Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on February 02, 2026, 12:26:03 PMIt seems to me they are one in the same with Shaka. He holds having an agent against a kid like one would hold a grudge.

It's baffling that he would close the door on so many athletes who have these advisors. Especially when the best of the best will obviously have agents. So we won't take transfers but we also eliminate ourselves from the best high school talent. This is where we end up.

It's too bad we lost Egbuonu because he has an agent.

Quote from: GoldenEagles03 on February 02, 2026, 11:30:06 AMI just looked at his recruiting page and it actually looks like we were one of his first offers!

For most that would probably be a good thing but Shaka seems like a grudge guy. Choosing Providence over Marquette probably eliminates him as a target rather than enhance his ability to be a target of Shaka lol. You would think if he was good enough for the culture then, why wouldn't he be now? But who knows.

A "grudge guy".

There is nothing whatsoever to indicate Shaka is a "grudge guy". In fact, he seems to be the very opposite.

Where do you come up with some of this nonsense?

Quote from: We R Final Four on February 02, 2026, 05:51:24 PMWhy wasn't a big the #1 focus this past offseason?

Gold
Hamilton
Clark
Parham

That is criminal.

Sheek and Clark are two years away from meaningful production.
We need a big next year, even more than this past year.

I suspect it's twofold.

First, I think the staff believed Ben was at his best as a stretch 4. They've long talked about how they want him to play and how they believe there's more there than what he showed. That meant moving someone else to the 5.

Which led to the second problem, the staff misevaluated Caedin Hamilton. Maybe it's the whole "better in practice" thing but I think Caedin was better in practice because he was going against Josh and Parham in the post. One wasn't ready and one isn't physically built to defend 250-lb post players. They mistakenly thought Caedin's practice dominance against guys who weren't Big East level interior defenders was real when it clearly wasn't.

I do think Big East starting big is the top need, and hopefully Sheek can be the rotation piece. But that does require counting on a redshirt freshman and we've been down that road before. You can tell me until you're blue in the face that Pearson is different but I'll believe it when I see it consistently against high majors.

Then we need a scorer on the wing to replace 2023-24 Kam Jones (something we've failed to do for two years). Someone who can also help with ball handling would be ideal, but a 23-26% usage capable scorer is necessary.

Anything else is a luxury.

Quote from: romey on February 02, 2026, 06:56:54 PMWalk-on Rob Hanley got some run even.

Have we "moved on" from Clark?  At one point there was some sentiment that his length could be useful.  It seems that he is getting very few minutes now.

Personally, I like his upside and am hopeful he can contribute next year.

The only thing Clark has going for him is people compare him to Hamilton.

Quote from: Viper on February 02, 2026, 06:37:08 PMthat was 'Action' Jackson playing point center!!! I do agree, Shaka needs a legit big...rim run, boards. (I thought Clark would be that guy) Back-up pg too.

Walk-on Rob Hanley got some run even.

Have we "moved on" from Clark?  At one point there was some sentiment that his length could be useful.  It seems that he is getting very few minutes now.

Personally, I like his upside and am hopeful he can contribute next year.

Quote from: 79Warrior on February 02, 2026, 06:27:06 PMI do remember Crean game years ago when we had no point guard to bring the ball up due to injuries.I agree with importance of guard play, but personally I am over getting demolished at the 5 by other teams. We need a legit big man.

that was 'Action' Jackson playing point center!!! I do agree, Shaka needs a legit big...rim run, boards. (I thought Clark would be that guy) Back-up pg too.

I think it's a bigger risk to wait until after the season.

Quote from: tower912 on February 02, 2026, 06:15:41 PMThere wasn't a scholarship available.

It is rare that I disagree with Brew, but if nobody else leaves the priority has to be a combo guard with size.  Because as the 26-27 roster is currently situated guards are NJ, AS, Tre, and Sean.   Injuries always happen.  You can win playing small ball, but you cannot win with poor guard play. 2003-4, Buzz's final season.

I do remember Crean game years ago when we had no point guard to bring the ball up due to injuries.I agree with importance of guard play, but personally I am over getting demolished at the 5 by other teams. We need a legit big man.

Quote from: cheebs09 on February 02, 2026, 02:42:37 PMI'd be fully onboard with that if Giannis will sit out. Unfortunately, I do not see that happening. A Dame-type of injury will make this a decade rebuild.

I've backtracked on my thinking on this - prior to the injury I thought they'd absolutely wait until the offseason. Obviously you don't take a lowball offer, but if you can unload him now, you do it for this reason. I don't think anyone other than maybe the Warriors have the assets to do this without another move, so this is incredibly complex to pull off in season.

Shaka's the coach. He needs to have the hard conversations with Hamilton, Norman and Jones. They're just not cutting it.