Transfer Portal 2026

[JBB]

I look back at the 1999-2000 team that
went 29-4. Kenyon was 6-9, Micheal wa 6-8
Other starters were 6’ to 6’6”. We expecting aggressive play, getting after loose balls, CJC said they are going to steel the ball.
We are going to be a solid basketball team, I believe we have the best coach that truly wants to revive this program to greatness
We don’t need to overpay for a stiff 7 footer, but continue to get guys that will play both ends for 40 minutes.

[leeraymond372@gmail.com]

The aforementioned Reeves is off to Kansas

UC cannot catch a break when it comes to landing a needed big. Hopefully, in one or two years, UC will not have any problems attracting quality big men. For now, UC may have to work with developmental types of bigs until Calhoun makes a name for himself. On the other hand, remember, Reeves was the 24th best center remaining in the portal. What about the other 23 ranked higher than Reeves? UC still has a chance to get one of them.

I believe UC will bring in a quality big. He may not be well known, but he will be what UC needs.

[leeraymond372@gmail.com]

Thiam to Michigan, no surprise there.

It will be very interesting to see what kind of toughness that Thiam will develop in the BIG 10. He will be playing against superior size and strength just about every night. I wonder how U of M will handle both Mara and Thiam. Who will start? Who will be on the floor when the game is on the line late in the second half? It is going to be interesting to see if Thiam can be just as effective in the BIG 10 as he was in the BIG XII.

Good luck to Thiam

[GoBearcats31]

The aforementioned Reeves is off to Kansas

[sedz]

I'm definitely skeptical at this point, but waiting to see what we add. The guards/wings we have give a solid foundation, but big men are the toughest to get and we have a void at the 4/5. Arizona outrebounded Utah State 54 to 26 (that's +28 for those counting) and the Cincinnati roster I see at the moment looks like we'd get beat by a worse margin. That's just not going to cut it in the big 12.

Allenspach is a poor defender and I'm not convinced he'll be putting up good rebounding numbers in the Big 12 either. Tejada plays like he thinks he's a big guard, will have to have a complete change of mindset (which usually doesn't happen for seniors) if he's going to be a physical presence people are hoping for. Elamin was part of the USU team that got crushed on the boards.

If Arizona is the benchmark then most of the Big12 wouldn't cut it in the Big12. They outrebounded Michigan in the final four, UConn and Alabama by 20, San Diego St by 24, Kansas St by 23, Kansas by 22, OK St by 21, Arizona St by 15, UC WVU and Utah by 13.

I definitely agree that we need to add an interior defender and rebounder. But I think we'll be fine on the glass against most of the league. We have some good rebounding guards and wings (Mahaffey, Colvin, Carson). Allenspach should be decent too. VCU is the only top 50 team they played and he had 12% and 14% OReb games against them. 9% against Virginia Tech. 10% is generally the target number for a center.

[John P]

Right now, I'm not looking at the roster as per each individual but what I'm looking and hoping for is a coach and his staff with a different mindset on how to develop players and to be able to instill the toughness we are used to seeing from the bearcats. Right now, I want to see a return to aggressive players who are going to scrap and fight for the ball and defend the basket like they actually care. I want to see a team that plays with heart and with players that earns a spot on the floor rather than a team with players who earn spots because of who they know. I just miss the physical toughness.

[leo from jersey]

I'm definitely skeptical at this point, but waiting to see what we add. The guards/wings we have give a solid foundation, but big men are the toughest to get and we have a void at the 4/5. Arizona outrebounded Utah State 54 to 26 (that's +28 for those counting) and the Cincinnati roster I see at the moment looks like we'd get beat by a worse margin. That's just not going to cut it in the big 12.

Allenspach is a poor defender and I'm not convinced he'll be putting up good rebounding numbers in the Big 12 either. Tejada plays like he thinks he's a big guard, will have to have a complete change of mindset (which usually doesn't happen for seniors) if he's going to be a physical presence people are hoping for. Elamin was part of the USU team that got crushed on the boards.

I share concerns, but we need to see the completed team and how they play on the court. I am for fundamentals, team play, effort and improvements this year. Yes I want to go undefeated and win it all, but I will settle next year for advancements over the last 2 coaches.

[zykarious]

Anyone else feeling happy about each of the commitments, individually, but a bit concerned about how good this team might end up being? Obviously the roster is not finished and there is still time to add a big time player (noting Baba Miller, Dillon Mitchell and kind of Landers Nolley were guys who committed later), including a potential Corey Evans international special.

But the nature of a full roster turnover, which has largely brought in guys from the mid-major ranks, makes me wonder if they will just be "competitive" again next season or if there is higher potential. They don't have to be great in year 1, but maybe Calhoun will just be a wizard and build the perfect roster for his system. He seems to be saying all the right things and everyone is buying in. And I'm right there in feeling positive about the direction. But I'd also like to see UC be good and not have to wait another almost two years (March 2028) for something real to happen.

Chad Brendel seemed to suggest on last night's BCJ podcast that the floor is high (even if ceiling is unknown) and I hope that is right. You never know how the pieces will fit together, but perhaps I'm a bit skeptical just how many guys will translate up a level. And I'm typically a lot more glass half full, I believe, than many fans.

I'm definitely skeptical at this point, but waiting to see what we add. The guards/wings we have give a solid foundation, but big men are the toughest to get and we have a void at the 4/5. Arizona outrebounded Utah State 54 to 26 (that's +28 for those counting) and the Cincinnati roster I see at the moment looks like we'd get beat by a worse margin. That's just not going to cut it in the big 12.

Allenspach is a poor defender and I'm not convinced he'll be putting up good rebounding numbers in the Big 12 either. Tejada plays like he thinks he's a big guard, will have to have a complete change of mindset (which usually doesn't happen for seniors) if he's going to be a physical presence people are hoping for. Elamin was part of the USU team that got crushed on the boards.

[westside bearcat]

Any visitors this weekend?

[sedz]

Would Reeves really be that expensive, or is the supposed interest from other big schools mainly coming from his agent?

I don't really know, but if Halaifonua is in line for $4-5 mil, I image Reeves could ask for close to that. I'm all for it if he's affordable.

[bearcatbret]

Thiam to Michigan, no surprise there.

It will be interesting to see how he plays next year. I hate tracking UM but I may just have to see if he develops into a dominate force.

[longtimefan]

Thiam to Michigan, no surprise there.

[longtimefan]

I'm wary of overpaying big men. Basketball is in a big man cycle right now after Michigan, Purdue, and Arizona have had success running some huge lineups out there. A decade ago the four guard lineup was popular with Villanova, Baylor, and Virginia dominating with small teams. What gets lost in this is that all those teams had great players, regardless of size. You're not going to win by trotting out random guys who are big. Michigan brought in Aday Mara and Yaxel Lendeborg, who each had BPMs over 10 two years ago. They were All-American caliber players before they arrived at Michigan. I don't think Reeves or Halaifonua are the type of players to carry a team. I'd rather spend $4+ mil on a really good wing or forward than a 20 mpg 7 footer with holes in his game.

Would Reeves really be that expensive, or is the supposed interest from other big schools mainly coming from his agent?

[sedz]

I'm wary of overpaying big men. Basketball is in a big man cycle right now after Michigan, Purdue, and Arizona have had success running some huge lineups out there. A decade ago the four guard lineup was popular with Villanova, Baylor, and Virginia dominating with small teams. What gets lost in this is that all those teams had great players, regardless of size. You're not going to win by trotting out random guys who are big. Michigan brought in Aday Mara and Yaxel Lendeborg, who each had BPMs over 10 two years ago. They were All-American caliber players before they arrived at Michigan. I don't think Reeves or Halaifonua are the type of players to carry a team. I'd rather spend $4+ mil on a really good wing or forward than a 20 mpg 7 footer with holes in his game.

[longtimefan]

Reeves is ranked by 247Sports as the 24 best center remaining in the portal. He was 3rd team All CAA and made the CAA All Defensive Team. He averaged 11.1 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks a game. He only shoots about 62% from the FT line. Regardless of his FT shooting, UC could really use a guy like Reeves.

Here is the bad part, as was mentioned above, Louisville and Kansas are recruiting him as well. Here is another piece of bad news, Michigan State is also after him. He has already visited both Kansas and Mich State, as I understand it. Here is one more piece of bad news, Kansas just lost Flory Bidunga to Louisville. So, KU is looking for either a starting center or a backup. Reeves may be able to step right into a starting job at Kansas. It may be difficult for UC to recruit against bluebloods like Mich State and Kansas. Nevertheless, you never know how these things will work out. I hope that UC can get this guy. He appears to play on both sides of the floor. Go ahead and pay him.

What are the chances that Reeves would start if he chose to attend UC?

Either way, it seems he’ll get more PT at UC. For a guy who sat three years in the ACC, maybe that is a consideration. Kansas has Davion Adkins, one of the top HS big men, committed to their freshman class.