Lifetime Contract Extension

[MuggsyB]

There is no sign that the next 18 games are going to show us anything different from what we've seen thus far - and that is BAD. I'm in the camp that Shaka has earned some leeway by virtue of his results over 4 years (or, as some say, 3 and a half). This season, barring a miracle, is just a lost cause. This team is so sadly awful that I don't think Shaka deserves
"another year." I think he's is going to have to show what he's got this Spring - if he doesn't clear out the deadwood who have failed to grow and fill some needs with available quality players in the portal, then why wait to suffer through another year like this?

There will be those who will say that this goes against everything that Shaka has said and would be torpedoing his "relationships" schtick. He is a basketball coach and his job is to assemble a quality team and win basketball games. It's not rocket science. And, unlike Sean's mom, I think a coach should be judged by wins and losses.

I think you're being fair.  The only thing I will say is Nigel and Adrien seem to have the potential to deliver the goods.  It's their development over the next 18 games that could give us some renewed hope.

[Hards Alumni]

I think you're being fair.  The only thing I will say is Nigel and Adrien seem to have the potential to deliver the goods.  It's their development over the next 18 games that could give us some renewed hope.

You have to remember that while they look good to us, they also appear good to other coaches willing to spend money.

This will be the other test of the RGV method.  If money comes for Nigel or Adrien this off season then the method is even more dead.

I think the jury has come back and deemed RGV unrealistic for modern college basketball, but we shall see if Shaka sees it that way.  And if he doesn't, well...

[panda]

You have to remember that while they look good to us, they also appear good to other coaches willing to spend money.

This will be the other test of the RGV method.  If money comes for Nigel or Adrien this off season then the method is even more dead.

I think the jury has come back and deemed RGV unrealistic for modern college basketball, but we shall see if Shaka sees it that way.  And if he doesn't, well...

It's not only money we have to worry about. I'm sure Nigel James would like to compete, which at this point, Marquette cannot offer.

[Shooter McGavin]

Yep, some interesting family conversations occurred over Christmas Day.  Hopefully Shaka keep the best and the other leave on their own accord.  Hit the porta in the offseason and BAM!, we're back baby!!!

[Hards Alumni]

Yep, some interesting family conversations occurred over Christmas Day.  Hopefully Shaka keep the best and the other leave on their own accord.  Hit the porta in the offseason and BAM!, we're back baby!!!

Hit the porta potty?

[Vander Blue Man Group]

From my perspective, this kind of season is probably the best opportunity for Shaka to do a soft RGV pivot to the Purdue/Painter model.

On the current team, how many returnees would you feel confident in as starters on a solid team for the 26-27 season? 

For me, it's just James although Stevens could also get there. 

My point is, aside from James, none of the potential returnees have shown enough to have earned that kind of role and/or minutes for next season.  This isn't like forgoing a transfer to replace OMax when you have a Joplin waiting in the wings. 

Yes, Shaka has absolutely painted himself into a corner but hopefully being one of the worst P5 teams in the country is enough to have him reconsider modifying (but not completely abandoning) his approach. 

Hypothetically:

PG: James
SG: Stevens
SF/SG: Impact wing transfer
PF: Parham
C: Impact transfer (one-year of eligibility)

Bench: Jones or back-up PG transfer, Pearson, Egbuonu, Miletic, Phillips, Walker, Clark, Johnston (RS).

Could be wrong but I'm going to assume Zaide moves on after the recent developments. 

Sean may not want to be a back-up...would he stay in that role?

I also don't mention Norman or Hamilton.  Ideally they both find new homes but I won't be remotely surprised if one or both are back.  If that's the case, where does another scholarship come from?

The overall point I'm making is adding two good starters through the portal with returnees and perhaps an impact freshman in Egbuonu could really change things for next season.

Or maybe this all just wishful thinking and Shaka stays the course and potentially goes down with the ship.

 

[Hards Alumni]

You also skipped Owens who is a total wild card.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

You also skipped Owens who is a total wild card.

Yep...says a lot that he somehow slipped my mind.

Would like to see him get a bunch of playing time the rest of the way.

[Small Orange Soda]

The overall point I'm making is adding two good starters through the portal with returnees and perhaps an impact freshman in Egbuonu could really change things for next season.

I agree with this. Hopefully Shaka does take some transfers, but just as important is that he gets guys who he intends on coming in and starting day one. And if that means paying those guys more than a fourth year guy like Hamilton, then he's gonna have to accept that his payment structure needs adjusting too. Being willing to pivot from that is something that does concern me.

[CountryRoads]

The overall point I'm making is adding two good starters through the portal with returnees and perhaps an impact freshman in Egbuonu could really change things for next season.

Or maybe this all just wishful thinking and Shaka stays the course and potentially goes down with the ship.

Agree, good breakdown. That also largely preserves RGV with 10+ homegrown players. If Shaka makes these moves in late March/Early April then his seat is pretty cool IMO, as any reasonable fan would see the effort to course correct and give him a break on this year. It will be a rocky road though as most of the older players will need to be replaced, so we'll see what happens. Portal opens in 87 days.

[Viper]

Texas went 11-22 in Shaka's second year at Texas and made the Tournament in year 3.

true. Yr 3 wasn't stellar (19-15, 8-10) but as you point out, did make the tourney. Then 21-16 (8-10), 19-12 (9-9),19-8 (11-6). There was a Big 12 tournament title in that mix. Not great results, but not bad. Texas, however, was happy to move on (maybe there was more to it for Texas than wins & losses?). Obviously Shaka was very good here for the first 3.5 seasons. No deep March runs, but still some solid seasons, for sure. Like I said in a different thread, if there is a debrief with the AD this coming March and Shaka isn't willing to adjust off RGV, not sure Marquette can retain him and take the chance of suffering more of this. Even marginally better YOY will still be very bad. I don't anticipate more than 3 wins this year. If I'm right, 8 wins is absolutely mind blowing for a program such as MU.

[Jay Bee]

Portal opens in 87 days.

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