Practice

[Uncle Rico]

How are we feeling about the squad this year?

With the chasm between Marquette and the upper half of the league, I'm dedicating myself to watching the Bradley Braves and pining for the Wardle Era

[Hards Alumni]

With the chasm between Marquette and the upper half of the league, I'm dedicating myself to watching the Bradley Braves and pining for the Wardle Era

After Shaka's buyout we won't have any money to afford Brian Wardle. 

Shut it all down. 

[Uncle Rico]

After Shaka's buyout we won't have any money to afford Brian Wardle. 

Shut it all down. 

Have Dwyane Wade paid it off

[Dukiets Piano Bar]

I was somewhat pessimistic heading into the summer but felt better after watching the scrimmage in August.  Stevens can really play and the short stretch Nigel James played before sitting out showed he is a high level athlete that can play immediately.

After watching the Blue and Gold Scrimmage I am firmly in the optimistic camp. Nigel James is so quick and physical on both ends of the floor...he will play a bunch as will Stevens. He is a difference maker. The combo of Gold, Parham, Hamilton, and Clark will be fine in the post.  Hamiton and Clark have come a long ways. By far the most physical and athletic squad Shaka has had and they will play much faster than previous teams.  Consistent outside shooting remains a concern but there are players capable of shooting consistently. This will be a very fun team to watch grow.

[Shooter McGavin]

The James and Stevens reviews are a reason for cautious optimism in addition to the hope that the retuning role players become stars.  There had to be some infusion of new talent IMO to raise the ceiling of this team.  No returners were stars last year.  Some showed glimpses but not consistently. Shaka has said himself that this year is a stress test on his system.  Can't wait to find out.

[The Sultan]

The lack of outside shooting is going to continue to be a problem IMO, and is really going to prevent this teams from going too far. They will be fun to watch grow however.

[barfolomew]

Have Dwyane Wade paid it off

sp

If you're going to commit to the bit, commit to the bit.

[Hards Alumni]

The James and Stevens reviews are a reason for cautious optimism in addition to the hope that the retuning role players become stars.  There had to be some infusion of new talent IMO to raise the ceiling of this team.  No returners were stars last year.  Some showed glimpses but not consistently. Shaka has said himself that this year is a stress test on his system.  Can't wait to find out.

We've never had a group of guys who we saw in summer practices get overhyped.

Nope.

Never.

[GoldenEagles03]

In between optimistic and pessimistic (or worried as Wades puts it sarcastically).  No hyper athletic big man like Oso.  No sure scorer like Kam.  Leadership void that needs to be filled.  Many solid role players.  Several candidates for alpha dogs but none that have played that role.  Will be interesting to see who emerges with this team as the leaders.  Sean, Chase, Zaide, Royce?  A freshman? Who knows?  It will be fun to find out.  First time ib a couple years this is not obvious.  Hope the team surprises on the up side. 

I love the guard depth, at quick glance I'm unsure about the front court depth with only 4 total guys there. Either way I'm just excited to watch a little bit of a restart with no expectations. Could be fun.

[MU82]

The lack of outside shooting is going to continue to be a problem IMO, and is really going to prevent this teams from going too far. They will be fun to watch grow however.

Also my main concern, along with the ability to win the turnover battle most games. If we want to be a team that again emphasizes layups/dunks and 3s, we need to be able to make 3s. (He said, stating the obvious.)

When Kam and Joplin had long shooting slumps last season, it undermined the ability to win playing the way the offense was designed to work. And Kam was a great player, and Jop a solid one.

Maybe a few of Ross, Gold, Lowery, Owens, James, Jones, Parham, etc, will hit 3s at a better clip than most of us think will happen. Here's hoping!

I also am really looking forward to the season. I think it will be a competitive, stepping-stone year to better times ahead. An NCAA tourney bid will be a major success.

[MUbiz]

Any insiders confirm the secret scrimmage report above?

Did they have the scrimmage in Chicago?  Chase Ross posted a 5 second video last night walking around Chicago on Instagram.

[Uncle Rico]

sp

If you're going to commit to the bit, commit to the bit.

I stand hat in hand

[brewcity77]

Did they have the scrimmage in Chicago?  Chase Ross posted a 5 second video last night walking around Chicago on Instagram.

I thought yesterday's scrimmage was supposed to be in Colorado, but from Ross, Miletic, and (coach) Haynes the team was in Chicago. Looking at a few Colorado players, they seemed to be recording promos for the upcoming season. Have to think they'd do that on campus. Unsure if this scrimmage actually happened.

[barfolomew]

I thought yesterday's scrimmage was supposed to be in Colorado, but from Ross, Miletic, and (coach) Haynes the team was in Chicago. Looking at a few Colorado players, they seemed to be recording promos for the upcoming season. Have to think they'd do that on campus. Unsure if this scrimmage actually happened.

It's possible that it was so secret, the players didn't know about it.

[The Sultan]

It's possible that it was so secret, the players didn't know about it.

The coaches were just out there shouting instructions.

To be fair, I think Tony Stubblefield is still randomly shouting out "Blue" somewhere.

[BM1090]

The lack of outside shooting is going to continue to be a problem IMO, and is really going to prevent this teams from going too far. They will be fun to watch grow however.

Maybe. I think there's a good chance we have 4-5 guys at 35%. Chase and Ben are solid. Owens and Royce have the potential. The freshmen don't look like their shots are broken.

Definitely a prove it before I believe it situation, though.

[Spaniel with a Short Tail]