LADY RAIDER BB Transfer Portal Tracker

[jakeboldenbrp]

As names start to enter the portal, I will do my best to update a running list of names to keep an eye on.

With 6 HS signees and losing 5 Seniors, the current roster is at a surplus on one scholarship. That would mean they need to do some gymnastics (or cuts) to shop in the transfer portal. Not to mention if the NCAA re-addresses a 5th year addition (currently tabled until April), you could return everyone expect Grannum and Arike.

In a world where they make cuts, players enter the portal, or CRI rescinds scholarships, I think they would go after an experienced center and/or a proven scorer at PG. This is just my speculation. Losing your 4 year letterman Boldyreva and not having an immediate replacement has a lot of questions marks around the position. I believe Dominguez, Phifer, and McClendon will immediately challenge for the starting spot and in years past we've seen HS centers immediately take the reins. In fact, some of the best in school history did so, Boldyreva and Alex Johnson immediately come to mind. There is already some good, scoring capable F/C that have entered the portal that would be worth exploring. The back court is deep with HS scoring talent (Verhulst 16 ppg, Swaney 19 ppg, and Baugus 22 ppg) plus returning Scott *fingers crossed* and Davis makes the scoring PG/SG a lower priority. Blakely contributed nearly 10 ppg, but her 19% 3FG was felt on the floor spacing you experienced with Wheeler.

Here is my list in no particular order:

• Caitlin Weimar, NC State F/C (6-4, SR)
  • Didn't play in '24-'25 due to injury. Scored 18.7 ppg and 10.6 rpg at Boston U in '23-'24
• Aniya Hubbard, UAB SG (5-8, JR)
  • '23 CUSA Freshman of the Year at FAU, proven scorer in this league with 17.2 ppg for the Owls
  • She essentially went MIA after transferring to UAB
• Edyn Battle, Jacksonville G (5-7, SR)
  • ASun 1st-teamer, 20.8 ppg, 2.8 apg and improved her A/TO to positive this season
• Anaya Brown, UT-Martin F (6-1, JR)
  • OVC 1st-teamer, 15 ppg with a 30% 3FG and 75% FT.
• Rachael Rose, Wofford G (5-7, SR)
  • Eerily similar numbers to Savannah Wheelers JR season at Marshall: 22 ppg, 40% 3FG, 87% FT on 5 FTA/g
  • Only played 6 games this year, Preseason SoCon POY
• Gracie Merkle, Penn State C (6-6, rSO)
  • High on my list LY and returns to the portal this year. 15.5 ppg on 67% FG and 8.6 rpg in the Big Ten.
• Lexi Fleming, Bowling Green PG (5-5, SR)
  • Avg 12.6 ppg through 4 years at BG. 46% FG on 10 att/g and 36% from 3, near 2 A/TO ratio. I think a very underrated find.
• Alayna Contreras, UMKC G (5-6, SO)
  • Multi-level scorer with high-volume shooting. Scored nearly 600 points (over 17 ppg) for UMKC on 17 FGA/g (7th most in CBB) and 38% FG.

 

[MTOleBlue]

Great post but one correction - McClendon at 6’4” would be competing for that starting C position, Phifer is a G at 6’1”. I can also see us going for an experienced C for a year to hold down the block. Going after Merkle could be a good option since she clearly is good enough to do well in a loaded Big Ten.

 

[jakeboldenbrp]

Great post but one correction - McClendon at 6’4” would be competing for that starting C position, Phifer is a G at 6’1”. I can also see us going for an experienced C for a year to hold down the block. Going after Merkle could be a good option since she clearly is good enough to do well in a loaded Big Ten.

Correct, Phifer is a utility/flex player for certain. Ingomar played a lot of 5 out so it would be fair to say she's position-less? McClendon averaged a double-double at Prattville and has a high-energy presence. In an article on her signing, CRI said she could play the 4 or 5.

 

[MTOleBlue]

I really think our biggest area of need would be an immediate post presence as a starter or backup to Milanovic, Dominguez, McClendon, etc. but also some of that depends on if Rick is back next year, because will a transfer want to sit on the bench? Or would team risk having other C/F leave if Rick continues to not play anyone off bench except out of necessity?

In terms of PG, we’ll have Harrison, Verhulst, and potentially some others who could get into that role as well - so I feel like we’ll be pretty deep. CAB will be a big loss but she’s not necessarily the kind of PG we’ve had in the past who really fits the system to a T.

 

[jakeboldenbrp]

I really think our biggest area of need would be an immediate post presence as a starter or backup to Milanovic, Dominguez, McClendon, etc. but also some of that depends on if Rick is back next year, because will a transfer want to sit on the bench? Or would team risk having other C/F leave if Rick continues to not play anyone off bench except out of necessity?

I don't think they would get a transfer that wouldn't have an immediate impact on the starting five. They already have too many on scholarship (assuming all 15 this year were on scholarship) with the 10 returning plus 6 HS signees.

 

[MTOleBlue]

I don't think they would get a transfer that wouldn't have an immediate impact on the starting five. They already have too many on scholarship (assuming all 15 this year were on scholarship) with the 10 returning plus 6 HS signees.

That’s actually another question I have had. Is the roster size changing due to recent Title IX judgements and stuff? I thought for sure I had heard the WBB teams may get an additional scholarship or two but I could be all mixed up.

 

[jakeboldenbrp]

That’s actually another question I have had. Is the roster size changing due to recent Title IX judgements and stuff? I thought for sure I had heard the WBB teams may get an additional scholarship or two but I could be all mixed up.

Mens basketball gained 2 more scholarships to match WBB as part of the antitrust settlement. To my knowledge, WBB will remain at 15.

 

[MTOleBlue]

Mens basketball gained 2 more scholarships to match WBB as part of the antitrust settlement. To my knowledge, WBB will remain at 15.

That must’ve been what I was thinking about. Thanks for clarifying. Wonder how they’re figuring the math for the incoming class… it’ll be interesting to see

 

[MTFAN61]

Would like to see what McClendon could do at the 5 spot. I like her speed & athleticism & quickness up & down the court.
At the point would like someone with some of offensive moxie & can hit at least 50% of her layup attempts.

 

[jakeboldenbrp]

• Lexi Fleming, Bowling Green PG (5-5, SR)
  • Avg 12.6 ppg through 4 years at BG. 46% FG on 10 att/g and 36% from 3, near 2 A/TO ratio. I think a very underrated find.

Adding Fleming to this list. Really impressive numbers LY moving into her final year of eligibility. Also made the Final Four of the WNIT in 2023.

 

[jakeboldenbrp]

• Alayna Contreras, UMKC G (5-6, SO)
  • Multi-level scorer with high-volume shooting. Scored nearly 600 points (over 17 ppg) for UMKC on 17 FGA/g (7th most in CBB) and 38% FG.

Another name with high-volume, high-scoring potential. 2 years of eligibility remaining.

 

[crassyblue]

Would like to see what McClendon could do at the 5 spot. I like her speed & athleticism & quickness up & down the court.
At the point would like someone with some of offensive moxie & can hit at least 50% of her layup attempts.

I think she might get more playing time to start than the 6'10'' girl. That girl looks fairly agile and moves without the ball pretty good. She also looks stronger than Anastasia from the start, but most every big girl doesn't have the stamia of Anastasia. I think there will be a lot of time split for a while with them.

 

[MTOleBlue]

I think she might get more playing time to start than the 6'10'' girl. That girl looks fairly agile and moves without the ball pretty good. She also looks stronger than Anastasia from the start, but most every big girl doesn't have the stamia of Anastasia. I think there will be a lot of time split for a while with them.

Yeah stamina will definitely be the build up for Nicole. We’ve got a lot of potential at the 5 with Jenna coming in and Ana Milanovic off the bench this year.

Wonder who we will lose to the portal this year… it has opened officially this morning

 

[crassyblue]

Yeah stamina will definitely be the build up for Nicole. We’ve got a lot of potential at the 5 with Jenna coming in and Ana Milanovic off the bench this year.

Wonder who we will lose to the portal this year… it has opened officially this morning

I should have talked about Ana Milanovic also. She has a year in the process and showed good talent when she got in. Triple-Split Time

 

[jakeboldenbrp]

 

[jakeboldenbrp]

I should have talked about Ana Milanovic also. She has a year in the process and showed good talent when she got in. Triple-Split Time

Don't forget Kabernick. She had the most PT outside of Grannum at the 5. They were really happy with her progress this past offseason. Also a good shot from three.

 

[jakeboldenbrp]

In CUSA news: Josie Gilvin and Mackenzie Chatfield enter the transfer portal for WKU. Big loss for Collins. Will be a completely new Starting 5 in Bowling Green next year.

Jax State has three of their top 6 scorers in the portal. If you add in the graduations of Rhodes and Barnes, that's 5 of their top 6 scorers will be gone.

 

[MTOleBlue]

Wow… major changes at WKU. Hope we don’t lose many or any

 

[jakeboldenbrp]

Unfortunate.

Lady Raiders currently at 15 scholarship players. With Matt's announcement of Portal Shopping, I would anticipate more to follow to make room on the roster.

 

[MTOleBlue]

Well crap. She will be a big loss.

 

[MTBig Blue]

Not a surprise. She was the one I was worried about the most.

 

[MTOleBlue]

She’s an incredible scorer and very talented but needs to work on decision making. She had Nas open in the paint multiple times per game before passing the ball away or turning it over - frustrating to watch. That said, she’ll be a big loss.

 

[asuhatesme]

Rumor has it she saw how good the signing class was and knew she wouldn’t even see the floor next year.

 

[blueboro007]

Rumor has it she saw how good the signing class was and knew she wouldn’t even see the floor next year.

Hope you are right but we keep hearing about these great signing classes only to see them warm the bench.

 

[asuhatesme]

Hope you are right but we keep hearing about these great signing classes only to see them warm the bench.

I’ve been assured by people on this board that this year signing class is the best in the country. So I will defer to them. They obviously know more ball than I do.

 

[MTOleBlue]

Hope you are right but we keep hearing about these great signing classes only to see them warm the bench.

He’s trolling.

Folks have been saying how good the incoming class is but that has nothing to do with Ta’Mia who has been an established starter. She wants a bigger role and a different fit, good luck to her wherever she ends up.

 

[MTOleBlue]

I’ve been assured by people on this board that this year signing class is the best in the country. So I will defer to them. They obviously know more ball than I do.

No, you’re the expert. Please inform us about the truth of the situation.

 

[asuhatesme]

No, you’re the expert. Please inform us about the truth of the situation.

The truth of the matter is now we only return about three points per game on a team that was already offensively pathetic. Add in the fact that it’s been a significant downgrade to our team’s overall athleticism, and we’re cooked.
Rick is only coming back to get his 500 wins and what you’re gonna see next year is a pathetic schedule and I barely 500 team that finishes at least fifth in the conference.

 

[MTOleBlue]

The truth of the matter is now we only return about three points per game on a team that was already offensively pathetic. Add in the fact that it’s been a significant downgrade to our team’s overall athleticism, and we’re cooked.
Rick is only coming back to get his 500 wins and what you’re gonna see next year is a pathetic schedule and I barely 500 team that finishes at least fifth in the conference.

That’s quite a few leaps in there. I’ll just go ahead and bookmark this post for safekeeping to reflect on next year on us finishing “barely .500”…

The offense was quite clearly lacking this year, and it’s going to be a total reset so I’m not sure how you can prognosticate about it being certainly “cooked” based on a bench that we didn’t even see play very much. Part of the clear issue with this year’s team was the lack of a strong scoring PG like we had with Savannah, that allowed teams to double and triple Nas all year, every game. All of that changes next year with a new offense, and it has to be a new one considering we are losing literally every starter. Yes, there’s a chance we stink, but the chance of the new players stepping up as they have every single year over the last 2 decades is greater in my view.

And you do realize we are hosting the Tennessee Lady Vols at home next year, right? Even without other big name opponents that alone will give us a tough time in out of conference. We aren’t going to schedule scared just because you think we will suck.

 

[TruBluCop]

Not a surprise. She was the one I was worried about the most.

Show me the "MONEY" is the name of the game now.

 

[MTFAN61]

Scott would have been the offenses focal point, & leader of next year's team had she returned. She has made occasional statements about overcoming frustrations here at MT. This year had to have been the most frustrating time she's experienced at Middle. She knows how Rick coaches, & it looks like he's returning next year. With that being the case not surprised about her decision.
It's probably her thought if we struggled so badly offensively with so much available experience, it will likely be worse with 6 incoming freshmen. Especially with a coach who spends the predominant amount of practice time on defense & minimal time on offense.
Note: Scott could be just the beginning of transfer requests. She was a major starter, & she wants out. What about the Raiders who barely saw any time at all?? We'll have to wait & see, but what goes around comes around. If there's a large number of defects going forward we know who's to blame.

 

[MTOleBlue]

Definitely a “grass is greener on the other side” kind of decision. Wish her the best.

 

[Hop45]

I think she decided she didn't want the hassle of going through a rebuild with losing so many Seniors this year. may have had a solid offer and decided to jump at it.