Marquette is a throwback with no players from the transfer portal

Apnews - Mar 20th, 2025

Marquette University, under coach Shaka Smart, has taken a unique approach in the college basketball landscape by maintaining a consistent roster without recruiting players from the transfer portal since the 2022-23 season. This strategy has allowed the team to foster strong relationships and maintain a stable core of players, including seniors Kam Jones, David Joplin, and Stevie Mitchell. As they head into the NCAA Tournament facing New Mexico in the first round, Marquette stands out as a model of stability and team unity, contrasting with the prevalent trend of frequent player transfers.

The decision to retain players rather than seek new talent through transfers has resulted in significant success for Marquette, which has reached the NCAA Tournament in each of Smart's four seasons. This approach highlights the importance of relationships and growth within the team, as evidenced by the nickname given to this senior class, "the Guardians." While this strategy presents potential challenges, especially with the impending talent loss after the season, Smart remains committed to nurturing and developing existing players, underscoring a loyalty-first philosophy in a rapidly evolving college basketball environment.

Marquette Kam Jones College Basketball Ncaa Tournament Shaka Smart David Joplin Stevie Mitchell Transfer Portal Team Stability

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.0

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article effectively highlights Marquette's unique approach to college basketball recruiting, emphasizing stability and internal development over frequent transfers. It provides a clear and engaging narrative supported by quotes from key figures within the team. However, it could benefit from a more balanced perspective by including insights from external sources or critics of the strategy. The story is timely and relevant, particularly during the NCAA Tournament, and it successfully captures the interest of sports enthusiasts. While it may not drive significant controversy or societal change, it offers a thoughtful examination of team dynamics and recruitment strategies in college sports.

Accuracy

The story accurately reports on Marquette's unique approach to college basketball recruiting, specifically their decision not to engage with the transfer portal since the 2022-23 season. This claim is well-supported by the article's details about the team's stability and the coach's philosophy. The mention of Kam Jones' scoring streak and Stevie Mitchell's academic achievements are specific and verifiable. However, the article could benefit from external data or references to confirm these statistics and claims about the roster's composition and the team's performance in the NCAA Tournament.

Balance

The article primarily focuses on Marquette's strategy and success under Coach Shaka Smart, providing a positive portrayal of the team's stability and culture. While it effectively highlights the benefits of this approach, it lacks a critical perspective or potential downsides of not utilizing the transfer portal. Including viewpoints from other coaches or analysts who might see the portal as beneficial could provide a more balanced view.

Clarity

The article is well-structured and uses straightforward language, making it easy to follow. It logically progresses from describing Marquette's strategy to highlighting individual player achievements. The tone remains neutral, focusing on factual reporting rather than opinion, which aids in comprehension.

Source quality

The story relies heavily on statements from Coach Shaka Smart and players, which are credible but inherently biased towards a positive view of Marquette's strategy. The article would benefit from including insights from independent sports analysts or other coaches to enhance the depth and reliability of the information presented.

Transparency

The article provides clear explanations of Marquette's strategy and values, primarily through quotes from Coach Smart. However, it lacks transparency regarding the methodology for selecting and presenting these specific quotes. More context about the decision-making process and its impact on the team would improve transparency.