Charlie Creme at ESPN has made a first pass at 2026 bracketology even before the portal activity has been completed. Four new ACC teams are in - SMU, Virginia, Miami and Stanford. We are out, but could move up if we sign some good players.
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2026 Bracketology
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Last: 16 days ago by stu
Not exactly a shock.
Ridiculously early to take a stab at bracketology. So many teams like Cal in a state of flux. It's just meaningless content creation.
Major thing of interest is that SMU and Virginia are rising with very positive portal results and that Stanford should be better with four ESPN top 100 recruits coming in.
What's the latest that Cal has signed portal transfers over the past two seasons? Bears are in the final week of April now. The month of May will have to be productive if Charmin is going to land 4-6 quality newcomers for the 2025-26 season.
Your tone of urgency doesn't match the reality, and excuse me if I am misreading your intent:Schroeder71 said:
What's the latest that Cal has signed portal transfers over the past two seasons? Bears are in the final week of April now. The month of May will have to be productive if Charmin is going to land 4-6 quality newcomers for the 2025-26 season.
From Talia Goodman at On3, who is the best at the women's portal stuff:
Total entries: 1,515
Commitments: 561
Withdrawn: 32
High-major players remaining: 112
so, we aren't even half way with commitments.
and from SFCalbear72 on April 9:Schroeder71 said:
What's the latest that Cal has signed portal transfers over the past two seasons? Bears are in the final week of April now. The month of May will have to be productive if Charmin is going to land 4-6 quality newcomers for the 2025-26 season.
"Looking back on Calbears.com, we didn't learn about Jayda Noble signing with the Bears until late April last year. Kayla Williams signed in early May, while Gisella Maul was a few weeks later. We signed Natalia Ackerman in August."
By my count, ACC teams have signed a total of 32 post and wing portal transfers thus far. Twelve schools have signed players in these categories:
Virginia - 4
SMU - 4
Miami - 4
Clemson - 4
Georgia Tech - 3
Wake Forest - 3
FSU - 2
Louisville - 2
Notre Dame - 2
Syracuse - 2
North Carolina - 1
Pitt - 1
Virginia - 4
SMU - 4
Miami - 4
Clemson - 4
Georgia Tech - 3
Wake Forest - 3
FSU - 2
Louisville - 2
Notre Dame - 2
Syracuse - 2
North Carolina - 1
Pitt - 1
annarborbear-thank you for the facts. Ten ACC schools have already landed 2 to 4 post players. Cal desperately needs two *bigs* and has been unable to do it.
There are still players out there to be signed. But the number of post players with proven production in a Power 4 conference is getting smaller. These earlier signings seem to include players who wanted to lock up some generous NIL before someone else beat them to it.Schroeder71 said:
annarborbear-thank you for the facts. Ten ACC schools have already landed 2 to 4 post players. Cal desperately needs two *bigs* and has been unable to do it.
As I reported: Cal was in on someone significant, and looking to raise the money. I have not heard if not getting her was because they were out-bid or not.annarborbear said:There are still players out there to be signed. But the number of post players with proven production in a Power 4 conference is getting smaller. These earlier signings seem to include players who wanted to lock up some generous NIL before someone else beat them to it.Schroeder71 said:
annarborbear-thank you for the facts. Ten ACC schools have already landed 2 to 4 post players. Cal desperately needs two *bigs* and has been unable to do it.
Thanks for quoting me, mbBear.mbBear said:and from SFCalbear72 on April 9:Schroeder71 said:
What's the latest that Cal has signed portal transfers over the past two seasons? Bears are in the final week of April now. The month of May will have to be productive if Charmin is going to land 4-6 quality newcomers for the 2025-26 season.
"Looking back on Calbears.com, we didn't learn about Jayda Noble signing with the Bears until late April last year. Kayla Williams signed in early May, while Gisella Maul was a few weeks later. We signed Natalia Ackerman in August."
I sent a message to Coach Eliza Pierre yesterday via Instagram asking when we might be hearing about new Bears from the transfer portal. I also added that, like me, my fellow season ticketholders are anxiously awaiting such news.
No reply yet. But the message was "seen".
I'm guessing she can't say anything just yet.
My pleasure. S71 asked a question, and I knew someone had posted/done the work on that info. Much easier to ignore the tangible facts and be lamenting about the present Cal situation, but I digress...SFCALBear72 said:Thanks for quoting me, mbBear.mbBear said:and from SFCalbear72 on April 9:Schroeder71 said:
What's the latest that Cal has signed portal transfers over the past two seasons? Bears are in the final week of April now. The month of May will have to be productive if Charmin is going to land 4-6 quality newcomers for the 2025-26 season.
"Looking back on Calbears.com, we didn't learn about Jayda Noble signing with the Bears until late April last year. Kayla Williams signed in early May, while Gisella Maul was a few weeks later. We signed Natalia Ackerman in August."
I sent a message to Coach Eliza Pierre yesterday via Instagram asking when we might be hearing about new Bears from the transfer portal. I also added that, like me, my fellow season ticketholders are anxiously awaiting such news.
No reply yet. But the message was "seen".
I'm guessing she can't say anything just yet.
My other school, MIchigan, has signed two really good players from the portal this year. Their coach was asked if she expected to sign any others. The coach laughed and responded: "The costs have gotten pretty high in this environment".
According to "The Win" on MSN, these are the remaining best front-line players in the portal from Power 4 Conferences. Only one Center on the list:
- Teya Sidberry, Forward, Boston College
- Serah Williams, Forward, Wisconsin
- Allie Kubek, Forward, Maryland
- Kiera Edmonds, Forward, Houston
- Ayianna Johnson, Forward, Colorado
- Yakiya Milton, Forward/Center. Auburn
- Amiya Evans, Forward, Georgia
- Laniah Randle, Forward, Missouri
- Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda, Forward, Texas
I'm wondering why Jenessa Cotton, 6'2 Wing/Forward Duke (Mater Dei HS) is still available. She was #80 on 2024 Hoopgurlz Recruiting. 3 years of eligibility.
I hope we get Johnson. Shs's a forward but is 6-3 like Onyiah is. Looks bulkier but Abigor is more lanky like Onyiah. Otherwise are there still any quality international bigs left? I'd like Natalia back who at least contributed despite ongoing back issues whereas Claudia has been a bust.
annarborbear said:
According to "The Win" on MSN, these are the remaining best front-line players in the portal from Power 4 Conferences. Only one Center on the list:Hopefully, we can land at least one of this group along with some other developmental players. As things are looking, I would hope that we could also convince both Natalia and Claudia to come back for one more year.
- Teya Sidberry, Forward, Boston College
- Serah Williams, Forward, Wisconsin
- Allie Kubek, Forward, Maryland
- Kiera Edmonds, Forward, Houston
- Ayianna Johnson, Forward, Colorado
- Yakiya Milton, Forward/Center. Auburn
- Amiya Evans, Forward, Georgia
- Laniah Randle, Forward, Missouri
- Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda, Forward, Texas
You are assuming no international signings?
The top three listed and the gal from Georgia seem to fit the bill for Cal needs. The others average 1.9 -5 ppg. The 6-2 PF from GA also scored 5 points + but grabbed 6.2 rebounds per game in the SEC. The BC player & the Maryland post would fit in, too. Serah Williams is high profile (19.2 points +9.4 boards/ g), and I don't know how she would fill the void in Berkeley. I doubt that she would consider the Bears.
Lulu must have read our minds.
She just posted on Instagram that Sakima Walker, a 6'5 Center Grad student, just committed to the Bears.
She played at South Carolina!
She just posted on Instagram that Sakima Walker, a 6'5 Center Grad student, just committed to the Bears.
She played at South Carolina!
mbBear said:
You are assuming no international signings?
I have not been able to come up with an article or data base on any international players who are still out there.
If one could survive practices at South Carolina, she could definitely help Cal inside. She only played 5 minutes per game so might be limited. Scroll down her bio information and it suggests that she might possess skills.
Sakima Walker University of South Carolina Athletics
However, at 6-5, Sakima Walker should be a shot blocker and a rebounder to rotate with Gabrille Abigor at a minimum. GO BEARS!.
Sakima Walker University of South Carolina Athletics
However, at 6-5, Sakima Walker should be a shot blocker and a rebounder to rotate with Gabrille Abigor at a minimum. GO BEARS!.
Claudia was hampered by injuries and I read that she missed all of last season due to surgery. I'd love to see what she could do when healthy.3Cats4CAL said:
I hope we get Johnson. Shs's a forward but is 6-3 like Onyiah is. Looks bulkier but Abigor is more lanky like Onyiah. Otherwise are there still any quality international bigs left? I'd like Natalia back who at least contributed despite ongoing back issues whereas Claudia has been a bust.
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