[Paint Touches] On talent deficiency and offensive offense

[MuggsyB]

Just popped in to say that it is worse than we probably all even thought.

NET Rankings dropped this morning and we are 167 !!!!!

https://x.com/ButlerGuru/status/1995497335636590879?t=SA7qHmilrVXEhJZ1qvrHcQ&s=19

Holy hell.  That NET number shook me up a bit. 

[CountryRoads]

Holy hell.  That NET number shook me up a bit. 

It was a long scroll. I got to 120 and started scrolling back up because I thought maybe I just missed us.

[MuggsyB]

It was a long scroll. I got to 120 and started scrolling back up because I thought maybe I just missed us.

As many have stated, we struggle creating  good shots in the h-c and our bigs have been an unmitigated disaster.  I know it's easy to pick on Caedin, but in his defense he hasn't played significant mins until now. What we're getting from Ben and Royce, not to mention DO, is truly an abomination.

[Daniel]

We have payed four pretty bad teams and won, and 4 decent teams of which we should have bet at least two and lost.    The team never quites in the fight - they just, so far, have not shown the quality depth, experience and talent to win the tougher games.   

That could change, but my guess was we would have beat OK if the team's light bulb went bright and they saw the light.   But no.   Mostly the issue is talent and experience.    We are lacking 8n those areas.    Maybe development did it happen like the coaches thought.    Maybe it will take longer.   But right now, this team seems los5 at times.  That's never good. But guys like James is going to be a star - Phillips could be excellent at scoring once he gets his defense down... he will play more.   Steven's will be good, and CH has shown s9me good moves and can develop into a decent player.     So.... There is ....hope!   

[GoFastAndWin]

I think the "range player" ⛳️ aspect of this can't be overlooked.

Everyone sounds like they easily saw this coming, but who can honestly say that after seeing some preseason scrimmage previews?

There was a certain fearlessness on both sides of the ball about Tyler, Kam, Stevie, Jop, even Oso to an extent.

It's like this team plays scared, especially in end-of-game situations.

[GoFastAndWin]

Sticking to the golf analogy...
At least with golf, there's a rationale or explanation about why players with a decent modicum of talent don't take it to the course. Good swings can still lead to big numbers if one small aspect of your game is off that day. Sure there's a final score in basketball, but it's not a number that can define you the way it can a golfer.

I think these guys have more talent than people think. I believe they're not anywhere close to it at the moment. I know the analytics guys think they have everything engraved on a stone tablet. I don't mean that against them. I value what they do. Let's just all support our team and see what happens. Shaka has given us reason to trust him and to be proud of the guys he's brought into the program. Maybe they're getting in their own way right now?! Let's cut everyone some slack, and if the season doesn't work out, I trust we'll be back soon enough.

[Byrdman]

I read enough crap!!!! Most of you are a bunch of whining bitches!!! I suspect that some of the Shaka hate has underlying racial sentiment. There are others who don't understand that Shaka is building a solid program, and that takes time. Do I like his stubborn approach, yes and no. Give him the opportunity to fail. How long did it take Jay Wright/John Thompson/Brad Stephens?? Bake or Microwave??? As a proud alum (class of 1980) bake is fine by me, the ship is in the hands of someone who cares about the program and it's perception nationwide. I think we'll all be satisfied with the results come March if we just have some FREAKING patience. If you love your school like I do, stop belly-aching and enjoy the process.

[GoFastAndWin]

Last post on the golf analogy.
I was talking with a PGA pro about the late great teacher Harvey Penick. (Little Red Book)📕 .

"Play Golf like a conversation with nature."  Immerse yourself in the beautiful surroundings and just trust what you've trained.

Maybe there's a way the coaching staff can get these guys to take the pressure off themselves and just have fun out there?!
Like Al used to say, "create a party on the court and keep it going."

[GoFastAndWin]

I'm with BYRDMAN. This is one damn season. And even that ain't over. We have a veritable Chef d' 🏀 at the helm of our program. He will get it done.

[LAZER]

I read enough crap!!!! Most of you are a bunch of whining bitches!!! I suspect that some of the Shaka hate has underlying racial sentiment. There are others who don't understand that Shaka is building a solid program, and that takes time. Do I like his stubborn approach, yes and no. Give him the opportunity to fail. How long did it take Jay Wright/John Thompson/Brad Stephens?? Bake or Microwave??? As a proud alum (class of 1980) bake is fine by me, the ship is in the hands of someone who cares about the program and it's perception nationwide. I think we'll all be satisfied with the results come March if we just have some FREAKING patience. If you love your school like I do, stop belly-aching and enjoy the process.

Lol, come on.

[Galway Eagle]

I read enough crap!!!! Most of you are a bunch of whining bitches!!! I suspect that some of the Shaka hate has underlying racial sentiment. There are others who don't understand that Shaka is building a solid program, and that takes time. Do I like his stubborn approach, yes and no. Give him the opportunity to fail. How long did it take Jay Wright/John Thompson/Brad Stephens?? Bake or Microwave??? As a proud alum (class of 1980) bake is fine by me, the ship is in the hands of someone who cares about the program and it's perception nationwide. I think we'll all be satisfied with the results come March if we just have some FREAKING patience. If you love your school like I do, stop belly-aching and enjoy the process.

lol look I'm all for giving Shaka a mulligan, he's earned it from 2023 & 2024 but if you think this team is getting somewhere in March you're way out of touch with what needs to happen in the non conference to get an at large bid.

[Jay Bee]

We have payed four pretty bad teams and won, and 4 decent teams of which we should have bet at least two and lost.    The team never quites in the fight - they just, so far, have not shown the quality depth, experience and talent to win the tougher games.   

That could change, but my guess was we would have beat OK if the team's light bulb went bright and they saw the light.   But no.   Mostly the issue is talent and experience.    We are lacking 8n those areas.    Maybe development did it happen like the coaches thought.    Maybe it will take longer.   But right now, this team seems los5 at times.  That's never good. But guys like James is going to be a star - Phillips could be excellent at scoring once he gets his defense down... he will play more.   Steven's will be good, and CH has shown s9me good moves and can develop into a decent player.     So.... There is ....hope!   

What in the @ctual f&ck?!

[muwarrior69]

If MU is dropping 6 large on NIL can't say we are getting our money's worth

Maybe the opposite is true. The financial incentive is not there thus the poor performance and motivation.

[willie warrior]

Man we have lost 2 straight to Dayton. They also have widened the gap. We are a low major now under Shakas lesdership.
Time to batten the hatches. Reeker will come up with a strategy to close the chasm.

[The Sultan]

I read enough crap!!!! Most of you are a bunch of whining bitches!!! I suspect that some of the Shaka hate has underlying racial sentiment. There are others who don't understand that Shaka is building a solid program, and that takes time. Do I like his stubborn approach, yes and no. Give him the opportunity to fail. How long did it take Jay Wright/John Thompson/Brad Stephens?? Bake or Microwave??? As a proud alum (class of 1980) bake is fine by me, the ship is in the hands of someone who cares about the program and it's perception nationwide. I think we'll all be satisfied with the results come March if we just have some FREAKING patience. If you love your school like I do, stop belly-aching and enjoy the process.

Very few are whining here buddy. Most are bringing up concerns about how the talent has fallen the last couple of seasons. You have to be blind not to see there have been recruiting misses here. And his unwillingness to (so far) "fix" these misses through the portal means that any turned around is a couple seasons ahead.

Oh as for your comparisons...

By year five, Jay Wright made the Elite 8.

By year five, Brad Stevens had been to two championship games.

John Thompson is a terrible comparison because he took a program that had done absolutely nothing and turned it into a powerhouse. Shaka had a miles head start compared to where Thompson was.

Only outliers here think he should be fired or not given a chance to right the ship by the way - throwing out race is just dumb and lazy.

[mileskishnish72]

I suspect that some of the Shaka hate has underlying racial sentiment.

Unbelievable.

[rgoode57]

This is a truly discouraging article to read, but I really appreciate it. I guess it forces me to accept the team for what it is - the group that can't shoot straight. What puzzles me is how this came to be. Did Shaka actually not realize what kind of team he was putting together or is it a surprise to him too?

[Warrior of Law]

If MU is spending 6 million on this roster, they could get the same results spending 600K. Hopefully, someone sees the light and cuts their losses with the 2026-27 roster.

[MU82]

Unbelievable.

Especially now that chicos is no longer on Scoop.

[rocky_warrior]

Did Shaka actually not realize what kind of team he was putting together or is it a surprise to him too?

He did try to warn us that V wasn't necessarily winning basketball games

https://vimeo.com/1131460360

[The Sultan]

He did try to warn us that V wasn't necessarily winning basketball games

https://vimeo.com/1131460360

I wish I could define the ultimate metric of success in my job differently than anyone else who does my job.

[rocky_warrior]

I wish I could define the ultimate metric of success in my job differently than anyone else who does my job.

Just create an acronym and throw it on some t-shirts!

[JakeBarnes]

Sticking to the golf analogy...
At least with golf, there's a rationale or explanation about why players with a decent modicum of talent don't take it to the course. Good swings can still lead to big numbers if one small aspect of your game is off that day. Sure there's a final score in basketball, but it's not a number that can define you the way it can a golfer.

I think these guys have more talent than people think. I believe they're not anywhere close to it at the moment. I know the analytics guys think they have everything engraved on a stone tablet. I don't mean that against them. I value what they do. Let's just all support our team and see what happens. Shaka has given us reason to trust him and to be proud of the guys he's brought into the program. Maybe they're getting in their own way right now?! Let's cut everyone some slack, and if the season doesn't work out, I trust we'll be back soon enough.

Definitely getting in their own way. Felt like that in the 2nd half at the OU game. Need some confidence builders to play a little more fearless--and for the ball to move a little better (NJ is good, but the ball gets stuck a lot).

Still believe the team will grow as the season goes. It's a bummer we didnt play a Buzz-esque schedule to get more confidence.

[rocky_warrior]

It's a bummer we didnt play a Buzz-esque schedule to get more confidence.

It's not like we've played a tough schedule.   Kenpom currently has MUs SoS at #221.  Maryland is at #115.

[onepost]

I read enough crap!!!! Most of you are a bunch of whining bitches!!! I suspect that some of the Shaka hate has underlying racial sentiment.

This has to be a joke, right?
Being frustrated that a coach continually isn't utilizing all the resources he has to build a strong team makes me and others racist? Incredible.