Buzz Cut

[#UnleashNigel]

Sometimes in the summer we were posting about maintaining and developing, or recruiting transfers.

Then I posted about how I hope shaka was correct in the way he went, but I was very weary of it.


Through two reals games, it seems the portal.

[The Sultan]

The team is currently made up of guys who have very little experience playing college ball,  and even less playing meaningful minutes

Up until this week, this team started two seniors, a junior, a red-shirt junior and a red-shirt sophomore. It has four players who played double-digit minutes last year.

This team has plenty of experience. They just aren't very good.

[Warrior of Law]

This team is a below .500 Big East team and about a 16-17 win total based solely on the roster. Best case scenario is that some players step up and build a case for a decent 2026-27 season. I suspect the coaches knew this team would suck relative to the recent teams.

[brewcity77]

It is painful to see this board of hardcore college basketball fans not understand college basketball. Teams like Marquette will always ebb and flow in their quality.

I don't think you understand the complaints. The board understands there are ebbs and flows. But for a program with our aspirations, down years should look like last year. Something in the 7-10 range but good enough to make the tournament and maybe give a good team a scare the first weekend.

If we extrapolate these first four games to a full season, this team will likely have a losing record, and if that happens, it basically puts Shaka on the hot seat. The last time a Marquette coach stayed employed after two losing seasons was Jack Nagle in 1957 (and he was fired after going .500 in 1958). Dukiet and Wojo were both fired after their second losing seasons. Eddie Hickey and Deane were fired after their first losing seasons.

We live in an era of not just win-now, but win every year. I don't think Shaka would be at risk after this season no matter how bad it goes, but if this year doesn't improve and it happens again next year? We're probably in the market for a new coach.

[dpucane]

It is painful to see this board of hardcore college basketball fans not understand college basketball. Teams like Marquette will always ebb and flow in their quality. We are not a team filled with McDonald's AA. In the last 2 years we lost Kam, Tyler, and Oso to the NBA. Those guys were fucking studs. We also lost Jop, and Stevie, two important starters.

The team is currently made up of guys who have very little experience playing college ball, and even less playing meaningful minutes. This is a growth year. It doesn't matter if it's fucking year 5, year 15, or year 30. Programs and coaches have down years when they graduate that kind of usage rate.

I'm also not interested in watching a college basketball team filled with transfers. I'd rather watch the Marquette teams of the last 2 years, with their disappointing finishes, than a team filled with one year guys who don't give a crap about the program. The same was true with one and done's. I will have absolutely no connection to that team. In that case I'd rather just watch the NBA, which somehow has landed with more continuity than college ball.

Maybe I'm old fashioned, but this seemed like the proud sentiment from the fanbase for the last 3 years. One down year while young, talented kids try to figure it out and you're ready to abandon it all?

You should watch the Bulls you'd love them. They want to get the 8 seed every year and pat themselves on the back for doing it the right way, which is exactly where the Shaka era appears to be headed.

[Viper]

I don't think you understand the complaints. The board understands there are ebbs and flows. But for a program with our aspirations, down years should look like last year. Something in the 7-10 range but good enough to make the tournament and maybe give a good team a scare the first weekend.

If we extrapolate these first four games to a full season, this team will likely have a losing record, and if that happens, it basically puts Shaka on the hot seat. The last time a Marquette coach stayed employed after two losing seasons was Jack Nagle in 1957 (and he was fired after going .500 in 1958). Dukiet and Wojo were both fired after their second losing seasons. Eddie Hickey and Deane were fired after their first losing seasons.

We live in an era of not just win-now, but win every year. I don't think Shaka would be at risk after this season no matter how bad it goes, but if this year doesn't improve and it happens again next year? We're probably in the market for a new coach.

100%

[GB Warrior]

I don't think you understand the complaints. The board understands there are ebbs and flows. But for a program with our aspirations, down years should look like last year. Something in the 7-10 range but good enough to make the tournament and maybe give a good team a scare the first weekend.

If we extrapolate these first four games to a full season, this team will likely have a losing record, and if that happens, it basically puts Shaka on the hot seat. The last time a Marquette coach stayed employed after two losing seasons was Jack Nagle in 1957 (and he was fired after going .500 in 1958). Dukiet and Wojo were both fired after their second losing seasons. Eddie Hickey and Deane were fired after their first losing seasons.

We live in an era of not just win-now, but win every year. I don't think Shaka would be at risk after this season no matter how bad it goes, but if this year doesn't improve and it happens again next year? We're probably in the market for a new coach.

Bingo.

[Uncle Rico]

I don't think you understand the complaints. The board understands there are ebbs and flows. But for a program with our aspirations, down years should look like last year. Something in the 7-10 range but good enough to make the tournament and maybe give a good team a scare the first weekend.

If we extrapolate these first four games to a full season, this team will likely have a losing record, and if that happens, it basically puts Shaka on the hot seat. The last time a Marquette coach stayed employed after two losing seasons was Jack Nagle in 1957 (and he was fired after going .500 in 1958). Dukiet and Wojo were both fired after their second losing seasons. Eddie Hickey and Deane were fired after their first losing seasons.

We live in an era of not just win-now, but win every year. I don't think Shaka would be at risk after this season no matter how bad it goes, but if this year doesn't improve and it happens again next year? We're probably in the market for a new coach.

And that's why I'm watching Bradley and Oklahoma closely

Though, Chris Beard would be my first choice if he's available

[79Warrior]

"Fetch isn't happening. Feels like the staff evaluation of Hamilton, Owens, and Sean are just way off".

This!! Some serious misses on talent evaluations by the staff. Neither Hamilton or Owens are BE capable right now, add Norman to that list imo. Clark, no where near ready.

Sean gets a pass because of his injury..

[BLWarrior91]

I don't think you understand the complaints. The board understands there are ebbs and flows. But for a program with our aspirations, down years should look like last year. Something in the 7-10 range but good enough to make the tournament and maybe give a good team a scare the first weekend.

If we extrapolate these first four games to a full season, this team will likely have a losing record, and if that happens, it basically puts Shaka on the hot seat. The last time a Marquette coach stayed employed after two losing seasons was Jack Nagle in 1957 (and he was fired after going .500 in 1958). Dukiet and Wojo were both fired after their second losing seasons. Eddie Hickey and Deane were fired after their first losing seasons.

We live in an era of not just win-now, but win every year. I don't think Shaka would be at risk after this season no matter how bad it goes, but if this year doesn't improve and it happens again next year? We're probably in the market for a new coach.

Crean missed the tournament two years ina row after the Final Four.  Yes, he bought himself plenty of goodwill with a FF but had two mediocre seasons to follow.  Then we join a loaded Big East and he makes three straight tourneys before leaving for "It's Indiana." 

Perhaps this team will figure it out and learn from these early-season mistakes. 

[Zog from Margo]

The problem, IMO, lies in a few areas.

1. From a recruiting standpoint, MU is not getting nearly enough from the junior and senior classes. Lowery is the only player that is playing on the right trajectory out of those classes. Neither Norman nor Jones can shoot. They aren't fits for the offense MU is trying to run. Owens has not progressed and plays too soft. Parham hasn't played at anywhere near the level that I expected. Hamilton hasn't been particularly good but he's exceeded my expectations.

2. I have a hard time understanding why MU is so bad defensively. James and Stevens are already better defenders than a number or returning players. That's great for them but says something about the guys returning.

3. I understand the analysis supporting lots of threes. That said, the MU personnel does not match that emphasis. For this year, MU needs to attack the hoop on the drive and in the post. Going forward, they need to change the offense or stay away from recruits who can't shoot.

[Pakuni]

Nobody wants with a down year, but I think a majority of Scoopers would accept that it can happen sometimes.


What's troublesome here is that:
a) Shaka's teams haven't played well since 2024 ended ... they're 5-10 vs non-cupcakes since Feb. 1, with four of those wins coming against Georgetown, DePaul, Providence and Seton Hall. MU has beaten one quality opponent - Xavier in the BE tourney, by the slimmest of margins - since the Jan. 7 win over Creighton. This isn't a couple of bad games to start a season, it's steep downward trend over nearly 25 games.

b) There doesn't seem to be much in the pipeline to engender faith that a quick turnaround is on the horizon. Lowery can be really good at times, but is he an all-BE type player? Does a lineup of Hamilton, Parham, Lowery, Stevens and James inspire confidence that MU can compete for a conference title and make a tourney run in 26-27? Maybe there are some big developmental leaps on the horizon, but hope isn't a strategy.

Shaka's seat shouldn't be at all hot even if this season continues to play out as it has. But it should start to warm without a big step forward the year after.

[Dish]

I'll beat the dead horse here...

I've never truly understood Shaka's reasoning, as he loaded up in the portal his first year here. Kolek/OMax/whoever else I'm forgetting.

And it worked! Tremendously well!

If you're going to be different for different's sake, then you better recruit REALLY well. Like Knueppel has to be here for a year. If you have a poor year in recruiting under this philosophy, you're going to be in mild trouble. Two years of poor recruiting? You're toast.

I don't think the toast is cooking just yet, but the toaster is definitely plugged in.

[GoldenEagles03]

I'll beat the dead horse here...

I've never truly understood Shaka's reasoning, as he loaded up in the portal his first year here. Kolek/OMax/whoever else I'm forgetting.

And it worked! Tremendously well!

If you're going to be different for different's sake, then you better recruit REALLY well. Like Knueppel has to be here for a year. If you have a poor year in recruiting under this philosophy, you're going to be in mild trouble. Two years of poor recruiting? You're toast.

I don't think the toast is cooking just yet, but the toaster is definitely plugged in.

My problem with his philosophy is that even in the old days before the portal, teams routinely took transfers when it fit. It should be totally normal to recognize your weaknesses and quick fix them through the portal while also finding time for your long-term option that's already in the program.

[Billy Hoyle]

My problem with his philosophy is that even in the old days before the portal, teams routinely took transfers when it fit. It should be totally normal to recognize your weaknesses and quick fix them through the portal while also finding time for your long-term option that's already in the program.

I gat annoyed with the all or nothing mindset about transfers some have and it seems Shaka may have. I'm certainly not advocating a St John's like annual roster overhaul, but it sure would have been nice to have brought in a three point shooter if it was known Militic was going to redshirt since he was sold as a shooter. RGV isn't destroyed by bringing in one of two transfer to shore up weak spots.

[GoldenEagles03]

I gat annoyed with the all or nothing mindset about transfers some have and it seems Shaka may have. I'm certainly not advocating a St John's like annual roster overhaul, but it sure would have been nice to have brought in a three point shooter if it was known Militic was going to redshirt since he was sold as a shooter. RGV isn't destroyed by bringing in one of two transfer to shore up weak spots.

I'm not as concerned about the shooters as I am with the 5 spot.

I think a lot of the shooting issues would be fixed with a true center. Ben would be able to play his natural 4 spot and focus a bit more on his shot. Shooters would have an actual threat to play off of with screens. Our 5 spot is our hole. And it's a very large hole.

[Elonsmusk]

I don't think you understand the complaints. The board understands there are ebbs and flows. But for a program with our aspirations, down years should look like last year. Something in the 7-10 range but good enough to make the tournament and maybe give a good team a scare the first weekend.

If we extrapolate these first four games to a full season, this team will likely have a losing record, and if that happens, it basically puts Shaka on the hot seat. The last time a Marquette coach stayed employed after two losing seasons was Jack Nagle in 1957 (and he was fired after going .500 in 1958). Dukiet and Wojo were both fired after their second losing seasons. Eddie Hickey and Deane were fired after their first losing seasons.

We live in an era of not just win-now, but win every year. I don't think Shaka would be at risk after this season no matter how bad it goes, but if this year doesn't improve and it happens again next year? We're probably in the market for a new coach.

JFC and you gave Wojo 5.5 years before bailing, when his best accomplishment was getting beat by 20 in Round 1 of the NCAA?

Shaka has two fucking 2 seeds, a Big East Regular Season and Big East Conference Tournament title, and 1 or 2 down years and you think his seat should be hot?

I'm embarassed to be a MU fan today after reading Scoop...bunch of spoiled brats from the last 4 years. 

[GoldenEagles03]

JFC and you gave Wojo 5.5 years before bailing, when his best accomplishment was getting beat by 20 in Round 1 of the NCAA?

Shaka has two fucking 2 seeds, a Big East Regular Season and Big East Conference Tournament title, and 1 or 2 down years and you think his seat should be hot?

I'm embarassed to be a MU fan today after reading Scoop...bunch of spoiled brats from the last 4 years. 

Ya I don't get it either. We all want them to be better, including them! Shaka's winning 70% of his games at Marquette, if that's not good enough for us, who or what exactly would be?

We all want more tournament success, but you have to let a coach that is winning games figure out how to get that done. I'm interested to see how they respond. You can learn a lot about a group based on how they respond. Hopefully we see some fire.

[Newsdreams]

My problem with his philosophy is that even in the old days before the portal, teams routinely took transfers when it fit. It should be totally normal to recognize your weaknesses and quick fix them through the portal while also finding time for your long-term option that's already in the program.

Portal is different now, mostly $$$ driven.

[dpucane]

Ya I don't get it either. We all want them to be better, including them! Shaka's winning 70% of his games at Marquette, if that's not good enough for us, who or what exactly would be?

We all want more tournament success, but you have to let a coach that is winning games figure out how to get that done. I'm interested to see how they respond. You can learn a lot about a group based on how they respond. Hopefully we see some fire.

He's not winning games anymore. They have fallen off a cliff since January of this year. He was winning with a strategy he said he doesn't want to do anymore.

And it's something you could see from a mile away because of how many obvious deficiencies this team would have and their refusal to do anything about it. And that goes for last year too. This is not new even though it's gotten so exacerbated this week.

The doomers on this board are making entirely logical deductions and predictions based on what they're seeing with their own eyes and what the coaches and the school keep telling you they're going to do.

[brewcity77]

JFC and you gave Wojo 5.5 years before bailing, when his best accomplishment was getting beat by 20 in Round 1 of the NCAA?

Shaka has two fucking 2 seeds, a Big East Regular Season and Big East Conference Tournament title, and 1 or 2 down years and you think his seat should be hot?

I'm embarassed to be a MU fan today after reading Scoop...bunch of spoiled brats from the last 4 years. 

Your reading comprehension, as usual, is lacking. I said that if what we've seen continues for a season, he will be on the hot seat.

That won't get him fired. I think that would be virtually impossible this year. But two losing seasons would. So if he has a losing season this year, he'll be on the hot seat next year.

This isn't me putting anyone anywhere. I'm laying out the reality of where things will stand if the next 27 games look the same as the first five have.

No Marquette coach in 67 years has survived more than one losing season in their tenure. That's the standard at Marquette, whether you like it or not.

[Daniel]

We all knew offensively we would have some challenges this year.   But our defense is what I think has been the biggest let down.    373 points in 5 games and the two cupcakes is the only thing bringing the average down to like 73+ points a game giving up.   Our defense is not good.   

Chase today was tired... he carried the whole team so he was not great on D either today.   But wow.  With all the athletes we have, the havoc is back.... Ugh.    We give up way too many points a game,    Major problem moving forward.  We should never have lost today. 

[brewcity77]

One more note...at the end of the game, some of the student section started chanting "use the portal." While I'm sure that was meant to be aimed at Shaka, that seems like the kind of thing that could start tearing this model apart.

The players heard it and took notice. The message to them is essentially that the students wished some of them weren't there and had been recruited over. It really undermines the RGV approach that Shaka is selling when the fanbase is kneecapping it by calling for the same portal additions the staff has avoided.

One of the dangers to doing things differently than anybody else is when it doesn't work, everyone is going to ask why you didn't do what other successful people/programs are doing. I desperately want Shaka's model to succeed, largely because I think it's better for college basketball than a mercenary model, but if it doesn't, I think things could go south here faster than they would at other programs with similar levels of recent success because it's easy to point at what we're doing differently and focus all the blame there.

[Zog from Margo]

I don't see the portal talk as constructive. MU can't compete financially in the portal at the level needed to keep fans happy. Unless some billionaire takes this on as a project, MU is small potatoes as far as resources. Just count MU's alums relative to state schools. I have no problem with Shaka's approach.  It's the only way MU might not be relegated to sloppy seconds. The key is identifying talent and hitting on a high percentage.

[GoldenEagles03]

I don't see the portal talk as constructive. MU can't compete financially in the portal at the level needed to keep fans happy. Unless some billionaire takes this on as a project, MU is small potatoes as far as resources. Just count MU's alums relative to state schools. I have no problem with Shaka's approach.  It's the only way MU might not be relegated to sloppy seconds. The key is identifying talent and hitting on a high percentage.

I agree, but an occasional portal piece is still necessary. When some of your pieces don't develop as planned or some leave you need to fill those holes with older veteran talent.

This would have been a great year to add a Senior 1 year Center to put this year's team where it needs to be. I don't think we are far off but we have a position that has no answer until next November at the earliest because we failed to add experienced talent to the position group. So we are stuck with a RS Sophomore and RS Freshman as our only options for an entire season.