Hoosier beat down

[tower912]

That is well stated.  I am not opposed to Shaka using the portal.  I just don't foresee it unless there are a number of unexpected departures.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

What do you mean by run off? I believe in both cases that they could have stayed with the program had they be confortable with a likely diminished role. I don't think either were told they had to leave.

This is exactly it.  There's a difference between a player being run off and a coach being honest about the player's standing and the player choosing to explore other options.  I think Tre is a perfect example of that. 

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

Except I'm not opposed to Shaka using the portal.  My point is he's not going too overhaul his approach if faced with adversity. To suggest he do so at this point is just way too short-sighted, IMO.   

Also, it's been 3 games.  We don't actually know what has worked or not worked yet. 

Additionally, if the team doesn't meet expectations this season, that is not proof his process/approach doesn't work.

Does adding one transfer disrupt team chemistry and the NIL? 
I know we currently have scholarship limitations.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Does adding one transfer disrupt team chemistry and the NIL? 
I know we currently have scholarship limitations.

I imagine that depends on the context and conversations with the team and staff.

Shaka has already said multiple times that he's not going to get into bidding wars and pay someone more than the guys that have been in the program.  He also knows that lessens the margin for error when it comes to recruiting and development. 

I imagine he's satisfied with what Chase and Ben bring as seniors, but early on, Zaide is the only junior that has been solid.     

[MU82]

I'm not sure why anyone thinks Shaka will ever open the bag to bring in an Owen Freeman or Bryce Hopkins kind of transfer.

Based on everything he has said since arriving at Marquette, he will not pay guys like that more than he already pays the players on his roster. Period.

Doing so would be such a major departure from every philosophy he has espoused, why would anybody think it's a possibility?

Now, could he bring in a high-level transfer who is willing to accept the going Marquette rate because that player really wants to be part of our program? I suppose. Could he bring in an "affordable" backup-level player or two who could help round out a contending team - which a few of us had hoped for in previous years? Maybe, though he hasn't yet.

Folks need to be realistic - and to listen to Shaka's own words. Expecting that he might alter his long-held and oft-stated philosophy will only frustrate y'all.

[jfp61]

unexpected departures.

Whether or not they are expected should be a function of minutes played. And some people should play less.

[tower912]

Some will.  Shaka said after the first two goes what his final rotation will look like.

[brewcity77]

I'm not sure why anyone thinks Shaka will ever open the bag to bring in an Owen Freeman or Bryce Hopkins kind of transfer.

Based on everything he has said since arriving at Marquette, he will not pay guys like that more than he already pays the players on his roster. Period.

This. Exactly this. Every year people seem to have the silver bullet reason why it's going to change, and every year he doubles down even further in that he's not interested in transfers. If he didn't do it when O-Max left, if he didn't do it last year, what on earth makes anyone think he's going to be less calcified on this topic?

[WhiteTrash]

This. Exactly this. Every year people seem to have the silver bullet reason why it's going to change, and every year he doubles down even further in that he's not interested in transfers. If he didn't do it when O-Max left, if he didn't do it last year, what on earth makes anyone think he's going to be less calcified on this topic?

What makes me think he will adjust his strategy is that he is a great coach. I don't know why a fan of Shaka would doubt his willingness to improve. He has adjusted to the strategy of increased three point shooting and NIL, why not smart transfer opportunities?

I guess I don't see Shaka as inflexible, "my way or the highway" kind of guy. But, I don't know him so I could be wrong.   

[Jay Bee]

He has adjusted to the strategy of increased three point shooting   

Not last game

[brewcity77]

What makes me think he will adjust his strategy is that he is a great coach. I don't know why a fan of Shaka would doubt his willingness to improve. He has adjusted to the strategy of increased three point shooting and NIL, why not smart transfer opportunities?

I guess I don't see Shaka as inflexible, "my way or the highway" kind of guy. But, I don't know him so I could be wrong.   

Honestly, I think a lot of it is loyalty. It's doing right by the guys you promised to take care of. When he talks about Marquette being the place for people that want a program that will stick by them, he means it.

I truly respect the loyalty. I want it to work out. It really feels like Shaka would rather take some losses with his guys than cast them aside to win more with players he isn't as invested in. And I think Marquette might be able to give him more leeway in that regard. But how much and how far that goes is the question.

[WhiteTrash]

Honestly, I think a lot of it is loyalty. It's doing right by the guys you promised to take care of. When he talks about Marquette being the place for people that want a program that will stick by them, he means it.

I truly respect the loyalty. I want it to work out. It really feels like Shaka would rather take some losses with his guys than cast them aside to win more with players he isn't as invested in. And I think Marquette might be able to give him more leeway in that regard. But how much and how far that goes is the question.

I understand your point and follow the logic, but I believe you can smartly both be loyal and create space for roster improvements. I don't think most, or anybody, is endorsing a 9-10 player turnover each year. 1-3 key additions can be managed without being disloyal.

[tower912]

And Shaka would disagree.  Almost to a man, the last two recruiting classes have discussed the culture and the loyalty as being strong selling points.   Knowing the coaching staff continuity, what was going to be done to develop them, and appreciating that Shaka doesn't use the portal.

So, convince Shaka and the players.

[WhiteTrash]

And Shaka would disagree.  Almost to a man, the last two recruiting classes have discussed the culture and the loyalty as.being strong selling points.   Knowing the coaching staff continuity, what was.going to be dobe to develop them, and appreciating that Shaka doesn't use the portal.

So, convince Shaka and the players.

Come on, do you truly believe Shaka is unwilling to adjust to the current landscape?

Also, Shaka can sign one less HS player every other year to create some opportunities while not being disloyal.  There actually maybe some HS players who will view MU more favorably for aggressively perusing winning.

[tower912]

I do not see a way that Shaka departs from his current path without a mass exodus.   Especially with the success he is having on the recruiting trail with the 25 and 26 classes.

[drbob]

Lowery has more playing time than Norman.  I believe James is a better fit than Jones and will have more playing time this year. So, isn't that the same as taking a portal player if he had 3 years of eligibility?  Shaka recruits to try to improve the roster.  If an incoming freshman is good enough to start  they will take time from an established member of the team. Not talking about taking 1 and dones

[ATL MU Warrior]

The second Shaka deviates from the RGV model, everything he's trying to build at MU goes out the window.  It ain't happening.

[tower912]

The second Shaka deviates from the RGV model, everything he's trying to build at MU goes out the window.  It ain't happening.

Exactly.

[Viper]

Why? With 15 scholarships, you have a lot more flexibility to take a developmental guy like a Clark or Hamilton, redshirt them, and have them in the program for 5 years.  There are more than enough roster spots where taking 1 developmental guy every year or two shouldn't impede the program from building really good teams. 

Hamilton has 3 years left and Clark has 4.  Might it make sense to see how their careers turn out before whining about taking developmental guys?  If the # of scholarships was more limited, that criticism would make a lot more sense to me but not with 15.

And no, why would one potential down year cause Shaka to abandon everything he believes in and has sold recruits on regarding the Marquette program?  How do you think he's going to look to the returning and incoming players? 

Jesus, these overreactions are something else. 

a question based on a hypothetical, IF the season goes south. Not an overreaction. Posing a question to spur conversation which is the point of Scoop, I thought.

[Jay Bee]

Some of you are going to just flip your entire sh1t when Shaka goes CRAZAY and brings in a transfer. It's going to happen at some point, guys, and that's OK. The idea he 'doesn't use the portal' is nonsense and it would be criminal to complete ignore potential transfers. Being incredibly picky - that's fine and great. Putting 'your guys who came here first, first'.. great. But, the situation will arise where it makes sense.

[tower912]

Nah.  If he brings in a transfer, he brings in a transfer.  I just don't see it anywhere on the horizon, barring unexpected departures.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Some of you are going to just flip your entire sh1t when Shaka goes CRAZAY and brings in a transfer. It's going to happen at some point, guys, and that's OK. The idea he 'doesn't use the portal' is nonsense and it would be criminal to complete ignore potential transfers. Being incredibly picky - that's fine and great. Putting 'your guys who came here first, first'.. great. But, the situation will arise where it makes sense.

Not sure anyone here is actually against Shaka bringing in a transfer.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Lowery has more playing time than Norman.  I believe James is a better fit than Jones and will have more playing time this year. So, isn't that the same as taking a portal player if he had 3 years of eligibility?  Shaka recruits to try to improve the roster.  If an incoming freshman is good enough to start  they will take time from an established member of the team. Not talking about taking 1 and dones

Nope, I don't think players would look at it the same at all. 

Competing against a teammate you look at as a brother would not be remotely looked at the same as competing against someone brought in from the portal.

[tower912]

JB, in the near term, here are some scenarios that would cause Shaka to hit the portal.

Sean and Nigel both transfer this offseason.

Josh and Caedin both transfer.

After the graduation of Chase, Tre, Zaide, and Sean, the staff is unable to land a PG for the 26 class.

Royce and DO leave as a package, though I think a case can be made that there is abundant wing depth.

Beyond that, some unknown players at some undetermined time leave unexpectedly.

[ATL MU Warrior]

Some of you are going to just flip your entire sh1t when Shaka goes CRAZAY and brings in a transfer. It's going to happen at some point, guys, and that's OK. The idea he 'doesn't use the portal' is nonsense and it would be criminal to complete ignore potential transfers. Being incredibly picky - that's fine and great. Putting 'your guys who came here first, first'.. great. But, the situation will arise where it makes sense.

I'd love it if he brought in someone who could immediately step in and make the team better. Doing that at the expense of someone currently on the team, after going through the recruitment process with Mom and Dad, and then going against everything he's been publicly saying by bringing in someone to essentially replace that kid?  That is not going to happen.