Awesome article about 2023-24 team in The Athletic

[Jay Bee]

It is not "I'm not using the portal anymore." Rather it is "I'm going to look to have a system of developing guys and trust the process versus recruiting over them with the portal at the first available opportunity."

Most coaches in their 3rd year aren’t gifted w the majority of their starting lineup being comprised of holdovers from Wojo

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

It’s as sound of a strategy as you can have these days.  Recruit well and pay to retain.  Use the portal when you need it (ie reload a couple years ago). 

We’re not going to win the chaos/mercenary approach that Ala, K-State, and others are pursuing.  Nor would the high horse segment of the alumni base support it….

I’m just glad we have a strategy. Refreshing after the prior regime.

[MU82]

I read the article (through the $1 month subscription).  MU basketball is like a lot of successful organizations and businesses.  Bringing in an external candidate, who makes more money than the existing employees, is promoted above existing employees, and may have a different attitude about team play, can have disastrous results.  The value of earning playing time, buying in to the team success model, and trusting your teammates is how Shaka believes they will be successful.  To the extent you can get the freshman coming in, this is the preferred path to long term success.  The sum is greater than the parts.

As the article said, it will be an interesting experiment to see if Shaka can recruit, develop and retain enough top-level players to make it work the way he (and most coaches) want it to work.

These last two offseasons, the only rotation player Shaka lost to the transfer portal was Greg Elliott. This offseason, while hundreds of players were transferring willy-nilly from one end of the country to the other, Shaka didn't lose any.

That's pretty much the key to all of this -- if nobody transfers out, and you recruit well, you don't need transfers in. Can that outstanding record realistically continue? We'll see!

[Not A Serious Person]

As the article said, it will be an interesting experiment to see if Shaka can recruit, develop and retain enough top-level players to make it work the way he (and most coaches) want it to work.

These last two offseasons, the only rotation player Shaka lost to the transfer portal was Greg Elliott. This offseason, while hundreds of players were transferring willy-nilly from one end of the country to the other, Shaka didn't lose any.

That's pretty much the key to all of this -- if nobody transfers out, and you recruit well, you don't need transfers in. Can that outstanding record realistically continue? We'll see!

I agree with this. It all starts with holding on to your guys. If a bunch leave via the portal, then you might have no choice but to get others in.

[Jay Bee]

If three is the new zero, then yes

[MU82]

If three is the new zero, then yes

Which three rotation players did Shaka lose to the transfer portal since the end of this past season?

[Jay Bee]

Which three rotation players did Shaka lose to the transfer portal since the end of this past season?

I may hold a non-traditional view here, but if feel more comfortable today with a vet like Keeyan on this roster. If he would have been ok with the possibility of the same or similar role this year, knowing he wouldn’t see any minutes without injuries to others, but just loved the team and program so much, I’d be happy with that.

Absolutely the right thing for him to explore other opportunities, but I damn sure would prefer he be on this roster today than not

Ps- yes, your point is correct

[MuMark]

I may hold a non-traditional view here, but if feel more comfortable today with a vet like Keeyan on this roster. If he would have been ok with the possibility of the same or similar role this year, knowing he wouldn’t see any minutes without injuries to others, but just loved the team and program so much, I’d be happy with that.

Absolutely the right thing for him to explore other opportunities, but I damn sure would prefer he be on this roster today than not

Ps- yes, your point is correct

But he had no role last year……..other then practicing and cheerleading.

[Jay Bee]

But he had no role last year……..other then practicing and cheerleading.

Yes. I’m fine with that. Emergency goalie. Hope we don’t need one this season.

[MU82]

I may hold a non-traditional view here, but if feel more comfortable today with a vet like Keeyan on this roster. If he would have been ok with the possibility of the same or similar role this year, knowing he wouldn’t see any minutes without injuries to others, but just loved the team and program so much, I’d be happy with that.

Absolutely the right thing for him to explore other opportunities, but I damn sure would prefer he be on this roster today than not

Ps- yes, your point is correct

Agree about Keeyan. And you are otherwise forgiven.