Psyched about the future of Marquette hoops

[DoctorV]

I don't think highly ranked recruits are what Shaka is aiming for. I think his sweet spot is in the 50 -150 range. Probably feels they'll buy into the culture more readily. Not to say that if he found one within the top tier that he wouldn't recruit him.

Several reasons for this, but I'm not quite sure buying into the culture is as high as you think

I suspect that originally Shaka came to Marquette with the plan of recruiting 50-150 range kids in order to get old and stay old, in other words in order to keep kids around for 4 years and build a culture of sorts. As an immediate necessity he did that with talented kids like TyKo and OMax thru transfer, and then developed them all and established his culture.

Now, a big part is $ and the pay structure Marquette seems to have- where first year guys are in a set range and 4th year guys are in their set range with the upperclassman stars getting the biggest piece of the pie- not being very conducive to top 50 guys looking for top dollar.

I'm sure there is still some truth to the idea that Shaka wants a majority of guys in the 50-150 range who are willing to buy in (long term, that's the key) and willing to do that because given their talents and abilities they are ok with being at Marquette long term and developing.

I've always thought that at some point he would turn up the gears and shoot higher into the top 50 talent pool- he did with Kon, this year with JJ, and is in on future top 50s.
I think money and structure are more at play with him not getting one so far, but I do think he will very soon.

I've said before that I think MU will have to structure "outlier" type payments for top 40 freshmen recruits like Kon or JJ Andrews- and I have no idea if they have or will but I think they should.
However, if Shaka doesn't think so then it won't happen, and that's all that matters.

This year's senior class is a great example of guys that shouldn't quite earn what Kam or Tyler earned imo- it is now a business after all. I think that extra should be pooled towards a high end recruit or transfer as needed.
What I mean by that is that even though Chase should be compensated nicely for his abilities and dedication to MU, he shouldn't get what Kam or Kolek got. Ditto with Ben in comparison to Stevie or Jop.
The same can be said for the Jr class given their past contributions.

Just my two cents, and I'd be curious to find out if Shaka and the program agree and adjust the distributions. Don't think we will ever know.

[GB Warrior]

The biggest concern I have is our size in the front court. We have length all over the roster, but not a lot of promise at the 5 imo. I'm bullish on Hamilton, but I'm not sure I see the pathway to another contributor.

[tower912]

Shaka has chosen the developmental big route.  He has a track record of developing bigs.   I continue to be very bullish on Ben for next season.  After that, with Clark and Pearson, I see two athletic 7 footers who need to fill out and learn to play in the Big East.   Athletic 7 footers is a good place to start.

[mileskishnish72]

One aspect of the portal that I hate is the lack of continuity of teams year to year. The reality is that the guys at Marquette who just graduated are likable guys. It was great to see them grow within Shaka's system and flourish. I really like knowing who the players are year-to-year. I think it makes a difference to MU fans that they recognize the faces and know who they are rooting for.

I love the grow and develop model. It may not bring us a championship but at least I know who the guys are when I watch games.

I'm with you, Thing. Free agency was a big factor in my losing my formerly rabid fandom regarding baseball and the NBA and NFL. In the old days you really got to feel like you knew the players. Now they're here one year, gone the next, and some guys wind up playing for 8 or 9 teams. I feel like they're not loyal, why should I be? I realize that a big part of the continuity years ago was related to how contracts were structured and not "loyalty." Still, there was a comfortable feeling when you knew who was going to be where.

College is different because the players are essentially term-limited. NIL has been the college equivalent of free agency in the pros - in fact, let's face it, college players are now "pros." Some teams use the portal more than others, but I like what Shaka is trying to do. Having players for 3-4 years lets us watch their development, which is a significant factor due to the progress they can make at their age, and personally I like that. Shaka's approach has not disappointed thus far. I'm a bit concerned about the coming season but not for the extended future.

[ATL MU Warrior]

I agree I'd love a team of our 247 list of all time top recruits Henry, Dawson, Markus (original ranking), JJJ, and Vander. 20 soft wins, a guy who couldn't even showcase himself at UNC, a guy posters called a cancer, a guy who was lost as a freshman then continued to be kinda ok at best senior year, and a guy who at his best after three years averaged a hot 14.8, 2 & 3. Don't forget the sixth man who transferred because the cancer hurt his feelings.

Yep if only we could get these guys all the time.

the difference, which I'm sure you are aware, is the quality of coaching we have now. add in a more selective recruiting process and a lot of the above issues go away.

I like where we are as a program. I have my doubts about the ceiling of current approach, but hope to be proven wrong. 

[tower912]

I get it.  I have the parallel concerns about trying to build a roster from scratch every season.  Particularly now, post COVID 5th/6th year players.   I am of the opinion that as the portal/NIL shakes out and stabilizes, Shaka is going to suddenly be far ahead of the curve.

[MUbiz]

Shaka has chosen the developmental big route.  He has a track record of developing bigs.  I continue to be very bullish on Ben for next season.  After that, with Clark and Pearson, I see two athletic 7 footers who need to fill out and learn to play in the Big East.  Athletic 7 footers is a good place to start.

Outside of Oso, what big has Shaka developed? At Texas, Shaka had Mo Bamba, (#2 overall prospect) Jarrett Allen, (#15 overall prospect) and Jaxson Hayes (a top 40 prospect) all go to the league. All 3 of those guys were going to the league no matter what as they had insane measurables. (Bamba has a 7' 10" wingspan for example)

I get Shaka develops, but as far as his big development goes, there is a TBD on the grade at MU. Hamilton and Clark are TBD. Ben Gold is serviceable, but is not a NBA talent at this point and Keeyan was not a success.

[tower912]

So, other than the guys who have gone to the league, who has Shaka developed?

[Jay Bee]

Outside of Oso, what big has Shaka developed? At Texas, Shaka had Mo Bamba, (#2 overall prospect) Jarrett Allen, (#15 overall prospect) and Jaxson Hayes (a top 40 prospect) all go to the league. All 3 of those guys were going to the league no matter what as they had insane measurables. (Bamba has a 7' 10" wingspan for example)

I get Shaka develops, but as far as his big development goes, there is a TBD on the grade at MU. Hamilton and Clark are TBD. Ben Gold is serviceable, but is not a NBA talent at this point and Keeyan was not a success.

Holla at my Mpls yung boi Jericho Sims

[MUbiz]

So, other than the guys who have gone to the league, who has Shaka developed?

You missed my point - those 3 were going to the league no matter what because they were athletic freaks and 2 of them were McDonalds all Americans in high school.

All 3 of them were one and done players at Texas and would have been one and dones no matter where they played in college. Any college coach would have those 3 in the NBA. Let's not act like Shaka was some savant - they were all top players in the nation and freaks of nature.

[MUbiz]

Holla at my Mpls yung boi Jericho Sims

Good call - he was a top 50 recruit. My point to all of this is all the big men that Shaka sent to league outside of Oso were very highly recruited and destined to go to the association.

This is why I have a TBD grade on Shaka and his big men development program.

[Jay Bee]

Good call - he was a top 50 recruit. My point to all of this is all the big men that Shaka sent to league outside of Oso were very highly recruited and destined to go to the association.

This is why I have a TBD grade on Shaka and his big men development program.

Sims was outside the RSCI top 50 and very raw

[tower912]

You missed my point - those 3 were going to the league no matter what because they were athletic freaks and 2 of them were McDonalds all Americans in high school.

All 3 of them were one and done players at Texas and would have been one and dones no matter where they played in college. Any college coach would have those 3 in the NBA. Let's not act like Shaka was some savant - they were all top players in the nation and freaks of nature.

I got your point.  I disagree with it.

[MUbiz]

Sims was outside the RSCI top 50 and very raw

He hovered around the top 50 according to a few recruiting services. Sims was a four-star recruit, ranked No. 51 overall by RSCI (Recruiting Services Consensus Index) and No. 59 by Rivals. ESPN ranked him No. 48 by Scout.com

[ATL MU Warrior]

I get it.  I have the parallel concerns about trying to build a roster from scratch every season.  Particularly now, post COVID 5th/6th year players.   I am of the opinion that as the portal/NIL shakes out and stabilizes, Shaka is going to suddenly be far ahead of the curve.

this is very fair and I could see it working out this way.