Our Future

[drbob]

Sitting here watching St Johns playing Connecticut.  There is no way our roster can compete with either one of them. Just really struck me as to how far we have fallen compared to the more elite teams in the country. We seriously are in danger of becoming a nobody. Something needs to change quickly!

[Scoop Snoop]

Sitting here watching St Johns playing Connecticut.  There is no way our roster can compete with either one of them. Just really struck me as to how far we have fallen compared to the more elite teams in the country. We seriously are in danger of becoming a nobody. Something needs to change quickly!

You haven't shown up for quite a while, so I guess that you are unaware that your criticisms have been stated over and over and over and over here. And yes, I have often repeated myself here as have most scoopers, but a rant like this?
Take a deep breath and enjoy the SJU and UCONN game. Something is NOT going to change quickly with our team.

[Johnny B]

Most years we can absolutely compete with this St Johns team.

[WhiteTrash]

Sitting here watching St Johns playing Connecticut.  There is no way our roster can compete with either one of them. Just really struck me as to how far we have fallen compared to the more elite teams in the country. We seriously are in danger of becoming a nobody. Something needs to change quickly!

Relax. The calvary is coming. I see a positive offseason ahead.

[Mu8891]

Trash - You see a positive offseason?

Here's what I see:

No one else leaves. Shaka ( maybe ) adds one guy out of the portal. He otherwise runs it back. Tells everyone that the team has " improved " in 2d half of the year.  And RGV BABY !

I hope I'm wrong...

[MuggsyB]

Trash - You see a positive offseason?

Here's what I see:

No one else leaves. Shaka ( maybe ) adds one guy out of the portal. He otherwise runs it back. Tells everyone that the team has " improved " in 2d half of the year.  And RGV BABY !

I hope I'm wrong...

I disagree.  Because if he decides to run it back, he will be looking for a new job in '27.

[drbob]

A lot of scoopers think 1 or 2 portal additions will right the ship! I think the deficit in talent is greater than that. We need some players with actual basketball skills who are physical and can rebound.

[Johnny B]

I disagree.  Because if he decides to run it back, he will be looking for a new job in '27.

I'd agree with this 6 weeks ago. With the improvement I've seen I'd say even he doesn't grab a transfer(he should) still we will be much better next year. Not saying good but better than a fireable season.

[MU82]

A lot of scoopers think 1 or 2 portal additions will right the ship! I think the deficit in talent is greater than that. We need some players with actual basketball skills who are physical and can rebound.

We have several young players with actual basketball skills right now, notably James, Parham and Stevens. But yes, we need lots more who can help in many areas.

[MuggsyB]

I'd agree with this 6 weeks ago. With the improvement I've seen I'd say even he doesn't grab a transfer(he should) still we will be much better next year. Not saying good but better than a fireable season.

I feel the same way but I don't think being better will be enough if we're a non-factor.  It's extremely unfortunate we didn't really cash in with back to back #2 seeds.  We absolutely could have, and arguably should have, made deep runs both seasons.  It's amazing to think how great Chase was vs Colorado. 

[brewcity77]

A lot of scoopers think 1 or 2 portal additions will right the ship! I think the deficit in talent is greater than that. We need some players with actual basketball skills who are physical and can rebound.

Given the growth we've seen from NJ, Stevens, Royce, & Owens, adding 2 starter level players (center, wing) and a rotation guard should suffice. It'll require one of Clark or Sheek to be a serviceable piece and probably one other guy to be able to give 15-20 bench minutes, but it's pretty clear there's something there with that first group of 4.

In addition, Chase leaving will be addition by subtraction based on what he's done this year.

[drbob]

Good points Brew. Especially about Chase. I think once Nigel proved he was the team leader Chase tapped out

[DoctorV]

Given the growth we've seen from NJ, Stevens, Royce, & Owens, adding 2 starter level players (center, wing) and a rotation guard should suffice. It'll require one of Clark or Sheek to be a serviceable piece and probably one other guy to be able to give 15-20 bench minutes, but it's pretty clear there's something there with that first group of 4.

In addition, Chase leaving will be addition by subtraction based on what he's done this year.

Somethings there, but not enough.

It would definitely either take several of the incoming crop really outshining expectations, à la Nigel, or a few immediate high impact guys transferring over, or perhaps even both.

Ultimately it's likely both, as the transfers would help in the immediate future in the next season or two, while the incoming crop would help the next wave of sustained success.

All in all looks brighter than a month ago, and I agree that Nigel and maybe even Royce could be a big revelation for a bright future, with Adrien and Damarius likely/possibly being able to hold their own.
Too much "could" for my liking though, so I hope and expect coach to get in the lab and right the ship quite a bit, much like he did in his first month or two on the job

[rocky_warrior]

You haven't shown up for quite a while, so I guess that you are unaware that your criticisms have been stated over and over and over and over here. And yes, I have often repeated myself here as have most scoopers, but a rant like this?
Take a deep breath and enjoy the SJU and UCONN game. Something is NOT going to change quickly with our team.

Good gracious you can be a pompous ass! You  took some time off this season too.  More people show up around NMD and you decide to be the arbitrator of when they are allowed to breath!?

[MU82]

Somethings there, but not enough.

It would definitely either take several of the incoming crop really outshining expectations, à la Nigel, or a few immediate high impact guys transferring over, or perhaps even both.

Ultimately it's likely both, as the transfers would help in the immediate future in the next season or two, while the incoming crop would help the next wave of sustained success.

All in all looks brighter than a month ago, and I agree that Nigel and maybe even Royce could be a big revelation for a bright future, with Adrien and Damarius likely/possibly being able to hold their own.
Too much "could" for my liking though, so I hope and expect coach to get in the lab and right the ship quite a bit, much like he did in his first month or two on the job

Every transfer considered - and hopefully signed - should be an immediate help on Day 1. If he isn't at least 2021 Morsell level, what's the point?

You add the likes of 2021 Morsell and Kuath to the top 5 returnees (including MP and DO in the mix), and add Sheek and Egbuonu, that team can contend on Day 1.

I really believe that.

That's the frustrating part - we don't need Dybantsa and Shaq, just 2-3 good D1 players. They're out there, and they'd be happy to be part of our culture.

[Mu8891]

Right.  They need 2 or 3 guys.  I'd say 3 that can be in their top 7 players.

But how does it happen? They have one spot. You think SS will tell Hamilton or Tre to take a hike ? ( Or, for some of the more delicate posters ... have a nice, fatherly, supportive conversation where he suggests that the Horizon League is lovely this time of year? )

I don't see it. 

And ... if they just add one guy they will probably be a bit " better "...
Cuz they will soften up the NC schedule and he will have enough sense to not play
Hamilton, Jones and Tre.  But " better "
will be what .500 overall? Middle of the pack in BE ?

[brewcity77]

Right.  They need 2 or 3 guys.  I'd say 3 that can be in their top 7 players.

But how does it happen? They have one spot. You think SS will tell Hamilton or Tre to take a hike ? ( Or, for some of the more delicate posters ... have a nice, fatherly, supportive conversation where he suggests that the Horizon League is lovely this time of year? )

I don't see it. 

And ... if they just add one guy they will probably be a bit " better "...
Cuz they will soften up the NC schedule and he will have enough sense to not play
Hamilton, Jones and Tre.  But " better "
will be what .500 overall? Middle of the pack in BE ?

I think there are three possibilities:

1) Shaka goes against RGV, creates 2-3 more scholarships on top of Zaide, reinforces with transfers, and we're competitive again.
2) Shaka doubles down on RGV, takes at most one transfer, we are mediocre again and he's fired in 13 months.
3) Shaka gets out ahead of the pitchforks, parachuting to a Pitt/Wake/Rutgers type of job and we get a new coach that overhauls the roster.

[muwarrior69]

Trash - You see a positive offseason?

Here's what I see:

No one else leaves. Shaka ( maybe ) adds one guy out of the portal. He otherwise runs it back. Tells everyone that the team has " improved " in 2d half of the year.  And RGV BABY !

I hope I'm wrong...

After the radio show I tend to agree with you and unless Dr. V's devastating post on how the team has regressed in scoring over the last few years is reversed it will be more of the same next season. 

[IrwinFletcher]

I think there are three possibilities:

1) Shaka goes against RGV, creates 2-3 more scholarships on top of Zaide, reinforces with transfers, and we're competitive again.
2) Shaka doubles down on RGV, takes at most one transfer, we are mediocre again and he's fired in 13 months.
3) Shaka gets out ahead of the pitchforks, parachuting to a Pitt/Wake/Rutgers type of job and we get a new coach that overhauls the roster.

Or
4) Shaka doubles down on RGV, takes one transfer, and we are back in the tournament.

[Scoop Snoop]

Good gracious you can be a pompous ass! You  took some time off this season too.  More people show up around NMD and you decide to be the arbitrator of when they are allowed to breath!?

Guilty as charged.

[panda]

Or
4) Shaka doubles down on RGV, takes one transfer, and we are back in the tournament.

Lol

[muwarrior69]

Somethings there, but not enough.

It would definitely either take several of the incoming crop really outshining expectations, à la Nigel, or a few immediate high impact guys transferring over, or perhaps even both.

Ultimately it's likely both, as the transfers would help in the immediate future in the next season or two, while the incoming crop would help the next wave of sustained success.

All in all looks brighter than a month ago, and I agree that Nigel and maybe even Royce could be a big revelation for a bright future, with Adrien and Damarius likely/possibly being able to hold their own.
Too much "could" for my liking though, so I hope and expect coach to get in the lab and right the ship quite a bit, much like he did in his first month or two on the job

Could not agree with you more, but those first months on the job were before all this NIL/ Revenue Sharing Business. May not be that easy.

[WhiteTrash]

Big picture, I believe Shaka hates to lose. There has been moderate improvement but not enough for him to avoid transfers. Young guys are needed as depth because it would be very risky to rely on them as starters.

No guarantees, but it would be shocking for him to stay the course and probably the end of his time at MU. He'd have no other options other than a step down to a mid-major. I just can't see him putting himself in that position.

[willie warrior]

Sitting here watching St Johns playing Connecticut.  There is no way our roster can compete with either one of them. Just really struck me as to how far we have fallen compared to the more elite teams in the country. We seriously are in danger of becoming a nobody. Something needs to change quickly!

You should tell Reeker this. For the past two years it was patently obvious that the gap between MU and those two programs was widening, And of course Reeker and a few others were highly critical and sneering and scoffing at my pointing this out. Yet, here we are, and no solutions in sight. At least no solutions except speculation that Shaka has seen the light and will adapt. I guess getting smacked across the head with a 2 by 4 to cause somebody to wake up and smell the coffee is better than not adapting, but right now there is no evidence that Shaka has finally wised up. There is talent on the roster, just not enough at this point. That is on Shaka. Hopefully he will adapt. But then again, there is the old saying, You cant teach an old dog new tricks. Next year looks like the same. Something must change and quickly.

[brewcity77]

Or
4) Shaka doubles down on RGV, takes one transfer, and we are back in the tournament.

Not a possibility I see. It would take more production from multiple redshirts in one season than we've seen in the first five years of Shaka's tenure.