I know it's difficult for many to do, but I'm gonna talk about the things that went right in our first Big East win and first victory over a P5 team ...
++ Huzzah ... Gold started over Hamilton! Ben still struggled with the outside shot, but he played some good interior D, grabbed 5 offensive rebounds, made a few inside buckets, and fought through injury and numerous falls to play 32 minutes.
++ The whole team had great activity most of the game. Didn't hang heads after X took the late lead.
++ Shaka ran, and the players executed, two perfect inbound plays that led to 5 quick points.
++ Won the rebounding battle 47-34, which had a lot to do with the outcome.
++ Not sure what the stats will say, but it felt like our players finished at the basket better in this game than most others, especially in the first half.
++ Aggressive offensive play by Ross and Parham. I know some were down on Royce early in the season, but he has mostly played pretty well as his PT increased, and I think he has a bright future; 14 points, 8 rebounds and a block in 36 hard minutes tonight. Chase filled up the stat sheet (and yes, I know it included 8 turnovers.)
++ Survived James being in foul trouble and Jones being injured. Didn't get much offensively from Norman, but he battled on the boards and on D. When Nigel did play, he was very aggressive; he finished with 10 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds and 2 steals.
++ Three big 3s from Stevens and two from Owens. They confidently stepped into their shots. Adrien is gonna be a good player for us.
++ We were never gonna go 0-20, folks. Ain't gonna go 1-19 or 2-18 or 3-17, either. There are too many winnable Big East games out there, and we'll win a few of them. Still not good enough, obviously, but any win is a good win!
Ben has been fighting this year. Man his shot sucks but I give him credit for the hustle. He gets banged up a lot but keeps getting up.
Agreed on activity and lineup/rotations. Hamilton's one shining moment making a layup was overshadowed on the next couple of series iirc.
Parham's steady ascent from the start of the year is probably the most promising thing other than Nigel's quick impact. He's been more in control lately and coming up with some timely baskets. I think he will be a very solid player by the time he's a senior and we'll miss him.
Also agree on Adrien. Showing some flashes of shooting and athleticism. A bit of Stevie in him on defense at times. Phillips doesn't seem ready to contribute yet and not to beat a dead horse but the front court will continue to be a glaring issue without a solid newcomer next year (even besides Pearson).
Has anybody seen Nash Walker shoot before the game? He has to be better than what we saw tonight, hard to believe that they do not need help right now. I understand the redshirt bs, which I hate. Understand Sheek being 17, the other two I do not.
Quote from: BCHoopster on January 07, 2026, 10:54:16 PMHas anybody seen Nash Walker shoot before the game? He has to be better than what we saw tonight, hard to believe that they do not need help right now. I understand the redshirt bs, which I hate. Understand Sheek being 17, the other two I do not.
Nash just got here. There's no way he understands the offensive or defensive schemes. You'd be wasting a year for 15 games in a season where the team isn't good.
Militic I can understand the frustration, even if I don't agree. There's no way Nash should be playing right now.
(https://comicvine.gamespot.com/a/uploads/original/11119/111191852/5028614-4884577775-ieiWw.gif)
An ugly win is better than an ugly loss.
Royce, DO, AS, and NJjr are the future.
Quote from: tower912 on January 08, 2026, 07:01:45 AMAn ugly win is better than an ugly loss.
Royce, DO, AS, and NJjr are the future.
And Clark. He is literally forcing Shaka to play him. I don't know how bad he looks in practice but every minute he is out there he is productive. He and DO and Royce = that is alot of length I would love to see those three on the floor together for a good stretch...
Quote from: milwaukee expat on January 08, 2026, 07:20:02 AMAnd Clark. He is literally forcing Shaka to play him. I don't know how bad he looks in practice but every minute he is out there he is productive. He and DO and Royce = that is alot of length I would love to see those three on the floor together for a good stretch...
I was confused why he didn't play more in the second half. Chase seems to focus on him. Positive sign.
I think we did a lot of things well last night, including defending for a good chunk of the game, rebounding and overall energy. Our inability to shoot from anywhere (the lane, the foul line, beyond the arc) overcomes (undercomes?) a large number of positive things.
Very happy for the guys that they got a win under their belt. Hopefully, they'll play a little looser moving forward.
They continue to shoot the right shots. Need to get better at making the right shots.
Quote from: tower912 on January 08, 2026, 07:01:45 AMAn ugly win is better than an ugly loss.
Royce, DO, AS, and NJjr are the future.
Yep. Add three portal players and the RS and True freshman could be good in a hurry.
The rebounding was a huge positive.
Xavier hit three 3s in about a minute to get right back into the game. Usually takes us a half or more to hit that many.
Stating the obvious but it's such a disadvantage.
Hopefully we can add a shooter via the portal and Miletic, Walker, and Phillips can improve enough defensively to provide that threat next season (can't count on that, though).
It was an ugly win against another not-very-good team, but at least it was a win. I have to give Gold a ton of credit. He is getting the hell beat out of him every game, but keeps getting up. His outside shot has gone south, but he is doing a lot of other good things. I was also glad to see Stevens have a really solid game. Was also glad to see Shaka not start Hamilton. I guess he has to play a few minutes here and there, but it is ugly when he gets on the floor. Clark seems to be coming along - do not understand why Shaka does not give him longer runs unless Clark just does not have the stamina.
Quote from: tower912 on January 08, 2026, 08:14:51 AMThey continue to shoot the right shots. Need to get better at making the right shots.
On the 3 point shots particularly, we miss so badly (way short, a foot to the right or left, clanging off the side of the rim) that it is hard to understand from D-I players.
I get the layups to a degree, because often we are taking 3 footers with defenders between us and the basket, often smaller guys trying to shoot over or around bigger ones. A lot of our "missed layups" are difficult, defended shots that never had a reasonable chance of going in. We do miss too many easy ones, too, but not the 14 a game number always reported.
Finally, and not to pile on, but watching Tre Norman shoot foul shots, the surprise wasn't that he only went1-4 last night, but how did he ever make 8-10 using that form before last night?
Quote from: CTWarrior on January 08, 2026, 09:02:47 AMOn the 3 point shots particularly, we miss so badly (way short, a foot to the right or left, clanging off the side of the rim) that it is hard to understand from D-I players.
I get the layups to a degree, because often we are taking 3 footers with defenders between us and the basket, often smaller guys trying to shoot over or around bigger ones. A lot of our "missed layups" are difficult, defended shots that never had a reasonable chance of going in. We do miss too many easy ones, too, but not the 14 a game number always reported.
Finally, and not to pile on, but watching Tre Norman shoot foul shots, the surprise wasn't that he only went1-4 last night, but how did he ever make 8-10 using that form before last night?
100% agree with everything you said here.
I purposely missed watching the UConn. First time I ever purposely missed watching a game.
There were more than a few occasions I mentioned how bad can you be when you have been playing basketball your entire life. Tre with his flat shot as a junior is inexcusable. Not knowing the rules of the game you play is inexcusable, looking at you Phillips. This team is so hard to watch.
It's amazing how shot selection goes completely in tank when we are in a tight game and the game clock goes under the 5-minute mark.
Quote from: Big Papi on January 08, 2026, 09:21:55 AM100% agree with everything you said here.
I purposely missed watching the UConn. First time I ever purposely missed watching a game.
There were more than a few occasions I mentioned how bad can you be when you have been playing basketball your entire life. Tre with his flat shot as a junior is inexcusable. Not knowing the rules of the game you play is inexcusable, looking at you Phillips. This team is so hard to watch.
It's amazing how shot selection goes completely in tank when we are in a tight game and the game clock goes under the 5-minute mark.
I don't think it's an abandonment of shot selection standards as much as it is a general tightening up and no one wanting to take the big shot. Which results in horrible shots late in the clock that look like bad shot selection but have to be taken
Quote from: milwaukee expat on January 08, 2026, 07:20:02 AMAnd Clark. He is literally forcing Shaka to play him. I don't know how bad he looks in practice but every minute he is out there he is productive. He and DO and Royce = that is alot of length I would love to see those three on the floor together for a good stretch...
Good call on Clark. Needs to get more minutes at that spot, some playing alongside Gold, some alongside Parham.
I like that Shaka is trying to find spots for Phillips, but Owens seems ahead of him in most facets right now.
Quote from: Shooter McGavin on January 08, 2026, 08:29:58 AMAdd three portal players and the RS and True freshman could be good in a hurry.
Agree. Even two starter-level transfers, alongside this season's top 3-5 players, Sheek and Egbuonu, and you're talking about a team that will do plenty of winning next season. Few if any are pushing for Shaka to rebuild the team annually through 5-10 portal players.
Quote from: BCHoopster on January 07, 2026, 10:54:16 PMHas anybody seen Nash Walker shoot before the game? He has to be better than what we saw tonight, hard to believe that they do not need help right now. I understand the redshirt bs, which I hate. Understand Sheek being 17, the other two I do not.
Good lord.
Quote from: BM1090 on January 08, 2026, 12:21:43 AMNash just got here. There's no way he understands the offensive or defensive schemes.
Yeah, all of our guys getting minutes understand the schemes inside and out!
Quote from: MU82 on January 08, 2026, 09:45:44 AMGood call on Clark. Needs to get more minutes at that spot, some playing alongside Gold, some alongside Parham.
I like that Shaka is trying to find spots for Phillips, but Owens seems ahead of him in most facets right now.
Agree. Even two starter-level transfers, alongside this season's top 3-5 players, Sheek and Egbuonu, and you're talking about a team that will do plenty of winning next season. Few if any are pushing for Shaka to rebuild the team annually through 5-10 portal players.
On your Phillips comment I mostly agree at this point but Owens looked lost at the beginning of the year, Owens is definitely earning more time now.
As for Phillips. I wish when he went into the game they would run a play to go to him immediately to shoot a three. Even an out of bounds play when they have the chance. I'd like to see him get more looks from three.
As far as shooting in general for this team our passing has been terrible this year. Wide open shooters are not getting passes in the shooting pocket. They are reaching for the ball, barely corralling it and the defense has more time to adjust causing the shots to be rushed and really not that good. Definitely doesn't help the shooting percentage.
Quote from: MU82 on January 07, 2026, 10:03:20 PMI know it's difficult for many to do, but I'm gonna talk about the things that went right in our first Big East win and first victory over a P5 team ...
++ Huzzah ... Gold started over Hamilton! Ben still struggled with the outside shot, but he played some good interior D, grabbed 5 offensive rebounds, made a few inside buckets, and fought through injury and numerous falls to play 32 minutes.
++ The whole team had great activity most of the game. Didn't hang heads after X took the late lead.
++ Shaka ran, and the players executed, two perfect inbound plays that led to 5 quick points.
++ Won the rebounding battle 47-34, which had a lot to do with the outcome.
++ Not sure what the stats will say, but it felt like our players finished at the basket better in this game than most others, especially in the first half.
++ Aggressive offensive play by Ross and Parham. I know some were down on Royce early in the season, but he has mostly played pretty well as his PT increased, and I think he has a bright future; 14 points, 8 rebounds and a block in 36 hard minutes tonight. Chase filled up the stat sheet (and yes, I know it included 8 turnovers.)
++ Survived James being in foul trouble and Jones being injured. Didn't get much offensively from Norman, but he battled on the boards and on D. When Nigel did play, he was very aggressive; he finished with 10 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds and 2 steals.
++ Three big 3s from Stevens and two from Owens. They confidently stepped into their shots. Adrien is gonna be a good player for us.
++ We were never gonna go 0-20, folks. Ain't gonna go 1-19 or 2-18 or 3-17, either. There are too many winnable Big East games out there, and we'll win a few of them. Still not good enough, obviously, but any win is a good win!
(There are too many winnable Big East games out there, and we'll win a few of them.) ...which one's do you anticipate as W's? At seasons start I predicted 9 BE wins, with a possibility (if the ball bounced our way) of 11. I'm down to a prediction of 3 at this point.
Quote from: Jay Bee on January 08, 2026, 10:02:44 AMYeah, all of our guys getting minutes understand the schemes inside and out!
lol, fair
Quote from: BM1090 on January 08, 2026, 12:21:43 AMNash just got here. There's no way he understands the offensive or defensive schemes. You'd be wasting a year for 15 games in a season where the team isn't good.
Militic I can understand the frustration, even if I don't agree. There's no way Nash should be playing right now.
So if DWade showed up on campus and had 19 games to play, he could not pick up the nuances of hoops, come on!
Quote from: BCHoopster on January 08, 2026, 11:11:04 AMSo if DWade showed up on campus and had 19 games to play, he could not pick up the nuances of hoops, come on!
BC.... famously.... yes
Quote from: Shooter McGavin on January 08, 2026, 10:25:00 AMOn your Phillips comment I mostly agree at this point but Owens looked lost at the beginning of the year, Owens is definitely earning more time now.
As for Phillips. I wish when he went into the game they would run a play to go to him immediately to shoot a three. Even an out of bounds play when they have the chance. I'd like to see him get more looks from three.
As far as shooting in general for this team our passing has been terrible this year. Wide open shooters are not getting passes in the shooting pocket. They are reaching for the ball, barely corralling it and the defense has more time to adjust causing the shots to be rushed and really not that good. Definitely doesn't help the shooting percentage.
Yeah, you can really see the massive drop-off in both the timing and placement of passes to put guys in a position to score as compared to Kam and TK. Just a skillset that is not present on the team right now.
Hopefully Nigel really continues to develop in this area.
Quote from: BCHoopster on January 08, 2026, 11:11:04 AMSo if DWade showed up on campus and had 19 games to play, he could not pick up the nuances of hoops, come on!
Come on, man.
Quote from: Viper on January 08, 2026, 10:42:51 AM(There are too many winnable Big East games out there, and we'll win a few of them.) ...which one's do you anticipate as W's? At seasons start I predicted 9 BE wins, with a possibility (if the ball bounced our way) of 11. I'm down to a prediction of 3 at this point.
I mean, the other games against X, Georgetown and Seton Hall, and both DePaul games for sure. Providence and Butler, haven't seen them enough yet; what I have seen they can look real good one game and real bad the next.
Note that I'm not saying we will win those games, so I guess I don't "anticipate" them as wins. But it's not as if we were boat-raced by GT or SH ... and we already beat X, opening up a big lead in the process ... and DePaul is still DePaul unless they prove otherwise.
Hell, I don't even think Creighton or Nova are all that this season. There are always upsets. Would MU beating either of them at Fiserv be more shocking than SH beating UConn last season?
I like to think I'm pretty realistic, but yes, I'm also an optimist around these parts.
Quote from: MU82 on January 08, 2026, 01:51:02 PMI mean, the other games against X, Georgetown and Seton Hall, and both DePaul games for sure. Providence and Butler, haven't seen them enough yet; what I have seen they can look real good one game and real bad the next.
Note that I'm not saying we will win those games, so I guess I don't "anticipate" them as wins. But it's not as if we were boat-raced by GT or SH ... and we already beat X, opening up a big lead in the process ... and DePaul is still DePaul unless they prove otherwise.
Hell, I don't even think Creighton or Nova are all that this season. There are always upsets. Would MU beating either of them at Fiserv be more shocking than SH beating UConn last season?
I like to think I'm pretty realistic, but yes, I'm also an optimist around these parts.
I like the optimism. Hoping I'm wrong on 3 BE wins, which is a 8 win season in total heading into the BET. Normally we want 20 wins, at least. I'm praying to avoid 20 L's!
Quote from: Shooter McGavin on January 08, 2026, 10:25:00 AMOn your Phillips comment I mostly agree at this point but Owens looked lost at the beginning of the year, Owens is definitely earning more time now.
As for Phillips. I wish when he went into the game they would run a play to go to him immediately to shoot a three. Even an out of bounds play when they have the chance. I'd like to see him get more looks from three.
As far as shooting in general for this team our passing has been terrible this year. Wide open shooters are not getting passes in the shooting pocket. They are reaching for the ball, barely corralling it and the defense has more time to adjust causing the shots to be rushed and really not that good. Definitely doesn't help the shooting percentage.
While watching last night, I actually said these exact things: that I wish Shaka would set up a shot or two for Phillips while he has him in the game because that's what Phillips is best at; and that I wish our players threw passes in a way that the person catching them was in position to shoot or make another basketball move. Great minds!
Quote from: MU82 on January 08, 2026, 07:15:00 PMWhile watching last night, I actually said these exact things: that I wish Shaka would set up a shot or two for Phillips while he has him in the game because that's what Phillips is best at; and that I wish our players threw passes in a way that the person catching them was in position to shoot or make another basketball move. Great minds!
In two years, there's a possible world where MP2 and Owens are great.
Quote from: tower912 on January 08, 2026, 07:01:45 AMAn ugly win is better than an ugly loss.
Royce, DO, AS, and NJjr are the future.
I'm less convinced on DO, but I hope you're right. I'd also like to see Phillips and Clark hang around.
Quote from: BCHoopster on January 08, 2026, 11:11:04 AMSo if DWade showed up on campus and had 19 games to play, he could not pick up the nuances of hoops, come on!
A teenager from the other side of the planet is just like a 13-time NBA all-star.
Quote from: Jay Bee on January 08, 2026, 07:38:34 PMIn two years, there's a possible world where MP2 and Owens are great.
We agree. I'd be disappointed if either leave, especially if we don't bring in a replacement who is obviously better.
Quote from: Pakuni on January 08, 2026, 08:31:20 PMA teenager from the other side of the planet is just like a 13-time NBA all-star.
Just making a point that this team needs somebody who can put the ball in the hoop, 3 for 41 from your seniors is ridiculous.
Quote from: BCHoopster on January 08, 2026, 09:04:12 PMJust making a point that this team needs somebody who can put the ball in the hoop, 3 for 41 from your seniors is ridiculous.
The law of averages say this won't continue but it's definitely killing our chances right now. I feel like we should be significantly better as a whole. I'm not saying we're anywhere close to a tournament team, but at Home I feel like we should be able to compete at a much higher level than we've seen thus far.
Quote from: BCHoopster on January 08, 2026, 09:04:12 PMJust making a point that this team needs somebody who can put the ball in the hoop, 3 for 41 from your seniors is ridiculous.
It does, but a kid with zero college experience who just arrived from another continent is highly unlikely to be that somebody.
Quote from: Pakuni on January 08, 2026, 10:00:07 PMIt does, but a kid with zero college experience who just arrived from another continent is highly unlikely to be that somebody.
What's with the 🇳🇿 bias? I'm not saying he should suit up but I don't see a correlation between continent and the ability to shoot a basketball.
Quote from: MuggsyB on January 08, 2026, 10:02:43 PMWhat's with the 🇳🇿 bias? I'm not saying he should suit up but I don't see a correlation between continent and the ability to shoot a basketball.
Because leaving home and moving halfway across the world is a massive life adjustment for anyone, much less an 18-year-old kid.
Expecting that kid to make that adjustment in a couple of weeks while also making an impact on the court with a new team, new system and new teammates is a steep - and I would say unrealistic - ask.
Quote from: Pakuni on January 08, 2026, 10:25:04 PMBecause leaving home and moving halfway across the world is a massive life adjustment for anyone, much less an 18-year-old kid.
Expecting that kid to make that adjustment in a couple of weeks while also making an impact on the court with a new team, new system and new teammates is a steep - and I would say unrealistic - ask.
I don't disagree but mainly because I don't see much of an upside based on how bad we are this year.
Quote from: Pakuni on January 08, 2026, 10:25:04 PMBecause leaving home and moving halfway across the world is a massive life adjustment for anyone, much less an 18-year-old kid.
Expecting that kid to make that adjustment in a couple of weeks while also making an impact on the court with a new team, new system and new teammates is a steep - and I would say unrealistic - ask.
Not to mention the academic rigors!
Several positives indeed from this game but it's important to note that Xavier is really bad.
Parham - not the sharpest knife in the drawer but knows what to do with the ball in his hands and is the "reverse Joplin". (who, by the way, imho, had the same sharpness problem)... Where Joplin needed to just shoot and never dribble or drive when he got the ball, Parham needs to just drive. Fake the shot, and drive. He's got lots of nifty moves around the basket and often gets his own rebound.
Ben - starting again - We saw this 5 games before Shaka, but at least it's the right starting 5.
Phillips - absolutely agree a play must be run for him as soon as he enters
BOOB - two lovely plays... followed by two absolute abominations that led to turnovers. Maybe a little more focus on the "set pieces"? Those were the first signs of any offensive clarity in the post-Kolek/Oso PnR era. Need more of it.
Stevens - solid.
James - great game considering the foul situation
Jones - this team is better (unfortunately because he seems like a great kid) when he's not on the court
Clark - one must ask if he can win the tip and provide 2-3 good possessions at the beginning the game. The extra possession from winning the tip could win a game at some point.
Quote from: Pakuni on January 08, 2026, 10:25:04 PMBecause leaving home and moving halfway across the world is a massive life adjustment for anyone, much less an 18-year-old kid.
Expecting that kid to make that adjustment in a couple of weeks while also making an impact on the court with a new team, new system and new teammates is a steep - and I would say unrealistic - ask.
Speaking of moving half way around the world is Nash Walker on campus? Is he practicing with the team?
According to Shaka on Inside Marquette Basketball, he is.
Quote from: muwarrior69 on Today at 07:13:24 AMSpeaking of moving half way around the world is Nash Walker on campus? Is he practicing with the team?
Yes, there have been videos of him at shoot arounds before games.
Quote from: MU82 on Today at 12:27:45 AMNot to mention the academic rigors!
it's not like we're UW-Madison, hey
Quote from: Hards Alumni on Today at 08:00:39 AMYes, there have been videos of him at shoot arounds before games.
He
really needs to get better asap, or BC Hoopster will not be happy with him. No reason to practice with the team until you are good enough to play in a game. >:(
Quote from: Hards Alumni on Today at 08:00:39 AMYes, there have been videos of him at shoot arounds before games.
Let's hope he is as advertised.
Quote from: muwarrior69 on Today at 09:39:29 AMLet's hope he is as advertised.
I'm not sure what advertisements you're seeing, but personally, I do not have high hopes.
Shaka said NW has never been on a weight lifting program before. Shaka said NW had to be cleared by all of the team physicians before he could start practice. He said Ian, NW, and Sheek have a good relationship and challenge each other every day, as well as playing on the scout team.
Happy for the team win. Hopefully not the highlight of the year.
It actually is almost impossible what is happening.
Ben and Chase are shooting 24% and 25% from 3 this season. Between the 2 of them they are 3 for 41 from 3 in Big East play. Nearly impossible. Caedin is the worst 5 Marquette has probably ever seen and he continues to get minutes.
The way I see it is Shaka will use the portal, not maybe. The alternative is that he doesn't and Nigel leaves, in which case he will be forced to use the portal anyways.
He's going to use the portal, there's no choice. It will happen. Hopefully the portal adds are enough to convince Nigel to stay.
We would be a great team if only our players would learn to catch a pass with their ankles.