Recruiting as of 4/15/25

[StillWarriors]

1. Shaka felt he would be fielding a team with a borderline elite 3-point shooter (Kam, .406 last season), three veteran 3-point threats (Chase, .362, a significant improvement from the year before; Joplin, .355, with .399 as a soph; Gold, .371, with improvement every year), and two freshmen who had shot well in high school. He also had seen Lowery every day in practice and knew Zaide had a nice shot. So Shaka had every reason to believe he'd have at least a decent shooting team. The killers were Kam slumping for months and Jop struggling for most of the season. I didn't foresee that, did you? Should Shaka have?

I do agree we need better shooting going forward. And not just us ... every team needs good shooting in today's college basketball. Hopefully Zaide, Owens and some of the incoming freshmen will be long-term answers in that department, and Gold and Ross will shoot well in the upcoming season.

2. I'm not Mr. Stats, but I believe TAMU posted that we were pretty much exactly an average offensive rebounding team. So not as good as any of us would have liked, but not bad. I always want better.

3. Agree. We don't need ye olde aircraft carrier, but we could have used someone who even presented the kind of threat Oso did. Still, when you aren't hitting 3s, the defense will make it tough for anybody to operate inside, whether by posting up or driving.

The main thing I've noticed watching the NCAAT unfold - and also many of our games during the season - is that we lack athletes that have both some bulk and good athleticism. The better teams have multiple athletes with builds closer to that of Broome - "grown men," as the announcers like to say - than to that of Gold. So this past season, we not only had a height deficit in most games against good teams but usually a bulk deficit, and over the course of a game (and a season) that can wear on a team. That's not something that gets solved overnight, and maybe Shaka doesn't even consider it a problem, I don't know.

Good discussion. Thanks.

Really good post. The bulk deficit is something I have noticed as well over the years. It is a common occurrence. The strength and conditioning coach/staff frequently receive compliments and have been around through multiple coaching regimes, so clearly they must be doing something right. Also, our teams have largely stayed healthy. That said, I am curious as to whether the absence of bulk is due to the body types we are targeting in recruiting, or something that could be impacted by different weight training. It does often seem like boys against men physically, Theo John aside, in recent years. I wonder if the approach will change at all going forward.

[Stretchdeltsig]

Interesting comment questioning the players' physical statuses. It seems that the team played with less energy during the second half of the season. And energy was their greatest asset. It seems that they were physically and mentally tired. Watching the mature teams in the final four, makes it seem that we have a team of boys trying to compete against older men. Maybe it wouldn't matter if we could shoot threes and free throws.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

Interesting comment questioning the players' physical statuses. It seems that the team played with less energy during the second half of the season. And energy was their greatest asset. It seems that they were physically and mentally tired. Watching the mature teams in the final four, makes it seem that we have a team of boys trying to compete against older men. Maybe it wouldn't matter if we could shoot threes and free throws.

With 5th and 6th year players on many of those teams that literally is the difference.  Duke is the exception and none of those freshman look sized like an 18 year old

[Pakuni]

Interesting comment questioning the players' physical statuses. It seems that the team played with less energy during the second half of the season. And energy was their greatest asset. It seems that they were physically and mentally tired. Watching the mature teams in the final four, makes it seem that we have a team of boys trying to compete against older men. Maybe it wouldn't matter if we could shoot threes and free throws.

I was curious, so I dug into this for the Elite 8 teams.
Average age of starters:
Auburn - 23.2
Alabama - 22.2
Tennessee - 22
Texas Tech - 21.8
Florida - 21.6
Houston - 21.6
Michigan State - 20.8
Duke - 19.4

Marquette? 22.0. We'd have been tied for the third-oldest starting 5 in the Elite 8.

[Galway Eagle]

Interesting comment questioning the players' physical statuses. It seems that the team played with less energy during the second half of the season. And energy was their greatest asset. It seems that they were physically and mentally tired. Watching the mature teams in the final four, makes it seem that we have a team of boys trying to compete against older men. Maybe it wouldn't matter if we could shoot threes and free throws.

Stevie Chase and Sean are/were all big guys. If Joplin was a more athletic person we'd be saying he was well built as well.

Yeah we haven't seen bricks like DJO, Crowder, Lazar or Derrick in awhile. Haven't had coaches say in pregames "I thought we were playing their basketball team not their football team" etc. but I think that's Todd adjusting to a coaches philosophy more than anything.

[rgoode57]

Watching the tournament, I have also been somewhat stunned by the physical differences between MU and really good tournament teams. Once the Sweet 16 began, I am not sure I have seen a team MU could match up with physically. The size, quickness, and athleticism of some of these guys is unbelievable. And a lot of them can even shoot.

[WhiteTrash]

I was curious, so I dug into this for the Elite 8 teams.
Average age of starters:
Auburn - 23.2
Alabama - 22.2
Tennessee - 22
Texas Tech - 21.8
Florida - 21.6
Houston - 21.6
Michigan State - 20.8
Duke - 19.4

Marquette? 22.0. We'd have been tied for the third-oldest starting 5 in the Elite 8.

Interesting stuff. Worth noting, Duke will probably lose most of its production after the season. -Get young, stay young.

[Zog from Margo]

Stevie Chase and Sean are/were all big guys. If Joplin was a more athletic person we'd be saying he was well built as well.

Yeah we haven't seen bricks like DJO, Crowder, Lazar or Derrick in awhile. Haven't had coaches say in pregames "I thought we were playing their basketball team not their football team" etc. but I think that's Todd adjusting to a coaches philosophy more than anything.

I'd disagree a bit. Joplin became a physical player as a senior but he was still undersized for the position. He also didn't have a lot of hops. He did have great timing to block shots at his size. The three guards were not physical in the paint and struggled to finish through contact. They often faded to avoid contact. Kam generally could work some magic to finish. Only Chase is a great athlete. MU didn't get to the line enough IMO.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

I'd disagree a bit. Joplin became a physical player as a senior but he was still undersized for the position. He also didn't have a lot of hops. He did have great timing to block shots at his size. The three guards were not physical in the paint and struggled to finish through contact. They often faded to avoid contact. Kam generally could work some magic to finish. Only Chase is a great athlete. MU didn't get to the line enough IMO.

While not at Chase's level, I think Zaide is a pretty good athlete as well and has a big frame.  Owens is also very athletic. 

I've also been thinking about the same question posted by StillWarrior's above regarding the approach to wait training and bulking up. 

You can also do so much depending on someone's frame and you also don't want to lose mobility and athleticism by getting too bulky.  But I wonder how much of that is also the approach of the staff ow what Shaka wants. 

For example, Ben is never going to have a physique like Theo John.  But can he still put on more weight and get stronger without losing quickness.

I think Royce will be an interesting offseason case. Definitely needs to get stronger and seems to have a decent frame.   

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

For example, Ben is never going to have a physique like Theo John.  But can he still put on more weight and get stronger without losing quickness.   

Is it reasonable that Ben could add as much weight as Kalk-they seem to have similar frames. Would equate to another 15-20lbs for Ben.

[wadesworld]

Ben is the only starter that I thought lacked "bulk" for his position.  Kam constantly got his shoulder into his defender going to the rim and bumped him back enough to get a shot off.  Stevie was very physical, just not very skilled offensively.  Chase has plenty of bulk and athleticism, but struggles to control the athleticism.  Jop was built fine, he's just not athletic.

What lacked outside of Chase was athleticism.  And what I see a lot more from teams playing deep into the tournament was offensive motion that allowed players to get downhill on the dribble drive.  MU was all ghost screen and pop.  Very rarely were Marquette's players catching the ball on the move and getting an edge on their defenders off the dribble.

[MU82]

I was curious, so I dug into this for the Elite 8 teams.
Average age of starters:
Auburn - 23.2
Alabama - 22.2
Tennessee - 22
Texas Tech - 21.8
Florida - 21.6
Houston - 21.6
Michigan State - 20.8
Duke - 19.4

Marquette? 22.0. We'd have been tied for the third-oldest starting 5 in the Elite 8.

Yep. Age does not necessarily correspond with muscle mass. We were an experienced team this season, and the fact that our 5 had started together all season (and that 3 of them also had started the previous season) was often mentioned as one of Marquette's strengths.

[Viper]

Watching the tournament, I have also been somewhat stunned by the physical differences between MU and really good tournament teams. Once the Sweet 16 began, I am not sure I have seen a team MU could match up with physically. The size, quickness, and athleticism of some of these guys is unbelievable. And a lot of them can even shoot.

agreed. I only saw 'Bama/Duke and MiSt/Auburn, but I thought, there's no way we could hang with any of these guys for a full 40.

[bilsu]

I am glad we did not play Houston after watching Houston dominate Tennessee on the boards.

[21Jumpstreet]

I am glad we did not play Houston after watching Houston dominate Tennessee on the boards.

And watching Tennessee clank shot after shot from deep

[GB Warrior]

Interesting stuff. Worth noting, Duke will probably lose most of its production after the season. -Get young, stay young.

They will, and their margin for error is smaller because of the uncertainty. That said, the rest of the country will come back down as we lose those 5th and 6th years - something that I think will be a positive for the sport.

[Uncle Rico]

They will, and their margin for error is smaller because of the uncertainty. That said, the rest of the country will come back down as we lose those 5th and 6th years - something that I think will be a positive for the sport.

Duke will be just fine next year.  Three top -15 kids and pick of the litter in transfers

[willie warrior]

agreed. I only saw 'Bama/Duke and MiSt/Auburn, but I thought, there's no way we could hang with any of these guys for a full 40.

Need to improve our roster build strategy. More bangers and 3 point sharpshooters.

[BCHoopster]

Need to improve our roster build strategy. More bangers and 3 point sharpshooters.

m

It's Shaka, has enough talent so why pick up more kids!

[wadesworld]

m

It's Shaka, has enough talent so why pick up more kids!

I believe Shaka has not left an open scholarship in any of the 4 years at Marquette.  Maybe I'm wrong though.

[MuMark]

I believe Shaka has not left an open scholarship in any of the 4 years at Marquette.  Maybe I'm wrong though.

12 roster players in 2022-23 and 2023-24 by my count

[TallTitan34]

Scholarship table back to 1975-76 at muoverload.com > Scholarship Table

[MU82]

m

It's Shaka, has enough talent so why pick up more kids!

He's been such a failure. I'm surprised you aren't rooting for Boston College's outstanding program.

[MuMark]

https://x.com/jamieshaw5/status/1907063465279144066?s=61&t=6XPB8f4sAKmJIzxgMcsCjw

[wadesworld]

https://x.com/jamieshaw5/status/1907063465279144066?s=61&t=6XPB8f4sAKmJIzxgMcsCjw

So a 6'8" SF.  If we're interested in him, seems logical we could potentially be interested in revisiting our relationship with Isaiah Abraham.