[Paint Touches] Shaka reaffirms MU commitment

[PaintTouches]

Apologies if it's been discussed at length, but wanted to put together a recap for those just tuning in and add some color as to why I think it's a BFD.

https://painttouches.com/2024/04/12/greska-shaka-smart-reaffirms-marquette-commitment/

[Oldgym]

Nailed it.

[Skatastrophy]

You should lead the second paragraph of every article you write from now on with this banger:

"I think I know Marquette fans well and I definitely know the next step is panic..."

[Dr. Blackheart]

First, it's great we have a coach in demand.  Second, it's great he loves it here. Third, a coach has to listen to what is being offered.  Fourth, next call to Scholl.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

First, it's great we have a coach in demand.  Second, it's great he loves it here. Third, a coach has to listen to what is being offered.  Fourth, next call to Scholl.

KY paying their new coach $5.5M. Probably a $3-4M discount to Cal.  Collective schools giving their coaches raises. Idk—$15-$20M.  Thanks Big Blue!

[NCMUFan]

Maybe it is good that UCONN won the Natty.
Clear target on who you need to beat to get to the top.

[NickelDimer]

As much as the Wojo years sucked, we definitely got Shaka at the right time as opposed to the #donedeal time

[avid1010]

Maybe it is good that UCONN won the Natty.
Clear target on who you need to beat to get to the top.

Maybe?

[muwarrior69]

Thomas Wolfe was wrong. You can go home again and Shaka has proved it.

[forgetful]

And for those worried about the Big East moving forward, two premier coaches in the league said not interested.

[TSmith34, Inc.]

As much as the Wojo years sucked, we definitely got Shaka at the right time as opposed to the #donedeal time

The planets definitely aligned

[willie warrior]

Maybe it is good that UCONN won the Natty.
Clear target on who you need to beat to get to the top.

And we are slipping further behind them. They beat us 3 times this year and there should be concern that the gap is increasing.

[Uncle Rico]

And we are slipping further behind them. They beat us 3 times this year and there should be concern that the gap is increasing.

Unless Ramsey steps up

[Skatastrophy]

And for those worried about the Big East moving forward, two premier coaches in the league said not interested.

This is always in the back of my mind. The best coaches in the league will likely jump ship before a fan like me realizes that the league is done for. Gives me hope for the future of the Big East that they're investing time in Big East programs to build their legacy.

[Lennys Tap]

I wonder if Rocky still has doubts that Shaka's the guy?

[rocky_warrior]

I wonder if Rocky still has doubts that Shaka's the guy?

I can answer that.  Shaka has wildly exceeded expectations so far, for me, and I think everyone.

My concern for him going in was NCAA tournament success, and I said he needed to win at least one NCAA tournament game in the first 3 years.  So, he passed in year 2.  I still have some concerns that his tournament bad luck might be perpetual, but otherwise I'm good keeping him on 

[MuggsyB]

And for those worried about the Big East moving forward, two premier coaches in the league said not interested.

LFG!!!

[TSmith34, Inc.]

And we are slipping further behind them. They beat us 3 times this year and there should be concern that the gap is increasing.

Wise men tremble at your erudite mind, Dung Willie

[Class71]

And we are slipping further behind them. They beat us 3 times this year and there should be concern that the gap is increasing.

It looks like we have plenty of company in slipping behind UConn this year. Compared to last year it appears just about  every division 1 team has slipped further behind them. Having said that, if we pick up one or two good from the portal that can fill our two gaps we will be OK.

[GoldenEagles03]

And we are slipping further behind them. They beat us 3 times this year and there should be concern that the gap is increasing.

They beat us twice without arguably the best PG this University has ever seen. We played them in the Title game without Kolek too. We were in the Final 12 teams in March Madness, they were Number 1. The gap isn't that large.

[The Sultan]

They beat us twice without arguably the best PG this University has ever seen. We played them in the Title game without Kolek too. We were in the Final 12 teams in March Madness, they were Number 1. The gap isn't that large.

Don't pay attention to Willie. He complains about everything.

[willie warrior]

They beat us twice without arguably the best PG this University has ever seen. We played them in the Title game without Kolek too. We were in the Final 12 teams in March Madness, they were Number 1. The gap isn't that large.

And we don't have that PG coming back and lost our main rebounder. The gap is growing. Quit looking through your blue and gold glasses.

[TallTitan34]

And we don't have that PG coming back and lost our main rebounder. The gap is growing. Quit looking through your blue and gold glasses.

You should see who UConn has coming back.

[tower912]

And we don't have that PG coming back and lost our main rebounder. The gap is growing. Quit looking through your blue and gold glasses.

And roster turnover is the one constant in college basketball.  Quit acting like this is something specific to MU or some sort of failing.  Stability used to be considered a virtue.
MU is returning 7 of their top 9 from a sweet 16 team.

[brewcity77]

Our All-American PG is leaving. Most of his duties will be taken over by Kam Jones, who I expect to be an All-American by this time next year. Which means we need one of Chase, Zaide, Tre, or a freshman to step up into his role, and so on down the line. Same with Oso, we will need Gold to move from rotation big to starter (as Oso had to from sophomore to junior years) and need someone to show up as a viable backup big. Which means Amadou or Caedin will need to become what Oso or Ben were when they were sophomores.

I understand trepidation because we are counting on guys we haven't seen do it yet. Just like we hadn't seen Justin be a leading scorer, Tyler be an All-American, Oso be all-conference, or Kam and Stevie be what they were. This system relies on early player evaluation and development in the system. As long as it works, we'll be fine. If it doesn't, then this discussion will become more pertinent.