Shaka Year 2

[GoldenEagles03]

I am not saying Justin made a bad decision in any way. There are still a lot of factors for him.

But its ludicrous to imply he tears his acl if he stays.

I'm not saying he would have. But this outcome is better for him had he come back and done something similar.

[Elonsmusk]

Wojo's Stan Johnson'srecruiting wasn't the issue.  He pulled in higher ranked talent than what Shaka is pulling in.  So the boring press conferences didn't seem to give much indication as to how Wojo would be in a recruit's living room.

Sean Miller seems boring.  He find$ way$ to lure in recruit$ anyway$.  Rick Barnes pretty boring.  Greg Gard pretty boring.  Tony Bennett.  Dana Altman.  Mark Few.
Bob Huggins.  Bill Self.  They're all over the place.  You don't have to win the press conference to win recruiting battles.

Fixed.     But, you are correct in that coaching was Wojo's biggest weakness.

[5DollarPitcher]

I'm not saying he would have. But this outcome is better for him had he come back and done something similar.

Is it though? He could've taken a medical redshirt, came back and proven himself again on the college stage. Now he's unemployed, rehabbing from an ACL injury on his own dime and time.

[BM1090]

Is it though? He could've taken a medical redshirt, came back and proven himself again on the college stage. Now he's unemployed, rehabbing from an ACL injury on his own dime and time.

He may be unemployed but I sincerely doubt he's doing any rehab on his own dime. He's still around the Bulls if not officially under contract.

[wadesworld]

Fixed.     But, you are correct in that coaching was Wojo's biggest weakness.

Ah got it.  Yeah, top recruits usually pick what assistant coaches they want to play for.

So then when Wojo landed 3 starters on this year's deep, talented roster, plus one of the top transfers in the country, while Stan was off to LMU it was thanks to...Killings, I guess.

Again, looking to who wins the press conference and deciding that guy can recruit because he's can walk into a living room and sell a recruit makes no sense.  Wojo was landing the higher ranked recruits despite losing the press conferences.  Tons of boring coaches out there absolutely kill it in recruiting.  It's a lazy argument.

[Newsdreams]

Is it though? He could've taken a medical redshirt, came back and proven himself again on the college stage. Now he's unemployed, rehabbing from an ACL injury on his own dime and time.

He is rehabbing on Bulls coin unless they lied in their tweeter feed. Which leads to believe they're interested in him.

[bilsu]

Is it though? He could've taken a medical redshirt, came back and proven himself again on the college stage. Now he's unemployed, rehabbing from an ACL injury on his own dime and time.

He probably does not tear his ACL if he stayed at MU.

[Newsdreams]

He probably does not tear his ACL if he stayed at MU.

Why? He was training on his own not Bulls related. Probably would have been doing same off season while at MU. You understand these guys while at MU do that, right?

[PGsHeroes32]

Why? He was training on his own not Bulls related. Probably would have been doing same off season while at MU. You understand these guys while at MU do that, right?

So he would have been on the exact same court and the exact same time if he was at MU?

You realize most ACL injuries are a complete fluke due to the moment right?

[MU82]

Maybe he would have ruptured his Achilles instead.

It's a dopey argument.

I blame Wojo for the injury, anyway.

[Newsdreams]

So he would have been on the exact same court and the exact same time if he was at MU?

You realize most ACL injuries are a complete fluke due to the moment right?

Yes and your point is? Could happen whenever and he is getting Bulls best care.

[PGsHeroes32]

Yes and your point is? Could happen whenever and he is getting Bulls best care.

My point was blatant you appear to daft to see it.

[1SE]

The late season fade last year was disheartening, but in the end Shaka did take something and produce more than the sum of its parts.

If he can do that again this year (i.e. make the tourney - win a game there) I would feel really good about the trajectory - especially if there's no backsliding into March. Success begets success and if Shaka can bring in just a bit better talent (while continuing to make the talent more than the sum of its parts) we're back where we want to be - a program that is consistently thinking about late March runs.

[Uncle Rico]

Anyway you cut it, he had body language

[Newsdreams]

Anyway you cut it, he had body language

Yeah it was better for the team that he left.

[Scoop Snoop]

After listening to Shaka's post-game interview this AM and reading the comments on that thread, I think getting this up today is timely.

When Shaka was hired, I thought that being the BE #3 in year 3 would be an attainable goal. Since then, Jay left Nova and Matta and Miller have been added to the BE mix along with Holloway. Gonzaga may join, so the coaches (and possibly a team) have been/will be added to the BE scenario. Yet with the possible exception of Gonzaga joining the BE, "3 in 3" is still my take.

Getting back to the thread title, Shaka Year 2, this year I expect exactly what Shaka said in his Purdue post-game interview- "our goal is to grow".  I am not expecting a season significantly better or worse than last year, although I do think we will finish stronger at the end for a change.   

[1SE]

Clearly I set the bar on these options too low, but amazing that 50%+ would have been happy with just making the tourney this year (or less).

I'd say this season is turning out better than anyone's wildest dreams. We were apparently all COLE - even Goose.

I am going with my prediction from last year, safely in NCAA by end of February January. Top five one in BE and one NCAA win title.

Now to get that sweet sweet tourney success.

[The Lens]

If you don't think this team will dance, it's because you don't realize how F*ck'n good Tyler Kolek is. 

Buckle up. 

Playing on Friday at MSG
Playing for a trip to the S16

Let's Dance

[cheebs09]

Year 2 so far:

[tower912]

Safe to say that we have proof of concept.

[Goose]

It has been an unreal season and the team/program has way exceeded my high expectations. IMO, the team chemistry has been one of the biggest reasons behind the success this season. It really is a special team bond, and it shows what working for a common goal can accomplish. To keep a group of young guys on the same page for entire season is no easy task.

[Dr. Blackheart]

It has been an unreal season and the team/program has way exceeded my high expectations. IMO, the team chemistry has been one of the biggest reasons behind the success this season. It really is a special team bond, and it shows what working for a common goal can accomplish. To keep a group of young guys on the same page for entire season is no easy task.

We got this season what I'd thought we'd get next. We got last season, what I expected this season. Clearly Shaka is way ahead of plan and shows the value of getting "your guys" on the roster from the get go even if you didn't originally sign them.

I think there is no other sign how good Shaka is in fitting the pieces into the whole than Kam and Stevie (and even Justin).  No way would Shaka have ever recruited them, yet he has made them all into key pieces. And they bought in fully which says a lot about them but even more about Shaka.

As a fan, nothing says it more than the Vesties actually getting out of their seats. 

[Goose]

Dr. B

I fall into the vestie age group, but this old guy gets out of his seat, even if at home watching on TV. But, I agree that it sure looks like all MU fans have bought into the Shaka era. I had two guys, my age, come up to me after Mass yesterday to talk MU basketball. I frickin love it!!!

[TSmith34, Inc.]

We got this season what I'd thought we'd get next. We got last season, what I expected this season. Clearly Shaka is way ahead of plan and shows the value of getting "your guys" on the roster from the get go even if you didn't originally sign them.

I think there is no other sign how good Shaka is in fitting the pieces into the whole than Kam and Stevie (and even Justin).  No way would Shaka have ever recruited them, yet he has made them all into key pieces. And they bought in fully which says a lot about them but even more about Shaka.

As a fan, nothing says it more than the Vesties actually getting out of their seats.

I could see Shaka trying to recruit Stevie out of HS, but yeah, not Kam.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Dr. B

I fall into the vestie age group, but this old guy gets out of his seat, even if at home watching on TV. But, I agree that it sure looks like all MU fans have bought into the Shaka era. I had two guys, my age, come up to me after Mass yesterday to talk MU basketball. I frickin love it!!!

Vestie isn't an age, it's a mentality.  For years I sat right behind Father Wild and Bill in the Vestie Section of the BC and we were the most animated and basketball savvy of the bunch. Rick Smith wears a sweater vest but he ain't no Vestie.