Shaka Smart, if you read scoop...

[Zog from Margo]

I have no idea how the roster will shake out next season. If MU misses the tournament again next year, then I think Shaka's seat will be pretty warm. This season has been an inexcusable debacle, with MU sitting near the bottom of the league and having a losing record in non-conference. How Shaka gets them back into the tournament is up to him. Heading into next year with Hamilton, Clark, and Pearson (i.e., no proven layer) at the 5 would be a bold move.

[DoctorV]

I wouldn't run off players who want to stay.  And I have said what I am looking for if there is only one player.   So, how much money do I have to play with? 

If only one more player leaves, if that player is a guard or wing, I look for a second combo guard.   If that player is Royce or one of the 3 centers, I look for a 6'9 stretch 4.

Please, Shaka, block scoop on any and all devices of players and coaches.

1- To answer the original question in the thread topic, I don't think Shaka reads scoop but his assistants might.

2- Shaka's responsibility is to win, above all else. If he sees no path to playing time for player(s) X, or XYZ, that wouldn't be running them off.
Now, if player X is ok collecting an inflated paycheck and just practicing with the boys, as in the scenario above, I would hope the system has creating an appropriate sum of money that doesnt affect the rest of th roster construction. If it doesn't, and player and coach are ok with the funds player X is to receive while just being a valued teammate and practice guy, and there is a spot for someone on Shaka's bench then ok.

If not, Shaka's responsibility to win supersedes player Xs relationship and growth within the program. So if Shaka retains and pays someone to not add value on gameday, and the wins don't come, then it's on coach

[rocky_warrior]

2- Now, if player X is ok collecting an inflated paycheck and just practicing with the boys,

I would hope that Zaide knew he was worth more than both Sean and Tre, and Shaka would agree. But that didn't happen.

[tower912]

Would you be 100% honest about their roll and PT on the team going forward?

Explaining their role is how most coaches roll.  It is part of the job.  Do you think Shaka isn't?  Do you think he wasn't honest with Zaide? 
If the remaining 14 all return, how many do you think already have defined roles?  2?  Possibly 3?  If you think that Shaka erred starting Caedin based on his offseason practice performance, wouldn't it be an even bigger error to pre-assign roles before the offseason work begins?

[Jay Bee]

Would you be 100% honest about their roll and PT on the team going forward?

You callin them fat??

[tower912]

Perhaps he meant bankroll.   Although I suspect he meant their place on the payroll.

[mug644]

I think that one of the challenges of this year was that, going into the season, roles were less clear than in the past few years. No surprise, really, as the full core of Shaka's early success at MU was gone, and there was uncertainty about who might step up. I'm with you, Tower, that pre-defining roles can be dangerous, and I think that the more recent positive showing by individuals and as a team has been partly a result of clarifying roles and rotations. (I also feel that Zaide's departure may have proven a net positive and that Sean's injury took pressure off of Shaka to take away the starting role from him.)

I disagree, though, with the idea that you wouldn't (and your implication that Shaka shouldn't) "run off players who want to stay." I think that would be Shaka doing a disservice to the team and avoiding his responsibility to lead and make the tough calls to foster a winning program. I get the value of commitment and of mentoring young men but, at some point, Shaka needs to acknowledge his duty to win and to use the range of resources available to help put a winning product on the court.

I have been 100% comfortable with Shaka not running players off in previous years, as I appreciate the RGV approach and, frankly, it's worked fairly well. But, with a clear gap in talent this year and limited scholarship openings heading into this coming offseason, he needs to make the tough call. He needs to use Zaide's place and facilitate 1-3 more openings and fill them with players who will be expected to immediately challenge/surpass current roster members for playing time.

I wasn't the one asked what I would say to Shaka, but it would be this: Be the leader by making the hard choice(s) to show that, at the end of the day, the Victory part of RGV is equal to the R and the G.

Finally, with this notion of the hot seat: if Shaka doesn't make offseason changes to his RGV approach (ie, fill 1 or more spaces with transfer portal guys), then I think his seat will be very warm heading into the 2026-27 season. Success (top third finish in the BEast and getting into the NCAA tournament, at a minimum) would possibly save him, but no changes and same results as this year and he gone.

[WhiteTrash]

Explaining their role is how most coaches roll.  It is part of the job.  Do you think Shaka isn't?  Do you think he wasn't honest with Zaide? 
If the remaining 14 all return, how many do you think already have defined roles?  2?  Possibly 3?  If you think that Shaka erred starting Caedin based on his offseason practice performance, wouldn't it be an even bigger error to pre-assign roles before the offseason work begins?

I was not commenting on how Shaka runs thing, but your statement that 'you wouldn't run off players'.
I believe Shaka will be honest, that will likely result in transfers, but I wouldn't define that as running off players.
I don't think coaches should BS players to be kind or loyal. Tell them how it is and let them decide. 

[tower912]

I think it likely Shaka is always honest with his players.  I think he prides himself on it.  And I think it is why he won't run off players.

[79Warrior]

I think it likely Shaka is always honest with his players.  I think he prides himself on it.  And I think it is why he won't run off players.

Shake will not "run" any player off. Players know where they sit in the rotations. If they want to play more, then another program may be the answer. He will not buzz cut anyone.

[swoopem]

I initially thought that too, but then realized he meant shaka calls on Thursday.  #comprehension

Correct. Wednesday loss, Shaka calls on Thursday, and then it seems like Tower would want the same team back in the Al Friday.

I'm hoping Tre, Sean, and Caedin (maybe Josh too) are heading to General Mitchell Friday morning

[Jay Bee]

Correct. Wednesday loss, Shaka calls on Thursday, and then it seems like Tower would want the same team back in the Al Friday.

I'm hoping Tre, Sean, and Caedin (maybe Josh too) are heading to General Mitchell Friday morning

Sorry for the misread.

But, I do want them to stay through the semester and keep the GPA up and not negatively affect APR!