Maybe Shaka will change his way of making roster

[The Sultan]

To be fair, we still have an opening for next year and it doesn't seem like we are recruiting anyone to fill it. (Though I admit we don't know with Shaka.)

So what is he going to do with this? I can't imagine he is interested in a freshman who could be in the rotation - unless it's a '26 guy who could reclass. Another project? A transfer? A gift scholarship to a walk-on?

I don't think he would bank it...but with a senior class of two, maybe that's an option.

[panda2.0]

The goings on of the program? Sure, let's talk about how we match up with St. Johns. Strengths, weaknesses, areas we can exploit. Let's talk about properly appreciating the Seniors and all they've given to the program.  Let's talk about it being "Al's Day" and what he meant to the program. Let's talk about the incoming Freshman and what our level of expectations can/should be for them.

Transfer/roster decisions or lack thereof both from previous summers as well as future summers? Criticizing Shaka's method of building a roster (which has had a tremendous amount of success BTW). Let's avoid those.

As much as you'd like to believe it true, you're not the arbiter of discourse here.

If you don't like the tenor of conversation, simply move along.

[Its DJOver]

As much as you'd like to believe it true, you're not the arbiter of discourse here.

If you don't like the tenor of conversation, simply move along.

I neither have nor want that power, although it is interesting that those that do used it to not allow you to have a "tenor of conversation".

It's frustrating because as Rico said, it had been beat to death so many times, and every time it is, we say that Shaka is not going to change, and every time Shaka doesn't change, and then every time, someone else brings up the idea that Shaka should change. If his methods hadn't been working, I'm sure many would agree with you.  If his methods stop working, I'm sure many will agree with you. Until that actually happens, and I'm sure I'll have to repeat this part, Shaka is not going to change his approach.

[panda2.0]

I neither have nor want that power, although it is interesting that those that do used it to not allow you to have a "tenor of conversation".

It's frustrating because as Rico said, it had been beat to death so many times, and every time it is, we say that Shaka is not going to change, and every time Shaka doesn't change, and then every time, someone else brings up the idea that Shaka should change. If his methods hadn't been working, I'm sure many would agree with you.  If his methods stop working, I'm sure many will agree with you. Until that actually happens, and I'm sure I'll have to repeat this part, Shaka is not going to change his approach.

And yet here you are doing it again lol

[Its DJOver]

And yet here you are doing it again lol

Because some people never learn. 

Talk about it all you want I guess. You and Viper can meet at his BIL and discuss the lost art of the midrange and aircraft carriers.  Just understand, that no matter how much you talk about it, no matter how many times you get banned, it's not going to change anything.

[panda2.0]

Because some people never learn. 

Talk about it all you want I guess. You and Viper can meet at his BIL and discuss the lost art of the midrange and aircraft carriers.  Just understand, that no matter how much you talk about it, no matter how many times you get banned, it's not going to change anything.

And again...

[Its DJOver]

And again...

Not really, but okay.

[MUfan12]

As it stands with the returnees, I see a top 40-50 team, potentially bubbly depending on what the rest of the BE does. I think, unlike this year, they'll struggle out of the gates a bit but begin to hit their stride around league play.

The issue as I see it compared to past teams, is that this group of seniors (as well as Oso and Tyler before them) all had a more gradual growth in terms of role and responsibilities.

You're going to need Sean, Tre, Zaide all to be much better and take on more than they have so far. The leap they're going to have to make from sophomores to juniors will be bigger than past classes. That will ultimately set the floor, what Royce/Owens/the freshman give will set the ceiling.

Could a portal addition, especially in the frontcourt, help? I think it would raise their ceiling. I think the defensive rebounding issues have put a cap on what the last three teams could accomplish. Having to consistently guard for extended possessions takes a toll on a team.

[Newsdreams]

This is part of it and the other part is, wanting transfers has been beaten to death (like most things here, guilty as charged).

That's why I started the transfer thread.  Shoot your shot on who is available and who you think fits Marquette.  Don't care if he's connected to Marquette or not, list your guy, why you want him and then stick with him, good or bad through 25-26.

Many will be wrong, many will be right about guys.  Whether Shaka should or shouldn't has been argued ad nauseam.  Personally, I hope he adds through the portal this off-season.  I suspect he won't but once the portal starts filling up, I'll pick a few I think would be good fits and see how it plays out

Shoot your shot, great sinful movie title.

[Hards Alumni]

I've been the biggest jop supporter on this board long before it was fashionable to ride the jop wagon.

I've been in love with Kam since his freshman year. I never spoke a bad word about Kolek. I'll try and find my first post re Kolek when he decided to come here when I lauded his passing and court vision at George mason, while non ball knowers like
Sultan thought he was a great shooter. (I do watch cbb #thxgambling)

The receipts are all there from the artist formerly known as panda.

I love the young core we have now, but ultimately I don't think that core is ready to absorb the loss of the guardians without any help from the portal.

I hope I'm wrong, but we'll need help from the outside to remain at the level we're accustomed to, but I don't know how much flexibility we have.

You're missing the point.  Our coach made those guys who they are.  History says he can probably do that again.

[panda2.0]

You're missing the point.  Our coach made those guys who they are.  History says he can probably do that again.

No I understand the point good and well. Players in the past were much further along in their development cycle than what I'm seeing from the young players this season, hence why I believe we will see a drop off next year if there are no transfer additions.

[Hards Alumni]

https://gomarquette.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/oso-ighodaro/7372

Averaged 5.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and .9 assists per game his sophomore year in 18.2 min/game

he was a foul MACHINE, too.

Players develop and sometimes things just click.  Zaide seemed to 'get it' about halfway through this year.  Perhaps it will click with some of the highly rated recruits this summer, or someone might have a break out performance in the tournaments to come.

Shaka finds a way.

[Viper]

Not really, but okay.

🫡

[Viper]

Because some people never learn. 

Talk about it all you want I guess. You and Viper can meet at his BIL and discuss the lost art of the midrange and aircraft carriers.  Just understand, that no matter how much you talk about it, no matter how many times you get banned, it's not going to change anything.

I'll ask you...but it's a group question...why get bent? So you disagree with Panda. You disagree with me. Fine. No problem. But so many on Scoop take it as a personal affront if someone goes against the grain, regardless of topic. Why? Say you disagree. Make a point. Move on. Is Panda wrong to point out his opinion on the talent or lack of on the roster? Am I? It's opinion! Go to my BIL? Things will never change? Ok, I guess. Anyway, good discussion otherwise.

[Its DJOver]

I'll ask you...but it's a group question...why get bent? So you disagree with Panda. You disagree with me. Fine. No problem. But so many on Scoop take it as a personal affront if someone goes against the grain, regardless of topic. Why? Say you disagree. Make a point. Move on. Is Panda wrong to point out his opinion on the talent or lack of on the roster? Am I? It's opinion! Go to my BIL? Things will never change? Ok, I guess. Anyway, good discussion otherwise.

As I said in that post, it's because you never learn.  Shaka has said what he's going to do.  He has followed what he said he was going to do, to great success. Still, there are posters questioning why he doesn't throw that out to do something else. It's been explained so many times that at this point, you have to be willfully ignorant to be having the "opinions" that you do.

[Viper]

As I said in that post, it's because you never learn.  Shaka has said what he's going to do.  He has followed what he said he was going to do, to great success. Still, there are posters questioning why he doesn't throw that out to do something else. It's been explained so many times that at this point, you have to be willfully ignorant to be having the "opinions" that you do.

my last point... I understand Shaka's approach. Completely. I believe he's been successful. I don't believe, however, that Shaka's approach to roster development will take MU to a F4. Hope I'm wrong. And, you can disagree with me on my opines. No problem. Imo there are possibilities out there via the portal that could help MU more than some players on the current roster. And yeah, he's the coach and I'm just a guy opining from the sticks, but isn't that the point of Scoop? Opine? Isn't this the point of this particular topic and thread? Roster talk? Shaka ain't portal shopping. I wish he'd reconsider knowing he will not. Discuss on Scoop.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

my last point... I understand Shaka's approach. Completely. I believe he's been successful. I don't believe, however, that Shaka's approach to roster development will take MU to a F4. Hope I'm wrong. And, you can disagree with me on my opines. No problem. Imo there are possibilities out there via the portal that could help MU more than some players on the current roster. And yeah, he's the coach and I'm just a guy opining from the sticks, but isn't that the point of Scoop? Opine? Isn't this the point of this particular topic and thread? Roster talk? Shaka ain't portal shopping. I wish he'd reconsider knowing he will not. Discuss on Scoop.

Why is that you don't acknowledge the downside of "portal shopping" and the likelihood it leads to less retention?  Maybe the next time a Kam Jones will take the bag instead and not come back for his senior season.

Your view just seems short-sighted and focused on a quick fix without considering the downsides.

[The Sultan]

Why is that you don't acknowledge the downside of "portal shopping" and the likelihood it leads to less retention?  Maybe the next time a Kam Jones will take the bag instead and not come back for his senior season.

Your view just seems short-sighted and focused on a quick fix without considering the downsides.

He's too busy calling one season an "outlier year" despite the fact it wasn't an outlier.

[Shooter McGavin]

As it stands with the returnees, I see a top 40-50 team, potentially bubbly depending on what the rest of the BE does. I think, unlike this year, they'll struggle out of the gates a bit but begin to hit their stride around league play.

The issue as I see it compared to past teams, is that this group of seniors (as well as Oso and Tyler before them) all had a more gradual growth in terms of role and responsibilities.

You're going to need Sean, Tre, Zaide all to be much better and take on more than they have so far. The leap they're going to have to make from sophomores to juniors will be bigger than past classes. That will ultimately set the floor, what Royce/Owens/the freshman give will set the ceiling.

Could a portal addition, especially in the frontcourt, help? I think it would raise their ceiling. I think the defensive rebounding issues have put a cap on what the last three teams could accomplish. Having to consistently guard for extended possessions takes a toll on a team.

Yes. This.  It's a discussion.  The same five posters who don't want to talk about it can PM each other on how dumb everyone is.  It's just as embarrassing.  They just don't realize it.

[TSmith34, Inc.]

Alternatively, we have three roster spots tied up by guys who cannot contribute on the team this year when we could've used lots of help on the front line...
Once again, I'm not saying build a team from the portal - Supplement your long term plans with current veteran opportunities from outside the program to improve the roster.

With 15 roster spots now, the fact that 13-15 are not contributing is of zero relevance.

[BCHoopster]

As it stands with the returnees, I see a top 40-50 team, potentially bubbly depending on what the rest of the BE does. I think, unlike this year, they'll struggle out of the gates a bit but begin to hit their stride around league play.

The issue as I see it compared to past teams, is that this group of seniors (as well as Oso and Tyler before them) all had a more gradual growth in terms of role and responsibilities.

You're going to need Sean, Tre, Zaide all to be much better and take on more than they have so far. The leap they're going to have to make from sophomores to juniors will be bigger than past classes. That will ultimately set the floor, what Royce/Owens/the freshman give will set the ceiling.

Could a portal addition, especially in the frontcourt, help? I think it would raise their ceiling. I think the defensive rebounding issues have put a cap on what the last three teams could accomplish. Having to consistently guard for extended possessions takes a toll on a team.

I think MU fans would not be to happy if the team will be that bad.  Shaka sees the issues better than us, please add one experienced player!

[Zog from Margo]

my last point... I understand Shaka's approach. Completely. I believe he's been successful. I don't believe, however, that Shaka's approach to roster development will take MU to a F4. Hope I'm wrong. And, you can disagree with me on my opines. No problem. Imo there are possibilities out there via the portal that could help MU more than some players on the current roster. And yeah, he's the coach and I'm just a guy opining from the sticks, but isn't that the point of Scoop? Opine? Isn't this the point of this particular topic and thread? Roster talk? Shaka ain't portal shopping. I wish he'd reconsider knowing he will not. Discuss on Scoop.

A FF? MU has only made three in its history and two were before some on this board were born. Even with Wade (an NBA HoF), Diener, Novak, et.al., MU made it once. They didn't get there with Butler and Crowder. Let's face it, lightning has to strike for MU to make a FF and that is just as likely following Shaka's approach as relying on the portal. The key is making the NCAAs consistently and catching a break. This will be Shaka's fourth consecutive NCAA bid. If Shaka wants to go to the portal at some point, it's fine with me but his approach is working.

[panda2.0]

With 15 roster spots now, the fact that 13-15 are not contributing is of zero relevance.

It does when you only have 2 bigs, both of which should not be playing as many minutes as they're playing.

[brewcity77]

Because we've lost our entire core of oso, tk, kam, jop and Stevie which all played a huge role in those high achieving teams.

Without any transfer additions, I think we can get back to top 25 level in two years, but next year will be growing pains. Limited depth on the front line, a pg coming off an acl and no proven, consistent volume scorer.

We didn't have a proven consistent volume scorer in 2022-23 and won double Big East titles behind an electric offense.

You don't need proven volume scoring, that's a fallacy. You need your scorers to be highly efficient. Chase, Zaide, Royce, Gold, all of them are efficient enough to step up as leading scorers.

[panda2.0]

We didn't have a proven consistent volume scorer in 2022-23 and won double Big East titles behind an electric offense.

You don't need proven volume scoring, that's a fallacy. You need your scorers to be highly efficient. Chase, Zaide, Royce, Gold, all of them are efficient enough to step up as leading scorers.

Does Kolek have any eligibility left :-)