The portal is heating up. Lots of small college stars and good low to mid major players putting in their names in the last week. The D2 and D3 guys are looking for low to mid major new schools, while the D1 guys are gonna sign at all levels.

TK said last month we would sign a frontcourt player from the portal. Expect a good offensive player with 2 years of remaining eligibility. Someone who can step into the rotation, possibly as a starter. UT recruits on skill, fit and commitment. Could be a sf, pf, or center. Won't be a kid who has already transferred once or twice.

one MAC name in the portal is boopie miller. the cmu pg who was on the all-fresh team 2 years ago and looked good early this year before getting hurt. he was in the portal last yr too but chose to come back to cmu. i don't get good vibes from barbee, but he has an eye for talent.

K's success has been transfers of former offered players. Any bigs in the portal fit that description?

I would expect some BGSU players to enter the portal due to the coaching change.

You would think that a good big guy that is looking for a move from an unsuccessful program that draws poorly to be interested in the Toledo situation. Would know quickly that the opportunity to start quickly is there, has a good nucleus of returning players and has announced openly that getting a big man is a top priority. Seems TK can be pretty selective.

With both AJ and Andre staying, the redshirt Simmons, I'm not sure K needs to portal. He could go the develop in-house route since any incoming Freshman would have other bigs and talls to practice and learn from. I'm not sure how bothered I should be that Rossford's Vorst heading to Indiana St. He played Austin Parks (OSU commit) pretty well. There's another well regarded Knapke down in Indiana border land, though I don't know how tall. Seems like there's quality hard working bigs to be found in the high school ranks, here or far.

We need another post player!!!! Just not another stretch 4

(03-09-2023 11:41 AM)Rocket_Fanatic Wrote:  We need another post player!!!! Just not another stretch 4

+1 We may never have two forwards like Shumate and Millner again that can make up for lack of height.

In the paper the other day they said the younger Kanapke was 6'9". Gotta wonder if he's a recruit? He has a teammate who is 6'8". Nice high school front court.

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(03-09-2023 11:19 AM)eastisbest Wrote:  With both AJ and Andre staying, the redshirt Simmons, I'm not sure K needs to portal. He could go the develop in-house route since any incoming Freshman would have other bigs and talls to practice and learn from. I'm not sure how bothered I should be that Rossford's Vorst heading to Indiana St. He played Austin Parks (OSU commit) pretty well. There's another well regarded Knapke down in Indiana border land, though I don't know how tall. Seems like there's quality hard working bigs to be found in the high school ranks, here or far.

AJ has bachelors and post grad degree. Suspect he is gone.


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(03-09-2023 12:18 PM)indianasniff Wrote:  

(03-09-2023 11:19 AM)eastisbest Wrote:  With both AJ and Andre staying, the redshirt Simmons, I'm not sure K needs to portal. He could go the develop in-house route since any incoming Freshman would have other bigs and talls to practice and learn from. I'm not sure how bothered I should be that Rossford's Vorst heading to Indiana St. He played Austin Parks (OSU commit) pretty well. There's another well regarded Knapke down in Indiana border land, though I don't know how tall. Seems like there's quality hard working bigs to be found in the high school ranks, here or far.

AJ has bachelors and post grad degree. Suspect he is gone.

I must have missed some discussion. After Edu was not presented on Senior Day, I thought we were convinced he is staying?

Anybody know what discipline his (Edu) degrees are in? And if he already has bachelor and grad degrees - how can he even stay in school in order to play? Would have thought if he was done with school, he would have been part of the senior day on the final home game on Feb. 25th.

A few years ago, I would have never thought TK would be a threat to be recruited away to another opening at a bigger school. Yet UT fans have been more obsessed over whether Candle gets an offer. Three straight outright MAC championships is gaining him a lot of attention. The offense has been fun to watch, defense has stepped up, assists to turnovers very good, etc. etc. Could he be gone soon? Don't know the contract situation, but I can think of a number of big schools that would be interested.

K could get as frustrated as anyone the P%s getting all the slots. I can see it as important to his retention he get into NCAA with Toledo as any money issue.

One bad year isn't going to get Gard the heave-ho at Whisky but I would worry if he had two. K doesn't seem the type to move clear cross country away from family. Anything P5 in Ohio, IN (not likely), Illinois or Wisconsin could be a concern.

(03-09-2023 11:53 AM)emanoh Wrote:  In the paper the other day they said the younger Kanapke was 6'9". Gotta wonder if he's a recruit? He has a teammate who is 6'8". Nice high school front court.

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Jack Knapke is a 2024 class prospect. PrepHoops Ohio lists him as 6'8. He is listed in the top 50 prospects in his class in the state.

"Knapke is a load for Division IV teams to handle. Knapke crashes the glass hard and blocked a couple shots at the rim. Still struggling to explode off the ground vertically, Knapke will look to work on his explosiveness and quickness this offseason. While he’s improved in both areas, there’s still room to grow if Knapke is going to defend in space at the college level against pick and rolls. Regardless of his college potential, this is one of the most productive bigs in Division IV as he’ll look to bring Marion Local’s storied program back to the state tournament with one more win."

(03-09-2023 12:18 PM)indianasniff Wrote:  

(03-09-2023 11:19 AM)eastisbest Wrote:  With both AJ and Andre staying, the redshirt Simmons, I'm not sure K needs to portal. He could go the develop in-house route since any incoming Freshman would have other bigs and talls to practice and learn from. I'm not sure how bothered I should be that Rossford's Vorst heading to Indiana St. He played Austin Parks (OSU commit) pretty well. There's another well regarded Knapke down in Indiana border land, though I don't know how tall. Seems like there's quality hard working bigs to be found in the high school ranks, here or far.

AJ has bachelors and post grad degree. Suspect he is gone.


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Why? You think he went through all those knee surgeries and rehab just to play one year?? I would be SHOCKED if he doesn't come back.

AJ has an accounting degree and is close to finishing an MBA or similar administeation degree. He will head home to the Philippines after the semester to compete for a spot on the national team as they co-host the FIBA world cup. No insight on his return to UT but he may be ready for something different.

(03-09-2023 06:48 PM)pono Wrote:  AJ has an accounting degree and is close to finishing an MBA or similar administeation degree. He will head home to the Philippines after the semester to compete for a spot on the national team as they co-host the FIBA world cup. No insight on his return to UT but he may be ready for something different.

AJ would have to be playing on a much higher level to make the Philippines national team.

I would not count on Edu for next season. TK will sit down with the young man and find out for sure what his plans will be after this season has climaxed.

(03-09-2023 07:06 PM)DetroitRocket Wrote:  

(03-09-2023 06:48 PM)pono Wrote:  AJ has an accounting degree and is close to finishing an MBA or similar administeation degree. He will head home to the Philippines after the semester to compete for a spot on the national team as they co-host the FIBA world cup. No insight on his return to UT but he may be ready for something different.

AJ would have to be playing on a much higher level to make the Philippines national team.

Well, he already is on a "higher level" so to speak as the Filipinos are some of the world's most basketball crazy people and also some of the shortest. Lots of competition for guard spots on the national team. A lot less comp for the post positions. They got rail thin 7 footer Kai Sotto and some grown 6-5 men. AJ was projected to be on the team this year for the WC prior to the slew of injuries.

AJ lives in England. I would be shocked if TK hadn"t talked to AJ a long time ago about his future.

(03-09-2023 02:47 AM)pono Wrote:  The portal is heating up. Lots of small college stars and good low to mid major players putting in their names in the last week. The D2 and D3 guys are looking for low to mid major new schools, while the D1 guys are gonna sign at all levels.

TK said last month we would sign a frontcourt player from the portal. Expect a good offensive player with 2 years of remaining eligibility. Someone who can step into the rotation, possibly as a starter. UT recruits on skill, fit and commitment. Could be a sf, pf, or center. Won't be a kid who has already transferred once or twice.

one MAC name in the portal is boopie miller. the cmu pg who was on the all-fresh team 2 years ago and looked good early this year before getting hurt. he was in the portal last yr too but chose to come back to cmu. i don't get good vibes from barbee, but he has an eye for talent.

May 1 thru 15 portal window