Quote from: WellsstreetWanderer on February 22, 2026, 02:27:27 PMI think the maitre de at Rao's in Caesar's Palace was Bubbles also. If he wasn't a made guy he should have been

Rao's is complete garbage. 

Quote from: wadesworld on February 22, 2026, 03:11:04 PMNo clue how these things work, and I doubt Autry called Shaka, but with basically everyone tampering all the time, wouldn't you rather have a program that might be interested in a player on your roster reaching out to you rather than trying to go behind your back? Maybe some designated portal scout/recruiter on one staff reaches out to one on the team's staff of a player they might be interested and says, "Hey, DO doesn't see a ton of minutes with you. Are you happy with him? Is he happy at MU? If you know there will be a parting of ways, can you get us in touch with his people?"

Again, no idea. But I'd think if I was running a program I'd know other programs are probably sneaking around players on my roster, and might appreciate that approach.

You must have found some examples you were satisfied with?

Quote from: Scoop Snoop on February 22, 2026, 04:04:36 PMOK. One favor please. Can you use your influence to get Syracuse to take Hamilton? I'll pay you.

DO, Hamilton and 'cash considerations'? Shaka should do the deal. 

I feel like this is a game of telephone, where the original message changed slightly with each retelling.

Quote from: Scoop Snoop on February 22, 2026, 04:04:36 PMOK. One favor please. Can you use your influence to get Syracuse to take Hamilton? I'll pay you.

They call him 18 around here, bub.

Quote from: onepost on February 22, 2026, 04:00:37 PMTo clarify, it's definitely not Autry calling Shaka asking for his blessing, but rather backend staffer contacting backend staffer. To my knowledge.

OK. One favor please. Can you use your influence to get Syracuse to take Hamilton? I'll pay you.

Quote from: wadesworld on February 22, 2026, 03:11:04 PMNo clue how these things work, and I doubt Autry called Shaka, but with basically everyone tampering all the time, wouldn't you rather have a program that might be interested in a player on your roster reaching out to you rather than trying to go behind your back? Maybe some designated portal scout/recruiter on one staff reaches out to one on the team's staff of a player they might be interested and says, "Hey, DO doesn't see a ton of minutes with you. Are you happy with him? Is he happy at MU? If you know there will be a parting of ways, can you get us in touch with his people?"

Again, no idea. But I'd think if I was running a program I'd know other programs are probably sneaking around players on my roster, and might appreciate that approach.

To clarify, it's definitely not Autry calling Shaka asking for his blessing, but rather backend staffer contacting backend staffer. To my knowledge.

Rules are still being written.

Quote from: Pakuni on February 22, 2026, 03:19:23 PMToss in Ben a well. We recruited against Loyola-Chicago and Washngton State for his services. As a borderline Big East starter, he's the best big Shaka and Co. have recruited here.

I've said it before, but Shaka's successes elsewhere and here with Oso, I believe, created an overconfidence in his ability to develop just any old tall kid into a competent big. And his recruiting efforts at the position here have reflected that. Hopefully Sheek breaks the cycle.

Yep. If you don't want to take transfers, then you need to be a top notch recruiter. Beating out low majors and prep schools for players is why we're here.

Quote from: Small Orange Soda on February 22, 2026, 02:46:42 PMNot accusing you of flipping, but the guy who the staff thought was a legitimate starting 5 in the Big East not even being a D-1 level player is a massive problem. Ross and Gold, two starters, have absolutely not lived up to expectations. But Hamilton has shown he doesn't even belong in the building. The disregard this staff has shown toward that position between him and the other zero star recruit is a major factor in this being the worst MU season in a generation.

Toss in Ben a well. We recruited against Loyola-Chicago and Washngton State for his services. As a borderline Big East starter, he's the best big Shaka and Co. have recruited here.

I've said it before, but Shaka's successes elsewhere and here with Oso, I believe, created an overconfidence in his ability to develop just any old tall kid into a competent big. And his recruiting efforts at the position here have reflected that. Hopefully Sheek breaks the cycle.