Chase and Ben

[Galway Eagle]

It actually happens a lot, see Jay Jay Wright ...

In his 8th year, 2008/2009, Nova made the Final Four.

They then had a three-year slide:

2009–10, 25–8
2010–11, 21–12
2011–12, 13–19


Recall that fans were so pissed at Wright that VU Hoops (their MUScoop) promoted stories he was going to resign over a sex scandal involving a student. It was completely unfounded, but a symptom that the fan base wanted him gone.

Fans said he "could not coach" and was only a "recruiter." (The same was said about Wojo.)

Interestingly, 2012 is now viewed by Nova fans as the "hiccup" that saved the program. Wright used the failure to "course-correct," moving away from chasing high-profile NBA prospects and focusing on "culture" and four-year players. This shift led directly to the arrival of the Ryan Arcidiacono class and the most successful run in program history.

They won two Nattys (2016 and 2018), and made another final four (2022).

---

Maybe this year's failure will be Shaka's "course-correct" where he starts using the portal and engaging with agents.

If 25-8 and a 2 seed is a slide sign me up.

[Pakuni]

Interestingly, 2012 is now viewed by Nova fans as the "hiccup" that saved the program. Wright used the failure to "course-correct," moving away from chasing high-profile NBA prospects and focusing on "culture" and four-year players. This shift led directly to the arrival of the Ryan Arcidiacono class and the most successful run in program history.

They won two Nattys (2016 and 2018), and made another final four (2022).

He stayed away from high-profile NBA prospects like 5-stars Jalen Brunson, Omari Spellman, Jahvon Quinerly, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Bryan Antoine.

The Arcidiacono class, by the way, was the Class of 2012, which would have been signed prior to the 2011-12 season. The other members of that class were Nova legends Daniel Ochefu and Mislav Brzoja.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

What ever happened to player improvement? Who has progressed from last year?

The only player who got better was Hamilton - and he just went from awful to pretty bad.

The seniors got worse. The Juniors got worse. The sophomores have shown little to no improvement.

Is there any coaching even happening at this stage? Or is it a total surrender? If we don't go HEAVILY into the portal this year, the program will officially become Depaul.

This "we will become DePaul" nonsense it completely idiotic.  DePaul has essentially had 34 years of futility with 2 tourney appearances mixed in. 

One horrendous season and the possibility of another bad season being equated to us "being DePaul" is ludicrous. 

[Jockey]

This "we will become DePaul" nonsense it completely idiotic.  DePaul has essentially had 34 years of futility with 2 tourney appearances mixed in. 

One horrendous season and the possibility of another bad season being equated to us "being DePaul" is ludicrous. 

Look at our last 4 recruiting classes. Name even one star player in the entire group. Ignoring the portal will lead to a Depaul-esque team. Well, it might lead to aspiring to be Depaul.

And that is where the MU program is right now.

[WhiteTrash]

Look at our last 4 recruiting classes. Name even one star player in the entire group. Ignoring the portal will lead to a Depaul-esque team. Well, it might lead to aspiring to be Depaul.

And that is where the MU program is right now.

No doubt this is a complete $h!t show, but DePaul has institutional issues that MU does not. DePaul would kill to have a coach like Wojo, and MU paid handsomely to send him packing.

In this season, we are at DePaul's level (or worse), but the program is lightyears ahead of DePaul.

 

[connie]

In this season, we are at DePaul's level (or worse), but the program is lightyears ahead of DePaul.

 

So we've got that going for us!

[WhiteTrash]

So we've got that going for us!

Thanks Carl.

[Viper]

It actually happens a lot, see Jay Jay Wright ...

In his 8th year, 2008/2009, Nova made the Final Four.

They then had a three-year slide:

2009–10, 25–8
2010–11, 21–12
2011–12, 13–19


Recall that fans were so pissed at Wright that VU Hoops (their MUScoop) promoted stories he was going to resign over a sex scandal involving a student. It was completely unfounded, but a symptom that the fan base wanted him gone.

Fans said he "could not coach" and was only a "recruiter." (The same was said about Wojo.)

Interestingly, 2012 is now viewed by Nova fans as the "hiccup" that saved the program. Wright used the failure to "course-correct," moving away from chasing high-profile NBA prospects and focusing on "culture" and four-year players. This shift led directly to the arrival of the Ryan Arcidiacono class and the most successful run in program history.

They won two Nattys (2016 and 2018), and made another final four (2022).

---

Maybe this year's failure will be Shaka's "course-correct" where he starts using the portal and engaging with agents.

completely different era from 2012 on thru Nova's natty's. Wright probably anticipated the headache NIL and portal craziness would become hence his retirement from coaching. In 2025 and for the foreseeable future, embrace the portal or fall behind. Portal shopping doesn't guarantee success, of course, but I don't foresee success if not using it.

[WhiteTrash]

completely different era from 2012 on thru Nova's natty's. Wright probably anticipated the headache NIL and portal craziness would become hence his retirement from coaching. In 2025 and for the foreseeable future, embrace the portal or fall behind. Portal shopping doesn't guarantee success, of course, but I don't foresee success if not using it.

Nothing, including massive money, guarantees success.

All great leaders make mistakes, but they all learn from them and Shaka should be no different.

[onepost]

That's a pretty comparable saying. If that's the best you've got you're being pedantic.

This is rich

[Galway Eagle]

This is rich

Huh?

[MuggsyB]

It's now 3-41 in BRast play. Take a minute to think about that. 

[PointWarrior]

They are a combined 3-41 from 3 in the first 4 BE games.  That's a boat anchor every player on the team has to carry in the game. 

Nah.

[tower912]

One option is to bench Ben and play Hamilton more.   Yeah.

The only way out is through.  Keep running the offense and taking the right shots. 

It would be nice if they started making the right shots.

[connie]

3-41 is so frustrating, but still better than having to watch Hamilton throw something up from 3 feet and have it miss the rim by 2. This is a case of no better option--which is a different discussion.

[Shooter McGavin]

Every time Hamilton plays I hope for the best.  But one of his main limitations is poor hands.  He has a ton of passes and rebounds go off his hands. He can be in the right spot at the right time and still have the ball go off his hands out of bounds. Shaka has gifted him playing time every game so he should be comfortable out there now and it still happens every time, multiple times.

I'm not talking balls at his feet, which happened to Ben multiple times last night.  Balls at his chest,  Also, the 10,000 hook shots did not pay off.  If it is not a point blank layup with no one around it's a miss.  He had a three footer last night that went 1 foot. 

Definitely think Clark should be playing over him.  And Clark should be subbing for Ben.  If he manages to do even the basic things right for a 2 minute stretch then give him another minute.  Total of five minutes per game.  Shaka finally figuring it out.  Super bizarre coaching to start the season.

[Hards Alumni]

Every time Hamilton plays I hope for the best.  But one of his main limitations is poor hands.  He has a ton of passes and rebounds go off his hands. He can be in the right spot at the right time and still have the ball go off his hands out of bounds. Shaka has gifted him playing time every game so he should be comfortable out there now and it still happens every time, multiple times.

I'm not talking balls at his feet, which happened to Ben multiple times last night.  Balls at his chest,  Also, the 10,000 hook shots did not pay off.  If it is not a point blank layup with no one around it's a miss.  He had a three footer last night that went 1 foot. 

Definitely think Clark should be playing over him.  And Clark should be subbing for Ben.  If he manages to do even the basic things right for a 2 minute stretch then give him another minute.  Total of five minutes per game.  Shaka finally figuring it out.  Super bizarre coaching to start the season.

Defense is what gets guys on the floor.  Josh and Demarius both are big liabilities on defense.  When they clean that up, they'll see the floor more.

[Shooter McGavin]

Defense is what gets guys on the floor.  Josh and Demarius both are big liabilities on defense.  When they clean that up, they'll see the floor more.

Agreed overall but Hamilton is terrible on D as well.  Clark offers length that bothers shooters and has better hands.  His strength is not as good but he looks like he has some anticipation of where the ball is going at least.  Hamilton seems surprised every time. He's lucky it doesn't hit him in the face.

[Hards Alumni]

Agreed overall but Hamilton is terrible on D as well.  Clark offers length that bothers shooters and has better hands.  His strength is not as good but he looks like he has some anticipation of where the ball is going at least.  Hamilton seems surprised every time. He's lucky it doesn't hit him in the face.

It's the team defense, not the individual.

[Shooter McGavin]

So both are terrible?  I get it it.  One just offer more advantages over the other.