I mean I’m very bullish on Shaka in all facets, and have come to love his style/system and the way he’s doing things at Marquette.
I also love Kam Jones and his abilities, I’ve been on board with him becoming an all American type of guard since day 1.
However, Marquette is losing an All American pg, the best in the country and the catalyst for everything the squad has done these past few seasons, AND an all BE 5 that is perfect for Shaka’s system and the 1A catalyst for everything that’s been special these past few years.
So, IF that excerpt and the prognostications are accurate, and IF Shaka finds a way to lead Marquette to another top 3/4 seed in this upcoming NCAAt, THEN it seems like there is really nothing to fear going forward.
That would mean to me that, if he sticks around and continues to bring in guys that buy in and have the talent- always big IFs- then Marquette will win a National Championship under Coach Smart at some point.
It would seem impossible to get protected seeds year in and year out and not win one, although I’m certain there are some cases in the past 25 years.
I do think with continued/retained success in this new era it will be easier to break thru because of the turnover that others have, but there’s really no concrete data to that opinion.
I’m usually very glass half full, but this upcoming year, when Shaka loses Tyler and Oso, has always been the “take a step back” year.
If that doesn’t happen, and Marquette gets another protected seed, it really changes how I see the future going.
It would make Marquette a legit National Title contender that’s here to stay in the next decade.