The biggest disappointment is the Sophmore class. When I initially saw Owens at last years Scrimmage, I thought he might be the next star on this team even last year, not getting off the bench is surprising.  Parham is so soft that adding him to the other bigs makes the front line weak at best.  Will not
Even discuss Caedin, not his fault, Shaka took a chance on him.

Quote from: BM1090 on December 01, 2025, 12:32:49 PMRight. There's nothing wrong with Ben. He's a deserving starter. It's the fact that he's our 2nd (or 3rd) best player that makes it a huge issue.

Completely agree.

Quote from: Pakuni on December 01, 2025, 11:40:55 AMThis makes him a below average starter in the Big East. Which is exactly what he is.
Is that worthy of "hate?" No. He is who he is. But it's understandable for MU fans to be frustrated that their #2 guy is a below average starter in the entire conference.
And RGV can't work if your fourth-year players are below average starters.

We are pretty much in agreement.  The only thing I slightly disagree with is your last sentence.

You can overcome a 4th year player being a below average starter if the rest of the roster is good enough.  Unfortunately, the sophomores and juniors have a grand total of 1 low level BE starter (Royce), 1-2 rotation players (Zaide, and maybe Sean), and a whole lotta mess.

Fans are justifiably upset, that we agree on.

Quote from: We R Final Four on December 01, 2025, 01:03:20 PMI always thought it was a package deal for 4-5 games.

As I said, that's certainly possible.

Quote from: Jockey on December 01, 2025, 12:54:39 PMI think it was the Athletic last week that had the Rams and Packers as the best bets to get to the SB. Yet neither could beat the juggernaut in Charlotte.

I'm  thinking addition by subtraction - getting you out of Charlotte - ties into this whole deal somehow.

MY Seahawks still have to play MY Panthers in Charlotte later this month. I will be rooting for the Seahawks, which means I'll probably end up disappointed.

Quote from: Viper on December 01, 2025, 10:20:21 AMthe 2nd comment is your answer, which is typical. No substance, other than bs

Didn't even notice that. I appreciate the laugh.

Quote from: MU82 on December 01, 2025, 10:14:13 AMGot the email about the Cyber Monday sale to sit in the student section during the semester break. Four games for $55.

IIRC, in the past, they sold these on a game-by-game basis. Now, they want folks to commit to all four games.

I always thought it was a package deal for 4-5 games.

Quote from: Shooter McGavin on December 01, 2025, 10:24:36 AMBut, "Shaka develops players". People repeatedly said over the summer he'd get the same development out of the current players that he got out of Lewis, Kolek, Oso, Kam, Omax, Stevie, and Jop.

I can't speak for other "people," but I said only that Shaka had a history of developing players, so I was hopeful that we would see significant improvement from the likes of Lowery, Owens, Parham and Hamilton. I think the first part of my statement was absolutely true. And as an optimistic fan, I don't think it was crazy-talk to have realistic hope for the second part of the equation.

Unfortunately, the significant improvement hasn't happened, and there arguably has been regression for a couple of them.

Quote from: MU82 on December 01, 2025, 12:47:55 PMThere's always lots of talk about parity in the NFL, but it really feels like this season is parity personified.

Is there a "great" team? I haven't seen one. There are a handful of teams that most would put at the top of the "they could win the Super Bowl if things go right" list: Rams, Packers, Eagles, Seahawks, maybe Bills, maybe Patriots, maybe Broncos. And then some good-ish teams that either have overachieved or underachieved but could get on a run in the postseason: Ravens, Colts, Chargers, 49ers, Chiefs, Bears.

Despite their #1-ranked defense, does anybody give the Texans a legit chance? Despite their 8-4 record, does anybody think the Jaguars can make a run? How 'bout the Cowboys? The Bucs? I'd say "nope" on all 4, but then again I didn't have the Patriots  and Bears leading their respective conferences after 13 weeks.

The Rams still look like the best all-around team to me, but they have flaws just like others do. Should be a fun stretch drive and then postseason.

I think it was the Athletic last week that had the Rams and Packers as the best bets to get to the SB. Yet neither could beat the juggernaut in Charlotte.

I'm  thinking addition by subtraction - getting you out of Charlotte - ties into this whole deal somehow.

Quote from: Shooter McGavin on December 01, 2025, 10:35:02 AMHe is the best big on the team on a team with no serviceable bigs. Because of that his importance is inflated. Nijel James is the second best player overall.

If Nijel is second best, is Nigel third best? Or vice versa?

(Sorry, couldn't resist.)

There's always lots of talk about parity in the NFL, but it really feels like this season is parity personified.

Is there a "great" team? I haven't seen one. There are a handful of teams that most would put at the top of the "they could win the Super Bowl if things go right" list: Rams, Packers, Eagles, Seahawks, maybe Bills, maybe Patriots, maybe Broncos. And then some good-ish teams that either have overachieved or underachieved but could get on a run in the postseason: Ravens, Colts, Chargers, 49ers, Chiefs, Bears.

Despite their #1-ranked defense, does anybody give the Texans a legit chance? Despite their 8-4 record, does anybody think the Jaguars can make a run? How 'bout the Cowboys? The Bucs? I'd say "nope" on all 4, but then again I didn't have the Patriots  and Bears leading their respective conferences after 13 weeks.

The Rams still look like the best all-around team to me, but they have flaws just like others do. Should be a fun stretch drive and then postseason.