MUScoop

Much has been made of the current situation of our once storied program. Let's cut to the chase -

Does Shaka deserve another year? Reflexively I say he's simply because of his past accomplishments with the program.

However, examining the situation below surface level, this is a disaster completely of Shaka's own doing.

1 - Roster building malpractice. Shaka carried Al Amadou, Josh Clark and Caedin Hamilton last season when we desperately needed help down low as well as guard depth.

2 - Ignoring the portal. No one is begging for big names or full roster overhaul each season. But when you are looking to create a team who can compete at the highest level, ignoring a roster building strategy which can improve your team is gross negligence.

3 - RGV. Aside from this being an absolute crock...Every other program in the country works on this, like no duh this is just obvious. Shaka completely over backed himself into a corner with this. He's in a no win situation following this year when he will need to have tough conversations with 90% of this roster if we want to compete next season. He either banks on the growth part of RGV for next year (lol) or he becomes what he hates and flips the roster to compete next season.

Which comes to the poll - please vote above.

Quote from: panda on January 01, 2026, 12:27:39 PMMuch has been made of the current situation of our once storied program. Let's cut to the chase -

Does Shaka deserve another year? Reflexively I say he's simply because of his past accomplishments with the program.

However, examining the situation below surface level, this is a disaster completely of Shaka's own doing.

1 - Roster building malpractice. Shaka carried Al Amadou, Josh Clark and Caedin Hamilton last season when we desperately needed help down low as well as guard depth.

He may have failed with roster building but he's excelled with brand building.

I doubt he gets fired. He will have to leave on his own or mutually agree to leave for a departure next year in all likelihood.

Shaka deserves 2 more years, even if of the non tourney variety.

If he misses the tournament 3 consecutive years then I will reassess.

Let the man do his job and cut it out with the nonsense.

Dry your eyes and get over yourself.  Shaka will return next season for certain.  This is an off year full stop.  Next year already looks better.  There is nothing wrong with Hamilton or Clark, both can contribute minutes on a successful team.  for 35 mimutes or so MU looked like a unified cohesive force on the court.  The end of game I think goes directly to Smart for trying to play the clock and not the opponent.  The team will learn form this I am sure.  Gold had a career day which on one hand speaks volumes about his career at MU but on the other has exposed to everyone and himself how good a player he can be going to the rack and playing big.  The same could be said for Parham who showed great ability to work inside.  If these two guys continue to play that way with that intensity this could well be a much better team moving forward.  The same could be said for Ross, he needs to score the ball more going to the rack and not trying to make a ton of 3's.  Together with James, this make a solid base from woch to build and if Owens grows into his roll this could be a pretty decent team by season's end. This is the ugly side of what growth looks like, next season will show the beauty of the the struggle to grow.

Quote from: panda on January 01, 2026, 12:27:39 PMShaka carried Al Amadou, Josh Clark and Caedin Hamilton last season

Al, while a project, was just outside the top 150 on 247 (165) and held offers from St John's, Miami, Georgia Tech, and St Joseph's. That's quite a bit different than Clark and Hamilton. That puts him around Greg Elliott who was 159. It's not unheard of for MU to take those guys.

Quote from: DoctorV on January 01, 2026, 01:24:43 PMShaka deserves 2 more years, even if of the non tourney variety.

If he has another year like this one, there is zero chance he's back for another.

Quote from: hawk on January 01, 2026, 01:25:29 PMDry your eyes and get over yourself.  Shaka will return next season for certain.  This is an off year full stop.  Next year already looks better.  There is nothing wrong with Hamilton or Clark, both can contribute minutes on a successful team.  for 35 mimutes or so MU looked like a unified cohesive force on the court.  The end of game I think goes directly to Smart for trying to play the clock and not the opponent.  The team will learn form this I am sure.  Gold had a career day which on one hand speaks volumes about his career at MU but on the other has exposed to everyone and himself how good a player he can be going to the rack and playing big.  The same could be said for Parham who showed great ability to work inside.  If these two guys continue to play that way with that intensity this could well be a much better team moving forward.  The same could be said for Ross, he needs to score the ball more going to the rack and not trying to make a ton of 3's.  Together with James, this make a solid base from woch to build and if Owens grows into his roll this could be a pretty decent team by season's end. This is the ugly side of what growth looks like, next season will show the beauty of the the struggle to grow.

So many LOLs in this.

Quote from: hawk on January 01, 2026, 01:25:29 PMDry your eyes and get over yourself.  Shaka will return next season for certain.  This is an off year full stop.  Next year already looks better.

It does? How?

Quote from: SOSW on January 01, 2026, 01:31:16 PMIf he has another year like this one, there is zero chance he's back for another.

He won't.

If he does, the odds aren't 0 that he's back for another

Quote from: DoctorV on January 01, 2026, 01:24:43 PMShaka deserves 2 more years, even if of the non tourney variety.

If he misses the tournament 3 consecutive years then I will reassess.

Let the man do his job and cut it out with the nonsense.

Teal? No way anyone with remotely average expectations says a guy deserves three no tournament years... of his own recruiting classes. That wouldn't have been given to buzz or Crean let alone Shaka.

Quote from: Galway Eagle on January 01, 2026, 01:31:58 PMSo many LOLs in this.

I stopped reading after "There is nothing wrong with Hamilton or Clark."

Sure, if you're Purdue-Fort Wayne...a team that has actually beaten a P4 opponent this season.

Quote from: DoctorV on January 01, 2026, 01:24:43 PMShaka deserves 2 more years, even if of the non tourney variety.

If he misses the tournament 3 consecutive years then I will reassess.

Let the man do his job and cut it out with the nonsense.

That's outrageous.

No one deserves more than a second chance in this era. The easy fixes are right there for you to figure out. Avoiding them on purpose is digging your own grave. He should get a chance to change his ways on the portal, but if he doesn't and they miss the tournament he should be fired.

Quote from: DoctorV on January 01, 2026, 01:24:43 PMShaka deserves 2 more years, even if of the non tourney variety.

If he misses the tournament 3 consecutive years then I will reassess.

Let the man do his job and cut it out with the nonsense.

respectfully disagree. 2nd half of last season...now this season. Give him next, fine...but if the result is similar after 26/27, MU has to move on, imo. Mens basketball to MU is too important, for many reasons, to have not one but two more of this. And, if Shaka isn't willing to consider the portal after this season, maybe cutting bait in March is better for all concerned. Why the loyalty to a CEO, er coach that is paid handsomely that's apparently not utilizing all avenues to succeed? Results business. Stock price is dramatically falling.

Quote from: DoctorV on January 01, 2026, 01:33:46 PMHe won't.

If he does, the odds aren't 0 that he's back for another

Maybe not zero, but Wojo has a better chance than Shaka to return.

Quote from: panda on January 01, 2026, 12:27:39 PMMuch has been made of the current situation of our once storied program. Let's cut to the chase -

Does Shaka deserve another year? Reflexively I say he's simply because of his past accomplishments with the program.

However, examining the situation below surface level, this is a disaster completely of Shaka's own doing.

1 - Roster building malpractice. Shaka carried Al Amadou, Josh Clark and Caedin Hamilton last season when we desperately needed help down low as well as guard depth.

2 - Ignoring the portal. No one is begging for big names or full roster overhaul each season. But when you are looking to create a team who can compete at the highest level, ignoring a roster building strategy which can improve your team is gross negligence.

3 - RGV. Aside from this being an absolute crock...Every other program in the country works on this, like no duh this is just obvious. Shaka completely over backed himself into a corner with this. He's in a no win situation following this year when he will need to have tough conversations with 90% of this roster if we want to compete next season. He either banks on the growth part of RGV for next year (lol) or he becomes what he hates and flips the roster to compete next season.

Which comes to the poll - please vote above.

"Have conversations with 90% of the roster".  More ridiculous hyperbole. 

We have one open spot.  If two more open up and Shaka 1) actually uses the portal and 2) does well in the portal, next year's team could be competitive. 

I would be more than happy to have the following guys back next season:

Parham
Owens
James
Stevens
Phillips
Clark
Pearson
Miletic
Walker
Egbuonu
Johnston

Quote from: hawk on January 01, 2026, 01:25:29 PMDry your eyes and get over yourself.  Shaka will return next season for certain.  This is an off year full stop.  Next year already looks better.  There is nothing wrong with Hamilton or Clark, both can contribute minutes on a successful team.  for 35 mimutes or so MU looked like a unified cohesive force on the court.  The end of game I think goes directly to Smart for trying to play the clock and not the opponent.  The team will learn form this I am sure.  Gold had a career day which on one hand speaks volumes about his career at MU but on the other has exposed to everyone and himself how good a player he can be going to the rack and playing big.  The same could be said for Parham who showed great ability to work inside.  If these two guys continue to play that way with that intensity this could well be a much better team moving forward.  The same could be said for Ross, he needs to score the ball more going to the rack and not trying to make a ton of 3's.  Together with James, this make a solid base from woch to build and if Owens grows into his roll this could be a pretty decent team by season's end. This is the ugly side of what growth looks like, next season will show the beauty of the the struggle to grow.

Next year already looks better?  What does that mean considering it can't possibly be worse.  The problem is, the ceiling is not high and neither is the floor and Shaka refuses to use all the tools available.  If you think there is the talent here to turn this around, you're foolish.  As foolish as the 90% of scoopers who thought this team was going to be good.

Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on January 01, 2026, 02:47:52 PM"Have conversations with 90% of the roster".  More ridiculous hyperbole. 

We have one open spot.  If two more open up and Shaka 1) actually uses the portal and 2) does well in the portal, next year's team could be competitive. 

I would be more than happy to have the following guys back next season:

Parham
Owens
James
Stevens
Phillips
Clark
Pearson
Miletic
Walker
Egbuonu
Johnston

Respectfully - I don't think it's hyperbole to say players from one of the worst Marquette basketball teams of all time should not be rostered next season.

I can't speak to the freshmen aside from their freshmen and it's highly unlikely they'll contribute.

As for the players on the roster now, I would only keep Stevens and James. No one else should stay. I could also be convinced on parham but he is iffy.

Quote from: panda on January 01, 2026, 12:27:39 PMMuch has been made of the current situation of our once storied program. Let's cut to the chase -

Does Shaka deserve another year? Reflexively I say he's simply because of his past accomplishments with the program.

However, examining the situation below surface level, this is a disaster completely of Shaka's own doing.

1 - Roster building malpractice. Shaka carried Al Amadou, Josh Clark and Caedin Hamilton last season when we desperately needed help down low as well as guard depth.

2 - Ignoring the portal. No one is begging for big names or full roster overhaul each season. But when you are looking to create a team who can compete at the highest level, ignoring a roster building strategy which can improve your team is gross negligence.

3 - RGV. Aside from this being an absolute crock...Every other program in the country works on this, like no duh this is just obvious. Shaka completely over backed himself into a corner with this. He's in a no win situation following this year when he will need to have tough conversations with 90% of this roster if we want to compete next season. He either banks on the growth part of RGV for next year (lol) or he becomes what he hates and flips the roster to compete next season.

Which comes to the poll - please vote above.

Well stated. 

Quote from: panda on January 01, 2026, 12:27:39 PMMuch has been made of the current situation of our once storied program. Let's cut to the chase -

Does Shaka deserve another year? Reflexively I say he's simply because of his past accomplishments with the program.

However, examining the situation below surface level, this is a disaster completely of Shaka's own doing.

1 - Roster building malpractice. Shaka carried Al Amadou, Josh Clark and Caedin Hamilton last season when we desperately needed help down low as well as guard depth.

2 - Ignoring the portal. No one is begging for big names or full roster overhaul each season. But when you are looking to create a team who can compete at the highest level, ignoring a roster building strategy which can improve your team is gross negligence.

3 - RGV. Aside from this being an absolute crock...Every other program in the country works on this, like no duh this is just obvious. Shaka completely over backed himself into a corner with this. He's in a no win situation following this year when he will need to have tough conversations with 90% of this roster if we want to compete next season. He either banks on the growth part of RGV for next year (lol) or he becomes what he hates and flips the roster to compete next season.

Which comes to the poll - please vote above.

So is RGV a crock or is everyone in the country doing it? Seems like if it was a crock nobody else would do it.

And do you only want one or two transfers or does he need to cut 90% of the roster and flip the roster next year?

There's a huge gap between getting 1 more year and getting a lifetime contract.

I vote Arby's.

Quote from: wadesworld on January 01, 2026, 03:32:07 PMSo is RGV a crock or is everyone in the country doing it? Seems like if it was a crock nobody else would do it.

Obviously he means that the MU branding around RGV is a crock because everyone believes in those things.

Quote from: wadesworld on January 01, 2026, 03:32:07 PMSo is RGV a crock or is everyone in the country doing it? Seems like if it was a crock nobody else would do it.

And do you only want one or two transfers or does he need to cut 90% of the roster and flip the roster next year?

There's a huge gap between getting 1 more year and getting a lifetime contract.

I vote Arby's.

What are you trying to accomplish here? You're just trying some weak gotcha BS.

Quote from: panda on January 01, 2026, 04:27:08 PMWhat are you trying to accomplish here? You're just trying some weak gotcha BS.

What are you trying to accomplish here?

Also, tf does this mean from your poll question here:  Does Shaka deserve another year? Reflexively I say he's simply because of his past accomplishments with the program.


So, what's your answer to your own poll?

I wouldn't give him another year - unless he has a busy March/April. Just bringing this group back and hoping the frosh will contribute meaningfully would be willful ignorance of what we have seen. My fear is that he is so into RGV that that's what he will do.

Quote from: Elonsmusk on January 01, 2026, 04:30:48 PMWhat are you trying to accomplish here?

Also, tf does this mean from your poll question here:  Does Shaka deserve another year? Reflexively I say he's simply because of his past accomplishments with the program.


So, what's your answer to your own poll?

I meant to say yes but autocorrect changed to he's.

I've never seen a Marquette team this bad. It's not because of an injury. It's not because of an unexpected player departure. This roster is years of roster malpractice engineered by Shaka Smart. This product is completely his own doing. I don't think the school will act this year, but he should be gone. This roster, in game decision making and ultimately results this year are so grossly unacceptable I cannot believe anyone can actually defend it.

Quote from: panda on January 01, 2026, 04:37:42 PMI meant to say yes but autocorrect changed to he's.

I've never seen a Marquette team this bad. It's not because of an injury. It's not because of an unexpected player departure. This roster is years of roster malpractice engineered by Shaka Smart. This product is completely his own doing. I don't think the school will act this year, but he should be gone. This roster, in game decision making and ultimately results this year are so grossly unacceptable I cannot believe anyone can actually defend it.

Gotcha..so you think he should be fired after this season?

And from SilverWarrior on Dodd's board - Here are Chase's BE numbers so far - a player voted First Team Big East by league coaches.  This Shaka's fault too?  Think we'd have beaten Seton Hall and Georgetown wasn't horrible?

For BE games only......

Chase's Offensive Rating is 69.2% over three games. Among the 38 BE players who have been involved in 20% or more of possessions so far, CR ranks dead last - 38th!!!!!!!

Chase's EFG% is an incredible 24.4%. Among the 46 BE players who have played at least 60% of their team's minutes, CR ranks dead last - 46th!!!!!! No other player is under 30.0%, and the median efg% is 51.7%!!!

Chase's 2-point fg% is an awful 25.0% (7 of 28). He's taken an average of 9.3 2-pointers per game and made an average of 2.3. Of the 72 BE players who have played at least 40% of their team's minutes, CR ranks 68th!!!!!

Chase's 3-point fg% is an equally awful 15.4% (2 of 13). Among the 53 BE players who have played 40% of their team's minutes and taken at least 2 treys per game, CR ranks 46th!!!!!!!!

These are just the stats. I'm sure no one on this board expected to see these numbers. The BE coaches sure didn't since they named him pre-season first-team all-BE. I'm equally certain Shaka didn't anticipate this happening.

Quote from: Elonsmusk on January 01, 2026, 05:07:16 PMGotcha..so you think he should be fired after this season?

And from SilverWarrior on Dodd's board - Here are Chase's BE numbers so far - a player voted First Team Big East by league coaches.  This Shaka's fault too?  Think we'd have beaten Seton Hall and Georgetown wasn't horrible?

For BE games only......

Chase's Offensive Rating is 69.2% over three games. Among the 38 BE players who have been involved in 20% or more of possessions so far, CR ranks dead last - 38th!!!!!!!

Chase's EFG% is an incredible 24.4%. Among the 46 BE players who have played at least 60% of their team's minutes, CR ranks dead last - 46th!!!!!! No other player is under 30.0%, and the median efg% is 51.7%!!!

Chase's 2-point fg% is an awful 25.0% (7 of 28). He's taken an average of 9.3 2-pointers per game and made an average of 2.3. Of the 72 BE players who have played at least 40% of their team's minutes, CR ranks 68th!!!!!

Chase's 3-point fg% is an equally awful 15.4% (2 of 13). Among the 53 BE players who have played 40% of their team's minutes and taken at least 2 treys per game, CR ranks 46th!!!!!!!!

These are just the stats. I'm sure no one on this board expected to see these numbers. The BE coaches sure didn't since they named him pre-season first-team all-BE. I'm equally certain Shaka didn't anticipate this happening.

I don't think Shaka suddenly forgot how to be a great coach and I'd like him back if he is up for it, but it is literally his job to know what his players are capable of and he's in the best position to know it.

Plus surrounding Chase with BE talent would help him immensely.

I think it's very obvious that Shaka and the staff severely underestimated this roster's talent and ability to compete. How else would we get these pre-season tweets about Caedin, only to see that he's just not a very good basketball player?

And that's part of coaching.

https://x.com/jonrothstein/status/1983941697106018690?s=46&t=ppua9BCUAa7dWM9-SthPmg

Quote from: SOSW on January 01, 2026, 06:07:55 PMI think it's very obvious that Shaka and the staff severely underestimated this roster's talent and ability to compete. How else would we get these pre-season tweets about Caedin, only to see that he's just not a very good basketball player?

And that's part of coaching.

https://x.com/jonrothstein/status/1983941697106018690?s=46&t=ppua9BCUAa7dWM9-SthPmg

Accurate report.

Too bad he couldn't compete for a starting position on a MAC team.  >:(

Quote from: Elonsmusk on January 01, 2026, 05:07:16 PMGotcha..so you think he should be fired after this season?

And from SilverWarrior on Dodd's board - Here are Chase's BE numbers so far - a player voted First Team Big East by league coaches.  This Shaka's fault too?  Think we'd have beaten Seton Hall and Georgetown wasn't horrible?

For BE games only......

Chase's Offensive Rating is 69.2% over three games. Among the 38 BE players who have been involved in 20% or more of possessions so far, CR ranks dead last - 38th!!!!!!!

Chase's EFG% is an incredible 24.4%. Among the 46 BE players who have played at least 60% of their team's minutes, CR ranks dead last - 46th!!!!!! No other player is under 30.0%, and the median efg% is 51.7%!!!

Chase's 2-point fg% is an awful 25.0% (7 of 28). He's taken an average of 9.3 2-pointers per game and made an average of 2.3. Of the 72 BE players who have played at least 40% of their team's minutes, CR ranks 68th!!!!!

Chase's 3-point fg% is an equally awful 15.4% (2 of 13). Among the 53 BE players who have played 40% of their team's minutes and taken at least 2 treys per game, CR ranks 46th!!!!!!!!

These are just the stats. I'm sure no one on this board expected to see these numbers. The BE coaches sure didn't since they named him pre-season first-team all-BE. I'm equally certain Shaka didn't anticipate this happening.

So if Chase plays better, that makes up for the massive holes elsewhere in the roster? I don't think so.

The problem the last year and a half is much more than Chase Ross and it's wildly unfair to place blame on him.

And yes - I do let him go (IF) he declines a massive change to his roster from this season. Why hang onto him for another season with the same roster only for a marginal improvement on this season and then let him go? That's another wasted year.

Agreed.The roster Must change.

Quote from: panda on January 01, 2026, 06:55:58 PMSo if Chase plays better, that makes up for the massive holes elsewhere in the roster? I don't think so.

The problem the last year and a half is much more than Chase Ross and it's wildly unfair to place blame on him.

And yes - I do let him go (IF) he declines a massive change to his roster from this season. Why hang onto him for another season with the same roster only for a marginal improvement on this season and then let him go? That's another wasted year.

Yep, exactly.
Chase has been pretty bad the last 5 games or so, and I suspect that has a lot to do with him realizing his senior year is being wasted because of the lack of talent around him.
Even so, his struggles aren't the reason MU has been playing like a Horizon league program for the last month.

Quote from: SOSW on January 01, 2026, 06:07:55 PMI think it's very obvious that Shaka and the staff severely underestimated this roster's talent and ability to compete. How else would we get these pre-season tweets about Caedin, only to see that he's just not a very good basketball player?

And that's part of coaching.

https://x.com/jonrothstein/status/1983941697106018690?s=46&t=ppua9BCUAa7dWM9-SthPmg

Woof.  Just more BS from the fortress-like cult of RGV, a fortress that turned out to be a house of cards.  If only these guys could've played all their games against each other, they'd be the greatest team since Bob Knight's undefeated Indiana squad.

Quote from: panda on January 01, 2026, 06:55:58 PMSo if Chase plays better, that makes up for the massive holes elsewhere in the roster? I don't think so.

The problem the last year and a half is much more than Chase Ross and it's wildly unfair to place blame on him.

And yes - I do let him go (IF) he declines a massive change to his roster from this season. Why hang onto him for another season with the same roster only for a marginal improvement on this season and then let him go? That's another wasted year.

Wildly unfair to place blame on our highest paid player, who was voted 1st Team Big East by league coaches?  For Chase to be a 79.1 O-Rating against Tier 1 opponents and 93.4 against Tier 1 and 2?  Ben Gold is a 93.2 against Tier 1 and 96.6 against Tier 1& 2 - also very disappointing stats.  Not to mention Ben's 1-13 shooting from 3 in conference play - yet even with that poor of shooting his O-Rating in conference play is 106.2 and Chase is at 69.2

Our 2 pt FG Distance of 3.8 feet in Number 2 in D1.  We are getting open looks from three.  Missing shots you expect to make can really spiral quickly and compound negatively in other ares of the game.

In my view its on the players to put the ball in the basket, particularly when they are getting good open looks from 3.

Easy to make Shaka the fall guy for everything, but at some point you also have to put some blame on the players too.  And, going nuclear on a coach who has done really well in his first 4 years after 10 years of mediocrity at best at MU seems "wildly unfair."

Quote from: Elonsmusk on January 01, 2026, 08:30:12 PMWildly unfair to place blame on our highest paid player, who was voted 1st Team Big East by league coaches?  For Chase to be a 79.1 O-Rating against Tier 1 opponents and 93.4 against Tier 1 and 2?  Ben Gold is a 93.2 against Tier 1 and 96.6 against Tier 1& 2 - also very disappointing stats.  Not to mention Ben's 1-13 shooting from 3 in conference play - yet even with that poor of shooting his O-Rating in conference play is 106.2 and Chase is at 69.2

Our 2 pt FG Distance of 3.8 feet in Number 2 in D1.  We are getting open looks from three.  Missing shots you expect to make can really spiral quickly and compound negatively in other ares of the game.

In my view its on the players to put the ball in the basket, particularly when they are getting good open looks from 3.

Easy to make Shaka the fall guy for everything, but at some point you also have to put some blame on the players too.  And, going nuclear on a coach who has done really well in his first 4 years after 10 years of mediocrity at best at MU seems "wildly unfair."

The buck stops...over there somewhere. 

Quote from: Elonsmusk on January 01, 2026, 08:30:12 PMWildly unfair to place blame on our highest paid player, who was voted 1st Team Big East by league coaches?  For Chase to be a 79.1 O-Rating against Tier 1 opponents and 93.4 against Tier 1 and 2?  Ben Gold is a 93.2 against Tier 1 and 96.6 against Tier 1& 2 - also very disappointing stats.  Not to mention Ben's 1-13 shooting from 3 in conference play - yet even with that poor of shooting his O-Rating in conference play is 106.2 and Chase is at 69.2

Our 2 pt FG Distance of 3.8 feet in Number 2 in D1.  We are getting open looks from three.  Missing shots you expect to make can really spiral quickly and compound negatively in other ares of the game.

In my view its on the players to put the ball in the basket, particularly when they are getting good open looks from 3.

Easy to make Shaka the fall guy for everything, but at some point you also have to put some blame on the players too.  And, going nuclear on a coach who has done really well in his first 4 years after 10 years of mediocrity at best at MU seems "wildly unfair."

This is some great, hall of fame level comedy.  ;D  ;D  ;D

Quote from: Elonsmusk on January 01, 2026, 08:30:12 PMWildly unfair to place blame on our highest paid player, who was voted 1st Team Big East by league coaches?  For Chase to be a 79.1 O-Rating against Tier 1 opponents and 93.4 against Tier 1 and 2?  Ben Gold is a 93.2 against Tier 1 and 96.6 against Tier 1& 2 - also very disappointing stats.  Not to mention Ben's 1-13 shooting from 3 in conference play - yet even with that poor of shooting his O-Rating in conference play is 106.2 and Chase is at 69.2

Our 2 pt FG Distance of 3.8 feet in Number 2 in D1.  We are getting open looks from three.  Missing shots you expect to make can really spiral quickly and compound negatively in other ares of the game.

In my view its on the players to put the ball in the basket, particularly when they are getting good open looks from 3.

Easy to make Shaka the fall guy for everything, but at some point you also have to put some blame on the players too.  And, going nuclear on a coach who has done really well in his first 4 years after 10 years of mediocrity at best at MU seems "wildly unfair."

Your point is wildly foolish so I'll keep it simple. There are other players and coaching decisions that are much more to blame for our ineptitude than chase's struggles. 

Quote from: Elonsmusk on January 01, 2026, 08:30:12 PMWildly unfair to place blame on our highest paid player, who was voted 1st Team Big East by league coaches?  For Chase to be a 79.1 O-Rating against Tier 1 opponents and 93.4 against Tier 1 and 2?  Ben Gold is a 93.2 against Tier 1 and 96.6 against Tier 1& 2 - also very disappointing stats.  Not to mention Ben's 1-13 shooting from 3 in conference play - yet even with that poor of shooting his O-Rating in conference play is 106.2 and Chase is at 69.2

Our 2 pt FG Distance of 3.8 feet in Number 2 in D1.  We are getting open looks from three.  Missing shots you expect to make can really spiral quickly and compound negatively in other ares of the game.

In my view its on the players to put the ball in the basket, particularly when they are getting good open looks from 3.

Easy to make Shaka the fall guy for everything, but at some point you also have to put some blame on the players too.  And, going nuclear on a coach who has done really well in his first 4 years after 10 years of mediocrity at best at MU seems "wildly unfair."

1. Who built the roster that required Chase to be the #1 guy?
2. Who recruited and developed the players that can't make layups?
3. Who recruited and developed the players that can't make open 3s?

Quote from: WhiteTrash on January 01, 2026, 08:36:57 PMThis is some great, hall of fame level comedy.  ;D  ;D  ;D

It's pure comedy if you don't think part of this team's problem is the guy who is supposed to be your best player has a 24.4% eFG in conference play and takes 28% of your team's shots.  And he hasn't been very good defensively either.

If Tyler Kolek and Kam Jones had these kind of numbers as seniors they would have been getting shredded.  Why should Chase get a pass?  Kam stepped up into Kolek's role/filled it well.  Chase started the year well against cupcakes, but hasn't been close to being able to fill the role Kam vacated.  And Chase has Nigel breaking down the defense consistently.

Maybe his coach should have known better than to put him in the position where he needs to be the next Kam or TKO. He's clearly not capable of it, so why would his coach not recognize that?

Quote from: Pakuni on January 01, 2026, 08:55:13 PM1. Who built the roster that required Chase to be the #1 guy?
2. Who recruited and developed the players that can't make layups?
3. Who recruited and developed the players that can't make open 3s?

I get it..Shaka's the scapegoat for all of it.  But, his faith in the guys being able to make pretty easy degree of difficulty 3's and at the basket looks wasn't misguided.

Do you think the guys didn't work on their games in the offseason?  Certainly a reasonable coach wouldn't think with more work and experience a player is going to get worse.  Seems that's happened with Chase. Ben.  Zaide, though I think Zaide was likely an internal chemistry issue with somebody(s) on the team.

Shaka has recruited more shooting with Nash Walker, Ian, and Michael Phillips..and gotten a rugged guy who can be a go to kind of guy to get a basket - Deonte Burton 2.0 (maybe) in Alex Egbouno.  So it's not like he hasn't taken some steps to add better shooters to the program.

Quote from: Elonsmusk on January 01, 2026, 08:56:44 PMIt's pure comedy if you don't think part of this team's problem is the guy who is supposed to be your best player has a 24.4% eFG in conference play and takes 28% of your team's shots.  And he hasn't been very good defensively either.

If Tyler Kolek and Kam Jones had these kind of numbers as seniors they would have been getting shredded.  Why should Chase get a pass?  Kam stepped up into Kolek's role/filled it well.  Chase started the year well against cupcakes, but hasn't been close to being able to fill the role Kam vacated.  And Chase has Nigel breaking down the defense consistently.

LOL!

OK I'll be the dolt in your bit.

LET'S FIRE THE IDIOT WHO ASSEMBLED THIS TEAM FOR SHAKA!! I BET THE BADGERS ARE BEHIND THIS CONSPIRACY TO GET SHAKA!

Quote from: ATL MU Warrior on January 01, 2026, 08:59:11 PMMaybe his coach should have known better than to put him in the position where he needs to be the next Kam or TKO. He's clearly not capable of it, so why would his coach not recognize that?

Other Big East coaches seemed to think he was capable of being 1st Team Big East and they have 3 seasons of tape to come to their conclusion.

I think we all know Elonsmusk is doing a bit, but his joke is to paint Shaka as a bumbling dolt who's luck finally ran out.

Shaka deserves better. He's been one of top coaches in college for a long time.

Quote from: Elonsmusk on January 01, 2026, 09:06:02 PMI get it..Shaka's the scapegoat for all of it.  But, his faith in the guys being able to make pretty easy degree of difficulty 3's and at the basket looks wasn't misguided.

Do you think the guys didn't work on their games in the offseason?  Certainly a reasonable coach wouldn't think with more work and experience a player is going to get worse.  Seems that's happened with Chase. Ben.  Zaide, though I think Zaide was likely an internal chemistry issue with somebody(s) on the team.

Shaka has recruited more shooting with Nash Walker, Ian, and Michael Phillips..and gotten a rugged guy who can be a go to kind of guy to get a basket - Deonte Burton 2.0 (maybe) in Alex Egbouno.  So it's not like he hasn't taken some steps to add better shooters to the program.

Shaka is not a "scapegoat." That would imply he's being unfairly blamed. In this case, the blame is entirely justified. He assembled this team and coached them to the players they are today.

As for Nash Walker ... have we learned nothing from counting on big contributions from unknown recruits? Hoping for the best, but he's more likely to be the next Niv Berkowitz or Harry Froling than an impact player.
Phillips and Miletic can't get on the court (literally, in one case) on a team entirely bereft of shooting, so who knows what to expect there.

Quote from: panda on January 01, 2026, 03:11:50 PMRespectfully - I don't think it's hyperbole to say players from one of the worst Marquette basketball teams of all time should not be rostered next season.

I can't speak to the freshmen aside from their freshmen and it's highly unlikely they'll contribute.

As for the players on the roster now, I would only keep Stevens and James. No one else should stay. I could also be convinced on parham but he is iffy.

That's an unrealistic and unnecessary overreaction. 

Quote from: panda on January 01, 2026, 04:37:42 PMI meant to say yes but autocorrect changed to he's.

I've never seen a Marquette team this bad. It's not because of an injury. It's not because of an unexpected player departure. This roster is years of roster malpractice engineered by Shaka Smart. This product is completely his own doing. I don't think the school will act this year, but he should be gone. This roster, in game decision making and ultimately results this year are so grossly unacceptable I cannot believe anyone can actually defend it.

It's completely possible and rational to believe this season is grossly unacceptable AND that he deserves the opportunity to fix it.

Quote from: Pakuni on January 01, 2026, 09:45:14 PMShaka is not a "scapegoat." That would imply he's being unfairly blamed. In this case, the blame is entirely justified. He assembled this team and coached them to the players they are today.

As for Nash Walker ... have we learned nothing from counting on big contributions from unknown recruits? Hoping for the best, but he's more likely to be the next Niv Berkowitz or Harry Froling than an impact player.
Phillips and Miletic can't get on the court (literally, in one case) on a team entirely bereft of shooting, so who knows what to expect there.

https://www.fiba.basketball/en/players/325173-nash-walker

Especially for a kid that is trending in this direction.

We won't know what we have in him until he plays meaningful minutes next year.

Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on January 01, 2026, 11:08:49 PMThat's an unrealistic and unnecessary overreaction. 

Why ? This team is an abomination

Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on January 01, 2026, 11:11:23 PMIt's completely possible and rational to believe this season is grossly unacceptable AND that he deserves the opportunity to fix it.

In most other cases, yes. Give him another season as he's earned it through his previous body of work.

However - this performance is so egregious, and about two years of horrendous decision making that it is unforgivable. Marquette should never, ever have a season like this and it is completely within bounds to terminate him following the ineptitude.

He ignored a major roster building opportunity which led to a collapse last year and the worst season in modern Marquette basketball history this year. Next year doesn't look much better *barring major roster overhaul.

Quote from: panda on January 02, 2026, 07:37:17 AMIn most other cases, yes. Give him another season as he's earned it through his previous body of work.

However - this performance is so egregious, and about two years of horrendous decision making that it is unforgivable. Marquette should never, ever have a season like this and it is completely within bounds to terminate him following the ineptitude.

He ignored a major roster building opportunity which led to a collapse last year and the worst season in modern Marquette basketball history this year. Next year doesn't look much better *barring major roster overhaul.

bad take

Quote from: Elonsmusk on January 01, 2026, 08:56:44 PMIt's pure comedy if you don't think part of this team's problem is the guy who is supposed to be your best player has a 24.4% eFG in conference play and takes 28% of your team's shots.  And he hasn't been very good defensively either.

If Tyler Kolek and Kam Jones had these kind of numbers as seniors they would have been getting shredded.  Why should Chase get a pass?  Kam stepped up into Kolek's role/filled it well. Chase started the year well against cupcakes, but hasn't been close to being able to fill the role Kam vacated.  And Chase has Nigel breaking down the defense consistently.

But he shouldn't have had to; he should have been able to remain in his previous role, but Shaka refused to go get a PG in the Portal.

Quote from: Hards Alumni on January 02, 2026, 07:45:27 AMbad take

I know I'm in the minority but if he doesn't make wholesale changes, what's the point? We come back next year, finish in another mediocre/poor spot and then let him go? That's a waste of another season.

It's either big roster changes following this season or you make a coaching move.

Quote from: panda on January 02, 2026, 07:55:29 AMI know I'm in the minority but if he doesn't make wholesale changes, what's the point? We come back next year, finish in another mediocre/poor spot and then let him go? That's a waste of another season.

It's either big roster changes following this season or you make a coaching move.

He's the coach.  Either you allow him to evaluate the roster and run the program or you don't.

He's earned one more year, but if things don't go well, obviously his head is on the block.

Once you start micromanaging coaches from the Admin level, you've started a clock.

Quote from: Billy Hoyle on January 02, 2026, 07:52:08 AMBut he shouldn't have had to; he should have been able to remain in his previous role, but Shaka refused to go get a PG in the Portal.

Yet another odd take to just try to find any way possible to blame Shaka. Our best player has been Nigel James. The fact Chase is struggling with Nigel at PG is more of an indictment on Chase than Shaka for not briging in a PG through the portal.

Quote from: Hards Alumni on January 02, 2026, 08:07:22 AMHe's the coach.  Either you allow him to evaluate the roster and run the program or you don't.

He's earned one more year, but if things don't go well, obviously his head is on the block.

Once you start micromanaging coaches from the Admin level, you've started a clock.

The performance this season warrants intervention.

Quote from: panda on January 02, 2026, 08:26:45 AMThe performance this season warrants intervention.

The assumption is that the same thing happens this off season and next year.

Again, if they want to fire him for this year, then do it.  But he's the guy running the program.  Not the Board of Trustees, not Mike Broeker, not Kimo.

If you start stepping on the coaches responsibilities everyone in college basketball will take note.  And that's worse than another losing season with a stubborn coach.

Quote from: Hards Alumni on January 02, 2026, 08:30:06 AMThe assumption is that the same thing happens this off season and next year.

Again, if they want to fire him for this year, then do it.  But he's the guy running the program.  Not the Board of Trustees, not Mike Broeker, not Kimo.

If you start stepping on the coaches responsibilities everyone in college basketball will take note.  And that's worse than another losing season with a stubborn coach.

And my point is, he ran it into the ground. It needs intervention the same way wojo needed intervention following what was ultimately his last season.

I don't think potential coaches will look at a marquette admin negatively for "meddling" following this horrendous season.

Quote from: Elonsmusk on January 02, 2026, 08:16:44 AMYet another odd take to just try to find any way possible to blame Shaka. Our best player has been Nigel James. The fact Chase is struggling with Nigel at PG is more of an indictment on Chase than Shaka for not briging in a PG through the portal.

He's talking about last season.

Quote from: Hards Alumni on January 02, 2026, 08:30:06 AMThe assumption is that the same thing happens this off season and next year.

Again, if they want to fire him for this year, then do it.  But he's the guy running the program.  Not the Board of Trustees, not Mike Broeker, not Kimo.

If you start stepping on the coaches responsibilities everyone in college basketball will take note.  And that's worse than another losing season with a stubborn coach.

Right.
If Mike Broeker has such little faith in Shaka's ability to turn around the ship that he needs to insert himself into the process, then he should just fire him and bring on a coach he does believe in.
The AD's role in the inner workings of the program - and by that I mean roster-building, recruiting decisions, lineups, player development - starts and ends with hiring a coach and providing the resources he needs.

Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on January 01, 2026, 02:47:52 PM"Have conversations with 90% of the roster".  More ridiculous hyperbole. 

We have one open spot.  If two more open up and Shaka 1) actually uses the portal and 2) does well in the portal, next year's team could be competitive. 

I would be more than happy to have the following guys back next season:

Parham
Owens
James
Stevens
Phillips
Clark
Pearson
Miletic
Walker
Egbuonu
Johnston

You're going to drop the two most experienced players - the leading scorer and only competent big, no less - from one of the worst P5 programs in the country, replace them with a few unheralded freshmen and maybe one portal guy ... and that makes this team competitive?
There's a line between optimism and Pollyannaism, and this seems to be on the wrong side of it.

Quote from: panda on January 02, 2026, 08:40:24 AMAnd my point is, he ran it into the ground. It needs intervention the same way wojo needed intervention following what was ultimately his last season.

I don't think potential coaches will look at a marquette admin negatively for "meddling" following this horrendous season.

I have to ask, are you honestly just trolling?  Your takes are so incompetent, illogical, and idiotic - surely you're a troll.

Quote from: SOSW on January 02, 2026, 08:47:21 AMHe's talking about last season.

Didn't see his bolded referring to Kam/last season. Not sure how that is relevant to all the angst of this season and the idiots who think Shaka should be fired at the end of the season.

And with regard to last year, Shaka 100% thought Sean would be back at least for the back half of the season to offer some support at PG.  He was medically cleared to play, but mentally wasn't ready.

All that aside BillyHoyle/Chicos Bailbonds loved Tom Crean, hated Buzz Williams, loved Wojo, and seems to have a problem with Shaka.  He's got a really odd history of who he likes as coach at MU.

Quote from: Elonsmusk on January 02, 2026, 10:02:56 AMDidn't see his bolded referring to Kam/last season. Not sure how that is relevant to all the angst of this season and the idiots who think Shaka should be fired at the end of the season.

And with regard to last year, Shaka 100% thought Sean would be back at least for the back half of the season to offer some support at PG.  He was medically cleared to play, but mentally wasn't ready.

All that aside BillyHoyle/Chicos Bailbonds loved Tom Crean, hated Buzz Williams, loved Wojo, and seems to have a problem with Shaka.  He's got a really odd history of who he likes as coach at MU.

If you say so.

Is Chicos in the room with you right now?  8-)

Quote from: panda on January 02, 2026, 08:40:24 AMAnd my point is, he ran it into the ground. It needs intervention the same way wojo needed intervention following what was ultimately his last season.

I don't think potential coaches will look at a marquette admin negatively for "meddling" following this horrendous season.

I understand your point and your frustration.  But this is a very black and white decision.  Either you trust the guy to run the program going forward or you don't.  Anything in between will cause any coach to give pause when considering the job.

Quote from: Hards Alumni on January 02, 2026, 10:51:23 AMI understand your point and your frustration.  But this is a very black and white decision.  Either you trust the guy to run the program going forward or you don't.  Anything in between will cause any coach to give pause when considering the job.

Respectfully I disagree. Broeker needs to use his post season meeting with Shaka as an opportunity to say a season like this and the trajectory the program is on is completely unacceptable. "What changes will you make so this doesn't happen again" is a completely reasonable question and this is an ultimatum level performance of a season.

Quote from: Elonsmusk on January 02, 2026, 09:55:09 AMI have to ask, are you honestly just trolling?  Your takes are so incompetent, illogical, and idiotic - surely you're a troll.

lol

Quote from: Elonsmusk on January 02, 2026, 08:16:44 AMYet another odd take to just try to find any way possible to blame Shaka. Our best player has been Nigel James. The fact Chase is struggling with Nigel at PG is more of an indictment on Chase than Shaka for not briging in a PG through the portal.

yes, blame Shaka. He's the HC and creator of this dysfunctional roster, and the ensuing result's. It's also an easy relief of duty call to make IF...IF...Shaka is not willing to embrace all resources available this upcoming offseason. Hence, as Panda points out, why run Shaka back for a waisted 26/27 season?

Quote from: Billy Hoyle on January 02, 2026, 10:24:53 AMIf you say so.

Is Chicos in the room with you right now?  8-)

Incredible how Chico's still lives in people's minds

Quote from: WellsstreetWanderer on January 02, 2026, 11:53:13 AMIncredible how Chico's still lives in people's minds

Sounds like something Chico's would say.

Quote from: DoctorV on January 01, 2026, 01:24:43 PMShaka deserves 2 more years, even if of the non tourney variety.

If he misses the tournament 3 consecutive years then I will reassess.

Unreal. Three consecutive missed tournaments and then you'll finally put on your critical thinking cap and consider some things. Where's the teal?

Quote from: hawk on January 01, 2026, 01:25:29 PMDry your eyes and get over yourself.  Shaka will return next season for certain.  This is an off year full stop.  Next year already looks better.  There is nothing wrong with Hamilton or Clark, both can contribute minutes on a successful team.  for 35 mimutes or so MU looked like a unified cohesive force on the court.  The end of game I think goes directly to Smart for trying to play the clock and not the opponent.  The team will learn form this I am sure.  Gold had a career day which on one hand speaks volumes about his career at MU but on the other has exposed to everyone and himself how good a player he can be going to the rack and playing big.  The same could be said for Parham who showed great ability to work inside.  If these two guys continue to play that way with that intensity this could well be a much better team moving forward.  The same could be said for Ross, he needs to score the ball more going to the rack and not trying to make a ton of 3's.  Together with James, this make a solid base from woch to build and if Owens grows into his roll this could be a pretty decent team by season's end. This is the ugly side of what growth looks like, next season will show the beauty of the the struggle to grow.

Just an incredible paragraph but this bolded portion takes the cake. What are we doing here??

Quote from: panda on January 01, 2026, 04:27:08 PMWhat are you trying to accomplish here? You're just trying some weak gotcha BS.

Genuinely all he does on this board.

Quote from: onepost on January 02, 2026, 01:32:34 PMJust an incredible paragraph but this bolded portion takes the cake. What are we doing here??

Technically it is possible for Hamilton to come in the final minute of a blowout win to showcase his good footwork

Quote from: Elonsmusk on January 02, 2026, 08:16:44 AMYet another odd take to just try to find any way possible to blame Shaka. Our best player has been Nigel James. The fact Chase is struggling with Nigel at PG is more of an indictment on Chase than Shaka for not briging in a PG through the portal.

I mean, you're self-owning every time you post on this board.
The fact that Nigel James has been our best player, your words, just highlights that Shaka's recruiting the prior three years has been an abject disaster - proving that this is a years-long problem.

Even when you're slurping, you're proving the exact opposite.

Quote from: Pakuni on January 02, 2026, 12:42:03 PMSounds like something Chico's would say.

Chico's is the Sybil of Scoop

Quote from: onepost on January 02, 2026, 01:35:26 PMGenuinely all he does on this board.

Doesn't take much to get you. Just about everyone does.

Not to break anyone's bubble, but here's the likely reality at Marquette as we speak.

1) Shaka Smart is everything Marquette wants in a head coach. He's low-key, caring about his players, focused on good citizens and involved in both the university and greater Milwaukee communities. Plus, he's won in his first four years.The FiServ has been full and Marquette has been, until this year, consistently near the the Top 3 in the Big East. From a personal standpoint, Shaka is "cool" and the "anthesis-Al" and certainly the "anthesis-Kevin O'Neill!"

2) For those of you who want Shaka gone: from where will the money for Shaka's buyout  come? I'm sure the buyout is huge! If a rich donor steps up and does a Coach Wojo v2.0, what's that going to do to program-related contributory resources necessary to maintain a Top 20 program? Under these circumstances, who other than a speculative hire looking to build a name will come to Marquette?

3) For those of you puking at RGV (me included), could the need for RGV be more than just Shaka being stubborn? Could the university be going "cheap" on the basketball program again? While I think we have the resources to do whatever we want with basketball, I also believe Marquette's leadership is telling AD Broeker what it expects in contribution to the general fund from basketball net profits. That vision is likely based on historical rather than current or predictive trends. Managing for a contribution margin may mean Marquette can't pay "big-time" recruits and our portal capability is limited.

4) What's unknown is the importance President Kimo Ah Yun places on basketball. We benefitted from Father Wild's and the late President Lovell's passion for our Warriors. I'm yet to be convinced President Yun shares the passion for it, but I could be wrong.

Of these issues, Item 3 is the one most feared, for many reasons. The biggest is defining basketball's role in the greater university. Is it strictly a cash cow, or is it being used to raise the university's profile. If it's a cash cow and the bean counters get at it, we'll be Depaul faster than anyone can say, "Blue Demons North!" 

Ultimately, Shaka will be given the opportunity to right the ship. Whether that's two, three or four years is a function of the financial impact losing has on basketball net contribution and possibly, what it does to Marquette's ability to capture potential student interest.

Quote from: panda on January 02, 2026, 07:37:17 AMIn most other cases, yes. Give him another season as he's earned it through his previous body of work.

However - this performance is so egregious, and about two years of horrendous decision making that it is unforgivable. Marquette should never, ever have a season like this and it is completely within bounds to terminate him following the ineptitude.

He ignored a major roster building opportunity which led to a collapse last year and the worst season in modern Marquette basketball history this year. Next year doesn't look much better *barring major roster overhaul.

I don't disagree with your last paragraph, but I still think you give him a shot. The best way at becoming a really good program and a destination job is to have someone be here for 15-20 years. Yes, he could tank. But I think if we want to get to where we all hope we can be consistently long term, letting him have a shot to fix it is the best course of action.

Plus, the guy did bring us the most regular season success we've had since Al.

Quote from: wadesworld on January 02, 2026, 03:31:44 PMDoesn't take much to get you. Just about everyone does.

"You're right, I was wrong" would be a great 2026 resolution for you.

Quote from: dgies9156 on January 02, 2026, 03:49:55 PMNot to break anyone's bubble, but here's the likely reality at Marquette as we speak.

1) Shaka Smart is everything Marquette wants in a head coach. He's low-key, caring about his players, focused on good citizens and involved in both the university and greater Milwaukee communities. Plus, he's won in his first four years.The FiServ has been full and Marquette has been, until this year, consistently near the the Top 3 in the Big East. From a personal standpoint, Shaka is "cool" and the "anthesis-Al" and certainly the "anthesis-Kevin O'Neill!"

2) For those of you who want Shaka gone: from where will the money for Shaka's buyout  come? I'm sure the buyout is huge! If a rich donor steps up and does a Coach Wojo v2.0, what's that going to do to program-related contributory resources necessary to maintain a Top 20 program? Under these circumstances, who other than a speculative hire looking to build a name will come to Marquette?

3) For those of you puking at RGV (me included), could the need for RGV be more than just Shaka being stubborn? Could the university be going "cheap" on the basketball program again? While I think we have the resources to do whatever we want with basketball, I also believe Marquette's leadership is telling AD Broeker what it expects in contribution to the general fund from basketball net profits. That vision is likely based on historical rather than current or predictive trends. Managing for a contribution margin may mean Marquette can't pay "big-time" recruits and our portal capability is limited.

4) What's unknown is the importance President Kimo Ah Yun places on basketball. We benefitted from Father Wild's and the late President Lovell's passion for our Warriors. I'm yet to be convinced President Yun shares the passion for it, but I could be wrong.

Of these issues, Item 3 is the one most feared, for many reasons. The biggest is defining basketball's role in the greater university. Is it strictly a cash cow, or is it being used to raise the university's profile. If it's a cash cow and the bean counters get at it, we'll be Depaul faster than anyone can say, "Blue Demons North!"

Ultimately, Shaka will be given the opportunity to right the ship. Whether that's two, three or four years is a function of the financial impact losing has on basketball net contribution and possibly, what it does to Marquette's ability to capture potential student interest.

2. Money is not an issue. Donors have been willing and able to spend but have been rebuffed by Shaka in lieu of RGV, from what I know.

3. No, it's not Marquette being cheap. It's Shaka actively choosing RGV and it proving to be a huge mistake when coupled with his lousy recruiting.

4. Totally agree with you on this. No idea what his personal priorities are, but hard to imagine it's anything close to the passion and dedication Lovell had.

Quote from: onepost on January 02, 2026, 04:49:37 PM2. Money is not an issue. Donors have been willing and able to spend but have been rebuffed by Shaka in lieu of RGV, from what I know.

3. No, it's not Marquette being cheap. It's Shaka actively choosing RGV and it proving to be a huge mistake when coupled with his lousy recruiting.

4. Totally agree with you on this. No idea what his personal priorities are, but hard to imagine it's anything close to the passion and dedication Lovell had.

I really hope you are right on 2 and 3. I rather believe the money is there as needed, but my enthusiasm is tempered by the cheapness and bad decisions we endured beginning in the late 1970s and lasting for a decade.

Shaka is a smart man who already has shown a knack to find the "right" people in the portal.  I'm sure he'd rather start from the ground up, but today's reality suggests RGV only works if a coach has almost no recruiting misses.

Here's hoping the ship is "righted" in the off-season.

Quote from: Pakuni on January 02, 2026, 09:21:02 AMYou're going to drop the two most experienced players - the leading scorer and only competent big, no less - from one of the worst P5 programs in the country, replace them with a few unheralded freshmen and maybe one portal guy ... and that makes this team competitive?
There's a line between optimism and Pollyannaism, and this seems to be on the wrong side of it.

Remind me where I said "maybe one portal guy"?  Maybe count the players I listed, subtract that from 15, and do the math. 

Quote from: panda on January 02, 2026, 08:26:45 AMThe performance this season warrants intervention.

So stupid. Shaka is well respected in the business. If MU intervenes, good luck getting another coach worth a crap.I am as unhappy as most fans, but he gets another year. Do not expect any interference from the university. It is his program to run.

If there is no improvement next season, then I would expect a change.

Quote from: onepost on January 02, 2026, 04:49:37 PM2. Money is not an issue. Donors have been willing and able to spend but have been rebuffed by Shaka in lieu of RGV, from what I know.

3. No, it's not Marquette being cheap. It's Shaka actively choosing RGV and it proving to be a huge mistake when coupled with his lousy recruiting.

4. Totally agree with you on this. No idea what his personal priorities are, but hard to imagine it's anything close to the passion and dedication Lovell had.

IMO, if the Prez took the job with indifference to men's hoops and the importance to the University in the bigger picture, he's the wrong guy for the job. The HC, AD and Prez need to be aligned.

The president loves Marquette hoops and clearly knows how important it is to the community.

I think Shaka quits after the season. He can blame it on the system changing, etc. His system/concept on how to get better takes a long time and there is zero reason to believe they'll be better in 26-27. He can call it a retirement or career transition. Either way, MU should be prepared to move quickly in April.

Seems if you love coaching, a change on how you obtain and develop players is something you could adapt to.

Quote from: Warrior of Law on January 02, 2026, 08:01:11 PMI think Shaka quits after the season. He can blame it on the system changing, etc. His system/concept on how to get better takes a long time and there is zero reason to believe they'll be better in 26-27. He can call it a retirement or career transition. Either way, MU should be prepared to move quickly in April.

He's a 48-year-old man who's built his life and identity around being a basketball coach.
What exactly is he going to do with the rest of his life that will provide the same identity, not to mention income? Is he going to take a 95% pay cut to go call games on ESPNU and CBS Sports Network? Go coach D-III for $50K a year?

Quote from: Warrior of Law on January 02, 2026, 08:01:11 PMI think Shaka quits after the season. He can blame it on the system changing, etc. His system/concept on how to get better takes a long time and there is zero reason to believe they'll be better in 26-27. He can call it a retirement or career transition. Either way, MU should be prepared to move quickly in April.

Not happening.

Quote from: hawk on January 01, 2026, 01:25:29 PMDry your eyes and get over yourself.  Shaka will return next season for certain.  This is an off year full stop.  Next year already looks better.

Don't think I need to go any further than this. How does next year look better? Whether you use PORPAGATU! or BPR, we are losing 3 of our 6 best players and only have one scholarship to fill. The trajectory of most of our non-freshmen expected to return is flat to negative (Norman, Parham, Owens, Hamilton, Jones).

This year is, in comparison to the years preceding it, the worst season in Marquette history. Dukiet and Wojo had some bad years, but had mediocre teams and missed tournaments preceding those seasons so there was reason to expect it. But while I can see excusing one bad season, the problem here is there's no way to course correct using the recruiting model our coach built an entire failed brand around.

This is the worst team I've watched in my years as a Marquette fan at this point of the season and it's not close. But the bigger problem is that next year looks to be a significantly worse team than this one. That's the problem most of the critics have right now. It isn't just how bad this one-off season is, it's the most likely outcome next year being that it's significantly worse.

Quote from: brewcity77 on January 02, 2026, 09:38:11 PMDon't think I need to go any further than this. How does next year look better? Whether you use PORPAGATU! or BPR, we are losing 3 of our 6 best players and only have one scholarship to fill. The trajectory of most of our non-freshmen expected to return is flat to negative (Norman, Parham, Owens, Hamilton, Jones).

This year is, in comparison to the years preceding it, the worst season in Marquette history. Dukiet and Wojo had some bad years, but had mediocre teams and missed tournaments preceding those seasons so there was reason to expect it. But while I can see excusing one bad season, the problem here is there's no way to course correct using the recruiting model our coach built an entire failed brand around.

This is the worst team I've watched in my years as a Marquette fan at this point of the season and it's not close. But the bigger problem is that next year looks to be a significantly worse team than this one. That's the problem most of the critics have right now. It isn't just how bad this one-off season is, it's the most likely outcome next year being that it's significantly worse.

Yeah I don't see where the optimism is coming from. As much as I like James there isn't much else that feels certain. The redshirts and newcomers aren't very likely to be needle-movers when it comes to forging a competitive team quickly. I will say I'm most intrigued by guys like Pearson and Egbuono.

So that leaves the portal. 1 spot won't do it (although it's a start, and all that's available at the moment). And even if it ends up as three guys, we still have to trust the staff to find talent with NIL that can step in and help turn the program around.

My stance is the leash lengthens for Shaka if he embraces the portal. If next year is RGV on repeat then I may have to find a new winter hobby.

Question: how much of Marquette's "enrollment management" (applications, acceptances, and yield) is dependent on basketball success?  Would enrollment potentially decline in an extended run of poor records?

Some schools can draw a direct line between team success and enrollment gains (TCU, James Madison); at other schools, there's little or no impact whether a team wins five games or 25.

Majerus left MU and stayed in basketball. Sometimes timing is everything. Maybe Billy Donovan will take him on.

Just got back from a 2 week vacation. We saw many many other college team shirts in the airports we were at but we were the only ones wearing Marquette gear. Painful and made me sick. That said feel Shaka gets another chance.

Quote from: DFW HOYA on January 02, 2026, 10:25:51 PMQuestion: how much of Marquette's "enrollment management" (applications, acceptances, and yield) is dependent on basketball success?  Would enrollment potentially decline in an extended run of poor records?

Some schools can draw a direct line between team success and enrollment gains (TCU, James Madison); at other schools, there's little or no impact whether a team wins five games or 25.

For a private university or college, having a winning program puts the University in the news and hence you have lots of free marketing and advertising.  I am only 25 miles from Davidson College.  While Davidson has always had an excellent academic reputation, with Stephen Curry, it thrust it to national attention.

With Marquette not having a football program and having a historical strong basketball program, it is a source of campus entertainment and pride.  While for some students, it probably doesn't matter in the least, I think with others it may comes down to University A and B are similar, but B also has a winning basketball program.  Maybe for students, like us in the working arena, while our lives go on without Marquette Basketball, for entertainment, it is nice to turn on the TV and watch or attend a game where your team has a better than remote chance to win.

Quote from: onepost on January 02, 2026, 04:49:37 PM2. Money is not an issue. Donors have been willing and able to spend but have been rebuffed by Shaka in lieu of RGV, from what I know.

3. No, it's not Marquette being cheap. It's Shaka actively choosing RGV and it proving to be a huge mistake when coupled with his lousy recruiting.

4. Totally agree with you on this. No idea what his personal priorities are, but hard to imagine it's anything close to the passion and dedication Lovell had.

Who are your sources that inform you that money is not an issue and that Shaka has rebuffed donors wanting to contribute to the program?

Was it from the one time you played golf with an alleged big donor to the program?  If so, who was that donor?  Everybody loves a generous donor to the program, so let us know so Scoop can collectively thank him/her.

Quote from: MarquetteMike1977 on January 03, 2026, 12:32:35 AMJust got back from a 2 week vacation. We saw many many other college team shirts in the airports we were at but we were the only ones wearing Marquette gear. Painful and made me sick. That said feel Shaka gets another chance.

😂

Quote from: NCMUFan on January 03, 2026, 07:41:26 AMFor a private university or college, having a winning program puts the University in the news and hence you have lots of free marketing and advertising.  I am only 25 miles from Davidson College.  While Davidson has always had an excellent academic reputation, with Stephen Curry, it thrust it to national attention.

With Marquette not having a football program and having a historical strong basketball program, it is a source of campus entertainment and pride.  While for some students, it probably doesn't matter in the least, I think with others it may comes down to University A and B are similar, but B also has a winning basketball program.  Maybe for students, like us in the working arena, while our lives go on without Marquette Basketball, for entertainment, it is nice to turn on the TV and watch or attend a game where your team has a better than remote chance to win.

if I recall correctly, during DWade and shortly thereafter, apps to MU soared.

Quote from: DFW HOYA on January 02, 2026, 10:25:51 PMQuestion: how much of Marquette's "enrollment management" (applications, acceptances, and yield) is dependent on basketball success?  Would enrollment potentially decline in an extended run of poor records?

Some schools can draw a direct line between team success and enrollment gains (TCU, James Madison); at other schools, there's little or no impact whether a team wins five games or 25.

Quite literally what got our last coach fired.  The admin will not tolerate mediocrity because it has a distinct negative impact on the school.

Quote from: Viper on January 03, 2026, 09:11:15 AMif I recall correctly, during DWade and shortly thereafter, apps to MU soared.

Yep. Applications and donations. Enrollment for entering classes had to be capped at 1800 undergrads. MU also became the most in demand school for the Jesuit exchange program.

MU will always draw well from WI, IL, MN and Iowa, but with the changing demographics we need to further broaden our reach and athletics success and the free advertising that comes with it is vital to do that

I will say that 20 years ago was a very different time in college admissions. While I think a good basketball program is important, in this era of students making black and white decisions about affordability more than ever before, I don't think it has the impact it used to.

Now alumni and donors? Definitely.

Quote from: Elonsmusk on January 03, 2026, 08:52:03 AMWho are your sources that inform you that money is not an issue and that Shaka has rebuffed donors wanting to contribute to the program?

Was it from the one time you played golf with an alleged big donor to the program?  If so, who was that donor?  Everybody loves a generous donor to the program, so let us know so Scoop can collectively thank him/her.

The best way to lose sources is to publicly out those sources. You know you're not getting an answer to this, why waste anyone's time, your own included?

Quote from: brewcity77 on January 03, 2026, 10:31:02 AMThe best way to lose sources is to publicly out those sources. You know you're not getting an answer to this, why waste anyone's time, your own included?

Complete nonsense that Shaka rebuffed anyone. If anything, the Excellence fund needs more contributions. My guess is most of the people opining on the issue give nothing to the fund. Get involved and your info will get better.

Quote from: Elonsmusk on January 03, 2026, 08:52:03 AMWas it from the one time you played golf with an alleged big donor to the program?  If so, who was that donor?  Everybody loves a generous donor to the program, so let us know so Scoop can collectively thank him/her.

Haha what is your hold up with this supposed golf game? This is like the 10th time you've said it and I've never once said I golfed with a donor, because I haven't. But it's a really strange fixation you've got.

I think you're confusing me with someone else.

My guess is that if anything was "turned down," it was because it was designated specifically for transfers and not retention.

Quote from: SOSW on January 03, 2026, 11:23:00 AMMy guess is that if anything was "turned down," it was because it was designated specifically for transfers and not retention.

Yes, should have clarified. The money has been there to go after big transfers, to which Shaka has rebuffed.

One project on a team is fine.

5-6 projects is not. It just means the coaches are piss- poor recruiters.

Quote from: onepost on January 03, 2026, 11:33:25 AMYes, should have clarified. The money has been there to go after big transfers, to which Shaka has rebuffed.

This.  If/when Shaka goes to the portal after this year, money wont be an issue.  He just has to accept portal guys may make more than guys already in the program.

You get what you pay for and big time contributors should be given a bigger bag than anybody on our current roster

I thought it would be awesome to have performance-based NIL - multipliers with each win, reductions with each loss.   Then you would see team's develop closers mentality and who wants to lead.

Quote from: PointWarrior on January 03, 2026, 12:07:59 PMI thought it would be awesome to have performance-based NIL - multipliers with each win, reductions with each loss.  Then you would see team's develop closers mentality and who wants to lead.

Yikes! Talk about making Shaka's job harder to bring in talent to this team.  ;)

Quote from: PointWarrior on January 03, 2026, 12:07:59 PMI thought it would be awesome to have performance-based NIL - multipliers with each win, reductions with each loss.   Then you would see team's develop closers mentality and who wants to lead.

This is something that looks good on paper, but...

Actually it doesn't even look good on paper.

Quote from: PointWarrior on January 03, 2026, 12:07:59 PMI thought it would be awesome to have performance-based NIL - multipliers with each win, reductions with each loss.   Then you would see team's develop closers mentality and who wants to lead.

I'm not sure many recruits are looking at this team right now and thinking, "I'd love to have my pay dependent on wins and losses."

Quote from: Pakuni on January 03, 2026, 12:49:57 PMI'm not sure many recruits are looking at this team right now and thinking, "I'd love to have my pay dependent on wins and losses."

If anything we've painted ourselves into a corner requiring higher NIL payments.

Quote from: WhiteTrash on January 03, 2026, 12:15:32 PMYikes! Talk about making Shaka's job harder to bring in talent to this team.  ;)

base it on individual metrics...steals, blocks, rebounds etc...a +/- per game...guys with swagger...want the ball at win time...would thrive on this. Just like top sales guys that want commission, not salary.

Quote from: Viper on January 03, 2026, 01:05:01 PMbase it on individual metrics...steals, blocks, rebounds etc...a +/- per game...guys with swagger...want the ball at win time...would thrive on this. Just like top sales guys that want commission, not salary.

True, but the proposal was for a wins & loss basis.

Quote from: WhiteTrash on January 03, 2026, 01:14:46 PMTrue, but the proposal was for a wins & loss basis.

good pt 👍

Quote from: Viper on January 03, 2026, 01:15:49 PMgood pt 👍

I reached my goal of good pts for 2026.  ;D

Quote from: WellsstreetWanderer on January 03, 2026, 11:54:25 AMYou get what you pay for and big time contributors should be given a bigger bag than anybody on our current roster

That is correct whether it be a top high school recruit or a transfer. 

Quote from: Viper on January 03, 2026, 01:05:01 PMbase it on individual metrics...steals, blocks, rebounds etc...a +/- per game...guys with swagger...want the ball at win time...would thrive on this. Just like top sales guys that want commission, not salary.

IF you don't see what the obvious issue is with this idea I'm not sure what to say...

Quote from: Elonsmusk on January 03, 2026, 08:52:03 AMWho are your sources that inform you that money is not an issue and that Shaka has rebuffed donors wanting to contribute to the program?

Was it from the one time you played golf with an alleged big donor to the program?  If so, who was that donor?  Everybody loves a generous donor to the program, so let us know so Scoop can collectively thank him/her.

Discord. He pretends to be an insider but just recites Discord chatter and trilly.

Quote from: JTJ3 on January 03, 2026, 11:50:37 AMThis.  If/when Shaka goes to the portal after this year, money wont be an issue.  He just has to accept portal guys may make more than guys already in the program.

This is my biggest concern. He doesn't need to just enter the transfer market, he needs to upend RGV. We won't get better unless he fully accepts that. And this is what people are talking about when we say Broeker needs to tell him to change. Start using all the resources available to you or the ones you have will be gone and so will you. He can't afford another bad year next season.

Quote from: Viper on January 03, 2026, 01:05:01 PMbase it on individual metrics...steals, blocks, rebounds etc...a +/- per game...guys with swagger...want the ball at win time...would thrive on this. Just like top sales guys that want commission, not salary.

So you want guys to rack up stats or do you want guys to play together as a team? Really this is a terrible suggestion.

Quote from: Viper on January 03, 2026, 01:05:01 PMbase it on individual metrics...steals, blocks, rebounds etc...a +/- per game...guys with swagger...want the ball at win time...would thrive on this. Just like top sales guys that want commission, not salary.

Ever watch AAU ball?

Quote from: withoutbias on January 03, 2026, 02:59:19 PMDiscord. He pretends to be an insider but just recites Discord chatter and trilly.

Lol NOPE! I'm just sorry you don't like what I have to say, that bums me out.

Quote from: Pakuni on January 03, 2026, 03:36:42 PMEver watch AAU ball?

Just watch St John's

Quote from: SOSW on January 03, 2026, 03:18:16 PMSo you want guys to rack up stats or do you want guys to play together as a team? Really this is a terrible suggestion.

maybe so. But, just win...I'm freaking out and open to anything, at this point.

Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on January 03, 2026, 02:47:48 PMIF you don't see what the obvious issue is with this idea I'm not sure what to say...

say nothing. We'll all be grateful

Quote from: JTJ3 on January 03, 2026, 11:50:37 AMThis.  If/when Shaka goes to the portal after this year, money wont be an issue.  He just has to accept portal guys may make more than guys already in the program.

Money won't be an issue. Wow.  You think MU can compete with other schools to land the cream of the crop players in the portal.

Quote from: Elonsmusk on January 03, 2026, 07:09:37 PMMoney won't be an issue. Wow.  You think MU can compete with other schools to land the cream of the crop players in the portal.

He didn't say that. He never mentioned "cream of the crop." He simply said that money would be available when Shaka accepts transfers.

Quote from: Elonsmusk on January 03, 2026, 07:09:37 PMMoney won't be an issue. Wow.  You think MU can compete with other schools to land the cream of the crop players in the portal.

Upgrades to guys like Zaide, Tre, and Caedin won't break the bank.

Feel Shaka is putting relationships ahead of  Team results, the School and the City. But hope Shaka "Shakas" or "Shocks" the World Today and the remainder of the Season and Marquette Wins!

Quote from: Viper on January 03, 2026, 05:20:00 PMsay nothing. We'll all be grateful

Well, you'll be grateful as your inane posts like the one I responded to will receive less attention. 

Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on January 04, 2026, 12:23:07 PMWell, you'll be grateful as your inane posts like the one I responded to will receive less attention. 

so very easily baited

Quote from: Viper on January 04, 2026, 12:51:25 PMso very easily baited

You must be the master baiter

Quote from: Galway Eagle on January 04, 2026, 01:25:18 PMYou must be the master baiter

score!

He's lived off of the pick n roll. Now I know why cuz he can't coach a 1/2 court set. This team just stands around now on offense. Never seen so much dribbling in my life. Poorly coached offense for a team that already can't shoot. No cutters..just stand and watch.

Let's see what next year brings.

Quote from: Small Orange Soda on January 03, 2026, 09:08:27 PMUpgrades to guys like Zaide, Tre, and Caedin won't break the bank.

Might even save us some money.

Quote from: OffTheGlass on January 04, 2026, 02:11:01 PMHe's lived off of the pick n roll. Now I know why cuz he can't coach a 1/2 court set. This team just stands around now on offense. Never seen so much dribbling in my life. Poorly coached offense for a team that already can't shoot. No cutters..just stand and watch.

Let's see what next year brings.

Everybody lives off the pick and roll.  5 out motion, the same as what won all those games in previous seasons.   What UConn does as it's base 75% of the time.  What UConn has consistently done better schematically is the off ball movement and screening.  Incorporating more of that would be nice.

How long does a coach get to rebuild a program when he's the reason they need a total rebuild?

I'm not arguing the point of how Marquette won games from the past but my point is they don't have a big guy talented enough to do the pick and roll so therefore nothing else is going on with their motion less offense

Quote from: Zog from Margo on January 04, 2026, 02:52:44 PMHow long does a coach get to rebuild a program when he's the reason they need a total rebuild?

We're about to find out.

What happened to Shaka? Why has the team derailed? The players under perform game after game. They play like they don't practice free throws, lay ups or outside shots. They don't follow their shots in for rebounds. Their out of bounds plays don't work. Ross has lost his game. They don't play with fire. What's going on?

Quote from: Stretchdeltsig on January 05, 2026, 12:56:07 PMWhat happened to Shaka? Why has the team derailed? The players under perform game after game. They play like they don't practice free throws, lay ups or outside shots. They don't follow their shots in for rebounds. Their out of bounds plays don't work. Ross has lost his game. They don't play with fire. What's going on?

Talent. They have a whole bunch of non-BE level players getting minutes (because the talent behind them is worse/inexperienced). Their best two players are a guy that would be a nice 6th man and a just serviceable big man. In addition, one of their actually skilled and athletic guys just left the team, reportedly because a guy that should be in D2 ball was stubbornly kept as a starter by the coach.

So, talent.

Quote from: Stretchdeltsig on January 05, 2026, 12:56:07 PMWhat happened to Shaka? Why has the team derailed? The players under perform game after game. They play like they don't practice free throws, lay ups or outside shots. They don't follow their shots in for rebounds. Their out of bounds plays don't work. Ross has lost his game. They don't play with fire. What's going on?

To piggyback on TSmith's response, talent. Which is why the bolded above may not be factual. I don't think our guys are underperforming, I think they are playing up to their ability levels.

I think we traditionally think missed layups and poor defensive are tell-tail signs of not being "lost in the fight", but it appears this is the best we can do, and not a lack of effort. And the notion that the team is in a shooting funk has as much validity as the Earth being the center of the solar system.

Quote from: dgies9156 on January 02, 2026, 03:49:55 PMNot to break anyone's bubble, but here's the likely reality at Marquette as we speak.

...

4) What's unknown is the importance President Kimo Ah Yun places on basketball. We benefitted from Father Wild's and the late President Lovell's passion for our Warriors. I'm yet to be convinced President Yun shares the passion for it, but I could be wrong.

...

Ultimately, Shaka will be given the opportunity to right the ship. Whether that's two, three or four years is a function of the financial impact losing has on basketball net contribution and possibly, what it does to Marquette's ability to capture potential student interest.

I just saw in my Facebook feed a post from "Marquetteupresident" reading:
"I am deeply proud of Marquette University and the impact of our Catholic, Jesuit education.
The second Higher Education Holistic Impact Report affirms what we see every day. Graduates of Catholic universities like Marquette are more likely to feel a strong sense of belonging, feel more satisfied with their mental health and have higher rates of income and homeownership.
This is cura personalis in action.
Read more about the report using the link in the comments."

I wrote to my former MU roommates: "Glad to see this positive report, and I agree in the value of my Marquette education. That said, I really had to resist the temptation of adding a comment along the lines of: 'Me too. Now, how do you feel about Shaka using the transfer portal next year?'"

Quote from: mug644 on January 05, 2026, 02:47:05 PMI just saw in my Facebook feed a post from "Marquetteupresident" reading:
"I am deeply proud of Marquette University and the impact of our Catholic, Jesuit education.
The second Higher Education Holistic Impact Report affirms what we see every day. Graduates of Catholic universities like Marquette are more likely to feel a strong sense of belonging, feel more satisfied with their mental health and have higher rates of income and homeownership.
This is cura personalis in action.
Read more about the report using the link in the comments."

I wrote to my former MU roommates: "Glad to see this positive report, and I agree in the value of my Marquette education. That said, I really had to resist the temptation of adding a comment along the lines of: 'Me too. Now, how do you feel about Shaka using the transfer portal next year?'"

Wut?

Quote from: Stretchdeltsig on January 05, 2026, 12:56:07 PMWhat happened to Shaka? Why has the team derailed? The players under perform game after game. They play like they don't practice free throws, lay ups or outside shots. They don't follow their shots in for rebounds. Their out of bounds plays don't work. Ross has lost his game. They don't play with fire. What's going on?

He recruited like shhit for three years, doubled down on RGV and fliers with basically no other offers and sticking by terrible players who have no business playing at this level, and has been too stubborn to work with agents and utilize the portal to remedy those shortcomings.

His bizarre in-game coaching is a new wrinkle though. His decision making on the sidelines has made no sense this season.