Recruiting as of 11/15/25

[muwarrior69]

I've been incredibly annoying about the talent issues we've had this season - so I need to keep the same energy with giving Shaka props for the talent he's after in 2027 at guard. Jaxson Davis, Devin Cleveland, Micah Gordon, and Antonio Pemberton are all top-60 (per 247) recruits, and it seems like those are the four Shaka has prioritized.  Would love to land a couple of them if the numbers work out.

Kohnen, Knueppel, Davis are also highly ranked so we're after plenty of big fish.

...but is the NIL/Revenue sharing worm big enough to reel them in.

[MU82]

I've never seen him play but I suspect that he has a high basketball IQ. That's a characteristic that is sorely lacking on the current roster. TKO, Oso, Kam, and Stevie know how to play. Need to get some of that from future recruits, whether from HS or the portal.

In TKO's first year in the program, he was benched several times, he couldn't shoot, he had a crisis of confidence, and Scoopers were correctly saying that Marquette needed improved PG play.

In Oso's first year in the program, he played 38 minutes total; in his first year under Shaka, he was an offense-challenged backup.

In Kam's first year in the program, he averaged 7.4 points on .415 shooting and Shaka had to constantly remind him about the difference between a good shot and a bad shot.

In Stevie's first year in the program, he averaged 2.8 ppg and much of Scoop was convinced he couldn't play at this level.

Each of them learned how to play high-level basketball during their time under this coaching staff.

[rocky_warrior]

Each of them learned how to play high-level basketball during their time under this coaching staff.

If only we could see that sort of growth from Norman, Lowery, Hamilton, and Owens...

[Zog from Margo]

In TKO's first year in the program, he was benched several times, he couldn't shoot, he had a crisis of confidence, and Scoopers were correctly saying that Marquette needed improved PG play.

In Oso's first year in the program, he played 38 minutes total; in his first year under Shaka, he was an offense-challenged backup.

In Kam's first year in the program, he averaged 7.4 points on .415 shooting and Shaka had to constantly remind him about the difference between a good shot and a bad shot.

In Stevie's first year in the program, he averaged 2.8 ppg and much of Scoop was convinced he couldn't play at this level.

Each of them learned how to play high-level basketball during their time under this coaching staff.

I disagree. The fact that they struggled early in their careers likely meant they had to adjust to the speed and physicality of the game. Do you really think Shaka taught Oso and TKO how to pass and that their ability to see the floor and make decisions was not innate? If so, then why do Jones, Lowery, and Norman still have relatively poor decision making skills? Why does Gold not make the same quality decisions as Oso? Why was Justin Lewis a complete black hole of offense? Kon Knuepple had a higher basketball IQ coming out of HS than anyone on MU's current roster.

[tower912]

Can probably spell his last name correctly, too.

[Pakuni]

In TKO's first year in the program, he was benched several times, he couldn't shoot, he had a crisis of confidence, and Scoopers were correctly saying that Marquette needed improved PG play.
In Oso's first year in the program, he played 38 minutes total; in his first year under Shaka, he was an offense-challenged backup.

In Kam's first year in the program, he averaged 7.4 points on .415 shooting and Shaka had to constantly remind him about the difference between a good shot and a bad shot.

In Stevie's first year in the program, he averaged 2.8 ppg and much of Scoop was convinced he couldn't play at this level.

Each of them learned how to play high-level basketball during their time under this coaching staff.

TKO's point guard play was basically elite from his arrival at MU and he started every game. Everyone justifiably railed on his shooting, and credit to him for improving, but nobody suggested he couldn't run the point.

Offensive-challenged backup Oso had the second best ORtg on the team in his second season, to go with a .676 eFG% and .692 TS%.

The rest of the players you're talking about were freshmen. Nobody would be questioning Shaka's development model based on what we've seen from James, Stevens or Phillips. Freshmen gonna freshmen.
What's alarming has been the lack of development, and even regression, from the guys in their second, third and even fourth year in the program.

Ignoring the portal debate, the real question is what happened during the offseason that's contributed to this mess. One or two guys flatlining or regressing may be normal, but when it's nearly the entire roster, that's a big red flag and coaching can't be held blameless for it.

[MU82]

TKO's point guard play was basically elite from his arrival at MU and he started every game. Everyone justifiably railed on his shooting, and credit to him for improving, but nobody suggested he couldn't run the point.

Offensive-challenged backup Oso had the second best ORtg on the team in his second season, to go with a .676 eFG% and .692 TS%.

The rest of the players you're talking about were freshmen. Nobody would be questioning Shaka's development model based on what we've seen from James, Stevens or Phillips. Freshmen gonna freshmen.
What's alarming has been the lack of development, and even regression, from the guys in their second, third and even fourth year in the program.

Ignoring the portal debate, the real question is what happened during the offseason that's contributed to this mess. One or two guys flatlining or regressing may be normal, but when it's nearly the entire roster, that's a big red flag and coaching can't be held blameless for it.

Agree with your real question. And I absolutely do not hold the coach "blameless." Shaka hung his hat on helping players improve, and far too many players on MU's roster have not improved to the level necessary to compete with P5 teams. By that measure (and a few others), he has failed.

If only we could see that sort of growth from Norman, Lowery, Hamilton, and Owens...

Agree.

I disagree. The fact that they struggled early in their careers likely meant they had to adjust to the speed and physicality of the game. Do you really think Shaka taught Oso and TKO how to pass and that their ability to see the floor and make decisions was not innate? If so, then why do Jones, Lowery, and Norman still have relatively poor decision making skills? Why does Gold not make the same quality decisions as Oso? Why was Justin Lewis a complete black hole of offense? Kon Knuepple had a higher basketball IQ coming out of HS than anyone on MU's current roster.

Yes, some players are more talented and knowledgeable than others. Some also improve more than others over the course of a college career.

[jfp61]

In TKO's first year in the program, he was benched several times, he couldn't shoot, he had a crisis of confidence, and Scoopers were correctly saying that Marquette needed improved PG play.

In Oso's first year in the program, he played 38 minutes total; in his first year under Shaka, he was an offense-challenged backup.

In Kam's first year in the program, he averaged 7.4 points on .415 shooting and Shaka had to constantly remind him about the difference between a good shot and a bad shot.

In Stevie's first year in the program, he averaged 2.8 ppg and much of Scoop was convinced he couldn't play at this level.

Each of them learned how to play high-level basketball during their time under this coaching staff.

TKO's defense was better than Morsells in his first year. And even without the shooting production he was viable. He was a top 500 player immediately.
Oso was given 66 possessions in year one. When he played consistent minutes, he was a top two player on the team. He out played Kur significantly.  He was a top 400 player immediately.
Kam and Stevie as freshmen still better than any freshman on this years roster. They were both about top 1000 players.

They learned a bit and immproved. But don't like any of them wouldn't be a top two player on our team now even as freshmen.

[MU82]

TKO's defense was better than Morsells in his first year. And even without the shooting production he was viable. He was a top 500 player immediately.
Oso was given 66 possessions in year one. When he played consistent minutes, he was a top two player on the team. He out played Kur significantly.  He was a top 400 player immediately.
Kam and Stevie as freshmen still better than any freshman on this years roster. They were both about top 1000 players.

They learned a bit and immproved. But don't like any of them wouldn't be a top two player on our team now even as freshmen.

I say they learned a lot and improved significantly. But you're allowed to believe otherwise' it's still a free country, for now.

[jfp61]

I say they learned a lot and improved significantly. But you're allowed to believe otherwise' it's still a free country, for now.

They did.
But their baselines were all higher.

[Jay Bee]

In Kam's first year in the program, he averaged 7.4 points on .415 shooting and Shaka had to constantly remind him about the difference between a good shot and a bad shot.

Is this being disingenuous or just stupid? "On .415 shooting"? Huh? FG% isn't relevant. Kam's 3FGA/FGA was crazy high, and the kid shot flipping 55.9% eFG%. That's a great mark for anyone, much less a frosh. smh

[Shooter McGavin]

In TKO's first year in the program, he was benched several times, he couldn't shoot, he had a crisis of confidence, and Scoopers were correctly saying that Marquette needed improved PG play.

In Oso's first year in the program, he played 38 minutes total; in his first year under Shaka, he was an offense-challenged backup.

In Kam's first year in the program, he averaged 7.4 points on .415 shooting and Shaka had to constantly remind him about the difference between a good shot and a bad shot.

In Stevie's first year in the program, he averaged 2.8 ppg and much of Scoop was convinced he couldn't play at this level.

Each of them learned how to play high-level basketball during their time under this coaching staff.

Yep, that the hope for the freshmen.  The others are not showing what they can do sans Parham.  So the logic fails if there is no talent to develop. 

Caveat,  I would like you to be right.

[MU82]

Is this being disingenuous or just stupid? "On .415 shooting"? Huh? FG% isn't relevant. Kam's 3FGA/FGA was crazy high, and the kid shot flipping 55.9% eFG%. That's a great mark for anyone, much less a frosh. smh

Thanks.

[Stretchdeltsig]

Kids who can shoot should play period.

[tower912]

Kids who can shoot should play period.

Unless they shoot too much.  Then they are called cancers and their accomplishments downplayed.

[Jay Bee]

Unless they shoot too much.  Then they are called cancers and their accomplishments downplayed.

Yes. Especially if they only shoot 54.7% from deep. Gotta stay TRUE to your "position" around here! We want elite offense at Scoop, but only in the right way!

[Zog from Margo]

Unless they shoot too much.  Then they are called cancers and their accomplishments downplayed.

You mean Sam Hauser?

[tower912]

Like Emarion, Itejere, Amadou.  Just a guy who left.

Damn, I liked Sam his 3 years at MU.

[Newsdreams]

This is the specific Davis part.

The No. 11 Bulldogs kept the game close without Carter, but Davis stepped up in the final seconds and made a steal to secure No. 5 Warren's 60-57 victory.

''[Carter] had been playing like a first-team all-stater,'' Waukegan coach Ron Ashlaw said.

Davis is a first-team all-stater. He finished with 23 points and asserted himself in the final 30 seconds, making four consecutive free throws to put the Blue Devils (5-1, 2-0 North Suburban) ahead by three, then stealing the ball on the last play to keep the Bulldogs from getting a shot to tie the score.

''I read the guy's eyes,'' Davis said. ''I knew they were going to try to get it to [point guard Carter Newsome]. He's hit big shots in the past, and he hit shots in this game.''

FTs????