2025 Transfer Portal

[Billy Hoyle]

You're saying not taking transfers leads to disappointing tournament results?

Apparently so as the first year he took a transfer (grad transfer from SIU) they made the championship game. They probably blow out UConn in the title game if Painter hadn't destroyed team chemistry by bringing in Lance Jones.

[Elonsmusk]

Oh give me a break. You've spewed as much vitriol about players and coaches as anyone on here. And now you're going to act all high and mighty? Please...

I railed on Wojo a ton, first and foremost - as well as Buzz in his last year for putting Derrick Wilson in a position he had no business being in -  playing 3)+ minutes per game.  95% of my "vitriol" was toward the coaches - and in rebuttals to complete idiots here who suggested Derrick Wilson has worthy of 30+ minutes per game..and that Wojo had no other option(s) - like Carlino or Duane Wilson weren't capable of replacing Derrick Wilson. 

So, theres been exactly one player in roughly 15ish years on Scoop that I've been highly critical of - and that was largely directed toward the coaches, and in response to guys like BrewCity who thought we'd be better with Derrick Wilson at PG than Junior Cadougan.

But, nice try.

[Uncle Rico]

You can believe in Shaka's philosophy which is fine if you bring in some top recruits.  But some of his recruits have not panned out.  I thought Owens was going to be a star here, he has totally regressed.  Parham has not moved the meter either.  Now add a pitiful junior class and you have this team.  Next year unless the frosh step in right now and play, the team looks even weaker.  So unless you add a portal player this program and Shaka are going down. Adding one player should not be that hard, and there's at least 5 players that can go. Here is the problem why players do not leave MU, there MLI money here is very good.

Money Laundering Investments?

[The Sultan]

I railed on Wojo a ton, first and foremost - as well as Buzz in his last year for putting Derrick Wilson in a position he had no business being in -  playing 3)+ minutes per game.  95% of my "vitriol" was toward the coaches - and in rebuttals to complete idiots here who suggested Derrick Wilson has worthy of 30+ minutes per game..and that Wojo had no other option(s) - like Carlino or Duane Wilson weren't capable of replacing Derrick Wilson. 

So, theres been exactly one player in roughly 15ish years on Scoop that I've been highly critical of - and that was largely directed toward the coaches, and in response to guys like BrewCity who thought we'd be better with Derrick Wilson at PG than Junior Cadougan.

But, nice try.

Thanks for admitting I was right. Maybe you should step down from your pulpit.

[MU82]

MU needs rentals, I do not care if they will be a junior or senior, but time to use the portal next year.  You can say what ever you want about Boyd, but he is nice one year rental, just like Tonje last year.

Greg Gard has proven to be a failed coach. Why would you want to replicate his methods?

FWIW, while I like Shaka's recruit/develop/retain philosophy, I also think he should strongly consider bringing in select transfers. The suggestion that he should have added a guy like Boyd instead of a four-year starter like James was silly.

[CountryRoads]

Greg Gard has proven to be a failed coach. Why would you want to replicate his methods?

FWIW, while I like Shaka's recruit/develop/retain philosophy, I also think he should strongly consider bringing in select transfers. The suggestion that he should have added a guy like Boyd instead of a four-year starter like James was silly.

Exactly. Gard portaled over a prized recruit and potential stud in Freitag two years in a row and never gave him a chance. Hopefully, this strategy catches up to them on the recruiting trail. I don't want to see us doing the same thing.

I think Shaka does it mostly right and has honest discussions with guys who have been in the program a few years that just aren't cut out for high major ball (Ellis, Itejere, Amadou, etc). Though, we've replaced them with more young guys when I think we should be looking to the portal in these types of cases. For example, I know we're excited for Sheek and Phillips (who both skipped their senior year of high school), but maybe it'd be better if we had nabbed a senior in the portal instead and just had one of them join the team next year. A move like that could make us more competitive this year while still preserving the way Shaka wants to run this program.

[K1 Lover]

Random question, but did Shaka ever comment on Al Amadou transferring out? I thought something might be said about it around the start of the season but until now, I still haven't heard anyone from the program comment on it.

[Nukem2]

Exactly. Gard portaled over a prized recruit and potential stud in Freitag two years in a row and never gave him a chance. Hopefully, this strategy catches up to them on the recruiting trail. I don't want to see us doing the same thing.

I think Shaka does it mostly right and has honest discussions with guys who have been in the program a few years that just aren't cut out for high major ball (Ellis, Itejere, Amadou, etc). Though, we've replaced them with more young guys when I think we should be looking to the portal in these types of cases. For example, I know we're excited for Sheek and Phillips (who both skipped their senior year of high school), but maybe it'd be better if we had nabbed a senior in the portal instead and just had one of them join the team next year. A move like that could make us more competitive this year while still preserving the way Shaka wants to run this program.

Freitag was only there a year. And, he is averaging 21 a game no at Buffalo this in his second season of college,  including Bucky. No redshirts.

[BCHoopster]

Let's forget about the Badgers, do you like what UConn does?

[Viper]

My point is that it most likely wasn't a random person betting on a Marquette player. It was likely a garbage fan of the program that is upset we aren't good.

how would you come across that shiit? I guess it's why I don't do social media, unless you call this social media. btw, if there's a law enforcement techie that can ID that piece of trash, and if there's no legal consequences, make him read his posts to his mom.

[Viper]

We can shoot for not winning Tournament games without adding transfers. Greg Gard has made two Sweet Sixteens, one the year Bo Ryan coached the first half of the season and the other the next season, with all of Bo Ryan's players. He has 3 Tournament wins in the 8 seasons since. Shaka doesn't need to take a page from Greg Gard's book at all.

what you state is correct. Head-to-head, however? Ugh. (BUT, I actually think we might get one in Madison in two weeks. Fear Purdue. Red? No)

[CountryRoads]

My point is that it most likely wasn't a random person betting on a Marquette player. It was likely a garbage fan of the program that is upset we aren't good.

NCAA study released last week finds over 1/3 of men's basketball players harassed by bettors:

https://www.ncaa.org/news/2025/11/18/media-center-ncaa-study-finds-over-one-third-of-di-mens-basketball-student-athletes-harassed-by-bettors.aspx

Growing trend for these to be fellow students or "fans" and not random people. It's a massive problem.

An article from the other day with quotes from Kelsey and Pope and some of their players on the issue (there are dozens more):

https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/2025/11/21/college-basketball-prop-bets-harassment-louisville-pat-kelsey-jeff-brohm-arrest-threats-ncaa/87355124007/#

But yeah, in general, the normal fans could also be nicer. Marquette ones included.

[Shooter McGavin]

Was just about to post the same thing. Omitting those guys when talking about development is crazy.

And that's why a lot of people were cautiously optimistic about this season.

I understand this argument but weren't all these players showing more, much earlier in their Marquette careers than some on the current roster.

It's better to have a higher level of baseline of talent to work with. 

[Vander Blue Man Group]

I understand this argument but weren't all these players showing more, much earlier in their Marquette careers than some on the current roster.

It's better to have a higher level of baseline of talent to work with. 

I don't think so.

Look at Jop from his freshman to sophomore year and then how he continued to improve as a defender the rest of his career.  2.8 PPG to 9.2 PPG.  I think if that's what we would have seen so far from Owen we'd be satisfied (I know scoring isn't everything but that was Jop's role as a 6th man that season). 

Look at OMax's jump from his sophomore to junior season.  He transferred here after averaging 2.5 PPG at Clemson and then went 5.4 to 12.5 to a 1st round draft pick.  Improved his efficiency each year.

You can argue that some of those guys have a higher ceiling than guys on our current team but Jop certainly didn't have the athleticism that an Owens does. 

Maybe that 22-23 season was just finding lightning in a bottle with all of the massive improvements guys had at the same time when it isn't always linear. 

Ben, Royce, and Damarius just haven't improved nearly enough and I was even hoping for more from Zaide.  Maybe that wasn't realistic. 

However, I thought we'd have a strong defense and that's been the most surprising thing to me.

[tower912]

A fair number of posters wanted the keys turned over to Sean on day 1, as TKo simply wasn't a Big East PG after his first year at MU.  And Oso wasn't big enough or strong enough to be a Big East center.

[The Sultan]

A fair number of posters wanted the keys turned over to Sean on day 1, as TKo simply wasn't a Big East PG after his first year at MU.  And Oso wasn't big enough or strong enough to be a Big East center.

Thanks.

[Scoop Snoop]

However, I thought we'd have a strong defense and that's been the most surprising thing to me.

Nice post. The last line is what has really bothered me the most about this year's team. Instead of a havoc-style D we have a Swiss cheese D.

A fair number of posters wanted the keys turned over to Sean on day 1, as TKo simply wasn't a Big East PG after his first year at MU.  And Oso wasn't big enough or strong enough to be a Big East center.

Thanks for the reminder, Tower. Any optimism that is not airy is a welcome relief.

[tower912]

This team has a lot of room for growth. The defense has been disappointing.  The 2025 portal doesn't matter anymore, except to say 'woe is MU'.   The only question is how much the 12 scholarship players improve as the season progresses. 

[Scoop Snoop]

This team has a lot of room for growth. The defense has been disappointing.  The 2025 portal doesn't matter anymore, except to say 'woe is MU'.   The only question is how much the 12 scholarship players improve as the season progresses. 

Again...thanks! I honestly hope that my calling the D "Swiss cheese" can be shoved in my face later this season.

[warriors141]

This team has a lot of room for growth. The defense has been disappointing.  The 2025 portal doesn't matter anymore, except to say 'woe is MU'.   The only question is how much the 12 scholarship players improve as the season progresses. 

When do you think we will see some improvements? 7 games in and it seems we are getting worse

[tower912]

When do you think we will see some improvements? 7 games in and it seems we are getting worse

I think the 12 playing are all legit D1 players.  My assumption that they would all effortlessly slide into new roles was mistaken.
To my eyes, they are running a different man to man defense than previously.  So, with time and reps, I expect the communication, the doubling, the weak side rotations to start kicking in.

I think the next time they clear it out for Chase in the last seconds of a tie game, he takes the shot.

I hope that a nine man rotation
reveals itself on the court.

I am reminded of Shaka's first season when the team didn't know what a good shot was and fired up 3's instead of getting to the next movement.   I think this team figures it out like they did.

Shaka talks about clarity of mind.  That comes when a player/team has a complete understanding of roles and responsibilities.   This team isn't there yet.  My fear is that they get there too late.