Quote from: MU82 on March 02, 2026, 05:18:52 PMMe too.

I didn't say there was an upside. I just don't think it signals doom, either.

There are Scoopers saying, "If so-and-so is on the roster next season, that neans we'll suck again." I simply don't think that's necessarily true.

If you gave me truth serum, I may possibly agree with some here that keeping a one or maybe two of the guys currently on the chopping block won't torpedo the season next season.

However - following this catastrophe of a season, a firm reset is needed to signal the end to free rides for these passengers. Start fresh with a different direction to reset following this year.

MUVB announced the signing of two Slovinians today, a libero and an opposite hitter. Not a bad pipeline to tap into

Quote from: Tha Hound on March 02, 2026, 03:15:29 PMWhat is the upside to doing this? Warm and fuzzies? I'd much rather bring in a lottery ticket late bloomer and leave a spot open for a midseason transfer than waste it on two guys that should have never made a high major roster.

Me too.

I didn't say there was an upside. I just don't think it signals doom, either.

There are Scoopers saying, "If so-and-so is on the roster next season, that neans we'll suck again." I simply don't think that's necessarily true.

Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on March 02, 2026, 04:52:34 PMUnless you can see the future that hasn't happened yet.

I could see the future last season when I called it out...

Quote from: Pakuni on March 02, 2026, 04:58:42 PMI'd quibble a bit with the 8-man rotation thing, depending how you define what's a rotation.

That said ... how does keeping three guys like that around not limit the team in terms of NIL resources and flexibility?
Every dollar you give him is a dollar that can't be spent elsewhere. Every hour of coaching spent on him is an hour you can't spend developing someone else.

Just because the NCAA allows 15 scholarship players doesn't mean you have to have 15 scholarship players. It's a completely unnecessary thinning of resources ... not just money, but the time and energy of everyone in the program. It's increasing the burden on your coaches, your academic support, your strength and conditioning staff, etc. And because Marquette doesn't need a GM, it ultimately puts a greater burden on Shaka to oversee all that. And for what? The slim hope that one of those players might contribute 4-5 years down the road?
It's just a poor use of resources programwide.

First, my scenario includes keeping a scholarship open. I disagree that it has any kind of substantive impact on flexibility, especially if Shaka proves he is willing to move on from some guys.

I also didn't say you had to keep around 3 flyers.  I just disagree that with a 15-man roster you have to limit yourself to 1.  And if Shaka decided not to take any flyers, that would be fine with me, too.

From an NIL perspective, it's a fair point.  However, I don't think it's unmanageable depending on how that structure is set up.  Paying a couple of end-of-the-bench guys or flyers a lower amount doesn't have to come at the expense of guys who cost and deserve more.   

If you really think time the staff has spent with Tre or Josh has adversely impacted the development of Royce or Nigel, that's just silly.  I hardly think coaching and developing a roster of 15 is much different from doing so with a roster of 12 or 13. 

And now you're getting into the burden from 2-3 extra players on support staff and Todd Smith?  Come on, dude.  You're getting ridiculous here. 

Quote from: Spaniel with a Short Tail on March 02, 2026, 04:42:21 PMThe Athletic ranks the top 50 rivalries. MU-UW came in at #15.

Why it's here: Outside of a four-year stretch in the mid-1950s, the Golden Eagles and Badgers have played every season since 1930. It has become one of the more highly anticipated early-season in-state rivalry games with sellouts common both in Madison and Milwaukee.

The series has ramped up in importance over the last 25 years as both programs have made trips to the Final Four. They've met five times as ranked opponents, including four since 2003. One not in that category took place in 2018 when Marquette's Markus Howard scored 27 points to best a 34-point, 11-rebound performance from Wisconsin's Ethan Happ in an overtime win. Overall, the teams have split their last 56 meetings.

Biggest game: The highest-ranked matchup in series history took place in 2024, and No. 11 Wisconsin led No. 5 Marquette at halftime. Fueled by Kam Jones' 32 points, the Eagles rallied to end a three-game losing streak to the Badgers with a decisive 88-74 win.

Seems like a lifetime ago

Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on March 02, 2026, 04:41:11 PMGood teams typically have a 8-man rotation (give or take).  That leaves 7 roster spots.  Maybe a couple of freshman aren't in the rotation.  Maybe there's 1-2 redshirts. Maybe you leave a spot open for flexibility.  That still leaves 3 scholarships. 

So why is it again that you can only keep 1 guys like that around? 

As long as it's not limiting the team in terms of NIL resources and flexibility, what's the problem? 

I'd quibble a bit with the 8-man rotation thing, depending how you define what's a rotation.

That said ... how does keeping three guys like that around not limit the team in terms of NIL resources and flexibility?
Every dollar you give him is a dollar that can't be spent elsewhere. Every hour of coaching spent on him is an hour you can't spend developing someone else.

Just because the NCAA allows 15 scholarship players doesn't mean you have to have 15 scholarship players. It's a completely unnecessary thinning of resources ... not just money, but the time and energy of everyone in the program. It's increasing the burden on your coaches, your academic support, your strength and conditioning staff, etc. And because Marquette doesn't need a GM, it ultimately puts a greater burden on Shaka to oversee all that. And for what? The slim hope that one of those players might contribute 4-5 years down the road?
It's just a poor use of resources programwide.

Quote from: The Sultan on March 02, 2026, 03:36:34 PMI definitely wouldn't call them "bums." Frankly, that's pretty pathetic.

They are two players who couldn't step up and play larger roles. But both seem like pretty decent dudes who represented the university well.

Yup. And they also were valuable contributors to teams that did a lot of winning, including Big East championship and Sweet 16 teams.

I'm glad they've been part of our program, and I'd be giving them a nice round of applause if I could attend Senior Night.

I predict there will be some staff movement once the season concludes.  Pretty remarkable that the entire staff has remained in place since Shaka was hired - don't see that too often.

Quote from: Billy Hoyle on March 02, 2026, 03:43:55 PMIt sounds like Little Marco was partaking with Secretary Kegstand before his press conference.

During brunch at Kavanaugh's house?