Which piece would you take back?

[1SE]

Of all the roster exists last year, who do you think would have been the "missing piece" for THIS team (assuming everyone else would have come)?

Dawson and DJ, as good as they were, I don't think would have been a good fit on this squad.

I wouldn't trade minutes for Koby over any of our gaurds.

Jamal might have worked in a similar role to Greg - instance offense off the bench - but would the D intensity match this team?

But to me it's Theo - if he was doing what he's doing now at Duke - spelling Kueth - letting Oso have some time at the 4 if needed - getting in there when we need a physical big who can keep Nate f*ckin Watson off the glass. I think Theo would fit on this team would make us a legit FF contender this year. 

I realize of course Kueth probably doesn't come if Theo is still here - and I wouldn't trade Theo for Kueth straight up - but a Kueth/Theo two-headed monster would be fantastic.

[BallBoy]

I didn't look at this from a playing time perspective. I looked at it from a who would most likely fit with the other players and who would least likely impact what we have going perspective.

I went with Cain based on that. I wouldn't change the team though.

[Goose]

I am extremely happy with the 2021-2022 MU men's basketball team.

[Uncle Rico]

I think Jamal would have been the best fit as a player and would have embraced the type of culture Shaka is instilling. 

[tower912]

Moved on.   Living the expectation-free life.

[mug644]

I still think that Carton's balls-to-the-wall style would've worked well within Shaka's system, as long as he accepted Shaka's commitment to defense and to 100% effort.

I also still think that Carton's presence would impact the opportunities and growth of Jones and Mitchell, and maybe even Kolek.

So, as the team is now, and as they are playing, I wouldn't take anyone back.

[Shooter McGavin]

Agree with Theo.  If he played defense under control he's the big body necessary to keep the big 5s of the conference off the boards.  Shaka would have to coach the instinct to block everything out of him to be a better rebounder though. Kur does it more naturally with his length. 

Having said that I love our team and will stick with them as far as they go.  Go MU!

[The Sultan]

None.

[PointWarrior]

What? No Perez option?

[Vander Blue Man Group]

I voted no one. But if I had to choose a player it would be Jamal. He's unselfish and would help quite a bit on the boards.

[lawdog77]

Here's a hypothetical. If we cloned Shaka, and he clone Shaka coached the transfers, and original Shaka coached the current starters, who would win?

[StillAWarrior]

Here's a hypothetical. If we cloned Shaka, and he clone Shaka coached the transfers, and original Shaka coached the current starters, who would win?

Is the clone full-sized? Or a mini-Shaka?

[PointWarrior]

Mini-Shaka >>>> Wojo

[Uncle Rico]

Here's a hypothetical. If we cloned Shaka, and he clone Shaka coached the transfers, and original Shaka coached the current starters, who would win?

Too many ethical issues.  Just clone Al

[CountryRoads]

I said none. The presence of any of them would mean one of our transfers wouldn't be here.

[Skatastrophy]

Too many ethical issues.  Just clone Al

Hologram Al would get jealous

[LloydsLegs]

I would have voted "other" if offered (Wojo-duh).

[tower912]

What? No Perez option?

Or Dexter option.

[dgies9156]

I am extremely happy with the 2021-2022 MU men's basketball team.

Same here. You go with what you got.

Those guys left for a reason. Good for them. Good for us.

Not sure I want anyone who is not all in about being here.

[lawdog77]

Is the clone full-sized? Or a mini-Shaka?

Clone Shaka would be bald Shaka.

[GooooMarquette]

I voted none. You never know what it would do with talent development and team chemistry. And this team's chemistry - especially on defense - is off the charts. If it ain't broke....

To me, the more intriguing question is "which player do you think most regrets leaving?" I have to think DJ or Dawson, no?

[1SE]

I voted none. You never know what it would do with talent development and team chemistry. And this team's chemistry - especially on defense - is off the charts. If it ain't broke....

To me, the more intriguing question is "which player do you think most regrets leaving?" I have to think DJ or Dawson, no?

Yeah - I mean I wonder if Jamal and Koby are happy to be the BMOC on a team that might get auto 13 seed bid and lose in the first round, or if they'd rather be a key piece on a team with legit 2nd weekend ambitions. Of course at the time they left it made sense.

Interesting to see that so many pick Jamal - I just keep thinking that somewhere along the line (hopefully not in the first round) we're going to run into a team where we need a man's body in the paint. Theo was certainly that. Theo doesn't fall over against Nate Robinson at the end of the PC game.

[CountryRoads]

Or Dexter option.

Or Symir who I think would probably fit best with this group. But wow, lots of turnover from last year. Completely different group of guys.

I'd say most are probably pretty happy with their decision to leave MU, so good for them.

[brewcity77]

The answer is DJ Carton and I don't see how it's even debatable.

DJ was the best two-way player of those options. He wasn't great in his one year here, but he had the athleticism, the ability to get into passing lanes, the ability to shoot from three (40% at OSU), and the pedigree to be a stud under DeAndre Haynes, similar to what Coach Haynes did with Zavier Simpson and Jordan Poole at Michigan and with Ant Cowan and Darryl Morsell at Maryland. In addition, history shows that playing two point guards together is almost a requisite to win a national championship. DJ would take pressure off Tyler by giving us a second option to finish inside. DJ Carton, if properly coached (which he wasn't in year one but would've been had he stayed) would take Marquette from a hot team that could be dangerous in March to a legit title contender.

As far as the rest, Dawson doesn't play defense and both Koby and Jamal are better suited at the mid-major level. Cain would be my second choice, but Carton is #1 with a bullet powerful enough to break the world.

[tower912]

Watson, not Robinson.   And you are probably correct.   MU does not have a big who can wrestle with Watson, Obiagu, Sanogo.   Ah, well.   Love the one you're with.