Good points Brew. Especially about Chase. I think once Nigel proved he was the team leader Chase tapped out

Quote from: brewcity77 on February 06, 2026, 10:56:25 PMI mean, it wasn't the "well-embedded moles" it was Shaka saying Caedin's name first or second as a major impact guy every interview leading up to the season. At Big East media day, to Norlander, at the public events, it was a constant repeated mantra. And he reinforced that mistaken belief by starting him the first 17 games of the season.

The comments didn't help Caedin. What seems to be the staff's incredibly inaccurate assessment of his ability did, and that was reinforced the more they tried to make him into something he wasn't.

Through Dec 21, Caedin played double digits in all 13 games and we were #159 in Torvik during that time. Since then he's played double digits in 2/10 games & we rank #66. Maybe that is coincidence, but the misevaluation and the steadfast efforts to push Caedin into that role seem to have been harmful to the team.

I wasn't referring specifically to Caedin.

Quote from: drbob on February 06, 2026, 10:10:10 PMA lot of scoopers think 1 or 2 portal additions will right the ship! I think the deficit in talent is greater than that. We need some players with actual basketball skills who are physical and can rebound.

Given the growth we've seen from NJ, Stevens, Royce, & Owens, adding 2 starter level players (center, wing) and a rotation guard should suffice. It'll require one of Clark or Sheek to be a serviceable piece and probably one other guy to be able to give 15-20 bench minutes, but it's pretty clear there's something there with that first group of 4.

In addition, Chase leaving will be addition by subtraction based on what he's done this year.

Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on February 06, 2026, 09:11:34 PMI'd just take everything with a grain of salt, especially if it's Rothstein posting about his well-embedded moles. 

I mean, it wasn't the "well-embedded moles" it was Shaka saying Caedin's name first or second as a major impact guy every interview leading up to the season. At Big East media day, to Norlander, at the public events, it was a constant repeated mantra. And he reinforced that mistaken belief by starting him the first 17 games of the season.

The comments didn't help Caedin. What seems to be the staff's incredibly inaccurate assessment of his ability did, and that was reinforced the more they tried to make him into something he wasn't.

Through Dec 21, Caedin played double digits in all 13 games and we were #159 in Torvik during that time. Since then he's played double digits in 2/10 games & we rank #66. Maybe that is coincidence, but the misevaluation and the steadfast efforts to push Caedin into that role seem to have been harmful to the team.

Quote from: Johnny B on February 06, 2026, 10:14:06 PMI'd agree with this 6 weeks ago. With the improvement I've seen I'd say even he doesn't grab a transfer(he should) still we will be much better next year. Not saying good but better than a fireable season.

I feel the same way but I don't think being better will be enough if we're a non-factor.  It's extremely unfortunate we didn't really cash in with back to back #2 seeds.  We absolutely could have, and arguably should have, made deep runs both seasons.  It's amazing to think how great Chase was vs Colorado. 

Quote from: MU82 on February 06, 2026, 10:21:00 PMWhich dominant big men helped us get the best of UConn and St. John's in 2023?

Oso was pretty damn good.  Well...until the dance. 

Quote from: drbob on February 06, 2026, 10:10:10 PMA lot of scoopers think 1 or 2 portal additions will right the ship! I think the deficit in talent is greater than that. We need some players with actual basketball skills who are physical and can rebound.

We have several young players with actual basketball skills right now, notably James, Parham and Stevens. But yes, we need lots more who can help in many areas.

Quote from: MuggsyB on February 06, 2026, 09:23:25 PMWe need to get there. But it's totally doable.  It starts with a dominant big in the portal imo. 

Which dominant big men helped us get the best of UConn and St. John's in 2023?

Quote from: JTJ3 on February 06, 2026, 01:15:12 PMNigel would be playing like 15-20 minutes as the backup PG instead of the role he has now, and behind a transfer PG that isnt better than Nigel.  I dont think that would make us better.

Yeah, but that would have given GE03 something he really values - yet another thing to whine about.

Quote from: MuggsyB on February 06, 2026, 09:49:41 PMI disagree.  Because if he decides to run it back, he will be looking for a new job in '27.

I'd agree with this 6 weeks ago. With the improvement I've seen I'd say even he doesn't grab a transfer(he should) still we will be much better next year. Not saying good but better than a fireable season.