MUScoop

2-4 in February. Haven't won a game of consequence since Jan. 4th. What's up?

Conference play.

The offense flowed so well early on.

Kam started getting POY talk and the ball got sticky.

Now the flow is off and out 2nd team is beating our 1st team in practice.

Quote from: tower912 on February 21, 2025, 08:07:59 PMConference play.

In a strong vintage of the BE?

Quote from: tower912 on February 21, 2025, 08:07:59 PMConference play.

That had effect on an upperclassmen laden, experienced team more than others?

Quote from: tower912 on February 21, 2025, 08:07:59 PMConference play.

LOL

Quote from: JakeBarnes on February 21, 2025, 08:10:18 PMThe offense flowed so well early on.

Kam started getting POY talk and the ball got sticky.

Now the flow is off and out 2nd team is beating our 1st team in practice.

Play the second team more

Quote from: tower912 on February 21, 2025, 08:07:59 PMConference play.

Nah. Beat and played better teams in the noncon.

Teams have figured us out and Shaka can't or won't adjust.
First half against UConn was the first half against Creighton was the first half tonight.

Quote from: tower912 on February 21, 2025, 08:07:59 PMConference play.

Going into conference play, Marquette was elite, the rest were meh.

Maybe it's *just* injuries, but something has gone terribly wrong.

Maybe they know Shaka is going to Virginia after the season.

Quote from: Pakuni on February 21, 2025, 08:14:41 PMNah. Beat and played better teams in the noncon.

Teams have figured us out and Shaka can't or won't adjust.
First half against UConn was the first half against Creighton was the first half tonight.

Which is what conference play is. 

Quote from: tower912 on February 21, 2025, 08:17:44 PMWhich is what conference play is.

Which means you adjust. You're dense.

Maybe the team is betting on games.

Maybe we'll eventually find out that Zaide and Tre wrote a letter about Kam's usage.

Because I agree that adjustments get made by teams and coaches during the conference season?  Fair.

Quote from: tower912 on February 21, 2025, 08:20:40 PMBecause I agree that adjustments get made by teams and coaches during the conference season?  Fair.

Apparently except for our team and coaches? 

We've talked a lot about Kam's J, but I don't think he's moving as well as he did earlier in the season.

Quote from: ATL MU Warrior on February 21, 2025, 08:21:58 PMApparently except for our team and coaches? 

This, why are we so easy to adjust for but other teams aren't?

Early on I thought this team was a title contender. Other Scoopers did too. Everyone is down on this team now, justifiably. Although there is little evidence that things will get better at the moment, I have a hunch that this team is going to perform well in March.

Quote from: Judge Smails on February 21, 2025, 10:00:03 PMEarly on I thought this team was a title contender. Other Scoopers did too. Everyone is down on this team now, justifiably. Although there is little evidence that things will get better at the moment, I have a hunch that this team is going to perform well in March.

Other than *maybe* injury (which most teams deal with), I don't know what's gone wrong.  I'm hopeful it goes "right" again too.

Quote from: tower912 on February 21, 2025, 08:07:59 PMConference play.

The 2024-25 Big East is not good. This team beat the top teams in the Big Ten, and it pains me to say this but that is a much better league. Tonight they got blown out by a team that isn't even sniffing the bubble. Something changed. Something is broken.

Quote from: Judge Smails on February 21, 2025, 10:00:03 PMI have a hunch that this team is going to perform well in March.

Me too. I think they are going to limp into a seven seed into the tourney then get hot...have a feeling this team gets to Elite Eight then gets smoked by a #1 seed.

The issue is that Joplin, Jones, Mitchell and Gold have become below average. Incredible decline in performance.

Guys aren't making the shots the offense is designed to give them.

Quote from: MarquetteDano on February 21, 2025, 11:29:42 PMMe too. I think they are going to limp into a seven seed into the tourney then get hot...have a feeling this team gets to Elite Eight then gets smoked by a #1 seed.

wont make it out of the first round....

you posters that love SilverWarrior - he is questioning if this team even makes the tourney

Quote from: MuggsyB on February 21, 2025, 08:24:35 PMWe've talked a lot about Kam's J, but I don't think he's moving as well as he did earlier in the season.

Yeah, he must be injured too, which is the default answer. Predicted he would wear down being primary ball handlers. This team played well first 2 months if season, but has fallen apart. No underneath bangers and no 3 point shooters. And next year could be more of the same, unless a couple if the frosh can consistently drain 3s.

Quote from: Judge Smails on February 21, 2025, 10:00:03 PMEarly on I thought this team was a title contender. Other Scoopers did too. Everyone is down on this team now, justifiably. Although there is little evidence that things will get better at the moment, I have a hunch that this team is going to perform well in March.

I'll have what he is smoking. This is the time of the year elite teams peak. We arent.

Quote from: MarquetteDano on February 21, 2025, 11:29:42 PMMe too. I think they are going to limp into a seven seed into the tourney then get hot...have a feeling this team gets to Elite Eight then gets smoked by a #1 seed.
[/aren't.
Speaking of smoking, what are imbibing?

Quote from: PointWarrior on February 22, 2025, 03:04:52 AMyou posters that love SilverWarrior - he is questioning if this team even makes the tourney

That's nice.

They're a lock.

Silver, who obsessed about wanting the keys handed to Sean on day 1 and TKo moved off the ball or to the bench.

Quote from: MarquetteDano on February 21, 2025, 11:29:42 PMMe too. I think they are going to limp into a seven seed into the tourney then get hot...have a feeling this team gets to Elite Eight then gets smoked by a #1 seed.

I think it's a lot more likely we go 1-3 to finish the regular season.  There's not a chance of stringing together multiple victories against tournament teams the way this team is playing.  MU is like the basketball version of the Keystone Cops right now. 

Quote from: rocky_warrior on February 21, 2025, 10:02:30 PMOther than *maybe* injury (which most teams deal with), I don't know what's gone wrong.  I'm hopeful it goes "right" again too.

I am with you. I have not seen any of the post-game reports of late and I certainly do not know what goes on in the locker room, but I can't recall a time when Shaka lost his temper and asked more of a player because he knows they can perform better. Maybe its time for bad cop Shaka to light a fire under this team. It's like a switch was turned on and now it's turned off.

Shaka criticized Kolek and Kam last season.  He criticized Joplin multiple times earlier.  He criticized his bench.  Shaka lets you know what he is thinking.

My first response was they ate too much Real Chili and were suffering from dysentery but there aren't any RC chambers in Philadelphia.

My gut is that this is pretty much the team I expected when the season started. Good but not great. We lost two true all-Americans and their positions were plugged with one fellow who has promise (Chase) and a second who, on a good day, is a role player. We fell victim to media hype and Shaka-love and believed Jop and Ben, particularly, were more than they really are.

Our guys are great guys and they represent the university well. Nonetheless the team reminds me an awful lot of the team we had after Dwyane Wade turned pro in 2003. The pieces were there to be good but the greatness came from Wade's talent and leadership. We didn't quite have a DWade last year, but we had the will and the leadership that came from Oso and Tyler.

As a group, we Marquette fans really underestimated the leadership intangibles that came from Oso and, particularly, Tyler.

For Shaka, the challenge will be, "what happens when my development projects don't develop?" That happens all the time in college basketball and we may have at least two failed launches in Al Amadou and Caedin Hamilton. I hope I'm wrong but if I'm not, Shaka and the Portal must get reacquainted.

Who hasn't improved in their time at MU under Shaka?

It's hard to be a team that shoots 15-26 from 3, and made over double the number of FTs that your team even took.

This game is an anomaly.

On the plus side Zaide confirmed what I've been seeing from him lately. He's a stud. Needs more playing time.

Quote from: tower912 on February 22, 2025, 10:33:17 AMWho hasn't improved in their time at MU under Shaka?

Not many players, regardless of coach, are better as 18-year-olds than 21/22-year-olds.

Wisblue accurately pointed out that the second half of the conference schedule was more difficult than the first half.   

Quote from: Pakuni on February 22, 2025, 11:03:04 AMNot many players, regardless of coach, are better as 18-year-olds than 21/22-year-olds.

Thats a lesson scoop will never learn. Remember when there were talks on scoop about how much Marquette would beat the alumni tbt team by? Those dudes not realizing the 27-32 year olds were about to wipe the floor with a college team lol

Quote from: forgetful on February 22, 2025, 11:00:42 AMIt's hard to be a team that shoots 15-26 from 3, and made over double the number of FTs that your team even took.

This game is an anomaly.

On the plus side Zaide confirmed what I've been seeing from him lately. He's a stud. Needs more playing time.

There we go, we can still make excuses for this team. Think their 💩  play had anything to do with those numbers? 

I just don't think wisblues accurate assessment of our schedule is the reason we are losing.  The schedule getting more difficult was obvious.  Predicting our team would play this poorly for this long of a stretch of the season was not as obvious at the time.  Perhaps to some. 

Quote from: JakeBarnes on February 21, 2025, 08:10:18 PMThe offense flowed so well early on.

Kam started getting POY talk and the ball got sticky.

Now the flow is off and out 2nd team is beating our 1st team in practice.

KAM is not a point guard. We surely miss Sean Jones as point guard. Marquette needs a shooting coach. Our shooting is awful.Ben plays like he's a foot shorter. There are no dominant players on this team.

I think it is one of factors.  I also believe that most teams go through rough patches in their seasons. 
The cliche around the Crean teams were that they peaked in November.
As fondly as we remember Buzz's teams due to post season success, team bubble watch was coined during that era.
Wojo.... well, after beating #1 Nova and getting a court storm, two weeks later he declared every position was open and would be decided by effort in practice.  (Don't be late)

This team is going to the tournament.  This team is in a rough patch.  This team has not made 3's at the expected rate.    This team has won 20 games and has OOC wins against 3 big 10 teams that are likely to dance.  All of these things are true. 

Frustrating?  Sure.  End of the world stuff?  F no.

Quote from: forgetful on February 22, 2025, 11:00:42 AMIt's hard to be a team that shoots 15-26 from 3, and made over double the number of FTs that your team even took.

This game is an anomaly.

On the plus side Zaide confirmed what I've been seeing from him lately. He's a stud. Needs more playing time.

Not exactly: Nova shot 45% and 58% 3PT; UCONN shot 61% and 63% 3PT.

Nova was desperate and played like it.  The boys are ok I think just beat up and tired.  If Gold has shin issues and Stevie has achilles issues that would explain a lot.  Just because guys don't miss games doesn't mean they are not injured.  I would trather look at the bright spot shinning in our faces...Lowery, Parham and Owens are coming of age and Hamilton would be much better if Shaka would just chain him in the lane and let him band instead of trying to make every center into the next Oso.  I am disappointed in the results so far but I expect a 4 seed and still a shot at a sweet 16.

Quote from: tower912 on February 22, 2025, 11:30:19 AMI think it is one of factors.  I also believe that most teams go through rough patches in their seasons. 
The cliche around the Crean teams were that they peaked in November.
As fondly as we remember Buzz's teams due to post season success, team bubble watch was coined during that era.
Wojo.... well, after beating #1 Nova and getting a court storm, two weeks later he declared every position was open and would be decided by effort in practice.  (Don't be late)

This team is going to the tournament.  This team is in a rough patch.  This team has not made 3's at the expected rate.    This team has won 20 games and has OOC wins against 3 big 10 teams that are likely to dance.  All of these things are true. 

Frustrating?  Sure.  End of the world stuff?  F no.

My issue isn't that they're losing games. If they were losing hard-fought, competitive games, well, thems the breaks.
The problem isn't the losing, it's the way they're losing. The quality of play has fallen off a cliff and the coaching staff is either unwilling or unable to make adjustments needed to stop the bleeding.

A 4 would mean some very good stuff has to happen in the next four weeks.

Need to back to "Where the Streets Have No Name" for the intro. Irish bands get it done.

Quote from: mileskishnish72 on February 22, 2025, 01:11:24 PMA 4 would mean some very good stuff has to happen in the next four weeks.

More probable to get 4 more losses than to earn a 4 seed this season.

1. Jop has inexplicably lost his 3-point shot. Completely. Form looks the same to me, but results are abysmal.
2. Stevie is a shadow of himself. I presume he is beat up.
3. Kam is using the 4th different form on his jumper in 4 years. This one isn't working.
4. Ben is definitely gimpy

Quote from: TSmith34, Inc. on February 22, 2025, 04:17:03 PM1. Jop has inexplicably lost his 3-point shot. Completely. Form looks the same to me, but results are abysmal.
2. Stevie is a shadow of himself. I presume he is beat up.
3. Kam is using the 4th different form on his jumper in 4 years. This one isn't working.
4. Ben is definitely gimpy

I'm going to guess this time of year everyone is beat up. It's an excuse.

Time to step up or this going to be an ugly last couple of weeks.

Quote from: Zog from Margo on February 22, 2025, 01:11:41 PMNeed to back to "Where the Streets Have No Name" for the intro. Irish bands get it done.

Did they change the intro song??

It's easier for a hurting 3 pt. shooter to shoot than a banged up driver to drive.
Nice guys, but they get intimidated.
Teams have our number.
Put three guys under the basket and let Marquette throw up bricks.
On offense shoot threes that go in.
Paint touches are highly overrated.
Interesting that we don't get fouls called against our competition.  They just let us shoot.

Oh, and they had a week off.  How will it go Tuesday after just a few days recovery?

Quote from: Norm on February 22, 2025, 08:38:02 PMDid they change the intro song??

No

Quote from: vogue65 on February 22, 2025, 08:54:18 PMIt's easier for a hurting 3 pt. shooter to shoot than a banged up driver to drive.
Nice guys, but they get intimidated.
Teams have our number.
Put three guys under the basket and let Marquette throw up bricks.
On offense shoot threes that go in.
Paint touches are highly overrated.
Interesting that we don't get fouls called against our competition.  They just let us shoot.

Oh, and they had a week off.  How will it go Tuesday after just a few days recovery?

They didn't have a week off - they played Tuesday night.

Quote from: vogue65 on February 22, 2025, 08:54:18 PMIt's easier for a hurting 3 pt. shooter to shoot than a banged up driver to drive.
Nice guys, but they get intimidated.
Teams have our number.
Put three guys under the basket and let Marquette throw up bricks.
On offense shoot threes that go in.
Paint touches are highly overrated.
Interesting that we don't get fouls called against our competition.  They just let us shoot.

Oh, and they had a week off.  How will it go Tuesday after just a few days recovery?

Welcome back?

2 posts today.
2 posts 1/3/25.
Before that? 3/31/24.

Where you been?

Quote from: jesmu84 on February 22, 2025, 10:48:33 PMWelcome back?

2 posts today.
2 posts 1/3/25.
Before that? 3/31/24.

Where you been?

Recently pardoned?

The team is physically worn down.  Ben is nowhere near as mobile as he was earlier in the year, and its evident his shin/lower legs are bothering him. I suspect Stevie is also really limited by his achilles.  Kam also has a ton of wear and tear accumulated through his heavy load on both ends.

This team thrived on being able to create turnovers and convert for easy scores.  Their energy and activity level aren't at the same level as earlier in the season, and I don't think for one second its due to lack of heart. 

It sounded like things were dialed back last week during the off week, with guys getting individual work in, some practice limited, but Shaka mentioned more time together.  In my opinion, it seems like the squad probably needs a break from each other/practice/the grind.

Love our squad and Shaka - they work their ass off, but it might be time for the work to be dialed back, and try to find some fun in this last month of the season.

Honestly, this is what we've been for a long time, but the W/L results papered over the actual level of play reality. Since December 8, the day after the Wisconsin game, we rank #46 in T-Rank. So for 2-1/2 months, we've been playing like a bubble team.

Our 8-0 start was the best in over a decade, the 6-0 Big East start was the best since the Amigos, those things made it easy to ignore some of the deficiencies that have been there a long time.

The first month, we looked great because we were lethal at the rim and the turnover differential gave us a possession advantage. We weren't shooting well from three, but historically that has always positively regressed to the mean in January/February, so we looked like contenders.

Instead, teams were able to pack the paint as the shooting never came around. The turnover disparity isn't as stark; we had 22+% TO rate in 7 of our first 10 games, but just 5 of 17 since. And Kam has gone from NPOY contender good to First Team Big East good, which just isn't good enough to lift the offense to the top-15 level it was at.

I'm not one to give up on the season. Sometimes getting out of conference play is the best thing you can do, and 3/5 Big East losses came the second time a team played us. I still think we can be in that 5-7 seed range and depending on the draw get to the second weekend, maybe even Elite Eight. But I do have a hard time realistically seeing this team reach the heights that felt possible in early December.

I blame the fans first and foremost.

Also, too much time in the boxing ring, not enough time boxing out.

We still *COULD* get to my magical 25/25 Adj OE / Adj DE rankings by tourney time. Need to get healthier, and continue to see guys step up (e.g., Royce, Zaide, DO and his length pawz)... regardless of where the regular season ends up, this team will be a scary foe in the tourney for most opponents... Jolp has a night.. or Ben knocks down 3/5 from deep to help.. one or more of the frosh or sophs step up big time in a game.. Kam goes god mode, etc... lots of paths to pull off 'upsets'...

But the thought of us getting pummeled in a 6/11 game right from the tip isn't difficult to imagine either. #pray

Hard to believe we're realistically at this point in terms of seeding discussion after where we stood in early January but I really don't want to fall to the 8/9 game. I imagine the chances of that are low but I don't dive into the bracketology to that level.

As we can all see, this team has regressed in the last six weeks. Physical injuries account for some of it - Ben and Stevie particularly. Can it be fixed at this point? Probably not. This is a team limping to the end of the season. What the team is sorely lacking is the physical toughness and mental determination that really good teams have. During the past two seasons. Oso and Tyler provided that kind of leadership, but there is no one to do it now. Stevie is that kind of player, but he is obviously not able to play at that level right now due to physical constraints.

But, having said that, I also have to admit to feeling somewhat hypocritical. I have said before that I do not expect MU to ever win another national championship, and I mean that. National championships are now won by teams with huge NIL programs that pay players very large amounts of money. MU cannot compete in that arena. And, I'm ok with that. I do not want MU to be a school that pays huge amounts to basketball players. I want the team to be competitive, able to win the BE every now and then, get to the tournament, and be comprised of good players who represent the university well.

So, even though I am complaining about the decline of this year's team, I guess the team is pretty much what I want them to be too.

Quote from: rgoode57 on February 23, 2025, 10:06:57 AMAs we can all see, this team has regressed in the last six weeks. Physical injuries account for some of it - Ben and Stevie particularly. Can it be fixed at this point? Probably not. This is a team limping to the end of the season. What the team is sorely lacking is the physical toughness and mental determination that really good teams have. During the past two seasons. Oso and Tyler provided that kind of leadership, but there is no one to do it now. Stevie is that kind of player, but he is obviously not able to play at that level right now due to physical constraints.

But, having said that, I also have to admit to feeling somewhat hypocritical. I have said before that I do not expect MU to ever win another national championship, and I mean that. National championships are now won by teams with huge NIL programs that pay players very large amounts of money. MU cannot compete in that arena. And, I'm ok with that. I do not want MU to be a school that pays huge amounts to basketball players. I want the team to be competitive, able to win the BE every now and then, get to the tournament, and be comprised of good players who represent the university well.

So, even though I am complaining about the decline of this year's team, I guess the team is pretty much what I want them to be too.

I'm glad Shaka doesn't have your mindset about what this program can be in the coming years.

Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on February 23, 2025, 10:06:24 AMHard to believe we're realistically at this point in terms of seeding discussion after where we stood in early January but I really don't want to fall to the 8/9 game. I imagine the chances of that are low but I don't dive into the bracketology to that level.

Seems like we are probably a 6 at the moment with a good chance to make it to the 5 line if we start winning. Butler is on the verge of becoming a Q1 win for us. Our resume isn't the problem though it is the predictive metrics at this point.

Gotta start playing more efficient.

I thought all along we were overrated. We beat Creighton, when they were struggling to replace Issacs, and we beat Xavier without Freemantle. I do not think we would have won either of those games if those players were not injured. We were also struggling to beat the lesser teams. The great start just gave us too much hope for this season.

Quote from: bilsu on February 23, 2025, 11:22:02 AMI thought all along we were overrated.

<yawn>

You think that every year.

Quote from: bilsu on February 23, 2025, 11:22:02 AMI thought all along we were overrated.

What else is new?

Quote from: bilsu on February 23, 2025, 11:22:02 AMI do not think we would have won either of those games if those players were not injured.

Of course you didn't. You thought we'd be 9-23, no matter who was hurt or healthy.

Quote from: bilsu on February 23, 2025, 11:22:02 AMThe great start just gave us too much hope for this season.

Us? I had the requisite amount of hope, and so did most Scoopers. You, on the other hand, hope for MU to lose so Shaka leaves or gets fired.

Good post, brew

Quote from: rgoode57 on February 23, 2025, 10:06:57 AMAs we can all see, this team has regressed in the last six weeks. Physical injuries account for some of it - Ben and Stevie particularly. Can it be fixed at this point? Probably not. This is a team limping to the end of the season. What the team is sorely lacking is the physical toughness and mental determination that really good teams have. During the past two seasons. Oso and Tyler provided that kind of leadership, but there is no one to do it now. Stevie is that kind of player, but he is obviously not able to play at that level right now due to physical constraints.

But, having said that, I also have to admit to feeling somewhat hypocritical. I have said before that I do not expect MU to ever win another national championship, and I mean that. National championships are now won by teams with huge NIL programs that pay players very large amounts of money. MU cannot compete in that arena. And, I'm ok with that. I do not want MU to be a school that pays huge amounts to basketball players. I want the team to be competitive, able to win the BE every now and then, get to the tournament, and be comprised of good players who represent the university well.

So, even though I am complaining about the decline of this year's team, I guess the team is pretty much what I want them to be too.

Glad you have settled. Some of us want the team to compete for national Titles. And that is all right too. No reason why we can not.

6+ games left in the season.
Might as well enjoy them.
Then the long cold off season.

Quote from: NCMUFan on February 23, 2025, 07:49:17 PM6+ games left in the season.
Might was well enjoy them.
Then the long cold off season.

So, you're gonna stop watching when MU is winning NCAA Tournament games?

Quote from: rgoode57 on February 23, 2025, 10:06:57 AMAs we can all see, this team has regressed in the last six weeks. Physical injuries account for some of it - Ben and Stevie particularly. Can it be fixed at this point? Probably not. This is a team limping to the end of the season. What the team is sorely lacking is the physical toughness and mental determination that really good teams have. During the past two seasons. Oso and Tyler provided that kind of leadership, but there is no one to do it now. Stevie is that kind of player, but he is obviously not able to play at that level right now due to physical constraints.

But, having said that, I also have to admit to feeling somewhat hypocritical. I have said before that I do not expect MU to ever win another national championship, and I mean that. National championships are now won by teams with huge NIL programs that pay players very large amounts of money. MU cannot compete in that arena. And, I'm ok with that. I do not want MU to be a school that pays huge amounts to basketball players. I want the team to be competitive, able to win the BE every now and then, get to the tournament, and be comprised of good players who represent the university well.

So, even though I am complaining about the decline of this year's team, I guess the team is pretty much what I want them to be too.

Wojo, is that you?

Allow me to clarify my previous comments a bit.

Over the past week, I spent more time than usual watching other teams play - Auburn, Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee, Duke especially. I regret to say that MU does not belong in the same arena as those teams. They are freakishly athletic, long, very aggressive, shoot well, and rebound well.

But, those teams all have one other thing in common - huge NIL programs.

In my prior post, I said I do not expect MU to win another national championship simply because MU cannot pay players to the extent these other schools are doing so. NIL money is a primary factor in putting a team together now, and schools like those I have cited have much larger alumni bases and can raise a lot more money than MU.

I personally would be disappointed if MU suddenly started paying players millions of dollars per year. Certainly the players deserve to be paid, but there is a lot of insanity going on out there. The other day, I heard an interview with Deion Sanders where he flatly stated that he did not recall Shadeur Sanders or the other guy (Heisman Trophy winner) ever attending a class at Colorado. Yet, we continue to call them "student athletes." I simply do not want MU's basketball program to be like that.

To maintain some degree of integrity, I'm ok if that means MU never wins another national championship. Certainly you field the best team you can, but within certain constraints. And I think that is exactly what Shaka is doing. To some extent, I suspect he has adopted the "recruit / develop" strategy out of necessity because he cannot compete financially for the transfers he would like to have. That's ok. You do what you have to do.

Quote from: bilsu on February 23, 2025, 11:22:02 AMI thought all along we were overrated. We beat Creighton, when they were struggling to replace Issacs, and we beat Xavier without Freemantle. I do not think we would have won either of those games if those players were not injured. We were also struggling to beat the lesser teams. The great start just gave us too much hope for this season.

I'm not sure if I'd say we were "overrated" but I thought we had an advantage early in the season thanks to our roster continuity from the previous season. St. John's is a great example of peaking as the season has gone on, and their roster of transfers has acclimated and come together. Purdue, the other high major who didn't take any transfers, is going through similar issues as the season has gone on.

rgoode57, you're mistaken if you think MU is not paying its players large sums of NIL money.  Shaka may not be dropping the million-dollar bag to land the 5-star recruit (there aren't many of those guys out there), but he's taking care of our guys.  He just goes about it a different way. 

The Auburns-Alabamas-Kentuckys-Tennessees all have football players to use up huge chunks of their NIL money.  So although they have huge alumni bases to contribute NIL funds, they also have many more NIL "mouths to feed".  Marquette has basketball, so we've gotta pay maybe a dozen guys.

Quote from: MU82 on February 23, 2025, 09:40:44 PMSo, you're gonna stop watching when MU is winning NCAA Tournament games?

I have 6+.  Meaning the Big East and NCAA Tourney is the + when we advance.  If you are anticipating us getting a bye and going to the Big East final, then add 2 more games.  If we run the table in the NCAA tourney, that is an additional 5 games.

Quote from: rgoode57 on February 24, 2025, 09:47:09 AMAllow me to clarify my previous comments a bit.



But, those teams all have one other thing in common - huge NIL programs.

.

Do you know who else has a huge NIL program for basketball? Indiana. So do Kansas, Washington, Kansas State, North Carolina, and Texas. How are those teams doing this season? Is the NIL investment paying off for them?

The teams you mentioned have huge NIL programs but often they're throwing money at recruits. We know Memphis offered big dollars to Kam and yet he stayed. There is a difference between throwing money at recruits to get them to commit and guys currently on the team being compensated handsomely. There was a "day in the life" video with Chase where he was driving a BMW X3 (on a campus where one does not need a car to get around). I don't know his family's financial situation so maybe that was for him purchased by his parents, but my guess is that is a NIL benefit.

One interview I saw with Shaka regarding portal demands is that he tells guys when they get to MU they will have the opportunity to earn NIL. Do you think Kansas is glad they shelled out $600k for AJ Storr before he played a game for them?

Quote from: NCMUFan on February 24, 2025, 11:50:59 AMI have 6+.  Meaning the Big East and NCAA Tourney is the + when we advance.  If you are anticipating us getting a bye and going to the Big East final, then add 2 more games.  If we run the table in the NCAA tourney, that is an additional 5 games.

I missed the + ... my bad!

Quote from: Billy Hoyle on February 24, 2025, 10:11:36 AMI'm not sure if I'd say we were "overrated" but I thought we had an advantage early in the season thanks to our roster continuity from the previous season. St. John's is a great example of peaking as the season has gone on, and their roster of transfers has acclimated and come together. Purdue, the other high major who didn't take any transfers, is going through similar issues as the season has gone on.

With all due respect Billy, I don't buy the "roster continuity" argument.  I've watched a lot of our early games.  Great players are great players.  At the beginning of the season Kam was playing like the best player in the entire country.  And it wasn't just his statistical output and efficiency, his stellar play filtered to every member of our team on the offensive end.  It led to way more open space and easier decision making from every area on the floor. 

Fast forward to now and it's night and day.  And the reason it's such a drastic difference is Kam has far less confidence in his jump shot which allows teams to sag and pack the paint.  He also doesn't look nearly as confident in his interior shots.  The bottom line is we're not making shots and our offense is stuck in the mud.  There's way too much dribbling, hesitation, and standing around with our thumbs up our asses in lieu of moving ourselves and the rock.  You add the fact that Jop, Ben, and Stevie are really struggling to score when they do have clean looks and the whole offense snowballs into a cataclysmic disaster.

In order for us to get out of this s-storm, Kam has to play like an All-American.  If he does, everything is exponentially easier.  If he doesn't, our margin for error is infinitesimal and the likely result will be early darkness. 

Well said Muggsy.  Kam knows it as well based on that podcast.  Hopefully he's close.  I like the way he has been firing of late.  Much less hesitation.  Closer misses and a few more makes.

Kam mentioned on the pod that he let a few go and said they felt good and looked good and just hit the back iron. CM agreed. Normally Kam from the release you can get a decent idea of if it's going in or not. Gotta feeling he is close to going off again.