Worthy of own thread
James: Third team all conference; All Freshman Team
Ross: All-Defensive Team
If Nigel isn't the Freshman of the Year it is totally the fault of Shaka and the staff and no one else.
Nigel was clearly the best freshman in the league, clearly the best numbers of any Freshman in the league. If he's not voted Freshman of the Year the coaches clearly valued records.
Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on March 08, 2026, 10:45:35 AMIf Nigel isn't the Freshman of the Year it is totally the fault of Shaka and the staff and no one else.
What is it with these takes? lol...
Quote from: The Sultan on March 08, 2026, 10:51:25 AMWhat is it with these takes? lol...
How could anyone possibly disagree? I think there is a chance the coaches still get it right if that vote is separate from All Conference.
But Nigel was clearly the best Freshman in this league. If he doesn't win the award is simply because the roster assembled was one of our worst ever and caused us to not be taken seriously because of the record.
If the roster was better Nigel also wouldnt have gotten the same opportunity to take over and put up the stats he did. So he wouldnt have won FOY that way either.
Quote from: JTJ3 on March 08, 2026, 10:55:39 AMIf the roster was better Nigel also wouldnt have gotten the same opportunity to take over and put up the stats he did. So he wouldnt have won FOY that way either.
You don't think he could have put up better numbers than Acaden Lewis on a tournament team?
Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on March 08, 2026, 10:54:34 AMHow could anyone possibly disagree? I think there is a chance the coaches still get it right if that vote is separate from All Conference.
But Nigel was clearly the best Freshman in this league. If he doesn't win the award is simply because the roster assembled was one of our worst ever and caused us to not be taken seriously because of the record.
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BNzIxZmIzYjEtZGMyZi00NDAwLWJmODktYTAwOWU2ZjkwZjdlXkEyXkFqcGc@._V1_QL75_UY281_CR91,0,190,281_.jpg)
Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on March 08, 2026, 10:54:34 AMHow could anyone possibly disagree? I think there is a chance the coaches still get it right if that vote is separate from All Conference.
But Nigel was clearly the best Freshman in this league. If he doesn't win the award is simply because the roster assembled was one of our worst ever and caused us to not be taken seriously because of the record.
We got an All Defense team member and a Third Team All Conference member. We're being taken seriously.
Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on March 08, 2026, 10:57:12 AMYou don't think he could have put up better numbers than Acaden Lewis on a tournament team?
The things that some fans freak out about are so bizarre to me........lol
Breathe easy.......it's not as big a deal as you are making it.
When MU was 2nd in the Big East in 2023-24 Kam didn't make any of the all conference teams.....not even honorable mention.......coaches will vote the way they vote.......i think you might treat it more seriously than some of them do.
Ps Michael Ajayi and Tre Carroll made first teams all conference on teams similar or worse than MU......so clearly record didn't hurt them.
Quote from: MuMark on March 08, 2026, 11:15:27 AMThe things that some fans freak out about are so bizarre to me........lol
Breathe easy.......it's not as big a deal as you are making it.
When MU was 2nd in the Big East in 2023-24 Kam didn't make any of the all conference teams.....not even honorable mention.......coaches will vote the way they vote.......i think you might treat it more seriously than some of them do.
Agreed, but these are important to fans of 12-19 teams. :(
Quote from: The Sultan on March 08, 2026, 10:51:25 AMWhat is it with these takes? lol...
This board would find fault with a National Championship.
Based on BPR, the coaches got it right.
Acaden is #10 in BPR among BE players. That equates to 2nd team, which is where Acaden landed.
Nigel is #14 in BPR among BE players. That equates to third team, which is where Nigel was placed.
Seems fine to me.
Quote from: MuMark on March 08, 2026, 11:15:27 AMThe things that some fans freak out about are so bizarre to me........lol
Breathe easy.......it's not as big a deal as you are making it.
When MU was 2nd in the Big East in 2023-24 Kam didn't make any of the all conference teams.....not even honorable mention.......coaches will vote the way they vote.......i think you might treat it more seriously than some of them do.
Ps Michael Ajayi and Tre Carroll made first teams all conference on teams similar or worse than MU......so clearly record didn't hurt them.
I personally don't really care at all. I just get fired up for the kid.
He deserves it.
Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on March 08, 2026, 10:54:34 AMHow could anyone possibly disagree? I think there is a chance the coaches still get it right if that vote is separate from All Conference.
But Nigel was clearly the best Freshman in this league. If he doesn't win the award is simply because the roster assembled was one of our worst ever and caused us to not be taken seriously because of the record.
You do realize that this roster being one of the worst ever played a big role in Nigel having the opportunity to have as good of a year as he had, right?
He could not have accrued those numbers without being handed the keys so early and often.
These things always go hand in hand.
Anyways, congrats to Nigel James Jr on an amazing season in his arrival to collegiate and BE basketball.
Your table is set young man, bright and early.
Take Marquette to new heights!!
Quote from: DoctorV on March 08, 2026, 12:07:37 PMYou do realize that this roster being one of the worst ever played a big role in Nigel having the opportunity to have as good of a year as he had, right?
He could not have accrued those numbers without being handed the keys so early and often.
These things always go hand in hand.
Anyways, congrats to Nigel James Jr on an amazing season in his arrival to collegiate and BE basketball.
Your table is set young man, bright and early.
Take Marquette to new heights!!
So you don't think he could have had better numbers than Lewis of Villanova if Nigel were playing for a tournament caliber team?
Congrats to Nigel and Chase. A few more wins and Parham would have been on there.
Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on March 08, 2026, 11:32:20 AMI personally don't really care at all. I just get fired up for the kid.
He deserves it.
For someone who "doesn't care at all," you certainly seem to care a lot.
I am so angry about this horrific insult to Nigel - which is all Shaka's fault - that I'm gonna hold my breath during the entirety of the Big East Tournament.
That'll show 'em!!!
Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on March 08, 2026, 10:54:34 AMHow could anyone possibly disagree? I think there is a chance the coaches still get it right if that vote is separate from All Conference.
Because the coaches voted Villanova freshman Acaden Lewis second team?
Quote from: brewcity77 on March 08, 2026, 01:20:51 PMBecause the coaches voted Villanova freshman Acaden Lewis second team?
How could anyone disagree, that Nigel would be the Freshman of the year if Marquette had put together a competitive team? That was the question.
I understand that coaches vote more favorably towards winning teams. Feel bad for Nigel not getting recognized as the best Freshman in the league. He carried us out of the basement.
Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on March 08, 2026, 01:36:26 PMHow could anyone disagree, that Nigel would be the Freshman of the year if Marquette had put together a competitive team? That was the question.
Dude, it's just a really dumb question.
Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on March 08, 2026, 10:45:35 AMIf Nigel isn't the Freshman of the Year it is totally the fault of Shaka and the staff and no one else.
Nigel was clearly the best freshman in the league, clearly the best numbers of any Freshman in the league. If he's not voted Freshman of the Year the coaches clearly valued records.
Right on. I think he should be first team BE too.
They don't announce the FOY until Wednesday. Why don't you save yourself some grief and revisit this on Wednesday if it isn't Nigel.
Quote from: MU82 on March 08, 2026, 01:13:20 PMI am so angry about this horrific insult to Nigel - which is all Shaka's fault - that I'm gonna hold my breath during the entirety of the Big East Tournament.
That'll show 'em!!!
You got any tickets to the BET that you can give before you croak?
Quote from: Stretchdeltsig on March 08, 2026, 02:00:57 PMRight on. I think he should be first team BE too.
Agree. Nigel Conference Rankings - Ken Pom Ranks Top 25:
Possession % 1
Shots % 1
eFG 15
True Shooting % 20
Assist Rate 2
Steal % 5
Fouls Drawn 15
Free Throw Rate - 25
2 pt FG% - 22
3 pt % - 12
10 Total Categories in the Top 25
Acaden Lewis
Posssessions - 10
Shots - 20
eFG - 24
Assist Rate - 3
Steal Percentage -2
Fouls Committed - 24
6 total categories in Top 25
And Nigel should have been on 1st team 100% over Michael Ajayi. Odd to have 4 forwards on a 6 person 1st Team All Big East
Quote from: Elonsmusk on March 08, 2026, 04:08:52 PMAgree. Nigel Conference Rankings - Ken Pom Ranks Top 25:
Possession % 1
Shots % 1
eFG 15
True Shooting % 20
Assist Rate 2
Steal % 5
Fouls Drawn 15
Free Throw Rate - 25
2 pt FG% - 22
3 pt % - 12
10 Total Categories in the Top 25
Acaden Lewis
Posssessions - 10
Shots - 20
eFG - 24
Assist Rate - 3
Steal Percentage -2
Fouls Committed - 24
6 total categories in Top 25
And Nigel should have been on 1st team 100% over Michael Ajayi. Odd to have 4 forwards on a 6 person 1st Team All Big East
If MU was top 3 in conference he would have won. I think our record hurt him a bit.
The fewer awards Nigel wins the better. Otherwise...
(https://gifzz.com/storage/gifs/sD2cTrqbeSAjcxFkJiEXJ5MNET2R49KD4KBvMySi.gif)
If Shaka had built his roster "right," and used the portal to bring in an experienced point guard (as well as a good 5 and a talented wing), we'd have won a lot more ... but Nigel would have played fewer than 20 minutes per game and wouldn't have sniffed any awards.
One could easily argue that the team's results and woeful start could have been significantly better if Shaka did not start the season giving Hamilton and Jones inexplicable starts and minutes.
Nigel would have better cumulative season stats had he not sat behind the whirling dervish for a month plus.
Sitting on the bench and the horrible team start hurt Nigel. We will see if he was able to overcome that over the last 20+ games.
I will add that I have portal talent assessment concerns when our head coach thought for the first third of the season that Caedin Hamilton and Sean Jones were better than Royce Parham and Nigel James.
Quote from: Rimrocker on March 08, 2026, 09:58:24 PMOne could easily argue that the team's results and woeful start could have been significantly better if Shaka did not start the season giving Hamilton and Jones inexplicable starts and minutes.
Nigel would have better cumulative season stats had he not sat behind the whirling dervish for a month plus.
Sitting on the bench and the horrible team start hurt Nigel. We will see if he was able to overcome that over the last 20+ games.
I will add that I have portal talent assessment concerns when our head coach thought for the first third of the season that Caedin Hamilton and Sean Jones were better than Royce Parham and Nigel James.
Sure, but this years team could have only really become a good to elite type squad IF guys like SJ22 and Caedin were serviceable AND young guys like Nigel or Adrien made a splash as difference makers AND a guy like Chase was all BE or Benny shot 38% from 3, eg much more given from the upperclassmen.
I suspect Shaka knew the above.
Now, that said, he's had more than enough data points on the upperclassmen to know that it ain't it, and he has to do some shopping
Quote from: Rimrocker on March 08, 2026, 09:58:24 PMOne could easily argue that the team's results and woeful start could have been significantly better if Shaka did not start the season giving Hamilton and Jones inexplicable starts and minutes.
Nigel would have better cumulative season stats had he not sat behind the whirling dervish for a month plus.
Sitting on the bench and the horrible team start hurt Nigel. We will see if he was able to overcome that over the last 20+ games.
I will add that I have portal talent assessment concerns when our head coach thought for the first third of the season that Caedin Hamilton and Sean Jones were better than Royce Parham and Nigel James.
Exactly! It's still absolutely bonkers to me -- the choices Shaka and staff made for personnel deployment for way too much of the season. It's a concern I'll carry going forward until I see consistent, reasonable decision making. We're trending in the right direction now, but the front part of this season was so bizarro I can't help but have my confidence TAINTed.
Quote from: Jay Bee on Today at 08:11:43 AMExactly! It's still absolutely bonkers to me -- the choices Shaka and staff made for personnel deployment for way too much of the season. It's a concern I'll carry going forward until I see consistent, reasonable decision making. We're trending in the right direction now, but the front part of this season was so bizarro I can't help but have my confidence TAINTed.
They are fine at evaluation of talent. The worry should have been "will they use the portal?" But that question seems to have been answered.
Shaka knows what talent looks like.