Is Shaka doubling down or just protecting his guys?

[Pakuni]

Which part of his final year were we "not completely out of the running for an at-large bid"

Started the season 5-2, with wins over #4 Wisconsin and #9 Creighton.

[Galway Eagle]

Started the season 5-2, with wins over #4 Wisconsin and #9 Creighton.

I think everyone knew WI wasn't actually the number 4 team that year. Genuinely can't remember the Creighton win.

[Pakuni]

I think everyone knew WI wasn't actually the number 4 team that year. Genuinely can't remember the Creighton win.

Everyone but the pollsters and KenPom, I guess.
That team slumped badly at the end of the year (kind of like another recent team from the state of Wisconsin), but spent the first half of the season in the top 10.
Anyhow, the point is, at 5-2 and with two top-10 wins, MU would have been a safe bet for the field at that point of the season.

[brewcity77]

Everyone but the pollsters and KenPom, I guess.
That team slumped badly at the end of the year (kind of like another recent team from the state of Wisconsin), but spent the first half of the season in the top 10.
Anyone, the point is, at 5-2 and with two top-10 wins, MU would have been a safe bet for the field at that point of the season.

And we were on the bubble most of the year. I had us in the field at 8-6 (4-4) on January 23rd before the 1-6 stretch that mostly killed our chances. That was a much better team than this one, though, IMO.

[Viper]

In the past 35 years has MU ever failed to make the tough or expensive decisions to support the team?

not that I'm aware of. Hopefully this trend continues.

[MuggsyB]

Is there any hope?  I can't remember being this depressed MU hoopwise.  Even during the Wojo years. 

[WhiteTrash]

Is there any hope?  I can't remember being this depressed MU hoopwise.  Even during the Wojo years. 

"Let me tell you something my friend. Hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive a man insane."

[MuggsyB]

"Let me tell you something my friend. Hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive a man insane."

Red made it Zihautaneo.  This situation
may be more worrisome. 

[muwarrior69]

Well, unless that coach is Rick Pitino.

Yeah! Huggy Bear and Pitino are my generation and even Al would call out a player not cutting it. Of course back then the rules were different.

[vogue65]

Yeah! Huggy Bear and Pitino are my generation and even Al would call out a player not cutting it. Of course back then the rules were different.

What does "call out" a player mean?
I don't think calling out a player who lacks skill is leadership.
Unfortunately a few Marquette players lack talent, they can't shoot.
Does calling that out help?  It probably makes the situation worse, it's called stress.
In the Wisconsin game Marquette had more shots, problem is many didn't go in. 
What's the solution?
Slower pace, less defense, fewer substitutions, more zone, conserve energy, I haven't a clue.  However, I don't think calling out a kid who can't make a basket solves anything.