MU Freshmen-What Happens?

[nyg]

Sorry to start a thread after bad loss, I never start threads, but had this on my mind after Ross injury.  This has nothing to do with the underwhelming bench play, that has been discussed in regurgitation mode. 

MU recruited the three freshmen, Norman, Lowery and Amadou.  All were ranked around and above the 100 in the country in various recruiting services and that's a good thing  In beginning of the year, they got a few minutes against the blowout teams, especially the Southern game, where posters were saying Lowery is the next NBA roster maker.  Since then, all three basically do not play, except Norman who may get a few minutes like today and is yanked after a shot a grade school child would not even attempt.

So, the season is half over and these three recruits have not even got on the court.  After the Ross injury, I expected some to play, but Norman played one minute and Lowery played 10 seconds. Amadou has been a ghost.  Without Ross, that left Sean and Gold and the others sat on bench. Gold's game is stand outside wait for a three and shoot.  That is it, he is foul machine and is the slowest player in BE. There is no way he is making any NBA roster or G league spot. 

Back to freshman.  Are these three so bad that they can't see any court time in any game, especially now that Ross is out.  Do they suck in practice?  Other NCAA teams have freshmen playing such as Castle at UCONN, Burton at ND, etc, don't want to make lengthy list, who have been productive for the team.  Ross and Sean played a lot as freshman, but these guys do not and have zero input in any games.

What does Shaka say to them about not playing and if they cannot even see the floor in games where MU has an injury issue, such as Mitchell/Ross.

What happens next year with Oso gone, Kolek probably gone and who knows about others.  These freshmen will be relayed upon to take significant roles, unless Shaka goes to portal, which he said he doesn't like.  They get no court experience now for next year.
Does he find some leftover 2024 recruits and then over recruit? 

Just some noted thoughts and curious if others see it the same way. 

[IrwinFletcher]

Did you totally miss Tre's drive and wild shot that led to a run out layup?

[nyg]

Did you totally miss Tre's drive and wild shot that led to a run out layup?

Nope, read what I wrote.

[CountryRoads]

Only 200 minutes to go around. I think these recruits knew what they signed up for though and knew playing time would be hard to get in year one.

[BCHoopster]

Only 200 minutes to go around. I think these recruits knew what they signed up for though and knew playing time would be hard to get in year one.

Let's face it, the freshman class is of now very below average.  Sophomore class is very average as Gold has done nothing lately.  When you go into the portal like St. John's you get experienced kids who you have some idea what they can do.  Next year will be interesting.

[tower912]

The eternal struggle.   Buzz with JaJaun, Deonte, and Dawson.  If the coach thinks they are ready, they will play.   Last season, there was no other options, so Gold, Sean, and Chase had to play.   This season, the coach thinks his 8 returnees are better.

[IrwinFletcher]

Nope, read what I wrote.

You wondered why the freshman weren't playing.

I posted that Tre was inserted the lineup and made a horrific decision, demonstrating why he wasn't playing.

[Johnny B]

Shaka wanted to play cute and be the special culture that doesn't use transfers. this is essentially the same team as last year with no o max. May cost them big time.. oh well

[PointWarrior]

agreed, we better enjoy this year for what it is...  soph and fresh classes so far look like misses...

Let's face it, the freshman class is of now very below average.  Sophomore class is very average as Gold has done nothing lately.  When you go into the portal like St. John's you get experienced kids who you have some idea what they can do.  Next year will be interesting.

[nyg]

You wondered why the freshman weren't playing.

I posted that Tre was inserted the lineup and made a horrific decision, demonstrating why he wasn't playing.

Yes, got it.  That's the point of the thread.  Are they that bad and what to do next.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

agreed, we better enjoy this year for what it is...  soph and fresh classes so far look like misses...

You're on a roll today. 

[BCHoopster]

Wisconsin brought in AJ Storr which was a great portal pickup, MU did nothing and it shows

[Mu8891]

Johnny / I agree ... I think Shaka REALLY screwed himself and the team by not going to the Portal.

He did not replace OMAX, and has 3 frosh that he won't play.  The team is very thin , and it only gets worse when Stevie or Chase gets hurt ... they then play w / one and a 1/2 ( Ben ) bench players

This season ( since Maui ) has not been good.

At this point... talk of a FF is laughable

[tower912]

Wisconsin brought in AJ Storr which was a great portal pickup, MU did nothing and it shows

Returning 8 rotation players from a 29 win team.   

[wisblue]

Even though he prefers development and improvement from the players he has, I think Shaka is going to have no choice but to shop the portal for at least one and maybe two players.

See what Storr has done for  Wisconsin and what St. John's is doing. 

[PointWarrior]

Agree, I am...

You're on a roll today.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Agree, I am...

You should probably take the rest of the day off. 

[rgoode57]

To get any kind of impact player from the portal, you have to pay them. If you pay them more than some of the current players, you risk creating internal friction. If you pay them less, how much of an impact player can you be getting? Using the portal is not easy.

[panda]

Returning 8 rotation players from a 29 win team.   

Wouldve loved a strong slasher/scorer type to step in the omax void.

It sounds great to bet on your guys, but you're taking a huge risk hoping young guys will take big leaps when most of your competition is getting older proven talent.

[panda]

To get any kind of impact player from the portal, you have to pay them. If you pay them more than some of the current players, you risk creating internal friction. If you pay them less, how much of an impact player can you be getting? Using the portal is not easy.

Loser mentality

[BCHoopster]

Loser mentality

You will need at least one potential starter in the portal next year, mainly a guard

[panda]

You will need at least one potential starter in the portal next year, mainly a guard

At least 1. Competition breeds success. No one should be afraid of bringing in a highly talented transfer.

[We R Final Four]

He won't.

[tower912]

Quote from Shaka in the Athletic article from June.

"We've never really believed in ever prioritizing someone that's not worn our jersey over guys who have been here and built our program and been receptive, been recruited by us to come in here, build relationships and grow and win."

Will Shaka walk that back and go to the portal?    First of all, assuming Oso and TKo leave and nobody transfers out, there is only one scholarship open next year.   If TKo stays, none.    In which case there will be nothing from the portal.     I absolutely cannot picture somebody being Smart-assed off the roster and replaced with a player from the portal.     So, one at most.   Barring a lot of tranfers out, I am just not feeling transfers in.     

[brewcity77]

Quote from Shaka in the Athletic article from June.

"We've never really believed in ever prioritizing someone that's not worn our jersey over guys who have been here and built our program and been receptive, been recruited by us to come in here, build relationships and grow and win."

Will Shaka walk that back and go to the portal?    First of all, assuming Oso and TKo leave and nobody transfers out, there is only one scholarship open next year.   If TKo stays, none.    In which case there will be nothing from the portal.     I absolutely cannot picture somebody being Smart-assed off the roster and replaced with a player from the portal.     So, one at most.   Barring a lot of tranfers out, I am just not feeling transfers in.     

In terms of the portal, Out-Smarted rolls more naturally for someone forced out of the program.