January 29Jan 29 6 hours ago, 86txex said: Is it for sure Moore is gone after this season? I thought she was awarded a red shirt after her knee injury. Considering she's now missing 2 straight games with knee tendinitis, I am not 100% sure she will take that medical RS, because her knees may be shot to hell. (She's not playing tomorrow)
January 29Jan 29 1 minute ago, perfectchaos007 said: I mean, who’s to say Phelia’s eye issues will improve next season? Sounds like it’s a recurring issue from a surgery long ago. We still need to try to land Chavez at all costs, or we may end up in a situation where Harmon needs to play 40 mins/game next season again. Harmon, Lee, Preston, Crump (top 5 recruit), Phelia, plus Booker who plays minutes at the 3. That's already difficult to figure out minutes at the 1-3 even without Chavez. Either somebody isn't returning out of that group or Chavez doesn't make much sense at all. There's zero chance players like Preston and Crump are coming here to sit on the bench.
January 29Jan 29 8 minutes ago, Js1 said: Considering she's now missing 2 straight games with knee tendinitis, I am not 100% sure she will take that medical RS, because her knees may be shot to hell. (She's not playing tomorrow) We shouldn't take a risk on Moore either. She can't stay healthy. It's unfortunate but sometimes you have to prioritize other options.
January 29Jan 29 11 minutes ago, Rickylovesweed said: Harmon, Lee, Preston, Crump (top 5 recruit), Phelia, plus Booker who plays minutes at the 3. That's already difficult to figure out minutes at the 1-3 even without Chavez. Either somebody isn't returning out of that group or Chavez doesn't make much sense at all. There's zero chance players like Preston and Crump are coming here to sit on the bench. I think Crump will most likely be Booker’s backup at the 3. At least that’s my understanding.
January 29Jan 29 24 minutes ago, Js1 said: Yeah, there's a logjam at PG/SG if Phelia is taking a RS and coming back and Harmon is coming back - she has not confirmed that yet, it's an end-of-season decision for her. Our guard situation is good enough to win it all next year without Chavez. Assuming Harmon returns. I have zero problem if we prioritize a legit big in the portal over Chavez if that's what is needed with NIL. It's a tough decision though because Chavez is such a damn good player.
January 29Jan 29 2 minutes ago, 86txex said: I think Crump will most likely be Booker’s backup at the 3. At least that’s my understanding. Yeah, Crump is a SF, just like Booker. It's the 4 person rotation of Harmon/Preston/Lee/Phelia that is the issue. At what point does Vic sell AC's camp a 4 guard lineup of Harmon, Lee, Chavez, Booker + a post player? Because he's heavily hinted that is the way WCBB is going. Edited January 29Jan 29 by Js1
January 30Jan 30 I think it would be a big mistake for our program to tell Chavez "sorry, we're full on guards". She's likely a generational talent, so you make room imo.
January 30Jan 30 Just now, perfectchaos007 said: I think it would be a big mistake for our program to tell Chavez "sorry, we're full on guards". She's likely a generational talent, so you make room imo. This. If she says no, it won’t be for lack of Vic’s pitch
January 30Jan 30 We are going to need to add a 4 and 5 in the portal. I don't think we have any faith in Moore who is likely done at Texas. Carlton is still young. We need a 4 and then a 5 to pair with Oldacre. Edited January 30Jan 30 by Rickylovesweed
January 30Jan 30 13 hours ago, Rickylovesweed said: We are going to need to add a 4 and 5 in the portal. I don't think we have any faith in Moore who is likely done at Texas. Carlton is still young. We need a 4 and then a 5 to pair with Oldacre. With the Covid years over, I’m very curious who Vic has his eye on as a potential portal target at PF and C. Gonna need some coaching changes to jar some players loose.
January 30Jan 30 14 hours ago, Rickylovesweed said: We are going to need to add a 4 and 5 in the portal. I don't think we have any faith in Moore who is likely done at Texas. Carlton is still young. We need a 4 and then a 5 to pair with Oldacre. The 5 is by far the most immediate concern with Jones leaving. Oldacre is a a great player but limited. We need an experienced 5 with height from the portal. For next year Rori and Laila returning seem like a win, but if it stops Chavez from coming that greatly effects our future.
January 30Jan 30 Yeah it doesn’t look like Vic will be able to make Boutillier the next Tiara McCowan like he had hoped, but it was worth a shot
January 30Jan 30 3 minutes ago, perfectchaos007 said: Yeah it doesn’t look like Vic will be able to make Boutillier the next Tiara McCowan like he had hoped, but it was worth a shot Jones should be Vic’s exhibit A for post players. Second in the SEC in FG%. And #1 has only played in 2 SEC games
January 30Jan 30 Maybe we'd have enough future 3-point shooting even without Chavez, but I'm highly skeptical at this point. Then again, I'm just as skeptical we can win a national title without more athletic bigs than are currently in the queue. So I'll fall back on my usual approach to recruiting in any sport: "We're Texas. Take them all."
February 5Feb 5 Minor news, but UCLA is no longer in the running for Chavez.Edit - sorry didn’t see it had already been talked about in season thread.
February 5Feb 5 Damn...first time I've seen an apology for bringing up recruiting in a recruiting thread.
February 5Feb 5 The only schools present at her senior night were Tech, Texas and OU. I think SoCar is far down her list (probably last) and UCLA/LSU are out. Honestly, if she doesn't come here, I hope she just goes to Tech. The worst case for us would be facing them in the opening weekend of the NCAAT, depending on seeding and if she can drag Gerlich's lifeless blonde corpse into the tournament. OU would be by far the worst landing spot, because she can directly hurt us 2 or 3 times a year. Granted, not like Vic has too many problems slowing down Jennie's all gas, no brakes team. There's a reason there's no D in Jennie Baranczyk Best case, besides her coming here, is she goes to Tech, doesn't make the tournament, Gerlich gets shitcanned and then comes to us as a sophomore. My main concern has, and remains, her ability to be coached hard by Vic and not treated like a superstar and placated and coddled. If she wants that, it's Tech or OU. Vic tends to push drama queens out of his program. There's a reason Rori has been Rori and Kyndall Hunter got booted. Edited February 5Feb 5 by Js1
February 5Feb 5 If I was AC, I'd wait and announce/sign May 21, then get my ass straight to UT for summer session/workouts before the locals have time to flip the fuck out. Again, if she's waiting this long, it's a combination of: Drive the price up with UT/OU/tech Leaning towards UT and knows the backlash in Lubbock is gonna be uglier than Gerlcih Waiting until her season is over (in like a month)
February 7Feb 7 Author Blake Munroe The recruitment of Lubbock Monterey standout Aaliyah Chavez continues to roll on with multiple schools anxiously awaiting a final decision from the nation's No. 1 overall player for 2025. Chavez is down to four schools: Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma and South Carolina. She cut LSU from that list before January and just recently decided against UCLA as well. I'm told that South Carolina is an intriguing option, but the distance factor will play against them and they're the least likely of the four options as of now. When it comes to Texas Tech, they continue to try and sell the "hometown hero" aspect to Chavez, but both sources believed if she was going to be a Red Raider, this would already be a done deal. It's also worth mentioning, as @Gerry Hamilton has pointed out, that they're an Adidas school, while the others are Nike. Gerry can elaborate on why that matters, but it definitely plays a role in this recruitment. That leaves Oklahoma and Texas, which seem to be the consensus top two from everyone I've spoke with. OU is recruiting Chavez hard and she has a solid relationship with the coaching staff there. Sooners head coach Jennie Baranczyk is heavily involved in this recruitment. Texas has made Chavez well aware that she's a priority. They've also sold her on her role in this offense and Vic Schaefer's success. Chavez has also thoroughly enjoyed her time in Austin on visits. Two sources I spoke with this week agree that the Longhorns are in the driver's seat and continue to be the team to beat. As for a timeline, that's anyone's guess. Chavez plays things close to the vest and none of these schools have been given a commitment date or even a timeline at this point.
February 7Feb 7 45 minutes ago, BurntOrange&White said: that they're an Adidas school, while the others are Nike. Gerry can elaborate on why that matters, but it definitely plays a role in this recruitment. I've pointed out before that i do not think this matters Adidas athletes have played at Nike schools and vice versa. You can continue to get NIL money, you just can't wear their gear in official team photos/activities.
February 7Feb 7 On 1/29/2025 at 5:38 PM, Js1 said: Yeah, Crump is a SF, just like Booker. It's the 4 person rotation of Harmon/Preston/Lee/Phelia that is the issue. At what point does Vic sell AC's camp a 4 guard lineup of Harmon, Lee, Chavez, Booker + a post player? Because he's heavily hinted that is the way WCBB is going. Who's the elite rebounder and solid screener we'd need to shore up the interior in 2026? Maybe Booker plays big enough at the 3 for us to get away with a smaller lineup against most teams, but I'd feel way better about our odds if we could find a transfer with length and quickness.
February 7Feb 7 6 minutes ago, Gut Wagon said: Who's the elite rebounder and solid screener we'd need to shore up the interior in 2026? Maybe Booker plays big enough at the 3 for us to get away with a smaller lineup against most teams, but I'd feel way better about our odds if we could find a transfer with length and quickness. I wish I knew, but enough PF/C are going to get lodge loose by coaching changes. The Bill Fennelly era may be coming to an end in Ames, which could dislodge Crooks. If Joni gets fired, can we lure Lauren Ware over for her final year? That's just off the top of my head, but there will be plenty of portal entrants from schools who lose coaches or are sick of their lack of PT or whatever. Edited February 7Feb 7 by Js1
February 7Feb 7 Author 4 hours ago, Js1 said: I've pointed out before that i do not think this matters Adidas athletes have played at Nike schools and vice versa. You can continue to get NIL money, you just can't wear their gear in official team photos/activities. I think it might got a player of her caliber. Edited February 7Feb 7 by BurntOrange&White
February 9Feb 9 The last guard we added from Monterey was Kamie Ethridge. 2 time All-American and won a national title at Texas. Would be kind of crazy if a HS in Lubbock produced both Ethridge and Chavez for us.
February 9Feb 9 It has to be Texas, right? No way Chavez spends four years in Norman. Austin will be way better for NIL and branding opportunities - let alone Vic has the program rolling.
February 9Feb 9 3 minutes ago, MuellerHorn said: It has to be Texas, right? No way Chavez spends four years in Norman. Austin will be way better for NIL and branding opportunities - let alone Vic has the program rolling. OU runs the better offense - she will not be coached hard and allowed to jack up whatever shots she wants. But Jennie is winning nothing without a defense Vic just needs to point out his 2018 NCAA runner up team - that team shot 39% from 3 and had 3 diff players shoot 40%+ from 3, including Blair Chavez + Lee + Booker could be a similarly lethal three headed monster from 3 and we have Phelia coming back if she elects to stay and use her RS Edited February 9Feb 9 by Js1
February 9Feb 9 OU and Tech have coaches that have never made the 2nd weekend of the tournament. If winning is the goal, this should be an easy decision. But as we all know NIL is probably a driving factor here.
February 10Feb 10 3 hours ago, Rickylovesweed said: OU and Tech have coaches that have never made the 2nd weekend of the tournament. If winning is the goal, this should be an easy decision. But as we all know NIL is probably a driving factor here. I just don’t see OU outmatching us on NIL. Especially with how good the team is playing. Donors will have open wallets.
February 13Feb 13 Can Texas One dish out a little for electronic billboards in Lubbock (and the South plains for that matter) to announce her commitment ala the football recruits?
February 19Feb 19 I can kind of understand if Chavez picks OU. It would still be a bad decision but it's at least understandable. I don't care what Tech is offering NIL-wise. Gerlich is 23-63 in the Big 12 as a coach. She's fucking awful and if you want to sign up for a loser like that you only care about the money.
February 19Feb 19 Hey I've said I totally understand if she picks OU - it's close to home, they run that wide open offense where she can take every shot she wants without consequence and they can probably match the NIL offer. I heard she dropped 50 yesterday. I bet Vic was there, since this is a bye week. If she has any desire to win anything of importance, Texas has the better roster and better coach and is set up for the next few years if she joins. And obviously we are somewhere in the ballpark for NIL.
February 21Feb 21 AC and Monterey play their regional final today at 1pm. I wonder if Vic will be there. We don’t play until Monday in Athens
February 21Feb 21 On 2/19/2025 at 12:44 PM, Rickylovesweed said: I can kind of understand if Chavez picks OU. It would still be a bad decision but it's at least understandable. I don't care what Tech is offering NIL-wise. Gerlich is 23-63 in the Big 12 as a coach. She's fucking awful and if you want to sign up for a loser like that you only care about the money. In a world where Canady picks Tech to play softball, I'm no longer surprised if an athlete prioritizes NIL income and individual brand recognition over a better chance at winning titles. It's a logical thought that her individual brand would be better at OU scoring 20-25 PPG on a high scoring team. That'll get on sportscenter and get highlights circulated on social media. If you're not going to make a ton of money in the WNBA, most of your income is going to come from individual endorsements. Might as well do what you think is best for your brand. Luckily for us, being associated with the University of Texas, just at baseline, is good for your brand. Being a generational player at the University of Texas can be monumental for your brand regardless of individual statistics. Especially given the popularity explosion of NCAAW basketball over the last few years. Edited February 21Feb 21 by TheBryMan81
February 21Feb 21 On 2/19/2025 at 2:44 PM, Rickylovesweed said: I can kind of understand if Chavez picks OU. It would still be a bad decision but it's at least understandable. I don't care what Tech is offering NIL-wise. Gerlich is 23-63 in the Big 12 as a coach. She's fucking awful and if you want to sign up for a loser like that you only care about the money. You are assuming she puts zero value on staying close to home, being the hometown hero, playing for the college she's watched growing up. I don't know that's true. Do you?
February 21Feb 21 2 hours ago, TrashMaster G said: You are assuming she puts zero value on staying close to home, being the hometown hero, playing for the college she's watched growing up. I don't know that's true. Do you? This has to be the most overanalyzed thing about this recruitment. Her dad (Sonny) is a Longhorn fan. She lives in Lubbock but she's not a Texas Tech fan or committed to Lubbock. She almost transferred to a prep school her SR year of HS far away from Lubbock. If Chavez goes to Tech it's because of 1 reason. They gave her a NIL deal like Canady that blows everyone else out of the water.
February 26Feb 26 Tech just lost tonight to fall to 14-16 and 3-14 in conference. Tied for 2nd to last She’s only keeping Tech in it due to still having to live in Lubbock until she leaves for school.
February 26Feb 26 8 minutes ago, BurntOrange&White said: Blake is at Chavez game tonight Stuff like this will get the double eagle guys to offer whatever it takes, if they aren’t already. They hate us so much.
February 26Feb 26 Chavez has said publicly she wants to play for a coach who will be there for all 4 years of her career. Vic, who is extended through 2030? Or Gerlich, who is a year past her expiration date and has a seat hotter than Dubai in the middle of summer?
February 26Feb 26 52 minutes ago, Js1 said: Chavez has said publicly she wants to play for a coach who will be there for all 4 years of her career. Vic, who is extended through 2030? Or Gerlich, who is a year past her expiration date and has a seat hotter than Dubai in the middle of summer? So, Tech fires Gerlich right after the season, hires a new coach with 4 years guaranteed. Easy peasy!
February 26Feb 26 Author This was from another thread: Which makes sense from a national brand perspective.
February 26Feb 26 So looking at dates - First game of the Big 12 tournament is March 5, so realistically, if they are parting ways with Gerlich, March 6. 2.5 weeks to hire a new coach before AC makes a decision doesn't seem feasible. Because your candidates are also playing in their conference tournaments or March Madness, which starts March 19-20 for the First Four and March 21-24 for the first and second rounds That's a lot of uncertainty for her. Unless she just wants the money + proximity to her dad + Tech promising her dad an assistant coach (cough, George Washington)
February 26Feb 26 Author 7 minutes ago, Js1 said: So looking at dates - First game of the Big 12 tournament is March 5, so realistically, if they are parting ways with Gerlich, March 6. 2.5 weeks to hire a new coach before AC makes a decision doesn't seem feasible. Because your candidates are also playing in their conference tournaments or March Madness, which starts March 19-20 for the First Four and March 21-24 for the first and second rounds That's a lot of uncertainty for her. Unless she just wants the money + proximity to her dad + Tech promising her dad an assistant coach (cough, George Washington) I think you're looking at it wrong. I think the opportunity for growth and her brand is higher in long term value than short term Tech value.
February 26Feb 26 Just now, BurntOrange&White said: I think you're looking at it wrong. I think the opportunity for growth and her brand is higher in long term value than short term Tech value. Oh I totally agree. I think Tech is going to swing for the fences with money + potentially a new coach. I think that uncertainty + what Texas offers long-term (the alumni base, the brand, Nike, etc.) + what Texas offers in the short term (better roster, coaching stability, winning program) is going to be what wins out. Plus Texas will sell her on playing on national TV often (ESPN/ABC/SECN) versus.... CBS Sports Network and ESPN+ I'm just going to laugh as Tech tries to hire a coach in a 2.5 week timeline right as most candidates are starting their NCAA tournament prep.
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