Let's talk about the roster/recruits w/Shaka

[TallTitan34]

Curious what people think for an ideal/perfect roster given what is currently available in the transfer portal, or rumored to be available. I'll take a stab at my list:

PG: Carton/Hunter/Mitchell
SG: Bates/Mitchell/Elliott
SF: Lewis/Joplin
PF: Garcia/Ighodaro
C: Aidoo/(Tre Mitchell)

Role Players: Akanno/Perez

Full 13 man roster. Obviously, a pipe dream, but tried to at least stick with players that are at least remotely connected to MU or Shaka. Tre Mitchell has no connection to MU, but we really need another C.

The advantage of this roster is the ability of players (Mitchell/Carton; Lewis/Joplin/Garcia) to play multiple positions to spread playing time around and shift style. Would like to see Shaka up the intensity and go 9 deep. This roster would allow him to do so.

Big fan of this.

[JakeBarnes]

Curious what people think for an ideal/perfect roster given what is currently available in the transfer portal, or rumored to be available. I'll take a stab at my list:

PG: Carton/Hunter/Mitchell
SG: Bates/Mitchell/Elliott
SF: Lewis/Joplin
PF: Garcia/Ighodaro
C: Aidoo/(Tre Mitchell)

Role Players: Akanno/Perez

Full 13 man roster. Obviously, a pipe dream, but tried to at least stick with players that are at least remotely connected to MU or Shaka. Tre Mitchell has no connection to MU, but we really need another C.

The advantage of this roster is the ability of players (Mitchell/Carton; Lewis/Joplin/Garcia) to play multiple positions to spread playing time around and shift style. Would like to see Shaka up the intensity and go 9 deep. This roster would allow him to do so.

You probably only get 1 of Stevie or Hunter. But I too like the idea of Tre Mitchell

[Pakuni]

Curious what people think for an ideal/perfect roster given what is currently available in the transfer portal, or rumored to be available. I'll take a stab at my list:

PG: Carton/Hunter/Mitchell
SG: Bates/Mitchell/Elliott
SF: Lewis/Joplin
PF: Garcia/Ighodaro
C: Aidoo/(Tre Mitchell)

Role Players: Akanno/Perez

Full 13 man roster. Obviously, a pipe dream, but tried to at least stick with players that are at least remotely connected to MU or Shaka. Tre Mitchell has no connection to MU, but we really need another C.

The advantage of this roster is the ability of players (Mitchell/Carton; Lewis/Joplin/Garcia) to play multiple positions to spread playing time around and shift style. Would like to see Shaka up the intensity and go 9 deep. This roster would allow him to do so.

I fear Justin would be a turnstile trying to guard wings on the perimeter. And his ball handling out there has a ways to go. Maybe it would work against some lineups, but a team like St. John's or Creighton would get into the paint at will.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Taking out the transfer portal, here's the best possible hope IMHO for a 13 man roster just based on what Marquette and Shaka have already recruited:

1: Carton, Mitchell
2: Bates, Elliott, Ellis
3: Cain, Perez, Akanno
4: Lewis, Oso, Joplin
5: Garcia, Aidoo

I'd really like an upgrade at the 2 and 3. The 2 we at least have good depth at. The 3, not so much.

[willie warrior]

Big fan of this.

When did we get Bates?

[forgetful]

You probably only get 1 of Stevie or Hunter. But I too like the idea of Tre Mitchell

I agree. Ellis is a great 3rd option there. Obviously most of it is dreaming anyway. I'd be stoked with a guy like Tre Mitchell to shore up the interior.

I'd really like an upgrade at the 2 and 3. The 2 we at least have good depth at. The 3, not so much.

The 3 position is a concern. Depending on how things shake out, it might not be a bad idea to end up going bigger lineup wise and then go to a zone defensively to take advantage of length.

We'll see. Excited to see how these next couple weeks pan out, cautiously optimistic that we might have a much better roster than I was anticipating.

[bobnoxious]

Maybe I missed something but is kam jones not committed anymore?

[PGsHeroes32]

Maybe I missed something but is kam jones not committed anymore?

Wojo was basically the reason for his commit.

So assumption is he will be gone. Basically the same reason why people think we have a good shot at Bates, Shaka.

[TallTitan34]

When did we get Bates?

OP asked for your ideal roster given what's available. Seeing as Bates committed to Shaka it's not that crazy MU gets him.  Kansas also very possible.

[forgetful]

When did we get Bates?

As noted, I posted a dream roster of guys at least somewhat connected to MU/Shaka. I thought it would be interesting to see what people would like to see put together in a talk of "roster/recruits w/Shaka".

Bates would be a huge addition.

Maybe I missed something but is kam jones not committed anymore?

I left him off my roster because he seemed like he was very strongly associated with Wojo, would love to have him on board, but have a feeling he may be a tough get.

I think the hope would be you get 2 or 3 of: Hunter/Bates/Mitchell/Ellis/Jones.

[onepost]

When did we get Bates?

The expectation from Texas 247 guys is that Bates will ask out of his NLI and follow Shaka to MU.
Shaka was the whole reason he committed to Texas.  So like with Ahmed Hill and Buzz in 2014, most of us hope Bates follows Shaka here knowing there's an immediate role for him.

I would be absolutely stunned if David Joplin doesn't end up here as well.

[Pakuni]

Wojo was basically the reason for his commit.

So assumption is he will be gone. Basically the same reason why people think we have a good shot at Bates, Shaka.

I noted this elsewhere, but Kam last week (March 24, after Wojo's firing) retweeted Emily La Chappell's announcement she was committing to the women's team.
And his commitment video from last year is still pinned to the top of his page. So I'm not sure we should assume anything.

[NolongerWarriors]

There's a real "cult of personality" around Shaka Smart (as evidenced by so many here being enthralled with the hire despite his mediocre track record), so I would bet Carton, Lewis and Garcia stay and Bates comes, as well.

[YaBlueIt]

FWIW Justin Lewis is also now following Shaka Smart on Instagram. Another positive sign, albeit technically meaningless.

[The Sultan]

FWIW Justin Lewis is also now following Shaka Smart on Instagram. Another positive sign, albeit technically meaningless.

The bolded is essentially Scoop's motto.

[BallBoy]

Only 2 bowls? What the sam hill is your problem TAMU!

If he had the third bowl, he would be on the toilet too long to do any of the other activities.

[Markusquette]

Curious what people think for an ideal/perfect roster given what is currently available in the transfer portal, or rumored to be available. I'll take a stab at my list:

PG: Carton/Hunter/Mitchell
SG: Bates/Mitchell/Elliott
SF: Lewis/Joplin
PF: Garcia/Ighodaro
C: Aidoo/(Tre Mitchell)

Role Players: Akanno/Perez

Full 13 man roster. Obviously, a pipe dream, but tried to at least stick with players that are at least remotely connected to MU or Shaka. Tre Mitchell has no connection to MU, but we really need another C.

The advantage of this roster is the ability of players (Mitchell/Carton; Lewis/Joplin/Garcia) to play multiple positions to spread playing time around and shift style. Would like to see Shaka up the intensity and go 9 deep. This roster would allow him to do so.

If Elliott comes back there's no way he's buried in the depth chart like that. Also where is the Tyrese Hunter stuff coming from?

Second thoughts - will Perez and Akanno even be on the team?

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Curious what people think for an ideal/perfect roster given what is currently available in the transfer portal, or rumored to be available. I'll take a stab at my list:

PG: Carton/Hunter/Mitchell
SG: Bates/Mitchell/Elliott
SF: Lewis/Joplin
PF: Garcia/Ighodaro
C: Aidoo/(Tre Mitchell)

Role Players: Akanno/Perez

Full 13 man roster. Obviously, a pipe dream, but tried to at least stick with players that are at least remotely connected to MU or Shaka. Tre Mitchell has no connection to MU, but we really need another C.

The advantage of this roster is the ability of players (Mitchell/Carton; Lewis/Joplin/Garcia) to play multiple positions to spread playing time around and shift style. Would like to see Shaka up the intensity and go 9 deep. This roster would allow him to do so.

Justin Lewis is not a SF.  He is a PF that can play a small C.

We'll see what happens but I don't think this dream roster happens.

Getting both Tre Mitchell and Aidoo seems extremely unlikely.  Let's see what happens with Stevie Mitchell and Tyrese Hunter, but again I think getting both is unlikely.

But I'm excited to see what Smart does with the roster.  At least 2 open spots, 3 if Symir still transfers. 

[GB Warrior]

Justin Lewis is not a SF.  He is a PF that can play a small C.

We'll see what happens but I don't think this dream roster happens.

Getting both Tre Mitchell and Aidoo seems extremely unlikely.  Let's see what happens with Stevie Mitchell and Tyrese Hunter, but again I think getting both is unlikely.

But I'm excited to see what Smart does with the roster.  At least 2 open spots, 3 if Symir still transfers.

Agreed. Garcia and Lewis are a weird stylistic pairing for that reason, but I like Lewis as a 5 when sharing the court

[BCHoopster]

They are both interchangeable, the big difference is that Garcia can make a three, Lewis shooting from the outside last year at his very best  was horrible. Unless he improves his shot, he needs to be inside on offense.  Defensely I think it will depend on the matchup, long and skinny Garcia guards, big physical Lewis. 
Hope they get one more big, Aidoo or someone else, it will be interesting if retains Gainey.  I do not see Judson or Presuitti retained. I would want my own people.

[MU82]

FWIW Justin Lewis is also now following Shaka Smart on Instagram. Another positive sign, albeit technically meaningless.

Yeah, but who is Todd Smith following on Twitter? If only guru were here to tell us what is and isn't a drill!

[brewcity77]

Yeah, but who is Todd Smith following on Twitter? If only guru were here to tell us what is and isn't a drill!

I'd be curious to know what Todd is thinking right now. It's pretty clear that what Buzz wanted from his programs was radically different than what Wojo wanted. I remember when Steve Prohm saw DJO & Jae in 2012 saying they looked like they belonged at Spring football practice instead of the NCAA Tournament.

With the exception of Theo, who came in built like that, I don't feel like all our seniors have physically developed like that. It seems like Wojo was more about finesse both in practice and the weight room. I feel like we're going to have more of that physical edge with a coach that seems to prioritize the physicality and intensity a bit more.

[MU82]

I'd be curious to know what Todd is thinking right now. It's pretty clear that what Buzz wanted from his programs was radically different than what Wojo wanted. I remember when Steve Prohm saw DJO & Jae in 2012 saying they looked like they belonged at Spring football practice instead of the NCAA Tournament.

With the exception of Theo, who came in built like that, I don't feel like all our seniors have physically developed like that. It seems like Wojo was more about finesse both in practice and the weight room. I feel like we're going to have more of that physical edge with a coach that seems to prioritize the physicality and intensity a bit more.

I hope you're right, brew.

I'm a terrible artist. All the people I draw look like stick figures.

I am tired of my drawings of Marquette players being accurate!

[forgetful]

I'd be curious to know what Todd is thinking right now. It's pretty clear that what Buzz wanted from his programs was radically different than what Wojo wanted. I remember when Steve Prohm saw DJO & Jae in 2012 saying they looked like they belonged at Spring football practice instead of the NCAA Tournament.

With the exception of Theo, who came in built like that, I don't feel like all our seniors have physically developed like that. It seems like Wojo was more about finesse both in practice and the weight room. I feel like we're going to have more of that physical edge with a coach that seems to prioritize the physicality and intensity a bit more.

In all honesty, DJO and Jae came in built like Theo too.

One of the bigger physical transformations was actually under Wojo (Sacar).

[JWags85]

In all honesty, DJO and Jae came in built like Theo too.

One of the bigger physical transformations was actually under Wojo (Sacar).

I was watching older clips of Markus with Rowsey when he was a sophomore and even he filled out very noticeably afterwards his last 2 years.  He wasn't DJO, but Todd built him up well