Bear Down Wildcats

Monday: Jada Williams to Portal

Tuesday (so far): Breya Cunningham to Portal

Breya is a BIG loss!! I expect that she and Jada make an attractive package, just as they did in committing to Arizona.

I hoped she would not be one of the transfers...

... this will make things really tough for Adia's tenure.

Add Skyler and Katarina to the list.

How many players will we even have left by the end of this?

NothingToSeeHereLeslieNielsen.gif

Looks like it is going to be a rough upcoming season. Having a coach whose future is up in the air is not what you want. I think asu made a great hire in Molly Miller. Even Grand Canyon replaced Miller by getting South Carolina's top assistant.

Skyler and Katarina too!! Not looking good at all!!

At the moment, they've got three guards in Paris, Swann, and Rolf, with Jah and Ross as "bigs", F Brooklyn Rhodes off the bench, and three gals with a history of knee problems. (At least, until somebody else hits the portal.) Adia is fully capable of recruiting transfer replacements, and her husband can maybe still help hauling in some euros. And with all the changes in the transfer era, it's possible that lame duck coaching status means a little less than it used to, as more players expect to hop around rather than worrying about finding the perfect fit for their new "home." But, all the recent personnel issues and transfers-out have to be a big red flag for prospective recruits.

Ta'Niya Latson, from FSU, who led the nation in scoring entered her name in the transfer portal.

Normally I’d say we have no shot, but she’s represented by Klutch Sports Group which is LeBron’s agency. Wonder if having his kid on our men’s team could get us considered here. Lord knows we have plenty of playing time to offer!

Jorynn Ross enters the portal.

If Adia can even get to 500 next year, that would be a huge accomplishment.

Well, we'll see Jada again next year...

AZCatGirl wrote: Wed Apr 02, 2025 12:06 pm Well, we'll see Jada again next year...

I hate the in conference transfers the most...

I feel like we have had more AZ players hit the portal this year than we had on our entire roster

pc in NM wrote: Wed Apr 02, 2025 12:29 pm

AZCatGirl wrote: Wed Apr 02, 2025 12:06 pm Well, we'll see Jada again next year...

I hate the in conference transfers the most...

Same. It feels like they want to get back at us when that happens.

84Cat wrote: Sat Apr 05, 2025 1:43 pm

Sounds like she's the lone player to follow Adia to SMU.

Last player out of the locker room turn off the lights.

UAEebs86 wrote: Sat Apr 05, 2025 2:35 pm Last player out of the locker room turn off the lights.

Hope she heard you...

I would say shut it down but they need it for title 9.
I vote to hire a high school coach and just recruit CC kids from the state. Give them a scholarship and help them get a degree.

The Cupboard is empty; the $$$$ is shrinking...

... 7000 season ticket fans are being left high and dry.

Now we're gonna see Desireé Reed-Francois' chops... Or not.

Both of Arizona's 2025 recruits (Roxy White and Jasmine “Jazzy” Gipson have changed to SMU, followimng Adia.

Sanayah Jah has entered the portal with "no contact" stipulation - following Adia to SMU also.

The cupboard is bare!

pc in NM wrote: Tue Apr 08, 2025 7:27 am The Cupboard is empty; the $$$$ is shrinking...

... 7000 season ticket fans are being left high and dry.

Now we're gonna see Desireé Reed-Francois' chops... Or not.

DRF was hired to get the school’s money issues under control, not make them worse.

AZCatGirl wrote: Tue Apr 08, 2025 7:47 am

pc in NM wrote: Tue Apr 08, 2025 7:27 am The Cupboard is empty; the $$$$ is shrinking...

... 7000 season ticket fans are being left high and dry.

Now we're gonna see Desireé Reed-Francois' chops... Or not.

DRF was hired to get the school’s money issues under control, not make them worse.

That's not her ONLY priority, Duh!

I believe she meant this from her statement on Saturday:

We have a championship history and a proud tradition; we have incredibly passionate fans and donors who want success; we compete in one of the nation's top conferences and we have a strong commitment to basketball excellence and championships from our university and our department. We look forward to welcoming our new head coach."

As an Arizona sports fan, and especially of the women's teams, I hope she lives up to these words.

pc in NM wrote: Tue Apr 08, 2025 8:49 am

AZCatGirl wrote: Tue Apr 08, 2025 7:47 am

pc in NM wrote: Tue Apr 08, 2025 7:27 am The Cupboard is empty; the $$$$ is shrinking...

... 7000 season ticket fans are being left high and dry.

Now we're gonna see Desireé Reed-Francois' chops... Or not.

DRF was hired to get the school’s money issues under control, not make them worse.

That's not her ONLY priority, Duh!

From what I've read it's her primary function.

I believe she meant this from her statement on Saturday:

We have a championship history and a proud tradition; we have incredibly passionate fans and donors who want success; we compete in one of the nation's top conferences and we have a strong commitment to basketball excellence and championships from our university and our department. We look forward to welcoming our new head coach."

As an Arizona sports fan, and especially of the women's teams, I hope she lives up to these words.

I believe she means it as well as long as it doesn't interfere with her primary objective plus what else is she going to say?

azgreg wrote: Tue Apr 08, 2025 9:07 am

pc in NM wrote: Tue Apr 08, 2025 8:49 am

AZCatGirl wrote: Tue Apr 08, 2025 7:47 am

pc in NM wrote: Tue Apr 08, 2025 7:27 am The Cupboard is empty; the $$$$ is shrinking...

... 7000 season ticket fans are being left high and dry.

Now we're gonna see Desireé Reed-Francois' chops... Or not.

DRF was hired to get the school’s money issues under control, not make them worse.

That's not her ONLY priority, Duh!

From what I've read it's her primary function.

I believe she meant this from her statement on Saturday:

We have a championship history and a proud tradition; we have incredibly passionate fans and donors who want success; we compete in one of the nation's top conferences and we have a strong commitment to basketball excellence and championships from our university and our department. We look forward to welcoming our new head coach."

As an Arizona sports fan, and especially of the women's teams, I hope she lives up to these words.

I believe she means it as well as long as it doesn't interfere with her primary objective plus what else is she going to say?

Honestly, I don't think losing your coach and entire roster and recruiting class can be characterized as being primarily about saving money. The program is in dire straits! And this is after a NC game, multiple years in the tourney, and unprecedented attendance.

If saving a million bucks on Adia's salary is paired with the announcement of a million buck raise for CTL the same weekend - where's the savings in that??

azgreg wrote: Tue Apr 08, 2025 9:07 am

pc in NM wrote: Tue Apr 08, 2025 8:49 am

AZCatGirl wrote: Tue Apr 08, 2025 7:47 am

pc in NM wrote: Tue Apr 08, 2025 7:27 am The Cupboard is empty; the $$$$ is shrinking...

... 7000 season ticket fans are being left high and dry.

Now we're gonna see Desireé Reed-Francois' chops... Or not.

DRF was hired to get the school’s money issues under control, not make them worse.

That's not her ONLY priority, Duh!

From what I've read it's her primary function.

I believe she meant this from her statement on Saturday:

We have a championship history and a proud tradition; we have incredibly passionate fans and donors who want success; we compete in one of the nation's top conferences and we have a strong commitment to basketball excellence and championships from our university and our department. We look forward to welcoming our new head coach."

As an Arizona sports fan, and especially of the women's teams, I hope she lives up to these words.

I believe she means it as well as long as it doesn't interfere with her primary objective plus what else is she going to say?

Honestly, I don't think losing your coach and entire roster and recruiting class can be characterized as being primarily about saving money. The program is in dire straits! And this is after a NC game, multiple years in the tourney, and unprecedented attendance.

If saving a million bucks on Adia's salary is paired with the announcement of a million buck raise for CTL the same weekend - where's the savings in that??

Think of all the savings if CTL was fired and we recruited by offering a low ball salary...

pc in NM wrote: Tue Apr 08, 2025 9:16 am Honestly, I don't think losing your coach and entire roster and recruiting class can be characterized as being primarily about saving money. The program is in dire straits! And this is after a NC game, multiple years in the tourney, and unprecedented attendance.

If saving a million bucks on Adia's salary is paired with the announcement of a million buck raise for CTL the same weekend - where's the savings in that??

Think of all the savings if CTL was fired and we recruited by offering a low ball salary...

All I'm saying is from what I've read getting the athletic budget back in line is her main objective. That's why we still have Brennan. Unfortunately the rooster turnover is teh new normal in college sports.

azgreg wrote: Tue Apr 08, 2025 9:27 am

pc in NM wrote: Tue Apr 08, 2025 9:16 am Honestly, I don't think losing your coach and entire roster and recruiting class can be characterized as being primarily about saving money. The program is in dire straits! And this is after a NC game, multiple years in the tourney, and unprecedented attendance.

If saving a million bucks on Adia's salary is paired with the announcement of a million buck raise for CTL the same weekend - where's the savings in that??

Think of all the savings if CTL was fired and we recruited by offering a low ball salary...

All I'm saying is from what I've read getting the athletic budget back in line is her main objective. That's why we still have Brennan. Unfortunately the rooster turnover is teh new normal in college sports.

I'm open to see the budget-saving details with women's basketball.

And, I just can't agree that losing your coach and entire roster is "the new normal" - yes, transfers happen, just like "shit happens", but this seems well above and beyond.

Men’s basketball makes money while women’s basketball does not. It’s much easier to justify giving Tommy money than investing money into a money loser.

I want women’s basketball to be good again too but it’s going to be put on the back burner for awhile.

And Adia’s toxic behavior of chasing players off for years is why we have no one left now that she’s gone.

pc in NM wrote: Tue Apr 08, 2025 10:37 am

azgreg wrote: Tue Apr 08, 2025 9:27 am

pc in NM wrote: Tue Apr 08, 2025 9:16 am Honestly, I don't think losing your coach and entire roster and recruiting class can be characterized as being primarily about saving money. The program is in dire straits! And this is after a NC game, multiple years in the tourney, and unprecedented attendance.

If saving a million bucks on Adia's salary is paired with the announcement of a million buck raise for CTL the same weekend - where's the savings in that??

Think of all the savings if CTL was fired and we recruited by offering a low ball salary...

All I'm saying is from what I've read getting the athletic budget back in line is her main objective. That's why we still have Brennan. Unfortunately the rooster turnover is teh new normal in college sports.

I'm open to see the budget-saving details with women's basketball.

And, I just can't agree that losing your coach and entire roster is "the new normal" - yes, transfers happen, just like "shit happens", but this seems well above and beyond.

1,000 players entered the portal on the first day. Robert Morris, a tournament team, lost their entire starting 5 to the portal. Disagree all you want, it's the new normal.

AZCatGirl wrote: Tue Apr 08, 2025 10:51 am Men’s basketball makes money while women’s basketball does not. It’s much easier to justify giving Tommy money than investing money into a money loser.

I want women’s basketball to be good again too but it’s going to be put on the back burner for awhile.

And Adia’s toxic behavior of chasing players off for years is why we have no one left now that she’s gone.

Except, how many are following her to SMU?

And, that's not the sum total of what Adia accomplished while here. Compare her accomplishments to all the other coaches prior to here - especially Nyah Butts.

azgreg wrote: Tue Apr 08, 2025 11:21 am

pc in NM wrote: Tue Apr 08, 2025 10:37 am

azgreg wrote: Tue Apr 08, 2025 9:27 am

pc in NM wrote: Tue Apr 08, 2025 9:16 am Honestly, I don't think losing your coach and entire roster and recruiting class can be characterized as being primarily about saving money. The program is in dire straits! And this is after a NC game, multiple years in the tourney, and unprecedented attendance.

If saving a million bucks on Adia's salary is paired with the announcement of a million buck raise for CTL the same weekend - where's the savings in that??

Think of all the savings if CTL was fired and we recruited by offering a low ball salary...

All I'm saying is from what I've read getting the athletic budget back in line is her main objective. That's why we still have Brennan. Unfortunately the rooster turnover is teh new normal in college sports.

I'm open to see the budget-saving details with women's basketball.

And, I just can't agree that losing your coach and entire roster is "the new normal" - yes, transfers happen, just like "shit happens", but this seems well above and beyond.

1,000 players entered the portal on the first day. Robert Morris, a tournament team, lost their entire starting 5 to the portal. Disagree all you want, it's the new normal.

Outliers like Robert Morris men and Arizona women aren't "normal".

Any student-athlete in an NCAA Division I, II, or III sport can enter the transfer portal.

https://amp.thestate.com/sports/college ... 77419.html

If South Carolina can't even make money I'm not sure what hope this sport has right now.

AZCatGirl wrote: Tue Apr 08, 2025 1:50 pm https://amp.thestate.com/sports/college ... 77419.html

If South Carolina can't even make money I'm not sure what hope this sport has right now.

Notice that EVERY sport at SC LOST money except men's football and basketball.

Collegiate athletics are not about profit. TV is the source of the big income. TV $$$$ fucks everything up, eventually.

It's an interesting situation. Top athletes (and their agents) like to say they're entertainers, and they should get paid like top entertainers in the film, TV, and music industries. In pro sports, you can open the books and look at team TV rights deals, paid admissions, seat licenses, apparel sales, miscellaneous advertising revenues, etc, and demand your piece of the pie as the main attraction. But, TV and other money just follows fan interest. Even pro teams fail, and they fold or move (like the Coyotes.) The WNBA loses $40M to $50M annually and relies on subsidies from the NBA. In college, sufficient eyeballs and associated revenues to be a going concern are limited to football and men's basketball. Ideally, profits from those endeavors fund everything else sufficiently to be competitive themselves, and to keep the other sports afloat and also (hopefully) competitive. Otherwise, you raid the school's general fund (if allowed to), or beg for donations from sugar daddies. Always nice to have a Phil Knight (who's donated around $1B to Oregon) or an endowment like Stanford's ($38B.) But The UofA not only isn't in that position, but has its budget shortfall, from the Ashford University acquisition, overspending, and other issues. So if South Carolina wants to spend $4M on Dawn Staley's salary (sort of in the "entertainer" category) when their women's hoops team loses $5M annually, I guess they can choose to do that and buy titles, especially when their football team makes at least $10M more in profit than we do. That's why all of our athletic directors have always said, to paraphrase, "If you want to help (your favorite non-revenue sport's name here), buy football tickets and root for the team."

pc in NM wrote: Tue Apr 08, 2025 2:50 pm

AZCatGirl wrote: Tue Apr 08, 2025 1:50 pm https://amp.thestate.com/sports/college ... 77419.html

If South Carolina can't even make money I'm not sure what hope this sport has right now.

Notice that EVERY sport at SC LOST money except men's football and basketball.

Collegiate athletics are not about profit. TV is the source of the big income. TV $$$$ fucks everything up, eventually.

If you don't have TV money you rely on taxes, tickets, concessions and in-area advertising.

Finally some good news!

That's 2...lets go!!!

EastCoastCat wrote: Fri Apr 11, 2025 1:13 pm That's 2...lets go!!!

If we double that, we'll almost be able to field a team!

VegasCatFan wrote: Fri Apr 11, 2025 1:51 pm

EastCoastCat wrote: Fri Apr 11, 2025 1:13 pm That's 2...lets go!!!

If we double that, we'll almost be able to field a team!

Arizona should hold "walk-on tryouts" like TCU did last year.

Breya Cunningham has committed to Texas.

Lauryn Swann has committed to Rutgers women's basketball.

Texas Tech guard Achol Magot has committed to Arizona women’s basketball. She went to high school in Tucson. She is a 6-7 sophomore.

She’s 6’7”??

And a Guard???

If she's got a jumper ..... wow