Now that we have contacted our first transfer free agent, I guess it is time to start PPU's "Transfer Free Agency" thread.
For those that know how this goes, we all contribute to this list.
If you see something, post it in here, the thread will be updated promptly.
Here we go!!
Position/Name/Previous School/New School
G - Terrell Brown (Seattle - Arizona)
C - Matt Haarms (Purdue)
G - Nate Johnson (Gardner-Webb - Xavier)
G - Carlik Jones (Radford - Louisville)
F - Johnny Juzang (Kentucky - UCLA)
G - Charles Minlend (San Francisco - Louisville)
G/F - Landers Nolley II (Virginia Tech)
G - Mike Smith (Columbia - Michigan)
G - Erik Stevenson (Wichita State - Washington)
G - Trey Wertz (Santa Clara - Notre Dame)
https://www.azdesertswarm.com/basketball/2020/3/16/21181959/jamarius-burton-arizona-wildcats-transfer-wichita-state-basketball-recruiting-2020
Can't the two Shockers just combine into one solid player?
Stevenson shoots waaaay too often from beyond the arc...but he is the farm better defender. Based on his quote, he'd never get along with Miller because he similarly pulls players for stupid mistakes.
Burton seems like a nice option unless they plan to play together. Will be interesting to see where both kids land.
https://stockrisers.com/2020/03/16/landers-nolley-ii-opts-to-transfer-after-stellar-season-talks-potential-suitors/
Article on why Erik Stevenson is transferring from Wichita State.
https://www-1.kansas.com/sports/college/wichita-state/article241187251.html# (https://www-1.kansas.com/sports/college/wichita-state/article241187251.html#)
I'm just a bit cautious when adding so many transfers. Especially at the same time. Most are either set in their ways and not going to buy into new coaching. Once in a while you get a TJ McConnell who shines, but the rest typically leave a lot to be desired. Hopefully some of our core returns and we can add 1 more piece besides Akinjo and Jordan Brown.
Nico, Green, Dalen, Zeke, Jordan Brown would be nice
Akinjo, B Will, Baker, Lee, Koloko, and another transfer with Mathurian red shirting would be great.
A guy can dream.
Akinjo, Walton, Dalen, Zhaire, Jordan Brown
Baker, B Will, Lee, Koloko, Mathurian, and a couple more transfers would be ok too. Or JT Thor
Otherwise we are most likely looking at another year of PPU complaining lol. Its just too much player turnover to overcome in the immediate until the NCAA stuff is fully behind us.
In the normal universe it feels like the roster will look something like
Akinjo, B Will, Dalen, Ira, Jordan Brown
Baker, Koloko, Mathurian?
I wonder if Mathurian is sort of like an Akot " :-\\ "
We really could use at least 1 of Walton/Zhaire.
No coach would be able to do too much with this scenario unfortunately if we can't land another chip.
Marshall knows basketball, possibly better then any other D-1 coach. He has one of the worst abilities to handle people. Media, players, fans and alumni have always had personal issues but they seem to get over it because he's a winner.
Stevenson is a decent player that will help a school. I wouldn't be upset if it's Arizona.
I'm definitely sick of treating college basketball transfers like free agents. I miss the old days of 3-4 year seniors coming in and out of Tucson where we can grow to love them.
We are about to graduate guys like Dylan, Max, Chase and Stone...all guys that committed elsewhere out of high school. I don't have the same love for them as I did for guys like Zeus, Ristic, PJC, etc.
Maybe I'm just getting old and bitter...
The transfer rate has gone up because of the notion that the prospects believe that their situation is bad and they need to find better.
For every prospect that has left, there is a story for a prospect that stayed and blossomed, and one that stayed and did not pan out.
The point is simple, there are too many variables at play that will contribute to a situation working out for the prospect AND the coaching staff.
Too many prospects are trying the "right fit" for them and may never find it.
For the grad-transfers, I look at them leaving like the seasoned veteran on a terrible team that just wants to go out on a winning team that has a chance to win conference championship(s) and maybe a decent shot at a Final Four.
In the end, college basketball has become more of a business than a learning/teaching experience.
I am all for the players trying to take control of their future, even if that means they make the wrong decision.
You won't know if you can fly if you are too afraid to jump...
Quote from: arxpert on March 17, 2020, 12:04:08 AM
In the normal universe it feels like the roster will look something like
Akinjo, B Will, Dalen, Ira, Jordan Brown
Baker, Koloko, Mathurian?
I wonder if Mathurian is sort of like an Akot " :-\\ "
We really could use at least 1 of Walton/Zhaire.
No coach would be able to do too much with this scenario unfortunately if we can't land another chip.
Just a heads up Bennedict Mathurin has been impressing a lot of people and sounds like he is a legit prospect.
Quote from: UAlum on March 17, 2020, 10:43:21 AM
Quote from: arxpert on March 17, 2020, 12:04:08 AM
In the normal universe it feels like the roster will look something like
Akinjo, B Will, Dalen, Ira, Jordan Brown
Baker, Koloko, Mathurian?
I wonder if Mathurian is sort of like an Akot " :-\\ "
We really could use at least 1 of Walton/Zhaire.
No coach would be able to do too much with this scenario unfortunately if we can't land another chip.
Just a heads up Bennedict Mathurin has been impressing a lot of people and sounds like he is a legit prospect.
That's great! Miller found 3 star Koloko who looks to be the type who will dominate the college scene with some more seasoning over these next 3 years. Hopefully Benny Math keeps his upward trajectory!
Yes, remember CSM built success from blue collar type players and yet has struggled a lot with big time players. Lute did the same thing in many aspects. Many first round losses. Problems with players that thought they were too good to be coached. Lute made many adjustments along the way. CSM will have to adjust to find real success. Some here are calling for more 3 and 4 year players. I would argue for the 5 year players that are willing to spend time learning and getting their degrees while doing it. Edgerson is a guy that I still think very highly of. Loved his effort and energy.
We have a Edgerson type... his name is Ira Lee. We need more shooters and scorers. Lee won't even start as a senior. I love his energy and passion but I don't want him shooting free throws in a close game late and he's not going to get you 20 pts
Quote from: Little George on March 17, 2020, 04:47:43 PMSome here are calling for more 3 and 4 year players. I would argue for the 5 year players that are willing to spend time learning and getting their degrees while doing it.
I am more in favor of the 3-4 year players, then you can add an elite freshmen that can put us over the top when surrounded by experienced, veterans that have been in the system long enough to just let the HS kid play his game.
Aaron Gordon and Stanley Johnson are two examples of what I am referring to.
They came in and were surrounded by so much talent/experience and role players, CSM allowed them to play their game and make mistakes as the season went on.
This Duke/Kentucky thing that Miller is trying to do has proven is not going to work here at Arizona.
I commend him for trying, but the blueprint he used from the 2011-2014 recruiting classes are what I would like to see.
It was in 2015 when we signed that class headlined by Trier that you could see Miller trying to tweak the blueprint.
Guys like Solomon Hill, Derrick Williams, Brandon Ashley, RHJ, Trier, Rawle, etc could have all went pro after their first year's with Miller. They all stayed and it helped create a "core" like what was mentioned above where adding Aaron Gordon or Stan Johnson helped the "Team" get to the Elite 8 and such.
This was something that was brewing again when Lauri, Trier, Rawle came in surrounded with Deuce Ristic, PJC and such. Then Ayton was brought in. The PEDs with Trier, Injury to Rawle, and FBI stuff really derailed that next wave of a TJ, RHJ, Brandon Ashley, Gordon/Stan, Zews type Core Run.
The fallout came hard. It took Miller 1 year to get his greatest class ever in Nico, Green, Zeke, and Terry Armstrong. First Terry doesn't qualify (much like long forgotten Terrence Ferguson), then Brandon Williams goes down injured again. More happenstance. More circumstance. Miller makes his plans. He then has to adjust with not much time.
The result is a season where we were a couple horrible calls and missed Free Throws away from another Pac12 title and a whole bunch of "what coulda been that we will never truly know" with a team that looked locked in vs a heavy talented Washington squad in a bad blood game in Vegas.
I will admit there has been a lot of heartbreaking losses. A few buckets away from 3 final 4s. Being an Arizona Basketball fan has been tough ever since Lute Olson lost the ~15pt lead with ~3:30 to go vs Deron Williams and Illinois back in 2005. This really is just a lot of bad luck. A lot of legendary performances by opponents. A lot of GOOD coaching from Miller that just looks bad because its easier to remember losses than wins. Almost every "down year" people mention have either a Pac12 championship banner hanging or Pac12 tourney champ banner.. OR BOTH. Some comics would call this a "tough crowd".
Very much like a gambling mentality where you tend to remember losing in tough spots like "bad beats in poker" much more than the times you get lucky and win on the river here and there, but its not winning the MegaBucks Jackpot.
https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/28926661/freshman-dj-carton-transferring-ohio-state
I really hope Arizona makes a run at Carton. Not sure of the specifics of the transfer, but Archie recruited him hard and the kid has a ton of potential.
Lots transfers to follow there is also burton from witchta st. An Nate johnson I think Miller needs to 3 point shooting an a player or two that can score on the perimeter.
An a big that can replace zeke probaley a grad transfer it will be hopefully kinda like stone gettings who can space the court who is good in the zone.
Arizona will need alot of players atleast 7 will be gone along dds scholarship.
Sean miller reached out to trey wertz a grad transfer from santa Clara.
It seems Arizona currently has 8 players for next year with the 2 commits green nico an zeke will be gone an 4 seniors plus dds scholly you figure Miller will add atleast 4 spots maybe 5 if he finds a traditional transfer if he lands walton an ziaire maybe 2 grad transfers it's all speculation at this time.
I really doubt Zaire is coming to the UofA. I really wanted him, but his recent social media statements makes it sound like USC or professionally.
Arizona may have interest in Big South POY Carlik Jones.
"A 6-foot-1 guard from Cincinnati, Jones averaged 20.0 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.5 assists while posting a 2.3-1 assist-turnover ratio as a junior this season."
See FULL article here https://www.primepublishers.com/sports/national/arizona-wildcats-throw-hat-in-ring-for-big-south-poy/article_41b611fb-948a-5ca5-b6d7-9860b0a60cde.html (https://www.primepublishers.com/sports/national/arizona-wildcats-throw-hat-in-ring-for-big-south-poy/article_41b611fb-948a-5ca5-b6d7-9860b0a60cde.html)
Carlik Jones was a member of the Lute Olson All American Team
See the full team here https://www.luteolsonaward.com/
(https://www.luteolsonaward.com/)
It seems like some of these transfers are making early decisions without even waiting to take visits last night white from utah valley already committed an I think Arizona offferd him so they were interested in him.
They can't take visits now and there is no telling when or if they will be able to by the time it's time for them to sign somewhere. Recruits are having to face time and video chat coaches to see the campus instead of visiting them and I'm sure most have a good idea where they want to go
Arizona lost another one gardner web guard nate Johnson .
Quote from: Jdmarti on March 28, 2020, 09:51:00 AMIt seems like some of these transfers are making early decisions without even waiting to take visits last night White from Utah Valley already committed and I think Arizona offered him so they were interested in him.
College and universities are being shut down.
There is literally no point in visiting a campus because the things that might attract a prospect outside of the team (campus atmosphere. women, night life, academics, etc.) are not going to be able to be around to be used.
It is all about establishing the relationship, and putting the pressure on to get the commitment.
This is why Stevenson ended up going back HOME to Washington, and why White is now going to USC.
Miller is going to have to put on the pressure to land some of these prospects, or else we are going to be looking at another 2018 situation; trying to pick up the pieces by offering prospects that are not good enough to be at Arizona, and they leave campus before the summer sessions are even done with.
The transfer list has been fully updated.
Also, the NCAA is going to discuss and possibly vote on allowing a one-time transfer exception for all student athletes that would eliminate them sitting out.
The talks will begin in April, the decision/voting would come in May, and if passed, it would be effective immediately.
There are some criteria that is going to have to be met in order for this option to be made available, but I will let you all read it for yourselves...
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/ncaa-moves-toward-immediate-eligibility-for-all-transfers
Thanks for the information!
Thanks for the updated list.
Shouldn't Charles Minlend be on it?
Quote from: WerderBremen on April 12, 2020, 07:57:03 AM
Thanks for the updated list.
Shouldn't Charles Minlend be on it?
This is the first time I am hearing this name.
Let me Google him and see what I come up with, but this is why I tell you all to post things in the recruiting forum also.
WILD posts about 90% of the content, but we can post what we deem reliable to try and lift some of the weight off of his shoulders.
https://www.azdesertswarm.com/basketball/2020/4/8/21214604/charles-minlend-grad-transfer-arizona-gonzaga-basketball-recruiting-wildcats-butler-byu-arkansas
I usually just read azdesertswarm to keep up to date.
Quote from: mvpreed2 on April 12, 2020, 08:15:13 AM
Quote from: WerderBremen on April 12, 2020, 07:57:03 AM
Thanks for the updated list.
Shouldn't Charles Minlend be on it?
This is the first time I am hearing this name.
Let me Google him and see what I come up with, but this is why I tell you all to post things in the recruiting forum also.
WILD posts about 90% of the content, but we can post what we deem reliable to try and lift some of the weight off of his shoulders.
Mineland committee to Louisville
Quote from: 2012Cat on April 12, 2020, 09:19:36 PM
Quote from: mvpreed2 on April 12, 2020, 08:15:13 AM
Quote from: WerderBremen on April 12, 2020, 07:57:03 AM
Thanks for the updated list.
Shouldn't Charles Minlend be on it?
This is the first time I am hearing this name.
Let me Google him and see what I come up with, but this is why I tell you all to post things in the recruiting forum also.
WILD posts about 90% of the content, but we can post what we deem reliable to try and lift some of the weight off of his shoulders.
Mineland committee to Louisville
Well that solved that one...
You all look at our current roster for next year, cause I guarantee the transfers and recruits are?.!
Still players out there.
We just need a couple pieces not a rebuild.
Quote from: Little George on April 13, 2020, 08:30:39 AM
Still players out there.
We just need a couple pieces not a rebuild.
+1
With the roster we have, I believe we need a veteran wing to start at SF, and a true big to start next to next to Brown, after that, I am fine with sitting on the other two scholarships.
There is no real need to have a full roster of scholarship players especially when Miller only goes 7-8 deep.
We really needed ziaire that hurt alot hopefully Arizona can get walton love his 3 point shooting matt haarms would probably start along brown next season with haarms Kentucky scares me they are losing nick Richards an ej Montgomery.