MUScoop

Alrighty-o. Kicking off Shaka's 5th year - where do you stand? How heavily does the NIL-House world weigh on your judgement? How much NCATT success do you need? I've pulled a few comparative metrics (with the help of ChatGPT - so might be hallucinated) in terms of NCATT Depth of Run (25 teams have gone EE or deeper), NCATT wins (22 teams have 4+ wins), NCATT appearances (19 other teams with 4 season NCATT streak) and Win% of P6 teams since 2021-2022 (ChatGPT especially struggled here, but I think 12 P6 teams with >MU's 70.5%). The 10 teams that met all four of those criteria - i.e. those that have had unequivocally better RESULTS than MU since Shaka took over:

Alabama
Auburn
Duke
Houston
Kansas
North Carolina
Purdue
Tennessee
UConn
Gonzaga (P6 caveat)

Not a bad list - and if you argue that PROCESS also matters, and NIL funding availability matters, then certainly Shaka might be about as good as they come.

That said, I still don't like going into year 5 (the first "completely Shaka" team with "his guys") as a fringe tournament team. I think we do better than that, but a deep March run doesn't seem overly likely this year.

 

Just gonna bump this - To me this was a no-brainer - we couldn't hope for better, Shaka4Eva.

Shaka - Class act all the way around. Brilliant mind. Charismatic. Unbelievable character. Zagged when everyone around zigged (shunned the transfer portal).  Recruiting character and talent at a high level.  Roster construction and talent depth, best we've ever seen in the modern era (post Al years). Fun brand of basketball.  Taking selfies with students in student section post game.

We obviously would have loved for a deeper run in the NCAA, but an outright Big East Championship and BET Tourney championship was an amazing run, despite getting knocked out in Round of 32.  I'd be surprised if a Final Four/Natty doesn't happen for Shaka should he stay at MU another 10 years.

15 years to judge?

My Shaka grades depend on the time of year:

Offseason: A
November-February: A
March: C

Quote from: DienerTime34 on November 06, 2025, 11:53:21 AMMy Shaka grades depend on the time of year:

Offseason: A
November-February: A
March: C

This is pretty fair.

I am thrilled Shaka is our coach and remain absurdly optimistic about the future of Marquette basketball. But, I do think it's fair to say that Shaka absolutely kills the homework assignments, aces the quizzes during the term, but struggles on the final exam. I'll take it, but I sure would like to see him finish strong.

It's definitely the most successful era since Crean, but I worry there's a permanent ceiling on the team if they can't fill obvious short term needs the way other teams can.

Quote from: DienerTime34 on November 06, 2025, 11:53:21 AMMy Shaka grades depend on the time of year:

Offseason: A
November-February: A
March: C

April: Withdrawn due to Absence

Agree with Diener.. but I would add there is a certain level pride that we should all have in Shaka's doing things the right way. Not sure how this "no portal" experiment is going to play out, but I appreciate being able to watch kids progress through their 4/5 years at MU. If we had a bit more effective strength and conditioning program, I think that the chances of this succeeding would be higher.

Quote from: dpucane on November 06, 2025, 12:00:43 PMIt's definitely the most successful era since Crean, but I worry there's a permanent ceiling on the team if they can't fill obvious short term needs the way other teams can.

Putting aside the off court stuff - you don't think 3 consecutive sweet 16s and an elite 8 with Buzz was more successful than current day Shaka?

With Shaka already utilizing the red shirt and rosters expanding to 15 scholarships, we'll see if he will have the need to fill holes in the portal (or miss opportunities not to) or if having a bunch of guys around for a 5th year will cover that.

Finally we have something to argue about around here.

Yes the NCAAT success has been middling (relative to seed) but you can't discount playing on Friday night three years in a row (and counting) in the Garden, winning a BET, having a BET runner up and also winning a regular season championship.

Playing on Friday Night in NYC is an advancement officer's dream.  Save for a S16+ run, advancing to the semi's of the BET is mission accomplished for the program. 

If we end up being the one program where the players we want to keep all stick around, this is potentially the start of a very exciting period of Marquette basketball. Look at the effective recruiting classes that will drive us the next few years:

2023: Lowery, Jones, Norman
2024: Parham, Owens, Hamilton
2025: James, Stevens, Clark, Phillips
2026: Pearson, Miletic, Egbuonu, Walker, Johnston

The classes look more and more solid as the years go on. I know people think this might be a down year, but I've been really excited watching these young guys. James/Stevens is going to be an excellent back court, and you can already see with Clark that once he gets his body control, he's going to be a player. It might take time, but I think the next four years will end up better than the first four, and that's the trajectory we all want.

Where Number 2 in luck on KenPom. so pretty lucky so far.

I picked "We swapped WOJO for this?!?!"

Absolutely! I can remember Tom Crean complaining how difficult it was to recruit at MU and BUZZ echoing the complaint when the Big East shed all the football schools. Wojo recruited well. He just didn't know what to do with them.

This is the beginning of the Shaka era and with Alex committing today, you bet we swapped WOJO for this.

Quote from: MUbiz on November 06, 2025, 12:11:08 PMPutting aside the off court stuff - you don't think 3 consecutive sweet 16s and an elite 8 with Buzz was more successful than current day Shaka?

There's that too, and I relate that to not filling obvious needs before the season.

Only one conference team is on that better than MU list.

You have to do all things right in regular season to be in a position to succeed in March.

March is where Juan Felix scores a career's worth of points and is never heard from again.  It is also where Vander Blue pulls a last-second layup out of his ass.

But you can't experience the highs and lows of March if you are not there.  MU is in great shape.

You can obviously never know for sure, but I'm confident Shaka is the "forever" coach we've been waiting for.  Barring something unforeseen, I expect him to retire at Marquette. 

Plus, I love the current roster building strategy, including really leveraging redshirts with the new 15-man rosters. 

Even if this year's squad rides the bubble this season, the arrow is pointing way up. 

This crap rules I love it, its awesome seeing tre norman be pretty good now. Would hate to be every other school in the country watching their old players become solid elsewhere.

So who would you (realistically) hire who is better?

Quote from: Badgerhater on November 06, 2025, 04:57:52 PMSo who would you (realistically) hire who is better?

That is easy, Moser

Quote from: Pepe Sylvia on November 06, 2025, 04:43:58 PMThis crap rules I love it, its awesome seeing tre norman be pretty good now. Would hate to be every other school in the country watching their old players become solid elsewhere.

If you want a little piece of what that feels like, go look at what Keeyan Itejere did in his debut for Rhode Island.

Quote from: brewcity77 on November 06, 2025, 12:52:35 PMIf we end up being the one program where the players we want to keep all stick around, this is potentially the start of a very exciting period of Marquette basketball. Look at the effective recruiting classes that will drive us the next few years:

2023: Lowery, Jones, Norman
2024: Parham, Owens, Hamilton
2025: James, Stevens, Clark, Phillips
2026: Pearson, Miletic, Egbuonu, Walker, Johnston

The classes look more and more solid as the years go on. I know people think this might be a down year, but I've been really excited watching these young guys. James/Stevens is going to be an excellent back court, and you can already see with Clark that once he gets his body control, he's going to be a player. It might take time, but I think the next four years will end up better than the first four, and that's the trajectory we all want.

Hmm...are James, Stevens and Phillips Shaka's 3 amigos?

Shaka >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Wojo's wet sock personality >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> wojo's coaching

Quote from: PJDunn on November 06, 2025, 12:06:45 PMAgree with Diener.. but I would add there is a certain level pride that we should all have in Shaka's doing things the right way. Not sure how this "no portal" experiment is going to play out, but I appreciate being able to watch kids progress through their 4/5 years at MU. If we had a bit more effective strength and conditioning program, I think that the chances of this succeeding would be higher.

Something tells me this is Shaka attempting to make due with what NIL he was given.

Quote from: muwarrior69 on November 06, 2025, 06:21:22 PMHmm...are James, Stevens and Phillips Shaka's 3 amigos?

Hopefully much better than 8th in the country, 6 seed, and Rd of 32.

I don't think they're comparable as Chase, Zaide, DO, Parham, etc are all talented pieces around them as is the incoming class while the amigos basically only had Novak and lazar

Quote from: Galway Eagle on November 06, 2025, 07:38:18 PMHopefully much better than 8th in the country, 6 seed, and Rd of 32.

I don't think they're comparable as Chase, Zaide, DO, Parham, etc are all talented pieces around them as is the incoming class while the amigos basically only had Novak and lazar

Dont do my boy Dan....  ;D  Fitzgerald  ::)  ::)  ;D  like that...

Sorry, I almost got through that without laughing.

Watching the Southern game last night made me smile knowing a majority of the new faces will be around their senior year.

I would love more late March success but my Illini friends have total rebuilds every year with massive roster turnover. Unless you are in the FF every year I prefer what Shaka does.

Quote from: MarquetteDano on November 06, 2025, 08:37:23 PMWatching the Southern game last night made me smile knowing a majority of the new faces will be around their senior year.

I would love more late March success but my Illini friends have total rebuilds every year with massive roster turnover. Unless you are in the FF every year I prefer what Shaka does.

I understand this and most of it makes sense.

I'd edit one part though. Very few, if any, teams "are in the FF every year"

I'd say "unless you make the FF in one year then I prefer what Shaka does"

Everything you mentioned is absolutely true- it's great doing things the right way, it's great having guys that buy into Marquette for their entire lives (after all, isn't this what we've all done?), it's great having 0 roster turnover and getting to watch the same group grow and mature as opposed to constant turnover and having no idea who you're rooting for one year to the next...

This is only great with the V part of the RGV triangle though. Without the victory, it's merely a nice way of doing things.
It surely isn't something all of us would praise 20 years from now without the victory.

The victory, on the ultimate stage in the sport, is a trip to the FF and a National Championship.
So, if over let's say a 20 year window X coach at X program makes 2 final 4s and wins one Natty with constant turnover and non-stop portalling while Marquette makes a handful of S16s, a few E8s and no FFs, well then at the end of the day X was the most successful with the ultimately happier fanbase.

We can argue what we want and say what we want about styles, but at the end of the day a FF and National Championship is the goal at a place like Marquette, any given way.

To me it seems like we are on the right track, but getting over the hill to the next step is no easy task

Quote from: brewcity77 on November 06, 2025, 12:52:35 PM2023: Lowery, Jones, Norman
2024: Parham, Owens, Hamilton
2025: James, Stevens, Clark, Phillips
2026: Pearson, Miletic, Egbuonu, Walker, Johnston

I love the shear volume of quality prospects. Not all of them will develop as hoped, and some might have injury riddled careers like Joe Fulce and Greg Elliot.  But by having so many options, Shaka will have more bites at the apple of success.

I also think Shaka wants to have as deep of a roster as possible in order to play intense defense and push the pace on offense.  This roster will give him that option.

It feels like Marquette will be very similar to his VCU teams as far as playing style goes, but with better talent.  Exciting times are on the horizon.

Quote from: brewcity77 on November 06, 2025, 06:06:43 PMIf you want a little piece of what that feels like, go look at what Keeyan Itejere did in his debut for Rhode Island.

Gonna need to do that against better than stetson, feel like he coulda put that up here with 20 min against the dregs of d-1

Quote from: DoctorV on November 06, 2025, 09:55:36 PMI understand this and most of it makes sense.

I'd edit one part though. Very few, if any, teams "are in the FF every year"

I'd say "unless you make the FF in one year then I prefer what Shaka does"

Everything you mentioned is absolutely true- it's great doing things the right way, it's great having guys that buy into Marquette for their entire lives (after all, isn't this what we've all done?), it's great having 0 roster turnover and getting to watch the same group grow and mature as opposed to constant turnover and having no idea who you're rooting for one year to the next...

This is only great with the V part of the RGV triangle though. Without the victory, it's merely a nice way of doing things.
It surely isn't something all of us would praise 20 years from now without the victory.

The victory, on the ultimate stage in the sport, is a trip to the FF and a National Championship.
So, if over let's say a 20 year window X coach at X program makes 2 final 4s and wins one Natty with constant turnover and non-stop portalling while Marquette makes a handful of S16s, a few E8s and no FFs, well then at the end of the day X was the most successful with the ultimately happier fanbase.

We can argue what we want and say what we want about styles, but at the end of the day a FF and National Championship is the goal at a place like Marquette, any given way.

To me it seems like we are on the right track, but getting over the hill to the next step is no easy task

I know a different era but not so long ago that is what Jay Wright did at NOVA. Let's see if Shaka can repeat that at MU in this new era of college sports.

Quote from: muwarrior69 on November 07, 2025, 08:34:39 AMI know a different era but not so long ago that is what Jay Wright did at NOVA. Let's see if Shaka can repeat that at MU in this new era of college sports.

With the advent of nil and the open portal, Jay kind of walked away from it all. Not an easy process to success.

MU's NIL landscape seems similar to a mid-market MLB team.  It has more spending capability than a small market team, but cannot afford to be the LA Dodgers.  It can find the resources for a certain player, but it can't afford for that certain player to not work out.

Such mid-market teams have to ground the base line of their success in developing their own players.

MU would be just another team battling in the NIL transfer landscape with little to separate it from the rest.

There is room for a contrarian approach like that followed by Shaka.  He appears to have the needed attributes and resources to get the HS players he wants and retain them.

Regarding March, I think an MU team with a fully healthy Tyler Kolek wins some more games.

It may not work, but for now MU hoops is fun and the team has enjoyed a very good run of success.

MU has been able to retain TKO, Oso, Kam and Ross.

I would imagine all of them were offered competive NIL packages by Power 4 schools.  To me, that suggests, that #mubb is doing just fine in the NIL department.

Quote from: The Lens on November 07, 2025, 09:23:03 AMMU has been able to retain TKO, Oso, Kam and Ross.

I would imagine all of them were offered competive NIL packages by Power 4 schools.  To me, that suggests, that #mubb is doing just fine in the NIL department.

It is

Quote from: Badgerhater on November 07, 2025, 09:16:11 AMThere is room for a contrarian approach like that followed by Shaka.  He appears to have the needed attributes and resources to get the HS players he wants and retain them.

This right here is the case, and Shaka has very astutely played up the program's success using that unique approach. He's also shown that Marquette is true and committed to the approach.

I recall a podcast or interview where Shaka basically said, if you're a HS coach or parent of a HS player, and you want to send your kid to a program where some hired gun isn't going to take his place in a year or two, Marquette is your place.

This will resonate with some (not all), but if you're the best known example of such a program (ie Shaka/Marquette) then you're in a really good place with the best of those that are interested in that approach.

Quote from: The Lens on November 07, 2025, 09:23:03 AMMU has been able to retain TKO, Oso, Kam and Ross.

I would imagine all of them were offered competive NIL packages by Power 4 schools.  To me, that suggests, that #mubb is doing just fine in the NIL department.

Absolutely this.

And I would much rather our money be used like this than by renting a player for one year who might or might not be a good fit for the program.

Couldn't he do both? I don't know. He hasn't had to yet.

Quote from: MU82 on November 07, 2025, 03:36:43 PMCouldn't he do both? I don't know. He hasn't had to yet.

The vast majority of Portal use to is back fill what's been lost.

Process is great - I just wish we'd overperform in March instead of November- but that might be a feature of RGV

Quote from: The Lens on November 07, 2025, 03:57:00 PMThe vast majority of Portal use to is back fill what's been lost.

I'm not sure I'd frame it that way.  It depends on the program.  Replacing what's lost (someone going pro or graduating) is different than pushing guys out with the intention of upgrading through the portal. 

Quote from: dpucane on November 06, 2025, 12:00:43 PMIt's definitely the most successful era since Crean, but I worry there's a permanent ceiling on the team if they can't fill obvious short term needs the way other teams can.

Yes, I'd much rather Shaka's March failures than Buzz's Sweet 16s and Elite 8.   This may be a perfect summary of the Marquette faithful's willingness to embrace mediocrity year after year.  I'm guessing you were equally thrilled with Wojo the whole time.  Most of you were. 

Quote from: Farley36 on November 08, 2025, 08:28:22 AMYes, I'd much rather Shaka's March failures than Buzz's Sweet 16s and Elite 8.   This may be a perfect summary of the Marquette faithful's willingness to embrace mediocrity year after year.  I'm guessing you were equally thrilled with Wojo the whole time.  Most of you were. 

Sure our NCAA record is not great, but I take exception to mediocre. First, at least we made the tournament with a sweet 16. Secondly some of our key players suffered injuries. I would like to see a healthy Shaka team actually compete for once. None of us here are settling for less. We all want a team that can compete for a title.

Quote from: Nukem2 on November 07, 2025, 08:42:17 AMWith the advent of nil and the open portal, Jay kind of walked away from it all. Not an easy process to success.

I disagree. Jay had two titles under his belt. What better way to retire when your on top and a living legend at NOVA.

Quote from: muwarrior69 on November 08, 2025, 09:12:39 AMI disagree. Jay had two titles under his belt. What better way to retire when your on top and a living legend at NOVA.

Jay said he retired because he was not 100% "in" the job. A huge part of that was NIL and the open portal. Having 2 titles certainly helped as well.

Quote from: muwarrior69 on November 08, 2025, 09:07:04 AMSure our NCAA record is not great, but I take exception to mediocre. First, at least we made the tournament with a sweet 16. Secondly some of our key players suffered injuries. I would like to see a healthy Shaka team actually compete for once. None of us here are settling for less. We all want a team that can compete for a title.

Dude it's Farley. He's just trolling.

I voted on track, love me ssome RGV.

Coach Smart is an incredibly classy person. He and Maya Smart have made a strong investment both in Marquette and Milwaukee, the latter of which cannot and should not be underestimated. We've shown some resilience and even some Alism (Tyler Kolek's "F*** 'em"). I heard that and all I could think was, "we're backkkk."

The only reason I didn't vote higher is I believe the goal of our program should be win the national championship. We've made baby steps in that direction and the depth by class should help, but Coach Smart's success should be measured on how close Marquette gets to a Natty.

I admire his stand on the Portal and hope we can win it all Coach Smart's way. I also think that as time moves forward, if Coach Smart needs one person to get over the top in the Portal, it might possibly happen. But that person will have to fit into the remaining parts of Marquette's culture to work.

It won't be next season unless someone unexpectedly leaves.  I.have a feeling we will say that most seasons.

Quote from: muwarrior69 on November 08, 2025, 09:07:04 AMSure our NCAA record is not great, but I take exception to mediocre. First, at least we made the tournament with a sweet 16. Secondly some of our key players suffered injuries. I would like to see a healthy Shaka team actually compete for once. None of us here are settling for less. We all want a team that can compete for a title.

Why interact with a troll who gave up being a Marquette fan?

Quote from: MU82 on November 08, 2025, 11:50:52 AMWhy interact with a troll who gave up being a Marquette fan?

I didn't know he was a Marquette fan. Even so an insult to the scoop fanbase is bettered challenged than ignored.

Quote from: muwarrior69 on November 08, 2025, 12:17:56 PMI didn't know he was a Marquette fan. Even so an insult to the scoop fanbase is bettered challenged than ignored.

If the challenger is intelligent and rational, sure.

But it's Farley...

Quote from: 1SE on November 07, 2025, 04:21:05 PMProcess is great - I just wish we'd overperform in March instead of November- but that might be a feature of RGV

Well, getting the first half of my wish...

lol 100 points freaking pathetic

I hope you bet the over.

It's obvious to most of us that this program needs to adapt. Failure to do that in the next two seasons and it should start getting late early.

I doubt the administration feels the same way.

Quote from: GB Warrior on November 09, 2025, 03:55:41 PMIt's obvious to most of us that this program needs to adapt. Failure to do that in the next two seasons and it should start getting late early.

I doubt the administration feels the same way.

Then I guess firing Shaka is the only way to save the program.

Quote from: GB Warrior on November 09, 2025, 03:55:41 PMIt's obvious to most of us that this program needs to adapt. Failure to do that in the next two seasons and it should start getting late early.

I doubt the administration feels the same way.

Or you're a whiny a little baby. 

Quote from: MU82 on November 09, 2025, 04:38:39 PMThen I guess firing Shaka is the only way to save the program.

Didn't suggest it. But what happens if there are 2 more years of whatever the hell weve watched so far. 7 years to judge is what I'm saying.

Quote from: GB Warrior on November 09, 2025, 05:18:48 PMDidn't suggest it. But what happens if there are 2 more years of whatever the hell weve watched so far. 7 years to judge is what I'm saying.

"whatever the hell weve watched so far."

You talking about literally one game?

If so, get a f'n grip. 

VBMG ain't playin.  Respect.

Quote from: GB Warrior on November 09, 2025, 05:18:48 PMDidn't suggest it. But what happens if there are 2 more years of whatever the hell weve watched so far. 7 years to judge is what I'm saying.

To me, it's silly to worry about what might or might not happen in 2027-28 just 3 games into the 2025-26 season. But whatevs.

5 years to Mike Judge. 

Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on November 09, 2025, 05:07:20 PMOr you're a whiny a little baby. 

Quote from: tower912 on November 09, 2025, 05:31:54 PMVBMG ain't playin.  Respect.

Lol you respect a man baby so emotionally stunted that after every loss he feels the need to lash out at anyone who says anything that doesn't reiterate his belief that the team is on the cusp of greatness? 

Never mind, that tracks.

Says the troll. 

Quote from: Farley36 on November 09, 2025, 09:01:39 PMLol you respect a man baby so emotionally stunted that after every loss he feels the need to lash out at anyone who says anything that doesn't reiterate his belief that the team is on the cusp of greatness? 

Never mind, that tracks.

You're such a pathetic loser clown and I'm so in your head.  It's honestly quite sad.

Nice article about Shaka in the New York Times. Google Shaka Smart to find it.  I understand if it isn't in the Post..... great.

Think NYC would rather have Shaka or Pitino?

DGAF

Quote from: tower912 on November 09, 2025, 09:02:25 PMSays the troll. 

Yep. He got a like from Viper, so there's that.