Post Season Reflections

[jimmybutlerfanatic]

This is a new era of NCAA basketball.

Coaches like Pitino, Sampson, Pearl, Miller, Will Wade and Calipari always knew what the kids liked ($$$, girls, booze, weed, jewelry, parties, cars, etc.) and are now free to openly offer them whatever they want via NIL.

They were once vilified as cheaters and scumbags by opposing schools who didn't play in the gray areas but they were simply men who were ahead of their time and saw where things were going.

Marquette and Shaka seem to be staying away from the "Buy and build a team" approach. If they continue this expect a rinse and repeat. They're gonna get many quality early wins against teams that are really good at the end of the year. The reason? These "Buy and build teams" are gonna be susceptible to early season losses due to a lack of chemistry, figuring each other out and clicking on all cylinders. Whereas the Marquette team is composed of a close knit team that's been playing together as a team for a number of years.

Would we beat Maryland, Creighton, Wisconsin, Purdue or even Georgia in late January or February? Maybe. But those are different teams in the 2nd half of the season once they start to click.

Expect a lot of early season wins over these types of teams in the future and a flame out in February, a decent seed and maybe a win or 2 if we're lucky. That's simply the trajectory of this type of plan. If the school and fanbase is fine with this respectable plan, then all good. The fanbase and people on this board won't like it.

If I were Chase Ross I'd be looking at my potential future NFL career. I wouldn't be upset at him if he left the program and pursued that path. Why chance an injury in another year of basketball or transfer? There's always moments of greatness with him but we haven't seen the consistency.

If I were Ben Gold I'd test the transfer portal waters. He seems to have peaked at MU. A year at a school who features and develops him could lead to renewed NBA talk.

I expected more from Owens. Mostly more playing time. I don't know if a recruit like him sticks around if he's not getting the $$$ or minutes he thinks he deserves in this day and age.

Sean Jones next year has a chance to breakout. Hoping he is as fast and courageous previously seen but an injury rehabilitation like he sustained could render him too cautious.

Joplin played his way into a decent chance to get to the NBA the last few games of the season and the All Star game @ the Final Four. He was frustrating at times but a pleasure to watch at the end. He looks like an NBA player.

Kam's gonna get a shot in the NBA and that's great! But teams seemed to figure out his moves a lot better later in the season. I'm not sure all those around the rim moves will work in the NBA.

Program future looks good and seems like Shaka is the guy but this new era is all about wins and $$$$. It's a semi-pro NCAA league now. Who changes first Shaka or do schools and NCAA reclaim power? Interesting times ahead. 

[Jay Bee]

Coaches like Pitino, Sampson, Pearl, Miller, Will Wade and Calipari always knew what the kids liked ($$$, girls, booze, weed, jewelry, parties, cars, etc.) and are now free to openly offer them whatever they want via NIL. 

#FakeNews #Lies

[NCMUFan]

Great season.  Look forward to next year.

[The Sultan]

Joplin played his way into a decent chance to get to the NBA the last few games of the season and the All Star game @ the Final Four. He was frustrating at times but a pleasure to watch at the end. He looks like an NBA player.

No he doesn't - at least at this point. He shot 32.3% from 3, can't really drive with authority, and has less than average NBA athleticism. He will clearly get his shot because he does have the size and can be streaky. But his game needs a lot of work to get to that level.

[willie warrior]

This is a new era of NCAA basketball.

Coaches like Pitino, Sampson, Pearl, Miller, Will Wade and Calipari always knew what the kids liked ($$$, girls, booze, weed, jewelry, parties, cars, etc.) and are now free to openly offer them whatever they want via NIL.

They were once vilified as cheaters and scumbags by opposing schools who didn't play in the gray areas but they were simply men who were ahead of their time and saw where things were going.

Marquette and Shaka seem to be staying away from the "Buy and build a team" approach. If they continue this expect a rinse and repeat. They're gonna get many quality early wins against teams that are really good at the end of the year. The reason? These "Buy and build teams" are gonna be susceptible to early season losses due to a lack of chemistry, figuring each other out and clicking on all cylinders. Whereas the Marquette team is composed of a close knit team that's been playing together as a team for a number of years.

Would we beat Maryland, Creighton, Wisconsin, Purdue or even Georgia in late January or February? Maybe. But those are different teams in the 2nd half of the season once they start to click.

Expect a lot of early season wins over these types of teams in the future and a flame out in February, a decent seed and maybe a win or 2 if we're lucky. That's simply the trajectory of this type of plan. If the school and fanbase is fine with this respectable plan, then all good. The fanbase and people on this board won't like it.

If I were Chase Ross I'd be looking at my potential future NFL career. I wouldn't be upset at him if he left the program and pursued that path. Why chance an injury in another year of basketball or transfer? There's always moments of greatness with him but we haven't seen the consistency.

If I were Ben Gold I'd test the transfer portal waters. He seems to have peaked at MU. A year at a school who features and develops him could lead to renewed NBA talk.

I expected more from Owens. Mostly more playing time. I don't know if a recruit like him sticks around if he's not getting the $$$ or minutes he thinks he deserves in this day and age.

Sean Jones next year has a chance to breakout. Hoping he is as fast and courageous previously seen but an injury rehabilitation like he sustained could render him too cautious.

Joplin played his way into a decent chance to get to the NBA the last few games of the season and the All Star game @ the Final Four. He was frustrating at times but a pleasure to watch at the end. He looks like an NBA player.

Kam's gonna get a shot in the NBA and that's great! But teams seemed to figure out his moves a lot better later in the season. I'm not sure all those around the rim moves will work in the NBA.

Program future looks good and seems like Shaka is the guy but this new era is all about wins and $$$$. It's a semi-pro NCAA league now. Who changes first Shaka or do schools and NCAA reclaim power? Interesting times ahead. 

This is a new era of NCAA basketball.

Coaches like Pitino, Sampson, Pearl, Miller, Will Wade and Calipari always knew what the kids liked ($$$, girls, booze, weed, jewelry, parties, cars, etc.) and are now free to openly offer them whatever they want via NIL.

They were once vilified as cheaters and scumbags by opposing schools who didn't play in the gray areas but they were simply men who were ahead of their time and saw where things were going.

Marquette and Shaka seem to be staying away from the "Buy and build a team" approach. If they continue this expect a rinse and repeat. They're gonna get many quality early wins against teams that are really good at the end of the year. The reason? These "Buy and build teams" are gonna be susceptible to early season losses due to a lack of chemistry, figuring each other out and clicking on all cylinders. Whereas the Marquette team is composed of a close knit team that's been playing together as a team for a number of years.

Would we beat Maryland, Creighton, Wisconsin, Purdue or even Georgia in late January or February? Maybe. But those are different teams in the 2nd half of the season once they start to click.

Expect a lot of early season wins over these types of teams in the future and a flame out in February, a decent seed and maybe a win or 2 if we're lucky. That's simply the trajectory of this type of plan. If the school and fanbase is fine with this respectable plan, then all good. The fanbase and people on this board won't like it.

If I were Chase Ross I'd be looking at my potential future NFL career. I wouldn't be upset at him if he left the program and pursued that path. Why chance an injury in another year of basketball or transfer? There's always moments of greatness with him but we haven't seen the consistency.

If I were Ben Gold I'd test the transfer portal waters. He seems to have peaked at MU. A year at a school who features and develops him could lead to renewed NBA talk.

I expected more from Owens. Mostly more playing time. I don't know if a recruit like him sticks around if he's not getting the $$$ or minutes he thinks he deserves in this day and age.

Sean Jones next year has a chance to breakout. Hoping he is as fast and courageous previously seen but an injury rehabilitation like he sustained could render him too cautious.

Joplin played his way into a decent chance to get to the NBA the last few games of the season and the All Star game @ the Final Four. He was frustrating at times but a pleasure to watch at the end. He looks like an NBA player.

Kam's gonna get a shot in the NBA and that's great! But teams seemed to figure out his moves a lot better later in the season. I'm not sure all those around the rim moves will work in the NBA.

Program future looks good and seems like Shaka is the guy but this new era is all about wins and $$$$. It's a semi-pro NCAA league now. Who changes first Shaka or do schools and NCAA reclaim power? Interesting times ahead. 

Cannot agree future looks good unless Shaka starts to selectively use portal. Wat too early rankings for next year rank UConn 4, St. John's 9, Wisc 14,  and Creighton 30 with MU nowhere to be found. Landscape has changed. Adapt or die.

[The Sultan]

You quoted him twice to say the same thing you've been saying for two weeks now?

[Galway Eagle]

Chase's NFL career?

Joplin looks like an NBA player?

Lmao.

Chase tells that story of the owner of a football franchise (cowboys?) offering him a tryout after his career is done but you think the guy that had to stop playing football because he broke the growth plate in one of his arms is suddenly going to transfer to a high major football school and put up numbers to get a legit look rather than try to take his moment in the spotlight that he's been building to for 3 years? 

Joplin can barely dunk, can't drive with authority, and is shockingly weak at post up moves for his size. He does not look like an NBA player.

[Jay Bee]

Joplin can barely dunk, can't drive with authority, and is shockingly weak at post up moves for his size.

But he made a few shots in an all-star game!

[#UnleashSean]

I did the newsdream breakfast today, and got about half way before my brain said stop reading.

[dgies9156]

There is a lot to unpack in the lead post in this thread. You can argue about whether David Joplin, Ben Gold or Chase Ross area world class (hint: they're not), but there is a bigger question looming that cuts to the heart of the place basketball has at Marquette: How far is Marquette willing to go to be a contender for a national title?

Clearly they weren't in 2024-2025. Mistaken 6th ranking notwithstanding, this was a flawed team with holes that became increasingly apparent over time. Those holes can be fixed, but it will take something Marquette isn't comfortable doling out: big sums of money.

Until just a few short years ago, the table was badly tilted in the university's favor. Every university was equal and a student chose among institutions based on "merit", not on what the university can financially do for the student (UCLA, Louisville and Illinois notwithstanding). Now, universities will have to deal with assorted hangers-oners, from unscrupulous coaches to agents, friends and family and just about anyone else who is able to get a financial piece of the so-called student athlete. Those folks will have to be paid, one way or the other.

I admire the fact that Coach Shaka recruits young men of character. Our guys do well in school and reasonably well so far on the basketball court. I hope his development plan is successful. But, while I'm always optimistic, I have some doubts that our way will get us to where Florida was last night. What's going to happen if Royce Parham and Damarius Owens have break-out years next year and the University of North Carolina, having failed to make the tournament, does a huge bag drop on one or both?

Alternatively, is the Marquette of the future willing to do what it takes to bring the McGuiresque talent necessary to ensure we're a consistent Natty contender?

Marquette has many, many conflicting priorities. Basketball net income helps fund them. My fear is that the cost of being a national basketball powerhouse will be so high that Marquette's Board says, "the heck with it." They'll be content with an occasional Big East title, an NCAA invite and maybe a couple wins that get us to the Sweet 16. In other words: we become Drake.

The next time, there might not be a Father Wild or a Kevin O'Neill to save us!   

[The Sultan]

Marquette has many, many conflicting priorities. Basketball net income helps fund them. My fear is that the cost of being a national basketball powerhouse will be so high that Marquette's Board says, "the heck with it." They'll be content with an occasional Big East title, an NCAA invite and maybe a couple wins that get us to the Sweet 16. In other words: we become Drake.

Simply insane nonsense.

[dgies9156]

Simply insane nonsense.

I love you too, Brother Sultan!

[Galway Eagle]

What's going to happen if Royce Parham and Damarius Owens have break-out years next year and the University of North Carolina, having failed to make the tournament, does a huge bag drop on one or both?

Yeah nobody tried to snag Kolek or Oso or Jones during their tenures I'm sure. Owens and Royce will be the first time this could happen. /s. Look, there's a good to fair chance eventually someone isn't "bought in" and leaves but let's not act like these two will be some unprecedented litmus test for the first possible time we might lose guys. And when the time comes that someone does leave it isn't an indictment that the sky is falling and Shakas plan doesn't work, it means that someone wasn't as bought in and that's about it.

Alternatively, is the Marquette of the future willing to do what it takes to bring the McGuiresque talent necessary to ensure we're a consistent Natty contender?

Fun fact, last nights Florida team had zero former top 100 recruits. I'm confident that everyone on here me and you included would be screaming the sky is falling with those recruiting results. Talent develops, Shakas trying to develop and retain.

Marquette has many, many conflicting priorities. Basketball net income helps fund them. My fear is that the cost of being a national basketball powerhouse will be so high that Marquette's Board says, "the heck with it." They'll be content with an occasional Big East title, an NCAA invite and maybe a couple wins that get us to the Sweet 16. In other words: we become Drake.

The next time, there might not be a Father Wild or a Kevin O'Neill to save us!   

This is flat out idiotic, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you're just trying to be absurd but 1) Marquette doesn't have the proof in modern history to expect anything more than about a sweet 16 to every 4 bids. 2) Drake has had a great 4 seasons but capped this program peak with a single round of 32, the comparison is insane.

[RJax55]

Simply insane nonsense.

Drake makes Sweet Sixteens?

[PointWarrior]

"They'll be content with an occasional Big East title, an NCAA invite and maybe a couple wins that get us to the Sweet 16."


Isn't that what we have now under current spending?

[MDMU04]

Alternatively, is the Marquette of the future willing to do what it takes to bring the McGuiresque talent necessary to ensure we're a consistent Natty contender?

We're two years short of five decades since this was the case. Do you think this is still a reasonable expectation?

[Uncle Rico]

We're two years short of five decades since this was the case. Do you think this is still a reasonable expectation?

Comparing that era to today is laughable.  What happened in the 70's is irrelevant.

[RJax55]

We're two years short of five decades since this was the case. Do you think this is still a reasonable expectation?

Based on his posting history, I think he still lives in 1981, so yeah.

[The Equalizer]

Fun fact, last nights Florida team had zero former top 100 recruits. I'm confident that everyone on here me and you included would be screaming the sky is falling with those recruiting results. Talent develops, Shakas trying to develop and retain.
 

However, their top 3 scorers accounting for nearly 50 ppg were transfers.

I think that college basketball is evolving to the point where a transfer of an all-freshman or all-conference player at a single-bid league is probably equivalent to landing a top 100 HS player. Just look at what Tyler Kolek did in the Big East.

For coaches (at least those who take transfers) it reduces the stress of landing exactly the right player out of HS, because there seems to be no shortage of late bloomers at lower-level teams that are seeking a transfer to a high-major. 

[DoctorV]

Perhaps, but for every Kolek there is a Mahaney.

You can hit or miss with either, but with lower level college kids you've got some more actionable film that you can digest

[Its DJOver]

There's also a lot of selective memory about TKO. He did not have a very good Sophomore season, especially shooting the ball. Every time he gets brought up as a portal success story, it should be equally known that he's just as much a stay and develop success story. A lot of hopeful things that are currently being said about James were said about Sean because it was questionable whether TKO could step up.

[MU82]

There's also a lot of selective memory about TKO. He did not have a very good Sophomore season, especially shooting the ball. Every time he gets brought up as a portal success story, it should be equally known that he's just as much a stay and develop success story. A lot of hopeful things that are currently being said about James were said about Sean because it was questionable whether TKO could step up.

Bingo.

[Elonsmusk]

Shocked so many are responding to an obvious troll so seriously?  Has Scoop lost its troll radar?

[MU82]

Shocked so many are responding to an obvious troll so seriously?  Has Scoop lost its troll radar?

I didn't respond to the trolling OP. I responded to DJO.

[Cream Biggums]

Arby's