2024 Offseason

[SteinPizza]

I'm not panicking by any means by all of these transfer announcements, but it is a little strange how many are coming through. I feel like this amount is typically when there is coaching turnover. I'm not saying or thinking there is. Just weird.

Like others have stated, it’s more normal than you think. Drake had 10 new players this season. Part of that was due to their classes being imbalanced and Covid, but there are other MVC teams facing the same thing consistently. There are plenty of other programs who preach “team”, “family”, etc., and still see lots of transfers.

[CyCarp]

Drew Daniel in the portal.

Drew wasn't even on scholarship, was he?

[QCPanther05]

I can see that "issue" but I would argue that playing the long game is going to work better now that you can transfer freely. Wes and all of those other guys had to sit out a year unless they had a good reason according to the NCAA which meant they were less likely to transfer down to us. Now they can transfer whenever they want which makes it easier for guys like Hutson, Wes, Paul to come back sooner instead of contemplating sitting out a year.

I would also argue that Paul and Wes were not game changes when we got them. In fact, Wes averaged 8.3, 7.6 and then 14.2ppg each season he was with us. Paul averaged 5.9 and then 10.8ppg. They were good pieces to add to the team we currently had and then developed a great fit with Jeremy Morgan, Bohannon, and Koch by their senior years when they needed to step up.

I think our high school recruiting is where it needs to be and if we can develop them and then add in a piece or two like Hutson every other year then I think we are good to compete for the top of the MVC and compete to get into the tournament.

The problem with recruiting high school kids is that if you develop them into the player you actually want or need, they leave. Better to get kids who spent a year training at a big program out of the portal.

[PantherAlum09]

Drew wasn't even on scholarship, was he?

He was a walk on at least initially. I'm not sure if he ever got a scholarship. Either way we have 4 rides to cover this offseason. Unchartered territory for us. Tuttle and G need to do some damage.

As for Drew. I'm happy for him. I think he has some good skills and I can see him really helping out another program at a lower level. I'm always going to support our guys.

[ronfitch]

The problem with recruiting high school kids is that if you develop them into the player you actually want or need, they leave. Better to get kids who spent a year training at a big program out of the portal.

Yup. Either become a developer/feeder program or compete.

To compete, UNI can no longer be the UNI we knew, where most students were recruited out of high school, given time to learn and grow into the system, contribute to that system and graduate degree in hand.

I feel most for the kids who are going to spend their college years never getting to plant in one spot, always looking for the transfer. Until it all comes crashing down, we’re cheering for uniforms from here on out.

[CyCarp]

Well, the Devries to Michigan chatter was for nothing. Dusty May taking the gig.

[BCPanther]

DeVries to West Virginia has picked up steam.

I don't touch him with back to back tournament meltdowns but somebody surely will.

[PantherAlum09]

One fun one here is that Bryan Mullins joined DePaul as an assistant coach. Troy D'amico just announced he has committed there as well.

As for Devries, it's starting to feel like West Virginia might be the last one left for what he might want. If Schertz somehow ends up at Louisville or somewhere else, maybe Devries takes a look at Saint Louis.

[UNIChippewa]

DeVries to West Virginia has picked up steam.

I don't touch him with back to back tournament meltdowns but somebody surely will.

Yeah, the last few minutes of that Washington State game were painful to watch, and I'm on those dual UNI/ISU fans that was pulling for Drake, even though I think WSU was the tougher matchup. Just complete ineptitude in a late-game situation.

Of course, if Drake makes their free throws it could be a much different story...

[Wxcpanther]

Yeah, the last few minutes of that Washington State game were painful to watch, and I'm on those dual UNI/ISU fans that was pulling for Drake, even though I think WSU was the tougher matchup. Just complete ineptitude in a late-game situation.

Of course, if Drake makes their free throws it could be a much different story...

I went into Thursday night with no concerns. Either Drake wins, and UNI gets more money, or they lose, and they've still never played in the round of 32. Win win!

[BCPanther]

UIC makes the hire of Robert Ehsan official.

Underwhelming is probably too kind.

[unsc_seizethemeans]

It is kind of hilarious how novel some of us think "cheering for the fabric" is. The way this is being discussed, it's no wonder our athletic programs have devolved the way they have the last 15 years - the on-field and on-court products aren't even what we're apparently here for!

[UNIChippewa]

UIC makes the hire of Robert Ehsan official.

Underwhelming is probably too kind.

Who? Never heard of him.

[CyCarp]

Devries to WV official.

[BCPanther]

Who? Never heard of him.

Was HC at UAB for 4 years and never finished above 6th in CUSA. Had been on staff at Stanford and we all saw where that program is at.