Hoosier beat down

[WhiteTrash]

Dabo and Clemson had special, championship winning formula too.

Some people way underestimate Shaka. The idea that he has to abandon his personal commitments to add transfers is not grounded in facts.

[willie warrior]

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?

And of course, the gap will widen

[tower912]

The idea that he has to abandon his personal commitments to add transfers is not grounded in facts.

Explain how that works.

[WhiteTrash]

Explain how that works.

He recruits and signs the best HS players he can and reserves a few spots for transfers. You can sign 3 HS per year and have 3 openings for transfers.

Unless Shaka is guaranteeing playing time (very doubtful), this is very manageable and fair to all.

[tower912]

RGV.  Unless I change my mind.

[brewcity77]

The idea that he has to abandon his personal commitments to add transfers is not grounded in facts.

Maybe if he replaces grads/transfers with transfers, but Shaka's comments have been pretty straight-forward. Every time he talks about it, it seems like he's closing the door even further on transfers. There just isn't much ambiguity in it.

Once you start bringing in a bunch of transfers, it doesn't happen in a vacuum. It impacts your roster and your program. We have made a decision and a commitment to the guys in our program. Yes, we could have gone in the transfer portal and recruited some guys, but we feel like it would have stunted their growth. We feel if we value growth, that would be a contradiction, and we believe that we can be a lot better than people think without taking transfers.

https://today.marquette.edu/2025/07/mens-basketball-coach-shaka-smart-talks-our-way-how-marquette-approaches-player-retention-development-differently/

Bringing in transfers "would have stunted the growth of our returning players," Smart says. "If we value growth, that's a contradiction."

https://today.marquette.edu/2025/10/unshakable/

[brewcity77]

I can't find it now, but he also recently effectively said "if parents and a family are looking for a place that will be loyal to them, stick with them, Marquette is the place to be." He was saying that in response to programs that recruit over people and bring transfers in with the expectation of playing immediately over returning players.

He's been unequivocal.

[Scoop Snoop]

I can't find it now, but he also recently effectively said "if parents and a family are looking for a place that will be loyal to them, stick with them, Marquette is the place to be." He was saying that in response to programs that recruit over people and bring transfers in with the expectation of playing immediately over returning players.

He's been unequivocal.

Yep.
This is never going to stop, all season long. Portal portal portal portal.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

I can't find it now, but he also recently effectively said "if parents and a family are looking for a place that will be loyal to them, stick with them, Marquette is the place to be." He was saying that in response to programs that recruit over people and bring transfers in with the expectation of playing immediately over returning players.

He's been unequivocal.

Yep.
This is never going to stop, all season long. Portal portal portal portal.

100%. It's just kind of mind-boggling that people can't accept it for what it is.

[WhiteTrash]

100%. It's just kind of mind-boggling that people can't accept it for what it is.

It's like accepting that the jump shot and forward pass are fads.

I believe Shaka will adapt and thrive. He's not going down with the ship to prove a point.

[MU82]

It's like accepting that the jump shot and forward pass are fads.

I believe Shaka will adapt and thrive. He's not going down with the ship to prove a point.

Do I think Shaka would never ever ever bring in a stud from the portal? I kind of doubt he would, but I won't say never.

Do I think he would change his entire philosophy, on which he has publicly doubled- and tripled- and quadrupled-down, after one disappointing season? No I do not. Do you?

I also think there's a difference between him maybe bringing in a role player who can help fill out a lineup vs. an actual stud who would command big bucks. I could see him bringing in the former as soon as this coming offseason if the situation were right. I do not see him bringing in the latter unless something crazy - such as a complete change in philosophy - happens. And I don't see a complete change in philosophy after just one less-than-good year. Do you?

[DoctorV]

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?

The only reason he would ever become less calcified on this topic is because the V is the most important part of the RGV triangle.

If the V doesn't come as planned, the R and G aspects will become less calcified and he will do what he thinks is necessary to win more the following season, imo.

If he wins enough to dance history has shown there is very low to no probability that he deviates, and you can't blame him

[WhiteTrash]

Do I think Shaka would never ever ever bring in a stud from the portal? I kind of doubt he would, but I won't say never.

Do I think he would change his entire philosophy, on which he has publicly doubled- and tripled- and quadrupled-down, after one disappointing season? No I do not. Do you?

I also think there's a difference between him maybe bringing in a role player who can help fill out a lineup vs. an actual stud who would command big bucks. I could see him bringing in the former as soon as this coming offseason if the situation were right. I do not see him bringing in the latter unless something crazy - such as a complete change in philosophy - happens. And I don't see a complete change in philosophy after just one less-than-good year. Do you?

I think we could have a thread 100 pages long discussing who is a stud and who is not.

I simply believe Shaka will go from zero transfers to adding some to the mix.

The ability of high majors to add experienced talent is the way forward.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

It's like accepting that the jump shot and forward pass are fads.

I believe Shaka will adapt and thrive. He's not going down with the ship to prove a point.

The ship is going down?

[MessWithAll]

RGV.  Unless I change my mind.

Retention.  Grieving.  Vitriol.  Rinse, repeat.

[MU82]

I think we could have a thread 100 pages long discussing who is a stud and who is not.

I simply believe Shaka will go from zero transfers to adding some to the mix.

The ability of high majors to add experienced talent is the way forward.

OK, set the bar really low. Now I at least get your argument.

[mileskishnish72]

Yep.
This is never going to stop, all season long. Portal portal portal portal.

Correct - especially if the L's pile up. W's on the other hand will cut it down.

[Elonsmusk]

FFS it was one game.  Shaka has been a God-send to MU, and honestly deserves better than to be questioned for his approach.  Shaka's approach is starting to produce dividends on the recruiting trail - nearly every recruit these past two cycles has mentioned Shaka's loyalty as a big piece of the attraction.

The recruiting classes are getting more talented. We might* take a small step back this year, but look at what we have going forward. That aside, I tend to think Sunday's IU game will be the low water point of the season. 

[goldeneagle91114]

FFS it was one game.  Shaka has been a God-send to MU, and honestly deserves better than to be questioned for his approach.  Shaka's approach is starting to produce dividends on the recruiting trail - nearly every recruit these past two cycles has mentioned Shaka's loyalty as a big piece of the attraction.

The recruiting classes are getting more talented. We might* take a small step back this year, but look at what we have going forward. That aside, I tend to think Sunday's IU game will be the low water point of the season. 

I hope to God its the low water mark. It was historically bad basketball. It's the first Shaka Smart led team (in a Power 5 Conference) that gave up 100 points. It's also the first time since 2009 that IU scored 100 points on a high major opponent.

I also think this transfer conversation has become too black and white - use the portal vs don't. I think there is solid grey area here. He can use the portal selectivley AND STILL deomostrate that he sticks with his recruits 95% of the time.

In addtion, Now that these kids are getting paid we need to think of this as a business. If you don't produce you get put on a "perfromance improvement plan". still don't produce you get fired. No different than any of us in our jobs.

[Scoop Snoop]

Correct - especially if the L's pile up. W's on the other hand will cut it down.

I hope you and the other portal pushers enjoy pissing into the wind.

[IrwinFletcher]

I think the 15-man rosters make it a bit easier for Shaka to continue with his model.  Take Tre for example.  He has not shown the ability to impact the game at this level.  But with a large roster, Shaka can keep him on the roster, provide him spot minutes here and there and allow him to graduate with a degree from Marquette, mentors in the coaching staff, life-long friendships in teammates and some dollars in his bank account. 

Shaka is promising loyalty.  He is not promising game minutes.

[The Sultan]

In addtion, Now that these kids are getting paid we need to think of this as a business. If you don't produce you get put on a "perfromance improvement plan". still don't produce you get fired. No different than any of us in our jobs.

First, they aren't "kids," it's not a "job," and they aren't employees.

Second, a scholarship is renewable each year. It has been for years even before the players were compensated. Nothing has changed from before. Coaches have always had the opportunity to move on from a player.

Third, you've just discovered a great way to other programs to recruit against Marquette.

[Scoop Snoop]

FFS it was one game.  Shaka has been a God-send to MU, and honestly deserves better than to be questioned for his approach.  Shaka's approach is starting to produce dividends on the recruiting trail - nearly every recruit these past two cycles has mentioned Shaka's loyalty as a big piece of the attraction.

The recruiting classes are getting more talented. We might* take a small step back this year, but look at what we have going forward. That aside, I tend to think Sunday's IU game will be the low water point of the season. 

I poked fun at Xavier for being on the wrong end of an ass kicking last night because the announcers mentioned that Xavier had 12 transfers and a freshman on their team. Many scoopers pushing for going to the portal are SO sure that it would "improve" Marquette's team (and it might) but seem oblivious to the fact that the reverse is also a possibility, OR that there would be no change.

My source at Xavier has informed me that Little Pitino has set up a meeting with Shaka to learn about his system. The deal includes Pitino taking Sean off Shaka's hands.

[Billy Hoyle]

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

No, he can bring in one or two transfers to fill holes and still do his RGV model. If he's going to accept mediocrity just to stick with his RGV then maybe he's not the coach MU needs going forward. Look at what happened with Dabo and Clemson - from national title winner to mediocrity because he refused to bring in transfers or give NIL.

I would hope Shaka would recognize the need to adapt to the changing college landscape. Would Militic have not committed if Shaka said, "not only are we going to redshirt you, but I'm going to bring in a player similar to you for the year you are not playing?"

[The Sultan]

No, he can bring in one or two transfers to fill holes and still do his RGV model.

Right. Last year is a great example of how he could have supplemented his model with a transfer. The guy who was supposed to take over for TK was hurt. But instead of looking at potential options, they moved Kam to the PG role, which looked fine to start. But over the course of the season looked like a worse and worse idea.

I don't think his model is supposed to be THAT inflexible.