Shaka’s mess

[HutchwasClutch]

This is one of my biggest worries. Shaka talked up Caedin every chance he got. Has compared his passing to Oso. That is either a gross misevaluation and a completely unfair expectation to put on the kid.

This comes after hearing since January that Sean was ready and would be a difference maker. Owens was supposed to be sixth starter good last year. Norman wasn't remotely one of the biggest problems yesterday, but overall he's never met the expectation coming in.

In order for RGV to work, if we're redshirting 3, you need around a 75% hit rate on recruits. 12 scholarships, 9 guys to contribute (8 man rotation + 1 good enough to offset injuries). Doesn't seem like much is expected of freshmen Clark or Phillips this year, so that's two that are misses for this season. Norman, Owens, Parham, Hamilton, and SJ are all not matching production expectations based on previous Shaka era players in the same stage of development.

I don't see how this model works with that many evaluation misses, or how it gets better next year with Ross & Gold leaving.

I don't know who in their right mind could have watched Norman and thought for a second, this is a BE caliber player.  He actually had a few nice moments last night, and then some typical slap your face moments.  Major staff failure. 

Sean not much better.  I feel bad for him with the injuries, but the fact remains he's a guy well under 6 feet (no way is he the 5'10 he's listed) who can't shoot and can't finish attacking the basket.  Yes, he's very quick and can impact a game to some degree with his quickness, but his ceiling is a backup at this level. Before the shoulder injury, he wasn't showing anything other than that Nigel is already a clearly better option. 

Other guys Owens, Hamilton, etc., like their size and athleticism.  They need to slow down and play to what they do well right now.  Hamilton in the first half tried a ridiculous attack with his left hand and of course turned it over.  A 2nd half possession, he established nice low post position, took the pass and made a nice little jump hook.  Keep it simple and don't do what you're not capable should be the mantra for the young guys trying to develop.  And that's on the coaches to drive home. 

[The Sultan]

I don't know who in their right mind could have watched Norman and thought for a second, this is a BE caliber player.  He actually had a few nice moments last night, and then some typical slap your face moments.  Major staff failure. 

Sean not much better.  I feel bad for him with the injuries, but the fact remains he's a guy well under 6 feet (no way is he the 5'10 he's listed) who can't shoot and can't finish attacking the basket.  Yes, he's very quick and can impact a game to some degree with his quickness, but his ceiling is a backup at this level. Before the shoulder injury, he wasn't showing anything other than that Nigel is already a clearly better option. 

Other guys Owens, Hamilton, etc., like their size and athleticism.  They need to slow down and play to what they do well right now.  Hamilton in the first half tried a ridiculous attack with his left hand and of course turned it over.  A 2nd half possession, he established nice low post position, took the pass and made a nice little jump hook.  Keep it simple and don't do what you're not capable should be the mantra for the young guys trying to develop.  And that's on the coaches to drive home. 

I would suggest that Norman is not a huge worry. He's big and long. Defends very well. Creates turnovers. And he's not playing all that much anyway

The problem is that the team is so devoid of consistent offense that you can "hide" him on that side of the floor. Two years ago, you could have easily put this version of Norman in as a 10-12 mpg sub for Stevie and you would have been fine. But now you have to put the ball in his hands too much because...well...who else are you counting on?

[Elonsmusk]

First year.  I'm not saying it would have been good (much like this year) , but he could have had a team without transfers.

Sh*t? Likely from how far you've got your head up Shaka's A$$

Says the guy who had his head so far up Wojo's A$$ for 5 years.  Can't make it up!  Let's dog the coach who came into MU after a 10 year NCAA tournament win drought, and took over for the 83rd ranked Steve Wojo squad - and delivers 4 NCAA bids in 4 season, two, Number 2 seeds, A Big East regular season and conference championship, and has made the Semi's of the Big East tournament 3 out of 4 years.

Program hits a speed bump and 90% of Scoop are bitching about the guy who accomplished the above.  It's a sad reflection on the die hard MU fanbase.

Things aren't great right now, but FFS Shaka should get some slack to get it sorted out even if it takes a couple of years, based on the first 4 he delivered.

[panda]

Says the guy who had his head so far up Wojo's A$$ for 5 years.  Can't make it up!  Let's dog the coach who came into MU after a 10 year NCAA tournament win drought, and took over for the 83rd ranked Steve Wojo squad - and delivers 4 NCAA bids in 4 season, two, Number 2 seeds, A Big East regular season and conference championship, and has made the Semi's of the Big East tournament 3 out of 4 years.

Program hits a speed bump and 90% of Scoop are bitching about the guy who accomplished the above.  It's a sad reflection on the die hard MU fanbase.

Things aren't great right now, but FFS Shaka should get some slack to get it sorted out even if it takes a couple of years, based on the first 4 he delivered.

Buddy - we've been hitting "speed bumps" since last January. Anyone with one eye and half a brain could see a train wreck coming this year.

[The Sultan]

Says the guy who had his head so far up Wojo's A$$ for 5 years.  Can't make it up!  Let's dog the coach who came into MU after a 10 year NCAA tournament win drought, and took over for the 83rd ranked Steve Wojo squad - and delivers 4 NCAA bids in 4 season, two, Number 2 seeds, A Big East regular season and conference championship, and has made the Semi's of the Big East tournament 3 out of 4 years.

Program hits a speed bump and 90% of Scoop are bitching about the guy who accomplished the above.  It's a sad reflection on the die hard MU fanbase.

Things aren't great right now, but FFS Shaka should get some slack to get it sorted out even if it takes a couple of years, based on the first 4 he delivered.

A couple of years? What does "get it sorted out" look like to you? By the way, that's quite the different standard than post-Maryland when you insisted this was still a bubble team.

The fact is that this slide started last year...against Dayton ironically. And the recruiting misses have been pretty obvious dating back to then. Look a the junior and sophomore class right now. You have one decent player in Zaide. Parham is basically the guy he was last year, but he's a rotational guy at least. Damarious can't play. Tre gives you some decent defense, but is a void offensively. Caedin may not even be a D1 level player.

You have to have your head in the sand not to realize it's pretty bleak. Especially since there is a method where you can fix your roster immediately these days.

[Hards Alumni]

I would suggest that Norman is not a huge worry. He's big and long. Defends very well. Creates turnovers. And he's not playing all that much anyway

The problem is that the team is so devoid of consistent offense that you can "hide" him on that side of the floor. Two years ago, you could have easily put this version of Norman in as a 10-12 mpg sub for Stevie and you would have been fine. But now you have to put the ball in his hands too much because...well...who else are you counting on?

I agree.  Outside of his turnovers he's probably been the most improved player from last year.

[Hards Alumni]

Says the guy who had his head so far up Wojo's A$$ for 5 years.  Can't make it up!  Let's dog the coach who came into MU after a 10 year NCAA tournament win drought, and took over for the 83rd ranked Steve Wojo squad - and delivers 4 NCAA bids in 4 season, two, Number 2 seeds, A Big East regular season and conference championship, and has made the Semi's of the Big East tournament 3 out of 4 years.

Program hits a speed bump and 90% of Scoop are bitching about the guy who accomplished the above.  It's a sad reflection on the die hard MU fanbase.

Things aren't great right now, but FFS Shaka should get some slack to get it sorted out even if it takes a couple of years, based on the first 4 he delivered.

I'm not sure how you're able to breathe with Shaka's meat so far down your throat.

It's okay to give Shaka some time to figure this out, but he is certainly the guy who should be getting the bulk of the criticism.

[Elonsmusk]

I'm not sure how you're able to breathe with Shaka's meat so far down your throat.

It's okay to give Shaka some time to figure this out, but he is certainly the guy who should be getting the bulk of the criticism.

I'd rather give some grace to a guy like Shaka who has accomplished far more in his head coaching career, and at MU, than a guy like Wojo.  Ironically, you and many of the Scoopers who are throwing Shaka under the bus for a rough start to Year 5 had Wojo's meat rammed down your throats gleefully for 5 years and he'd accomplished dick.

[cheebs09]

It's also concerning that this is the time of year the continuity should have its largest advantage. Plus, the teams we are losing to aren't top tier teams.

[Hards Alumni]

I'd rather give some grace to a guy like Shaka who has accomplished far more in his head coaching career, and at MU, than a guy like Wojo.  Ironically, you and many of the Scoopers who are throwing Shaka under the bus for a rough start to Year 5 had Wojo's meat rammed down your throats gleefully for 5 years and he'd accomplished dick.

Oh, I don't disagree.  Anyone saying Shaka should be fired is just unhinged.  He will, however, need to reevaluate what he is doing, and changes will need to be made.  Those changes are up to him, of course, but they need to have an impact.  Wojo didn't change, and the door was shown.  I have much more faith in Shaka's ability to problem solve, but he will need to be more flexible in his philosophy.

I'm guessing that if things don't drastically improve next year he will be on the hot seat in a big time prove it year.

[Pakuni]

If the defense for Shaka right now is "he isn't Wojo," then we're effed.
Wojo isn't the bar, guys.

[Billy Hoyle]

I'm confused about something: when Shaka got here the first thing he did was convince Kolik  and Prosper to transfer into the program. After striking gold using this method, why did he suddenly decide to stop pursuing transfers? I don't get it.

He's made RGV a brand, HIS brand. The main banner on the Spirit Shop's website is for the "RVG Collection" and there are six pages of RGV branded gear, including hats, pint glasses, and car magnets. Never mind that, as you mentioned, his best player, the driver to the first outright conference title for MU since 2003 and first conference tourney title in 1997, was a transfer.  But forget about that, there's too much invested in RVG.

[rocky_warrior]

Things aren't great right now,

All insults aside, that's really the problem. Last night felt and looked awful. I'm pretty sure Grant even helped Marquette at the end by having Bennett out there, he looked bad too.

[Hards Alumni]

All insults aside, that's really the problem. Last night felt and looked awful. I'm pretty sure Grant even helped Marquette at the end by having Bennett out there, he looked bad too.

100%

[Elonsmusk]

If the defense for Shaka right now is "he isn't Wojo," then we're effed.
Wojo isn't the bar, guys.

What part of Sweet 16, two NCAA Tournament 2 seeds, 4 out of 4 seasons in the NCAA, a Big East Regular and Conference Tournament title didn't you understand?  Not to mention he's been to a Final Four.

[The Sultan]

What part of Sweet 16, two NCAA Tournament 2 seeds, 4 out of 4 seasons in the NCAA, a Big East Regular and Conference Tournament title didn't you understand?  Not to mention he's been to a Final Four.

No one is doubting what he has accomplished. They are doubting that if his way can sustain moving forward because the landscape is significantly different.

[panda]

What part of Sweet 16, two NCAA Tournament 2 seeds, 4 out of 4 seasons in the NCAA, a Big East Regular and Conference Tournament title didn't you understand?  Not to mention he's been to a Final Four.

Better cherish those accomplishments. Not happening anytime soon if the roster philosophy doesn't change.

[Elonsmusk]

All insults aside, that's really the problem. Last night felt and looked awful. I'm pretty sure Grant even helped Marquette at the end by having Bennett out there, he looked bad too.

Yes, things aren't great right now.  We can all agree on that.  It just strikes me as petty, and ungrateful, that our passionate Scoop fanbase is bitching about Shaka after what he's done here in 4 years.

Shaka's a bright guy.  He will get it sorted out.  It may take a year or two, but it will get resolved.

Last night was ugly, but I still feel this team will be one that improves over the course of the year, versus the one that faded last season. 

[Pakuni]

What part of Sweet 16, two NCAA Tournament 2 seeds, 4 out of 4 seasons in the NCAA, a Big East Regular and Conference Tournament title didn't you understand?  Not to mention he's been to a Final Four.

One Sweet 16 and one conference title in 5 years should be the minimum expectation for a program like MU, not a lifetime pass from legitimate criticism.

An NCAA tournament seed is meaningless if you don't take advantage of it. Rather be an 11 and make the Sweet 16 than be a 2 and exit over the first weekend.

[rocky_warrior]

Ners wants us to just be grateful for shaka, and the learning experience he gave the players last night!

I've been to a final four too, pretty awesome experience. Now, stop being ungrateful for me.

[Elonsmusk]

Better cherish those accomplishments. Not happening anytime soon if the roster philosophy doesn't change.

Except Shaka's recruiting classes are getting better year over year.  He's adding shooters - Phillips, Millecic, Nash Walker - and Sheek and Egbouno are his two highest rated recruits.

And, I do think Shaka will adjust and grab a transfer when it makes sense and the dollars work.

[panda]

Except Shaka's recruiting classes are getting better year over year.  He's adding shooters - Phillips, Millecic, Nash Walker - and Sheek and Egbouno are his two highest rated recruits.

And, I do think Shaka will adjust and grab a transfer when it makes sense and the dollars work.

I'll believe it when I see it. His high school talent evaluation is suspect.

[Elonsmusk]

One Sweet 16 and one conference title in 5 years should be the minimum expectation for a program like MU, not a lifetime pass from legitimate criticism.

An NCAA tournament seed is meaningless if you don't take advantage of it. Rather be an 11 and make the Sweet 16 than be a 2 and exit over the first weekend.

Dude - Marquette isn't a Top 10 program, especially now in the era of pay for play players. 

Shaka came into a train wreck and delivered great results.  We hit a speed bump this year, and spoiled Scoopers were turning into toddlers 3 games into Season 5.

[cheebs09]

I feel you can still promote RGV with sprinkling in some transfers. We've put two guys in the pros that were transfers.

Also, if that's the big recruiting advantage, I'm not sure we are reaping the benefits of it based on what looks to be some recruiting misses over the last few years.

[MurphysTillClose]

Man you're dumb.