2026 Transfer Portal

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Transfers are too old.

That's what I love about these high school recruits, man.  I get older, they stay the same age.

[Jay Bee]

I am operating under the assumptions that MU's budget to pay the players on the men's basketball team is in the $15 million neighborhood.   Based on what appear to be market rates, as listed in that X post, I assume MU has between 6 and 7 million tied up in NJ, AS, and Royce.   I assume the other returnees and incoming freshmen account for another 4-5 million.   To me, that math means that MU has between 3 and 5 million available for the 3 remaining spots.

*I do not know what's real

But... those numbers seem high to me. If MU is paying players $15M, we should be competing for a natty.

I don't see how many other schools could/would be doing this. I think your numbers are off. (But I don't know - it's just me being rationale/reasonable).

[amgine_MU]

Could that Tomislav Buljan play the 5 for us? Seems like a very similar player to a Royce. Was initially thinking we would reach for a true center but maybe playing 2 PF would work with Shaka's offense. Thoughts??

[Tha Hound]

https://x.com/i/status/2042559363580043434

Yep, that'd be a solid pickup. That's a grown man that excels at rebounding, and bullying his way to the bucket. Top 5 Offensive rebounder in the country last year. Count me in.

Good primer: https://youtu.be/dyV6ihzW6c4?si=3XsC22dq1SwIoLE7

[tower912]

You being rationale?  Love that typo. I think it is a free market wild west out there.  I think the numbers in that X post are legit.  I think because of that, MU's budget is twice what I was told it was last year.  I think Broeker has raised most of it, because I am told the university is not giving anywhere near the permitted number.  I believe Pitino, I believe other coaches, that a minimum $12 million is needed to stay competitive.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

It depends on how Shaka uses the Portal. Is he doing it by choice? Is he going into is half-hearted and only looking for players who won't play over his RGV poster boys, Hamilton and Clark?

"But look, he used the Portal" isn't enough to calm the concerns many of us have about the trajectory of the program.

If anyone think Shaka is in the portal only looking for players who won't play over the guys that were factors in such an awful season you're delusional.

[Uncle Rico]

He was born in 2002. Just thought I'd throw that out there for anyone getting ready to complain that he is a Freshman.

Not good enough.  Would hate this.

[onepost]

Us and Iowa seem to be the two schools most in on Fru "but he wants too much money". Hoping McKeever chooses Iowa so we have some leverage.

[Uncle Rico]

If anyone think Shaka is in the portal only looking for players who won't play over the guys that were factors in such an awful season you're delusional.

Disagree.  I have no reason to believe Shaka cares about winning and keeping his job.  Nobody wants to work nowadays

[Tha Hound]

Us and Iowa seem to be the two schools most in on Fru "but he wants too much money". Hoping McKeever chooses Iowa so we have some leverage.

Appreciate the info, do you mind sharing if this is an MU source or from elsewhere?

Fru would be my priority based on players we've been linked with.

[onepost]

Appreciate the info, do you mind sharing if this is an MU source or from elsewhere?

Fru would be an incredible get and someone worth shelling out cash for.

Sorry, should have clarified.
For a couple weeks my Fru insight was from a buddy close to the staff. This was Trilly Donovan finally speaking on Fru.

[swoopem]

Sorry, I lost track of everyone. Who is Fru? Which school is he transferring from?

[GoldenWarrior11]

Someone on X says Certa is visiting us this weekend.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Us and Iowa seem to be the two schools most in on Fru "but he wants too much money". Hoping McKeever chooses Iowa so we have some leverage.

I wonder what Trilly thinks is too much. I would pay a lot for Fru personally. Top 30 in OR%, top 75 in Blk%, #2 in the nation on 2P% with 162 attempts? All for a top 25 team? Yes please.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Sorry, I lost track of everyone. Who is Fru? Which school is he transferring from?

Sananda Fru. He was Louiville's center last year. Originally from Germany.

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/sananda-fru-1.html

[Hards Alumni]

Sorry, I lost track of everyone. Who is Fru? Which school is he transferring from?

Used to be on RHCP during the Rick Rubin era.

[SchnitzelBoy]

The Buljan kid from New Mexico would do the trick! That is STEEP competition though. MSU, Auburn, Cincinnati, and deep-pocketed Texas Tech all in the mix...

I'd rather have Sananda Fru from Louisville.

Either way I'd like the portal big man to be older, probably a 1-year rental.

[CountryRoads]

It depends on how Shaka uses the Portal. Is he doing it by choice? Is he going into is half-hearted and only looking for players who won't play over his RGV poster boys, Hamilton and Clark?

"But look, he used the Portal" isn't enough to calm the concerns many of us have about the trajectory of the program.

I think his hand was forced this year to use the portal, but he also realized it was necessary. Wasn't hard for anyone to see.

The true test will be in a year when it's less obvious. For example, in Kam's senior year he should have portaled over a few decent existing players for better ones. Are we going to go right back to no portal after having some success and go back to betting on unproven players or will there be more urgency in putting the best possible team together for a given season going forward? Sure hope it's the latter.

[Tha Hound]

I wonder what Trilly thinks is too much. I would pay a lot for Fru personally. Top 30 in OR%, top 75 in Blk%, #2 in the nation on 2P% with 162 attempts? All for a top 25 team? Yes please.

Yeah, this is the level of player that makes a statement. Dramatically improves our team in our most needed position.

[Tha Hound]

The Buljan kid from New Mexico would do the trick! That is STEEP competition though. MSU, Auburn, Cincinnati, and deep-pocketed Texas Tech all in the mix...

I'd rather have Sananda Fru from Louisville.

Either way I'd like the portal big man to be older, probably a 1-year rental.

Not to get greedy, but many sites list Buljan as a PF. There is a world where Fru and Buljan could fit on court together. Given the money factor, highly unlikely but you can always dream.

[onepost]

I wonder what Trilly thinks is too much. I would pay a lot for Fru personally. Top 30 in OR%, top 75 in Blk%, #2 in the nation on 2P% with 162 attempts? All for a top 25 team? Yes please.

Couldn't agree more, TAMU. Not sure if Trilly thinks it's too much or if the consensus around teams is it's too much. Regardless, thrilled we're one of the teams listed and with Iowa very close with McKeever that's what I'm hoping for today.

[GoldenEagles03]

The Buljan kid from New Mexico would do the trick! That is STEEP competition though. MSU, Auburn, Cincinnati, and deep-pocketed Texas Tech all in the mix...

I'd rather have Sananda Fru from Louisville.

Either way I'd like the portal big man to be older, probably a 1-year rental.

I think Fru could command quite a bit more than Buljan. Like maybe 7 figures more. Fru is quite high on the portal rankings so I'd rather have him but it'll come at a price. Buljan is a very physical guy for his slightly undersized center build.

[onepost]

A couple days ago I heard both Fru AND Kyle Evans could be a possibility.
After seeing Michigan, Arizona, Illinois, etc. trot out monsters all over I would love it, but just landing ONE would be a godsend.

Getting Fru and Buljan both would be incredible, but I personally would rather land one of them and then a Khamenia-type wing so you can spread out the money.

[CountryRoads]

A couple days ago I heard both Fru AND Kyle Evans could be a possibility.
After seeing Michigan, Arizona, Illinois, etc. trot out monsters all over I would love it, but just landing ONE would be a godsend.

Getting Fru and Buljan both would be incredible, but I personally would rather land one of them and then a Khamenia-type wing so you can spread out the money.

Geez. Sounds like we might need to make more room. Should be possible.

[Billy Hoyle]

I am operating under the assumptions that MU's budget to pay the players on the men's basketball team is in the $15 million neighborhood.   Based on what appear to be market rates, as listed in that X post, I assume MU has between 6 and 7 million tied up in NJ, AS, and Royce.   I assume the other returnees and incoming freshmen account for another 4-5 million.   To me, that math means that MU has between 3 and 5 million available for the 3 remaining spots.

I think that's awfully high. UConn, St. John's and PC were three of the four highest spending teams in the BE last year. My guess is Nova or Creighton was #3. St. John's was around $10 million+. MU's athletic department isn't flush with cash either. But maybe they've increased it significantly for the upcoming year.