Non-Lady Vol Basketball News 2026-27

[brittannica]

I’m beginning to question the concept of a “nice” freshman class in the age of the portal. Makes me feel the need to research how and when did Cori Close assemble her deep senior led team.

he historically hasn't played freshmen much either, which often leads them to transfer.

 

[cabbie191]

Juju is almost back, it’s about to get scary for the rest of women’s college basketball

Might be but I'm not convinced. IMO, there was a major issue with Juju's "me first, pad my stats" attitude coupled with Gottlieb allowing her to be that way at the expense of focusing on team ball. As a reminder, there were 4 significant players who transferred out last year which leads me to believe not everything was copesthetic in the locker room.

But perhaps a year of maturing and a year sitting on the bench will have changed things for the better.

 

[Terrells Bay88]

Of her top 7 players, 4 were there since freshmen. Betts came her sophomore year. Only one, Kneepkens, was a first year player.

Are you sure about that because both Dugalic (Oregon) and Leger-Walker (Washington St) were transfers too. I guess that it was benefit to UCLA that those two along with Kneepkens were 5th year redshirt seniors.

 

[spojo13]

Are you sure about that because both Dugalic (Oregon) and Leger-Walker (Washington St) were transfers too. I guess that it was benefit to UCLA that those two along with Kneepkens were 5th year redshirt seniors.

You are correct. I forgot Dugalić had played 1 year at Oregon and 4 at UCLA. I knew Leger-Walker was there last year hurt. So amended statement: 3 since freshmen, 1 for four years, 1 for three years, 1 for two years, and 1 for one year. Still a lot of years in the program.

 

[Rooster1]

I’ll take a stab at SC’s top 8 next season, likely starters in bold:

Kitts PF
Edwards F
Watkins C
Johnson W
Makeer SG
Portal player/McDaniel PG
Tournabize/Tac C

* Biggest need is obviously finding a dynamic PG from the portal. Watkins will be the first off the bench obviously. If/when she starts, Makeer becomes the first off of the bench. If they land a good outside shooting PG I could see that lineup winning the SEC again, esp since Texas lost three starters, but you just never know. LSU always in play. Kitts, Edwards, Johnson and Makeer should each vie for All SEC honors barring injuries.

I believe their number one portal target is the PG from Virginia, Johnson, who many schools will be after as well. Apparently SC needs two Johnsons on the roster again with Raven departing. Keep it clean people…. Forecasts drop a good bit if McDaniel is the starting PG imo.

Three freshmen coming in, including Jerzey Robinson. Frosh traditionally get introduced slowly under Staley, Robinson will try to break that mold. I’m not as high on her as most are as I have stated, I may be wrong, would not be the first time. I wasn’t high on Tessa Johnson out of HS as a recent example of my misses. The other two are RS candidates due to injuries imo.

 

[Rooster1]

South Carolina women’s basketball to host top transfer portal target, Kymora Johnson

South Carolina is in the mix to land arguably the best guard available in the transfer portal. Virginia's Kymora Johnson will visit the Gamecocks.

www.usatoday.com

She will be hard to land, in high demand.

 

[Okie]

I apologize if this is already posted.

Texus is losing 7 players from this year's team so far. 3 to graduation and 4 more to the portal, including some of their better players. It seems that winning doesn't cure everything when there are potential $$ at play.

 

[chuckiepoo]

I apologize if this is already posted.

Texus is losing 7 players from this year's team so far. 3 to graduation and 4 more to the portal, including some of their better players. It seems that winning doesn't cure everything when there are potential $$ at play.

It’s insidious. I hate it that a team like uTerus can’t hold onto their talent.

Not that I’m a Longhorn fan, just that I respect Vic and their program.