Tremendous Week for MU Hoops

[Silkk the Shaka]

Not quite at an A+ yet. Few more moves to be made before we get there. I think we do.

What would that be for you? Garcia comes back, Morsell transfer in, sign Tamar Bates? Anything else you're thinking?

[MUBurrow]

What I love most about this week is how adaptive it is to the strange covid-driven CBB landscape.  With a new coach and the free transfer rule, Shaka basically orchestrated a line change of high level recruits and transfers.  I expect a decent amount of attrition after next season because this roster is starting from scratch - but in a way that leaves us with a more certain future and the ability to start balancing classes going forward. To be able to say that on April 16 is pretty incredible.

[The Lens]

What I love most about this week is how adaptive it is to the strange covid-driven CBB landscape.  With a new coach and the free transfer rule, Shaka basically orchestrated a line change of high level recruits and transfers.  I expect a decent amount of attrition after next season because this roster is starting from scratch - but in a way that leaves us with a more certain future and the ability to start balancing classes going forward. To be able to say that on April 16 is pretty incredible.

Comparing Shaka's comments yesterday on transfers in today's game vs what Gard said earlier this month?  I like where we're at.  He's absolutely the right coach for this era.   

[hairy worthen]

What I love most about this week is how adaptive it is to the strange covid-driven CBB landscape.  With a new coach and the free transfer rule, Shaka basically orchestrated a line change of high level recruits and transfers.  I expect a decent amount of attrition after next season because this roster is starting from scratch - but in a way that leaves us with a more certain future and the ability to start balancing classes going forward. To be able to say that on April 16 is pretty incredible.

This year may be more like the norm going forward, obviously not with the seniors returning. If so, we have a guy that looks like he can adapt and use it to his advantage.

[MuggsyB]

Most the season I felt Wojo was toast bc the apathy I found in my MU circle was at such an all time low that I figured MU could never run it back.

I knew a change was needed to get fans back.  So while I expected a change, I didn't expect a tidal wave.  These past few weeks have been absolutely transformational.  Not just in the HC, incoming players etc but in how my MU circle is brought back to life.  It feels like the 2nd weekend in March, it's amazing.

My sentiments exactly.  I've heard from people since Shaka's hiring, and this week, that literally disappeared in the last few years.  The excitement is ubiquitous and quite refreshing.

[forgetful]

Call me a eternal optimist or a myopic loyalist but I'm giving Shaka an A+.

It's been an amazing week, but an A+ would mean essentially perfect.

So in order to get an A+, he would have needed to keep Aidoo committed and land Bates.

[JakeBarnes]

It's been an amazing week, but an A+ would mean essentially perfect.

So in order to get an A+, he would have needed to keep Aidoo committed and land Bates.

And retroactively won the 2021 ncaa tourney

[TSmith34, Inc.]

Most the season I felt Wojo was toast bc the apathy I found in my MU circle was at such an all time low that I figured MU could never run it back.

I knew a change was needed to get fans back.  So while I expected a change, I didn't expect a tidal wave.  These past few weeks have been absolutely transformational.  Not just in the HC, incoming players etc but in how my MU circle is brought back to life.  It feels like the 2nd weekend in March, it's amazing.

Its all been very beneficial for Marquette. I will say--and maybe fit me for my sweater vest on this-- I'm not looking to a free-for-all every year with 80% roster turnover year after year, if that's what college hoops becomes.

[79Warrior]

I'm cautiously optimistic. I'm going going gaga over any of this since I remember similar sentiments when Wojo was hired.

I do not remember much excitement about Wojo. Shaka has done more in two weeks than Woj did in a year.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

Makes me realize how uninterested I've been the past few years.

[Stretchdeltsig]

I do not remember much excitement about Wojo. Shaka has done more in two weeks than Woj did in a year.

Understated. It's more excitement than during Wojo's 7 years. It's been truly amazing and refreshing. Can t wait for the season to begin.

[Golden Avalanche]

Understated. It's more excitement than during Wojo's 7 years. It's been truly amazing and refreshing. Can t wait for the season to begin.

The revisionist history is strong in this one.

[TSmith34, Inc.]

The revisionist history is strong in this one.

There was rather a lot of excitement when we were 23-4 and ranked 10th. Indeed.

[MikeDeanesDarkGlasses]

There was rather a lot of excitement when we were 23-4 and ranked 10th. Indeed.

Yes there was, especially to the casuals

[MUCam]

There was rather a lot of excitement when we were 23-4 and ranked 10th. Indeed.

Agreed. As much as we might try to convince ourselves otherwise, Wojo's tenure was not completely without some rays of excitement. There were great moments as recently as a year ago when Garcia, Oso, and Lewis committed. There were moments of magic with Markus.

As undeniable as that fact is, however, is the fact that excitement during Wojo's tenure was mostly obscured by the dark cloud of mediocrity that slowly sapped away enthusiasm for the program. By the end of this year, those fleeting rays of excitement were so clearly overshadowed by the descending malaise of apathy.

Marquette had to make a move. What a move it made. A defibrillator to shock back the life into the Marquette program.

[MomofMUltiples]

Actually, I don't remember anyone who was excited about the Wojo hiring.  I think it ranged between "Not the right guy" to "ok, let's give him a chance."  Shaka has created a lot of excitement in the program, and probably kept most of the core together (we'll see about DG) and brought in some exciting new guys.  Cupboard is full, folks.  Let's see what he can do with it.

[MikeDeanesDarkGlasses]

It's been an amazing week, but an A+ would mean essentially perfect.

So in order to get an A+, he would have needed to keep Aidoo committed and land Bates.

Agreed.

4 and 3 star recruits coming in that fit a philosophy/scheme/brand of basketball.  It was what was expected.  The only difference is that it all happened in a short period of time rather than over several weeks/months.

B+/A-  performance by Shaka ----- Which, If you graded MU against all other programs this is where most would probably rank them as well.  Notice how both scores match up.   Now, they just need to be developed and molded. 

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Actually, I don't remember anyone who was excited about the Wojo hiring.  I think it ranged between "Not the right guy" to "ok, let's give him a chance."  Shaka has created a lot of excitement in the program, and probably kept most of the core together (we'll see about DG) and brought in some exciting new guys.  Cupboard is full, folks.  Let's see what he can do with it.

I distinctly remember a Scoop thread raving about his opening press conference. Funny in hindsight.

[Lennys Tap]

I distinctly remember a Scoop thread raving about his opening press conference. Funny in hindsight.

Please link - would love to see who raved.

[The Lens]

Please link - would love to see who raved.

I like Steve as a person but anyone who raved after he talked was drunk.  The guy never inspired any confidence with his words.  It's not like he's dumb, he just never made it a point to say anything profound. 

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Please link - would love to see who raved.

https://www.muscoop.com/index.php?topic=43510.0

[mujivitz06]

I remember a lot of excitement for his presser, the hire, and for the Wojo media tour the next few weeks. He was on every big radio show in America and everyone was freaking out about how great he was marketing the MU name and how nothing could have been better.  The Wojo name was carrying big in national media during those first few weeks, and then he hammered that first big recruiting class with Henry as the jewel.

Yes let's not get it twisted. There was a good amount of excitement.

[The Lens]

I remember a lot of excitement for his presser, the hire, and for the Wojo media tour the next few weeks. He was on every big radio show in America and everyone was freaking out about how great he was marketing the MU name and how nothing could have been better.  The Wojo name was carrying big in national media during those first few weeks, and then he hammered that first big recruiting class with Henry as the jewel.

Yes let's not get it twisted. There was a good amount of excitement.

Don't get it twisted, we hired a robot who played Noon Ball and knew where Rice Lake was.  That's about it.

[rocky_warrior]

I remember a lot of excitement for his presser, the hire, and for the Wojo media tour the next few weeks. He was on every big radio show in America and everyone was freaking out about how great he was marketing the MU name and how nothing could have been better.  The Wojo name was carrying big in national media during those first few weeks, and then he hammered that first big recruiting class with Henry as the jewel.

Yes let's not get it twisted. There was a good amount of excitement.

I'm not sure there's any accurate way to measure "excitement" when a new coach is hired. However, page views on muscoop is one. At this point it looks like wojos first month (apr 14) will be roughly the same as Shakas first month (apr 21). I'll try to remember to revisit this come may 1.

[Babybluejeans]

This is just one person, though I think the experience was shared: Wojo was never an exciting hire. I was really bummed when Buzz left (whatever the reason) and seeing someone who so obviously lacked grit in Wojo was tough from the jump. He never represented or got the MU bball culture.

So glad the admin did what they did.