Is there reason to believe MU will be better in '26-27?

[Scoop Snoop]

I'm guessing some (perhaps even Shaka) would argue that it's not a matter of a recruit (or transfer) earning playing time over a returning player because the recruit (or transfer) proves he's better than the returnee ... it's a matter of paying a recruit (or transfer) more than a returnee.

I'm not saying that school of thought is "right." IMHO, if we are to return to prominence, Shaka (or whoever the coach is) very well might need to pay a proven, talented transfer and/or a high-ranked recruit more than what returnees will be paid.

Returnee Jones got a clean bill of health and some Scoopers assumed he'd move back into the starting lineup even though freshman James was playing well; they were wrong. Fairly early in the season, Shaka benched returnee Lowery in favor of freshman Stevens. So obviously Shaka was willing to use recruits over returnees. But did James and Stevens receive more financial compensation than Jones and Lowery? I haven't seen the books, but I'd bet the answer's no.

Great post 82. I simply do not believe that Shaka will do all of what he needs to do, and as long as he is our coach we will not "return to prominence". With a patched up, or "modified" RGV, we/Shaka still will not be able to do what is necessary. Middle-of-the-pack in the BE would be our ceiling. RGV has to go, which means its creator has to go in order to "return to prominence". Cue the scoopers with the "one bad season" and reciting his very impressive accomplishments, as if they are relevant to the here and now of this mind-boggling disaster resulting from RGV. Then was then, and now is now.

I never, ever thought I would write this, but Coach Don Quixote, astride his steed Argeevy, needs to ride off into the sunset. I hate saying this, but it is what I believe.

Edit: I am well aware that he will likely return next season. I am simply expressing my opinion.

[Warrior of Law]

I think it's been mentioned on this board that MU NIL is based on your grade level (seniors get more than frosh). If that's the case, jettisoning Jones and Norman would free up some money and pave the way for a transfer or two. MU can soften the blow for their transfer to a Horizon league team with a severance payment. I'm not confident that Shaka will do that, and I fear he'll lean on the existing roster. Perhaps even to the extent that he gets himself fired for having the worst two-season stretch in MU history.