Transfer Portal 2026

[kreed5120]

Probably a bit off topic, but I saw there is something like 1,400 in the women's portal. I found this a bit surprising. I get it with men's hoops as even between a CSU and UMass the pay difference for a starter is substantial. Maybe $75k-$100k difference, perhaps more for an all-conference caliber contribtutor.

 

In the women's game those same wages aren't available. I read that UConn men's roster is $8-10 million spend while the women's is $1.6-$2.5 million. Don't get me wrong that's a good chunk of money, but that's comparable to what Utah State is spending on mens. Now if you take into account UConn is probably at or near the top in women's spending, that would mean most mid-majors are likely at $300k or less. Now mind you that's split across a roster of 15 players.

 

It would seem to me a lot are entering the portal and end up making pretty much a similar amount unless they're going to one of the top ~50 programs that are investing heavily into women's hoops. It begs the question is it really worth making an extra $5k-10k if it disrupts you obtaining a degree because you're on your 3rd school in 4 years?

Edited 23 hours ago by kreed5120

[zippy5]

It's not all about money

[Captain Kangaroo]

The portal is the new normal. 4- or 5-year commitments to a single school are passe’.

 

It’s fun to be wanted, and flirt with other schools. You can’t tweet #foreverazip unless you leave Akron. And those tweets, which always contain noble references to God and family, are great for the ol’ ego too. 
 

It’s often as much about ego, and the grass being greener at the next school, as it is about money. 

[Zippy87]

 

[Zippy87]

 

[RoyalBlu]

29 minutes ago, Zippy87 said:

 

 

Interesting pickup. He fits how they used to play, but not so much how they played last season. Not sure he would be a fit for the Zips, but he at least knows the league and for them fills a void.

 

[kreed5120]

26 minutes ago, RoyalBlu said:

 

Interesting pickup. He fits how they used to play, but not so much how they played last season. Not sure he would be a fit for the Zips, but he at least knows the league and for them fills a void.

 

 

Gillespie is no Freeman, but he IMO was the 2nd best player in the MAC last season (behind TJ). When you have a player of that talent it makes sense you adjust your system to feed off his talents. That was what Groce did with Freeman even though Groce teams typically play through their guards.

 

With Gillespie now gone it would make sense for Sendy to modify his style of play to fit what he prefers to play.

[clarkwgriswold]

12 minutes ago, kreed5120 said:

 

Gillespie is no Freeman, but he IMO was the 2nd best player in the MAC last season (behind TJ). When you have a player of that talent it makes sense you adjust your system to feed off his talents. That was what Groce did with Freeman even though Groce teams typically play through their guards.

 

With Gillespie now gone it would make sense for Sendy to modify his style of play to fit what he prefers to play.

 

Sendy followed the Zips lead and went up tempo this year.  The Flushes averaged 11 points more per game this season than in 2024-25. 

[zippy5]

10 minutes ago, clarkwgriswold said:

 

Sendy followed the Zips lead and went up tempo this year.  The Flushes averaged 11 points more per game this season than in 2024-25. 

And the same amount of MAC championships

[Zippy87]

 

[Zippy87]

 

[kreed5120]

1 minute ago, Zippy87 said:

 

 

I read that article a short bit ago. What may be relevant for us is that mid-major spending is up 44% YoY.

[Let'sGoZips94]

1 hour ago, Zippy87 said:

 

 

This is why that D2 PF/C might be a sneaky add if he ends up committing. Would imagine he'd be a good value. 

[clarkwgriswold]

I think the NCAA is having a BOGO transfer portal deal on D2 and D3 players.

[Zippy87]

 

[Zippy87]

I looked through the accounts Coach Ford follows on Twitter and found these players he follows who I believe are all in the portal. It may give us some clues on some players we may be pursuing. 

 

Brayden Gross (Walsh)

Iyran Francis Jr (Gulf Coast State)

Sean Register Jr (Eastern Florida State)

Donovan Hill (Saint Leo)

Cooper Kesler (College of Southern Idaho)

 

Edited 2 hours ago by Zippy87

[AkronAlumnus]

54 minutes ago, Zippy87 said:

I looked through the accounts Coach Ford follows on Twitter and found these players he follows who I believe are all in the portal. It may give us some clues on some players we may be pursuing. 

 

Brayden Gross (Walsh)

Iyran Francis Jr (Gulf Coast State)

Sean Register Jr (Eastern Florida State)

Donovan Hill (Saint Leo)

Cooper Kesler (College of Southern Idaho)

 

I wouldn't mind a few of these guys - but at some point, we need to land proven high-end portal talent or legitimate P4 bouncE backs—not just under the radar guys.  That’s how you show the roster has a higher ceiling rather than simply filling holes.

 

Right now, we don’t really have anyone to build around, and a roster made up mostly of depth pieces and stopgaps isn’t going to win the MAC or ultimately a tourney game.  A class built mostly on names like these feels low-energy, and it’s hard to generate much hype around it, even if some do pan out.  I think Ford can do better.

[Let'sGoZips94]

1 hour ago, Zippy87 said:

I looked through the accounts Coach Ford follows on Twitter and found these players he follows who I believe are all in the portal. It may give us some clues on some players we may be pursuing. 

 

Brayden Gross (Walsh)

Iyran Francis Jr (Gulf Coast State)

Sean Register Jr (Eastern Florida State)

Donovan Hill (Saint Leo)

Cooper Kesler (College of Southern Idaho)

 

 

Brayden Gross is a local guy. 6'7" post player it looks like. Not sure he makes any sense without a 3P shot.

 

Sean Register is from Cleveland. 6'7" freshman who averaged 24.8 ppg on 66.3% FG and 40.6% 3P shooting. also had 8.7 rpg. Could definitely see us offering him. 

 

The rest don't make sense.

[Let'sGoZips94]

Following @Zippy87's strategy, here are a few not mentioned that Ford follows on X...

 

Luke McEldon (6'10" F from Mount Saint Mary's)

Kelvin Amoako (6'11" F from UIndy)

Davion Hill (6'2" G from Balls)

Derek Goodman (6'4" G from Ohio Dominican)

[NWAkron]

Local guys:  who will be the next Josh Egner?  A weary and wary Zips Nation awaits.

[kreed5120]

Not everyone we bring in from the portal is necessarily expected to be a 25+ minute a night guy. It might just be someone we expect to be 10-12 minute incoming sophomore that we hope to develop.

 

I do think we do need 1 more wing and big at minimum that can be solid MAC starters.

[Let'sGoZips94]

1 hour ago, AkronAlumnus said:

I wouldn't mind a few of these guys - but at some point, we need to land proven high-end portal talent or legitimate P4 bouncE backs—not just under the radar guys.  That’s how you show the roster has a higher ceiling rather than simply filling holes.

 

Right now, we don’t really have anyone to build around, and a roster made up mostly of depth pieces and stopgaps isn’t going to win the MAC or ultimately a tourney game.  A class built mostly on names like these feels low-energy, and it’s hard to generate much hype around it, even if some do pan out.  I think Ford can do better.

 

We had no proven guys to build around anyways. Relax - it'll be ok haha. 

[Zippy87]

 

[Let'sGoZips94]

4 minutes ago, Zippy87 said:

 

 

I love when mediocrity in the MAC gets passed around among the dregs. Decent piece, though, for the new coach. He at least has experience with MAC competition and can be a leader. 

[Zippy87]

 

This is a player I'd be all for targeting. Local kid - Wadsworth graduate. High character. Scored 18 against Virginia in the NCAA Tournament. Averaged 10 per game and shot just under 40% from 3PT.