WBB: Dayna Mendes

[SaveFerris]

Hoping this isn't true but Dayna Mendes into the portal per @Raoul. I have followed the women more and more. Part of it is Ethridge has kept attrition so low. Getting left behind might see that tick up.

 

[Coug1990]

That is too bad. She was really athletic and just getting better and better. I saw an interview with her on the coaches show about a month ago and she didn't seem to be as invested in the Cougars as the rest of the players. At the time I thought, "huh". But then I just thought maybe it was her personality and English not being her first language. I guess my first instincts may have been right.

 

[SaveFerris]

Remember having similar thoughts about her interview on the coaches show. She said a few things that jumped out at me as well.

Hopefully this doesn't signal more movement. It's something we really haven't seen under Ethridge.

 

[Rich Lewis]

KXLY fell short of confirming her departure but said her status for the NDSU was unknown. It seems she's gone. Too bad, she probably has NBA talent.

 

[COCoug]

yes- very disappointing. She has posted it on Instagram, but it also looks like she might still be with the team in Fargo. Maybe not a great fit from Paris to Pullman. Ethridge spoke of her as the most athletic player they ever recruited, but also playing with chronic injuries. Will be interesting where she lands. I would be surprised if it is a huge upgrade in quality of the program from WSU, but maybe a larger city.

So astounding how the NCAA opens the portal during the Tournament and Bowl Season. Like they are purposely sabotaging their product, and where they make their money. I know there is some talk of not opening the portal until after the bowls. Not sure if that is progressing.

 

[7ICoug]

Having Portal open during tournament time is really amazingly odd.

 

[Observer11]

We're watching college sports disintegrate in real time.

Few didn't all of a sudden become an awful coach where multiple players leave the program. These guys are getting picked off/approached during the tournament.

Hell, I used to have other AAU coaches try to poach my players in the handshake line. This is human nature.

 

[7ICoug]

Of like Ajayi he was told no more NIL for him next year. He way under performed. The same might well be true of others

 

[Observer11]

Of like Ajayi he was told no more NIL for him next year. He way under performed. The same might well be true of others

From what I've been hearing, Gonzaga supposedly is going to be Top 15 in NIL so you might be right.

Have to wonder if some of their NBA alums are ponying up. There's not THAT many oozing rich folks in Spokane. Some but not like the big cities.

 

[COCoug]

It really is just a matter of time before the billionaires take an interest in college sports, and then it will be pretty much over. There is no real limits or regulations, and recruiting and tampering is occurring year-round, with gambling discussed on every broadcast and article. Think of the largest NIL number you can imagine for 2025, and add a zero to the end of that for 2027 or 2028. I don't think Ferdinand's ice cream is going to keep players in Pullman much longer. For anyone that is still mildly interested in college sports, just pick an SEC to pull for, I guess. I'm kind of over it.

 

[SaveFerris]

Alice Dart also went into the portal. Ended up behind a lot of players, but thought she had good upside. Just needed to get stronger and tighten some of her skills. We ended up with so many wing types they all weren't going to stick around. Hope this is it though. I think Koorits who redshirted will end up a good player in time.

 

[Coug1990]

Dart is a loss, but can be replaced. She essentially was the 4th string point guard.

 

[SaveFerris]

Apparently Jenna Villa to the portal.