James vs Jones

[The Sultan]

It makes a lot of sense given what Shaka entered this season with.

If he wasn't willing to hit the portal this year, why would he next year? I hope he does, but I'm thinking he'd prefer Sean Jones stay than have to go to the portal and get another PG.

I think there are two reasons. First, if this year continues down this track, it will be the continuation of a downward trend that ends with the bottom falling out. He would need to realize that there just isn't enough talent on the roster and that his prefered method to build a team needs some alterations.

Second, I will be surprised if there are no transfers out after this year. I think it is one thing to sacrifice playing time when the team is successful, but bad seasons can become bad locker rooms, and players may just want to move on to somewhere else.

[GoldenEagles03]

It makes zero sense. I guess start Norman over Ross. Ross is gone anyway next year so may want to start Norman instead so he doesn't get  mad and transfer.

That's a completely different scenario.

I'm all for Nigel starting over Sean and I hope he does. I just don't trust Shaka to do it.

[GoldenEagles03]

I think there are two reasons. First, if this year continues down this track, it will be the continuation of a downward trend that ends with the bottom falling out. He would need to realize that there just isn't enough talent on the roster and that his prefered method to build a team needs some alterations.

Second, I will be surprised if there are no transfers out after this year. I think it is one thing to sacrifice playing time when the team is successful, but bad seasons can become bad locker rooms, and players may just want to move on to somewhere else.

I hope there is some turnover, preferably with Hamilton first...but if they already gave him the delusional idea that he is good enough to start here...why would he leave next year when he will be getting paid more.

I want to believe we will cut ties with those that are clearly incapable, but I'll have to see it first.

[The Sultan]

I hope there is some turnover, preferably with Hamilton first...but if they already gave him the delusional idea that he is good enough to start here...why would he leave next year when he will be getting paid more.

I want to believe we will cut ties with those that are clearly incapable, but I'll have to see it first.

It will also be the players. A hypothetical here...  Why wouldn't you leave if you are Demarius Owens? You were a top 100 player who can't get playing time on a bad team. And you have two years left to salvage your career.

[MU82]

It makes a lot of sense given what Shaka entered this season with.

If he wasn't willing to hit the portal this year, why would he next year? I hope he does, but I'm thinking he'd prefer Sean Jones stay than have to go to the portal and get another PG.

Wut? You're really struggling with this one.

[GoldenEagles03]

Wut? You're really struggling with this one.

It's really not as difficult as you are (Jay Bee peer edit) making it seem.

[GoldenEagles03]

It will also be the players. A hypothetical here...  Why wouldn't you leave if you are Demarius Owens? You were a top 100 player who can't get playing time on a bad team. And you have two years left to salvage your career.

Maybe, but he'd also probably be leaving a lot of money on the table based on how Marquette is rumored to structure the pay.

He's not going to get anything lucrative in the portal based on how he's played. It will certainly be interesting to see what some guys decide to do.

Caedin, Tre, Damarius and possibly Sean at the top of the list.

[Jay Bee]

It's really not as difficult as your making it seem.

Is spelling as difficult as you're making it?

[GoldenEagles03]

Is spelling as difficult as you're making it?

The guy I'm conversing with spelled 'What'... 'Wut' so it doesn't seem too important.

[BM1090]

It makes a lot of sense given what Shaka entered this season with.

If he wasn't willing to hit the portal this year, why would he next year? I hope he does, but I'm thinking he'd prefer Sean Jones stay than have to go to the portal and get another PG.

I'm sure he'd prefer Sean stay, but not at the expense of playing his 2nd best player

[GoldenEagles03]

I'm sure he'd prefer Sean stay, but not at the expense of playing his 2nd best player

We should soon find out!

[MU82]

It's really not as difficult as you are (Jay Bee peer edit) making it seem.

My post on the subject couldn't have been simpler: Nigel will keep starting.

You, on the other hand, made a nonsensical post that also "made it difficult," bringing in factors that had nothing to do with who's the better player. Funny!

[GoldenEagles03]

My post on the subject couldn't have been simpler: Nigel will keep starting.

You, on the other hand, made a nonsensical post that also "made it difficult," bringing in factors that had nothing to do with who's the better player. Funny!

I'm in agreement that Nigel is better.

I'm just not sold that Shaka will continue to start him is all. I don't think anyone thinks Sean is better.

[MU82]

I'm in agreement that Nigel is better.

I'm just not sold that Shaka will continue to start him is all. I don't think anyone thinks Sean is better.

I disagree that Shaka will turn back to Sean ... but at least this is less "difficult" than your convoluted reasoning about Shaka benching his second-best player because he's afraid of losing Sean to the portal but not afraid of losing Nigel to the portal.

[GoldenEagles03]

I disagree that Shaka will turn back to Sean ... but at least this is less "difficult" than your convoluted reasoning about Shaka benching his second-best player because he's afraid of losing Sean to the portal but not afraid of losing Nigel to the portal.

Freshman know what they are signing up for when they come to Marquette. Nigel is the first Freshman to start for Shaka so I don't think it would be even a little bit of a surprise to see him turn back to Sean.

We shall see soon enough.

[DoctorV]

I was going to start a thread about Nigel James Jr. and his odds of getting BE Freshman of the Year but I'll just put it here

Nigel will likely be on a short list with
Acaden Lewis and Matt Hodge from Villanova and Reibe from UConn for the award.

That, on its own, answers the question for me. Nigel should start and play a majority of the minutes, with Sean relieving him and giving Marquette a different look as needed.

I think Nigel will have a great shot at the award, given a full season of health