Basketball Transfer Portal '25

[sedz]

Here are three players that UC supposedly has interest in. https://fanrecap.com/cincinnati-targ...5OD2H1k5ZCcvMA

The article mentions Camron McDowell (the D2 transfer previously discussed here), 6'3 freshman guard All Wright from Valpo, and 6'4 junior guard Brit Harris from SC Upstate.

Wright had a 0.7 BPM this year, and negative 0.7 in 9 top 100 games. He's a high usage scorer who shot 38% from three, but only 43% from two and didn't get to the FT line much. Takes care of the ball but a poor defender and poor rebounder.

Harris posted a negative 0.4 BPM on the season, but played up to top 100 competition with a 6.1 BPM in 5 games. He's a good shooter - 39% from three and 56% from two. Poor defender and rebounder. He played on one of the worst teams in the country, which drags his BPM down, but he wasn't even the best player on that team.

So all three of these guys fit a similar mold. They can all shoot the three against lower level competition but there are major question marks. I don't see any of them as upgrades over Hickman.

[longtimefan]

Has Tyler McKinley been practicing? Has he shown enough that they’re confident moving forward? What other reason could we have to not see big man interest?

[Rufus]

Does anyone know anything about Gabe Dynes? He is a 7'3" center and transfer from Youngstown State. He went to high school at Simon Kenton in Northern Kentucky. He hit for 6.9 points a game and pulled down 5.8 rebounds. Third in the nation in blocked shots and was a 2-time Horizon League all-defensive team member. Is he worth a look for Miller? Hometown kid who is now in the portal. This guy probably will not last long.

There is one glaring drawback. He only weighs 225. He is lighter than Aziz. My guess is UC's strength and conditioning program can get him up to 240. What do you all think about this guy?

Not another horizon league center! And the monster factory did nothing for Aziz in two years

[GoBearcats31]

Has Tyler McKinley been practicing? Has he shown enough that they’re confident moving forward? What other reason could we have to not see big man interest?

Late in the season there were videos of him doing pregame workouts and he looked like he'll be fine next year, barring another offseason injury

They definitely will need to prioritize a big (or two) in the portal

[Rufus]

I do not think Wes was not prepared… he had Tyler, aziz, and page… if page panned out to his ranking out of hs and McKinley could have filled in even 5-6 minutes a game… I think this team would have been different… injuries this year played a big role of not making it to dance and based on UNC getting in tourney with 1 quad 1 win… it is not out of line to say tourney would have happened with a couple more wins. Wes said that he will address the physicality in the portal… that is why I would prefer we do not go after kids with same frame as aziz and Mitchell at the 4-5

Well the projected three guards Wes is looking at will not get us any Bigger

[sedz]

There are 884 players in the portal right now. Only 28 played at least 15 mpg with a 4+ BPM.

[red_n_black_attack]

Am I recalling thing right: the next high school Wes recruited and signed to UC will be the first high school recruit he has lost to the Portal?

[Lobot]

Here's who we've contacted so far based on what I can find when I'm not busy these days

Jayden Reid USF 5'10 PG

Brit Harris SC Upstate 6'4 SG

Seth Hubbard Toledo 6'4 SG

Zarique Miller Georgia State 6'7 G/F

Jamichael Stillwell Milwaukee 6'8 PF/C

Jacari White NDSU 6'3 SG

Cam McDowell Northwest OK St. 6'6 SG


I like the prospect of Gabe Dynes from Youngstown St as a rim protector at 7'3 but I have no information that we've actually contacted him.

You'll notice we haven't made contact with anyone playing in a conference beyond the AAC at this point. I do think that's coming though.

[swilsonsp4]

Well the projected three guards Wes is looking at will not get us any Bigger

Even if we sign some guards/wings, there will remain room for multiple bigs. Chad Brendel has said more than once that he expects 5-8 portal additions.

[zykarious]

Even if we sign some guards/wings, there will remain room for multiple bigs. Chad Brendel has said more than once that he expects 5-8 portal additions.

15 scholarships next year, we have plenty of room to add guys including developmental guys. Walk-ons will be no more, either they'll get a scholarship or find a new home.

It's far too early to read anything into the guys we are linked to in the portal. Really it's too early to worry until guys actually start to sign. Contact can be be nothing more than a brief phone call, after which we decided we weren't interested. It can be nothing at all, recruits/agents will lie about contact to try to build guys stock up. We know that Wes is really good at keeping things quiet. Meanwhile, we could have tight ties to a guy (especially one who hasn't entered the portal yet), but be keeping it under wraps.

The only surprising thing to me so far is that no UC players have entered the portal yet. I think it's coming, but it does seem to be another indicator that Wes is really good at building relationships with guys. He just needs to figure out how to translate that into winning in the Big 12.

[leeraymond]

Worth a shot as a project. That kind of size can cause problems in limited possessions. But look at what he averaged in two top 100 games this year (Ohio St, Syracuse): 25 min, 4.5 pts (44% FG), 1.5 reb, 1.5 blk, 1.5 TO, negative 5 BPM. Only 3 total rebounds over 50 minutes. I doubt he can add 15 pounds without negatively impacting his mobility, which will make him an even worse rebounder. And he's a 45% career FT shooter.

Yeah, I see your point. No need in bringing in someone who cannot make a contribution right away. Miller's career hangs on who he brings in for next season.

[leeraymond]

Here are three players that UC supposedly has interest in. https://fanrecap.com/cincinnati-targ...5OD2H1k5ZCcvMA

Unbelievable. Not one big man among the three guys that are listed here.

[steveedwards]

Im guessing a chance at getting some more NIL money by winning a couple games in the Crown tournament has kept some of our guys out of the portal for now. Does that stop an agent from shopping them quietly before they enter the portal?

[leeraymond]

Here's who we've contacted so far based on what I can find when I'm not busy these days

Jayden Reid USF 5'10 PG

Brit Harris SC Upstate 6'4 SG

Seth Hubbard Toledo 6'4 SG

Zarique Miller Georgia State 6'7 G/F

Jamichael Stillwell Milwaukee 6'8 PF/C

Jacari White NDSU 6'3 SG

Cam McDowell Northwest OK St. 6'6 SG


I like the prospect of Gabe Dynes from Youngstown St as a rim protector at 7'3 but I have no information that we've actually contacted him.

You'll notice we haven't made contact with anyone playing in a conference beyond the AAC at this point. I do think that's coming though.

Not unless some of the guards are leaving, I really do not understand Miller's thinking here with all of the guards.

However, Stillwell is listed as a power forward on Milwaukee's roster at 6'8" 225. I like him at the 4. He is too small for the 5. Here are his numbers for this season: 13 points/g; 10 rebounds/g; shot 46.8% and 28.6% from three. Here is the bad news: he only shot 56% from the free throw line and he turned the ball over about 2 times a game. Also, he is not a shot blocker. There is always an adjustment when a player goes from a lower league to a higher league. Will those numbers translate to the BIG XII?

Sedz, what is this guy's BPM? Thanks.

[Rufus]

I've never heard anything about their being a interfering rule associated with with the portal so I don't know if its possible that a player who's mind is made up to enter the portal can negotiate and even make a deal with another coach while still playing for his old team as far as the current season takes them. If that is possible maybe some of these kids already have deals made just waiting for seasons end.