We've now been through one cycle of Shaka with the peaks (and they were high) and the valleys. It's time for Shaka, Nevada, and whomever else to show they can evolve. When it mattered most, they didn't as coaches, as recruiters and as a team.
Not sure where the team goes in this next iteration. No one knew Tyler and Oso would burn as bright as they did, but this next generation doesn't inspire confidence. How Shaka shapes the next 2 years is telling. If it plateaus, it might be he just got lucky with the talent he acquired and transferred (!!!) in.
If this is what our four year cycles look like in the regular season, then sign me up.
97 wins in 4 years? Give me another 4 like that.
Quote from: cheebs09 on March 21, 2025, 08:38:24 PMIf this is what our four year cycles look like in the regular season, then sign me up.
Outside of Jop, his best players were Wojo's and transfers. He hasn't proved anything recruiting high schoolers.
Lots of wins, but very little to suggest it's sustainable
His seat is ice cold. Let's get real here with this "grace period" nonsense.
If he turns up his nose up to the portal again I want him gone. There is a permanent ceiling on this program right now and I don't want to watch the Chicago Bulls of college basketball
Will be an interesting off season. Looking forward to next year.
4 nba players on this team over the last 3 seasons.
1 sweet 16 to show for it.
Yes Marquette won the big east two years ago but looking back after the 3 season are complete I'm completely disappointed.
Both years we were a two the 1 seed lost before we even played them and both years losing to a team seeded well below us.
Hopefully Shaka goes to the portal or it's going to be a rough future here.
Quote from: The Sultan on March 21, 2025, 08:42:45 PMHis seat is ice cold. Let's get real here with this "grace period" nonsense.
No one said his seat was warm. Everyone knows this administration is good with just having bites at the apple. But he hasn't proven anything beyond how strong that first class was, many of those that weren't his. He hasn't figured out how to land the next punch. And Ross/Gold don't strike fear except in the Horizon League
Quote from: GB Warrior on March 21, 2025, 08:47:01 PMNo one said his seat was warm. Everyone knows this administration is good with just having bites at the apple. But he hasn't proven anything beyond how strong that first class was, many of those that weren't his. He hasn't figured out how to land the next punch. And Ross/Gold don't strike fear except in the Horizon League
Good lord. Get some perspective.
If he snubs the portal, HS recruits will not want to come here because they know Shaknot Smart will not try to improve the team. The portal and normal HS recruiting go hand in hand
Quote from: The Sultan on March 21, 2025, 08:42:45 PMHis seat is ice cold. Let's get real here with this "grace period" nonsense.
Hope the CoS took extra vitamins today...
If he snubs the portal, HS recruits will not want to come here because they know Shaknot Smart will not try to improve the team. The portal and normal HS recruiting go hand in hand
unfortunately, I agree. If next season plays out like I think it will, there needs to be a change in approach.
There's a significant amount of dead weight sitting on the bench. Clear it out, get some mature players to fill the gaps, and let's go.
sorry about the repeat post
Quote from: tower912 on March 21, 2025, 08:40:00 PM97 wins in 4 years? Give me another 4 like that.
I'd love to be optimistic. But for the first time in four years I'm not.
Quote from: tower912 on March 21, 2025, 08:40:00 PM97 wins in 4 years? Give me another 4 like that.
Legos!!!
Wouldn't mind if this is the last game for Nevada smith
Quote from: PointWarrior on March 21, 2025, 08:49:54 PMHope the CoS took extra vitamins today...
I don't know what this means.
Quote from: warriors141 on March 21, 2025, 08:55:43 PMWouldn't mind if this is the last game for Nevada smith
You keep saying this. The problem isn't Smith. They are getting the looks. The problem is they aren't hitting them.
Shame on me. 98 wins.
Shaka needs to switch it up. You can't pride yourself in this league keeping the same roster. Have to look for height and depth. We didn't participate last year after losing our two best players and it showed. Kole's was a play maker and Ighadaro had a good inside presence and defense. Find the mid-major stud that wants to play in the bright lights.
Offense was built around driving to the hole and shooting three's. Just not consistent finishers the last 11 games. Even less reliable from three. Not sure what precipitated that, but the new class appears to be better shooters from distance. Whether they can do it at this level is a big question.
Quote from: warriors141 on March 21, 2025, 08:55:43 PMWouldn't mind if this is the last game for Nevada smith
I agree with this. G league offensive savant who never got called up to a better job. MU has had the worst offensive of any team in the tournament. No more resting on laurels that you never should have been given.
What sucks is how New Mexico didn't even break a sweat to win. Why is the ten seed better at ever position than the 7 ? Unfair
Quote from: JustinLewisFanClubPres on March 21, 2025, 09:08:49 PMI agree with this. G league offensive savant who never got called up to a better job. MU has had the worst offensive of any team in the tournament. No more resting on laurels that you never should have been given.
You're not an offensive guru when it takes an all American pg, best passing big in the country and a 40% 3 point shooter. This offense is not sustainable unless it has premium pieces in place.
Quote from: dpucane on March 21, 2025, 08:43:17 PMIf he turns up his nose up to the portal again I want him gone. There is a permanent ceiling on this program right now and I don't want to watch the Chicago Bulls of college basketball
😆 🤡
On the whole, it was a god four (4) year run, particularly after the crater of the Wojo years.
That said, I don't have a lot of confidence in the next four years. Lowery looked good tonight, and his defense impressed. Owens could be incredibly strong. Parham continues to improve. Certainly, Shaka knows more than I do about his players and future development. Despite my unease, I will wait until next March.
Quote from: dpucane on March 21, 2025, 08:43:17 PMIf he turns up his nose up to the portal again I want him gone. There is a permanent ceiling on this program right now and I don't want to watch the Chicago Bulls of college basketball
This is so dumb.
Quote from: warriorfred on March 21, 2025, 09:22:06 PMOn the whole, it was a god four (4) year run, particularly after the crater of the Wojo years.
That said, I don't have a lot of confidence in the next four years. Lowery looked good tonight, and his defense impressed. Owens could be incredibly strong. Parham continues to improve. Certainly, Shaka knows more than I do about his players and future development. Despite my unease, I will wait until next March.
Can you see the future?
Shaka has earned my respect and trust for another season.
As my old boss told me during every yearly review, "One at a time . . ."
Quote from: cheebs09 on March 21, 2025, 08:38:24 PMIf this is what our four year cycles look like in the regular season, then sign me up.
Quote from: tower912 on March 21, 2025, 08:40:00 PM97 wins in 4 years? Give me another 4 like that.
CoS president nominee. How many tourney wins?
Quote from: MurphysTillClose on March 21, 2025, 09:23:43 PMNo he's correct.
He's been here four years, been in the tournament four times, and won a conference regular season and a BET. And people think he should be gone because he doesn't build the team the way dipsh*t fans want it built?
It's mind-numbingly dumb.
Quote from: The Sultan on March 21, 2025, 09:25:46 PMHe's been here four years, been in the tournament four times, and won a conference regular season and a BET. And people think he should be gone because he doesn't build the team the way dipsh*t fans want it built?
It's mind-numbingly dumb.
Two all-Americans, nothing to show for it in March. TK himself told him
they need a big (you heard the PC) he refused.
You're the dumbass
Quote from: The Sultan on March 21, 2025, 09:25:46 PMHe's been here four years, been in the tournament four times, and won a conference regular season and a BET. And people think he should be gone because he doesn't build the team the way dipsh*t fans want it built?
It's mind-numbingly dumb.
I'm sincerely interested in - if you ran things - how you'd propose the program attempt to improve.
Quote from: GB Warrior on March 21, 2025, 09:28:14 PMI'm sincerely interested in - if you ran things - how you'd propose the program attempt to improve.
I would trust the guy who I hired to do it until he proved that he wasn't up to the job.
Not saying his seat is warm, but winning in March is what matters, period. We're average at that. Time to reconsider some strategy to be able to compete with the likes of New Mexico cuz they were bigger, more fundamentally sound, and able to shut Marq down defensively. Next years roster does not look like an upgrade from this one. At least consider the portal I'd say.
I've got an idea! For everyone complaining and suggesting changes, all you have to do is donate $2m to the NIL fund and all of the sudden we can buy the best players in the game.
The whining is laughable. Stop it. Marquette is in great hands. The landscape has changed. We have the right coach and a great group of guys. It sucks to lose to Pitinos but I don't want one.
Shaka is my dude. I trust him. We will get there. And it will still be against all odds give this is now the G League without a salary cap.
Quote from: MurphysTillClose on March 21, 2025, 09:27:10 PMTwo all-Americans, nothing to show for it in March. TK himself told him
they need a big (you heard the PC) he refused.
You're the dumbass
You should probably listen to that again, dummy.
Quote from: MurphysTillClose on March 21, 2025, 09:27:10 PMTwo all-Americans, nothing to show for it in March. TK himself told him
they need a big (you heard the PC) he refused.
You're the dumbass
Wanting to fire the coach after this four year stretch because he won't use the portal is assinine.
Apparently you aren't smart enough to realize that.
Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on March 21, 2025, 09:30:46 PMYou should probably listen to that again, dummy.
You continue to prove how dumb you are. It's fun. RGV baby
Quote from: MurphysTillClose on March 21, 2025, 09:34:14 PMYou continue to prove how dumb you are. It's fun. RGV baby
You are literally too stupid to insult.
Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on March 21, 2025, 09:40:50 PMYou are literally too stupid to insult.
Lmfao all is good.
I pray for how stupid MU fans are thinking this is good
I must have missed the part where the transfer portal is an absolute guarantee that some stud shows up and turns the team into a juggernaut.
Not to overlook the fact that landing a significant contributor out of the portal will almost certainly cost several million dollars of someone else's money.
Quote from: MurphysTillClose on March 21, 2025, 09:45:59 PMLmfao all is good.
I pray for how stupid MU fans are thinking this is good
No. No one said "this is good." You're shifting goalposts.
You're on the record for saying if he doesn't use the portal, he should be fired. Like now.
That's dumb.
Quote from: MDMU04 on March 21, 2025, 09:46:54 PMI must have missed the part where the transfer portal is an absolute guarantee that some stud shows up and turns the team into a juggernaut.
Not to overlook the fact that landing a significant contributor out of the portal will almost certainly cost several million dollars of someone else's money.
Therefore Shaka should not even try. Gard seems to do ok in the portal.
Quote from: PointWarrior on March 21, 2025, 09:48:54 PMTherefore Shaka should not even try. Gard seems to do ok in the portal.
Only if your frame of reference is like three months.
It bit him in the a$$ last year.
Quote from: PointWarrior on March 21, 2025, 09:48:54 PMTherefore Shaka should not even try. Gard seems to do ok in the portal.
Then get out your checkbook and tell Shaka who you want to pay to sign out of the portal.
It's probably actually that simple.
Quote from: The Sultan on March 21, 2025, 09:48:00 PMNo. No one said "this is good." You're shifting goalposts.
You're on the record for saying if he doesn't use the portal, he should be fired. Like now.
That's dumb.
If he continues to not improve the roster by choice and underperform, then it's worth criticizing. No sh*t he is not getting fired, thanks professor.
Don't think he should be fired either, but the blind defense by you and others about his approach is stupid, and if some are calling it out, then they should. Opportunities to improve the roster have been hitting him in the face and this summer it was obvious they needed portal help. And if guys leave so fucking be it. That's how you win in now in CBB.
Quote from: MurphysTillClose on March 21, 2025, 09:58:38 PMIf he continues to not improve the roster by choice and underperform, then it's worth criticizing.
No kidding!
But when I criticized dpu for saying "If he turns up his nose up to the portal again I want him gone." You said he was right. Wanting someone gone because they aren't building the team the way you want him to, is dumb.
Quote from: MurphysTillClose on March 21, 2025, 09:58:38 PMDon't think he should be fired either, but the blind defense by you and others about his approach is stupid, and if some are calling it out, then they should. Opportunities to improve the roster have been hitting him in the face and this summer it was obvious they needed portal help. And if guys leave so fucking be it. That's how you win in now in CBB.
I will trust the coach to build the program how he wants until he doesn't win. Do I think he should get size in the portal? Yes.
Do I want him gone if he doesn't? Absolutely not. If he starts losing? Yes.
Quote from: The Sultan on March 21, 2025, 10:03:44 PMNo kidding!
But when I criticized dpu for saying "If he turns up his nose up to the portal again I want him gone." You said he was right. Wanting someone gone because they aren't building the team the way you want him to, is dumb.
I will trust the coach to build the program how he wants until he doesn't win. Do I think he should get size in the portal? Yes.
Do I want him gone if he doesn't? Absolutely not. If he starts losing? Yes.
Yeah he's got a few months to figure it out, because everyone banking on "development" success next season are in for a hard year. And it's worth calling out.
Quote from: MurphysTillClose on March 21, 2025, 10:06:35 PMYeah he's got a few months to figure it out, because everyone banking on "development" success next season are in for a hard year. And it's worth calling out.
Then you are arguing something completely different than what I responded to dpu about.
Try to keep up next time OK?
Quote from: The Sultan on March 21, 2025, 10:07:30 PMThen you are arguing something completely different than what I responded to dpu about.
Try to keep up next time OK?
No thanks bitch.
Quote from: MurphysTillClose on March 21, 2025, 10:07:48 PMNo thanks bitch.
LOL. So mad because my logic has you tied up in knots and you can't do anything but lash out.
Another win for me.
Quote from: The Sultan on March 21, 2025, 10:10:00 PMLOL. So mad because my logic has you tied up in knots and you can't do anything but lash out.
Another win for me.
Nah you just love losing. Makes sense though.
All the back and forth arguing and name calling makes this unreadable
Quote from: GB Warrior on March 21, 2025, 08:42:08 PMOutside of Jop, his best players were Wojo's and transfers. He hasn't proved anything recruiting high schoolers.
Lots of wins, but very little to suggest it's sustainable
If you rank Stevie as one of his best players, I'm fairly confident Lowery will be at least as good next year. Down the stretch, Lowery's D was just as good (better tonight) and Lowery at least provides some threat to score. I'm also fairly confident that Parham, in time, will be better than Jop. Kam will be tough to replace on offense. Owens has a lot of upside and MU seems to have a very good recruiting class. We'll see. Frankly, I'll be glad we're past the point when the Wojo-ists try to find some way to credit Wojo for Shaka's success.
Quote from: MurphysTillClose on March 21, 2025, 10:12:57 PMMakes sense though.
Of course it does! Thanks for the acknowledgement.
Now don't you feel silly?
Quote from: The Sultan on March 21, 2025, 10:15:35 PMOf course it does! Thanks for the acknowledgement.
Sultan's a kitten?
Yes, exactly
Quote from: tower912 on March 21, 2025, 08:40:00 PM97 wins in 4 years? Give me another 4 like that.
Amen. Some people are ungrateful, disillusioned, incorrigible and miserable.
Quote from: tower912 on March 21, 2025, 08:40:00 PM97 wins in 4 years? Give me another 4 like that.
1. Shaka has overall done a terrific job at Marquette and we should be thrilled with his success to date.
2. Shaka made mistakes this year that led to an underwhelming season and another tournament loss to a lower seed.
3. The lack of production/development from much of the returning cast is reason for concern. Not everyone chooses blind faith.
All of these things can be (and are) true.
And if you don't believe in what we're doing. Watch this:
https://youtu.be/HQIqCtBEr6M?si=oD4A9J-pEq_F3Ola
It's about finding the right roster that buys into the culture. This team had some gaps. But they were closer to cutting down nets than then the CBI. There are so many coaches in America that would have been 3-18 with this squad vs 18-3. It's about finding the right roster for the culture. Shaka is threading a tight needle but I believe in him.
Quote from: MarquetteVol on March 21, 2025, 10:40:10 PMAnd if you don't believe in what we're doing. Watch this:
https://youtu.be/HQIqCtBEr6M?si=oD4A9J-pEq_F3Ola
It's about finding the right roster that buys into the culture. This team had some gaps. But they were closer to cutting down nets than then the CBI. There are so many coaches in America that would have been 3-18 with this squad vs 18-3. It's about finding the right roster for the culture. Shaka is threading a tight needle but I believe in him.
Shaka, while not saying he was wrong, basically said not having mature physical talent off the bench was a fair crticism
Quote from: MarquetteVol on March 21, 2025, 10:40:10 PMAnd if you don't believe in what we're doing. Watch this:
https://youtu.be/HQIqCtBEr6M?si=oD4A9J-pEq_F3Ola
It's about finding the right roster that buys into the culture. This team had some gaps. But they were closer to cutting down nets than then the CBI. There are so many coaches in America that would have been 3-18 with this squad vs 18-3. It's about finding the right roster for the culture. Shaka is threading a tight needle but I believe in him.
I feel badly for Kam after watching this press conference. He loves this school and his teammates. What a great kid. What a tremendous college career.
Quote from: bradforster on March 21, 2025, 10:44:41 PMI feel badly for Kam after watching this press conference. He loves this school and his teammates. What a great kid. What a tremendous college career.
Quote from: bradforster on March 21, 2025, 10:44:41 PMI feel badly for Kam after watching this press conference. He loves this school and his teammates. What a great kid. What a tremendous college career.
I do too....and maybe instead of talking about his team not having poise he should have been out last off season and gotten our PG a big
Quote from: The Sultan on March 21, 2025, 10:03:44 PMNo kidding!
But when I criticized dpu for saying "If he turns up his nose up to the portal again I want him gone." You said he was right. Wanting someone gone because they aren't building the team the way you want him to, is dumb.
I will trust the coach to build the program how he wants until he doesn't win. Do I think he should get size in the portal? Yes.
Do I want him gone if he doesn't? Absolutely not. If he starts losing? Yes.
It has nothing to do with how I want to build a team.
Marquette is the only team doing this because it's obviously not the best way to build a contender and everyone else accepted that. There were glaring holes that weren't addressed and there will be glaring holes that won't be addressed in the future with this mindset. We can all see where this is headed. I do not want to watch a team try to be the 12th best team every year and talk about doing it the right way. Again, that's just the Bulls.
Quote from: bradforster on March 21, 2025, 10:44:41 PMI feel badly for Kam after watching this press conference. He loves this school and his teammates. What a great kid. What a tremendous college career.
I feel for these guys, period. I don't think Stevie could emotionally be in the press room. I'll take 3-star and 3.5+ star kids that live and die to represent our school.
It's so easy to throw shade at them but they're in anguish. These kids respect the program, uniform and institution. I'm so disappointed they lost tonight. But not for me. For them. Because they gave everything they had to representing MU. Sorry to the haters that wasn't enough.
Shaka has no one to blame but himself for this. Offense never adjusted throughout the season. Every single player regressed.
Anyways, no killers on this team. Kam continuously passing on opportunities to take the 6-10 guy 1-1 was the end of it. So disappointing.
Anyone who thinks Shaka did a good job this year is brain dead and has blind loyalty. He has no backbone as a coach.
Next year will be much of the same. Some good early wins, level out to top 40ish with a 1st or 2nd round loss.
Quote from: MarquetteVol on March 21, 2025, 11:05:53 PMI feel for these guys, period. I don't think Stevie could emotionally be in the press room. I'll take 3-star and 3.5+ star kids that live and die to represent our school.
It's so easy to throw shade at them but they're in anguish. These kids respect the program, uniform and institution. I'm so disappointed they lost tonight. But not for me. For them. Because they gave everything they had to representing MU. Sorry to the haters that wasn't enough.
I'm disappointed for me.
Quote from: bradforster on March 21, 2025, 10:19:34 PMAmen. Some people are ungrateful, disillusioned, incorrigible and miserable.
I'm surprised your take. 97 wins or whatever gets us what? Is ncaa tourney 2nd weekend too much to ask for? Seriously, for a program like Marquette...first weekend outs, losing to lower seeds. Turn over the roster annually if need be. Second weekend one time since that E8 with Buzz. Damn.
Quote from: MarquetteVol on March 21, 2025, 11:05:53 PMI feel for these guys, period. I don't think Stevie could emotionally be in the press room. I'll take 3-star and 3.5+ star kids that live and die to represent our school.
It's so easy to throw shade at them but they're in anguish. These kids respect the program, uniform and institution. I'm so disappointed they lost tonight. But not for me. For them. Because they gave everything they had to representing MU. Sorry to the haters that wasn't enough.
Yeah no one is saying they didn't try their hardest...
There was a lack of coaching these players to their potential.
I'm not going to get crazy like the rest. But marquettes flaws were shown in early January.
Since that time, there have been zero fixes for the exposed flaws. And I do mean zero. Nothing was ever fixed.
Quote from: #UnleashSean on March 22, 2025, 12:40:54 AMI'm not going to get crazy like the rest. But marquettes flaws were shown in early January.
Since that time, there have been zero fixes for the exposed flaws. And I do mean zero. Nothing was ever fixed.
Fact.
Quote from: Viper on March 22, 2025, 12:17:56 AMI'm surprised your take. 97 wins or whatever gets us what? Is ncaa tourney 2nd weekend too much to ask for? Seriously, for a program like Marquette...first weekend outs, losing to lower seeds. Turn over the roster annually if need be. Second weekend one time since that E8 with Buzz. Damn.
I don't agree with turning over the roster entirely but bringing in some reinforcements at a position of need would be nice. How great would a Jemaya Neal look running the point in an MU uniform?
Quote from: #UnleashSean on March 22, 2025, 12:40:54 AMI'm not going to get crazy like the rest. But marquettes flaws were shown in early January.
Since that time, there have been zero fixes for the exposed flaws. And I do mean zero. Nothing was ever fixed.
Yup. Shaka's grace period isn't over for me. Happy with how he's done as a Wojo criticizer for a long while.
Nevada Smith's is though.
The guy doesn't recruit, and has been classified as the offensive coordinator, essentially. This offense simply wasn't good enough.
Outside of Kam and Jop, nobody consistently drove to the basket with the intention to score. More importantly, nobody cut to the basket with the intention to receive a pass. Pick 'n Roll was done with. Gold only did Pick and Pop, so somebody who can should've been added. The offense was a lot of, 'okay, I don't see a chance to score. Let's pass it back to someone who can maybe find a way?' Passes weren't given to guys who were put in better positions to score. How many times did Ross drive to within a few feet of the basket only to kick it out to someone who clanked a three? It was so frustrating watching other teams manufacture better shots due to ball movement when we didn't do the same.
And sure, that's the point of the offense...but obviously that
didn't work. When the difference between the number of three attempts you take and the percentage you make is a gap of 200, then the offense isn't working and needs to be adjusted. Just being a crummy three point shooting team isn't an excuse.
Quote from: HowardsWorld on March 21, 2025, 08:46:45 PM4 nba players on this team over the last 3 seasons.
1 sweet 16 to show for it.
Yes Marquette won the big east two years ago but looking back after the 3 season are complete I'm completely disappointed.
Both years we were a two the 1 seed lost before we even played them and both years losing to a team seeded well below us.
Hopefully Shaka goes to the portal or it's going to be a rough future here.
Rick Pitino: "You can complain or adapt."
Quote from: willie warrior on March 22, 2025, 06:42:26 AMRick Pitino: "You can complain or adapt."
Shaka isn't complaining. He has put in place a system he wants to see if it works.
I believe his system give us an advantage in the early half of the season when other teams have a bunch of new players and don't know each other or the coaches' methods.
As this advantage disappears over other teams as the season matures, it appears MU had regressed.
The portal has changed the dynamics of team building. Shaka is also on the learning curve. Why not try a different approach versus blindly doing what every other team is doing. That's what innovators do. Sometimes they hit a home run, sometimes no improvement.
Quote from: MU_CHI on March 22, 2025, 12:05:42 AMAnyone who thinks Shaka did a good job this year is brain dead and has blind loyalty. He has no backbone as a coach.
Next year will be much of the same. Some good early wins, level out to top 40ish with a 1st or 2nd round loss.
Maybe, if the non-con schedule is way easier.
Quote from: MU_CHI on March 21, 2025, 11:59:25 PMShaka has no one to blame but himself for this. Offense never adjusted throughout the season. Every single player regressed.
Anyways, no killers on this team. Kam continuously passing on opportunities to take the 6-10 guy 1-1 was the end of it. So disappointing.
Every single player regressed?
Shaka is good not great, he can make good adjustments against lesser foes but not equals, the last couple years we needed rebounding bigs with girth and toughness!
Quote from: MattyWarrior on March 22, 2025, 08:15:45 AMShaka is good not great, he can make good adjustments against lesser foes but not equals, the last couple years we needed rebounding bigs with girth and toughness!
Girthy bangers? Careful, you're going to get Willie excited
Quote from: MUDPT on March 22, 2025, 07:59:20 AMEvery single player regressed?
I think you can easily make the argument all 5 starters regressed during the season. Stevie, Chase, Ben no doubt. And those are the role players required to win in March
Quote from: NCMUFan on March 22, 2025, 07:02:29 AMShaka isn't complaining. He has put in place a system he wants to see if it works.
I believe his system give us an advantage in the early half of the season when other teams have a bunch of new players and don't know each other or the coaches' methods.
As this advantage disappears over other teams as the season matures, it appears MU had regressed.
The portal has changed the dynamics of team building. Shaka is also on the learning curve. Why not try a different approach versus blindly doing what every other team is doing. That's what innovators do. Sometimes they hit a home run, sometimes no improvement.
Of course he is not complaining. You miss the point. Adapt. Which he has not done. He needs consistent 3 point scorers and bangers. He does not have those. Which translates to middle to lower tier of BEast.
Quote from: ATL MU Warrior on March 22, 2025, 08:19:10 AMGirthy bangers? Careful, you're going to get Willie excited
I am already excited by the roster next year. We should all be.
Smart knew we had a weakness down low and did nothing in the off season to change that. Maybe there was no one available or they didn't want to come to Marquette. But from what I hear on this board and from the media and from Shaka, transfers were not an option. That is a major flaw IMO
Quote from: MarquetteVol on March 21, 2025, 10:40:10 PMAnd if you don't believe in what we're doing. Watch this:
https://youtu.be/HQIqCtBEr6M?si=oD4A9J-pEq_F3Ola
It's about finding the right roster that buys into the culture. This team had some gaps. But they were closer to cutting down nets than then the CBI. There are so many coaches in America that would have been 3-18 with this squad vs 18-3. It's about finding the right roster for the culture. Shaka is threading a tight needle but I believe in him.
If Shaka turned a 3-18 team into an 18-3 team - we should run him off for roster construction.
Culture? Transfers want to win and win right away and willing to win IS culture
Quote from: The Sultan on March 21, 2025, 09:25:46 PMHe's been here four years, been in the tournament four times, and won a conference regular season and a BET. And people think he should be gone because he doesn't build the team the way dipsh*t fans want it built?
It's mind-numbingly dumb.
For sure. Embarrassing some of the comments.
Quote from: MU_CHI on March 22, 2025, 12:05:42 AMAnyone who thinks Shaka did a good job this year is brain dead and has blind loyalty. He has no backbone as a coach.
Next year will be much of the same. Some good early wins, level out to top 40ish with a 1st or 2nd round loss.
So you're saying we go dancing 5 years in a row cause id be pretty happy with that. Looking at the current roster for next year im thinking they will just slightly miss the tournament
Quote from: NCMUFan on March 22, 2025, 07:02:29 AMShaka isn't complaining. He has put in place a system he wants to see if it works.
I believe his system give us an advantage in the early half of the season when other teams have a bunch of new players and don't know each other or the coaches' methods.
As this advantage disappears over other teams as the season matures, it appears MU had regressed.
The portal has changed the dynamics of team building. Shaka is also on the learning curve. Why not try a different approach versus blindly doing what every other team is doing. That's what innovators do. Sometimes they hit a home run, sometimes no improvement.
This x100. All the handwringing about Shaka's purported stubbornness and "will he adapt" is very Helen Lovejoy. To jump to that with the limited data we have is ridiculous. Shaka was basically able to run it back in 2023 with the same roster and depend on the conference 6th man of the year sliding into a starting spot at his natural position.
This past year was the only real year that you can say there was a philosophical decision to eschew the portal, and there's a reason it generated national coverage. It was absolutely worth a shot, and until January, we were all ready to crown it as genius. What was Shaka supposed to do, hit the portal in February? Give pressers and say "turns out the guys we have on the roster aren't good enough and I should have swapped out player x with player y who now plays on another team."?
My guess is that Shaka will only use the portal conservatively. Undoubtedly that will make a lot of "real fans" here mad because they think anything less than the purge every offseason as heresy, and think each season should be a totally fresh slate. But I think he has a really good understanding of how to build a program at a school like MU, and that Shaka and MU are a great fit for how to navigate the NIL era.
Great points. Right now, any portal activity begins with departures. Secondly, Shaka has sniffed around the portal and hasn't found anyone that he thought would help the team that didn't require a bag drop. Unless there are wholesale departures, I simply don't see that many big name portal entrants choosing MU.
Quote from: tower912 on March 22, 2025, 11:47:03 AMGreat points. Right now, any portal activity begins with departures. Secondly, Shaka has sniffed around the portal and hasn't found anyone that he thought would help the team that didn't require a bag drop. Unless there are wholesale departures, I simply don't see that many big name portal entrants choosing MU.
The QoS is firmly against bag drops, even if that is how other teams are winning.
I am not against them. They are a tool and a choice. And I cited examples of where they absolutely did not pay off. I don't believe that Self having his worst two season after getting g Dickinson and Woodson being out at IU after getting Ballo are coincidences.
Pitino is making it work this season at SJU.
Bag drops are a tool. Not a guarantee of success. Of course, neither is NOT doing a bag drop. Just like Buzz using his JUCO connections was a tool. Any choice is a gamble. Relationships, growth, development is another tool, another gamble.
Quote from: MUBurrow on March 22, 2025, 11:41:50 AMThis x100. All the handwringing about Shaka's purported stubbornness and "will he adapt" is very Helen Lovejoy. To jump to that with the limited data we have is ridiculous. Shaka was basically able to run it back in 2023 with the same roster and depend on the conference 6th man of the year sliding into a starting spot at his natural position.
This past year was the only real year that you can say there was a philosophical decision to eschew the portal, and there's a reason it generated national coverage. It was absolutely worth a shot, and until January, we were all ready to crown it as genius. What was Shaka supposed to do, hit the portal in February? Give pressers and say "turns out the guys we have on the roster aren't good enough and I should have swapped out player x with player y who now plays on another team."?
My guess is that Shaka will only use the portal conservatively. Undoubtedly that will make a lot of "real fans" here mad because they think anything less than the purge every offseason as heresy, and think each season should be a totally fresh slate. But I think he has a really good understanding of how to build a program at a school like MU, and that Shaka and MU are a great fit for how to navigate the NIL era.
Let us know when he starts using the portal "conservatively"
Quote from: tower912 on March 22, 2025, 12:13:03 PMI am not against them. They are a tool and a choice. And I cited examples of where they absolutely did not pay off. I don't believe that Self having his worst two season after getting g Dickinson and Woodson being out at IU after getting Ballo are coincidences.
Pitino is making it work this season at SJU.
Bag drops are a tool. Not a guarantee of success. Of course, neither is NOT doing a bag drop. Just like Buzz using his JUCO connections was a tool. Any choice is a gamble. Relationships, growth, development is another tool, another gamble.
Correct. It's about identifying players that fit your roster. Willard did that at Maryland and Whisky got ridiculously lucky with Tonje.
Quote from: willie warrior on March 22, 2025, 12:45:58 PMLet us know when he starts using the portal "conservatively"
Honest question - do you believe there will be zero portal additions in the next two years?
Quote from: PointWarrior on March 21, 2025, 09:48:54 PMTherefore Shaka should not even try. Gard seems to do ok in the portal.
Didn't you say coaches are judged on tournament success?
Shaka has 3 NCAAT wins including a S16 in the past 3 seasons.
Gard has 3 NCAAT wins including 0 S16s in the past 8 seasons (7 tournaments).
So is Gard doing okay in the portal?
Quote from: #UnleashSean on March 22, 2025, 12:40:54 AMI'm not going to get crazy like the rest. But marquettes flaws were shown in early January.
Since that time, there have been zero fixes for the exposed flaws. And I do mean zero. Nothing was ever fixed.
I don't think this is accurate.
One area i had concerns with midseason was our eFG% defense. Our defense was too turnover reliant. If we didn't get the turn, we were giving up a bucket. Hard to win when you're consistently losing the most important factor.
Towards the end of the season there was a purposeful ratcheting back of deflections. We were gambling less and getting less deflections, but we were getting more stops. The defense felt a lot more sustainable.
Offense there wasnt a fix but I'm not honestly sure what the fix would have been. What's the fix for career 36%+ 3p shooters suddenly shooting sub 31%? Process was good, but outcome was not.
One wrinkle that we had before that I didn't see this year was use of the dunker spot. We used to be elite at pocket passing to Stevie or Oso in the dunker spot for am easy duece. I don't know if that was phased out for some reason or if Kam just didn't have the pocket passing ability that Kolek did.
Quote from: TAMU, Knower of Ball on March 26, 2025, 07:22:11 AMDidn't you say coaches are judged on tournament success?
Shaka has 3 NCAAT wins including a S16 in the past 3 seasons.
Gard has 3 NCAAT wins including 0 S16s in the past 8 seasons (7 tournaments).
So is Gard doing okay in the portal?
A better comparison is McDermott, who has mixed in his own recruits with Portal guys at positions of need (grad transfers in Ashworth, Schierman, along with Neal as a senior). 7 NCAA tourney wins over the last four seasons, all losses to lower seeds (two #1 seeds and a #2 seed, and a weak foul call away from a Final Four against a #5 seed).
Quote from: TAMU, Knower of Ball on March 26, 2025, 09:21:32 AMI don't think this is accurate.
One area i had concerns with midseason was our eFG% defense. Our defense was too turnover reliant. If we didn't get the turn, we were giving up a bucket. Hard to win when you're consistently losing the most important factor.
Towards the end of the season there was a purposeful ratcheting back of deflections. We were gambling less and getting less deflections, but we were getting more stops. The defense felt a lot more sustainable.
Offense there wasnt a fix but I'm not honestly sure what the fix would have been. What's the fix for career 36%+ 3p shooters suddenly shooting sub 31%? Process was good, but outcome was not.
One wrinkle that we had before that I didn't see this year was use of the dunker spot. We used to be elite at pocket passing to Stevie or Oso in the dunker spot for am easy duece. I don't know if that was phased out for some reason or if Kam just didn't have the pocket passing ability that Kolek did.
I think you're spot on in this post. There was a stretch of games in which Chase was getting beat on the back door cut at least once a game. He was focused a little too much on the ball. That improved as he gambled a little less.
The inability to stay in front of people also was an issue. Shaka likes to pressure the ball to mid court and beyond. As the season progressed, MU was getting beat more off the bounce. That left Gold to help and not available for the defensive rebound.
As to the passing, few players can pass like TKO.
Quote from: Billy Hoyle on March 26, 2025, 09:35:10 AMA better comparison is McDermott, who has mixed in his own recruits with Portal guys at positions of need (grad transfers in Ashworth, Schierman, along with Neal as a senior). 7 NCAA tourney wins over the last four seasons, all losses to lower seeds (two #1 seeds and a #2 seed, and a weak foul call away from a Final Four against a #5 seed).
To be clear, I'm not anti portal at all. I just don't like logical inconsistencies.
Creighton will be interesting moving forward. McDermott won a lot with Kalkbrenner. Before that? 6 years (5 torunaments) of no tournament wins and four more of no second weekend. I don't think Freeman is the defensive force Kalk was.
Quote from: TAMU, Knower of Ball on March 26, 2025, 09:21:32 AMI don't think this is accurate.
One area i had concerns with midseason was our eFG% defense. Our defense was too turnover reliant. If we didn't get the turn, we were giving up a bucket. Hard to win when you're consistently losing the most important factor.
Towards the end of the season there was a purposeful ratcheting back of deflections. We were gambling less and getting less deflections, but we were getting more stops. The defense felt a lot more sustainable.
Offense there wasnt a fix but I'm not honestly sure what the fix would have been. What's the fix for career 36%+ 3p shooters suddenly shooting sub 31%? Process was good, but outcome was not.
One wrinkle that we had before that I didn't see this year was use of the dunker spot. We used to be elite at pocket passing to Stevie or Oso in the dunker spot for am easy duece. I don't know if that was phased out for some reason or if Kam just didn't have the pocket passing ability that Kolek did.
The only two guys on the team last year who could play the "dunker spot" were both redshirts - Amadou and Clark. It wasn't due to lack of passing ability, LOL.
Quote from: Elonsmusk on March 26, 2025, 09:54:53 AMThe only two guys on the team last year who could play the "dunker spot" were both redshirts - Amadou and Clark. It wasn't due to lack of passing ability, LOL.
???
Stevie did it all the time with Kolek. What players aren't capable of standing near the hoop and making an open layup or dunk?
Quote from: TAMU, Knower of Ball on March 26, 2025, 09:58:25 AM???
Stevie did it all the time with Kolek. What players aren't capable of standing near the hoop and making an open layup or dunk?
Stevie would occasionally cut back door and get a pass from Kolek. He wasn't playing a dunker role as you suggest. Dunker role is a true lob threat type of player. But you also think Tre Norman doesn't shoot well just because "the lights are on/it's an actual game," but shoots well in practice because you've allegedly seen it.
Quote from: Elonsmusk on March 26, 2025, 10:45:02 AMStevie would occasionally cut back door and get a pass from Kolek. He wasn't playing a dunker role as you suggest. Dunker role is a true lob threat type of player. But you also think Tre Norman doesn't shoot well just because "the lights are on/it's an actual game," but shoots well in practice because you've allegedly seen it.
I said dunker spot, not dunker role. Its a position on the court.
What does "Grace Period is over" even mean?
Over to whom? A dozen or so Scoopers, most of whom only show up to whine? To anybody who actually matters at Marquette? OK, please provide evidence.
As for the term "grace period" itself ...
Coaches like Mike Krzyzewski, Tom Crean and Jay Wright are examples of guys who had grace periods. They were allowed to lose - a lot - for years before they faced any true expectations that they start winning. Crean benefited from extended grace periods at three different schools.
Shaka took over what pretty much everyone agrees was a horrifically broken program and had to start almost from scratch. He got to the NCAAT his first season, followed with two outstanding years, and just wrapped up a fourth consecutive season with an NCAAT bid.
He hasn't had a grace period at all ... and that's OK because he hasn't needed one.
Quote from: Zog from Margo on March 26, 2025, 09:37:14 AMI think you're spot on in this post. There was a stretch of games in which Chase was getting beat on the back door cut at least once a game. He was focused a little too much on the ball. That improved as he gambled a little less.
The inability to stay in front of people also was an issue. Shaka likes to pressure the ball to mid court and beyond. As the season progressed, MU was getting beat more off the bounce. That left Gold to help and not available for the defensive rebound.
As to the passing, few players can pass like TKO.
True, but our turning over our opponents often led to easy buckets which we weren't getting anymore. I thought the lack of a guy in the dunker spot was because we went full five out on offense this year with Oso gone.
Quote from: MU82 on March 26, 2025, 11:50:31 AMWhat does "Grace Period is over" even mean?
Over to whom? A dozen or so Scoopers, most of whom only show up to whine? To anybody who actually matters at Marquette? OK, please provide evidence.
As for the term "grace period" itself ...
Coaches like Mike Krzyzewski, Tom Crean and Jay Wright are examples of guys who had grace periods. They were allowed to lose - a lot - for years before they faced any true expectations that they start winning. Crean benefited from extended grace periods at three different schools.
Shaka took over what pretty much everyone agrees was a horrifically broken program and had to start almost from scratch. He got to the NCAAT his first season, followed with two outstanding years, and just wrapped up a fourth consecutive season with an NCAAT bid.
He hasn't had a grace period at all ... and that's OK because he hasn't needed one.
His grace period was over the day they lost to UNC in his first tournament appearance as Marquette's head coach. Al never lost in March
Quote from: TAMU, Knower of Ball on March 26, 2025, 09:21:32 AMI don't think this is accurate.
One area i had concerns with midseason was our eFG% defense. Our defense was too turnover reliant. If we didn't get the turn, we were giving up a bucket. Hard to win when you're consistently losing the most important factor.
Towards the end of the season there was a purposeful ratcheting back of deflections. We were gambling less and getting less deflections, but we were getting more stops. The defense felt a lot more sustainable.
Offense there wasnt a fix but I'm not honestly sure what the fix would have been. What's the fix for career 36%+ 3p shooters suddenly shooting sub 31%? Process was good, but outcome was not.
One wrinkle that we had before that I didn't see this year was use of the dunker spot. We used to be elite at pocket passing to Stevie or Oso in the dunker spot for am easy duece. I don't know if that was phased out for some reason or if Kam just didn't have the pocket passing ability that Kolek did.
I do think I brought up a while ago when we were discussing the 5 man out that the only one going to the dunk spot was jop.
Quote from: TAMU, Knower of Ball on March 26, 2025, 10:52:59 AMI said dunker spot, not dunker role. Its a position on the court.
And as I said, Stevie when in the "dunker spot" as you like to call it largely was there via a back door cut. And the reason it is called the dunker spot, is because generally for it to be successful, you need a guy who isn't 6'2" and a marginal jumper to perform well in the "spot."
Quote from: Elonsmusk on March 26, 2025, 01:36:58 PMAnd as I said, Stevie when in the "dunker spot" as you like to call it largely was there via a back door cut. And the reason it is called the dunker spot, is because generally for it to be successful, you need a guy who isn't 6'2" and a marginal jumper to perform well in the "spot."
I wouldn't say that part. It's called the dunker position because the goal of that pass is to get an easy layup/dunk.
I'd like all of the players to use that position more. But especially Ben and Ross.
Assuming Clark and Hamilton aren't ready, Ben needs to add some semblance of a post game this offseason. Or they need to have Royce play the 5 on offense more with Ben at the 4. They can switch up on defense.
Quote from: MU82 on March 26, 2025, 11:50:31 AMWhat does "Grace Period is over" even mean?
Over to whom? A dozen or so Scoopers, most of whom only show up to whine? To anybody who actually matters at Marquette? OK, please provide evidence.
As for the term "grace period" itself ...
Coaches like Mike Krzyzewski, Tom Crean and Jay Wright are examples of guys who had grace periods. They were allowed to lose - a lot - for years before they faced any true expectations that they start winning. Crean benefited from extended grace periods at three different schools.
Shaka took over what pretty much everyone agrees was a horrifically broken program and had to start almost from scratch. He got to the NCAAT his first season, followed with two outstanding years, and just wrapped up a fourth consecutive season with an NCAAT bid.
He hasn't had a grace period at all ... and that's OK because he hasn't needed one.
when Crean took over at MU and IU, both programs were in tough spots. I liked Mike Deane...and I'm sure Tower liked those 100 wins as MU's coach, but his recruiting was meh, and his yr 5 sucked. Was MU in a better place when Crean took over than what Shaka got from Woj? Hell no. Still practicing at the Old Gym!! Wright and K?...without checking but I don't believe Nova and Duke were tearing it up either. Probably why there were coaching changes, respectively. However, Shaka didn't take on the dumpster fire people seem to think he did. Roster wasn't much but the toolbox was full. Woj had to go, and credit to Shaka for the fix. It's time to start winning ncaat games. I would think he'd agree.
Quote from: CTWarrior on March 26, 2025, 12:01:16 PMTrue, but our turning over our opponents often led to easy buckets which we weren't getting anymore. I thought the lack of a guy in the dunker spot was because we went full five out on offense this year with Oso gone.
It was but that can be taken too far. Opponents were adjusting to MU's traps. They were looking to catch MU ball watching, which led to easy baskets on back door cuts. It also led to MU focusing more on jumping lanes rather than staying front. MU didn't do a great job of staying in front of opponents guards down the stretch. Richmond, for example, were regularly beating MU defenders into the paint.
I think you guys need a longer time line. Next year's team appears underwhelming but it has 4 top 100 players on it, 2 are freshmen. I agree that Shaka should use the portal but he does it will be for a 2nd ear player like Kolek and Omax. This roster is 2 yrs out from being something thrilling no matter what happens this off season. Just hold your water. ask Rick about the poral...#2 seed took the L and Richard was still in the game
Quote from: Viper on March 26, 2025, 03:01:13 PMwhen Crean took over at MU and IU, both programs were in tough spots. I liked Mike Deane...and I'm sure Tower liked those 100 wins as MU's coach, but his recruiting was meh, and his yr 5 sucked. Was MU in a better place when Crean took over than what Shaka got from Woj? Hell no. Still practicing at the Old Gym!! Wright and K?...without checking but I don't believe Nova and Duke were tearing it up either. Probably why there were coaching changes, respectively. However, Shaka didn't take on the dumpster fire people seem to think he did. Roster wasn't much but the toolbox was full. Woj had to go, and credit to Shaka for the fix. It's time to start winning ncaat games. I would think he'd agree.
So you think Shaka had a "grace period," and it's over?
Oh, and Marquette basketball was a total dumpster fire at this time 4 years ago. It doesn't have to have been more of a dumpster fire than pre-Crean to have been a dumpster fire.