Scholarship table
Agree with most of this. Shaka must step up the recruiting and land some studs to keep up with Jones.
I think this is a very important offseason and next recruiting class for Shaka. The last three years have been building the foundation and it is time to build off of that. I do not think you can count on catching lightning in a bottle, like Shaka did with Omax, TK and Oso, and the level of HS players and/or portal guys need to continue to get better.Part of the beauty of the last three years was having guys we watched grow up and improve at crazy levels. Now, I love Shaka, but I do not believe he has Oso and TK type of improvement magic in his back pocket. The program is now at a fork in the road, and I am anxious to see if it Shaka sticks with his plan.To be honest, the last two years were an unreal feel good story and we sucked every ounce out of it. IMO, we need to up the recruiting and at least dabble in the portal. If not, we will be cheering feel good stories every handful of years, but not hitting the next level. Hell, I am good with whatever Shaka decides, but he put the program in a great spot and hope he builds on it.
Parham and Owens should be a great class. Add a portal PG and we should be a strong team again next year.Give me a 2025 class of Nyk Lewis, Adrien Stevens, and Ian Miletic and we’ll be in good shape going forward.
Lewis, Stevens, and Miletic would be a homerun class. Nigel James is another bigtime PG option. So, either Lewis or James is fine by me.If 2025 ends up being a 4 player class, give me Jamarion Batemon as well. Bigtime shooter, but I think his handle needs work.
Why would Shaka change his plan? It worked.
Strategies have to be adaptable based on the turnover of the roster.
Amari Allen too. He will be visiting soon and he's started this AAU season really strong. Really versatile forward who would pair well with Miletic at the 3/4 spots.
Can’t wait to see who Shaka adds to the program and also looking forward to seeing how the returning players develop over the offseason. In particular, I am really excited for the return of a healthy Sean. Losing him this season was a huge blow.
TAMUI do know, Newsie is right on you knowing ball.
Didn't realize Marquette was still recruiting Allen. Since he didn't visit during the season (as far as I know), I had assumed Shaka was focusing elsewhere.Like you said, Allen was terrific last weekend. Another recruit I'd love to see at Marquette.
FluffAgain, there is not many bigger fans of Shaka than I am, but if he is betting on having the same success as he has had the past two seasons, I think that is a big gamble.In addition, if S16 is the ceiling for a dream two seasons then expectations need to be adjusted. I would bet a lot of money that he will never have two special players peak at the same time he has the last two years.