Oso planning to go pro
5 years to judge. What will happen when Wojo hasn’t gifted us the majority of our stellar starting lineup aina?
BCI would be surprised if only one left after this season. I am good with that because that is progress. My heart wants to believe Oso and Omax are back and hope that is the case. Depending on how things shake out, I could see one of the guards, aside from Ellis, leaving after this season.
The type of results are what I thought was possible, and my expectations were a top 15-25 type team in the preseason. I think Goose and I were of similar minds that while most were looking at what we lost, not enough were looking at what we brought back.I mentioned to the Three Man Weave guys in preseason that we were basically Creighton in that we brought back a starting PG (Kolek/Nembhard) and forward (O-Max/Kaluma), as well as elevating a key reserve (Mitchell/Alexander). For all three of those, Marquette had the more efficient player. We both had high-efficiency bigs (Oso/Kalk). We both lost our best players (Justin/Hawkins) and supplementary scorers (Morsell/O'Connell). The biggest question was replacing that offensive pop, we did so from within (Kam) while they did so from outside (Scheierman).They mostly dismissed Marquette being better, like all of the national media did, but this team was about what we brought back. What's impressed me the most, however, is how rapidly Coach Smart has brought development out of these guys. I expected Tyler, Kam, O-Max, and Oso to be good, but Stevie's efficiency, Joplin's usefulness (even his defense has shown signs of life the past few games), and Chase Ohmigod Ross really look good.I had among the highest expectations for this team and they are still blowing past them. So I guess "F**k me" too
You don't think Shaka will Crean anybody?I think he'll go about it differently, maintaining the relationship, coaching the player to realize that they will get more playing time and have more fun by dropping down a level. But I bet he "recruits over" folks at the end of the day.
Excellent post, Goose.My only quibble is that I don't think you give Oso enough credit in point #5 above. Like Kolek, he is a "connector" -- a highly intelligent, team-first guy who is always thinking about ways to put his teammates in position to succeed. The almost unbelievable degree to which he improved is relevant -- it makes him a tremendous role model, and it speaks to Shaka's ability to both develop talent and think outside the box. There already have been a few national stories about Oso, and there will be dozens more during what we both expect will be a memorable month of March. Such notoriety can only help Shaka's recruiting.Recruiting is never "easy," but I agree with you (and others) that Shaka's Marquette program will only get more attractive to kids who want to play in an incredibly fun, successful, share-the-ball system under a "cool" coach who simply gets it.Yep yep yep.
Well he "Creaned" a few of Wojo's guys. But, in this case, I think the plan was very clear when they took the overcommit.
So the Hausers would have loved Shaka.
Shaka hires Wojo to be his recruiting ace, due to his incredible charisma and intellect.
Somebody is leaving, and I do not believe Oso or Omax are NBA ready
I just can't believe how far ahead of "schedule" this team is.
Overlooked is roster composition. Crean and Wojo always had holes. Shaka got right into it and got "his guys" in here even if a few of them were Wojo's guys. No "five (or 7) years to judge."
Overlooked is roster composition. Crean and Wojo always had holes. Shaka got right into it and got "his guys" in here even if a few of them were Wojo's guys. No "five (or 7) years to judge."The one blip this year was Wrightsil's injury and his board work, but that's not a miss. That said, I was a COLE this year (step back year: bubble or NIT) because of youth and the Alphas moving on. Figuring next season was the big jump with experience. This team's Alpha is "the team". No one guy is "the guy" which has been the fun part of the surprise.
Whether you believe it or not is immaterial. Did you believe Vander was ready? Did you believe Carton was ready? Did you believe Lewis was ready?College kids leave when they leave for a variety of reasons — none of which is whether Scoopers think they’re ready.Now, maybe NIL, plus feeling really comfortable with Shaka, the other players and the program’s direction, could factor into either or both staying.We’ll see!
True, but looking at some mock drafts they are not even sniffing the Top 60. Omax has improved but lacks some consistency and Oso who might be the most improvedplayer in the country, does not fit the NBA game yet. Both need at least another year to get stronger and work on there game a little bit more. I would be more concerned about the NLI money being thrown around. Yes, both received some decent money this year but not millions some of these football players are getting.Shaka has brought the best out of Oso, offense is run threw him, not many programs are doing that, he changed the offense to best fit Oso, and he has proved Shakaright. Like you said, time will tell. A deep run in the tournament may want them to comeback and do better the following year. Hope that is the case.
Re your first sentence: Again, you are acting like that actually matters. If guys want to go, they will go. The last 10 years of Marquette basketball have proven that over and over again. Blue, Carton and Bailey were showing up in few (if any) mock drafts and they obviously weren't "ready." They left anyway. I'm sure you felt each needed another year in college. They left anyway.Of course Oso and O-Max aren't "ready." So?
The type of results are what I thought was possible, and my expectations were a top 15-25 type team in the preseason. What's impressed me the most, however, is how rapidly Coach Smart has brought development out of these guys. I expected Tyler, Kam, O-Max, and Oso to be good, but Stevie's efficiency, Joplin's usefulness (even his defense has shown signs of life the past few games), and Chase Ohmigod Ross really look good.I had among the highest expectations for this team and they are still blowing past them. So I guess "F**k me" too
The biggest threat to continuity won't be players leaving early to go pro. It will be players considering transfers given the current rules and NIL.
One thing I did not mention on my earlier post, but it might be the biggest reason for my optimism with Shaka from day one. The hiring of Shaka was big deal and his being a seasoned HC, aside from Shaka the person, was what I was most excited about.I, and I think Dr. B., stated the meter on judging Shaka started the day he signed the contract. There was no five year grace period and there should not have been a long leash.MU showed what basketball means to the school with this hire and for the gamble to work, it needed quick results, IMO. Apathy had taken over much of the fanbase and patience was running thin.The hiring of a high level HC changed everything to me. Plus, Shaka arrived with a lot to prove and that was important to me. Sure, he was going to get time, but I do not think a five year rebuild was ever part of the conversation.
With a side note that Vander, Carton, Bailey weren't able to get paid in College.
What a silly point this is. Should we worry about Sean Jones going pro too? Or maybe Stevie? Of course college players can choose to go pro at any time. Do you have a reason you think Omax or Oso would be inclined to do so? Feels like scoopers were awfully influenced by a couple CBSSN broadcast comments about scouts in attendance.