To echo Muggsy- there's no alpha energy on this team. Not at least exhibited by some of the upperclassmen who you'd expect that from. Seems like Nigel James has more of a 'fearless' mentality than anyone, despite being a Freshman.

No player possesses the same level of intensity or cocky bravado that we got from Kolek and Jones. Chase has been very solid statistically but I think it's more by default. His personality seems very low key, better suited as a Robin to another guy's Batman.

Additionally, O-Max and Stevie were the all-out hustle guys who teammates could really feed off during Shaka's first 4 years. I'm not seeing that core piece yet either. Maybe Stevens someday?

So I think it's harder looking forward when we aren't seeing that same level of natural progression with the current 2nd and 3rd year players. For years it felt like we knew who was ready to take over and lead. Now there's some bigger question marks for the foreseeable future.

Quote from: Superfan on November 20, 2025, 10:50:57 PMThe fan base, myself included, is really frustrated because this team has very little talent and is currently poorly coached.  Some players we thought would be good have shown no development and have been here for multiple years. I personally think Shaka is going to be forced into using the portal next year. For one, I think, and hope, that a few of our upperclassman will look elsewhere next year and open up some roster spots. What's going to force him to make the move will be a dwindling fan base, a lot fewer tickets sales next year, and playing in front of an unenthusiastic and unfilled arena.

I don't think we have any schollies.  So guys would have to announce they're leaving soon after the season. 

The fan base, myself included, is really frustrated because this team has very little talent and is currently poorly coached.  Some players we thought would be good have shown no development and have been here for multiple years. I personally think Shaka is going to be forced into using the portal next year. For one, I think, and hope, that a few of our upperclassman will look elsewhere next year and open up some roster spots. What's going to force him to make the move will be a dwindling fan base, a lot fewer tickets sales next year, and playing in front of an unenthusiastic and unfilled arena.

Quote from: #UnleashNigel on November 20, 2025, 10:00:44 PMRealistically the lack of development in 1 senior, 1 junior, and a devastating injury to another junior is why this team is bad right now.

Sometimes you hit on a recruit, other times you get one that make me scream their names in frustration.

I think it's a more nuanced discussion and not relegated to Ben & Sean.  It's not about technically being better after 1,2, or 3 seasons.  It's more about whether they become consistent starters on a top 30 team in the country or a NCAA tournament team.  And whether their roles become defined after a full season. 

Chase has gotten better for sure, but he's also primarily played off the ball until this season.  He still struggles creating and shooting off the bounce in the half-court.  And by now he should absolutely have that skill-set.  We also don't know what he would have looked like as a #1 last year. .

Ben has certainly gotten better but he's also wildly inconsistent/streaky.  Yesterday he had a horrific 1st half, but then came alive for the critical stretches in the 2H.  And on both ends of the floor.  That's not good enough and it's somewhat inexplicable.  He also still doesn't use his height inside or look comfortable anywhere near the rim.  Again, not good enough at a program like MU.

Zaide has progressed more than Tre but both are nowhere near where I think Shaka and all of us thought they would be.  Sean has had tough luck but his shot is flat and exactly the same as we saw his Frosh year.  Makes no sense to me.

As for Royce, DO, and Caedin?  I'm beyond dumbfounded with what they've shown us in 6 games.  We have absolutely no idea what we're going to get from this trio. 

Furthermore, and I stated this last night, our rudimentary fundamentals leave a lot to be desired.  And I honestly don't get it from our returning players.  In our three losses, for major stretches, we looked completely lost out there with zero continuity, discipline, intensity, chemistry, poise, or intelligence.  This is a sad fact.

Shaka and our entire roster should be enraged and embarassed, as I know we all are here.  It's on Shaka to figure it out and make some adjustments.  I don't question the effort but we have no identity or confidence on the floor.  I know we have a lot of issues, but do not tell me we're as bad as we've seen.  It's time to man up and ball.

You should call some HR departments and do some ratting. That's been a winning play on Scoop for years.

After reading this thread one thing is certain

Either scoop has a lot of retirees, or a lot of folks that post while they should be working, or both 

Quote from: wadesworld on November 20, 2025, 09:48:03 PMThis stuff cracks me up. MU fans when Shaka is winning: I try to listen to every Shaka interview I can. I've never met the guy, yet I feel like I learn something every time I hear Shaka speak.

MU fans when Shaka loses 3 games early: Shaka is cringy. So preachy and holier than thou. He's unnecessarily rude to people just doing their job.

He was unnecessarily rude to Ben Steele.

Realistically the lack of development in 1 senior, 1 junior, and a devastating injury to another junior is why this team is bad right now.

Sometimes you hit on a recruit, other times you get one that make me scream their names in frustration.

Quote from: wadesworld on November 20, 2025, 09:56:02 PMYes. The guy wants to put a losing product on the floor. We got to the real point now.   

The guy isn't utilizing a fraction of the resources he can because he's doubling down on being "the smartest guy in the room" ***, yes

Quote from: onepost on November 20, 2025, 09:52:29 PMYou're being obtuse to deflect   from the very obvious, and frustrating, shortcomings. That's fine, but I certainly won't apologize for having these reasonable expectations and being critical when our coach is purposefully trotting out a worse team than he can, year after year, out of principle.

Yes. The guy wants to put a losing product on the floor. We got to the real point now.