Transfer Portal 2026

[leo from jersey]

Wes might get back to the dance quickly-he has won at the lower level before. As others noted-great recruiter who seemed to form real bonds to his players, so no surprising to see James, Tillery, and Mckinley follow him there (though would have loved to keep the hometown kid home for future recruiting purposes and because I think he could be a solid, high-IQ backup big for us). Realistically though, Wes will continue to enable Jizzle's worst instincts-walk the ball up the court (because he will trust jizzle more than tillery "when the game is on the line"), dribble aimlessly for 20 seconds, then either bricking the wide open elbow jumper that the other team baits him into taking, or throwing a pass to a big man facing the wrong way with 2 seconds left on the shot clock (like what he did to Thiam at the end of regulation against UCF). Given that, it will be more of the same-losing most of the big games and fumbling away a few they should win, being just good enough to be in consideration for the bubble. that's unlikely to change until he figures out that coaching is like parenting-sometimes the best thing you can do is to say "no" and get kids to do the right thing rather than the easy one.

we have a local now from Big Mo. I thought about Tyler when Evan M signed on.

[leeraymond372@gmail.com]

Wilson committed to Syracuse.

Wow! I was really hoping that UC could get him. That's life. You win some, you lose some.

[longtimefan]

I will be happy at 5 when we post about a new pg playing for our new coach for our beloved Bearcats. While I like a discussion as we are having and need more, I am happy with out with the old and in with the new.

The On3 guys seem to think he’s a lock for UC, but maybe that was before he visited Oklahoma over the weekend. Fingers crossed.

[Longtime Lurker]

Wes might get back to the dance quickly-he has won at the lower level before. As others noted-great recruiter who seemed to form real bonds to his players, so no surprising to see James, Tillery, and Mckinley follow him there (though would have loved to keep the hometown kid home for future recruiting purposes and because I think he could be a solid, high-IQ backup big for us). Realistically though, Wes will continue to enable Jizzle's worst instincts-walk the ball up the court (because he will trust jizzle more than tillery "when the game is on the line"), dribble aimlessly for 20 seconds, then either bricking the wide open elbow jumper that the other team baits him into taking, or throwing a pass to a big man facing the wrong way with 2 seconds left on the shot clock (like what he did to Thiam at the end of regulation against UCF). Given that, it will be more of the same-losing most of the big games and fumbling away a few they should win, being just good enough to be in consideration for the bubble. that's unlikely to change until he figures out that coaching is like parenting-sometimes the best thing you can do is to say "no" and get kids to do the right thing rather than the easy one.

[leeraymond372@gmail.com]

Good for Tillery and Wes, don't know much about the AAC, but Wes will probably have the best starting guard combo in the conference. I expect Tillery will be the starting PG and Jizzle will mostly play off-ball as a SG (which should be better for him).

Wes going to make the NCAA tournament in year one, then make a run to the sweet 16. While Calhoun misses out.

Source: am Cincinnati sports fan, this is what I've come to expect.

Charlotte will have a small backcourt that may be turnover prone. This assumes that both James and Tillery are the starters. Overall, those two guys should be able to light up the American. Bigger backcourts might give them problems. Cannot wait to see those two guys in action next season.

[leo from jersey]

a couple of thoughts on Charlotte. What can their NIL be? Will a couple of players be enough in their weaken league? Tillery committed today. Does that whisper good news at 5 PM?

[sedz]

In addition to Hastings, UC is also looking at another big, Luke Wilson from Appalachian State. Wilson, 6'9" 255, is a redshirt sophomore that had 12 double doubles last season. He shot 64.2% and averaged 10.7 points and 8.3 rebounds. He hit for 18 and 16 against James Madison. Additionally, he had 59 blocks on the season, which were 9 more than what Thiam had. I like this Wilson guy a little better than I like Hastings. Maybe UC can bring in both of them. Anton Bonke was also mentioned earlier on this thread.

As it stands now, UC only has two sizeable big men on the roster, Iweze and Allenspach. I am not sure what to think of Elamin at this point. Remember, Elamin only weighs 185 pounds at 6'9". So, Calhoun needs to bring in at least two more guys that can play in the paint. If UC can get Bonke and either Wison or Hastings, it would set UC up good for next season.

Wilson committed to Syracuse.

[leo from jersey]

I will be happy at 5 when we post about a new pg playing for our new coach for our beloved Bearcats. While I like a discussion as we are having and need more, I am happy with out with the old and in with the new.

[leeraymond372@gmail.com]

Sounds like a high motor / energy type of player. Shooting free throws, not fouling as much, and better shot selection overall are things can be coached if a coach has the wherewithal to do so. I would take a chance on this guy especially for the eagerness to go get some rebounds

In addition to Hastings, UC is also looking at another big, Luke Wilson from Appalachian State. Wilson, 6'9" 255, is a redshirt sophomore that had 12 double doubles last season. He shot 64.2% and averaged 10.7 points and 8.3 rebounds. He hit for 18 and 16 against James Madison. Additionally, he had 59 blocks on the season, which were 9 more than what Thiam had. I like this Wilson guy a little better than I like Hastings. Maybe UC can bring in both of them. Anton Bonke was also mentioned earlier on this thread.

As it stands now, UC only has two sizeable big men on the roster, Iweze and Allenspach. I am not sure what to think of Elamin at this point. Remember, Elamin only weighs 185 pounds at 6'9". So, Calhoun needs to bring in at least two more guys that can play in the paint. If UC can get Bonke and either Wison or Hastings, it would set UC up good for next season.

[leo from jersey]

I find it highly unlikely that coaches watched Tillery's tape and said "nah, we'll pass" either here or at other high major programs.

More likely, Wes is just a really good recruiter. We've known this to be true for quite some time. He may not build the most balanced roster, or know what to do with the talent, but he is great at recruiting.

Playing time likely factored in as well, here Tillery would have been competing with Perryman for backup minutes, he probably could have found a backup role at another P4, but he's probably a day one starter at Charlotte.

perhaps but the chance to start at a P4 and higher NIL might just be a better recruiter. Tillery didn't go to one and perhaps that is telling.

[GoBearcats31]

Day Day?

https://x.com/EvanMiya/status/2046986134610469127

[longtimefan]

It was not a conference expansion that imploded the old Big East (with football schools). It was the greed of the ACC. The ACC basically raided the Big East, a weaker and poorer football conference, and took the basketball schools that played football (Syracuse, Pitt, Louisville, etc). The Big East schools that did not play football created their own league that, was centered around basketball, and legally fought to keep the Big East brand and MSG as their arena for the conference tourny. The other schools, including UC, were left holding their balls and formed a conference with schools from Conference USA to form the American. West Virginia jump ship to the BIG XII.

The Catholic 7 bought the Big East name, basically forfeiting all of their league revenue shares in exchange for the name.

[leeraymond372@gmail.com]

I think that there is a P4 in football but a P5 in basketball if you include the Big East. Afterall, just look at the accomplishments of UConn. At one time, the Big East added football to grow their brand and it worked until the conference expansion exploded and half the teams fled and the remaining football schools divorced the Big East to form the American.

It was not a conference expansion that imploded the old Big East (with football schools). It was the greed of the ACC. The ACC basically raided the Big East, a weaker and poorer football conference, and took the basketball schools that played football (Syracuse, Pitt, Louisville, etc). The Big East schools that did not play football created their own league, centered around basketball, and legally fought to keep the Big East brand and MSG as their arena for the conference tourny. The other schools, including UC, were left holding their balls and formed a conference with schools from Conference USA to form the American. West Virginia jump ship to the BIG XII.

[leo from jersey]

I find it highly unlikely that coaches watched Tillery's tape and said "nah, we'll pass" either here or at other high major programs.

More likely, Wes is just a really good recruiter. We've known this to be true for quite some time. He may not build the most balanced roster, or know what to do with the talent, but he is great at recruiting.

Playing time likely factored in as well, here Tillery would have been competing with Perryman for backup minutes, he probably could have found a backup role at another P4, but he's probably a day one starter at Charlotte.

a backup at a P$ might pay more than a starter at Charlotte and so perhaps there were few, if any offers. I imagine he may want to start in hopes of impressing bigger school. I don't blame him. I also didn't see him fitting in with CJC's roster building and Bearcat mentality. Sometimes it is good to start fresh. CJC did learn from Huggs and Rollie M and not WM as Tillery did.

Go Cats

[zykarious]

well CJC has not coached a game for UC yet. We saw WM couldn't make the dance and he had a pretty good frontcourt. It seems like no P4 wanted Tillery. I posted yesterday he was either made an offer not to his expectations or CJC watched film and Tillery wasn't to his expectations. I support the Cats and not those who couldn't live up to Bearcat tradition.

My hats have UC on them as well as some of my shirts and a winter coat. I wear the Catpaw with pride.

Go Cats

I find it highly unlikely that coaches watched Tillery's tape and said "nah, we'll pass" either here or at other high major programs.

More likely, Wes is just a really good recruiter. We've known this to be true for quite some time. He may not build the most balanced roster, or know what to do with the talent, but he is great at recruiting.

Playing time likely factored in as well, here Tillery would have been competing with Perryman for backup minutes, he probably could have found a backup role at another P4, but he's probably a day one starter at Charlotte.