Transfers in/out 2025-2026

[wadesworld]

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.

Nobody has any idea what we're looking at.  We have 3 solid starters returning, 2 bench pieces returning, 3 open spots, and a lot of time to have more exits and additions.

[MuggsyB]

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.

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.

I respectfully disagree although I think we do have these other needs.  Byrd gives us a gargantuan piece on both ends of the floor. He's a high, high, impact player that every team covets.  If we can get him, you take him.  Immediately.

[tower912]

Nobody has any idea what we're looking at.  We have 3 solid starters returning, 2 bench pieces returning, 3 open spots, and a lot of time to have more exits and additions.

As well as relationships and growth.  And likely a slightly different offense due to Coach Smith's departure.

[panda]

As well as relationships and growth.  And likely a slightly different offense due to Coach Smith's departure.

Victory?

[panda]

Nobody has any idea what we're looking at.  We have 3 solid starters returning, 2 bench pieces returning, 3 open spots, and a lot of time to have more exits and additions.

We shall see. Would love to eat crow.

We have 1 awesome starter returning. A decent sophomore and a decent junior.

1 high ceiling junior who hasn't come remotely close to his potential and a sophomore who probably would be best red shirting next season.

I'm not being negative but I think there's a lot of blue and gold goggles evaluating returning talent for next season.

[mug644]

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. 

My hesitancy with your prioritization, Tower, is that you are placing greater emphasis on a potential "if" rather than a current issue. That is, should NJ go down, the current lack of guard depth would indeed be a critical concern. But, right now, our lack of competent big is indeed a critical concern. I find myself worrying than Hamilton, Clark and Sheek will not be up to par more than I worry about NJ going down and other guards not being able to step in. So, my priority is a quality big. Said slightly differently, unless we get a quality big, next year remains likely to be too similar to this year. If NJ is injured, that would be a major blow to the year regardless of who else is on the roster.

I agree with you and others who flag that we have three open places and so it's not one or the other. Except that it sort of is, in that we have limited resources to attract guys from the portal. I'd rather put more money towards a big that can help immediately than a guard who would be available should the need arise. And I presume that quality bigs are more expensive, as they are fewer and more in demand. So, get both, but put greater investment in ensuring that we have the right big man.

I'm also getting out the popcorn to see what Shaka comes up with.

[MuggsyB]

My hesitancy with your prioritization, Tower, is that you are placing greater emphasis on a potential "if" rather than a current issue. That is, should NJ go down, the current lack of guard depth would indeed be a critical concern. But, right now, our lack of competent big is indeed a critical concern. I find myself worrying than Hamilton, Clark and Sheek will not be up to par more than I worry about NJ going down and other guards not being able to step in. So, my priority is a quality big. Said slightly differently, unless we get a quality big, next year remains likely to be too similar to this year. If NJ is injured, that would be a major blow to the year regardless of who else is on the roster.

I agree with you and others who flag that we have three open places and so it's not one or the other. Except that it sort of is, in that we have limited resources to attract guys from the portal. I'd rather put more money towards a big that can help immediately than a guard who would be available should the need arise. And I presume that quality bigs are more expensive, as they are fewer and more in demand. So, get both, but put greater investment in ensuring that we have the right big man.

I'm also getting out the popcorn to see what Shaka comes up with.

I tend to agree with you but there's a caveat:  If you can get a versatile 6'7 guy who can play multiple positions, and guard multiple players when there are switches, that changes everything as far as seeking a back up 1 or 2, or even a 5.  You take the most versatile high impact  player possible unless we're talking a clear superstar from the portal.  Getting a back-up guard or a question mark 5, as opposed to a Miles Byrd because of  pure need, would be total insanity.

[MuggsyB]

Nm.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

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.

As Wades detailed, your expectation for the bench is unrealistic.  Guys with significant experience and production are not going to transfer here to come off the bench and potentially play limited minutes.

Between one transfer, returnees, and the incoming class, I'm confident the bench will be fine.

I also think you're underestimating the improvements we'll see from the 3 returning starters.

[panda]

As Wades detailed, your expectation for the bench is unrealistic.  Guys with significant experience and production are not going to transfer here to come off the bench and potentially play limited minutes.

Between one transfer, returnees, and the incoming class, I'm confident the bench will be fine.

I also think you're underestimating the improvements we'll see from the 3 returning starters.

My point is - there's more of an opportunity for playing time than many here are realizing. We have almost zero bench and two/three starting spots very available.

Not sure how much more production we can expect from Nigel. I don't think Stevens is going to turn into a high usage player over night and parham is going to be solid but I don't see him taking an astronomical jump beyond his production this season. Just my opinion.

[MuggsyB]

My point is - there's more of an opportunity for playing time than many here are realizing. We have almost zero bench and two/three starting spots very available.

Not sure how much more production we can expect from Nigel. I don't think Stevens is going to turn into a high usage player over night and parham is going to be solid but I don't see him taking an astronomical jump beyond his production this season. Just my opinion.

We have two starting spots available, not three.  And Nigel, RP, and Adrien will all be better next year.  This is a good triumvirate Panda, you're selling them short. 

[panda]

We have two starting spots available, not three.  And Nigel, RP, and Adrien will all be better next year.  This is a good triumvirate Panda, you're selling them short. 

I've never seen a fan base so content with talent returning from a terrible team.

[The Sultan]

We have two starting spots available, not three.  And Nigel, RP, and Adrien will all be better next year.  This is a good triumvirate Panda, you're selling them short. 

Why are you convinced Adrien will start?

[tower912]

I think you will be able to tell whether Adrien is believed to be the starter by the quality of two guard that says yes to MU.

[BCHoopster]

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

Normally I get ripped when I bring something here, been right so far on 2 leaving, I would say 90 percent somebody else is gone

[MuggsyB]

I've never seen a fan base so content with talent returning from a terrible team.

Dude,

You can't win when three of your best players are two Frosh & and Soph unless they're burger boys.  And if players 4-7 essentially suck, lots of luck to you. They were 3 of our 4 best players last year, and in our best wins were all huge factors.  RP was brutal to start the season and got much better.  Stevens was thrown into the starting line-up and handled it pretty damn well. Marquette was way, way, way, better and more competitive during the latter half of the season.  No one denies the reality that we were terrible last year, but that doesn't mean these 3 aren't a good nucleus.  The Spurs sucked under year 1 with Wemby.  It can take some time for young players to gel and we have to get a few more pieces.  Having a crappy season and immediately assuming players won't improve or that fortifications aren't coming is foolish. Especially with Shaka's job on the line.

[MuggsyB]

Why are you convinced Adrien will start?

He had many good games, but was super inconsistent.   He has shown the ability to defend and knock down the triple.  I fully expect a dedicated offseason for the young man and for him to have a strong sophomore campaign.

[MuMark]

I believe that Adrien showed enough last year that they are comfortable with him as the starter. It would probably cost a lot to get someone better in the portal........

Certainly I could be wrong but I will be surprised if Stevens isn't a starter next season.

Next few weeks will be interesting.

Ps if you look at Stevens freshman year and compare it to Kam's on sites like Torvik and Miya......it looks slightly better ......and no I'm not projecting AS to have that kind of career......just think he looks like a guy that will keep getting better.

Unless he doesn't and if so I'm sure someone will remind me.....😎

[Vander Blue Man Group]

I've never seen a fan base so content with talent returning from a terrible team.

Have you considered the possibility that you might be the one that's off-base when evaluating the chances of success next season?

[GoFastAndWin]

I tend to agree with you but there's a caveat:  If you can get a versatile 6'7 guy who can play multiple positions, and guard multiple players when there are switches, that changes everything as far as seeking a back up 1 or 2, or even a 5.  You take the most versatile high impact  player possible unless we're talking a clear superstar from the portal.  Getting a back-up guard or a question mark 5, as opposed to a Miles Byrd because of  pure need, would be total insanity.

💯, Muggs. MB can guard 1 through 4, he can basically play 1 through 4, ok 2 through 4.
A 7 foot wingspan, and given the gas it often burns to play Shaka's defense, sometimes he will spell Owens, more often vice-versa. He can give Adrien a break and vice-versa. Royce as well.

Byrd is good for at least 2 steals and over a block a game. He can rebound, and when he misses a long defensive board, with quick recovery he can either pick your pocket or block you, off to the races. Like Muggsy said, with Nigel in the backcourt, Byrd really would open things up. He covers a lot of ground with his footwork and quick,long arms on defense and his stride in the open court after a steal is deceptively quick. I think single-handedly he raises MU's KenPom D by at least 20-25 spots, if we signed nobody else. I realize that's still not enough.

Again, my previous point was if the choice is a high-tier 5, plus Minnesale, with no Byrd...or Byrd and only one of the other two, you HAVE to go with MB, he's that big of an impact player! On this MU team, he wouldn't have to raise his offense that much to be a huge positive. He put tons of pressure on himself at SDSU after being named the Preseason POY in the Mountain West, and he underproduced on offense. Playing aside Royce, Nigel, and Adrien would take some of that burden to be "the man" off him. I think he would have a much greater impact than Trent Lockett had on that Buzz team. Of course, he's flying under nobody's radar as that comparison goes.

And again, I don't think there's that huge a difference between the top Center available and the lower rated. The market however, doesn't always reflect that, and MU can get a value 5, which would allow room for Byrd.

[panda]

Have you considered the possibility that you might be the one that's off-base when evaluating the chances of success next season?

Given some of the people on the other side of the fence - I've never been more confident in my opinion.

[MU82]

Last 10 games of the regular season, Stevens averaged 12.1 ppg on 49% shooting (46% from 3), and 2.4 steals.

Can we find - and pay for - a transfer who would be able to eclipse that, thereby pushing Adrien to the bench? I suppose ... and I'd be pretty happy to land a guy that good. But given our needs, I have my doubts we'll bring in a guy to supplant him.

[Shooter McGavin]

Nobody has any idea what we're looking at.  We have 3 solid starters returning, 2 bench pieces returning, 3 open spots, and a lot of time to have more exits and additions.

Hearing Bizjack.  From an unreliable source.  Can he handle well enough?

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Given some of the people on the other side of the fence - I've never been more confident in my opinion.

Which, in turn, makes me super-confident you're wrong.

We'll see.

[MuggsyB]

💯, Muggs. MB can guard 1 through 4, he can basically play 1 through 4, ok 2 through 4.
A 7 foot wingspan, and given the gas it often burns to play Shaka's defense, sometimes he will spell Owens, more often vice-versa. He can give Adrien a break and vice-versa. Royce as well.

Byrd is good for at least 2 steals and over a block a game. He can rebound, and when he misses a long defensive board, with quick recovery he can either pick your pocket or block you, off to the races. Like Muggsy said, with Nigel in the backcourt, Byrd really would open things up. He covers a lot of ground with his footwork and quick,long arms on defense and his stride in the open court after a steal is deceptively quick. I think single-handedly he raises MU's KenPom D by at least 20-25 spots, if we signed nobody else. I realize that's still not enough.

Again, my previous point was if the choice is a high-tier 5, plus Minnesale, with no Byrd...or Byrd and only one of the other two, you HAVE to go with MB, he's that big of an impact player! On this MU team, he wouldn't have to raise his offense that much to be a huge positive. He put tons of pressure on himself at SDSU after being named the Preseason POY in the Mountain West, and he underproduced on offense. Playing aside Royce, Nigel, and Adrien would take some of that burden to be "the man" off him. I think he would have a much greater impact than Trent Lockett had on that Buzz team. Of course, he's flying under nobody's radar as that comparison goes.

And again, I don't think there's that huge a difference between the top Center available and the lower rated. The market however, doesn't always reflect that, and MU can get a value 5, which would allow room for Byrd.

I couldn't agree more with this analysis.  Back up the Brinks Truck, talk to Lemonis if necessary.  MB is a perfect fit at MU.