2026 Transfer Portal

[Billy Hoyle]

18 is ahead of him. #SparklyEyes

all this talk about 18....

[SchnitzelBoy]

I still have hope that Josh can turn into a solid backup center. Big men take longer to develop and he's raw but has a lot going for him. He's not a hulking 7-footer by any stretch. If the game slows down for him (like it does for most college players) then he can be a piece. I just don't see him as anything more than a backup big short-term or long-term but his physical tools will be useful. If he gives us 15 minutes of quality rim protection and lob threat, then that's a win.

[Badgerhater]

I do think there's a case that can be made for Josh Clark to be a serviceable backup. I'll caveat this by saying I really hope the staff uses a scholarship on a backup big because Fru had trouble staying on the court at times and I don't love going in with our current bench bigs, but the statistical profile is there to defend the idea of Clark becoming a viable 10-15 mpg player.

Clark's offensive efficiency of 100.9 certainly was perfectly average. Not great, not terrible. He's a low usage guy who turned the ball over once all season. He's a good offensive rebounder. Josh needs to improve around the rim, and would really benefit from a dunks and nothing else mindset, but he's not going to kill you with his offense.

Defensively, he put up very good shot-blocking and defensive rebounding numbers. He was a bit lost at times, but another year and having a season of experience should help that. In terms of the advanced defensive numbers, he has the fourth best returning DBPR and second best DRAPM.

Overall, Clark was a net positive BPR and RAPM player. His per/40 averages of 9.8 ppg and 14.0 rpg were impressive. Per EvanMiya, he had the best Adjusted Team Efficiency Margin (+14.7) and the third best +/- on the team. I don't think he's a star, I'd feel much better with a bit of a more proven bench option, but as Al said, the best thing about freshmen is they become sophomores. It's not crazy to think that in his sophomore year, Clark could be a positive and reliable bench piece.

What a thoughtful, forward-looking and fact-based arguement.  Thank you.

[Tha Hound]

Oh boy, the rationalizations have started. Not a good sign.

[Galway Eagle]

but think it's OK to go beyond normal criticism and denigrate young men who are giving everything they have to represent Marquette. I'm sick of and tired of it. You're an embarrassment to Marquette.

Just need to chime in here, Marquette has an extremely proud tradition. Not everyone should have the right to represent that tradition on the court. I'm 5'8" and can't jump for crap. If I gave everything I had to represent Marquette that's great but I'd hope everyone on this board would question the coach's decision. As long as people aren't hating on Caedin (or Josh or whomever else) as a person/student then I see no issue with denigrating their basketball skills nor the decision to play them. As it's no different than if coach decided to recruit anyone else to represent a tradition that's above their skill level.

[Big Papi]

I do think there's a case that can be made for Josh Clark to be a serviceable backup. I'll caveat this by saying I really hope the staff uses a scholarship on a backup big because Fru had trouble staying on the court at times and I don't love going in with our current bench bigs, but the statistical profile is there to defend the idea of Clark becoming a viable 10-15 mpg player.

Clark's offensive efficiency of 100.9 certainly was perfectly average. Not great, not terrible. He's a low usage guy who turned the ball over once all season. He's a good offensive rebounder. Josh needs to improve around the rim, and would really benefit from a dunks and nothing else mindset, but he's not going to kill you with his offense.

Defensively, he put up very good shot-blocking and defensive rebounding numbers. He was a bit lost at times, but another year and having a season of experience should help that. In terms of the advanced defensive numbers, he has the fourth best returning DBPR and second best DRAPM.

Overall, Clark was a net positive BPR and RAPM player. His per/40 averages of 9.8 ppg and 14.0 rpg were impressive. Per EvanMiya, he had the best Adjusted Team Efficiency Margin (+14.7) and the third best +/- on the team. I don't think he's a star, I'd feel much better with a bit of a more proven bench option, but as Al said, the best thing about freshmen is they become sophomores. It's not crazy to think that in his sophomore year, Clark could be a positive and reliable bench piece.

I am a believer in Clark that he can turn into a serviceable big over the next 3 years.  His length caused problems for opponents.  Unfortunately, our defensive scheme didn't suite him well.  That is on coaching.  He had a hard time finishing around the rim and was bullied down low.  Getting stronger will help a lot. 

Heading into next year, he should be third off the bench at the 5.  Getting 5-7 minutes a game. 

Hamilton is in the same boat as Clark for next year.  He should be third off the bench at the 5, not the top backup.  Clark has more upside being younger and taller.  You can't have 2 project bigs that at present time, project as the main backups at the 5.  That is again on the coaching staff.

We need a legit backup 5 for next year.  Hopefully the staff can find an international player or a mid-major big who would be happy to play 10-15 minutes a game on a NCAA tourny team. 

[GoldenWarrior11]

Soooooo

No news or rumors about anyone we are talking to or in discussions with?

[Hards Alumni]

Oh boy, the rationalizations have started. Not a good sign.

Oh boy, the crying started a month ago.  Just normal scoop things.

It's April.  We don't roll balls out on the court for SEVEN months.  No one said the team is done adding players.  Hell, you could be Seton Hall or some other school that has like one or two players committed right now.

Calm down, Chicken Little.

[TallTitan34]

Soooooo

No news or rumors about anyone we are talking to or in discussions with?

Trilly speculated things would grind to a halt with the 5-in-5 rule possibly getting approved here shortly opening up a large pool of players.

[JakeBarnes]

Trilly speculated things would grind to a halt with the 5-in-5 rule possibly getting approved here shortly opening up a large pool of players.

Yeah. Agree. Like, if we could get a Trimble or other player of that caliber, you do it.

[SchnitzelBoy]

If this gets announced I bet we see almost zero portal activity for a few days.

Prediction: SLU bails on Sheek by bringing Avila back - MU makes him sweat by exploring other options but opts to bring him back

[tsciii]

I do think there's a case that can be made for Josh Clark to be a serviceable backup.

At practice before the UCONN game, the most heard refrains out of Shaka's mouth were

"Mike - run up to 106" when MPII missed a defensive assignment or lost the handle

and even more frequently

"Josh, I can't play you if you don't do _______"

mostly missed placement on Defense

It seemed that the message got through to MPII, but questionable if it got through to Josh

[GoldenWarrior11]

If this gets announced I bet we see almost zero portal activity for a few days.

Prediction: SLU bails on Sheek by bringing Avila back - MU makes him sweat by exploring other options but opts to bring him back

Is it believed that SLU is the front runner for him?

[SchnitzelBoy]

Yeah that's the rumor. He's from the area and Schertz is portaling for a new center (like literally everyone else)

[Billy Hoyle]

Is it believed that SLU is the front runner for him?

They were the one tampering, reaching out to his agent and family and offering him $2 million to transfer to SLU, and he had a no-contact designation put on his portal profile, so, yeah.

[Viper]

100% guess by me, Shaka doesn't replace Sheek with a 5. I foresee a back-up pg coming in as the last piece to this years portal class. Shaka will roll with Fru, Hamilton and Clark, counting on the rest of the guys improving YOY, along with contributions from Minessale, Egbuonu and Walker. We might get smoked at Michigan in November, but we'll beat Gard in December, and by January playing well. I do believe this is a 4-6 place team in the BE. Tournament team?...rimming.

[Tha Hound]

Oh boy, the crying started a month ago.  Just normal scoop things.

It's April.  We don't roll balls out on the court for SEVEN months.  No one said the team is done adding players.  Hell, you could be Seton Hall or some other school that has like one or two players committed right now.

Calm down, Chicken Little.

What was it about my post that got you so upset? You have the temperament of a 6 year old. Very bizarre.

[Hards Alumni]

What was it about my post that got you so upset? You have the temperament of a 6 year old. Very bizarre.

Nothing upset me about your post.

You're being a baby.  Calm down.

[Tha Hound]

Nothing upset me about your post.

You're being a baby.  Calm down.

https://x.com/dril/status/549425182767861760

[Markusquette]

I'm more sold on Clark than Hamilton just because of his length, but he really needs to up his conditioning and motor to be more impactful. I noticed a few posters mention his athleticism, but he seems more lumbering than I imagined.

If more players are available after a decision, does MU have the means to get said guys after spending on Fru/Nolan?

[Hards Alumni]

????????

What about my post indicated that I was upset? 

I was heavily mocking you directly because you're being weird.

[MUCam]

@MUCam knows

TL;DR People passionate. People yelling at players. People yelling at people yelling at players. Lots of people insinuating they knows. I knows.

[We R Final Four]

I am a believer in Clark that he can turn into a serviceable big over the next 3 years.  His length caused problems for opponents.  Unfortunately, our defensive scheme didn't suite him well.  That is on coaching.  He had a hard time finishing around the rim and was bullied down low.  Getting stronger will help a lot. 

Heading into next year, he should be third off the bench at the 5.  Getting 5-7 minutes a game. 

Hamilton is in the same boat as Clark for next year.  He should be third off the bench at the 5, not the top backup.  Clark has more upside being younger and taller.  You can't have 2 project bigs that at present time, project as the main backups at the 5.  That is again on the coaching staff.

We need a legit backup 5 for next year.  Hopefully the staff can find an international player or a mid-major big who would be happy to play 10-15 minutes a game on a NCAA tourny team. 

So BOTH Clark and Hamilton should be 3rd off the bench.......

[Scoop Snoop]

So BOTH Clark and Hamilton should be 3rd off the bench.......

Makes sense to me, because scoopers keep posting about them as a pair. Clarkham sounds like a good surname.

[Tarragona]

Whenever a player or coach leaves Marquette, my reaction is always indifference, and, next player up, next recruit, next coach. It's nothing bad or good, just matter of fact, on to the next.

With that said, it's difficult to not notice the quantity of Sheek threads and posts. For those that care, the first time around, he visited the following schools (in order) before committing to Marquette:

Missouri, Saint Louis, Illinois, Marquette, DePaul, Purdue.

Saint Louis is seeking two bigs in the portal due to the departure of Avila and Otieno. They landed one from Colorado, who is more of Avila's role. They also tried  for both Scharnowski (Belmont to Duke), and Giltay (Stanford to UConn) who took visits. They are still seeking a rim protector rebounder. They will be one of many that reach out to Sheek.

Also of note, his friend and teammate, Jamo White (Jahidi's son), de-committed from Penn State. His other former teammate, Quentin Coleman, recently de-committed from Wake Forest, and he committed to Illinois.

There are plenty of other bigs out there for Marquette to recruit and develop.