Portal News

[GarretW1797]

Your new workout bud is officially sticking around CF.

https://x.com/TristanSmitty1/status/1916533284730810395

How much eligibility will he have left?

[Wxcpanther]

How much eligibility will he have left?

1 year of eligibility currently

[Fran McCrabby]

We've been looking for that Lucas O'rear player for a while now, and hopefully he can bring that kind of toughness.

[PantherAlum09]

6'5 230 forward and doesn't really shoot 3s.

Could be someone to help replace at least a bit of Ty's toughness at that spot.

That is absolutely the role they want him to fill. He's an inch or two shorter but stronger overall. He has shown the ability to put the ball on the court and make a move off the dribble as well. I don't think I can recall us having anyone who could jump the way this kid can. I think guys that are 6'7" to 6'8" are going to struggle to move him inside, too. He's got a very strong base.

I was initially a little underwhelmed when I heard he was an NAIA kid, but I don't think there are many dudes like him in the Valley. He's going to put on some shows next year.

[PantherAlum09]

On a related note... I don't think we are done. I'm not sure how, but I feel like they are going to get one more piece. Probably another big.

[kochrab]

On a related note... I don't think we are done. I'm not sure how, but I feel like they are going to get one more piece. Probably another big.

Where does that scholly come from?

[PantherAlum09]

Where does that scholly come from?

It's just the roster spot. The easiest way for us to get one more spot would just be having Hunter or someone else become a manager/grad assistant/ etc. I could also be wrong.

[CyCarp]

That is absolutely the role they want him to fill. He's an inch or two shorter but stronger overall. He has shown the ability to put the ball on the court and make a move off the dribble as well. I don't think I can recall us having anyone who could jump the way this kid can. I think guys that are 6'7" to 6'8" are going to struggle to move him inside, too. He's got a very strong base.

I was initially a little underwhelmed when I heard he was an NAIA kid, but I don't think there are many dudes like him in the Valley. He's going to put on some shows next year.

Maybe it's wishful thinking, but I agree. I'm not a worried defensively as some people. Sure it was at a lower level, but as the conference D-POY, he clearly knows how to defend. Comp-wise, I could see him being the guy we thought Michael Duax was going to be. Physically they're very similar - same size, very athletic, not great shooters from outside. A lot of us had high hopes for Duax, he just didn't develop the way we thought he would. Tristan seems to be a better offensive and defensive version of Duax, I'd be happy if that's what he ends up being.

[PantherAlum09]

Maybe it's wishful thinking, but I agree. I'm not a worried defensively as some people. Sure it was at a lower level, but as the conference D-POY, he clearly knows how to defend. Comp-wise, I could see him being the guy we thought Michael Duax was going to be. Physically they're very similar - same size, very athletic, not great shooters from outside. A lot of us had high hopes for Duax, he just didn't develop the way we thought he would. Tristan seems to be a better offensive and defensive version of Duax, I'd be happy if that's what he ends up being.

Agreed. He has so much more control than Duax ever has. And as great of an athlete as Michael was, this kid is on another level. RJ Taylor throwing this kid lobs is going to be so fun.

The shooting stroke is interesting and I'm hoping they spend all summer working on the shot, but if we want a guy to put the ball on the deck and go get a bucket inside, I like his chances.

[MVCBeat]

It is my experience that NAIA is a step down from D2. At least the top levels of D2. We’ll see.

[PantherAlum09]

It is my experience that NAIA is a step down from D2. At least the top levels of D2. We’ll see.

It definitely is. Hence my hesitation. We will see how the shot comes along.

[Wxcpanther]

It definitely is. Hence my hesitation. We will see how the shot comes along.

We also had a kid with similar credentials just come to us from the D3 level last year and, once he got healthy, play at a really high level.

[PantherAlum09]

We also had a kid with similar credentials just come to us from the D3 level last year and, once he got healthy, play at a really high level.

For sure. I trust the staff to find guys that can contribute. I really think they have some big expectations for Tristan. He's not coming in to sit on the bench.

[BCPanther]

The league has given schools the option of opting out of the House Settlement for year one. That would mean that we aren't subject to the roster cap or any rules on what the collective can pay.

I wouldn't be shocked if that's the way we go and that opens up the possibility of adding one more and I know of one other contact and am working on a name.

[BobCat]

Just for fun---- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8I5oqFdpFc
" Concordia’s Tristan Smith 'Dark Horse Dunker' finalist"



Also....really?