Recruiting as of 4/15/25

[The Sultan]

You can prefer what you want. However, Marquette is rarely in consideration for landing a one and done (generally top 10 or 15).
How many top 40 players has MU signed this century?

Right. I think this model is the best one for Marquette. It worked for Nova, which I think is the program that we should look to emulate. And so far, Shaka is showing it can be done in the NIL and free transfer era.

I don't think we would be competitive in the one and done market. But if we were, I wouldn't have a problem with it if Shaka was OK with it.

[MUbiz]

The one and done era where teams of 5 star freshman are winning nattys has been over for about 10 years. Look at the last 2 national championship games, there has been one 5 star one and done guy - Castle last year. Hurley has won with 4 star development and picking the right fit in the xfer portal. If you can find those kids that want to be coached, you can win in todays college basketball landscape.

[Viper]

You can prefer what you want. However, Marquette is rarely in consideration for landing a one and done (generally top 10 or 15).
How many top 40 players has MU signed this century?

I believe MU could aggressively go after the 1-timers, but chose not to. Wojo knew Henry was likely a 1-year guy, but at that point he needed to get us back.  Beyond that, I believe Wojo did not want to go that route. Same w/Shaka. I definitely want to win, and 1yr guys would be fine if we are winning like a Duke (K seemed to adopt 1-timers), but if given the choice, I prefer Shaka's approach, and that of Woj. Not sure how this team plays out in terms of wins and post season advancement, but if things continue to trend as they are, I think Shaka yr 5 & 6 will be very good.

[Viper]

I believe MU could aggressively go after the 1-timers, but chose not to. Wojo knew Henry was likely a 1-year guy, but at that point he needed to get us back.  Beyond that, I believe Wojo did not want to go that route. Same w/Shaka. I definitely want to win, and 1yr guys would be fine if we are winning like a Duke (K seemed to adopt 1-timers), but if given the choice, I prefer Shaka's approach, and that of Woj. Not sure how this team plays out in terms of wins and post season advancement, but if things continue to trend as they are, I think Shaka yr 5 & 6 will be very good.

btw, agree with Sultan's comment about Jay/Nova. Follow that blueprint.

[Hards Alumni]

I think people are overthinking this.  Shaka would most likely accept a player as a one and done if he felt they fit the culture and could get the team over the hump.  I'm not sure he will prioritize one and done players, and not everyone who projects as a one and done becomes one.  IMO, Shaka will take the best guys he can who he feels fit what he wants from his teams.  Star levels, and rankings no matta to him.

[Its DJOver]

I believe MU could aggressively go after the 1-timers, but chose not to. Wojo knew Henry was likely a 1-year guy, but at that point he needed to get us back.  Beyond that, I believe Wojo did not want to go that route. Same w/Shaka. I definitely want to win, and 1yr guys would be fine if we are winning like a Duke (K seemed to adopt 1-timers), but if given the choice, I prefer Shaka's approach, and that of Woj. Not sure how this team plays out in terms of wins and post season advancement, but if things continue to trend as they are, I think Shaka yr 5 & 6 will be very good.

Wojo chased plenty of players that were highly ranked.  Maybe not all to the point that they were a lock to be one and done, but quite a few where they were not viewed as 4 year players.  I would not classify his and Shaka's approach as remotely similar.

[The Thing]

I don't know this for a fact, but I have a feeling that Shaka may have a tough sell on the one and done kids. He clearly prioritizes continuity and seems to roll with his proven talent. Can you imagine him talking to a top 15 kid and letting them know they may not be a starter right out of the gate...that they will need to prove it on the court? I know we haven't seen a top 15 freshman come through but we have had several talented freshman that have not gotten meaningful minutes.

I love what Shaka is building and totally agree that following a Nova model can be a ticket to winning a lot of games.

[Hards Alumni]

I don't know this for a fact, but I have a feeling that Shaka may have a tough sell on the one and done kids. He clearly prioritizes continuity and seems to roll with his proven talent. Can you imagine him talking to a top 15 kid and letting them know they may not be a starter right out of the gate...that they will need to prove it on the court? I know we haven't seen a top 15 freshman come through but we have had several talented freshman that have not gotten meaningful minutes.

I love what Shaka is building and totally agree that following a Nova model can be a ticket to winning a lot of games.

If a top 15 kid coming in can't beat out the veterans then he's probably not a top 15 guy.

[avid1010]

If a top 15 kid coming in can't beat out the veterans then he's probably not a top 15 guy.

I do think there are teams who make the decision to let top talented recruits grow into truly being top talented players by March.

[We R Final Four]

If a top 15 kid coming in can't beat out the veterans then he's probably not a top 15 guy.

It is usually the freshman (5 star) who lack the understanding on defense that Shaka desires. The top 15 kids, unless they are 7', are where they are ranked based upon their offense. So, a kid could be a one and done, 5 star, top 15 kid..... but until he can do what Shaka is asking on defense he is going to watch and learn, not play.

[The Sultan]

I think people are overthinking this.  Shaka would most likely accept a player as a one and done if he felt they fit the culture and could get the team over the hump.

Exactly.

For example, from what I understand we were runners up for Kon Knueppel - who is listed on a number of 2025 mock draft boards.

[StillAWarrior]

I think most one-and-done guys are well aware of their NIL potential and will typically seek to maximize that. I don't blame them. I'm not convinced that MU is going to be able to sign one-and-done guys who are looking to maximize NIL. I don't blame them.

[MU82]

Owens will get a lot of minutes this season. I'm just taking starting.  Shaka seems to use it to reward his veterans.

Understood. And agree.

For me, starting no matta. Who is playing more minutes, and who is playing during "winning time"? But I know that for some players starting matters, and rewarding those who have been with the program for years makes sense.

I think this model is the best one for Marquette. It worked for Nova, which I think is the program that we should look to emulate. And so far, Shaka is showing it can be done in the NIL and free transfer era.

Absolutely.

[bilsu]

I thought Shaka had a one & done at Texas.

I do not think UConn wins the NCAA title game last year without Castle.

I also believe the effectiveness of Kentucky and Duke's one and done classes were diminished by teams being older, because of the extra year given to players effected by Covid. This is the last year for Covid players, Unfortunately Kolek and Oso did not use their covid year.

[JakeBarnes]

I thought Shaka had a one & done at Texas.

I do not think UConn wins the NCAA title game last year without Castle.

I also believe the effectiveness of Kentucky and Duke's one and done classes were diminished by teams being older, because of the extra year given to players effected by Covid. This is the last year for Covid players, Unfortunately Kolek and Oso did not use their covid year.

Greg Brown
Jaxson Hayes

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Greg Brown
Jaxson Hayes

Jarrett Allen
Mohammed Bamba

[JakeBarnes]

Jarrett Allen
Mohammed Bamba

Cannot believe mo bamba wasn't the first I thought of.

[cheebs09]

I thought Shaka had a one & done at Texas.

I do not think UConn wins the NCAA title game last year without Castle.

I also believe the effectiveness of Kentucky and Duke's one and done classes were diminished by teams being older, because of the extra year given to players effected by Covid. This is the last year for Covid players, Unfortunately Kolek and Oso did not use their covid year.

I think it's more that Shaka felt the pressure to get one and done at Texas due to fan and administration expectations. He may not have felt they fit what he was best at coaching.

I think part of the interview process with MU, Shaka made it clear that he wanted to recruit who he wanted and not necessarily what might get the highest recruiting ranking.

I also think if Shaka finds a one and done or transfer that fits, he will sign them without hesitation.

I'm optimistic that his recruiting is going to show that the Kolek/Oso group wasn't some outlier and 2 seeds and conference championships aren't a once in a generation thing.

[brewcity77]

The one and done era where teams of 5 star freshman are winning nattys has been over for about 10 years. Look at the last 2 national championship games, there has been one 5 star one and done guy - Castle last year. Hurley has won with 4 star development and picking the right fit in the xfer portal. If you can find those kids that want to be coached, you can win in todays college basketball landscape.

Even when the one-and-done model was rolling, it only worked twice to win national titles. Kentucky in 2012 and Duke in 2015 are the only ones that actually accomplished it. The best of the best recruiting classes lost their final game far, far more often than they won it.

[Stretchdeltsig]

I didn't say Ward was a one and done, i said he was potentially a two and through or three and free. And Shaka has had four players leave early for the NBA and he's celebrated each of them.

Like Shaka I like and prefer student athletes that are talented enough to declare for the NBA early. Don't you agree?

Who are the four Shaka recruits who left early?

[The Sultan]

Who are the four Shaka recruits who left early?

He didn't say recruits. He said players.

Justin, OMax, Tyler, Oso

[MU82]

I guess Oso and TK left "early" because each could have stayed another year due to Covid. But each did play 4 seasons of D1 hoops.

[The Sultan]

I guess Oso and TK left "early" because each could have stayed another year due to Covid. But each did play 4 seasons of D1 hoops.

IOW, they left early.

[tower912]

Yes, all 4 of those players declared for the NBA draft with eligibility remaining. 

[Stretchdeltsig]

He didn't say recruits. He said players.

Justin, OMax, Tyler, Oso

That's skewed. My point is that Shaka enjoys recruiting and  coaching student athletes that may play and graduate from Marquette. He did not recruit Justin or Oso. Although Oslo and Tyler graduated.