Excellent Shaka August 10 Press Conference

[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....