MU's Resurgence

[ATWizJr]

Muggsy

The future is as bright as the present. Next season may be more D driven based off of f makeup of the roster. I loved watching thd young guys in full court and half court D. That group is definitely at a different level of athleticism than the starters. Add three guys 6-7 and taller next year that are great athletes, get ready for some excitement.

. Who will replace Oso?

[MUbiz]

You are not way off. Agreed.

Line up the NIL!

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I'm probably way off here but I think it's more likely than not that Kam returns.

Youre not. As is, Kams game wouldnt translate well to the Association. Though it only takes one team believing that they can turn Kam into a PG to get him drafted.

[MuggsyB]

Marquette's style of play is also another feather in Shaka's cap.  Do not be surprised if we add a few burger boys and impact transfers in the years to come. 

[MuggsyB]

Youre not. As is, Kams game wouldnt translate well to the Association. Though it only takes one team believing that they can turn Kam into a PG to get him drafted.

The more a watch Kolek the more I think he will be a solid NBA player.  He's not as strong or nearly the scorer Brunson has become but he continues to get better.  My only question mark is his quickness defensively. 

As for Oso I'm not as sure.  He has an incredible overall skill-set, and the open floor of the NBA should be advantageous to him.  But because he really hasn't shown the ability to make a face-up J it could hamper him a bit. 

[tower912]

Marquette's style of play is also another feather in Shaka's cap.  Do not be surprised if we add a few burger boys and impact transfers in the years to come.

Based on the culture that Shaka preaches, impact transfers in will be few and far between.  As to burger boys, never say never, but Shaka clearly prefers good players who fit his culture.   I don't expect one and dones.

[Scoop Snoop]

Based on the culture that Shaka preaches, impact transfers in will be few and far between.  As to burger boys, never say never, but Shaka clearly prefers good players who fit his culture.   I don't expect one and dones.

Spot on. What some scoopers hope for or believe and what Shaka has made very clear is his M.O. are often polar opposites.

[tower912]

Scoopers used to lament and wail and gnash teeth (shocking) about how Wisconsin under Bo would have these players for 5 years, how they completely bought into his system and never left.   How infuriating that was.    Nobody transferred in.   Nobody of note ever transferred out.   When an 11th guy on the roster left, scoop mocked them mercilessly.

Shaka is doing his version of the same thing.   Recruiting good-not-great players that fit his system.   Getting buy in on his culture.   Developing the crap out of them.   Year to year improvement.   Same tune, different lyrics.

[MU82]

Youre not. As is, Kams game wouldnt translate well to the Association. Though it only takes one team believing that they can turn Kam into a PG to get him drafted.

I used to think this, TAMU, but just really watching him play this season I disagree now.

He's tall enough, he's not scrawny, he can get to the hoop, he is a great finisher, he has imagination around the bucket, and he has NBA 3-point range. He's become a decent defender, too. And he's a good enough decision-maker and ballhandler to be a combo guard.

I actually think he's got a pretty darn good chance at an NBA career. Because of his shooting alone, he's ahead of guys like Blue, McNeal, Buycks, Wilson and a few others who didn't quite make it.

All IMHO of course.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

I don't think Shaka's intent is to bring people for five years.

I do think it's about developing talent but my guess is he convinces kids to come in and work so they can achieve their dream in 2-3 yrs.

[Goose]

I have no idea how many NBA players may have on this team, but it looks like a lot to me if they land in the right place. Yiu probably can make legit case for Kam, TK, Oso, Chase, Gold and other guys to early to tell. One thing I do know, there is no shortage of good, very good and great college players currently playing at MU.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

I have no idea how many NBA players may have on this team, but it looks like a lot to me if they land in the right place. Yiu probably can make legit case for Kam, TK, Oso, Chase, Gold and other guys to early to tell. One thing I do know, there is no shortage of good, very good and great college players currently playing at MU.

NBA or not is tough to call (ie Juan T-A). However, we have more people in the program today that will play professionally than maybe any time in the last 20 years.  With the possible exception being a couple of of Buzz's years.

[Coleman]

Scoopers used to lament and wail and gnash teeth (shocking) about how Wisconsin under Bo would have these players for 5 years, how they completely bought into his system and never left.   How infuriating that was.    Nobody transferred in.   Nobody of note ever transferred out.   When an 11th guy on the roster left, scoop mocked them mercilessly.

Shaka is doing his version of the same thing.   Recruiting good-not-great players that fit his system.   Getting buy in on his culture.   Developing the crap out of them.   Year to year improvement.   Same tune, different lyrics.

I think Shaka is a bit more flexible than Bo. He will use transfers when it works for the team. He hasn't had a lot of transfers the last couple years, because we haven't needed them. He is committed to this group of guys, as he should be.

But I wouldn't necessarily extrapolate going forward. I think Shaka will use transfers strategically and we may end up having some 1 and done guys too.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, Shaka is super adaptable and will do whatever works best for a particular situation and a particular group of guys. Look at how his defensive scheme changed from VCU to Texas. Dude is a genius coach and will make adjustments for whatever is needed.

[TSmith34, Inc.]

I'm not sold on Chase or Ben as shooters yet- stroke looks fine but it's just not dropping yet.

Ben needs to reconstitute his shot if he is going to be more than a ~30% shooter from deep. He has a high, quick release and good form, but needs some arc.

TK and Kam can show him how. And Kam successfully fixed his FT form as well.

[tower912]

I take Shaka at his word.  Listening to him lament how much money some of these transfers want.  Listening to him talk about not wanting to disrupt culture by taking a transfer over someone who has put in the work in the program for a couple of years.   It may happen, but it will be rare and specific.  For example, if Joplin had decided to transfer at the same time OMax stayed in the draft.
Looking at how the recruiting classes are shaking out, over the next few years there will be depth throughout the roster.   

[brewcity77]

Marquette's style of play is also another feather in Shaka's cap.  Do not be surprised if we add a few burger boys and impact transfers in the years to come.

Not sure I agree with this. When it comes to the 5-stars, I'm sure we will take them if they fit the culture and are willing to come in and work their way up. We've been involved with guys like Kon Knueppel and Joson Sanon, so clearly they won't shy away from big fish, but I don't think they will prioritize perceived top-end talent over fit and I'm confident they will take lower rated guys they believe will buy in and develop here over higher rated guys that come in expecting to be featured.

As far as transfers, I think our first wave of transfers was mostly be necessity. We needed experienced starters to set the tone so we brought in Morsell and Kuath. We needed program building talent so we added Kolek and Prosper. Going forward, I expect us to primarily fill roles from within. If Kolek, Kam, and Oso all move on this year, it will be Sean, Chase (or Zaide), and Ben that take their spots. I expect this to be a program that uses the transfer portal less than probably just about any other program.

[Goose]

Once the lid comes off the hoop for Gold it is going to be off to the races. He was recruited because of three-point shooting and his form is spot on for a big guy. He has a shooter mentality and one of these games it is going to click, and IMO, click in a big way. The kid has an edge to him and that edge is going to serve him very well over the next 10+ years.

[MU82]

Not sure I agree with this. When it comes to the 5-stars, I'm sure we will take them if they fit the culture and are willing to come in and work their way up. We've been involved with guys like Kon Knueppel and Joson Sanon, so clearly they won't shy away from big fish, but I don't think they will prioritize perceived top-end talent over fit and I'm confident they will take lower rated guys they believe will buy in and develop here over higher rated guys that come in expecting to be featured.

As far as transfers, I think our first wave of transfers was mostly be necessity. We needed experienced starters to set the tone so we brought in Morsell and Kuath. We needed program building talent so we added Kolek and Prosper. Going forward, I expect us to primarily fill roles from within. If Kolek, Kam, and Oso all move on this year, it will be Sean, Chase (or Zaide), and Ben that take their spots. I expect this to be a program that uses the transfer portal less than probably just about any other program.

That's clearly what Shaka wants to do. He's said so repeatedly. But what if we have a less-than-satisfactory recruiting class or two and it leaves a hole in the roster? We all hope it won't happen, but it can happen and it has happened lots of programs. In that case, IMHO, he'll do what he needs to do.

[brewcity77]

That's clearly what Shaka wants to do. He's said so repeatedly. But what if we have a less-than-satisfactory recruiting class or two and it leaves a hole in the roster? We all hope it won't happen, but it can happen and it has happened lots of programs. In that case, IMHO, he'll do what he needs to do.

It can and has, but the reality is everyone has down years. At that point, the question is do you throw out the model or do you have faith in your roster and use the down year as a building block for the next year? I'm honestly not sure, but it would not surprise me at all if we avoid the portal even in years where the roster isn't a surefire top-25 team just to reinforce for current and future players that being part of this system means you work your way up and the staff won't throw you over when there are bumps in the road.

I keep thinking back to that "first two years, nothing but culture" comment from when Shaka was first hired. I think it's entirely possible that long-term culture will remain more important that short-term success, even if that means having a bumpy season here or there.

[MU82]

Once the lid comes off the hoop for Gold it is going to be off to the races. He was recruited because of three-point shooting and his form is spot on for a big guy. He has a shooter mentality and one of these games it is going to click, and IMO, click in a big way. The kid has an edge to him and that edge is going to serve him very well over the next 10+ years.

He made an adjustment on the fly last night. His 4th and 5th attempts were definitely better than his previous three, with a better release and more arc. But overall, I agree that he has nice form. He also has a good feel for when he's really open and when it's a good time to take one. And he has a better all-around game than some think; that alley-oop to Amadou was pretty.

Like you, I keep waiting for the floodgates to open. I thought maybe it happened when he drained those two big ones against Kansas, but maybe it'll be Saturday!

[MU82]

It can and has, but the reality is everyone has down years. At that point, the question is do you throw out the model or do you have faith in your roster and use the down year as a building block for the next year? I'm honestly not sure, but it would not surprise me at all if we avoid the portal even in years where the roster isn't a surefire top-25 team just to reinforce for current and future players that being part of this system means you work your way up and the staff won't throw you over when there are bumps in the road.

I keep thinking back to that "first two years, nothing but culture" comment from when Shaka was first hired. I think it's entirely possible that long-term culture will remain more important that short-term success, even if that means having a bumpy season here or there.

I don't think it would be "throwing away the model" to do something similar to Morsell/Kur. I think Shaka would agree with that statement, but I don't profess to know for sure.

[TSmith34, Inc.]

Scoopers used to lament and wail and gnash teeth (shocking) about how Wisconsin under Bo would have these players for 5 years, how they completely bought into his system and never left.   How infuriating that was.    Nobody transferred in.   Nobody of note ever transferred out.   When an 11th guy on the roster left, scoop mocked them mercilessly.

Shaka is doing his version of the same thing.   Recruiting good-not-great players that fit his system.   Getting buy in on his culture.   Developing the crap out of them.   Year to year improvement.   Same tune, different lyrics.

I think the bolded is where Gard is falling well short of Bo. Bo's recruiting was actually better than the way it is now told, he pulled in a fair number of high talent guys--Gard isn't. And so far at least, Gard can't develop his players the way Bo could.

Bagders need to give Greggo a lifetime contract.

[brewcity77]

I don't think it would be "throwing away the model" to do something similar to Morsell/Kur. I think Shaka would agree with that statement, but I don't profess to know for sure.

After losing O-Max this year, it would've been easy to throw in after some of the prized portal wings, but we stuck with Jop. Didn't even bring anyone in to compete for those minutes and there really wasn't much noise behind the scenes either. That was even after I had heard we would be active if O-Max stayed in the draft. When you are perceived to be this close to a title, I can't imagine anyone would have faulted us for going hard after an Olivier Nkamhoua, Keshad Johnson, or Grant Nelson type player. But O-Max left and we were still silent in the portal.

No way to know for sure, and maybe it's different if we have 3-4 players all leave at once (say Oso, Tyler, Kam, and Chase all end up in the draft next year and sign with agents early) but this offseason we had the perfect opportunity to go after someone and when push came to shove, didn't seem to inquire much at all.

[MuggsyB]

It can and has, but the reality is everyone has down years. At that point, the question is do you throw out the model or do you have faith in your roster and use the down year as a building block for the next year? I'm honestly not sure, but it would not surprise me at all if we avoid the portal even in years where the roster isn't a surefire top-25 team just to reinforce for current and future players that being part of this system means you work your way up and the staff won't throw you over when there are bumps in the road.

I keep thinking back to that "first two years, nothing but culture" comment from when Shaka was first hired. I think it's entirely possible that long-term culture will remain more important that short-term success, even if that means having a bumpy season here or there.

I'm not saying there will be tons of them Brew, but we will get some transfers and burger boys in the next decade.  And it won't disrupt our culture. 

[mugrad_89]

He made an adjustment on the fly last night. His 4th and 5th attempts were definitely better than his previous three, with a better release and more arc. But overall, I agree that he has nice form. He also has a good feel for when he's really open and when it's a good time to take one. And he has a better all-around game than some think; that alley-oop to Amadou was pretty.

Like you, I keep waiting for the floodgates to open. I thought maybe it happened when he drained those two big ones against Kansas, but maybe it'll be Saturday!

It was mentioned previously, but Gold just needs a tiny bit more arc on his shot.  His form is really good, so I think it's just a matter of time.