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Wisconsin-Green Bay: Transfer Portal Additions

Dillon Graff
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Wisconsin-Green Bay: Transfer Portal Additions

Entering Will Ryanโ€™s first full off-season at the helm, there is no doubt he had his work cut out for him. Following the departure of eight players leaving via the transfer portal, the program had some holes to fill. While on paper that seemed like something that would set the program back, some saw it as an opportunity to speed up the retooling process. 

Gone are a large group of players that didnโ€™t see themselves as a fit in coach Ryanโ€™s system (which is totally fine). Entering is a large group of handpicked players excited to be a part of what the phoenix are attempting to build. The top end talent on the roster has certainly taken a hit, but from top to bottom I see this as a deeper roster than a year ago. It’s easy to look at this team on paper and see a group who is seemingly a better fit for Will Ryanโ€™s system.  

There is going to be true competition for minutes at each and every position on the floor. Green Bay put a premium on players with in-state ties that offer size, shooting, and versatility. Will Ryan is going to have plenty of options if he wants to play small, having landed several bigger guards from the portal. In addition to the guards added to the roster, the Phoenix added size that will allow them to match up well with bigger teams in the conference.

Without Further ado, we will introduce the incoming transfers that have committed to UWGB this off-season. 

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Mitch Listau – Player notes: 

  • Transfer (Belmont) โ€“ committed on 3-30-21. 
  • Waunakee, Wisconsin Native.
  • Ranked 6th best player in WI (2018)
  • 3 seasons of eligibility remaining 

Listau was a three-time all-state selection by the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association and was a second-team all-state pick by the Associated Press as a senior after averaging 23.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3 assists while shooting 54% from the field. 

Mitch Listau, guard, spent three seasons at Belmont one of which was a red-shirt season. Largely regulated to a bench role, Listau appeared in 19 games a year ago (missed several due to injury). Mitch Listau is a skilled, left-handed wing who can score from distance, mid-range and off the dribble. The Waunakee native was super-efficient in the opportunities he was given last season, averaging 1.016 PPP (85th percentile), and 1 PPP on spot up jumpers (70th percentile). 

Listau, a career 35% three-point shooter at Belmont, thought it best to pursue greater opportunity in his home state. Green Bay as a unit was a poor shooting team last season, so adding an efficient shooter like Mitch Listau seems like a no-brainer and likely a lock for minutes next season. 

Listau has some size for a wing, which should allow him to play either spot on the wing. Heโ€™s also a decent ball handler for his position and has a knockdown mid-range jumper. Green Bay needs all the shooting it can get right now, so landing an in-state kid who fills a need seems like a no-brainer.  

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Randy Tucker – Player notes: 

  • Transfer (Vincennes University – JUCO) โ€“ committed on 4-29-21
  • 6-foot-4 Guard, Illinois native. 
  • Played for NJCAA Hall of Fame coach Todd Franklin at Vincennes 
  • Three seasons of eligibility remaining 

Green Bay took quite the hit in guard depth following all of the off-season departures. Will Ryan made a conscious effort to fix that hole by securing a commitment from 6’4″ guard Randy Tucker. Tucker, a Rock Island, IL (Quad Cities area) native played his previous two seasons at the JUCO level at Vincennes University under NJCAA Hall of Fame coach Todd Franklin. 

Randy Tucker brings great size for the position and is a 38.8% three-point shooter, with about 56% of his shots coming from behind the arc. Tucker is a player who has a great basketball IQ, crediting both his high school and college coachโ€™s ability to teach the game. Tucker is also a solid and willing rebounder, which is important given his size and the Green Bay system counting on everyone to contribute on the glass.

With every position on the floor having minutes up for grabs, it’s difficult to say what his chances are of earning significant playing time. However, a gritty defender with good size and shooting ability would likely be given every chance to earn a role for the phoenix. This seems like a nice addition given the fit.

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Donovan Ivory – Player notes: 

  • Transfer (Boise State) โ€“ committed on 5-01-21
  • Kaukauna, Wisconsin native.
  • 6-foot-6 guard.
  • Formerly a scholarship guard at UMass Lowell/ Walk-On at Boise State
  • Three seasons of eligibility remaining

Donovan Ivory is the third guard this off-season to accept a scholarship from UWGB, joining Mitch Listau and Randy Tucker.

Ivory is another in-state guard returning home for the opportunity to play in front of friends and family. Green Bay will be Ivoryโ€™s third stop in as many years, and hopefully his last. Ivory was a D2 all-state selection by the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association, and a state champion while at Kaukauna. 

Ivory took a scholarship offer from UMass Lowell but spent only one semester at the school. Ivory played in three games, averaging just under six minutes a game before leaving for Boise State and becoming a walk-on. Ivory played in three games this season for the Broncos before entering the transfer portal.

Ivory brings good size at the guard position and can be a play-maker with the ball in his hands. Ivory is yet another floor stretcher and can finish through contact. The downside is that he hasnโ€™t had a lot of in-game experience over the last two seasons. 

I think this was a flyer very much worth taking. Ivory possesses the kind of qualities that should translate well in this system and is an above average athlete. I like this fit more than most, and definitely see Ivory as a contributor due to his size, skillset, and versatility. I would be shocked if he didnโ€™t bring something to the program as soon as next season. 

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Tutu Majok – Player notes: 

  • Transfer (JUCO -Bossier Parish Community College) Committed 05-21-21
  • Three seasons of eligibility remaining
  • 6-foot-8 big man

Tutu Majok, the lone big man recruited in this transfer portal class, was a bit of an outside the box addition. While he may not be the prototypical big man recruited to play in this system, he certainly addresses one of this teamsโ€™ biggest holes from a year ago, rebounding. 

Majok makes his presence known on the glass, averaging more than 10 rebounds a game in under 20 MPG this past season. Majok makes up for his lack of height with his long wingspan, thicker build, and above average athleticism for the position. I donโ€™t see Majok getting pushed around in the Horizon league, his presence alone should go a long way for a program that wants to build a foundation of strong defensive play. 

Tutu Majok runs the floor really well for a big man. He is explosive off of a drop step and doesnโ€™t hesitate when he decides to go to the rim. The JUCO transfer has decent touch and routinely follows up his shots. Between him and Manny Ansong, Green Bay is going to be relentless on the offensive glass. His face-up jumper isnโ€™t a strong suit, but is definitely serviceable, seeing he shot 30% from downtown (on only 26 attempts). The last thing that really stood out about Majok was his above average passing ability for a true center.  

With very few established big men on the roster it’s hard to envision a scenario where Tutu Majok doesnโ€™t step into a role of some sort right out of the gate.

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Nate Jenkins – Player notes: 

  • Transfer (Iowa State โ€“ Walk-on) Committed 04-28-21
  • Kettle Moraine, Wisconsin native.
  • 6-foot-2 Guard.
  • 14th Ranked player in Wisconsin in 2019
  • Three seasons of eligibility remaining

Nate Jenkins is another in-state prospect who is returning home to Wisconsin. Jenkins played his high school basketball at Kettle Moraine before accepting a walk-on spot at Iowa State. Jenkins averaged 17.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.7 steals as a senior while  earning first-team all-conference honors. He also played AAU for the Wisconsin Playground Warriors.

Nate Jenkins appeared in 18 games over two years, averaging 0.4 points, 0.5 rebounds, and 0.3 assists before entering the transfer portal in search of a new opportunity. While at Iowa State Jenkins earned Academic All-Big 12 First Team (21), Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team (20), Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll (F19, S20), ISU Scholar-Athlete (20, 21).

Jenkins comes to Green Bay as a walk-on but like many other incoming players will be thrust into competition for minutes. There is not a lot of info or film available on Nate Jenkins at this time, so he enters the program a relative unknown on the court. What we do know is he has good size for a mid-major guard and is an excellent student who now will have his chance to prove himself on the court. 


Give me a follow on Twitter at @Badgers_Notes

Ranking the #HLWBB portal classes

Kyle Rossi
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There’s no denying that the transfer portal has become a dominant force in the construction (or destruction) of college basketball rosters, even to the point where coaches are reportedly eschewing traditional freshman recruits altogether and living exclusively in the portal. There is some sound logic behind that thinking, since players in the portal typically have some amount of experience and tape against Division I competition, removing the guessing game that can often come with high schoolers. It’s also a boon to one other group of people: college basketball bloggers, who can do things like, say, compile a list of transfers both to and from the Horizon League’s women’s programs and rank the portal activity of teams across the conference with a reasonable amount of information behind the effort.

With 698 of 1,090 women’s DI portal entrants finding a new home (as of June 18th), the number of those new homes located on DI rosters noticeably slowing down, and with over half of the Horizon League confirming their 2021-22 rosters, now seems like a decent time to examine how everyone’s performed in the transfer market. So without further ado…

1. IUPUI

Out: Jenna Cotter (DII Maryville)

In: Madison Wise (Iowa State), Rachel Kent (Saint Louis)

The Jags have been just about the quietest dominant team possible, cruising through a lot of their 2020-21 schedule before COVID-related cancellations severely punished them with the Horizon Leagueโ€™s standings formula (at 11-3, IUPUI had the leagueโ€™s best winning percentage, but they finished fifth in the standings) and helped Wright State take over as the leagueโ€™s standard-bearer. However, with a reasonably normal season expected in 2021-22, look out for IUPUI. Their only portal loss was Cotter, who played 11 minutes all last season, while most of the rest of the roster, including three-time conference player of the year Macee Williams, is confirmed to return. IUPUIโ€™s portal additions include Wise, who was last seen wrapping up a solid four years in the Big XII with her second NCAA Tournament appearance, including 13 points in a first-round win over Michigan State. Kent also played in the postseason, dropping 24 points on Milwaukee to help the Billikens eliminate the Panthers from the WNIT.

2. Oakland

Out: Myka Cromwell (TBD), Chloe Guingrich (TBD), Teneea Heston (NAIA Columbia International)

In: Aalyiah McQueen (Illinois)

The Grizzlies were fairly unscathed on the outbound side, losing two non-rotation players and Guingrich, a versatile guard who had some big moments at OU, including her 12 point, 8 rebound effort in an upset at Wright State last season. Nevertheless, McQueen rates as one biggest portal prizes across the entire league as a player who was on the floor 25 percent of the time for a Big Ten team. Furthermore, prior to her season in Champaign, she was a highly-ranked recruit as the 22nd best wing prospect (and 106th overall, meriting four stars) in the class of 2020, according to Prospects Nation. The Flint native was seen as a proven scorer on multiple levels with good size and strength coming out of high school but just never found her groove with the Illini, going an abysmal 13-for-62 from the floor last year. If Jeff Tungate can help McQueen rediscover her game, she has the potential to be one of the top players in the conference.

3. Cleveland State

Out: Mariah White (Missouri State), JaMiya Braxton (Northwestern State), Meghan Kenefick (TBD), Amaya Staton (Merrimack), ZaMaria Polk (TBD)

In: Brittni Moore (UT Martin), Amele Ngwafang (Radford), Gabriella Smith (Iowa Western), Deja Williams (Cal State Northridge)

While the loss of White, one of the programโ€™s all-time greats, was a significant blow, Chris Kielsmeier and his staff did a great job replacing her with numbers and quality. In fact CSU, along with Youngstown State, has been the league leader in the new โ€œbuild through the portalโ€ technique this year, as the Vikings are bringing in just one true freshman for 2021-22, Warren Harding High Schoolโ€™s Faith Burch. Williams might be the new player most analogous to Whiteโ€™s skillset, as she offers strong defense and court vision, but the group collectively seems like a minor shift from the teams of the last couple seasons into more of a committee effort. Williams (30.1 percent), Smith (39.1 percent), and Moore (44.7 percent) were all solid to stellar three-point shooters in their most recent seasons of competition, and with the Vikes returning Isabella Geraci (39.3 percent) and Destiny Leo (39.2 percent), CSU will have tons of options from deep. Ngwafang, while only listed at 6-0, is a classic banger who wins battles and makes her presence known on both ends, in the mold of a Nadia Dumas. The two of them, plus emerging star Aminata Ly, should give the defending WBI champions a good power game.

4. Northern Kentucky

Out: Janna Lewis (TBD), Emma Palmer (TBD)

In: Whitney Hay (Belmont), Joelle Johnson (Georgia State)

Hay could prove to be a sneaky good add for the Norse, as the former Kentucky all-state selection was a solid contributor for a Bruins team that won the OVC title and upset Gonzaga in the first round of the NCAA Tournament (she didnโ€™t play against the Zags, but clocked 16 minutes and five points in the OVC championship game win over UT Martin). Johnson is a good shooter who adds some defense and rebounding, and both players still has most of their careers in front of them, theyโ€™re potential core pieces, not one-year stopgaps. With NKU returning every starter except Kailey Coffey from a solid team that was probably a bit better than its record, Hay and Johnson also have the luxury of easing into things a bit before nailing down specific roles in the rotation.

5. Youngstown State

Out: Mary Dunn (Pittsburgh), Nneka Obiazor (UNLV), Quinece Hatcher (DII Adams State), McKenah Peters (DII Nova Southeastern), Maddie Schires (DII Bemidji State), Taylor Petit (TBD)

In: Lindsey Linard (Duquesne), Lindsey Mack (Farleigh Dickinson), Paige Shy (Marshall), Megan Callahan (Robert Morris), Lilly Ritz (DII Wheeling)

Somewhere in the upper middle seems about right for the Penguins, who might lead the league if we were rating this based on โ€œinterestingโ€ or โ€œunknown,โ€ since YSU is turning over half of its roster just through the portal. This summer saw the departure of stud forward Dunn, who will play her final season closer to home and at the high-major level, as well as Obiazor, an emerging star who shot a blistering 42.5 percent from three as a freshman. Those two alone represented nearly half of the Guinsโ€™ scoring in 2020-21, while solid supporting players Schires and Peters both left for Division II. The good news is that John Barnes and staff hit the phones hard, grabbing a starting point guard, Callahan, away from a conference rival, then doing some volume shooting with Linard, Ritz, Mack, and Shy. Linard and Ritz โ€“ the DII rebounding champion in each of the last two seasons, pulling down a whopping 17.8 boards per game in 2020-21 โ€“ will be counted on to fill at least some of Dunnโ€™s large shoes, with the others joining Callahan in what should be a young, but very deep, backcourt.

6. Milwaukee

Out: Nobody

In: Nobody

Last yearโ€™s regular season co-champions have stood pat with respect to the portalโ€ฆ but then again, the Panthers didnโ€™t really need to do anything more than that. They have already confirmed the returns of Miquela Santoro, McKaela Schmelzer, and Sydney Staver from the squad that blitzed Drake in the first round of the WNIT, leaving only Bre Cera and Brandi Bisping as graduation departures. Those latter two were important players, but Kyle Rechlicz undoubtedly feels that she can replace them internally and with the traditional freshman class while largely running it back (their words) with a title contender.

7. Purdue Fort Wayne

Out: Sierra Bell (TBD), Krisen Hunt (TBD), Rylie Parker (NAIA Indiana Wesleyan)

In: Sylare Starks (Detroit Mercy)

Coming off of a 1-22 season (1-19 in their first run through the HL) that resulted in a coaching change, it could probably be argued that no turnover is bad turnover for the Mastodons. But despite losing leading scorer Bell as a grad transfer, Maria Marchesano did inherit a few keeper pieces, including sparkplug guards Riley Ott and Shayla Sellers, a duo that combined for 39 points in PFWโ€™s only win last year, against Robert Morris on February 19th. From there, she added a robust freshman class that includes Ottโ€™s sister, Ryin, as well as Starks through the portal. In Starks, who is returning to her hometown, the Dons grabbed one of the biggest prizes from the Detroit Mercy piranha feed. She chipped in 6.6 points per game (third on the team) during the Titansโ€™ abbreviated season but prior to that, Starks was a Horizon League All-Freshman Team selection and UDMโ€™s leading scorer under more conventional circumstances that are probably a better reflection of her abilities in 2019-20. Starks is a very good shooter (32.7 percent from three, 84.6 percent from the line during her freshman year) who should immediately be one of PFWโ€™s top options.

8. UIC

Out: Kimeira Burks (TBD), Abreanna Lake (TBD), Jada Nneji (TBD), Jealissa Presswood (TBD), Ahsha Spencer (TBD)

In: Justice Gee (East Carolina)

The Flames have had a decent offseason all in all, as what is still an extremely young team (with just three upperclass players) looks to take a few more steps in the coming year. Contrary to what the numbers would indicate, Tasha Pointer, at worst, was pretty much in neutral when it came to the portal. The biggest outgoing contributor was Nneji, who started seven games and chipped in 6.3 points per game from the post, but wasnโ€™t terribly efficient in getting there, shooting 41.1 percent from the floor and just 43.6 percent from the free throw line. Meanwhile grad transfer Gee, part of an incoming class that also includes five true freshmen, is someone who can offer some immediate help in the backcourt. Her numbers with the Pirates werenโ€™t exactly mind-blowing, but the former South Carolina high school player of the year should benefit from an expanded role and a change of scenery. If nothing else, sheโ€™ll be solid veteran leadership.

9. Green Bay

Out: Lyndsey Robson (UAB), Patricia Gallasovร  (TBD)

In: Nobody

While grad transfers are simply a fact of life in the Horizon League (and most other places too), Green Bayโ€™s outgoing one was significant, as Robson was the teamโ€™s third-leading scorer and an absolute sniper from deep, connecting on 42.9 percent of her shots behind the arc. Sheโ€™s also someone who defies the one-note shooter stereotype and does a lot of other things well underneath the radar, including hitting the glass with regularity. Between the departures of Robson and graduating Caitlyn Hibner, the Phoenix are certainly going to have to retool a bit for 2021-22. The good news? The team returns all of its depth beyond Hibner and the two portal departures, and has signed four freshmen who seem to be great fits for the program. Itโ€™s hard to think of Green Bay as one of the frontline contenders right now, but theyโ€™ll certainly be in the mix once again.

10. Robert Morris

Out: Megan Callahan (Youngstown State), Holly Forbes (UT Martin), Riley Arrigo (DII California (PA)), Isabella Posset (St. Francis (NY)), Yasmine Sifaoui (TBD), Trinity Papamandjaris (USports Guelph), Dahomรฉe Forgues (Farleigh Dickinson)

In: Nobody

Thereโ€™s been a fair amount of tumult when it comes to RMU winter sports over the last month and a half, which has helped Colonials womenโ€™s basketball fly a bit under the radar. Good thing too, since the team is running minus-7 with the portal right now. To be fair, none of the outgoing players are stars on par with a Dunn, a White, or an Angel Baker, but both Callahan and Forbes were regular starters for Bobby Mo during their first Horizon League season. Callahan in particular has to sting a bit, with the Virginia native moving just an hour up the road to a conference rival. The Colonials have yet to announce their incoming freshman class, but if they found a big or two to complement Sol Castro and provide a few different looks, their overall ledger can still be a positive one.

11. Wright State

Out: Angel Baker (Ole Miss), Tyler Frierson (Memphis), Alexis Stover (Rice), Emani Jefferson (Memphis), Gabrielle Redden (TBD), Jada Roberson (TBD)

In: Nobody

Losing Baker, the two-time all-conference first teamer who gained mainstream notoriety when WSU upset Arkansas in the NCAA Tournament, would be enough to drop the Raiders pretty far down the list by itself. But Kari Hoffman inherited a tough situation down in Dayton after Katrina Merriweather left for Memphis with a U-Haul large enough to fit her entire staff, along with Frierson and Jefferson, arguably the teamโ€™s two best players after Baker. Hoffman wasnโ€™t hired until the program was without coaches for nearly two months, costing them a chance to get in on the portalโ€™s first wave. Ultimately, WSU will be okay โ€“ the champs have nine returning players rostered, and most are promising underclassmen like Destyne Jackson. Depth and experience may prove to be issues during the season though, should Hoffman fill her remaining spots with freshmen.

12. Detroit Mercy

Out: Everybody (no, seriously)

In: Irene Murua (Louisiana Tech)

If you havenโ€™t been following the dumpster fire in Calihan Hall, youโ€™ve been missing out on some of the most intense offseason drama youโ€™ll ever see. To quickly recap, UDM shut down its season back in January after the teamโ€™s parents sent a letter to university administration alleging abuse by first-year head coach AnnMarie Gilbert. Most of the Titans entered the portal at that point. UDM, following an internal investigation, retained Gilbert and pushed most of the rest of the players into the portal. The lone exceptions were Maxine Moore, who exited the portal and attempted to return to the team, but was told no and went back into the portal, and Aly Reiff, who decided to quit basketball altogether. Then, shockingly, just two months after standing by Gilbert and chasing away literally its entire 2020-21 roster, the school abruptly announced that she had left the university and that LaTanya Collins (who had just added recruiting coordinator duties to her assistant coach role two weeks prior) would take over as interim coach. I probably havenโ€™t done justice to it here, so feel free to read up elsewhere, with the link above being a good starting point.

Somehow, UDM has actually managed to add a few players through all of that, including four freshman signees and Murua through the portal. The second-year player from Spain didnโ€™t see much of the floor for the Lady Techsters last year but did shoot the ball well over a small sample size (12-for-27) and pulled down eight rebounds in each of her first two games.

Patrick Baldwin Jr. commits to Milwaukee

John Parker
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Patrick Baldwin Jr. commits to Milwaukee

Baldwin single-handedly changes the Horizon League in 2022

Patrick Baldwin Jr. โ€” 247 Sports’ fourth ranked recruit and top ranked small forward in the 2021 class โ€” will play next season for the Milwaukee Panthers. Baldwin is the son of Milwaukee’s head coach Pat Baldwin. He chose the Panthers over Duke and Northwestern, among dozens of other offers. Baldwin was considered a heavy Duke lean for much of the recruiting process. The announcement was made via the SportsCenter Twitter page:

Baldwin projects as a combo-forward longterm, but in the Horizon League the 6-foot-10 standout might end up being someone who can comfortably play just about anywhere on the court. Scouts projecting him to play for the blue bloods and the NBA have noted his size, ballhandling and especially his shooting as strengths that make him such an intriguing prospect at higher levels. Those strengths will only be amplified in a league where 6-foot-7 forwards average double-doubles.

The highly skilled forward has drawn some comparisons to Jayson Tatum in terms of his playing style, but it seems like a stretch to expect him to be as good as Tatum was at Duke in terms of impact. Tatum averaged 16.8 points and 7.3 rebounds per game on an NCAA Tournament 2-seed in 2017. Jalen Johnson โ€” who was the go-to-guy on Baldwin’s AAU team Phenom University โ€” averaged 11.2 points and 6.1 rebounds per game on this year’s Duke team that failed to make NCAA Tournament at all. Johnson did deal with injuries with the Blue Devils, but the information we have makes comparing the guy who deferred to him in AAU to Tatum difficult. As it turns out, the best example of the type of impact Baldwin could have for the Panthers might be a little closer to home for Horizon League fans.

Gordon Hayward was a star from day one at Butler. He earned First Team All-League honors as a freshman in 2009 and a sophomore in 2010 while sharing the workload with Matt Howard โ€” who won League Player of the Year in 2009 โ€” and Shelvin Mack โ€” a First Team All-League pick in 2010. Hayward won Horizon League Player of the year in 2010 and led the Bulldogs to the National Championship where he was just inches from winning the title on a shot so great they still replay the miss every March. From there, he was selected ninth in the 2010 NBA Draft (with Mack joining him a year later for the start of an eight year NBA career). Baldwin is currently being projected in a similar spot to where Hayward was picked, in the back half of the Top 10 in 2022.

Obviously adding Baldwin to the Horizon League is wildly unlikely to wind up with Milwaukee playing for a National Championship. The team Hayward joined featured another Horizon League Player of the Year, another eventual longtime NBA player, a very strong supporting cast, and an elite coach in Brad Stevens. Nonetheless, adding a player even remotely as good as Hayward was would change the league’s outlook dramatically.

A player as talented as Baldwin would’ve shaken up the Horizon League in 2010 when Hayward played there, but the league’s downward slide since then makes the impact that one superstar can have even greater. This season, Horizon League Regular Season co-Champion and Tournament Champion Cleveland State is ranked 169 on KenPom. In Hayward’s last year in the league, six teams ranked higher than that with Cleveland State itself finishing ranked 152 despite a sub-.500 overall record of 16-17 and a 10-8 record in league play.

Milwaukee finished this year ranked 215 on KenPom, beating both Regular Season co-Champions Cleveland State and Wright State. Adding a player projected to go in the lottery based on his skills rather than his upside to a team in a league that doesn’t currently have any surefire future NBA draft picks could easily make up the 48 spot difference between the Panthers and Cleveland State if Milwaukee’s go-to players return. An interesting situation could emerge there, with Baldwin turning around and “recruiting” the Panthers’ key seniors back for the extra year of eligibility the NCAA granted players this season. His willingness to get teammates involved could also entice current Panthers who have shown enough talent to transfer up a level to instead stay with the team next year. As of now, junior leading scorer DeAndre Gholston and senior third leading scorer Josh Thomas have not announced they’re leaving, while senior Third Team All-League pick Te’Jon Lucas is testing the NBA draft waters but keeping the option to return open for another season.

Catching 73rd ranked Wright State would be a much tougher task, but it becomes more manageable if two-time Horizon League Player of the Year Loudon Love decides not to use the additional eligibility. The Raiders used an incredibly short bench and it seems unlikely that they’ll be able to run out two elite big men next year if Love doesn’t return. Regardless of what happens with Wright State, it seems clear that a player with Baldwin’s talents has the potential to turn the Horizon League’s eighth place team in 2021 into a contender in 2022.

Baldwin is now the highest ranked recruit to commit to a Horizon League school out of high school, beating out Ray McCallum Jr. who was ranked 26 in the nation when he committed to play for his father at Detroit Mercy in 2010. McCallum missed out on a 5-star ranking by one spot, which also makes Baldwin the first 5-star recruit to commit to the Horizon League out of high school. If he lives up to his current draft projections, he’d also become Milwaukee’s first NBA player.

Even beyond Baldwin Jr. and McCallum Jr., the Horizon League is no stranger to coaches’ sons who arguably opt to play “down” a level in order to play for their fathers. 2021 First Team All-Horizon League pick Antoine Davis just completed his junior season at Detroit Mercy playing for Mike Davis despite having the opportunity to play for Houston out of high school, and Virginia Head Coach Tony Bennett was a star for his father at Green Bay when the league was still called the Midwestern Collegiate Conference.

With Baldwin Jr. in the fold the Panthers could fly up the standings, especially if Gholston returns while Lucas and Thomas opt to use the additional year of eligibility. A 6-foot-10 forward ranked fourth in his recruiting class based on skills rather than purely athletic upside is likely to be a serious difference maker in a league that finds itself ranked in the 20s according to formulas like the one used on KenPom. League voters are generally reluctant to put newcomers on the Preseason All-League teams, but if Baldwin lives up to the hype he’ll surely end his season on a postseason team.

Vikings offseason highlighted by Gates extension

Alec Kwait
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Vikings offseason highlighted by Gates extension

Ever since their season came to an end in the round of 64 in the NCAA Tournament, Dennis Gates and his staff have been hard at work to improve their chances at making an even deeper run in the 2021-2022 campaign. The Vikings were able to capitalize on a hectic transfer portal, landing a pair of wings that will help replace the departing Alec Oglesby and Hugo Ferreira.

First off, CSU signed graduate transfer Broc Finstuen, formerly of Pacific University. Finstuen averaged 11.2 points per game last season on just under 50% shooting from the floor. Gates scouted the former junior college product at Casper College in Wyoming.

The Vikings signed a second former junior college player that Dennis Gates had a connection to when they inked former Florida State Seminole Nathaneal Jack. Jack saw limited time during his two years at Florida State but Gates knows his game well and believes he can help the Vikings. He is a career 37% shooter from behind the arc. Both Jack and Finstuen have a junior college background, something that Gates has valued during his time at Cleveland State.

In addition to bringing in some new faces, Coach Gates was able to do something he did last offseason; convince some familiar names to stay. Despite seniors Craig Beaudion and Torrey Patton graduating, both players announced they would take advantage of their extra year of eligibility granted from the pandemic and stay at Cleveland State to play for the Vikings next season. This is more fantastic news for a program that was burned by transfers leaving seemingly for years, and now Coach Gates has built an environment where players want to stay and grow in Cleveland.

There are a few players yet to make a decision as to their plans for the upcoming year. Al Eichelberger is currently finishing his MBA and Franklyn Penn Jr, who Gates has referred to numerous times as the โ€œheart and soulโ€ of the program, could both opt to return next year with the COVID-19 waiver granted by the NCAA. Neither player has entered the transfer portal, making their 2021-2022 plans cloudy as of now. A returning Eichelberger and Penn would only bolster what should be another extremely deep and versatile Cleveland State team.

While it is too early to begin to think about a schedule for next season, CSU fans should remember that the Vikings had games scheduled against Duke and Kentucky last season before the pandemic altered those plans. With life slowly returning to normal, a more robust non conference schedule could very well be in the cards for the 2021-2022 season. With the Vikings earning a bid in the NCAA tournament last season, look for CSU to compile a plethora of games versus high major schools, in an attempt to further gain national recognition.

Despite Gatesโ€™ recruiting tenacity, the biggest news regarding the Cleveland State menโ€™s basketball program so far this offseason came in the form of a contract extension. Cleveland Stateโ€™s President Harlan Sands, athletic director Scott Garrett, and the Board of Trustees agreed to offer Gates a contract extension through the 2026-2027 season. The extension is not just a commitment to Gates, but the entire menโ€™s basketball program, as the school has committed to improving strength and conditioning facilities, as well as their home non conference schedule, an area that should excite fans of the program.

Cleveland State menโ€™s basketball fans remember the dire straits that Dennis Felton left this program in. On the floor and in the classroom there was lot to be desired. It was going to take a special person and staff to help turn this around, and Cleveland State has found that person in Dennis Gates. In a time of financial uncertainty for many institutions, as a result of COVID-19, Cleveland State recognized the talent they have in Gates and did everything in their power to make sure he stays for the foreseeable future. The university should be applauded for this extension. Basketball fans in the city of Cleveland should surely be taking note of what the Vikings are doing.

The Beginning is the End is the Beginning

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With Bob heading into a break for the summer, he and Matt discuss a variety of lingering topics within the Horizon League, specifically the ongoing situation with the Detroit Mercy women’s basketball team. Also, Wright State has a new women’s head coach in Kari Hoffman, and Cleveland State’s Dennis Gates, the rumored target of many open high-profile jobs, signs a long-term contract extension.

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โ€œWhy not Cleveland State?โ€ Gates inks extension

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โ€œWhy not Cleveland State?โ€ Gates inks extension

Cleveland State men’s basketball coach Dennis Gates knew what was happening on social media throughout the season, when his name was being thrown around for multiple openings around the NCAA. Little did anyone know that the conversation about extending his contract with the Vikings began in February, even before the buzz about those jobs.

Those conversations between CSU athletic director Scott Garrett and president Harlan Sands culminated into a contract extension for Gates, which will see him helming the Vikings until at least the end the 2026-27 season. It will reportedly make him one of the highest-paid coaches in the Horizon League.

“I knew a conversation was going to happen,” Gates said. “And that conversation needed to happen because what it allowed me to do is know what home felt like and what home is. And it allowed the players to know what home felt like and know what home is. And that is what allowed us to remain focused through our journey of running each and every step of the way towards a championship.

With an extension signed, sealed and delivered, the next challenge Gates will be tackling, on top of defending the Horizon League championship, is using the title as a springboard to bring Cleveland State to a level of popularity not seen since the 1980s, during Kevin Mackey’s dominant run, and the late 2000s, when Gary Waters brought the Vikings back to the NCAA Tournament.

To that challenge, Gates had the response: “Why not Cleveland State?”

“Why can’t we be another institution whose basketball program becomes a national name and listed among the best, year in and year out? Why can’t we become an even better program than we right are at this moment? Why can’t we build an even richer tradition than we already have, due to the greats who have poured their lives into it? What can’t we do such?

“We have a great city,” Gates continued.” We have a great campus. We have among the best sports fans that any city can offer. We have great leadership. We have great student-athletes. We have great support staff. ‘Why can’t we?’ is the question I ask us all.”

Gates already has a nearly-full roster that includes two signees from the fall, juco player Anderson Mirambeaux and Class of 2021 recruit Cole Middleton, a pair of transfers in Broc Finstuen, formerly of Pacific, and Nate Jack, who most recently played at Florida State. In addition, All-Horizon League first-teamer Torrey Patton and starting point guard Craig Beaudion have opted to return for their extra year of eligibility.

Image courtesy of Cleveland State Athletics

Wisconsin-Green Bay: Evaluating the ’21 Class

Dillon Graff
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Wisconsin-Green Bay: Evaluating the ’21 Class

In an off-season full of roster overhaul and retooling its time to take a look at Will Ryanโ€™s first recruiting class for Wisconsin-Green Bay. Recruiting is the lifeblood of any collegiate program, and something Coach Ryan is going to have to excel at to get Green Bay contending for the Horizon league title.  

On paper it would appear Coach Ryan knocked it out of the park for a few reasons. First of all, all three recruits are from the state of Wisconsin. Each of which were ranked in the stateโ€™s top 10 players. Why is this important? Well, recruiting at a high level requires continuity and partnerships. Pipelines are not always easy to establish, so creating strong in state relationships becomes a priority. This way youโ€™re able to deal with the same AAU programs and high school coaches over the years to acquire good information when recruiting players. Not to mention, many of the in-state players have played AAU either with or against each other one point or another, and those relationships could help lure in other recruits. Becoming a destination for in state talent should be the goal for any mid major program. Coach Ryan talked about putting up a fence around the state, and it looks like heโ€™s putting his money where his mouth is. 

Second, this class possesses a strong group of four-year players with some room to grow. The recruiting model he is going to try and emulate is to โ€œget old, stay oldโ€. Pretty hard to do with a revolving door of transfers. I do think youโ€™ll see the transfer portal utilized to try and acquire upperclassmen that can play now and even out the classes. Once that is taken care of, I think youโ€™re going to see an emphasis put on recruiting players out of high school so they can develop in his system and not be forced into playing until theyโ€™re ready. 

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Kamari McGee – Point Guard

I think McGee was an absolute steal for Will Ryan. If McGee wasnโ€™t on the same high school team as Tyrese Hunter I think he would have had a more impressive offer list. McGee has a chance to be a complete and foundational type player for the phoenix with time. For an incoming true freshman, I think there is already a lot of polish in his game. 

Defensively McGee has what it takes to be a stopper. He just has a nose for the ball and suffocates opposing guards. He has a solid build for his size and demonstrates a lot of strength in preventing dribble penetration. He is a very willing and active rebounder for his size, which speaks volumes about his motor. 

On offense McGee has a suddenness to him. He always looks in control when handling the ball but can explode past a defender on a dime. The jumper is improving and should be no worse than serviceable from beyond the arc. The threat alone is all itโ€™s going to take to unlock his full offensive potential. For an incoming freshman Iโ€™m very impressed with his footwork, and could be worth getting a post touch every so often. McGee has lead guard written all over him. 

Itโ€™s possible McGee will never be the best player on the phoenix in his career, but he could very well end up being the most important. Donโ€™t be surprised if he makes an all-league team down the road. 

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Cade Meyer – Forward

Even if there hadnโ€™t been substantial roster turnover this year, Meyer was always going to contribute right away as a freshman. This is a team devoid of size and at 6โ€™8โ€™โ€™ he will give them exactly that. Meyer is an above average athlete for a player his size. Cade Meyer committed to Green Bay over scholarship offers from Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Valparaiso, South Dakota State, Rice, Western Illinois, Holy Cross, and Stetson.

Meyer really improved his ball handling and ability to take defenders off the dribble these last two seasons. Heโ€™s very comfortable with his mid-range jumper, and possesses the threat of shooting beyond the arc as well. 

I think Meyers most comfortable position at the next level will be the โ€œ4โ€, but has the versatility to play either forward spot. Meyer could end up being something of a match-up nightmare once heโ€™s fully developed his game. He can run in transition and make plays above the rim. I like Meyerโ€™s ability to develop as a low post player. He already has a nice touch and some decent footwork. 

I donโ€™t want to comment on the defensive end as I havenโ€™t seen enough tape to give a completely formed opinion. Highlights donโ€™t tell the whole story. You need to watch full games to learn tendencies and how they do with assignments. He does have the size and athletic ability to be a good defender though. 

Cade Meyer was an excellent get for Coach Ryanโ€™s system. There were plenty of P5 programs that were sniffing around that ultimately didnโ€™t end up offering. I think Green Bay may have โ€œout-kicked their coverageโ€ with Meyer. IMO his ceiling is being a team best or second-best player on a good team. He can stretch the floor some and also be a player you can get it down to on the block. Both a skilled and versatile prospect, Meyer was an excellent addition to the program. 

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Brayden Dailey – Guard/Forward

Dailey gives Green Bay something that I donโ€™t think is currently on the roster, a true wing with some size. Standing at 6โ€™6โ€™โ€™, Dailey is definitely a guard/forward that will provide good length defensively and could create mismatches on offense. 

What makes Dailey different from the other two recruits is that he is already a polished scorer, which at his height makes him all the more valuable. Like most wiry freshmen, he could stand to put on some weight. However, I still donโ€™t see that keeping him off the floor in year one. 

I see Dailey as a double-digit scorer later in his career, and a nice rotational piece right out of the gate. 

Dailey chose the Phoenix over scholarship offers from Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Missouri State, Western-Illinois, and Toledo.

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When reviewing tape of incoming recruits, I donโ€™t always see the upside, enjoy their game, or even see the fit. With this class I honestly think Will Ryan found himself three players who will not only contribute from year one, but be productive players over their entire careers. The โ€™21 class adds depth all across the program, hitting on multiple positions who are all versatile in their own way. This is a strong first class and should have fans optimistic for whatโ€™s to come. Wisconsin has been a hotbed for talent this last decade and if Will Ryan commits to building a fence, heโ€™s going to find some diamonds along the way.

Give me a follow on Twitter at @Badgers_Notes

It’s Drew McDonald!

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Bob and Matt are joined by Northern Kentucky great Drew McDonald to talk about the current situation regarding former NKU coach John Brannen, who was ousted from the University of Cincinnati. They also talk about Drew’s playing days, what he’s been up to since graduating, and the current landscape of the Horizon League.

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Bonus: It’s PBJ Time!

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Pat Baldwin, Jr. has signed with Milwaukee, making him on of the most prominent recruits in Horizon League history. Bob and John talk about the impact of this, and, of course, have a conversation with his dad, Panthers head coach Pat Baldwin, Sr., about Milwaukee’s prospects for next season. And naturally, Jimmy Lemke makes an appearance to give his assessment of the signing. 

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The 2021 Jimmy Lemke Fan Battle Royale, Part 2

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Jimmy Lemke returns again to co-host his namesake event with Bob, talking with fans from all over the Horizon League once again to talk about the previous season, as well as prospects for next season. This year’s participants:

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