Why Shaka Smart came to terms with the transfer portal at Marquette

Jon Rothstein sits down with Marquette head coach Shaka Smart for a mid-summer college hoops conversation. Jon and Shaka break down last year's Marquette struggles, using the transfer portal to fill certain gaps and what to expect from the upcoming Marquette roster. All that and much more from the 17-year head coach! 0:00 Intro + Shaka Smart joins the show 0:30 Shaka’s family and favorite vacation spots 2:00 The last half decade at Marquette 3:05 Comparing Shaka’s head coach jobs 4:10 How tough was last season? And missing the tournament 6:45 Growth from adversity vs. success 8:00 When did Shaka come to terms with the transfer portal? 10:00 Transfer portal: compliment instead of define? 11:20 Impressions of the 2026-27 version of the roster 13:10 Why Nigel James Jr. is poised to be the next great Marquette guard 14:30 Which returner makes the biggest jump? 15:30 The next steps for Adrien Stevens 16:55 The relationship with a player you recruited vs. a portal add? 19:10 Gaps that transfers will fill 21:15 The Big East and NCAA Tournament bids 23:00 Marquette’s nonconference schedule 24:00 One great win and one tough loss 26:35 Keys to Marquette being a Big East contender #CollegeBasketball #CBB #NCAA #BigTen #SEC #ACC #EyeOnCollegeBasketball #JonRothstein #ShakaSmart #Marquette #TransferPortal #NCAATournament #BigEast #NigelJamesJr 🎥 WATCH • Subscribe to this channel:    / @cbssportscbb   • Watch CBS Sports HQ: https://cbssports.com/live • Watch CBS Sports Network on your TV or the CBS Sports App with your cable provider 🎧 LISTEN • Stream and follow Eye on College Basketball & leave a 5⭐️ rating on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2vk8wq9... • Download and follow Eye on College Basketball & leave a 5⭐️ rating on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... • Stream and follow Inside College Basketball Now with Jon Rothstein & leave a 5⭐️ rating on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3t03SRm... • Download and follow Inside College Basketball Now & leave a 5⭐️ rating on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... 📱FOLLOW • Twitter:   / eyeoncbbpodcast   • Instagram:   / cbssportscbb   • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cbssportscbb?... ▶︎Gary Parrish:   / garyparrishcbs   ▶︎Matt Norlander:   / mattnorlander   ▶︎Jon Rothstein: https://x.com/JonRothstein 📖 READ • More college basketball news: https://www.cbssports.com/college-bas... 🛍️SUPPORT • Shop our merch: https://www.paramountshop.com/collect... 💵BETTING • For everything CBS Sports Betting: https://www.cbssports.com/betting/ • Find the best sportsbooks: https://www.cbssports.com/betting/new... • Get the latest sportsbook promos: https://www.cbssports.com/betting/new... 🎙ABOUT EYE ON COLLEGE BASKETBALL CBS Sports’ official college basketball podcast is the most entertaining and informative of its kind. Gary Parrish and Matt Norlander bring the sport into your ears at least three times per week with commentary, reporting, insider information and statistical analysis throughout college basketball all year long. 🎙ABOUT INSIDE COLLEGE BASKETBALL NOW We're also the home for Inside College Basketball Now, hosted by Jon Rothstein. Known for his unmatched insider knowledge, bold takes, and relentless coverage, Rothstein goes deep to deliver what’s really happening in college hoops. From breaking down the biggest storylines to in-depth interviews with the top coaches in the country, this podcast is your all-access pass to the pulse of the game — 365 days a year. This. Is. March… and everything in between.