Simple Thoughts

[oilcan]

Tyler Kolek was clearly the best player on the court the other night vs Illinois. He played. Ankle sprain or not so bad. Oofta/ aina? He's a first team All-Anerican, right. Us old guys remember Travis and we speculate who would we rather have? Over beers. Well Travis was at the time the best pg marquette ever had. And when Stevie Novak entered the picture it was phenomenal. Shots reigning down everywhere. I saw those two guys hit big shots in games- because they were prepared, and having fun doing it. In practice they would hit hundreds of free throws in a row.

When Wade jumped over everyone in 2003 with his Super Man skills Travis was still making outstanding up court passes, but he was not the facilitator or the scorer he had been the year before.  That was an amazing Final Four. Maybe after beating Kentucky the team took it easy, took the situation and the opportunity, for granted. I will say, Carmello was one of a kind.

This year: Tyler is one of a kind. Will Kam Jones play as well as Dwade did in the tournament this coming March? To be honest, no. But I don't want to underestimate his determination. The guy has so much talent. He plays in a system. Sure, the system will benefit him. It's his time.

So what do I think will play out this year? I see a winning record. Not 29 wins like last year. I see tough losses because the BE is so strong. I expect to see MU win in the end because despite some injuries the depth will help them compete. What do I hope to see? Oso hitting 75 percent of his free throws. Work with me. You can do it. You have to do it.

[Jockey]

Tyler Kolek was clearly the best player on the court the other night vs Illinois. He played. Ankle sprain or not so bad. Oofta/ aina? He's a first team All-Anerican, right. Us old guys remember Travis and we speculate who would we rather have? Over beers. Well Travis was at the time the best pg marquette ever had. And when Stevie Novak entered the picture it was phenomenal. Shots reigning down everywhere. I saw those two guys hit big shots in games- because they were prepared, and having fun doing it. In practice they would hit hundreds of free throws in a row.

He wasn't

[augoman]

agree Jockey.

Travis was special, maybe the grittiest, but I go back to Dean the Dream Meminger and on from there.

[Herman Cain]

MU=Whole is Greater Than The Sum of Parts Team. Shaka has a brilliant system and the guys playing for each other. It is so fun to hear the many times Tyler speaks of his love for Kam taking the ball and scoring. Doesn't get any better than that.

That said, We can go a long way if our Big Three all play well each game . An All American and Two All Big East Players, each with unique flair,  is a lot for any opponent to handle.

[Dickthedribbler]

MU=Whole is Greater Than The Sum of Parts Team. Shaka has a brilliant system and the guys playing for each other. It is so fun to hear the many times Tyler speaks of his love for Kam taking the ball and scoring. Doesn't get any better than that.

That said, We can go a long way if our Big Three all play well each game . An All American and Two All Big East Players, each with unique flair,  is a lot for any opponent to handle.

Yup. 100%.

[BCHoopster]

I agree that the three will be there all year but to be special they need Joplin and Mitchell to try and pick their game up a tad.  Need Michell to hit those open shots he will be getting all year, and Joplin to be able to finish going to the hoop!

[Mutaman]

Well Travis was at the time the best pg marquette ever had.

Come on! Meminger never lost a game in Milwaukee. 76-9 overall, 46-0 at home. i love Diener but an  incredibly ridiculous statement.

[Shooter McGavin]

MU=Whole is Greater Than The Sum of Parts Team. Shaka has a brilliant system and the guys playing for each other. It is so fun to hear the many times Tyler speaks of his love for Kam taking the ball and scoring. Doesn't get any better than that.

That said, We can go a long way if our Big Three all play well each game . An All American and Two All Big East Players, each with unique flair,  is a lot for any opponent to handle.

I agree with this analysis.

[avid1010]

I agree that the three will be there all year but to be special they need Joplin and Mitchell to try and pick their game up a tad.  Need Michell to hit those open shots he will be getting all year, and Joplin to be able to finish going to the hoop!

This...or Gold and/or Chase.

[Goose]

I have mentioned multiple times that I believe Shaka's best team is down the road, but this group is special. Shaka has the right guys at the right time and that is now. I truly believe that MU will have more talented teams in the future and that is exciting. That said, this group is special, starting with the first day Kolek stepped on the court for MU.

I said two years ago that the first team under Shaka put the foundation in place for the program. It created the identity of the program and I think that remains after the older guys are gone. There is no doubt what MU basketball culture is anymore and it started on day one.

As for best PG, let's see how Kolek finishes up his career. He may end up on the top of a very long list of PG's. He passed Diener quite some time ago in my mind and there is a lofty list ahead of him.

[brewcity77]

I have mentioned multiple times that I believe Shaka's best team is down the road, but this group is special. Shaka has the right guys at the right time and that is now. I truly believe that MU will have more talented teams in the future and that is exciting. That said, this group is special, starting with the first day Kolek stepped on the court for MU.

I said two years ago that the first team under Shaka put the foundation in place for the program. It created the identity of the program and I think that remains after the older guys are gone. There is no doubt what MU basketball culture is anymore and it started on day one.

As for best PG, let's see how Kolek finishes up his career. He may end up on the top of a very long list of PG's. He passed Diener quite some time ago in my mind and there is a lofty list ahead of him.

Right now, the top-5 ranking feels a bit "pinch me, is this real" but my only hesitation when Shaka was rumored to be interested was the idea of a 2014 redux. Now that he's here, he's the perfect fit for Marquette. The first two years were all about setting the culture and the wins along the way were just icing on that cake.

I'm with you. This is great, but it's going to get better. We're not at the height of the Shaka era, we're at the beginning of what it will be over the next 10-20 years. This is the most optimistic I've ever been about the program and I have little doubt that in 40-50 years, we'll be talking about the Shaka era the same way fans of the 70s still reminisce about Al.

[tower912]

In 40-50 years, most of us will be worm food.

[StillAWarrior]

It's been said many time and I just keep coming back to it: I'm thankful that Shaka dipped his toe into the deepest of big-money Power 5 pools and found that it wasn't a good fit. I am genuinely optimistic that we've got ourselves a coach who knows that Marquette can and will provide everything needed to run a successful program that can compete for championships. I believe that Shaka knows that the grass isn't necessarily greener in the "big leagues" and I think that he's going to stick around for a long, long time.

And I hope he gets his first natty under his belt sooner rather than later to help reinforce that it can be done.

[Jockey]

I have mentioned multiple times that I believe Shaka's best team is down the road, but this group is special. Shaka has the right guys at the right time and that is now. I truly believe that MU will have more talented teams in the future and that is exciting. That said, this group is special, starting with the first day Kolek stepped on the court for MU.

I said two years ago that the first team under Shaka put the foundation in place for the program. It created the identity of the program and I think that remains after the older guys are gone. There is no doubt what MU basketball culture is anymore and it started on day one.

As for best PG, let's see how Kolek finishes up his career. He may end up on the top of a very long list of PG's. He passed Diener quite some time ago in my mind and there is a lofty list ahead of him.

I may have been the 1st guy here to say last year that Kolek was gonna be an All-American - but you were high on him way before I was. As a matter of fact, I still wasn't on his side at the beginning of last season. Obviously, he made me change my mind. So kudos, to you Goose. You were also high on Shaka before I was.

[BLWarrior91]

It's been said many time and I just keep coming back to it: I'm thankful that Shaka dipped his toe into the deepest of big-money Power 5 pools and found that it wasn't a good fit. I am genuinely optimistic that we've got ourselves a coach who knows that Marquette can and will provide everything needed to run a successful program that can compete for championships. I believe that Shaka knows that the grass isn't necessarily greener in the "big leagues" and I think that he's going to stick around for a long, long time.

And I hope he gets his first natty under his belt sooner rather than later to help reinforce that it can be done.

Perfectly stated.  Shaka had the best resume of any coach MU has ever hired.  He's been to a Final Four and he's been at a P5 school.

Having already had his experience at Texas, it appears he's rediscovered his style from VCU but at a high major level.  MU is the perfect place for him to do what he does best.  Relationships, growth, and victory. 

I wonder if there are still people who think Moser would be the better choice?

[PointWarrior]

just 1 apparently....

Perfectly stated.  Shaka had the best resume of any coach MU has ever hired.  He's been to a Final Four and he's been at a P5 school.

Having already had his experience at Texas, it appears he's rediscovered his style from VCU but at a high major level.  MU is the perfect place for him to do what he does best.  Relationships, growth, and victory. 

I wonder if there are still people who think Moser would be the better choice?

[warriorchick]

In 40-50 years, most of us will be worm food.

. Speak for yourself. I plan to live to be at least 111.

[BLWarrior91]

There's no way anyone would've seen Kolek play two years ago and predicted that he'd be considered the best point guard in the nation.

I figured his shooting would come around as we know he shot well at George Mason.   But his trajectory has been incredible.  I hope he plays in the NBA but selfishly I'd love to see him come back for his Covid season and break Tony Miller's assists records.

[Lennys Tap]

Come on! Meminger never lost a game in Milwaukee. 76-9 overall, 46-0 at home. i love Diener but an  incredibly ridiculous statement.

True.

[Lennys Tap]

I have mentioned multiple times that I believe Shaka's best team is down the road, but this group is special. Shaka has the right guys at the right time and that is now. I truly believe that MU will have more talented teams in the future and that is exciting. That said, this group is special, starting with the first day Kolek stepped on the court for MU.

I said two years ago that the first team under Shaka put the foundation in place for the program. It created the identity of the program and I think that remains after the older guys are gone. There is no doubt what MU basketball culture is anymore and it started on day one.

As for best PG, let's see how Kolek finishes up his career. He may end up on the top of a very long list of PG's. He passed Diener quite some time ago in my mind and there is a lofty list ahead of him.

Agree totally

[Lennys Tap]

It's been said many time and I just keep coming back to it: I'm thankful that Shaka dipped his toe into the deepest of big-money Power 5 pools and found that it wasn't a good fit. I am genuinely optimistic that we've got ourselves a coach who knows that Marquette can and will provide everything needed to run a successful program that can compete for championships. I believe that Shaka knows that the grass isn't necessarily greener in the "big leagues" and I think that he's going to stick around for a long, long time.

And I hope he gets his first natty under his belt sooner rather than later to help reinforce that it can be done.

100%

[Viper]

Come on! Meminger never lost a game in Milwaukee. 76-9 overall, 46-0 at home. i love Diener but an  incredibly ridiculous statement.

100%.