guys on the bench this year that, if they stick around, are the ones that get promoted and ultimately are the starters we love? Who knows, but I find that to be a more intriguing scenario than watching the iron man 5 2.0 running it back again.

 

[res]

I pretty much agree. I wouldn't mind two of the guys coming back to provide some transitional leadership, but it's time to move on. However rough next year might be, it greases the skids for following seasons.

 

[Community Bank 3Pt Tee]

Res, we agree 100% on 2 guys to provide leadership like in 2019 and bridge to the future.

I mentioned that specific lineup above because, I think those other 3 are fine supporting cast teammates, but i don’t see them as the core of our future. Whoever is, is who id like to see filling out a starting lineup, much like 2019. Taking their lumps and all.

 

[Bonafanatic]

For a myriad of reasons, I have felt for some time that I would prefer all 5 guys move on after this year. This was their year to "run it back," and we saw the results. I don't think another year in Schmidt's system would be of benefit to most of them. I would not hold it against Kyle or Osun if either transferred to another (bigger) program for further development, and Adaway should go get whatever money he can.

Having said that, I think if Jaren and Dom were to return, next season could potentially be like 2018-2019 when Courtney and LaDarian brought along a bunch of newbie players and holdovers that gelled by the end of the year. It was a long way from the Caymans to the last shot in the A10 championship game. I think the reality is that we don't know what potential this year's bench has, but it looks like Bona is active contacting guys in the portal, and don't forget, in addition to those guys, Rumpel and Evans will be available, so who knows.

A comment about Schmidt: a few years back he did a video sitdown with JP Butler on media day where he pretty much said he recruits starters and scout team members. He's never going to play more that 7 or 8 guys, but he has shown that guys that come in as Freshman and never see the floor can become the starters down the road (Dion Wright, LD, for example). So, could there be guys on the bench this year that, if they stick around, are the ones that get promoted and ultimately are the starters we love? Who knows, but I find that to be a more intriguing scenario than watching the iron man 5 2.0 running it back again.

Agree with all of this 100 %

 

[Bill Russell]

However many--if any--want to return should and will be welcomed back with open arms. The Dom stuff is pretty widely known by now. He's very likely to return. The rest have not made statements as concrete as those said privately by Dom and his family.

Keep the momentum moving forward. Let's not overthink this one.

 

[3rdShayCripSet]

Get a transfer big, and I think we would be a solid team with JH and DW returning.

-Rumpel and Quadry at point.
-Holmes at the 2 with some PG duties
-Welch and Brown as our go to scorers/shooters
-Evans at the four
-Coul at the 5 splitting time with a transfer big.

Not sure how JNT and Anouar factor in, but they seem like they could spilt time at the 4 and 5 respectively. Feel like we won't see many players transfer if only Holmes and Welch return. I could be wrong here, but I don't see Saizonou returning unless Holmes leaves.

Might be a tough OOC, but I think the team above could win 16-18 games next year. Like others mentioned, probably would be like 2019. Struggle early on and hopefully put it together by Feb.

 

[Bona03]

Coul is so up and down to me. Some games he gives decent minutes and others he is a fouling machine. Maybe if he played heavier minutes he would tone it down? Thats also my thing with Quadry. He get whistled for a foul within 1 minute of entering the game. I think we definitely need a transfer big. After Coul its Duro and Melluok. Duro we know is very limited offensively and Melluouk (Im sorry I dont know how to spell it but I promise to learn) we have no idea about.

Schmidt went to JNT a few times late in they year which is telling to me that he thinks enough of him. I think back to Dion and LDG also getting token minutes as freshmen like that.

 

[FortniteDuquesne]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1511470416438743045

Saizonou first to enter the portal

 

[FortniteDuquesne]

also

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1511480042676752387

 

[Bonniesmaga2020]

Wonder if Joryam leaving has any impact on Mellouk?

 

[FortniteDuquesne]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1511721541549109250

 

[Bonafanatic]

I'm hearing multiple rumors that everyone but Adaway is coming back. Certainly Big Daddy Coul leaving would at least suggest that Shoon might be coming back.

 

[Bona03]

I'm hearing multiple rumors that everyone but Adaway is coming back. Certainly Big Daddy Coul leaving would at least suggest that Shoon might be coming back.

Me too, they have been flying around all morning. Makes sense to see Coul enter the portal if he knows that. If that is all true, I am ok with it. Coul was pretty good but he was not the answer down low. See the VCU game if you dont believe me. I think he would have made a great 4 to pair with a new 5 though but I feel someone like Evans or JNT will fill the Adaway spot.

 

[Community Bank 3Pt Tee]

I dont think this is that surprising, regardless of Shoon's choice. I don't get the impression that Schmidt viewed Karim as a centerpiece to build around. I think he planned on him being more akin to Amadi- the 2022 version of an Amadi type is just a better player than the Amadi type was, well, when we signed Amadi. A positive reflection on the state of the program.

Reality is we weren't going to keep both him and Duro, while allowing another big- be it a newcomer or Shoon- in the mix. Losing one and keeping the other is a wash, just in different aspects of their game.

 

[3rdShayCripSet]

If Lofton, Holmes, Welch and Osun come back, there will be even more transfers. I'd imagine Duro, JNT and either Rumpel or Adams.

While I am not opposed to four guys returning, it likely means 23-24 is going to be an absolute mess.

This team needs to pump new energy into it to take the next step, and losing our most efficient player while keeping the other four pieces the same likely makes us a worse team than this year.

Osun + Lofton or Welch would be ideal, and allow us to rebuild like we did in 2014 and 2019.