Transfer Portal 2026

[Zippy87]

Portal rumors are already rolling in, so I figured I would start a thread. 

[Zippy87]

 

[Blue & Gold]

I think we're going to need two post players in this year's TP class.

 

[clarkwgriswold]

23 minutes ago, Blue & Gold said:

I think we're going to need two post players in this year's TP class.

 

 

Christion comes in as a freshman at 6'9" but it's hard to believe he'll be ready and may well redishirt.

[kreed5120]

My best guess is we target 1 big. MMK and Barre still have eligibility and I just don't see us starting 2 traditional bigs. More likely playing a SF at the 4 like we've done with guys like Mahaffey and Ali in the past and attempted to do with Harris before he got injured.

 

Bigs are very expensive in the portal since there are so few. Okonkwo who put up pretty pedestrian numbers last season got a bag. When you're like a school like Akron, but hope to compete with high majors like Dayton or mid tier P5 programs like a Oklahoma you have to take a money ball approach to roster construction. If they're over paying bigs, but undervaluing undersized guards, like Tavari, you spend your money their instead.

 

That's a big reason why I think Akron has gone to a 3 guard, 1 SF, 1 big lineup. It's the most cost efficient way to build a competitive roster. There is a surplus of 5'10"-6'3" guards. There is a shortage of 6'10" bigs who can move the court and aren't liabilities on offense or defense.

[Zippy87]

If Hardman doesn't get an extra year, we will have two openings. We obviously have no idea who will stay/go from the current roster, but I wouldn't be stunned to see Barre move on. Let's assume for a moment that everyone returns, though:

 

Mahaffey/MMK

Halligan/Stankovic

Barre/Brisco

Head/Henderson/Groce

Young/Perkins

 

RS: Ladd, Jones, Christion

 

...with two roster spots available to go portal shopping. 

 

 

Edited 17 hours ago by Zippy87

[Illini Zip]

1 hour ago, Blue & Gold said:

I think we're going to need two post players in this year's TP class.

 

I have to wonder if there is any upside left with Barre and Brisco going forward. It does look like Marvin is gaining strength, but he is still undersized for a big. I think we are likely in the portal market for a big again this year. We also need for Oggie to have a nice, full and productive offseason. 

[Let'sGoZips94]

Akron is 2nd this year in the MAC in rebounding despite our tallest key contributor being 6'8". A better rim protector would be nice, but scoring and athleticism are the dominant attributes. Any additions will be under that mold IMO. Anybody coming in will be expected to work their butt off and play bigger than their physical size appears. 

[clarkwgriswold]

I wouldn't be surprised if Groce has the awkward talk with Briscoe when the season is over and to see him move on.  Marvin is showing more and more that he's me then just a desperation back up big and I think we'll see him in additional different roles going forward.

[kreed5120]

1 minute ago, Illini Zip said:

I have to wonder if there is any upside left with Barre and Brisco going forward. It does look like Marvin is gaining strength, but he is still undersized for a big. I think we are likely in the portal market for a big again this year. We also need for Oggie to have a nice, full and productive offseason. 

 

Barre is already getting a few minutes this year and he's playing behind someone who is most likely going to be 2nd Team All-MAC. He has some heart health issues that the team has to monitor so I doubt he can ever be a 20 minutes a game player. An offseason of growth and I think he could give us 10-15 solid minutes next year. Briscoe I'm not as sold on. Even when Barre was injured he still didn't see the floor.

 

 

I can't imagine Oggy came halfway a crossed the world just to be burried on the depth chart. I would be surprised if he's on the roster next year TBH. IMO we go into the portal to add 1 big (replace Amani), 1 wing (replace Evan), and 1 guard (help absorb loss of both Tavari & Scott)

[kreed5120]

3 minutes ago, clarkwgriswold said:

I wouldn't be surprised if Groce has the awkward talk with Briscoe when the season is over and to see him move on.  Marvin is showing more and more that he's me then just a desperation back up big and I think we'll see him in additional different roles going forward.

 

Kind of what I'm seeing in Marvin as well. If he can develop a perimeter shot like Freeman and Amani did their senior years I can see him getting a slightly more expanded role in getting minutes at both the 4 & 5 positions. Finding someone to replace Evan IMO is what will be the biggest challenge. He's kind of the glue that holds everything together.

Edited 16 hours ago by kreed5120

[Let'sGoZips94]

2 minutes ago, kreed5120 said:

 

Kind of what I'm seeing in Marvin as well. If he can develop a perimeter shot like Freeman and Amani did their senior years I can see him getting a slightly more expanded role in getting minutes at both the 4 & 5 positions. Finding someone to replace Evan IMO is what will be the biggest challenge. He's kind of the glue that holds everything together.

 

Not sure MMK isn't the replacement for Evan. Similar height, high motor, good head on his shoulders, etc. Pack on some muscle, keep improving the offensive skills, and he's almost a carbon copy. 

[ZipsFan31]

As for the bigs we need a starting center. I would love an Amani Clone. Our current bigs don’t have it. But I think they are all viable back up big! 

 
Marvin: has heart, rebounding and is improving every game. But is 6’6 and can’t be a starter. Great back up for next season. 
Barre: has size and athleticism, but is a terrible rebounder and poor hands. He does have decent rim protection. He could improve but that is a risky gamble. 
Briscoe: has the size and weight. But strength and confidence needs to improve. He can either stay in the program and keep working or transfer if he is tired of waiting. 

[ZipsFan31]

4 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

Not sure MMK isn't the replacement for Evan. Similar height, high motor, good head on his shoulders, etc. Pack on some muscle, keep improving the offensive skills, and he's almost a carbon copy. 

MMK is a great free throw shooter he has a good shot.  and he had a nice Drive vs NUI. I am on board. He has a chance to be Evan replacement!  That is a good call. Anyone with his drive and work ethic can do anything if he puts his mind to it! 

[ZipsFan31]

9 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

Not sure MMK isn't the replacement for Evan. Similar height, high motor, good head on his shoulders, etc. Pack on some muscle, keep improving the offensive skills, and he's almost a carbon copy. 

MMK is a great free throw shooter he has a good shot.  and he had a nice Drive vs NUI. I am on board. He has a chance to be Evan replacement!  That is a good call. Anyone with his drive and work ethic can do anything if he puts his mind to it! 

[zippy5]

We need a big man. Easier said than done, they are expensive portal pieces. Sure we rebound well in the MAC, but if we want to make some real noise, we struggle with P5 and similar big men - see Purdue and Arizona and St Mary's last year

[Blue & Gold]

Being 6'8", hopefully with a good off season of work Oggie can play a stretch-4 type role next year.

That'd give us

PG: Sharron(6'0") / Perkins(6'0")

G: Head(6'3") / Henderson(6'5") (Henderson may start & be MAC Freshman of the Year next year - the dude is crazy good)

G: Eric(6'6") / Halligan(6'5")

P: Oggie(6'8") / MMK(6'6")

C  ??? / Barre(6'10")

 

We need a starting ~25 mpg big for next year. 

Edited 1 hour ago by Blue & Gold

[Zips1991]

I feel like we need multiple contributors via the portal if we're gonna be close to the same level next year. We're losing so much and have so little experience coming back.