I am, like every other MU fan, glad that Shaka has finally seen the necessity of using the transfer portal. I truly wish that Shaka's approach of not using the portal had worked. But, I admit that you simply cannot ignore the portal in the college bb world of today.
That said, many MU fans seem to think that a couple of good portal players will fix all this team's shortcomings. While that could be the case, I have to be somewhat skeptical given Shaka's track record of identifying, recruiting, and developing high level players. You may think I'm crazy, but consider the following:
1. The six best players Shaka had at MU in his first four years were certainly Tyler, Oso, Stevie, Kam, Chase, and David Joplin. But, Tyler and Chase are the only ones identified and recruited by Shaka. The others were Wojo recruiting holdovers.
2. Shaka's recruiting classes have, so far, produced five good players: Ross, Gold, Parham, Stevens, and James. (I am excluding Sean Jones since injuries never really let us see what kind of player he would become.) But, his recruiting classes have also included Hamilton, Owens, Clark, and Norman - all less than stellar recruits so far though Shaka touted all of them very highly when he first secured their services. And, his recruits have also included Itejere and Ellis who both had very short stays at MU and rarely saw the floor.
3. That's less than a 50% success rate on Shaka's own high school recruits. Plus, he has had a total whiff on finding a serviceable big.
Maybe a 50/50 rate on high schoolers is about average. I really don't know. But, given that performance of identifying and securing basketball talent, I am trying not to get overly excited about Shaka using the portal. Your success rate in the portal should be better since you can see howe players have performed against competition better than high-school ball. Even D2 bb is a big step above high-school. But, you still have to identify the right players - and then get them. I sincerely hope Shaka does get a couple of really good transfers, especially a big, but...
Quote from: rgoode57 on April 08, 2026, 11:45:49 AMI am, like every other MU fan, glad that Shaka has finally seen the necessity of using the transfer portal. I truly wish that Shaka's approach of not using the portal had worked. But, I admit that you simply cannot ignore the portal in the college bb world of today.
That said, many MU fans seem to think that a couple of good portal players will fix all this team's shortcomings. While that could be the case, I have to be somewhat skeptical given Shaka's track record of identifying, recruiting, and developing high level players. You may think I'm crazy, but consider the following:
1. The six best players Shaka had at MU in his first four years were certainly Tyler, Oso, Stevie, Kam, Chase, and David Joplin. But, Tyler and Chase are the only ones identified and recruited by Shaka. The others were Wojo recruiting holdovers.
2. Shaka's recruiting classes have, so far, produced five good players: Ross, Gold, Parham, Stevens, and James. (I am excluding Sean Jones since injuries never really let us see what kind of player he would become.) But, his recruiting classes have also included Hamilton, Owens, Clark, and Norman - all less than stellar recruits so far though Shaka touted all of them very highly when he first secured their services. And, his recruits have also included Itejere and Ellis who both had very short stays at MU and rarely saw the floor.
3. That's less than a 50% success rate on Shaka's own high school recruits. Plus, he has had a total whiff on finding a serviceable big.
Maybe a 50/50 rate on high schoolers is about average. I really don't know. But, given that performance of identifying and securing basketball talent, I am trying not to get overly excited about Shaka using the portal. Your success rate in the portal should be better since you can see howe players have performed against competition better than high-school ball. Even D2 bb is a big step above high-school. But, you still have to identify the right players - and then get them. I sincerely hope Shaka does get a couple of really good transfers, especially a big, but...
Well, if he fails putting a roster together this year, there likely won't be a next year for him.
Quote from: rgoode57 on April 08, 2026, 11:45:49 AM1. The six best players Shaka had at MU in his first four years were certainly Tyler, Oso, Stevie, Kam, Chase, and David Joplin. But, Tyler and Chase are the only ones identified and recruited by Shaka. The others were Wojo recruiting holdovers.
[/b]
#FakeNews #Lies
Quote from: rgoode57 on April 08, 2026, 11:45:49 AMI am, like every other MU fan, glad that Shaka has finally seen the necessity of using the transfer portal. I truly wish that Shaka's approach of not using the portal had worked. But, I admit that you simply cannot ignore the portal in the college bb world of today.
That said, many MU fans seem to think that a couple of good portal players will fix all this team's shortcomings. While that could be the case, I have to be somewhat skeptical given Shaka's track record of identifying, recruiting, and developing high level players. You may think I'm crazy, but consider the following:
1. The six best players Shaka had at MU in his first four years were certainly Tyler, Oso, Stevie, Kam, Chase, and David Joplin. But, Tyler and Chase are the only ones identified and recruited by Shaka. The others were Wojo recruiting holdovers.
2. Shaka's recruiting classes have, so far, produced five good players: Ross, Gold, Parham, Stevens, and James. (I am excluding Sean Jones since injuries never really let us see what kind of player he would become.) But, his recruiting classes have also included Hamilton, Owens, Clark, and Norman - all less than stellar recruits so far though Shaka touted all of them very highly when he first secured their services. And, his recruits have also included Itejere and Ellis who both had very short stays at MU and rarely saw the floor.
3. That's less than a 50% success rate on Shaka's own high school recruits. Plus, he has had a total whiff on finding a serviceable big.
Maybe a 50/50 rate on high schoolers is about average. I really don't know. But, given that performance of identifying and securing basketball talent, I am trying not to get overly excited about Shaka using the portal. Your success rate in the portal should be better since you can see howe players have performed against competition better than high-school ball. Even D2 bb is a big step above high-school. But, you still have to identify the right players - and then get them. I sincerely hope Shaka does get a couple of really good transfers, especially a big, but...
You make some fair points, but ...
1. Joplin was a Shaka recruit
2. Shaka has had success using the portal previously (one reason some of us couldn't understand why he chose to totally abandon it). Until proven otherwise, I think it's fair to give him the benefit of the doubt that he can succeed at it again.
Umm Joplin was a shaka commit to Texas.
Oso was recruited by Shaka at Texas, he at least gets credit for identifying even if it it didn't work out.
Also, lumping Owens in with Norman and Hamilton is nuts. You forgot Lowery as well.
Quote from: rgoode57 on April 08, 2026, 11:45:49 AMI am, like every other MU fan, glad that Shaka has finally seen the necessity of using the transfer portal. I truly wish that Shaka's approach of not using the portal had worked. But, I admit that you simply cannot ignore the portal in the college bb world of today.
That said, many MU fans seem to think that a couple of good portal players will fix all this team's shortcomings. While that could be the case, I have to be somewhat skeptical given Shaka's track record of identifying, recruiting, and developing high level players. You may think I'm crazy, but consider the following:
1. The six best players Shaka had at MU in his first four years were certainly Tyler, Oso, Stevie, Kam, Chase, and David Joplin. But, Tyler and Chase are the only ones identified and recruited by Shaka. The others were Wojo recruiting holdovers.
2. Shaka's recruiting classes have, so far, produced five good players: Ross, Gold, Parham, Stevens, and James. (I am excluding Sean Jones since injuries never really let us see what kind of player he would become.) But, his recruiting classes have also included Hamilton, Owens, Clark, and Norman - all less than stellar recruits so far though Shaka touted all of them very highly when he first secured their services. And, his recruits have also included Itejere and Ellis who both had very short stays at MU and rarely saw the floor.
3. That's less than a 50% success rate on Shaka's own high school recruits. Plus, he has had a total whiff on finding a serviceable big.
Maybe a 50/50 rate on high schoolers is about average. I really don't know. But, given that performance of identifying and securing basketball talent, I am trying not to get overly excited about Shaka using the portal. Your success rate in the portal should be better since you can see howe players have performed against competition better than high-school ball. Even D2 bb is a big step above high-school. But, you still have to identify the right players - and then get them. I sincerely hope Shaka does get a couple of really good transfers, especially a big, but...
Heavy disagree on the best 6.
OMax, Morsell, Justin Lewis would all like a word.
" That said, many MU fans seem to think that a couple of good portal players will fix ALL this team's shortcomings."
No one is saying that.
Quote from: rgoode57 on April 08, 2026, 11:45:49 AMI am, like every other MU fan, glad that Shaka has finally seen the necessity of using the transfer portal. I truly wish that Shaka's approach of not using the portal had worked. But, I admit that you simply cannot ignore the portal in the college bb world of today.
That said, many MU fans seem to think that a couple of good portal players will fix all this team's shortcomings. While that could be the case, I have to be somewhat skeptical given Shaka's track record of identifying, recruiting, and developing high level players. You may think I'm crazy, but consider the following:
1. The six best players Shaka had at MU in his first four years were certainly Tyler, Oso, Stevie, Kam, Chase, and David Joplin. But, Tyler and Chase are the only ones identified and recruited by Shaka. The others were Wojo recruiting holdovers.
2. Shaka's recruiting classes have, so far, produced five good players: Ross, Gold, Parham, Stevens, and James. (I am excluding Sean Jones since injuries never really let us see what kind of player he would become.) But, his recruiting classes have also included Hamilton, Owens, Clark, and Norman - all less than stellar recruits so far though Shaka touted all of them very highly when he first secured their services. And, his recruits have also included Itejere and Ellis who both had very short stays at MU and rarely saw the floor.
3. That's less than a 50% success rate on Shaka's own high school recruits. Plus, he has had a total whiff on finding a serviceable big.
Maybe a 50/50 rate on high schoolers is about average. I really don't know. But, given that performance of identifying and securing basketball talent, I am trying not to get overly excited about Shaka using the portal. Your success rate in the portal should be better since you can see howe players have performed against competition better than high-school ball. Even D2 bb is a big step above high-school. But, you still have to identify the right players - and then get them. I sincerely hope Shaka does get a couple of really good transfers, especially a big, but...
Not sure why you're bringing high school recruiting into this conversation.
Kolek, Omax, Morsell, and Kuath were all transfers. All were successes.
I'm confident Shaka and staff can identify players to fill the gaps on this team.
What we don't know is how NIL will impact the process because we haven't seen it previously.
Marking Gold as a good player is well.. something.
I will address this in my new thread "Somewhat Bullish of Portal Success" where I highlight the home runs of Tyler, Morsell, Kur and O-Max and how Marquette won the Big East in 2023 based on Shaka's ability to identify talent (and leadership) in the portal and fill the right gaps for the team and how I believe Shaka will focus on finding the right complimentary players for this current roster.
And then my third thread "Entering Portals? What are we, wizards?" where I will highlight my skepticism of the concept of portals in general. They are dangerous, lead to alternative universes, and could lead to the downfall of society as we know if a time-rift is created by entering one.
O Max and Morsell were better than Chase.
Three categories:
Wojo: Elliott, Lewis, Oso, Kam, Stevie
Transfer: Morsell, Kuath, Omax, Kolek, Wrightsill
Recruits: Amadou, Itijere, Jones, Gold, Ross, Ellis, Lowery, Norman, Hamilton, Clark, Parham, Owens, Stephens, James, Philips, Walker, Militic, Johnston, Egbuono, Pearson, arguably Oso fits in here as well depending on what the context of the argument is.
Of high school talent he recruited:
Hits: Ross, Parham, Stephens, James, Jop, Oso
Ok: Gold
TBD: Owens, Philips & the others still to play
Misses: Amadou, Itijere, Jones, Ellis, Lowery (at least there was a moment of hope), Norman, Hamilton, Clark
Quote from: Galway Eagle on April 08, 2026, 12:17:04 PMMisses: Amadou, Itijere, Jones, Ellis, Lowery (at least there was a moment of hope), Norman, Hamilton, Clark
I don't know if it's fair to call Hamilton and Clark misses yet. For example, if Hamilton has been doing as well in practice as they say but couldn't translate it into a game, then maybe something really could materialize next year. Clark has an even stronger case as this was his first year in games.
Quote from: UWW2MU on April 08, 2026, 12:41:16 PMI don't know if it's fair to call Hamilton and Clark misses yet. For example, if Hamilton has been doing as well in practice as they say but couldn't translate it into a game, then maybe something really could materialize next year. Clark has an even stronger case as this was his first year in games.
Pass it, my boi!!!
I'm willing to throw Clark in the TBD bucket. Hamilton is what he is. A pretty good passer and no other real skills.
Quote from: UWW2MU on April 08, 2026, 12:41:16 PMI don't know if it's fair to call Hamilton and Clark misses yet. For example, if Hamilton has been doing as well in practice as they say but couldn't translate it into a game, then maybe something really could materialize next year. Clark has an even stronger case as this was his first year in games.
Your second sentence should have been posted on April 1.
Sorry about my failure to include Omax, who was certainly a success at MU. Did not mean to short Shaka or Omax on that one. And, I suppose you are also correct that Joplin was a Shaka recruit and not Wojo's. I tend to exclude Morsell and Kuath since they were both one year "just field a team" kind of transfers. Apologies.
Still, the tally stands at about 50/50 during Shaka's tenure. My general point is that, in the portal, you cannot be 50/50. If you bring in two transfers, they both have to be hits. If you bring in three, you have at least hit on two of them if not all three.
Quote from: JakeBarnes on April 08, 2026, 12:09:20 PMI will address this in my new thread "Somewhat Bullish of Portal Success" where I highlight the home runs of Tyler, Morsell, Kur and O-Max and how Marquette won the Big East in 2023 based on Shaka's ability to identify talent (and leadership) in the portal and fill the right gaps for the team and how I believe Shaka will focus on finding the right complimentary players for this current roster.
This is far too reasonable for much of Scoopdom.
Quote from: rgoode57 on April 08, 2026, 12:56:01 PMSorry about my failure to include Omax, who was certainly a success at MU. Did not mean to short Shaka or Omax on that one. And, I suppose you are also correct that Joplin was a Shaka recruit and not Wojo's. I tend to exclude Morsell and Kuath since they were both one year "just field a team" kind of transfers. Apologies.
Still, the tally stands at about 50/50 during Shaka's tenure. My general point is that, in the portal, you cannot be 50/50. If you bring in two transfers, they both have to be hits. If you bring in three, you have at least hit on two of them if not all three.
Shaka has a hit rate of 80% in the portal so far. And the 20% that missed was due to an offseason career ending injury, not due to talent evaluation.
Quote from: UWW2MU on April 08, 2026, 12:41:16 PMI don't know if it's fair to call Hamilton and Clark misses yet. For example, if Hamilton has been doing as well in practice as they say but couldn't translate it into a game, then maybe something really could materialize next year. Clark has an even stronger case as this was his first year in games.
Clark I'll give you.
Hamilton? 3/5 of his college career and he's been a complete bust, not even "flashes are there" like there were/are Owens or Lowery or Gold. Maybe he materializes into a serviceable backup by year 5... and is still say we sunk way too much time & money to get such a little return. Rooting for him to prove me wrong since he's seemingly coming back.
Quote from: Galway Eagle on April 08, 2026, 01:07:22 PMClark I'll give you.
Hamilton? 3/5 of his college career and he's been a complete bust, not even "flashes are there" like there were/are Owens or Lowery or Gold. Maybe he materializes into a serviceable backup by year 5... and is still say we sunk way too much time & money to get such a little return. Rooting for him to prove me wrong since he's seemingly coming back.
I can't wait for a worse Matt Heldt in year 5 from Hamilton!
Quote from: UWW2MU on April 08, 2026, 12:41:16 PMI don't know if it's fair to call Hamilton and Clark misses yet. For example, if Hamilton has been doing as well in practice as they say but couldn't translate it into a game, then maybe something really could materialize next year. Clark has an even stronger case as this was his first year in games.
It's definitely fair to say they're misses.
There must have been a basis for Fetch though, right?! Why would they have pushed it so hard?
Quote from: TAMU, Knower of Ball on April 08, 2026, 01:05:51 PMShaka has a hit rate of 80% in the portal so far. And the 20% that missed was due to an offseason career ending injury, not due to talent evaluation.
Given his pedigree, Wrightsil was always more likely to be a miss than a hit. We'll never know for sure, of course.
Quote from: Pakuni on April 08, 2026, 03:20:37 PMGiven his pedigree, Wrightsil was always more likely to be a miss than a hit. We'll never know for sure, of course.
I don't know if that's completely true, NPOY in any division is someone who can definitely play. Not saying he was going to be setting the world on fire.
Quote from: UWW2MU on April 08, 2026, 02:02:50 PMThere must have been a basis for Fetch though, right?! Why would they have pushed it so hard?
Because there wasn't another option and we wanted to believe that we had coached him up enough to be a high major starter
I think the OP makes a great point. Some of the board is going to be disappointed.
I'll feel a lot better (or worse) after our first signing lol
That complete whiff of a junior class (Zaide, Tre, Al Amadou, Caedin) has completely upended so much momentum for this program that I think over-skewed people's opinion on Shaka as a coach. He has hit on so many recruits, and although the seniors weren't great, they've been so mangled by injuries that their development was derailed entirely.
Nigel, Adrien, MPIII, Royce, Damarius aare either hits or could still could hit while Kam, Stevie, Jop, Tyler, Oso, Omax, Kur Kuath, Morsell, and Lewis were recruiting, portal, or retention wins. I'm keeping the faith!
Quote from: Pakuni on April 08, 2026, 03:20:37 PMGiven his pedigree, Wrightsil was always more likely to be a miss than a hit. We'll never know for sure, of course.
His teammate was a productive high major starter. Wrightsil was considered the better of the two. Doesn't mean he was going to succeed here, but i don't think we can say he was more likely to be a miss.
Quote from: TAMU, Knower of Ball on April 08, 2026, 04:20:18 PMHis teammate was a productive high major starter. Wrightsil was considered the better of the two. Doesn't mean he was going to succeed here, but i don't think we can say he was more likely to be a miss.
I'm guessing you mean Myles Burnes, who was bad (44.5 eFG%, 18.8% from three) on a terrible Ole Miss team.
If Wrightsil matched Burnes' numbers at MU, nobody would have considered him a hit.
Quote from: Galway Eagle on April 08, 2026, 03:44:14 PMI don't know if that's completely true, NPOY in any division is someone who can definitely play. Not saying he was going to be setting the world on fire.
Not exactly a murderer's row.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NABC_Player_of_the_Year#NAIA
What is the goal of the portal this seaason? Perhaps more to the point the question might be, how do you want to use the portal as a tool? Since Shaka wants to promote the RGV brand I don't thnk you will ever see him do a Michigan move,where all the starters come from the portal or a DePaul move where you get rid of everybody and start over. Looking at next year you have 3 studs coming back as a junior and 2 sophamores. The wing or 3 spot seems pretty crowded already with Owens,Philips,Miletic and Egbouno. Walker looks like a natural to back up Stevens. All of these guys are young developing players and Shaka is not going to recruit over them. So you need a starting center and a backup point guard. I assume both will be seniors. Replacing Gold's numbers should not be a heavy lift but the replacement for Jones could be interesting given that James is a sophamore. What kind of senior wants to get hired as a backup looking at 10 to 15 minutes per game? Beyond that the question could be asked what do uyou do with the 3rd portal opneing? Do you get another center, another point guard or a power forward who only wants to play 15 minutes behind Parham? As I asee it the problem for Shaka is the balance between what you think you have and what you know you need at a gven point in time. 15 players is a lot of players and they can't all play so you don't want all to be of starting quality. The problem for fans is to try to appreciate the complexity of the situation and deal with almost never being satisfied wth the product no matter how successful it may become.
Quote from: hawk on April 08, 2026, 05:28:10 PMWhat is the goal of the portal this seaason? Perhaps more to the point the question might be, how do you want to use the portal as a tool? Since Shaka wants to promote the RGV brand I don't thnk you will ever see him do a Michigan move,where all the starters come from the portal or a DePaul move where you get rid of everybody and start over. Looking at next year you have 3 studs coming back as a junior and 2 sophamores. The wing or 3 spot seems pretty crowded already with Owens,Philips,Miletic and Egbouno. Walker looks like a natural to back up Stevens. All of these guys are young developing players and Shaka is not going to recruit over them. So you need a starting center and a backup point guard. I assume both will be seniors. Replacing Gold's numbers should not be a heavy lift but the replacement for Jones could be interesting given that James is a sophamore. What kind of senior wants to get hired as a backup looking at 10 to 15 minutes per game? Beyond that the question could be asked what do uyou do with the 3rd portal opneing? Do you get another center, another point guard or a power forward who only wants to play 15 minutes behind Parham? As I asee it the problem for Shaka is the balance between what you think you have and what you know you need at a gven point in time. 15 players is a lot of players and they can't all play so you don't want all to be of starting quality. The problem for fans is to try to appreciate the complexity of the situation and deal with almost never being satisfied wth the product no matter how successful it may become.
Paragraphs are your friend. Sheesh.
Quote from: Pakuni on April 08, 2026, 05:25:06 PMI'm guessing you mean Myles Burnes, who was bad (44.5 eFG%, 18.8% from three) on a terrible Ole Miss team.
If Wrightsil matched Burnes' numbers at MU, nobody would have considered him a hit.
Only if you think shooting is the only thing that matters.
Burnes was 4th in the whole country in steal% and averaged 2.4 a game. He was top 200 in OR%. Evan Miya ranked him as a top 150 defender and the 397th best player in D1 that year. Compared to MUs roster that year, he would've been our second best defender after Oso and 6th best player, between Stevie and Jop.
Burnes was definitely a hit. Doesnt mean Wrightsill was also going to be a hit, but he was considered the much better get of the two.
Sorry teacher, stream of consciousness. Any grade on content?
Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on April 08, 2026, 05:34:17 PMParagraphs are your friend. Sheesh.
Next time just pump it into Co-Pilot....It writes descent executive reports....
Must be an engineering major.....
Quote from: burger on April 08, 2026, 06:21:46 PMNext time just pump it into Co-Pilot....It writes descent executive reports....
Must be an engineering major.....
omgosh
Maybe he means their logic keeps diminishing.
I'm skeptical, too - I mean, come on, man, it's been two whole days and - nothing.
Quote from: hawk on April 08, 2026, 05:28:10 PMWhat is the goal of the portal this seaason? Perhaps more to the point the question might be, how do you want to use the portal as a tool? Since Shaka wants to promote the RGV brand I don't thnk you will ever see him do a Michigan move,where all the starters come from the portal or a DePaul move where you get rid of everybody and start over. Looking at next year you have 3 studs coming back as a junior and 2 sophamores. The wing or 3 spot seems pretty crowded already with Owens,Philips,Miletic and Egbouno. Walker looks like a natural to back up Stevens. All of these guys are young developing players and Shaka is not going to recruit over them. So you need a starting center and a backup point guard. I assume both will be seniors. Replacing Gold's numbers should not be a heavy lift but the replacement for Jones could be interesting given that James is a sophamore. What kind of senior wants to get hired as a backup looking at 10 to 15 minutes per game? Beyond that the question could be asked what do uyou do with the 3rd portal opneing? Do you get another center, another point guard or a power forward who only wants to play 15 minutes behind Parham? As I asee it the problem for Shaka is the balance between what you think you have and what you know you need at a gven point in time. 15 players is a lot of players and they can't all play so you don't want all to be of starting quality. The problem for fans is to try to appreciate the complexity of the situation and deal with almost never being satisfied wth the product no matter how successful it may become.
If he can get better players to commit why not?
Quote from: mileskishnish72 on April 08, 2026, 07:52:25 PMI'm skeptical, too - I mean, come on, man, it's been two whole days and - nothing.
What did you expect? Players are still putting their names in the portal, making calls, setting up visits, and you're skeptical because we haven't signed anyone yet?
I'd say the issue is your expectations, not whether Shaka will be able to recruit in the portal.
I think you missed the sarcasm. Maybe I saw some that wasn't there.
It feels like the first couple days of the NFL free agent season. All of the moving pieces, rumors, budgetary considerations.
Quote from: wadesworld on April 08, 2026, 08:10:56 PMWhat did you expect? Players are still putting their names in the portal, making calls, setting up visits, and you're skeptical because we haven't signed anyone yet?
I'd say the issue is your expectations, not whether Shaka will be able to recruit in the portal.
I think he was being sarcastic.
Quote from: tower912 on April 08, 2026, 08:19:49 PMI think you missed the sarcasm. Maybe I saw some that wasn't there.
It feels like the first couple days of the NFL free agent season. All of the moving pieces, rumors, budgetary considerations.
Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on April 08, 2026, 08:27:15 PMI think he was being sarcastic.
Should've known. Apologies to miles.
Quote from: Pakuni on April 08, 2026, 05:27:18 PMNot exactly a murderer's row.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NABC_Player_of_the_Year#NAIA
I mean the list is almost entirely seniors and due to the league being NAIA how many did you expect to recognize? How many realistically could've transferred after anyways? The guy who just won it is a sophomore, if he moves up then that's the best chance to prove or disprove my theory. But given the successes we've seen from Jucos I anm actually surprised you're so quick to dismiss elite players from lower levels.
Quote from: Galway Eagle on April 08, 2026, 09:15:07 PMI mean the list is almost entirely seniors and due to the league being NAIA how many did you expect to recognize? How many realistically could've transferred after anyways? The guy who just won it is a sophomore, if he moves up then that's the best chance to prove or disprove my theory. But given the successes we've seen from Jucos I anm actually surprised you're so quick to dismiss elite players from lower levels.
NAIA is way closer to D-II than it is high level JUCO.
But I'll allow that perhaps I'm missing something. Who are some of the NAIA transfers who've made an impact at power conference programs in recent years?
Quote from: Pakuni on April 08, 2026, 10:38:10 PMNAIA is way closer to D-II than it is high level JUCO.
But I'll allow that perhaps I'm missing something. Who are some of the NAIA transfers who've made an impact at power conference programs in recent years?
Myles Burnes ;)
Quote from: TAMU, Knower of Ball on April 09, 2026, 06:30:28 AMMyles Burnes ;)
Eh ... if a defensive stopper/offensive black hole for a 21-loss team three years ago is the best example, consider me unconvinced on the quality of the NAIA-to-high major pipeline.
Quote from: Pakuni on April 08, 2026, 10:38:10 PMNAIA is way closer to D-II than it is high level JUCO.
But I'll allow that perhaps I'm missing something. Who are some of the NAIA transfers who've made an impact at power conference programs in recent years?
I again will refer to the NAIA NPOY list being almost entirely seniors so not really any data there. You seem to be interpreting my argument that anyone can make the jump, I'm saying that there's at least a decent possibility a 5th yr, who was the NPOY, could be an effective bench piece.
If we take your theory that NAIA is closer to D2 then using the D2 list:
RJ Sunahara
Zack Hankins
Here's the distribution of non seniors:
2 went high major
2 went Gleague/overseas
3 ran it back and won it again, 1 of those was a first round draft pick
1 ran it back and didn't win it again
Fair to say that 3-5 of them proved they can hang with people who played high major hoops and that 4 of them aren't exactly shuttered books Earl jones played in the nba, John smith (Gleague & Austria) Trevor Hudgins (Gleague & France) Justin Pitts (Spain)
Quote from: Galway Eagle on April 09, 2026, 09:41:26 AMI again will refer to the NAIA NPOY list being almost entirely seniors so not really any data there. You seem to be interpreting my argument that anyone can make the jump, I'm saying that there's at least a decent possibility a 5th yr, who was the NPOY, could be an effective bench piece.
If we take your theory that NAIA is closer to D2 then using the D2 list:
RJ Sunahara
Zack Hankins
Here's the distribution of non seniors:
2 went high major
2 went Gleague/overseas
3 ran it back and won it again, 1 of those was a first round draft pick
1 ran it back and didn't win it again
Fair to say that 3-5 of them proved they can hang with people who played high major hoops and that 4 of them aren't exactly shuttered books Earl jones played in the nba, John smith (Gleague & Austria) Trevor Hudgins (Gleague & France) Justin Pitts (Spain)
I'm just asking for examples of players who've made the leap from NAIA to decent player for a high-major D-1 program. At best, TAMU has named a guy who played the defensive stopper role for a bad SEC team in 2021-22.
Listing a few D2 players who made the jump doesn't count.
Quote from: Pakuni on April 09, 2026, 10:39:19 AMI'm just asking for examples of players who've made the leap from NAIA to decent player for a high-major D-1 program. At best, TAMU has named a guy who played the defensive stopper role for a bad SEC team in 2021-22.
Listing a few D2 players who made the jump doesn't count.
I hate using AI but I have to admit this was a perfect use case to use chat for as opposed to wasting a hour of work researching stuff for a meaningless debate like I've previously done.
Christian Coleman
Anthony Roy
Ben Humrichous
EJ Onu (wait apparently he was just offered but opted to go pro instead, dammit ChatGPT!)
Brandon Davis
Jacob Wiley
Meanwhile guys like
Riley Minix & Jacob Wiley made the NBA despite the NAIA start and then moving to mid major D1 schools
It probably happens less than taking a flyer on a project big (which success is also rare)....but at least it takes less time to find out you are wrong.
Quote from: Galway Eagle on April 09, 2026, 10:52:35 AMI hate using AI but I have to admit this was a perfect use case to use chat for as opposed to wasting a hour of work researching stuff for a meaningless debate like I've previously done.
Christian Coleman
Anthony Roy
Ben Humrichous
EJ Onu (wait apparently he was just offered but opted to go pro instead, dammit ChatGPT!)
Brandon Davis
Jacob Wiley
Meanwhile guys like
Riley Minix & Jacob Wiley made the NBA despite the NAIA start and then moving to mid major D1 schools
Alas, this is why you can't really trust AI.
I'll generously give you Coleman and Humrichous, though it should be noted they both made the leap from NAIA to mid-majors (UAB and Evansville, respectively) before then transferring again to a high-major program.
The only Anthony Roy I can find at a high-major program is at Oklahoma State, and he doesn't appear to have ever played NAIA (though he was at UW-GB, which is close!).
The only Jacob Wileys I find in college basketball reference played in the Big Sky and Horizon leagues, respectively.
There are seven Brandon Davises in college basketball reference, but none appear to have made the NAIA to high-major leap.
Quote from: Pakuni on April 09, 2026, 11:22:52 AMAlas, this is why you can't really trust AI.
I'll generously give you Coleman and Humrichous, though it should be noted they both made the leap from NAIA to mid-majors (UAB and Evansville, respectively) before then transferring again to a high-major program.
The only Anthony Roy I can find at a high-major program is at Oklahoma State, and he doesn't appear to have ever played NAIA (though he was at UW-GB, which is close!).
The only Jacob Wileys I find in college basketball reference played in the Big Sky and Horizon leagues, respectively.
There are seven Brandon Davises in college basketball reference, but none appear to have made the NAIA to high-major leap.
Idk how that's generous to give me either of the other two, the parameters weren't "NAIA directly to High major".
Anthony Roy played at Langston university before UWGB
https://greenbayphoenix.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/anthony-roy/4300
Jacob Wiley started at Lewis and Clark
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacob_Wiley
Brandon Davis is on me it said Texas state but I read it as Texas tech.
A good ol' Scoopy argument about something that's impossible to prove or disprove.
Once the transfers are on board, this thread should probably be replaced with one titled "Somewhat skeptical about Shaka's transfers". The players he should have taken instead of the ones he did, why the transfers he chose do not fill our needs, another 20+ loss season in store, etc. Oh...one more thing. What Al would have done.
If we didn't do that, there would be no Scoop board.
Quote from: NCMUFan on April 09, 2026, 01:31:20 PMIf we didn't do that, there would be no Scoop board.
What AL would have done and what AI would have done
Interesting, an AI coach. Cool.
Quote from: NCMUFan on April 09, 2026, 01:38:16 PMInteresting, an AI coach. Cool.
If we do that we can finally invest the coaching salary into NIL and have some money!
Quote from: Galway Eagle on April 09, 2026, 01:39:11 PMIf we do that we can finally invest the coaching salary into NIL and have some money!
Everyone is a player coach!
Quote from: mileskishnish72 on April 08, 2026, 07:52:25 PMI'm skeptical, too - I mean, come on, man, it's been two whole days and - nothing.
The portal players are diligently catching up on studies missed during basketball season. The portal can wait until that history paper is completed first. They are STUDENT-athletes.
Quote from: Scoop Snoop on April 09, 2026, 01:27:01 PMOnce the transfers are on board, this thread should probably be replaced with one titled "Somewhat skeptical about Shaka's transfers". The players he should have taken instead of the ones he did, why the transfers he chose do not fill our needs, another 20+ loss season in store, etc. Oh...one more thing. What Al would have done.
Once we know I'll be more than happy to help.
Quote from: Galway Eagle on April 09, 2026, 01:39:11 PMIf we do that we can finally invest the coaching salary into NIL and have some money!
I was going to change it to a upper case L after reading replies to try to keep everyone happy (
not a chance on scoop of course), but after reading this, I thought "Leave it be." ;D
Quote from: muwarrior69 on April 09, 2026, 01:53:33 PMOnce we know I'll be more than happy to help.
Why the teal? ;D
Fun fact: Marquette doesn't pay players for NIL.
Now it's a week? I'm starting to worry.
Quote from: mileskishnish72 on April 13, 2026, 04:36:49 PMNow it's a week? I'm starting to worry.
Reel them in Shaka!
Quote from: mileskishnish72 on April 13, 2026, 04:36:49 PMNow it's a week? I'm starting to worry.
There has been some 414 day history. Let's hope...