2023 Portal Transfers

[We R Final Four]

Defensively he'll be tough to replace. Will need a lot of improvement from Joplin and Gold, though Jop's hands (and ability to generate turnovers) got better as the year went on, and while the first year results with Oso/Gold weren't great on defense, I think there's a lot of tinkering that could be done there to make that duo work on the defensive end. Maybe deploy Oso as the post on offense with Gold on the wing, then switch and let Oso take the bigger wing/forward while Gold provides rim protection on the defensive end.

I think there was definitely some worry about the defense regressing without Morsell and Kuath (and to a lesser extent, Justin) and instead it improved. I wouldn't put it past this staff to continue to get defensive improvement as these players get more comfortable in the system. Top-20 might be a steep hill to climb, but I think #1 offense and top-30 defense is on the table even without O-Max.

That would be similar to two of the last three champions. Entering the tournament, Baylor was ranked #44 and Kansas was ranked #29 in adjusted defensive efficiency.

Brew—-do you still think OMax returns to MU next year?

[wadesworld]

Shaka should probably just have a pass first, non-scoring threat point guard, a shooting guard and small forward who do most of the scoring, a power forward who sets screens and rebounds, and an aircraft carrier center.  That's the roster.  5 players, no walk ons, nothing.  Keep those players happy.

Do people think the chemistry would've been incredible if the team was 15-16, 7-13?  Winning is the biggest chemistry booster.  And talent is the biggest winning booster.  Sure, there are some talented kids that might not make sense for the roster and for what Shaka is doing.  But the idea that if OMax is gone we can't add a player because Ben and Jop have a right to those vacated minutes is crazy.

[GoldenEagles03]

Yessir.

This notion that Shaka is too good a guy to not "recruit over" a current or incoming player is silliness.

You bring in talented players and create competition for playing time, and the best players win most of that playing time. And if you are good at the very important ego-management part of your job, your team chemistry and culture are A-OK.

I don't think people are saying he's "too good of a guy"

He's just said he won't recruit guys from elsewhere over guys he's already got. I'm sure there are exceptions, there is for everything...but Gold wasn't a transfer, Shaka views Gold as one of his own as Keeyan was.

[lawdog77]

Yessir.

This notion that Shaka is too good a guy to not "recruit over" a current or incoming player is silliness.

You bring in talented players and create competition for playing time, and the best players win most of that playing time. And if you are good at the very important ego-management part of your job, your team chemistry and culture are A-OK.

Here is Shaka's direct quote:

"If we can bring in a transfer that makes sense for us that we think is a cultural fit for us, and he really wants to be at Marquette and be part of something bigger than himself, great. Let's do that," Smart said. "But if some guys try to come in here for a straight transaction, what can you do for me? What can I do for you? Yeah, we're good."

I just don't think there are difference makers out there willing to take a reduced role, free of charge.

[Goose]

lawdog

Again, I doubt many on here thought Kolek and Omax would be difference makers at MU. Why can't there be an Omax 2.0 available in the portal?

[Uncle Rico]

I think everyone is missing Goose's point.  There is an opportunity for a good player to come in and get minutes and be a contributor in place of OMax.

He isn't talking about a Dickinson type who is looking at this as a cash transaction per se, but and opportunity transaction. 

The chance to play on a good-to-potentially great team and develop should be seen as a great opportunity.  Goose is also trusting Shaka to not randomly pick a guy based on reputation but a guy based on things he sees fit the team which includes culture.

Don't overthink it.  If he's adding a dude, the guy is going to be a dude that can play Shaka ball

[lawdog77]

lawdog

Again, I doubt many on here thought Kolek and Omax would be difference makers at MU. Why can't there be an Omax 2.0 available in the portal?

Omax's first year at Marquette was not  a difference making year. There were glimpses of how good he could be. An Omax first year player is not going to be a difference maker on this years team. I'll say my opinion again. It's very unlikely that a player good enough to get 20 minutes a game on this team is either:
1. going to go to a program where he can start and get 30 mpg, or
2. looking for NIL

[Goose]

Rico

Exactly my point. Truthfully, I think everyone knew my point, but thanks for clarifying things. 

[jfp61]

Defensively he'll be tough to replace. Will need a lot of improvement from Joplin and Gold, though Jop's hands (and ability to generate turnovers) got better as the year went on, and while the first year results with Oso/Gold weren't great on defense, I think there's a lot of tinkering that could be done there to make that duo work on the defensive end. Maybe deploy Oso as the post on offense with Gold on the wing, then switch and let Oso take the bigger wing/forward while Gold provides rim protection on the defensive end.

I think there was definitely some worry about the defense regressing without Morsell and Kuath (and to a lesser extent, Justin) and instead it improved. I wouldn't put it past this staff to continue to get defensive improvement as these players get more comfortable in the system. Top-20 might be a steep hill to climb, but I think #1 offense and top-30 defense is on the table even without O-Max.

That would be similar to two of the last three champions. Entering the tournament, Baylor was ranked #44 and Kansas was ranked #29 in adjusted defensive efficiency.

A few things.

1. While Jopling improved defensively from last season to this season. I really don't know if he "improved" as the season went on, or if he just had some great defensive games against horrible offenses in the middle of the big east season. Seton Hall, Depaul, and Butler mostly. In postseason play he was BAD defensively. No blocks, no steals. Poor on off defense. On was 107.7 ppp, off was 87.7 ppp. I hope he improves next season, I just doubt he will have a second jump in him.

2. I personally wasn't ever worried about "defensive regression last year". Oso and Stevie were genuinely the two best defensive players for marquette both seasons. Kur sold out for blocks too often. Morsell took the hardest matchups and carried too much of the offense for us, so it was hard for him to show how good of defenisve player he was.  One good source is  Evanmiya.com, both their DBPR's were the two highest each season.  This year, I am worried because our most versatile defensive player is likely being replaced by Joplin who isn't the best defender. When Joplin was on the court last year, he gave up loads of threes.

He are some OMax defensive stats.
- MU Opponents were 3-for-26 (11.5 percent) on 3-pointers when OMax contested their jumper
and
- MU Opponents shot merely 17-for-71 (23.9 percent) on all possessions when OMax was credited as the nearest defender

3. As for those two national champions. Each school of these had 5 starters who defended better than Joplin did this year. He still can improve, but it will require a new level of defending from him.

I just think the first and second best offense and the 28th-30th best defense will make us the 5th or 6th best team. And while you can win a title like that. It won't be a thought in my mind for this team without Omax.

[avid1010]

Rico

Exactly my point. Truthfully, I think everyone knew my point, but thanks for clarifying things.

I don't see it...who in the portal fits your criteria?

[Goose]

lawdog

Omax was enough of a difference maker his first year that Tower and I both said last summer he would be going pro in nine months.

[cheebs09]

I agree Goose. I think Shaka has a great eye for talent that can thrive in his system. We weren't winning any offseason recruiting lists with Kolek and OMax, but one was BEPOY and the other we are biting our nails will enter the NBA Draft.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I don't understand why people think talented necessarily means doesn't fit the culture. There are players who are both.

Culture also doesn't mean never recruiting over players. Itejeres already been recruited over. There will be others.

[BCHoopster]

I know MU reached out to a few kids, but did anyone visit?

[lawdog77]

lawdog

Omax was enough of a difference maker his first year that Tower and I both said last summer he would be going pro in nine months.

His first year here he scored over 20 once (against Georgetown). His next 3 high scoring games (16, 16, and 13) were in losses. Like I said earlier, he showed glimpses, but I wouldn't consider that a guy would get 20+ mpg on next years team.

[Goose]

I have said it multiple times, if Shaka does not replace Omax he is not confident that this is a top ten team and is building for the future. If that is the case, I am 100% supportive of that. I am watching closely because if he lands a portal guy, I think he is all in for next season.

lawdog
That is your opinion and I felt differently. I thought he was the key to success going into last season.

[lawdog77]

I have said it multiple times, if Shaka does not replace Omax he is not confident that this is a top ten team and is building for the future. If that is the case, I am 100% supportive of that. I am watching closely because if he lands a portal guy, I think he is all in for next season.

lawdog
That is your opinion and I felt differently. I thought he was the key to success going into last season.

In terms of your first paragraph, why would you think Shaka doesn't feel like this is a Top 10 team? If anything, to me, I would think if he doesn't hit the portal, he is pretty confident that this team could make a deep run. Desperation can often cause errors.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I am "worried" if OMax doesn't come back.  We were an average defensive team last season.  Removing your best defender from an average defensive team usually doesn't result in an improved defense. I don't think the defense is doomed, there's room for improvement with most of the returners and Norman and Lowery come with reps as strong defenders. But I would feel better if Omax came back...or we got a defensive specialist in the portal....or ideally, both. Still think Kur was our missing ingredient last season

[cheebs09]

I have said it multiple times, if Shaka does not replace Omax he is not confident that this is a top ten team and is building for the future. If that is the case, I am 100% supportive of that. I am watching closely because if he lands a portal guy, I think he is all in for next season.

lawdog
That is your opinion and I felt differently. I thought he was the key to success going into last season.

Why not both? I could see him adding a 7th or 8than type that could be a key cog in the future. It seems like most of our portal guys have multiple years of eligibility.

[Goose]

TAMU

Agree 100%. They were a Kur away from being really, really good last year. If no Omax or suitable replacement, my expectations fall a great deal for next season.

[Dr. Blackheart]

The May Malaise is in full swing

[jfp61]

I am "worried" if OMax doesn't come back.  We were an average defensive team last season.  Removing your best defender from an average defensive team usually doesn't result in an improved defense. I don't think the defense is doomed, there's room for improvement with most of the returners and Norman and Lowery come with reps as strong defenders. But I would feel better if Omax came back...or we got a defensive specialist in the portal....or ideally, both. Still think Kur was our missing ingredient last season

Everything except this last sentance. Kur was kinda average defensively. He got plenty of blocks adding to his defensive box score. BUT

His on court team adjusted defensive rating was 97.7. The third worst on the team only Elliot and Kam Jones were worse.

In 2021. With Kur Kuath on the court. Marquette's defense allowed 102.1 ppp/100, the 86th adjusted defense.

In 2021. With Oso on the Court. Marquette defense allowed 96.0 ppp/100, the 22nd adjusted defense.

https://hoop-explorer.com/OnOffAnalyzer?autoOffQuery=false&baseQuery=&calcRapm=true&gender=Men&maxRank=400&minRank=0&offQuery=%22Ighodaro%2C%20Oso%22%20&onQuery=%22Kuath%2C%20Kur%22%20&showGrades=rank%3ACombo&team=Marquette&year=2021%2F22&

[Goose]

Dr. B

Good line. I don't think the sky would fall, but think those that believe being in top 25 all seasons might be overly optimistic. With or without Omax they should be good, just I am guarded than some on here. Have to add, I love Joplin and Gold, just think they need some help on the defensive side of the court.

[lawdog77]

Everything except this last sentance. Kur was kinda average defensively. He got plenty of blocks adding to his defensive box score. BUT

His on court team adjusted defensive rating was 97.7. The third worst on the team only Elliot and Kam Jones were worse.

In 2021. With Kur Kuath on the court. Marquette's defense allowed 102.1 ppp/100, the 86th adjusted defense.

In 2021. With Oso on the Court. Marquette defense allowed 96.0 ppp/100, the 22nd adjusted defense.

https://hoop-explorer.com/OnOffAnalyzer?autoOffQuery=false&baseQuery=&calcRapm=true&gender=Men&maxRank=400&minRank=0&offQuery=%22Ighodaro%2C%20Oso%22%20&onQuery=%22Kuath%2C%20Kur%22%20&showGrades=rank%3ACombo&team=Marquette&year=2021%2F22&

Yep, not sure how Kur would have been the missing ingredient. Would he have been the difference maker to beat MSU? Because before that game, we had an almost perfect season.

[Goose]

lawdog

I would be willing to bet that MU signs a Kur like portal guy in the next few weeks. Only issues, you would dispute how "Kur like" he actually was or he only played 19 minutes a game or he was left-handed or he wore low top basketball shoes and the list would never end.