I guess I'm starting trouble

[oilcan]

I'm glad MU hired Shaka Smart. I admire his philosophy and his decency. He sits down with the players on the team and tells each one what he needs them to do to elevate the team. He is a team builder and a recruiter. He keeps in touch with every player who is joining the team and shares what they can do to contribute when they join the team next year. I'm impressed.

What bothers me? Smart is traveling to recruit players and offering scholarships to good guards and small forwards. And they're players who are athletic and scorers in high school. I admire that. And some of those guys are coming. But why isn't MU recruiting big guys? I want big guys who can be coached into starters who can push butt and rebound and force the score against bigger teams. We see what's going on with Purdue, Creighton and Uconn.

I know I'm going to get some flack here. But what are we doing with RJ Walson, Casey O'Malley, Jonah Lucas, Jake Ciardo, Cameron Brown and Jack Riley on this team?

I guess they play on the practice team? And they service a purpose. Why, I don't understand. If they're never going to start why wouldn't the team recruit a player who could eventually start his junior year and play like Otoule or Crowder?

[The Sultan]

Those are non-scholarship walk ons. They practice, but will never play unless it's a blow out and will likely never develop into anything. They are limited to 13 scholarship players.

[JTJ3]

None of those guys you listed are on scholarship.  They are on the team just to give the scholarship guys people to practice against and rebound for shooting drills.

And Shaka has recruited a lot of bigs the past couple of years.  Amadou and Hamilton are 5's, Parham is going to play the 5 in this system and Owens will probably play some at the 4 as well.  You dont need to be trotting out multiple 7 footers down low anymore.  Plus, 99% of 7 footers at the D1 level are terrible and only at that level because of their size.  Give me the mobile, athletic 6'9 types Shaka is recruiting every time.

[tower912]

The players you name are walk-ons.   Their role is practice fodder.    Assuming status quo, next season's roster will have 6 forwards.   Owens, Hamilton, Amadou, Parham, Gold, and Joplin.   6 guards, too.  Jones, Jones, Mitchell, Ross, Norman, and Lowery.   That means one available scholarship currently available for next season.

[HowardsWorld]

Marquette hasn't had a big body since Robert Jackson

[tower912]

Jayce Johnson.   Theo John.  Avante Gar ner.   Chris O'Tule.

[oilcan]

OK I'm learning something. Thank you guys. I listed some names and I don't mean to hurt their feelings. I just want this team to win.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Two articles today about bigs MU is recruiting but both are behind paywalls.

A 7 footer from the Australian NBA Academy.

https://twitter.com/JamieShaw5/status/1759979171571286167?t=YEl4AJLzFeYWNHVRTjCN7Q&s=19


6-11 Will Garlock from Middleton, WI


https://twitter.com/BJenkins247/status/1759980238904213809?t=C9-Q7RIFfPvzc18752Slvw&s=19

[The Sultan]

As far as I know, none of them post here so you're good.

[cheebs09]

If there's one thing Shaka did really well at Texas, it was recruit and develop big guys.

[Goose]

MU is not going to be short on size next year. Shaka has a track record of getting big guys and making them a lot of money.

[Herman Cain]

It is actually  hard to retain quality scout team practice players who will stay for multiple seasons . Frequently they decided to focus on academics or transfer down a level or two to play. It is a credit to Shaka to be able to retain these guys who work hard every day in practice and add a lot of spirit to the squad.

We have plenty of bigs.

We need to recruit guys who can shoot the ball in the basket consistently. That is when the magic will happen.

[oilcan]

I'm old so I remember old guys. Maurice Lucas, Jim Chones, and Bo Ellis. I liked Theo John. 

[MuggsyB]

I'm old so I remember old guys. Maurice Lucas, Jim Chones, and Bo Ellis. I liked Theo John.

You're damn lucky Oilcan!  I wish I could have seen Lucas, Ellis, Chones and the dominant MU teams of the 70's.  Lucas was a badass.  May he rest in peace. 

[Viper]

You're damn lucky Oilcan!  I wish I could have seen Lucas, Ellis, Chones and the dominant MU teams of the 70's.  Lucas was a badass.  May he rest in peace.

[We R Final Four]

Yeah.....what is Jack Riley doing on this team if he will never start???

[BM1090]

MU is not going to be short on size next year. Shaka has a track record of getting big guys and making them a lot of money.

This. He didn't recruit Oso but he developed him into a first round pick.  I'm not sure what part of his potential will be realized but I still expect Ben to play in the NBA. A forward , but he helped develop OMax into a first round pick.

At Texas he consistently put bigs and forwards in the NBA. Mo Bamba, Jaxson Hayes, Kai Jones, Jarrett Allen, Greg Brown, Jericho Sims.

He basically puts a big or forward in the NBA annually. It'll happen here too, through recruiting or development.

[MuggsyB]

What's our 7 Badass Rotation?  Meaning guys you don't want to trifle with.  Ty.

[oilcan]

Look at Creighton shoot. They don't need a big center. l love to see UConn lose. I'm hoping we see that Wednesday March 6

[DoctorV]

Two articles today about bigs MU is recruiting but both are behind paywalls.

A 7 footer from the Australian NBA Academy.

https://twitter.com/JamieShaw5/status/1759979171571286167?t=YEl4AJLzFeYWNHVRTjCN7Q&s=19


6-11 Will Garlock from Middleton, WI


https://twitter.com/BJenkins247/status/1759980238904213809?t=C9-Q7RIFfPvzc18752Slvw&s=19

Interesting, with all the big bodies already in place.

[JTJ3]

Garlock visited for a game but he isnt really a priority for us.  He'll end up in the Big Ten or Virginia.  I would be surprised if we take any bigs in 2025 with how many we will have on the roster already.  We need guards and wings in that class and we have a head start on some bigs in 2026.

[romey]

You're damn lucky Oilcan!  I wish I could have seen Lucas, Ellis, Chones and the dominant MU teams of the 70's.  Lucas was a badass.  May he rest in peace.

Muggsy, my dad was an alum.  He had season tickets at the Milwaukee Arena.  I was in sixth grade and went to every home game beginning in the 71-72 season.  I was lucky enough to see those guys - Lucas, Lackey, McNeill, Bo.  We were so good.
Put guys in the NBA year after year.

[oilcan]

UConn lost. Baylor lost. Kam please get us back to where we can win. The next 4 games shouldn't be hard but after that we need you.

[MuggsyB]

UConn lost. Baylor lost. Kam please get us back to where we can win. The next 4 games shouldn't be hard but after that we need you.

We need Kam oilcan.  We really need Kam.  MU is really good when Kam knocks down trifectas and gives us 15-18 ppg with high efficiency. 

[MuggsyB]

Muggsy, my dad was an alum.  He had season tickets at the Milwaukee Arena.  I was in sixth grade and went to every home game beginning in the 71-72 season.  I was lucky enough to see those guys - Lucas, Lackey, McNeill, Bo.  We were so good.
Put guys in the NBA year after year.

How great is that!  You're very fortunate.  That said MU will continue its resurgence under Shaka.  And we have a great opportunity to make a deep run this season.