2026 Transfer Portal Wishlist

[MarquetteMike1977]

Maybe this is what the NM thread has always really been about!

I'll hit a few St. Thomas games in the coming weeks and report back. I'm always Quetted up, so we'll see if he takes note.

A Nolan Minessale thread I like it. He is deserving

My Source drove up to Saint Thomas with him and there is more lol

[Badgerhater]

So a thread where scoopers predict that every player potentially in the portal will be an instant All-American before they play one minute for MU.  Fun.

This is the companion thread to the ones projecting that every incoming freshman, before they played a single game, should start in front of every player on the team.  Good times.

[BM1090]

This is my biggest concern by far. I mean, if the offense is slow to come around or the level of competition is too much on that end, that's one thing.

But this team can't defend. There's no rim protection. They suck at switching. Don't close out well. Don't fight over screens. I can forgive that from the freshmen, but guys who've been here 2-3 years and have the baseline physical tools shouldn't be putrid defenders anymore.

How is this defense our calling card?

I think what confuses me the most is that he turned Kam, TK, and Jop into solid to good defenders. TK's instincts were always good, but Kam and Jop were lost in their first couple years. Yet by their senior year they played smart, effective defensive. The only thing that prevented them from being better were physical limitations.

So why have the guys that have are more physically gifted struggling to show the same progress? I'm sure part of it is that the offense has regressed so much that we're not able to set up, but I don't think that accounts for all of it.

[tower912]

To review, as the roster is currently constructed, there are no scholarships available for 26-27.   Of the 15 projected scholarship players, 10 are between 6'3 (Tre) and 6'8 (Royce)  One of the biggest complaints about the current roster is the 3 pt shooting. 
The current favorite candidate for the currently non-existent roster slot is a 6'5 wing shooting 30% from 3 in the Summit league. 

[MU82]

I think what confuses me the most is that he turned Kam, TK, and Jop into solid to good defenders. TK's instincts were always good, but Kam and Jop were lost in their first couple years. Yet by their senior year they played smart, effective defensive. The only thing that prevented them from being better were physical limitations.

So why have the guys that have are more physically gifted struggling to show the same progress? I'm sure part of it is that the offense has regressed so much that we're not able to set up, but I don't think that accounts for all of it.

Because different players show progress at different speeds and rates (if they show progress at all)? Because maybe the players you're referencing simply aren't as good or as coachable? Because every player - even every good player - doesn't always improve year over year? (For example, Dom James' best offensive year was his freshman season; he regressed offensively over the rest of his MU career.) Because who the hell knows?

[panda]

To review, as the roster is currently constructed, there are no scholarships available for 26-27.   Of the 15 projected scholarship players, 10 are between 6'3 (Tre) and 6'8 (Royce)  One of the biggest complaints about the current roster is the 3 pt shooting. 
The current favorite candidate for the currently non-existent roster slot is a 6'5 wing shooting 30% from 3 in the Summit league. 

That's why it is called a wish list. None of us here are in charge of roster management so we can daydream a bit during this nightmare season.

[Johnny B]

To review, as the roster is currently constructed, there are no scholarships available for 26-27.   Of the 15 projected scholarship players, 10 are between 6'3 (Tre) and 6'8 (Royce)  One of the biggest complaints about the current roster is the 3 pt shooting. 
The current favorite candidate for the currently non-existent roster slot is a 6'5 wing shooting 30% from 3 in the Summit league. 

Everyone is assuming at least one person is transferring out. IMO it would be nonsense if at least two guys didn't transfer out. How do u run this same roster again next year? Just fanciful prayers guys make monumental leaps? Can't do it.

[tower912]

Get better daydreams.  And, if no 'essential' players transfer out, I would place my small wager on the 'no incoming transfer' slot on the roulette wheel.

I know it was a couple of years ago and perhaps circumstances have changed enough, but Shaka said previously he would rather develop internally than bring in somebody who was a scorer in the Big Sky conference.

Speculate away. 

[panda]

Get better daydreams.  And, if no 'essential' players transfer out, I would place my small wager on the 'no incoming transfer' slot on the roulette wheel.

I know it was a couple of years ago and perhaps circumstances have changed enough, but Shaka said previously he would rather develop internally than bring in somebody who was a scorer in the Big Sky conference.

Speculate away. 

You know there is an option to not post rather than smugly regurgitating the same trope over and over again. This is a message board, not the basement of the AL. We can discuss fun players who may theoretically fit into the team without a Poindexter "Well actually" every time it is brought up within a thread named Wishlist.

[GoldenEagles03]

Get better daydreams.  And, if no 'essential' players transfer out, I would place my small wager on the 'no incoming transfer' slot on the roulette wheel.

I know it was a couple of years ago and perhaps circumstances have changed enough, but Shaka said previously he would rather develop internally than bring in somebody who was a scorer in the Big Sky conference.

Speculate away. 

The worst part is that he may think those are his only options, when he could possibly take scorers from other high major programs that enter their name into the portal.

[tower912]

You know there is an option to not post rather than smugly regurgitating the same trope over and over again. This is a message board, not the basement of the AL. We can discuss fun players who may theoretically fit into the team without a Poindexter "Well actually" every time it is brought up within a thread named Wishlist.

As you smugly post the same trope over and over again?

[panda]

As you smugly post the same trope over and over again?

Not like you.

And once again, there is a no post option. Or the Dodds board option. I'm sure there's a bunch of mopes over there who would love to hear what you have to say.

[tower912]

Not like you.

And once again, there is a no post option. Or the Dodds board option. I'm sure there's a bunch of mopes over there who would love to hear what you have to say.

I will say this, and it will just drive you crazier.  I am disappointed in how this season has gone.   To paraphrase my parish priest, giving up and despairing  are never part of God's plan.   So I won't.  Nor will I tear down a kid still giving his all for MU.  Too many years coaching youth sports. 

And there is nothing you can say or do that will change me. 

So, let's see some growth and development.  Starting two frosh and a redshirt sophomore, should be interesting.

[DoctorV]

Man o man this thread could hit 1000 pages by next season

Ok I'll get in on it early.

-I wish for a 5 that can be middle of the pack good in the BE. Putbacks and rebounds with some muscle would be great

-I wish for a 2/3 that can put the ball in the basket from multiple levels, and can shoot decently enough to keep defenses honest (is 36-38% from 3 asking too much?)

Prefer both of the above to be already established with 1-2 years left, rather than had one good year in a level below. Less chance to miss in that way, while allowing the younger players to develop at a nice pace, if they are even able to develop into starting BE caliber guys

-I wish for an elite shooting 3/4, stretch 4 type of player with some height. Milan Momcilovic or David Joplin type.
This guy can come from a lower level after one year with 3 left, or transfer "down" as an elite recruit that didn't get the run he wanted as a frosh.

**I don't wish for a pg. I think Shaka gets another good/very good and highly ranked combo guard in the next recruiting class, and I think this years heavy experience due to necessity for Nigel will have him ready for next year. I wouldn't want the guards that Shaka is in on feeling blocked due to Nigel/Adrien/plus a transfer type of scenario

Is that too much to ask for?

[nyg]

I will say this, and it will just drive you crazier.  I am disappointed in how this season has gone.   To paraphrase my parish priest, giving up and despairing  are never part of God's plan.   So I won't.  Nor will I tear down a kid still giving his all for MU.  Too many years coaching youth sports. 

And there is nothing you can say or do that will change me. 

So, let's see some growth and development.  Starting two frosh and a redshirt sophomore, should be interesting.

First off, welcome back.  I for one missed your options/comments here.
You have probably been Shaka's biggest proponent on Growth, Development and Retention, opportunities for growth, along with patience and even stated this team was tournament bound. It's probably not going to happen due to this disaster start to the season, which is a shame.

So in your opinion, what has happened this year?  You mentioned above starting two frosh and a redshirt sophomore is interesting.  What about the other players (Lowery, Norman, Jones, Hamilton, Gold) who have been here three to four years and so far have not really exhibited any growth and development to date? Have you given up on them or do expect some development for them for next year.

[We R Final Four]

Man o man this thread could hit 1000 pages by next season

Ok I'll get in on it early.

-I wish for a 5 that can be middle of the pack good in the BE. Putbacks and rebounds with some muscle would be great

-I wish for a 2/3 that can put the ball in the basket from multiple levels, and can shoot decently enough to keep defenses honest (is 36-38% from 3 asking too much?)

Prefer both of the above to be already established with 1-2 years left, rather than had one good year in a level below. Less chance to miss in that way, while allowing the younger players to develop at a nice pace, if they are even able to develop into starting BE caliber guys

-I wish for an elite shooting 3/4, stretch 4 type of player with some height. Milan Momcilovic or David Joplin type.
This guy can come from a lower level after one year with 3 left, or transfer "down" as an elite recruit that didn't get the run he wanted as a frosh.

**I don't wish for a pg. I think Shaka gets another good/very good and highly ranked combo guard in the next recruiting class, and I think this years heavy experience due to necessity for Nigel will have him ready for next year. I wouldn't want the guards that Shaka is in on feeling blocked due to Nigel/Adrien/plus a transfer type of scenario

Is that too much to ask for?

As a wishlist? No.

As a reality happening next season? Yes.

[tower912]

First off, welcome back.  I for one missed your options/comments here.
You have probably been Shaka's biggest proponent on Growth, Development and Retention, opportunities for growth, along with patience and even stated this team was tournament bound. It's probably not going to happen due to this disaster start to the season, which is a shame.

So in your opinion, what has happened this year?  You mentioned above starting two frosh and a redshirt sophomore is interesting.  What about the other players (Lowery, Norman, Jones, Hamilton, Gold) who have been here three to four years and so far have not really exhibited any growth and development to date? Have you given up on them or do expect some development for them for next year.

Defense.  I assumed there would be changes, as I did not see any way that MU could continue to switch 1-5.  Usually, I am pretty good at figuring out defenses.  Kind of a tic with me. I cannot figure out what the new scheme is.  I am not sure the players have either.   I no longer know where the help is even supposed to be coming from.  The best example of this is Ben doubling and hedging the ballhandler 35 feet from the basket.  This worked last year.  This season, he is 2 steps late recovering and nobody has even looked to slide into the lane to contest the roller.  Even when MU struggled with this under Wojo, somebody would slide into the lane.  Unfortunately, it was Rowsey or Howard, but still.   It feels like a golfer or major league hitter attempting to make swing changes and being caught between thoughts.

Offensively, I have always wanted more off ball movement and screening.  Even with iso ball on offense, MU is getting lots of opportunities at the basket and open looks from 3.  Shoot NCAA average on lay ups and this is a 7-4 team, despite everything else.

And I look forward to continued growth from all of them.

[nyg]

Defense.  I assumed there would be changes, as I did not see any way that MU could continue to switch 1-5.  Usually, I am pretty good at figuring out defenses.  Kind of a tic with me. I cannot figure out what the new scheme is.  I am not sure the players have either.   I know longer know where the help is even supposed to be coming from.  The best example of this is Ben doubling and hedging the ballhandler 35 feet from the basket.  This worked last year.  This season, he is 2 steps late recovering and nobody has even looked to slide into the lane to contest the roller.  Even when MU struggled with this under Wojo, somebody would slide into the lane.  Unfortunately, it was Rowsey or Howard, but still. 

Offensively, I have always wanted more off ball movement and screening.  Even with iso ball on offense, MU is getting lots of opportunities at the basket and open looks from 3.  Shoot NCAA average on lay ups and this is a 7-4 team, despite everything else.

Well, maybe we find out tomorrow if Shaka cuts his rotation down as the BE play starts.  I have said he subs way too much for any consistency with players.  They are always playing with different players, some of whom have no clue.  As an example he took James out of last game, one minute and ten seconds in and replaced with Jones.  I think this rapid rotation system hurts them on both sides of play and after 11 games, Shaka should know by now which players are capable of BE play.

OK, back to portal wish list.

[tower912]

I wish 9 players had emerged as a clear and obvious rotation.  As far as Shaka subbing NJ out that quickly, shades of Mike Deane.

[MU82]

As an example he took James out of last game, one minute and ten seconds in and replaced with Jones.  I think this rapid rotation system hurts

As James walked from the court to the bench, Shaka met him and had a few things to say to him. So there was a specific reason that substitution was made, and it was not the norm - even in Shaka's "rapid rotation." I wish we knew what the reason was.

[JakeBarnes]

Hopefully Boozer will transfer here.

[tower912]

Kon still has eligibility.  As does Flagg.   Just sayin'

[Vander Blue Man Group]

The concept of redshirting players is over with.The NCAA will soon grant 5 years of eligibility to all athletes.
Shaka needs to let Sheek,Ian,and Nash play this year and see if they show Any ability at All to compete at the level required to play in the Big East.Most of our current roster has shown they can't.This Mess is on Shaka and his entire staff.

Are we really back to this idiocy again? 

[Viper]

Not like you.

And once again, there is a no post option. Or the Dodds board option. I'm sure there's a bunch of mopes over there who would love to hear what you have to say.

first time I disagree with you. No one, NO ONE, gives a shiiit what T has to say. (Well, ok, Sultan, 82, Elon, Wades, Vander, and apparently nyg maybe might)

[tower912]

first time I disagree with you. No one, NO ONE, gives a shiiit what T has to say. (Well, ok, Sultan, 82, Elon, Wades and Vander maybe might)

Your DM was all performance art, wasn't it?  You knew damn well you were utterly full of crape and that you were gaslight trolling.   The funny thing is, so did I.   And you just keep proving it.  Thanks for the laughs.