23-24 Transfer Portal thread

Makes sense.  She is good enough to play anywhere.  Why not go play at what has been the 
mecca of women's college basketball for the most successful coach in history.   

If players are leaving because of what conference they would be playing in then Rueck is doing a terrible job explaining things to his players. The only thing that is relevant is what their Strength of Schedule is. UConn has played in lower level conferences for years and yet their SOS has been one of the top 5 year after year. And therefore so has their ranking.

AJ's parents moved to Oregon. Considering her role and being a starter even though it could be argued that maybe she shouldn't have been at times, she is likely happy with her current situation and probably sticking around.

Once upon a time, say 20-30 years ago, when I was in school, teams stayed together because they kind of had to - was harder to transfer, most players were there for the education because there were fewer venues in which to ply your trade as a livelihood post-graduation, and because there were less economic interests at work (coaches, schools, TV, conferences, facilities arms races), some of it was still school/regional pride, good sportsmanship (not win at all costs), having fun, and again, obtaining an education. I can attest to the fact that transferring credits was harder back in the day - so anyway, you perhaps thought longer and harder about where you were going to school, and you stuck it out once you got there unless extenuating circumstances presented themselves. Social media also wasn't a thing, so you didn't spout off all the time, or feel compelled to stay "on brand" when you did post (i.e. "we are family").

Before I judge any of these young ladies too harshly for deciding to pack it up - in a world where it's seemingly all about the money, credits transfer easily, movement is almost encouraged (coaches and players), education is taking a back seat, all sorts of venues to play after college are available if you make the "right" moves, TV and conference matter, commitments and sticking it out aren't what they used to be, a person might have spouted off on social media in the heat of a moment (remember being a teenager? remember raising one?), I need to remember A LOT has changed. Also, there is research showing this generation doesn't discern people IRL vs. online the way us "older" folks do - so maybe they can remain family and best friends while being geographically dispersed.....

And sometimes I might be using my lens and my values on a very changed situation...... As a fan, I am having a really hard time, because I LOVED watching players develop and grow over the years, and somewhere in there I started equating having season tickets and spending inordinate amounts of time pondering OSU WBB to *being* part of the family, and actually bought into the "we are family" branding. Just to be harshly reminded that the situation has changed irrevocably - I either need to dial back my fandom and/or find new past times altogether. And while that is hard to stomach, I think I will try hard not to judge these young women too harshly, because while in my mind they have no good reason to leave, they don't owe me a thing, nor do they have to have a 'good' reason to leave - it's their life, they need to live it.

Your mileage, of course, may vary. I'm also finding it hard to hold negative thoughts around the members of this team - while I have never even exchanged a single word with any current player, they have left me with some great memories!

Go Beavers!

Arkansas men have zero scholarship players on their roster currently so all things considered, it could be much worse.

I’m with you 2ndGen. I am deeply disappointed in the situation OSU is in. But I truly don’t understand the hatred and the vitriol being thrown at college students. I wish they had come back to make a deep run next year but they didn’t. Is that reason for supposed adults to act like they are? They’re dead to me, they’re all fake, not a true family, and whatever other bs people are spouting. They were close, and will still be friends after they’re done. All the other players that have left still follow each other and are constantly encouraging each other, or wishing each other happy birthdays, or whatever. A bunch of fans who know nothing about what’s happening in the locker room tearing down the players and coaches because they feel betrayed. Raegan was my daughter’s summer league coach last year and I have talked to her numerous times. She is one of the most genuine, truly nice person I have ever met. She is not fake or a liar or traitor or anything other than a great person. Same with Talia, or Adlee or Donovan or any other player that everyone here were rooting for a month ago. I’m would never tell anyone how to feel, but I am amazed at the level of which some of you have taken those feelings. Yes some of them may find it’s not any better somewhere else, and maybe even wish they hadn’t left. But to actively root against them or to tear them down so badly, to me is absolutely ridiculous. But hey, I guess maybe that’s just me, again very disappointed, but appreciative of the year and how much fun it was. I will continue with my support next year, which hopefully will be with another group of players who are hungry enough to lead OSU back to the tournament.