Recruiting as of 5/15/25

[MU82]

https://twitter.com/malikkdia/status/1429594511781646339

Malik Dia down to his final 6. While all the finalists have had their moments, and at least one has had more success in the last few years, I think it's fair to say that we are the biggest name program on the list.

Our logo is listed first.

donedeal!

[Herman Cain]

Commentary from Malik on his final six candidates

https://hoopscoopmedia.com/2022-forward-malik-dia-names-top-6-talks-recruitment/

[MU82]

Commentary from Malik on his final six candidates

https://hoopscoopmedia.com/2022-forward-malik-dia-names-top-6-talks-recruitment/

When I interpret that, it sounds like that, as of today, it's down to Marquette and Vanderbilt. It will be interesting to see if Shaka can beat out a former NBA All-Star for a recruit.

This article also said Dia won't announce anything until November, meaning there is still time for "bigger" programs to fall in love with him. So we'll see!

[Goose]

I am not concerned about us being competitive in the NIL game. Not having a football team makes getting NIL for a basketball program a whole lot easier. I believe their are enough mid tier donors to compliment the heavy hitters and allow MU to competitive with NIL money. I trust that Shaka will be able to entice enough money to the program over time.

[Royale]

I don't think there's anything to worry about wrt NIL. Marquette has always done well in recruiting and the boosters have always been a part of that.

[MU82]

I think MU is in world of hurt with regard to NIL, hey?

I am not concerned about us being competitive in the NIL game. Not having a football team makes getting NIL for a basketball program a whole lot easier. I believe their are enough mid tier donors to compliment the heavy hitters and allow MU to competitive with NIL money. I trust that Shaka will be able to entice enough money to the program over time.

Agree, Goose. We knew the NIL thing was imminent, and one reason we hired Shaka is that he is Mr. Persuasive.

Doc, you were a huge Shaka-backa ... but you now think we are screwed? You musta lost your faith, nu?

[4everwarriors]

Didn't say that, Boychick. I just think if a recruit is looking for a payday, today's elite programs are in the driver's seat. Therefore, Shaka's job gets that much harder. However, if anyone can get it done, its Smart. Yes, I remain all in on Shaka Smart, hey?

[WhiteTrash]

Didn't say that, Boychick. I just think if a recruit is looking for a payday, today's elite programs are in the driver's seat. Therefore, Shaka's job gets that much harder. However, if anyone can get it done, its Smart. Yes, I remain all in on Shaka Smart, hey?

Shaka's job is much harder.  NIL favors large (public) schools.  It is what it is. IMHO  the big conferences will eventually brake off from the NCAA.  Just makes sense and the rest will fight over the scraps. I see fewer opportunities for student athletes. But considering the options and economics maybe it is for the best. A refocus on academics by MU, Nova, Gonzaga or Kansas maybe a good thing.

[brewcity77]

Didn't say that, Boychick. I just think if a recruit is looking for a payday, today's elite programs are in the driver's seat. Therefore, Shaka's job gets that much harder. However, if anyone can get it done, its Smart. Yes, I remain all in on Shaka Smart, hey?

Wait, you think Duke, Kentucky, and UNC have a recruiting edge in this new environment? Bold statement, we'll see how it plays out.

[Shooter McGavin]

Shaka's job is much harder.  NIL favors large (public) schools.  It is what it is. IMHO  the big conferences will eventually brake off from the NCAA.  Just makes sense and the rest will fight over the scraps. I see fewer opportunities for student athletes. But considering the options and economics maybe it is for the best. A refocus on academics by MU, Nova, Gonzaga or Kansas maybe a good thing.

There has to be more college basketball teams than football teams for the health of the sport based on roster size, numbers of players that can play minutes at any one time and the number of games that need to be played during a season to get a proper sample size of wins and losses.  At least 150 teams should remain in division one basketball for the health of the sport in my opinion and MU will be a part of it.   

If, MU was no longer part of big boy basketball, fan interest would disintegrate.  The money would dry up and we would become a random Loyola U or Fordham.  That's a great degree but it would be a disaster for alumni morale.

[WhiteTrash]

I agree. But if you're Texas, UCLA, Georgia or Michigan  do you care about the rest of college teams and the fans?

I love MU basketball.  But we maybe like schools like KU, UCONN and Arizona that are left out. It's the new normal.

[MU82]

Didn't say that, Boychick. I just think if a recruit is looking for a payday, today's elite programs are in the driver's seat. Therefore, Shaka's job gets that much harder. However, if anyone can get it done, its Smart. Yes, I remain all in on Shaka Smart, hey?

Ah, so when you said "MU is in a world if hurt," you didn't mean MU is in a world of hurt.

Got it.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

IMHO  the big conferences will eventually brake off from the NCAA.  Just makes sense and the rest will fight over the scraps.

Is this before or after football and basketball is completely separated from universities like your earlier prediction?

[Viper]

I agree. But if you're Texas, UCLA, Georgia or Michigan  do you care about the rest of college teams and the fans?

I love MU basketball.  But we maybe like schools like KU, UCONN and Arizona that are left out. It's the new normal.

for the health of the respective sport, the Michigan's and Georgia's etc better care. Just as the woke nba ratings have cratered, college sports is not immune to fan indifference.

[WhiteTrash]

for the health of the respective sport, the Michigan's and Georgia's etc better care. Just as the woke nba ratings have cratered, college sports is not immune to fan indifference.

Totally agree.

[WhiteTrash]

Is this before or after football and basketball is completely separated from universities like your earlier prediction?

I'm not sure what you are getting at. I do think the teams will split from the schools for tax and other reasons. I could be wrong but I'm just following my own logical conclusion.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

for the health of the respective sport, the Michigan's and Georgia's etc better care. Just as the woke nba ratings have cratered, college sports is not immune to fan indifference.

Sigh...you realize that every sport has experienced ratings declines over the last two years (including the very woke NHL and NASCAR) and most of them have been steeper declines than the NBA? As a nation, we are watching less sports than we have in the past.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I'm not sure what you are getting at. I do think the teams will split from the schools for tax and other reasons. I could be wrong but I'm just following my own logical conclusion.

Mostly ribbing you because I've asked you a couple times for your prediction of when this will happen and you've never given me a response

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

https://twitter.com/TiptonEdits/status/1429902262525173769

This claims that we have offered 5-star big man Adem Bona. Have not seen it mentioned anywhere else so no idea if true

[Ben Golds Five]

Woah recruiting news? Well done TAMU!

[Newsdreams]

https://twitter.com/TiptonEdits/status/1429902262525173769

This claims that we have offered 5-star big man Adem Bona. Have not seen it mentioned anywhere else so no idea if true

Oh no, a 5 star, Shaka wasting resources chasing a 5 star. Travesty, #BadShaka

[Viper]

Sigh...you realize that every sport has experienced ratings declines over the last two years (including the very woke NHL and NASCAR) and most of them have been steeper declines than the NBA? As a nation, we are watching less sports than we have in the past.
I think you missed the point. But sigh, I'm not interested enough to explain. btw, NASCAR isn't woke, NASCAR is just a bad gimmick. Want to experience a race? Indycar at Road America.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

No I got the point

[The Lens]

Sigh...you realize that every sport has experienced ratings declines over the last two years (including the very woke NHL and NASCAR) and most of them have been steeper declines than the NBA? As a nation, we are watching less sports than we have in the past.

NBA ratings are so bad that Turner & Disney will probably only double their investment next time their deals are up. 

Tv ratings are down everywhere.  Sure the NBA draws half of what they did with MJ but they're still winning the night.  They still give advertisers a huge bang for their buck.

[JWags85]

NBA ratings are so bad that Turner & Disney will probably only double their investment next time their deals are up. 

Tv ratings are down everywhere.  Sure the NBA draws half of what they did with MJ but they're still winning the night.  They still give advertisers a huge bang for their buck.

And are also HUGE in the digital and social media space where they gain extra eyeballs and further penetration. The "woke NBA" isn't struggling in any way.  As evidenced by the skyrocketing salaries