I still believe in Parham.  He's a natural scorer with legit size and length.  He'll get it going soon I feel and be one of their core players.  Guys with his size, length, and scoring ability at every level are difficult to find.  He'll be fine. 

I like a lot about Zaide, but he really needs to attack with authority and learn to embrace contact. If he does that, he can be a big time contributor. 

The rest after those two and Nigel (not including Chase since this is about after this season) little to nothing to feel excited about.  I suppose maybe Phillips.  He's a project at best.  A ton of people were enamored with Owens this time last year. 

Quote from: The Sultan on Today at 07:49:44 AMRight. Because you are likely going to have to deal with players who are looking elsewhere as well. Wouldn't you if you were Nigel James?

The thread about what to do when Jones returns...if he gets his starting job back over Nigel and/or takes away say 10 or more minutes from what Nigel's been getting with him out, I'd be out if I were Nigel.  He could go anywhere he wants in the country and not play behind or share minutes with a clearly inferior player.

Right. Because you are likely going to have to deal with players who are looking elsewhere as well. Wouldn't you if you were Nigel James?

If we shift to more of a Purdue/UConn model, it'll likely be incremental. If anyone moves on, it'll likely be from next year's junior or senior classes. It won't be 5 or 6, it'll be 1 or 2.

The reality is if you're a big Shaka fan and want him to continue, that means taking his RGV model, maybe with some minor alterations. He's not going to flip from all HS growth to fantasy basketball in one offseason.

Now that it's I'd essentially a lost season, I wouldn't mind Owens get more opportunities. He's a mess right now, but at least there's the possibility of a high-major player there if he figures it out.

Get shots blocked, 8.

Quote from: JTJ3 on November 28, 2025, 11:36:43 PMIts not Shakas fault if guys are passing up open shots.  Chase has to just step into that 3 and shoot it.  He got an open look, thats all the coaches can do.

I would disagree here. The talk about coaching resiliency, that has to include the willingness to take the shot. We get virtually the same situation as Dayton, once again dribble out half the time, go too late, pass on the best look only to end up with something awkward and rushed at the end.

Time and score are things that can be taught. Taking a good look with five seconds vs driving into the teeth of the defense. We were great on the offensive glass against Dayton and Oklahoma, in that case you're better going too early and having the chance at a putback.

I can forgive NJ passing on looks in his first month, but Chase and Ben in their fourth years shouldn't be passing up the best looks we get on these two possessions. That does feel like a coaching issue.

Quote from: MessWithAll on November 28, 2025, 11:25:22 PMYes, early to discuss this topic...but this season is clearly toast. Still rooting HARD for the guys!  Gotta also look forward as well. Gives us some glimmers of hope. Poor Chase. He's a top 2-3 player in the BEAST, while having an awesome SR season...but might not even make the NIT.  He will be missed. Gold is also gone.  He will not be missed. Guys I want back next year:
Nigel, of course.
Stevens
Phillips
Sheek
Clark...even if he hardly plays next season, some long term upside there.

Everybody else: K-bye.  Best of luck. Recruit/transfer portal over all of them. Tough choices, but the right thing to do for the program, Shaka.  You can't finish bottom 4 in the conference in year 5 without some major, major changes.  Relationships, Growth, and Victories only go so far without basketball talent. Need a few veteran bigs for sure (not named Ed Morrow please).  BTW, big Shaka fan who would love to see him adjust his philosophy after this season.

Go Marquette!!!

Marquette isn't going to get "a few veteran bigs" though the portal even if Shaka was inclined to do so.

There are realistic criticisms and then there is fantasy college basketball nonsense like this.

Quote from: MessWithAll on November 28, 2025, 11:25:22 PMYes, early to discuss this topic...but this season is clearly toast. Still rooting HARD for the guys!  Gotta also look forward as well. Gives us some glimmers of hope. Poor Chase. He's a top 2-3 player in the BEAST, while having an awesome SR season...but might not even make the NIT.  He will be missed. Gold is also gone.  He will not be missed. Guys I want back next year:
Nigel, of course.
Stevens
Phillips
Sheek
Clark...even if he hardly plays next season, some long term upside there.

Everybody else: K-bye.  Best of luck. Recruit/transfer portal over all of them. Tough choices, but the right thing to do for the program, Shaka.  You can't finish bottom 4 in the conference in year 5 without some major, major changes.  Relationships, Growth, and Victories only go so far without basketball talent. Need a few veteran bigs for sure (not named Ed Morrow please).  BTW, big Shaka fan who would love to see him adjust his philosophy after this season.

Go Marquette!!!

Yeah, Shaka's not running 6 guys off. Hopefully he adds a couple of guys in the portal and some of the current guys on the roster develop.

Nm