2025 Portal

paultzman said:
Matt and Rick are to be commended for last year’s portal haul. Richmond, Smith and Scott are talented, but also mega aggressive team first guys. They were so positive re: team chemistry and coordination at both ends of court, especially for our staple, Defense. I never get too giddy over “names” in portal (Cliff exhibit 1), rather how players will fit the system and complement each other. This will be a challenge no matter how successful we are, although our appeal has obviously increased. I did not mention RJ because he was not part of this portal group, but obviously losing these four presents a huge challenge.

There is no way to predict who of the potential returnees is on the roster next season. There are just too many variables in this free agency era to predict anything. As LMF said, it is best to enjoy the hell out of this season and see where the chips fall in March. UConn fans this year got overly excited about some incoming recruits w reputations & Karaban staying. They disregarded the impact of losing three very talented guards and an NBA big who drove their championship level defense. You can see how that translated in 24-25.
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Yes, I guess that is another aspect of this brave new college basketball world. The landscape will change year after year, regardless of success. And, is exacerbated by the trend to go after older experienced guys, not high schoolers.

It is what it is: semi-pro basketball with open free agency.

Enjoy the fun while it lasts. Each season is likely to be a different story and experience.
 
paultzman said:
Matt and Rick are to be commended for last year’s portal haul. Richmond, Smith and Scott are talented, but also mega aggressive team first guys. They were so positive re: team chemistry and coordination at both ends of court, especially for our staple, Defense. I never get too giddy over “names” in portal (Cliff exhibit 1), rather how players will fit the system and complement each other. This will be a challenge no matter how successful we are, although our appeal has obviously increased. I did not mention RJ because he was not part of this portal group, but obviously losing these four presents a huge challenge.

There is no way to predict who of the potential returnees is on the roster next season. There are just too many variables in this free agency era to predict anything. As LMF said, it is best to enjoy the hell out of this season and see where the chips fall in March. UConn fans this year got overly excited about some incoming recruits w reputations & Karaban staying. They disregarded the impact of losing three very talented guards and an NBA big who drove their championship level defense. You can see how that translated in 24-25.
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Would only add that unless your freshman is named Cooper Flagg, if you are counting on freshmen to carry you in this era you are likely to be disappointed.

Maybe with the departure of the "extra COVID year" class that will change a little, but then again maybe not.
 
lawmanfan said:
I knew this post was coming. Great kid; has athleticism and is a good defender. This is a very unique team and I would be surprised if Pitino's team next year is built like this one, which may limit Ayo's role. And Ayo might want to go be a mainstay someplace else. I guess we will see.
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I don't think this is a unique Pitino team, though. This is what Pitino does. It's defense, rebounding, and hustle. He's never been an offensive x's and o's guy. Labeling Ayo as just a good defender is selling him short. He has 2+ years left here...think what he could look like as a 5th-year senior. The floor is 6th through 8th man and the ceiling is possibly a starter with ++ defensive ability and versatility that can finish in transition and flirt with 40% from three.

Maybe for his 5th year you let him go to New Mexico with Jr. or set him up to start somewhere in the A-10. He's far too valuable next year if we lose Scott, Richmond, and possibly Smith and RJ.

I am hoping RJ comes back. I see it as a coin toss at this point.
 
dk423 said:
Only reason I'd say someone should expect RJ to leave is either you think we're going to go on a NCAA run & his stock is going to exponentially increase, or you want to protect yourself from disappointment.

Both things I totally get and wouldn't really argue about.

But if the NBA draft was in two weeks, I'd be shocked if he gets drafted at all. He's talked about as getting drafted as a 3/D type wing with upside. But he doesn't have the former. We're his best place to go if the NBA doesn't work out. Repole's literally on the public record saying he wants to shell out $$$ for him and Rick's stopped saying he's leaving publicly. 🤷‍♂️
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As of now, I don't see RJ being drafted in the 1st round on any draft boards, and rarely even drafted in the 2nd. Notwithstanding, I imagine RJ declares for the draft to assess his draft status. It only takes one team to fall in love with his athletic ability and see his shooting as a work in process. But, after the assessment, if he doesn't have a 1st round grade or is guaranteed that by a team, he'll make more guaranteed money staying in college.
 
redmanwest said:
Yes, I guess that is another aspect of this brave new college basketball world. The landscape will change year after year, regardless of success. And, is exacerbated by the trend to go after older experienced guys, not high schoolers.

It is what it is: semi-pro basketball with open free agency.

Enjoy the fun while it lasts. Each season is likely to be a different story and experience.
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Exactly. And as much as we hate to even consider, what if some school throws $5 million at Zuby? Is St John's expected to get into a bidding war? And how could a kid turn that payday down. Just have to enjoy year by year.
 
If RJ gets high 6 or low 7 figures he'll be back. He may be getting that already for all I know.

He is better improving his game, getting stronger and waiting for next year when the draft won't be as stacked. This years draft is going to be ridiculous.
 
Returnees will be subject to the free market temptations by schools offering big bucks.
 
Watching UNC/FSU and Jamir Watkins would be a very nice fit with Pitino next year. NJ kid whose name surfaced around here last year but he ultimately stayed out of the portal. If he stays in college for one more year (Could be a 2nd round pick) then I wouldn’t mind being involved there
 
dk423 said:
I watched Arizona State for 15 minutes last night. Hurley is clearly 95% out the door mentally. Whole team is a toxic mess.

Sanon visited us unofficially last year. Guy barely got the ball, hard to judge. But clearly that whole team is gone.
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www.espn.com

ASU leading scorer Freeman no longer with team

Arizona State's leading scorer BJ Freeman is no longer with the program because of conduct detrimental to the team, a team spokesman confirmed Sunday.
www.espn.com www.espn.com

Damn, my scouting from the couch was pretty good on this one.
 
redmanwest said:
Yes, I guess that is another aspect of this brave new college basketball world. The landscape will change year after year, regardless of success. And, is exacerbated by the trend to go after older experienced guys, not high schoolers.

It is what it is: semi-pro basketball with open free agency.

Enjoy the fun while it lasts. Each season is likely to be a different story and experience.
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NIL prices will go up each year. Like in every sport, the following year new contracts all go up……unfortunately, NIL will be the same.
 
lawmanfan said:
Would only add that unless your freshman is named Cooper Flagg, if you are counting on freshmen to carry you in this era you are likely to be disappointed.

Maybe with the departure of the "extra COVID year" class that will change a little, but then again maybe not.
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Why cant Aaron Scott get another year? He has had four, thought new NCAA rule increased to 5 year eligibility.
 
Just assuming this guy will be a portal entrant. As noted before, his brother is a talented Juco who just committed to Auburn.

 
I would be a bit surprised if RJ left. He will definitely test the draft waters to get a sense of the overall reception and perception of him in the NBA. Assuming the response is, "another year of growth will result in being drafted in the first round," then it would be silly to leave SJU. Another year in a system he knows for a coach that has proven to him that he can up his game would benefit him more than running to another program for a 10% one-time NIL raise.

Unless drafted, I have to think RJ returns next year along with Sim and Zuby to our starting five. Ayo, I agree, returns; he seems to be very much aligned with Rick and his best option is to develop under Rick and play in Europe. I assume Prey and Lefty return since Rick has talked about not recruiting over them out of the HS ranks. Not sure on Glover and Dunlap. Can see them both being 50 / 50 at this point. Dunlap was getting a lot of PT ahead of the injury so can't see him being too sour about how he is being used. I don't see him as a starter on any competitive team in a power conference either. For Glover; I think Sim could have a huge impact on him returning. I believe they played together in HS and their freshman years were very similar. Sim has progressed so much under Rick and can probably relay that experience onto Glover.

In this day and age, anything is possible, but we are in a much different world as a program than we were a year or two ago and I think SJU is now a much more desirable destination. I feel like we can bring back our current crop of players and hopefully on focus on replacing the seniors.
 
Redzing1969 said:
Why cant Aaron Scott get another year? He has had four, thought new NCAA rule increased to 5 year eligibility.
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Not final, just a proposal they're discussing. I thought I saw it was shot down, but I'm not sure.

paultzman said:
Just assuming this guy will be a portal entrant. As noted before, his brother is a talented Juco who just committed to Auburn.

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Guaranteed. King Rice was very sober about it in November.

“Now he does this in this building, what it really does, is it’s going to get him recruited more," the coach said, referring to the transfer portal come spring. "What it’s really going to do is ensure his family gets taken care of because he can play basketball. He always tells me, ‘No, coach I’m not leaving you, I want to be with you.' But when you get 38 at Rutgers in your fourth game as sophomore and we’re in this new college basketball world, we’ve got to understand what this is going to mean. No one can be happier for a person than I am for what he did tonight. He put the world on notice."

www.app.com

Rutgers basketball: Ace Bailey debuts with a bang in win over Monmouth

5 takeaways from Rutgers vs. Monmouth basketball as freshman phenom Ace Bailey returns from injury
www.app.com

I'd love him at St. John's. A skinner Chaz Lanier.
 
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