Path to Success 2025-26 in 2026: Rotations

[Jay Bee]

When I say 'success' I mean 6-11 the rest of the way.

Nigel
Stevens
Chase
Parham
Ben

Those are the starters, and only Stevens is up for debate on being out of a 28-36 minute range per 40 minute game. I want those guys out on the court together a ton. Anything else is completely f*cked and I'm worried the staff is in debt and has a huge bet on under X wins for MU this year. I don't care to hear any of the 'it doesn't matter who starts' bullsh1t - it does and this staff has been nutzo. This isn't even a new criticism - lots of us have been saying it since the beginning of the season.

Zaide being gone makes things a bit more dicey, but thoughts are:

Damarius - 8-18 minutes as a normal target; as we look to the future, his ceiling is much higher than most. Plenty of worthy criticisms at this point, but he can offer what most can't. Get him work and let's hope he grows (pause).

Sean - 4 to 14 minutes; change of pace guy, if it's going well, great run it

Caedin/Clark - 6-18 minutes combined; depends on match ups and play (but not look in the eyes)

MP - 0-8 minutes; when teams go zone, try him out as a zone breaker. I think he'll continue to get worked when on defense, but if he's hitting shots wth

Tre - 0-8 minutes; let's see what Sean's doing.. if we need a steady guy, or if we can bully ball a team (lol) get him some run

Rest of bench: I don't give af if we 'waste' a year of eligibility. If someone feels they can gain more by playing this year, and our staff (eeeek) also does, play 'em. If in 4 years I'm whining because I wish we had f*cking Sheek or Nash one more year, then so be it.

Last night was not horrendous as far as minutes except for a couple of things and the timing of them. I still can't understand what the hell is going on with player rotation and time, but it makes me ill. The roster we came into the year with is better than we have performed - not world beaters, but better. A fair amount of this is on in-game decisions and strategy. Those have been f*cked -- it's not just roster construction.

#Pray

Sorry for being blunt. But ****!!!!!!!!!

[Jockey]

Most of us agree with the bluntness (IMO).

[PointWarrior]

6 - 11?  are you high?

[avid1010]

Start playing for next year.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

The idea of pulling redshirts in a lost season is and continues to be extremely dumb.

Stop it.

[WhiteTrash]

The idea of pulling redshirts in a lost season is and continues to be extremely dumb.

Stop it.

Desperate times call for Desperate ideas.

[Jay Bee]

The idea of pulling redshirts in a lost season is and continues to be extremely dumb.

Stop it.

Yes, they're so happy watching crappy bball and well so miss their fifth year with us. Get a grip, bub. There are many angles to it and I have zero problems with playing any of them if the angles all add up full circle.

[MarquetteMike1977]

No more self inflicted RGV but Yes transfer portal use!

[avid1010]

There is no way Shaka doesn't use the portal moving forward??  I'd like to see them target more "sure things" after their freshmen year like they did with Kolek, O-Max, etc... 

Sean, *Zaide, Trey, Damarius, Royce and Caiden as our upper classmen next year doesn't work. 

My faith in Shaka remains strong.  He'll figure it out, but it seems like he needs to use the method that immediately made him successful at MU.  His recruiting classes look awful. 

I defended him not using the portal, but I don't see how playing 2 freshmen a ton of minutes is any different than using the portal in relation to the other players on the team.

[rocky_warrior]

The idea of pulling redshirts in a lost season is and continues to be extremely dumb.

The idea of NOT pulling redshirts is extremely dumb if those players have a higher ceiling.  Shaka's players that could have had a fifth year have either transferred, or left for the NBA.

[Shooter McGavin]

Jay Bee, 

Couldn't have said it any better.  That rotation simply gives the team a better chance to win.  Full stop. 

[Badgerhater]

A caveat:

Play the seniors less and less as the end of the season approaches and give those minutes to those bench players who have earned more time.

This season is about game experience for next year.

But that assumes growth within the bench.

[HutchwasClutch]

There is no way Shaka doesn't use the portal moving forward??  I'd like to see them target more "sure things" after their freshmen year like they did with Kolek, O-Max, etc... 

Sean, *Zaide, Trey, Damarius, Royce and Caiden as our upper classmen next year doesn't work. 

My faith in Shaka remains strong.  He'll figure it out, but it seems like he needs to use the method that immediately made him successful at MU.  His recruiting classes look awful. 

I defended him not using the portal, but I don't see how playing 2 freshmen a ton of minutes is any different than using the portal in relation to the other players on the team.

This continues to be said here now and then and it's astounding.  If someone was brought in here with the express intent to ruin this program, they couldn't have done better.  Because anyone can see things are not looking up for future seasons because we've got players sitting out with major injuries or have 2 or 3 or whatever top 30 recruits coming on board. 

No competent coach does what Shaka's done to bring us where we sit today.  And that place is one of, if not THE worst team in modern program history.  There's no excuse for what he's done.  It's not just an off season or rebuilding year, it's egregiously bad and negligent handling of a major college program. 

[Warrior of Law]

Chase Ross is having a terrible season. Shooting percentages are way down, zero leadership. I'd have no problem giving his minutes to someone who can help win in 26 and beyond. If you're getting blown out with him playing, what's the harm in playing others?

[Elonsmusk]

This continues to be said here now and then and it's astounding.  If someone was brought in here with the express intent to ruin this program, they couldn't have done better.  Because anyone can see things are not looking up for future seasons because we've got players sitting out with major injuries or have 2 or 3 or whatever top 30 recruits coming on board. 

No competent coach does what Shaka's done to bring us where we sit today.  And that place is one of, if not THE worst team in modern program history.  There's no excuse for what he's done.  It's not just an off season or rebuilding year, it's egregiously bad and negligent handling of a major college program. 

So the program Shaka is "ruining" is the one that he built into being something that became a Top 10 program under his watch/building.  Inherited a program that was 83rd in Ken Pom.

Look, Shaka got burned by pretty much this whole returning team underperforming reasonable expectations of growth.  Zaide didn't take the next step despite seemingly getting it done in practice/but not able to translate to gamedays.  Sean largely has been a difference maker in the wrong direction. Ben Gold's shooting has regressed.  Royce started the year very slowly. Damarious hasn't taken much of a step forward.  Chase started the year looking like he'd made improvement but he's fizzled as Royce and Nigel have started to really improve.

The in game coaching has not been great, yet I also feel the crappy performance of pretty much every player (poor shooting, careless turnovers, missed layups), put Shaka into the spin cycle of wholesale substitutions, grasping for straws.

Assuming MU provides the $$$ resources to be very competitive in the portal, there is no reason to think after getting burned this badly by RGV Shaka wouldn't go to the portal and rebuild the program just as he did when he got to MU Year 1.  That is assuming he decides he wants to continue coaching in this day and age.

[HutchwasClutch]

So the program Shaka is "ruining" is the one that he built into being something that became a Top 10 program under his watch/building.  Inherited a program that was 83rd in Ken Pom.

Look, Shaka got burned by pretty much this whole returning team underperforming reasonable expectations of growth.  Zaide didn't take the next step despite seemingly getting it done in practice/but not able to translate to gamedays.  Sean largely has been a difference maker in the wrong direction. Ben Gold's shooting has regressed.  Royce started the year very slowly. Damarious hasn't taken much of a step forward.  Chase started the year looking like he'd made improvement but he's fizzled as Royce and Nigel have started to really improve.

The in game coaching has not been great, yet I also feel the crappy performance of pretty much every player (poor shooting, careless turnovers, missed layups), put Shaka into the spin cycle of wholesale substitutions, grasping for straws.

Assuming MU provides the $$$ resources to be very competitive in the portal, there is no reason to think after getting burned this badly by RGV Shaka wouldn't go to the portal and rebuild the program just as he did when he got to MU Year 1.  That is assuming he decides he wants to continue coaching in this day and age.

Right, it's 💯 on every player their underperformance.  Shaka got "burned" by each and every one of them.  Do you hear yourself and how nonsensical that is?? He's the one after all that came up with RGV.  The G part of that is most certainly his to impact.  Some kids won't live up to expectations.  That's the reality of college sports.  But when everyone falls short, sort of indicative of a much deeper problem, right?

 That and his and his staff evaluations of a few guys were completely off base.  Which Shaka owns completely.  It's not the kids fault if they were brought in and have no business playing at this level (Tre Norman). 

[Elonsmusk]

Right, it's 💯 on every player their underperformance.  Shaka got "burned" by each and every one of them.  Do you hear yourself and how nonsensical that is?? He's the one after all that came up with RGV.  The G part of that is most certainly his to impact.  Some kids won't live up to expectations.  That's the reality of college sports.  But when everyone falls short, sort of indicative of a much deeper problem, right?

 That and his and his staff evaluations of a few guys were completely off base.  Which Shaka owns completely.  It's not the kids fault if they were brought in and have no business playing at this level (Tre Norman). 

I don't think my feelings that the players haven't grown/taken the next step being on the players, is anymore nonsensical than thinking the guy who built MU back into a Top 10 program from the 10 year drought of NCAA tournament wins is the problem.

[HutchwasClutch]

I don't think my feelings that the players haven't grown/taken the next step being on the players, is anymore nonsensical than thinking the guy who built MU back into a Top 10 program from the 10 year drought of NCAA tournament wins is the problem.

This "10 year drought" is just purposefully misleading context for anyone such as yourself that knows and follows this program's history. Just prior to that 10 year drought, they had a threepeat of 2nd weekend NCAA appearances, with an Elite Eight included. We were a 5 seed when we lost in 2019 to Murray St. Wojo left Shaka with guys like Lewis, Oso, Kam, and Stevie.  This program has all the resources and support any major college coach could ask for to be successful.  Let's stop acting like Shaka took this underdog to success. 

He had a good first three years, including excellent 2nd and 3rd seasons.  Last year they were at best mediocre after early December.  They had what, one top 100 win in the 2025 calendar year.  The signs were already apparent there was a problem.  And now the wheels come off completely, where we're staring at a 20 loss season and likely less than 5 conference wins, which may be a generous projection. 

Shaka had at most one more year at Texas before being fired unless some dramatic NCAAT success happened. It's no secret that's how he landed here.  And now egregiously bad roster building and lack of growth. As I said previously, this is not some hard luck season with really good players being injured, ineligibility not expected, etc.  Year 5 and we haven't just regressed, we've fallen off a cliff by any objective measure.  Dead last in the conference is not only possible, but likely.  So forgive us that some like me are just not all that taken as you are with the totality of Shaka's work. 

[SOSW]

Look, it really doesn't matter if Scoop has faith in Shaka. He is very likely going to be back next season. Hopefully he will figure it out.

[Markusquette]

I'm not sure redshirting and playing in practice vs. our current squad is going to improve them much anyway

[Elonsmusk]

This "10 year drought" is just purposefully misleading context for anyone such as yourself that knows and follows this program's history. Just prior to that 10 year drought, they had a threepeat of 2nd weekend NCAA appearances, with an Elite Eight included. We were a 5 seed when we lost in 2019 to Murray St. Wojo left Shaka with guys like Lewis, Oso, Kam, and Stevie.  This program has all the resources and support any major college coach could ask for to be successful.  Let's stop acting like Shaka took this underdog to success. 

He had a good first three years, including excellent 2nd and 3rd seasons.  Last year they were at best mediocre after early December.  They had what, one top 100 win in the 2025 calendar year.  The signs were already apparent there was a problem.  And now the wheels come off completely, where we're staring at a 20 loss season and likely less than 5 conference wins, which may be a generous projection. 

Shaka had at most one more year at Texas before being fired unless some dramatic NCAAT success happened. It's no secret that's how he landed here.  And now egregiously bad roster building and lack of growth. As I said previously, this is not some hard luck season with really good players being injured, ineligibility not expected, etc.  Year 5 and we haven't just regressed, we've fallen off a cliff by any objective measure.  Dead last in the conference is not only possible, but likely.  So forgive us that some like me are just not all that taken as you are with the totality of Shaka's work. 

You're right.  Shaka walked into a dream program. College basketball landscape is exactly the same now is it was when Buzz was coach.  Current Big East conference (marquee/prestige/attractivness to recruits) is the exact same as the one Buzz coached in (not.)

What's your solution?  Like right now (or the last month), since you and so many other former Shaka fans have turned on Shaka - what would you do?  Who's on your short list of better coaching candidates than Shaka that realistically is going to take the MU job?

[WhiteTrash]

You're right.  Shaka walked into a dream program. College basketball landscape is exactly the same now is it was when Buzz was coach.  Current Big East conference (marquee/prestige/attractivness to recruits) is the exact same as the one Buzz coached in (not.)

What's your solution?  Like right now (or the last month), since you and so many other former Shaka fans have turned on Shaka - what would you do?  Who's on your short list of better coaching candidates than Shaka that realistically is going to take the MU job?

TROLL.

[Galway Eagle]

This "10 year drought" is just purposefully misleading context for anyone such as yourself that knows and follows this program's history. Just prior to that 10 year drought, they had a threepeat of 2nd weekend NCAA appearances, with an Elite Eight included. We were a 5 seed when we lost in 2019 to Murray St. Wojo left Shaka with guys like Lewis, Oso, Kam, and Stevie.  This program has all the resources and support any major college coach could ask for to be successful.  Let's stop acting like Shaka took this underdog to success. 

It also ignores that 2020 didn't have a tournament. It ignores that, given his reaction to Shaka deserving this down year, he should have been ok with the 2014 year. It also ignores that Shaka himself is a data point during that "0/10" it gives him kudos without acknowledging his own contribution to a frustrating decade.

Current Big East conference (marquee/prestige/attractivness to recruits) is the exact same as the one Buzz coached in (not.)

can you actually point to data that shows the average recruiting rankings dropping at MU, Nova, SJU, SHU, PC, GU, and DPU after the NBE was formed? Can you do a comparison of UConn now vs UConn then?

Because I'm thinking Georgetown is likely the only one that had a significant drop and that's mostly due to Ewing not the conference.

[PointWarrior]

are we sure Elonmusk is not Dodd's alter ego?  Go read the Dodd's defense of Shaka not calling timeouts - it's quite comical.  If Elon starts adding in shooting backgrounds, tired legs, freshman walls, or diffuclty of beating teams on Senior night, we will know...

So the program Shaka is "ruining" is the one that he built into being something that became a Top 10 program under his watch/building.  Inherited a program that was 83rd in Ken Pom.

Look, Shaka got burned by pretty much this whole returning team underperforming reasonable expectations of growth.  Zaide didn't take the next step despite seemingly getting it done in practice/but not able to translate to gamedays.  Sean largely has been a difference maker in the wrong direction. Ben Gold's shooting has regressed.  Royce started the year very slowly. Damarious hasn't taken much of a step forward.  Chase started the year looking like he'd made improvement but he's fizzled as Royce and Nigel have started to really improve.

The in game coaching has not been great, yet I also feel the crappy performance of pretty much every player (poor shooting, careless turnovers, missed layups), put Shaka into the spin cycle of wholesale substitutions, grasping for straws.

Assuming MU provides the $$$ resources to be very competitive in the portal, there is no reason to think after getting burned this badly by RGV Shaka wouldn't go to the portal and rebuild the program just as he did when he got to MU Year 1.  That is assuming he decides he wants to continue coaching in this day and age.

[HutchwasClutch]

You're right.  Shaka walked into a dream program. College basketball landscape is exactly the same now is it was when Buzz was coach.  Current Big East conference (marquee/prestige/attractivness to recruits) is the exact same as the one Buzz coached in (not.)

What's your solution?  Like right now (or the last month), since you and so many other former Shaka fans have turned on Shaka - what would you do?  Who's on your short list of better coaching candidates than Shaka that realistically is going to take the MU job?

I never said nor implied it's a "dream program".  And you know that.  I merely stated what reality is and that is it's a very good job with plenty of resources to win at consistently.  Period.  I feel confident that would be a widely held consensus opinion of our program for those that follow college basketball outside our program.

I would probably still give Shaka one more chance to start using the portal. But there's always coaches who are good but no longer feeling the love where they are or other circumstances going on and that largely is unknown until the coaching turnover cycle gets in full motion.  Did Villanova fans really think they'd poach Willard out of Maryland last year at this time? Or did anyone predict Buzz would be ready to move on again from his home state already?

There's possibilities no one sees coming and we're more than of enough stature in the landscape to take advantage. It's the old COLE mindset that Shaka's the best we can ever do.  Especially how badly he's managed things that have led to this season.