DRC: UNT guards enter transfer portal

Brett Vito · March 24, 2021

Edited March 25, 2021 by Brett Vito

emmitt01 · March 24, 2021

FML

My secret fear, that I didn’t want to speak into existence, is that the back-to-back CUSA titles and NCAA tourney win made AD’s look at Mac and say “if he can do it there, he can definitely do it here.” If so, I’m afraid he may have already let players know as a courtesy.

People made light of it, but there is no other reason to note that we are not a “basketball school” during an interview celebrating this team unless that is a serious concern for him.

Edited March 24, 2021 by emmitt01

RiseUNT · March 24, 2021

Hamlet and Simmons going pro? Reese transferring to top 25 team? Jackson transferring for playing time? What is Bell doing?

This will be Reuben Jones’s team?

akriesman · March 24, 2021

My first reaction to all this is disgust. But, I feel like the football team eventually gained more than they lost in the transfer portal. So, maybe the same will be true for basketball.

Going to really miss Reese.

Grant is a great coach. I would think a lot of players would love to play for him.

Edited March 24, 2021 by akriesman

GrandGreen · March 24, 2021

Hate to lose Reese, but good luck to him.

Jackson played very hard and was a big time recruit, but never has developed an offensive game in college. Hope he lands somewhere he can contribute.

3 minutes ago, RiseUNT said:

Hamlet and Simmons going pro? Reese transferring to top 25 team? Jackson transferring for playing time? What is Bell doing?

This will be Reuben Jones’s team?

Reese transferring to a top 25 team, that is highly unlikely.

Hamlet may transfer up, or turn pro somewhere.

Hopefully Jones has a great next year, but it won't be his team. Expect Mc to bring in some great transfers.

RiseUNT · March 24, 2021

10 minutes ago, emmitt01 said:

FML

My secret fear, that I didn’t want to speak into existence, is that the back-to-back CUSA titles and NCAA tourney win made AD’s look at Mac and say “if he can do it there, he can definitely do it here.” If so, I’m afraid he may have already let players know as a courtesy.

People made light of it, but there is no other reason to note that we are not a “basketball school” during an interview celebrating this team unless that is a serious concern for him.

If Jones puts his name in then I’ll be worried.

RiseUNT · March 24, 2021

1 minute ago, GrandGreen said:

Hate to lose Reese, but good luck to him.

Jackson played very hard and was a big time recruit, but never has developed an offensive game in college. Hope he lands somewhere he can contribute.

Reese transferring to a top 25 team, that is highly unlikely.

Hamlet may transfer up, or turn pro somewhere.

Hopefully Jones has a great next year, but it won't be his team. Expect Mc to bring in some great transfers.

Our last two starting guards have transferred to top 25 teams. I think Reese is better than Gibson.

Tom McKrackin · March 24, 2021

Sad day.

BillySee58 · March 24, 2021

It’s funny seeing freak outs over losing guys who this was supposed to be their last year here anyways.

Side note, I hope we either keep or bring in some seniors so we have spots available for the 2022 high school class. This is as much recruiting momentum as we have had in a decade and you have to think the caliber of HS recruits we will be able to sign would be potentially game changing. Need some spots available though.

Tom McKrackin · March 24, 2021

I mean why would Reese want to leave us? It don’t make sense.

BillySee58 · March 24, 2021

19 minutes ago, emmitt01 said:

FML

My secret fear, that I didn’t want to speak into existence, is that the back-to-back CUSA titles and NCAA tourney win made AD’s look at Mac and say “if he can do it there, he can definitely do it here.” If so, I’m afraid he may have already let players know as a courtesy.

People made light of it, but there is no other reason to note that we are not a “basketball school” during an interview celebrating this team unless that is a serious concern for him.

I feel like Hamlet is more likely the beginning domino in this situation. Reese and Hamlet came here as a package deal. Hamlet said so in an interview with Brune, that he and Reese had been talking before their recruiting picked up that they were going to go to the same D1 school together so they could team up again, then that ended up being here.

GrandGreen · March 24, 2021

3 minutes ago, RiseUNT said:

Our last two starting guards have transferred to top 25 teams. I think Reese is better than Gibson.

Reese does not have the numbers Gibson had, plus OU got a good look at Gibson when he went off against them the year before he transferred there.

I hate for NT to lose Reese, he is an underrated player; but I really doubt a ranked team is going to be impressed by 11pts and 4rbs averages. Reese will get opportunities with good teams, but not sure any team better than NT.

ntmeangreen11 · March 24, 2021

Reese is from South Carolina and his mother was hospitalized with covid at some point in the last year I heard coach Mac say. If he wants to be closer to home or at a high major program so be it, he helped us win two conference championships, win a tourney game and likely has his degree. No one should slander the guy.

I really hope this isn't what Emmitt mentioned but my money is on that being the case as well. Let's just hope if coach does leave Wren Baker makes an even better hire next time. The "not a basketball school" comment caught me off guard as well.

BillySee58 · March 24, 2021

3 minutes ago, ntmeangreen11 said:

Reese is from South Carolina and his mother was hospitalized with covid at some point in the last year I heard coach Mac say. If he wants to be closer to home or at a high major program so be it, he helped us win two conference championships, win a tourney game and likely has his degree. No one should slander the guy.

Yup. Mccasland said she was hospitalized during senior day.

greenminer · March 24, 2021

10 minutes ago, GrandGreen said:

Reese does not have the numbers Gibson had, plus OU got a good look at Gibson when he went off against them the year before he transferred there.

I hate for NT to lose Reese, he is an underrated player; but I really doubt a ranked team is going to be impressed by 11pts and 4rbs averages. Reese will get opportunities with good teams, but not sure any team better than NT.

I loved Reese 10x more than Mo. Just my IMO. Mo was a bigger scoring threat, but Reese's contribution was so much more than scoreboard points. much more. Just my IMO.

Plus, never did I ever hold my breathe when watching Reese dribble. Couldn't say the same about Mo.

My 0.02.

GrandGreen · March 24, 2021

It is probably the best time Mc will ever have to get good job offers. If he leaves, I wish him well.

I also hope NT can get someone even better, not likely; but not impossible.

southsideguy · March 24, 2021

Murray sealed Jacksons fate. I mean if you get beat out by Murray it might be time to look somewhere else. I personally thought he was quicker than Murray. I was always shocked he did not get more playing time. Murray was no offense threat.

MattDamon23 · March 24, 2021

Mc agreed earlier in the season to a contract extension. To those of you saying he might leave, I would point to that. UNT has shown they can pay when they want to i.e. Littrell. Let the dust settle and I bet Wren and Co will find the money to keep Mc happy.

https://dentonrc.com/rsssports/regents-approve-extension-for-grant-mccasland/article_d2ad387b-884c-54b8-8773-b3b252cbe3d1.html

The silver lining here would be even if we do lose him (which I would hate to), at least we would have sufficient funds to go after someone with skins on the wall.

Edited March 24, 2021 by MattDamon23
found the article

Cooley · March 25, 2021

Over 830 in the portal as we speak, and growing. Some of our guys, in my opinion, are a dime a dozen. I certainly expect more defections. We knew, prior to the season, that at least 5 were leaving. It’s just a great opportunity to improve the product.

I’ve finally joined the McCasland bandwagon. But, his style of play, albeit, winning ball, may keep the blue chippers away.

Marty · March 25, 2021

Best of luck to them.

bstnsportsfan3 · March 25, 2021

We excepted Reese to leave as a senior anyways so even though I hate to lose him, it’s not a shock. J Jack leaving is a bit of a surprise. I though this coming season might be a chance for him to break out.

PlummMeanGreen · March 25, 2021

Give an NCAA bureaucrat a rope with slack & they’ll come up with ideas such as the portal. Sure the portal helps a chosen few, but it also destroys a basic life lesson or tenet such as gifted kids being loyal to the original school who signs them.
I hated this portal idea from the git-go because IMO it will take from the have-nots & give to the haves short & long term.
Someone feel free to change my mind about this.☹️

❇️🦅❇️ GMG!

Edited March 25, 2021 by PlummMeanGreen

UNTLifer · March 25, 2021

1. I would be shocked if McCasland goes elsewhere. Yes, he did mention that we are not a basketball school, but he also said he loved the people that he works for and with, and that they make this a special place. Regarding the "not a basketball school" comment. That can change easily with a run of success. The facilities have improved, there have been improvements made to the Super Pit and there are plans for a new arena. With a continued run of success, investors/donors can be rounded up in a hurry to jump on the bandwagon of a successful program in a high profile market. The size of our student body, the size of our local alumni base and the attention this program has gathered in the last week is the perfect recipe to build and promote the heck out of this program. We could become a basketball school real quick.

2. Man, I hate to see Reese go. I am a huge fan of his game and held out hope that he and Bell would return to build a starting five of Jones, McBride, Reese, Bell and Ousame. But, I understand with his Mom's illness and being far away from home. On top of that, he would be gone anyway under normal circumstances.

3. I like the potential of the Jones, McBride and Ousame trio along with Robinson's upside and the incoming youngsters. If Lewis rediscovers his game then we have a core to build around. I am still curious about Wise as he is still listed on the roster and hasn't shown up in the portal.

Let's Build This Thing.

Edited March 25, 2021 by UNTLifer

MattDamon23 · March 25, 2021

15 minutes ago, UNTLifer said:

1. I would be shocked if McCasland goes elsewhere. Yes, he did mention that we are not a basketball school, but he also said he loved the people that he works for and with, and that they make this a special place. Regarding the "not a basketball school" comment. That can change easily with a run of success. The facilities have improved, there have been improvements made to the Super Pit and there are plans for a new arena. With a continued run of success, investors/donors can be rounded up in a hurry to jump on the bandwagon of a successful program in a high profile market. The size of our student body, the size of our local alumni base and the attention this program has gathered in the last week is the perfect recipe to build and promote the heck out of this program. We could become a basketball school real quick.

2. Man, I hate to see Reese go. I am a huge fan of his game and held out hope that he and Bell would return to build a starting five of Jones, McBride, Reese, Bell and Ousame. But, I understand with his Mom's illness and being far away from home. On top of that, he would be gone anyway under normal circumstances.

3. I like the potential of the Jones, McBride and Ousame trio along with Robinson's upside and the incoming youngsters. If Lewis rediscovers his game then we have a core to build around. I am still curious about Wise as he is still listed on the roster and hasn't shown up in the portal.

Let's Build This Thing.

I know a guy

bob the builder GIF

PlummMeanGreen · March 25, 2021

6 minutes ago, UNTLifer said:

1. I would be shocked if McCasland goes elsewhere. Yes, he did mention that we are not a basketball school, but he also said he loved the people that he works for and with, and that they make this a special place. Regarding the "not a basketball school" comment. That can change easily with a run of success. The facilities have improved, there have been improvements made to the Super Pit and there are plans for a new arena. With a continued run of success, investors/donors can be rounded up in a hurry to jump on the bandwagon of a successful program in a high profile market. The size of our student body, the size of our local alumni base and the attention this program has gathered in the last week is the perfect recipe to build and promote the heck out of this program. We could become a basketball school real quick.

Let's Build This Thing.

An alum gave me some reasons & important variables as to why Coach Mac will stay & family has much to do with it.

“Not a basketball school?” Well, we haven’t been, but neither was Gonzaga 18 years ago. That can all change so fast in our microwave “cook it right now” society.

I think most of us are blown away as to what even one win at the Big Dance did for the Mean Green Nation. I even ran into a recent transplanted New Yorker who saw my Mean Green gear at a local store who had a “your school did good” comment.
•••Question: Wonder how TV ratings were for both our games?
•••Non-basketball: Did anyone listen to Ex Mean Green football star & NT Athletic HOF’er John Lott on KTCK’s Bad Radio today? He’s been strength coach with San Diego Chargers of late.
The radio guys spent almost 30 minutes with JL. It was a great interview & the NCAA Purdue win made him a very, very proud UNT alum.