Transfer Portal 2026

[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.

[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.

[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.

[GoBearcats31]

The aforementioned Reeves is off to Kansas

[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

[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.

[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.

[zykarious]

In the two years Calhoun coached at Utah State, they've been ranked 287 (25-26 season) and 212 (24-25 season) in defensive OR% (the percentage of offensive rebounds they allow the other team). Also 291 and 248 in defensive FTR. So the allowed a ton of offensive rebounds and sent the opponent to the free throw line a bunch.

A smaller lineup can certainly compete and out tough bigger guys. But the evidence says Calhoun has managed to overcome poor rebounding, not gotten his smaller guys to out tough the other team. Good teams can both play offense, rebound and defend. Calhoun has convinced me he can coach the former, but the latter two... especially with the current roster situation. Well it's setting up for him having a rude awakening as to what's needed in the big 12 and us fans hoping he figures it out in year two.

Give us a couple of quality big men (and/or Iweze being a 20+ minute per night guy) and my outlook will change quickly. But right now, I'm just not seeing a roster that will be able to compete a full season of big 12 level physicality.

[sedz]

I think our style will depend on who is on the floor. A lineup with Carson, Colvin, and Mahaffey will be able to defend and rebound. With Riley, Tejada, and Elamin on the floor, we'll be trying to outscore the opponent. Hopefully we can find the right balance.

[Natination113]

In the two years Calhoun coached at Utah State, they've been ranked 287 (25-26 season) and 212 (24-25 season) in defensive OR% (the percentage of offensive rebounds they allow the other team). Also 291 and 248 in defensive FTR. So the allowed a ton of offensive rebounds and sent the opponent to the free throw line a bunch.

A smaller lineup can certainly compete and out tough bigger guys. But the evidence says Calhoun has managed to overcome poor rebounding, not gotten his smaller guys to out tough the other team. Good teams can both play offense, rebound and defend. Calhoun has convinced me he can coach the former, but the latter two... especially with the current roster situation. Well it's setting up for him having a rude awakening as to what's needed in the big 12 and us fans hoping he figures it out in year two.

Give us a couple of quality big men (and/or Iweze being a 20+ minute per night guy) and my outlook will change quickly. But right now, I'm just not seeing a roster that will be able to compete a full season of big 12 level physicality.

Calhoun’s team also averaged almost 9 steals a game, and are real good free throw shooting teams. The skeptical negativity seems a little early. Chad Brendel has already stated no one in the Big 12 can compare themselves with Arizona for next season. Calhoun has signed players that fit his system, so I would give him time to fill the roster and let him coach. Do we need another big or two, absolutely but I love what he’s done so far.