[Paint Touches] Marquette Minutes Projections for 2026

[PaintTouches]

I find this to be a quite useful exercise leading up to every year, and a great barometer after the season ends. Full thoughts (and last year's results) at the link.

https://painttouches.com/2025/10/31/marquette-basketball-minutes-projections-for-2026-chase-ross/?utm_source=MUScoop&utm_medium=Forum



And this year, I also enlisted some thoughts from a few others.

[DoctorV]

I've been on record, and I'll double down, that Chase Ross will play 34/35mpg given health.

His versatility allows him to play at the 1-4 spots. We have 2 capable PGs, and I doubt we go small enough often enough to get him heavy minutes at the 4, but the SJ22 and NJ combo could put him at the 4 and he's handled the ball enough to play the 1 in an emergency.

He's out stud, a super versatile stud that absolutely brings it on the defensive end, and is a Sr in a year with a bunch of unknowns. If several additional studs don't develop fast he will play all the minutes.
34/35 on avg imo.

My guess for the others
-Benny 20, Caedin 12, Clark 4 and Parham 4 mpg there in a "small" lineup at the 5

-SJ22/Nigel I agree with the allocation at the 1

- I think Benny at the 4 is a pipe dream, most of his mins come at the 5, but I'll give him 2 mins at the 4 (22 total). At the 4, Parham gets the lions share with 22ish mpg (26 total). Damarius with 13, Caedin 3 (15 total).

- At the 3 I'll say Zaide with 22 minutes (22 total). Damarius with the 7 (20 total). Chase with 9, Phillips 2

- At the 2 Chase with 25mpg (34 total) Tre with 6, Stevens with 6, Phillips 1, SJ22 with 2 (26 total for him).
Of course Chase and Zaide at the 2/3 are pretty interchangeable.

I think Nigel will be very good, but could see Adrien dipping into his minutes. In that case SJ2 would play more at the 1, Adrien would get more at the 2 and it would trickle down.
Also, if Zaide or Damarius enter stud realm they will obviously get more minutes and would be less for the others, would be a good problem to have

 

[Jay Bee]

I'm not convinced that Tre is a total and complete after thought. Rough start, but is there a world in which he plays great defense, distributes well, doesn't turn it over much, plays a little bully ball to get to the line... ORtg jumps to 104-108 on 16-18% usage.. and he's seeing more than the zero to six in the above projections?... say 11-12? I say yes, there is a world. Will we see it.. dunno, but I'm not writing him off yet. #pray

[wadesworld]

I've been on record, and I'll double down, that Chase Ross will play 34/35mpg given health.

His versatility allows him to play at the 1-4 spots. We have 2 capable PGs, and I doubt we go small enough often enough to get him heavy minutes at the 4, but the SJ22 and NJ combo could put him at the 4 and he's handled the ball enough to play the 1 in an emergency.

He's out stud, a super versatile stud that absolutely brings it on the defensive end, and is a Sr in a year with a bunch of unknowns. If several additional studs don't develop fast he will play all the minutes.
34/35 on avg imo.

My guess for the others
-Benny 20, Caedin 12, Clark 4 and Parham 4 mpg there in a "small" lineup at the 5

-SJ22/Nigel I agree with the allocation at the 1

- I think Benny at the 4 is a pipe dream, most of his mins come at the 5, but I'll give him 2 mins at the 4 (22 total). At the 4, Parham gets the lions share with 22ish mpg (26 total). Damarius with 13, Caedin 3 (15 total).

- At the 3 I'll say Zaide with 22 minutes (22 total). Damarius with the 7 (20 total). Chase with 9, Phillips 2

- At the 2 Chase with 25mpg (34 total) Tre with 6, Stevens with 6, Phillips 1, SJ22 with 2 (26 total for him).
Of course Chase and Zaide at the 2/3 are pretty interchangeable.

I think Nigel will be very good, but could see Adrien dipping into his minutes. In that case SJ2 would play more at the 1, Adrien would get more at the 2 and it would trickle down.
Also, if Zaide or Damarius enter stud realm they will obviously get more minutes and would be less for the others, would be a good problem to have

 

There's no way that Ben's minutes go from 8 to 16 to 25, and then drop to 22 as a senior.

There's also almost no way that anybody is playing 36 minutes per game if we are going to play as fast as the coaching staff says we are.

[Uncle Rico]

There's no way that Ben's minutes go from 8 to 16 to 25, and then drop to 22 as a senior.

There's also almost no way that anybody is playing 36 minutes per game if we are going to play as fast as the coaching staff says we are.

Goldddddddbriiiiccccck playing more than 20 minutes = trouble

[dgies9156]

Ben Gold's minutes will depend on the development of the folks behind him.

He will start all season -- if Coach Smart has taught us anything it' that barring injury, he doesn't change his starting line-up.

That said, if Parham, Owens, Hamilton and maybe Nigel James develop as fast as Coach Smart thinks they will, then making Ben Gold this year's version of Bill Neary or some type of Super Sixth Man may well happen. If each of the aforementioned folks develop quickly, we're going to have a really good team!

I'd probably be looking at Ben in the 18 minute to 22 minute range, assuming optimistic development. Wades, if the team is more talented, then, definitely, this will happen.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Under Shaka, the Marquette minutes leader has averaged between 32.2 and 33.8 mpg.  Expect Chase to be in that range.

Don't expect Ben's minutes to go down. He's a proven starter. I would imagine a slight increase to 28-30 mpg. (The Ben haters suffer from backup QB syndrome.)

Other than it, playing time is really wide open.  I think a lot of players (about 7) end up in the 12-26 range.  I'll lean towards the more experienced players unless/until the younger players prove it in games

[wadesworld]

Ben Gold's minutes will depend on the development of the folks behind him.

He will start all season -- if Coach Smart has taught us anything it' that barring injury, he doesn't change his starting line-up.

That said, if Parham, Owens, Hamilton and maybe Nigel James develop as fast as Coach Smart thinks they will, then making Ben Gold this year's version of Bill Neary or some type of Super Sixth Man may well happen. If each of the aforementioned folks develop quickly, we're going to have a really good team!

I'd probably be looking at Ben in the 18 minute to 22 minute range, assuming optimistic development. Wades, if the team is more talented, then, definitely, this will happen.

We'll see. It would go against everything Shaka has done here for 4 years for Ben to be going into his senior year, expected to be one of the leaders of the team, and see his minutes drop. I'd put the chances of that happening at 0.00%.

[Jockey]

I'm not convinced that Tre is a total and complete after thought. Rough start, but is there a world in which he plays great defense, distributes well, doesn't turn it over much, plays a little bully ball to get to the line... ORtg jumps to 104-108 on 16-18% usage.. and he's seeing more than the zero to six in the above projections?... say 11-12? I say yes, there is a world. Will we see it.. dunno, but I'm not writing him off yet. #pray

I agree That Tre will be in the 10+ range. I think Shaka has much more trust in him than in the freshmen who will have to show that they deserve to play. I think we know that Tre is not starter material, but off the bench, I think he will do better than most fans think.

#strongbodiesmatter

[Shooter McGavin]

I agree That Tre will be in the 10+ range. I think Shaka has much more trust in him than in the freshmen who will have to show that they deserve to play. I think we know that Tre is not starter material, but off the bench, I think he will do better than most fans think.

#strongbodiesmatter

Would definitely be a bonus if Tre was able to contribute in a meaningful way to a winning team.  Hope you and JB are right.   

[Nukem2]

I agree That Tre will be in the 10+ range. I think Shaka has much more trust in him than in the freshmen who will have to show that they deserve to play. I think we know that Tre is not starter material, but off the bench, I think he will do better than most fans think.

#strongbodiesmatter

Yup, as a junior, Tre is going to have every opportunity to get those minutes or more unles he doesn't produce quality minutes.

[Badgerhater]

Predicting lots of minutes for 1st and 2nd year players while stating less minutes for 3rd and 4th year players under Shaka Smart is silly, but Scoop, collectively, loves to wishcast the immediate ability of new players.

[tower912]

Ben: 30.  20 at the 5, 10 at the 4
Josh/Caedin: 20 at the 5
Royce: 28
Chase: 30
Zaide : 22
Damarius: 26. A couple at the 4
Sean: 27
Tre:10
Nigel: 8

Ish

What will be interesting to me this season is how quickly Shaka shuffles the minutes when, say, Chase injures his thumb on a dunk or Ben gets shin splints.  Last season a whole lot of guys played through a whole lot.

If Shaka is serious about playing faster and pressuring more, how far down the bench will he go?   

The number of potential combinations is fascinating.  It may actually be on a game to game basis.

Will MU still switch 1-5 or switch 1-4 and have the big play more drop?

I do not see how MU can play Sean and NJ together against high majors.  Size differential with them both on the floor is too great.

[MU82]

The only thing I'm predicting is that if he believes that a freshman gives Marquette a better chance to succeed, Shaka will play said freshman more than an upperclassman who gives us less chance to succeed.  I predict Shaka won't be stubborn just because.

Whether or not James and/or Stevens fit the bill, we'll see in the coming weeks and months.

[Jay Bee]

Chase   32
Gold   27
Royce   25
Sean    24
Zaide    19
Owens   17
James   15
Caedin   13
Tre   10
Stevens   8
Clark   6
MP   4

[jfp61]

This is WAYYYY to Zaide heavy. He is probably the 4th best guy on the team.
But, the gap between him and Gold and Parham is big.

Nigel James, Damarius Owens, Tre Norman, Adrien Stevens, and Sean Jones are all closer to his level, than he is to Royce.

[MuMark]

No prediction........just thought this was cool

https://x.com/marquettembb/status/1985372801151176856?s=61&t=6XPB8f4sAKmJIzxgMcsCjw

[MU82]

This is WAYYYY to Zaide heavy. He is probably the 4th best guy on the team.
But, the gap between him and Gold and Parham is big.

Nigel James, Damarius Owens, Tre Norman, Adrien Stevens, and Sean Jones are all closer to his level, than he is to Royce.

How do you know which players have improved the most? I'm not asking to be difficult, just seriously interested in understanding why you are so sure about this. Did you get to observe off-season workouts and practice the last many weeks?

[jfp61]

How do you know which players have improved the most? I'm not asking to be difficult, just seriously interested in understanding why you are so sure about this. Did you get to observe off-season workouts and practice the last many weeks?

how do you know, you don't... You guess based on prior years performance, age... etc etc.

But, im critiquing the minutes guessed not anything else

[Galway Eagle]

This is WAYYYY to Zaide heavy. He is probably the 4th best guy on the team.
But, the gap between him and Gold and Parham is big.

Nigel James, Damarius Owens, Tre Norman, Adrien Stevens, and Sean Jones are all closer to his level, than he is to Royce.

This is an absurd take. As is including 2 unknowns and a guy who hasn't played in a year and a half. Zaide really came on second half of last year and became reliable.

[jfp61]

This is an absurd take. As is including 2 unknowns and a guy who hasn't played in a year and a half. Zaide really came on second half of last year and became reliable.

Not really, kinda only played really good once in a loss to Nova. He played better than he personally did at the start of the season. He played more at the end of last year. But it coiencided with, marquette losing more.

I still think zaide better than all of these people, but he is closer to that bunch than he is to Gold or Parham.

Owens, James, and Stevens are unknowns but they are good actually high ceiling unknowns. This staff swears by Sean Jones and so ill stick with it, even if i don't truely beleive in it. I see the speed. And Tre is a fine defender which is not something to be ignored.

[brewcity77]

Not really, kinda only played really good once in a loss to Nova. He played better than he personally did at the start of the season. He played more at the end of last year. But it coiencided with, marquette losing more.

I still think zaide better than all of these people, but he is closer to that bunch than he is to Gold or Parham.

Owens, James, and Stevens are unknowns but they are good actually high ceiling unknowns. This staff swears by Sean Jones and so ill stick with it, even if i don't truely beleive in it. I see the speed. And Tre is a fine defender which is not something to be ignored.

Reality would like to check in with you.

Zaide Games 1-18
ORtg: 102.8
eFG%: 51.3
TO%: 17.8
3PFG%: 26.9

Zaide Games 19-34
ORtg: 130.6
eFG%: 60.9
TO%: 5.2
3PFG%: 46.7

Zaide was rewarded with minutes during that stretch and basically nailed Norman and Owens to the bench. With three starters gone he pretty clearly slots into a starting position and it would be shocking to me if he wasn't in the starting lineup tonight.

Zaide might be in the 20-24 range instead of 26, but barring injury he's likely in line for starter minutes, and came into this season multiple steps ahead of the returners you mention and the the freshmen.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

By all accounts, Zaide has had a terrific off-season.

I'm very intrigued to see what he does tonight.

[Galway Eagle]

Not really, kinda only played really good once in a loss to Nova. He played better than he personally did at the start of the season. He played more at the end of last year. But it coiencided with, marquette losing more.

I still think zaide better than all of these people, but he is closer to that bunch than he is to Gold or Parham.

Owens, James, and Stevens are unknowns but they are good actually high ceiling unknowns. This staff swears by Sean Jones and so ill stick with it, even if i don't truely beleive in it. I see the speed. And Tre is a fine defender which is not something to be ignored.

See Brew's response as it's a nice well organized version of what I was going to say. As far as the new comers, are we seriously falling for the "these freshmen are going to be the next greatest thing ever" coach speak? I feel like this has been the same routine for years now.

[jfp61]

Reality would like to check in with you.

Zaide Games 1-18
ORtg: 102.8
eFG%: 51.3
TO%: 17.8
3PFG%: 26.9

Zaide Games 19-34
ORtg: 130.6
eFG%: 60.9
TO%: 5.2
3PFG%: 46.7

He played better than he personally did at the start of the season.

[/b]


If Zaide plays 30 minutes. I'll eat crow on this. But i just don't think that happens if this team is really good. Like that number would require a lack of health for alot of guys not named Zaide.

There was a predictor that had him having more minutes than Chase Ross.

No one had him under 22 minutes. That is a little wonky.

The lineups won't be settled this year. Shaka said that himself

[tower912]

I am not getting caught up in the minutiae of whether Zaide gets 22 or 24 minutes.  There are 80 minutes at the 2-3.  Chase, Zaide, and Damarius are going to combine to play almost all of them.  Maybe Adrien gets a couple, maybe Tre. 

More interesting to me is which two of the three finishes games.   

[Shooter McGavin]

See Brew's response as it's a nice well organized version of what I was going to say. As far as the new comers, are we seriously falling for the "these freshmen are going to be the next greatest thing ever" coach speak? I feel like this has been the same routine for years now.

Once every seven to ten years or so there is an immediate high impact freshman on MUs team (Wade, the three amigos, Hauser, Howard). Let's hope this year is one of them.  But, I agree, it does sound far fetched.

Definitely a higher ceiling with this team if James and Stevens are that type of player.

Could this be the year? 

[brewcity77]

If Zaide plays 30 minutes. I'll eat crow on this. But i just don't think that happens if this team is really good. Like that number would require a lack of health for alot of guys not named Zaide.

There was a predictor that had him having more minutes than Chase Ross.

No one had him under 22 minutes. That is a little wonky.

The lineups won't be settled this year. Shaka said that himself

The article average was 26, only two people said 30. In the past 3 years, every junior or senior scholarship player has averaged over 25 mpg (Ben's 25.3 last year was the lowest). I do think Norman will go well under that number, but I think the floor for Zaide is 22 with 25+ the most likely outcome.

[1SE]

Yeah, Zaide is Chase from last year.

Unless Ben learned how to shoot this summer, Zaide is the #2 option on offense.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Yeah, Zaide is Chase from last year.

Unless Ben learned how to shoot this summer, Zaide is the #2 option on offense.

Last season, Ben Gold made 53 triples (3rd on the team) while shooting 37.1% (2nd on the team).

The irrational hate he receives is so goofy.

[Uncle Rico]

Last season, Ben Gold made 53 triples (3rd on the team) while shooting 37.1% (2nd on the team).

The irrational hate he receives is so goofy.

Still no skyhook

[jfp61]

Yeah, Zaide is Chase from last year.

Unless Ben learned how to shoot this summer, Zaide is the #2 option on offense.

Nah it will be Royce or Ben or someone out of left field.

[brewcity77]

Royce & Sean are the best bets to lead the team in scoring unless Chase can really amp up his usage. I'm skeptical of a guy who's been sub-18% usage in three years jumping up to 24-26% which is probably where our scoring leader will be.

[Jay Bee]

Yeah, Zaide is Chase from last year.

Unless Ben learned how to shoot this summer, Zaide is the #2 option on offense.

This is a crazy take (Zaide as #2 option).

[tower912]

Last season, Ben Gold made 53 triples (3rd on the team) while shooting 37.1% (2nd on the team).

The irrational hate he receives is so goofy.

Somebody always does.   He shot 37% from 3, 40 % in Big East games.   The coaches gave him their defensive award at the spring banquet, as he held the opponent he was guarding to the lowest shooting percentage of anybody on the team.   All of this with shin splints for half the season, and, per TAMU and his impeccable source, breaking a finger in late January.
 

[1SE]

This is a crazy take (Zaide as #2 option).

Crazy.

[1SE]

Royce & Sean are the best bets to lead the team in scoring unless Chase can really amp up his usage. I'm skeptical of a guy who's been sub-18% usage in three years jumping up to 24-26% which is probably where our scoring leader will be.

Brew, you know more ball than anyone here, but Sean?

[tower912]

One game.  39 to go.  Let him get his legs and timing back.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Brew, you know more ball than anyone here, but Sean?

It's due to usage numbers. Typically, leading scorers have usage rates about 25%. Only Parham and Sean have had usage rates close to that. Upperclassmen typically don't see large increases in usage. It's possible but rare.

While I understand the math, I too am skeptical of Sean as a leading scorer. His efficiency numbers have never been good enough IMHO.

[MU82]

Ross will lead the team in scoring.

[brewcity77]

Brew, you know more ball than anyone here, but Sean?

It was a rocky first game back for him, but he's the only guy who's had over 20% usage in meaningful minutes before this year. If he stays at 28% usage (hopefully not driven so much by turnovers) he'll be right in that mix.

In 2022, Justin was (then) the highest ppg scorer Shaka ever had on a lower usage rate than Sean had yesterday and similar efficiency to Sean in 2023-24. Minutes could be a limiting factor, though, especially with how NJ looked yesterday (admittedly small sample size).

My guess is we'll have around 5-6 guys averaging between 9-13 ppg. We won't have any Kam Jones types on this team, but will have a number of guys who on any given night could be the guy. Jones and Parham have shown the most comfort with higher usage, which is why I think you look to them first. Ross, Zaide, Ben, and whoever emerges in the 5-7 rotational spots will also have a chance. Expect far more egalitarian scoring this year.

[barfolomew]

Expect far more egalitarian scoring this year.

Brew, you might piss off some of the older crowd if you don't refer to it as "warriorian" scoring.

[Scoop Snoop]

Brew, you might piss off some of the older crowd if you don't refer to it as "warriorian" scoring.

No worry. We are pissed all the time already.

[Nukem2]

Brew, you might piss off some of the older crowd if you don't refer to it as "warriorian" scoring.

Nah. Kind of impressed how brewcity seamlessly inserted a word like that into his discussion! 

[Norm]

It's just one game, but I think Stevens and James are going to get a lot more playing time this year than what was predicted in this thread. Those two looked very comfortable last night, had decent looking shots, had some nice assists and played good D. I think they will be more steady players than some of the upperclassmen and will earn more trust from Shaka as the season goes on.

[Newsdreams]

No worry. We are pissed all the time already.

Lack of hot dogs for sure

[Scoop Snoop]

Lack of hot dogs for sure

Don't get me started!

[1SE]

It was a rocky first game back for him, but he's the only guy who's had over 20% usage in meaningful minutes before this year. If he stays at 28% usage (hopefully not driven so much by turnovers) he'll be right in that mix.

In 2022, Justin was (then) the highest ppg scorer Shaka ever had on a lower usage rate than Sean had yesterday and similar efficiency to Sean in 2023-24. Minutes could be a limiting factor, though, especially with how NJ looked yesterday (admittedly small sample size).

My guess is we'll have around 5-6 guys averaging between 9-13 ppg. We won't have any Kam Jones types on this team, but will have a number of guys who on any given night could be the guy. Jones and Parham have shown the most comfort with higher usage, which is why I think you look to them first. Ross, Zaide, Ben, and whoever emerges in the 5-7 rotational spots will also have a chance. Expect far more egalitarian scoring this year.

Yeah, I certainly agree with the egalitarian scoring I just don't see Sean being at the top unless his 3 shooting really comes on whatever his usage - can't be 5'10 and not be an outside threat- D will just sag.

Also, I wouldn't be surprised if Chase's usage ticks up - its his team and I think he has legitimate association chances - I think there's a world where he ends up closer to 18 than 13 ppg

[1SE]

Somebody always does.   He shot 37% from 3, 40 % in Big East games.   The coaches gave him their defensive award at the spring banquet, as he held the opponent he was guarding to the lowest shooting percentage of anybody on the team.   All of this with shin splints for half the season, and, per TAMU and his impeccable source, breaking a finger in late January.
 

It's not hate, its just non blue-gold glasses. Last season was of course better but he's still career 35% - he is a very poor man's Steve Novak with better D. If he can continue the progression and shoot 40%+ this year maybe he 2nd leading scorer, but I don't see it happening (prove me wrong Ben)

[1SE]

It's not hate, its just non blue-gold glasses. Last season was of course better but he's still career 35% - he is a very poor man's Steve Novak with better D. If he can continue the progression and shoot 40%+ this year maybe he 2nd leading scorer, but I don't see it happening (prove me wrong Ben)

And I get the Novak comparisons are a bit unfair as he was one of/the best offensive stretches ever - looking back at his stats again it's unreal what an incredible shooter he was

[brewcity77]

Yeah, I certainly agree with the egalitarian scoring I just don't see Sean being at the top unless his 3 shooting really comes on whatever his usage - can't be 5'10 and not be an outside threat- D will just sag.

Also, I wouldn't be surprised if Chase's usage ticks up - its his team and I think he has legitimate association chances - I think there's a world where he ends up closer to 18 than 13 ppg

I'll say this, Sean's only limiting factor is Sean. If he can shoot better from three (33-35%), limit his fouls, and hold off NJ's push for minutes, he can lead us in scoring. But if can't lock down his position and is minutes limited by either NJ or his own fouling tendencies, while also not at least marginally increasing his efficiency, he won't get there.

But as far as the rest of the team goes, the only guy who has displayed the willingness to be that go-to scorer so far is Royce (another guy whose minutes are contested). Despite their productive first nights, both Chase and Zaide were below 21% usage. It's hard to lead a team in scoring at that usage level. Efficiency will balance out over the course of a season and the guy taking 3-4 more shots a game than you are will end up with more volume scoring.

All that said, I think ppg is a pretty meaningless stat. Give me a bunch of guys with high efficiency and low ppg totals over one or two high-volume, low-efficiency scorers every day of the week.

[1SE]

Yeah, I mean if Sean shoots 35% from 3 that's a whole different ballgame (and our ceiling is a whole lot higher). But if wishes were fishes...

[tower912]

So, onesie, not optimistic about the season?

[1SE]

Nah - I think we're a tournament team without Sean being a top scorer - but if he is the ceiling is just that much higher.

I'm intrigued by this season - it could either be a real Shaka masterpiece or an indictment of how RGV just can't work in this era.

[Jay Bee]

I'm intrigued by this season - it could either be a real Shaka masterpiece or an indictment of how RGV just can't work in this era.

I don't think the many ways this year goes down could show RGV can't work. We have a path to a nice season w the roster we have - an indication it can work, imo

[Scoop Snoop]

Nah - I think we're a tournament team without Sean being a top scorer - but if he is the ceiling is just that much higher.

I'm intrigued by this season - it could either be a real Shaka masterpiece or an indictment of how RGV just can't work in this era.

I do not see this season as determining the success or failure of Shaka's system. That sounds like the timeline that some portal pushers have been insisting upon.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

It's not hate, its just non blue-gold glasses. Last season was of course better but he's still career 35% - he is a very poor man's Steve Novak with better D. If he can continue the progression and shoot 40%+ this year maybe he 2nd leading scorer, but I don't see it happening (prove me wrong Ben)

Saying a career 35.3% 3P shooter, who shot 37.1% in his most recent season, needs "to learn how to shoot" is a lot closer to hate than it is to not having blue and gold glasses.

[romey]

I do not see this season as determining the success or failure of Shaka's system. That sounds like the timeline that some portal pushers have been insisting upon.

I agree that this isn't the season to prove or disprove the Shaka approach.  I think next year is the year we need to make a deep run (top 3 BEast, sweet 16 minimum).

[Newsdreams]

MU needs to hit the portal

[Scoop Snoop]

MU needs to hit the portal

Someone needs to hit you.

[Shooter McGavin]

I agree that this isn't the season to prove or disprove the Shaka approach.  I think next year is the year we need to make a deep run (top 3 BEast, sweet 16 minimum).

Yep.  Arrow pointing up at the end of this year and a tournament run next year will definitely show that the plan is working. This year there is definitely some flexibility.  But the trend needs to be a good one (hopefully squeaking into the tournament). 

[Jay Bee]

Crazy.

Yep. Batsh1T crazy. 16.8% usage bruh.

[brewcity77]

Yep. Batsh1T crazy. 16.8% usage bruh.

He is second in scoring and field goal attempts. If only three guys are going to average 20+ mpg, then to date it might not be wrong to consider him the second option (and his teammates with higher usage largely have that usage rate because they are turning it over while Zaide is not).

[jfp61]

He is second in scoring and field goal attempts. If only three guys are going to average 20+ mpg, then to date it might not be wrong to consider him the second option (and his teammates with higher usage largely have that usage rate because they are turning it over while Zaide is not).

1. Parham is second in FGA's. And Him and Zaide are tied at 38 points. (Nigel and Ben each have 36)
2. This is because Shaka is not trusting his eyes and playing Royce and Nigel the minutes he should yet.

[Jay Bee]

He is second in scoring and field goal attempts. If only three guys are going to average 20+ mpg, then to date it might not be wrong to consider him the second option (and his teammates with higher usage largely have that usage rate because they are turning it over while Zaide is not).

No. look at %shots

[brewcity77]

No. look at %shots

I did. But again, minutes matter. Other guys aren't out there enough to be considered second options and Zaide is second in raw scoring.

4 guys are playing over 50% of the minutes. Of those 4, Zaide is second in percent of shots taken. Unless your argument is that someone who's not even on the court half the time is the second scoring option, the strongest "second scoring option" case is for Zaide.

[Hards Alumni]

I did. But again, minutes matter. Other guys aren't out there enough to be considered second options and Zaide is second in raw scoring.

4 guys are playing over 50% of the minutes. Of those 4, Zaide is second in percent of shots taken. Unless your argument is that someone who's not even on the court half the time is the second scoring option, the strongest "second scoring option" case is for Zaide.

He COULD (hypothetically) just say what he means instead of being cryptic.

[Jay Bee]

He COULD (hypothetically) just say what he means instead of being cryptic.

Now THAT is crazy talk!!

[Scoop Snoop]

Yep.  Arrow pointing up at the end of this year and a tournament run next year will definitely show that the plan is working. This year there is definitely some flexibility.  But the trend needs to be a good one (hopefully squeaking into the tournament). 

I like this take. "Some flexibility"?    What political office are you running for? 

Kudos on finding a way to say this probably isn't going to be a great season without actually saying this probably isn't going to be a great season.

I do not see either the IU game or last night's game as defining what this team's potential- or lack thereof- will be. A 23-point blowout L and a 40-point blowout W are strange bedfellows.

[Shooter McGavin]

Ha! This flexibility helps me to be as level headed as possible.  I predicted what amounts to a tournament team in the prediction thread.  But it's because I could see it happening if the freshman were real contributors.  But we all know about freshman and the possibility that they will not contribute in any meaningful way. Needed an infusion of talent on this team.  BG, CR, RP and SJ were not going to be enough IMO.   

Freshman will be more important than ever in the Shaka system of no transfers, especially if many on the roster are projects or don't work out. 

Anyway,  at least two freshmen look like immediate contributors, with one a probable starter going forward this year.  This helps the arrow to be pointing up and hopefully will help us squeak into the tournament.

[jfp61]

I did. But again, minutes matter. Other guys aren't out there enough to be considered second options and Zaide is second in raw scoring.

4 guys are playing over 50% of the minutes. Of those 4, Zaide is second in percent of shots taken. Unless your argument is that someone who's not even on the court half the time is the second scoring option, the strongest "second scoring option" case is for Zaide.

1. Joint second with Royce. (only 2 points ahead of Nigel and Ben)
2. You are adding alot of qualifiers to your evaluation criteria.
3. These qualifiers are being put in because once Nigel and Royce play their proper alotment of minutes all of this will be moot.
4. If Shaka doesn't play Royce and Nigel more, we will have bigger problems.
Unrealated..
Sean and Caedin can play less please.