2026 Transfer Portal

[MuMark]

Some dude on Twitter claims MU is looking into this kid:
https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/5312338/eric-dibami

Would follow his old coach over to MU. I can't speak to the validity of this but I'm kind of hoping for MU to make a splash for a proven high-major big. I know MU could have a hard time outbidding for Sananda Fru or Oswin, but I a "sure thing" is what's needed. That said, this kid could be awesome judging by the highlights.

The guy on twitter has 4 followers........not saying he's making stuff up but.....

https://x.com/ddrutherfordd/status/2041695105107542483?s=61

[MuMark]

https://x.com/franfraschilla/status/2041884377416937513?s=61

[GoldenEagles03]

The guy on twitter has 4 followers........not saying he's making stuff up but.....

https://x.com/ddrutherfordd/status/2041695105107542483?s=61

He just posted again.

Seems like we were mentioned in an article for a 7'3" center.

https://x.com/i/status/2041906937671954802

[MuMark]

New name......per ON 3

Saint Mary's center Drew McKeever officially entered the transfer portal on Tuesday with two years of eligibility remaining. The redshirt sophomore has started to receive significant high-major interest.

Sources have told On3 that Arizona State, Cincinnati, Iowa, Marquette, Ole Miss, Purdue and UConn have begun showing real interest, and calls are scheduled in the upcoming days. Michigan is also in the mix, but any notable conversations are delayed at this point as the Wolverines come off their national title win

[GoldenEagles03]

He just posted again.

Seems like we were mentioned in an article for a 7'3" center.

https://x.com/i/status/2041906937671954802

And his account no longer exists lol

[Uncle Rico]

Probably best not to get excited about twitter randos during this process.  It's less reliable than the NY Post.

[Pakuni]

New name......per ON 3

Saint Mary's center Drew McKeever officially entered the transfer portal on Tuesday with two years of eligibility remaining. The redshirt sophomore has started to receive significant high-major interest.

Sources have told On3 that Arizona State, Cincinnati, Iowa, Marquette, Ole Miss, Purdue and UConn have begun showing real interest, and calls are scheduled in the upcoming days. Michigan is also in the mix, but any notable conversations are delayed at this point as the Wolverines come off their national title win

McKeever would be a great get, but some serious competition there and I've been assured that we won't get into a bidding war for top talent.

[GoldenEagles03]

McKeever would be a great get, but some serious competition there and I've been assured that we won't get into a bidding war for top talent.

Arizona St is the largest competitor here because of Randy Bennett obviously. After that it is really only Purdue. I can't see him going to UConn to play behind Reibe. Unless they have other plans for Reibe in Storrs.

Don't think this would be an unrealistic get for us, but also might not be our #1 choice either.

[Uncle Rico]

McKeever would be a great get, but some serious competition there and I've been assured that we won't get into a bidding war for top talent.

It isn't they won't get in a bidding war, I'm not entirely sure they can win a bidding war.

[Pakuni]

It isn't they won't get in a bidding war, I'm not entirely sure they can win a bidding war.

Then fold the program. Acquiring talent in the current market requires winning bidding wars. Or recruiting kids no other decent program wants.

I choose to believe Marquette is not a poverty program.

[JakeBarnes]

It isn't they won't get in a bidding war, I'm not entirely sure they can win a bidding war.

Have they tried yelling "YEEEEEEEEEEWWWWP" really loudly like in Storage Wars?

[Zog from Margo]

Then fold the program. Acquiring talent in the current market requires winning bidding wars. Or recruiting kids no other decent program wants.

I choose to believe Marquette is not a poverty program.

If Creighton can land Oswin, you'd have to hope MU can at least land a comparable player.

[Uncle Rico]

Then fold the program. Acquiring talent in the current market requires winning bidding wars. Or recruiting kids no other decent program wants.

I choose to believe Marquette is not a poverty program.

It isn't.  But the funds aren't unlimited like other places.  I'm just being a realist here.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

I'm lukewarm on McKeever.  His biggest strength is elite rebounding (19.7% OR, 25.5% DR).

His 4.0 blk% is ok but not great for someone that's 7-2. Plus, McKeever only shot 57% at the rim and his eFG was only 50.7%. Neither are great for a 7-2 C.

He also looks a bit slow on video.  Not the typical athletic big Shaka usually goes for. Would require Shaka to adjust his defensive system.

BPR +3.81 (#458 nationally)

Overall: Could be a solid starter, and would certainly upgrade MU's rebounding, but doesn't offer as much rim protection or scoring efficiency as I'd like in such a massive C. I also have some concerns about how well he fits Shaka's system.  MU could certainly do worse, but there's a handful of other big men I would prefer.

[Pakuni]

It isn't.  But the funds aren't unlimited like other places.  I'm just being a realist here.

Funds aren't unlimited anywhere, and certainly not at programs MU is competing for talent against.  Nobody is expecting MU to outbid Kentucky or Duke. But if we can't hang with the Arizona States and Creightons of of the world ...
Does MU have less money than some programs? Of course. Does that mean MU has to be a little smarter and more strategic in how it spends than some programs? Obviously. But if you're not willing/able to outspend other programs for some players, then there's really no point in pretending you have any interest in fielding a competitive team.

[The Sultan]

I think it is safe to say that we ARE going to get in bidding wars...just not for the top talent. I think we can definitely win bidding wars for that next tier, and that would likely be fine. As we have seen with free agency before, it oftentimes doesn't work out.

[MU82]

If Creighton can land Oswin, you'd have to hope MU can at least land a comparable player.

This. And this:

Funds aren't unlimited anywhere, and certainly not at programs MU is competing for talent against.  Nobody is expecting MU to outbid Kentucky or Duke. But if we can't hang with the Arizona States and Creightons of of the world ...
Does MU have less money than some programs? Of course. Does that mean MU has to be a little smarter and more strategic in how it spends than some programs? Obviously. But if you're not willing/able to outspend other programs for some players, then there's really no point in pretending you have any interest in fielding a competitive team.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Then fold the program. Acquiring talent in the current market requires winning bidding wars. Or recruiting kids no other decent program wants.

I choose to believe Marquette is not a poverty program.

Marquette can win bidding wars. It cannot win every bidding war.

I also think there's a difference between:

"I'm bought into Marquette and your vision for me, but this other program is offering me  $500K more. That's generational money, I can't ignore that. Is there anything you can do to enable me to pick Marquette?"

And

"I'm going with whoever gives me the most full stop. I don't care about anything else."

If MU winning the bidding war is the only reason you're interested, I don't think Shaka is offering the scholarship. And that's not a moral judgement. I don't think there's anything wrong with going with the best offer. But I think Shaka's style requires a level of buy in beyond a financial one.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

If Creighton can land Oswin, you'd have to hope MU can at least land a comparable player.

I think we can land a comparable player.

However, Creighton has some stupid money. They are more well funded than you would expect for that level of a program.

[MU82]

Marquette can win bidding wars. It cannot win every bidding war.

I also think there's a difference between:

"I'm bought into Marquette and your vision for me, but this other program is offering me  $500K more. That's generational money, I can't ignore that. Is there anything you can do to enable me to pick Marquette?"

And

"I'm going with whoever gives me the most full stop. I don't care about anything else."

If MU winning the bidding war is the only reason you're interested, I don't think Shaka is offering the scholarship. And that's not a moral judgement. I don't think there's anything wrong with going with the best offer. But I think Shaka's style requires a level of buy in beyond a financial one.

I have read two articles in the last two days about coaches from extremely successful, big-conference, big-budget schools saying similar to your last paragraph. (One of them being Dusty May.) Although their programs can afford even the highest-priced talent, they will not take guys who come across as being mostly about the money. May talked about "fit" and "culture" the exact same way Shaka does.

[wadesworld]

I think people are underrating how deep Creighton's NIL bag is.  Heck, it was deep before it was legal to pay players.

[Zog from Margo]

I think people are underrating how deep Creighton's NIL bag is.  Heck, it was deep before it was legal to pay players.

Just to make sure I understand, MU cannot compete financially with UConn. SJU, or Creighton. Are there any other BE teams we should add to the list? It seems we should be setting expectations on the resources available.

[wadesworld]

Just to make sure I understand, MU cannot compete financially with UConn. SJU, or Creighton. Are there any other BE teams we should add to the list? It seems we should be setting expectations on the resources available.

No.

[brewcity77]

Wonder what our connection is to Khamenia. Looks like his dad coached Hamilton in high school? If that connection helps us get him, then all talk of Hamilton potentially leaving should cease immediately. Huge long shot though I'm sure.

https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/college/marquette/2023/08/11/what-to-know-marquette-basketball-newcomer-caedin-hamilton-played-high-school-in-california/70565484007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z115854e1106xxv115854d--64--b--64--&gca-ft=175&gca-ds=sophi&gnt-djm=1

Hamilton & Khamenia both played AAU for BTI. I've heard reports they are good friends.

I'd probably rank Khamenia as my #1 player in the portal because there simply aren't many 6'8" wings that defend, shoot, and produce like he can. There are at least 5-6 bigs that would fit well, I'm not sure there's another wing that would fit us like he does. If Hamilton can play any part in getting him here, then his scholarship is earned.

[#UnleashThePortal]

Then fold the program. Acquiring talent in the current market requires winning bidding wars. Or recruiting kids no other decent program wants.

I choose to believe Marquette is not a poverty program.

Everything done so far in the face of the transfer portal seems to suggest Marquette is a poverty program.

I dont think Shaka was ever so dumb to truly believe that the rgv crap would work.