Shaka's coaching cost us the game tonite. Why does Gold go and guard the guard outside and leave James covering a bigger player? That is part of the reason Villanova had 17 off rebounds. Our boxing out is terrible. Villanova is one of the best 3 pt shooting team and Shaka played a def that let them shoot 3 pt shots all game. What Shaka is thinking sometimes baffles me. How many turnovers from not being able to drive??? It is so frustrating.
Lots of stuff this year making me think Shaka isn't quite a great of a coach as I thought he was
He has many good qualities but being a great in-game coach is not one of them.
I thought Shaka emphasizing getting the ball to Royce when he had two good legs was brilliant.
I thought sitting Chase for extended periods was appropriate.
Villanova was playing 5 out and small. By definition, Ben had to guard a smaller player on the perimeter.
His best available option was to go small. Mitigated with his starting guards in foul trouble and Chase being bad for a lot of the game.
Look at context.
No he didn't. He cost us that game in the offseason.
What is he supposed to do right now? This team sucks.
Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on February 10, 2026, 09:08:14 PMNo he didn't. He cost us that game in the offseason.
What is he supposed to do right now? This team sucks.
Go get hard for Gard some more. This team no longer sucks. It did. They just took a Tourney team to the wire on the road with their freshman stud playing the worst game of his career. Gtfooh.
It's cuz he holds grudges.
Quote from: wadesworld on February 10, 2026, 09:15:10 PMGo get hard for Gard some more. This team no longer sucks. It did. They just took a Tourney team to the wire on the road with their freshman stud playing the worst game of his career. Gtfooh.
What does Gard have to do with anything? You talk about him more than anybody on this entire board.
These games and every one like it were lost for Marquette in the offseason. There is nothing Shaka can do right now to win these games.
Shaka was just fine tonight. The rotations were good.
Unfortunately had to go zone since the refs wouldnt let either team play man.
We ran some really nice sets to get Royce and Stevens in good spots.
Most importantly, went away from Chase at the end. The young guys just arent ready to make a clutch play yet unfortunately. But that will come with more experience and we're gonna be really good next year.
Quote from: JTJ3 on February 10, 2026, 09:37:29 PMShaka was just fine tonight. The rotations were good.
Unfortunately had to go zone since the refs wouldnt let either team play man.
We ran some really nice sets to get Royce and Stevens in good spots.
Most importantly, went away from Chase at the end. The young guys just arent ready to make a clutch play yet unfortunately. But that will come with more experience and we're gonna be really good next year.
Agreed. Shaka was fine.
There's not a lot of buttons he can push.
Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on February 10, 2026, 09:35:21 PMWhat does Gard have to do with anything? You talk about him more than anybody on this entire board.
These games and every one like it were lost for Marquette in the offseason. There is nothing Shaka can do right now to win these games.
"There is nothing Shaka can do right now to win these games."
The above is just a silly statement and I'm not saying that because I have any issue with Shaka's coaching tonight.
There will be a lot more options next year
Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on February 10, 2026, 09:08:14 PMNo he didn't. He cost us that game in the offseason.
What is he supposed to do right now? This team sucks.
This team is much much better than it was, and no longer sucks.
Shaka made a lot of good decisions tonight in the first 36, but not so much in the last 4.
A team takes on the character of its coach in the most pivotal moments
Not sure if it's Xs and Os, or character and the ability to handle pressure, but its not new.
It's been his kryptonite for a decade or so, and won't change in a season where he's coaching one of his worst teams in the last 20 years
Quote from: DoctorV on February 10, 2026, 09:43:19 PMThis team is much much better than it was, and no longer sucks.
Shaka made a lot of good decisions tonight in the first 36, but not so much in the last 4.
A team takes on the character of its coach in the most pivotal moments
Not sure if it's Xs and Os, or character and the ability to handle pressure, but its not new.
It's been his kryptonite for a decade or so, and won't change in a season where he's coaching one of his worst teams in the last 20 years
They got three spot threes once we went up nine. Two in the corner. I can't stand the soft double on penetration, the high hedge, and overpressuring up top on in general.
Quote from: DoctorV on February 10, 2026, 09:43:19 PMThis team is much much better than it was, and no longer sucks.
Shaka made a lot of good decisions tonight in the first 36, but not so much in the last 4.
A team takes on the character of its coach in the most pivotal moments
Not sure if it's Xs and Os, or character and the ability to handle pressure, but its not new.
It's been his kryptonite for a decade or so, and won't change in a season where he's coaching one of his worst teams in the last 20 years
This team absolutely still sucks. It is definitely playing better but it is such an unserious team regardless of that. It has no center. It has no bench. It has no veteran leadership. It is a very bad team that has 3 players really coming along.
Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on February 10, 2026, 10:00:47 PMThis team absolutely still sucks. It is definitely playing better but it is such an unserious team regardless of that. It has no center. It has no bench. It has no veteran leadership. It is a very bad team that has 3 players really coming along.
And you've always been an unserious poster.
Shaka didn't cost the game tonight, but this team's continued late-game collapses and inability to get decent shots in final possessions is an indictment on his coaching this season.
Shaka didnt cost the game. Nigel was brutal and more or less gave Nova a run in the last 2:30.
Very frosh game from him in the last 10 or so. Kudos to nova for flusterimg him in the press.
Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on February 10, 2026, 10:00:47 PMThis team absolutely still sucks. It is definitely playing better but it is such an unserious team regardless of that. It has no center. It has no bench. It has no veteran leadership. It is a very bad team that has 3 players really coming along.
Ok I'll give you a lot of that.
No center, no bench, no leadership.
It's all evident.
I team cannot completely suck when it should have beaten Villanova 2x this year
Villanova is a good, not great, team that will make the NCAAt. Marquette should have won both games
See my comments in other threads on coach's kryptonite.
That said, most teams will not want to see this Marquette team in NYC and you count say that 3 weeks ago. It would still be wild for them to even win 3 games to make the final, and it'll be likely and possible for them to come in with confidence and lay a dud in game 1, but if they win a game I sure wouldn't want to see this team at the Garden
Quote from: Don_Kojis on February 10, 2026, 08:54:18 PMShaka's coaching cost us the game tonite. Why does Gold go and guard the guard outside and leave James covering a bigger player? That is part of the reason Villanova had 17 off rebounds. Our boxing out is terrible. Villanova is one of the best 3 pt shooting team and Shaka played a def that let them shoot 3 pt shots all game. What Shaka is thinking sometimes baffles me. How many turnovers from not being able to drive??? It is so frustrating.
It's been said already but I disagree with this. Royce started cramping, Adrien got banged up, Nigel was in foul trouble and played his worst game of the season, Nova got hot from 3 (many deep and contested).
Yes it's bad that we didn't draw one foul the last 9:30 but Nigel and Chase both got fouled a couple times with no calls in that span. Even that last shot attempt, we had no timeouts and they were clearly thrown off that Nova didn't foul.
The loss stems more from Shaka's poor roster construction than his in-game coaching tonight, in my opinion. Just as all our losses have come from that.
But man the improvement has been awesome and now that Nigel knows he doesn't have to do EVERYTHING out there, hopefully he finishes the season more under control. Tough loss but really proud of our guys.
Quote from: JTJ3 on February 10, 2026, 09:37:29 PMShaka was just fine tonight. The rotations were good.
Unfortunately had to go zone since the refs wouldnt let either team play man.
We ran some really nice sets to get Royce and Stevens in good spots.
Most importantly, went away from Chase at the end. The young guys just arent ready to make a clutch play yet unfortunately. But that will come with more experience and we're gonna be really good next year.
going away from Chase was good. As you say, didn't make plays down the stretch. The final 3-4 minutes was rough.
Royce coming up limping and playing on one leg down the stretch was certainly inopportune.
Yeah, Royce limping around and giving up a three point shot as a result was very poor timing. Shaka tried to keep him in the game and preserve his timeout in the process, which didn't really hurt us.
But it came down to two freshmen playing like freshmen. James had multiple TOs and Stevens had multiple missed shots.
I've never thought Shaka was a great in-game coach, but this wasn't on him. (Outside of the longer term issue of poor roster construction.)
Quote from: tower912 on February 11, 2026, 06:27:04 AMRoyce coming up limping and playing on one leg down the stretch was certainly inopportune.
Absolutely, Nova had no answer for him before that.
(I can't believe I just typed that, but I like it. He even made his free throws.)
In a perfect world, there would have been an immediate, seamless adjustment. This team isn't there yet.
Someone already said it but James was clearly fouled a couple times on those late turnovers. On one he said something to the refs that was particularly egregious and was ignored but the replay showed that the Villanova player had all arm and no ball. Terrible no call late when Villanova was getting calls with much less contact. Note to Sultan, I anm not blaming the refs for the loss. But anylittle layup or score from the free throw line in the last couple minutes could have stemmed the tide. The boys played well. Also agree with the posters who said Parham playing on one leg at the end of the game was a shame. Probably get the job done if he is not injured or cramping.
Depth matters. Hope Owens and Phillips start to become viable options the rest of the season. Need more scorers on the court besides the usual suspects. Kudos to Ben for stepping up late and Chase for hitting that open three as well.
This team is fun to watch. Need reinforcements. Need to replace Ben's defense and gulp, rebounding. If Shaka really likes Nash, Norman and thinks Militec can handle the ball at all, I'm thinking he goes Big first and guard second as his priorities in the portal. Both are needed but we are woefully thin at forward next year. We need our Bannon.
Let's get the next one! Why not?
Quote from: Markusquette on February 11, 2026, 10:58:55 AMUm
Ha! I get it. They are not there yet. But I'm in silver lining mode.
In a vacuum, last night was an exciting game. MU is a young team learning how to win in the Big East. And, in a normal season where MU was competing for a tourney bid, the conversation would be about Royce's leg and the foul discrepancy down the stretch.
And how dirty Brennan is.
Quote from: tower912 on February 11, 2026, 11:33:01 AMIn a vacuum, last night was an exciting game. MU is a young team learning how to win in the Big East. And, in a normal season where MU was competing for a tourney bid, the conversation would be about Royce's leg and the foul discrepancy down the stretch.
And how dirty Brennan is.
If that wasn't an F2, I guess that Nigel had to be carried off in a gurney for Brennan to be charged with an F2. :o
Williard had a rep at SH for encouraging crap like that.
I've been as critical of the staff this year as anyone. Evaluation misses, minute allocations, and adherence to a flawed philosophy led us to where we are now.
But that said, we are unquestionably better this past month, and by leaps and bounds the past two weeks, than we were during the disastrous start. That's a credit to Shaka.
I'm hoping to see the results bear out more of that improvement in our next 7-10 games, and they need to embrace the portal if they're going to get back on the track they were on in 23/24, but anyone watching this team that can't recognize we're in a vastly better place simply doesn't know what they're watching.
Quote from: brewcity77 on February 11, 2026, 01:22:38 PMbut anyone watching this team that can't recognize we're in a vastly better place simply doesn't know what they're watching.
This!
Quote from: brewcity77 on February 11, 2026, 01:22:38 PMI've been as critical of the staff this year as anyone. Evaluation misses, minute allocations, and adherence to a flawed philosophy led us to where we are now.
they need to embrace the portal
What makes anyone think either of these things get fixed?
14-24 since last February, visibly bloated staff, internal hire athletic director, abhorrent end of game coaching.
Culture is how you act, interact, and respond.
They are who they are
Quote from: jfp61 on February 11, 2026, 02:03:29 PMWhat makes anyone think either of these things get fixed?
14-24 since last February, visibly bloated staff, internal hire athletic director, abhorrent end of game coaching.
Culture is how you act, interact, and respond.
They are who they are
What does "visibly bloated staff" even mean? It looks like, well, every single other coaching staff at the high major level for the last decade.
Quote from: wadesworld on February 11, 2026, 02:04:16 PMWhat does "visibly bloated staff" even mean?
Too much Arby's? They call our zone defense the Meat and 3.
When MU was up 9, MU should have tried to take away the 3. You play an umbrella D, wide 3-2, being in Clark to try and block a layup, make them drive so they would need 5 possessions to score instead of 3. Hopefully in those five possessions they have, MU could score a few points to still be up 4 or 5 points, win the game. Poor coaching
Quote from: BCHoopster on February 11, 2026, 02:14:26 PMWhen MU was up 9, MU should have tried to take away the 3. You play an umbrella D, wide 3-2, being in Clark to try and block a layup, make them drive so they would need 5 possessions to score instead of 3. Hopefully in those five possessions they have, MU could score a few points to still be up 4 or 5 points, win the game. Poor coaching
What coach completely changes up the defense that got them a 9 point lead with over 6 minutes left in the game? Now that would be some horrible coaching.
It's not like it was a 90 seconds left. There were over 6 minutes to play in the game.
I don't believe Shaka is a good in game coach. He hasn't wowed me with any set plays in forever. I will say he is average there. Better than Wojo but Shaka needs his playmakers to make plays like Wojo did. Ross and Gold have let him down this year and James and Stevens are young and learning. They will win games for Shaka over the next 3 years and Shaka will look like a better in game coach than what he actually is.
Shaka is a great individual and leader. Knows how to get buy in with relationships but he could really use a veteran assistant coach that can really coach by his side.
Quote from: Big Papi on February 11, 2026, 03:07:51 PMShaka is a great individual and leader. Knows how to get buy in with relationships but he could really use a veteran assistant coach that can really coach by his side.
"Tony Bennett, your table is ready". ;D
Wonder what Shaka's deep thoughts are on RGV?
Big gap between St. John, UCONN with the rest of the conference.
Does he think he can add Marquette to be on the same level with St. John & UCONN keeping the RGV model?
Is he content with keeping Marquette with the remaining lower team tier using the RGV model?
Quote from: Scoop Snoop on February 11, 2026, 12:04:06 PMIf that wasn't an F2, I guess that Nigel had to be carried off in a gurney for Brennan to be charged with an F2. :o
Williard had a rep at SH for encouraging crap like that.
Correct. He missed going counterclockwise, tucked the ball away with his left arm, and then connected clockwise. There was no "basketball play" involved at all.
It does the league no good for a the third place team for the tournament get beat at home by the last place team.....
Just sayin.....
Don't be naive.....$$$$
Quote from: burger on February 11, 2026, 06:25:08 PMIt does the league no good for a the third place team for the tournament get beat at home by the last place team.....
Just sayin.....
Don't be naive.....$$$$
Correct, it's why I'm ready to give up watching college basketball. The fix was in.
Coach is doing what the BOT wants.
Leadership showed it's colors when Buzz went Jr. COLLEGE. Enjoy being the best of the rest.
Quote from: wadesworld on February 11, 2026, 02:20:21 PMWhat coach completely changes up the defense that got them a 9 point lead with over 6 minutes left in the game? Now that would be some horrible coaching.
It's not like it was a 90 seconds left. There were over 6 minutes to play in the game.
I agree on that, but seeing Ben double team near half court, then one pass, wide open 3, tired of that
Quote from: vogue65 on February 11, 2026, 06:53:04 PMCorrect, it's why I'm ready to give up watching college basketball. The fix was in.
Coach is doing what the BOT wants.
Leadership showed it's colors when Buzz went Jr. COLLEGE. Enjoy being the best of the rest.
Lol
Quote from: burger on February 11, 2026, 06:25:08 PMIt does the league no good for a the third place team for the tournament get beat at home by the last place team.....
Just sayin.....
Don't be naive.....$$$$
Quote from: vogue65 on February 11, 2026, 06:53:04 PMCorrect, it's why I'm ready to give up watching college basketball. The fix was in.
Coach is doing what the BOT wants.
Leadership showed it's colors when Buzz went Jr. COLLEGE. Enjoy being the best of the rest.
::)
Quote from: burger on February 11, 2026, 06:25:08 PMIt does the league no good for a the third place team for the tournament get beat at home by the last place team.....
Just sayin.....
Don't be naive.....$$$$
Upsets are terrible for college sports. The people hate them.
Quote from: vogue65 on February 11, 2026, 06:53:04 PMCorrect, it's why I'm ready to give up watching college basketball. The fix was in.
Coach is doing what the BOT wants.
Leadership showed it's colors when Buzz went Jr. COLLEGE. Enjoy being the best of the rest.
:o :o :o :o
Quote from: NCMUFan on February 11, 2026, 05:11:52 PMWonder what Shaka's deep thoughts are on RGV?
Big gap between St. John, UCONN with the rest of the conference.
Does he think he can add Marquette to be on the same level with St. John & UCONN keeping the RGV model?
Is he content with keeping Marquette with the remaining lower team tier using the RGV model?
The RGV model is fine with transfers. Y'all really think its something that it really isn't.
Quote from: The Sultan on February 11, 2026, 07:46:46 PMThe RGV model is fine with transfers. Y'all really think its something that it really isn't.
So Shaka has been plugging in transfers the past three years? :-\
Quote from: WhiteTrash on February 11, 2026, 07:52:20 PMSo Shaka has been plugging in transfers the past three years? :-\
No, but Relationships Growth Victory certainly can work with transfers. People have this strange idea that Shaka and Marquette are slavishly tied to a model regardless of the results. They are going to find out very shortly that this isn't the case, and RGV will still be splashed around.
Shaka did not cost us the game, Chase did. He was a virtual no show last night. He was to be our team leader and ceded that to NJ over the last few games.
Quote from: The Sultan on February 11, 2026, 08:03:43 PMNo, but Relationships Growth Victory certainly can work with transfers. People have this strange idea that Shaka and Marquette are slavishly tied to a model regardless of the results. They are going to find out very shortly that this isn't the case, and RGV will still be splashed around.
I agree with you, but it appears like he did have a slavish tie to the model for the past three years. I have great confidence he will adjust and this year will be a blip on the radar.
Quote from: The Sultan on February 11, 2026, 08:03:43 PMNo, but Relationships Growth Victory certainly can work with transfers. People have this strange idea that Shaka and Marquette are slavishly tied to a model regardless of the results. They are going to find out very shortly that this isn't the case, and RGV will still be splashed around.
I don't know that they're slavishly tied to a model going forward, especially after this season, but it's fair to say that they were slavishly tied to it the past two offseasons.
The 2023-24 squad was deep and talented enough that there was really no obvious need to dip into the portal. But last year's and this year's squads had some pretty obvious holes that Shaka and Co. chose not to address. That's because of some combination of a)their dislike (bordering on disdain) for the transfer market and b)a mistaken confidence that their brand of RGV could fill those holes from within and they didn't need to hedge their bets on players like Hamilton, Sean Jones and Lowery taking a leap.
Quote from: WhiteTrash on February 12, 2026, 09:28:24 AMI agree with you, but it appears like he did have a slavish tie to the model for the past three years. I have great confidence he will adjust and this year will be a blip on the radar.
Yep on the bolded. I
think he will adjust, but do not have great confidence because he impresses me as a "true believer". That's why I think it will be difficult for him to change course.
Quote from: Pakuni on February 12, 2026, 09:40:33 AMb)a mistaken confidence that their brand of RGV could fill those holes from within and they didn't need to hedge their bets on players like Hamilton, Sean Jones and Lowery taking a leap.
This is the bit I don't get. Did he have mistaken confidence, or did Shaka simply strike out finding upgrades in the portal? Because Lowery I understand, he had obviously athleticism and skill, but Jones and Hamilton?
I'm just a dopey message board poster, but even I could see there was no way for MU to be successful if they were going to be relied upon to be significant contributors.
Quote from: JakeBarnes on February 10, 2026, 10:07:34 PMShaka didnt cost the game. Nigel was brutal and more or less gave Nova a run in the last 2:30.
Very frosh game from him in the last 10 or so. Kudos to nova for flusterimg him in the press.
This is exactly what cost us the game. Two turnovers on the last three possession and gave up an offensive rebound that could have easily been gotten if all he did was box out. He is a 20 year old freshman so I am less likely to give him the benefit of the doubt.
Very surprised (maybe I shouldn't be) some people have honed in on Shaka's in-game coaching as some weakness of his. Even as recently as last year, many here were lauding his adjustments out of the halftime break where Shaka was often besting Big East coaches in the first 5-6 minutes.
I don't think Shaka is an elite in-game coach, but he's certainly better than most. I have a much bigger bone to pick with roster construction than in-game coaching and the good news is the environment has never been better to quickly upgrade your roster. Make it happen or take a hike.
Quote from: Scoop Snoop on February 12, 2026, 09:40:51 AMYep on the bolded. I think he will adjust, but do not have great confidence because he impresses me as a "true believer". That's why I think it will be difficult for him to change course.
He will absolutely adjust.
Quote from: TheGym on February 12, 2026, 10:17:03 AMThis is exactly what cost us the game. Two turnovers on the last three possession and gave up an offensive rebound that could have easily been gotten if all he did was box out. He is a 20 year old freshman so I am less likely to give him the benefit of the doubt.
::)
One of those "turnovers" resulted from a blatant foul.
James just turned 20 a month ago. And considering how man college players are over 22 years old, he deserves a little bit of grace with all of the responsibility that has been put on his shoulders.
Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on February 12, 2026, 01:57:22 PM::)
One of those "turnovers" resulted from a blatant foul.
James just turned 20 a month ago. And considering how man college players are over 22 years old, he deserves a little bit of grace with all of the responsibility that has been put on his shoulders.
So he faceplants in one game at the end after being the one consistently bright spot in this year's team. He needs to leave after this season.
Quote from: Scoop Snoop on February 12, 2026, 02:00:29 PMSo he faceplants in one game at the end after being the one consistently bright spot in this year's team. He needs to leave after this season.
Cost himself a bunch of NIL money with that performance.
Seriously, though, as good as he's been people should still expect some ups & downs (and I think most do).
Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on February 12, 2026, 02:35:12 PMCost himself a bunch of NIL money with that performance.
Seriously, though, as good as he's been people should still expect some ups & downs (and I think most do).
I was the source of the quoted stuff and 100% agree. It's year 1. Growth is happening. He is going to be good if he keeps this up
Quote from: JakeBarnes on February 12, 2026, 03:36:14 PMI was the source of the quoted stuff and 100% agree. It's year 1. Growth is happening. He is going to be good if he keeps this up
Don't mean to nitpick but I'm going to anyway... :D
He's going to be an absolute star if he keeps getting better.
He is already a star. And will become a bigger one. But you guys are wrong; he just turned 19 in January. He was born in January 2007--I looked it up.
IMHO, the only way to win on the road is to build up a significant lead and then keep it. Keep your foot on the gas, peddle to the medal as they say.
Why would the home team want to send thousands of fans home feeling bad?
On the other hand, as has been said, end game basketball is a different game. The refs. don't want to be perceived as having an undue influence on the outcome. So they ignore fouls. If the score is close the visiting team usually loses. However, if the visiting team is dominating the game, they win.
Don't tell anybody, it's a big secret. 🤫
If any number crunches around here can demonstrate otherwise, I'm all ears.
Quote from: muwarrior69 on February 11, 2026, 08:18:29 PMShaka did not cost us the game, Chase did. He was a virtual no show last night. He was to be our team leader and ceded that to NJ over the last few games.
I hate to pick on certain players, but there is no sugarcoating with Chase and his issues this year. It's one thing to have a bad game, or even a slump, but this is different. We're not seeing him fully engaged at all or playing with max effort. I think this is pretty clear.
Tuesday wasn't his only enigmatic performance this season. The guy looks like a 1st team BEast guard in the 1st half vs DePaul, and then craps an emu egg in the 2nd. We've seen this kind of thing from him all year in conference play.
This isn't on Shaka, it's about our presumed best player NOT SHOWING UP. PERIOD. And he's not engaged in every facet of the game. He's not thinking out there at all. His head is elsewhere and its impact has been extremely detrimental to our team.
Quote from: MuggsyB on February 12, 2026, 07:11:59 PMI hate to pick on certain players, but there is no sugarcoating with Chase and his issues this year. It's one thing to have a bad game, or even a slump, but this is different. We're not seeing him fully engaged at all or playing with max effort. I think this is pretty clear.
Tuesday wasn't his only enigmatic performance this season. The guy looks like a 1st team BEast guard in the 1st half vs DePaul, and then craps an emu egg in the 2nd. We've seen this kind of thing from him all year in conference play.
This isn't on Shaka, it's about our presumed best player NOT SHOWING UP. PERIOD. And he's not engaged in every facet of the game. He's not thinking out there at all. His head is elsewhere and its impact has been extremely detrimental to our team.
No one likes to pick on players. It is their performance or lack thereof for all to see that is being questioned. Same goes for the coaching staff.
Quote from: vogue65 on February 12, 2026, 05:49:19 PMIMHO, the only way to win on the road is to build up a significant lead and then keep it. Keep your foot on the gas, peddle to the medal as they say.
Why would the home team want to send thousands of fans home feeling bad?
On the other hand, as has been said, end game basketball is a different game. The refs. don't want to be perceived as having an undue influence on the outcome. So they ignore fouls. If the score is close the visiting team usually loses. However, if the visiting team is dominating the game, they win.
Don't tell anybody, it's a big secret. 🤫
If any number crunches around here can demonstrate otherwise, I'm all ears.
As JayBee would say, *Pedal to the metal
Maybe he is thinking about trying to sell something to the medal.
after yesterday's sell off I can imagine many people are trying to peddle their metal, or perhaps after this weekend's forecast, meddle with some petals.
Or, trying to peddle petalled pedals, winning medals for metal forged with mettle.
Quote from: Pakuni on February 10, 2026, 10:05:18 PMShaka didn't cost the game tonight, but this team's continued late-game collapses and inability to get decent shots in final possessions is an indictment on his coaching this season.
"the players can only keep the game close, at the end it's my job to win the game."*
* coach Al McGuire.
Quote from: augoman on February 13, 2026, 09:59:58 AM"the players can only keep the game close, at the end it's my job to win the game."*
* coach Al McGuire.
It's true, Al was such a legend he used to sub in for the last two minutes of every game that they won. They only lost the games he wanted to teach the boys a lesson and didn't play.
And then they'd get into a fist fight in the locker room to hash out differences of opinion. Al always knew best.
Al got it done.
Quote from: Hards Alumni on February 13, 2026, 10:11:35 AMIt's true, Al was such a legend he used to sub in for the last two minutes of every game that they won. They only lost the games he wanted to teach the boys a lesson and didn't play.
And then they'd get into a fist fight in the locker room to hash out differences of opinion. Al always knew best.
This all true. The good old days. Shaka is no Al.
Quote from: Scoop Snoop on February 13, 2026, 05:34:26 PMThis all true. The good old days. Shaka is no Al.
True. But I still have a sneaky suspicion that Shaka can carve a great legacy at MU.
Quote from: WhiteTrash on February 13, 2026, 06:51:11 PMTrue. But I still have a sneaky suspicion that Shaka can carve a great legacy at MU.
Agree. Just having a little fun. Two extremely different personalities.
Quote from: The Sultan on February 11, 2026, 08:03:43 PMNo, but Relationships Growth Victory certainly can work with transfers. People have this strange idea that Shaka and Marquette are slavishly tied to a model regardless of the results. They are going to find out very shortly that this isn't the case, and RGV will still be splashed around.
I'm going to guess you didn't spend much time on campus this past Fall, at the Spirit Shop, or the online store.
The disconnect is that using lower case relationship building to foster growth and believing that will lead to victory is plausible with transfers. But that's not what the staff has been talking about and not what critics of the model are talking about.
If you were in the Spirit Shop in Fall when they launched the upper case RGV line, honestly, it was offensive. The entire front of the store had nothing but RGV everywhere. It was not easy finding merchandise that said "Marquette" on it. RGV tables probably took up 25% of the store footprint, and when 20% is youth apparel, 20% is non-clothing merch, and 20% is the checkout counter, that doesn't leave much space for fans just looking for Marquette clothing.
And the public comments that surrounded it, from the interview with Broeker to Big East Media Day to the open scrimmages, it was very clear that when they say RGV, what they mean is recruiting players strictly from high school and developing them through their 4-5 year college careers.
People that didn't make it to campus or see how hard the Spirit Shop and website were pushing that crap may not realize how pervasive it was to the brand and how they were trying to eclipse the Marquette brand with RGV.
And no, I'm not being hyperbolic in the least.
If Shaka is going to salvage his program at Marquette, he needs to disconnect his RGV roster building model from the tenets of relationships/growth/victory. Yes, you can have good culture and use the portal, but it was very obvious that wasn't what RGV was about and why it was so widely ridiculed, especially as public comments on it persisted through the November-January losses.
It has been said many times and excuse my need to vent. Disappointing and Frustrating it feels like other teams went after victories and Shaka went after relationships This Year. How and why.
But feel Marquette will be back Soon. Hopefully starting tomorrow with a victory and shakes.
Absolutely love your post Brew. Even without being on campus, when I read about the RGV merchandise in scooeward knew that what it signaled was a displacement of the Marquette name. I thought "what's next? Replacing the Marquette name on the unis with RGV? And changing the chant at the end of games when V is only a few minutes away to "We R!.....GV!? ::)
Shaka's own personal beliefs included RGV as you defined it, and that's why I deboarded the Shaka train. I want the previous version of Shaka back, not this Don Quixote one. It is Marquette's team, NOT Shaka's, very own personal team, and our AD and President supporting this crap is very insane. They are an embarrassment to Marquette. I have been referring to RGV as the "operating system" that needs to be thrown out, not RGV as background music.
Quote from: brewcity77 on February 13, 2026, 09:41:22 PMI'm going to guess you didn't spend much time on campus this past Fall, at the Spirit Shop, or the online store.
The disconnect is that using lower case relationship building to foster growth and believing that will lead to victory is plausible with transfers. But that's not what the staff has been talking about and not what critics of the model are talking about.
If you were in the Spirit Shop in Fall when they launched the upper case RGV line, honestly, it was offensive. The entire front of the store had nothing but RGV everywhere. It was not easy finding merchandise that said "Marquette" on it. RGV tables probably took up 25% of the store footprint, and when 20% is youth apparel, 20% is non-clothing merch, and 20% is the checkout counter, that doesn't leave much space for fans just looking for Marquette clothing.
And the public comments that surrounded it, from the interview with Broeker to Big East Media Day to the open scrimmages, it was very clear that when they say RGV, what they mean is recruiting players strictly from high school and developing them through their 4-5 year college careers.
People that didn't make it to campus or see how hard the Spirit Shop and website were pushing that crap may not realize how pervasive it was to the brand and how they were trying to eclipse the Marquette brand with RGV.
And no, I'm not being hyperbolic in the least.
If Shaka is going to salvage his program at Marquette, he needs to disconnect his RGV roster building model from the tenets of relationships/growth/victory. Yes, you can have good culture and use the portal, but it was very obvious that wasn't what RGV was about and why it was so widely ridiculed, especially as public comments on it persisted through the November-January losses.
I think the RGV branding is dumb, but it's also a fundraiser for the Bo and Candy Ellis student success fund. Not sure how much the university is making in profit.
Quote from: brewcity77 on February 13, 2026, 09:41:22 PMI'm going to guess you didn't spend much time on campus this past Fall, at the Spirit Shop, or the online store.
The disconnect is that using lower case relationship building to foster growth and believing that will lead to victory is plausible with transfers. But that's not what the staff has been talking about and not what critics of the model are talking about.
If you were in the Spirit Shop in Fall when they launched the upper case RGV line, honestly, it was offensive. The entire front of the store had nothing but RGV everywhere. It was not easy finding merchandise that said "Marquette" on it. RGV tables probably took up 25% of the store footprint, and when 20% is youth apparel, 20% is non-clothing merch, and 20% is the checkout counter, that doesn't leave much space for fans just looking for Marquette clothing.
And the public comments that surrounded it, from the interview with Broeker to Big East Media Day to the open scrimmages, it was very clear that when they say RGV, what they mean is recruiting players strictly from high school and developing them through their 4-5 year college careers.
People that didn't make it to campus or see how hard the Spirit Shop and website were pushing that crap may not realize how pervasive it was to the brand and how they were trying to eclipse the Marquette brand with RGV.
And no, I'm not being hyperbolic in the least.
If Shaka is going to salvage his program at Marquette, he needs to disconnect his RGV roster building model from the tenets of relationships/growth/victory. Yes, you can have good culture and use the portal, but it was very obvious that wasn't what RGV was about and why it was so widely ridiculed, especially as public comments on it persisted through the November-January losses.
brew, I have not been on campus or to a game at FF in over two years, so I have not seen the branding - though I have heard about it and think it's tone deaf. Marquette fans care about winning and transfers have been part of the winning program for years.
That being said, my point isn't that RGV is a poor marketing slogan, but that Shaka isn't going to be tied to his version of RGV and go down with the ship in the process. At least I don't think he will....
Regardless, this is one of the reasons I think Marquette would have been well served to hire an outside athletic director.
Quote from: The Sultan on February 14, 2026, 07:09:47 AMbrew, I have not been on campus or to a game at FF in over two years, so I have not seen the branding - though I have heard about it and think it's tone deaf. Marquette fans care about winning and transfers have been part of the winning program for years.
That being said, my point isn't that RGV is a poor marketing slogan, but that Shaka isn't going to be tied to his version of RGV and go down with the ship in the process. At least I don't think he will....
Regardless, this is one of the reasons I think Marquette would have been well served to hire an outside athletic director.
If he is, his tenure won't last much longer here. But I would definitely argue that just saying the words behind "RGV" have become a negative punch line, especially as the marketing push coincided with the worst season at Marquette since Bob Dukiet.
1000% on the bolded.
Quote from: brewcity77 on February 13, 2026, 09:41:22 PMIf you were in the Spirit Shop in Fall when they launched the upper case RGV line, honestly, it was offensive.
Quote of the month??
What if they had been serving complimentary hot dogs?
As opposed to complementary hot dogs, ones that really complete the ensemble.
Quote from: tower912 on February 14, 2026, 10:05:20 AMWhat of they had been serving complimentary hot dogs?
As opposed to complementary hot dogs, ones that really complete the ensemble.
Wait! You might be on to something here. RGV hot dogs. RGV beer. RGV pizza. RGV brats. All should be available at Marquette's games.
Only of I can put ketchup on the hot dogs and brats, as well as ranch on the pizza.
Why does tower keep using "of" instead of "if"?
#OFfensive
Fat thombs
Quote from: Jay Bee on February 14, 2026, 11:07:19 AMWhy does tower keep using "of" instead of "if"?
#OFfensive
What of it? If Tower uses of instead of if, of course he can if he wants to.
Thank yiu
Quote from: brewcity77 on February 13, 2026, 09:41:22 PMI'm going to guess you didn't spend much time on campus this past Fall, at the Spirit Shop, or the online store.
The disconnect is that using lower case relationship building to foster growth and believing that will lead to victory is plausible with transfers. But that's not what the staff has been talking about and not what critics of the model are talking about.
If you were in the Spirit Shop in Fall when they launched the upper case RGV line, honestly, it was offensive. The entire front of the store had nothing but RGV everywhere. It was not easy finding merchandise that said "Marquette" on it. RGV tables probably took up 25% of the store footprint, and when 20% is youth apparel, 20% is non-clothing merch, and 20% is the checkout counter, that doesn't leave much space for fans just looking for Marquette clothing.
And the public comments that surrounded it, from the interview with Broeker to Big East Media Day to the open scrimmages, it was very clear that when they say RGV, what they mean is recruiting players strictly from high school and developing them through their 4-5 year college careers.
People that didn't make it to campus or see how hard the Spirit Shop and website were pushing that crap may not realize how pervasive it was to the brand and how they were trying to eclipse the Marquette brand with RGV.
And no, I'm not being hyperbolic in the least.
If Shaka is going to salvage his program at Marquette, he needs to disconnect his RGV roster building model from the tenets of relationships/growth/victory. Yes, you can have good culture and use the portal, but it was very obvious that wasn't what RGV was about and why it was so widely ridiculed, especially as public comments on it persisted through the November-January losses.
Offensive? Pervasive? My god you are dramatic. Get over yourself. You take things WAY too personally.
Not to mention, they appear to be doing you a service. Who's going to the Spirit Shop to pay $120 for something you can get online or in retail stores for $65? And no, this is not unique to Marquette so spare us all the diatribe.
I think pushing the RGV marketing was just a big miscalculation by the admins. Since MU is one of the few teams who haven't taken a transfer the past few years, and since the media always needs talking points, that became the main one. The RGV branding felt like it was a way for MU to market the no transfer philosophy as though it was a point of pride for our fanbase, when no MU fans I've ever spoken to have expressed that. They just want the team to be good and play within the rules.
Quote from: Small Orange Soda on February 14, 2026, 05:51:12 PMThe RGV branding felt like it was a way for MU to market the no transfer philosophy as though it was a point of pride for our fanbase, when no MU fans I've ever spoken to have expressed that. They just want the team to be good and play within the rules.
Classic example of presumptuous, arrogant marketing.
Listen to your customers and/or your prospective customers. In this case, they are called fans.
RGV duds soon to be worn by indigenous Amazonians when NE Super Bowl stuff gets moth eaten
Not to go all
@Jay Bee, but are we all cool with "tonite"?
Quote from: WellsstreetWanderer on February 14, 2026, 06:07:54 PMRGV duds soon to be worn by indigenous Amazonians when NE Super Bowl stuff gets moth eaten
I would gladly volunteer to help box that crap up and load it on the truck.
Quote from: Small Orange Soda on February 14, 2026, 05:51:12 PMI think pushing the RGV marketing was just a big miscalculation by the admins. Since MU is one of the few teams who haven't taken a transfer the past few years, and since the media always needs talking points, that became the main one. The RGV branding felt like it was a way for MU to market the no transfer philosophy as though it was a point of pride for our fanbase, when no MU fans I've ever spoken to have expressed that. They just want the team to be good and play within the rules.
Exactly. Really a "our farts smell pretty good" moment.
Quote from: rocky_warrior on February 14, 2026, 06:08:30 PMNot to go all @Jay Bee, but are we all cool with "tonite"?
You're axing all the right questions, but this one I will allow because of DJ Quik in 1991.
Quote from: The Sultan on February 14, 2026, 07:00:03 PMExactly. Really a "our farts smell pretty good" moment.
Like poo-pourri.
Quote from: withoutbias on February 14, 2026, 04:53:58 PMOffensive? Pervasive? My god you are dramatic. Get over yourself. You take things WAY too personally.
Not to mention, they appear to be doing you a service. Who's going to the Spirit Shop to pay $120 for something you can get online or in retail stores for $65? And no, this is not unique to Marquette so spare us all the diatribe.
Yes, I'm offended not being able to find Marquette apparel at the Marquette Spirit Shop on the Marquette campus.
"Swipes with Shaka" tomorrow... where it appears students can get a 'free lunch' of some kind. The odd thing to me though.. is it's running only from 11:30-noon. Seems like a TIGHT time frame. Hope there are cookies with RGV frosted lettering on 'em.
Quote from: Scoop Snoop on February 13, 2026, 05:34:26 PMThis all true. The good old days. Shaka is no Al.
Many of the posters on this board would have been calling for Al's head long before the first Final Four appearance in 1974 given the NCAA failures that preceded it.
Quote from: Jay Bee on February 15, 2026, 07:11:45 PM"Swipes with Shaka" tomorrow... where it appears students can get a 'free lunch' of some kind. The odd thing to me though.. is it's running only from 11:30-noon. Seems like a TIGHT time frame. Hope there are cookies with RGV frosted lettering on 'em.
Agree well Caddy Day at the Country Club on Caddy Shack was from 1:00-1:15.
But it is a nice and positive gesture for students.