Open practice

[Zog from Margo]

In my opinion, no one could really stay in front of Sean defensively, but I'm not sure how effective he was overall on offense. He has a tendency to drive hard to the basket and then get caught in no-man's land, which leads to some erratic passes and turnovers. That said, I'm not too worried — it was an open practice, so he may have been a little extra amped up, and there's still three months before the season starts for him to build chemistry with his teammates.  There is no question he will be one of the two or three most important players on the team.

I thought Jones did very well after being hurt and sitting out a year. I thought Lowery did a good job covering him. Given he's 7" taller than Jones, he can still make it difficult for Jones to do anything at the rim even if he does get by. I'm hoping Jones shoots the ball well enough this season to keep the D honest.

[PointWarrior]

We've already decided a guy is a better shooter than Stevie based on a summer scrimmage, even though his shooting is what's been mentioned as a "weakness."

That's how it works....

[BCHoopster]

The hardest worker his coach said, so you work on your weakness, looks like he did that!

[Stretchdeltsig]

I thought Jones did very well after being hurt and sitting out a year. I thought Lowery did a good job covering him. Given he's 7" taller than Jones, he can still make it difficult for Jones to do anything at the rim even if he does get by. I'm hoping Jones shoots the ball well enough this season to keep the D honest.

I'd love to see Jones become the leader of the team.

[mileskishnish72]

I'd love to see Jones become the leader of the team.

Jones just finished a year as the leader of the team. Oh, you mean Sean.

[Shooter McGavin]

I'd love to see Jones become the leader of the team.

Some think Tre will start over him.  I think that is incorrect. This team will go as Sean goes, IMO.  Whether the team will be good or not, no idea. 

[mileskishnish72]

I'm not saying Tres been good but using the 17th best recruit as a reason for him to be better is lacking context.

1) these are since 247's been around (or whatever the previous company was called, I can't remember anymore)

2) lets see who was above him to gauge the accuracy of these rankings.

Henry Ellenson- Lived up to hype
Dawson Garcia- debatable
Jajuan Johnson- did not live up to hype
Vander Blue- took till Junior year to live up to hype
Joey Hauser- debatable but if nothing else did not emotionally live up to hype
Damarius Owens- TBD
Deonte Burton- lived up to hype elsewhere
Dameon Mason- did not live up to hype
Sheek Pearson- tbd
Symir Torrence- did not live up to hype
Lazar Hayward- Lived up to hype
Dominic James- lived up to hype
Duane Wilson- debatable, but mostly did not live up to hype
Nigel James- tbd
Junior Cadougan- did not live up to hype
Stevie Mitchell- did not live up to hype
Tre Norman- has not lived up to hype

So with that in mind maybe we can stop the "hes supposed to be one of the best recruits ever!" Line of thinking.

Galway, if every recruit underperformed like Stevie we'd have another natty.

[Markusquette]

Someone with Photoshop skillz:  give us Ben with a Mohawk and some crazy throat tats!

I got you

[DoctorV]

As you said, it was open practice, but...I agree with the bolded. I really loved watching Sean for the short time before his ACL, but I want to see both better decision making and knowing when it is wise to slam on the brakes this season.

This will be a theme that we read on this board over and over and over this season- the Sean jones erratic drive to the basket with nowhere to go, stuck in no man's land and the enraging turnover that comes with it...

Slamming on the breaks is easier said than done, and much harder when those breaks are coming off of a catastrophic tear.

He's not erratic, he's fast as heck. He's also tiny as heck, so no man's land will become a constant theme. We are used to the wizardry of TyKo and Kam so that compounds mistakes, to our Golden Eagle eyes.
His positives and lighting fast abilities far outweigh the negatives, so don't let the mistakes blind the truth.

As for the overall picture-
- Seems like SJ22 and Nigel James will control 95%+ of the minutes at the 1, barring injury. Tre next man up
- Benny will get most of the minutes at the 5, with Caedin and Josh filling the other 10.
- Chase will get 33-35mpg, and be far and away the most important and valuable player on this years team.

Very happy for Adrien Stevens but a bit concerned that a frosh was one of the best players on the court yesterday and one of the best all summer... previous posters have mentioned a roster "loaded" with talent and if that's the case we need the cream to rise to the top in the next few months.

A bit concerned with Parham/DO combo. Many of us mentioned those as bonafide pieces and likely/possible starters for this season. My guess is that Shaka's toughest work for this season will be to get those two to reach their lofty potential- if they are as good as they can be the team reaches a different level.

It seems clear that Shaka really wants Zaide Lowery to take the next step to becoming a dude. He's said before that he was the main recruiter for Zaide and brought him to MU despite his staffs hesitation.
My guess is that a starting spot is his to lose.

SJ22/Chase/Zaide/Parham/BG starting 5 at seasons tip.
DO, Nigel, Stevens with major roles.
Caedin, Miletic, Clark, Tre, Phillips with work to do.

When does the portal open?

[pbiflyer]

While the scrimmage was in July, so expected to be a bit sloppy, it's good to see that Scoop is already in mid season form.

[Uncle Rico]

This will be a theme that we read on this board over and over and over this season- the Sean jones erratic drive to the basket with nowhere to go, stuck in no man's land and the enraging turnover that comes with it...

Slamming on the breaks is easier said than done, and much harder when those breaks are coming off of a catastrophic tear.

He's not erratic, he's fast as heck. He's also tiny as heck, so no man's land will become a constant theme. We are used to the wizardry of TyKo and Kam so that compounds mistakes, to our Golden Eagle eyes.
His positives and lighting fast abilities far outweigh the negatives, so don't let the mistakes blind the truth.

As for the overall picture-
- Seems like SJ22 and Nigel James will control 95%+ of the minutes at the 1, barring injury. Tre next man up
- Benny will get most of the minutes at the 5, with Caedin and Josh filling the other 10.
- Chase will get 33-35mpg, and be far and away the most important and valuable player on this years team.

Very happy for Adrien Stevens but a bit concerned that a frosh was one of the best players on the court yesterday and one of the best all summer... previous posters have mentioned a roster "loaded" with talent and if that's the case we need the cream to rise to the top in the next few months.

A bit concerned with Parham/DO combo. Many of us mentioned those as bonafide pieces and likely/possible starters for this season. My guess is that Shaka's toughest work for this season will be to get those two to reach their lofty potential- if they are as good as they can be the team reaches a different level.

It seems clear that Shaka really wants Zaide Lowery to take the next step to becoming a dude. He's said before that he was the main recruiter for Zaide and brought him to MU despite his staffs hesitation.
My guess is that a starting spot is his to lose.

SJ22/Chase/Zaide/Parham/BG starting 5 at seasons tip.
DO, Nigel, Stevens with major roles.
Caedin, Miletic, Clark, Tre, Phillips with work to do.

When does the portal open?

I kind of hope they go 8-23 this year just to stick it to Shaka for not using the portal

[MuggsyB]

This will be a theme that we read on this board over and over and over this season- the Sean jones erratic drive to the basket with nowhere to go, stuck in no man's land and the enraging turnover that comes with it...

Slamming on the breaks is easier said than done, and much harder when those breaks are coming off of a catastrophic tear.

He's not erratic, he's fast as heck. He's also tiny as heck, so no man's land will become a constant theme. We are used to the wizardry of TyKo and Kam so that compounds mistakes, to our Golden Eagle eyes.
His positives and lighting fast abilities far outweigh the negatives, so don't let the mistakes blind the truth.

As for the overall picture-
- Seems like SJ22 and Nigel James will control 95%+ of the minutes at the 1, barring injury. Tre next man up
- Benny will get most of the minutes at the 5, with Caedin and Josh filling the other 10.
- Chase will get 33-35mpg, and be far and away the most important and valuable player on this years team.

Very happy for Adrien Stevens but a bit concerned that a frosh was one of the best players on the court yesterday and one of the best all summer... previous posters have mentioned a roster "loaded" with talent and if that's the case we need the cream to rise to the top in the next few months.

A bit concerned with Parham/DO combo. Many of us mentioned those as bonafide pieces and likely/possible starters for this season. My guess is that Shaka's toughest work for this season will be to get those two to reach their lofty potential- if they are as good as they can be the team reaches a different level.

It seems clear that Shaka really wants Zaide Lowery to take the next step to becoming a dude. He's said before that he was the main recruiter for Zaide and brought him to MU despite his staffs hesitation.
My guess is that a starting spot is his to lose.

SJ22/Chase/Zaide/Parham/BG starting 5 at seasons tip.
DO, Nigel, Stevens with major roles.
Caedin, Miletic, Clark, Tre, Phillips with work to do.

When does the portal open?


It's good to hear that JTY looks healthy and has his jets back. He's got to be able to hit some 3 balls though Dr.V. It's one scrimmage in July, hopefully he will get there.  The question is will he have to be primary scorer for us after Chase?  I'm not sure that's ideal for us.  However, if he can keep the D honest, drop dimes, take care of the rock, and give us 8-10 ppg with decent efficiency?  That works for me.  Remember, we're talking about a young man with a tremendous motor that will lead us in transition.  He possesses tier 1 zoomability combined with tier 1 pestiferousness on the defensive end.  This can bode very well for us Dr.V. 

[Shooter McGavin]

I kind of hope they go 8-23 this year just to stick it to Shaka for not using the portal

Ha!

What is your take on the team?  Assuming players develop, I'm in the category of hoping they are good but will have to see it to believe it.  Shaka will have done his finest coaching at MU to date if this team makes the NCAA tournament this season IMO.

[Uncle Rico]

Ha!

What is your take on the team?  Assuming players develop, I'm in the category of hoping they are good but will have to see it to believe it.  Shaka will have done his finest coaching at MU to date if this team makes the NCAA tournament this season IMO.

3-4 in BE, 7-10 seed

[Vander Blue Man Group]

This will be a theme that we read on this board over and over and over this season- the Sean jones erratic drive to the basket with nowhere to go, stuck in no man's land and the enraging turnover that comes with it...

Slamming on the breaks is easier said than done, and much harder when those breaks are coming off of a catastrophic tear.

He's not erratic, he's fast as heck. He's also tiny as heck, so no man's land will become a constant theme. We are used to the wizardry of TyKo and Kam so that compounds mistakes, to our Golden Eagle eyes.
His positives and lighting fast abilities far outweigh the negatives, so don't let the mistakes blind the truth.

As for the overall picture-
- Seems like SJ22 and Nigel James will control 95%+ of the minutes at the 1, barring injury. Tre next man up
- Benny will get most of the minutes at the 5, with Caedin and Josh filling the other 10.
- Chase will get 33-35mpg, and be far and away the most important and valuable player on this years team.

Very happy for Adrien Stevens but a bit concerned that a frosh was one of the best players on the court yesterday and one of the best all summer... previous posters have mentioned a roster "loaded" with talent and if that's the case we need the cream to rise to the top in the next few months.

A bit concerned with Parham/DO combo. Many of us mentioned those as bonafide pieces and likely/possible starters for this season. My guess is that Shaka's toughest work for this season will be to get those two to reach their lofty potential- if they are as good as they can be the team reaches a different level.

It seems clear that Shaka really wants Zaide Lowery to take the next step to becoming a dude. He's said before that he was the main recruiter for Zaide and brought him to MU despite his staffs hesitation.
My guess is that a starting spot is his to lose.

SJ22/Chase/Zaide/Parham/BG starting 5 at seasons tip.
DO, Nigel, Stevens with major roles.
Caedin, Miletic, Clark, Tre, Phillips with work to do.

When does the portal open?

Not sure why you'd be concerned about Parham and Owens at this point. Because they didn't dominate a scrimmage?

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Ha!

What is your take on the team?  Assuming players develop, I'm in the category of hoping they are good but will have to see it to believe it.  Shaka will have done his finest coaching at MU to date if this team makes the NCAA tournament this season IMO.

A better coaching job than taking a projected 9th place to team to BE champs and winning National COY?

Sure, Jan.

[PointWarrior]

This will be a theme that we read on this board over and over and over this season- the Sean jones erratic drive to the basket with nowhere to go, stuck in no man's land and the enraging turnover that comes with it...

Slamming on the breaks is easier said than done, and much harder when those breaks are coming off of a catastrophic tear.

He's not erratic, he's fast as heck. He's also tiny as heck, so no man's land will become a constant theme. We are used to the wizardry of TyKo and Kam so that compounds mistakes, to our Golden Eagle eyes.
His positives and lighting fast abilities far outweigh the negatives, so don't let the mistakes blind the truth.

As for the overall picture-
- Seems like SJ22 and Nigel James will control 95%+ of the minutes at the 1, barring injury. Tre next man up
- Benny will get most of the minutes at the 5, with Caedin and Josh filling the other 10.
- Chase will get 33-35mpg, and be far and away the most important and valuable player on this years team.

Very happy for Adrien Stevens but a bit concerned that a frosh was one of the best players on the court yesterday and one of the best all summer... previous posters have mentioned a roster "loaded" with talent and if that's the case we need the cream to rise to the top in the next few months.

A bit concerned with Parham/DO combo. Many of us mentioned those as bonafide pieces and likely/possible starters for this season. My guess is that Shaka's toughest work for this season will be to get those two to reach their lofty potential- if they are as good as they can be the team reaches a different level.

It seems clear that Shaka really wants Zaide Lowery to take the next step to becoming a dude. He's said before that he was the main recruiter for Zaide and brought him to MU despite his staffs hesitation.
My guess is that a starting spot is his to lose.

SJ22/Chase/Zaide/Parham/BG starting 5 at seasons tip.
DO, Nigel, Stevens with major roles.
Caedin, Miletic, Clark, Tre, Phillips with work to do.

When does the portal open?

Maybe we can forfeit the season and rebuild for next year?

[Shooter McGavin]

A better coaching job than taking a projected 9th place to team to BE champs and winning National COY?

Sure, Jan.

Yes.  Whether it's hind sight or not, we all know the level of talent that was on that team.    Shaka did a great job that year, no doubt. 

[MU82]

Very happy for Adrien Stevens but a bit concerned that a frosh was one of the best players on the court yesterday and one of the best all summer

I think it's fantastic that Shaka brought in a freshman who is good enough to compete at a high-major level.

I also think judging anything by what took place in a July scrimmage could be unwise, but I certainly hope that Stevens is a stud-to-be.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Yes.  Whether it's hind sight or not, we all know the level of talent that was on that team.    Shaka did a great job that year, no doubt. 

Holy hindsight, Batman!

You're discrediting Shaka's coaching job because a roster with zero projected NBA draft picks eventually produced four top 40 picks.

Now, for $64,000 and full control of the board, who was the Marquette head coach that developed those players?

[Galway Eagle]

Yes.  Whether it's hind sight or not, we all know the level of talent that was on that team.    Shaka did a great job that year, no doubt. 

So if four guys turn into draft picks on this team and 2 are all Americans does that devalue Shaka's coaching job in the future?

[The Sultan]

Maybe they made the NBA because Shaka is really good at coaching?

[muwarrior69]

...and its only the middle of summer.

[TedBaxter]

A couple things about Doctor V's post earlier.

I don't remember Shaka took Zaide over opposition from the rest of the staff. I know Neill Barry watched him before he committed.

As far as being worried that Adrien Stevens was one of the best players in the scrimmage, Adrien is physically developed and is older than Josh Clark and Royce Parham.