2025 Transfer Portal

[CountryRoads]

Tre is absolutely fine as a defensive first guard who plays 10 mpg. Especially as a senior.

Yeah, maybe. More pissed after that game than I remember I guess, but I do think we need to make room and upgrade the guard position for next year one way or another.

[The Sultan]

Yeah, maybe. More pissed after that game than I remember I guess, but I do think we need to make room and upgrade the guard position for next year one way or another.

I don't disagree, but Norman is the type you don't mind hanging around. Program guy. Doesn't seem to complain. Works hard defensively.

[Superfan]

With the number of top 125 players coming out of HS now being a " miss", at what time do we start questioning the coach for their lack of development?

[wadesworld]

With the number of top 125 players coming out of HS now being a " miss", at what time do we start questioning the coach for their lack of development?

Yes. Shaka has proven no ability to develop players.

[brewcity77]

With the number of top 125 players coming out of HS now being a " miss", at what time do we start questioning the coach for their lack of development?

Perfectly valid question. For this model to work, I think generally your seniors need to be locked in starters or stars. Juniors need to be starters. Sophomores need to be rotation players.

The jury may be out on Sean, but generally I think only Chase meets the star criteria from the 2022 class. Ben is good, but wouldn't have started on any of the 2022-24 teams.

In 2023, Zaide is starter level, but Tre and Caedin aren't and Amadou isn't here.

2024, both Royce & DO seem to have taken a step back while the jury is out on Clark.

That's three recruiting classes where the early returns are one guy exceeding expectations and two more that are somewhat on track. For a staff that did so much with TK, O-Max, Oso, Kam, etc, it's disappointing to the bottom all fall out so fast.

It's also a reason why it's hard to get overly excited for young players or future recruits because at one point, we were just as excited about the problem of Sean, Tre, & Owens.

[Shooter McGavin]

Yep, For this model to work you need high level talent to develop.  Hopefully player assessments will get better moving forward.

[GoldenEagles03]

Perfectly valid question. For this model to work, I think generally your seniors need to be locked in starters or stars. Juniors need to be starters. Sophomores need to be rotation players.

The jury may be out on Sean, but generally I think only Chase meets the star criteria from the 2022 class. Ben is good, but wouldn't have started on any of the 2022-24 teams.

In 2023, Zaide is starter level, but Tre and Caedin aren't and Amadou isn't here.

2024, both Royce & DO seem to have taken a step back while the jury is out on Clark.

That's three recruiting classes where the early returns are one guy exceeding expectations and two more that are somewhat on track. For a staff that did so much with TK, O-Max, Oso, Kam, etc, it's disappointing to the bottom all fall out so fast.

It's also a reason why it's hard to get overly excited for young players or future recruits because at one point, we were just as excited about the problem of Sean, Tre, & Owens.

This is already getting ugly. I just hope our staff uses some common sense. This year is what it is. We'll have to live with that...fine, but they can't afford to miss the tournament next year or they'll all be gone and I don't want that. Add veteran talent. Add veteran talent. Add veteran talent.

I would say it is as valuable for a young to watch an older guy succeed in front of them than it is to just throw young guys into the fire and fail a bunch.

Shaka also said a player had someone tell them to "kill themselves" through direct messaging online, after the Dayton game.

[MuggsyB]

Perfectly valid question. For this model to work, I think generally your seniors need to be locked in starters or stars. Juniors need to be starters. Sophomores need to be rotation players.

The jury may be out on Sean, but generally I think only Chase meets the star criteria from the 2022 class. Ben is good, but wouldn't have started on any of the 2022-24 teams.

In 2023, Zaide is starter level, but Tre and Caedin aren't and Amadou isn't here.

2024, both Royce & DO seem to have taken a step back while the jury is out on Clark.

That's three recruiting classes where the early returns are one guy exceeding expectations and two more that are somewhat on track. For a staff that did so much with TK, O-Max, Oso, Kam, etc, it's disappointing to the bottom all fall out so fast.

It's also a reason why it's hard to get overly excited for young players or future recruits because at one point, we were just as excited about the problem of Sean, Tre, & Owens.

Ben and Zaide have gotten better, but the question is are they top 25 starting players?  I would say no.  Ben not having any ability or wherewithal to ever play off of two feet, once he punches the paint, is alarming to me.  He's essentially been the same player offensively for 4 years.  His defense has become better, but part of that is he's our only serviceable big on that end of the floor.  I don't think our overall player development has been great beyond Tyko, Oso, and Kam. 

Now, I'm going to give Shaka the benefit of the doubt that he can turn this around but with a caveat.  I think he has to accept that we're in a new era and we have to get players from the portal like every other program.  Every coach has to have talent to succeed.  The biggest issue right now is thst I don't think Shaka foresaw how anemic Owems and Parham would be.  These are guys I expected to start and big major contributors.  Thus far it hasn't happened and they appear semi lost to me. 

[GoldenEagles03]

Ben and Zaide have gotten better, but the question is are they top 25 starting players?  I would say no.  Ben not having any ability or wherewithal to ever play off of two feet, once he punches the paint, is alarming to me.  He's essentially been the same player offensively for 4 years.  His defense has become better, but part of that is he's our only serviceable big on that end of the floor.  I don't think our overall player development has been great beyond Tyko, Oso, and Kam. 

Now, I'm going to give Shaka the benefit of the doubt that he can turn this around but with a caveat.  I think he has to accept that we're in a new era and we have to get players from the portal like every other program.  Every coach has to have talent to succeed.  The biggest issue right now is thst I don't think Shaka foresaw how anemic Owems and Parham would be.  These are guys I expected to start and big major contributors.  Thus far it hasn't happened and they appear semi lost to me. 

Zaide is definitely good enough to be a starter on a Top 25 team. Much like Chase from a season ago.

The problem is that they are going to ask him to carry the team like Chase next year with limited pieces around him it would appear.

[Scoop Snoop]

Shaka also said a player had someone tell them to "kill themselves" through direct messaging online, after the Dayton game.

This is the first I (and I suspect most scoopers) have heard about this. As much as I want to believe that it was not a scooper, let's be realistic-it could be.

Source please. I'm really hoping this is simply not true.

[Uncle Rico]

This is the first I (and I suspect most scoopers) have heard about this. As much as I want to believe that it was not a scooper, let's be realistic-it could be.

Source please. I'm really hoping this is simply not true.

Why wouldn't you believe it?  Fans suck and this is prevalent across all sports and fanbases.

[Scoop Snoop]

Why wouldn't you believe it?  Fans suck and this is prevalent across all sports and fanbases.

As much as I would like to counter what you wrote, I really cannot.