MUScoop

This seems to be a topic as deserving of a poll as any topic on Scoop... 🫤

OVER!!

 

Right around 15.

Arby's.

Despite the consensus on Scoop that he won't be on the floor simultaneously with Nigel, an article on the Dodds board seems to imply that his presence will allow Nigel to play some substantial minutes off the ball. 

In BE play? Maybe 5 minutes a game.

read everything dodds writes with an especially critical eye

Ok, Porter...

Here's your bulletin board material.  Go prove the Scoop intelligencia wrong!! 😏 

Quote from: GoFastAndWin on August 30, 2026, 10:27:38 PMDespite the consensus on Scoop that he won't be on the floor simultaneously with Nigel, an article on the Dodds board seems to imply that his presence will allow Nigel to play some substantial minutes off the ball. 

He also compared him to a combination of Rowsey and Markus.  Which would make him the best offensive player in the history of the program lol.

NJ and Porter won't play much together but the option is there and that is the important thing.

Fouls, illness, injuries.  It's a long season.

A small, fast and explosive lineup can disrupt incredibly well for brief periods.

MU was limited in options last year.  They will not be an issue this year.

Quote from: GoFastAndWin on August 30, 2026, 10:27:38 PMDespite the consensus on Scoop that he won't be on the floor simultaneously with Nigel, an article on the Dodds board seems to imply that his presence will allow Nigel to play some substantial minutes off the ball. 

Dodds says a lot of things that don't transpire.

I think he'll play 15 minutes on certain nights when Nigel picks up a few early fouls. Probably around 10 minutes for close games, especially in conference play.

The average will be about 12-13

I'm not pumped for putting two shorties out there. Nigel is 6'0 and needs some heft around him, so a playing him with 5'10 dude without much muscle isn't ideal

Quote from: SchnitzelBoy on August 31, 2026, 09:24:08 AMI think he'll play 15 minutes on certain nights when Nigel picks up a few early fouls. Probably around 10 minutes for close games, especially in conference play.

The average will be about 12-13

I'm not pumped for putting two shorties out there. Nigel is 6'0 and needs some heft around him, so a playing him with 5'10 dude without much muscle isn't ideal

Like Rowsey and Howard. Lotta offense though.

Porter obviously gets whatever PG minutes are available when Nigel James is on the bench.

Porter will get some situational minutes being an extra ball handler against the press, or closing out games to protect a lead/shoot FT.

Beyond that, it's a question of what serves MU best when Stevens or Minessale goes to the bench.  Conventional wing options Owens or Phillips, or smaller 2 PG lineups with James and Porter?

Decent chance his mins are zero.

Quote from: Jay Bee on August 31, 2026, 11:04:14 AMDecent chance his mins are zero.

No problem.  Just slap on a fake mustache and change his name to Porter Collins.

Quote from: Jay Bee on August 31, 2026, 11:04:14 AMDecent chance his mins are zero.

True. He could leave MU to play for Lane Kiffin.

Quote from: Jay Bee on August 31, 2026, 11:04:14 AMDecent chance his mins are zero.

Highly unlikely he gets zero.

Quote from: Jockey on August 30, 2026, 10:38:32 PMIn BE play? Maybe 5 minutes a game.

Assuming he's eligible and healthy, no chance.

Quote from: BM1090 on August 31, 2026, 01:20:08 PMAssuming he's eligible and healthy, no chance.

5 is too many? Maybe I was too generous.


5'9" guards who averaged less than 8 pts a game at a low/mid major don't command many minutes at a high major.

Quote from: Jockey on August 31, 2026, 01:46:47 PM5 is too many? Maybe I was too generous.


5'9" guards who averaged less than 8 pts a game at a low/mid major don't command many minutes at a high major.

He averaged 11 ppg and had a great assist to turnover ratio.

Scoop: I'm worried about our guard depth. We need a backup for NJ.

Scoop after adding the starting PG for a very good mid major that made the NCAA: This kid is short. He won't play 5 mpg.

Quote from: wadesworld on August 31, 2026, 01:57:56 PMScoop: I'm worried about our guard depth. We need a backup for NJ.

Scoop after adding the starting PG for a very good mid major that made the NCAA: This kid is short. He won't play 5 mpg.

We should have gotten the nut kicker from Michigan State to play backup PG. 

Quote from: wadesworld on August 31, 2026, 01:53:43 PMHe averaged 11 ppg and had a great assist to turnover ratio.

3 years - 7.8 ppg.

Quote from: Jockey on August 31, 2026, 02:06:24 PM3 years - 7.8 ppg.

1. He averaged more than 7.8 in three of his four seasons there. He averaged 9 and 11 his last two years.

2. Why does what he did 3 years ago as a 19 year old have any impact on what he did as a 21 and 22 year old or what he'll do this year?

3. He played 35 MPG for a team that went 26-8 last year. He's not coming here to play less than 10 MPG. He's going to be our backup PG if he's eligible.

4. We needed guard depth. He fills a clear need on the roster and he's going to get minutes.

My assumption is that the reserve minutes in 2022, 2023, & 2024 is what Shaka wants. 5 starters plus 2-3 reserves getting significant minutes.

• 2022: Kam 18.5 mpg / Oso 18.2 mpg / Elliott 16.8 mpg
• 2023: Jop 19.0 mpg / Chase 16.4 mpg / Sean 12.2
• 2024: Chase 21.8 mpg / Gold 16.8 mpg / Sean 16.2 mpg

The last two years he's had to run starters into the ground and hasn't had the necessary depth. I don't think they're bringing Porter, a four year starter at a good Liberty program, just to emulate Silas Demary and Quinn Ellis in practice. He's going to be one of the first two off the bench which very likely means he gets 15-20 mpg.

Quote from: Jockey on August 31, 2026, 02:06:24 PM3 years - 7.8 ppg.

7.8 is what he had his freshman year.

He had 11.1 his senior year and 9.0 for his career.

Quote from: 79Warrior on August 31, 2026, 12:39:48 PMHighly unlikely he gets zero.

JayBee is saying there is a good chance he won't be eligible.

Quote from: Jockey on August 31, 2026, 02:06:24 PM3 years - 7.8 ppg.

This would be like summarizing Vander Blue's career as only averaging 9pts lol

Quote from: Jockey on August 31, 2026, 02:06:24 PM3 years - 7.8 ppg.

First, as others pointed out, that's simply false.

Second, that's like saying of Kam Jones:

3 years - 7.4 ppg.

Many

Quote from: MU82 on August 31, 2026, 04:25:10 PMFirst, as others pointed out, that's simply false.

Second, that's like saying of Kam Jones:

3 years - 7.4 ppg.

So what. It was an honest mistake as I read the wrong line in the stat sheet. And everyone who was kind enough to point that out knew it, but wanted to get their gotcha moment.

What I find interesting is that numerous people here have predicted that MU will be a top 25 team (I think so too), but some diminutive average PG is gonna waltz in and take major minutes away from AS & NJ. If that happens, we ain't a top 25 team.

I hope I am wrong and he becomes a BIG part of the offense which 20 minutes a game is. I just don't think so.

Quote from: Jockey on August 31, 2026, 06:24:44 PMSo what. It was an honest mistake as I read the wrong line in the stat sheet. And everyone who was kind enough to point that out knew it, but wanted to get their gotcha moment. 

Or...uh...simply wanted to correct your mistake.

Quote from: Jockey on August 31, 2026, 06:24:44 PMMany
So what. It was an honest mistake as I read the wrong line in the stat sheet. And everyone who was kind enough to point that out knew it, but wanted to get their gotcha moment.

What I find interesting is that numerous people here have predicted that MU will be a top 25 team (I think so too), but some diminutive average PG is gonna waltz in and take major minutes away from AS & NJ. If that happens, we ain't a top 25 team.

I hope I am wrong and he becomes a BIG part of the offense which 20 minutes a game is. I just don't think so.

Or it means we brought in an old veteran guard who was a good player for a good mid major and he's good enough to play rotational minutes.

Quote from: Jockey on August 31, 2026, 06:24:44 PMWhat I find interesting is that numerous people here have predicted that MU will be a top 25 team (I think so too), but some diminutive average PG is gonna waltz in and take major minutes away from AS & NJ. If that happens, we ain't a top 25 team.

Come on, Jock. Few if any Scoopers predicted Porter "is gonna waltz in and take major minutes away from AS & NJ."

Quote from: Jockey on August 31, 2026, 06:24:44 PMMany
So what. It was an honest mistake as I read the wrong line in the stat sheet. And everyone who was kind enough to point that out knew it, but wanted to get their gotcha moment.

What I find interesting is that numerous people here have predicted that MU will be a top 25 team (I think so too), but some diminutive average PG is gonna waltz in and take major minutes away from AS & NJ. If that happens, we ain't a top 25 team.

I hope I am wrong and he becomes a BIG part of the offense which 20 minutes a game is. I just don't think so.

Do you think being a key player on a team that won their conference's regular season 3x, conference tournament once, and went to 2 NITs and an NCAA tournament during his tenure is valuable experience for a group that has zero meaningful winning experience?

Quote from: Jockey on August 31, 2026, 06:24:44 PMWhat I find interesting is that numerous people here have predicted that MU will be a top 25 team (I think so too), but some diminutive average PG is gonna waltz in and take major minutes away from AS & NJ. If that happens, we ain't a top 25 team.

I think you're looking at it wrong. This isn't anyone saying Porter will take minutes away from NJ & Stevens. In an ideal world, I think NJ (30), Stevens (28), & Nolan (28) combine for about 86 mpg out of 120.

Some of that 34 minutes will go to Owens & Phillips, but neither are truly guards and I'm a firm believer that the best teams can put multiple ball handlers on the floor at the same time. DO & MP2 will also get some front court minutes. There's probably 60 bench minutes on average that need to be accounted for.

In 2025, we fell apart because our only bench was Royce & Zaide with no ball handlers behind Kam. Last year we lost Zaide & Sean from the rotation and our only consistent bench players were Owens & (I guess) Caedin.

Personally, I'd have liked to see us as another big because I still think there are too many big man minutes that have to go to Caedin and Clark by default, but adding Porter at least shores up the back court and makes sure that when we need a bench ball handler, we aren't relying on Owens or Phillips to do that.

It's easier, though never optimal, to get by subbing a 3 into a 4 role and a 4 into a 5 role for brief minutes that to use a non-PG as a point guard.

MU has played whole seasons doing that with starters and has made the tournament in many of those years.

Quote from: brewcity77 on September 01, 2026, 06:48:06 AMI think you're looking at it wrong. This isn't anyone saying Porter will take minutes away from NJ & Stevens. In an ideal world, I think NJ (30), Stevens (28), & Nolan (28) combine for about 86 mpg out of 120.

Some of that 34 minutes will go to Owens & Phillips, but neither are truly guards and I'm a firm believer that the best teams can put multiple ball handlers on the floor at the same time. DO & MP2 will also get some front court minutes. There's probably 60 bench minutes on average that need to be accounted for.

In 2025, we fell apart because our only bench was Royce & Zaide with no ball handlers behind Kam. Last year we lost Zaide & Sean from the rotation and our only consistent bench players were Owens & (I guess) Caedin.

Personally, I'd have liked to see us as another big because I still think there are too many big man minutes that have to go to Caedin and Clark by default, but adding Porter at least shores up the back court and makes sure that when we need a bench ball handler, we aren't relying on Owens or Phillips to do that.

Yep, Porter, if eligible, addresses one of the glaring weaknesses in depth on this team.  The backup bigs are the only other glaring weakness on the roster now (unless we are all in for a big and pleasant surprise. We can only HOPE). 

Pray for health of the starters!  If they are healthy, this team should be tournament good. 

Quote from: brewcity77 on September 01, 2026, 06:48:06 AMI think you're looking at it wrong. This isn't anyone saying Porter will take minutes away from NJ & Stevens. In an ideal world, I think NJ (30), Stevens (28), & Nolan (28) combine for about 86 mpg out of 120.

Some of that 34 minutes will go to Owens & Phillips, but neither are truly guards and I'm a firm believer that the best teams can put multiple ball handlers on the floor at the same time. DO & MP2 will also get some front court minutes. There's probably 60 bench minutes on average that need to be accounted for.

In 2025, we fell apart because our only bench was Royce & Zaide with no ball handlers behind Kam. Last year we lost Zaide & Sean from the rotation and our only consistent bench players were Owens & (I guess) Caedin.

Personally, I'd have liked to see us as another big because I still think there are too many big man minutes that have to go to Caedin and Clark by default, but adding Porter at least shores up the back court and makes sure that when we need a bench ball handler, we aren't relying on Owens or Phillips to do that.

I like the addition of Porter. There is no other true point than NJ so hopefully he is good enough to fill in when Nigel needs a break or, God forbid, gets injured.

My response was about how much faith to put into a guy who in 27 career games against KenPom.com Tier A+B opponents, is shooting just 41.5% on two-pointers. That being said, if he keeps his TOs down (which will be much harder to do against BE opponents as compared to low Majors), he will add value to the team.

Quote from: Shooter McGavin on September 01, 2026, 10:41:56 AMYep, Porter, if eligible, addresses one of the glaring weaknesses in depth on this team.  The backup bigs are the only other glaring weakness on the roster now (unless we are all in for a big and pleasant surprise. We can only HOPE). 

Pray for health of the starters!  If they are healthy, this team should be tournament good. 

If only addressing depth at center was as easy as PG. If we need to rely on our backup centers very much, I don't think we are playing in the tournament. Without a mostly healthy Fru, I see us in the middle of the BE.

Quote from: Jockey on September 01, 2026, 11:35:38 AMMy response was about how much faith to put into a guy who in 27 career games against KenPom.com Tier A+B opponents, is shooting just 41.5% on two-pointers. That being said, if he keeps his TOs down (which will be much harder to do against BE opponents as compared to low Majors), he will add value to the team.

The trouble is it's hard to know how much of that number is his fault. When you flip to exclude Tier A+B, he's at 51.4% from two. He's one of nine guys on the court and when his teammates are of comparable talent to the opponent, setting good screens, delivering quality feeds, being able to adequately draw defenses away.

What he'll be here is probably something in between. I'm just hoping for an efficient distributor and ball handler who can add some minutes and shooting. Looking at his history that feels like a reasonable expectation.

Quote from: WhiteTrash on September 01, 2026, 12:03:10 PMIf only addressing depth at center was as easy as PG. If we need to rely on our backup centers very much, I don't think we are playing in the tournament. Without a mostly healthy Fru, I see us in the middle of the BE.

Yes, we need our best players to be "mostly healthy."

I mean, even if Porter survives all the legal challenges to be on our roster, we are royally effed without a "mostly healthy" Nigel.

Quote from: MU82 on September 01, 2026, 01:32:05 PMYes, we need our best players to be "mostly healthy."

I mean, even if Porter survives all the legal challenges to be on our roster, we are royally effed without a "mostly healthy" Nigel.

Most teams are effed without their best player.

Quote from: Badgerhater on September 01, 2026, 02:06:22 PMMost teams are effed without their best player.

Correct, that was my point.

Quote from: brewcity77 on September 01, 2026, 12:44:19 PMThe trouble is it's hard to know how much of that number is his fault. When you flip to exclude Tier A+B, he's at 51.4% from two. He's one of nine guys on the court and when his teammates are of comparable talent to the opponent, setting good screens, delivering quality feeds, being able to adequately draw defenses away.

What he'll be here is probably something in between. I'm just hoping for an efficient distributor and ball handler who can add some minutes and shooting. Looking at his history that feels like a reasonable expectation.

I appreciate your reply. That's why college basketball is so great. We can agree/disagree and speculate all we want but we won't know until the games start.

I like the fact that Shaka learns from his mistakes and won't be shorthanded at either the C or PG position.

Quote from: MU82 on September 01, 2026, 02:14:11 PMCorrect, that was my point.

Yet Scoop seems to expect that MU be three-deep at every position with all-conference talent.

MU hasn't had an adequate bench since the Sweet 16 team in 2024, and I think Shaka might have a shot at his best (Marquette) one this season. If this season goes well, that will be a huge part of it.

I think Porter will play 10-12 most nights. Damarius and MPIII have so much potential, and Josh Clark just might as well. Having Porter, Clark, DO and MPIII being able to keep pace with the other team helps us so much. And if those are productive minutes against the other team's backups, then that will win us games. It will also help us win games later in the season because our starters will be fresh.

Porter and Nigel should very rarely be used as anything other than the PG. So if the dude can actually play, we're more than set for 40 minutes a night.

Our rotation is SUPER switachable this season. DO and MPIII can play 2-4. Nolan and Adrien can play 1-3, and Royce can play 4-5.

Ian Miletic, Alex Egbuonu and Ethan Johnston are also able to slot in at different spots. They'll have to be to see the floor at all.

"Can play" and "should play" are very different things.

Quote from: Badgerhater on September 01, 2026, 03:14:28 PMYet Scoop seems to expect that MU be three-deep at every position with all-conference talent.

2 deep would be good enough at center and point guard this year.  And we need serviceable not all conference players behind the starters. Respect your hyperbole though.  Best of all worlds those serviceable players are young and developing into eventual all conference players.

But that's not how it looks this year.  Next year if a stud point guard arrives as a freshman (Cleveland for example) and is behind James for a year, that would be ideal. 

Quote from: SchnitzelBoy on September 01, 2026, 03:36:18 PMMU hasn't had an adequate bench since the Sweet 16 team in 2024, and I think Shaka might have a shot at his best (Marquette) one this season. If this season goes well, that will be a huge part of it.

I think Porter will play 10-12 most nights. Damarius and MPIII have so much potential, and Josh Clark just might as well. Having Porter, Clark, DO and MPIII being able to keep pace with the other team helps us so much. And if those are productive minutes against the other team's backups, then that will win us games. It will also help us win games later in the season because our starters will be fresh.

Porter and Nigel should very rarely be used as anything other than the PG. So if the dude can actually play, we're more than set for 40 minutes a night.

Our rotation is SUPER switachable this season. DO and MPIII can play 2-4. Nolan and Adrien can play 1-3, and Royce can play 4-5.

Ian Miletic, Alex Egbuonu and Ethan Johnston are also able to slot in at different spots. They'll have to be to see the floor at all.

I appreciate your optimism and share most of it. But as we sit here today, no one knows what we'll get out of Owens, Phillips and especially Clark.

Obviously, I'm hoping each makes a nice leap from what we've seen so far. Last season, Owens certainly gave us a few peeks at how good he can be. More please!

Quote from: MU82 on September 01, 2026, 08:28:59 PMI appreciate your optimism and share most of it. But as we sit here today, no one knows what we'll get out of Owens, Phillips and especially Clark.

Obviously, I'm hoping each makes a nice leap from what we've seen so far. Last season, Owens certainly gave us a few peeks at how good he can be. More please!

Even if you're being conservative, I actually think we have a decent idea of what Owens and Phillips will bring. If it's just marginally better than last year, it's not exciting but it can help us as they're projected as bench players right now.

But there is reason to think they will take sizable leaps. MPIII should have been in HS last year, and you could clearly see the tools. Frosh always make a huge leap, so you can imagine MPIII's leap will be even bigger because he'll now be college-age.

Damarius is less straightforward, but the injuries and inconsistent playing time have clearly hampered his development so far. But him coming off the bench (not to mention a solid performance in his lone start vs Gtown) later last season was fun to watch and you can see the upside. With a fully healthy offseason (that he hasn't had even once since HS) you can imagine him realizing more of his potential.

Brining in two very athletic dudes at 6'7" who can move and (hopefully) shoot threes and catch lobs could be QUITE useful

Quote from: SchnitzelBoy on September 02, 2026, 09:03:55 AMEven if you're being conservative, I actually think we have a decent idea of what Owens and Phillips will bring. If it's just marginally better than last year, it's not exciting but it can help us as they're projected as bench players right now.

But there is reason to think they will take sizable leaps. MPIII should have been in HS last year, and you could clearly see the tools. Frosh always make a huge leap, so you can imagine MPIII's leap will be even bigger because he'll now be college-age.

Damarius is less straightforward, but the injuries and inconsistent playing time have clearly hampered his development so far. But him coming off the bench (not to mention a solid performance in his lone start vs Gtown) later last season was fun to watch and you can see the upside. With a fully healthy offseason (that he hasn't had even once since HS) you can imagine him realizing more of his potential.

Brining in two very athletic dudes at 6'7" who can move and (hopefully) shoot threes and catch lobs could be QUITE useful

We mostly agree. If those two take anywhere near the kind of leaps that Oso, Kolek, OMax, Kam and Parham did, we will be a very good team in 2026-27.

I doubt he averages over 15 minutes... probably 8-12.  Nevertheless he will win us at least one game through either his ability to give Nigel a critical rest or to compensate in case of foul trouble.