No cigar

[Biggie Clausen]

If it takes five years to judge a coach, Shaka hasn't needed that long - he's far exceeded expectations in his first four, considering where the program was at when he took over.  Three of the most talented players we've had (Kolek, OMax, and Chase) were Shaka recruits, and three Wojo guys (Kam, Stevie, and Oso) developed into really good players and leaders under his watch.  Joplin followed Shaka from Texas, so he's a special case, too.  Shaka obviously loves Jop, but I wonder if he would recruit him now, to Marquette, in 2025.

Once a coach reaches that 5-7 year mark, he's fully entrenched and it's easier to get a feel for what his program truly is.  With Wojo, it was a dumpster fire where one or two stars were surrounded by a bunch of turds.  With Buzz, it was a house of cards with constant transfers out and lots of drama.  With Crean, it was great guards and a maddening inability to land a true, game-changing big.

We're in the Tournament this year, and maybe we'll do well, and maybe we won't, but being in is a lot more fun than the Wojo special.  I'm excited to see what Shaka's program will look like in the coming years. 

[Shooter McGavin]

team is playing better. Agreed. MU took care of biz vs bottom feeders and lost a hard fought game to the 2x defending national champ. IF this Saturday and next Thursday are L's, does 'playing better' matter?

The answer to your question is that it will matter.  It will be a sign that the team is simply not talented enough or playing well enough to make any noise in the real tournament (despite all the it happened in 77 talk).  Although, I would still hold out a sliver of hope that the Big East coaches know how to defend us better than nonconference teams and execute their offense better against our defense. This may give us more of an advantage than we think. I also would hope that we may get a more favorable whistle in the tournament (a long shot, I know). 

Bottom line is they do need to prove it.  It's the end of the season.  Kam Jones is an all American.  Hopefully they go on a magical run because there is not an obvious all American walking through that door next year.  There is not an obvious 1st or second team all Big East player walking through that door next year.  There is not an obvious future cracked sidewalks article or current paint touches article that point to an even remotely good team next year. 

Let's enjoy this season while we can and celebrate those seniors Saturday!  Go MU!

[Billy Hoyle]

Different outcome maybe if we had run a couple sets for Gold threes in the second half.

It's tough to do that when he's on the bench in foul trouble.

How about drives to the hoops when guys have a clear path from the corner to the basket? We led at halftime after going 13-17 inside of the arc. In the second half we were 9-18. 42 points in the paint total. 6 fewer three attempts in the second half in exchange for drives to the hoop at 50% is six more points (and maybe more if we get fouled, the margin of victory for UConn. 

[Billy Hoyle]

team is playing better. Agreed. MU took care of biz vs bottom feeders and lost a hard fought game to the 2x defending national champ. IF this Saturday and next Thursday are L's, does 'playing better' matter?

UConn may be the 2x national champ but this version isn't close to the level those two teams were. Those UConn squads wouldn't have lost to Seton Hall, Colorado, Dayton or Nova.

[MUfan12]

One thing I hated, HAAAATED about last night were the possessions where Kam or Chase had Johnson switched onto them at the arc and settled for multiple stepback threes. You could hear the screech as the offense stopped while they dribbled the air out of it. UConn was guarding five out, no rim protection, and MU just stood there.

[BM1090]

One thing I hated, HAAAATED about last night were the possessions where Kam or Chase had Johnson switched onto them at the arc and settled for multiple stepback threes. You could hear the screech as the offense stopped while they dribbled the air out of it. UConn was guarding five out, no rim protection, and MU just stood there.

Chase, completely agree.

Kam was struggling to get by Johnson at times. Multiple possessions where Johnson locked him up while he tried to get to the rim. I was good with the step backs. He can make that shot and if he knocks one down it really makes Johnson come up tighter and allows him to blow by easier.

[Shooter McGavin]

Chase, completely agree.

Kam was struggling to get by Johnson at times. Multiple possessions where Johnson locked him up while he tried to get to the rim. I was good with the step backs. He can make that shot and if he knocks one down it really makes Johnson come up tighter and allows him to blow by easier.

Yep Kam simply needs to hit a couple threes to keep the defenses honest.  He hits them and it is a pressure release valve for the offense and honestly gives confidence to the rest of the team.  Heavy burden on that young man.

[MUfan12]

He can make that shot and if he knocks one down it really makes Johnson come up tighter and allows him to blow by easier.

He can, but he hasn't shot it off the bounce well this season.

[BM1090]

He can, but he hasn't shot it off the bounce well this season.

No doubt. But he's gotta keep shooting those and hit some if we want to make a run

[Vander Blue Man Group]

There is not an obvious future cracked sidewalks article or current paint touches article that point to an even remotely good team next year. 

I find this snippet to be utterly ridiculous. 

[BM1090]

The answer to your question is that it will matter.  It will be a sign that the team is simply not talented enough or playing well enough to make any noise in the real tournament (despite all the it happened in 77 talk).  Although, I would still hold out a sliver of hope that the Big East coaches know how to defend us better than nonconference teams and execute their offense better against our defense. This may give us more of an advantage than we think. I also would hope that we may get a more favorable whistle in the tournament (a long shot, I know). 

Bottom line is they do need to prove it.  It's the end of the season.  Kam Jones is an all American.  Hopefully they go on a magical run because there is not an obvious all American walking through that door next year.  There is not an obvious 1st or second team all Big East player walking through that door next year.  There is not an obvious future cracked sidewalks article or current paint touches article that point to an even remotely good team next year. 

Let's enjoy this season while we can and celebrate those seniors Saturday!  Go MU!

We weren't supposed to be any good in 2021 or 2022 either.

[Shooter McGavin]

I find this snippet to be utterly ridiculous. 

I hear you and in many ways it is.  After the season there will be more time to discuss this.  The Paint touches article about Kam was an outstanding case for Kam and damning one for the rest of the team. 

I look forward to the statistical breakdowns in the offseason.  Development is a real thing.  Hopefully there are a couple all Americans or future all Americans on our team next year that I'm not anticipating.

[Shooter McGavin]

We weren't supposed to be any good in 2021 or 2022 either.

.

Yes.  And that is why I referred to cracked sidewalks.  Before that season started, Brew was sky high on that team and had tons of logic behind it.  You could also see way more glimpses of high level talent than you see now.  I'll be curious to see the breakdowns and analysis in the offseason.  Believe me, I want this to work. But I am not seeing the forest through the trees just yet.

[The Sultan]

I hear you and in many ways it is.  After the season there will be more time to discuss this.  The Paint touches article about Kam was an outstanding case for Kam and damning one for the rest of the team. 

I think it makes an outstanding case for Kam being the most important player on their team in the Big East. I'm not sure it makes a great case for him being POY.

Of course it would be great if he is...but not some sort of injustice if he isn't.

[Shooter McGavin]

I think it makes an outstanding case for Kam being the most important player on their team in the Big East. I'm not sure it makes a great case for him being POY.

Of course it would be great if he is...but not some sort of injustice if he isn't.

Agreed Sultan.

[willie warrior]

If it takes five years to judge a coach, Shaka hasn't needed that long - he's far exceeded expectations in his first four, considering where the program was at when he took over.  Three of the most talented players we've had (Kolek, OMax, and Chase) were Shaka recruits, and three Wojo guys (Kam, Stevie, and Oso) developed into really good players and leaders under his watch.  Joplin followed Shaka from Texas, so he's a special case, too.  Shaka obviously loves Jop, but I wonder if he would recruit him now, to Marquette, in 2025.

Once a coach reaches that 5-7 year mark, he's fully entrenched and it's easier to get a feel for what his program truly is.  With Wojo, it was a dumpster fire where one or two stars were surrounded by a bunch of turds.  With Buzz, it was a house of cards with constant transfers out and lots of drama.  With Crean, it was great guards and a maddening inability to land a true, game-changing big.

We're in the Tournament this year, and maybe we'll do well, and maybe we won't, but being in is a lot more fun than the Wojo special.  I'm excited to see what Shaka's program will look like in the coming years. 

Shaka has fat outshined Wojo. Pretty low bar, though.

[Shaka Shart]

Bad shooters don't "suddenly get hot."

Except when they play Marquette

[MU82]

Shaka has fat outshined Wojo. Pretty low bar, though.

I don't know ... I think Shaka is fairly thin.