Freshmen

[MuggsyB]

I'm not sure how you make a fair judgment on the Freshmen who came to a team with 8 guys ahead of them in the rotation and have essentially played in blowout minutes until 2 guys were injured.  Zaide stepped up in his first real opportunity vs Villanova.  Norman has shown glimpses and Al hasn't had the chance.  I think stating that these guys can't play is foolish and people just need to be patient. 

JTY's injury is incredibly unfortunate.  Especially because I believe how we played overall as a team that night contributed to his injury.  Everyone was out of sync and pressed psychologically.  We absolutely need Zaide, Ben, and perhaps Norman to contribute to make up for 2 players going down.  Maybe Ben's three timely triples gets him going moving forward?  As for Sean I think he did things for our tean that can't be replaced so it's incumbent for everyone to step up and play well consistently.  MU is still very dangerous when our Big 3 all play well, it's really that simple. 

[CTWarrior]

I get it, they're freshmen, they'll get better in the coming years.  But we need at least one of them to be useful NOW.  This is likely the best team we're going to have for a while, and with Ross and Sean Jones out we can't have a bench of just Gold, who has issues of his own.  Even when Ross comes back, we're going to need one of them to provide something for this team to have a chance for a lengthy run in the tournament.  I would at least like Shaka to not be afraid to have one of them on the floor at an important juncture of the game.

[brewcity77]

Lowery had a good start last night on the defensive end, but had a few bad offensive moments and overall a forgettable performance. But since Chase went down, he's by and large been excellent on both ends, giving quality minutes. We would be in trouble without him. Norman hasn't been as ready to go as I expected. I did think based on coach comments and scouting reports that he would be ready to give more this year. Amadou is a project, seems to have great physical tools but needs to add muscle and refine his game.

Since this staff came in, we've had legitimate freshman contributions from Kam Jones, Stevie Mitchell, Chase Ross, Sean Jones, and Zaide Lowery. That's a pretty decent hit rate. Yes, they've all been as bench role-players, but that's the goal when you have an experienced team. This is all much ado about nothing.

[MU82]

Aside from yesterday, as brew said, Zaide has largely been a plus since Ross and SJ got hurt.

But no, he isn't 2003 Carmelo Anthony. So another failure for Shaka.

[SonOfWarrior]

It's rare to have a significant impact by a Freshman at any level.  None of the guys that hit the floor yesterday are dead to me. They have great experience from last night, they can work through that in practice.  The rest is up to them.

[CountryRoads]

"Feel Al may have a short stay at MU. He's essentially walk on status. Not sure that changes next year with three bigger guys coming in."  Al knew coming in that A) He wasn't redshirting abd B) His minutes would be scarce.  The athleticism and length is tantalizing and I don't see any reason to worry about a transfer at this point.

My comment regarding Al wasn't meant as a negative in any way. More of just an observation that he'll have played 0 non-garbage time minutes in the first 25% of his college career. Those traits you note also applied to Keeyan. Hope he thrives here, but as I noted there's more depth coming in at his position(s) next year. These guys are semi-pros now so not as taboo to talk about a player's future with the program anymore, imo.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Aside from yesterday, as brew said, Zaide has largely been a plus since Ross and SJ got hurt.

But no, he isn't 2003 Carmelo Anthony. So another failure for Shaka.

Last season, MU had three freshmen consistently contribute. This season, not so much. It's now their time to step up. Shaka keeps hyping this class so he sees something at practice.

Scoopers aren't asking for Carmelo, they are asking for freshman Ben, Sean and Chase.

[Its DJOver]

My comment regarding Al wasn't meant as a negative in any way. More of just an observation that he'll have played 0 non-garbage time minutes in the first 25% of his college career. Those traits you note also applied to Keeyan. Hope he thrives here, but as I noted there's more depth coming in at his position(s) next year. These guys are semi-pros now so not as taboo to talk about a player's future with the program anymore, imo.

They also applied to Oso.

Honestly too small of a sample size to say anything other than he's not good enough as a true Freshman to crack the rotation of a top 15 team that returned 8 rotation players.

[MUfan12]

Last season, MU had three freshmen consistently contribute. This season, not so much. It's now their time to step up. Shaka keeps hyping this class so he sees something at practice.

Scoopers aren't asking for Carmelo, they are asking for freshman Ben, Sean and Chase.

There were a lot more minutes available for those dudes.

Zaide had a rough night but I like his trajectory. He's had a Chase-like impact since the injuries increased his role.

[Dr. Blackheart]

There were a lot more minutes available for those dudes.

Zaide had a rough night but I like his trajectory. He's had a Chase-like impact since the injuries increased his role.

Not sure I agree. Lots of minutes with Chase, Sean and Omax. Time to step up. Both are getting similar to date as Ben last year which will only go up. Seize them.

[MUfan12]

Not sure I agree. Lots of minutes with Chase, Sean and Omax. Time to step up. Both are getting similar to date as Ben last year which will only go up. Seize them.

Yeah there are more available now with the injuries. But before that there wasn't.

[MU82]

Last season, MU had three freshmen consistently contribute. This season, not so much. It's now their time to step up. Shaka keeps hyping this class so he sees something at practice.

Scoopers aren't asking for Carmelo, they are asking for freshman Ben, Sean and Chase.

That's fair, Dr. B.

I'm glad Zaide has gotten to contribute a pretty good amount in a few games since the injuries. We definitely could use more from Norman.

Still ... and maybe I'm reading it wrong ... but the O.P. did seem to be asking for more of a Carmelo kind of impact than a freshman Gold kind of impact.

[BrewCity83]

When I was young and knew everything
She a punk who rarely ever took advice

Now I'm guilt-stricken, sobbin', with my head on the floor

[tower912]

Or are we talking the Marlon Brando, Matthew Broderick, Penelope Ann Miller, komodo dragon, movie?

[Shooter McGavin]

Not just this thread.

Maybe being down by the floor gave me a different perspective but they hit some ridiculously tough shots just to stay within 10-18 points of Marquette.

Yeah there were some bad turnovers. The freshmen had a freshman game. crap happens.

This.  Was pretty close to the action as well.  DePaul made really tough guarded shots several times.  If we hadn't shot the three well that would have been a much closer game.

[tower912]

Now I'm guilt-stricken, sobbin', with my head on the floor

Thanks.   I was getting worried.

[Dr. Blackheart]

This.  Was pretty close to the action as well.  DePaul made really tough guarded shots several times.  If we hadn't shot the three well that would have been a much closer game.

Terry also hit the unguarded shots.

[Shooter McGavin]

Terry also hit the unguarded shots.

Yes he did. 

[avid1010]

I think Sean's injury may hurt us more next year than this year...

[LloydsLegs]

Thanks.   I was getting worried.

I am strangely obsessed w that song

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

I think Sean's injury may hurt us more next year than this year...

I'm hoping Shaka looks for a PG in the portal.  Assuming Kolek leaves, Sean's injury really presses the issue.

The other option is to play Kam and Stevie as the PG/SG combo with Ross starting at the 3rd guard spot.

[Uncle Rico]

I'm hoping Shaka looks for a PG in the portal.  Assuming Kolek leaves, Sean's injury really presses the issue.

The other option is to play Kam and Stevie as the PG/SG combo with Ross starting at the 3rd guard spot.

He'd being a disservice to the roster if he isn't active in the portal this year.  I'd think a good PG seeing how TKO runs this offense would love to play in it

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

He'd being a disservice to the roster if he isn't active in the portal this year.  I'd think a good PG seeing how TKO runs this offense would love to play in it

Exactly.  Not pursuing PGs is akin to punting on the season.

A star PG, Kam, Stevie, Jop, and Gold with Chase as the super sub is still a really good team.

Kolek, O-Max, and Oso all made their biggest leaps between their sophomore and junior years.  If Gold and Chase do that, next year's team will be a lot better than most Scoopers are predicting.

[tower912]

I am strangely obsessed w that song

I have stories, but shan't derail this thread again.