2025 Transfer Portal

[MU82]

The last time I felt we lacked the talent to compete (like I do going into next year) we won the BE and BET. So until Shaka has a dud of a season, I'll just trust Shaka's teams will be competitive.

Nope. Trust BCHoopster.

[Jay Bee]

I think your confusing donor relations with University policy. If MU has a small number of donors with the ability and willingness to fund a NIL bag drop, Shaka had better be damn sure he's only going to them with his hand out for true difference makers. The worst thing he could do is use those donors to fund a guy or two that doesn't directly lead to major success, or pretty quick we would no longer "have the money." Just a guess, but I wouldn't be surprised if MU's core donors feel pretty iffy on basically funding a one year bag drop contract for a player as it is, so Shaka would have to tread pretty carefully in the portal.

Yikes

[MUBurrow]

Shaka isn't paying anyone to transfer here more than those who are here are already paid. He isn't asking a donor for "a bag" regardless. He has stated all of this. Multiple times.

Obviously just my opinion, but I don't believe the first sentence will prove to be 100% true. If it were, I can't see how Marquette would ever get transfers other than developmental players or 8th-9th man types. I think that Shaka will still ultimately be more active than that in the portal.

[tower912]

Obviously just my opinion, but I don't believe the first sentence will prove to be 100% true. If it were, I can't see how Marquette would ever get transfers other than developmental players or 8th-9th man types. I think that Shaka will still ultimately be more active than that in the portal.

When?

[MUBurrow]

When?

No idea, and it wouldn't be an every year thing. I think Shaka is as dedicated to building through high school recruiting and developing the roster as he says.  So for example, I don't think Shaka would take a home run swing to bring in a stud in an otherwise rebuilding year - e.g. I don't think Marquette woudl be a player at the top of the portal this year.  But to bring in a 4th or 5th starter to fill a need or big bench piece to round out a highly-ranked team? I could definitely see it.

[mug644]

When?

When (if?) someone with a key role for the next year transfers (to get their own bag). For example, if Kam had taken the purported bag from Memphis last year, Shaka might have understandably looked for a big ticket transfer. If Gold or Chase were to shockingly move on, Shaka might need to find (and pay for) a transfer beyond the 8th-9th man types. I'm ok if it never happens, though I anticipate it probably will, which will also be fine. It's Shaka's program, and he knows better than I.

[The Sultan]

Obviously just my opinion, but I don't believe the first sentence will prove to be 100% true. If it were, I can't see how Marquette would ever get transfers other than developmental players or 8th-9th man types. I think that Shaka will still ultimately be more active than that in the portal.

If he does it would go against pretty much everything he has said and done since he has been here.

[tower912]

When (if?) someone with a key role for the next year transfers (to get their own bag). For example, if Kam had taken the purported bag from Memphis last year, Shaka might have understandably looked for a big ticket transfer. If Gold or Chase were to shockingly move on, Shaka might need to find (and pay for) a transfer beyond the 8th-9th man types. I'm ok if it never happens, though I anticipate it probably will, which will also be fine. It's Shaka's program, and he knows better than I.

IMO, Parham is the one player who, in the unlikely event he were to transfer this offseason, could force Shaka's hand.

[HutchwasClutch]

The last time I felt we lacked the talent to compete (like I do going into next year) we won the BE and BET. So until Shaka has a dud of a season, I'll just trust Shaka's teams will be competitive.

Ok, great Wades.  My comment had nothing at all to do with MU though.

[tower912]

IU has no returning players from their 24-25 roster.  Every single player either exhausted their eligibility or entered the portal.  Seriously jealous.   Think of the opportunities.

[mug644]

IMO, Parham is the one player who, in the unlikely event he were to transfer this offseason, could force Shaka's hand.

I think if Parham were to leave, Shaka would look for a 2-3 year transfer to fill the gap. I'm not convinced that Parham's role for next year is so crucial.

If Gold or Ross were to leave, though, that absence would be felt immediately and dramatically next year, in my mind. Such a departure would force Shaka's hand, methinks.

All that said, I don't see any of those three we're mentioning leaving, so it's a moot point. Until a "can't replace through the pipeline" player does leave. Then we'll see what Shaka does.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

No idea, and it wouldn't be an every year thing. I think Shaka is as dedicated to building through high school recruiting and developing the roster as he says.  So for example, I don't think Shaka would take a home run swing to bring in a stud in an otherwise rebuilding year - e.g. I don't think Marquette woudl be a player at the top of the portal this year.  But to bring in a 4th or 5th starter to fill a need or big bench piece to round out a highly-ranked team? I could definitely see it.

Except he's had that opportunity and hasn't done it.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

I think if Parham were to leave, Shaka would look for a 2-3 year transfer to fill the gap. I'm not convinced that Parham's role for next year is so crucial.

If Gold or Ross were to leave, though, that absence would be felt immediately and dramatically next year, in my mind. Such a departure would force Shaka's hand, methinks.

All that said, I don't see any of those three we're mentioning leaving, so it's a moot point. Until a "can't replace through the pipeline" player does leave. Then we'll see what Shaka does.

Parham's role next next is absolutely crucial. It wouldn't shock me if he led the team in scoring.

[mug644]

Parham's role next next is absolutely crucial. It wouldn't shock me if he led the team in scoring.

I guess I can see Parham's role as crucial, as he replaces Joplin, while Chase and Gold are returning. So, we need him to step up to have even a year as good (adequate?) as this year. Coming off of this year, I don't see Parham as leading the team in scoring. Would love to be happily surprised.

[MUBurrow]

Except he's had that opportunity and hasn't done it.

Agree. But like I would say to the posters complaining about how Shaka is "against" the portal, I don't think that necessarily means he would do the same thing in the same situation again.  It would just be dependent on fit - on-court, locker room/culture, economics.  I think we're tending to make too much of too little a sample size of how Shaka's treated the portal to date.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

I guess I can see Parham's role as crucial, as he replaces Joplin, while Chase and Gold are returning. So, we need him to step up to have even a year as good (adequate?) as this year. Coming off of this year, I don't see Parham as leading the team in scoring. Would love to be happily surprised.

I wouldn't bet on it but with a year of development, big minutes and a green light on a team that will need scoring, it seems more than possible.

Maybe Chase is the safe choice as the leading returning scorer but I'm expecting a big year from Royce.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Agree. But like I would say to the posters complaining about how Shaka is "against" the portal, I don't think that necessarily means he would do the same thing in the same situation again.  It would just be dependent on fit - on-court, locker room/culture, economics.  I think we're tending to make too much of too little a sample size of how Shaka's treated the portal to date.

That's fair.

But I tend to agree with those that say unless there's an unexpected departure or a glaringly obvious hole with no internal options we're going to see more of the same.

[tower912]

I believe Shaka means what he says.

[BCHoopster]

There's 1400 kids in the portal, I have to believe MU should be able get one banger, someone to put a body on a player like Egibor, just a solid backup, does even have to be a starter.

[mug644]

Agree. But like I would say to the posters complaining about how Shaka is "against" the portal, I don't think that necessarily means he would do the same thing in the same situation again.  It would just be dependent on fit - on-court, locker room/culture, economics.  I think we're tending to make too much of too little a sample size of how Shaka's treated the portal to date.

The key thing you say that I agree with is that Shaka may not do the same thing again. I do believe that he learns, is flexible and can adapt. If the situation calls for change, I think he'd do so.

That said, he's stated his principles related to development and the portal pretty clearly, definitively and repeatedly. He's committed to the players (and families) he recruits out of high school. He wants to see individual and team development. He won't deal with agents. He won't drop a bag for a one year star.

If he learns, shows flexibility and adapts, it might well appear to run counter to his principles. I imagine that he'll be willing to do it someday, but it will be notable.

[Zog from Margo]

Let's be honest. If you think the portal is MU's path to a title, how likely do you think it is that MU could ever assemble the talent Duke has? I think it's very unlikely no matter what path MU takes. It's the world of college athletics. Starting to look like MLB.

[DoctorV]

There's 1400 kids in the portal, I have to believe MU should be able get one banger, someone to put a body on a player like Egibor, just a solid backup, does even have to be a starter.

If Shaka ruins his pristine, no portaling look/schtick I hope it's not to just someone to put a body on edgy bore.

If he dabbles, I am pretty certain he will bring in a difference maker.

[mug644]

I believe Shaka means what he says.

I agree. And I believe that Shaka is willing to change his mind.

[HutchwasClutch]

Nm

[wadesworld]

If Shaka ruins his pristine, no portaling look/schtick I hope it's not to just someone to put a body on edgy bore.

If he dabbles, I am pretty certain he will bring in a difference maker.

Getting someone who fits in wouldn't ruin anything.