Why RGV? Maybe $400 million donors at other Power 4 schools?

[Hards Alumni]

I can see any of Lowery, Parham, James, Stevens, and Phillips being significant contributors on a tourney team next season. 

Would I be overly confident in that?  No.  I just don't see the need to "tear it all down". 

We're going to get a lot more out of Sheek Pearson than people think, as well.

[MU82]

Mildly.

Saying we have good players is also "hyperbolic"

Seriously, how many players do you think "have to go"? Which ones are you suggesting Shaka cut after the season?

[Vander Blue Man Group]

We're going to get a lot more out of Sheek Pearson than people think, as well.

That wouldn't surprise me at all, nor would getting contributions from Egbuonu but I didn't include guys who haven't played for us yet. 

[panda]

Mildly.

Saying we have good players is also "hyperbolic"

The outlook for next year looks bleak as well, with no significant transfers coming in.

In what world does one of the worst high major teams one year turn into a good team the following year by adding a couple of freshmen?

[Hards Alumni]

The outlook for next year looks bleak as well, with no significant transfers coming in.

In what world does one of the worst high major teams one year turn into a good team the following year by adding a couple of freshmen?

yawn

[jfp61]

The outlook for next year looks bleak as well, with no significant transfers coming in.

In what world does one of the worst high major teams one year turn into a good team the following year by adding a couple of freshmen?

Rutgers were so good with Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey

[panda]

Rutgers were so good with Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey

How many top 5 picks do we have coming into the program next year?

[panda]

yawn

Care to entertain an answer to my question or will you sarcastically dismiss it with no substance?

[Hards Alumni]

Care to entertain an answer to my question or will you sarcastically dismiss it with no substance?

It's December 11th.  Let the season play out, and then let the offseason as well.

Unless you're very sure of everything that will happen before October 2026.

[jfp61]

Seriously, how many players do you think "have to go"? Which ones are you suggesting Shaka cut after the season?

For me personally. If I was a basketball czar. Or if I were a new coach.

I would group the team like this.

Show the door- Caedin, Damarius, Tre, Sean.
Perfectly fine with them leaving. Josh, Ian, Sheek, Adrien, Michael, Zaide.
Mildly fine with them leaving. Royce and Nigel.


This roster has players that will be good and start some day, they just should be juniors or seniors when that happens.

My hope is that 1-2 guys flash late. But I have my doubts that they will.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

The outlook for next year looks bleak as well, with no significant transfers coming in.

In what world does one of the worst high major teams one year turn into a good team the following year by adding a couple of freshmen?

This is moving the goalposts.  I don't think anyone has said a couple of significant transfers aren't needed. 

The point is that a complete annihilation of the current roster isn't necessary if there are a couple of nice additions through the portal. 

For example:

-Starting center (portal)
-Starting wing (portal)
-Zaide
-Adrien
-Nigel
-Royce
-Sheek
-Egbuonu
-Phillips

I can see such a hypothetical 9-man group being a tourney team

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Perfectly fine with them leaving. Josh, Ian, Sheek, Adrien, Michael, Zaide.

To me, this is ludicrous.

[JTJ3]

We're going to get a lot more out of Sheek Pearson than people think, as well.

This.  Sheek was a top 60ish recruit for a reason.  Completely different than the late fliers at the 5 Shaka signed in previous classes.  He was awesome in the EYBL, not massive box score numbers but he makes so many winning plays.

[Shooter McGavin]

Ok.  So Gold is in the top 3. But ...
If SS does not go to the portal
( and I don't think that he will ), then how is this team not just as bad or
Worse next year ?

And guess what... James will have lots of suitors after the season. $hit, he probably has people sniffing around already. So, if he likes V better than the RG, then... uhh ...

That is the problem with this down of a season.  No one anticipated lower mid major badness.  Things could fall apart like a RGV house of cards but I really hope Shaka has forged enough of a good relationship with his best players that they stay.  Obviously the money will have to match.  Shaka definitely made it harder on himself by missing on his talent evaluations in the sophomore and junior classes.  I have faith he will learn from his mistakes and get the team out of this mess.

[JTJ3]

Nigel - ??
Stevens - ??/Zaide
?? - Phillips
Royce - Egbuonu
?? - Sheek/Clark

I'd feel good about the above lineup next year.  The ??'s are where I'd add a legit, experienced transfer.

[Pakuni]

The outlook for next year looks bleak as well, with no significant transfers coming in.

In what world does one of the worst high major teams one year turn into a good team the following year by adding a couple of freshmen?

Marquette went from 7-9 in CUSA and KenPom #98 in 2004-05 to 10-6 in the Big East and KenPom #36 in 2005-6.
But the three amigos probably aren't walking through that door.

[panda]

Marquette went from 7-9 in CUSA and KenPom #98 in 2004-05 to 10-6 in the Big East and KenPom #36 in 2005-6.
But the three amigos probably aren't walking through that door.

Heck they might be ! There are some talented kids coming into the program but there sure as heck isn't a Steve Novak on this roster to carry them. This current team is so devoid of bonafide high major talent that there isn't much to look forward to with a few freshmen coming in next year.

[panda]

It's December 11th.  Let the season play out, and then let the offseason as well.

Unless you're very sure of everything that will happen before October 2026.

What do you see happening between now and then that would drastically change the outlook of this team for 2026?