Zaide for Jop

[tower912]

Yes, like Izzo, Shaka was rewarding the hard work and production in the game last night.  And sitting those who were not performing. 

[Viper]

I see an 8 player rotation of Chase, Royce, DO, Ben, Zaide, Hamilton, Tre, Sean with another offseason of growth and development and I feel like MU is far ahead of the game.  Anything from Clark or Amadou and suddenly MU is long.  Anything from the freshman class and suddenly MU is deep.

Assuming all return, I am nearly giddy at the possibilities.

assuming all return and no portal addition, that's probably 6th or 7th-ish in the BE, imo. If recruiting and portal trends continue as they have...and considering the respective coaches...StJ, UConn, Creighton, Gtown, and X are probably better than MU next year. Conjecture, of course. (I think we'll agree MU was fortunate to win this year at X, at DeP and get CU at the Fiserv when they didn't have Kalk. I'll take good fortunate all day every day, but our team this season could easily be Villanova)

[tower912]

Once again, we differ.  No biggie.

[BCHoopster]

assuming all return and no portal addition, that's probably 6th or 7th-ish in the BE, imo. If recruiting and portal trends continue as they have...and considering the respective coaches...StJ, UConn, Creighton, Gtown, and X are probably better than MU next year. Conjecture, of course. (I think we'll agree MU was fortunate to win this year at X, at DeP and get CU at the Fiserv when they didn't have Kalk. I'll take good fortunate all day every day, but our team this season could easily be Villanova)

I hope Clark can play, Hamilton is slow and soft and Ben is Ben. Need to bring in a physical forward or center

[Zog from Margo]

I hope Clark can play, Hamilton is slow and soft and Ben is Ben. Need to bring in a physical forward or center

Hamilton has some limitations but I don't see being "soft" as one of them.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

hope we don't see any transfers because Shaka refuses to sit his struggling seniors more...

 

[Vander Blue Man Group]

assuming all return and no portal addition, that's probably 6th or 7th-ish in the BE, imo. If recruiting and portal trends continue as they have...and considering the respective coaches...StJ, UConn, Creighton, Gtown, and X are probably better than MU next year. Conjecture, of course. (I think we'll agree MU was fortunate to win this year at X, at DeP and get CU at the Fiserv when they didn't have Kalk. I'll take good fortunate all day every day, but our team this season could easily be Villanova)

Kalk played 33 minutes against us at Fiserv and went 4/11 from the field. 

[MU82]

assuming all return and no portal addition, that's probably 6th or 7th-ish in the BE, imo. If recruiting and portal trends continue as they have...and considering the respective coaches...StJ, UConn, Creighton, Gtown, and X are probably better than MU next year. Conjecture, of course. (I think we'll agree MU was fortunate to win this year at X, at DeP and get CU at the Fiserv when they didn't have Kalk. I'll take good fortunate all day every day, but our team this season could easily be Villanova)

This sounds like lots of folks at this stage of the 2021-22 season. Kolek couldn't shoot, Oso and Stevie were offensive liabilities, OMax was mostly good at falling down, Kam and Joplin were freshmen who might or might not be any good, our recruiting class was not highly touted. Indeed, the following fall, we were predicted to finish 9th in the Big East.

Which of course led to ... F%ck 'em!

I am NOT predicting that we'll win the Big East next season as we did in 2022-23, but I just don't see it as being a "we are doomed" situation. I guess we'll see!

[MU82]

Based on play of the last month, yes Zaide should start and Jop should go back to the sixth man role. Zaide is coming on strong, rebounds well, and plays good defense. And, oh yeah, he can shoot. I also hope Parham and Owens continue to get major minutes. At this point, the rest of this season is about next year. This team is not going very far in the tournament.

High-level coaches simply don't think like this - especially coaches of ranked, 20-win teams that are locks for the NCAA Tournament.

We can debate the merits of what you're saying. For example, one could counter-argue that the development of next season's team will take place in the summer, early fall and then into the season, not in a few games at the end of this one.

But I'm just telling you that Shaka Smart doesn't think the way you're talking about. No coach of any NCAA Tournament-bound team does. Period.

[mug644]

High-level coaches simply don't think like this - especially coaches of ranked, 20-win teams that are locks for the NCAA Tournament.

We can debate the merits of what you're saying. For example, one could counter-argue that the development of next season's team will take place in the summer, early fall and then into the season, not in a few games at the end of this one.

But I'm just telling you that Shaka Smart doesn't think the way you're talking about. No coach of any NCAA Tournament-bound team does. Period.

I think your caveat of being a tournament-bound team makes your statement correct, but I also wonder how the NIL world might change things. This is likely a time of year when players are thinking about their future. If they see the guy(s) ahead of them struggling and the coach doesn't really give them a chance to shine, might they be more inclined to listen to their ego and the dudes in their ears and consider, "Hmm, maybe I can do more and make more elsewhere? Maybe this coach is showing loyalty more than commitment to quality? I'm sure I can do and be better than what I'm seeing." In these times, players may not be willing to be patient enough and confident enough to believe that their time will come in the program they are in. MU and Shaka may remain a program where the culture really runs deep and guys trust that their development will result in opportunity, but NIL and instant transfer allow for people to presume and go and see if the grass is indeed greener.

[tower912]

What will the NIL look like going forward?  With fewer 6th year seniors available?  Schools on the hook?  5 years of eligibility?  Conference realignment?

[BM1090]

assuming all return and no portal addition, that's probably 6th or 7th-ish in the BE, imo. If recruiting and portal trends continue as they have...and considering the respective coaches...StJ, UConn, Creighton, Gtown, and X are probably better than MU next year. Conjecture, of course. (I think we'll agree MU was fortunate to win this year at X, at DeP and get CU at the Fiserv when they didn't have Kalk. I'll take good fortunate all day every day, but our team this season could easily be Villanova)

1. Kalk had 16 and 12 in the game in Milwaukee.

2. Look what the other teams are losing too.

[GoldenEagles03]

assuming all return and no portal addition, that's probably 6th or 7th-ish in the BE, imo. If recruiting and portal trends continue as they have...and considering the respective coaches...StJ, UConn, Creighton, Gtown, and X are probably better than MU next year. Conjecture, of course. (I think we'll agree MU was fortunate to win this year at X, at DeP and get CU at the Fiserv when they didn't have Kalk. I'll take good fortunate all day every day, but our team this season could easily be Villanova)

Creighton?

Lol. What?

[Vander Blue Man Group]

I think your caveat of being a tournament-bound team makes your statement correct, but I also wonder how the NIL world might change things. This is likely a time of year when players are thinking about their future. If they see the guy(s) ahead of them struggling and the coach doesn't really give them a chance to shine, might they be more inclined to listen to their ego and the dudes in their ears and consider, "Hmm, maybe I can do more and make more elsewhere? Maybe this coach is showing loyalty more than commitment to quality? I'm sure I can do and be better than what I'm seeing." In these times, players may not be willing to be patient enough and confident enough to believe that their time will come in the program they are in. MU and Shaka may remain a program where the culture really runs deep and guys trust that their development will result in opportunity, but NIL and instant transfer allow for people to presume and go and see if the grass is indeed greener.

Why would you think there are going to be big money NIL opportunities for our bench guys?  Guys that are now seeing their minutes increase and know that there will be a ton of minutes available next season with 3 starters graduating?

The scenario you created just doesn't make much sense.

[mug644]

What will the NIL look like going forward?  With fewer 6th year seniors available?  Schools on the hook?  5 years of eligibility?  Conference realignment?

Tower, I've seen you mention 5 years of eligibility a few times, but I don't recall hearing elsewhere that that is being considered? Beyond the adaptations made for covid, is that a change that might be made?

[tower912]

At the start of the year, stories started coming out that the NCAA was considering a change to 5 years of eligibility.   Still in the discussion stage, I think. 

Here is how it might have benefited MU this season.  It would essentially do away with the red shirt season.  You have a 5 year window.  You can be eligible all 5 years.   For MU this season, it would mean that Clark and Amadou would have been eligible all season.  Most interestingly, it would take away the decision about whether to have Sean come back this season.  He comes back when he is ready and it does not affect the 5 year window.

It is far from a done deal.

[mug644]

Why would you think there are going to be big money NIL opportunities for our bench guys?  Guys that are now seeing their minutes increase and know that there will be a ton of minutes available next season with 3 starters graduating?

The scenario you created just doesn't make much sense.

I wasn't exclusively talking about Marquette, as MU82's comment was that no tournament bound coach looks ahead to next season. I'm wondering if, in the new world of NIL, players might be more tempted to be thinking about their options for next if they feel their coach isn't giving them opportunities in the current year, especially if the guy(s) ahead of them are not performing as expected and needed. And my thinking is not about "big money NIL opportunities."

That said, as mentioned in various threads, some of this year's bench players for MU could surely be wondering how the chips will fall next year. Yes, 3 key guys are graduating, but there will be competition for playing time. I hesitate to mention names, but folks have noted that Tre, Hamilton and Al will be third year players (in the program for 3 years) but will not have clear paths to assured, high minutes next year. None will have big money opportunities, but might the instant eligibility transfer and NIL world present them with options to consider? On the other hand, as shown last night, does the fact that Shaka is seeming to give them opportunities to step up when starters aren't holding their own help them have faith that they will, as long-term members of the program, have "advantages" over newcomers?

Honestly, I'm just thinking aloud, not stating an opinion nor making any predictions. As for making sense, that would be nice, but it's never guaranteed with me.

[MU82]

I think your caveat of being a tournament-bound team makes your statement correct, but I also wonder how the NIL world might change things. This is likely a time of year when players are thinking about their future. If they see the guy(s) ahead of them struggling and the coach doesn't really give them a chance to shine, might they be more inclined to listen to their ego and the dudes in their ears and consider, "Hmm, maybe I can do more and make more elsewhere? Maybe this coach is showing loyalty more than commitment to quality? I'm sure I can do and be better than what I'm seeing." In these times, players may not be willing to be patient enough and confident enough to believe that their time will come in the program they are in. MU and Shaka may remain a program where the culture really runs deep and guys trust that their development will result in opportunity, but NIL and instant transfer allow for people to presume and go and see if the grass is indeed greener.

I doubt this factors into Shaka's thinking one iota as to who gets how much playing time the rest of this season.

Unlike fans, coaches of NCAAT-bound teams do not think a season like ours is a lost cause.

And I doubt we have players who are thinking about future NIL opportunities during games.

[Billy Hoyle]

Tower, I've seen you mention 5 years of eligibility a few times, but I don't recall hearing elsewhere that that is being considered? Beyond the adaptations made for covid, is that a change that might be made?

Here is an article. It is a serious topic of discussion for a rule change. The idea is to eliminate waivers and the need for redshirts. No formal proposal at this point but it's more than just a topic thrown out by the media.

https://sports.yahoo.com/college-sports-leaders-mulling-5-in-5-rule-to-eliminate-redshirts-waivers-and-other-exemptions-211750014.html

[Captain Quette]

I agree w Viper on our prospects next year. I hope we do have a few transfers to open up some roster spots. If there are players going into their 3rd year and no clear path to minutes is established, than shaka should be having serious discussions about their fit w MU. It can't be hugs all the time. Not every player is cut out for high level I basketball. The portal can provide "proven" players. Shaka needs to get the best roster possible in place.

[Viper]

This sounds like lots of folks at this stage of the 2021-22 season. Kolek couldn't shoot, Oso and Stevie were offensive liabilities, OMax was mostly good at falling down, Kam and Joplin were freshmen who might or might not be any good, our recruiting class was not highly touted. Indeed, the following fall, we were predicted to finish 9th in the Big East.

Which of course led to ... F%ck 'em!

I am NOT predicting that we'll win the Big East next season as we did in 2022-23, but I just don't see it as being a "we are doomed" situation. I guess we'll see!

I'm not going with 'we are doomed' either, just do not feel as confident as Tower.

[burger]

Zaide has earned a chance to start.....

Joplin has earned the bench.....

Shaka should do what is best for the team.....

[Viper]

Creighton?

Lol. What?

LOL? I don't follow. I never wanted Creighton in the BE for a number of reasons...but have to admit they are good seemingly every year. I don't anticipate that being any different next season despite losing Kalkbrenner to eligibility.

[Viper]

1. Kalk had 16 and 12 in the game in Milwaukee.

2. Look what the other teams are losing too.

my error on the Creighton game here.  I did look at other rosters, recruiting commits, and made assumptions on the portal based on recent transfer activity.

[Newsdreams]

I've seen this too often - and I don't think it's a joke.  There's no 'N' in his last name.

And no apostrophe there, but simple mistake.

I'll take Ramsey for a $100.00 Alex