Shaka Smart 02/18/2026

[79Warrior]

 

You're making this even more ridiculous. If Syracuse wants him, they will offer him a package he can't refuse. End of story.

Absolutely. His post is flat out garbage. No school asks for permission anyway. There is no protocol. Whoever his "source" is clueless. In  addition, no school speaks for the players. Players can do whatever they want.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

What doesn't make sense?

Players are free to transfer any year they want. As others have mentioned and everyone knows interested schools will reach out through back channels to gauge interest. Or, players will reach out letting schools know they are going to move on.

There is zero reason for a school to call another coach to see if they are going to "cut" a player.

Plus, there is zero reason for a coach to tell anyone they are going to "cut" a player. It would be a terrible look if Owens heard from Syracuse that Shaka wants him out.

"If Syracuse wants him, they will offer him a package he can't refuse. End of story."

The above is the part of your post I was referring to.  There's no absolute certainty like you describe above.

Hypothetically, Syracuse might want him.  But even if they do, saying "they will offer him a package he can't refuse. End of story" is silly. 

[WhiteTrash]

"If Syracuse wants him, they will offer him a package he can't refuse. End of story."

The above is the part of your post I was referring to.  There's no absolute certainty like you describe above.

Hypothetically, Syracuse might want him.  But even if they do, saying "they will offer him a package he can't refuse. End of story" is silly. 

You're are missing the whole point of the discussion. I and others are discrediting a ridiculous story devoid of logic and support. I was simply cutting to the chase to summarize the transfer situation.

Basically I was saying if Syracuse had targeted him as an attractive transfer they could have a compelling package put together to present him the second he hits the portal.

Even in some bizzarro world they did reach out to Shaka, and in a cocaine fog Shaka said he was cutting him loose, what would Syracuse gain?

If Syacuse knew he was going to transfer but has not announced or entered the portal, they'd end up working through back channels anyways.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

You're are missing the whole point of the discussion. I and others are discrediting a ridiculous story devoid of logic and support. I was simply cutting to the chase to summarize the transfer situation.

Basically I was saying if Syracuse had targeted him as an attractive transfer they could have a compelling package put together to present him the second he hits the portal.

Even in some bizzarro world they did reach out to Shaka, and in a cocaine fog Shaka said he was cutting him loose, what would Syracuse gain?

If Syacuse knew he was going to transfer but has not announced or entered the portal, they'd end up working through back channels anyways.

No, I understand the overall point. I just thought that one piece of your response was ludicrous.

[BM1090]

I've disagreed with onepost a fair amount this year, but he typically has had some good information.

I'm not going to pretend I understand the intricacies of the transfer portal and if this might happen. But I don't think it's impossible.

[romey]

I have a general observation.  Is it a stretch to think these back channels aren't being tested?  We all know there have been violations in college sports for decades, some say John Wooden pushed the envelope all the time and even engaged in NCAA violation-level tactics.  School have been placed on probation, coaches and players have been censured, etc. etc.  For Syracuse to reach out to MU to inquire about a player doesn't seem like an impossibility to me.  Just because we have new rules with NIL and the transfer portal, who's to say they're not being violated?

Talk amongst yourselves.

Thanks

[rocky_warrior]

But I don't think it's impossible.

For sure DO might have gotten an offer from Cuse.  He might even go.  But I doubt an offer was made without his knowledge, or that he just told someone at Marquette to take the call and say no thanks.

[MUbiz]

I have a general observation.  Is it a stretch to think these back channels aren't being tested?  We all know there have been violations in college sports for decades, some say John Wooden pushed the envelope all the time and even engaged in NCAA violation-level tactics.  School have been placed on probation, coaches and players have been censured, etc. etc.  For Syracuse to reach out to MU to inquire about a player doesn't seem like an impossibility to me.  Just because we have new rules with NIL and the transfer portal, who's to say they're not being violated?

Talk amongst yourselves.

Thanks

Danny Hurley a few times talked about and referenced his players being tampered with during the season (60 minutes interview he mentioned it)

It happens all the time because the NCAA does not enforce tampering violations. Tampering in some cases is also very hard to prove.

To think it doesn't happen is pretty asinine IMHO.

[onepost]

I've disagreed with onepost a fair amount this year, but he typically has had some good information.

I'm not going to pretend I understand the intricacies of the transfer portal and if this might happen. But I don't think it's impossible.

Man I didn't realize I said so much crap that poster's agreements were couched with "I don't agree with him but" so often. You're never too old for humble pie.

[brewcity77]

Is it a stretch to think these back channels aren't being tested?

Oh, back channels aren't being tested, they are 100% active, up and running. It's just regular operating procedure at any major program that has intent to be involved with the portal.

[BM1090]

Man I didn't realize I said so much crap that poster's agreements were couched with "I don't agree with him but" so often. You're never too old for humble pie.

I meant it more as a way to say that I wouldn't be dismissing it as easily as some people are.

But yeah, you suck.

[romey]

Oh, back channels aren't being tested, they are 100% active, up and running. It's just regular operating procedure at any major program that has intent to be involved with the portal.

So Syracuse may have reached out to MU about whether DO may be "available"?

[wadesworld]

No clue how these things work, and I doubt Autry called Shaka, but with basically everyone tampering all the time, wouldn't you rather have a program that might be interested in a player on your roster reaching out to you rather than trying to go behind your back? Maybe some designated portal scout/recruiter on one staff reaches out to one on the team's staff of a player they might be interested and says, "Hey, DO doesn't see a ton of minutes with you. Are you happy with him? Is he happy at MU? If you know there will be a parting of ways, can you get us in touch with his people?"

Again, no idea. But I'd think if I was running a program I'd know other programs are probably sneaking around players on my roster, and might appreciate that approach.

[WhiteTrash]

So Syracuse may have reached out to MU about whether DO may be "available"?

Reaching out to MU would not be a back channel communication. That is the crux of the argument.

I would never say onepost didn't hear the rumor, but whoever started it doesn't understand the college situation. They think college is like the NBA and its like the Knicks called the Bucks to ask if Giannis is available.

[21Jumpstreet]

Rules are still being written.

[onepost]

No clue how these things work, and I doubt Autry called Shaka, but with basically everyone tampering all the time, wouldn't you rather have a program that might be interested in a player on your roster reaching out to you rather than trying to go behind your back? Maybe some designated portal scout/recruiter on one staff reaches out to one on the team's staff of a player they might be interested and says, "Hey, DO doesn't see a ton of minutes with you. Are you happy with him? Is he happy at MU? If you know there will be a parting of ways, can you get us in touch with his people?"

Again, no idea. But I'd think if I was running a program I'd know other programs are probably sneaking around players on my roster, and might appreciate that approach.

To clarify, it's definitely not Autry calling Shaka asking for his blessing, but rather backend staffer contacting backend staffer. To my knowledge.

[Scoop Snoop]

To clarify, it's definitely not Autry calling Shaka asking for his blessing, but rather backend staffer contacting backend staffer. To my knowledge.

OK. One favor please. Can you use your influence to get Syracuse to take Hamilton? I'll pay you.

[Jay Bee]

OK. One favor please. Can you use your influence to get Syracuse to take Hamilton? I'll pay you.

They call him 18 around here, bub.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

I feel like this is a game of telephone, where the original message changed slightly with each retelling.

[WhiteTrash]

OK. One favor please. Can you use your influence to get Syracuse to take Hamilton? I'll pay you.

DO, Hamilton and 'cash considerations'? Shaka should do the deal. 

[GoldenEagles03]

No clue how these things work, and I doubt Autry called Shaka, but with basically everyone tampering all the time, wouldn't you rather have a program that might be interested in a player on your roster reaching out to you rather than trying to go behind your back? Maybe some designated portal scout/recruiter on one staff reaches out to one on the team's staff of a player they might be interested and says, "Hey, DO doesn't see a ton of minutes with you. Are you happy with him? Is he happy at MU? If you know there will be a parting of ways, can you get us in touch with his people?"

Again, no idea. But I'd think if I was running a program I'd know other programs are probably sneaking around players on my roster, and might appreciate that approach.

You must have found some examples you were satisfied with?

[wadesworld]

You must have found some examples you were satisfied with?

I don't know what this means, but you got me I guess?