Quote from: MuggsyB on Today at 07:44:36 AMThis team is clearly bereft of high D-1 talent and that's on Shaka.  And as many have pointed out, if you whiff on recruits, and they can't develop into solid rotational players, you're essentially fked if you don't use the portal.  I mean there's no way to sugarcoat this fact.  And I'm a big Shaka guy. I think he should be given the opportunity to turn things around next season.  However, if we go into 2026-7 as we are presently constructed it's going to be super ugly. 

I have no earthly idea how much guys are getting paid, Shaka's stubbornness,or how this will factor with certain players moving forward.  Frankly I don't care.  If upperclassmen can't produce and insist on staying?  Goodbye. Pay them and slam the door.  I'm sorry to be harsh but it has to be done. Bite the freaking bullet.  And if NIL or the "rules" prohibit us from 🪓 🪓 🪓 players?  Then you have to blow up everything as far as I'm concerned and go another direction.

This is a team in the vicinity of #225-250 in the country from what I've seen.  It's totally inexcusable and painfully embarrassing.  Our issues up front and having a grand total of 0.0 guys that can shoot the ball is 100% on Shaka.  We have to completely upgrade this roster and quickly.  The sad truth is, the vast majority of recruits that are not top 50 aren't
immediate drop the hammer impact guys.  They're just not.  It takes time and there are usually ups and downs.  Find the right pieces ASAP.  It's imperative.

Our current NET ranking is 168, two spots below Robert Morris from the Horizon League. 

But take heart, we're 4 spots better than DePaul still. 

Hard to think of a previous team.

Quote from: onepost on December 13, 2025, 11:07:16 PMIf Shaka makes no changes and we roll into next season with Alex Egbuonu as the only meaningful add, we'll be worse than we are this season.

I personally believe Shaka is more likely to retire than adjust with meaningful usage in the portal. Nothing in his time here tells me otherwise.

I get he's probably pissed that this isn't the type of coaching he signed up for. But this is today's reality. If he doesn't want to adjust, deal with agents by and large, if he cares more about relationships than winning (see Sean Jones's mom tweeting that we need to stop judging him on wins and losses), if he feels bad kicking Norman, Hamilton, Jones to the curb because he recruited them years ago...then just do us all a favor and retire. Or go coach at a mid-major where you can live the RGV way with no pushback. He's currently stuck in his own vanity project with Marquette supporters left holding the bag.

How dare you suggest that.

This team is clearly bereft of high D-1 talent and that's on Shaka.  And as many have pointed out, if you whiff on recruits, and they can't develop into solid rotational players, you're essentially fked if you don't use the portal.  I mean there's no way to sugarcoat this fact.  And I'm a big Shaka guy. I think he should be given the opportunity to turn things around next season.  However, if we go into 2026-7 as we are presently constructed it's going to be super ugly. 

I have no earthly idea how much guys are getting paid, Shaka's stubbornness,or how this will factor with certain players moving forward.  Frankly I don't care.  If upperclassmen can't produce and insist on staying?  Goodbye. Pay them and slam the door.  I'm sorry to be harsh but it has to be done. Bite the freaking bullet.  And if NIL or the "rules" prohibit us from 🪓 🪓 🪓 players?  Then you have to blow up everything as far as I'm concerned and go another direction.

This is a team in the vicinity of #225-250 in the country from what I've seen.  It's totally inexcusable and painfully embarrassing.  Our issues up front and having a grand total of 0.0 guys that can shoot the ball is 100% on Shaka.  We have to completely upgrade this roster and quickly.  The sad truth is, the vast majority of recruits that are not top 50 aren't
immediate drop the hammer impact guys.  They're just not.  It takes time and there are usually ups and downs.  Find the right pieces ASAP.  It's imperative. 

Quote from: jesmu84 on December 13, 2025, 10:38:17 PMWhy would they leave if they're going to get paid more next year?

Because they want to play. For some, money disparity isn't the only factor they consider when picking a job.

Quote from: WellsstreetWanderer on December 13, 2025, 11:54:53 PMOn a positive note there will be plenty of minutes next year for anyone they pursue in the portal. Should be easier to sell the program

What a deal. Come to MU to get lots of minutes as a low major getting your ass kicked by Dayton and Valpo. That is the ultimate recruiting pitch.

SE - I agree. As does the vast majority of the board, and the almost anyone with eyesight.

No one thinks MU should be a program that changes 8 to 12 guys a year, etc.
But ... wake up .. and recognize that you've got 4 to 6 guys on this roster that should be in the Horizon League
( or below ).  Add a few guys here and there. One or two a year.

But, I really think Shaka is too dug in on this, and too stubborn.

Hope I'm wrong.

Quote from: DFW HOYA on December 13, 2025, 10:28:27 PMMarquette will be double-digit favorites.

DFW Hoya, have you seen any minute of any of our games?

The high miss rate of layups is award winning.

IMHO Shaka is a class act just as is Painter.  Let this year be a lesson for him.  Go get the talent MU needs and back to the top 25 for next year.

Quote from: Ghost of Wojo on December 13, 2025, 09:01:14 PMAnyone know where Reekers went? Perhaps choking on crow.

It is already posted. He is in Peoria trying to woo Wardle to MU.He can't seal the deal because Wardle sees the widening gap which Reeker scoffs at