[PaintTouches]Shayok commits to Marquette, bigs still on the radar

[PaintTouchesSays]

Shayok commits to Marquette, bigs still on the radar

On the same day Buzz Williams and the Golden Eagles received a crushing blow, they also received some good news when 6-foot-6 wing Marial Shayok announced his commitment to Marquette via Twitter. Earlier in the day it was announced that 6-foot-8 junior-college junior Jameel McKay had decided to transfer from the school before ever playing […]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=painttouches.com&blog=28348875&post=8982&subd=painttouches&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />

Source: Shayok commits to Marquette, bigs still on the radar

[MU82]

Good story, although I might pick a nit on the use of "crushing blow" to describe McKay's departure.

Buzz leaving would be a crushing blow. An injury to a starter would be a crushing blow.

A backup forward leaving? Not crushing, even if it does blow.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Good story, although I might pick a nit on the use of "crushing blow" to describe McKay's departure.

Buzz leaving would be a crushing blow. An injury to a starter would be a crushing blow.

A backup forward leaving? Not crushing, even if it does blow.

There are many who thought he would start this year. And he would have definitely started next season. Either way, it never looks good when a recruit transfers before the season even starts.

[Lennys Tap]

There are many who thought he would start this year. And he would have definitely started next season. Either way, it never looks good when a recruit transfers before the season even starts.

Those who thought he would start this year were wrong. Two front court slots available, at least 3 guys (Otule, Gardner, Taylor) ahead of him, four when Jamil slides over to the 4. Next year? Who knows?

[strotty]

Good story, although I might pick a nit on the use of "crushing blow" to describe McKay's departure.

Buzz leaving would be a crushing blow. An injury to a starter would be a crushing blow.

A backup forward leaving? Not crushing, even if it does blow.

As it stands, this absolutely is a crushing blow to next year's team. And the staff would agree.

[jsglow]

As it stands, this absolutely is a crushing blow to next year's team. And the staff would agree.

No doubt and one would assume their highest recruiting priority between now and September.  But at least the perspective of a potential recruit changes with immediate minutes absolutely available.  Again, I'll go back to Tory Miller's current thought process as an example.

[Dawson Rental]

As it stands, this absolutely is a crushing blow to next year's team. And the staff would agree.

Especially given the Tory Miller news.

[94Warrior]

Especially given the Tory Miller news.

Do you know when Miller or Pierce are announcing?  I would be happy with either or both.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Especially given the Tory Miller news.

What Tory Miller news?

[Dawson Rental]

What Tory Miller news?

The news in the Paint Touches article which is the subject of this thread.

[Dawson Rental]

Do you know when Miller or Pierce are announcing?  I would be happy with either or both.

No.

[GGGG]

Mark Miller predicted Tory Miller to Colorado yesterday.  I wouldn't count on Tory.

And Miller is probably announcing next week.

[Aughnanure]

I'll say this. We may be a bit short next year and probably the year after (not going to put too many expectations into getting a frosh BIG unless it's Stone), but our wings are going to be very very long long. After point guard it stacks up like this:

6'3
6'4
6'5
6'5
6'6
6'6
6'6
6'7
6'7

[GGGG]

I'll say this. We may be a bit short next year and probably the year after (not going to put too many expectations into getting a frosh BIG unless it's Stone), but our wings are going to be very very long long. After point guard it stacks up like this:

6'3
6'4
6'5
6'5
6'6
6'6
6'6
6'7
6'7

Hey, the tallest player on the Final Four "Flyin' Illini" team was 6'8" Marcus Liberty.

[MU82]

As it stands, this absolutely is a crushing blow to next year's team. And the staff would agree.

OK. I'm still not crushed by this blow, and I won't be next year, but I've got superhuman recovery skills! 

I can accept that some might be very disappointed by this, though.

[94Warrior]

Mark Miller predicted Tory Miller to Colorado yesterday.  I wouldn't count on Tory.

And Miller is probably announcing next week.

I am not counting Tory out until he tweets 'Can't wait to be a Buffalo'.  A lot can change between now and next week, especially considering a fair amount of minutes just opened up at the 4/5 at MU. 

At some point, a 2014 or 2015 freshman big is going to take advantage of the huge opportunity and immediate playing time available at MU.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

The news in the Paint Touches article which is the subject of this thread.

Oh, I thought there was something that was more than speculation

[Badgerhater]

Hey, the tallest player on the Final Four "Flyin' Illini" team was 6'8" Marcus Liberty.

Do keep in mind that MU next year will still be taller as a group than any team in the recent past that didn't have Otule actively playing.  MU can still match up taller at the 1-4 than most teams and will have lots of  6'6 and above to rotate in at the 5.

Remember the Cooby/Acker back court?

[Dr. Blackheart]

As it stands, this absolutely is a crushing blow to next year's team. And the staff would agree.

Totally agree on next year where the pace was going to be all uptempo.  McKay has a very unique skill set Buzz was building around past this year.  No doubt he was struggling this year, though, with the physicality.  

Strotty, any chance you get an interview with McKay?  This just seems so ill timed and not thought out. This roster is very unbalanced in the future...both in terms of class, skills set and frontcourt vs. backcourt.

[Dawson Rental]

Oh, I thought there was something that was more than speculation

Got ya.  As far as speculation goes, Strotty has a pretty good insight into what the MU staff is hearing a lot of the time.

[Dawson Rental]

nm

[BCHoopster]

In seeing McKay physique he was built like a small forward, I can see why he does not want to play center next year.  But could he play small forward, not sure about that
either.  There was time next year for him, this year I did not see it.  Gardner has slimmed down enough to play the PF at times, Jamil can play the 4, I think he is more comfortable
there, playing against a slower 4 vs. a quick 3.  Worry about next year when it comes, but they will play a much more open offense next year with no big man.  The other team may
have to change there style to defend MU.  Taylor, Burton, and Anderson will just have to rebound, if they get one, watch out.  Duane Wilson will be much more important next year
as MU will need a scoring point guard.  Mayo, Hill and Johnson will have to give MU a scoring punch next year.  MU will be a guard oriented team next year, will be fun to watch.
Still not sure if Harris will make it here next year.

[Aughnanure]

Do keep in mind that MU next year will still be taller as a group than any team in the recent past that didn't have Otule actively playing.  MU can still match up taller at the 1-4 than most teams and will have lots of  6'6 and above to rotate in at the 5.

Remember the Cooby/Acker back court?

Agreed. Would be nice to get that one true 6'9 guy that can let us go mid-2000s Nova-style with the 4 guard/wing lineup.

[Dawson Rental]

Totally agree on next year where the pace was going to be all uptempo.  McKay has a very unique skill set Buzz was building around past this year.  No doubt he was struggling this year, though, with the physicality.  

Strotty, any chance you get an interview with McKay?  This just seems so ill timed and not thought out. This roster is very unbalanced in the future...both in terms of class, skills set and frontcourt vs. backcourt.

It will be interesting to see where McKay ends up.  I just can't understand where he can go and get playing time this year.  Wouldn't it have made more sense for him to stay and redshirt if he wanted to get solid minutes for two years?  Maybe, that wasn't an option due to the 2015 scholarship situation.

[94Warrior]

Oh, I thought there was something that was more than speculation

My thoughts exactly, not exactly "news".