Since the hashtag hasn't picked up yet, thought Josh deserves his own thread. Seriously, what gives. Does Shaka really think Caedin is still the future? What possible reason is there not to give Josh extended run to see what we have ther? he seems.far more likely to be a backup piece next year than Caedin. And even if he's worse, who cares? We only win 2 BE games instaed of 3? I see no downside and only upside to getting the young man more floor time. #FREEJOSH
I do not take a guy seriously who adamantly and repeatedly insisted that the only thing that mattered was success in the NCAA tourney, and that the regular season was simply for earning a seed. Yet you have been opining on so many subjects not related to the tourney, even though we have long since not had a snowball's chance in Hell of getting in.
And here you are, starting a thread on Clark. :o ;D :o ;D
Quote from: 1SE on January 18, 2026, 12:53:05 AMSince the hashtag hasn't picked up yet, thought Josh deserves his own thread. Seriously, what gives. Does Shaka really think Caedin is still the future? What possible reason is there not to give Josh extended run to see what we have ther? he seems.far more likely to be a backup piece next year than Caedin. And even if he's worse, who cares? We only win 2 BE games instaed of 3? I see no downside and only upside to getting the young man more floor time. #FREEJOSH
Good point. I agree with you that there is more upside with Josh than Caeden. He'll learn more by playing than sitting on the bench.
Quote from: Stretchdeltsig on January 18, 2026, 08:08:12 AMGood point. I agree with you that there is more upside with Josh than Caeden. He'll learn more by playing than sitting on the bench.
If the coaching staff felt he could play more, he would.
I mean.... why not, nothing else to root for!
Quote from: 79Warrior on January 18, 2026, 09:20:49 AMIf the coaching staff felt he could play more, he would.
The coaching staff think caeden is starter material. 🤔
We've been eliminated from at-large contention for probably 6 weeks now, so I don't see the harm in getting each of the guys a few minutes every game from here on out. The chaotic substitution patterns throughout the year definitely contributed to this debacle of a season, but I don't see the benefit of tightening the rotation now other than to maybe try and avoid being the worst team in MU history.
I know thread is about Clark, but take Phillips for a recent example. Shaka pulled him aside after the Nova game and told him that he would be making that go ahead shot a lot of times in his career. I guess the next step in his growth was from him to ride the pine completely in the next non blow out game.
Now is a unique time to get some of the younger guys some quality experience.
Quote from: 79Warrior on January 18, 2026, 09:20:49 AMIf the coaching staff felt he could play more, he would.
Agreed. I'd bet Hamilton is a better player to help us win now and that is why he plays, but I think some fans have given up on winning and would prefer to see if there is a chance that Josh could develop.
There is a very real, and disturbing, reality the coaches don't see Josh ever being better than Caedin.
Strictly for the sake of optics, I think we will see a tighter rotation in the "winnable" games vs DePaul, Butler, Xavier, and Providence, and Phillips and Clark will get extended run in contests that are clearly a lost cause. Getting 5-7 wins in conference play (which is still possible) looks a lot better on paper than 2-18, even though the end result of no post-season is the same. I don't agree with it, but I think Shaka will try to save face as much as possible.
Caedin is stronger than Josh by a mile, so that's why he plays, because Caedin does nothing else to discuss. Hate to say it but both players will not be much better next year. Add that Sheek is very skinny, they need to add a physical player like Benson of DePaul.
Both players need to be playing elsewhere next year.
Quote from: 79Warrior on January 18, 2026, 09:20:49 AMIf the coaching staff felt he could play more, he would.
Are we blindly trusting their instincts this year?
Quote from: 79Warrior on January 18, 2026, 09:20:49 AMIf the coaching staff felt he could play more, he would.
THIS STAFF THINKS PLAYING CAEDIN IS FINE. DAMARIUS IS PLAYING MORE. MAYBE THEY AREN'T TRUSTWORTHY.
(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQl7mDUi_4Yg5crMkUHvsbCiEmuyPK8ATOauA&s)
Quote from: Spaniel with a Short Tail on January 18, 2026, 12:29:11 PM(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQl7mDUi_4Yg5crMkUHvsbCiEmuyPK8ATOauA&s)
YOU GOT A PROBLEM WITH THAT?
Quote from: Superfan on January 18, 2026, 10:58:21 AMBoth players need to be playing elsewhere next year.
I'd like to keep Josh. If he develops he could be a really good piece in two years and we have 15 scholarship guys now. It's the low ceiling guys that I wouldn't mind leaving.
Josh wouldn't have helped in any way against DePaul. They bullied us, and not just down low. They were more physical at every position.
Caedin Hamilton is so bad we have people begging for Josh Clark smh.
Josh is low D-1.
At best.
Quote from: Jockey on January 18, 2026, 01:14:44 PMJosh is low D-1.
At best.
No one can factually challenge that statement. :(
If you can't legitimately compete for playing time on this team, you don't belong in high D1. MU presents the best platform to prove yourself as a player right now.
Quote from: Jockey on January 18, 2026, 01:14:44 PMJosh is low D-1.
At best.
But where's your ranking on Hamilton?
Quote from: Jockey on January 18, 2026, 01:14:44 PMJosh is low D-1.
At best.
Right now. 7+ feet and bouncy is always worth a shot. If he develops, you get McCaskill. If it doesn't work out you get McMorrow or Mbao.
Quote from: tower912 on January 18, 2026, 01:23:13 PMRight now. 7+ feet and bouncy is always worth a shot. If he develops, you get McCaskill. If it doesn't work out you get McMorrow or Mbao.
Or if you're Shaka, take as many as you can! Lots of time spent in the rough but still no diamonds
Quote from: Pakuni on January 18, 2026, 11:13:08 AMAre we blindly trusting their instincts this year?
Do we have a choice? We can't tell him who to play.
(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSOKO3IuADfMqOo5MeddWR__2iNsQ1lZlh3jA&s)
(Perusing Scoop waiting for my primer to dry so I can topcoat.)
Quote from: BM1090 on January 18, 2026, 01:00:18 PMI'd like to keep Josh. If he develops he could be a really good piece in two years and we have 15 scholarship guys now. It's the low ceiling guys that I wouldn't mind leaving.
Correct. Absolutely need a good starting big from the portal but I'm fine with Josh staying on and continuing to develop. At least he has the length to be a rim protector in the future.
Quote from: 79Warrior on January 18, 2026, 01:32:35 PMDo we have a choice? We can't tell him who to play.
Yes. Just because we don't get to make lineup decisions doesn't mean we can't have discussions critical of those decisions.
I guess Josh doesn't practice hard enough.
Quote from: tower912 on January 18, 2026, 01:23:13 PMRight now. 7+ feet and bouncy is always worth a shot. If he develops, you get McCaskill. If it doesn't work out you get McMorrow or Mbao.
And he's already ahead of the latter two.
Wasn't super-surprised to not see Clark against DePaul but was quite surprised that Phillips didn't see any action. Was he hurt?
Quote from: tower912 on January 18, 2026, 01:23:13 PMRight now. 7+ feet and bouncy is always worth a shot. If he develops, you get McCaskill. If it doesn't work out you get McMorrow or Mbao.
Is he bouncy? Seems a bit slow. Definitely a shot blocker potential but not seeing much hope otherwise.
Quote from: Markusquette on January 18, 2026, 10:00:22 PMIs he bouncy? Seems a bit slow. Definitely a shot blocker potential but not seeing much hope otherwise.
At MU, Jim McIlvaine is considered bouncy.
At this point the answer should be "why not?" I don't particularly care if we finish last or second to last in the conference. At the very worst he gets in, is totally outmatched and appears clueless and uncoordinated on both offense and defense, and we give him 12+ minutes a game like Hamilton.
Josh clark and bounce was not the scouting report I was expecting.
Quote from: tower912 on January 18, 2026, 01:23:13 PMRight now. 7+ feet and bouncy is always worth a shot. If he develops, you get McCaskill. If it doesn't work out you get McMorrow or Mbao.
The difference here is that McMorrow and Mbao played sparingly/never when it became apparent they weren't Big East players, and were quickly and politely shown the door.
I agree he should play. Cant be worse than Hamilton.
That said ... he's clearly not " bouncy "
And ( as one of the Tv guys said ) is about as strong as a blade of grass.
Shaka said he is taller than when he arrived. Now 7'+ in bare feet, 7'2 in shoes. 245 lbs, which is up 30. Roo. For 25 more. Shaka also said that Josh is not a great practice player.
Quote from: WhiteTrash on January 18, 2026, 10:29:54 PMAt MU, Jim McIlvaine is considered bouncy.
Only when falling from the balcony in the Old Gym
Quote from: tower912 on January 18, 2026, 01:23:13 PMRight now. 7+ feet and bouncy is always worth a shot. If he develops, you get McCaskill. If it doesn't work out you get McMorrow or Mbao.
I love your optimism, Tower. But there is about a 0% chance he can become McCaskill - who was an NBA draft pick and played professionally both here and abroad for a dozen years.
And? Most players don't. Maybe he makes it Ooze level on offense and/or Otule on defense. I look forward to the rest of his journey.
(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS8-yf2YuU65Nfaq4VVjdWMbllry94OpyBdaw&s)
Quote from: tower912 on January 19, 2026, 04:36:23 PMAnd? Most players don't. Maybe he makes it Ooze level on offense and/or Otule on defense. I look forward to the rest of his journey.
I hope his journey is short and sweet, he might be ready in 2 or 3 years but not now or next year. In the portal, Shaka needs to find a player who has a physical
Presence, to let Clark watch from the bench where he belongs!
Quote from: BCHoopster on January 19, 2026, 04:56:02 PMI hope his journey is short and sweet, he might be ready in 2 or 3 years but not now or next year. In the portal, Shaka needs to find a player who has a physical
Presence, to let Clark watch from the bench where he belongs!
Take him and Hamilton to the farm where Keeyan, wrightsil and Amadou went so they can run free and enjoy their lives in the fields of low major anonymity where they should've started.
Well, if he can't see a few of Ben's minutes on this team he might as well get the Shakaxe.
Quote from: 1SE on January 19, 2026, 10:08:17 PMWell, if he can't see a few of Ben's minutes on this team he might as well get the Shakaxe.
Why?
Surprised josh didn't b play last night. Are his practices that bad?
Free him to another team, probably