Sheek in the Portal?

[Uncle Rico]

Some people are understandably upset about Sheek entering the portal, and the timing of it. I didn't say that I thought it was a pleasant surprise. I'm saying the information I have is that Sheek's interest came first. Sheek entered after Fru committed. And Jamo White also de-committed after as well. He also has interest in SLU.

If other people think something else or know something else, great. I share what I know, on a variety of topics. And regardless of anything else, it takes two to tango.

I'm sure if it were a different school, reactions would be a little bit different. I understand that. Add to that I said previously that SLU has increased resources and improved coordination to compete at a higher level than before. Some dismissed that. When some others said Schertz would be 100% leaving this cycle, my information was different and I said so. In order to appease some you have to add some sort of negative caveat such as they haven't been able to achieve sustained success there, which they haven't historically for a variety of reasons.

When I share things on other topics it doesn't receive the same reaction. Anything short of bashing or trolling isn't good enough for some people. I don't do that with MU's current or former players, or current or former coaches either. And this was a challenging season for MU.

Hopefully Marquette can continue to add and build for next season.

I'm not reading all of that but I'm happy for you or thinking of you in your time of need.

[MuMark]

https://x.com/tamar_sher/status/2049338094520823916?s=61

[Zog from Margo]

So how will MU's player payroll/NIL compare to SLU's? I'm trying to get a handle on how competitive we can expect MU to be going forward.

[wadesworld]

So how will MU's player payroll/NIL compare to SLU's? I'm trying to get a handle on how competitive we can expect MU to be going forward.

We can be plenty competitive.

SLU needs to pay a lot more money for the same level of player to join their program than Marquette does.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

So how will MU's player payroll/NIL compare to SLU's? I'm trying to get a handle on how competitive we can expect MU to be going forward.

We've reached the point where "turning into SLU" would be an improvement.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

So how will MU's player payroll/NIL compare to SLU's? I'm trying to get a handle on how competitive we can expect MU to be going forward.

My understanding is that we are in a better spot, but it's closer than you might think.

The difference here wasn't total resources. It was one school valuing Sheek significantly more than the other.

Which one is right? We'll see.

[The Equalizer]

We can be plenty competitive.

SLU needs to pay a lot more money for the same level of player to join their program than Marquette does.

Under this logic, just about any school would have to pay a lot more money for the same level of player to join their program than say Kentucky.

But if a higher prestige of a program meant lower payments, Kentucky should have one of the lowest payrolls in basketball, not one of the highest.

[wadesworld]

Under this logic, just about any school would have to pay a lot more money for the same level of player to join their program than say Kentucky.

But if a higher prestige of a program meant lower payments, Kentucky should have one of the lowest payrolls in basketball, not one of the highest.

Not really.  The A10 isn't exactly high major basketball.

SLU just went 28-5 overall, 15-3 in conference going into the NCAA Tournament and they were a 9 seed, playing playing a bunch of games on FanDuel Sports Network, ESPN+, CBSSN and Tru TV.  Their conference tournament was aired on USA Network and CBSSN.  Prior to the NCAA Tournament, their biggest TV broadcasted games were three ESPN2 games on Friday nights.

If Marquette goes 28-5, 15-3 (call it 16-4) in conference next year they're a 2 seed at worst.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

I don't blame Sheek for following potentially life-changing money but I do hope he's a massive bust for SLU.

[Scoop Snoop]

We can be plenty competitive.

SLU needs to pay a lot more money for the same level of player to join their program than Marquette does.

Hadn't thought of this, but very good point Wades.

[wadesworld]

I don't blame Sheek for following potentially life-changing money but I do hope he's a massive bust for SLU.

Meh.  Hopefully SLU is a bubble team that misses out and he follows Schertz to his next job.  Pay the kid 7 digits for one year.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Meh.  Hopefully SLU is a bubble team that misses out and he follows Schertz to his next job.  Pay the kid 7 digits for one year.

I also get this viewpoint. This is more about it not working for Schertz. The last second tampering is less cool than your standard run-of-the-mill tampering.

[Uncle Rico]

I also get this viewpoint. This is more about it not working for Schertz. The last second tampering is less cool than your standard run-of-the-mill tampering.

Historically, sports entities in St. Louis are not afraid to cheat and break the rules at every turn. 

[K1 Lover]

I don't blame Sheek for following potentially life-changing money but I do hope he's a massive bust for SLU.

Personally I wouldn't mind Sheek having a great season, then receiving an offer he can't refuse from Marquette in the final few hours of next year's portal window.

[wadesworld]

Personally I wouldn't mind Sheek having a great season, then receiving an offer he can't refuse from Marquette in the final few hours of next year's portal window.

Nah.

[Billy Hoyle]

Personally I wouldn't mind Sheek having a great season, then receiving an offer he can't refuse from Marquette in the final few hours of next year's portal window.

Why would Shaka want him back? Why should we as fans?

[K1 Lover]

Why would Shaka want him back? Why should we as fans?

Clearly the tampering joke is going over heads. To be clear, as much as I would've liked to see Sheek be a successful Marquette guy (and still partially do), I'd much rather see Fru return if possible. And if we do find ourselves in need of a transfer big, we'll almost certainly be better off with an immediately impactful upperclassmen over Sheek.

No one is blaming him for leaving his bench spot in exchange for $2 mil and a starter role. Everyone was pretty excited about his potential two weeks ago. Since when do we resent players for leaving in pursuit of better opportunities and doing what's best for them?

[MU82]

Why would Shaka want him back? Why should we as fans?

Maybe for the same reason Marquette was willing to hire Shaka as coach in 2021 - seven years after he told Marquette "thanks but no thanks"?

[BCHoopster]

Never say never, if the NCAA goes for 5 years can Fru play two years then?  If so gives Shaka two years to find another big

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Never say never, if the NCAA goes for 5 years can Fru play two years then?  If so gives Shaka two years to find another big

I could also see us challenging Fru's class designation. Could end up with  three more years.

[SaveOD238]

I could also see us challenging Fru's class designation. Could end up with  three more years.

He could, but I wonder if Fru is too much of a mercenary to stick it out for three years at one place.  That hasn't been his MO this far.

Also, doesn't 5-5 include an age provision?  He will be 25 in August of '28, so I think that would be too old for the 28-29 season.

[Jay Bee]

He could, but I wonder if Fru is too much of a mercenary to stick it out for three years at one place.  That hasn't been his MO this far.

Also, doesn't 5-5 include an age provision?  He will be 25 in August of '28, so I think that would be too old for the 28-29 season.

Yes. He's a weird case in many respects.

I don't like the circumstances today, but I guess a good thing is.. we can sit here today not knowing if we have Fru for one, two or three or hell four years... "oh no, how do you plan recruiting and roster construction going forward?!?!"... the reality is, if he leaves, we look at the many transfers who will be out there in a future year(s).

It's all a bit ridiculous imo, but oh well.. gotta play the game for optimal results.

Then again.. 20%+ to% rate, only 16.0% DR%, and, *gasp* 61.1% from the line.. scoopers may turn on him before we know it.

[UWW2MU]

This just makes me wonder if we're headed down a path where a 30 year old who had their time in the NBA ends up being able to come back and finish out years of "eligibility."  All limits on money, age, years of eligibility, etc seem to be eroding gradually over time... eventually I could see college BB will be a minor pro league used before and after an NBA career for some.

[The Sultan]

This just makes me wonder if we're headed down a path where a 30 year old who had their time in the NBA ends up being able to come back and finish out years of "eligibility."  All limits on money, age, years of eligibility, etc seem to be eroding gradually over time... eventually I could see college BB will be a minor pro league used before and after an NBA career for some.

I think the new NCAA eligibility limitations are going to by and large survive legal challenges and prevent the scenario you mention.

[WhiteTrash]

I think the new NCAA eligibility limitations are going to by and large survive legal challenges and prevent the scenario you mention.

But I hear the NCAA is a dead man walking. Who cares about NCAA rules.