No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show
Episode: Transfer Portal Winner and Losers: Iowa, Stanford, Maryland and More
Release Date: April 24, 2024
Hosts: Zena Keita, Chantel Jennings, Sabreena Merchant, and Ben Pickman

Introduction

In this episode of No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show, hosts Zena Keita, Chantel Jennings, Sabreena Merchant, and Ben Pickman delve into the evolving landscape of the women's basketball transfer portal. Released on April 24, 2024, the episode explores how the transfer portal is reshaping teams like Iowa, Stanford, Maryland, and more, highlighting both the successes and challenges faced by these programs.

Understanding the Transfer Portal

Chantel Jennings kicks off the discussion by explaining the nuances of the transfer portal:

“It is just this magical land where players can jump in, coaches can jump in and you can transform your roster in minutes basically by finding people and getting them onto your campus.”
[07:12]

The transfer portal, which opened right after the NCAA bracket announcement and closes next Wednesday, has become a pivotal tool for teams looking to either rebuild or make immediate impacts. This system has fundamentally altered recruiting and roster management in women's college basketball.

Winners and Losers in the Transfer Portal

Auburn

Auburn emerges as a significant beneficiary of the transfer portal:

• Talia Scott: A star freshman from Arkansas averaging 22 points per game last season, now a key player for Auburn.

  “She was one of these freshmen who I think on the whole snuck under the radar... and she becomes now the headliner at Auburn.”
  [10:36]

• Deanna Gaston: A seasoned veteran from Texas, bringing leadership and stability to the team.

Ben Pickman emphasizes Auburn's balanced approach in the transfer portal, blending youthful talent with experienced players to build a cohesive unit.

Iowa

Iowa has strategically utilized the transfer portal to bolster its roster:

• Lucy Olson: A prolific scorer averaging nearly 24 points per game during her time at Villanova, now enhancing Iowa's offensive capabilities.

  “She'll be a really good fit at Iowa for what they want to do until they get Addie Deal on campus.”
  [14:32]

• Addie Deal: A top 15 recruit from the class of 2025, expected to join Iowa and strengthen the team's future prospects.

Chantel Jennings highlights Iowa's continued relevance in the national conversation, reinforcing their ability to attract high-profile transfers despite the departure of star players like Caitlin Clark.

Maryland

Maryland has been particularly active in the transfer portal, adding depth and versatility to their squad:

• Sailor Poffenbarger: An All-SEC freshman from Arkansas known for her defensive prowess and rebounding.
• Cheyenne Sellers, Bri McDaniel, Sarah Tabiasu, Mae Torre, Kayleen Smichel: Additional scorers from mid-major programs enhancing Maryland's offensive depth.

“They're a team that is going to rebound the ball quite well and is going to be able to score really well.”
[22:49]

Zena Keita commends Maryland's strategic additions, positioning them as contenders poised to excel in the Big Ten and elevate their standing in the NCAA tournament.

Stanford and Oregon State

Stanford and Oregon State are among the notable programs experiencing significant player departures:

• Stanford:

  • Kiki Erie: A foundational player entering the transfer portal, making Stanford a potential contender in the upcoming season.

    “She was honestly someone who could be foundational for basically any roster in the country.”
    [26:54]

• Oregon State:

  • Eight players, including standout talents like Regan Beers and Talia Van Olhofen, have entered the portal, leading to a challenging rebuilding phase as they transition to the West Coast Conference.

Chantel Jennings expresses concern over Oregon State's depleted roster, emphasizing the loss of young, experienced players crucial for tournament readiness.

Colorado

Colorado faces a transitional moment with multiple player departures:

• Aaron At Vonlay: A key player leaving the program.
• Five freshmen and sophomores also transferring, along with star guard Jaylen Sherrod moving to the WNBA.

“Colorado is poised to look very different next year as well.”
[33:10]

Zena Keita notes that Colorado's shift, coupled with their conference realignment, presents both challenges and opportunities for program revitalization.

TCU

TCU is actively reshaping its roster through strategic transfers:

• Matty Shearer: From Kentucky, expected to make a significant impact.
• Taylor Bigby: From USC, brought in to strengthen the team's dynamics.

“Shearer in particular... is set to be a really impactful player on this team.”
[24:14]

Zena Keita anticipates continued transfer activity at TCU, highlighting their potential resurgence in the coming seasons.

Impact on Top Programs

South Carolina

While not heavily featured in the portal discussions, South Carolina remains a powerhouse:

“They just had an undefeated season... they are the team to beat.”
[35:15]

South Carolina's dominance, akin to the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA, sets the standard for other programs. Their ability to retain and develop talent keeps them at the forefront of women's basketball.

Predictions for Top Five Schools in Next Season

The hosts collaborate to forecast the top contenders for the upcoming season:

1. South Carolina
2. UConn
3. Notre Dame
4. USC
5. Texas

Ben Pickman agrees with this ranking, acknowledging the potential of programs like Iowa State to break into the top five as they mature their rosters.

“South Carolina, the clear number one. I think UConn deserving of being number two... Texas again...”
[37:16]

Chantel Jennings adds that USC, despite their youthful roster, has the potential to surprise once their freshmen acclimate and develop under Coach Lindsey Gottlieb.

WNBA Training Camps Insights

Transitioning to the professional level, the episode explores the intricacies of WNBA training camps:

• Zena Keita shares her observations from visiting the Seattle Storm, noting the excitement and intense competition as players vie for limited roster spots.

  “Training camps are really hard and this year I think there's some extra purposes to them.”
  [42:40]

• Notable Camps to Watch: Phoenix Mercury is highlighted as a particularly intriguing camp due to their active roster changes and the potential integration of new talents like Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner.

“The camp that I have my eye on the most is the Phoenix Mercury camp... they're really the team that I've circled to see how did these battles shake out.”
[45:18]

The discussion underscores the heightened competition in training camps, especially in an Olympic year, adding layers of complexity with players managing injuries and international commitments.

Conclusion and Future Updates

As the episode wraps up, the hosts announce a shift in their publishing schedule from bi-weekly to weekly updates every Tuesday. They encourage listeners to engage with them by suggesting guests and topics, ensuring the show remains responsive to audience interests.

“If there are any guests that you want to hear from... let us know in the comments.”
[47:58]

Zena Keita emphasizes the importance of continued support and engagement from the audience to sustain and grow women's basketball coverage.

“Keep listening, keep learning and keep loving the game because that's the only way we're going to keep growing it.”
[48:27]

Key Takeaways:

• The transfer portal is significantly reshaping women's college basketball, offering both opportunities and challenges for various programs.
• Auburn and Iowa are notable winners, effectively utilizing transfers to enhance their rosters.
• Stanford, Oregon State, and Colorado face substantial losses, requiring strategic rebuilding efforts.
• Maryland emerges as a dark horse with strategic additions poised to elevate their competitive edge.
• South Carolina remains the benchmark for excellence, setting high standards for other programs.
• Upcoming WNBA training camps, especially for teams like Phoenix Mercury, promise intense competition and exciting developments.

This episode provides an insightful analysis of the current state and future prospects of women's basketball, making it an essential listen for fans and stakeholders alike.