Shaka's Decision-Making Tonight

[Vander Blue Man Group]

I'll start off by saying I am a Shaka fan.  I hope he adjusts, fixes this, and is here for a long time. 

12th game of the season and there were just so many questionable and downright bad decisions.

-Hamilton's minutes (17) and continuing to start him
-Stevens only playing 14 minutes
-Zaide getting 0 - clearly in the doghouse
-Team still has no idea how to attack a zone when it couldn't be more obvious they are going to see plenty of it
-Not using a single TO during the 17-4 run to close the first half
-Not using a single TO in the 2nd half until the team went down 12 with a little over 4 minutes to play
-Abysmal rotations on defense.  Stop trapping 30 feet away from the basket - it's a lost cause this season
-Totally bizarre substitutions and rotations

Really, the only positive tonight was DO getting 27 minutes.  I'll live with his mistakes because there's real talent and a high ceiling in there.

Seriously, WTF is going on with our coach?

[Newsdreams]

I'll start off by saying I am a Shaka fan.  I hope he adjusts, fixes this, and is here for a long time. 

12th game of the season and there were just so many questionable and downright bad decisions.

-Hamilton's minutes (17) and continuing to start him
-Stevens only playing 14 minutes
-Zaide getting 0 - clearly in the doghouse
-Team still has no idea how to attack a zone when it couldn't be more obvious they are going to see plenty of it
-Not using a single TO during the 17-4 run to close the first half
-Not using a single TO in the 2nd half until the team went down 12 with a little over 4 minutes to play
-Abysmal rotations on defense.  Stop trapping 30 feet away from the basket - it's a lost cause this season
-Totally bizarre substitutions and rotations

Really, the only positive tonight was DO getting 27 minutes.  I'll live with his mistakes because there's real talent and a high ceiling in there.

Seriously, WTF is going on with our coach?

Yes changing lineups that are getting you leads, I don't understand, keeps doing it.

[CountryRoads]

IMO, this is trending towards being his last year here. I'm a Shaka fan also but this will be tough to come back from. He's obviously not a fan of the new landscape. He also is under a different AD and president than when he got here, which may be having some impact.

[DoctorV]

His team is very bad, and he's flustered imo.

To make matters worse, he's put all his eggs in the development basket and has been blindsided by unlimited letdowns, one after the other.

He knows it's his fault. He just didn't expect to have this many guys not improve, or get worse.

So, he's flustered and trying anything he can.
Thing is, it seems as if it doesn't particularly matter what he tries

[Shooter McGavin]

I'll start off by saying I am a Shaka fan.  I hope he adjusts, fixes this, and is here for a long time. 

12th game of the season and there were just so many questionable and downright bad decisions.

-Hamilton's minutes (17) and continuing to start him
-Stevens only playing 14 minutes
-Zaide getting 0 - clearly in the doghouse
-Team still has no idea how to attack a zone when it couldn't be more obvious they are going to see plenty of it
-Not using a single TO during the 17-4 run to close the first half
-Not using a single TO in the 2nd half until the team went down 12 with a little over 4 minutes to play
-Abysmal rotations on defense.  Stop trapping 30 feet away from the basket - it's a lost cause this season
-Totally bizarre substitutions and rotations

Really, the only positive tonight was DO getting 27 minutes.  I'll live with his mistakes because there's real talent and a high ceiling in there.

Seriously, WTF is going on with our coach?

Yes, this.  It's embarrassing.  I have never felt this way before about our team or a coach.  And I was there during the Dukiet era. 

The substitution patterns were inexplicable.  The lack of AS on the floor when we needed confident shooters against the zone was inexcusable. 

WTF is going on?  What happened to Shaka?  Was he just lucky he had talent the first four years?  As the talent dwindled and the team was worse last year, were we all just deceived after winning the Big East title?  WTF is he doing well?  There seems to be a few chess pieces he can play at the proper times in the proper positions against inferior opponents but he doesn't.  Baffled by the incompetence.

That's the word.  INCOMPETENCE

[brewcity77]

Embarrassing. One of the worst coaching displays I can recall on our sideline.

[WhiteTrash]

IMO, this is trending towards being his last year here. I'm a Shaka fan also but this will be tough to come back from. He's obviously not a fan of the new landscape. He also is under a different AD and president than when he got here, which may be having some impact.

I'm starting to get the same vibes as Buzz's last season.

[cheebs09]

It's like a buy game testing out lineups, but we are in the conference season and he seems to move away from the ones that work.

[Mu8891]

It's an F ing embarrassment

His " effort " on the sidelines is a joke. Particularly his REFUSAL to call timeouts... WTF ?!

In 2d half he literally waited until the game was over ( the 3 that put MU down 12 w / 4 mins to go ) to call a timeout!

A decent grade school coach knows better.
Really.

[Hards Alumni]

I'll start off by saying I am a Shaka fan.  I hope he adjusts, fixes this, and is here for a long time. 

12th game of the season and there were just so many questionable and downright bad decisions.

-Hamilton's minutes (17) and continuing to start him
-Stevens only playing 14 minutes
-Zaide getting 0 - clearly in the doghouse
-Team still has no idea how to attack a zone when it couldn't be more obvious they are going to see plenty of it
-Not using a single TO during the 17-4 run to close the first half
-Not using a single TO in the 2nd half until the team went down 12 with a little over 4 minutes to play
-Abysmal rotations on defense.  Stop trapping 30 feet away from the basket - it's a lost cause this season
-Totally bizarre substitutions and rotations

Really, the only positive tonight was DO getting 27 minutes.  I'll live with his mistakes because there's real talent and a high ceiling in there.

Seriously, WTF is going on with our coach?

Despite DO's offensive production being good, he doesn't run anything on offensive sets, and is completely lost on defense.  I'm sure it'll get glossed over because of the box score, but he is the poster kid for why our defense is bad.

[rgoode57]

I am completely baffled by Shaka's substitutions. I was encouraged at the start of the game because he changed the starting lineup. And, the team started well. But, it wasn't long before Shaka substituted Jones for James, even though James was playing really well, and substituted Owens for Stevens. Then, at various points, Shaka had James and Jones on the court together, and, at one point, had James, Jones, and Norman playing together. I do not understand playing Jones and James together at all. Jones did not play badly last night, but the offense just has more energy with James at the point.

Then, in the second half, Shaka put Stevens on the bench and apparently just forgot about him for the rest of the game. Why? The team needed a shooter on the floor and Stevens can hit a shot now and then.

I was glad to see Owens get some time, but he obviously does not know how to pass the ball and is not good defensively at all. Yet, with the game slipping away, Shaka left him out there.

Also, I understand that Lowery has not been good recently, but in a game where you desperately need a shooter, I thought he would eventually get on the floor. Nope.

At this point in the year, it seems Shaka should have some idea about a regular rotation. Instead, he is like a mad scientist just trying random combinations. That has to hard for the players to handle. I understand that he is looking for something that works, but I think the fact is that this team is simply not good and no combination is going to work all that well.

[1SE]

I am completely baffled by Shaka's substitutions. I was encouraged at the start of the game because he changed the starting lineup. And, the team started well. But, it wasn't long before Shaka substituted Jones for James, even though James was playing really well, and substituted Owens for Stevens. Then, at various points, Shaka had James and Jones on the court together, and, at one point, had James, Jones, and Norman playing together. I do not understand playing Jones and James together at all. Jones did not play badly last night, but the offense just has more energy with James at the point.

Then, in the second half, Shaka put Stevens on the bench and apparently just forgot about him for the rest of the game. Why? The team needed a shooter on the floor and Stevens can hit a shot now and then.

I was glad to see Owens get some time, but he obviously does not know how to pass the ball and is not good defensively at all. Yet, with the game slipping away, Shaka left him out there.

Also, I understand that Lowery has not been good recently, but in a game where you desperately need a shooter, I thought he would eventually get on the floor. Nope.

At this point in the year, it seems Shaka should have some idea about a regular rotation. Instead, he is like a mad scientist just trying random combinations. That has to hard for the players to handle. I understand that he is looking for something that works, but I think the fact is that this team is simply not good and no combination is going to work all that well.

I posted all the rotations in the lineup thread - +/- is iffy, but actually the "preferred" lineups underperformed last night. Although certainly not getting stevens more time (and playing Tre, and Caedin) at all is mind boggling.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

I posted all the rotations in the lineup thread - +/- is iffy, but actually the "preferred" lineups underperformed last night. Although certainly not getting stevens more time (and playing Tre, and Caedin) at all is mind boggling.

Chase and Ben went a combined 3-17 from the field for 8 points so I imagine that explains the "preferred" lineup(s) being bad last night.

We can barely win games when those guys play well so when they both suck offensively you get your ass kicked by a terrible Georgetown team at home.

[1SE]

Chase and Ben went a combined 3-17 from the field for 8 points so I imagine that explains the "preferred" lineup(s) being bad last night.

We can barely win games when those guys play well so when they both suck offensively you get your ass kicked by a terrible Georgetown team at home.

For sure - I was actually trying to provide some understanding for Shaka here - tough to rag on him for his rotations last night if the ones we all would have rode sucked it up too.

[tower912]

There are no preferred line ups when your seniors take the night off.

Two plays illustrate my frustration with the defense.  GT inbounds play in the second half.  Double team in the corner.  Chase, the senior leader, allows himself to be caught on the high side of the GT big who straight lines to the basket for a dunk.  A season ago, Chase is between his man and the basket and gets that pass.

When Ben doubles the ball handler 35 feet from the basket.  In years past, the dou le team would be tight, forcing an arced pass to the rolling big man.  Chase/Stevie/Joplin/Omax/Sean would deflect or steal that pass, leading to transition offense.   This season, the double team isn't as strong and it is a straight line 20 foot pass to the rolling big with Ben trailing 6 feet behind watching his man dunk.  No one is rotating to get the roller or hinder that pass.

The puzzling thing to me is why?  Where is the breakdown?

[NCMUFan]

Not sure if development is his goal or winning?

[Zog from Margo]

There are no preferred line ups when your seniors take the night off.

Two plays illustrate my frustration with the defense.  GT involved ds ay in the second half.  Double team in the corner.  Chase, the senior leader, allows himself to be caught on the high side of the GT big who straight lines to the basket for a dunk.  A season ago, Chase is between his man and the basket and gets that pass.

When Ben doubles the ball handler 35 feet from the basket.  In years past, the dou le team would be tight, forcing an arced pass to the rolling big man.  Chase/Stevie/Joplin/Omax/Sean would deflect or steal that pass, leading to transition offense.   This season, the double team isn't as strong and it is a straight line 20 foot pass to the rolling big with Ben trailing 6 feet behind watching his man dunk.  No one is rotating to get the roller or hinder that pass.

The puzzling thing to me is why?  Where is the breakdown?

Chase has always been susceptible to the cut to the basket because he's looking for steals and takes his eye off his man.

I think Shaka is up against it with this roster. Parham has some offensive skill, but he's weak and is a bad defender. He was physically dominated inside last night. Hamilton is strong and can rebound, but he can't score and gets lost on D. Owens has physical gifts, but is flighty and lost on D. Like Parham, he gets pushed around and has weak hands. The list goes on. Every player other than Ross (when he's not taking his eye off his man) has a glaring weakness. Overall, the roster is too slight and not built for the BE.

The roster is a mess and the coaching job hasn't been great. Gold has been ruined offensively by the staff, IMO. The fact that he isn't an inside threat at all after four years is on the staff. The Nevada Smith offense with the gang who couldn't shoot straight is a bad combination. And the shooting form for some of these guys is really poor.

I just don't recall this type of collapse from a good program to the D-1 dregs under the same coach. I'm sure it's happened but it's still weird.

[79Warrior]

As much as many have expressed frustrations with the players, this is all on Shaka and the staff. They are putting guys in positions they are not able to execute. Most of that is really just skillset. Most are not high major players. It could not be more clear.

The young men on the team are working hard and great reps for the University. But, they are not ready for primetime. It's JV versus Varsity.

Shaka and the staff have done a combination of two things. They misjudged the talent level of some of the recruits and failed to develop others. As far as some comments that Shaka has checked out,I do not believe that to be the case. He is a coach through and through. I really think he is just at a loss what to do with the group he assembled. The buck stops with him.

At this point, unless a few guys rapidly improve, perhaps play the young guys and let them get as much experience as possible. It may seem like throwing in the towel, but if things don't change quickly, the towel will already be on the floor.

[dpucane]

Anyone have tea on Zaide?

Is it Joever for him?

[tower912]

No tea needed.  Pretty obvious.  I think it is up to him. Shaka laid it out.  He says that Caedin is a leader in practice, that DO has really been improving in practice.  They played.  And he was right about DO.  Shaka was critical of Zaide allowing missed lay ups affect his defense.  Then AS took over starting. 

[Vander Blue Man Group]

After the Valpo game, I changed my mindset and accepted they we were going to lose a lot of games this season and to focus on any growth and any positive outcomes.

So I'm not necessarily upset about the outcome last night.  I'm bothered by the process that contributed to that outcome, as I outlined in the original post in this thread.  Shaka is capable of much more - he needs to be much better in a variety of areas. 

In regard to the conversation about Shaka walking away after this season, obviously anything is possible.  However, I'd be really surprised if it happened.

It would feel so antithetical to everything he has preached and it would feel like he is quitting on the kids that are committed to this program. 

When Jay Wright walked away, he had won championships and was around 60 years old.  They same can be said for Bennett, although he was younger.  I'd just have a hard time seeeing Shaka make that decision at his age.  But, like I said, anything is possible. 

[#UnleashNigel]

Very wojo level coaching last night

[GoldenEagles03]

A few weeks ago it really wasn't even a thought, but I'm starting to think there is like a coinflip chance that Shaka is gone after the season.

[#UnleashNigel]

A few weeks ago it really wasn't even a thought, but I'm starting to think there is like a coinflip chance that Shaka is gone after the season.

Naaah. Everyone is on board with the theory. The theory hasn't worked year 1. Maybe they give it a 2nd try in year 2. Or maybe they will give way to the portal.

[mileskishnish72]

There are no preferred line ups when your seniors take the night off.

Two plays illustrate my frustration with the defense.  GT inbounds play in the second half.  Double team in the corner.  Chase, the senior leader, allows himself to be caught on the high side of the GT big who straight lines to the basket for a dunk.  A season ago, Chase is between his man and the basket and gets that pass.

When Ben doubles the ball handler 35 feet from the basket.  In years past, the dou le team would be tight, forcing an arced pass to the rolling big man.  Chase/Stevie/Joplin/Omax/Sean would deflect or steal that pass, leading to transition offense.   This season, the double team isn't as strong and it is a straight line 20 foot pass to the rolling big with Ben trailing 6 feet behind watching his man dunk.  No one is rotating to get the roller or hinder that pass.

The puzzling thing to me is why?  Where is the breakdown?

There are no preferred line ups when your seniors take the night off.

Two plays illustrate my frustration with the defense.  GT inbounds play in the second half.  Double team in the corner.  Chase, the senior leader, allows himself to be caught on the high side of the GT big who straight lines to the basket for a dunk.  A season ago, Chase is between his man and the basket and gets that pass.

When Ben doubles the ball handler 35 feet from the basket.  In years past, the dou le team would be tight, forcing an arced pass to the rolling big man.  Chase/Stevie/Joplin/Omax/Sean would deflect or steal that pass, leading to transition offense.   This season, the double team isn't as strong and it is a straight line 20 foot pass to the rolling big with Ben trailing 6 feet behind watching his man dunk.  No one is rotating to get the roller or hinder that pass.

The puzzling thing to me is why?  Where is the breakdown?

There are no preferred line ups when your seniors take the night off.

Two plays illustrate my frustration with the defense.  GT inbounds play in the second half.  Double team in the corner.  Chase, the senior leader, allows himself to be caught on the high side of the GT big who straight lines to the basket for a dunk.  A season ago, Chase is between his man and the basket and gets that pass.

When Ben doubles the ball handler 35 feet from the basket.  In years past, the dou le team would be tight, forcing an arced pass to the rolling big man.  Chase/Stevie/Joplin/Omax/Sean would deflect or steal that pass, leading to transition offense.   This season, the double team isn't as strong and it is a straight line 20 foot pass to the rolling big with Ben trailing 6 feet behind watching his man dunk.  No one is rotating to get the roller or hinder that pass.

The puzzling thing to me is why?

The puzzling thing to me is why, time after time after time.