2023-2024 Expectations

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I don't really see any reasons for "pessimism" next season, Goose.

Removing the best defender from an average defensive team is usually not a recipe for success. That's my concern with next season. Replacing OMax with Joplin is a plus for the offense and a minus for the defense. Unfortunately, I don't think our offense can get much better. I do think our defense could get a lot worse.

To counter this we either need:
1. To add a defensive minded transfer to replace OMax
2. See tremendous defensive improvement from Joplin (I'm skeptical given his body type and athleticism)
3. See tremendous defensive improvement from those around Joplin to cover for the drop in defensive ability (more optimistic about this one)
4. Have one or more of the newbies be tremendous defensively (heard good things about Norman and Lowery's defense but wish we had a guy who could defend the 4 at a high level coming in)
5. Some combination of the above

Don't get me wrong, I still expect a season on par with last season or better. I just think OMax is a bigger loss than some are willing to admit

[MUfan12]

I remain 100% bullish on Shaka and the program. My saying I have more muted expectations than some is not a slam. I think they will be a very good team next year, not just ready to say they can be a great team. I still think they have a high ceiling, but just not as much wiggle room without Omax. My biggest concerns is the lack of size and Joplin's defense. If he has improved, and he did last year, that removes one concern.

With ya here, Goose. I expect a small step back record wise, mainly because of the jump in strength of schedule.

He's in a tough spot trying to figure out how to scheme defensively without OMax. The defense gave up a high percentage but mitigated it by flying around and forcing turnovers. Does Jop have that in him? Biggest question I have going into this season.

[tower912]

Or the "factness" of claiming that anyone said "they will only score in the 50s" two years ago 

MU scored in the 50's four times in regulation that season.   One game went to overtime and MU finished in the 60's.   MU won one of the remaining three games where they scored in the fifties.    But, bottom line, one out of eight games that season they scored in the 50's for 40 minutes.   I felt pretty good about that prediction.

[Goose]

TAMU

I agree with every word in your post. Sign a bigger defensive guy for next season and my expectations go up quite a bit.

[lawdog77]

Removing the best defender from an average defensive team is usually not a recipe for success. That's my concern with next season. Replacing OMax with Joplin is a plus for the offense and a minus for the defense. Unfortunately, I don't think our offense can get much better. I do think our defense could get a lot worse.

To counter this we either need:
1. To add a defensive minded transfer to replace OMax
2. See tremendous defensive improvement from Joplin (I'm skeptical given his body type and athleticism)
3. See tremendous defensive improvement from those around Joplin to cover for the drop in defensive ability (more optimistic about this one)
4. Have one or more of the newbies be tremendous defensively (heard good things about Norman and Lowery's defense but wish we had a guy who could defend the 4 at a high level coming in)
5. Some combination of the above

Don't get me wrong, I still expect a season on par with last season or better. I just think OMax is a bigger loss than some are willing to admit

The narrative that OMAX was our best defender is sure being pushed hard here since he left. I was under the impression Steve was our best defender.https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/college/marquette/2023/03/18/marquette-guard-stevie-mitchell-is-teams-top-defensive-player/70023288007/

[tower912]

Just my opinion, but the appreciation for OMax's defense grew slowly during the season.  After he stifled Hawkins at MSG, the appreciation really took off.   

Stevie had a great defensive year.   Specifically against Boum in Milwaukee and that glorious possession against Butler.

I appreciated the defense of both players.

[Jay Bee]

Shaka has principles, he has not going to give a questionable Transfer more NLI money then what he is giving to the players he has now. 

He doesn’t give any money to anyone.

I’m hoping* for at least 12 Conf wins next year and would be pleased with 14, tbh

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

The narrative that OMAX was our best defender is sure being pushed hard here since he left. I was under the impression Steve was our best defender.https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/college/marquette/2023/03/18/marquette-guard-stevie-mitchell-is-teams-top-defensive-player/70023288007/

I can't speak for others but I've been pushing that narrative since long before OMax left. Stevie and OMax are both great defenders but OMax's size, length, and versatility put him solidly above Stevie IMHO.

[GoldenEagles03]

The Big East is significantly deeper than last year.

Marquette plays Illinois, Texas, UW, Notre Dame.

They could play 3 of Tennessee, Gonzaga, Kansas, Purdue, UCLA.

I would be slightly disappointed but not surprised if they lost like 11 or 12 games and got a 6 to 8 seed. Just for reference, Baylor was a 3 seed with 10 losses last year so 6 to 8 might be a bit low, but still...wouldn't surprise me.

All that matters is that the talent is absolutely there to make a run in March, seed shouldn't matter either way for us next year. Get there and do damage no matter who's in front of you.

[Uncle Rico]

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[lawdog77]

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Anyone can shoot jump shots. Making them is a little more important.

[MUfan12]

He doesn’t give any money to anyone.

I’m hoping* for at least 12 Conf wins next year and would be pleased with 14, tbh

14 might win the conference this year.

[Goose]

Omax was their best defender and biggest game changer on defense, IMO. Steve is a very good defender and I enjoy watching him play defense, but Omax made the D click. Several games when MU came out hot to start the second half it was Omax leading the charge. He will be missed, at least by this fan.

[tower912]

He will be missed by knowers of ball.

[BCHoopster]

Omax could take on the best guard or small forward and take them out of the game, why MU beat UConn twice was Omax taking Hawkins out of the game, they will miss that!

[Goose]

tower

How big is that group?

[tower912]

Embarrassingly small.














That's what she said.

[BCHoopster]

He doesn’t give any money to anyone.

I’m hoping* for at least 12 Conf wins next year and would be pleased with 14, tbh

.

So you think Shaka does not know what each player is getting, I know and I am not even close to the program!

[Uncle Rico]

A younger Rico used to say, there’s no way that team 90 minutes west of us can be any good this year.  Look at what they lost!  And then they just ran some donkey out there and didn’t miss a beat and won a bunch of games.

That’s what this staff is building and putting into place.

[lawdog77]

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So you think Shaka does not know what each player is getting, I know and I am not even close to the program!

Enlighten us

[BCHoopster]

Enlighten us

Sorry it won’t happen, but every player on both teams got some money, 90 percent where the same, 3 players got much more.

[brewcity77]

Sorry it won’t happen, but every player on both teams got some money, 90 percent where the same, 3 players got much more.

You miss the point. Shaka didn't give any players NIL money. Or NLI money, even.

[jfp61]

College basketball NIL money is cute at this point. 

Nico Iamaleava probably makes more in NIL than all of Duke Basketball.

[Jay Bee]

.

So you think Shaka does not know what each player is getting, I know and I am not even close to the program!

Read. Words matter. I said he doesn’t give them money. He should know what they’re receiving.

Just because I know how many dudes some guys gf is letting hit it doesn’t mean I am.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

-We could and should be a better team but that will likely come with more losses considering our non-conference schedule and the quality of the Big East.

-OMax is a significant loss, especially the defensive versatility and length. If Shaka doesn’t bring in someone from the portal then it’s up to him and the staff to develop the guys that are coming back and adjust the scheme, if necessary, to compensate for that loss. The staff is well aware of what they’re losing defensively.

-With every other significant contributor coming back and the development we’ve seen over Shaka’s two summers with the team we should have really high expectations in regards to how much better our returning guys can be.

-Guys like Jop, Gold and Ross could take massive leaps. But who’s to say Oso, Kam and Kolek can’t continue to improve significantly and reach another level? Maybe Stevie becomes much more consistent from deep. Not to mention the continuity of all these guys playing together another season.

-Anything from the freshman is a bonus and you know at least one will end up a contributor.

-If this teams stays healthy anything less than a 3 seed and a Sweet 16 will be disappointing. GE03 mentioning the possibility of a 6 to 8 seed is amusing.