Transfers in/out 2025-2026

[muwarrior69]

How many teams have 4-5 players on their bench "with proven success at the collegiate level" going into seasons?  You need 2 guys off your bench to be good.  And much of the time, those players aren't going into the season with "proven success at the collegiate level."

The Final Four is:

UCONN plays an 8 man rotation.  Reibe who was ranked 27th in the class of 2025 averaging 6 points, 3 rebounds, Jayden Ross averaging 5 points, 2 rebounds after never having averaged over 2 ppg in his first 2 seasons at UCONN, and Malachi Smith averaging 3 points and 3 assists per game after being a solid role player for Dayton for 4 years.  (1 player coming off their bench that had "proven success at the collegiate level" coming into the season)

Illinois' plays an 8 man rotation.  Jake Davis averaging 5 points and 2 rebounds after averaging 3 points in 9 minutes at IL last year, Zvonimir Ivisic averaging 6 points and 5 rebounds after being a solid player at 2 high majors, and Ben Humrichous averaging 6 points and 4 rebounds after being a starter last year. (3 players coming off their bench that had "proven success at the collegiate level" coming into the season)

Arizona plays an 8 man rotation.  Tobe Awaka averages 9 and 9 and has been a solid role player for 3 years, Anthony Dell'Orso averages 9/2/2 after being a role player last year and a mid major stud the prior 2 years, and Dwayne Aristode averages 4 poinst and 2 rebounds as a freshman. (2 players coming off their bench that had "proven success at the collegiate level" coming into the season)

Michigan played a 9 man rotation, but Cason is out for the year so they play an 8 man rotation with Tschetter averaging 4 and 2, McKenney averaging 10 and 3, and Gayle averaging 7 and 3.  All 3 of those guys have been solid contributors. (4 players coming off their bench that had "proven success at the collegiate level" coming into the season)

It's incredibly rare to have 4-5 players on their bench with "proven success at the collegiate level" going into the season.

We'll be in great shape if we have 2 players with "proven success at the collegiate level" coming off our bench going into next season.

...but they're in the final 4. Did any of them lose 20 games last season?

[tower912]

'I would love a Rubin', he said wryly.

[#UnleashThePortal]

If there are no more departures, the top two priorities have to be experienced guards, as there are only two currently on the roster.

I would rather take my chances with Sheek, Caedin, and Josh than to go into a seasonon without guard depth.

You want to go into next season with our bigs being Sheek, Hamilton and Clark?????

One hasn't played a second of D1, the other two were so unready, that they rarely played.

[MUbiz]

The post stated that Oswin averaged 7 pts and 8 rebounds. Ben Gold averaged 8 pts and 6 rebounds. Those numbers look similar, no. Nothing more and nothing less as the post does not go any further than that. I never said he is like Ben Gold just that their numbers are similar. Is there anything wrong having similar number as Ben?

Oswin is near elite levels on defensive side of ball:

Metric    Oswin    Gold
ORB%    14.3    6.4
DRB%    22.1    17.5
TRB%    18.9    11.3
BLK%    8.6    3.3

Offensive side - Note Oswin does not shoot 3s

Metric    Oswin    Gold
FG%    0.697    0.429
3P%    0.000    0.327
FT%    0.500    0.670
TS%    0.668    0.554
eFG%    0.697    0.541

[tower912]

You want to go into next season with our bigs being Sheek, Hamilton and Clark?????

One hasn't played a second of D1, the other two were so unready, that they rarely played.

Instead of no guard depth?!?!?  HELL, YES!!!!

Moot point.  I expect both are being pursued

[BCHoopster]

You want to go into next season with our bigs being Sheek, Hamilton and Clark?????

One hasn't played a second of D1, the other two were so unready, that they rarely played.

I think Shaka wants to keep his job, sticking with those 3 would be a disaster for the team and his career

[tower912]

I think Shaka wants to keep his job, sticking with those 3 would be a disaster for the team and his career

Not getting guard depth and having NJ join the long list of MU guards who have had injuries that derailed season isn't better.

I assume Shaka is taking a both/and approach.    If, in the hypothetical scenario that I had to choose either/or, I will choose guard depth over a 4th big.

I prefer scenarios where Royce, DO, Ian, MP, Egbuono, EJ, Walker are defending  6'10 players to scenarios where they have to initiate offense.

[The Sultan]

If, in the hypothetical scenario that I had to choose either/or, I will choose guard depth over a 4th big.

We are already not in that scenario with three openings.

[The Sultan]

The post stated that Oswin averaged 7 pts and 8 rebounds. Ben Gold averaged 8 pts and 6 rebounds. Those numbers look similar, no. Nothing more and nothing less as the post does not go any further than that. I never said he is like Ben Gold just that their numbers are similar. Is there anything wrong having similar number as Ben?

If that's all you meant, then it's an inane comparison because there is no context to those numbers. That's like saying the sky is similar to my computer monitor because they are both blue. While factually true, it is a comparison without any relevance.

[muwarrior69]

If that's all you meant, then it's an inane comparison because there is no context to those numbers. That's like saying the sky is similar to my computer monitor because they are both blue. While factually true, it is a comparison without any relevance.

Then why do they post them for portal tranfers?

[#UnleashThePortal]

Instead of no guard depth?!?!?  HELL, YES!!!!

Moot point.  I expect both are being pursued

having those 3 play is having ZERO big depth though.

[BCHoopster]

I see one or both centers moving on.

[SchnitzelBoy]

It seems everyone is obsessed with Miles Byrd but I don't think he should be the priority. He'd help our team a ton and I'd never say no to a player of his caliber, but the guys we need to spend $$$ on are a center and combo guard.

We need a capable ball handler who can take mileage off of Nigel. We're unnatural carnal knowledgeed if he gets injured because he's playing 36 minutes a night. We REALLY need a competent center that has experience. We need Miles Byrd, yes. But MPIII and Owens spot that production well enough that it shouldn't take up valuable resources for the other holes we need to fill.

[tower912]

having those 3 play is having ZERO big depth though.

Looking over the last quarter century of MU basketball, how many teams have been successful due to quality big man play?  One year of Robert Jackson?  The Oso years?

Conversely, how many seasons have been successful due to quality guard play and how many have been derailed when there wasn't enough guard depth, which was exposed by injuries, suspensions, and departures?

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I see one or both centers moving on.

Maybe one.  Definitely not both

[swoopem]

Maybe one.  Definitely not both

What's your confidence level in one leaving? 50/50? 75?

[Pakuni]

Looking over the last quarter century of MU basketball, how many teams have been successful due to quality big man play?  One year of Robert Jackson?  The Oso years?

Conversely, how many seasons have been successful due to quality guard play and how many have been derailed when there wasn't enough guard depth, which was exposed by injuries, suspensions, and departures?

You're setting up a false choice here. There's nothing stopping MU from adding a quality big and guard depth.

But second, is your argument here "because Marquette hasn't had a lot of quality bigs over the years, they should therefore not prioritize landing a quality big?"
Perhaps the better question is, how often has the lack of a quality big hurt the chances of a team otherwise primed for a deep run (i.e. 07-08, 24-25).

[tower912]

I have already agreed that MU can do both and expect that they are. 

[Tha Hound]

Sananda Fru is the other big man I've heard we're interested in. But the big man market is out of control so we'll see what pans out. LOT of Timofey Mozgov free agency vibes.

This is the kind of two-way player that could really help us. Maybe my favorite option yet outside of Somto. Neither seem particularly likely given they'd both start on 99% of D1 teams, but man that would be a statement of intent.

[Galway Eagle]

Looking over the last quarter century of MU basketball, how many teams have been successful due to quality big man play?  One year of Robert Jackson?  The Oso years?

Conversely, how many seasons have been successful due to quality guard play and how many have been derailed when there wasn't enough guard depth, which was exposed by injuries, suspensions, and departures?

Didn't we have quality bigs for each of the 4 NCAA appearances in the 90s? McCaskill, Crawford, & Mac all played in the NBA. But I do agree with the point overall.

Edit: oops lost track of how long ago a quarter century was. I'm not in my mid 30s it's still 2013 what are you talking about.

Perhaps the better question is, how often has the lack of a quality big hurt the chances of a team otherwise primed for a deep run (i.e. 07-08, 24-25).

2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2019. Lacking one in 2018 might've gotten over the hump.

[#UnleashThePortal]

Looking over the last quarter century of MU basketball, how many teams have been successful due to quality big man play?  One year of Robert Jackson?  The Oso years?

I dont see the history of MU basketball as some lesson as to why we shouldn't go all in on a solid big man.

I'd rather take a different lesson and show you teams like Uconn or Purdue, who have been slapping teams around with the 7 foot neanderthals they continue to find.

[tower912]

I never said MU shouldn't get a big.  I said I prioritize guard depth more highly.  And,if I had to make a hypothetical choice between the two, I would choose guard depth.   

[Vander Blue Man Group]

They will either have returning players from the program capable of playing the minutes or will find a player or two in the portal to supplement their talent. Uconn did it with Smith, St. Johns did it with Ian Jackson, nova did it with a couple guys Willard brought with him from Maryland.

This is not a novel concept - if you have holes in the team and need to improve, coaches fill it with available talent. Teams trying to compete shouldn't sit and hope.

Sounds exactly like what Marquette is likely to do.

[wadesworld]

Looking over the last quarter century of MU basketball, how many teams have been successful due to quality big man play?  One year of Robert Jackson?  The Oso years?

Conversely, how many seasons have been successful due to quality guard play and how many have been derailed when there wasn't enough guard depth, which was exposed by injuries, suspensions, and departures?

At the same time, look at the top of the sport.  What's winning right now?  It's size.  Look at who's in the Final Four.  Michigan isn't winning because of Eliot Cadeau and Nimari Burnett, they're winning because of Yaxel, Morez Johnson, and Aday Mara.  Arizona is well rounded for sure at the top, but Peat/Kharchenkov/Krivas/Awaka is dominating.  Illinois is even more balanced, but they are huge everywhere.  And UCONN is winning because of Karaban and Reed, not because of Demary and Ball.

[panda]

Sounds exactly like what Marquette is likely to do.

50% effort is no way to go through life. Hamilton and Clark are not contributors at this level, never will be and we need a talent infusion beyond the 3 available spots now. This is big boy basketball not a charity. Our goal shouldn't be the bubble and that's what we're looking at next season.