Excellent Shaka August 10 Press Conference

[Herman Cain]

Goes through all the individual players progress, team goals, NIL etc

Worth watching. Some has been previously reported, but seeing the comments in full context is helpful

https://youtu.be/abrImywhIq8

[We R Final Four]

Thanks Herman.

"Sean Jones is flat out the fastest player I have ever seen play basketball."

"sean Jones is even more dynamic than I thought"

"TK will be our starting PG this year"

[MuggsyB]

Thanks Herman.

"Sean Jones is flat out the fastest player I have ever seen play basketball."

"sean Jones is even more dynamic than I thought"


My philosophy is you can never have too much speed.  This. Is a positive development.
"TK will be our starting PG this year"

[bilsu]

This makes me feel very optimistic. We are an NCAA team, if the three freshmen provide immediate help.

[oilcan]

I was happy to see that.  And I was impressed to see Smart spend that much time and talking about the "state of the team" especially since the team doesn't really start practice for another 2 or 3 weeks.  I can't see anything wrong with that guy, speaking of Shaka. And I see Marquette compete better than ever. From what I see, he is a decent person who will recruit young men like al amadou , athletes that will represent the university well and will remember their experience with reverence.  Why would Wade bother coming around if he didn't cherish the memories? My life, your life is all about memories. I'm looking forward to the next few years at Marquette (and hope it goes on longer) and will enjoy every win and blame every loss on blind referees.

[Elonsmusk]

Shaka is impressive.  We are in good hands.

[PointWarrior]

But is it an excellent press conference?

[panda]

Shaka is the best. Just keep that same enthusiasm for February !

[Newsdreams]

But is it an excellent press conference?

No excellent opinion given by Herman so......

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Thanks for sharing - really enjoyed that.

Tons of great info, especially some of the tidbits on Joplin, Kolek, Oso and Sean Jones.

Some really interesting comments on NIL on transfers or recruits vs guys that have been here. Sounds like Marquette won't be dropping the bag to bring in transfers if that's what it takes to get them.

Shaka is just so authentic. I just really enjoy listening to him speak. He could have kept going for another 20 minutes and I would have loved to keep watching. Can't say that about his predecessor.

[Milkshakes]

Love that guy.  I still think this year is going to be very rough.  That said I can't wait for it to start.  80 days....  I hope Joplin steps up big time and I think he will.

[PGsHeroes32]

Can anyone give a brief snippet of what he said on all the guys?

Have not been able to watch yet

[tower912]

Everyone but EE has had a good summer.  EE has had his surgery.
Sean Jones is fast and dynamic.
Oso and TK are the leaders.

[Herman Cain]

But is it an excellent press conference?

Correction Noted

[Daniel]

Shaka is so easy to listen to..... love his demeanor, his attitude, his delivery - all authentic and unrehearsed.    Nice.  Ty for posting

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Can anyone give a brief snippet of what he said on all the guys?

Have not been able to watch yet

Kolek, will be starting PG. Sounds like he may be best overall player

Oso had a great summer. Makes others better

Wrightsil, brought him in to rebound and he's delivering.  Behind on connecting with teammates due to being out 1.5 months with injury

Joplin, best scorer but still behind on defense

EE, said without saying it that he's redshirtting due to injury

Jones is even better than they thought,  fastest guy Shaka ever coached. Sounds like he'll have a big role.

Gold and Ross are ahead of last years freshmen. Gold has good chemistry with Kolek, tooknlots of corner 3s. Sounds like they'll have back of the rotation roles

Stevie still a defensive pest, shooting a lot better

Vague comments about OMax, Itejere, and Kam having great summers. Kam is currently nursing a muscle strain but he'll be fine by the time practice resumes

[The Sultan]

I was surprised how muted he was about OMax, but there could be numerous reasons why that's the case.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Some really interesting comments on NIL on transfers or recruits vs guys that have been here. Sounds like Marquette won't be dropping the bag to bring in transfers if that's what it takes to get them.

They will drop the bag...but the bag will be the same size as what the current players are getting. I think Shaka views NIL more as a retention tool than a recruiting tool.

[Uncle Rico]

I was surprised how muted he was about OMax, but there could be numerous reasons why that's the case.

🚨🚨🚨🚨TRANSFER WATCH🚨🚨🚨🚨

[MU82]

Kolek, will be starting PG. Sounds like he may be best overall player

Will have to see a few games to know if Kolek being our best overall player is a good thing or bad thing.

[Uncle Rico]

Will have to see a few games to know if Kolek being our best overall player is a good thing or bad thing.

He reminds me of Travis Diener

[Goose]

IMO Kolek will once again be the key to success for MU next year. I cannot say if he is the best player, but I think he is the most important player. I bought into him early (the day he chose MU) and am sticking with the kid.

[MU82]

IMO Kolek will once again be the key to success for MU next year. I cannot say if he is the best player, but I think he is the most important player.

I won't argue with that.

Marquette needs improved play at every position, and definitely at PG. If that improved play comes from Kolek himself -- and it should, as he'll be in his 3rd college season and 2nd in the same system -- that'll be great.

[panda]

IMO Kolek will once again be the key to success for MU next year. I cannot say if he is the best player, but I think he is the most important player. I bought into him early (the day he chose MU) and am sticking with the kid.

Yep he's going to be a huge steadying force. Will need him to hit some shots to be more successful - something I believe he's very capable of doing.

[Markusquette]

Hoping the 1-2 punch of Kolek and Jones at point will be a breath of fresh air. Seems like Jones is the real deal as a freshman if he can get up to speed during actual games.

[ATL MU Warrior]

Hoping the 1-2 punch of Kolek and Jones at point will be a breath of fresh air. Seems like Jones is the real deal as a freshman if he can get up to speed during actual games.

I hope his speed also comes with a degree of playing under control and with a plan. Sometimes speed is bad if it is also reckless or not well thought out. I guess we'll see

[Vander Blue Man Group]

They will drop the bag...but the bag will be the same size as what the current players are getting. I think Shaka views NIL more as a retention tool than a recruiting tool.

Yes, it's absolutely a retention tool and I can easily see how paying a newcomer more than guys who have contributed to the program for years could cause friction so probably the right approach.

[rocky_warrior]

-- and it should, as he'll be in his 3rd college season and 2nd in the same system -- that'll be great.

On that note, I was very happy to see all of last years "redshirt freshman" are now listed magically as Juniors.  My gripe is gone, and the team just gained a lot of "experience"

https://gomarquette.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/2022-23

Though I was also surprised to see Itejere listed as a Sophomore instead of RS Frosh!

[Shooter McGavin]

Kolek, will be starting PG. Sounds like he may be best overall player

Oso had a great summer. Makes others better

Wrightsil, brought him in to rebound and he's delivering.  Behind on connecting with teammates due to being out 1.5 months with injury

Joplin, best scorer but still behind on defense

EE, said without saying it that he's redshirtting due to injury

Jones is even better than they thought,  fastest guy Shaka ever coached. Sounds like he'll have a big role.

Gold and Ross are ahead of last years freshmen. Gold has good chemistry with Kolek, tooknlots of corner 3s. Sounds like they'll have back of the rotation roles

Stevie still a defensive pest, shooting a lot better

Vague comments about OMax, Itejere, and Kam having great summers. Kam is currently nursing a muscle strain but he'll be fine by the time practice resumes

The vague comments about OMP and Kam concern me.  I was hoping to hear they were dominating in practice this summer.  That would lead to higher expectations for this team IMO.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

The vague comments about OMP and Kam concern me.  I was hoping to hear they were dominating in practice this summer.  That would lead to higher expectations for this team IMO.

I don't get the sense that either of those two need the ego boost from a mention.  I'm choosing to not read into it too much. 

[Newsdreams]

🚨🚨🚨🚨TRANSFER WATCH🚨🚨🚨🚨

GOWNE

[Uncle Rico]

GOWNE

Had high hopes for OMax and Kam.  Wonder if Shaka is playing mind games with them????

[Shooter McGavin]

Had high hopes for OMax and Kam.  Wonder if Shaka is playing mind games with them????

Ha!  No mind games just no praise either.  I don't know if there is a reason to go stealth on praise for two of your best players. 

Mind games with the rest of the Big East maybe.

[muwarrior69]

He reminds me of Travis Diener

We know he could shoot from his freshman record in the A10. Now that he is more comfortable playing point and facing better competition maybe he'll be more of scoring threat this season, like Travis.

[Uncle Rico]

We know he could shoot from his freshman record in the A10. Now that he is more comfortable playing point and facing better competition maybe he'll be more of scoring threat this season, like Travis.

He really looks like him

[muwarrior69]

Ha!  No mind games just no praise either.  I don't know if there is a reason to go stealth on praise for two of your best players. 

Mind games with the rest of the Big East maybe.

Maybe so they don't get complacent.

[Elonsmusk]

IMO Kolek will once again be the key to success for MU next year. I cannot say if he is the best player, but I think he is the most important player. I bought into him early (the day he chose MU) and am sticking with the kid.

100% spot on Goose.  Kolek made everyone around him better last year, despite his shooting struggles.  Shaka said he had the most wins this summer, by a wide margin in all of their drills - both individual and team.  Shaka also made it sound like Kolek has been an even better practice player than game player based on that press conference.

[Newsdreams]

Had high hopes for OMax and Kam.  Wonder if Shaka is playing mind games with them????

They'll be stuck at end of bench...

[Hards Alumni]

He reminds me of Travis Diener

I knew someone would bite.

[Uncle Rico]

I knew someone would bite.

It's uncanny how similar they are

[panda]

It's uncanny how similar they are

All point guards look the same

[MU82]

He reminds me of Travis Diener

Don't forget Steve Nash. Practically twins.

[tower912]

Dime a dozen.

(for you really old fogies)

[🏀]

Dime a dozen.

(for you really old fogies)

Skypoint?

[Dr. Blackheart]

Some really interesting comments on NIL on transfers or recruits vs guys that have been here. Sounds like Marquette won't be dropping the bag to bring in transfers if that's what it takes to get them.

Maybe it was me, but I took the reference in that segment as a subtle jab at Garcia.

[MU82]

Maybe it was me, but I took the reference in that segment as a subtle jab at Garcia.

Unforgiveable. Jerry Garcia has been dead (and not gratefully so) for nearly 3 decades.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Unforgiveable. Jerry Garcia has been dead (and not gratefully so) for nearly 3 decades.

A friend of the Devil is a friend of mine, hey?

[4everwarriors]

Wen wuz da last tyme any y'all payed 10 cents four 12 of anythin'? Inflation runnin' wild, hey?

[bilsu]

Do we know when Ellis actually got hurt? It sounds like he was trying to tough it out without saying anything.

[Newsdreams]

A friend of the Devil is a friend of mine, hey?

Riding that train....

[oilcan]

Kolek- to recap- we all know he was a small fish in a shallow pond. He left because he felt he was better, and good enough to compete in the Big East. Last year he took over the pg role. Not an easy thing to do.  His job was to get the ball up the court and set up other players to score. Often times he had to take a shot when the clock ran down. I saw a fierce face and a mean face at times and I think it was because he believed he was capable of competing against any defender (to a point) and attack any defense.  Naturally, you have to have players to pass the ball to that can execute a drawn up play and/or create their own shot, if they're more talented.

Juniors are always better than sophomores. Tyler will develop and he will score more easily. Last year he was reluctant to shoot because he had Justin Lewis and Darryl Morsell. And he had to set up the bigs for pick and rolls.  He was great at ally oops. He will understand the basics of Wooden basketball and take advantage of situations as they progress though out the next season.
Comparisons to Deiner? Well Travis made big shots. But his role was understood. Will Tyler understand his role and make big shots.  I'd bet on it. 

[panda]

Kolek- to recap- we all know he was a small fish in a shallow pond. He left because he felt he was better, and good enough to compete in the Big East. Last year he took over the pg role. Not an easy thing to do.  His job was to get the ball up the court and set up other players to score. Often times he had to take a shot when the clock ran down. I saw a fierce face and a mean face at times and I think it was because he believed he was capable of competing against any defender (to a point) and attack any defense.  Naturally, you have to have players to pass the ball to that can execute a drawn up play and/or create their own shot, if they're more talented.

Juniors are always better than sophomores. Tyler will develop and he will score more easily. Last year he was reluctant to shoot because he had Justin Lewis and Darryl Morsell. And he had to set up the bigs for pick and rolls.  He was great at ally oops. He will understand the basics of Wooden basketball and take advantage of situations as they progress though out the next season.
Comparisons to Deiner? Well Travis made big shots. But his role was understood. Will Tyler understand his role and make big shots.  I'd bet on it.

What did Al McGuire say about guards from George Mason Oil can ?

[We R Final Four]

Kolek- to recap- we all know he was a small fish in a shallow pond.

Ive read this several times and don't get the reference. Do small fish in shallow ponds leave for greener pastures because the pind is so shallow?

[oilcan]

I know- the Wooden Offense? It's as old as me. Nowadays there are so many fast break offenses it's somewhat seldom that we see a half-court offense. In the old days, Al had Tex the triangle guy. He knew a thing or two about geometry. 

[oilcan]

Yeah, I think so. When I'm not catching any fish I pick up my ice chest and move. Everything looks better up stream.

[Herman Cain]

Kolek- to recap- we all know he was a small fish in a shallow pond. He left because he felt he was better, and good enough to compete in the Big East. Last year he took over the pg role. Not an easy thing to do.  His job was to get the ball up the court and set up other players to score. Often times he had to take a shot when the clock ran down. I saw a fierce face and a mean face at times and I think it was because he believed he was capable of competing against any defender (to a point) and attack any defense.  Naturally, you have to have players to pass the ball to that can execute a drawn up play and/or create their own shot, if they're more talented.

Juniors are always better than sophomores. Tyler will develop and he will score more easily. Last year he was reluctant to shoot because he had Justin Lewis and Darryl Morsell. And he had to set up the bigs for pick and rolls.  He was great at ally oops. He will understand the basics of Wooden basketball and take advantage of situations as they progress though out the next season.
Comparisons to Deiner? Well Travis made big shots. But his role was understood. Will Tyler understand his role and make big shots.  I'd bet on it.

Nice thing about Tyler is , absent a transfer, MU will have him for 3 more season including this up coming season .

[MU82]

Do small fish in shallow ponds leave for greener pastures because the pind is so shallow?

Evolution.

[lawdog77]

Finally watched the press conference. That was nice. The two things that stood out to me (aside from the player analysis) were:
1. Crean-when I watched the 2003 reunion video, I was amazed by Crean's exuberance as well. The players love that about him
2. Shaka talking about it will be good for Tyler to get away from MU for a week so he can give his body a rest. A few days later Tyler posts a video of him getting some run at Providence.

[The Lens]

On that note, I was very happy to see all of last years "redshirt freshman" are now listed magically as Juniors.  My gripe is gone, and the team just gained a lot of "experience"

https://gomarquette.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/2022-23

Though I was also surprised to see Itejere listed as a Sophomore instead of RS Frosh!

I remember this being quietly changed on the MU website late in the season.