James vs Jones

[TSmith34, Inc.]

I thought he would be that based on what the staff has been saying. Shaka was talking him up as ready to go last year. At one point, when asked about his impact another staff member pointed to Marquette having different players be back-to-back Cousy nominees (Tyler & Kam).

If you believed what the staff was saying about these guys, their self-evaluation indicated Sean would at least be an all-league caliber guy this year. Part of my concern going forward is their evaluations of many of these players and the belief this roster would be competitive based on said evaluations.

Past evidence indicates that Shaka indulges in a lot of this sort of Coach Talk. However, nothing in Sean's ACTUAL performances indicated this, and that was before coming off a major knee injury. Expecting him to leap from "energy guy that couldn't shoot and got burned on defense repeatedly despite all-world speed, then had a major knee injury" to "star" seems like a fantasy.

For all the other good things the staff says about him, I just don't think he is a guy that can consistently help achieve the V part of RGV.

[Jay Bee]

I suggested another option of going small, you must have missed that.  Weird.

Suggest? You say you "wouldn't hate" it if Zaide isn't awful.

First it was CHs mins are fine bc Royce doesn't deserve them. Now you're hinting maybe smaller would be ok, but I can't tell.

Is your stance that CH's minutes are too high or not?

[Its DJOver]

Suggest? You say you "wouldn't hate" it if Zaide isn't awful.

First it was CHs mins are fine bc Royce doesn't deserve them. Now you're hinting maybe smaller would be ok, but I can't tell.

Is your stance that CH's minutes are too high or not?

My stance is that everyone that isn't Chase, Ben and NJ's minutes are too high, but unless were going to start playing 4 v 5, 200 minutes have to come from somewhere. CH has been getting a ton of hate and I agree that he's not great, but there are no good options, and overall I'm more disappointed about true Sophomore's regressing than I am about a RSSP only improving marginally.

[brewcity77]

Past evidence indicates that Shaka indulges in a lot of this sort of Coach Talk. However, nothing in Sean's ACTUAL performances indicated this, and that was before coming off a major knee injury. Expecting him to leap from "energy guy that couldn't shoot and got burned on defense repeatedly despite all-world speed, then had a major knee injury" to "star" seems like a fantasy.

For all the other good things the staff says about him, I just don't think he is a guy that can consistently help achieve the V part of RGV.

Yeah, but they typically keep on with that coach talk until it's proven otherwise, then stop talking about the player altogether. The Sean stuff started nearly a year ago and continued until last month. I truly believe they THOUGHT he was going to be that type of player.

The other thing that gave me faith is DeAndre Haynes' track record with guards. Zavier Simpson, Ant Cowan, Eric Ayala, Tyler Kolek, Kam Jones, it was a pretty decent sample size and this staff showed the ability to get players to develop. The combination of the staff's belief and their developmental track record seemed like pretty sound rationale to believe Sean would be ready to be an all-league player this year (not necessarily first team, but someone in that top-15 players).

As much as it's starting to look like we had an awesome crop of talent on that first team that carried us for years, the way players emerged year after year gave me hope it would continue beyond the Guardians.

[MU82]

I thought Stevens played quite well yesterday. Mostly stayed with his man; made all 3 shots he took, including a 3 we desperately needed at the time; hit 2 big FTs; didn't try to force things offensively; and still had energy at the end despite having played most of the 2H and OT in place of the deservedly benched Lowery.

He obviously needs to keep getting better, but with Stevens and James, that's a nice start to a "backcourt of the future."

Sorry if that's being too positive about something having to do with Marquette basketball.

[vogue65]

I thought Stevens played quite well yesterday. Mostly stayed with his man; made all 3 shots he took, including a 3 we desperately needed at the time; hit 2 big FTs; didn't try to force things offensively; and still had energy at the end despite having played most of the 2H and OT in place of the deservedly benched Lowery.

He obviously needs to keep getting better, but with Stevens and James, that's a nice start to a "backcourt of the future."

Sorry if that's being too positive about something having to do with Marquette basketball.

The future is now.  Look at what the kid can do, not what he can't do yet.

[jesmu84]

Jones is a backup PG for 5-10 min at most. That's his role on this team.

[CountryRoads]

Jones is a backup PG for 5-10 min at most. That's his role on this team.

This year and next.

[MU82]

Huh. Jones is healthy but Shaka still started James. We were told 637 times by GE03 that wouldn't happen. Huh.

[TSmith34, Inc.]

Huh. Jones is healthy but Shaka still started James. We were told 637 times by GE03 that wouldn't happen. Huh.

Because we don't want him to get mad and transfer!

[GoldenEagles03]

Huh. Jones is healthy but Shaka still started James. We were told 637 times by GE03 that wouldn't happen. Huh.

I'm happy he didn't!

I really thought Shaka wouldn't have the balls. I enjoyed that part of today.

[MU82]

I'm happy he didn't!

I really thought Shaka wouldn't have the balls. I enjoyed that part of today.

I enjoyed it, too, but it wasn't even a little surprising. What "balls" did it take?

Stevens got the start over Lowery, too, as warranted. Hopefully, Parham over Hamilton is the next decision that shouldn't be difficult.

[GoldenEagles03]

I enjoyed it, too, but it wasn't even a little surprising. What "balls" did it take?

Stevens got the start over Lowery, too, as warranted. Hopefully, Parham over Hamilton is the next decision that shouldn't be difficult.

Because I truly think Shaka doesn't want to sniff the portal. And Sean is almost certainly going to leave as a guy lined up to be a bench player in his Senior year. I'm all for it, I just think Shaka isn't going to like it. In a year that's already lost, I thought he would just play the older guy.

[MU82]

Because I truly think Shaka doesn't want to sniff the portal. And Sean is almost certainly going to leave as a guy lined up to be a bench player in his Senior year. I'm all for it, I just think Shaka isn't going to like it. In a year that's already lost, I thought he would just play the older guy.

Thanks for having the "balls" to admit you were wrong.

[Jay Bee]

Hopefully, Parham over Hamilton is the next decision that shouldn't be difficult.

It only makes it more painful to deal with. It's 100% amazing. Crazy to an insane degree.

[panda]

It only makes it more painful to deal with. It's 100% amazing. Crazy to an insane degree.

But the hook shots. And the meaningless rebounds. How can you overlook those ?

[Shooter McGavin]

Where can we get plus minus stats for every game? 

[The Sultan]

Where can we get plus minus stats for every game? 

I go here for stats. +/- is kind of useless so I don't know if they have it.

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/marquette/men/2026-schedule.html

[TSmith34, Inc.]

Because I truly think Shaka doesn't want to sniff the portal. And Sean is almost certainly going to leave as a guy lined up to be a bench player in his Senior year. I'm all for it, I just think Shaka isn't going to like it. In a year that's already lost, I thought he would just play the older guy.

A) You speak with a certainty that isn't warranted
B) Then UCF or some other mid-major will be lucky to have him

[GoldenEagles03]

A) You speak with a certainty that isn't warranted
B) Then UCF or some other mid-major will be lucky to have him

Again...I'm fine with it.

Just not how Shaka typically operates. He loves his guys and will do whatever he can to avoid needing to bring in outside players

[MU82]

Again...I'm fine with it.

Just not how Shaka typically operates. He loves his guys and will do whatever he can to avoid needing to bring in outside players

And again, you said the exact same thing - with total certainty - about Jones returning to the starting lineup.

[hawk]

In an age of uncertainty I will suggest that Jones isn't going anywhere regarless of his status on the team.  For this season everybody should be damn glad he is back and playing.  James will wear down as season goes on and Jones will be of great value.  I thought he brought good energy to the team vs Wisconsin and given time to play himself into shape and back to feeling comfortable on the court I expect his performances to continue to improve.  Since Smart really doesn't like to play people more that 25 or 30 minutes a game and I don't see a true point guard in the incoming class, I suspect that he will stay to contribute to an improved team next year regardless of starting or not.  He could be a great mentor for James.  Looking forward to next season I would expect Owens and Norman to leave the program giving Smart two shots at the portal.  I think at least one of them will go to a senior or graduate student  as a center to solidify the only real need moving forward.

[MU82]

Looking forward to next season I would expect Owens and Norman to leave the program giving Smart two shots at the portal.  I think at least one of them will go to a senior or graduate student  as a center to solidify the only real need moving forward.

This is a total guess, with zero to support it. But it could be as good (or bad) as any number of other total guesses we Scoopers have been making.

[hawk]

Everything is a guess until it becomes a fact.  Knowledge is always past tense.  My guess is that Owwens isn't playing because he either can't or won't buy into Smarts thnking.  Regarless about what you think about MU's offense, they are scoring enough points to win games.  Defense seems to be the real issue and Owens has never presented as wantng to play defense.  I only surmise that Norman would leave because there seems no place for him to spread his wings at MU any longer.  15 players on a roster is a lot of players, I would not recind his schalorship but he may just choose to go.

[Jay Bee]

Everything is a guess until it becomes a fact.  Knowledge is always past tense.  My guess is that Owwens isn't playing because he either can't or won't buy into Smarts thnking.  Regarless about what you think about MU's offense, they are scoring enough points to win games.  Defense seems to be the real issue and Owens has never presented as wantng to play defense.  I only surmise that Norman would leave because there seems no place for him to spread his wings at MU any longer.  15 players on a roster is a lot of players, I would not recind his schalorship but he may just choose to go.

Is this like a fake account? Has to be.

Good lordt. There is no such thing as 'scoring enough points to win games). Our offense is insufferable and is the bigger issue... however, we knew there was an ugly floor this year. The defense, compared to reasonable expectations, has been brutally bad. Nonetheless, to be clear, our offense has been complete dog crap.