Is Shaka doubling down or just protecting his guys?

[Pakuni]

Which part of his final year were we "not completely out of the running for an at-large bid"

Started the season 5-2, with wins over #4 Wisconsin and #9 Creighton.

[Galway Eagle]

Started the season 5-2, with wins over #4 Wisconsin and #9 Creighton.

I think everyone knew WI wasn't actually the number 4 team that year. Genuinely can't remember the Creighton win.

[Pakuni]

I think everyone knew WI wasn't actually the number 4 team that year. Genuinely can't remember the Creighton win.

Everyone but the pollsters and KenPom, I guess.
That team slumped badly at the end of the year (kind of like another recent team from the state of Wisconsin), but spent the first half of the season in the top 10.
Anyhow, the point is, at 5-2 and with two top-10 wins, MU would have been a safe bet for the field at that point of the season.

[brewcity77]

Everyone but the pollsters and KenPom, I guess.
That team slumped badly at the end of the year (kind of like another recent team from the state of Wisconsin), but spent the first half of the season in the top 10.
Anyone, the point is, at 5-2 and with two top-10 wins, MU would have been a safe bet for the field at that point of the season.

And we were on the bubble most of the year. I had us in the field at 8-6 (4-4) on January 23rd before the 1-6 stretch that mostly killed our chances. That was a much better team than this one, though, IMO.

[Viper]

In the past 35 years has MU ever failed to make the tough or expensive decisions to support the team?

not that I'm aware of. Hopefully this trend continues.

[MuggsyB]

Is there any hope?  I can't remember being this depressed MU hoopwise.  Even during the Wojo years. 

[WhiteTrash]

Is there any hope?  I can't remember being this depressed MU hoopwise.  Even during the Wojo years. 

"Let me tell you something my friend. Hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive a man insane."

[MuggsyB]

"Let me tell you something my friend. Hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive a man insane."

Red made it Zihautaneo.  This situation
may be more worrisome. 

[muwarrior69]

Well, unless that coach is Rick Pitino.

Yeah! Huggy Bear and Pitino are my generation and even Al would call out a player not cutting it. Of course back then the rules were different.

[vogue65]

Yeah! Huggy Bear and Pitino are my generation and even Al would call out a player not cutting it. Of course back then the rules were different.

What does "call out" a player mean?
I don't think calling out a player who lacks skill is leadership.
Unfortunately a few Marquette players lack talent, they can't shoot.
Does calling that out help?  It probably makes the situation worse, it's called stress.
In the Wisconsin game Marquette had more shots, problem is many didn't go in. 
What's the solution?
Slower pace, less defense, fewer substitutions, more zone, conserve energy, I haven't a clue.  However, I don't think calling out a kid who can't make a basket solves anything.

[MU82]

If only we had a coach who would choke players, Marquette would be undefeated!

[NCMUFan]

If only we had a coach who would choke players, Marquette would be undefeated!

Question: Al McGuire - Bernard Toone fist fight?
From Brave AI generated answer:
A physical altercation between Marquette basketball coach Al McGuire and player Bernard Toone occurred at halftime of the first-round NCAA Tournament game against Cincinnati in Omaha on March 17, 1977.
 The confrontation, which took place in the locker room, was sparked by Toone's performance and his complaints about limited playing time.
 According to multiple accounts, McGuire grabbed Toone, shoved him against a wall, and slapped him across the face.
 Some witnesses recall McGuire lunging at Toone, attempting to grab him, and even swinging a chair, while assistant coach Rick Majerus intervened to prevent further escalation.
 The incident, though intense, is widely regarded as a pivotal moment that galvanized the team, leading to a 15-point second-half comeback and ultimately a national championship.
 McGuire later described the event as a necessary psychological catalyst, stating he "hit him, and the whole room ignited to break us apart".
 The story has become legendary in Marquette basketball lore, symbolizing the intense, fiery coaching style that defined McGuire's tenure.

AI-generated answer. Please verify critical facts.

[GoFastAndWin]

Question: Al McGuire - Bernard Toone fist fight?
From Brave AI generated answer:
A physical altercation between Marquette basketball coach Al McGuire and player Bernard Toone occurred at halftime of the first-round NCAA Tournament game against Cincinnati in Omaha on March 17, 1977.
 The confrontation, which took place in the locker room, was sparked by Toone's performance and his complaints about limited playing time.
 According to multiple accounts, McGuire grabbed Toone, shoved him against a wall, and slapped him across the face.
 Some witnesses recall McGuire lunging at Toone, attempting to grab him, and even swinging a chair, while assistant coach Rick Majerus intervened to prevent further escalation.
 The incident, though intense, is widely regarded as a pivotal moment that galvanized the team, leading to a 15-point second-half comeback and ultimately a national championship.
 McGuire later described the event as a necessary psychological catalyst, stating he "hit him, and the whole room ignited to break us apart".
 The story has become legendary in Marquette basketball lore, symbolizing the intense, fiery coaching style that defined McGuire's tenure.

AI-generated answer. Please verify critical facts.

I think this is the time where Al McGuire glared at Toone and said "I'll kills you!" With the "s" and all.

[MU82]

Slap, choke, maybe punch. That's the way Shaka can turn this season around.

It surely would help him on the recruiting trail, too. What 17-year-old doesn't want physical altercations with his future coach?

[onepost]

If you've been reading Scoop, you'd know it's not a strawman. Some folks here seem to want him to admit during the season that his player-procurement philosophy has failed.

Agree with your last sentence. A coach should include himself when talking about his or her team's struggles.

You're clearly referencing me, but this absolutely is a strawman.
Again, never did I say or intimate that Shaka needs to come out and admit he's stupid and his philosophy failed and the team he assembled is terrible.

What does bother me is how defiant and combative he's getting in these pressers when guys who are overwhelmingly in his corner propose tepid about questions the portal or "do you have a message for fans". Pointing to results from years ago to explain things happening today, saying "we're not going to cancel the season", talking down to Ben Steele: I find that ridiculous from a guy like Shaka who we know to be a fantastic steward of MUB

 He'll never throw his guys under the bus like that and no one is asking him to do that. There's a gray area, as always.