MU/Oklahoma Game Thread

[onepost]

You're literally just agreeing with me. This team isn't making the tournament.

Do any of you actually read what you're  responding to?

Of course I am. Even *referencing* the possibility of an at-large is comical. This team can't even get a decent shot off in 17 seconds and you're typing the words "at-large" as if it's in the realm of possibility?

[Pakuni]

Never said the criticism isn't valid. I said you're all being dramatic/hyperbolic.

We have losses to KenPom teams #60, #67 #92. Our best win is over KenPom #195.
I'm not sure it's possible to be too dramatic when describing what a disaster this team is right now.

[Billy Hoyle]

It is very hard to see where Gold has improved offensively during his time at MU. He has no inside game, which is a crime for a guy that size. He rushes his 3 pt shot and tries to shoot like Del Curry. That's been a big mistake and his 3pt % is the proof. Gold has improved on D and rebounds better but he's a liability on offense.

He has improved his rebounding and ability to put the ball on the floor and drive. He just doesn't do it enough

[BM1090]

Of course I am. Even *referencing* the possibility of an at-large is comical. This team can't even get a decent shot off in 17 seconds and you're typing the words "at-large" as if it's in the realm of possibility?

Didn't realize saying that barring a miracle this team isn't making the tournament means I think it's in the realm of possibility

[onepost]

Didn't realize saying that barring a miracle this team isn't making the tournament means I think it's in the realm of possibility

Well now you know

[MuggsyB]

We have losses to KenPom teams #60, #67 #92. Our best win is over KenPom #195.
I'm not sure it's possible to be too dramatic when describing what a disaster this team is right now.

Well said.  This is truly Defcon 1.  I have to recalculate a lot of stuff moving forward.  I honestly never thought we'd be in this position. 

[21Jumpstreet]

Tough one today, crowd was actually pretty good, and there was some good energy. Guys nearly won in spite of Shaka. The plays after TOs are brutal, we have now had the end of game situation twice and did the same thing. Shaka seemed very frustrated even yelling at Stevens. The mid second half collapses seem to indicate we don't either have the stamina or the horses to play the way we play for a full game. And, #13 dominated us, wow, he is a good player. I still think we improve as the season progresses, lots of good things today, but we have to finish. On to the next.

[Zog from Margo]

He has improved his rebounding and ability to put the ball on the floor and drive. He just doesn't do it enough

That true to a point. He's improved more as a defensive rebounder and he can't score if he does drive. He has absolutely no post-up game. Shaka's staff has done a good job with development generally, but they've done a poor job with Gold's offense. It might be the result of the Nevada Smith offense, which really has not worked for a while.

[HutchwasClutch]

Tough one today, crowd was actually pretty good, and there was some good energy. Guys nearly won in spite of Shaka. The plays after TOs are brutal, we have now had the end of game situation twice and did the same thing. Shaka seemed very frustrated even yelling at Stevens. The mid second half collapses seem to indicate we don't either have the stamina or the horses to play the way we play for a full game. And, #13 dominated us, wow, he is a good player. I still think we improve as the season progresses, lots of good things today, but we have to finish. On to the next loss.

You forgot a word

[willie warrior]

Well said.  This is truly Defcon 1.  I have to recalculate a lot of stuff moving forward.  I honestly never thought we'd be in this position. 

it was totally obvious last year looking foward

[onepost]

Look who killed us today:
- Pack: transfer 6th year senior
- Reid: transfer sophomore
- Davis: transfer senior
- Nwanko: transfer senior

[HutchwasClutch]

it was totally obvious last year looking foward

This is 2025. If you're not armed with game ready players in transfers, you better be bringing in the top 30 high school players to have a prayer at succeeding.  Redshirts who aren't developing amd high school kids in the 75-120 range will fall way short.  This isn't 2015 anymore.  The landscape has radically changed, but Shaka and a few people here think we can still pull this rabbit out of our ass.

[MuggsyB]

Tough one today, crowd was actually pretty good, and there was some good energy. Guys nearly won in spite of Shaka. The plays after TOs are brutal, we have now had the end of game situation twice and did the same thing. Shaka seemed very frustrated even yelling at Stevens. The mid second half collapses seem to indicate we don't either have the stamina or the horses to play the way we play for a full game. And, #13 dominated us, wow, he is a good player. I still think we improve as the season progresses, lots of good things today, but we have to finish. On to the next.

Jump,

The way I see it, our bigs are a more significant prob defensively and securing the glass.  When they switch, it's a total disaster.  Sometimes Ben is okay in tbe paint but all three of our bigs are a sieve defensively.  It's incredibly frustrating.  Poor/slow reactions with help as well. 

[onepost]

Well said.  This is truly Defcon 1.  I have to recalculate a lot of stuff moving forward.  I honestly never thought we'd be in this position. 

It's been obvious since Jan 1st, 2025. We were Weekend at Bernie's the last 3 months of last season.

[CountryRoads]

Look who killed us today:
- Pack: transfer 6th year senior
- Reid: transfer sophomore
- Davis: transfer senior
- Nwanko: transfer senior

The other losses wouldn't look much different.

[HutchwasClutch]

Look who killed us today:
- Pack: transfer 6th year senior
- Reid: transfer sophomore
- Davis: transfer senior
- Nwanko: transfer senior

Yep. And we've got Ben Gold as one of our two seniors.  Hopeless. 

[MuggsyB]

it was totally obvious last year looking foward

Perhaps. I thought guys would develop.  Boy is this frustrating . 

[Elonsmusk]

So the play was, Nigel dribble around, then Chase dribble around.  Not a single screen or anything resembling a play

Agree with this..we really don't screen much at all in our offense.  It's space it way out, try to break down the D off the dribble and either finish at the rim or kick out for a three. 

[21Jumpstreet]

Jump,

The way I see it, our bigs are a more significant prob defensively and securing the glass.  When they switch, it's a total disaster.  Sometimes Ben is okay in tbe paint but all three of our bigs are a sieve defensively.  It's incredibly frustrating.  Poor/slow reactions with help as well. 

I hear you, Muggs. Perhaps the defensive philosophy is so poor at putting our bigs in a good position that they really don't have a chance. They are not good enough yet, so maybe switch the way we defend a little.

I think Shaka needs to embrace the G in RGV.

[21Jumpstreet]

Agree with this..we really don't screen much at all in our offense.  It's space it way out, try to break down the D off the dribble and either finish at the rim or kick out for a three. 

Pretty simple offense with a guru on the bench. That 17 seconds was brutally frustrating.

[onepost]

Perhaps. I thought guys would develop.  Boy is this frustrating .

In Shaka's 5 seasons, he's had one (1) recruit who's truly developed: Chase Ross. What led you to believe he was capable of developing his own guys in a meaningful way? The fact Hamilton, Gold, Norman have all improved and still absolutely suck tells you all you need to know.

He either can't develop heralded recruits (Ellis, Owens, Amadou, Norman, Jones) that they transfer out or don't belong or his recruits are so bad (Gold, Hamilton, Clark, Itejere) that even modest improvement makes them largely unplayable or clear that they don't belong.

[MuggsyB]

I hear you, Muggs. Perhaps the defensive philosophy is so poor at putting our bigs in a good position that they really don't have a chance. They are not good enough yet, so maybe switch the way we defend a little.

I think Shaka needs to embrace the G in RGV.

They're also bad in zone as evidenced by that wide open corner triple late.  I have no idea Jump, why Shaka would put two bigs on the floor in a close game down tbe stretch.  I think I probably go Chase, Nigel, Zaide, Stevens, Royce or Ben.

[21Jumpstreet]

They're also bad in zone as evidenced by that wide open corner triple late.  I have no idea Jump, why Shaka would put two bigs on the floor in a close game down tbe stretch.  I think I probably go Chase, Nigel, Zaide, Stevens, Royce or Ben.

I thought Shaka was poor today, all around. I realize the zone we play leaves the corners open, but after we give up so many, I think we need to change. Shaka seems so stubborn, which surprises me a little. Growth sure doesn't happen on the back of stubbornness.

[MuggsyB]

In Shaka's 5 seasons, he's had one (1) recruit who's truly developed: Chase Ross. What led you to believe he was capable of developing his own guys in a meaningful way? The fact Hamilton, Gold, Norman have all improved and still absolutely suck tells you all you need to know.

He either can't develop heralded recruits (Ellis, Owens, Amadou, Norman, Jones) that they transfer out or don't belong or his recruits are so bad (Gold, Hamilton, Clark, Itejere) that even modest improvement makes them largely unplayable or clear that they don't belong.

I understand this is tremendously upsetting.  Would you completely start over?  I was just curious. 

[HutchwasClutch]

I understand this is tremendously upsetting.  Would you completely start over?  I was just curious.

Muggsy, Shaka either needs to adapt to the landscape of college athletics in 2025 or get out of the way.  I had a little hope yet too it was just early, but I'm done after today. We've failed every test and haven't even played a true road game yet.