MUScoop

weigh in

Just a tad.

On a scale from 1-10, I am a 7-8.   I am not blind to what happened at Texas.  I choose optimism.

I was in the anybody but Wojo camp, so kind of? Maybe it'll work, but he's been pretty Wojoish at Texas.

I was agnostic with the Wojo hire.  Didn't know what we would get.

I despise the Shaka Smart hire.  We absolutely know what we're getting by his record at Texas.

But, hey, if people will be happy because the team is "exciting" even if the results suck, enjoy it

Above 5 below 9 so Arby's

Quote from: tower912 on March 26, 2021, 11:17:02 AM
On a scale from 1-10, I am a 7-8.   I am not blind to what happened at Texas.  I choose optimism.

Well put.

Shaka spurned us 7 years ago. Why the interest now? Because he's struggling at Texas and is looking for greener pastures. His teams under performed big time at Texas - just like the coach we got rid of here at MU.

I didn't like the Wojo hire and I'm not wild about this Shaka hire. I hope I'm proven wrong.

Quote from: Norm on March 26, 2021, 11:22:49 AM
Shaka spurned us 7 years ago. Why the interest now? Because he's struggling at Texas and is looking for greener pastures. His teams under performed big time at Texas - just like the coach we got rid of here at MU.

I didn't like the Wojo hire and I'm not wild about this Shaka hire. I hope I'm proven wrong.

Ditto. 

Fook yeah. Let's go.

Get some guys in that embrace the physicality of the Big East. Bring back Havoc. Let's get nuts.

Heck yes I am excited. Mainly just to move on from Wojo.

But there is a level on concern. 
https://www.burntorangenation.com/2021/3/26/22351858/fire-shaka-smart-texas-longhorns-job-security-chris-del-conte

Some of the struggles with Shaka at Texas seem to replicate what we just went through with Wojo.  He is leaving a mess in Austin.

If he employs a style in any way similar to what he put on the court at Texas, I will not be pleased.

What could get me on board is if he did indeed return to his Havoc style. Gonna need a roster overhaul to pull that off, but if he got that going it would at least be interesting.

I have major, MAJOR doubts he would deliver anything meaningfully different here than what he did at Texas, but I will let it play out and hope for the best.

I agree with Tower. His lackluster performance at Texas is a concern to me, but I am open to believing that he can use that as an opportunity to grow. It is also clear that he can recruit at a very high level, so he should have plenty of talent to work with.

I will be 100% behind Shaka.

This is the first time I've ever not voted Arby's.

Yes.  Let the new era of MUBB begin.

Can't win in March if you don't make the tournament. Smart can do that at least. Getting past the round of 64 will be the real measure. Also, Smart will be an immediate upgrade as a public face and spokesperson for MUBB. Looks to be genuine and bonds with his players.

That being said, I will like the pick more if Moser ends up staying at Loyola. If he goes to Minnesota or DePaul I would be pretty disappointed.

Spoke with David Joplin in October but no idea if he will follow. Hope he does.

Quote from: YaBlueIt on March 26, 2021, 11:47:39 AM
Can't win in March if you don't make the tournament. Smart can do that at least. Getting past the round of 64 will be the real measure. Also, Smart will be an immediate upgrade as a public face and spokesperson for MUBB. Looks to be genuine and bonds with his players.

That being said, I will like the pick more if Moser ends up staying at Loyola. If he goes to Minnesota or DePaul I would be pretty disappointed.

Agree. If Moser goes to DePaul or another opening then that won't look good for MU.

I'm excited. Plus, my season ticket decision has been made.

I'm trying think positive, but I'm not a fan of it.  Really seems like the only reason he's taking the job in the first place is because he is being nudged out the door at Texas.  He's really living off that FF run from a long time ago.  A FF run from a team that ultimately may have not been that good, just got lucky and hot for 2 weeks.

I do think it helps in state recruiting some, but how much so?  I guess we'll see.  Kids want to play for Shaka, but will he keep the Jalen Johnson's, Herro's, etc. from going to the bluebloods?  He had good recruits and talent at Texas but the winning didn't necessarily follow. 

Initial blush is the happy outweigh the angry.  One thing is certain, there is a lot of passion today.  That's a great starting point for him and Marquette. 

Anecdotal evidence on this board and from reaction in my world off this board, there is a lot of excitement from people that don't Scoop.  That's good for the program.  And the negative or cautious reactionaries are good, too.  The passion is what they needed

YaBlueIt if Minnesota fires Johnson after one week to hire Moser, the coaching world will be in an upheaval!

Shakas a great coach that had a bad fit ar UT. I think he's gonna thrive at MU
Funny that I'm a Yah-ka and Tower is a Nah-ka

I couldn't be happier with the hire.

Quote from: 1SE on March 26, 2021, 12:18:00 PM
Shakas a great coach that had a bad fit ar UT. I think he's gonna thrive at MU
Funny that I'm a Yah-ka and Tower is a Nah-ka

Why would he thrive at MU after he stunk in Texas?

Very happy. I think Shaka is going to kill it in the Big East.

Home run.  8.5/10.  I think he will thrive here and have Buzz Williams-type success, with a chance for a little more.  My only real hesitation is getting top 100 recruits to buy into the HAVOC system that was so successful for him.  I think in at least some respects, it will be reintroduced here and it'll be fun as hell.

Quote from: Warriors88 on March 26, 2021, 11:32:05 AM
Heck yes I am excited. Mainly just to move on from Wojo.

But there is a level on concern. 
https://www.burntorangenation.com/2021/3/26/22351858/fire-shaka-smart-texas-longhorns-job-security-chris-del-conte

Some of the struggles with Shaka at Texas seem to replicate what we just went through with Wojo.  He is leaving a mess in Austin.

Anderson was fired from Arkansas despite never finishing under .500. Many here laughed the hire but in hindsight I think most of us would have taken him over Wojo.

Quote from: NolongerWarriors on March 26, 2021, 12:21:34 PM
Why would he thrive at MU after he stunk in Texas?

Others have said it.better.than me - system coach who tried to go.player coach.

But his past 3 years have been solid and he's.coming off a B12 Tournament win. He got upset on opening weekend of the.NCAA. that happens. Ask Wojo.

Quote from: 1SE on March 26, 2021, 12:24:55 PM
Others have said it.better.than me - system coach who tried to go.player coach.

But his past 3 years have been solid and he's.coming off a B12 Tournament win. He got upset on opening weekend of the.NCAA. that happens. Ask Wojo.

Forget Wojo. Ask Tony Bennett. 

YES.

Well Big 12 and Big East are tougher conferences than Atlantic 10.  Much smaller margin of error to win regarding everything.  Separates the pros from pretenders.  Certainly deserves a chance.

Quote from: NolongerWarriors on March 26, 2021, 12:21:34 PM
Why would he thrive at MU after he stunk in Texas?

He didn't stink at Texas. Just has zero wins in the tournament.

Quote from: franklinjerry on March 26, 2021, 12:16:00 PM
YaBlueIt if Minnesota fires Johnson after one week to hire Moser, the coaching world will be in an upheaval!

Haha forgive me, I'm not always up to speed on the college basketball world. I just remember them once being mentioned as a possible destination for Moser.

Underrated part: Shaka's connections with USA basketball could keep us in good shape with Jordan Brand too.

Quote from: NolongerWarriors on March 26, 2021, 12:21:34 PM
Why would he thrive at MU after he stunk in Texas?

Have you ever worked at a company and not had it work out but gone on to be successful in the same field elsewhere? Culture is everything to success.

I believe MU has the right culture for Shaka to build and sustain a program on his terms. He has had incredible success in his career prior to Texas. He is young, energetic, and can put a brand on MU ball that we haven't seen since Buzz and he can do it without off court issues.

I think we have a ton of upside with Shaka and this could be the best hire MU has made since Al.

Very excited. Am guessing Doc was instrumental again. Congrats awesome!

Quote from: MarquetteMike1977 on March 26, 2021, 12:52:43 PM
Very excited. Am guessing Doc was instrumental again. Congrats awesome!

mmmmm don't be so sure.

I'm not not excited.

After 7 years I'm honestly ecstatic with anyone but the guy we had.  Can't wait for the new start.

I'm excited and will give him a chance to prove himself as I did for Wojo the first 5 years.   While his results at Texas were so so, I believe that the right fit makes a big difference in performance.  Texas appears to have been a bad fit and VCU a good one.  How good a fit MU is for Shaka remains to be seen.  Hoping he starts off well and retains our better players/recruits and adds to it in a year where there will be a lot of opportunity to build a roster quickly.

Quote from: tower912 on March 26, 2021, 11:17:02 AM
On a scale from 1-10, I am a 7-8.   I am not blind to what happened at Texas.  I choose optimism.

This is where I'm at. I was a little hesitant at first even before the ACU loss, but the more I looked at everything the more I liked Shaka as a candidate.

I think this has the possibility of being an elite hire. I think the ceilings very high, and the floor is a Wojo-like story.

I'm optimistic we are going after the ceiling. Shaka and MU to the moon...(if I keep saying it, it will happen, Shaka is going to make the Gamestop rally look tiny).

Quote from: McLintock on March 26, 2021, 12:56:49 PM
After 7 years I'm honestly ecstatic with anyone but the guy we had.  Can't wait for the new start.

So am I, just hope we didn't hire Wojo 2.0. If no one transfers and we pickup a few on the portal we could have decent season next year. I hope Goose is right and we hit a home  run with Shaka.

That of course is if all the reporting is true. We know what happened last time.

I had more reservations about Wojo.  No HC experience, only knew the Duke system.

Nobody knows for sure if Coach Smart will become a MU legend.   But he is experienced and is coming back to Wisconsin.   Here's hoping.   He has my support.   And patience.

Let's Go!!!!!!

Absolutely.

But to be fair, I would have been excited with any of the 4 finalists. I think any of them was going to be an improvement.

Yes am excited. Was watching a Texas game at a bar downtown a few years ago did not have a horse in the game and remarked wow Texas does Not get a very favorable whistle. Wonder if Moser was not going to come but am happy about the hire and think it is awesome.

Considering that my OTHER team whose fans were hoping for an impact hire ended up hiring a former assistant to the failed coach who, despite rumors of him being a great recruiter in Minnesota, STILL let Tre Jones, McKinley Wright, Theo John, Dawson Garcia AND Matthew Hurt slip though his fingers, I am absolutely thrilled.  I was thinking we were going to end up with Chris Carrawell or Isaac Chew.

Quote from: tower912 on March 26, 2021, 11:17:02 AM
On a scale from 1-10, I am a 7-8.   I am not blind to what happened at Texas.  I choose optimism.

I agree. Some concerns, but hell, he is an upgrade over Wojo-Dukiet.

Quote from: tower912 on March 26, 2021, 01:06:25 PM
I had more reservations about Wojo.  No HC experience, only knew the Duke system.

Nobody knows for sure if Coach Smart will become a MU legend.   But he is experienced and is coming back to Wisconsin.   Here's hoping.   He has my support.   And patience.

When People compare to Shaka to Wojo there is a contrast........


Shaka Smart has 18 top 100 recruits in the past 6 years

His 3 tourney losses with Texas have been by a combined 8 points

Marquette's 2 tournament losses under Wojo were by a combined 39 points

Quote from: Norm on March 26, 2021, 11:53:29 AM
Agree. If Moser goes to DePaul or another opening then that won't look good for MU.

It was never going to be Moser.   See Scholl's press conference for the reason why.   

It is up on GoMarquette.com too now

Quote from: tower912 on March 26, 2021, 11:17:02 AM
On a scale from 1-10, I am a 7-8.   I am not blind to what happened at Texas.  I choose optimism.

lets hope this works out well for both coaches - Shaka gets a fresh start and great success and Wojo goes somewhere and does better than he did here. People can learn and grow and improve (not directed at tower but at all the people saying he couldn't possibly do better than he did at Texas).

He has talent.  Dont know what to think exactly.   Will support him all the way fir sure.  We want Marquette basketball back.  Hoping he can do it quickly. 

Quote from: MikeDeanesDarkGlasses on March 26, 2021, 04:05:57 PM
When People compare to Shaka to Wojo there is a contrast........


Shaka Smart has 18 top 100 recruits in the past 6 years

His 3 tourney losses with Texas have been by a combined 8 points

Marquette's 2 tournament losses under Wojo were by a combined 39 points

Do you get extra credit for losing close games in the NCAA repeatedly to overmatched opponents?

Quote from: NolongerWarriors on March 26, 2021, 06:47:11 PM
Do you get extra credit for losing close games in the NCAA repeatedly to overmatched opponents?

Getting blown out repeatedly means you're just not prepared at all.... and aren't able to make adjustments, nor coach decent defense.  Good guard play always ate up MU during Wojo's time here. 

Quote from: NolongerWarriors on March 26, 2021, 06:47:11 PM
Do you get extra credit for losing close games in the NCAA repeatedly to overmatched opponents?

no you just don't get extra scorn from getting blown out of the gym every time you play a game with anything at on the line. Wojo wouldn't have been fired if he had brought us a 3 seed and a first round loss this year. This is a clear and unambiguous step up from where we were.

80% yes but comments don't reflect that. Just because an opinion is loud doesn't mean it's the popular opinion.  Good thing to keep in mind whenever reading scoop.

I emailed MU this winter about not a dime to MU with Wojo still around.  I made my donation today.

https://mobile.twitter.com/ScottGrodsky/status/1375544522462138371

https://mobile.twitter.com/ScottGrodsky/status/1375548900518604804

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/insider/story/_/id/31141633/next-texas-shaka-smart-exit-marquette

Happy they finally got him!

I hope he comes in with the attitude that he wants to prove that he can do better than what he showed at Texas. If he's fired up and determined, then I like this hire.

Looking forward to seeing what he says Monday about his time in Austin.

WHO IS DAVID JOPLIN?

Google him

Quote from: Tums Festival on March 26, 2021, 07:43:59 PM
I hope he comes in with the attitude that he wants to prove that he can do better than what he showed at Texas. If he's fired up and determined, then I like this hire.

Looking forward to seeing what he says Monday about his time in Austin.

This... a guy with a chip on his shoulder, coming home, playing in a Big time conference, my thoughts are players that stay or choose to come to Marquette will fall our way, it's an exciting time to be a Warriors fan! 

Quote from: harryp on March 26, 2021, 08:21:15 PM
WHO IS DAVID JOPLIN?

4-star recruit from Brookfield that wanted to stay home but never got an offer. Something tells me he's going to get an offer now.

Quote from: brewcity77 on March 26, 2021, 08:40:16 PM
4-star recruit from Brookfield that wanted to stay home but never got an offer. Something tells me he's going to get an offer now.

Great for depth and development.  Now, just need some guards.....

If you wanted Wojo gone and expected a better replacement you are delusional.  Most people nationally will see this as a big step down for Shaka.  We just got a power 5 coach from one of the strongest and best funded athletic programs in the country, coming off a conference championship and 3 seed in the NCAA tournament.  He grew up in Wisconsin and is in the prime of his coaching career.  I'm not sure what else you could reasonably hope for.  If you think someone 10 years older with a losing conference record at Loyola is clearly a better option then that's your choice.

Quote from: MarquetteMike1977 on March 26, 2021, 05:35:01 PM
It is up on GoMarquette.com too now

The last video with Scholl is the one from last Friday after Steve was fired.

Quote from: mu_hilltopper on March 26, 2021, 11:41:41 AM
This is the first time I've ever not voted Arby's.

Yes.  Let the new era of MUBB begin.

They just had a name change...SmArtby's

Quote from: frozena pizza on March 26, 2021, 08:56:11 PM
If you wanted Wojo gone and expected a better replacement you are delusional.  Most people nationally will see this as a big step down for Shaka.  We just got a power 5 coach from one of the strongest and best funded athletic programs in the country, coming off a conference championship and 3 seed in the NCAA tournament.  He grew up in Wisconsin and is in the prime of his coaching career.  I'm not sure what else you could reasonably hope for.  If you think someone 10 years older with a losing conference record at Loyola is clearly a better option then that's your choice.

Absolutely well said! I don't think Moser would have been a horrible choice by any means, but Shaka has taken a team deep into the tourney and is a proven recruiter. His recent track record at Texas in March may not be all that impressive; however there is a lot more upside when scrutinizing his coaching track record than simply regarding him as a so-so hire. I think he is a better hire than Moser as I am truly pumped up after years of watching Wojo put this program on a treadmill. Let's Go!!!!

Quote from: OffTheGlass on March 26, 2021, 09:39:33 PM
Absolutely well said! I don't think Moser would have been a horrible choice by any means, but Shaka has taken a team deep into the tourney and is a proven recruiter. His recent track record at Texas in March may not be all that impressive; however there is a lot more upside when scrutinizing his coaching track record than simply regarding him as a so-so hire. I think he is a better hire than Moser as I am truly pumped up after years of watching Wojo put this program on a treadmill. Let's Go!!!!

What else in his record at Texas - despite his failures in March when it counts - would lead you to believe he will do better in Milwaukee than he did in Austin?

Shaka had some top level recruits consistently throughout his tenure at Texas as well as making the tourney 50% of his time as their head coach. More than what we have experienced with Nojo.
He also was a 3 seed this year after winning their conference tournament. You can't simply dismiss his VCU run either.
Wake up..we're not Kentucky, Nova, or even UCLA to some degree. This is a solid hire for this program. Your expectations are unrealistic for anything more than what we have for now. People on this board act like Marquette is a Blue Blood...F*&%, we're not even Wisconsin at this point as this is not 1978!  WAKE UP!

Quote from: OffTheGlass on March 26, 2021, 11:49:35 PM
Shaka had some top level recruits consistently throughout his tenure at Texas as well as making the tourney 50% of his time as their head coach. More than what we have experienced with Nojo.
He also was a 3 seed this year after winning their conference tournament. You can't simply dismiss his VCU run either.
Wake up..we're not Kentucky, Nova, or even UCLA to some degree. This is a solid hire for this program. Your expectations are unrealistic for anything more than what we have for now. People on this board act like Marquette is a Blue Blood...F*&%, we're not even Wisconsin at this point as this is not 1978!  WAKE UP!

Please. I graduated from MU in 1991 - the class with the worst winning percentage at Marquette since Wold War II. I know for a fact that Marquette is not a blue blood.

For all his top 100 recruits Shaka had a losing overall conference record at Texas. He was under .500 against Top 25 ranked teams. He was 0-3 in NCAA games. The Texas fans disliked him immensely and he was either going to get fired soon or sit on the hottest coaching seat in America next season. Yes, he won the Big 12 conference tournament this year - aided by a forfeit due to COVID-19. His team then got extremely outplayed and out coached by Abilene Christian.

I honestly don't get why the majority on here is excited about this hire. He turned us down 7 years ago. Why the sudden change of heart? Could it be that he under performed big time in Texas and is looking for greener pastures?

Quote from: Norm on March 27, 2021, 12:02:10 AM
Please. I graduated from MU in 1991 - the class with the worst winning percentage at Marquette since Wold War II. I know for a fact that Marquette is not a blue blood.

For all his top 100 recruits Shaka had a losing overall conference record at Texas. He was under .500 against Top 25 ranked teams. He was 0-3 in NCAA games. The Texas fans disliked him immensely and he was either going to get fired soon or sit on the hottest coaching seat in America next season. Yes, he won the Big 12 conference tournament this year - aided by a forfeit due to COVID-19. His team then got extremely outplayed and out coached by Abilene Christian.

I honestly don't get why the majority on here is excited about this hire. He turned us down 7 years ago. Why the sudden change of heart? Could it be that he under performed big time in Texas and is looking for greener pastures?

I didn't say Marquette is a blue blood but people are acting like we deserve better like one. Who would you have hired Great Oz?
Shaka is a solid recruiter and has a Final Four. He wasn't great at Texas but he does have a respectable track record. Who did you want or expect? Wojo diminished our program's credibility that doesnt help in hiring what really you think is so much better.

This was a home-run hire by Scholl - whom I've been very hard on in the past. This will be up there with the biggest hires of this cycle - maybe if Moser goes to IU and if UT can lure Beilein or Beard - but this is right there with them. I would have been fine with Moser, but despite the FF he wasn't/isn't the name to the casual observer that Smart is. Honestly, if you asked me in February who "Porter Moser" was I wouldn't have known - if you said the Loyla Coach I'd say - cool - but I wouldn't have known his name. If they make the FF again this year that will probably change but a bird in hand is always worth two in the bush. Moser would have been a great hire too, but had we waited for Moser, and got turned down and missed our opportunity with Smart in the process that would have been a disaster.

If he works out remains to be seen, but I'm willing to hope for the best. As others have mentioned, the ceiling is very high. I don't think we could have done a better job and I'm more optimistic about the future of the program than at any time since 2003. (Success with Buzz was great, but the phony cowboy/squeemishness of those years diminished the taste of that success).

With Smart we have the opportunity to win big and do it in the Marquette way. Buzz brought the former. Wojo brought the latter. Smart has the potential for both.

I'm excited but I want Shaka the system coach and not Shaka the player coach. 

It's pretty clear to me now that Wojo's strategy was to promise certain players they would get the ball and the freedom to do what they want with the ball.  A few others were promised a role.  A rare few (Sacar) graduated from role to "do what you want".  Behind that, there was no system.  Wojo might call it trust in the players, but the total was never greater than the sum of the parts. 

Shaka proved at VCU to have a system that made the total greater than the sum of the parts.  He also has a strong defensive system.  Good systems win games in the BEAST. 

Get good players - yes - necessary... but also install the system to make the end result even better. 

Quote from: Norm on March 26, 2021, 11:38:48 PM
What else in his record at Texas - despite his failures in March when it counts - would lead you to believe he will do better in Milwaukee than he did in Austin?

I think he had some really bad luck at Texas. His tournament losses are by something like a combined 13 points. He had injuries and a cancer diagnosis to top players.

He was able to change from Havoc and still have very good defenses. Some wonder if he got into the Jay Wright problem of chasing stars but not really players that fit. That's when Wright had his lull before winning two titles. Not saying Shaka will do the same, but since we won't quite get the talent Texas did, we might get players that better fit his system.

I also don't know how much Texas welcomed him. I think going to a basketball school in a conference like the Big East will be very good. It seems like the VCU situation on steroids.

Badger fans are big mad (scared) about it on Twitter, so it's probably a good hire. Then again, most of them know nothing about CBB...

Quote from: cheebs09 on March 27, 2021, 06:17:23 AM
I think he had some really bad luck at Texas. His tournament losses are by something like a combined 13 points. He had injuries and a cancer diagnosis to top players.

I am wary of making excuses for past performance, but there is truth to this. Along with those losses and that diagnosis, if you followed Texas, he had some untimely injuries and some early NBA departures that affected continuity.

That said, he clearly wasn't successful and I don't blame Texas for being disappointed after 6 years. With the last minute losses, perhaps he shouldn't have had his teams in a position to lose that way, so that's the counter argument.

Sometimes, for a lot of reasons, a situation just doesn't work out or isn't the right fit.

For Marquette, here is what I know. He's been successful before. He can recruit. He's had great defenses. And, he is a nationally known name from a Power 6 conference. Those are positives. It makes MU look strong to be able to attract him. I'm willing to give him a blank slate and let him get to work.

For me, he was one of 4-5 guys I would have been super happy with. He wasn't my top pick, but he was in my candidate pool as someone I was excited to get. The sour grapes being exhibited on this board because some people's guy didn't get chosen are ridiculous. Especially when you consider that most of us - if not all of us - were not privy to the decision making process and don't know why the choice was made. Was Moser lukewarm in reception? Did Beilein insist on bringing his son as an associate coach? Did Gates acknowledge that FSU is his dream job? We don't know any of it. To criticize a decision that was made without knowing how the sausage was made is comical. It speaks more of the critics than the decision.

As with every coaching decision, only time will tell how he does. But I for one am excited, even if he wasn't the #1 on my personal list.

Long meandering stream of consciousness post over now...

Checks quite a few boxes....

1. Head coach Experience
2. Previous wins in ncaa tourney (not at Texas)
3. Proven defensive system
4. Ability to recruit nba players
5. Wisconsin guy
6. Diversity
7. Regardless of how long ago, this is still a final four HEAD coach

It is better to end things at Texas too early then too late. For Pete's sake, Marquette program dropped to the level of just hoping that we beat DePaul or St John's . . . From I hope we don't lose a game against DePaul/St John's to keep us out of the tourney with a 500 record  . . To getting destroyed in the first round and embarrassed by Morant . . . To can we at least win 1 out of 5 games to be BEAST champs.

Want to be entertained? Jump over to Buckys 5th Quarter. Comments on MU hiring Shaka are hilarious. As if RED is a historic program...the UCLA of college basketball. Dang I hate those guys. And yes, a little hate is...good.😀

I'm a projo who thought Wojo should get another year.

But that is the past.  I see more clearly now. The veil has been lifted.

This is a hugh hire by MU.  A Wow hire. I am astonished that they pulled this off. I am excited.  Big time hire, biggest in MU's history by far. 

I think it is an upgrade on many fronts and the type of upgrade where we don't have to take a step back for 2 or 3 years.

And from fan excitement, marketing, Milwaukee relevance, this is a big hire.  Big upgrade.   Instant excitement to have him on the sidelines of Fiserve.   I bet the students get fired back up some as well. He seems to relate to the youngsters.

Are you "excited" that MUBB hired Shaka Smart? That's a bit strong. (No pun intended) Hopeful, sure.

So let's take a look at some of Shaka's experience, positive things, things to work on etc...

Smart was an assistant at four different places in various leagues prior to becoming a head coach where he made contributions and gained valuable experience. And as a head coach he had players go on to the professional basketball level.

As a head coach, Smart made 8 of 12 NCAA Tourneys as a head coach. (He would have missed 2020's NCAA Tourney.) He made a Final Four in 2011. He's won in the NCAA Tourney first Round two other times. He won the Big 12 Conference Tourney Title in 2021. He also won the A-10 Tourney in 2015, and a Colonial Conference Tourney Title in 2012. He was able to finish 3rd in the Big 12 twice, and he was able to finish 2nd in the A-10 twice, and 2nd in the Colonial once.

In the NCAA Tourney, his last NCAA Tourney win was vs Akron, in 2013, and he had a 2012 NCAA Tourney win over Wichita St. as the two NCAA Tourney wins for him outside of his Final Four Season. Smart has made the 2nd weekend of the NCAA Tourney in 1 out of 12 seasons.

In Smart's Final Four Season, he took an 11 seed, 4th place Colonial Team that finished behind George Mason, Old Dominion, and Hofstra, from the NCAA Tourney First Four, all the way to the Final Four.

How did Smart do compared to his league peers at Texas? Smart never finished first in the regular season league, in three different leagues. While he was at Texas, four other teams were able to do it. He didn't have any 2nd place finishes at Texas. Add an additional 5th team that was able to do that. Texas did finish 3rd twice, as did an additional sixth team, and, that team the year before Smart's arrival, finished 2nd and made the Final Four.

The only two teams in the Big 12 that didn't either finish in the top couple of teams in the regular season, or not win a conference tourney during his time there, were TCU and Oklahoma St.. ...Kansas, Baylor, Kansas St., Oklahoma, West Virginia. Texas Tech, Iowa St. were all able to do it. Smart had an overall losing conference record at Texas, including 3 straight losing record seasons ar one point. Smart made the NCAA Tourney in 2 of his last 5 seasons.

Texas. How does his time at Texas compare to his predecessor at Texas?  In 17 seasons, Rick Barnes made the NCAA Tourney 16 times. While there, he went to a Final Four, 2 Elite 8's, 2 Sweet 16's. He won 19 NCAA Tourney games in 17 seasons. He won 3 regular season league titles, finished 2nd 5 times, and finished 3rd 3 times.

So, in partial summary,

8 of 12 NCAA Tourneys. Hopefully he can keep building upon that a little bit, and make that almost annual at Marquette. Texas stands out here as Power 5/Big East league. He was 3 out of 6. We try to use a league as comparable to Marquette's league as possible.(a Power 5/Big East League)

NCAA Tourney wins in 3 of 12 seasons, 1 season making the 2nd weekend or better out of 12. Hopefully he can win NCAA Tourney games in more seasons, more often. Again, at Texas, zero NCAA Tourney wins in six seasons.

Zero regular season league titles in 12 seasons, in 3 leagues, including all six years at Texas. Hopefully he will win some regular season league titles at Marquette.

Smart had two top 3 league finishes at Texas in six seasons. He did this in 1 of 3 Colonial Seasons and 2 of 3 A-10 seasons. Hopefully can add to this at Marquette.

Smart won 3 conference tourney titles in 12 seasons, in 3 different leagues, including 1 in his 6 seasons at Texas.. Hopefully he can mix that in at Marquette.

He had a winning league record in both the Colonial and A-10. But he had a losing league record at Texas, having winning league records in two of six seasons. Hopefully he can produce more winning league records more often at Marquette.

So, these are some of the areas where Smart has had some success, and these are some areas, where he can hopefully build upon that at Marquette. He'll get a fair chance the next few to several years. I do believe it's significant, and long overdue for Marquette to have a Black and/or Minority HC in any sport. Good luck to him. 👍

Quote from: Marq3332 on March 27, 2021, 07:17:00 AM
Want to be entertained? Jump over to Buckys 5th Quarter. Comments on MU hiring Shaka are hilarious. As if RED is a historic program...the UCLA of college basketball. Dang I hate those guys. And yes, a little hate is...good.😀

I'd rather walk into oncoming traffic than read what Tom from UW-Platteville has to say about our program

Curious about whether those that are not excited about the hire, if they would change their tune if Shaka had his first press conference catered by Aryb's, free roast beef and cheddars for everyone.

Quote from: forgetful on March 27, 2021, 10:11:47 AM
Curious about whether those that are not excited about the hire, if they would change their tune if Shaka had his first press conference catered by Aryb's, free roast beef and cheddars for everyone.

Oprah can MC.

(https://media3.giphy.com/media/xT0BKqB8KIOuqJemVW/giphy.gif)

Seth Davis with an article on Shaka in The Athletic, mostly about his time at Texas, with this headline:

Shaka Smart was once a shooting star. Now he's just looking for another shot at Marquette

https://theathletic.com/2480309/2021/03/26/shaka-smart-was-once-a-shooting-star-now-hes-just-looking-for-another-shot-at-marquette/?source=weeklyemail

I'll respect the paywall so won't cut-and-paste, but here's a couple of little tidbits.

Similar to what many Scoopers said about Wojo (until this season):

Smart's teams were never bad, but they were never good enough, either.

Conclusion:

This is one of those rare instances when a coaching change benefits everyone – the coach, the school he's leaving and the school he's going to. Smart had his turn as a shooting star, but that light has faded. He's just a basketball coach now, eager for another shot, and he's going back home to take it.

Quote from: MomofMUltiples on March 26, 2021, 04:01:16 PM
Considering that my OTHER team whose fans were hoping for an impact hire ended up hiring a former assistant to the failed coach who, despite rumors of him being a great recruiter in Minnesota, STILL let Tre Jones, McKinley Wright, Theo John, Dawson Garcia AND Matthew Hurt slip though his fingers, I am absolutely thrilled.  I was thinking we were going to end up with Chris Carrawell or Isaac Chew.

There was probably serious consideration given to Isaac Chew but only on an interim basis long enough to recruit MU's best players and recruits to Texas A&M. 

That dude did some serious bridge burning on his way out the door at MU.

Quote from: MU82 on March 27, 2021, 10:58:41 AM
Seth Davis with an article on Shaka in The Athletic, mostly about his time at Texas, with this headline:

Shaka Smart was once a shooting star. Now he's just looking for another shot at Marquette

https://theathletic.com/2480309/2021/03/26/shaka-smart-was-once-a-shooting-star-now-hes-just-looking-for-another-shot-at-marquette/?source=weeklyemail

I'll respect the paywall so won't cut-and-paste, but here's a couple of little tidbits.

Similar to what many Scoopers said about Wojo (until this season):

Smart's teams were never bad, but they were never good enough, either.

Conclusion:

This is one of those rare instances when a coaching change benefits everyone – the coach, the school he's leaving and the school he's going to. Smart had his turn as a shooting star, but that light has faded. He's just a basketball coach now, eager for another shot, and he's going back home to take it.

Last sentence I totally agree with. Shaka gets a big reset coming to Marquette. He will come in to prove his detractors wrong. I believe we will see a fired up Shaka which will translate into some fun Marquette basketball. The future is looking very bright for Marquette fans.

Here's hoping for Rick Barnes 2.0, rather than Wojo 2.0.