Building an Elite program is hard work

[Goose]

First, I want to say that I am extremely disappointed in the loss last night. Disappointed because they put themselves in position for a deep run and fell short. One of my biggest disappointments is that this short era of MU basketball is coming to an end. We have seen some very good basketball over the last two years and extremely entertaining basketball which I have appreciated every minute of. My biggest disappointment is that I did not get a chance to give TK the three minute standing ovation he deserves for what he has done for the program.

In full disclosure, I think the last two years were the most unique in MU history and will not be repeated, which I believe is a good thing. Two players changed a program and they were both a blessing and a curse to some degree. Oso is a unicorn and found the right coach, system and PG. TK surpassed every wild expectation that I had for him by a very wide margin and made everyone better. IMO, it was a curse because you had to run with these two guys and not disrupt the chemistry. There will never be a duo like those two again.

Now, the following is why I believe MU is on their way to being elite:

Head Coach: We have a proven leader and a guy that wants to be here. I heard from a very reliable source (non scooper) that Shaka was offered BAGS from two programs with a rich history over the past two weeks and rejected both immediately. He wants to be the HC at MU and that is how you build elite.

Culture: CHECK, CHECK, CHECK

Fanbase: check

Facilities: check

NIL; check, check, check

Player development: check, check, check

Recruiting: Shaka has proven he can recruit international players, retain players (a must today), and will have two portal tranfers in the NBA in his first three years.

Guys to NBA: check, check, check

I have two have two concerns and they both come down to flexibility. I believe Shaka has to become more engaged in the portal and/or recruit better players that can be an impact from day one. Second concern is in regard to NIL, MU has bags to spread to around, but appear to have a set plan in place in how to use it. IMO, they need to be less rigid in how they spread the bags around. Fortunately for MU I have no say in the NIL space because I possibly could somehow find a way to violate NCAA rules in an era of no rules.

I will add, elite is not built in three years, but foundations are built in three years. IMO, the last two seasons were bonus runs because of TK and Oso. They might have derailed the process a bit because Shaka ran with them, which was the right call. I have said many times that best Shaka team is down the road and I believe that. I think it will be built around guys like Chase Ross, the incoming freshmen and will be a defense first program.

I might end up being flat out wrong, but I have put far too much time and energy into this program over the past three years and believe my points are well thought out. As Shaka has said, Marquette basketball is the place to be.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Good post - can't really disagree with anything here. 

I will be curious to see how Shaka and the program continue to handle the portal and NIL. 

[MuggsyB]

Goose,

We need the type of player that can put his head down and  get buckets when everything else fails.  At one point in the game I think Jop, Kam, and Stevie were like 3 for 25 while simultaneously Oso didn't look to score.  That's impossible to overcome.  We also need a deadeye shooter with decent size. 

[rgoode57]

I agree with you, Goose. I know most MU fans would like to see Tyler and Oso return for another year, but I am not one of those. You are correct that they are a unique duo that we will never see again, but it is time to move the program to the next phase. I don't know exactly what that phase looks like, but it's time - both for them and for the program. Shaka probably knows that too.

[T.V. Diener 34]

Oso scored 20 points the entire tournament..... we played 3 games

[DoctorV]

Nice post Goose.

Marquette is in the right hands, and has everything it needs to succeed going forward.

I trust Shaka with every aspect of this program- the culture, the recruiting, the handling of the players and their development as both men and athletes and how they represent MU.

He’s earned it, and he’s a great person in his own right.
It’ll take some patience now that he’s set such a high standard so quickly.

It’ll be fun to watch, and the FiServ will continue to rock.
As some have noted, as long as he continues to put the program in the right position that March madness breakthrough should hopefully eventually come.
He’s gotta tackle that aspect head on and learn from it, confront it rather than dodge it, and I’m hopeful that he will.

In all other aspects I’ve come to a point that whatever move he makes is the right move, until I’m proven otherwise.

[Goose]

Muggsy

This has been a feel good, entertaining two years, but tougher and better players are needed. I am not going to comment on any specific player because they all have played a great role over the past two years. That said, I expect better and tougher guys down the road.

[JakeBarnes]

Goose,

We need the type of player that can put his head down and  get buckets when everything else fails.  At one point in the game I think Jop, Kam, and Stevie were like 3 for 25 while simultaneously Oso didn't look to score.  That's impossible to overcome.  We also need a deadeye shooter with decent size.

Stevie has been that guy. Which is a great development for him.

More people need his run thru a wall approach for a bucket when we need to stop the bleeding.

[CountryRoads]

Muggsy

This has been a feel good, entertaining two years, but tougher and better players are needed. I am not going to comment on any specific player because they all have played a great role over the past two years. That said, I expect better and tougher guys down the road.

Great OP. We’ll be a different team next year, but not ready to concede just yet that there will necessarily be as much drop off as many assume regardless of who leaves.

[mileskishnish72]

Oso scored 20 points the entire tournament..... we played 3 games

Probably didn't help his draft position.

[JakeBarnes]

Great OP. We’ll be a different team next year, but not ready to concede just yet that there will necessarily be as much drop off as many assume regardless of who leaves.

I'm stil standing by my Tre Norman is the pg future prediction for next year. Gonna go down with that ship.

I think the incoming class (including Hamilton here) is going to surprise. Owens feels like the omax evolution on offense (slashes more violently, better handles...defense will hopefully come around). Parham has a nice spot shooting game and can make nice moves inside (in can see him on the floor with Ben and causingbsome havoc).

Hamilton already looks huge. Think he will be a post presence that can battle with Samson Johnson (and from warm-ups seems he can hit some spot 3s too).

Lots of positives. Still think we could use a combo guard to fill in. But then again, veel that could be Kam and Tre running the o

[HutchwasClutch]

I'm stil standing by my Tre Norman is the pg future prediction for next year. Gonna go down with that ship.

Hopefully I’ll be wrong but I see Norman going the way of Symir Torrence.  I think we pretty much found out the reason he did not hold many high major offers, with one of them being Georgetown who hasn’t resembled a high major program in about a decade. 

Remember what Hurley told his team about Norman during the BET championship game? 

[JakeBarnes]

Hopefully I’ll be wrong but I see Norman going the way of Symir Torrence.  I think we pretty much found out the reason he did not hold many high major offers, with one of them being Georgetown who hasn’t resembled a high major program in about a decade. 

Remember what Hurley told his team about Norman during the BET championship game?

I don't recall any quote so pardon my ignorance there

Norman a much more explosive player and better finisher than Symir could be. I expect a big leap from frosh to soph year. We already saw some of it in the second half of the year

[HutchwasClutch]

I don't recall any quote so pardon my ignorance there

Norman a much more explosive player and better finisher than Symir could be. I expect a big leap from frosh to soph year. We already saw some of it in the second half of the year

At the under 12 timeout of the 2nd half, right after Norman scored before the media timeout, he called out Norman by name in the huddle that guys like him can’t/ shouldn’t hurt us.  Raw and real commentary. 

[JakeBarnes]

At the under 12 timeout of the 2nd half, right after Norman scored before the media timeout, he called out Norman by name in the huddle that guys like him can’t/ shouldn’t hurt us.  Raw and real commentary.

I think that is more of an indictment of Norman being a little played frosh at the time and not about his career trajectory.

Also, he did score on that play, so he did hurt them. Raw and real...reality

[HutchwasClutch]

I think that is more of an indictment of Norman being a little played frosh at the time and not about his career trajectory.

Also, he did score on that play, so he did hurt them. Raw and real...reality

All we can go by is what he actually said.  And it wasn’t anything any player would want to hear, little used freshman or otherwise.  Sounds like Hurley at the least agrees the reason he wasn’t playing much.

[Mu8891]

Let’s face it …

MU got ZIP / nothing / nada from the three freshmen this year.   Which is why they were down to 7 guys …

I have no “ expectations “ for them next year

[JakeBarnes]

All we can go by is what he actually said.  And it wasn’t anything any player would want to hear, little used freshman or otherwise.  Sounds like Hurley at the least agrees the reason he wasn’t playing much.

If it fits your narrative, go for it.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

All we can go by is what he actually said.  And it wasn’t anything any player would want to hear, little used freshman or otherwise.  Sounds like Hurley at the least agrees the reason he wasn’t playing much.

You’re really stretching on this one.

[21Jumpstreet]

Rome wasn’t built in a day as it were. I’m super disappointed at yesterday’s loss, but we have improved the program, set backs are part of the journey, showing that an agile/quick/passing big can flourish at point guard U hopefully means we continue to bring in more of the same. My guess is that more of the same will also improve over time. It is so frustrating because they showed signed of elite basketball this year, another way to look at it is at times they were elite this year. My guess is we continue to improve, we continue to bring in quality young men, and we keep this train moving. I’d also like to see a knock down shooter or two and a forward who will scrap for rebounds, we saw signs, we need consistency. Good year, disappointing end like it normally is. We live to fight on next year!

[Dr. Blackheart]

Elite teams travel well. MU had the least amount of fans who travelled to Dallas. Not sure what was going on with tickets but NCST fans had blocks of sections in the secondary markets. Whether the school paid brokers or their fans just gobbled them up in blocks.  Weird

I thought MU had more fans in Indy even though the school allotment was bigger.

[JakeBarnes]

Elite teams travel well. MU had the least amount of fans who travelled to Dallas. Not sure what was going on with tickets but NCST fans had blocks of sections in the secondary markets. Whether the school paid brokers or their fans just gobbled them up in blocks.  Weird

I thought MU had more fans in Indy even though the school allotment was bigger.

I was stuck in one of the NC state blocks. It was rough.

[Dr. Blackheart]

I was stuck in one of the NC state blocks. It was rough.

Worst fan base I have encountered in years of travel to away games. That said, they were out in force.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Let’s face it …

MU got ZIP / nothing / nada from the three freshmen this year.   Which is why they were down to 7 guys …

I have no “ expectations “ for them next year

Tre and Zaide played about as many minutes as Gold and Joplin did as freshman.  Stevie played only slightly more as a frosh, but that was also a much worse team (9 seed compared to a 2 seed).

Let's see how they develop.  Too early to write them off.  Al Amadou looks like a Keeyan type project.  But even Keeyan stuck around for 2 years.   Let's see if Al develops more than Keeyan did.

I think every recruit needs two years to see if they crack the rotation.  Some freshmen will, being a year ahead of schedule.  Other players won't develop and probably transfer after two years.  Some frosh might transfer from time to time as well.

[JakeBarnes]

Worst fan base I have encountered in years of travel to away games. That said, they were out in force.

Yeah. I had a guy argue with me about the 5 second call and I was baffled a bit by the knowledge of the fanbase.

They did come away super impressed with Stevie though. Called him our second best player a lot and how they needed to shut him down

[MuggsyB]

Worst fan base I have encountered in years of travel to away games. That said, they were out in force.

What made them so bad Dr.  B?  Ty.

[79Warrior]

Elite teams travel well. MU had the least amount of fans who travelled to Dallas. Not sure what was going on with tickets but NCST fans had blocks of sections in the secondary markets. Whether the school paid brokers or their fans just gobbled them up in blocks.  Weird

I thought MU had more fans in Indy even though the school allotment was bigger.

MU sold all 750 allotted. You are comparing a private to state public school. NC State has triple our enrollment.

[Dr. Blackheart]

MU sold all 750 allotted. You are comparing a private to state public school. NC State has triple our enrollment.

So is Duke and Villanova (private). Definitely one of the tops in Hawaii. Again, MU was number 2 of all teams at Indy and the overall turnout was not as much. If MU wants to be elite, it needs to travel and find a way to grab these blocks like these whole sections of NCST (non-allocated sections).

I thought the turnout was good, not great.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Well, NC State has a much larger fanbase, Houston is just a couple hours away, and Duke has a national following.

Of course Marquette had the smallest fanbase there.

And of course it was larger in Indy. People just drove down there from Milwaukee and Chicago.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Well, NC State has a much larger fanbase, Houston is just a couple hours away, and Duke has a national following.

Of course Marquette had the smallest fanbase there.

And of course it was larger in Indy. People just drove down there from Milwaukee and Chicago.

Thanks for the 411 Sultan. Again, my point is, if the MU fanbase wants an Elite program, show up for the chance to get to a Final 4.

How were the lumpy pillows on your couch?

[Goose]

I agree elite programs travel at a strong level. There is enough alums nationally to support the program. I did not attend either weekends due to work conditions and felt horribly not being there.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Thanks for the 411 Sultan. Again, my point is, if the MU fanbase wants an Elite program, show up for the chance to get to a Final 4.

How were the lumpy pillows on your couch?

The elite program creates the national fanbase. Otherwise its just a function of alumni size and distance from campus.

And my couch is great thanks. Just a couple years old so it's broken in nicely.

[Newsdreams]

I agree elite programs travel at a strong level. There is enough alums nationally to support the program. I did not attend either weekends due to work conditions and felt horribly not being there.

Travelled over 5K miles 2 weekends and worked remote (did invoice) but that is how I roll for MU.

[JakeBarnes]

Travelled over 5K miles 2 weekends and worked remote (did invoice) but that is how I roll for MU.

I lucked out that I had a conference in Austin.

[tower912]

Yeah. I had a guy argue with me about the 5 second call and I was baffled a bit by the knowledge of the fanbase.

They did come away super impressed with Stevie though. Called him our second best player a lot and how they needed to shut him down

They were right about Stevie.

[Goose]

Newsie

I told multiple friends of your support of the program. I wish you had been rewarded with a couple of more wins. You are a damn good fan.

[willie warrior]

First, I want to say that I am extremely disappointed in the loss last night. Disappointed because they put themselves in position for a deep run and fell short. One of my biggest disappointments is that this short era of MU basketball is coming to an end. We have seen some very good basketball over the last two years and extremely entertaining basketball which I have appreciated every minute of. My biggest disappointment is that I did not get a chance to give TK the three minute standing ovation he deserves for what he has done for the program.

In full disclosure, I think the last two years were the most unique in MU history and will not be repeated, which I believe is a good thing. Two players changed a program and they were both a blessing and a curse to some degree. Oso is a unicorn and found the right coach, system and PG. TK surpassed every wild expectation that I had for him by a very wide margin and made everyone better. IMO, it was a curse because you had to run with these two guys and not disrupt the chemistry. There will never be a duo like those two again.

Now, the following is why I believe MU is on their way to being elite:

Head Coach: We have a proven leader and a guy that wants to be here. I heard from a very reliable source (non scooper) that Shaka was offered BAGS from two programs with a rich history over the past two weeks and rejected both immediately. He wants to be the HC at MU and that is how you build elite.

Culture: CHECK, CHECK, CHECK

Fanbase: check

Facilities: check

NIL; check, check, check

Player development: check, check, check

Recruiting: Shaka has proven he can recruit international players, retain players (a must today), and will have two portal tranfers in the NBA in his first three years.

Guys to NBA: check, check, check

I have two have two concerns and they both come down to flexibility. I believe Shaka has to become more engaged in the portal and/or recruit better players that can be an impact from day one. Second concern is in regard to NIL, MU has bags to spread to around, but appear to have a set plan in place in how to use it. IMO, they need to be less rigid in how they spread the bags around. Fortunately for MU I have no say in the NIL space because I possibly could somehow find a way to violate NCAA rules in an era of no rules.

I will add, elite is not built in three years, but foundations are built in three years. IMO, the last two seasons were bonus runs because of TK and Oso. They might have derailed the process a bit because Shaka ran with them, which was the right call. I have said many times that best Shaka team is down the road and I believe that. I think it will be built around guys like Chase Ross, the incoming freshmen and will be a defense first program.

I might end up being flat out wrong, but I have put far too much time and energy into this program over the past three years and believe my points are well thought out. As Shaka has said, Marquette basketball is the place to be.

Agree with most of this Goose. MU must make changes, especially in portal to be elite. I have not looked, but how long has it taken Hurley to make that program at the top of the mountain?

[Uncle Rico]

Agree with most of this Goose. MU must make changes, especially in portal to be elite. I have not looked, but how long has it taken Hurley to make that program at the top of the mountain?

69 weeks

[GOO]

Goose, great post. Agree with it all except I am willing to be patient and understand that we will have some down years for Shaka to fulfill his vision of recruiting primarily high school players who will be with us multiple years to develop and not consistently recruited  over.

Now, if we have a team like this years where 2 or 3 players could leave for the pros, one player in Sean who will not be available, then he will have to use the portal, but carefully.

I hope he stays true to his vision and doesn’t do what every other team is trying to do, reload every year.  Then we are just like all teams. That will mean down years but that’s fine and we have to embrace that.

It’s a slower burn, but a vision I hope you stays true to.

[Goose]

Goo

I do not disagree with your post, with only exception of you define elite. My definition is high and I think a hybrid philosophy is needed to reach elite. Getting 1-2 two or three year portal guys is how I envision, with an occasional one year guy. I believe re-recruiting guys you lost is the receipt for success. You already know they are good kids and like their families.

Plus, Shaka has recruited two portal guys with multiple years left and both are NBA players. Great recruiting tool.

[real chili 83]

With our NIL, and with Shaka as coach, we can do very well in the portal.

Serious question…do we really hope Oso returns, or do we move on? 

Based on his potential, yes.  Based on how he finished out, hmmm. 

Move on, or try to refine and give him a killer instinct?

[MuggsyB]

With our NIL, and with Shaka as coach, we can do very well in the portal.

Serious question…do we really hope Oso returns, or do we move on? 

Based on his potential, yes.  Based on how he finished out, hmmm. 

Move on, or try to refine and give him a killer instinct.

Of course we hope Oso returns.  But we need to find badass mfers for sure.  This is an extremely difficult day for MU fans.  I really feel like we blew a tremendous opportunity.  We have no choice but to move on and find bucket getters and reload. 

[real chili 83]

Of course we hope Oso returns.  But we need to find badass mfers for sure.  This is an extremely difficult day for MU fans.  I really feel like we blew a tremendous opportunity.  We have no choice but to move on and find bucket getters and reload.

He needs a bad a$$ attitude next year.   

[JakeBarnes]

Agree with most of this Goose. MU must make changes, especially in portal to be elite. I have not looked, but how long has it taken Hurley to make that program at the top of the mountain?

He was hired in 2018. He didn't  make the tourney until 2021.

[Goose]

real

Tough question for me. While I have loved the first three years of Shaka, I have been waiting to see what a 100%, or close to, Shaka recruit team will looks like. I guess I am excited for the next new chapter of MU ball to begin, and that is not a rip on Oso at all.

IMO, Shaka caught lightning in bottle twice in his first three years and now it is time to step things up. Time to up the level of recruits and get even better on defense.

[MuggsyB]

He needs a bad a$$ attitude next year.

Agreed.  All of us must increase our intensity.   

[muwarrior69]

First, I want to say that I am extremely disappointed in the loss last night. Disappointed because they put themselves in position for a deep run and fell short. One of my biggest disappointments is that this short era of MU basketball is coming to an end. We have seen some very good basketball over the last two years and extremely entertaining basketball which I have appreciated every minute of. My biggest disappointment is that I did not get a chance to give TK the three minute standing ovation he deserves for what he has done for the program.

In full disclosure, I think the last two years were the most unique in MU history and will not be repeated, which I believe is a good thing. Two players changed a program and they were both a blessing and a curse to some degree. Oso is a unicorn and found the right coach, system and PG. TK surpassed every wild expectation that I had for him by a very wide margin and made everyone better. IMO, it was a curse because you had to run with these two guys and not disrupt the chemistry. There will never be a duo like those two again.

Now, the following is why I believe MU is on their way to being elite:

Head Coach: We have a proven leader and a guy that wants to be here. I heard from a very reliable source (non scooper) that Shaka was offered BAGS from two programs with a rich history over the past two weeks and rejected both immediately. He wants to be the HC at MU and that is how you build elite.

Culture: CHECK, CHECK, CHECK

Fanbase: check

Facilities: check

NIL; check, check, check

Player development: check, check, check

Recruiting: Shaka has proven he can recruit international players, retain players (a must today), and will have two portal tranfers in the NBA in his first three years.

Guys to NBA: check, check, check

I have two have two concerns and they both come down to flexibility. I believe Shaka has to become more engaged in the portal and/or recruit better players that can be an impact from day one. Second concern is in regard to NIL, MU has bags to spread to around, but appear to have a set plan in place in how to use it. IMO, they need to be less rigid in how they spread the bags around. Fortunately for MU I have no say in the NIL space because I possibly could somehow find a way to violate NCAA rules in an era of no rules.

I will add, elite is not built in three years, but foundations are built in three years. IMO, the last two seasons were bonus runs because of TK and Oso. They might have derailed the process a bit because Shaka ran with them, which was the right call. I have said many times that best Shaka team is down the road and I believe that. I think it will be built around guys like Chase Ross, the incoming freshmen and will be a defense first program.

I might end up being flat out wrong, but I have put far too much time and energy into this program over the past three years and believe my points are well thought out. As Shaka has said, Marquette basketball is the place to be.

I guess will find out tomorrow. Its April fools day. Yeah that was a brutal loss. However, the last 3 seasons under Shaka have been so much fun and I don't think any one of us want to return to the Wojo years. If we're picked ninth in the Big East next season watch out.

[willie warrior]

Probably didn't help his draft position.

Absolutely correct.

[willie warrior]

He was hired in 2018. He didn't  make the tourney until 2021.

So 3 years to rebuild. Year 4 a Natty and likely back to back in year 5.

[Uncle Rico]

So 3 years to rebuild. Year 4 a Natty and likely back to back in year 5.

You couldn’t look that up yourself? 

[burger]

The guy with the bad A$$ attitude (Butler, Crowder, DJO) ripped off his MU shirt and will probably never play for MU again.

Trouble is we did not have enough players with that kind of grit.....

Grit does not go 4 for 31 on the big stage.  Because no stage is too big.....

The stage was too big for a couple.....

The stage was not that big for UConn when challenged when they went on a 31-0 run.....

[Big Papi]

The guy with the bad A$$ attitude (Butler, Crowder, DJO) ripped off his MU shirt and will probably never play for MU again.

Trouble is we did not have enough players with that kind of grit.....

Grit does not go 4 for 31 on the big stage.  Because no stage is too big.....

The stage was too big for a couple.....

The stage was not that big for UConn when challenged when they went on a 31-0 run.....

UConn did it all year long. They are destroying teams consistently.

We were prone to bad shooting nights throughout the year. It wasn't a one off night of bad shooting against NC State. It happened before.

You can't compare the two teams.

[Lennys Tap]

Muggsy

This has been a feel good, entertaining two years, but tougher and better players are needed. I am not going to comment on any specific player because they all have played a great role over the past two years. That said, I expect better and tougher guys down the road.

Goose

You’re reticent to comment on specific players but I’m not. We don’t need a tougher or better player at PG, TK is as tough and as good as it gets. At Oso and Jop’s position, however…

[Lennys Tap]

They did come away super impressed with Stevie though. Called him our second best player a lot and how they needed to shut him down

1. No way Stevie was our second best player

2. He is guarded (very loosely) by our opponent’s weakest perimeter defender for a reason. Teams beg him to shoot, and “shutting him down” isn’t a priority for anybody we play.

[JakeBarnes]

1. No way Stevie was our second best player

2. He is guarded (very loosely) by our opponent’s weakest perimeter defender for a reason. Teams beg him to shoot, and “shutting him down” isn’t a priority for anybody we play.

I'm aware of that. But from they performance in the game that was the feeling of NC State fans in my section

[The Lens]

In 2009 Buzz graduated Wes / DJ / Jerel — arguably our greatest class.

Within 2 years he started MU’s best run since the 70s.

Shaka is just getting started.

[Goose]

Lenny

I did comment on returning players on another thread. There is definitely a need for some more talent on the roster moving forward. I agree with your comment on Stevie, is not the second-best player on the team. I believe he benefited a great deal from the players around him the past two season. Happy MU has him, but I am hoping he is a 20-24 minute guy next year due to an upgrade in talent.

[Herman Cain]

First, I want to say that I am extremely disappointed in the loss last night. Disappointed because they put themselves in position for a deep run and fell short. One of my biggest disappointments is that this short era of MU basketball is coming to an end. We have seen some very good basketball over the last two years and extremely entertaining basketball which I have appreciated every minute of. My biggest disappointment is that I did not get a chance to give TK the three minute standing ovation he deserves for what he has done for the program.

In full disclosure, I think the last two years were the most unique in MU history and will not be repeated, which I believe is a good thing. Two players changed a program and they were both a blessing and a curse to some degree. Oso is a unicorn and found the right coach, system and PG. TK surpassed every wild expectation that I had for him by a very wide margin and made everyone better. IMO, it was a curse because you had to run with these two guys and not disrupt the chemistry. There will never be a duo like those two again.

Now, the following is why I believe MU is on their way to being elite:

Head Coach: We have a proven leader and a guy that wants to be here. I heard from a very reliable source (non scooper) that Shaka was offered BAGS from two programs with a rich history over the past two weeks and rejected both immediately. He wants to be the HC at MU and that is how you build elite.

Culture: CHECK, CHECK, CHECK

Fanbase: check

Facilities: check

NIL; check, check, check

Player development: check, check, check

Recruiting: Shaka has proven he can recruit international players, retain players (a must today), and will have two portal tranfers in the NBA in his first three years.

Guys to NBA: check, check, check

I have two have two concerns and they both come down to flexibility. I believe Shaka has to become more engaged in the portal and/or recruit better players that can be an impact from day one. Second concern is in regard to NIL, MU has bags to spread to around, but appear to have a set plan in place in how to use it. IMO, they need to be less rigid in how they spread the bags around. Fortunately for MU I have no say in the NIL space because I possibly could somehow find a way to violate NCAA rules in an era of no rules.

I will add, elite is not built in three years, but foundations are built in three years. IMO, the last two seasons were bonus runs because of TK and Oso. They might have derailed the process a bit because Shaka ran with them, which was the right call. I have said many times that best Shaka team is down the road and I believe that. I think it will be built around guys like Chase Ross, the incoming freshmen and will be a defense first program.

I might end up being flat out wrong, but I have put far too much time and energy into this program over the past three years and believe my points are well thought out. As Shaka has said, Marquette basketball is the place to be.

Shaka has indeed built a very solid foundation. Three straight tourneys with increasing success is a great place to be. Should be able to bring in Portal talent needed to bridge the gap for a year.

Keeping an eye on the 25 Class of Recruits. In 24 Shaka brought in the type of long and skilled players MU has not been able to bring in ( plus redshirting a skilled big body bruiser in the 23 class ). If Shaka can repeat that level of recruiting in 25, and beyond, the momentum in this program will be Excellent.

[MUbiz]

Shaka has indeed built a very solid foundation. Three straight tourneys with increasing success is a great place to be. Should be able to bring in Portal talent needed to bridge the gap for a year.

Keeping an eye on the 25 Class of Recruits. In 24 Shaka brought in the type of long and skilled players MU has not been able to bring in ( plus redshirting a skilled big body bruiser in the 23 class ). If Shaka can repeat that level of recruiting in 25, and beyond, the momentum in this program will be Excellent.

I agree with this analysis.

[willie warrior]

Have already heard 2 different talking heads speculating that UConn is already the favorite to win it all next year. Better giddyup Shaka.

[brewcity77]

Have already heard 2 different talking heads speculating that UConn is already the favorite to win it all next year. Better giddyup Shaka.

Curious what roster they're basing that on, because Newton and Spencer are out of eligibility and Clingan and Castle are both projected lottery picks. Maybe Karaban comes back, but there's a decent shot he gets drafted as well if he goes. Maybe a lineup of Diarra/Nowell/Ball/Stewart/Johnson is a tourney team, and they'll likely be able to reinforce through the portal, but at the moment they aren't close to the favorite.

[zcg2013]

Curious what roster they're basing that on, because Newton and Spencer are out of eligibility and Clingan and Castle are both projected lottery picks. Maybe Karaban comes back, but there's a decent shot he gets drafted as well if he goes. Maybe a lineup of Diarra/Nowell/Ball/Stewart/Johnson is a tourney team, and they'll likely be able to reinforce through the portal, but at the moment they aren't close to the favorite.

Solely based on current rosters and incoming freshman w/o transfers, who is at the top of the preseason rankings?

[lawdog77]

Solely based on current rosters and incoming freshman w/o transfers, who is at the top of the preseason rankings?

Duke , Kentucky, or UW