[81alum]

I guess that ESPN is obligated to publish a Way Too Early Top 25 only hours after the previous season has concluded. But any speculation on how teams will fare next season is not worth a whit of attention until you know which players are leaving their current teams and where they are going. Based on recent history, 20-40% or more of the starters for next season's top teams will be transfers (except at Stanford). Every team in this year's Sweet 16 except Iowa had at least one starter who was a transfer.

See the recent comment by the Ole Miss coach.

Ole Miss coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin says all coaches should be on board with the transfer portal. "Anyone who's whining about it is going to be out of business in two years. You better evolve or you're gone. The portal is part of life, baby. I just embrace it."

Sure would be nice if Stanford had a shot at one or more of these players.

https://www.espn.com/womens-college-bask...gs-2023-24

I think we would have a shot at Kayla Padilla if she finds a grad program at Stanford that works for her.  I do not object to grad transfers, provided that they actually complete a Master's degree once they transfer.  (I'd sure like to know what percentage actually do so!)

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To me, embracing the portal, seeing it as a good thing, is in effect valuing basketball over education. Sorry, I can't embrace it, and in the long run, I don't see it as a good thing for the athletes (I can't call all of them student-athletes) as well.

I agree, except for grad transfers.

[81alum]

I guess that ESPN is obligated to publish a Way Too Early Top 25 only hours after the previous season has concluded. But any speculation on how teams will fare next season is not worth a whit of attention until you know which players are leaving their current teams and where they are going. Based on recent history, 20-40% or more of the starters for next season's top teams will be transfers (except at Stanford). Every team in this year's Sweet 16 except Iowa had at least one starter who was a transfer.

See the recent comment by the Ole Miss coach.

Ole Miss coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin says all coaches should be on board with the transfer portal. "Anyone who's whining about it is going to be out of business in two years. You better evolve or you're gone. The portal is part of life, baby. I just embrace it."

Sure would be nice if Stanford had a shot at one or more of these players.

https://www.espn.com/womens-college-bask...gs-2023-24

I think we would have a shot at Kayla Padilla if she finds a grad program at Stanford that works for her.  I do not object to grad transfers, provided that they actually complete a Master's degree once they transfer.  (I'd sure like to know what percentage actually do so!)

---

To me, embracing the portal, seeing it as a good thing, is in effect valuing basketball over education. Sorry, I can't embrace it, and in the long run, I don't see it as a good thing for the athletes (I can't call all of them student-athletes) as well.

I agree, except for grad transfers.