All the best to RayJ, NBA or back to UT, it's a win either way.

As a few coaches have recently said college hoops is now more about retention than recruiting. UT does a great job at retention because players love playing here. Other than Marreon (who I'd * as a 4 year Rockets player who graduated from UT but got an unexpected extra year from COVID) we haven't had a key guy transfer out in a decade. RayJ and his family have had a strong relationship w our staff and will work together on this decision. Mid major stars like him don't generally benefit from a late college career transfer to a big school. Too many variables and such that could lower their pro interest. He has a perfect role at UT in one of the nation's top offenses. If the NBA thinks he'll be drafted he probably leaves. If not, he likely returns. win win

(03-30-2023 01:02 PM)pono Wrote:  All the best to RayJ, NBA or back to UT, it's a win either way.

As a few coaches have recently said college hoops is now more about retention than recruiting. UT does a great job at retention because players love playing here. Other than Marreon (who I'd * as a 4 year Rockets player who graduated from UT but got an unexpected extra year from COVID) we haven't had a key guy transfer out in a decade. RayJ and his family have had a strong relationship w our staff and will work together on this decision. Mid major stars like him don't generally benefit from a late college career transfer to a big school. Too many variables and such that could lower their pro interest. He has a perfect role at UT in one of the nation's top offenses. If the NBA thinks he'll be drafted he probably leaves. If not, he likely returns. win win

100 % agree with what you said and you said it better than I could.

the pro scouts know all the top prospects in the mid major leagues. These up transfers really risk it all, new coach/system/teammates when they already producing, for WHAT? Mid major fine for Steph, Dame, Kawhi, Rollins, etc.

If Dennis leaves, good for him !!
Wish him luck !! But with Sonny Wilson coming in, the program will be in good hands at the pg position… They say he is really really good !!

(03-31-2023 10:34 AM)FMRocket Wrote:  If Dennis leaves, good for him !!
Wish him luck !! But with Sonny Wilson coming in, the program will be in good hands at the pg position… They say he is really really good !!

While we've had past success starting Freshmen at Point Guard like J. Brown and M. Jackson, not everyone is ready to handle the responsibilities that come with this position. That's not to say Sonny Wilson will not be able to handle it, but you never know with a Freshman if they are ready both physically and mentally to start or play right away. With 4 scholarships available which includes Edu's, I am sure the Coaching Staff is monitoring the Transfer Portal for Point Guards to keep an eye on in case Dennis stays in the Draft.

(03-31-2023 01:21 PM)Basketball Jones Wrote:  

(03-31-2023 10:34 AM)FMRocket Wrote:  If Dennis leaves, good for him !!
Wish him luck !! But with Sonny Wilson coming in, the program will be in good hands at the pg position… They say he is really really good !!

While we've had past success starting Freshmen at Point Guard like J. Brown and M. Jackson, not everyone is ready to handle the responsibilities that come with this position. That's not to say Sonny Wilson will not be able to handle it, but you never know with a Freshman if they are ready both physically and mentally to start or play right away. With 4 scholarships available which includes Edu's, I am sure the Coaching Staff is monitoring the Transfer Portal for Point Guards to keep an eye on in case Dennis stays in the Draft.

Since Dennis has until the end of April to withdraw from the draft, that may make it a bit harder to land a better-than-MAC-average PG from the portal. If I’m a guy who knows I’m going to get the chance to earn the starting spot, Toledo could be an attractive landing spot; but, I think we all agree Dennis is obviously the starter if he stays, so how many guys in the portal will wait it out I guess is the question.

I think the staff would rather give the keys to sonny Wilson than get a vet from the portal. Wilson is justin ingrams signature recruit and the guy they want to succeed dennis. Might see us add a portal player who can play a bit of pg but help elsewhere too. The UNLV portal guy from Cleveland we are after type

If it looks like Dennis is leaving for the draft, might Farmer decide to stay at UT? I don't really see Farmer as a pg but the absence of Dennis would definitely free up some minutes for Farmer.

Cochrane, Maddox and even Moss can all contribute as point guards until Wilson is battle tested in the MAC.

(04-01-2023 12:30 AM)Sleepy Wrote:  If it looks like Dennis is leaving for the draft, might Farmer decide to stay at UT? I don't really see Farmer as a pg but the absence of Dennis would definitely free up some minutes for Farmer.

Cochrane, Maddox and even Moss can all contribute as point guards until Wilson is battle tested in the MAC.

I was wondering the same thing, although Farmer knew this was RayJ's likely plan when the season ended and he put his name in the portal. could depend on what his transfer options are. If he doesn't find a good new fit perhaps he reconsiders returning. Of course, the program is gonna try to fill these open spots at the same time.

Our guy Eemili Yalaho is still unsigned, btw, maybe the Rockets are in the mix.

Looking at several NBA Draft Projections online, unlike Rollins last season, I have not seen Dennis's name show up on any of them as of this morning. While I am not sure what the track record of these online sites are for projecting previous NBA Drafts, it does indicate that Dennis is currently flying under the radar. Dennis can certainly change the narrative by how well he performs at individual NBA team workouts over the next 3 weeks. In addition, it only takes 1 team to fall in love with a player so being outside looking in, while challenging, is not something that cannot be overcome!

Dennis again is a long shot, perhaps a preferred free agent, if that means anything in the pro circles.

Must not have read my letter. Damn.