Hard to maintain interest

[rgoode57]

I have always been a huge MU fan and typically schedule all other activities around games. I have watched really good MU teams and some that were not so good. But, this team is starting to kill my interest. It is a truly hard team to watch. When I try to think of something they do well, I sort of come up empty. They are a poor shooting tea, really unreliable in the paint, they don't move the ball well and I cannot for the life of me figure out what the offensive game plan is. I don't even want to think about the defense.

We all knew this would be a tough year, but I'm not sure any of us were prepared for this. I could tolerate a down year if it looked like young players were improving and next year would be better. Nigel James is going to be a real player, Zaide Lowery may continue to improve, and Adrien Stevens looks like he will be a player. But I don't think that means next year's team is going to be a lot better.

There was so much excitement about the program, but, from a personal perspective, that is slowly evaporating. I understand what Shaka is trying to do with his refusal to use the transfer portal, and I admire his determination. But, I am not at all sure it is going to work. When you don't take transfers, you cannot afford to miss on high school recruits. And, the recruits you get have to develop and be able to contribute quickly. Other than Nigel James, I simply do not see that happening. And, if Sean Jones had stayed healthy, I am not sure how quickly James' development would have happened.

The team is likely to be 4-6 going into conference play, and it hard to imagine more than six or eight BE wins. They will likely improve somewhat as the season goes along, but other teams will get better too.

Yes, I will keep watching games - but I will not make a special effort anymore this year.

[Jay Bee]

The team is likely to be 4-6 going into conference play, and it hard to imagine more than six or eight BE wins.

"It not hard" to imagine more than 6 BE wins. Also, I assure you we will
not be 4-6 heading into conference play. Sounds like you probably don't really watch much ever, hey??

[The Sultan]

I have always been a huge MU fan and typically schedule all other activities around games. I have watched really good MU teams and some that were not so good. But, this team is starting to kill my interest. It is a truly hard team to watch. When I try to think of something they do well, I sort of come up empty. They are a poor shooting tea, really unreliable in the paint, they don't move the ball well and I cannot for the life of me figure out what the offensive game plan is. I don't even want to think about the defense.

We all knew this would be a tough year, but I'm not sure any of us were prepared for this. I could tolerate a down year if it looked like young players were improving and next year would be better. Nigel James is going to be a real player, Zaide Lowery may continue to improve, and Adrien Stevens looks like he will be a player. But I don't think that means next year's team is going to be a lot better.

There was so much excitement about the program, but, from a personal perspective, that is slowly evaporating. I understand what Shaka is trying to do with his refusal to use the transfer portal, and I admire his determination. But, I am not at all sure it is going to work. When you don't take transfers, you cannot afford to miss on high school recruits. And, the recruits you get have to develop and be able to contribute quickly. Other than Nigel James, I simply do not see that happening. And, if Sean Jones had stayed healthy, I am not sure how quickly James' development would have happened.

The team is likely to be 4-6 going into conference play, and it hard to imagine more than six or eight BE wins. They will likely improve somewhat as the season goes along, but other teams will get better too.

Yes, I will keep watching games - but I will not make a special effort anymore this year.

Good luck!

[Shooter McGavin]

I don't think you are alone.  Many people with season tickets will likely not go to as many games. I mentioned two families in another thread that would have planned around the Oklahoma game who didn't because of they perceived there was no chance of winning that game.  $90/seat tickets suddenly become not worth it.  There is a conspicuous lack of some stalwart highly optimistic posters around here because of this start by the team. 

People need to perceive a light at the end of the tunnel.  They do not see it right now.  Major development in this team still means NIT at best this year and major uncertainty for next year. 

I'll still be watching closely.  Can't help it.    MUMBB is at the top of my list of sports teams to root for.  Hopefully there will be some definitive improvement over the course of the year.  Not just a couple flashes where we all are "HOPING" they are good next year. 

Go MU!

[Superfan]

What's tough is that this year comes at the end of a collapse of last year's team after January 1st. As a season ticket holder, I share your sentiments.  After decades of watching MU basketball, the only other time I felt like this was during Buzz's last year when the team became somewhat hopeless. The other concern I have is with the future of the big east. The conference, like last year, has done very poorly in the pre-conference play, which will limit its ability to get more than a couple of team in the tournament this year. Also, we have only one conference team in the 2026 top 25 team rankings for recruiting, and that's UConn.  The reality is that college basketball today is not what it used to be. It's currently being driven by money and I don't think teams in the Big East have the financial muscle that the larger state schools and teams like Duke have.

[K1 Lover]

I have always been a huge MU fan and typically schedule all other activities around games. I have watched really good MU teams and some that were not so good. But, this team is starting to kill my interest. It is a truly hard team to watch. When I try to think of something they do well, I sort of come up empty. They are a poor shooting tea, really unreliable in the paint, they don't move the ball well and I cannot for the life of me figure out what the offensive game plan is. I don't even want to think about the defense.

We all knew this would be a tough year, but I'm not sure any of us were prepared for this. I could tolerate a down year if it looked like young players were improving and next year would be better. Nigel James is going to be a real player, Zaide Lowery may continue to improve, and Adrien Stevens looks like he will be a player. But I don't think that means next year's team is going to be a lot better.

There was so much excitement about the program, but, from a personal perspective, that is slowly evaporating. I understand what Shaka is trying to do with his refusal to use the transfer portal, and I admire his determination. But, I am not at all sure it is going to work. When you don't take transfers, you cannot afford to miss on high school recruits. And, the recruits you get have to develop and be able to contribute quickly. Other than Nigel James, I simply do not see that happening. And, if Sean Jones had stayed healthy, I am not sure how quickly James' development would have happened.

The team is likely to be 4-6 going into conference play, and it hard to imagine more than six or eight BE wins. They will likely improve somewhat as the season goes along, but other teams will get better too.

Yes, I will keep watching games - but I will not make a special effort anymore this year.

What a genuine and completely reasonable thought to have. I'm sure someone on this board will find a way to tell you you're wrong.

[Markusquette]

I know I'm less interested when I opt to put Christmas lights up outside and only listen to the CMU second half stream. Same for feeling relatively apathetic after the close loss to OK.

We'll need to see this experiment play out. If Shaka ends up giving in and adds transfers sooner, there will always be the "what if" over the last few seasons.

MU diehard, like Shaka, but I won't waste as much of my time watching a crappy product. I hope to see some life out of a couple more underclassmen to get excited about.

[CountryRoads]

For me, it's not just the slow start and early losses. I don't feel connected to this team whatsoever as a fan and that's the first time I've ever felt that way about an MU team that was good or bad. RGV feels inorganic now and has become totally off putting to me. Everything about the program just feels too curated and forced at this point.

[The Sultan]

For me, it's not just the slow start and early losses. I don't feel connected to this team whatsoever as a fan and that's the first time I've ever felt that way about an MU team that was good or bad. RGV feels inorganic now and has become totally off putting to me. Everything about the program just feels too curated and forced at this point.

When the team is losing, stuff like "Get Lost in the Fight" sounds like something a two-bit inspirational speaker would say at an insurance convention in Sioux Falls.

[Big Papi]

For me, it's not just the slow start and early losses. I don't feel connected to this team whatsoever as a fan and that's the first time I've ever felt that way about an MU team that was good or bad. RGV feels inorganic now and has become totally off putting to me. Everything about the program just feels too curated and forced at this point.

The RGV marketing is very off putting and that was before the losing.  Now it is turning into a very sore spot.  It needs to go away.

[Zog from Margo]

Winning would definitely provide an uptick in interest.

Personally, my declining interest is attributable to both losing and the fact that college basketball is now just another professional sport. Teams are essentially G League teams sponsored by schools that advertise on the uniforms.

[Shooter McGavin]

CR,

Is it because even though some of these players have been in the program for years, they never had a major role before?  Or is it because there is no obvious high level (top 25) talent besides one or two players? Or the lack of a Stevie Mitchell type player that you know will absolutely not shrink in the moment and make winning plays or die trying?  Or the lack of progression of some of the players (ie Ben's offense). Or the lack of alpha personalities (minus Chase and Nijel) that give confidence to a fan base?

It's all of the above for me but the Stevie question and the last question give me the most pause because even Chase is gone next year.  Leadership! You know it when you see it.  Right now there are two people who will take charge on the court.  The rest seem like they are comfortable in the background.  Hard to connect with that. 

[The Sultan]

Winning would definitely provide an uptick in interest.

Personally, my declining interest is attributable to both losing and the fact that college basketball is now just another professional sport. Teams are essentially G League teams sponsored by schools that advertise on the uniforms.

So odd.

[Pakuni]

If this were a baseball team I'd obviously have to stop caring, but since it's college basketball, I believe I'm allowed to keep watching.

RGV seems like a hamfisted branding ploy thought up by the same people who brought us the Marquette Gold.

[Badgerhater]

If this were a baseball team I'd obviously have to stop caring, but since it's college basketball, I believe I'm allowed to keep watching.

RGV seems like a hamfisted branding ploy thought up by the same people who brought us the Marquette Gold.

I remember catching a Rio Grande Valley Vipers game long ago when visiting my snowbird parents.  Jerel McNeal was playing.

[Jay Bee]

#RRL

[mileskishnish72]

I'm definitely depressed and sort of pissed off about what MU is putting on the floor this year. I used to get really angry when I saw inept MU hoops but this team has mellowed me somewhat. Bottom line, I think about all the months without MU ball. Too committed, I guess, as frustrating as it is, I just can't not watch.

[willie warrior]

For me, it's not just the slow start and early losses. I don't feel connected to this team whatsoever as a fan and that's the first time I've ever felt that way about an MU team that was good or bad. RGV feels inorganic now and has become totally off putting to me. Everything about the program just feels too curated and forced at this point.

5 years to judge? How is sleazeball Pitino doing at St. John's? Gap widening!

[The Equalizer]

5 years to judge? How is sleazeball Pitino doing at St. John's? Gap widening!

If MU had lost to 3 top 25 teams (as opposed to 4 unaranked ones) maybe you could make the case that we are comparable to St. Johns.

[BM1090]

If MU had lost to 3 top 25 teams (as opposed to 4 unaranked ones) maybe you could make the case that we are comparable to St. Johns.

Oh, that's not the case he's making.

[DoctorV]

There comes a point where you just have to look at things both ways...

It's been a very difficult calendar year- as many have pointed out this downturn did not start this season, but rather the second half of last season.
All things considered, having a season with Kam Jones, David Joplin, and Stevie Mitchell go the way last season did after the new year is almost worse than the struggles we've seen so far this season.
I still can't get over how poorly both Kam and Jop shot last season, it really makes no sense.

Anyway, what I really wanted to point out is that many of us feel the way we do because we have been REALLY spoiled before this calendar year, to the point most of us haven't been as Marquette fans in decades.

I mean I see posts from one year ago where Marquette was beating elite teams
@ #9 Maryland
#14 Purdue in a blowout
Top 20 Wisconsin
And then started 9-1 in conference if memory serves before it all started to collapse
and it makes me wonder what the hell happened?

Part of what has happened is that we got used to some amazing basketball, and amazing basketball players, and became really spoiled with greatness, at least the regular season variety.

When you have that, and then you get this, it's very easy to feel how many of us feel.
However, it's also very important to not forget what we had, and support the staff and program that gave us that.

It is a foolish endeavor to lose support and turn on Shaka and staff so quickly, imo.
Our fanbase has seen what ineptitude looks like- it took a decade to make it back to the dance.
Let's not jump ship on a system that has shown us what greatness can look like, not so fast

[KingKolek]

Also, I assure you we will
not be 4-6 heading into conference play. Sounds like you probably don't really watch much ever, hey??

They're going to be 5-7. But man, you totally got him!

[The Sultan]

I mean I see posts from one year ago where Marquette was beating elite teams
@ #9 Maryland
#14 Purdue in a blowout
Top 20 Wisconsin
And then started 9-1 in conference if memory serves before it all started to collapse
and it makes me wonder what the hell happened?

What the hell happened:

1. It became obvious that you just had to shut down Kam and see if other players could step up. By and large, they didn't.

2. The same players who didn't really step up are now being counted on as alphas, and only one of them comes close to that.

3. There are worrisome signs in the pipeline, and a coach who doesn't seem to want to address them via the portal.

It is a foolish endeavor to lose support and turn on Shaka and staff so quickly, imo.

Agreed! However if things don't improve significantly, and the coach just rolls it back next year, I don't think it would be inappropriate to ask if this is going to work.

[Mu8891]

I agree that the RGV stuff is awful...

It was annoying and eye roll inducing before, but given that lack of Vs it really needs to go. But it won't. Shaka
and MU ( Broeker and Kimo ) are WAY too invested in it 

[muwarrior69]

Winning would definitely provide an uptick in interest.

Personally, my declining interest is attributable to both losing and the fact that college basketball is now just another professional sport. Teams are essentially G League teams sponsored by schools that advertise on the uniforms.

So odd.

Schools paying their players just started this July 1. A few G-League players are now returning to play "college" ball. In a few years Zog may be right about schools who advertise their "G-League" team. Time will tell if this is how college athletics will look. I am not so sure Marquette will be able to financially compete with the larger alumni base schools which is why the emphasis is on retention. So, I am not sure what Zog posted was odd, other than if we were winning he would be fine with a Marquette G-League team.