We face the very real possibility of beginning a well managed decline if we do not find more talented players however/wherever we can recruit them.
We have everything including a great coaching staff. All we need now is quality players.
Difficult, but doable.
Cool
Quote from: MU 1971 on March 26, 2025, 11:23:56 AMWe face the very real possibility of beginning a well managed decline if we do not find more talented players however/wherever we can recruit them.
We have everything including a great coaching staff. All we need now is quality players.
Difficult, but doable.
Thought this topic was about the mental state of scoop. I was not disappointed.
Thanks
That is all any of us can hope for as we get older.
I agree! bringing in 4 top 100 recruits after bringing in 2 top 100 recruits? This is an unmitigated disaster!
I'm in a well-managed state of decline myself, so this thread really resonates with this old man.
I'm Class of '68, but I do believe MU has raised its academic standards since my time. 8-)
Quote from: wiscwarrior on March 26, 2025, 12:39:26 PMI'm Class of '68, but I do believe MU has raised its academic standards since my time. 8-)
Who cares about academic standards? Basketball is the only thing Marquette has going for it. And that's the way it should be.
As long as the decline is well-managed I don't think there should be anything to complain about.
Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on March 26, 2025, 12:49:52 PMAs long as the decline is well-managed I don't think there should be anything to complain about.
Oh yeah? In my case, in the end, I croak!
We all do. Honestly, give me the Irish goodbye over the midwest/southern goodbye.
Quote from: Galway Eagle on March 26, 2025, 12:19:37 PMI agree! bringing in 4 top 100 recruits after bringing in 2 top 100 recruits? This is an unmitigated disaster!
who are those two top 100 recruits and are they keeping us in the top 100?
I agree that Scoop has been in decline. Well managed--now that's debatable.
Quote from: Viper on March 26, 2025, 01:36:12 PMwho are those two top 100 recruits and are they keeping us in the top 100?
Parham and Owens... did you seriously not know? Outside of Clark there wasn't another option.
are they keeping us in the top 100? Don't know, but given objective talent evaluators would say they're good 4 star recruits so we'll find out in the next two seasons.
The thing about our current recruiting is it's pretty much always been this level. There's a few outliers like Henry Dawson and arguably Markus (before reclassifying), then some particularly high recruits that weren't consensus like JJJ and Vander but for the most part we've always been a program recruiting 75-100, some are hits some are misses that hasn't changed since Crean was here. So unless people are saying we haven't already identified diamonds in the rough before anyone else (which is a bit insane) then our talent expectations haven't changed.
This is just another way of saying bring in proven transfers or recruit like he did at Texas... where he didn't have much success
Viper has to be a troll right? You can simply use this thing called "Google" to find out who our top 100 recruits were. It's not had.
Quote from: wadesworld on March 26, 2025, 02:40:39 PMViper has to be a troll right? You can simply use this thing called "Google" to find out who our top 100 recruits were. It's not had.
Counterpoint: Facts don't care about your feelings
Quote from: wadesworld on March 26, 2025, 02:40:39 PMViper has to be a troll right? You can simply use this thing called "Google" to find out who our top 100 recruits were. It's not had.
Top 100 to WHOM. Not my rankings. Every aircraft carrier is ranked higher in my rankings.
Quote from: wadesworld on March 26, 2025, 02:40:39 PMViper has to be a troll right? You can simply use this thing called "Google" to find out who our top 100 recruits were. It's not had.
Sadly, no. Or, he is a troll thorough enough to name a dorm, years, and events accurately from 40 years ago. In which case, bravo.
Quote from: Scoop Snoop on March 26, 2025, 12:24:59 PMI'm in a well-managed state of decline myself, so this thread really resonates with this old man.
You are so, so right. Me too!
Quote from: Viper on March 26, 2025, 01:36:12 PMwho are those two top 100 recruits and are they keeping us in the top 100?
Sounds like you don't think Parham and Owens will be any good. We'll see if you're right.
Parham averaged only a couple pts fewer than Kam did as a freshman. He averaged about double what Joplin did, about double what OMax did (at Clemson), and an infinite amount more than Oso did.
But maybe Viper's already decided Royce is a bust.
Which must really mean Owens has no future.
Quote from: MU82 on March 26, 2025, 06:08:23 PMParham averaged only a couple pts fewer than Kam did as a freshman. He averaged about double what Joplin did, about double what OMax did (at Clemson), and an infinite amount more than Oso did.
But maybe Viper's already decided Royce is a bust.
Which must really mean Owens has no future.
Royce above-parham
Quote from: JakeBarnes on March 26, 2025, 01:39:04 PMI agree that Scoop has been in decline. Well managed--now that's debatable.
...even with the new server?
Quote from: muwarrior69 on March 26, 2025, 08:13:10 PM...even with the new server?
Look. I don't use alta Vista anymore. Need something that supports Netscape Navigator.
This is the sort of visionary thinking that keeps me coming back to scoop.
I read this as "A Well Mangled Decline"
I like that better
Quote from: Galway Eagle on March 26, 2025, 12:19:37 PMI agree! bringing in 4 top 100 recruits after bringing in 2 top 100 recruits? This is an unmitigated disaster!
Do any recruiting services have Miletic or Phillips in the top 100? The rankings I've seen have them well outside.
And if I remember correctly, only Stevens is top 100 in composite rankings.
Quote from: HutchwasClutch on March 27, 2025, 07:05:12 AMDo any recruiting services have Miletic or Phillips in the top 100? The rankings I've seen have them well outside.
And if I remember correctly, only Stevens is top 100 in composite rankings.
https://247sports.com/college/marquette/season/2025-basketball/commits/
Literally took two seconds to google this, two more to click the link, and then two more to copy and paste.
Quote from: Hards Alumni on March 27, 2025, 07:09:17 AMhttps://247sports.com/college/marquette/season/2025-basketball/commits/
Literally took two seconds to google this, two more to click the link, and then two more to copy and paste.
This has Phillips and Miletic at 102 and 106, which is much higher than what I remember seeing, yet still not top 100.
James listed 83, but that's not the consensus. I've seen 112 and 121 for his ranking.
Phillips is top 50 on On3
Quote from: JTJ3 on March 27, 2025, 07:22:44 AMPhillips is top 50 on On3
That was in July unless you have something recent.
https://www.on3.com/news/why-on3-is-higher-than-the-industry-with-4-star-sg-michael-phillips/
Quote from: HutchwasClutch on March 27, 2025, 07:17:42 AMThis has Phillips and Miletic at 102 and 106, which is much higher than what I remember seeing, yet still not top 100.
James listed 83, but that's not the consensus. I've seen 112 and 121 for his ranking.
The season finished a couple of weeks ago, and rankings aren't always finalized.
IMO, it doesn't really matter. We've all seen players with low rankings dominate, and vice versa. Anything outside of the top 20-25 feels like a crap shoot.
I just don't believe there's much difference in ability between a top 75 and a top 150 player; probably not much between a top 50 and 150 player. I believe these rankings matter only in the top 25 to 30 players. Coaches evaluation is what matters most.
Edit: I agree with Hards.
Quote from: HutchwasClutch on March 27, 2025, 07:29:41 AMThat was in July unless you have something recent.
https://www.on3.com/news/why-on3-is-higher-than-the-industry-with-4-star-sg-michael-phillips/
45
https://www.on3.com/db/rankings/player/basketball/2025/
Quote from: Hards Alumni on March 27, 2025, 07:30:03 AMThe season finished a couple of weeks ago, and rankings aren't always finalized.
IMO, it doesn't really matter. We've all seen players with low rankings dominate, and vice versa. Anything outside of the top 20-25 feels like a crap shoot.
I agree with all of this. I only take rankings somewhat seriously when there's consensus of top 50.
My point was it's a stretch at best to declare we have 4 top 100 recruits incoming.
Quote from: JTJ3 on March 27, 2025, 07:34:29 AM45
https://www.on3.com/db/rankings/player/basketball/2025/
Hope they're right, but looks like they're a major outlier on him that high.
(https://media0.giphy.com/media/l2SpQRuCQzY1RXHqM/giphy.gif?cid=6c09b9523fp72km0had34y8pbfovu8oyjo3s79ixcmgkfv80&ep=v1_gifs_search&rid=giphy.gif&ct=gE)
Quote from: HutchwasClutch on March 27, 2025, 07:40:13 AMHope they're right, but looks like they're a major outlier on him that high.
The lead for On3 is from NC. So either he's biased or he has him that high because he's actually watched him and the other services haven't. Guess it depends if youre an optimist or pessimist on how you view that.
Seems to be the case for all these sites now though. They dont put in the same effort anymore with the portal, just like coaches. They dont see every recruit so they just rank who they have. Which is why our recruits are not even ranked on some sites, no one has seen them play.
Quote from: tower912 on March 26, 2025, 02:47:16 PMSadly, no. Or, he is a troll thorough enough to name a dorm, years, and events accurately from 40 years ago. In which case, bravo.
love MU as much as anyone. Dare I say my dad was a MU educated...dentist!! And double dare I say...was an admin in the dental school during my undergrad yrs and my sisters law school yrs. Point? I love MU hoops and bleed blue & gold. I absolutely HATE the woe is little Marquette attitude so many scoopers have. Think big! Overcome the obstacles! Recruit the best! We have guys on our team that have no business playing here. Come on Scoopers!!! Anyway, shared too much. Viper troll.out
Quote from: wadesworld on March 26, 2025, 02:40:39 PMViper has to be a troll right? You can simply use this thing called "Google" to find out who our top 100 recruits were. It's not had.
replying to you thru Tower. btw, Google? Ha. I'll let others do that.
Quote from: HutchwasClutch on March 27, 2025, 07:05:12 AMDo any recruiting services have Miletic or Phillips in the top 100? The rankings I've seen have them well outside.
And if I remember correctly, only Stevens is top 100 in composite rankings.
Ok my bad I was looking at the grade next to the stars. I acknowledge and amend it to "we have 4 top 106 guys coming in"
Individual rankings from 247, ESPN, On3 and Rivals.
Composite rankings from 247, On3, and RSCI
Militec:
247: 106
ESPN: Unranked
On3: 136
Rivals Unranked
247 Composite: 154
RSCI Composite: Unranked
On3 Industry: 164
Phillips:
247: 102
ESPN: 94
On24: 45
Rivals: Unranked
247 Composite: 116
RSCI Composite: unranked
On3 Industry: 126
James:
247: 83rd
ESPN: 54th
On3: 145
Rivals: 121
247 Composite: 83
RSCI: Unranked
On3 Industry: 84
Stevens
247: 77th
ESPN 99th
On3: Unranked
Rivals: 109
247 Composite: 115th
RSCI: Unranked
On3 Industry: 89
To address the statement that kicked this off, it's fair to say that we do not have 4 top 100 recruits. Militec is not top 100 in any service or composite ranking.
Then it gets to definitions.
Composite is the average of the various ratings
Consensus is top 100 in every service
We have zero Consensus top 100 recruits
3 appear in at least one top 100 list
2 appear in at least one service's composite list
I can't believe our entire next class is completely unranked.
Time to shut the program down
Quote from: Hards Alumni on March 27, 2025, 07:30:03 AMThe season finished a couple of weeks ago, and rankings aren't always finalized.
IMO, it doesn't really matter. We've all seen players with low rankings dominate, and vice versa. Anything outside of the top 20-25 feels like a crap shoot.
This is 100% correct - it is a crap shoot. Tre Norman is MUBB 15th best recruit all time and has not lived up to the ranking to date: https://247sports.com/college/marquette/sport/basketball/alltimerecruits/
Tre was a top 5 scorer at peach jam coming into his freshman year at MU and was being compared to Cade Cunningham and was projected by everyone to be one of the top steals of the incoming high school recruits.
Time will tell if he can get back on track.
Quote from: HutchwasClutch on March 27, 2025, 07:35:20 AMI agree with all of this. I only take rankings somewhat seriously when there's consensus of top 50.
My point was it's a stretch at best to declare we have 4 top 100 recruits incoming.
A six spot sttrrrrreeeetch
Quote from: The Equalizer on March 27, 2025, 08:42:02 AMIndividual rankings from 247, ESPN, On3 and Rivals.
Composite rankings from 247, On3, and RSCI
Militec:
247: 106
ESPN: Unranked
On3: 136
Rivals Unranked
247 Composite: 154
RSCI Composite: Unranked
On3 Industry: 164
Phillips:
247: 102
ESPN: 94
On24: 45
Rivals: Unranked
247 Composite: 116
RSCI Composite: unranked
On3 Industry: 126
James:
247: 83rd
ESPN: 54th
On3: 145
Rivals: 121
247 Composite: 83
RSCI: Unranked
On3 Industry: 84
Stevens
247: 77th
ESPN 99th
On3: Unranked
Rivals: 109
247 Composite: 115th
RSCI: Unranked
On3 Industry: 89
To address the statement that kicked this off, it's fair to say that we do not have 4 top 100 recruits. Militec is not top 100 in any service or composite ranking.
Then it gets to definitions.
Composite is the average of the various ratings
Consensus is top 100 in every service
We have zero Consensus top 100 recruits
3 appear in at least one top 100 list
2 appear in at least one service's composite list
Any insight or stats on who's been the most accurate over the years?
Quote from: jesmu84 on March 27, 2025, 08:45:46 AMI can't believe our entire next class is completely unranked.
Time to shut the program down
We should probably just beg the A10 to take us, and accept that we will lose to Dayton twice a year. :-[
So, more relationships and growth candidates. Two athletic guards, a versatile wing, and a bouncy 3 pt shooting wing. Follow the lead of St. Francis, the thoughts of 80's era faculty, and shut it down. All hope is gone.
Via 24/7
Kam and Stevie were 107 & 115 respectively in 247, Emarion and Jop were 86 & 84.
Oso 81, Justin 120, Kolek wasn't ranked, Dawson Garcia was 32
Quote from: Viper on March 27, 2025, 08:24:23 AMDare I say my dad was a MU educated...dentist!! And double dare I say...was an admin in the dental school during my undergrad yrs and my sisters law school yrs. Point?
That explains everything.
Did you, by chance, take over his practice?
We are going from an old team to a young team. I do not expect us to be an NCAA tourney team next year. Next year is all about developing the players for the future. I expect this freshmen class to get better every year. We need to be patient next year.
Quote from: bilsu on March 27, 2025, 11:28:35 AMWe are going from an old team to a young team. I do not expect us to be an NCAA tourney team next year. Next year is all about developing the players for the future. I expect this freshmen class to get better every year. We need to be patient next year.
Not a crazy young team. The starters are predicted to be three guys from 2003. Zaide from Jan 1st 05. And Royce in 06.
We are going from 3 seniors and 2 juniors. To a team that is 2 seniors, 2 juniors, and a sophmore, (but one junior had a medical RS season).
The program is not in decline as a program. It is only in a down cycle. If you want to build a team through recruit and develop the program can get out of balance in two ways, distribution of players, more bigs and wings but fewer guards and distribution of class, more upper or lower classmen. it is hard to balance either or both. Next year's team only has two seniors so it skews younger but it has a load of forwards and centers so it skews big. The talent seems underwhelming but many of the returning players have big upsides and the freshman class is well considered. I would expect that next season's team may be better than people think, maybe 5th or 6th in conference but the year after that they should soar. I am looking forward to the evolution of this group of players
Quote from: jfp61 on March 27, 2025, 11:46:07 AMNot a crazy young team. The starters are predicted to be three guys from 2003. Zaide from Jan 1st 05. And Royce in 06.
We are going from 3 seniors and 2 juniors. To a team that is 2 seniors, 2 juniors, and a sophmore, (but one junior had a medical RS season).
That's not bad considering that on average basketball is getting younger this year.
Quote from: hawk on March 27, 2025, 11:48:15 AMThe program is not in decline as a program. It is only in a down cycle. If you want to build a team through recruit and develop the program can get out of balance in two ways, distribution of players, more bigs and wings but fewer guards and distribution of class, more upper or lower classmen. it is hard to balance either or both. Next year's team only has two seniors so it skews younger but it has a load of forwards and centers so it skews big. The talent seems underwhelming but many of the returning players have big upsides and the freshman class is well considered. I would expect that next season's team may be better than people think, maybe 5th or 6th in conference but the year after that they should soar. I am looking forward to the evolution of this group of players
Down cycle is a good term for this. Click on the tweet and watch the video - puts things into perspective for Nova - but also applies to MUBB.
https://x.com/JonRothstein/status/1905258495655514616
#1s in our hearts
Quote from: hawk on March 27, 2025, 11:48:15 AMThe program is not in decline as a program. It is only in a down cycle. If you want to build a team through recruit and develop the program can get out of balance in two ways, distribution of players, more bigs and wings but fewer guards and distribution of class, more upper or lower classmen. it is hard to balance either or both. Next year's team only has two seniors so it skews younger but it has a load of forwards and centers so it skews big. The talent seems underwhelming but many of the returning players have big upsides and the freshman class is well considered. I would expect that next season's team may be better than people think, maybe 5th or 6th in conference but the year after that they should soar. I am looking forward to the evolution of this group of players
Well-reasoned post. I keep repeating that Shaka's recruit and develop system will take several seasons before it can be fairly judged vs. using the portal liberally and getting immediate result, but this is being largely ignored on scoop. I believe that we will have to wait until the '26-'27 season before we hopefully see the rewards of Shaka's system. That will drive many here crazy. Oh wait! They already are.
I think we make the tourney next year, but with a lower seed than this year. Scoop will probably be even more of a volcano than it has been this season.
Quote from: bilsu on March 27, 2025, 11:28:35 AMWe are going from an old team to a young team. I do not expect us to be an NCAA tourney team next year. Next year is all about developing the players for the future. I expect this freshmen class to get better every year. We need to be patient next year.
I am sure I am in the minority, but who thought in the 5th year of Shaka we would be rebuilding and missing the tourney. Especially with resources Marquette has and ability to take transfers.
Quote from: PointWarrior on March 27, 2025, 12:25:42 PMI am sure I am in the minority, but who thought in the 5th year of Shaka we would be rebuilding and missing the tourney. Especially with resources Marquette has and ability to take transfers.
Who thought in the 2nd year we'd have a double Big East title and two seed?
Quote from: TallTitan34 on March 27, 2025, 12:27:40 PMWho thought in the 2nd year we'd have a double Big East title and two seed?
Agreed - both are quite remarkable.
Quote from: Scoop Snoop on March 27, 2025, 12:19:34 PMI keep repeating that Shaka's recruit and develop system will take several seasons before it can be fairly judged
More than 5 years to judge!?!?
Quote from: rocky_warrior on March 27, 2025, 12:30:08 PMMore than 5 years to judge!?!?
Yep! ;D I'm all in on the CoS.
Quote from: PointWarrior on March 27, 2025, 12:25:42 PMI am sure I am in the minority, but who thought in the 5th year of Shaka we would be rebuilding and missing the tourney. Especially with resources Marquette has and ability to take transfers.
Quote from: PointWarrior on March 27, 2025, 12:28:54 PMAgreed - both are quite remarkable.
What is significant about the fifth year? Were you of the belief that MU would never miss the tournament again?
Quote from: wadesworld on March 27, 2025, 10:36:30 AMThat explains everything.
Did you, by chance, take over his practice?
im not smart enough, bro. Just a sales chump
Quote from: TallTitan34 on March 27, 2025, 12:27:40 PMWho thought in the 2nd year we'd have a double Big East title and two seed?
those ncaat wins as a 2 were awesome
Quote from: TAMU, Knower of Ball on March 27, 2025, 12:52:11 PMWhat is significant about the fifth year? Were you of the belief that MU would never miss the tournament again?
Also, this may not even happen.
Quote from: Viper on March 27, 2025, 12:54:02 PMthose ncaat wins as a 2 were awesome
Nobody is forcing you to watch. Unless your BIL is
Quote from: PointWarrior on March 27, 2025, 12:25:42 PMI am sure I am in the minority, but who thought in the 5th year of Shaka we would be rebuilding and missing the tourney. Especially with resources Marquette has and ability to take transfers.
I think MU is reloading and will make the tourney.
Quote from: tower912 on March 27, 2025, 01:01:24 PMI think MU is reloading and will make the tourney.
That's my belief. But some are all good with a rebuilding year in year 5 (Dodd's included).
Quote from: jesmu84 on March 27, 2025, 08:45:46 AMI can't believe our entire next class is completely unranked.
Time to shut the program down
Or find other resources. I know, Blasphemy.
Quote from: PointWarrior on March 27, 2025, 12:28:54 PMAgreed - both are quite remarkable.
Except one actually happened ... but the other is merely something that pessimists and HoSC members think will happen.
Quote from: PointWarrior on March 27, 2025, 01:05:10 PMThat's my belief. But some are all good with a rebuilding year in year 5 (Dodd's included).
Dodd's was more than all good with Wojo too.
If it turns out to be a rebuild next year, so be it.I believe MU, however, has the pieces for very good seasons thereafter and potentially next year. I'm just surprised that some people don't see how much more athletic Parham, Owens and Lowery were, and how much more length they had, compared to the starters other than Ross. That trend appears to be continuing with the incoming class. Some are down on Norman but he's way more physical than this year's starters. Hopefully, he can figure it all out. We'll see.
Yes.
Let me start by saying that I bleed blue and gold, just like a lot of you do, and I can't wait for every new basketball year to start for another year of MU men's b-ball. I would also like to offer that this years team was flawed, and I like many others was deluded into thinking, that because of the early success, that this was a great team, and it was not. They beat Maryland, Purdue, Georgia and Wisconsin, and we thought wow, this is a final 4 team, well, we know how that went (remember, this team was preseason ranked 18/20, preseason Big East7/8). Once teams started zoning MU to take Kam's game away, they also found out that MU was inconsistent at best at shooting 3's, and if you can't beat a zone with consistent shooting, well, that's what you're going to see a lot of. This was also a weak rebounding and foul shooting team.
Shaka got as much out of the talent he had as any other coach would have, he just didn't have the talent to take them further. Am I disappointed, absolutely, but I'm also realistic, and I trust my eyes.
Shaka was a great hire for MU, and I have not lost faith in him as a coach at all. Before Shaka, MU was not in any relevant bball conversation, now MU is, and it's because of him. He wants to build a program, and to do that you need to rebuild the culture, which WOJ, through his bball incompetence, completely destroyed. He doesn't want to recruit 5-star one-an-done players, or look to the transfer portal, because you can't build a culture or program that way (read Tom Izzo's comments on his disdain for the portal). Some, and I understand, think that's the wrong approach...let's see. He has talent on the bench, he's redshirted players to give them an additional year of development, and he has the 17th best recruiting class coming in (247Sports). Also, recruiting is just like hiring, it's at best a crapshoot, because you really don't know what you have until that player arrives, and coaching starts. Take Kam Jones as an example, I believe he was a 3-star recruit, and if anyone saw him developing into an all American candidate other than Shaka, raise your hand! So if we want to show Shaka the door because a flawed team didn't go as far as our faulty expectations said they should go, well, I'm not in that group. There're over 300 men's D1 bball teams, and MU was on the short list of teams to make the tournament, when did that happen under WOJ?
After the early success this year, my expectations got elevated, and I was in the we can go very deep into the playoffs camp for both the Big East and the group of 64 tournaments, but conference play as well as the tournament can provide a good test of reality. We'll be back, I'm confident of that, and Shaka will be the reason we return year-after-year-after-year.
Can't believe I made it thru that entire post, but I did.
Two things that jump out at me
1- you say the team was flawed, but don't blame Shaka for the flawed team. It was his guys, his team.
2- you compared Shaka to Wojo in several occasions and there's no comparison. One is awesome and one was not. However, Kam was a talent that Wojo saw and recruited.
If this years team was flawed, why will next years and the one after that not be flawed?
Quote from: DoctorV on March 28, 2025, 08:52:01 PMCan't believe I made it thru that entire post, but I did.
Two things that jump out at me
1- you say the team was flawed, but don't blame Shaka for the flawed team. It was his guys, his team.
2- you compared Shaka to Wojo in several occasions and there's no comparison. One is awesome and one was not. However, Kam was a talent that Wojo saw and recruited.
If this years team was flawed, why will next years and the one after that not be flawed?
Thanks for reading that rambling post and telling us what you saw. I took one glance at it and decided the poster had
way too much to say and he lumped it all together. Reminded me just a little of Fieldhouse Flyer, but FF is in a class by himself.
I appreciate your response to my rambling post, it was, but I think we (me) need some perspective.
Coaches coach and players play, and this team was inconsistent in their shooting, and they couldn't rebound and shoot foul shots, all things a coach can't do, and if I wasn't clear about that, my bad, that was my point.
I never implied that WOJ didn't recruit Kam, I know he did, he just didn't know what to do with the talent he recruited, and he did recruit some very good talent.
As far as next year, I have no idea how it will play out, and if it doesn't, then I will be very willing to post that I was wrong. I love MU bball, and want them to have every success, so I'm willing to see what happens next year, and if it's a dud, I will easily admit I was wrong....deal!
Quote from: tower912 on March 27, 2025, 01:01:24 PMI think MU is reloading and will make the tourney.
Agree.
In addition hear them saying during the Big Dance this year over and over that the tougher team wins. Feel our not playing as well in the 2nd half was in part due to our toughness being called out. Kam even said he started hearing the chatter from outsiders about the team being soft. Kam's and our teams shooting was also not as efficient in the second half. But toughness and rebounding or lack there of might need to be improved.
That said believe Marquette is reloading and will be back in Big Dance too.
I don't think that we have the horses to get to the Dance next year. Shaka has exceeded my expectations annually. If I'm correct, given what he's accomplished thus far, I'm willing to give him a pass and see what happens going forward. If I'm wrong Shaka's got a booster for life.
Next year, I'm expecting an inaugural Big East type season with Ben Gold playing the Steve Novak role and the 3 Amigos still to be cast.
Quote from: Vino-D on March 28, 2025, 10:15:44 PMI appreciate your response to my rambling post, it was, but I think we (me) need some perspective.
Coaches coach and players play, and this team was inconsistent in their shooting, and they couldn't rebound and shoot foul shots, all things a coach can't do, and if I wasn't clear about that, my bad, that was my point.
I never implied that WOJ didn't recruit Kam, I know he did, he just didn't know what to do with the talent he recruited, and he did recruit some very good talent.
As far as next year, I have no idea how it will play out, and if it doesn't, then I will be very willing to post that I was wrong. I love MU bball, and want them to have every success, so I'm willing to see what happens next year, and if it's a dud, I will easily admit I was wrong....deal!
Thanks for posting!
As a fellow rambler, I appreciate a great ramble.
Much like you, we all love MUbb and that's why we are here, we all want them to have every success.
To your point, Shaka could have never expected Jop and Kam to shoot 31% from 3 for a full season on a ton of attempts, seems unfathomable, as does Joplin going 0-11 or whatever that was in an E8 game and missing 3 consecutive FTs, but here we are.
Those two, along with Stevie, were great for MUbb but couldn't get us to the promised land, most can't.
Hopefully the next batch can. We are definitely in good hands with Coach Smart and he deserves all the support in the world- if we don't trust him and give him a chance to make it happen, after his first 4 years and history of actually being able to make it happen, then who would we trust?
While he's trying to make it happen he will certainly continue to be a great representative for Marquette and an excellent leader of young men.
He's got a lot of work to do though, 4 more years!!!
1. I do not think Marquette was soft this year. They competed hard every game.
2.The problem I see is MU's style works well in November, when teams are still learning to play together. It will not work well in NCAA tournament, because MU will not be playing teams with earlier season flaws.
3. The finish was disappointing, but MU exceeded my preseason expectations. Did any of you believe we would go 3-0 against the Big 10?
Quote from: bilsu on March 29, 2025, 10:16:00 AM1. I do not think Marquette was soft this year. They competed hard every game.
2.The problem I see is MU's style works well in November, when teams are still learning to play together. It will not work well in NCAA tournament, because MU will not be playing teams with earlier season flaws.
3. The finish was disappointing, but MU exceeded my preseason expectations. Did any of you believe we would go 3-0 against the Big 10?
I think some of the comments about toughness relate more to physical characteristics than to attitude. MU's guards were fairly slight, Jop was a little undersized for the 4, and Gold doesn't have much girth. It's hard for them to bang against the better teams and Hamilton wasn't ready yet for the other aspects of the game.
Quote from: Zog from Margo on March 29, 2025, 10:29:15 AMI think some of the comments about toughness relate more to physical characteristics than to attitude. MU's guards were fairly slight, Jop was a little undersized for the 4, and Gold doesn't have much girth. It's hard for them to bang against the better teams and Hamilton wasn't ready yet for the other aspects of the game.
Agree with this. Also heard Kam asked at the mid point of the season rhetorically why am I laying it all on the line for Marquette. Felt Marquette might be in trouble when I heard that but feel Kam did not mean that
Quote from: MarquetteMike1977 on March 29, 2025, 09:10:51 PMAgree with this. Also heard Kam asked at the mid point of the season rhetorically why am I laying it all on the line for Marquette. Felt Marquette might be in trouble when I heard that but feel Kam did not mean that
Lol. That's literally the exact opposite of everything I've ever heard about Kam and his experience at and feelings towards Marquette. Everything anyone says about him is he absolutely loves Marquette. Go listen to him after the NM loss.
The whispers in your head are going crazy.
Quote from: MarquetteMike1977 on March 29, 2025, 09:10:51 PMAgree with this. Also heard Kam asked at the mid point of the season rhetorically why am I laying it all on the line for Marquette. Felt Marquette might be in trouble when I heard that but feel Kam did not mean that
I'm gonna need you to explain this one please.
Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on March 29, 2025, 11:46:18 PMI'm gonna need you to explain this one please.
Will be hard to explain considering it probably didn't happen.