Shaka's Response

[Vander Blue Man Group]

We have a thread on "Shaka's Mess" but I'm curious to see what his response is in a number of areas. 

While there have obviously been challenges at times during his first 4 seasons, I think most would agree that they're very happy with the results, aside from the earlier than expected exits as 2 seeds. 

This is the first time at Marquette he's faced some real adversity in terms of his approach, the team's performance, the media, the fans, etc. 

For example, I love watching his pressers and interviews.  I didn't see the presser after the Dayton game but it sounds like he may have gotten a little snippy with Ben Steele, which is out of character for him.

Very curious to see what his response will be in terms of:

-Starting lineup:  Will he replace Caedin?  Does Nigel continue to start when Sean comes back?
-Rotation:  He's already tightened that up a bit but will that continue?  Can Owens eventually earn some minutes? Will Stevens play more?  Can Phillips carve out a role if his defense improves?
-Defensive approach: Our man defense has obviously been horrendous.  Will he play more zone?  When in man, will he stop hedging with Ben so far away from the basket?
-Development:  Will anything click with any of the guys we were all hoping to see much more from? Especially Owens & Parham. This will go a long way towards the expectations for next season.
-Interactions with the media: What sounds insightful when you're winning can take on a different tone when you're losing.  Shaka is a smart dude - will we see that accountability, awareness, and introspection if things continue to go poorly.

Looks, this sucks.  No one expected this and I think it's led to some overreactions but many of the concerns are valid based on what we've seen so far. 

What are you looking for out of Shaka the rest of the way?

[CountryRoads]

I'll just take it one game at a time. Things I'd like to see tomorrow:

1. Tight rotation with only 8 players getting more than 10 minutes. Our starters need as many possible minutes on the court together. I have no interest in seeing Clark, Phillips, etc get extended run at this point. I don't want hockey line changes with random lineups.
2. Minimal press. We could get 50 deflections against this garbage team tomorrow but it's a waste of time. Less Gold 40 feet from the basket even if it would work against this cupcake.
3. Hamilton loses his starting spot. Shaka needs to drop his weird mission of "trying to prove people wrong" with him (reference last press conference). It's throwing things out of whack. The closer he goes to 0 minutes, the better we'll be and things will look more normal.

[Scoop Snoop]

Agree with just about all of CountryRoads, but I think Clark should be given a chance to show what he can do while Hamilton watches from the bench. I'm NOT talking starter-just a few minutes here and there. It's worth a try, and a cupcake game is the time to take the chance. To be clear, I do not have high hopes that Clark will shine, but stranger things have happened.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Agree with just about all of CountryRoads, but I think Clark should be given a chance to show what he can do while Hamilton watches from the bench. I'm NOT talking starter-just a few minutes here and there. It's worth a try, and a cupcake game is the time to take the chance. To be clear, I do not have high hopes that Clark will shine, but stranger things have happened.

I think we can agree Clark has a higher upside due to his size and more years of eligibility.  I'm more than fine carrying him to see what he can be as a junior and senior. 

The staff's talent evaluation and development worked so well with the recent core.  Yes, some were Wojo recruits and transfers but Shaka had to identify or re-recruit and development all that talent. 

That wasn't just luck but did the staff get a little high on their own supply after all of that success? 

Have their been some blinders on with the current roster based on what happened previously? 

[panda]

I've said it in another thread and I'll say it again here - if I'm Royce parham and Caedin Hamilton keep starting over me, I'm high tailing it straight out of town at the end of the year. Boost up parham and let Clark acquaint himself with the pine. 

[Vander Blue Man Group]

I've said it in another thread and I'll say it again here - if I'm Royce parham and Caedin Hamilton keep starting over me, I'm high tailing it straight out of town at the end of the year. Boost up parham and let Clark acquaint himself with the pine. 

Parham is playing more MPG. 

I think he should be starting, too, but he's getting minutes and has not been particularly good. 

[Shooter McGavin]

Parham is playing more MPG. 

I think he should be starting, too, but he's getting minutes and has not been particularly good. 

There just seems to be more upside with Parham.  So I think Shaka should continue to give him more minutes.

Could Caedin be used for offensive sets down on the block? Play him 5-10 minutes a game and run some plays for him? I know that's not Shaka's style but he does look like he has a couple moves. 

[MU82]

Parham is playing more MPG. 

I think he should be starting, too, but he's getting minutes and has not been particularly good. 

Parham has played at crunch time, too. The only time Caedin did was when Gold was hurt.