Shaka Smart 02/18/2026

[Vander Blue Man Group]

That is not nuance. He is prioritizing how the resources will be spent and that means not spending the resources to get the best transfers to help the team. If he were serious he would prioritize both, if he is serious about what is good for the program, which he did not explicitly say. Additionally, all this "nuance" leads me to believe he has not had those tough conversations with the players that need to take place.

In regard to retention, try to use some common sense.

We have 3 really good underclassmen already in house, one of which looks like he could be a superstar. 

Shaka and staff have built relationships over years with these players.  They have bought into Marquette and its culture. 

Yet you don't think prioritizing these guys, who look like they can be difference makers, is the right decision?

What do you think similar players like that will get in the transfer portal market?  How many schools would Shaka be competing with for players like that?  And what do you think the NIL offers will be? Not prioritizing keeping your best young players is just such an inane, illogical notion. 

Also, I don't know what Marquette's NIL budget is but it is not unlimited.  They staff has to prioritize.  Now that doesn't mean they won't spend in the portal and it certainly doesn't mean they can't find some really good players to fill the gaps around what is coming back.

Marquette doesn't have to add highly-paid stars via the portal to be really good next season. If they do, great...but it is not necessary.   

I can also guarantee he's had some conversations already with players.  You think Sean Jones thinks he's coming back next season?  It couldn't be any more obvious that he's been held out so he could potentially get an extra year with via medical hardship. 

[Biggie Clausen]

I have no doubt he'll use the portal to fill Zaide's spot.  I think the real question is, will he get rid of the dead weight on the roster - Sean, Caedin, Tre, and Josh Clark?  Heck, even DO and Michael Phillips can go.  Neither of them seem like they'll be close to ready to step into much bigger roles next year.

[The Sultan]

I have no doubt he'll use the portal to fill Zaide's spot.  I think the real question is, will he get rid of the dead weight on the roster - Sean, Caedin, Tre, and Josh Clark?  Heck, even DO and Michael Phillips can go.  Neither of them seem like they'll be close to ready to step into much bigger roles next year.

There will not be six additional transfers. There won't be four. IMO there will be two.

[jfp61]

I'm not gonna insert common sense into what Shaka is saying. He has lacked the ability to self-evaluate the team for nearly 2 years now.
Sean Jones is/was and probably will remain a bad player. Attributing any of the teams' struggles to his absence is laughable and naïve.
Chase Ross is who he has always been. A good/great defender. A decent offensive player in a limited role.
Ben Gold is slightly worse than he has been, but he was always a guy that shot poorly early in seasons and shot better at the end of the year. The only difference is this year he has gotten injured a fair bit.
The rest of the team has young players, which is fine, but they all are bad on defense, and the priority will remain retention according to the coach.
They have not indicated that they intend to "push out" anyone.  In fact Andy Katz's signaling in game made it seem as if Shaka wants to add "a guy", singular.

Until this staff demonstrates that they can self scout. It feels kinda over.

[jfp61]

IMO there will be two.

And this will be "two" few.

It doesn't feel good at the momment.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

There will not be six additional transfers. There won't be four. IMO there will be two.

I'll go with 3. 

[Vander Blue Man Group]

I'm not gonna insert common sense into what Shaka is saying. He has lacked the ability to self-evaluate the team for nearly 2 years now.
Sean Jones is/was and probably will remain a bad player. Attributing any of the teams' struggles to his absence is laughable and naïve.
Chase Ross is who he has always been. A good/great defender. A decent offensive player in a limited role.
Ben Gold is slightly worse than he has been, but he was always a guy that shot poorly early in seasons and shot better at the end of the year. The only difference is this year he has gotten injured a fair bit.
The rest of the team has young players, which is fine, but they all are bad on defense, and the priority will remain retention according to the coach.
They have not indicated that they intend to "push out" anyone.  In fact Andy Katz's signaling in game made it seem as if Shaka wants to add "a guy", singular.

Until this staff demonstrates that they can self scout. It feels kinda over.

LOL

[wadesworld]

I'll go with 3.

Same.

[BM1090]

LOL

They wouldn't be pushing this message two consecutive games if they didn't plan on more transfers and utilizing the portal.

Shaka has always made it very clear what he thinks. He's not always right, but it's easy to tell what he's feeling. He's clearly planning on more departures and bringing some guys in.

[BM1090]

I'll go with 3.

Sean for sure. I think one or two of Caedin, Tre, and Josh stick around.

So yeah. 2-3 more out, plus Zaide's spot.

[MUbiz]

Pretty sure it was "Duncan Powell".  Which is certainly a choice.

Video where you can clearly here the students chant "Duncan Powell" Hopkins said post game he expects that same chant the rest of the year.

https://x.com/FriarFrenzy/status/2024462399579787417

[MurphysTillClose]

Anything less than 4 will be the end of this staff.

We'll see if they have it in them.

[JTJ3]

Put me down for 3 portal adds. 

Which means at least 2 departures, but it isnt hard to figure out who it will be.  Would not be shocked either if its 3 or 4 departures, but none of the important young guys will be leaving.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

They wouldn't be pushing this message two consecutive games if they didn't plan on more transfers and utilizing the portal.

Shaka has always made it very clear what he thinks. He's not always right, but he it's easy to tell what he's feeling. He's clearly planning on more departures and bringing some guys in.

Yep, seems very clear to me. 

I can't imagine how anyone could have listened to his comments and think he's going to bring in one guy.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Anything less than 4 will be the end of this staff.

We'll see if they have it in them.

LOL

[panda]

Anything less than 4 will be the end of this staff.

We'll see if they have it in them.

This team will need a ton of help next year to compete at the level we expect them to. We also need to cut the deadweight so a replicate of last year and this year don't happen again. Not feeling very confident Shaka has the cajones to have the hard conversations with a bunch of his guys.

[jfp61]

LOL

We're gonna finish with a 10-22 record. This staff won't run off anyone. They'll bring in two or three mid level transfers. And we'll go 16-15 next year and miss the tournment again. All because Shaka doesn't feel like evaluating his "guys".

[wadesworld]

We're gonna finish with a 10-22 record. This staff won't run off anyone. They'll bring in two or three mid level transfers. And we'll go 16-15 next year and miss the tournment again. All because Shaka doesn't feel like evaluating his "guys".

Yeah, Shaka's done nothing good here.

[The Sultan]

And this will be "two" few.

It doesn't feel good at the momment.

We're gonna finish with a 10-22 record. This staff won't run off anyone. They'll bring in two or three mid level transfers. And we'll go 16-15 next year and miss the tournment again. All because Shaka doesn't feel like evaluating his "guys".

Dude, you don't have to be negative about everything. It's OK to remember that Shaka has done a lot of good here.

[BM1090]

This team will need a ton of help next year to compete at the level we expect them to. We also need to cut the deadweight so a replicate of last year and this year don't happen again. Not feeling very confident Shaka has the cajones to have the hard conversations with a bunch of his guys.

As evidenced by his inability to have tough conversations with Ellis, Amadou, Itejere, and Elliot

[MurphysTillClose]

LOL

LOL all you want.

If you think only 1-2 transfers will suffice after finishing dead last in the Big East, you might be dumber than willie.

[jfp61]

Dude, you don't have to be negative about everything. It's OK to remember that Shaka has done a lot of good here.

with transfers and wojo's guys.


Jokes aside, the dude stopped evaluating his roster, and until he starts again we'll remain bad. (hopefully this starts in march)

[wadesworld]

LOL all you want.

If you think only 1-2 transfers will suffice after finishing dead last in the Big East, you might be dumber than willie.

Which is why people are saying three.  And Nigel and Royce could be two of the better players in the Big East as soon as next season.  That's a good starting point.  Add in 2 starting level players, 1 rotational level player, hang onto Stevens as well, and see what you have in Egbuonu, Sheek, and how Philips develops, and that COULD be plenty to compete.  It all depends on the caliber of transfer brought in.

[wadesworld]

with transfers and wojo's guys.


Jokes aside, the dude stopped evaluating his roster, and until he starts again we'll remain bad. (hopefully this starts in march)

Listen to what he's saying.  He's clearly evaluating the roster now.

[Viper]

Pitino with a swipe at Catholics in his presser:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIa1rGtpmUU

4:16

Pitino mentioned make your free throws. I'll agree with that.