Tag: LJ Cryer

Alabama MBB reaches out to elite Baylor transfer LJ Cryer

According to The Portal Report, Alabama’s coaching staff has reached out to Baylor guard transfer LJ Cryer. He averaged 15 points per game last season for the Bears.

According to Transfer Portal Report, Alabama has reached out to Baylor transfer LJ Cryer.

Cryer was a staple in Baylor’s backcourt over the last two seasons. He was impactful on both ends of the floor. His ability to knock down threes and play defense made him the focal point of a Big 12 program that has a history of producing elite guards. Jared Butler and Davion Mitchell are just two guards that thrived in Baylor’s system and are now competing at the professional level.

Cryer averaged 15 points per game, 2.1 rebounds per game, and 2.0 assists per game this past season. He also shot an efficient 45.3% from the floor and 41.5% from beyond the arc.

His productivity in a top-heavy conference like the Big-12 just goes to show how valuable he will be to the school that he commits to.

Alabama may have put itself in a good position to land an elite guard. Jaden Bradley and Nimari Burnett are transferring while Jahvon Quinerly is testing the NBA Draft waters.

Cryer recently mentioned how he would like to play a little bit of point guard at his next destination. At this time, Alabama has a lot to offer which is very intriguing. Alabama head coach Nate Oats landed an elite guard out of the transfer portal a season ago in Mark Sears.

If Oats has aspirations of adding proven scorers, one would think the Tide are firmly in the mix to land Cryer. If not, the Tide will look elsewhere for a proven scorer.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow the Alabama basketball program and its involvement in the transfer portal.

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CBS Sports ranks the top basketball players in the transfer portal

The college basketball transfer portal is loaded with talent.

Texas head coach Rodney Terry has plenty of positions to fill following multiple departures from his Elite Eight roster. Fortunately for Terry, the transfer portal is not short on talented players looking for a change of scenery.

The Longhorns’ most pressing needs are well known. Texas needs scoring guards to replace the production Marcus Carr and Sir’Jabari Rice gave the team last year. In addition, they’ll need more height than the past two teams to combat the length of teams such as Purdue and Tennessee have had of late.

On Wednesday, CBS Sports gave an idea of some of the better players Texas could target in the portal. Here’s a look at their top 10 transfers for the 2023 offseason thus far.

Baylor transfer LJ Cryer would be ‘breath of fresh air’ for UNC

UNC basketball is looking for another starting guard through the transfer portal and Baylor guard LJ Cryer could be a ‘breath of fresh air’.

There is no question the UNC basketball program has a great many needs to address in the transfer portal, but one intriguing player could be a good fit.

With the departure of Caleb Love in the backcourt, there is a significant opening for minutes … and shots.

A recent addition to the transfer portal was Baylor guard [autotag]LJ Cryer[/autotag]. The 6-foot-1 guard averaged 15 points and shot 41.5% from three on 6.2 attempts per game this season. It was the first year as a full-time starter.

While many programs will be after Cryer, 247Sports seems to think a Cryer and UNC match could work.

“Caleb Love’s high-highs were tantalizing, but a steady, reliable shot-maker like Cryer would be a breath of fresh air for UNC. R.J. Davis and Armando Bacot are both back which certainly adds to UNC’s cache in the transfer portal. Davis is not a ball-dominant, selfish lead guard, so Cryer would likely get a significant bump –– maybe from 20% at Baylor to 24% at UNC –– in usage rate.”

The season before in 19 games and one start, Cryer shot 46.8% from 3 on 5.8 attempts per game. He is a career 42.5% shooter from the perimeter on 5.2 attempts per game.

His efficient scoring ability while having a low usage rate is significant, especially when looking to pair him with RJ Davis in the backcourt. Both players have the ability to play on or off of the ball, but it’s the effectiveness and efficient that is so appealing.

Kansas State, Kansas, Texas, Houston, Indiana and Gonzaga are among the programs that have reached out to Cryer.

With no short list of potential suitors, it’ll be interesting to see if North Carolina pushes for Cryer at all. But, the potential is there regardless.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

Two potential Texas basketball targets enter the transfer portal

Baylor’s LJ Cryer and Oral Roberts’ Max Abmas announced their intentions to transfer on Monday. 

High profile names continue to enter the college basketball transfer portal looking for new homes next season. Baylor’s LJ Cryer and Oral Roberts’ Max Abmas announced their intentions to transfer on Monday.

With Texas potentially losing its three most productive guards, it would make sense for Rodney Terry and his staff to look into Cryer and Abmas.

Texas is familiar with Cryer’s game as a conference rival during his time at Baylor. The third-team All-Big 12 guard is known for his sharpshooting behind the three-point line, helping him average 15 points per game this season. In addition, Cryer possesses premium experience as a three-year player and national champion.

Abmas is one of the top scoring options in the transfer portal to date. The 2021 NCAA Tournament star has averaged over 20 points per game in each of his last three seasons at Oral Roberts. The Rockwall product could have an interest in returning to the state of Texas.

Texas has shown they are not afraid to go big game hunting in the transfer portal over the past few offseasons and do not expect that trend to change this time around.

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How to watch Oklahoma men’s hoops in the Big 12 tournament against Baylor

How to watch and listen to the Oklahoma Sooners men’s basketball team as they start the Big 12 tournament against Baylor.

Win or go home season has officially begun for Oklahoma (17-14, 7-11 Big 12). While their season won’t end if they lose their next game, it’s Big 12 tournament time. The next game is not promised like it is with the regular season. The only thing promised is that the intensity of March basketball is a significant step up from the regular season.

For Porter Moser’s team, it starts Thursday evening with a date with the Baylor Bears (26-5, 14-4 Big 12) in the 2022 Phillips 66 Big 12 Tournament.

The Big 12 provides Oklahoma with a major opportunity to boost their resume for a chance to play in the NCAA Tournament.

As it currently stands, the Oklahoma Sooners were not featured in Joe Lunardi’s latest Bracketology. A win against an undermanned but highly capable and dangerous Baylor team would still be a significant notch on the Sooners’ belt.

Baylor comes in as the second seed while Oklahoma enters as the seventh seed. Baylor dispatched Oklahoma 65-51 in their earlier meeting this season. The Bears come into the game banged up but still finding ways to be successful and they could be getting back a major piece in guard LJ Cryer who has extensive time and is being listed as a game-time decision.

The Sooners enter on a three-game winning streak after defeating Oklahoma State, West Virginia, and K-State to end their regular season campaign.

How to Watch

Date: Thursday, March 10

Time: 6 p.m. CST

TV: ESPN

Line: Oklahoma +7.5*

Money Line: Oklahoma +280, Baylor -370

Over/Under: 135.5*

*lines courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook

Stream

The game is available for streaming on ESPN.

Thursday’s game will be available on ESPN with Jon Sciambi, Fran Fraschilla, and Kris Budden calling the game.

How to Listen

The game tips at 6 p.m. CT and will be available for listening on the Sooner Sports Radio Network (KRXO 107.7 FM The Franchise in Oklahoma City; KTBZ 1430 AM in Tulsa; Varsity Radio App) with play by play from Toby Rowland and color commentary from Kevin Henry.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.