[Anonymous Eagle] It's a Boat With a Hole

[Vander Blue Man Group]

I personally don't want Sheek or Caedin starting next year.

I'd love to have a proven starter starting next year with Sheek backing him up in preparation to become a starter in his Sophomore season. We won't be competing for any championships starting non 5 star Freshman every season.

Unless Shaka completely reverses course this is not happening. 

[GoldenEagles03]

Unless Shaka completely reverses course this is not happening. 

He doesn't have to reverse course. He can stay on the same course and just add help.

If you asked Ben and Chase right now if they wish they had some added reinforcements to help them in their Senior season, what do you think they'd say?

[Vander Blue Man Group]

He doesn't have to reverse course. He can stay on the same course and just add help.

If you asked Ben and Chase right now if they wish they had some added reinforcements to help them in their Senior season, what do you think they'd say?

I don't know what they'd say.

And if you asked Jop about brining in an OMax replacement after he left what do you think he would have said?

Shaka has shown ZERO inclination that he will recruit over players and PAY what it would take to bring in a starter with one year of eligibility left. 

It's almost like people absolutely refuse to listen to and comprehend what he has repeated ad nauseum. 

That's not to say that will never change but what you're hoping for is just fantasy right now.

[tower912]

Meh.  It is no different than the endless clickbait stories about every trade every MLB/NFL/NBA/NHL should make and if the front office would listen to the wisdom of the random writer/AI cyborg, a championship would surely follow.

1% of those actually happen.

All 15 scholarships are accounted for for next season.   Based on Shaka's history and words, it is highly unlikely he will use the portal.  I have always added the caveat 'unless there are expected departures'.

So, IMO, until multiple underclassmen projected to be in the rotation leave, it is just making stuff up.

[GoldenEagles03]

I don't know what they'd say.

And if you asked Jop about brining in an OMax replacement after he left what do you think he would have said?

Shaka has shown ZERO inclination that he will recruit over players and PAY what it would take to bring in a starter with one year of eligibility left. 

It's almost like people absolutely refuse to listen to and comprehend what he has repeated ad nauseum. 

That's not to say that will never change but what you're hoping for is just fantasy right now.

He has never said they will not use the transfer portal. In fact he's said the opposite. He has said he wouldn't be doing his job if he ignored it.

[Small Orange Soda]

He has never said they will not use the transfer portal. In fact he's said the opposite. He has said he wouldn't be doing his job if he ignored it.

Well then maybe he should use it

[muwarrior69]

So, this off-season when Shaka said, "This year will be a stress test" for his system, this is what he meant.

And pine all you want for transfers, but don't get your hopes up.

Nigel, Adrien, Royce, and Sheek are the young core to build around.  Hopefully they develop as needed.

I thought our School President said Nash Walker will be our best player.

[GoldenEagles03]

Well then maybe he should use it

Maybe he will.

[Small Orange Soda]

Maybe he will.

I suppose we will see.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

I don't disagree. I'd just be surprised if Shaka pays to outbid other programs for a starting center, which likely would be more than what players he recruited will be getting.

It would be a significant departure for him. I guess we'll see.

I think a follow-up question is would it be possible to land a transfer who is a "serviceable center" (sounds like a very Scoop term) for the same as the players he recruited will be getting?  And serviceable may still be an improvement.

[wadesworld]

There's 84% of the season still to play (not including any Big East Tournament games or any post season beyond that).  I said going into the offseason that the last time I felt like there wasn't enough talent on the roster to compete in the Big East, we went ahead and won the BE regular season and Tournament titles and that while I felt that way about this year's team, I'd give Shaka the benefit of the doubt until he doesn't have a competitive team.

I remember his first year seeing our press leaving Kur out to dry a lot in the early season, and Shaka adjusting and not going as crazy with the pressure and our defense got better.  He's a good basketball coach.  He sees what we're all seeing.  He'll make some adjustments.

I have my doubts we'll be good enough to make it to the Tournament.  But there's a lot of game left.

Even if the season goes as poorly as it looks like it might, I'm still fine with his approach, I just think he needs to target better talent.  There are top 75 kids that are committing to mid majors because they know that if they go to a high major and don't play minutes, they'll just be stuck on the bench and not have as good of options to transfer up and get paid as they will if they go to a mid major, average 12 and 5 a game, and then Kansas is interested in you as a sophomore.  Shaka should be selling those kids on his RGV.  Obviously rankings aren't the end all be all, but with attractive programs targeting transfers over high level freshman, Shaka needs to take advantage there.  2027 is a huge recruiting class for Shaka, as there's a lot of talent he has been in on for a while that is fairly close to Marquette.  The last two classes (as in classes of 2025 and 2026) have upped the talent level, and 2027 could be a big jump above those.

The good news is, I'm very optimistic about the current freshman class plus Egbuonu, and I think him adding Militic and Nash will help with the shooting issue we've had the past year and 5 games.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

He has never said they will not use the transfer portal. In fact he's said the opposite. He has said he wouldn't be doing his job if he ignored it.

Remind where I said he would never use the transfer portal or that he has stated he would never use it?  I didn't.

As it stands today, the circumstances would have to be very specific in regard to him using it. 

A Hamilton and/or Norman leaving would not cause him to go get a 1-year center out of the portal and pay him at the same level as Zaide.  Again, he's said this many times. 

[Jay Bee]

Remind where I said he would never use the transfer portal or that he has stated he would never use it?  I didn't.

As it stands today, the circumstances would have to be very specific in regard to him using it. 

A Hamilton and/or Norman leaving would not cause him to go get a 1-year center out of the portal and pay him at the same level as Zaide.  Again, he's said this many times. 

How much does he pay Zaide?

[WhiteTrash]

Remind where I said he would never use the transfer portal or that he has stated he would never use it?  I didn't.

As it stands today, the circumstances would have to be very specific in regard to him using it. 

A Hamilton and/or Norman leaving would not cause him to go get a 1-year center out of the portal and pay him at the same level as Zaide.  Again, he's said this many times. 

You are truly playing both sides of the fence.

"It's almost like people absolutely refuse to listen to and comprehend what he has repeated ad nauseum.

That's not to say that will never change but what you're hoping for is just fantasy right now."

You have aggressively slammed the door, to the point where you question people's intelligence to comprehend English, on suggestions that Shaka may look to selectively utilize the portal.

How about "I don't think Shaka will change course immediately, but I would not be surprised with a change of course based upon the results the balance of the year"?

Otherwise, pick a side and stick with it, because like it or not, you are coming of very hypocritical.

[LAZER]

Remind where I said he would never use the transfer portal or that he has stated he would never use it?  I didn't.

As it stands today, the circumstances would have to be very specific in regard to him using it. 

A Hamilton and/or Norman leaving would not cause him to go get a 1-year center out of the portal and pay him at the same level as Zaide.  Again, he's said this many times. 

He can obviously change his mind on this. Especially if the 26-27 team is looking worse than the 25-26 team...which seems very possible to me.

[tower912]

Pudner, on the Dodds, board, says MU is the 7th youngest power conference team.  74th out of 80.  IMO, that is related to all of the other complaints.  MU is young.  The youngsters aren't locked in on defense yet.  The rotation hasn't settled in.  The two best players are the most experienced.  The third best player is the third most experienced.


MU didn't stay old.

You are truly playing both sides of the fence.

"It's almost like people absolutely refuse to listen to and comprehend what he has repeated ad nauseum.

That's not to say that will never change but what you're hoping for is just fantasy right now."

You have aggressively slammed the door, to the point where you question people's intelligence to comprehend English, on suggestions that Shaka may look to selectively utilize the portal.

How about "I don't think Shaka will change course immediately, but I would not be surprised with a change of course based upon the results the balance of the year"?

Otherwise, pick a side and stick with it, because like it or not, you are coming of very hypocritical.

I don't think Shaka changes course unless there are a number of unexpected departures.