Quote from: rocky_warrior on December 31, 2025, 08:59:56 PMThe idea of NOT pulling redshirts is extremely dumb if those players have a higher ceiling.  Shaka's players that could have had a fifth year have either transferred, or left for the NBA.

Don't bother, VBMG is the dumbest of the dumb.

Quote from: Billy Hoyle on January 01, 2026, 01:32:58 PMThe problem is he's built his brand (and MU leadership has doubled down on it) with his mistakes. Going into the Portal would be an admission that RVG hasn't worked and would result in a bunch of kids in Guatemala wearing "RVG" branded gear. Is Shaka (and Broker and Kimo) willing to do that?

It's a choice between staying employed at a P5 program with excellent support and good resources (plus $3 million-plus salary) or unemployment followed by a stint back in the A-10 or maybe American or Mountain West, for between a quarter and a third of the money.
I don't think it's all that hard of a decision.

Could we beat UCONN's bench ?

Hell no. Not a chance.

Trash - I hope you're right that SS will pivot on the RGV BS, but I think you're underestimating his hubris.

And, ( unlike the prior Admin ) I have
zero faith in Kimo and Broeker.  Neither of them has any experience in their current roles and I think they both are likely in over their heads.

Quote from: rocky_warrior on December 31, 2025, 08:59:56 PMThe idea of NOT pulling redshirts is extremely dumb if those players have a higher ceiling.  Shaka's players that could have had a fifth year have either transferred, or left for the NBA.

No, it remains extremely dumb.  There's a reason those guys are redshirting and it's because they were not ready to help this team win from a physical or skills perspective. 

Even if the possibility of Miletic or Sheek being here for a 5th year is low they may want to play a 5th year elsewhere.

There's no benefit to wasting a year of eligibility in a lost season.  None. 

Quote from: panda on January 01, 2026, 12:27:39 PMMuch has been made of the current situation of our once storied program. Let's cut to the chase -

Does Shaka deserve another year? Reflexively I say he's simply because of his past accomplishments with the program.

However, examining the situation below surface level, this is a disaster completely of Shaka's own doing.

1 - Roster building malpractice. Shaka carried Al Amadou, Josh Clark and Caedin Hamilton last season when we desperately needed help down low as well as guard depth.

2 - Ignoring the portal. No one is begging for big names or full roster overhaul each season. But when you are looking to create a team who can compete at the highest level, ignoring a roster building strategy which can improve your team is gross negligence.

3 - RGV. Aside from this being an absolute crock...Every other program in the country works on this, like no duh this is just obvious. Shaka completely over backed himself into a corner with this. He's in a no win situation following this year when he will need to have tough conversations with 90% of this roster if we want to compete next season. He either banks on the growth part of RGV for next year (lol) or he becomes what he hates and flips the roster to compete next season.

Which comes to the poll - please vote above.

"Have conversations with 90% of the roster".  More ridiculous hyperbole. 

We have one open spot.  If two more open up and Shaka 1) actually uses the portal and 2) does well in the portal, next year's team could be competitive. 

I would be more than happy to have the following guys back next season:

Parham
Owens
James
Stevens
Phillips
Clark
Pearson
Miletic
Walker
Egbuonu
Johnston

Quote from: Billy Hoyle on January 01, 2026, 01:32:58 PMThe problem is he's built his brand (and MU leadership has doubled down on it) with his mistakes. Going into the Portal would be an admission that RVG hasn't worked and would result in a bunch of kids in Guatemala wearing "RVG" branded gear. Is Shaka (and Broker and Kimo) willing to do that?

They'd all lose their jobs otherwise.

Quote from: HutchwasClutch on January 01, 2026, 02:19:38 PMI never said nor implied it's a "dream program".  And you know that.  I merely stated what reality is and that is it's a very good job with plenty of resources to win at consistently.  Period.  I feel confident that would be a widely held consensus opinion of our program for those that follow college basketball outside our program.

I would probably still give Shaka one more chance to start using the portal. But there's always coaches who are good but no longer feeling the love where they are or other circumstances going on and that largely is unknown until the coaching turnover cycle gets in full motion.  Did Villanova fans really think they'd poach Willard out of Maryland last year at this time? Or did anyone predict Buzz would be ready to move on again from his home state already?

There's possibilities no one sees coming and we're more than of enough stature in the landscape to take advantage. It's the old COLE mindset that Shaka's the best we can ever do.  Especially how badly he's managed things that have led to this season.

hat trick!!!

Quote from: HutchwasClutch on January 01, 2026, 09:57:37 AMRight, it's 💯 on every player their underperformance.  Shaka got "burned" by each and every one of them.  Do you hear yourself and how nonsensical that is?? He's the one after all that came up with RGV.  The G part of that is most certainly his to impact.  Some kids won't live up to expectations.  That's the reality of college sports.  But when everyone falls short, sort of indicative of a much deeper problem, right?

 That and his and his staff evaluations of a few guys were completely off base.  Which Shaka owns completely.  It's not the kids fault if they were brought in and have no business playing at this level (Tre Norman). 

also well said

Quote from: HutchwasClutch on January 01, 2026, 09:26:13 AMThis continues to be said here now and then and it's astounding.  If someone was brought in here with the express intent to ruin this program, they couldn't have done better.  Because anyone can see things are not looking up for future seasons because we've got players sitting out with major injuries or have 2 or 3 or whatever top 30 recruits coming on board. 

No competent coach does what Shaka's done to bring us where we sit today.  And that place is one of, if not THE worst team in modern program history.  There's no excuse for what he's done.  It's not just an off season or rebuilding year, it's egregiously bad and negligent handling of a major college program. 

well said