MU 2026-27 - Not too early

[MessWithAll]

Yes, early to discuss this topic...but this season is clearly toast. Still rooting HARD for the guys!  Gotta also look forward as well. Gives us some glimmers of hope. Poor Chase. He's a top 2-3 player in the BEAST, while having an awesome SR season...but might not even make the NIT.  He will be missed. Gold is also gone.  He will not be missed. Guys I want back next year:
Nigel, of course.
Stevens
Phillips
Sheek
Clark...even if he hardly plays next season, some long term upside there.

Everybody else: K-bye.  Best of luck. Recruit/transfer portal over all of them. Tough choices, but the right thing to do for the program, Shaka.  You can't finish bottom 4 in the conference in year 5 without some major, major changes.  Relationships, Growth, and Victories only go so far without basketball talent. Need a few veteran bigs for sure (not named Ed Morrow please).  BTW, big Shaka fan who would love to see him adjust his philosophy after this season.

Go Marquette!!!

[Galway Eagle]

The only thing with this is if you run this exercise last year you're likely including Owens and Parham. If we put all our eggs into freshmen we're constantly running the game of "grass is greener with the young ones"

Now yes Tre probably shouldn't return, nor should Caedin or Sean. That said I think it's too early to throw out the sophomores and Zaide, despite having some issues, has been decent enough.

[MarquetteMike1977]

Offer Big bucks to Nolan Minessale if in the portal is a start Go Marquette!

[CountryRoads]

IMO, need to replace at least 3 upperclassmen with better players to have much of a chance next year. Too much complacency now within the program.

[MessWithAll]

The only thing with this is if you run this exercise last year you're likely including Owens and Parham. If we put all our eggs into freshmen we're constantly running the game of "grass is greener with the young ones"

Now yes Tre probably shouldn't return, nor should Caedin or Sean. That said I think it's too early to throw out the sophomores and Zaide, despite having some issues, has been decent enough.

Great points Galway. I threw a few Frosh in there because they've gotten so few minutes there's some upside. Bringing Lowrey back is OK with me. Versatile on D. The O is still pretty much hit a 3 or a Nigel lob or bust, but Im OK with him next season.

[1SE]

I'm disappointed with Zaide - really thought he was going to take a step - flashes of it (his oops have been about the only plays that have got me out of thr chair all season) but then he just dissappears. Really a back court of zaide, chase and Nigel should be one of the better ones in the BE - I'd get them as many minutes together as possible. Stevens and Phillips seem decent for backup next season.

The front court? Keep Sheek since I guess we don't know what he can do - give Clark plenty of ben and caedins minutes to see if there is any hope, but it is absolutely clear we need to grab one or two bits in the portal (just like it had been the last w seasons) 

[wadesworld]

Yes, early to discuss this topic...but this season is clearly toast. Still rooting HARD for the guys!  Gotta also look forward as well. Gives us some glimmers of hope. Poor Chase. He's a top 2-3 player in the BEAST, while having an awesome SR season...but might not even make the NIT.  He will be missed. Gold is also gone.  He will not be missed. Guys I want back next year:
Nigel, of course.
Stevens
Phillips
Sheek
Clark...even if he hardly plays next season, some long term upside there.

Everybody else: K-bye.  Best of luck. Recruit/transfer portal over all of them. Tough choices, but the right thing to do for the program, Shaka.  You can't finish bottom 4 in the conference in year 5 without some major, major changes.  Relationships, Growth, and Victories only go so far without basketball talent. Need a few veteran bigs for sure (not named Ed Morrow please).  BTW, big Shaka fan who would love to see him adjust his philosophy after this season.

Go Marquette!!!

Yeah, Shaka's not running 6 guys off. Hopefully he adds a couple of guys in the portal and some of the current guys on the roster develop.

[The Sultan]

Yes, early to discuss this topic...but this season is clearly toast. Still rooting HARD for the guys!  Gotta also look forward as well. Gives us some glimmers of hope. Poor Chase. He's a top 2-3 player in the BEAST, while having an awesome SR season...but might not even make the NIT.  He will be missed. Gold is also gone.  He will not be missed. Guys I want back next year:
Nigel, of course.
Stevens
Phillips
Sheek
Clark...even if he hardly plays next season, some long term upside there.

Everybody else: K-bye.  Best of luck. Recruit/transfer portal over all of them. Tough choices, but the right thing to do for the program, Shaka.  You can't finish bottom 4 in the conference in year 5 without some major, major changes.  Relationships, Growth, and Victories only go so far without basketball talent. Need a few veteran bigs for sure (not named Ed Morrow please).  BTW, big Shaka fan who would love to see him adjust his philosophy after this season.

Go Marquette!!!

Marquette isn't going to get "a few veteran bigs" though the portal even if Shaka was inclined to do so.

There are realistic criticisms and then there is fantasy college basketball nonsense like this.

[brewcity77]

If we shift to more of a Purdue/UConn model, it'll likely be incremental. If anyone moves on, it'll likely be from next year's junior or senior classes. It won't be 5 or 6, it'll be 1 or 2.

The reality is if you're a big Shaka fan and want him to continue, that means taking his RGV model, maybe with some minor alterations. He's not going to flip from all HS growth to fantasy basketball in one offseason.

[The Sultan]

Right. Because you are likely going to have to deal with players who are looking elsewhere as well. Wouldn't you if you were Nigel James?

[HutchwasClutch]

Right. Because you are likely going to have to deal with players who are looking elsewhere as well. Wouldn't you if you were Nigel James?

The thread about what to do when Jones returns...if he gets his starting job back over Nigel and/or takes away say 10 or more minutes from what Nigel's been getting with him out, I'd be out if I were Nigel.  He could go anywhere he wants in the country and not play behind or share minutes with a clearly inferior player.

[HutchwasClutch]

I still believe in Parham.  He's a natural scorer with legit size and length.  He'll get it going soon I feel and be one of their core players.  Guys with his size, length, and scoring ability at every level are difficult to find.  He'll be fine. 

I like a lot about Zaide, but he really needs to attack with authority and learn to embrace contact. If he does that, he can be a big time contributor. 

The rest after those two and Nigel (not including Chase since this is about after this season) little to nothing to feel excited about.  I suppose maybe Phillips.  He's a project at best.  A ton of people were enamored with Owens this time last year. 

[muwarrior69]

Yes, early to discuss this topic...but this season is clearly toast. Still rooting HARD for the guys!  Gotta also look forward as well. Gives us some glimmers of hope. Poor Chase. He's a top 2-3 player in the BEAST, while having an awesome SR season...but might not even make the NIT.  He will be missed. Gold is also gone.  He will not be missed. Guys I want back next year:
Nigel, of course.
Stevens
Phillips
Sheek
Clark...even if he hardly plays next season, some long term upside there.

Everybody else: K-bye.  Best of luck. Recruit/transfer portal over all of them. Tough choices, but the right thing to do for the program, Shaka.  You can't finish bottom 4 in the conference in year 5 without some major, major changes.  Relationships, Growth, and Victories only go so far without basketball talent. Need a few veteran bigs for sure (not named Ed Morrow please).  BTW, big Shaka fan who would love to see him adjust his philosophy after this season.

Go Marquette!!!

You wouldn't even give a chance of the other "freshman" class? One of our most glaring weaknesses is consistent outside shooting. Let's see if Miletic and Walker are good shooters before you write them off. Also Everyone seems to be high on Egbuono.

[GoldenWarrior11]

If we shift to more of a Purdue/UConn model, it'll likely be incremental. If anyone moves on, it'll likely be from next year's junior or senior classes. It won't be 5 or 6, it'll be 1 or 2.

The reality is if you're a big Shaka fan and want him to continue, that means taking his RGV model, maybe with some minor alterations. He's not going to flip from all HS growth to fantasy basketball in one offseason.

The fear is obviously that minor alterations may not be enough to have a team next year of competing for an NCAAT spot.  The upper classmen just don't have the talent to compete at this level.

This year's team is looking at 18+ losses.  Can the program afford to commit to two straight years of not just rebuilding but non-competitiveness?  I guess we lived through the Wojo era, so two years is really nothing. 

[Warrior of Law]

I'm disappointed with Zaide - really thought he was going to take a step - flashes of it (his oops have been about the only plays that have got me out of thr chair all season) but then he just dissappears. Really a back court of zaide, chase and Nigel should be one of the better ones in the BE - I'd get them as many minutes together as possible. Stevens and Phillips seem decent for backup next season.

The front court? Keep Sheek since I guess we don't know what he can do - give Clark plenty of ben and caedins minutes to see if there is any hope, but it is absolutely clear we need to grab one or two bits in the portal (just like it had been the last w seasons) 

Obviously, everyone would feel differently if MU had either split (2-2) or went (3-1) in the high major games. But for Indiana, they were all winnable games with some poor late game execution. The reason that I am slightly optimistic that things will improve is because I don't think Lowery and Gold are this bad. Lowery and Gold's shooting percentages are way down from last year which is likely due to the lack of penetration from the guards. If James and Ross can continue to get in the paint, it should open up for some better looks. Owens has been a no-show to date, so there's some potential bench contributions from his end.

[Viper]

The fear is obviously that minor alterations may not be enough to have a team next year of competing for an NCAAT spot.  The upper classmen just don't have the talent to compete at this level.

This year's team is looking at 18+ losses.  Can the program afford to commit to two straight years of not just rebuilding but non-competitiveness?  I guess we lived through the Wojo era, so two years is really nothing. 

this is trending worse than the Woj era. Wojo recruited well. Took over a garbage fire and restored some order. Just didn't win enough. His time had come, no doubt. But, this season and if RGV is the way going forward, MU starts tiptoeing into DePaulville. (I find it hard to believe Shaka won't correct course, however. I mean, he's not oblivious to this mess at this point, is he?)

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Feel like Royce has shown some life lately. Still like his potential as an upperclassman.

Ben has been extremely disappointing the last couple of games, and just from a shooting perspective. Literally jogged back on defense yesterday and a big beat him down the court for a layup. Should never happen. Needed so much more from him this season.

[HutchwasClutch]

this is trending worse than the Woj era. Wojo recruited well. Took over a garbage fire and restored some order. Just didn't win enough. His time had come, no doubt. But, this season and if RGV is the way going forward, MU starts tiptoeing into DePaulville. (I find it hard to believe Shaka won't correct course, however. I mean, he's not oblivious to this mess at this point, is he?)

This is the million dollar question.  I wouldn't think so either, but pride and ego get in the way often of what's obvious to do.  He might be so dug in about RGV he can't admit change is needed. 

[willie warrior]

Obviously, everyone would feel differently if MU had either split (2-2) or went (3-1) in the high major games. But for Indiana, they were all winnable games with some poor late game execution. The reason that I am slightly optimistic that things will improve is because I don't think Lowery and Gold are this bad. Lowery and Gold's shooting percentages are way down from last year which is likely due to the lack of penetration from the guards. If James and Ross can continue to get in the paint, it should open up for some better looks. Owens has been a no-show to date, so there's some potential bench contributions from his end.

Things have to improve, don't they? We are pretty low right now, yes?

[willie warrior]

Obviously, everyone would feel differently if MU had either split (2-2) or went (3-1) in the high major games. But for Indiana, they were all winnable games with some poor late game execution. The reason that I am slightly optimistic that things will improve is because I don't think Lowery and Gold are this bad. Lowery and Gold's shooting percentages are way down from last year which is likely due to the lack of penetration from the guards. If James and Ross can continue to get in the paint, it should open up for some better looks. Owens has been a no-show to date, so there's some potential bench contributions from his end.

Things have to improve, don't they? We are pretty low right now, yes?

this is trending worse than the Woj era. Wojo recruited well. Took over a garbage fire and restored some order. Just didn't win enough. His time had come, no doubt. But, this season and if RGV is the way going forward, MU starts tiptoeing into DePaulville. (I find it hard to believe Shaka won't correct course, however. I mean, he's not oblivious to this mess at this point, is he?)

Is he?

[Elonsmusk]

this is trending worse than the Woj era. Wojo recruited well. Took over a garbage fire and restored some order. Just didn't win enough. His time had come, no doubt. But, this season and if RGV is the way going forward, MU starts tiptoeing into DePaulville. (I find it hard to believe Shaka won't correct course, however. I mean, he's not oblivious to this mess at this point, is he?)

Possibly the all-time silliest post on Scoop.  Ever.

[HutchwasClutch]

The fear is obviously that minor alterations may not be enough to have a team next year of competing for an NCAAT spot.  The upper classmen just don't have the talent to compete at this level.

This year's team is looking at 18+ losses.  Can the program afford to commit to two straight years of not just rebuilding but non-competitiveness?  I guess we lived through the Wojo era, so two years is really nothing. 

We've got 4 already and road games against the rodents and Purdue almost certainly means 6 going into BE play.  Maybe BE is down this year, although we are too clearly, so 8-12 and there's 18 losses.  Not far fetched at all anymore.  A little worse than that in conference regular season and loss in BET and it's a 20 loss season. 

In other words, way more than simply a down year. 

[dgies9156]

Feel like Royce has shown some life lately. Still like his potential as an upperclassman.

I would absolutely agree. I'd probably keep Royce and Zaide in addition to the original list. Not sure what's happening with Owens but he surely is in Coach Shaka's Doghouse. I'd probably take a flyer on him (maybe even redshirt this year) and hope for the best next year.

[The Sultan]

Possibly the all-time silliest post on Scoop.  Ever.

Well...it's Viper.

[GoldenWarrior11]

We've got 4 already and road games against the rodents and Purdue almost certainly means 6 going into BE play.  Maybe BE is down this year, although we are too clearly, so 8-12 and there's 18 losses.  Not far fetched at all anymore.  A little worse than that in conference regular season and loss in BET and it's a 20 loss season. 

In other words, way more than simply a down year. 

This is what scares me:

Where are the eight wins in BE play coming from?

We don't have shooting. We don't have defense.  We don't have experience.  And we clearly don't have a go-to guy in late situations when we are tied.

And we have also been limited in injuries this season so far.  If Ross gets injured?  Or James? 

There is definitely a pathway where this is the worst MUBB season in a very long time.