re: MBB Offseason '26 Transfer Portal / HS Tracker

Court hearing this Thursday (9/3) in Louisiana over the SEC’s ability to punish schools who play a college football player who returned after signing a professional contract. If that goes our way then basketball might go the same way.

I agree with you that this the fallback strategy just to have enough players to field a team. But people should really get ready to have low expectations. It was just too much pressure to think that Wade could put together a contender team in his first year. Especially as every source in the country was giving him bad press and bad mouthing him to every recruit.

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It was just too much pressure to think that Wade could put together a contender team in his first year.

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With the budget he has to work with, he should be able to have a contender in his first year.

How many players are enrolled in school?

Money isn't everything. He came in late in the recruiting game with a great deal of bad press. Recruits do read and listen to what is being put out there and it may have put some of them off coming here. Players also want to go where they have a chance of championships so they go to the big name basketball schools(Duke, Kansas, UCLA, Indiana, Michigan, etc.) LSU has not been regarded as a basketball school since Dale Browns peak. Wade knew all of this so he tried to get around it by recruiting foreign players and pro ball rejects. But now of course the SEC has strict rules which will prevent two of his best recruits from playing unless the courts reverse it. I still don't understand why some of the foreign players who are eligible are still playing with their European and South American teams at this very late date? Will they be a part of the team?

I wouldn’t be disappointed if we ended up being a NIT year 1 under Wade especially if the roster doesn’t get eligible

I trust Wade to right the ship even if we aren’t amazing year 1

But I do think this roster gets eligible and we will be a Tournament team

ETA: I do think LSU will be a tournament team just wouldn’t be disappointed if we weren’t

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I wouldn’t be disappointed if we ended up being a NIT year 1 under Wade especially if the roster doesn’t get eligible

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I’m as happy as anyone that Wade is back at LSU. But it would ABSOLUTELY be disappointing if he only made the NIT. Especially with the expanded NCAA tournament field.

The “it takes multiple years to build a tournament team” excuse didn’t fly with McMahon and a shouldn’t fly with Wade either.

LSU fans should not lower their expectations for success just because the program over the last four years lowered the bar for success

If the roster comes to fruition the goals gonna be a lot higher than just making the field of 64 lol. It’s loaded if we can get everyone eligible

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Current Roster (Previous Season EM Rating)

Currently Eligible
1. Dent - 105
2. Dioubate - 106
3. Clark - 136
4. Bashir - 839
5. Ugochukwu - 869
6. Nunez - 2958
7. Bender - Unranked, Incoming FR

Currently Ineligible
8. Luis JR - 103 (24-25 season, signed to pro contract in 25-26)

Currently Awaiting NCAA Clearance
9. Niang - No EM Rating
10. Ruzik - No EM Rating
11. Dessert - No EM Rating
12. Santos - No EM Rating

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Update and Notes

Currently Eligible

1. Dioubate - 106
2. Bashir - 839
3. Ugochukwu - 869
4. Nunez - 2958
5. Bender - Unranked, Incoming FR

Temporarily Eligible under TRO, Preliminary Injunction Hearing 9/29

6. Dent - 105
7. Clark - 136

Currently Ineligible under SEC rule, but has a Preliminary Injunction

8. Luis JR - 103

Currently Awaiting NCAA Clearance (Still!?)

9. Niang - No EM Rating - Rumors that the Cavs might bring him on earlier than anticipated; currently playing in the FIBA World Cup, scored 9 pts in a loss vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina. May be ineligible under new SEC rule.

10. Ruzik - No EM Rating - Reportedly on campus with team.

11. Dessert - No EM Rating - Rumors that he has informed Anadolu Efes Istanbul that he is returning. May be ineligible under new SEC rule.

12. Santos - No EM Rating - Currently playing in FIBA World Cup for Brazil; scored 9 pts in loss to the Dominican Republic. May be ineligible under new SEC rule.

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lol if Brice Dessert is returning to Europe LSU sure doesn’t know ab it , as he has been in town for a bit and practiced all last week . Not sure where your getting these “rumors “ from but unless something’s changed he’s enrolled and on campus

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Various Euro basketball accounts, so take it with a grain of salt. It simply could be that people are reading too much into him being listed on the '26-27 Anadolu Efes roster.

Also, word is he still hasn't paid his buyout, which is to be expected since the NCAA hasn't cleared him.