Carton is #1 on my wish list

[MuggsyB]

The kid has a tremendous ceiling but I honestly believe he would be well served playing another year of college hoops.  The jumper and overall comfort as a playmaker are areas he can vastly improve.  I think he was somewhat hampered because we didn't have a 2nd ball handler but we are talking about an explosive NBA talent athlete.  To maximize his skills there are some additional areas that I would focus on to reach the promised land.

1)  Become a dominant on the ball defender in the DJ mode.  He's absolutely quick and strong enough to cause extreme havoc, create turns, and get us easier buckets in transition.  And we know in the open floor with space the results are high flying and thunderous throw downs.  I'm guessing his vert is in the 38 range?

2)  Be quick but don't hurry.  In other words patience and using more change of pace n lieu of Speedy Gonzales with the rock.  Once DJ gets into the paint I think he can be much more effective slowing down and simply positioning himself to elevate and score or playmaking by surveying the entire floor.

3)  Get more comfortable in the high pick and roll.  We have all talked about him improving his shot but the two man game with Garcia could be prime-time with a little seasoning.

4)  Leadership on the floor.  This I believe starts at the defensive end.  We also saw flashes of DJ taking over games, I think he's capable of doing this on the college level with much more consistency.

5)  Better shot-slection/decision making in the h-court.  I am hoping a Skaka led MU team will be able to get out and go which would best suit Carton's game.  At the same time I do believe he is creative and athletic enough to get quality shots vs one on one coverage.

*Side Note:  I've stated a number of times that DJ has what I call "Zoomability".  But he also possesses "Hoppability" which can be a devastating combination.  Once you converge these skills, add the change of pace dribble, patience, and can confidently get to the sweet spots on the floor, the level of effectiveness become elite. 

I am hoping and hopeful that DJ is back in MU gear, leads us to the beginning of greatness in Milwaukee, and takes one personal step closer to his NBA dreams.

[4everwarriors]

Has potential with good coachin', hey?

[Goose]

He is the guy I want to keep the most. IMO, he is the best returning player and still has a lot of upside. Again, he is #1 on my list.

[MuggsyB]

Has potential with good coachin', hey?

I do think this will make an enormous difference. 

[4everwarriors]

As the head coach, its hard to comprehend how utterly incompetent Woj was in so many facets of the game. Who was responsible for many the hire on this dude, hey?

[onepost]

DJ now follows Shaka on twitter, retweeted the @MarquetteMBB tweet welcoming Shaka, and Instagram "Story'd" the Welcome to MU Shaka posts.  So the feeling is he was a big fan of the hire.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Feeling good about DJ and Lewis staying. Garcia I'm less confident about but think he ends up staying.

Keep all 3 and there is enough between shaka recruits,  MU recruits,  MUs returning roster,  and the transfer portal that Shaka should be able to put a winning roster together.

[5DollarPitcher]

I’ve said it before, but I think the talent already on the team is easily Top 25 talent. The problem is, last year, they played with no semblance of congelation.

If the Big 3 stay, the team is toughened up on defense, and the team actually plays as a team on offense (i.e. balanced scoring, decreased turnovers, solid set plays), I predict that next year we will achieve better results than any year during the Wojo era.

[Jockey]

The kid has a tremendous ceiling but I honestly believe he would be well served playing another year of college hoops.  The jumper and overall comfort as a playmaker are areas he can vastly improve.  I think he was somewhat hampered because we didn't have a 2nd ball handler but we are talking about an explosive NBA talent athlete.  To maximize his skills there are some additional areas that I would focus on to reach the promised land.

I hope Carton comes back as he could become a really good player for us.

As far as NBA? I don't see it yet. The one thing he has is elite athleticism. But I see a lot of ???? in his game if he wants to get to the NBA.

He has a very loose handle. Not a great passer or playmaker and is turnover prone. His shot is not NBA ready - he has a low release point which will make shooting tough over 6'4" guys who know how to play 'D'. Not a good defender.

He can improve in all these areas, but he has work to do. His game is more like a combo guard, but he doesn't have the size to play the '2' in the NBA.


I invite replies to tell me where i am wrong.

[cheebs09]

I would love to see DJ in Shaka’s defense. We seemed at our best when playing aggressively up top.

Even though Shaka went away from Havoc, did he pressure guards? I know he focused more on efg% rather than turnovers.

[CountryRoads]

I’ve said it before, but I think the talent already on the team is easily Top 25 talent. The problem is, last year, they played with no semblance of congelation.

If the Big 3 stay, the team is toughened up on defense, and the team actually plays as a team on offense (i.e. balanced scoring, decreased turnovers, solid set plays), I predict that next year we will achieve better results than any year during the Wojo era.

Agree, but achieving better results than any year during the Wojo era isn’t really saying all that much. I’d be very excited to watch the Big3 along with some of Shakas guys next year. It would be a fun team.

[jfp61]

Guys like Mitchell and Elliott wont be on the roster with Bates and Ellis.

If its a shaka back court, guard under Wojo other than Carton won't stay.


I think Shaka is gonna adjust the bigs more. Also I expect some of the UT recruits to stay and play for Beard if they hire him.
The only recruit I am sure Shaka will bring is Joplin. Need someone to fill in for Cain

[MuggsyB]

I%u2019ve said it before, but I think the talent already on the team is easily Top 25 talent. The problem is, last year, they played with no semblance of congelation.

If the Big 3 stay, the team is toughened up on defense, and the team actually plays as a team on offense (i.e. balanced scoring, decreased turnovers, solid set plays), I predict that next year we will achieve better results than any year during the Wojo era.

I think this is pretty accurate.  As for top 25 talent?  I'm not quite sure on that because we lacked a 2nd perimeter player  and Garcia and JLew were Frosh.  However, your overall point about zero semblance of cohesion is 100% spot-on.  You can add no defined roles, atrocious fundamentals on both ends of the floor, piss poor execution, hesitancy in general, and no discernible leadership of any capacity.  And with all that we still beat four tourney teams and could have easily had 17 wins.  There's no need to belabor on it but I don't think people realize how poorly coached this group was this year.  And no, it was not because of COVID.  Much better things are on the horizon imo.

[PhillyWarrior]

DJ has amazing potential and is a world class athlete but needs to be more consistent.  Seems to wake up with < 8 minutes left in the game.  Very poor ball handling and too many turnovers.  Needs to take care of the ball and become a better floor leader

[MU82]

I hope Carton comes back as he could become a really good player for us.

As far as NBA? I don't see it yet. The one thing he has is elite athleticism. But I see a lot of ???? in his game if he wants to get to the NBA.

He has a very loose handle. Not a great passer or playmaker and is turnover prone. His shot is not NBA ready - he has a low release point which will make shooting tough over 6'4" guys who know how to play 'D'. Not a good defender.

He can improve in all these areas, but he has work to do. His game is more like a combo guard, but he doesn't have the size to play the '2' in the NBA.

I invite replies to tell me where i am wrong.

I don't think you are wrong at all. But it doesn't matter what either of us think; athletes who are determined to go pro often do so even if they aren't projected as high draft picks and even if they need considerable work. So we'll see what happens with DJ.

I hope TAMU is right that DJ will come back, because with a full offseason program, good coaching and the natural maturing process that talented players often experience, I believe DJ not only will be our best player but has the potential to be first-team all-conference and even BE POY.

I’ve said it before, but I think the talent already on the team is easily Top 25 talent. The problem is, last year, they played with no semblance of congelation.

If the Big 3 stay, the team is toughened up on defense, and the team actually plays as a team on offense (i.e. balanced scoring, decreased turnovers, solid set plays), I predict that next year we will achieve better results than any year during the Wojo era.

I agree about the potential of next season's team. Frankly, I thought we could improve a lot even had Wojo been retained. If our 3 top players return, our 2 top recruits stay committed, and a good transfer or three join up ... and with a significant upgrade in coaching and a full offseason program ... I absolutely can see us being a Top 25 team.

Good freshmen get better, often significantly better. They would have under Wojo, too. They really can under Shaka and his assistants.

I really, really hope that a month from now we're all talking about how Shaka will blend the players he brings in, as well as Mitchell and Aidoo, along with DJ, DG and JL.

Let's go! We Are Marquette!

[DoctorV]

If I had a pipe dream wish list I’d go with Baldwin- would be highest rated recruit since I became a fan.

Current player wish list I’d have Dawson Garcia #1, Justin #2, DJC #3.
Carton sticking around would be great, but I would like to see what Shaka can do with the talented bigs.

Now give me Patrick Baldwin Jr, Dawson Garcia, Justin Lewis, Joplin, and Aidoo in the front court and watch my mind explode.

[bilsu]

I’ve said it before, but I think the talent already on the team is easily Top 25 talent. The problem is, last year, they played with no semblance of congelation.

If the Big 3 stay, the team is toughened up on defense, and the team actually plays as a team on offense (i.e. balanced scoring, decreased turnovers, solid set plays), I predict that next year we will achieve better results than any year during the Wojo era.

This is how you guys set your self up for disappointment. You keep overrating our talent.

[5DollarPitcher]

This is how you guys set your self up for disappointment. You keep overrating our talent.

I’d rather not preemptively set the bar low for myself and put myself in a position to accept mediocrity. 7 years can go by in the blink of an eye with that mindset.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Top 25 talent? I don't think so.  NCAA tourney talent?  Absolutely

[MU82]

This is how you guys set your self up for disappointment. You keep overrating our talent.

Maybe. But Garcia was a burger boy, DJ was widely considered one of the top 2 transfers available and Lewis was top-100. So other dopes overrated it, too.

Top 25 talent? I don't think so.  NCAA tourney talent?  Absolutely

I'll gladly accept that next season.

[MuggsyB]

If I had a pipe dream wish list I’d go with Baldwin- would be highest rated recruit since I became a fan.

Current player wish list I’d have Dawson Garcia #1, Justin #2, DJC #3.
Carton sticking around would be great, but I would like to see what Shaka can do with the talented bigs.

Now give me Patrick Baldwin Jr, Dawson Garcia, Justin Lewis, Joplin, and Aidoo in the front court and watch my mind explode.

Is there any inclination we are going after Baldwin?

[MikeDeanesDarkGlasses]

DJ Carton possesses ability but not much skill.  He's horrible at protecting the ball and is often a liability on the court with his questionable shot selection/decision making.  I will take a guard that's less athletic/explosive any day as long as he can protect/distribute the ball.  DJ is a long term project and is much more valuable as an off guard.  MU drastically needs perimeter players that can pass/dribble/penetrate.  DJ's play would improve dramatically if there's a PG that can break down the defense and distribute to a DJ Carton that slashes to the hoop or spots up and shoots off the pass.  He thinks too much and is hesitant.  Get someone who can take that pressure off of Carton and let Carton roam freely without the ball to create mismatches.   

[DoctorV]

Is there any inclination we are going after Baldwin?

Nope. Only inclination is that he hasn’t picked a school yet and is said to be down to UWM to play for pops or NW.

Maybe we get a lightning bolt and Sr plus Jr both like the idea of one year under Shaka before the NBA

[MuggsyB]

Nope. Only inclination is that he hasn’t picked a school yet and is said to be down to UWM to play for pops or NW.

Maybe we get a lightning bolt and Sr plus Jr both like the idea of one year under Shaka before the NBA

This seems like a very sensible plan Doctor V. 

[avid1010]

Is there any inclination we are going after Baldwin?

Yeah...a kid who's dad coaches for a milwaukee based school goes to the other milwaukee school...