2026 Transfer Portal

[Uncle Rico]

You mean like Pearson not being ready?  Am I missing anyone else on the depth chart?

If Pearson isn't ready, then it's an issue.  I don't expect massive minutes but I do expect him to be part of the rotation next season. 

[The Sultan]

You mean like Pearson not being ready?  Am I missing anyone else on the depth chart?

Not only Sheek, but you could move Royce over to the post and go with Owens, Minessale, NJ and Stevens. Or Phillips...or one of the freshmen, etc.

[rocky_warrior]

Not only Sheek, but you could move Royce over to the post and go with Owens, Minessale, NJ and Stevens. Or Phillips...or one of the freshmen, etc.

Sure, if / when we go small.  I guess I'm thinking true center options.

If Pearson isn't ready, then it's an issue.  I don't expect massive minutes but I do expect him to be part of the rotation next season. 

Agreed!

[Vander Blue Man Group]

You mean like Pearson not being ready?  Am I missing anyone else on the depth chart?

I have very little worry that Pearson will not be ready. I also think with another offseason of adding strength, Royce could play spot minutes at the 5 in a small lineup.

[Markusquette]

Sure, if / when we go small.  I guess I'm thinking true center options.

Agreed!

If Sheek is not ready to contribute much then MU is still not in great shape up front. I'm not counting on anything from Hamilton and little improvement from Clark. Prefer to not have a small ball lineup with RP at the 5 but maybe it has to happen sometimes.

[Uncle Rico]

I have very little worry that Pearson will not be ready. I also think with another offseason of adding strength, Royce could play spot minutes at the 5 in a small lineup.

Given the descriptions of Pearson's game entering school, I think he's sort of what they're looking for as a bench guy at this moment.  Shot blocker, rebounder, decent passer.

I think he'll be raw offensively and get a lot of his points on lobs and putbacks. 

I'm ok trading the offensive rawness as long as he can defend some.

[Markusquette]

I have very little worry that Pearson will not be ready. I also think with another offseason of adding strength, Royce could play spot minutes at the 5 in a small lineup.

Do you have any insight on his development over the last year? Obviously it's not a good sign if he isn't quite a bit better than Hamilton/Clark, but just curious what you're basing that confidence off of. I haven't seen or heard much of his game and progress and how he slots in. Does he have some skills in the paint or a shooting touch? More of another rim running shot blocker?

[rocky_warrior]

I have very little worry that Pearson will not be ready. I also think with another offseason of adding strength, Royce could play spot minutes at the 5 in a small lineup.

OK, semantics then.  I just don't think Pearson not being ready, or an unexpected injury counts as a *lot* going wrong. 

[Jay Bee]

And now that Fru and Sheek are on the roster you expect that to continue why?

I'm not saying 9 mpg. I'm saying if he comes in as a part of the regular "planned" rotation within the first 8 mins of every game, that's insane.

The staff made insane choices last year and may very well again this coming year. It's effd up.

[Jay Bee]

It's not explicitly stated, but that seems to be the conclusion of Shaka's portaling this year.

I didn't read that at all. #NeverStopRecruiting

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Evan Miya thinks highly of Marquette's portal haul.

https://x.com/i/status/2046691557538238810

[We R Final Four]

The staff made insane choices last year and may very well again this coming year. It's effd up.

Bruh......we know.

[Uncle Rico]

Bruh......we know.

Don't even get me started on John Dawson not playing over Derrick Wilson.

[Zog from Margo]

Unless a reclass is an actual possibility it's a hypothetical.

The decision to eliminate the option of taking another player from the portal or eliminate keeping the option of taking a reclassification in order to keep the current roster intact isn't a hypothetical. In fact, MU appears to have already concluded its dealings in the portal, so MU is choosing Hamilton and Clark over other players it could land in the portal. That's a cost regardless of whether they ride the bench. Shaka has determined that it's worth the cost. Just to be clear, I'm happy with what Shaka has done in the portal. I just don't get the argument that having Hamilton and Clark on the roster is a free exercise.

[MuMark]

https://x.com/travisbranham_/status/2046723072082776135?s=61

[MU82]

The decision to eliminate the option of taking another player from the portal or eliminate keeping the option of taking a reclassification in order to keep the current roster intact isn't a hypothetical. In fact, MU appears to have already concluded its dealings in the portal, so MU is choosing Hamilton and Clark over other players it could land in the portal. That's a cost regardless of whether they ride the bench. Shaka has determined that it's worth the cost. Just to be clear, I'm happy with what Shaka has done in the portal. I just don't get the argument that having Hamilton and Clark on the roster is a free exercise.

I don't know about "a free exercise." It's simply not a big deal IMHO.

[Zog from Margo]

I don't know about "a free exercise." It's simply not a big deal IMHO.

And I hope you're right.

[SchnitzelBoy]

Man people out here calling for Caedin's head like it's Nuremberg. They have a highly regarded prospect in Sheek (projected to be MU's starting center at some point) and one of the better transfers in the class at the  position. I highly doubt he's gonna get much playing time unless he truly earns it with results. Just consider him a walk-on and get over it.

Fru should be highly productive at both ends of the court and Sheek should play better than most freshmen. Royce will continue to be solid and might even get better. Clark is 7'1 so maybe that'll be helpful at some point?

I'm not saying we're gonna have 2026 Michigan's frontcourt, but it'll sure as hell be better than the ones we had the last 2 seasons

[panda]

Man people out here calling for Caedin's head like it's Nuremberg. They have a highly regarded prospect in Sheek (projected to be MU's starting center at some point) and one of the better transfers in the class at the  position. I highly doubt he's gonna get much playing time unless he truly earns it with results. Just consider him a walk-on and get over it.

Fru should be highly productive at both ends of the court and Sheek should play better than most freshmen. Royce will continue to be solid and might even get better. Clark is 7'1 so maybe that'll be helpful at some point?

I'm not saying we're gonna have 2026 Michigan's frontcourt, but it'll sure as hell be better than the ones we had the last 2 seasons

Version 3.0 of 18 will surely be much different than the previous two. Why? Because

[Jay Bee]

I highly doubt he's gonna get much playing time unless he truly earns it with results.

Did you miss this past season?

[MuggsyB]

No matter how poorly Caedin did last season (and Josh to a degree), if they're on our roster, MU fans should be supportive.  If they aren't good enough to play we'll know relatively quickly.  If Shaka plays them and they're the same players as last year?  Then, it is perfectly appropriate to voice extreme displeasure/tier 1 wrath however Scoopers see fit.  Well, within reason. 

[wadesworld]

Version 3.0 of 18 will surely be much different than the previous two. Why? Because

Did you miss this past season?

Did either of you even read the post you're quoting?

It's to the point that I'm hoping Shaka starts Caedin game 1 next year. Some people's heads would explode and it'd be hilarious.

[MuggsyB]

https://x.com/travisbranham_/status/2046723072082776135?s=61

Damn.  We're still fine though. 

[MarquetteMike1977]

https://x.com/travisbranham_/status/2046723072082776135?s=61

Am disappointed we did not add Evans.
Not sure if it is of any comfort but a top donor told me the 2 players who impressed him before the season started last year were James and Sheek.

[SchnitzelBoy]

Am disappointed we did not add Evans.
Not sure if it is of any comfort but a top donor told me the 2 players who impressed him before the season started last year were James and Sheek.

All I heard during his recruitment was how good of a prospect Sheek is and how he should be able to contribute his freshman year. That was BEFORE he enrolled early as a redshirt and spent a full year getting stronger + working on skills and getting acclimated to the system. I'm expecting strong minutes from him