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MBBALL 2026 Big Sky Conference Transfer Tracker (New and Improved 2026 Model!)

We have roughly a day in a half before the portal closes. Closes at the end of the day tomorrow. Currently 2,300 players who have put their name in the portal. Schools can continue to sign players after the portal closes all the way up until roughly August 1st.

What we are seeing now are a lot of players like Eastern Washington Andrew Cook who have exhausted their eligibility are entering the portal. The reasons are multitude, but at the center is the hope the NCAA is going be forced to adopt a 5 in 5 model for athletics (court mandated or by the member institutions) for the upcoming year. So those players who have exhausted their eligibility in 4 years have some hope that rulings could extend their college career. Not entirely sure that is going to happen this summer unless it is court mandated.

Montana has had a few players on campus for visits but for all my digging I couldn't find any details as to who they were. I'm not in Missoula so I can't stalk some of the staff (nor would I). They are after bigs that include some familiar faces that UM has pursued in the past (Miles Goodman-6'11'' kid from Texas-Arlington) but its really hard to know because everything is being played so close to the vest by all parties.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing though.
 
We have roughly a day in a half before the portal closes. Closes at the end of the day tomorrow. Currently 2,300 players who have put their name in the portal. Schools can continue to sign players after the portal closes all the way up until roughly August 1st.

What we are seeing now are a lot of players like Eastern Washington Andrew Cook who have exhausted their eligibility are entering the portal. The reasons are multitude, but at the center is the hope the NCAA is going be forced to adopt a 5 in 5 model for athletics (court mandated or by the member institutions) for the upcoming year. So those players who have exhausted their eligibility in 4 years have some hope that rulings could extend their college career. Not entirely sure that is going to happen this summer unless it is court mandated.

Montana has had a few players on campus for visits but for all my digging I couldn't find any details as to who they were. I'm not in Missoula so I can't stalk some of the staff (nor would I). They are after bigs that include some familiar faces that UM has pursued in the past (Miles Goodman-6'11'' kid from Texas-Arlington) but its really hard to know because everything is being played so close to the vest by all parties.
Miles Goodman would be a good get for us.
 
Miles Goodman would be a good get for us.
I was able to piece a little bit of that just based upon follows and rumors. He was a target (Seattle area kid) out of high school. I don't know if anything would come to fruition, but it would be a really good get if he were a part of this class.

The staff has tended to focus on guys over the years in the portal (Anderson Jr. for example) they have a familiarity with. After this last year, where it was more miss than hit, I could see them circling back to those types of guys. The problem really with bigs is they are demanding a premium regardless of experience or stats. Really unhinged this year. Guards...dime a dozen and you can find value. Bigs? Oof. Tough market.
 
Weber got three more transfers today. One from Utah, one from Geargia Tech, and one from Seatle.

From the UUs, 6'5'' guard Alvin Jackson 111. Played one year at SLCC, then red shirted at Utah this past year. WILL HAVE 3 TO PLAY.

From Georgia Tech, 6'7'' forward, Dyllan Thompson. Rated by some as a 4 star coming out of HS. May have 4 to play.

From Seatle, 6'8'' forward Brock Felder. He will have 1 year to play.

This leaves Weber with three spots to fill.
 
Weber got three more transfers today. One from Utah, one from Geargia Tech, and one from Seatle.

From the UUs, 6'5'' guard Alvin Jackson 111. Played one year at SLCC, then red shirted at Utah this past year. WILL HAVE 3 TO PLAY.

From Georgia Tech, 6'7'' forward, Dyllan Thompson. Rated by some as a 4 star coming out of HS. May have 4 to play.

From Seatle, 6'8'' forward Brock Felder. He will have 1 year to play.

This leaves Weber with three spots to fill.
You guys are making quick work! I wish the same could be said for us.
 
You guys are making quick work! I wish the same could be said for us.
Another one today. 6'9'' forward Chamberlain Burgess, 4 Star, transferring from BYU, has been on a mission, has 4 years of E.

Freshman Bo Tshilobo, 6'8'', center has entered the portal. He played very little and was injured. Big strong athletic player with low skill level. He could develop into something special with a lot of work.
 
Anyone worried about UM’s lack of additions?
I'm not worried about it just because DeCuire has never given us a reason to be worried about it. I do know one recruit who personally told me that he is still deciding but is leaning towards UM though. Hopefully he makes a decision soon though.
 
This is playing out like most of the prior transfer portals for the Griz. Very few bread crumbs. I have a sense there are a couple of verbals they have but until they manifest themselves it is much like throwing darts as to figure out who they are really after.

TDC and staff have tried (both successful and not) into getting players in that match the needs and might be frustratingly too discerning about who he pursues in the portal. He wants fit and good or bad as an overall strategy, it has worked out more than it hasn't in a large scheme. Before Lake jumped ship to OSU, they had one of the best incoming freshmen classes in the BSC. All guys they felt that could play on day 1. The staff continues to recruit HS well. The portal is an evolving adjustment, and after last year the staff might be a bit more hesitant to throw bags of money at guys.

Their two adds so far in the portal are guys that cover them in ways they didn't have last year. Both of their portal guys cover both leadership, experience and flexibility they didn't have at PG last year. Dutro provides flexibility in addition to adding depth on the guard/wing the program didn't have last year as well.

They want to add length, but they aren't as apt to add guys who just take up space in the middle. Guys like Miles Goodman, Evan Otten and Marko Sarenac all fit that mold. As an aside I am actually quite stunned that someone hasn't thrown a gigantic bag of money at Otten. I don't even know if Montana has been in contact, but his recruitment has been dead quiet since he first put his name into the portal. They've (the Griz) been after wings and posts with a ton of length and athletic ability. The twin brothers from UND (both 6-8'') are similar to Thompson and can play both on the wing and help with flex4 type role.

I can't say whether Weber State's philosophy this year or how Sacramento State did last year will bear fruit. Weber State is amassing a lot of name talent that is for sure. A new coach, some good NIL money makes that possible. I trust that WSU might figure stuff out where Sacramento State wasn't at all successful with their roster last year.

Anyway, just my perspective.
 
This is playing out like most of the prior transfer portals for the Griz. Very few bread crumbs. I have a sense there are a couple of verbals they have but until they manifest themselves it is much like throwing darts as to figure out who they are really after.

TDC and staff have tried (both successful and not) into getting players in that match the needs and might be frustratingly too discerning about who he pursues in the portal. He wants fit and good or bad as an overall strategy, it has worked out more than it hasn't in a large scheme. Before Lake jumped ship to OSU, they had one of the best incoming freshmen classes in the BSC. All guys they felt that could play on day 1. The staff continues to recruit HS well. The portal is an evolving adjustment, and after last year the staff might be a bit more hesitant to throw bags of money at guys.

Their two adds so far in the portal are guys that cover them in ways they didn't have last year. Both of their portal guys cover both leadership, experience and flexibility they didn't have at PG last year. Dutro provides flexibility in addition to adding depth on the guard/wing the program didn't have last year as well.

They want to add length, but they aren't as apt to add guys who just take up space in the middle. Guys like Miles Goodman, Evan Otten and Marko Sarenac all fit that mold. As an aside I am actually quite stunned that someone hasn't thrown a gigantic bag of money at Otten. I don't even know if Montana has been in contact, but his recruitment has been dead quiet since he first put his name into the portal. They've (the Griz) been after wings and posts with a ton of length and athletic ability. The twin brothers from UND (both 6-8'') are similar to Thompson and can play both on the wing and help with flex4 type role.

I can't say whether Weber State's philosophy this year or how Sacramento State did last year will bear fruit. Weber State is amassing a lot of name talent that is for sure. A new coach, some good NIL money makes that possible. I trust that WSU might figure stuff out where Sacramento State wasn't at all successful with their roster last year.

Anyway, just my perspective.
Don't count MSU or UNC out. They probably have the most solid returners in the league. UNC always does well in the portal, as does EWU. ISU always seems to find some gems in the lower divisions. PSU reloads every year with highly athletic guys. Sometimes they can even play BB. UI, NAU, SUU, and UT are all complete mysteries to me. IT'S FUN TO WATCH.
 
Don't count MSU or UNC out. They probably have the most solid returners in the league. UNC always does well in the portal, as does EWU. ISU always seems to find some gems in the lower divisions. PSU reloads every year with highly athletic guys. Sometimes they can even play BB. UI, NAU, SUU, and UT are all complete mysteries to me. IT'S FUN TO WATCH.
Agree completely.
 
Ya our Minnesota and Colorado transfers worked out so well. You may remember Kai Johnson who was a D2 player. You get so fixated on these labels and cant possibly think there’s any good non D1 players.
Yeah it’s not necessarily my worry. I’m more worried if we have found a true ball handling PG (killed us last year) and some Bigs. Those D2 guards are high quality scorers which will translate but not sure if either can play point full time. Then really the issue is we have no size or even undersized bangers to rebound like a Joe Pridgen. We don’t have anyone and three weeks went by haven’t added there yet when other similarly situated teams have it seems.
 
Yeah it’s not necessarily my worry. I’m more worried if we have found a true ball handling PG (killed us last year) and some Bigs. Those D2 guards are high quality scorers which will translate but not sure if either can play point full time. Then really the issue is we have no size or even undersized bangers to rebound like a Joe Pridgen. We don’t have anyone and three weeks went by haven’t added there yet when other similarly situated teams have it seems.
I do notice that UM and MSU are recruiting a big man out of SLCC, Joba. He has been injured, but is reported to be at full strength now. He looks a lot like the Ekwe kid that committed to Weber. A big, raw athlete who needs a little development time. He would be a gamble, but a good one. He could be better than what shows. We just didn't get enough games to look at. He would have a big up side.

The other dynamic that is in play here is the proposal before the NCAA to allow 5 years to play five seasons, and remove the red shirt rule. If that passes, there will be quite a few seniors getting another year to play. I don't know when they plan to vote on it. Looks to me like more than a few programs are waiting to see what happens with all of that. Having open spots on your roster may be a really good thing in early summer. There just may be some highly skilled/experienced guys floating around who are yet to get valid pro offers.
 
I do notice that UM and MSU are recruiting a big man out of SLCC, Joba. He has been injured, but is reported to be at full strength now. He looks a lot like the Ekwe kid that committed to Weber. A big, raw athlete who needs a little development time. He would be a gamble, but a good one. He could be better than what shows. We just didn't get enough games to look at. He would have a big up side.

The other dynamic that is in play here is the proposal before the NCAA to allow 5 years to play five seasons, and remove the red shirt rule. If that passes, there will be quite a few seniors getting another year to play. I don't know when they plan to vote on it. Looks to me like more than a few programs are waiting to see what happens with all of that. Having open spots on your roster may be a really good thing in early summer. There just may be some highly skilled/experienced guys floating around who are yet to get valid pro offers.
The next meeting to discuss 5 years of eligibility is May 22, they thought among coaches is they start with the incoming 2026 class or grant outgoing seniors another year and grandfather those spots as most teams would be over roster limits.
 
Montana has to play the valuation/market game. You don't fill 8-10 roster spots with limited NIL resources, and some of that NIL money is already earmarked for existing players as well as incoming HS players. Lets say the program has 70% of its NIL allotment for the 2026-27 season to spend. As of last night there were roughly 2500 players in the portal, with probably less than 2,000 of those who have actual defined eligibility.

The portal market is drunk, absolutely drunk. As I noted elsewhere we are seeing somewhere between 50% to 75% higher agent demands than last year. There are say 25% of those power 4 roster spots open, and a lot more players still available. There are a ton of quality players available. A ton of them. Prices demanded by agent/players (heard some absurd starting points for certain types of D1 players around 250K for power 4 upper end role players and lower tier D1 players). Money's valuation was all over the place but there were rumors of offers of 600K plus before he put his name into the portal.

I really don't know what Weber had to spend on their roster, but what I do know is that Montana didn't have 600K to spend on one player. TDC and staff, as well as the players made decisions that put the staff in the position of negotiating NIL in a market that may well have priced them out markets for players that they in a semi-normal environment might have had a chance at. Montana lost probably 80% of its 2025-26 distribution in Keply, Betts, Money and Hicks. DII players seem to have been getting somewhere between 25K and 50K from D1 schools. If every UM player averaged 50K that would represent 750K plus in NIL which is a vastly larger number than what I have heard the school/program had alotted for NIL for basketball in years prior.

Anyhow, outside of schools who had concentrated sums to spend on 1 or 2 players, if you are TDC and staff you hope the valuation you set on players versus the market that has been set currently levels out. Odds are that it will, and you get talented players to start circling back to earlier interest provided by the staff that gets guys in the door that will help the program on the floor next year. I think that is why you've seen very few BSC signings outside of WSU who might have a bit larger NIL pool to work with this year.
 
I have no clue what Weber has for NIL/Revenue Share money. I also don't know all of the rules for distributing those funds. I have just heard rumors that may or may not have any truth to them. I do know that Weber has been building a war fund over the last several years and that it doesn't hurt to have a dozen or so former players out in the professional markets, with some means to support the program. Some local businesses have also stepped up in a significant way, as have individuals in the community. All of that is probably why we had the coaching changes at this point in time. One thing I am certain of is that we are still not in the same market as BYU or Utah. The fairly established rumor I heard was that BYU has over $9 million to spend on players for NIL and revenue sharing that is in a similar ball park. Utah, not having Church money to back them up, is not likely to have quite as much to spend. I have no idea what USU has to spend, but I'm sure that it is not anywhere close to those two, while considerably more than Weber. All of that has actually made it easier to get local talent, because those schools feel the need to go bigger.

I don't know where it will all end, but there is a need to establish rules and boundaries.
 
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