Shaka has created a mess. And, unfortunately he and MU have tripled down on it ...
In the last few weeks MU had a big story in their Alumni magazine about Shaka and his refusal to use the portal. Worse yet, the NYT wrote an article on the same topic.
It seems to me that he and MU (Kimo) are just SO in love with being holier than all of college hoops that they have backed themselves into a serious corner.
This team is Shaka's , and the team is flat out terrible. He's assembled a roster that has ( at most ) four or five BE caliber players; Ross, Gold, James and Zaide. After that ? Meh. Nothing
He wants the team to shoot tons of threes, but they CAN'T shoot ! They play no defense... they turn the ball over way too much... and oh - are so badly coached they can't get a shot off in 17 seconds!
I hope I'm wrong, but this is a .500 team at best. Likely worse.
And now what ? How does he change course? Or is he too stubborn? Does he change his mind and use the Portal?
The whole premise of outright refusal to use the portal is insane. For us to
" trust Shaka " means we have to believe that he's smarter than every other D1 coach. Really... think about that. He knows better than Hurley, Pitino, IZZO, etc etc
Did he not see this coming ? Does he think Hamilton is a BE center? Why is Tre still on the team ? And Owens? Just awful
Where does he go from here ?
Great questions, what do you suggest
If the whole team (except for the seniors) entered the portal tonight, which players get scooped up by top 35 (at large level) teams?
Quote from: CountryRoads on November 19, 2025, 10:25:50 PMIf the whole team (except for the seniors) entered the portal tonight, which players get scooped up by top 35 (at large level) teams?
Nigel
Adrien should but he wouldn't
Quote from: DoctorV on November 19, 2025, 10:20:10 PMGreat questions, what do you suggest
Use the portal. Pretty obvious to me. Even if some guys develop this season and emerge as key contributors, I don't think that's enough to believe they're better off without the portal.
People and media are gonna waste so much time screaming about how "Shaka needs to do transfers"
When really he needs to be grilled about why this team doesn't follow his culture doc, and why the talent of some of the players is questionable
Quote from: jfp61 on November 19, 2025, 10:43:54 PMPeople and media are gonna waste so much time screaming about how "Shaka needs to do transfers"
When really he needs to be grilled about why this team doesn't follow his culture doc, and why the talent of some of the players is questionable
Some people aren't smart enough, some not able enough, some not bright lights enough.
The ability to follow the culture doc isn't zero sum. You recruit elite players, you bring in some not as elite that you think will get it sooner than later, but at the end of the day you just don't know.
This year, the culture doc needs some friends to jump on the wagon and help row the sinking ship
Quote from: jfp61 on November 19, 2025, 10:43:54 PMthe talent of some of the players is questionable
*some* is always questionable regardless of recruiting or portaling.
All except for 4-6 is the problem (at their current states of development).
I'm confused about something: when Shaka got here the first thing he did was convince Kolik and Prosper to transfer into the program. After striking gold using this method, why did he suddenly decide to stop pursuing transfers? I don't get it.
Quote from: Mutaman on November 19, 2025, 10:48:21 PMI'm confused about something: when Shaka got here the first thing he did was convince Kolik and Prosper to transfer into the program. After striking gold using this method, why did he suddenly decide to stop pursuing transfers? I don't get it.
The only way he could field an actual team his first year was with transfers. He had no other options.
Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on November 19, 2025, 10:51:44 PMThe only way he could field an actual team his first year was with transfers. He had no other options.
That is not true. Also, you pretend he couldn't spend the same $ on portal transfers as he does returning players (commiserate with class year). Also not true.
Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on November 19, 2025, 10:51:44 PMThe only way he could field an actual team his first year was with transfers. He had no other options.
That's fair, but that wasn't the question.
The question is, after striking gold in the transfer market, why did he decide that the transfer market is not for him? One might think he'd be willing to dip his toe into an area in which he had a great deal of success, especially relative to his high school recruiting.
I mean, his biggest transfer successes are TK, OMax and Morsell. His high school successes (to date) are Joplin, Chase, Gold.
Which way would you lean?
Quote from: Mutaman on November 19, 2025, 10:48:21 PMI'm confused about something: when Shaka got here the first thing he did was convince Kolik and Prosper to transfer into the program. After striking gold using this method, why did he suddenly decide to stop pursuing transfers? I don't get it.
He knew very early that at Marquette, the way to win was to get old and stay old.
The first few years he struck gold when he got in the lab and brought in some elite transfers, and retained and coached up some Wojo recruits.
Then he brought in his own guys- guys in the 75-125 range in the rankings that would fit his retention yet not dropping heavy cash mold and grow old and stay old method.
He knows what he's doing, he has a plan, but like all of us he expected someone like Damarius to become a star, and Royce to follow suit. He expected more out of almost everyone on this roster, and he's been let down.
So, now he has to adjust
Quote from: rocky_warrior on November 19, 2025, 10:54:58 PMThat is not true. Also, you pretend he couldn't spend the same $ on portal transfers as he does returning players (commiserate with class year). Also not true.
Please share the roster he would have had his first season if he didn't include transfers.
I don't pretend a thing. Not sure where you're getting that sh*t from.
Quote from: Mutaman on November 19, 2025, 10:48:21 PMI'm confused about something: when Shaka got here the first thing he did was convince Kolik and Prosper to transfer into the program. After striking gold using this method, why did he suddenly decide to stop pursuing transfers? I don't get it.
The end of Skaka first season ended rough. Shaka talked about culture. Was he talking about Kur Kuath & Darryl Morsell? I don't know. Makes you wonder.
Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on November 19, 2025, 11:00:43 PMPlease share the roster he would have had his first season if he didn't include transfers.
I don't pretend a thing. Not sure where you're getting that sh*t from.
First year. I'm not saying it would have been good (much like this year) , but he could have had a team without transfers.
Sh*t? Likely from how far you've got your head up Shaka's A$$
Quote from: DoctorV on November 19, 2025, 10:58:08 PMHe knows what he's doing, he has a plan, but like all of us he expected someone like Damarius to become a star, and Royce to follow suit. He expected more out of almost everyone on this roster, and he's been let down.
This. I'd add Hamilton and S. Jones as well. Someone else remarked after Maryland, but it seems the staff had convinced themselves Jones and Hamilton were the breaktrough stars this year. Far from it.
Quote from: rocky_warrior on November 19, 2025, 11:03:51 PMFirst year. I'm not saying it would have been good (much like this year) , but he could have had a team without transfers.
Sh*t? Likely from how far you've got your head up Shaka's A$$
"We would have loved to have 3 project redshirt freshmen, but unfortunately we had to field a team so we instead we got a fringe lottery pick, a top 40 pick and all American, the big ten defensive player of the year, and another 7 foot senior."
Quote from: rocky_warrior on November 19, 2025, 11:03:51 PMFirst year. I'm not saying it would have been good (much like this year) , but he could have had a team without transfers.
Sh*t? Likely from how far you've got your head up Shaka's A$$
I suppose I could have said "competitive team" but it seemed pretty logical that was inferred, unless someone just wanted to be pedantic.
Yeah, sh*t. Comprehension seems to be an issue for you. My head is not up his a**. All I've ever said is based on how he's described his approach, that he's not going to use the portal aside from specific and unlikely circumstances.
Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on November 19, 2025, 11:14:46 PMComprehension seems to be an issue for you.
I don't think I'm the problem here.
Quote from: rocky_warrior on November 19, 2025, 11:22:06 PMI don't think I'm the problem here.
Well to be fair, this team hasn't been the same since the dentists were run off. Coinkydink?