MUScoop
MUScoop => Hangin' at the Al => Topic started by: tower912 on April 20, 2024, 01:37:28 PM
-
Kam: 15% better ball handler and creator for others.
Stevie: improved ballhandling, hits open 3s.
Joplin: quicker release on jumper, more consistent.
Ben: Henry, Joey, and Sam's skillset in a blender, with Oso's heart
Chase: Health and steady progress.
Amadou: 6'9 230 lb Barro
Hamilton: Theo
Tre: Mayo's skill, Junior's brain and court vision
Zaide: more Kalkbrenner blocking. Steady improvement
Owens: Claude's athleticism and Scheierman's 35% 3 pt shooting.
Parham: Ben Gold path, with less length and more bulk.
Sean: healing
80% of the best case is a return to the sweet 16. (Match ups not withstanding) 90% is elite 8. 100% is the final four.
If everything falls into place, all the pieces are such that next season could be even better. Yes, nearly everything has to go right. (cockeyed optimist that I am) It will be nice to see the full court pressure again. And I don't think Hamilton and Amadou can currently play at the same time in Nevada's offense.
-
More concerned with Jop’s D or lack there of than any part of his offense. If he continues to get beat off the first step and teammates need to cover him….it will limit next year’s team.
-
More concerned with Jop’s D or lack there of than any part of his offense. If he continues to get beat off the first step and teammates need to cover him….it will limit next year’s team.
Have more depth so if Jop plays like the last game, he can be benched for either freshman
-
Chase needs improved ball handling and serisiisly needs to learn how to drive and finish through or around traffic
-
Amadou, Hamilton or Parham develops a reliable 3.
-
Chase needs improved ball handling and serisiisly needs to learn how to drive and finish through or around traffic
He also is very left handed dominant, needs lots of work, no jump shot just a set shot. He has enough athleticism to improve, get into the gym!
-
He also is very left handed dominant, needs lots of work, no jump shot just a set shot. He has enough athleticism to improve, get into the gym!
If you are strong enough, which he no doubt is, you can shoot threes without needing to have a pronounced jump. His shot form is darn near perfect, good idea to mess with it.
-
Would like to see Ramsey be a little more visible
-
Would like to see Ramsey be a little more visible
Hopefully the walk-ons improve enough so that they aren’t hurting our NET when they come in.
-
Hopefully the walk-ons improve enough so that they aren’t hurting our NET when they come in.
It’s why we lost to St. Thomas
-
1) Kam, Stevie, and Tre take on increased ball handling and playmaking duties to offset Kolek.
2) Kam stays super efficient on slightly higher volume.
3) Stevie, Chase, Jop, and Gold increase their scoring to replace Kolek and Oso.
4) Owens and Parham can contribute as freshman like Kam Jones and Justin Lewis did.
5) One or two players surprise and reach co-star level.
-
Kam: 15% better ball handler and creator for others.
Stevie: improved ballhandling, hits open 3s.
Joplin: quicker release on jumper, more consistent.
Ben: Henry, Joey, and Sam's skillset in a blender, with Oso's heart
Chase: Health and steady progress.
Amadou: 6'9 230 lb Barro
Hamilton: Theo
Tre: Mayo's skill, Junior's brain and court vision
Zaide: more Kalkbrenner blocking. Steady improvement
Owens: Claude's athleticism and Scheierman's 35% 3 pt shooting.
Parham: Ben Gold path, with less length and more bulk.
Sean: healing
80% of the best case is a return to the sweet 16. (Match ups not withstanding) 90% is elite 8. 100% is the final four.
If everything falls into place, all the pieces are such that next season could be even better. Yes, nearly everything has to go right. (cockeyed optimist that I am) It will be nice to see the full court pressure again. And I don't think Hamilton and Amadou can currently play at the same time in Nevada's offense.
not bad…but did your write-up on Ben come after a double shot whiskey & 7?
-
I rarely drink. And I believe Ben is that skilled. He just needs confidence.
-
If you are strong enough, which he no doubt is, you can shoot threes without needing to have a pronounced jump. His shot form is darn near perfect, good idea to mess with it.
I am fine with his set shot from 3, but like to see some mid range game with a jumper or floater
-
Why do you want him benched?
-
Would like to see Ramsey be a little more visible
You should see Ramsey's highlight film from the Polytechnic.
Looked every inch of 6-4
-
I am fine with his set shot from 3, but like to see some mid range game with a jumper or floater
Oh, so you haven’t watched a single game the last two seasons.
-
Oh, so you haven’t watched a single game the last two seasons.
No never watch
-
I rarely drink. And I believe Ben is that skilled. He just needs confidence.
FookinA man, attempt at humor…lighten up.
-
Tre needs to be the starting point guard and be above average at it.
Need to find someone who can be an interior post scorer and defender.
-
FookinA man, attempt at humor…lighten up.
Don't belittle my feelings. I feel diminished.
-
I am impressed that MU will likely be heading into a season with a roster with 3 seniors, 3 juniors, 3 sophomores, and 3 freshmen. Once upon a time, that was the kind of balance a program would strive for.
-
I am impressed that MU will likely be heading into a season with a roster with 3 seniors, 3 juniors, 3 sophomores, and 3 freshmen. Once upon a time, that was the kind of balance a program would strive for.
Yessir. It’s incredible and a reason why I believe they’ll be a good team again next year
-
It also makes the recruiting needs clear. Need two guards and a forward in the 25 recruiting class.
-
No never watch
We know.
-
Man, everyone has forgotten about sean.
-
Man, everyone has forgotten about sean.
From the OP:
Sean: healing
-
I want Sean to heal. Anything he gives this coming season is gravy.
-
Sean just needs to come into form in time for the BET.
When you look at the turmoil and turnover in the other BEAST teams, it's hard to see how any of them will be better than MU. Of course, some of the new free agents will gel with their teams and perform well, and other coaches will somehow create a whole that's greater than the sum of the parts. I don't think any other team in the BEAST (the country???) has 8 guys returning and MU has 8 guys who got serious game minutes returning.
-
It also makes the recruiting needs clear. Need two guards and a forward in the 25 recruiting class.
It seems to make the "known" recruiting needs clear. NIL and the transfer portal bring loads of uncertainty to a roster each and every year. Except for Shaka's MU teams, so far.
-
IMO, Jop is the key for next year. He needs to take big strides on being more consistent as a scorer and take advantage of being the go to guy. All other items noted by Tower are important, but none bigger than Joplin.
In a lot of ways Joplin is the poster child of Shaka’s philosophy on retaining players. A lot of expectations were thrown his way early on in his career and we will see if he is up to the task.
-
Kam: 15% better ball handler and creator for others.
Stevie: improved ballhandling, hits open 3s.
Joplin: quicker release on jumper, more consistent.
Ben: Henry, Joey, and Sam's skillset in a blender, with Oso's heart
Chase: Health and steady progress.
Amadou: 6'9 230 lb Barro
Hamilton: Theo
Tre: Mayo's skill, Junior's brain and court vision
Zaide: more Kalkbrenner blocking. Steady improvement
Owens: Claude's athleticism and Scheierman's 35% 3 pt shooting.
Parham: Ben Gold path, with less length and more bulk.
Sean: healing
80% of the best case is a return to the sweet 16. (Match ups not withstanding) 90% is elite 8. 100% is the final four.
If everything falls into place, all the pieces are such that next season could be even better. Yes, nearly everything has to go right. (cockeyed optimist that I am) It will be nice to see the full court pressure again. And I don't think Hamilton and Amadou can currently play at the same time in Nevada's offense.
Would be delighted to see this Best Case Scenario play out
-
IMO, Jop is the key for next year. He needs to take big strides on being more consistent as a scorer and take advantage of being the go to guy. All other items noted by Tower are important, but none bigger than Joplin.
In a lot of ways Joplin is the poster child of Shaka’s philosophy on retaining players. A lot of expectations were thrown his way early on in his career and we will see if he is up to the task.
"More consistent" is a very good way to word it Goose. No one is good 100% of the time, but Jop has been the guy who made me nervous most vs. high level opponents. Shaka has shown enough faith in Jop to give him a chance to prove himself. I think "key for next year" says a lot, but I also think if Jop is not up to the task, we have other guys to help out.
-
IMO, Jop is the key for next year. He needs to take big strides on being more consistent as a scorer and take advantage of being the go to guy. All other items noted by Tower are important, but none bigger than Joplin.
In a lot of ways Joplin is the poster child of Shaka’s philosophy on retaining players. A lot of expectations were thrown his way early on in his career and we will see if he is up to the task.
I like Joplin as a 3rd or fourth option. I hope he takes another leap as you are saying but he doesn’t seem to have the athleticism or basketball IQ to be the number 1 or 2 option on a really good team.
I’m hoping that Ben is the number two and plays like Mamu did at Seton Hall when their star guards left. That would put Joplin down to the 3rd option. And if Chase explodes down to the fourth option.
I just think the ball in his hands too much stalls the offense. Catch and shoot from three with the occasional “drive” to the basket for a layup or well timed 5-8 footer is still the appropriate role for him.
-
*Joplin -- Become more like a Klay Thompson-like player and rarely put the ball on the floor.
-
Now that these guys get paid, they can also get fined. I'd give Jop 100 dribbles for the season. If he exceeds that, or 10 per game, he loses $1000 of his NIL money per dribble.
If this was in place last year, it would have either prevented many drives to nowhere, or he'd have been one of the university's largest donors.
-
I used to yell “Dammit Buycks!” at the TV whenever he did something stupid.
Jop has those type of games a bit too often….but not as often as Buycks.
-
Jop made big improvements over the course of last year and I expect more improvement from him next year. He got into better shape. He got better defensively. He figured out how to start scoring in the paint with his fadeaway mini jump shot and I think he improved more athletically. That slam over Kalk was not happening the two years prior. He needs to continue to improve in all of those areas and take care of the ball better on his drives. I think it will happen. Kam is the go to. Jop will be the number 2.
Need Tre to step up. Most important player development over the summer.
-
Kam: 15% better ball handler and creator for others.
Stevie: improved ballhandling, hits open 3s.
Joplin: quicker release on jumper, more consistent.
Ben: Henry, Joey, and Sam's skillset in a blender, with Oso's heart
Chase: Health and steady progress.
Amadou: 6'9 230 lb Barro
Hamilton: Theo
Tre: Mayo's skill, Junior's brain and court vision
Zaide: more Kalkbrenner blocking. Steady improvement
Owens: Claude's athleticism and Scheierman's 35% 3 pt shooting.
Parham: Ben Gold path, with less length and more bulk.
Sean: healing
80% of the best case is a return to the sweet 16. (Match ups not withstanding) 90% is elite 8. 100% is the final four.
If everything falls into place, all the pieces are such that next season could be even better. Yes, nearly everything has to go right. (cockeyed optimist that I am) It will be nice to see the full court pressure again. And I don't think Hamilton and Amadou can currently play at the same time in Nevada's offense.
COLE. Sad. ;D
Nice. I think Hamilton will be a bit better on offense than Theo.
-
IMO, Jop is the key for next year. He needs to take big strides on being more consistent as a scorer and take advantage of being the go to guy. All other items noted by Tower are important, but none bigger than Joplin.
In a lot of ways Joplin is the poster child of Shaka’s philosophy on retaining players. A lot of expectations were thrown his way early on in his career and we will see if he is up to the task.
I think he will continue to improve and will be a solid contributor next season.
-
COLE. Sad. ;D
Nice. I think Hamilton will be a bit better on offense than Theo.
Funny. Hopefully, you are correct. His numbers are less important than his presence.
-
The prognosis for next season is very uncertain. A starting 5 of Gold, Joplin, Ross, K. Jones, and Mitchell is certainly solid. But, which of those guys, other than Kam and maybe Chase, is likely to play major minutes on a top-10 team? And, behind that 5 is a lot of unknown, limited experience, no experience, and 2 freshmen. The best case scenario is that the two freshmen can actually contribute in a meaningful way, that Hamilton is actually a player who can provide good minutes at the post, and that Lowery and Norman make a big step forward. Otherwise, it may be a bit of a let-down season.
-
The prognosis for next season is very uncertain. A starting 5 of Gold, Joplin, Ross, K. Jones, and Mitchell is certainly solid. But, which of those guys, other than Kam and maybe Chase, is likely to play major minutes on a top-10 team? And, behind that 5 is a lot of unknown, limited experience, no experience, and 2 freshmen. The best case scenario is that the two freshmen can actually contribute in a meaningful way, that Hamilton is actually a player who can provide good minutes at the post, and that Lowery and Norman make a big step forward. Otherwise, it may be a bit of a let-down season.
They ALL have played major minutes on a top-10 team already.
-
They ALL have played major minutes on a top-10 team already.
The COLE on this thread is amazing. 👀
-
They ALL have played major minutes on a top-10 team already.
That was my first reaction too. I don't what he defines as "major minutes" but surely Kam, Stevie, and Joplin already qualify.
-
And, assuming recent predictions hold and all return and stay healthy, all will be getting major minutes on a top 15 team.
-
The prognosis for next season is very uncertain. A starting 5 of Gold, Joplin, Ross, K. Jones, and Mitchell is certainly solid. But, which of those guys, other than Kam and maybe Chase, is likely to play major minutes on a top-10 team? And, behind that 5 is a lot of unknown, limited experience, no experience, and 2 freshmen. The best case scenario is that the two freshmen can actually contribute in a meaningful way, that Hamilton is actually a player who can provide good minutes at the post, and that Lowery and Norman make a big step forward. Otherwise, it may be a bit of a let-down season.
Very similar to two years ago. Hopefully the same result.
-
Best case scenario is a national title.
Next question.
-
Very similar to two years ago. Hopefully the same result.
No one will be picking MU 9th in the Big East. Some will be picking MU 9th in the country.
-
Sean just needs to come into form in time for the BET.
When you look at the turmoil and turnover in the other BEAST teams, it's hard to see how any of them will be better than MU. Of course, some of the new free agents will gel with their teams and perform well, and other coaches will somehow create a whole that's greater than the sum of the parts. I don't think any other team in the BEAST (the country???) has 8 guys returning and MU has 8 guys who got serious game minutes returning.
I think UCONN will still be more than competitive.
-
Now that these guys get paid, they can also get fined. I'd give Jop 100 dribbles for the season. If he exceeds that, or 10 per game, he loses $1000 of his NIL money per dribble.
If this was in place last year, it would have either prevented many drives to nowhere, or he'd have been one of the university's largest donors.
Completely disagree. With Ben as the primary 5, I expect to see even more 5 out offense with Kam and Ben on the side pick and roll with Chase and Stevie cutting to the basket. But I can see Jop playing the “booty ball” roll, backing his guy down, much like Sam Hauser did, to give different looks.
Really interested to see how the offense looks with Nevada staying, but his two offensive savants in the NBA.
-
I rarely drink. And I believe Ben is that skilled. He just needs confidence.
Not just Ben, the whole team in my opinion. All teams have stinker games, but that sweet 16 stinker just smells to high heaven. That is not COLE, just an observation.
-
I think UCONN will still be more than competitive.
I’m sure they land the McNeeley kid and he’s frosh of the year in the country and a top 10 pick.
-
No one except some Scoop Eeyores will be picking MU 9th in the Big East.
FIFY
-
You are wise.
-
Not just Ben, the whole team in my opinion. All teams have stinker games, but that sweet 16 stinker just smells to high heaven. That is not COLE, just an observation.
Yes, poor shooting games are no fun.
-
When you look at the turmoil and turnover in the other BEAST teams, it's hard to see how any of them will be better than MU. Of course, some of the new free agents will gel with their teams and perform well, and other coaches will somehow create a whole that's greater than the sum of the parts. I don't think any other team in the BEAST (the country???) has 8 guys returning and MU has 8 guys who got serious game minutes returning.
Trying to figure out which teams (Big East and elsewhere) will be better or worse next year (this far in advance, anyway) is impossible. The question that should concern MU fans is will we maintain the excellence of the last 2 years. Kam, Stevie and Ben improved this year - it’s fair to expect that to continue. Jop treaded water - was what we got this year all there is or is there another gear? How much do we get from Tre and Zaide? Amadou and Hamilton? The incoming freshmen? Can it all make up for the loss of Kolek and Oso?
That will be a big hill to climb but I think we can get there or at least come close. If we do it will be proof that the program is at a point it hasn’t been since the late 70s.
-
Lenny, I get the angst. However, this is the model that existed in college basketball for decades. Seniors leave, young guys step up. The circle of life. MU having 3 scholarship players in each year used to be the ideal. A little bit of Christmas morning in each new season as you are never 100% sure what you are going to get.
Yes, the team has to fill two large holes. But MU is returning 3 proven starters and have two known quantities stepping in. The only real question is how quickly the young guys develop.
-
Lenny, I get the angst. However, this is the model that existed in college basketball for decades. Seniors leave, young guys step up. The circle of life. MU having 3 scholarship players in each year used to be the ideal. A little bit of Christmas morning in each new season as you are never 100% sure what you are going to get.
Yes, the team has to fill two large holes. But MU is returning 3 proven starters and have two known quantities stepping in. The only real question is how quickly the young guys develop.
Tower
I agree with you - the gist of my post was that the top level programs climb these “mini mountains” regularly while up and downers have periods of feast and famine. I believe Shaka has us among the former and that succeeding next year in spite of our losses will prove that. Hope we’re both right.
-
Trying to figure out which teams (Big East and elsewhere) will be better or worse next year (this far in advance, anyway) is impossible. The question that should concern MU fans is will we maintain the excellence of the last 2 years. Kam, Stevie and Ben improved this year - it’s fair to expect that to continue. Jop treaded water - was what we got this year all there is or is there another gear? How much do we get from Tre and Zaide? Amadou and Hamilton? The incoming freshmen? Can it all make up for the loss of Kolek and Oso?
That will be a big hill to climb but I think we can get there or at least come close. If we do it will be proof that the program is at a point it hasn’t been since the late 70s.
I will guarantee you UConn will be worse without Clingan. That guy scared me more than any player I've ever seen MU go up against. I think with all the praises he's received he's still somehow underrated.
-
tower
The Shaka model has worked well and hopefully that continues. But I think there definitely is room to question how that model will work the further we go down the portal path. Shaka is running a program unlike any other top twenty program, and we all hope that he is correct. That said, maintaining a top tier program is going to take some luck under Shaka's approach.
After MU lost to NC State, I started a thread about the next level of the program. I believe Shaka can keep MU as a top 25 program under his system and will likely have top ten years from time to time. I do not believe he can maintain the same level we have seen the last two years simply via recruiting HS kids and retaining players.
I am all in for however Shaka wants to run this program and try not to second guess his decisions. That said, if he stays the path he is currently on, my expectations of MU having more top ten years than top 25 years drops a good deal. The only questions I have is, and they are big ones, if the NIL deals change to less wild west and how things look without guys having the covid years. Shaka's model may look very, very smart a couple of years down the road and programs will be scrambling to copy MU. I think we will have clearer view of things a year from now.
-
I will guarantee you UConn will be worse without Clingan. That guy scared me more than any player I've ever seen MU go up against. I think with all the praises he's received he's still somehow underrated.
Sylvia
Zach Edey on line one for you. Hurley played Edey honestly, rarely double teaming. Painter did the same vs Clingan. Edey (37,10) dominated Clingan (11,5). UCONN dominated the other 4 positions and won going away but at the 5, mano a mano, Edey was superior.
-
tower
The Shaka model has worked well and hopefully that continues. But I think there definitely is room to question how that model will work the further we go down the portal path. Shaka is running a program unlike any other top twenty program, and we all hope that he is correct. That said, maintaining a top tier program is going to take some luck under Shaka's approach.
After MU lost to NC State, I started a thread about the next level of the program. I believe Shaka can keep MU as a top 25 program under his system and will likely have top ten years from time to time. I do not believe he can maintain the same level we have seen the last two years simply via recruiting HS kids and retaining players.
I am all in for however Shaka wants to run this program and try not to second guess his decisions. That said, if he stays the path he is currently on, my expectations of MU having more top ten years than top 25 years drops a good deal. The only questions I have is, and they are big ones, if the NIL deals change to less wild west and how things look without guys having the covid years. Shaka's model may look very, very smart a couple of years down the road and programs will be scrambling to copy MU. I think we will have clearer view of things a year from now.
Goose
As Tower points out, Shaka is building his program the traditional way, a way that’s been successful for as long as we’ve watched college basketball. But will it work without tweaks given the new realities? I want as much continuity as is reasonably possible but my guess is that Shaka will adapt when need be. I think his goal is perennial top 10, not top 25.
-
I do not have a problem with Shaka’s idea of building a program, but with 1700 kids in the portal there is not one kid that could make the team better? You have 13 scholarships so use them if you can.
-
I do not have a problem with Shaka’s idea of building a program, but with 1700 kids in the portal there is not one kid that could make the team better? You have 13 scholarships so use them if you can.
There may be……however with Shaka’s approach, I don’t think he is willing to overspend for someone that he hopes can come in here for 7-9 months., at the risk of upsetting what he’s laying down. I believe he would rather put that effort and energy into Zaide, for example, as opposed to telling a player like Zaide that he is being passed over/split time this year and to practice hard everyday and maybe by Junior/Senior year you will play alot more.
What you are suggesting maybe a better approach….but its not Shaka’s.
-
The fact that Marquette has kept all of its players out of the transfer portal (so far) is a testament to Shaka and how MU, BTD and him have used the NIL resources available to him.
What Shaka wants to avoid is what Greg Gard is going through. You bring in AJ Storr, who is more talented than Connor Essegian for sure, but ended up getting them nothing significant - except discord in the locker room apparently. Now Essegian has transferred and Hepburn is in the portal.
Do you think that Gard would have made a different decision re: Storr if he knew then what he does now? I certainly do.
Is Seth Trimble or Tyrese Hunter worth that headache? Extremely doubtful.
-
BC
I agree 100% that there has to be one player in the portal that fits the culture and could make the team better. There has to be a good number of former recruits in the portal, and he recruited them because they were guys that would fit his culture. I am surprised he has not brought in a former recruit via the portal.
-
Ya idk why people are still complaining about this.
Could shakas strategy become an issue? Sure. But so far it’s working. We are keeping everyone off note every year(unless they go pro) and we are having good teams.
He’s trusting his talent evaluation and development.
Now if we fast forward to this time 2026. And we’ve done two years of Ben, Chase, Tre, Zaide all not improving much. Yeah he may need to start being more flexible.
But right now he’s earned the right to believe in a player like Zaide rather than run him off.
-
BC
I agree 100% that there has to be one player in the portal that fits the culture and could make the team better. There has to be a good number of former recruits in the portal, and he recruited them because they were guys that would fit his culture. I am surprised he has not brought in a former recruit via the portal.
Like who? I'm not being critical here, but who is a former Shaka recruit, who is in the portal, that meets an obvious need and would be an upgrade?
The only one I can think of off the top of my head is Aidoo, but I don't think Shaka really recruited him outside of trying to retain him as a MU commit when he started.
Down the line, perhaps Kon meets those criteria.
-
Like who? I'm not being critical here, but who is a former Shaka recruit, who is in the portal, that meets an obvious need and would be an upgrade?
The only one I can think of off the top of my head is Aidoo, but I don't think Shaka really recruited him outside of trying to retain him as a MU commit when he started.
Down the line, perhaps Kon meets those criteria.
Hard pass on Kon. No guys with extended family playing hoops in Wisconsin. #ProgramKillers
-
Fluff
I have ZERO idea how many different players that Shaka has either hard or soft recruited over the past four years. I would assume that he has recruited every position multiple times over and one or more of those former recruits have hit the portal. My post was in general terms, and I stand by my thoughts on the topic.
-
There may be……however with Shaka’s approach, I don’t think he is willing to overspend for someone that he hopes can come in here for 7-9 months., at the risk of upsetting what he’s laying down. I believe he would rather put that effort and energy into Zaide, for example, as opposed to telling a player like Zaide that he is being passed over/split time this year and to practice hard everyday and maybe by Junior/Senior year you will play alot more.
What you are suggesting maybe a better approach….but its not Shaka’s.
Yep, I think this nails what we know about Shaka's approach.
It doesn't mean he won't consider a portal addition; it means that he's not gonna give that player big money to the detriment of team chemistry, and it means that player would have to fit the culture.
Otherwise, he's determined to keep doing what he's doing until the results suggest it won't work. Maybe that'll happen as soon as next season. Maybe it'll never happen, or at least not until there are enforceable rules governing the NIL/portal era.
-
No one will be picking MU 9th in the Big East. Some will be picking MU 9th in the country.
Agreed, the national media will be more aware this time around.
-
Marquette fans, 2005-2023: "God, the effing Badgers always have some guy come out of nowhere and they end up being good every year. Why can't we have that?"
Some Marquette fans, 2022-present: "Sure some guys have developed and won a league title and got to a Sweet 16, but retaining and developing guys won't work. Gotta clear some room and hit the portal."
-
Marquette fans, 2005-2023: "God, the effing Badgers always have some guy come out of nowhere and they end up being good every year. Why can't we have that?"
Some Marquette fans, 2022-present: "Sure some guys have developed and won a league title and got to a Sweet 16, but retaining and developing guys won't work. Gotta clear some room and hit the portal."
Nods knowingly
-
Marquette fans, 2005-2023: "God, the effing Badgers always have some guy come out of nowhere and they end up being good every year. Why can't we have that?"
Some Marquette fans, 2022-present: "Sure some guys have developed and won a league title and got to a Sweet 16, but retaining and developing guys won't work. Gotta clear some room and hit the portal."
Interesting dichotomy, isn't it? I do enjoy the quiet summers and I am fully preparing that we do not get a xfer this year. I also think back to the game at Creighton where we had basically 6 players who could play and Tre was puking on the sidelines and Chase was also playing sick. That was a preview of this coming season and we had it close with 3 min to go. Add in the 3 new players (Caedin, Owens, Rolls Royce) and I think we can be a top 20 team as a floor. I trust in Shaka.
-
Marquette fans, 2005-2023: "God, the effing Badgers always have some guy come out of nowhere and they end up being good every year. Why can't we have that?"
Some Marquette fans, 2022-present: "Sure some guys have developed and won a league title and got to a Sweet 16, but retaining and developing guys won't work. Gotta clear some room and hit the portal."
Preach
-
Agreed, the national media will be more aware this time around.
Actually, Marquette was picked to finish 9th by Big East coaches.
https://www.bigeast.com/news/2022/10/17/mens-basketball-creighton-chosen-for-first-place-in-preseason-coaches-poll.aspx
Eff 'em.
-
Feels a little like the Packers. Keep quiet during free agency and let other teams win the offseason.
-
Yes, I guess more specifically I mean people outside the program, coaches or media. They have a much better feel for this team going into next year.
Still lots of questions on how much progress will be made and the off season leaps players will make. But the floor for this team is high and no one will be picking us 9th.
I think there is a question about the teamsceiling and we will see varying degrees of predictions for how good they can be. I’m in the optimistic group with Kam back. Worst case this is a top 25 team. Gold and Ross take an Oso like leap and they could be top ten.
-
Yes, I guess more specifically I mean people outside the program, coaches or media. They have a much better feel for this team going into next year.
Still lots of questions on how much progress will be made and the off season leaps players will make. But the floor for this team is high and no one will be picking us 9th.
I think there is a question about the teamsceiling and we will see varying degrees of predictions for how good they can be. I’m in the optimistic group with Kam back. Worst case this is a top 25 team. Gold and Ross take an Oso like leap and they could be top ten.
Agree with all that. (Notable - the coaches picked us to go 9th the previous year, too. They didn't learn!)
What we need IMHO are a couple of players taking something at least kinda resembling the leaps Oso and Kolek took from 2022 to 2023. It's probably not realistic to improve as much as or more than Oso and Kolek did, but something close from 2-3 of the guys who were on our bench last season would be major.
Year 2 Gold was at least as good as Year 2 Oso. Can he come close to improving as much as Year 3 Oso did? TBD.
-
Marquette fans, 2005-2023: "God, the effing Badgers always have some guy come out of nowhere and they end up being good every year. Why can't we have that?"
Some Marquette fans, 2022-present: "Sure some guys have developed and won a league title and got to a Sweet 16, but retaining and developing guys won't work. Gotta clear some room and hit the portal."
Brilliant observation. Justin, O-Max, Kolek, Oso, Kam, all exploded from roster contributor to star in their role.
Who's next? Chase, Ben, Tre, Amadou? I don't know, but I'm eager to see. And equally eager to see other fanbases ask "where does Shaka find these guys" in frustration.
-
Really interested to see how the offense looks with Nevada staying, but his two offensive savants in the NBA.
I am interested in this too - but moreso to see how the offense evolves to fit the personnel. The Strotman article from earlier this season made it seem like that's been his mo/philosophy all along. We've just seen a slice of time where the Oso/Kolek skill sets were featured.
-
Ya idk why people are still complaining about this.
Could shakas strategy become an issue? Sure. But so far it’s working. We are keeping everyone off note every year(unless they go pro) and we are having good teams.
He’s trusting his talent evaluation and development.
Now if we fast forward to this time 2026. And we’ve done two years of Ben, Chase, Tre, Zaide all not improving much. Yeah he may need to start being more flexible.
But right now he’s earned the right to believe in a player like Zaide rather than run him off.
Yep
-
Marquette fans, 2005-2023: "God, the effing Badgers always have some guy come out of nowhere and they end up being good every year. Why can't we have that?"
Some Marquette fans, 2022-present: "Sure some guys have developed and won a league title and got to a Sweet 16, but retaining and developing guys won't work. Gotta clear some room and hit the portal."
So true. I will take the W.