2025 Transfer Portal

[millerhusker]

7 minutes ago, The Polish Rifle said:

Yep sounds like Sandfort and the GTown transfer are the only two we are interested in. No visits lined up yet. 

And Dix (but might be a long shot). The other priority targets haven't officially entered the portal yet. 

 

Apparently some of our staff recently followed Bangot Dak on social media. Not sure if true, I'd assume they already followed him when he was in high school. 

Edited March 23 by millerhusker

[thrasher31]

25 minutes ago, millerhusker said:

And Dix (but might be a long shot). The other priority targets haven't officially entered the portal yet. 

 

Apparently some of our staff recently followed Bangot Dak on social media. Not sure if true, I'd assume they already followed him when he was in high school. 

Yeah they had him visit a few times in HS so I imagine those are from his time in HS 

[Bugeaters1]

 

[nustudent]

28 minutes ago, Bugeaters1 said:

 

Yes please 

[hhcmatt]

You might remember him from scoring 21 on us when he was with North Dakota.

A 3 level scorer who is frustratingly poor at converting those looks. 

 

 

[hhcmatt]

Did Cal steal our strategy of picking up guys who have burned Nebraska?

 

 

[hhcmatt]

 

[Cazzie22]

I am not enthralled by players who bounce from a school after only one season.  But, coaches do it.

[nustudent]

16 minutes ago, Cazzie22 said:

I am not enthralled by players who bounce from a school after only one season.  But, coaches do it.

Not to mention it’s likely the adults in the room who are telling a lot of those players to do it. 

[Nebrasketball1979]

33 minutes ago, Cazzie22 said:

I am not enthralled by players who bounce from a school after only one season.  But, coaches do it.

 

I can't fault the kids at this point.  The vast majority of them will never play a minute in the NBA so if schools are willing to throw around $500K or more for a player that maybe has the potential to play overseas (thinking Morgan and/or Meah), how can they not jump at the money and become mercenaries?  Why would we expect them to do any different than most people would do if offered a substantial raise to leave their current employer in their current line of work?

 

I'm not saying I like it but it's the reality that's not going away.  

[hhcmatt]

Someone is going to give this guy a ridiculous amount of money

 

[cornfed24-7]

1 hour ago, Nebrasketball1979 said:

 

I'm not saying I like it but it's the reality that's not going away.  

I hate it, but I just don't think there's a scenario, where if asked for advice, I wouldn't tell the player, "Take bag kid." 

Edited March 24 by cornfed24-7

[AuroranHusker]

 

 

[Navin R. Johnson]

 

[LincecumFan]

21 minutes ago, Navin R. Johnson said:

 

https://x.com/JamieShaw5/status/1904180213421887799?t=3ZFyhf0wsyH48gubKHWyjA&s=19

 

It won't be easy getting his commitment, even with Connor's help.

[Norm Peterson]

 

 

Don't know if this guy knows anything or not, BUT ...

 

Cluff is listed at 6'11 and 260, so he has very good size.

 

He's also a juco product, and I'm wondering if that means he's really only a sophomore eligibility-wise rather than a senior.

 

[GhostOfJoeMcCray]

19 minutes ago, Navin R. Johnson said:

 

 

He scored 31 points against Penn State in November. It's strange that he dropped from a 41% 3pt shooter in 2023-24 to 26% in 2024-25. 

 

However, he ended the season going 3-41 from 3 after scoring 38 points on Jan. 25. So prior to going ice cold after Jan. 25, he was shooting 37.7% from 3. 

 

I'll just chalk that up to he went off for 38 points in a game, got overly pumped about his game and proceeded to miss 38 of his next 41 threes because why not. Honestly, he sounds like a perfect Nebraska basketball player. 

 

 

 

 

[GhostOfJoeMcCray]

According to Robin, Rienk Mast is 100% returning to Nebraska. Phew. 

[Bugeaters1]

 

[hskr4life]

43 minutes ago, GhostOfJoeMcCray said:

 

He scored 31 points against Penn State in November. It's strange that he dropped from a 41% 3pt shooter in 2023-24 to 26% in 2024-25. 

 

However, he ended the season going 3-41 from 3 after scoring 38 points on Jan. 25. So prior to going ice cold after Jan. 25, he was shooting 37.7% from 3. 

 

I'll just chalk that up to he went off for 38 points in a game, got overly pumped about his game and proceeded to miss 38 of his next 41 threes because why not. Honestly, he sounds like a perfect Nebraska basketball player. 

 

 

 

 

 

Maybe he just wanted to show us how he'd fit in.... like a glove I'd say.

[GhostOfJoeMcCray]

 

 

[thrasher31]

2 minutes ago, GhostOfJoeMcCray said:

 

 

Definitely one to keep an eye on. He didn't do shit at UCLA, but mara and Tyler biladeou were super impressive. He'd be great in an energy giving big role off the bench 

[Norm Peterson]

So, this was kind of fun. I posed to Twitter's AI bot the following task: "Come up with a plan for how a Power 5 conference men's basketball head coach would sift through the hundreds of transfer portal prospects to find the hidden gems who have game but might be overlooked by other P5 coaches."

 

It took about 5 seconds to get a response. The result:

 

Here’s a strategic plan for a Power 5 conference men’s basketball head coach to navigate the transfer portal and identify overlooked "hidden gems" who have significant potential but might slip under the radar of other P5 programs. The goal is to find players with "game"—demonstrated ability and upside—who can contribute meaningfully to a high-major roster without competing head-to-head with every other P5 coach for the most hyped prospects.

---

Step 1: Define Program Needs and Player Profile

• Assess Roster Gaps: Start by analyzing the current roster post-season. Identify specific positional needs (e.g., point guard depth, wing scoring, rim protection) and skill deficiencies (e.g., 3-point shooting, defensive versatility) based on performance data and departing players.
• Set a Hidden Gem Profile: Focus on players who might be overlooked due to:
  • Playing at mid-major or low-major programs with less national exposure.
  • Limited minutes due to depth at their previous school, not lack of talent.
  • Raw stats that don’t pop but show efficiency (e.g., high PER, TS%, or BPM in limited roles).
  • Late bloomers or players who improved significantly in their last season.
• Cultural Fit: Prioritize intangibles like work ethic, coachability, and resilience—traits that might not show in box scores but align with the program’s identity.

---

Step 2: Leverage Data and Analytics

• Filter the Portal Early: Use tools like the NCAA Transfer Portal database and third-party platforms (e.g., 247Sports, Verbal Commits) to sort players by stats, position, and previous school. Narrow the initial list from hundreds to a manageable 50-75 candidates within 48 hours of portal entries.
• Key Metrics to Target:
  • Efficiency: Look for high effective field goal percentage (eFG%) or true shooting percentage (TS%) in limited minutes (e.g., 15-20 MPG).
  • Usage vs. Production: Find players with moderate usage rates (15-20%) but strong per-possession stats (e.g., points per 100 possessions, assist-to-turnover ratio).
  • Advanced Stats: Use KenPom, Synergy, or BartTorvik data to identify players with high Player Efficiency Ratings (PER) or Box Plus-Minus (BPM) relative to their team’s strength of schedule.
  • Defensive Impact: Seek players with above-average steal or block rates, even if their offense is underdeveloped.
• Red Flags to Avoid: Steer clear of players with inflated stats from weak competition unless advanced metrics suggest translatable skills, or those with a history of poor shot selection (e.g., low FG% on high volume).

---

Step 3: Scout Smarter, Not Louder

• Tap Assistant Coaches and Staff: Divide the filtered list among the coaching staff. Assign each assistant 10-15 players to deep-dive into within a week, focusing on:
  • Game Film: Watch 2-3 full games (not just highlights) to assess decision-making, motor, and fit within the team’s system (e.g., pace-and-space offense, press defense).
  • Context: Evaluate why they’re transferring—lack of fit, coaching change, or seeking a bigger stage? Cross-reference with their team’s depth chart.
• Mine Mid-Major Standouts: Target players from conferences like the Missouri Valley, Atlantic 10, or WCC who posted solid numbers (e.g., 10-15 PPG, 5+ RPG) but weren’t all-conference selections. These players often fly under the radar of P5 coaches chasing 20 PPG scorers.
• Look for Late-Season Surges: Identify players whose stats spiked in the final 10-15 games of the season, indicating growth or a breakout that might not be reflected in season averages.

---

Step 4: Network and Gather Intel

• Use Coaching Connections: Reach out to the player’s former head coach, assistants, or even opposing mid-major coaches who’ve faced them. Ask pointed questions:
  • What’s their ceiling with better teammates?
  • How do they handle adversity or coaching?
  • Any off-court concerns (e.g., attitude, academics)?
• Graduate Assistants and GAs: Task younger staff with scouring X (Twitter) for posts from players, AAU coaches, or local beat writers hinting at work ethic, character, or unreported skills (e.g., a 6’8” forward who’s added a 3-point shot in the offseason).
• Talk to Teammates: If possible, discreetly contact a current or former teammate (via back channels) to gauge leadership and locker-room presence.

---

Step 5: Prioritize Under-the-Radar Traits

• Versatility: Seek players who can fill multiple roles (e.g., a 6’6” wing who can guard 2-4 and shoot 35% from three) rather than one-dimensional stars who demand the ball.
• Physical Tools: Look for length, athleticism, or size that’s underdeveloped but projects well at the P5 level (e.g., a 6’10” sophomore with a 7’2” wingspan averaging 8 PPG at a mid-major).
• Situational Upside: Target players stuck behind all-conference talent at their old school (e.g., a backup point guard to an All-American) who could thrive with more minutes.

---

Step 6: Move Fast and Build Relationships

• Initial Contact: Once a shortlist of 10-15 gems emerges, have assistants make first contact within days of portal entry—before the player’s stock rises. Use email or text (per NCAA rules) to express specific interest tied to their film (e.g., “We love how you attack closeouts”).
• Sell the Vision: During Zoom calls or visits, pitch a clear role: “You’d be our sixth man with 20 MPG and a chance to start by conference play.” Highlight development resources (e.g., strength staff, facilities) that mid-majors can’t match.
• Beat the Buzz: Lock in commitments before other P5 coaches catch wind. Offer NIL opportunities early if the program has them, but emphasize playing time and fit over cash alone.

---

Step 7: Validate and Finalize

• Workout Auditions: If feasible, invite top candidates for on-campus workouts to test their skills against current players. Assess coachability and how they mesh with the system.
• Cross-Check Stats: Revisit advanced metrics post-scouting to ensure no overfitting—confirm their efficiency holds up against similar competition to your conference.
• Commit Decisively: Once 2-4 true gems are identified, secure them with scholarships or walk-on offers (if depth allows), leaving room for a splashier portal name if one emerges later.

---

Example Targets

• Player A: 6’5” SG from a Horizon League school, 12.3 PPG, 38% 3PT, 1.5 SPG in 22 MPG off the bench. Stuck behind a senior all-league guard but flashed starter potential late in the year.
• Player B: 6’9” PF from the Big Sky, 9.8 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 62% FG, minimal 3-point attempts. Raw but long, with a high motor—could develop into a P5 rotation big.
• Player C: 6’3” PG from the CAA, 8.1 PPG, 4.2 APG, 1.8 A/TO ratio in 18 MPG. Overshadowed by a ball-dominant star but ran the offense efficiently when given chances.

---

Timeline

• Day 1-2 Post-Portal Opening: Filter and assign initial list.
• Day 3-7: Staff scouts film and gathers intel.
• Day 8-14: Narrow to 10-15, make contact, and pitch.
• Day 15-21: Host visits, workouts, and lock in 2-4 commitments.

---

Why It Works

This plan avoids the feeding frenzy for top-100 portal names (e.g., 20 PPG scorers) that every P5 coach chases, instead exploiting inefficiencies in the market. By focusing on efficiency, context, and hustle, the coach unearths players with translatable skills who just need a bigger stage. Speed, relationships, and a clear role seal the deal before the competition wakes up. In a Power 5 league, these gems can become rotation players or starters, giving the program a talent edge at a lower recruiting cost.

[HuscurAdam]

24 minutes ago, GhostOfJoeMcCray said:

 

 

 

I'm guessing Creighton here. Fits what they like in a rim-running big and a good, mobile shot blocker for their drop defense. 

[B-town hoopsfan]

35 minutes ago, GhostOfJoeMcCray said:

 

 

I think we woulda danced with him instead of meah this year…wonder how much NIL he had gotten from UCLA to not play much