To summarize:
-Reporting confirms Shaka will use the portal and the resources will be there
-Nigel: 30/12
-Royce: 24/10
I didn't catch all of the game but most of it. Which reports are you referring to? RP and NJ will have many great moments here. I hope at least one with good tournament success.
Quote from: Markusquette on February 14, 2026, 04:16:04 PMI didn't catch all of the game but most of it. Which reports are you referring to? RP and NJ will have many great moments here. I hope at least one with good tournament success.
Towards the beginning of the game the sideline reporter (I don't remember his name) said he spoke to Shaka yesterday and Shaka confirmed they will use the portal and that the resources will be there.
Essentially said it's needed to compete into today's environment but there still going to focus on character, etc.
Quote from: Markusquette on February 14, 2026, 04:16:04 PMWhich reports are you referring to?
The sideline reporter talked to Shaka (and Broeker?) before the game, who said that Marquette would certainly use all resources available to improve the team next year. I'm not certain that Shaka said they would use the portal, but the reported implied that.
Positivity!?!
(https://media.tenor.com/K9Ta0nKCC_YAAAAM/soprano-get-the-unnatural%20carnal%20knowledge-outta-here.gif)
Quote from: rocky_warrior on February 14, 2026, 04:19:08 PMThe sideline reporter talked to Shaka (and Broeker?) before the game, who said that Marquette would certainly use all resources available to improve the team next year. I'm not certain that Shaka said they would use the portal, but the reported implied that.
It wasn't implied. It was explicit.
Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on February 14, 2026, 04:20:56 PMIt wasn't implied. It was explicit.
You might be right, but listen again, I didn't get the impression that Shaka said "portal".
I'm surprised there wasn't more chatter we on Scoop regarding the in-game reporting. I was elated to hear it as it's exactly what we all know is needed.
Nigel and Royce were awesome today but that report was the big win of the day.
We'll be back.
Quote from: rocky_warrior on February 14, 2026, 04:22:28 PMYou might be right, but listen again, I didn't get the impression that Shaka said "portal".
You're right in that what was reported didn't use an exact quote from Shaka where he said "we will use the portal".
However, I don't see any other way to interpret what was reported.
Quote from: rocky_warrior on February 14, 2026, 04:22:28 PMYou might be right, but listen again, I didn't get the impression that Shaka said "portal".
I'm sure he really, really tried but that word simply could not find its way out of his mouth. ;D
Refreshing to hear him admit that at this point instead of remaining silent. Shaka's success hinges on using all of those resources as wisely as possible. Supplement the roster, maintain the same principles and win.
(Badly recorded) audio attached
Found the exact quote on Twitter:
"Those days appear to be coming to an end... Shaka told me last night that he will absolutely continue to evolve and do what's best to get back to winning, acknowledging the realities of college basketball in 2026. And speaking with multiple members of the athletic department, they all conveyed full support of this next step and of Shaka by providing the necessary resources to compete. It was also made clear that the Golden Eagles' cultural values will never change as they remain committed to finding the right roster fit."
Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on February 14, 2026, 04:39:39 PMFound the exact quote on Twitter:
"Those days appear to be coming to an end... Shaka told me last night that he will absolutely continue to evolve and do what's best to get back to winning, acknowledging the realities of college basketball in 2026. And speaking with multiple members of the athletic department, they all conveyed full support of this next step and of Shaka by providing the necessary resources to compete. It was also made clear that the Golden Eagles' cultural values will never change as they remain committed to finding the right roster fit."
Did Shaka think the cultural values would need to change if they used the portal?
Culture would be very easy to maintain while prioritizing retention but also using the portal. No reason at all to believe culture would disappear.
Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on February 14, 2026, 04:39:39 PMFound the exact quote on Twitter:
"Those days appear to be coming to an end... Shaka told me last night that he will absolutely continue to evolve and do what's best to get back to winning, acknowledging the realities of college basketball in 2026. And speaking with multiple members of the athletic department, they all conveyed full support of this next step and of Shaka by providing the necessary resources to compete. It was also made clear that the Golden Eagles' cultural values will never change as they remain committed to finding the right roster fit."
and there's the excuse. ::)
Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on February 14, 2026, 04:18:48 PMTowards the beginning of the game the sideline reporter (I don't remember his name) said he spoke to Shaka yesterday and Shaka confirmed they will use the portal and that the resources will be there.
Essentially said it's needed to compete into today's environment but there still going to focus on character, etc.
Well, one portal transfer is not going to cut it. More like 3 or more so he'll need to have that conversation with at least 2 or more on the current roster that it is time to go elsewhere if those conversations have not already taken place.
Quote from: Billy Hoyle on February 14, 2026, 04:42:58 PMand there's the excuse. ::)
No, that's just you looking for something to whine about.
Quote from: Billy Hoyle on February 14, 2026, 04:42:58 PMand there's the excuse. ::)
I'd guess that's true of 95% of college basketball programs.
Quote from: muwarrior69 on February 14, 2026, 04:43:22 PMWell, one portal transfer is not going to cut it. More like 3 or more so he'll need to have that conversation with at least 2 or more on the current roster that it is time to go elsewhere if those conversations have not already taken place.
Seems more than obvious that Sean is gone. That's two spots. Just need one more to open up.
Quote from: muwarrior69 on February 14, 2026, 04:43:22 PMWell, one portal transfer is not going to cut it. More like 3 or more so he'll need to have that conversation with at least 2 or more on the current roster that it is time to go elsewhere if those conversations have not already taken place.
Since Sean is graduating, if he is not one of them, I will be very frustrated.
If he insists on keeping one of Caedin or Tre around because they'll be seniors academically I can live with that as long as both do not return and nobody else leaves.
I talked to VBMG about it but hilarious that Jared Greenberg of all people was the one to play messenger for what felt like a presidential address: serious tone, "breaking news", close-up on Broeker and Shaka, only to acknowledge what's common sense roster construction in today's men's basketball.
I've been as vocal and annoying as anyone about Shaka's "stubbornness" in regards to lack of portal usage, so I need to keep the same energy in giving him props for adjusting. My worry was he'd dig his heels in and try to fit a square peg in a round hole, but clearly he's been convinced to change and it was no coincidence that report was made when it was. Good on Shaka for having the humility (common sense?) to change things up and hopefully we land some impactful players in the portal.
I do wonder if announcing it in this way, drumming up interest for donors, affects who we go after or what we're willing to spend? Like instead of Minessale at SG maybe they go for a bigger fish? Go and actually spend for a starting center? Will be fascinating to see.
Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on February 14, 2026, 04:39:39 PMFound the exact quote on Twitter:
"Those days appear to be coming to an end... Shaka told me last night that he will absolutely continue to evolve and do what's best to get back to winning, acknowledging the realities of college basketball in 2026. And speaking with multiple members of the athletic department, they all conveyed full support of this next step and of Shaka by providing the necessary resources to compete. It was also made clear that the Golden Eagles' cultural values will never change as they remain committed to finding the right roster fit."
Thanks. Key sentence is speaking to members of athletic department (showed Broeker)providing full support and resources 💰💰💰💰💰💰💰 to compete. Maybe Shaka was instructed change needs to happen.
Not competing now, so things need to change. Change is Shaka using portal in order to compete. MU just got beat by X's six portal guys.
Just a quick prediction after today's news,but with only one spot open now, I think two more players will depart. End of March, gonna be interesting. Fun....
Here's a link to the clip of the report from Jared Greenberg.
https://x.com/matt_schnuck/status/2022773543075819844 (https://x.com/matt_schnuck/status/2022773543075819844)
We are in the same place as when the Badger AD McIntosh said they would now start spending in the portal for UW football.
Quote from: onepost on February 14, 2026, 04:47:59 PMI talked to VBMG about it but hilarious that Jared Greenberg of all people was the one to play messenger for what felt like a presidential address: serious tone, "breaking news", close-up on Broeker and Shaka, only to acknowledge what's common sense roster construction in today's men's basketball.
I've been as vocal and annoying as anyone about Shaka's "stubbornness" in regards to lack of portal usage, so I need to keep the same energy in giving him props for adjusting. My worry was he'd dig his heels in and try to fit a square peg in a round hole, but clearly he's been convinced to change and it was no coincidence that report was made when it was. Good on Shaka for having the humility (common sense?) to change things up and hopefully we land some impactful players in the portal.
I do wonder if announcing it in this way, drumming up interest for donors, affects who we go after or what we're willing to spend? Like instead of Minessale at SG maybe they go for a bigger fish? Go and actually spend for a starting center? Will be fascinating to see.
Quote from: nyg on February 14, 2026, 04:49:01 PMThanks. Key sentence is speaking to members of athletic department (showed Broeker)providing full support and resources 💰💰💰💰💰💰💰 to compete. Maybe Shaka was instructed change needs to happen.
Not competing now, so things need to change. Change is Shaka using portal in order to compete. MU just got beat by X's six portal guys.
Just a quick prediction after today's news,but with only one spot open now, I think two more players will depart. End of March, gonna be interesting. Fun....
I think it will take more than just two more departures.
Ideally Sean, Tre, and one of Caedin or Josh (zero reason for both to stay) leaves and we bring in actual starting/rotation caliber players with all 4 spots. If that means Alex, Ian, Michael play less next season then fine by me.
Quote from: muwarrior69 on February 14, 2026, 04:57:41 PMI think it will take more than just two more departures.
It depends on who the portal additions are. If it is a legit BE starting big, a legit BE starting, defensive minded wing, and a legit BE rotational piece, we'll be a Tourney team if Parham, James, and Stevens are back and the team stays healthy. Not all of them will be rotational pieces, but there's enough depth with Egbuonu, Philips, Owens, Sheek off the bench. And you only need to be 7 deep to be a good college team.
I don't think people understand how good Nigel and Parham are going to be, and how important a 3 and D type of player like Stevens is. The core to build around is there. Find the pieces that work next to them.
Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on February 14, 2026, 04:39:39 PMFound the exact quote on Twitter:
"Those days appear to be coming to an end... Shaka told me last night that he will absolutely continue to evolve and do what's best to get back to winning, acknowledging the realities of college basketball in 2026. And speaking with multiple members of the athletic department, they all conveyed full support of this next step and of Shaka by providing the necessary resources to compete. It was also made clear that the Golden Eagles' cultural values will never change as they remain committed to finding the right roster fit."
Apparently not only is VBMG a whiny douche, but he can't read. Where exactly does the word portal appear?
Quote from: Farley36 on February 14, 2026, 05:04:38 PMApparently not only is VBMG a whiny douche, but he can't read. Where exactly does the word portal appear?
Literally what else could it possibly mean?
The one thing we're not doing is using the portal.
Hey everyone - King of the Dipsh#ts Fartley69 just stopped in to share some of his insights.
Can this day get any better?
Quote from: onepost on February 14, 2026, 05:07:16 PMLiterally what else could it possibly mean?
The one thing we're not doing is using the portal.
In case you weren't aware, Fartley is a self-admitted troll as well as a dimwitted virgin.
There's zero reason to attempt to have a reasonable exchange with him.
Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on February 14, 2026, 04:42:26 PMDid Shaka think the cultural values would need to change if they used the portal?
Culture would be very easy to maintain while prioritizing retention but also using the portal. No reason at all to believe culture would disappear.
With cultural values disappearing in many other programs I agree that Shaka needed to say ours will not change.
Two incoming. Book it.
I'm glad it was said, but it's also wild that it needs to be said.
Quote from: Pakuni on February 14, 2026, 05:31:31 PMI'm glad it was said, but it's also wild that it needs to be said.
Maybe I like a good conspiracy too much, but I'm more surprised by what was NOT said.
Obviously MU wanted this "report" out, and they really just said what Shaka would always say: I'll use all my available resources to improve the team, but we're committed to relationships.
Multiple MU "sources" confirmed: Yup, we'll provide support
Quote from: rocky_warrior on February 14, 2026, 05:38:17 PMMaybe I like a good conspiracy too much, but I'm more surprised by what was NOT said.
What is it going to take for him to say transfer lol
Quote from: Pakuni on February 14, 2026, 05:31:31 PMI'm glad it was said, but it's also wild that it needs to be said.
I'm surprised people actually doubted he'd recognize the need to change and upgrade the talent quickly. One more season even close to this one and he was out the door with some less than optimal coaching prospects. The roster is as weak as the D MU played today. Outside of James, Parham, Stevens, and maybe Phillips, no player deciding not to return would be a big deal.
Quote from: rocky_warrior on February 14, 2026, 05:38:17 PMMaybe I like a good conspiracy too much, but I'm more surprised by what was NOT said.
Obviously MU wanted this "report" out, and they really just said what Shaka would always say: I'll use all my available resources to improve the team, but we're committed to relationships.
Multiple MU "sources" confirmed: Yup, we'll provide support
I personally feel like it's more toeing the line of acknowledging a need to use the portal while the guys who would be pushed out for said transfers are still on the roster.
Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on February 14, 2026, 04:39:39 PMFound the exact quote on Twitter:
"Those days appear to be coming to an end... Shaka told me last night that he will absolutely continue to evolve and do what's best to get back to winning, acknowledging the realities of college basketball in 2026. And speaking with multiple members of the athletic department, they all conveyed full support of this next step and of Shaka by providing the necessary resources to compete. It was also made clear that the Golden Eagles' cultural values will never change as they remain committed to finding the right roster fit."
This is only part of what was reported. The word portal is mentioned near the beginning, which isn't included in this quote. Again, the full clip can be viewed here:
https://x.com/matt_schnuck/status/2022773543075819844 (https://x.com/matt_schnuck/status/2022773543075819844)
Quote from: onepost on February 14, 2026, 05:46:04 PMI personally feel like it's more toeing the line of acknowledging a need to use the portal while the guys who would be pushed out for said transfers are still on the roster.
That's highly likely...(because you know MU brass has heard that *this* is not acceptable). But it's also not explicit ;)
I just don't get why/how you stage a breaking news event, and fail to say the words transfer portal. There's already one scholarship available without pushing anyone (else) out. Just say you'll use it to fill that roster spot!
Quote from: Tums Festival on February 14, 2026, 05:47:39 PMThis is only part of what was reported. The word portal is mentioned near the beginning, which isn't included in this quote. Again, the full clip can be viewed here:
The reporter said it, and also said "those days *appear* to be numbered". lol
Quote from: Billy Hoyle on February 14, 2026, 04:42:58 PMand there's the excuse. ::)
Disagree. I saw that line about "cultural values" as throwing a bone to Shaka. My overall impression is that Shaka was invited to a little friendly chat with our AD and prez about this season and the next one, and Shaka knew that while it was not "an offer he couldn't refuse", their offer to help with whatever resources he needed was a face-saving way for him to agree to using the portal. If my guess is what actually happened-I'll never know-I like it.
Quote from: rocky_warrior on February 14, 2026, 05:38:17 PMMaybe I like a good conspiracy too much, but I'm more surprised by what was NOT said.
Obviously MU wanted this "report" out, and they really just said what Shaka would always say: I'll use all my available resources to improve the team, but we're committed to relationships.
Multiple MU "sources" confirmed: Yup, we'll provide support
The transcript that was posted is incomplete. Portal is mentioned at the beginning of what Jared Greenberg reported, but that part is missing from the transcript. I've posted a link to the full video twice.
Quote from: Tums Festival on February 14, 2026, 05:52:31 PMThe transcript that was posted is incomplete. Portal is mentioned at the beginning of what Jared Greenberg reported, but that part is missing from the transcript. I've posted a link to the full video twice.
Yes, we heard you the first time. lol
Nice to see the public confirmation we'll be adding portal guys.
But not surprising to hear considering we've already been putting in the groundwork on portal guys for at least a few weeks now.
Quote from: JTJ3 on February 14, 2026, 06:59:44 PMNice to see the public confirmation we'll be adding portal guys.
But not surprising to hear considering we've already been putting in the groundwork on portal guys for at least a few weeks now.
Yes, the Giannis rumors are true. ;D
Yeah. This wasn't Shaka being given an ultimatum by other people. Seriously, people think Shaka has gotten to the top 0.00001% of people in his profession by being unable and unwilling to adjust and do what's necessary to win big time?
We'll be hitting the portal. There will be more players currently on the roster that are not back next year that could be. The portal won't be the main way Shaka builds his roster, but he will be using it.
Quote from: wadesworld on February 14, 2026, 07:32:42 PMShaka has gotten to the top 0.00001% of people in his profession by being unable and unwilling to adjust and do what's necessary to win big time?
.00001%? Lol
Quote from: rocky_warrior on February 14, 2026, 07:38:38 PM.00001%? Lol
Do you not understand how many people in this world coach basketball? Think of the number of high schools that have 2-4 coaches per freshman, JV, and varsity team. How many AAU teams there are.
Yes, I'd say 0.00001%.
Quote from: wadesworld on February 14, 2026, 07:41:23 PMYes, I'd say 0.00001%.
Ok, we can compare him to
@MU82 and others here, if you like. Lol
I think a more relevant comparison is his ~100 actual peers
I know some people don't believe it, but playing for Shaka at MU is very appealing. We will be serious players in the portal.
Quote from: rocky_warrior on February 14, 2026, 07:42:56 PMOk, we can compare him to @MU82 and others here, if you like. Lol
I think a more relevant comparison is his ~100 actual peers
But he didn't just start his career as a D1 head men's basketball coach. Hence why I said the top 0.00001% of his profession. There are a lot of people paid to coach basketball in the world. Many who would love to be where Shaka is. He gets paid millions of dollars to do his job. He's objectively one of the best in the world at what he does. And objectively one of the more successful people in the world, regardless of profession.
Quote from: wadesworld on February 14, 2026, 07:46:19 PMHe gets paid millions of dollars to do his job. He's objectively one of the best in the world at what he does.
Yes. And debatable! Lol. You threw out a stupid %. Just admit it
Quote from: Scoop Snoop on February 14, 2026, 07:46:31 PMNah. Shaka would be one in a bazillion if MU82 did the math.
Also true. One of the great mathematicians of our time.
Quote from: rocky_warrior on February 14, 2026, 07:49:55 PMYes. And debatable! Lol. You threw out a stupid %. Just admit it
Also true. One of the great mathematicians of our time.
I'd guess it's an even greater percentage honestly.
Cheers man!
Quote from: JTJ3 on February 14, 2026, 06:59:44 PMNice to see the public confirmation we'll be adding portal guys.
But not surprising to hear considering we've already been putting in the groundwork on portal guys for at least a few weeks now.
Great to hear that Shaka's being proactive.
Was Shaka given an ultimatum? Probably not, but that statement today was obviously damage control for the athletic department and Shaka and his staff. As far as it being clear that Shaka knows he needs to change his strategy, well this is two years in a row he doesn't have a competent center, so let's not count chickens before they hatch.
Will he use the portal this offseason? Yes. But that's only half the battle. A few years ago he had a quote about how he didn't know why he would recruit and pay a player from the Mountain West over a guy who has spent his whole career here. Is he going to acknowledge that you do that if the player is clearly better?
Quote from: Small Orange Soda on February 14, 2026, 08:16:27 PMWill he use the portal this offseason? Yes. But that's only half the battle. A few years ago he had a quote about how he didn't know why he would recruit and pay a player from the Mountain West over a guy who has spent his whole career here. Is he going to acknowledge that you do that if the player is clearly better?
You got
right to the heart of the problem of RGV as an operating system: effectively granting tenure to HS recruits who choose Marquette and circling the wagons to protect them.
I agree that he was probably not given an ultimatum, but he can read the handwriting on the wall. Marquette putting out a statement that encompasses more people than just Shaka speaks volumes. I want the
original version of Marquette coach, not RGV coach, Shaka Smart. It is
Marquette's team, not his personal team.
Quote from: Small Orange Soda on February 14, 2026, 08:16:27 PMWas Shaka given an ultimatum? Probably not, but that statement today was obviously damage control for the athletic department and Shaka and his staff. As far as it being clear that Shaka knows he needs to change his strategy, well this is two years in a row he doesn't have a competent center, so let's not count chickens before they hatch.
Will he use the portal this offseason? Yes. But that's only half the battle. A few years ago he had a quote about how he didn't know why he would recruit and pay a player from the Mountain West over a guy who has spent his whole career here. Is he going to acknowledge that you do that if the player is clearly better?
Using the portal is only half the battle? What on earth are you talking about?
What was shared today is objectively great news yet people are still looking for reasons to nitpick, parse words, and live in the past.
Quote from: Scoop Snoop on February 14, 2026, 08:38:29 PMYou got right to the heart of the problem of RGV as an operating system: effectively granting tenure to HS recruits who choose Marquette and circling the wagons to protect them.
I agree that he was probably not given an ultimatum, but he can read the handwriting on the wall. Marquette putting out a statement that encompasses more people than just Shaka speaks volumes. I want the original version of Marquette coach, not RGV coach, Shaka Smart. It is Marquette's team, not his personal team.
RGV and the portal don't have to be mutually exclusive.
Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on February 14, 2026, 08:39:12 PMUsing the portal is only half the battle? What on earth are you talking about?
What was shared today is objectively great news yet people are still looking for reasons to nitpick, parse words, and live in the past.
Look, I am optimistic, but -- and I believe you agree -- he needs to get starters in the portal. Two of them need to, along with Parham and James, be our top four players.
Quote from: wadesworld on February 14, 2026, 07:41:23 PMDo you not understand how many people in this world coach basketball? Think of the number of high schools that have 2-4 coaches per freshman, JV, and varsity team. How many AAU teams there are.
Yes, I'd say 0.00001%.
To be fair, the vast majority of these people are not full-time basketball coaches. They're teachers who coach after school for a stipend or guys who coach part time while having another job on the side.
Shaka is clearly near the top of his profession, but I'm not sure his profession is the same profession as a freshman girls coach or AAU assistant.
I'm sure there's an interesting story we'll never find out about why they're pushing this narrative today. Feels like mostly a message to the fan base, and perhaps some of the whales in the fan base. Doing it during a random February game in Cincinnati, as opposed to something like National Marquette Day or Senior Day, is a curious call.
Quote from: Pakuni on February 14, 2026, 08:49:21 PMI'm sure there's an interesting story we'll never find out about why they're pushing this narrative today. Feels like mostly a message to the fan base, and perhaps some of the whales in the fan base. Doing it during a random February game in Cincinnati, as opposed to something like National Marquette Day or Senior Day, is a curious call.
I like the narrative, and
my take is it was crafted to make it look like Shaka has seen the light on his own and the athletic department and prez are assuring him they are onboard and that they will give him the financial support that he needs. The fact that it was not
solely from Shaka, I think, speaks volumes. Just my opinion. And yes-"interesting".
(https://media.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExMW5tc3Rpc3NxOWxodjh1NXhxc2ttdmp4Mm9neWs2ajJpOTM4anFzdiZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjdD1n/QvgLi5MlM8eAH8G4l7/giphy.gif)
So let me get this straight. We went from "We hired a University President and Athletic Director who will be yes men to Shaka's RGV, going so far as to make the Spirit Shop all RGV, market it everywhere, heck, make it the University'd unofficial motto," to, "Maybe it wasn't an ultimatum given to Shaka, but Shaka sees the writing on the wall that RGV is not acceptable and changes are needed, and the administration is getting word out there" in about a month. Do I have that correct?
I think the discrepancy between the top of the roster and everyone else is evident by the fact that two MU players had a double/double today in a losing cause. AI tells me this has never happened before in MU history, but I don't trust AI...
Quote from: wadesworld on February 14, 2026, 09:05:32 PMSo let me get this straight. We went from "We hired a University President and Athletic Director who will be yes men to Shaka's RGV, going so far as to make the Spirit Shop all RGV, market it everywhere, heck, make it the University'd unofficial motto," to, "Maybe it wasn't an ultimatum given to Shaka, but Shaka sees the writing on the wall that RGV is not acceptable and changes are needed, and the administration is getting word out there" in about a month. Do I have that correct?
Well, no. But we did go from Shaka dismissing Ben Steele's question about transfers a few months ago to the report today. Things change fast when you have the worst team in a generation.
Quote from: Small Orange Soda on February 14, 2026, 09:43:39 PMWell, no. But we did go from Shaka dismissing Ben Steele's question about transfers a few months ago to the report today. Things change fast when you have the worst team in a generation.
Agreed. If this were a Tourney team Shaka would be working on keeping everyone around. As it is, he's working on finding talent upgrades. He's a competitive guy who's adjusting his strategy to make sure he wins big again.
Quote from: Small Orange Soda on February 14, 2026, 08:42:59 PMLook, I am optimistic, but -- and I believe you agree -- he needs to get starters in the portal. Two of them need to, along with Parham and James, be our top four players.
I agree that two starters are needed but I'm still confused by your post.
Are you assuming they're going to use the portal to bring in crap?
If that was the case there wouldn't be any reason to pivot to the portal.
Quote from: Small Orange Soda on February 14, 2026, 09:43:39 PMWell, no. But we did go from Shaka dismissing Ben Steele's question about transfers a few months ago to the report today. Things change fast when you have the worst team in a generation.
The season was about a week old a few months ago.
Quote from: Pakuni on February 14, 2026, 08:49:21 PMI'm sure there's an interesting story we'll never find out about why they're pushing this narrative today. Feels like mostly a message to the fan base, and perhaps some of the whales in the fan base. Doing it during a random February game in Cincinnati, as opposed to something like National Marquette Day or Senior Day, is a curious call.
Not remotely a curious call. Makes all the sense in world to announce it on a normal day.
Why on earth would they announce it on NMD? Now that would be a curious call.
Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on February 14, 2026, 11:14:30 PMI agree that two starters are needed but I'm still confused by your post.
Are you assuming they're going to use the portal to bring in crap?
If that was the case there wouldn't be any reason to pivot to the portal.
Not crap, but possibly role players.
When the 'he's not going to take transfers' accusation has previously been rolled out, the counter has been, 'well he never specifically said that.' Okay, fair enough. But what he has said about valuing loyalty to the program and it being reflected in their pay are things that have been said. The portal is a competitive space. Telling a talented player with the stats to back it up that he's going to make less than Josh Clark or Ian Miletcic since he's new isn't a sound strategy. Do I know that's going to happen? No. But the other half of the battle is Shaka deciding to drop that philosophy, because he has talked about it previously.
Quote from: Small Orange Soda on February 14, 2026, 11:43:54 PMNot crap, but possibly role players.
When the 'he's not going to take transfers' accusation has previously been rolled out, the counter has been, 'well he never specifically said that.' Okay, fair enough. But what he has said about valuing loyalty to the program and it being reflected in their pay are things that have been said. The portal is a competitive space. Telling a talented player with the stats to back it up that he's going to make less than Josh Clark or Ian Miletcic since he's new isn't a sound strategy. Do I know that's going to happen? No. But the other half of the battle is Shaka deciding to drop that philosophy, because he has talked about it previously.
Seems pretty obvious to me that they don't intentionally drop this news prior to a Saturday game if the plan is to half-ass it.
Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on February 14, 2026, 11:49:19 PMSeems pretty obvious to me that they don't intentionally drop this news prior to a Saturday game if the plan is to half-ass it.
I certainly hope so!
Quote from: wadesworld on February 14, 2026, 07:46:19 PMBut he didn't just start his career as a D1 head men's basketball coach. Hence why I said the top 0.00001% of his profession. There are a lot of people paid to coach basketball in the world. Many who would love to be where Shaka is. He gets paid millions of dollars to do his job. He's objectively one of the best in the world at what he does. And objectively one of the more successful people in the world, regardless of profession.
10,000,000 people are paid to coach bball? Because that's what ur math sayz.
Even if there were, there are dozens (hundreds?) of people that WITH MUs RESOURCES could have assembled and coached a team to as many Ws as the team has THIS season. Tight be close (but still way wrong) to say the level.of results Shaka has produced this year are in the bottom 0.000001% of what a paid coach coaching a team with the resources available to to him could achieve.
Actually - who is it that does the season simulations here? It would.be interesting to know where this season is falling in the distribution.
Quote from: Pakuni on February 14, 2026, 08:45:11 PMTo be fair, the vast majority of these people are not full-time basketball coaches. They're teachers who coach after school for a stipend or guys who coach part time while having another job on the side.
Shaka is clearly near the top of his profession, but I'm not sure his profession is the same profession as a freshman girls coach or AAU assistant.
Fair enough. Marquette has 11 staff members who I'd say are aspiring coaches that appear to be full time, paid positions. There are 365 D1 programs. Let's say there's an average of 5 positions, since low majors aren't having that many but still have plenty. That's 1,825 positions in D1. There are 300 D2 programs. Let's say there are 2 full time paid positions for each of those staffs? So another 600. Then there's D3 and NAIA. We'll say each of those has 1 paid position. 400 D3 programs, 215 NAIA programs. That's 3,040. That's not taking into account NBA positions, or basketball factory high schools. Plus all of the overseas colleges and pro leagues, or any women's coach in the world.
Apologies for it not being 0.00001% then. There are a massive number of people who are paid to coach basketball in this world, and Shaka has one of the highest paying and best jobs in his profession. He's clearly one of the very top in terms of professional success in both basketball coaches and humans in general.
Quote from: MUWarrior11 on February 14, 2026, 04:23:20 PMI'm surprised there wasn't more chatter we on Scoop regarding the in-game reporting. I was elated to hear it as it's exactly what we all know is needed.
Nigel and Royce were awesome today but that report was the big win of the day.
We'll be back.
Sure hope we will be back. And very quick. There are some talented players here but look at the results so far. More talent is needed quickly. Why are Sheek, Militec and Nash Rambler redshirting while Shaka is playing other stuffs. They cannot be any less talented than some of the guys currently listened by Shaka. Hopefully the redshirt and new recruits can step right in and contribute. There is no evidence that Shaka Kahn will pivot. Hopefully he does as the leash has definitely been cut down to quarter size.
Love that this has been acknowledged by Shaka and the administration.
To summarize, it sounds like everyone on scoop wants a minimum of two starters from the portal and I agree. Some also want at least one more reserve through the portal. I agree with this as well. Sounds like many believe that the RGV model can still be maintained with select transfers yearly or as needed to fill holes going forward. Sounds like MU is putting this out there early for agents and players to realize they are going to be serious this year about the portal which I think is a good move.
I am personally way more bullish on Marquette basketball at this time than I was last year at the same time. This offseason with the proper moves should vault this team back into the top 25 (as many have stated previously) and we won't have to twist our minds into pretzels this offseason HOPING MU will be good.
Cross your fingers that everyone involved with the program will follow through on this in the offseason.
Quote from: Shooter McGavin on February 15, 2026, 06:56:40 AMLove that this has been acknowledged by Shaka and the administration.
To summarize, it sounds like everyone on scoop wants a minimum of two starters from the portal and I agree. Some also want at least one more reserve through the portal. I agree with this as well. Sounds like many believe that the RGV model can still be maintained with select transfers yearly or as needed to fill holes going forward. Sounds like MU is putting this out there early for agents and players to realize they are going to be serious this year about the portal which I think is a good move.
I am personally way more bullish on Marquette basketball at this time than I was last year at the same time. This offseason with the proper moves should vault this team back into the top 25 (as many have stated previously) and we won't have to twist our minds into pretzels this offseason HOPING MU will be good.
Cross your fingers that everyone involved with the program will follow through on this in the offseason.
A good first step would be to hire a GM. That can happen now!
Quote from: Small Orange Soda on February 14, 2026, 09:43:39 PMWell, no. But we did go from Shaka dismissing Ben Steele's question about transfers a few months ago to the report today. Things change fast when you have the worst team in a generation.
...more like 2 generations.
Quote from: muwarrior69 on February 15, 2026, 07:02:14 AMA good first step would be to hire a GM. That can happen now!
I'm all for Marquette modernizing the program in terms of using the portal more, but I don't know about this whole GM thing. I mean, it's not like these teams are hiring Ron Wolf or Theo Epstein. Rick Pitino's GM lasted for about half a season at St. John's. In college sports, the head coach will always run the show.
Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on February 14, 2026, 11:19:44 PMNot remotely a curious call. Makes all the sense in world to announce it on a normal day.
Why on earth would they announce it on NMD? Now that would be a curious call.
"All the sense in the world?"
Explain further.
Why NMD? Because the broader Marquette community - not just us Scoop nerds - is more likely paying attention on NMD than a mid-afternoon road game on Valentine's Day against one of the conference's worst teams.
Newsmakers typically want to reach the largest audience possible, at least when it's news they're happy to share. They instead intentionally chose a time and date with a smaller audience.
It's not quite a Friday afternoon news dump, and I don't think they're trying to bury anything, but it feels either oddly random or targeted to a specific crowd. And that's curious to me.
Quote from: wadesworld on February 14, 2026, 09:05:32 PMSo let me get this straight. We went from "We hired a University President and Athletic Director who will be yes men to Shaka's RGV, going so far as to make the Spirit Shop all RGV, market it everywhere, heck, make it the University'd unofficial motto," to, "Maybe it wasn't an ultimatum given to Shaka, but Shaka sees the writing on the wall that RGV is not acceptable and changes are needed, and the administration is getting word out there" in about a month. Do I have that correct?
I think it's pretty obvious that the athletic department and the university wrapped themselves around the RGV branding as a point of pride. And I also think its clear that the people who write the checks to support the program are not happy with the results of this year, so the AD and Shaka picked an opportune time to let it be known that Shaka is going to be looking at a bunch of ways to improve the talent.
I'm not sure why this is hard to believe.
Sultan - Right. What I was told about a week ago is that the big donors ( that will step up to pay guys like James and Parham ) told Broeker and Shaka that it ain't happening if Shaka continues this
Shyte.
I think all of them ( SS, Broeker, Prez.
Tic Tok ) would LOVE to run RGV back.
Cuz they are so proud of sticking to their " principles " while producing the worst team, and possibly worst roster since Dukiet.
But, do this again next year and at least 2 of the above 3 "leaders " will be gone.
Quote from: Biggie Clausen on February 15, 2026, 07:28:31 AMI'm all for Marquette modernizing the program in terms of using the portal more, but I don't know about this whole GM thing. I mean, it's not like these teams are hiring Ron Wolf or Theo Epstein. Rick Pitino's GM lasted for about half a season at St. John's. In college sports, the head coach will always run the show.
Sure the coach runs the team but the AD runs show or should run the show. If not then why have an AD. However, it is donors who have the last word.
Quote from: Mu8891 on February 15, 2026, 07:45:41 AMSultan - Right. What I was told about a week ago is that the big donors ( that will step up to pay guys like James and Parham ) told Broeker and Shaka that it ain't happening if Shaka continues this
Shyte.
I think all of them ( SS, Broeker, Prez.
Tic Tok ) would LOVE to run RGV back.
Cuz they are so proud of sticking to their " principles " while producing the worst team, and possibly worst roster since Dukiet.
But, do this again next year and at least 2 of the above 3 "leaders " will be gone.
I don't think any of them would rather stick to their "principles" if it means going through this season again. I just think they were overly confident than their "principles" would produce results.
James and Parham clearly look to be potentially first team all conference players next year already. A big and a PG, two critical pieces for any program to advance deep in March.
Stevens is very good and will have games occasionally where he's great as he keeps maturing.
That's three excellent foundational pieces.
Sheek and Egbouno if recruiting rankings are close to accurate, are good newcomers next year who can both contribute immediately. A long athletic big and versatile combo player.
Add just two good and experienced transfers with these 5 and suddenly this is a top 25 team.
Things are definitely looking up. Much work to do still.
Quote from: The Sultan on February 15, 2026, 07:57:42 AMI don't think any of them would rather stick to their "principles" if it means going through this season again. I just think they were overly confident than their "principles" would produce results.
This. Shaka miscalculated that internal development would be enough again this year.
But he knows it. And he wants to win as much or more than any of us, dont think it really took any convincing for him to use the portal after this year. The Big East is wide open next year and we have the resources to add multiple significant pieces to help the younger core.
Quote from: The Sultan on February 15, 2026, 07:57:42 AMI don't think any of them would rather stick to their "principles" if it means going through this season again. I just think they were overly confident than their "principles" would produce results.
Exactly. They tried and it did not work. Adjustments are coming. The assumption Mike and Shaka won't make changes is laughable. What they will stick to is the new fellas coming in must buy into the culture. Keep an eye on guys Shaka was in on in the past.
Quote from: The Sultan on February 15, 2026, 07:57:42 AMI don't think any of them would rather stick to their "principles" if it means going through this season again. I just think they were overly confident than their "principles" would produce results.
I also think they thought the typical MU fan cared more about RGV than they actually do. Most just like winning.
#SmokeAndMirrors
Until he takes out a full-page ad in the JS apologizing for the offensiveness of RGV in the Spirit Shop, none of this talk means a thing.
I'm certainly not going to give props to Shaka and the admin for trying to rectify the mess they've gotten us into. This was, outside of some incredible growth from the current roster next year, the only option on the table if those involved wanted to keep their jobs.
But it is good to at least have it confirmed that not only will they be using the portal, but that it's already been discussed mid-season which should allow them to properly scout and lay the groundwork for transfers.
Repeating myself, but from here we need at least two big east starter caliber transfers. A center being a non-negotiable and ideally a 3 then a 2 in order of importance IMO.
Make that happen and I think we're set up very well for to compete again next year and we can begin to put this crap behind us.
Quote from: 79Warrior on February 15, 2026, 08:29:42 AMExactly. They tried and it did not work. Adjustments are coming. The assumption Mike and Shaka won't make changes is laughable. What they will stick to is the new fellas coming in must buy into the culture. Keep an eye on guys Shaka was in on in the past.
Our best and brightest poster says those are the guys Shaka will NOT go after because he's a "grudge guy" and they spurned him and he'll never forget.
(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ1GXRFc6mwRwrDDIJ_701gKqM-vL5wxzR2SA&s)
Shaka announcing he is going to fix this roster
Quote from: panda on February 15, 2026, 09:21:17 AM(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ1GXRFc6mwRwrDDIJ_701gKqM-vL5wxzR2SA&s)
Shaka announcing he is going to fix this roster
We just watched a bad Xavier team put up 1.331 PPP againist Marquette.
And people are being positive.
Gross
Quote from: Pakuni on February 15, 2026, 07:29:49 AM"All the sense in the world?"
Explain further.
Why NMD? Because the broader Marquette community - not just us Scoop nerds - is more likely paying attention on NMD than a mid-afternoon road game on Valentine's Day against one of the conference's worst teams.
Newsmakers typically want to reach the largest audience possible, at least when it's news they're happy to share. They instead intentionally chose a time and date with a smaller audience.
It's not quite a Friday afternoon news dump, and I don't think they're trying to bury anything, but it feels either oddly random or targeted to a specific crowd. And that's curious to me.
I simply think they want NMD to be it's own "celebration". Not a day to release some news that could overshadow it. Same goes for senior day.
Announcing it yesterday vs. NMD is not going to make any difference in regard to it reaching the right audience (donors, prospective transfers, etc.).
Quote from: jfp61 on February 15, 2026, 09:24:07 AMWe just watched a bad Xavier team put up 1.331 PPP againist Marquette.
And people are being positive.
Gross
You've been a big Chase Ross fan over the years. Any thoughts around his fall off defensively, and offensively this season? His 91 O-Rating in Big East play, including his dud yesterday sure doesn't help a squad win.
Shaka has had 1 year in the last 14, prior to this year where his teams weren't ranked Top 50 in Defense, and that was Year 1 at MU. I look at this year as an outlier.
Quote from: jfp61 on February 15, 2026, 09:24:07 AMWe just watched a bad Xavier team put up 1.331 PPP againist Marquette.
And people are being positive.
Gross
100%. How dare we be positive when it looks like we have multiple young stars to build around, some nice incoming redshirt & freshman talent, and the news that Marquette will use the portal going forward.
It definitely makes more sense to focus entirely on this awful season and wallow in the disappointment.
Thanks for setting us straight!
Quote from: jfp61 on February 15, 2026, 09:24:07 AMWe just watched a bad Xavier team put up 1.331 PPP againist Marquette.
And people are being positive.
Gross
I legitimately cannot believe people have watched this team all year and think we can turn into a tournament team with just two portal additions and freshmen contributions.
Quote from: panda on February 15, 2026, 09:47:44 AMI legitimately cannot believe people have watched this team all year and think we can turn into a tournament team with just two portal additions and freshmen contributions.
It's not that crazy. A lot of our issues came from 1 position. Our Freshman and Sophomores will become Sophomores and Juniors. Then we add another strong Freshman class.
Adding 2 or 3 strong players from the portal easily gives this team a chance at being a tournament team.
Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on February 15, 2026, 09:34:01 AMAnnouncing it yesterday vs. NMD is not going to make any difference in regard to it reaching the right audience (donors, prospective transfers, etc.).
Right, that's my point. I think this is a message tailored directly to a specific target audience, likely some whales whose unhappiness has been growing as the season has gone on. My curiosity is a function of wondering what's occurred of late to make MU decide they need to go public with this. Shaka could have jumped into the portal a month from now without announcing his intent this weekend. Why broadcast it now? I suspect there's a behind-the-scenes reason.
And I don't imagine many prospective transfers are watching Shaka postgame press conferences or paying attention to the inner workings of MU basketball in mid-February, so it's probably not that.
Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on February 15, 2026, 09:52:27 AMIt's not that crazy. A lot of our issues came from 1 position. Our Freshman and Sophomores will become Sophomores and Juniors. Then we add another strong Freshman class.
Adding 2 or 3 strong players from the portal easily gives this team a chance at being a tournament team.
2 portal additions means that only 1 player from the current roster leaves. Sorry I'm not buying that is a tournament team, unless we find two massive portal additions.
Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on February 15, 2026, 09:52:27 AMA lot of our issues came from 1 position.
Adding 2 or 3 strong players from the portal easily gives this team a chance at being a tournament team.
Having abysmal team defense is not a "one position" issue. 2018-2019 Markus Howard would be the second best defender on this team.
And if we arn't a tournament team next year, we are looking for a new coach.
Quote from: panda on February 15, 2026, 10:00:06 AM2 portal additions means that only 1 player from the current roster leaves. Sorry I'm not buying that is a tournament team, unless we find two massive portal additions.
Ok.
Quote from: Elonsmusk on February 15, 2026, 09:37:25 AMYou've been a big Chase Ross fan over the years. Any thoughts around his fall off defensively, and offensively this season? His 91 O-Rating in Big East play, including his dud yesterday sure doesn't help a squad win.
Shaka has had 1 year in the last 14, prior to this year where his teams weren't ranked Top 50 in Defense, and that was Year 1 at MU. I look at this year as an outlier.
Being a chase ross fan, means you like defense.
Because no one on this entire roster is a "big east" level defender except him.
Quote from: jfp61 on February 15, 2026, 10:01:36 AMHaving abysmal team defense is not a "one position" issue. 2018-2019 Markus Howard would be the second best defender on this team.
And if we arn't a tournament team next year, we are looking for a new coach.
Abysmal team defense, largely because we have no rim protector.
You don't think Nigel and Adrien are good defenders? I promise you they are. They are playing alongside Chase Ross who looks like he isn't trying on defense, and the largest issue of all, either Ben Gold or Caedin Hamilton as their rim protector.
If we get an actual center it changes everything.
If only Shaka listened to the gems in this forum more often, we'd be on a three peat Big East Championship run.
Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on February 15, 2026, 10:04:17 AMAbysmal team defense, largely because we have no rim protector.
You don't think Nigel and Adrien are good defenders? I promise you they are. They are playing alongside Chase Ross who looks like he isn't trying on defense, and the largest issue of all, either Ben Gold or Caedin Hamilton as their rim protector.
If we get an actual center it changes everything.
Sure, if Aday Mara, Patrick Ngongba, or Flory Bidunga show up tomorrow our defense would drastically improve. But none of that makes the current team we have good.
Adrien stevens has been a horrible defender through his first 26 games. He has the physical tools to be better, but he isn't good. Hardly positive defensive box score. High Adjusted Team Defensive Eff. 104.2. And it isn't like morsell where morsell would take the hardest matchups and his defense would look worse than Koleks, the matchups still go to Ross.
Nigel james feels like he is a good defender because he gets runouts. His defensive box score is the second best on the team because of these runnouts. However he is short. He has a High adjusted Team Defensive Eff 104.7. (only Sean is higher). Now is he a better defender than a short freshman guard should be, sure. However, Short guys = limited defense. If you want examples of his poor defense rewatch the second half of Wisconsin, he got targeted on 5+ straight possessions.
"chase ross isn't trying"... This crowd is stupid. He is still been the only Big east quality defender on this team the entire year. And his defense hasn't slipped in the last thirty days in any measurable way. People are just finding ways to justify the bad defense of those around him.
Quote from: Pakuni on February 15, 2026, 09:59:35 AMI suspect there's a behind-the-scenes reason.
Exactly. Other than chirping "we believe in growth" after fiascos like the UW game ::) and other assorted RGV chatter, there has not been any serious attempt to communicate with fans or acknowledge the awful season that we are having. It's been mostly "radio silence".
What does the future look for us defensively? We haven't gotten stops in any of our close games down the stretch. When I've mentioned the necessity of snagging badass bigs moving forward, I'm thinking a 6'7ish switchable that can guard multiple positions and a power player who is an interior presence and serious glass cleaner. If we can check these boxes, things will be a hell of a lot better. We simply have no choice and must these guys on our roster if we want to compete for a tourney berth in '27. And I love NJ, RP, and AS but we NEED MORE.
Quote from: Scoop Snoop on February 15, 2026, 10:23:02 AMExactly. Other than chirping "we believe in growth" after fiascos like the UW game ::) and other assorted RGV chatter, there has not been any serious attempt to communicate with fans or acknowledge the awful season that we are having. It's been mostly "radio silence".
As another poster suggested, I'm guessing Broeker (or someone higher than him) got a stern talking to by some big donors about the results of this season, and what that might mean going forward if Shaka stays the RGV course. Stern enough that they had to come up with a plan for damage control.
Quote from: Biggie Clausen on February 15, 2026, 10:36:56 AMAs another poster suggested, I'm guessing Broeker (or someone higher than him) got a stern talking to by some big donors about the results of this season, and what that might mean going forward if Shaka stays the RGV course. Stern enough that they had to come up with a plan for damage control.
I also think Broeker (not Kimo, he was too busy filming videos for social media) may have said they have the money to recruit from the Portal or pay Shaka's buyout, his choice.
Quote from: Pakuni on February 15, 2026, 09:59:35 AMRight, that's my point. I think this is a message tailored directly to a specific target audience, likely some whales whose unhappiness has been growing as the season has gone on. My curiosity is a function of wondering what's occurred of late to make MU decide they need to go public with this. Shaka could have jumped into the portal a month from now without announcing his intent this weekend. Why broadcast it now? I suspect there's a behind-the-scenes reason.
And I don't imagine many prospective transfers are watching Shaka postgame press conferences or paying attention to the inner workings of MU basketball in mid-February, so it's probably not that.
Good analysis. Sounds like there are behind the scenes things going on.
Quote from: Scoop Snoop on February 15, 2026, 10:23:02 AMExactly. Other than chirping "we believe in growth" after fiascos like the UW game ::) and other assorted RGV chatter, there has not been any serious attempt to communicate with fans or acknowledge the awful season that we are having. It's been mostly "radio silence".
They really don't owe anyone that acknowledgement though. It's pretty obvious that this season was a failure and anything they have done in the last few weeks is setting themselves up for next season more than anything.
Quote from: panda on February 15, 2026, 10:00:06 AM2 portal additions means that only 1 player from the current roster leaves. Sorry I'm not buying that is a tournament team, unless we find two massive portal additions.
Agree here. Massive portal additions. No way Shaka pulls that off. There is hope for the future. James, Parham, Stevens, the redshirts, recruits coming in, all will help. But more is needed. Shakas philosophy has failed this year, so change must happen quickly to pull us out of the low major status that he has put the team in.
Quote from: jfp61 on February 15, 2026, 10:03:24 AMBeing a chase ross fan, means you like defense.
Because no one on this entire roster is a "big east" level defender except him.
Right about that. Goooolllldbrick is not a BEast defender. Let the chorus line begin in 3..2..1.
Quote from: rocky_warrior on February 14, 2026, 07:42:56 PMOk, we can compare him to @MU82 and others here, if you like.
Aw, shucks.
Quote from: Scoop Snoop on February 14, 2026, 07:46:31 PMNah. Shaka would be one in a bazillion if MU82 did the math.
For the gazillionth time, I'd have never said that!
Quote from: Biggie Clausen on February 15, 2026, 07:28:31 AMI'm all for Marquette modernizing the program in terms of using the portal more, but I don't know about this whole GM thing. I mean, it's not like these teams are hiring Ron Wolf or Theo Epstein. Rick Pitino's GM lasted for about half a season at St. John's. In college sports, the head coach will always run the show.
Pitino did have an Epstein. You know the child trafficker that allegedly committed suicide. That probably suited Pitino to a T.
Quote from: Biggie Clausen on February 15, 2026, 07:28:31 AMI'm all for Marquette modernizing the program in terms of using the portal more, but I don't know about this whole GM thing. I mean, it's not like these teams are hiring Ron Wolf or Theo Epstein. Rick Pitino's GM lasted for about half a season at St. John's. In college sports, the head coach will always run the show.
Pitino did have an Epstein. You know the child trafficker that allegedly committed suicide. That probably suited Pitino to a T.
Quote from: Mu8891 on February 15, 2026, 07:45:41 AMSultan - Right. What I was told about a week ago is that the big donors ( that will step up to pay guys like James and Parham ) told Broeker and Shaka that it ain't happening if Shaka continues this
Shyte.
I think all of them ( SS, Broeker, Prez.
Tic Tok ) would LOVE to run RGV back.
Cuz they are so proud of sticking to their " principles " while producing the worst team, and possibly worst roster since Dukiet.
But, do this again next year and at least 2 of the above 3 "leaders " will be gone.
Ah yes. The good old Dukiet era we are now compared to. History repeating itself?
Quote from: Pakuni on February 15, 2026, 09:59:35 AMRight, that's my point. I think this is a message tailored directly to a specific target audience, likely some whales whose unhappiness has been growing as the season has gone on. My curiosity is a function of wondering what's occurred of late to make MU decide they need to go public with this. Shaka could have jumped into the portal a month from now without announcing his intent this weekend. Why broadcast it now? I suspect there's a behind-the-scenes reason.
And I don't imagine many prospective transfers are watching Shaka postgame press conferences or paying attention to the inner workings of MU basketball in mid-February, so it's probably not that.
I don't think the "whales" are getting their MUBB investment info from a tv broadcast on a random Saturday in February.
They were likely told what they wanted to hear in a private conversation.
Quote from: Pakuni on February 15, 2026, 09:59:35 AMRight, that's my point. I think this is a message tailored directly to a specific target audience, likely some whales whose unhappiness has been growing as the season has gone on. My curiosity is a function of wondering what's occurred of late to make MU decide they need to go public with this. Shaka could have jumped into the portal a month from now without announcing his intent this weekend. Why broadcast it now? I suspect there's a behind-the-scenes reason.
And I don't imagine many prospective transfers are watching Shaka postgame press conferences or paying attention to the inner workings of MU basketball in mid-February, so it's probably not that.
I think this is a pretty good analysis. It was clearly planted, but don't know who the primary audience is supposed to be.
https://www.anonymouseagle.com/marquette-recruiting/35308/mens-basketball-golden-eagles-shaka-smart-transfer-portal-tnt-sideline-report
Quote from: jfp61 on February 15, 2026, 10:22:26 AMSure, if Aday Mara, Patrick Ngongba, or Flory Bidunga show up tomorrow our defense would drastically improve. But none of that makes the current team we have good.
Adrien stevens has been a horrible defender through his first 26 games. He has the physical tools to be better, but he isn't good. Hardly positive defensive box score. High Adjusted Team Defensive Eff. 104.2. And it isn't like morsell where morsell would take the hardest matchups and his defense would look worse than Koleks, the matchups still go to Ross.
Nigel james feels like he is a good defender because he gets runouts. His defensive box score is the second best on the team because of these runnouts. However he is short. He has a High adjusted Team Defensive Eff 104.7. (only Sean is higher). Now is he a better defender than a short freshman guard should be, sure. However, Short guys = limited defense. If you want examples of his poor defense rewatch the second half of Wisconsin, he got targeted on 5+ straight possessions.
"chase ross isn't trying"... This crowd is stupid. He is still been the only Big east quality defender on this team the entire year. And his defense hasn't slipped in the last thirty days in any measurable way. People are just finding ways to justify the bad defense of those around him.
I'm not sure what you're watching, but Ross is not a very good defender. He's a good gambler and gets steals, but he's very often out of position. He is really susceptible to the back door cut and he rarely boxes out. He often leaves teammates in no man's land as he forces them to switch even when there hasn't been a screen because he's chasing someone.
Stevens gets the assignment of defending the opponent's best perimeter player almost every game now. He's much harder to post-up than Ross because he's bigger and stronger than Ross. Stevens had a poor game yesterday without a doubt.
MU's D is a major problem but there are much more problematic players than Stevens. Parham is brutal when closing out at the 3-pt line. He literally never stays in front of his man. Owens' poor defense keeps him on the bench. For as athletic as he is, he can't contain the drive. Hamilton is just lost in this defensive scheme. The lack of sound fundamentals on defense among the returning players leaves me skeptical that players redshirting or incoming freshmen will be effective on
Getting skilled players who are physically stronger and bulkier along the front line has to be a priority in the portal. Getting the defense sorted might require a reexamination of the philosophy and teaching methods.
What if a center such as Nova's Duke Brennan and a wing such as Morsell were added to James, Parham, Stevens, Phillips, Owens, Sheek and Egbuonu?
Would that be an NCAA Tournament team next season? I think it would.
I'd like to add even better players than Brennan-like and Morsell-like guys, of course, because I don't want us to be just a team that scrambles its way into the tourney. But if I'm right, it shows that we don't need to hit two or three home runs to right the ship. Just a couple/few solid line drives. If one ends up being a home run, we're back in the Top 25.
Like VBMG and some others, I thought yesterday was encouraging despite the loss. When I heard Greenberg's report, I rewound it and listened again, and my buddies and I got a nice text chain going. Then to watch James and Parham do what they did ... loved it.
This season has been toast for months now. It's all about the future, and I'm bullish. Really looking forward to see who we add this spring.
Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on February 15, 2026, 09:39:28 AM100%. How dare we be positive when it looks like we have multiple young stars to build around, some nice incoming redshirt & freshman talent, and the news that Marquette will use the portal going forward.
It definitely makes more sense to focus entirely on this awful season and wallow in the disappointment.
Thanks for setting us straight!
Our multiple young stars have not really played anyone playing at the high D1 level except for the Johnnies and UCONN. We have a 4-5 record against every team that has a losing record in the Conference. So are they really playing well or does it just look like they're playing well due to the poor competition. All these teams are just barely playing .500 ball overall as well. Not sure what that means about the "talent" level of the league going forward.
Quote from: jfp61 on February 15, 2026, 10:03:24 AMBeing a chase ross fan, means you like defense.
Because no one on this entire roster is a "big east" level defender except him.
Know you get way into analytics, but simple eye test shows Chase has not been good defensively this year. This post by Paint Touches encapsulates much of what we've seen from Chase this year. Understandably he's got to be affected by being the senior leader on a team that has just bombed, but he hasn't made the team better. His performance against Tier A competition has been abysmal.
https://x.com/PaintTouches/status/2017983955220238559
Quote from: Elonsmusk on February 15, 2026, 11:44:13 AMKnow you get way into analytics, but simple eye test shows Chase has not been good defensively this year.
Respectably. That's cope.
Quote from: The Sultan on February 15, 2026, 11:06:00 AMThey really don't owe anyone that acknowledgement though. It's pretty obvious that this season was a failure and anything they have done in the last few weeks is setting themselves up for next season more than anything.
That's fair Sultan. I guess the quotes about growth and other RGV stuff in the midst of this season just sets me off.
Quote from: muwarrior69 on February 15, 2026, 11:39:01 AMOur multiple young stars have not really played anyone playing at the high D1 level except for the Johnnies and UCONN. We have a 4-5 record against every team that has a losing record in the Conference. So are they really playing well or does it just look like they're playing well due to the poor competition. All these teams are just barely playing .500 ball overall as well. Not sure what that means about the "talent" level of the league going forward.
I fear this gets worse as the major college leagues with their own networks are made to take advantage of the new reality. The New Big East was formed out of self preservation, but the changing rules may make this nothing but a stop-gap. I hope I am wrong, but I have a bad feeling about where this is headed.
Quote from: Zog from Margo on February 15, 2026, 11:30:32 AMHe is really susceptible to the back door cut and he rarely boxes out. He often leaves teammates in no man's land as he forces them to switch even when there hasn't been a screen because he's chasing someone.
This describes every player on the team.
The older player is getting singled out for it because no one wants to ascribe blame, for the lack of defense, to younger players.
Ross gets the best defensive stats because he gambles. And his defensive efficency is better than James, Stevens, Parham, and Gold.
I wasn't singling Stevens and James out as bad defenders (even if they might be if you compare them to Big East players). I was asked if either are good defenders. They arn't. They arn't supposed to be they are freshman.
Quote from: Zog from Margo on February 14, 2026, 05:44:29 PMI'm surprised people actually doubted he'd recognize the need to change and upgrade the talent quickly. One more season even close to this one and he was out the door with some less than optimal coaching prospects. The roster is as weak as the D MU played today. Outside of James, Parham, Stevens, and maybe Phillips, no player deciding not to return would be a big deal.
let's hope Shaka doesn't shop NAIA 'talent' for the roster upgrade. To any Duke, Michigan and Arizona bench guy, there's PT available at Marquette!
Quote from: MU82 on February 15, 2026, 11:33:34 AMWhat if a center such as Nova's Duke Brennan and a wing such as Morsell were added to James, Parham, Stevens, Phillips, Owens, Sheek and Egbuonu?
Would that be an NCAA Tournament team next season? I think it would.
I'd like to add even better players than Brennan-like and Morsell-like guys, of course, because I don't want us to be just a team that scrambles its way into the tourney. But if I'm right, it shows that we don't need to hit two or three home runs to right the ship. Just a couple/few solid line drives. If one ends up being a home run, we're back in the Top 25.
Like VBMG and some others, I thought yesterday was encouraging despite the loss. When I heard Greenberg's report, I rewound it and listened again, and my buddies and I got a nice text chain going. Then to watch James and Parham do what they did ... loved it.
This season has been toast for months now. It's all about the future, and I'm bullish. Really looking forward to see who we add this spring.
I'm excited by the performances of NJ and RP yesterday.
I'm disappointed by the lack of progress on the defensive issues and late-game failures that have plagued the team all season.
Quote from: panda on February 15, 2026, 10:00:06 AM2 portal additions means that only 1 player from the current roster leaves. Sorry I'm not buying that is a tournament team, unless we find two massive portal additions.
How do you define "massive" portal additions? We may need more than two guys, I'll give you that. But if you look across the landscape of college hoops there are all sorts of portal dudes making major contributions.
Quote from: jfp61 on February 15, 2026, 11:58:19 AMThis describes every player on the team.
The older player is getting singled out for it because no one wants to ascribe blame, for the lack of defense, to younger players.
Ross gets the best defensive stats because he gambles. And his defensive efficency is better than James, Stevens, Parham, and Gold.
I wasn't singling Stevens and James out as bad defenders (even if they might be if you compare them to Big East players). I was asked if either are good defenders. They arn't. They arn't supposed to be they are freshman.
Yet gambling exposes everyone else. I don't know how the stats are weighted, but Ross leaves guys hanging when he gambles and misses. I like Ross, but he hasn't had a great year. In past seasons, MU didn't get burned so much by his gambling because the people around him were more aware. That said, I don't disagree with your fundamental point. The defense yesterday was atrocious.
Quote from: Pakuni on February 15, 2026, 12:18:55 PMI'm excited by the performances of NJ and RP yesterday.
I'm disappointed by the lack of progress on the defensive issues and late-game failures that have plagued the team all season.
That's fair. Some is coaching. Some is lack of leadership. Some is inexperience for our most talented players. I like to think that adding a couple of talented upperclassmen to the young core can make a big difference in clutch-time results. I think back to Lewis, Morsell and even Elliott in Shaka's first year.
Quote from: Farley36 on February 14, 2026, 05:04:38 PMApparently not only is VBMG a whiny douche, but he can't read. Where exactly does the word portal appear?
If I tell you it snowed last night and you wake up to your driveway covered with white stuff that is wet to the touch........do I have to tell you that its snow or can you figure it out?
Quote from: Zog from Margo on February 15, 2026, 12:44:37 PMYet gambling exposes everyone else. I don't know how the stats are weighted, but Ross leaves guys hanging when he gambles and misses. I like Ross, but he hasn't had a great year. In past seasons, MU didn't get burned so much by his gambling because the people around him were more aware. That said, I don't disagree with your fundamental point. The defense yesterday was atrocious.
Zog,
Chase < "hasn't had a great year".
In fact his performance this season > an unmitigated disaster.
Quote from: MuMark on February 15, 2026, 01:02:58 PMIf I tell you it snowed last night and you wake up to your driveway covered with white stuff that is wet to the touch........do I have to tell you it's snow or can you figure it out?
Well, it's Farley. You could tell him and he still wouldn't figure it out.
I don't think they can signal this mid-season and then not go big in the portal. It'd be an almost worse look than not portaling at all. Will be very interesting to see how things shake out.
I'm imagining the reaction here if Shaka brings in a few Zach Wrightsil-level players. You'd have to shut this place down.
Quote from: Tha Hound on February 15, 2026, 03:04:24 PMI don't think they can signal this mid-season and then not go big in the portal. It'd be an almost worse look than not portaling at all. Will be very interesting to see how things shake out.
I'm imagining the reaction here if Shaka brings in a few Zach Wrightsil-level players. You'd have to shut this place down.
Regardless of what moves MU makes in the offseason, there will be people complaining about it and not satisfied.
Quote from: Pakuni on February 15, 2026, 12:18:55 PMI'm excited by the performances of NJ and RP yesterday.
I'm disappointed by the lack of progress on the defensive issues and late-game failures that have plagued the team all season.
In the last 10 game stretch, James has been playing well beyond a freshman with the exception of some terrible turnovers, Parham has been at an 18 and 6 pace and Stevens has also played well, again like a freshman there have been brutal turnovers. That being said, if Ross and Gold had provided anything close to last year, then this season might have been much better, especially going into BET.
Ross has been just terrible, in all facets of his game. To be a pre season All BE, to regress to this level is completely disappointing.
Gold in his last 16 games has shot 10 for 69 from three. Thats 14% guys and that averages out to less than one three point field goal made per game. Yikes...
What could have been. Looking forward to see how Parham closes out year at this pace, he could get an All BE honorable mention team and James also. Doubt James gets ROY, Lewis from NOVA probably.
Quote from: MuggsyB on February 15, 2026, 12:20:15 PMHow do you define "massive" portal additions? We may need more than two guys, I'll give you that. But if you look across the landscape of college hoops there are all sorts of portal dudes making major contributions.
We need guys to step into Ross' and gold's production at 2x their production if we're only adding 2 guys.
It's time for Shaka to change playing time. Should play Owens and Phillips at least a half a game to see if either capable to take over Ross's spot next year.
Quote from: BCHoopster on February 15, 2026, 03:53:31 PMIt's time for Shaka to change playing time. Should play Owens and Phillips at least a half a game to see if either capable to take over Ross's spot next year.
Agree - need to see more Phillips.
Quote from: BCHoopster on February 15, 2026, 03:53:31 PMIt's time for Shaka to change playing time. Should play Owens and Phillips at least a half a game to see if either capable to take over Ross's spot next year.
We've seen more than enough of Owens.
I agree on Owens but giving a player extended minutes changes a players attitude at times. In short spurts he has been below average, great athlete not a great hooper!
Phillips is playing appropriate minutes for where he is.......
He is still raw which should surprise nobody considering he should be finishing up his senior year in high school right now.
I wouldn't mind a redshirt for him next season to be honest.
Obviously depends on how his summer goes and who we bring in.
I can see a redshirt for Phillips as well. Playing 3 minutes a game next year will hurt his development. Hate to say it, could be a portal loss.
He is supposed to be in high school right now. Reclassified.
I have come to the conclusion that bringing in talent that we hope improves, and doesn't transfer, after a redshirt sophomore season, seems like a poor way to construct a roster in 2026.
Quote from: BCHoopster on February 15, 2026, 04:47:48 PMI can see a redshirt for Phillips as well. Playing 3 minutes a game next year will hurt his development. Hate to say it, could be a portal loss.
I agree on a possible redshirt, but I do not see him as a possible loss in the portal. If he fills out and gets stronger, he could be the real deal.
Quote from: The Sultan on February 15, 2026, 11:26:21 AMI think this is a pretty good analysis. It was clearly planted, but don't know who the primary audience is supposed to be.
https://www.anonymouseagle.com/marquette-recruiting/35308/mens-basketball-golden-eagles-shaka-smart-transfer-portal-tnt-sideline-report
Anecdotal, but I know a couple different season ticket holders in the cheaper seats who have barely attended games and not had a lot of luck giving their tickets away either. With the rise in price due to NIL you can't really have a season like this and retain them.
Quote from: MuMark on February 15, 2026, 04:36:04 PMPhillips is playing appropriate minutes for where he is.......
He is still raw which should surprise nobody considering he should be finishing up his senior year in high school right now.
I wouldn't mind a redshirt for him next season to be honest.
Obviously depends on how his summer goes and who we bring in.
Always been on the fence about guys skipping their senior year unless they plan to red shirt or are an elete talent. I think we'd rather have Phillips from age 18-22 than 17-21 right? if he redshirts next year then guess it's basically the same.
I'm good with using a couple redshirts. If Philips has a great offseason he may be a rotational piece and obviously shouldn't redshirt. If we bring in upper class talent and he'll be out of the rotation, then sure. Next year would be his freshman season in college. He could clearly use some physical development and he can shoot the ball, which will always be useful. You aren't going to have 15 players getting minutes. He's one who could for 3 years after next.
Quote from: panda on February 15, 2026, 03:23:24 PMWe need guys to step into Ross' and gold's production at 2x their production if we're only adding 2 guys.
That honestly is easily doable. The question is will we find the right pieces among a slew of transfers? Do we have competent scouts/talent evaluators? If we don't get the needed additions, perhaps some Scoopers should scout and bag deposit in '27-8.
Quote from: MuggsyB on February 15, 2026, 06:13:23 PMThat honestly is easily doable. The question is will we find the right pieces among a slew of transfers? Do we have competent scouts/talent evaluators? If we don't get the needed additions, perhaps some Scoopers should scout and bag deposit in '27-8.
The right additions and subtractions can turn this around quickly. Really need to get this offseason right on both sides of the coin.
Quote from: panda on February 15, 2026, 06:26:15 PMThe right additions and subtractions
That will be the real test for Shaka.
From friends of the program, fwiw:
1. Shaka very protective of his image, it is a priority for him
2. Going into this season, he believed his culture and development would generate success
3. Is well liked by players and player's families and uses this w re recruiting
4. Is feeling the pressure of this poor season and understands he may be out if next season is also an abject failure
5. Realizes he might not be get another P5 job if he is fired by Marquette
Quote from: Captain Quette on February 15, 2026, 06:41:24 PMFrom friends of the program, fwiw:
1. Shaka very protective of his image, it is a priority for him
2. Going into this season, he believed his culture and development would generate success
3. Is well liked by players and player's families and uses this w re recruiting
4. Is feeling the pressure of this poor season and understands he may be out if next season is also an abject failure
5. Realizes he might not be get another P5 job if he is fired by Marquette
This is supposed to be his forever home. Analysts have said it for years now that he and Marquette are the perfect pairing. Hopefully this decision is a rejuvenation for him and he is here for a long time because of the success he has and sees as sustainable for the future.
All great points! I am sure there is pressure on him from the NLI donors. I know the key players talked to the president.
Quote from: panda on February 15, 2026, 06:26:15 PMThe right additions and subtractions can turn this around quickly. Really need to get this offseason right on both sides of the coin.
Yes. Good point. This is a vital offseason for our program.
Quote from: CountryRoads on February 15, 2026, 03:18:22 PMRegardless of what moves MU makes in the offseason, there will be people complaining about it and not satisfied.
If there are no cuts in the roster and only one transfer they'll have every right to complain, but if there are cuts and several transfers are added they should wait to see what happens on the court next season. No one will be more upset than a donor shelling out big bucks for a transfer that is a bust as that will be on the coaching staff.
Quote from: muwarrior69 on February 15, 2026, 07:03:40 PMIf there are no cuts in the roster and only one transfer they'll have every right to complain, but if there are cuts and several transfers are added they should wait to see what happens on the court next season. No one will be more upset than a donor shelling out big bucks for a transfer that is a bust as that will be on the coaching staff.
See: Owen Freeman at Creighton
Quote from: onepost on February 15, 2026, 07:08:41 PMSee: Owen Freeman at Creighton
This has flipped since I looked a couple weeks ago, but according to BPR, he'd be Marquette's second best player after Chase, and far ahead of Nigel for the whole season
Quote from: rocky_warrior on February 15, 2026, 07:13:58 PMThis has flipped since I looked a couple weeks ago, but according to BPR, he'd be Marquette's second best player after Chase, and far ahead of Nigel for the whole season
If BPR says Owen Freeman is better than Nigel James, BPR is a totally effed measuring stick.
Seriously, how many of the 365 Division I coaches do you think would take Freeman over James? Fewer than 10? Fewer than 1?
Quote from: MU82 on February 15, 2026, 07:19:10 PMIf BPR says Owen Freeman is better than Nigel James, BPR is a totally effed measuring stick.
Seriously, how many of the 365 Division I coaches do you think would take Freeman over James? Fewer than 10? Fewer than 1?
I was pretty clear that it's a whole year stat, so you're showing recency bias.
Nonetheless, I suppose it would depend on whether those coaches were looking for a Nigel James, or a Caedin Hamilton.
$3.4 million reasons to use the portal.....
Quote from: onepost on February 15, 2026, 07:08:41 PMSee: Owen Freeman at Creighton
A guy that many board experts wanted us to put the full court press on last offseason.....lol
Quote from: rocky_warrior on February 15, 2026, 07:23:27 PMI was pretty clear that it's a whole year stat, so you're showing recency bias.
Nonetheless, I suppose it would depend on whether those coaches were looking for a Nigel James, or a Caedin Hamilton.
I'm pretty sure Creighton would like a do over on that size able investment.
Quote from: MuMark on February 15, 2026, 11:01:15 PMI'm pretty sure Creighton would like a do over on that size able investment.
No doubt! But as I've been told, the metrics are the metrics. He'd be one of MUs best players this year.
Quote from: rocky_warrior on February 15, 2026, 11:08:22 PMNo doubt! But as I've been told, the metrics are the metrics. He'd be one of MUs best players this year.
And, even with his woeful stats, a much better one year investment than the three years Caedin Hamilton has received.
Quote from: MuMark on February 15, 2026, 10:58:33 PMA guy that many board experts wanted us to put the full court press on last offseason.....lol
He's been pretty snakebit this year. Slower than expected recovery from offseason knee surgery followed by an illness that caused him to miss a handful of games and now another injury.
Assuming full health, I'd be happy to have him next year. Didn't average 16/6 against Big 10 competition last year because he's bad.
Quote from: rocky_warrior on February 15, 2026, 07:23:27 PMI was pretty clear that it's a whole year stat, so you're showing recency bias.
Nonetheless, I suppose it would depend on whether those coaches were looking for a Nigel James, or a Caedin Hamilton.
Hmmm
I don't think I ever said anything about Freeman before people started pointing him out as a portal failure.
But, as MU fans embrace the portal, we need to realize they're not all Kolek.
A healthy Freeman would have been a positive addition to this years team.
Even knowing what we know now (that he wasn't a major impact), wouldn't you have traded all of Sean, Caedin & Tre $ for him?
Careful. Next thing you might post is that the portal is merely a tool and that there are still the same numbers of winners and losers as there were pre-portal.
Quote from: Small Orange Soda on February 15, 2026, 11:46:47 PMAnd, even with his woeful stats, a much better one year investment than the three years Caedin Hamilton has received.
I'd take him next year in a good buy low spot tbh
Quote from: onepost on February 15, 2026, 07:08:41 PMSee: Owen Freeman at Creighton
Are schools allowed to see their medical records so they can evaluate an athletes potential after an injury? I guess I am asking did Creighton know Freeman was injured before they signed him?
A Google search indicates his knee injury happened during a summer pick up game. A second google search indicates he signed with Creighton in April.
Freeman's numbers are fantastic when he plays. If healthy, he's perhaps a top portal addition. Probably not the poster boy for "portal potty misses".
Once a player signs with MU, injuries are an excuse, not a reason.
Again, no one is saying the portal is a panacea. Do posters have to mention a failed portal player and laugh and point fingers and say I told you so, every discussion/thread with the word portal in it?
All the intelligent posters know that portal players need to be scouted like any other player. They have to be the right fit for a team to help. They need to stay healthy like any other player to be available to play.
Bringing up failed portal players or injured portal layers and pointing out that it doesn't always work is silly.
Quote from: rocky_warrior on February 16, 2026, 12:20:53 AMI don't think I ever said anything about Freeman before people started pointing him out as a portal failure.
But, as MU fans embrace the portal, we need to realize they're not all Kolek.
A healthy Freeman would have been a positive addition to this years team.
Even knowing what we know now (that he wasn't a major impact), wouldn't you have traded all of Sean, Caedin & Tre $ for him?
I am puzzled as to why Shaka does not play Clark more. At this point who cares if we win the game this season. Let's see if Clark can actually play or is he worse than Caedin?
Quote from: muwarrior69 on February 16, 2026, 08:22:40 AMI am puzzled as to why Shaka does not play Clark more. At this point who cares if we win the game this season. Let's see if Clark can actually play or is he worse than Caedin?
He is less skilled than Hamilton and after two seasons, still can't make it up and down the floor 2 possessions in a row without looking gassed
Quote from: Captain Quette on February 15, 2026, 06:41:24 PMFrom friends of the program, fwiw:
2. Going into this season, he believed his culture and development would generate success
This is why I have reservations about Shaka as the long term solution. If you attended the open practices this year and were objective, you as a fan knew MUBB did not have a top half Big East basketball team.
Quote from: tower912 on February 16, 2026, 05:43:07 AMCareful. Next thing you might post is that the portal is merely a tool and that there are still the same numbers of winners and losers as there were pre-portal.
Why are you continually questioning Shaka's ability to find portal players who will succeed at Marquette?
Quote from: Pakuni on February 16, 2026, 09:33:18 AMWhy are you continually questioning Shaka's ability to find portal players who will succeed at Marquette?
He has a better hit rate on transfers than he does on high school recruits. The only miss he has had in the portal is Wrightsil.
Quote from: MUbiz on February 16, 2026, 08:51:14 AMThis is why I have reservations about Shaka as the long term solution. If you attended the open practices this year and were objective, you as a fan knew MUBB did not have a top half Big East basketball team.
Quote from: Uncle Rico on August 02, 2025, 09:09:09 AM3-4 in BE, 7-10 seed
Quote from: tower912 on August 02, 2025, 07:32:12 PMI think this is a big dance team.
Quote from: brewcity77 on August 02, 2025, 08:28:48 PMOffensively, Ross, Gold, and Lowery are all hyper-efficient. Some guys will have to step up in terms of usage without losing too much efficiency, but projecting this as a tourney team feels like a pretty safe floor, IMO.
Quote from: brewcity77 on August 03, 2025, 01:51:27 PMUltimately, I really trust the system. We know that on offense we're going to be patient in the half court and work for high percentage looks at the rim or the arc. On defense, we're going to speed teams up, turn them over, and score in transition. While other teams are figuring out their rosters (Indiana, Maryland, Dayton) we'll be collecting resume wins.
And in terms of talent, there are maybe 4 teams at our level or better in the Big East. That gives me a lot of confidence going into the league. We may not have the star power of years past, but we still have a high floor.
Quote from: Pakuni on February 16, 2026, 09:33:18 AMWhy are you continually questioning Shaka's ability to find portal players who will succeed at Marquette?
Quote from: The Sultan on February 16, 2026, 09:38:18 AMHe has a better hit rate on transfers than he does on high school recruits. The only miss he has had in the portal is Wrightsil.
I read Tower's post as a
general caution about assuming that portal players will improve a team. I did not read it as questioning Shaka's ability to evaluate portal players. But that's just my take.
Quote from: Shooter McGavin on February 16, 2026, 08:21:20 AMAgain, no one is saying the portal is a panacea. Do posters have to mention a failed portal player and laugh and point fingers and say I told you so, every discussion/thread with the word portal in it?
All the intelligent posters know that portal players need to be scouted like any other player. They have to be the right fit for a team to help. They need to stay healthy like any other player to be available to play.
Bringing up failed portal players or injured portal layers and pointing out that it doesn't always work is silly.
Spot on. The right fit is the key.
Quote from: Scoop Snoop on February 16, 2026, 09:51:15 AMI read Tower's post as a general caution about assuming that portal players will improve a team. I did not read it as questioning Shaka's ability to evaluate portal players. But that's just my take.
It's been a kneejerk - and not very good - defense for avoiding the portal and putting all our eggs in the high school recruit basket.
Everyone here is smart enough to understand that portal players come with no guarantees. But it's interesting, especially in light of Shaka's success with transfers here, that people continue to trot that out as justification for him not using the portal. They're basically saying they don't trust that Shaka can duplicate his success.
Yeah, predictions don't always come true. Like our turnover rate not increasing by 9+% (currently 2.3% worse) or our TO% decrease being not as bad as offense (currently 2.5% worse).
Quote from: Jay Bee on October 06, 2025, 09:41:15 PMI do expect our offensive TO% will increase by more than 9% as compared to last year's %.
I do not expect our defensive OT% to decrease by the same.
#pray
Or our defense being "good" (current #102 rank is worst of Shaka's career).
Quote from: Jay Bee on November 05, 2025, 01:48:51 PM1- our defense is good. Offense is the concern
2-no. We will be volatile all year
3- This doesn't matter
4- will be interesting to watch
Yes, I was wrong on this team. Others were wrong on this team. But you were also wrong on this team. If you're going to try to old takes exposed people, might as well include yourself.
Quote from: Jay Bee on February 16, 2026, 08:04:08 AMFreeman's numbers are fantastic when he plays. If healthy, he's perhaps a top portal addition. Probably not the poster boy for "portal potty misses".
The most important ability is availability. The guy's averaging 8 mpg in Big East play.
I feel for him. It's not his fault he's been unavailable or limited by injuries, and I hope Creighton fans aren't getting on his case. But the guy's been a total non-factor.
Maybe next season, a healthy Freeman will be a monster. We'll see!
Quote from: The Sultan on February 16, 2026, 09:38:18 AMHe has a better hit rate on transfers than he does on high school recruits. The only miss he has had in the portal is Wrightsil.
I don't know if you can really call Wrightsil a "miss," considering he had season-ending surgery and never played CBB again.
Quote from: Billy Hoyle on February 16, 2026, 10:21:23 AMI don't know if you can really call Wrightsil a "miss," considering he had season-ending surgery and never played CBB again.
If being injured makes Owen Freeman a bust ...
Quote from: brewcity77 on February 16, 2026, 10:18:08 AMYeah, predictions don't always come true. Like our turnover rate not increasing by 9+% (currently 2.3% worse) or our TO% decrease being not as bad as offense (currently 2.5% worse).
Or our defense being "good" (current #102 rank is worst of Shaka's career).
Yes, I was wrong on this team. Others were wrong on this team. But you were also wrong on this team. If you're going to try to old takes exposed people, might as well include yourself.
Understand, this wasn't a gotcha post. It was a direct response re: "if you watched the open practices then you knew this team sucked" or whatever... which isn't true. That's all. So, I quoted comments in the open practice thread from this summer. Nothing more, nothing less.
As far as your TO% comments about what I said, you're confused. I was talking % change (CY / PY year, not CY - PY).
Our offensive turnover rate is 17% higher than last season. Our defensive turnover rate is 12%. #SpotOn #GreatCall
Not sure if already mentioned but Nigel James was named Big East Freshman Of The Week again
Quote from: MarquetteMike1977 on February 16, 2026, 10:36:31 AMNot sure if already mentioned but Nigel James was named Big East Freshman Of The Week again
He's no Owen Freeman!
First three games of the year were his three lowest minute games. And the only games not starting this year. Shaka needed some help figuring it out, but it's been a good ride since.
However... vs. Tier A:
Nigel 97 ORtg, 50.5% eFG%, 22% to rate :(.
#pray
I am not anti-portal. I wasn't anti JUCO under Buzz or anti grad transfer under Wojo. Just as those were not a panacea, the portal is not a panacea. I will cheer for whomever is wearing a MU uniform and root for every coach to succeed.
Quote from: tower912 on February 16, 2026, 10:48:01 AMI am not anti-portal. I wasn't anti JUCO under Buzz or anti grad transfer under Wojo. Just as those were not a panacea, the portal is not a panacea. I will cheer for whomever is wearing a MU uniform and root for every coach to succeed.
What is success?
A subjective term.
Quote from: tower912 on February 16, 2026, 10:48:01 AMI am not anti-portal. I wasn't anti JUCO under Buzz or anti grad transfer under Wojo. Just as those were not a panacea, the portal is not a panacea. I will cheer for whomever is wearing a MU uniform and root for every coach to succeed.
Of course. However, Marquette isn't good enough to make up arbitrary rules that make it harder to compete. For some reason we keep learning that lesson over and over. Hopefully it made someone feel extra good.
Quote from: tower912 on February 16, 2026, 10:48:01 AMI am not anti-portal. I wasn't anti JUCO under Buzz or anti grad transfer under Wojo. Just as those were not a panacea, the portal is not a panacea. I will cheer for whomever is wearing a MU uniform and root for every coach to succeed.
Nobody is saying the portal is a panacea. People just don't want us to be the only high-major program acting like it doesn't exist, but I'm sure you know that.
Quote from: Tha Hound on February 16, 2026, 11:35:10 AMNobody is saying the portal is a panacea. People just don't want us to be the only high-major program acting like it doesn't exist, but I'm sure you know that.
We are not high major anymore, given where this team is right now.
Quote from: tower912 on February 16, 2026, 10:48:01 AMI am not anti-portal. I wasn't anti JUCO under Buzz or anti grad transfer under Wojo. Just as those were not a panacea, the portal is not a panacea. I will cheer for whomever is wearing a MU uniform and root for every coach to succeed.
Has anyone suggested the portal is a panacea??
Quote from: Frenns Liquor Depot on February 16, 2026, 11:32:32 AMHopefully it made someone feel extra good.
And sold some merch.
Quote from: MU82 on February 16, 2026, 10:20:09 AMThe most important ability is availability. The guy's averaging 8 mpg in Big East play.
I feel for him. It's not his fault he's been unavailable or limited by injuries, and I hope Creighton fans aren't getting on his case. But the guy's been a total non-factor.
Maybe next season, a healthy Freeman will be a monster. We'll see!
McDermott has given him fewer and fewer minutes as the season has gone on.......last game he tried to shake things up by starting him......he played 5 minutes.....got pulled and never saw the floor again.
He is obviously better than Hamilton.......but a very competent coaching staff( who paid him big money to come there) has now decided the team is better with him not playing much.
Quote from: panda on February 16, 2026, 08:45:14 AMHe is less skilled than Hamilton and after two seasons, still can't make it up and down the floor 2 possessions in a row without looking gassed
Then Clark should be cut as well along with Sean,Tre and Caedin.
Quote from: willie warrior on February 16, 2026, 11:54:36 AMWe are not high major anymore, given where this team is right now.
You can say that for a majority of Big East teams.
Quote from: muwarrior69 on February 16, 2026, 01:13:52 PMThen Clark should be cut as well along with Sean,Tre and Caedin.
Yes
Quote from: panda on February 16, 2026, 02:13:34 PMYes
Josh is not the solution at the 5, but you can't teach tall and he's an elite rebounder (in a very small sample of minutes). If he can stay anywhere close to that and give 10 minutes a game next year in situational settings (other teams going big/deep bigs) think I'd keep him on a bench w 10 spots- but don't know why we don't see 10.mimutes this year to see a bit more if he has that potential.
Quote from: 1SE on February 16, 2026, 02:27:10 PMJosh is not the solution at the 5, but you can't teach tall and he's an elite rebounder (in a very small sample of minutes). If he can stay anywhere close to that and give 10 minutes a game next year in situational settings (other teams going big/deep bigs) think I'd keep him on a bench w 10 spots- but don't know why we don't see 10.mimutes this year to see a bit more if he has that potential.
Any sample size for the amount of minutes he's playing should be thrown out the window. Watch him the next time he's on the floor - there's a reason he isn't playing.
I have no problem keeping Clark if the team is any good, but when we need reinforcements in a bad way, his roster spot should be up for grabs for a competent player who can help us win now.
Quote from: 1SE on February 16, 2026, 02:27:10 PMJosh is not the solution at the 5, but you can't teach tall and he's an elite rebounder (in a very small sample of minutes). If he can stay anywhere close to that and give 10 minutes a game next year in situational settings (other teams going big/deep bigs) think I'd keep him on a bench w 10 spots- but don't know why we don't see 10.mimutes this year to see a bit more if he has that potential.
"elite?" How is his rebounding "elite?" Gold and Parham are our best rebounders and neither are anywhere close to "elite." How does Clark compare to Ajayi, Brennan or Zuby?
Quote from: Billy Hoyle on February 16, 2026, 04:00:45 PM"elite?" How is his rebounding "elite?" Gold and Parham are our best rebounders and neither are anywhere close to "elite." How does Clark compare to Ajayi, Brennan or Zuby?
His rebounding percentages would put him behind only Brennan, and not by much.
Quote from: Billy Hoyle on February 16, 2026, 04:00:45 PM"elite?" How is his rebounding "elite?" Gold and Parham are our best rebounders and neither are anywhere close to "elite." How does Clark compare to Ajayi, Brennan or Zuby?
Clark leads the team in rebounds per 100 posessions and total rebound %. Not sure he's elite, nor do I know how those stats would hold up over more time, but he's pretty good.
Quote from: Jay Bee on February 16, 2026, 04:07:20 PMHis rebounding percentages would put him behind only Brennan, and not by much.
Those rebound numbers are mainly in garbage time.
Remember when Seattle decided that Jimmy Mac was getting 2 blocks per game over 15 minutes, he'd get that same percentage over 40 minutes as their starting center?
Quote from: Billy Hoyle on February 16, 2026, 04:22:58 PMThose rebound numbers are mainly in garbage time.
Remember when Seattle decided that Jimmy Mac was getting 2 blocks per game over 15 minutes, he'd get that same percentage over 40 minutes as their starting center?
Are we doing the "he only gets the easy rebounds" thing again?
Clark will be no factor next year, maybe not the following year either, but in 3 years he could be a starter. He's very soft right now, needs 30 more pounds of muscle and the ability to have some type of moves underneath, very raw but has some athleticism.
Quote from: BCHoopster on February 16, 2026, 04:47:06 PMClark will be no factor next year, maybe not the following year either, but in 3 years he could be a starter. He's very soft right now, needs 30 more pounds of muscle and the ability to have some type of moves underneath, very raw but has some athleticism.
I don't think he's soft. He's fairly lost. There is an MU player or two that comes to mind when saying someone is soft, but Clark is not one of them IMO.
Watch how other bigs just back him down, soft
Quote from: MuMark on February 16, 2026, 01:12:56 PMMcDermott has given him fewer and fewer minutes as the season has gone on.......last game he tried to shake things up by starting him......he played 5 minutes.....got pulled and never saw the floor again.
He is obviously better than Hamilton.......but a very competent coaching staff( who paid him big money to come there) has now decided the team is better with him not playing much.
Yeah, if Owens is the type of transfer we bring in then we'll need more than 2 transfers to be in the Tourney. If it's possible, he may have made our defense even worse.
Iowa was 167th in defensive rating last year and is 37th this year. Creighton was 44th in defensive rating last year and is 117th this year.
Quote from: BCHoopster on February 16, 2026, 05:15:34 PMWatch how other bigs just back him down, soft
I view "soft" as an unwillingness to dish out or absorb contact. He might struggle to hold position due to a lack of strength and/or high center of gravity, but he's not trying to avoid contact. Phillips is the same. Guys can get bigger and stronger. Guys who play soft have a hard time changing the attitude.
Quote from: wadesworld on February 16, 2026, 05:29:25 PMYeah, if Owens is the type of transfer we bring in then we'll need more than 2 transfers to be in the Tourney. If it's possible, he may have made our defense even worse.
Iowa was 167th in defensive rating last year and is 37th this year. Creighton was 44th in defensive rating last year and is 117th this year.
Freeman is barely seeing the court, but also responsible for Creighton's defensive struggles?
Could the loss of the four-time Big East DPOY have something to do with it as well?
And you'll never guess who leads Creighton in defensive box plus-minus.
As for Iowa, that might have something to do with Ben McCollum vs Fran McCaffery.
Quote from: wadesworld on February 16, 2026, 05:29:25 PMYeah, if Owens is the type of transfer we bring in then we'll need more than 2 transfers to be in the Tourney. If it's possible, he may have made our defense even worse.
Iowa was 167th in defensive rating last year and is 37th this year. Creighton was 44th in defensive rating last year and is 117th this year.
Iowa has a new coach and freeman has barely played this year. He's not great defensively but the quoted analysis ain't it
Quote from: Pakuni on February 16, 2026, 05:44:16 PMFreeman is barely seeing the court, but also responsible for Creighton's defensive struggles?
Could the loss of the four-time Big East DPOY have something to do with it as well?
And you'll never guess who leads Creighton in defensive box plus-minus.
As for Iowa, that might have something to do with Ben McCollum vs Fran McCaffery.
So he barely plays but his stats are relevant? But I do agree. Going from a great defensive center to an awful one has greatly hurt Creighton's defense. Good point!
He's been an absolutely terrible defender his entire career.
But yeah let's get another awful defender. That'll fix this team's problems.
If you want to see soft, Freeman is right up there
Vanilla Soft Serve II?
Quote from: wadesworld on February 16, 2026, 06:31:58 PMSo he barely plays but his stats are relevant? But I do agree. Going from a great defensive center to an awful one has greatly hurt Creighton's defense. Good point!
I'm really not sure what the point you're making here is. If your'e still arguing that Owen Freeman is the reason for Creighton's defensive problems, that's not supported by any data. In fact, at least one data point - DBPM - indicates Creighton plays
better defensively when Freeman is on the court.
QuoteHe's been an absolutely terrible defender his entire career.
But yeah let's get another awful defender. That'll fix this team's problems.
Ben Gold, who gets glazed around here for his defensive improvement, has a career DRtg of 105.7.
Freeman, who's "been an absolutely terrible defender his entire career" has a career DRtg of 104.7.
And in case anyone is curious, Oso's career DRtg was 101.0.
Things that make you go hmmm.
Quote from: Pakuni on February 16, 2026, 07:30:03 PMI'm really not sure what the point you're making here is. If your'e still arguing that Owen Freeman is the reason for Creighton's defensive problems, that's not supported by any data. In fact, at least one data point - DBPM - indicates Creighton plays better defensively when Freeman is on the court.
Ben Gold, who gets glazed around here for his defensive improvement, has a career DRtg of 105.7.
Freeman, who's "been an absolutely terrible defender his entire career" has a career DRtg of 104.7.
And in case anyone is curious, Oso's career DRtg was 101.0.
Things that make you go hmmm.
What's making you go hmm? Is that supposed to be some insignificant difference? Freeman's is closer to Caedin Hamilton's career defensive rating than he is Oso's. I'm not sure why you're trying to convince people Owen Freeman is some elite defender. He's an awful defender that rebounds well.
Ben's defense isn't the team's problem. He's also not some elite defender. So congrats to Owen for being close to a mediocre defender whose stats are skewed playing on this atrocious defensive team this year.
"I was hard...like a fastball pitch..."
If Marquette is interested in a Freeman they recruited out of high school, Owen wouldn't be the one I'd want.
Quote from: wadesworld on February 16, 2026, 09:17:19 PMWhat's making you go hmm? Is that supposed to be some insignificant difference? Freeman's is closer to Caedin Hamilton's career defensive rating than he is Oso's. I'm not sure why you're trying to convince people Owen Freeman is some elite defender. He's an awful defender that rebounds well.
Well, now you're just making things up. Nobody is trying to convince anyone Freeman is an elite defender. Just pushing back on the nonsense that he's been "absolutely terrible his entire career" - he's hasn't been - or that he's to blame for Creighton's poor defense this year - he isn't.
Quote from: Pakuni on February 16, 2026, 09:38:45 PMWell, now you're just making things up. Nobody is trying to convince anyone Freeman is an elite defender. Just pushing back on the nonsense that he's been "absolutely terrible his entire career" - he's hasn't been - or that he's to blame for Creighton's poor defense this year - he isn't.
There's a reason he's playing 12 minutes per game on a team that is worse defensively than Marquette is (not a good thing!). It's certainly not the 62% from the floor he's shooting, I can tell you that much.
Maybe in year four next year a team of his will be in the top 120 in the country defensively.
Quote from: wadesworld on February 16, 2026, 09:46:31 PMThere's a reason he's playing 12 minutes per game on a team that is worse defensively than Marquette is (not a good thing!). It's certainly not the 62% from the floor he's shooting, I can tell you that much.
Maybe in year four next year a team of his will be in the top 120 in the country defensively.
Marquette sits 102nd in defense this year, by far the worst of Shaka's tenure.
Clearly Nigel James' fault.
If only there were some meaningless games where we could see some extended run for Clark to figure out if he's soft and only gets the easy rebounds.
And he might be soft and only get the easy rebounds and we should Shakaxe him- or he might be a serviceable situational back up big. Who knows, let's see. But unless Shaka has already decided to give him the boot, I can figure out for the life of me why we aren't finding out the answer to those questions ont he court - so we have a slightly better chance at losing 20 games instead of 21? Who cares...
Freeman was damaged goods and I do not understand why any program paid him what they did. He had season ending finger surgery while at Iowa and then over the summer he had meniscus surgery and missed most of the summer. He did not practice with Creighton until October. He also has missed multiple games this year for injury/illness.
It was somewhat easy to predict he was not going to make a massive impact like the media talking heads told us he was.
Interesting series of comments on Coach Shaka's Saturday disclosure. My thoughts are:
1) Coach Shaka left Texas with a cloud over his head from his lack of tournament success. He can ill-afford another failure if he wants to stay in coaching.
2) The Marquette faithful are becoming very restless about this year's meltdown, particularly given the steadfastness with which we have eschewed the portal and over-emphasized traditional RGV.
3) If we don't right the ship and commit to doing something dramatic, the probability that Marquette will keep the true core of a rebuild -- James, Parham, Stevens, Phillips and possibly Owens -- is so low that one must excavate the left side of a Bell curve to find it.
4) Ditto for the very good recruiting classes that are on redshirt this year and will be joining us in the fall.
Simply put, I firmly believe the university put the basketball program on notice. I'm not sure they had to because Coach Shaka is a competitive guy and wants to win badly! But the basketball program is too important to Marquette's identity and to the university overall.
If we don't fix this problem expediently, this year's meltdown will be akin to comparing a melting candle to Chernobyl. We'll make DePaul look like an NCAA Champion and be playing and losing to Southern Illinois twice a year!
Quote from: Pakuni on February 16, 2026, 10:38:45 PMMarquette sits 102nd in defense this year, by far the worst of Shaka's tenure.
Clearly Nigel James' fault.
Nigel is CERATINLY part of the problem. Sorry, I have no problem admitting when a player is not good defensively. And our defense is still higher than Creighton's lol. Nigel's also in year one of college basketball, while Freeman is in year 3, school 2, coach 2. He was brought in to start at the 5, where they had a great defensive center who anchored defenses that ranked 32, 19, 14, 24, and 44 in defensive rating his 5 years at Creighton. Freeman can hardly find the court despite shooting 62% from the field, and Creighton's defense is now 120th in defensive rating, which is the best defensive rating of any team Freeman has played on in his career.
But yeah. He's a solid defensive player or something, and would definitely fix Marquette's problems.
Quote from: wadesworld on February 17, 2026, 10:48:49 AMNigel is CERATINLY part of the problem. Sorry, I have no problem admitting when a player is not good defensively. And our defense is still higher than Creighton's lol. Nigel's also in year one of college basketball, while Freeman is in year 3, school 2, coach 2. He was brought in to start at the 5, where they had a great defensive center who anchored defenses that ranked 32, 19, 14, 24, and 44 in defensive rating his 5 years at Creighton. Freeman can hardly find the court despite shooting 62% from the field, and Creighton's defense is now 120th in defensive rating, which is the best defensive rating of any team Freeman has played on in his career.
But yeah. He's a solid defensive player or something, and would definitely fix Marquette's problems.
If you'd said Freeman was "part" of the problem at Creighton, we wouldn't be having this argument. You pinned it entirely on him while ignoring far more significant contributing factors.
Imagine the dumb sh1t we must send recruits. How does this keep happening? Charlie "Chaplin" 4 Ashes??
https://x.com/marquettembb/status/2023487756044038543?s=46&t=lNpN7iXqtrMrr3jfOK2gbA
Quote from: Pakuni on February 17, 2026, 10:55:38 AMIf you'd said Freeman was "part" of the problem at Creighton, we wouldn't be having this argument. You pinned it entirely on him while ignoring far more significant contributing factors.
My point was that Owen Freeman wouldn't have fixed the issues with this Marquette team. Would we be a better team with him? Sure. But he's not taking the 102nd ranked defense and making them any better.
I'd also argue that going from Ryan Kalkbrenner to Owen Freeman defensively really is THE reason Creighton's defense has gone from strong to trash. It certainly isn't going from Steven Ashworth to Josh Dix (who isn't a good defender, but if you've watched Steven Ashworth play defense, well...).
Wrong thread earlier. Posting it here too since Marcus attends Marquette Basketball games.
Marquette Grad and Basketball booster Marcus Lemonis on Fox News now.
He said he graduated from a Catholic College on air but did not mention Marquette
Quote from: wadesworld on February 17, 2026, 11:28:16 AMMy point was that Owen Freeman wouldn't have fixed the issues with this Marquette team. Would we be a better team with him? Sure. But he's not taking the 102nd ranked defense and making them any better.
I'd also argue that going from Ryan Kalkbrenner to Owen Freeman defensively really is THE reason Creighton's defense has gone from strong to trash. It certainly isn't going from Steven Ashworth to Josh Dix (who isn't a good defender, but if you've watched Steven Ashworth play defense, well...).
Except where they're getting killed this year is at the arc.
Last year they allowed teams to shoot 32.6% against them, 104th in the country. This year, teams are shooting 35.6%, which ranks 270th. I suspect that has little to do with who's guarding the paint.
And, again, Freeman isn't even starting, so I'm not sure how you think he's the primary issue.
Quote from: rocky_warrior on February 14, 2026, 04:22:28 PMYou might be right, but listen again, I didn't get the impression that Shaka said "portal".
This was absolutely a message to major donors that he's going to use the portal. Period. There was no accident or savvy investigative journalism, this was Shaka & Broeker making sure their message got on national TV. Top of the broadcast, the camera panning to the away team GM, that wasn't accidental.
The message has been delivered to the athletic department that donors expect Marquette to use all their resources to compete, and the response was done publicly so the donors know that message was received, will be followed, and to let potential portal recruits know that Marquette is back on the menu as a transfer destination.
Brew, I don't disagree, but despite all the intention, I'm shocked they played their actual wording so soft. I've discussed it plenty in this thread, and don't need to rehash.
Quote from: brewcity77 on February 17, 2026, 12:20:46 PMThe message has been delivered to the athletic department that donors expect Marquette to use all their resources to compete
...and use those resources efficiently and with common sense. Hopefully no more big bonuses for chest bumps at practice or having a certain look in the eye.
Quote from: CountryRoads on February 17, 2026, 12:56:27 PM...and use those resources efficiently and with common sense. Hopefully no more big bonuses for chest bumps at practice or having a certain look in the eye.
If you are commenting on the presumption that MU runs a flat compensation package based upon time in the program, I couldn't agree more. MU must react to the present market conditions or guys like James will walk and end of the bench guys will continue to milk the MU cow for all it is worth.
This is professional sports and the highest performers will demand to get paid the most. If MU doesn't then 330 other programs will. My good friend's son played in the MEAC and the highest paid players were transfers. The compensation levels were not high but always skewed to the top players and getting the top players.
Guys, all Marquette players are not paid the same amount by grade/years in the program. Kam would've all been long gone if they were making the same money as Jop and Stevie (no offense to those two). There was enough money to make Kolek returning at least a thought. There's no way Stevie and Jop were receiving that kind of money last year.
Quote from: wadesworld on February 17, 2026, 02:32:32 PMGuys, all Marquette players are not paid the same amount by grade/years in the program. Kam would've all been long gone if they were making the same money as Jop and Stevie (no offense to those two). There was enough money to make Kolek returning at least a thought. There's no way Stevie and Jop were receiving that kind of money last year.
do you know what the Revenue Share amounts are and how they're allocated?
Quote from: Billy Hoyle on February 17, 2026, 03:21:38 PMdo you know what the Revenue Share amounts are and how they're allocated?
No idea, but this has been a narrative well before revenue sharing was even a thing. Kam Jones was rumored to have gotten a very large offer from Memphis and Marquette paid to keep him. Kolek was rumored to have a very large offer on the table to stay for another season. I promise you that Stevie and Jop were not getting paid what Kam was, even though the narrative was already out there that players just get paid a flat fee based on years in the program. Not every senior is getting the same amount of money to play basketball at Marquette.
Quote from: CountryRoads on February 17, 2026, 12:56:27 PM...and use those resources efficiently and with common sense. Hopefully no more big bonuses for chest bumps at practice or having a certain look in the eye.
But please continue with the milkshakes.
Quote from: Billy Hoyle on February 17, 2026, 03:21:38 PMdo you know what the Revenue Share amounts are and how they're allocated?
Do you know? My guess is you don't. If every player is getting paid equally based on class year, versus production/market value our Athletic Department/donors are absolute idiots. I don't think thats the case, despite not having hot dogs available at exhibition events.
Quote from: wadesworld on February 17, 2026, 03:27:13 PMI promise you that Stevie and Jop were not getting paid what Kam was, even though the narrative was already out there that players just get paid a flat fee based on years in the program. Not every senior is getting the same amount of money to play basketball at Marquette.
The good rumors are that the base NIL amount is based on, and increases, by class. (Hence, no need for a agent to negotiate)
I think you're 100% correct that individual players can still get (a lot) more. (Hence, apparently we did negotiate, and non-negotiation was a dumb stance)
There are massive bonuses given for EGBs on and off the court. Caedin is set for life.
Earnings Grabbing Behavior
Quote from: wadesworld on February 17, 2026, 03:27:13 PMNo idea, but this has been a narrative well before revenue sharing was even a thing. Kam Jones was rumored to have gotten a very large offer from Memphis and Marquette paid to keep him. Kolek was rumored to have a very large offer on the table to stay for another season. I promise you that Stevie and Jop were not getting paid what Kam was, even though the narrative was already out there that players just get paid a flat fee based on years in the program. Not every senior is getting the same amount of money to play basketball at Marquette.
Perhaps Chase found out that NJ getting more than him, thus the lack of senior leadership.
Quote from: muwarrior69 on February 17, 2026, 04:01:50 PMPerhaps Chase found out that NJ getting more than him, thus the lack of senior leadership.
Agree maybe, but heard Chase has a pretty solid intern job as a financial advisor at Northwestern Mutual Life
Quote from: Elonsmusk on February 17, 2026, 03:36:52 PMDo you know? My guess is you don't. If every player is getting paid equally based on class year, versus production/market value our Athletic Department/donors are absolute idiots. I don't think thats the case, despite not having hot dogs available at exhibition events.
I don't, which is why I asked him. Wades seems to have a lot of knowledge about MU's NIL situation, but Rev Share is different in how schools distribute the money, so I thought he might have some insight. Many schools have eliminated their collectives with the implementation of rev share.
Quote from: Billy Hoyle on February 17, 2026, 04:28:40 PMMany schools have eliminated their collectives with the implementation of rev share.
#FakeNews #Lies
Quote from: rocky_warrior on February 17, 2026, 03:46:05 PMThe good rumors are that the base NIL amount is based on, and increases, by class. (Hence, no need for a agent to negotiate)
I think you're 100% correct that individual players can still get (a lot) more. (Hence, apparently we did negotiate, and non-negotiation was a dumb stance)
This is correct.
Quote from: willie warrior on February 17, 2026, 03:33:03 PMBut please continue with the milkshakes.
Milkshake fund is being allocated to NIL since we don't have any road wins. Win win if you ask me.
Quote from: rocky_warrior on February 17, 2026, 03:46:05 PMThe good rumors are that the base NIL amount is based on, and increases, by class.
Is it class or years in program? If the latter, not necessarily good.
Quote from: rocky_warrior on February 17, 2026, 03:46:05 PMThe good rumors are that the base NIL amount is based on, and increases, by class. (Hence, no need for a agent to negotiate)
I think you're 100% correct that individual players can still get (a lot) more. (Hence, apparently we did negotiate, and non-negotiation was a dumb stance)
And I see absolutely nothing wrong with doing it that way. And apparently none of the players under Shaka do either, as nobody who has been a rotational piece have left the program. Reward guys for sticking around, reward better players for their production.
When we joined the Big East I was told we are close friends with UCONN and Yes Notre Dame behind the scenes. Everyone thought UCONN would beat Marquette in the 1st Home Game. But I heard positive things and sure enough Steve scored 41 points and Marquette was off to the races and made the Big Dance 8 Years in a row. Felt positive things then and feel positive things about next year too.
Quote from: MarquetteMike1977 on February 17, 2026, 04:23:25 PMAgree maybe, but heard Chase has a pretty solid intern job as a financial advisor at Northwestern Mutual Life
pushin' whole life, or variable?