The transfer portal is a game of shifting priorities, kind of like a giant chessboard. One team moves a player to one spot, and it creates a chain reaction across the entire league. And, for Mark Pope, a massive pivot of that ilk is officially underway in the frontcourt.
Early in the portal window, Big Blue Nation was dreaming of landing Paulius Murauskas. Ranked as the No. 8 overall player in the portal by On3, the St. Mary’s star was a clear top-tier target. Pope reached out early and secured a Zoom meeting, but behind the scenes, it was always going to be a steep, uphill battle as droves of programs worked for the same.
In this case, at least, Pope seems to have turned his attention elsewhere.
The Arizona State Reality
The writing has been on the wall for Murauskas since Randy Bennett accepted the head coaching job at Arizona State, following the departure of Bobby Hurley. In the modern portal era, elite players really do like playing for coaches they trust; Bennett has already proven he can make Murauskas an impactful focal point during their shared time together at Saint Mary’s…