There is no explanation I can think of as to why Caedin started the 2H. I'm sorry but that's 100% on Shaka. I'm not saying we win either way, but it's less comprehendable imo than Finnegan's Wake. I hope Shaka is asked about this.
Quote from: MuggsyB on January 16, 2026, 09:48:54 PMThere is no explanation I can tbink of as to why Caedin started the 2H. I'm sorry but that's 100% on Shaka. I'm not saying we win either way, but it's less comprehensible imo than Finnegam's Wake. I hope Shaka is asked about this.
That was flat out coaching malpractice on his part. It almost seems like at this point he's just running him out there to try to prove everyone else wrong.
Caedin is awful af basketball. Will be very disheartened if he returns next season.
Quote from: mugrad_89 on January 16, 2026, 09:49:57 PMThat was flat out coaching malpractice on his part. It almost seems like at this point he's just running him out there to try to prove everyone else wrong.
He can't do that.
Caedin could average 25 and 10 the rest of the year and it would still be coaching malpractice. Instead he will average 2 and 1 and get complimented for perseverance.
Nm
Scholl: "You need to replace Jake Presutti with a coach that has experience."
Wojo: "No."
Scholl: "You're fired."
Similar ultimatum needs to be made to Shaka if Caedin, Tre and Sean aren't shown the door 48 hours after the last game. This is unacceptable.
Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on January 16, 2026, 09:51:16 PMHe can't do that.
Caedin could average 25 and 10 the rest of the year and it would still be coaching malpractice. Instead he will average 2 and 1 and get complimented for perseverance.
Caedin's defense...or even presence during that stretch was ridiculous. Total ghost. I could have been out there protecting the rim. :)
Quote from: CountryRoads on January 16, 2026, 09:52:10 PMScholl: "You need to replace Jake Presutti with a coach that has experience."
Wojo: "No."
Scholl: "You're fired."
Similar ultimatum needs to be made to Shaka if Caedin, Tre and Sean aren't shown the door 48 hours after the last game. This is unacceptable.
Dude, Sean is hardly the issue.
Quote from: MuggsyB on January 16, 2026, 09:48:54 PMThere is no explanation I can think of as to why Caedin started the 2H. I'm sorry but that's 100% on Shaka. I'm not saying we win either way, but it's less comprehendable imo than Finnegan's Wake. I hope Shaka is asked about this.
Gold was hurt, hardly played in second half, so it was Hamilton. It is what it is roster wise.
MU played well at end with:
Parham
Ross
Owens
Stevens
James
Two freshmen, two sophomores but got killed on boards and MU took advantage of Depaul missing free throws.
He supposedly took 10,000 hook shots this summer but I have not seen that shot in one game. The game has changed, Shaka wants his players to drive to the hoop, but Caedin normally down there doing nothing. Or he stands at the top of the key picking but never rolls. When Shska watches the replay what does he see from Caedin. I see a weak center, no hands, does not jump, no offense, and no D, am I missing something?
Quote from: MuggsyB on January 16, 2026, 09:55:35 PMCaedin's defense...or even presence during that stretch was ridiculous. Total ghost. I could have been out there protecting the rim. :)
I really question how much he likes playing basketball. He seems to have zero competitive fire.
Quote from: nyg on January 16, 2026, 10:04:02 PMGold was hurt, hardly played in second half, so it was Hamilton. It is what it is roster wise.
MU played well at end with:
Parham
Ross
Owens
Stevens
James
Two freshmen, two sophomores but got killed on boards and MU took advantage of Depaul missing free throws.
Gold went back in the game after that initial stretch and was on the floor late. If CH is unplayable and Gold is hurt, go small.
Quote from: BCHoopster on January 16, 2026, 10:04:10 PMHe supposedly took 10,000 hook shots this summer but I have not seen that shot in one game. The game has changed, Shaka wants his players to drive to the hoop, but Caedin normally down there doing nothing. Or he stands at the top of the key picking but never rolls. When Shska watches the replay what does he see from Caedin. I see a weak center, no hands, does not jump, no offense, and no D, am I missing something?
I am beginning to think 18 has some blackmail on Shaka and that is why he is getting so much time on court.
Quote from: HutchwasClutch on January 16, 2026, 10:06:04 PMI really question how much he likes playing basketball. He seems to have zero competitive fire.
Hutch,
This is seemingly a team issue. I saw zero tenacity once we were punched in the 2H. And yes, we showed several good things in the 1H offensively.
Quote from: BCHoopster on January 16, 2026, 10:04:10 PMHe supposedly took 10,000 hook shots this summer but I have not seen that shot in one game.
Divide that by ~100 days and that is a mere 100 a day? If he made 1 every 20 seconds that would take 30 minutes a day. What am I missing here with that? The videos they showed on social media were of him unguarded shooting by himself.
Quote from: MUbiz on January 16, 2026, 10:07:29 PMI am beginning to think 18 has some blackmail on Shaka and that is why he is getting so much time on court.
It's this or a betting scandal.
Quote from: MuggsyB on January 16, 2026, 10:09:19 PMHutch,
This is seemingly a team issue. I saw zero tenacity once we were punched in the 2H. And yes, we showed several good things in the 1H offensively.
Yes, DePaul jumped on them after half and they had no punch back until the very end. Just wilted.
Quote from: CountryRoads on January 16, 2026, 10:10:46 PMDivide that by ~100 days and that is a mere 100 a day? If he made 1 every 20 seconds that would take 30 minutes a day. What am I missing here with that? The videos they showed on social media were of him unguarded shooting by himself.
Very true. Add to it that, he doesn't have a feel for the game. He doesn't look raw, he looks lost.
JB, way to stick with Owens. Played well tonight. I've been waiting for that first drive and dunk he had tonight for the last year and a half. Needs to be more aggressive in my opinion.
Country - the fact that Shaka had Hamilton taking hook shots at all - as if THAT would make him a D1 player- tells you how stupid he is.
Quote from: MuggsyB on January 16, 2026, 10:06:35 PMGold went back in the game after that initial stretch and was on the floor late. If CH is unplayable and Gold is hurt, go small.
Gold played four minutes 16 to 12 minute mark, then 45 seconds from 3 minute mark.
MU went small after that with lineup I stated. If Hamilton is unplayable, then why is he on team and starting? Because he is on the team and he is all Shaka has. On Shaka for taking project, but Hamilton is not going to sit on the bench with this roster, no matter how frustrated you are
It is what it is.
Quote from: Shooter McGavin on January 16, 2026, 10:18:02 PMJB, way to stick with Owens. Played well tonight. I've been waiting for that first drive and dunk he had tonight for the last year and a half. Needs to be more aggressive in my opinion.
Other than his 22 footer that went 24 feet, he had a good night offensively. But he was continually getting beat on drives to the paint. Poor night defensively like the rest of the team.
Quote from: BCHoopster on January 16, 2026, 10:04:10 PMHe supposedly took 10,000 hook shots this summer but I have not seen that shot in one game. The game has changed, Shaka wants his players to drive to the hoop, but Caedin normally down there doing nothing. Or he stands at the top of the key picking but never rolls. When Shska watches the replay what does he see from Caedin. I see a weak center, no hands, does not jump, no offense, and no D, am I missing something?
Hey, he did make a hook shot last game.
Quote from: nyg on January 16, 2026, 10:04:02 PMGold was hurt, hardly played in second half, so it was Hamilton. It is what it is roster wise.
MU played well at end with:
Parham
Ross
Owens
Stevens
James
Two freshmen, two sophomores but got killed on boards and MU took advantage of Depaul missing free throws.
Why was Gold playing the last couple of minutes if he was hurting?
Quote from: nyg on January 16, 2026, 10:19:54 PMGold played four minutes 16 to 12 minute mark, then 45 seconds from 3 minute mark.
MU went small after that with lineup I stated. If Hamilton is unplayable, then why is he on team and starting? Because he is on the team and he is all Shaka has. On Shaka for taking project, but Hamilton is not going to sit on the bench with this roster, no matter how frustrated you are
It is what it is.
Okay. Why didn't he see if he could play from the 20-16 min mark?
Quote from: Newsdreams on January 16, 2026, 10:23:47 PMWhy was Gold playing the last couple of minutes if he was hurting?
45 seconds starting at three minute to go. Brought in on offense maybe to shoot a three. Didn't play minutes, only four and half second half
And now that I think about it....DePaul went 8-0 and tied the game at 44 in about 2 mins. Shaka calls a t-o and then stays with CH and that line-up? Totally dumbfounding.
How tall is Parham? He seems so weak and plays like he is about 6"3. Rather have Pat Smith down low. Hamilton plays like he isn't even there. Why didn't Shaka play box in one on Gunn? Like Al used to say. Cut off the head and the body dies. It is so frustrating every game.
I think Shaka looks to Matt Painter as his mentor. Painter took a 7'4" kid out of Canada that nobody else recruited and built him into a two-time POY. Shaka saw this and figured he could do the same with Hamilton & Clark. Shaka, you are no Matt Painter.
Caedin was an enormous liability out there. Phillips is a better option btw.
Quote from: MUbiz on January 16, 2026, 10:07:29 PMI am beginning to think 18 has some blackmail on Shaka and that is why he is getting so much time on court.
I'll tell you what it is: Shaka's ego. He took a guy from California that Big West schools like Northridge and Long Beach weren't interested in and he's going to prove he was smarter than those guys and saw what they didn't. Hamilton is Shaka's RVG poster boy.
Quote from: Superfan on January 16, 2026, 10:31:38 PMI think Shaka looks to Matt Painter as his mentor. Painter took a 7'4" kid out of Canada that nobody else recruited and built him into a two-time POY. Shaka saw this and figured he could do the same with Hamilton & Clark. Shaka, you are no Matt Painter.
Eady was a three star who was overshadowed by top ten players at IMG. Hamilton was a zero star who didn't have interest from Big West programs in his backyard.
Quote from: Billy Hoyle on January 16, 2026, 10:33:19 PMEady was a three star who was overshadowed by top ten players at IMG. Hamilton was a zero star who didn't have interest from Big West programs in his backyard.
Did Clarke have any other offers. Pretty sure Ham had literally no other D1 offers. Idk wtf shaka was thinking bringing these two inept players on board. Maybe he was banking on ittejere to work out but damn what a joke.
Quote from: Newsdreams on January 16, 2026, 10:22:39 PMHey, he did make a hook shot last game.
Is that what that was? Hard to tell
Quote from: Billy Hoyle on January 16, 2026, 10:33:19 PMEady was a three star who was overshadowed by top ten players at IMG. Hamilton was a zero star who didn't have interest from Big West programs in his backyard.
"
Shaka, you are no Matt Painter."
Quote from: HutchwasClutch on January 16, 2026, 10:21:57 PMOther than his 22 footer that went 24 feet, he had a good night offensively. But he was continually getting beat on drives to the paint. Poor night defensively like the rest of the team.
It's a start though. Wasn't showing anything positive for about 25 games. I like his aggressivness on offense lately. Hopefully that will lead to better defense.
My goal is to expend no more mental energy on this team. If Notso doesn't change his stripes, same for next year.
Quote from: Shooter McGavin on January 16, 2026, 10:47:33 PMIt's a start though. Wasn't showing anything positive for about 25 games. I like his aggressivness on offense lately. Hopefully that will lead to better defense.
No argument on that. We're a fanbase starving for positives and hope.
This kind of feels like the point in the season where you absolutely need to lean into the "tanking" angle. Play the freshmen max minutes. We're thin right now due to injury anyway. I'm also not sure why Phillips and Clark didn't see time tonight. That negates any of the positives we might have taken away from a bad L.
Quote from: Johnny B on January 16, 2026, 10:38:24 PMDid Clarke have any other offers. Pretty sure Ham had literally no other D1 offers. Idk wtf shaka was thinking bringing these two inept players on board. Maybe he was banking on ittejere to work out but damn what a joke.
Hamilton had offers from Drexel and northeastern according to 247
#FREEJOSH
Quote from: Galway Eagle on January 16, 2026, 11:19:13 PMHamilton had offers from Drexel and northeastern according to 247
In what sport?
Not sure why I continue to go watch us play this season haha, I'm 0-3 (IU, Maryland, DePaul). My guess is it'll be 0-4 when I go up for NMD.
Was really encouraged by Nigel's hot start, Royce's aggressive takes in the 1st half, and more Damarius glimpses and confidence going to the rack. Man he can literally SOAR out there, it's astonishing to see up close. The growth of the underclassmen has long been all I care about this season. 2nd half was about as brutal as it gets: the lack of stops was infuriating in real time but I didn't realize it was Shaka's second worst defensive game at MU per PaintTouches (Butler 2022).
Just don't understand the Caedin loyalty. I really don't. I get Ben is banged up but we were playing our best in the 1st half with him on the bench. He starts the 2nd half and we immediately give up a 14-0 run. If we need size, I'd much rather have Josh in there if Ben can't go. I'm also bummed out we got zero Michael Phillips minutes...why?? We have 1 shooter on this team and apparently he's not good enough to play a single second? Especially when DePaul is playing a zone and we need anyone to bust it. So confusing to me.
Tough season. As hard as it is, we probably need these losses to spur Shaka to make meaningful changes come April. So......yay?
Damarius looked pretty good. Glad he's been getting to double digits. Royce bullying his way to the basket is fun to watch. I think he'll get better even at that - plus maybe adding some kick-outs to MP, Ian, and Nash next season.
Michael Phillips needs to play every night. They opted not to redshirt him despite being HS age because he has NBA upside (he really does) and you want to get as much as possible out of him. He is going to probably make the biggest leap this offseason and be VERY good. Unless he was banged up, getting a DNP is another confounding coaching decision in a season full of those. Clark, too. I don't get it.
Not playing Josh, who is far and away our best rebounder (given in a small sample), in a game where we won kept close in pretty much every other statline battle, but were outrebounded 42-30 including 15-8 on the offensive glass is... coaching malfesance.
I assume MU can fire Shaka for cause? That has to be pretty close.
#FREEJOSH
Beyond our roster issues, this team is fragile and fundamentally a complete mess. Mostly defending and rebounding. As others have pointed out, we go into panic mode and lose any semblance of cohesion. What's more troubling is there have been times during games where guys look disinterested and the effort and focus aren't there. If you can't stop the ball, or lose sight of the ball, good luck beating even mediocre teams. Watching these guys rebound is an extremely unpleasant experience.
Quote from: MuggsyB on Today at 12:21:32 AMBeyond our roster issues, this team is fragile and fundamentally a complete mess. Mostly defending and rebounding. As others have pointed out we go into panic mode and lose any semblance of cohesion. What's more troubling is there have been times during games where guys look disinterested and the effort and focus aren't there. If you can't stop the ball, or lose sight of the ball, good luck beating even mediocre teams. Watching these guys rebound is an extremely unpleasant experience.
You know who might be able to rebound? Our 7 ft guy who has rebounded really well in the minutes he's gotten. But I guess he doesn't "pour" enough during practice.
#FREEJOSH
Quote from: 1SE on Today at 12:27:06 AMYou know who might be able to rebound? Our 7 ft guy who has rebounded really well in the minutes he's gotten. But I guess he doesn't "pour" enough during practice.
#FREEJOSH
Believe it or not Caedin had 7 boards in 15 mins. Of course 2 or 3 of them were from his own missed chippies.