Let's talk Josh. #FREEJOSH

[Newsdreams]

Absolutely FreeJosh. While we are at it, FreeIan.

18>>>>JC

[BM1090]

Better late than never.

Wouldn't even call it late. Year 3 from a guy who has barely played basketball.

[Stretchdeltsig]

Since the hashtag hasn't picked up yet, thought Josh deserves his own thread. Seriously, what gives. Does Shaka really think Caedin is still the future? What possible reason is there not to give Josh extended run to see what we have ther? he seems.far more likely to be a backup piece next year than Caedin. And even if he's worse, who cares? We only win 2 BE games instaed of 3? I see no downside and only upside to getting the young man more floor time. #FREEJOSH
 
Would love to see a starting line up with Josh and Fru. It would certainly build up our rebounding and rim protection.

[tower912]

It was one game against an undersized cupcake.  It was a great game, to be sure.  It is ok to be the back up center.   Playing both bigs at the same time for extended minutes always seems like a fun idea, but rarely works out.   Who guards the 3 pt shooter?  Does Shaka change his switching schemes?  Which one is the screener on the high screen and roll?  Doesn't having two of them in the game at the same time clog the lane and take away space in the paint for the guards?
  We have already seen it, so it isn't impossible.  I just don't see them both starting as beeing the best use of resources as the team is currently configured. 

Maybe when Caedin is back, start them both and bring Caedin and Royce off the bench. (ducks and exits laughing hysterically)

[brewcity77]

It was one game against an undersized cupcake.

It was, but it was still D1 competition and I can't remember a backup center having that type of game against anyone. I suppose some of Oso's sophomore year games, but he was more like a platoon center than true backup.

Otherwise, maybe going back to Davante Gardner? Though he was never the two way impact that Josh had Monday.

[tower912]

It was a lot of fun.   All of the hard work from him and the coaching staff paid off for the night.  I was encouraged.  Having him be a good back up center, working toward being ready to start next season, would be awesome.   And vindication for him and the coaches.

[1SE]

Josh's block and dreb numbers last year (in very limited minutes) were phenomenal. He's not gonna feast at the rim like he did against teams with guys taller than 6'7", but Nigel is going to draw a lot of attention in the paint leaving him open for some lobs. Even if he never becomes starter material a guy that can hold his own for 10-15 minutes with some decent D and a few bunnies raises the team's ceiling for sure -i.e. If that PRPG! stays green with more steady usage - we're in very good shape!

https://www.barttorvik.com/team.php?team=Marquette&year=2027

[21Jumpstreet]

What I liked seeing best out of Josh was his hustle, guarded well and strong, ran up and down the court. Would have been easy to "play down to the level" or just go through the motions. While this might be his best performance of the season, I am thrilled be brought it and dominated.

[tower912]

I think that Josh is going to be a better than expected back-up this season and the starter next season.

[Uncle Rico]

Tempering my enthusiasm until I see him play regularly against better teams.

But, even if he gives half of what he did the other night regularly, that would enhance the teams ceiling

[Newsdreams]

Can't wait until 18 is back

[MU82]

What I liked seeing best out of Josh was his hustle, guarded well and strong, ran up and down the court.

Yup. If he didn't score a single point, I would have been encouraged by this, too. Last season, he had trouble just getting up and down the court without being extremely winded. On Monday, he was beating 6-foot-3 guys down the court to make rim-runs, and then hustling back to play defense. Ya gotta love that from a 5.

On the actual basketball skills side of things, I join those who are reserving judgment. But I'm so much more hopeful about what MU will get out of our backup 5 position now than I was a month ago.

[wadesworld]

I'm withholding no judgement.  Shaka going into the season with Josh and Caedin as our backup bigs is roster malpractice.  For the second year in a row.

[#UnleashThePortal]

I'll stand by until clark plays someone who can physically come close to matching