Connor Harding Enters Transfer Portal

[byufan4ever]

https://www.vanquishthefoe.com/2021/3/2 ... ation=true

Wow, what happened to him? He was a 4 star recruit out of HS. Played very efficiently as a Sophomore on a loaded team along with some good defense. I had tipped him to be THE guy this season. But he flopped. His offense sucked and was probably the worst amongst those that got significant PT and his defense took a step back too. Too bad. I wanted the Pocatello kid to succeed.

I wonder if Pope told him that he was not going to be part of his plans next year. Will be interesting to see where he goes and if his wife stays at BYU. To be brutally honest, she's the better player and much more important to her team.

[snoscythe]

Not sure about your defensive analysis--when we needed someone to stop UCLA's Juzang, they looked to Harding and he did a great job in that role.

[Fido]

Other players entering the transfer portal:
- G Jesse Wade (Junior, walk-on)
- F Kolby Lee (Junior)
- F Wyatt Lowell (Sophomore who came over from UVU)

Incoming players
- G Casey Brown (RM, walk-on, committed to Coach Rose in fall 2018)
- G Nate Hansen (RM, committed to Coach Rose in fall 2018)
- G Trey Stewart (RM, committed to Coach Pope in April 2019)
- F Fousseyni Traore (2020 class, Wasatch Academy from Mali)

This leaves 3 open scholarships (Barcello won't count against scholarship limit due to a free covid eligibility year, if he opts to stay) for use in the transfer market.

[jadesroom]

What about the player from London Academy in Ontario?

[Fido]

Ah....F Atiki Ally Atiki is an add for 2021. Cougs Daily currently says he has "not officially signed yet". But he is expected so should be added to the incoming list assuming everything goes through.
https://www.si.com/college/byu/news/upd ... -situation

So that would leave 2 free scholarships for the transfer portal.

The article also notes that Brandon Averett sounded like he may not return but he later said he hasn't decided about using a covid year to play. If he does, he--like Barcello--would not count against the scholarship count for 2021.

[E-Zone15]

Ah....F Atiki Ally Atiki is an add for 2021. Cougs Daily currently says he has "not officially signed yet". But he is expected so should be added to the incoming list assuming everything goes through.
https://www.si.com/college/byu/news/upd ... -situation

So that would leave 2 free scholarships for the transfer portal.

The article also notes that Brandon Averett sounded like he may not return but he later said he hasn't decided about using a covid year to play. If he does, he--like Barcello--would not count against the scholarship count for 2021.

Actually I think it is still 3, because I've heard that Coach Pope did not offer G Nate Hansen a scholarship. Maybe that has changed now, because up until this week there was no scholarship available for Hansen. Word is BYU is taking a hard look at both Grad Transfer- PG A.J. Lawson 6' 5" 215 and Fr- PG Mike Saunders Jr 6' 190. BYU recruited him a little out of Wasatch Academy along with Caleb Lohner, Richie Saunders, and Fousseyni Traore (also didn't get C Mady Sissoko 6' 9" 235/Michigan St).

[byufan4ever]

Not sure about your defensive analysis--when we needed someone to stop UCLA's Juzang, they looked to Harding and he did a great job in that role.

He did well there, but there were plenty of other times this season where his man blew past him. And I never said his defense sucked, just that it wasn't as good as it was last season. Last season he was consistently a very good defender, probably the best on the team. This season as a whole I'd say his defense was between above average and good, but not good enough to get him more minutes on the floor and for Pope and Harding to want him to stay.

[Fido]

It is possible that Nate Hansen doesn't get his scholarship honored by Pope (since he was offered pre-mission by Rose). From what I can derive on social media, it doesn't look like Hansen will be home from his mission until the late April/early May timeframe (Facebook posts say he will be home for about 2 months before his brother leaves in early July), so perhaps that is when things get sorted out regarding his status. But the consensus from several sources says there is 2 scholarships available for transfers, and maybe a 3rd depending on Hansen's status.

Interestingly enough--Hansen is the last holdover from that final signing class by Rose.

- Bernardo da Silva had some questions around his exams including his TOEFL scores and ended up signing at Hawai'i. He played in 25 games (starting 4) his freshman year and only played in 5 games in 2020, averaging just under 4 points/game for his career thus far.

- Shengzhe Li After being released by Pope, he committed to Oregon State, but does not appear to have ever made the squad or appeared in a game (at least not that I can find). His LinkedIn page says he has been the men's basketball team manager for the 2019 and 2020 seasons.

[GAKunkel]

I figured Lee and Harding would be transferring. Both are losses.

Lee's mom was complaining on Twitter after the UCLA loss and, quite frankly, she had a point. Haarms was overrated and did little against UCLA.

Now, I will say Harding and Lee did benefit from a lot during the 19/20 season because of Haws and Toolson. Defenses were so keyed on Toolson and Haws it created a lot of open looks for Harding. Plus, Haws was a better PG than Barcello at creating for others. Lee benefited from this too.

Harding had his chances this season, though, and just wasn't shooting at the same level. His defense was solid.

Lee is a bigger loss. Who knows if Baxter will even be able to play next season and at what level. Hardward is solid but he'll need backup. Losing a big like Lee doesn't reflect well on Pope when it comes attracting other bigs. Bit of a black eye on Pope, IMO.

[jadesroom]

Lee is a bigger loss.

I haven't read or heard of anyone else sharing this opinion. Of the two Idaho players, I always felt Harding was the more important. But, then again, I knew Connor when I lived in Pocatello, and you follow Lee's mother on Twitter.

My perception is that the coaching staff feels the need to increase the athleticism on the team. I'm all in favor of it as long as they don't make the Gary Crowton mistake: Getting athletes while minimizing the honor code. I doubt Pope and the others will do this, but there is the temptation.