Shaka interview

[tower912]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jvv2SKqWDXY

Skip ahead to 13:31 to get Shaka's take on the portal.   

[MUbiz]

Thanks for sharing!

[Nukem2]

Interviewer asked a few question what Shaka thought about several items in just a several words. In response to the portal, he said “stay out of it”

[MU82]

NIL?

"Good."

Transfer portal?

"Stay out of it."

Sums it up pretty well. Thanks for posting, tower.

[tower912]

I wonder when this interview was actually conducted.

[Nukem2]

I wonder when this interview was actually cobducted.

Seems like December-ish  from some of his comments?

[Zog from Margo]

Shaka's comments at the end regarding the Stockdale Paradox, the subject of the interviewer's doctoral thesis, and its application to Harriet Tubman once again shows that Shaka has a lot going on in the coconut. Shaka is the most erudite MU men's basketball coach that I can remember.

[MU_Beav]

Zero ambiguity there.

[Uncle Rico]

Marquette’s lucky to have him, aina?

[PJDunn]

Most erudite Marquette coach… hands down Kevin O’Neil. His mastery of the “f” bomb is second to none.

[tower912]

...'mother' was only half a word...

[Zog from Margo]

Most erudite Marquette coach… hands down Kevin O’Neil. His mastery of the “f” bomb is second to none.

He “worked in profanity the way other artists might work in oils or clay. It was his true medium, a master.”

[Richie]

He “worked in profanity the way other artists might work in oils or clay. It was his true medium, a master.”

Well done

[We R Final Four]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jvv2SKqWDXY

Skip ahead to 13:31 to get Shaka's take on the portal.

For some reason, I still don’t think that scoopers will believe him.

[Scoop Snoop]

For some reason, I still don’t think that scoopers will believe him.

Even though his answer regarding transfers essentially eliminates getting "a Kolek replacement", "a 7' big guy who can shoot and rebound", a player who can "improve the team" and keep Marquette from becoming "mediocre" with "stubborn" Shaka as our coach, they will drool over every player in the portal and believe that Shaka will come to his sense, admit he made a mistake, and see the wisdom of their suggestions.

[Zog from Margo]

https://twitter.com/MarquetteMBB/status/1785354412283568622/video/2

[brewcity77]

https://twitter.com/MarquetteMBB/status/1785354412283568622/video/2

Glad they included the video because looking at that font, I felt like the Providence fans were saying that it was me and not Tyler that couldn't read.

[dgies9156]

Even though his answer regarding transfers essentially eliminates getting "a Kolek replacement", "a 7' big guy who can shoot and rebound", a player who can "improve the team" and keep Marquette from becoming "mediocre" with "stubborn" Shaka as our coach, they will drool over every player in the portal and believe that Shaka will come to his sense, admit he made a mistake, and see the wisdom of their suggestions.

If Shaka didn't believe in the portal, his first year record would have been like 3-26 or something. We would have been starting assorted Wojo leftovers and maybe a walk-on or two. Instead, we had a team that made the NCAA because of the portal.

I give Coach Shaka credit because he keeps his word. He recruits young men who are going to improve and grow into a major role with MU. He can go to a HS senior and tell them with authority what his plan for them might be, how they fit into being an MU winner and they can feel confident they won't be over-recruited in the portal.

Can Bruce Pearl say that? Nate Oats or Danny Hurley?

Ultimate issue is whether the HS senior choosing Marquette will get us to the promised land. I'm still excited about Al Amadou but I still sometimes wonder why he didn't enter the portal, given last year's playing time. I trust Coach Shaka has a plan!

Dean Smith didn't take transfers either. It took awhile, but look what happened!

[MU82]

Even just 3 years ago, the portal was dramatically different. NIL wasn't a thing yet, and a player couldn't transfer multiple times in his career without sitting out.

And obviously, the Marquette basketball situation was vastly different than it is today. Shaka took over in late-March, when pretty much every high school recruit had committed somewhere. Shaka had to quickly re-recruit the returning players and had to bring in bodies to fill out the roster. That two of them were multiple-year players TK and OMax - two sophs-to-be who had yet to blossom as college players - helped create the successful program we currently have.

It's like comparing apples and kumquats.

[Scoop Snoop]

If Shaka didn't believe in the portal, his first year record would have been like 3-26 or something. We would have been starting assorted Wojo leftovers and maybe a walk-on or two. Instead, we had a team that made the NCAA because of the portal.

I give Coach Shaka credit because he keeps his word. He recruits young men who are going to improve and grow into a major role with MU. He can go to a HS senior and tell them with authority what his plan for them might be, how they fit into being an MU winner and they can feel confident they won't be over-recruited in the portal.

Can Bruce Pearl say that? Nate Oats or Danny Hurley?

Ultimate issue is whether the HS senior choosing Marquette will get us to the promised land. I'm still excited about Al Amadou but I still sometimes wonder why he didn't enter the portal, given last year's playing time. I trust Coach Shaka has a plan!

Dean Smith didn't take transfers either. It took awhile, but look what happened!

I really thought that Al Amadou would transfer out with as little PT that he had. The fact that he did not is a tribute to Shaka.

The only part of your post that I have trouble with is the bolded, as Shaka's first year was a one-time exception (even though he just completed season #3). C'mon dgies!  Jeez! Cut me a little slack, will ya?

Even if the interview that Tower posted about was some time ago, Shaka has made his M.O. very clear repeatedly, yet so many scoopers still argue he should go into the portal for a "starter level" player- a big, a PG, whatever. Is it really that difficult to understand how that would play out with the guys who bought into Shaka's system?

[bilsu]

Even just 3 years ago, the portal was dramatically different. NIL wasn't a thing yet, and a player couldn't transfer multiple times in his career without sitting out.

And obviously, the Marquette basketball situation was vastly different than it is today. Shaka took over in late-March, when pretty much every high school recruit had committed somewhere. Shaka had to quickly re-recruit the returning players and had to bring in bodies to fill out the roster. That two of them were multiple-year players TK and OMax - two sophs-to-be who had yet to blossom as college players - helped create the successful program we currently have.

It's like comparing apples and kumquats.

The first year Shaka did not have any of his players he recruited, so he was not over recruiting them with portal players.

[Jay Bee]

Hey guys got any vids from 2001?

[dgies9156]

The only part of your post that I have trouble with is the bolded, as Shaka's first year was a one-time exception (even though he just completed season #3). C'mon dgies!  Jeez! Cut me a little slack, will ya?

Brother Snoop:

First off, I have nothing but admiration for Coach Shaka. He's an incredible man, an incredible coach and someone I truly look up to.

On the portal, you  won't see Coach Shaka do what he did in Year 1. We know that. I'll be the first to say, Coach Shaka has confidence in his players and stands with them. But I'm also suggesting that if there was a five-star, proven collegian who had an interest in Marquette and Coach Shaka's culture and that five-star could be the difference between a good team and another 1977, do you really think Coach Shaka would "stay out of it?"

That's a bit of extreme, I know, but I suspect Coach Shaka would find a way. In reality, I think that's about what it's going to take. I suspect the team would be good with it, if the transfer bought into the idea of Relationships, Growth and Victory.

[MUCam]

Before hearing this interview, I was discussing Shaka’s portal philosophy with a friend.

The theory I posited is that this goes beyond simply Shaka’s genuine belief in portal transfers, which I have little doubt he 100% believes in, but also goes to branding for his program.

This is a new era in college sports with NIL and coaches / programs are trying to find their identity in the new NIL world order. Shaka is branding his program as a unique place where kids who stick with the program will be rewarded. He brands his program as a place where the reward for being part of the whole, and part of a genuine family, is always much greater than any individual reward or short term gain.

Marquette apparently has decent (comparatively above average) NIL support. Most high majors have NIL support. Some more than Marquette, some less. So how do you stand out in that environment? 

You create a unique program unlike any other, where families and their kids can have faith that they won’t be “over recruited” by the next big thing in the portal, but where, instead, they will be rewarded (both in NIL and otherwise) for their loyalty to the program and their commitment to something larger than themselves. Where growth, personally, professionally, and in basketball, of each player through the course of their career is a stated priority backed by more than just words, but evidence in the way of actions and track record.

Right now, Marquette—with no portal activity in or out this year, and limited portal activity last year—arguably is the only high major program that can truly lay claim to that mantle. It is unique. It helps Marquette stand out.

And, when I heard Shaka say “…so you can tell those high school coaches that if they have promising young guys who want to run through a wall for their teammates, send them our way.” (14:13), I immediately thought, that’s the brand he is creating.

Find a space and fill it where there is a void. Shaka and Marquette are doing that now with their approach to the portal. Time will tell whether it is the right approach.

[Scoop Snoop]

Dgies, I'm glad we have Shaka's first season "portaling" out of the conversation.

 About your hypothetical 5 star...I read that as a HS recruit, not a portal transfer. I think almost any 5-star freshman is focused on his NBA prospects before he even shows up at his chosen college. I cannot imagine a 5-star coming to MU when schools like UK, Duke, KU, Arizona etc. will give him plenty of PT to show off for the NBA scouts.

Before going further, those who question whether Shaka's style will result in success long term are asking a valid question. I think the answer is yes, but readily acknowledge the validity of their arguments that sometimes going to the portal is essential. I simply disagree with that argument.

My belief is that mixing Shaka's stated M.O. with a "starter-level" portal transfer occasionally is kryptonite. I could see a rare exception if we have a gaping hole due to a starter transferring out without a strong back up for his position, but Shaka's system is specifically designed to have a "next man up". I could also see the possibility of a transfer perhaps #8-9 on the bench. Then I could see "the team being good with it", but again...this would be an exception, not a variation in Shaka's M.O.

[milwaukee ex-pat]

nm

[brewcity77]

This tweet from Kevin Sweeney is also worth mentioning:

429 of the 1,838 players in the portal are using their COVID year: 23.3%.

However, those players are concentrated at the top of the @EvanMiya rankings: Six of the top 10, 11 of top 25, 44 of top 100.

It’s going to get a lot harder to recruit the portal starting next year.

https://x.com/cbb_central/status/1785300440613023748?s=46&t=y09G3XF0pbaZZc_-K-dYSw

Because you have 300-400 players each of the last three years taking a fifth COVID year, and because those players are better developed and prepared to contribute than typical new arrivals, we are about to see a significant downturn in the quantity of quality available in the portal. This year there might be 300 immediate high major contributors, but half are probably 23-25 year old COVID fifth years.

What that means is for teams relying on the portal, this is a bubble that is about to burst. Next year there will be far fewer quality portal options, which will increase demand with a decreased supply.

There will still be a handful of fifth years, guys that played in 2020-21 then took a redshirt after for whatever reason, but not nearly as many. Teams that are senior laden this year are going to be in for a nosedive next year.

I know it makes for a little more boring spring and summer, but we are set up to be good for years to come as teams like Xavier, Butler, and Villanova that have lived and died by the portal are about to face a difficult wake up call.

[Goose]

I still have very, very high hopes for the program and believe that Shaka will make MU into a top 10-15 program year in and year out. That said, I 100% believe that Shaka's legacy at MU will be bigger off the court than on the court. When he was hired, I felt it was the best hire in MU history and not strictly based off of basketball. His impact to the university and the community will be what he is remembered for, along with his on court success.

[MU82]

Before hearing this interview, I was discussing Shaka’s portal philosophy with a friend.

The theory I posited is that this goes beyond simply Shaka’s genuine belief in portal transfers, which I have little doubt he 100% believes in, but also goes to branding for his program.

This is a new era in college sports with NIL and coaches / programs are trying to find their identity in the new NIL world order. Shaka is branding his program as a unique place where kids who stick with the program will be rewarded. He brands his program as a place where the reward for being part of the whole, and part of a genuine family, is always much greater than any individual reward or short term gain.

Marquette apparently has decent (comparatively above average) NIL support. Most high majors have NIL support. Some more than Marquette, some less. So how do you stand out in that environment? 

You create a unique program unlike any other, where families and their kids can have faith that they won’t be “over recruited” by the next big thing in the portal, but where, instead, they will be rewarded (both in NIL and otherwise) for their loyalty to the program and their commitment to something larger than themselves. Where growth, personally, professionally, and in basketball, of each player through the course of their career is a stated priority backed by more than just words, but evidence in the way of actions and track record.

Right now, Marquette—with no portal activity in or out this year, and limited portal activity last year—arguably is the only high major program that can truly lay claim to that mantle. It is unique. It helps Marquette stand out.

And, when I heard Shaka say “…so you can tell those high school coaches that if they have promising young guys who want to run through a wall for their teammates, send them our way.” (14:13), I immediately thought, that’s the brand he is creating.

Find a space and fill it where there is a void. Shaka and Marquette are doing that now with their approach to the portal. Time will tell whether it is the right approach.

Outstanding post. I have made some of the same points both here and to my friends but not as well as you did.

Recruits already ARE noticing. Two of Shaka's reported 2025 targets - Miletic and Batemon - have cited this philosophy as one of the big reasons they like Marquette/Shaka.

As "brands" go, Shaka has found one that, as you said, truly can help Marquette stand out as unique. That he obviously believes in it so strongly is a major plus; it's a lot easier to sell your "product" if you like it yourself.

[MUfan12]

This tweet from Kevin Sweeney is also worth mentioning:

https://x.com/cbb_central/status/1785300440613023748?s=46&t=y09G3XF0pbaZZc_-K-dYSw

Because you have 300-400 players each of the last three years taking a fifth COVID year, and because those players are better developed and prepared to contribute than typical new arrivals, we are about to see a significant downturn in the quantity of quality available in the portal. This year there might be 300 immediate high major contributors, but half are probably 23-25 year old COVID fifth years.

What that means is for teams relying on the portal, this is a bubble that is about to burst. Next year there will be far fewer quality portal options, which will increase demand with a decreased supply.

This is a good point, and something worth monitoring next year.

Also I feel like all the moaning about the portal from HM programs stems from the fact that rather than poaching low and mid-major programs, they now have to worry about other high majors getting their guys. The more lateral movement is new.

[Zog from Margo]

There is a huge benefit to playing within the same offensive and defensive systems for multiple years. MU's defense was better this past season than the season before despite the loss of MU's best defensive player. Running to the portal for players that you expect to play big minutes will negate that benefit. Of course, I have never been in the "it's all about talent" crowd.

[Scoop Snoop]

Recruits already ARE noticing. Two of Shaka's reported 2025 targets - Miletic and Batemon - have cited this philosophy as one of the big reasons they like Marquette/Shaka.

As "brands" go, Shaka has found one that, as you said, truly can help Marquette stand out as unique. That he obviously believes in it so strongly is a major plus; it's a lot easier to sell your "product" if you like it yourself.

Shaka is the real deal. While the argument of "making the team" stronger has been the mantra of those who want "starter level" transfers. I think this is a very important distinction as the team will be stronger for only that first year. After that? Just another portal happy coach in the eyes of the current players, and the team collectively will likely be weaker in the long term, lacking the development and promise of a chance to prove oneself inherent in Shaka's system.

Your marketing analogy brought a smile to my face. I had a small manufacturing company and developed a significantly different system and received a patent on it. My tag line? "so unique, it's patented".   

[Tyler COLEk]

This tweet from Kevin Sweeney is also worth mentioning:

https://x.com/cbb_central/status/1785300440613023748?s=46&t=y09G3XF0pbaZZc_-K-dYSw

Because you have 300-400 players each of the last three years taking a fifth COVID year, and because those players are better developed and prepared to contribute than typical new arrivals, we are about to see a significant downturn in the quantity of quality available in the portal. This year there might be 300 immediate high major contributors, but half are probably 23-25 year old COVID fifth years.

What that means is for teams relying on the portal, this is a bubble that is about to burst. Next year there will be far fewer quality portal options, which will increase demand with a decreased supply.

There will still be a handful of fifth years, guys that played in 2020-21 then took a redshirt after for whatever reason, but not nearly as many. Teams that are senior laden this year are going to be in for a nosedive next year.

I know it makes for a little more boring spring and summer, but we are set up to be good for years to come as teams like Xavier, Butler, and Villanova that have lived and died by the portal are about to face a difficult wake up call.

Very interesting point.

[milwaukee ex-pat]

Before hearing this interview, I was discussing Shaka’s portal philosophy with a friend.

The theory I posited is that this goes beyond simply Shaka’s genuine belief in portal transfers, which I have little doubt he 100% believes in, but also goes to branding for his program.

This is a new era in college sports with NIL and coaches / programs are trying to find their identity in the new NIL world order. Shaka is branding his program as a unique place where kids who stick with the program will be rewarded. He brands his program as a place where the reward for being part of the whole, and part of a genuine family, is always much greater than any individual reward or short term gain.

Marquette apparently has decent (comparatively above average) NIL support. Most high majors have NIL support. Some more than Marquette, some less. So how do you stand out in that environment? 

You create a unique program unlike any other, where families and their kids can have faith that they won’t be “over recruited” by the next big thing in the portal, but where, instead, they will be rewarded (both in NIL and otherwise) for their loyalty to the program and their commitment to something larger than themselves. Where growth, personally, professionally, and in basketball, of each player through the course of their career is a stated priority backed by more than just words, but evidence in the way of actions and track record.

Right now, Marquette—with no portal activity in or out this year, and limited portal activity last year—arguably is the only high major program that can truly lay claim to that mantle. It is unique. It helps Marquette stand out.

And, when I heard Shaka say “…so you can tell those high school coaches that if they have promising young guys who want to run through a wall for their teammates, send them our way.” (14:13), I immediately thought, that’s the brand he is creating.

Find a space and fill it where there is a void. Shaka and Marquette are doing that now with their approach to the portal. Time will tell whether it is the right approach.

Oy I hit the wrong "quote"  This is what I believe to be "perfectly stated"  Very nicely articulated - a singular brand - its going to work great imo..

[Shooter McGavin]

Before hearing this interview, I was discussing Shaka’s portal philosophy with a friend.

The theory I posited is that this goes beyond simply Shaka’s genuine belief in portal transfers, which I have little doubt he 100% believes in, but also goes to branding for his program.

This is a new era in college sports with NIL and coaches / programs are trying to find their identity in the new NIL world order. Shaka is branding his program as a unique place where kids who stick with the program will be rewarded. He brands his program as a place where the reward for being part of the whole, and part of a genuine family, is always much greater than any individual reward or short term gain.

Marquette apparently has decent (comparatively above average) NIL support. Most high majors have NIL support. Some more than Marquette, some less. So how do you stand out in that environment? 

You create a unique program unlike any other, where families and their kids can have faith that they won’t be “over recruited” by the next big thing in the portal, but where, instead, they will be rewarded (both in NIL and otherwise) for their loyalty to the program and their commitment to something larger than themselves. Where growth, personally, professionally, and in basketball, of each player through the course of their career is a stated priority backed by more than just words, but evidence in the way of actions and track record.

Right now, Marquette—with no portal activity in or out this year, and limited portal activity last year—arguably is the only high major program that can truly lay claim to that mantle. It is unique. It helps Marquette stand out.

And, when I heard Shaka say “…so you can tell those high school coaches that if they have promising young guys who want to run through a wall for their teammates, send them our way.” (14:13), I immediately thought, that’s the brand he is creating.

Find a space and fill it where there is a void. Shaka and Marquette are doing that now with their approach to the portal. Time will tell whether it is the right approach.

I think that sums it up nicely.

[Scoop Snoop]

Oy I hit the wrong "quote"  This is what I believe to be "perfectly stated"  Very nicely articulated - a singular brand - its going to work great imo..

Yeah...about that. You give me a nice compliment on my post, then you edit it to nm. Thanks, Jerkface! 

[milwaukee ex-pat]

Dgies, I'm glad we have Shaka's first season "portaling" out of the conversation.

 About your hypothetical 5 star...I read that as a HS recruit, not a portal transfer. I think almost any 5-star freshman is focused on his NBA prospects before he even shows up at his chosen college. I cannot imagine a 5-star coming to MU when schools like UK, Duke, KU, Arizona etc. will give him plenty of PT to show off for the NBA scouts.

Before going further, those who question whether Shaka's style will result in success long term are asking a valid question. I think the answer is yes, but readily acknowledge the validity of their arguments that sometimes going to the portal is essential. I simply disagree with that argument.

My belief is that mixing Shaka's stated M.O. with a "starter-level" portal transfer occasionally is kryptonite. I could see a rare exception if we have a gaping hole due to a starter transferring out without a strong back up for his position, but Shaka's system is specifically designed to have a "next man up". I could also see the possibility of a transfer perhaps #8-9 on the bench. Then I could see "the team being good with it", but again...this would be an exception, not a variation in Shaka's M.O.

This is great stuff too that I absolutely sign off on! 

[Scoop Snoop]

This is great stuff too that I absolutely sign off on! 

We're good!