“I’m worried that Marquette will miss the 2025 NCAA Tournament.” -Field of 68

[brewcity77]

I may be misremembering but I think Morsell and to a lesser extent Lewis had the green light for mid-range jumpers.  Maybe it was just the transition to the new system but maybe Shaka trusts certain guys to take them.

Those were guys with more established games in year one of a new system. They needed the proven guys to score because the kids weren't ready. But since then, these guys have been drilled on paint and threes. They know what the offense wants and what they are supposed to do in it. I don't expect any radical shot chart changes.

[jfp61]

I may be misremembering but I think Morsell and to a lesser extent Lewis had the green light for mid-range jumpers.  Maybe it was just the transition to the new system but maybe Shaka trusts certain guys to take them.

Yes, that team that didn't have a top 60 offense.

[#UnleashSean]

Sounds like a hot take to drive viewership

[MuMark]

Goodman has got a great track record…….i mean he picked Virginia to be a final 4 team last season in their preseason show!

[Hards Alumni]

It's May and it's just idle conversation.

That said, the conversation appears to be around three tiers being set up for 2024-25:

Well Positioned for NCAA
UConn
Creighton
Xavier (if Hunter and Freemantle stay healthy)

Positioned for NCAA Consideration
Marquette
St. John's
Providence
Butler

Not Positioned for NCAA Consideration
Villanova
Seton Hall
Georgetown
DePaul

A team that is ranked inside the top 20 is only being considered for NCAA is a brain dead take. 

These pundits are just trying to rile up engaged fan bases (read: Marquette) so they can get views.

[Hards Alumni]

Sounds like a hot take to drive viewership

Exactly.  Learning from Skip Bayless and Stephen A Smith.

[El Guerrero 2]

Field of 68 puts out a ton of content but it’s low quality. It gives me something to listen to on my commute but no one on that platform provides anything of real substance in terms of analysis.

[Scoop Snoop]

Goodman has got a great track record…….i mean he picked Virginia to be a final 4 team last season in their preseason show!

Hey, give the guy a break. He meant to say, "last 4 in". Just a simple mistake.

[Uncle Rico]

Guess Dung was right

[rocky_warrior]

A team that is ranked inside the top 20 is only being considered for NCAA is a brain dead take. 

Wait, you're quoting preseason rankings to prove a point? haha

After losing Oso and Tyler, I still expect the team to "overachieve" as usual per Shaka.  But I can understand some skepticism.  The remaining guys still have a lot to prove without those two.

[tower912]

The projected starting 5 went toe to toe at Creighton with next to no bench help.  Proof of concept, for me.  I trust Tre and Zaide.   If some combo of the young bigs can progress well enough to combine for 30 productive minutes, I can see a continuation of the last two seasons.

[Herman Cain]

Sometimes I think pundits overemphasize players a program loses. I think the pundits underemphasize how a team rates to the rest of the conference, and other programs, after those other programs have their own players losses. 

MU bringing back 3 Senior Starters and 2 Junior Experienced Rotation Players. That is an Excellent Foundation.

In addition MU may possibly be bringing back another Junior who was injured as well as 2 sophomores who had non garbage time experience playing in meaningful games.

So a total rotation of 7-8 players who have chemistry, and played successfully in big games , should be more than enough to compete in The Big East and make The 2025 Tournament.

My guess is the performance of The Juniors will determine the 2025 MU season achievements. Seems like the Juniors still have a higher  potential level they can reach in terms of their individual performance.

[Shooter McGavin]

The projected starting 5 went toe to toe at Creighton with next to no bench help.  Proof of concept, for me.  I trust Tre and Zaide.   If some combo of the young bigs can progress well enough to combine for 30 productive minutes, I can see a continuation of the last two seasons.

That is the hope.  I tend to agree with you because I trust Shaka knows what he is doing and his track record so far at MU is impressive.  He has learned from his other stops and is sticking to his plan.


Who will be right?  Shaka or Willie?  Only time will tell.