That Hurt. A lot.

[The Sultan]

I don't disagree. That was the most frustrating thing about him. He always just did just enough to keep getting paid.

But that first year was a red flag.

Gotcha.

[muwarrior69]

I think that was Shaka's ideal version of RGV.  Freshmen and sophomores learn from the juniors and seniors and are ready to take the reins as upper classmen.  But Kolek and Oso were "the dudes" for two years, and Kam was right there with them.  Then Kam kind of did it on his own, but Stevie was just a natural leader so he was very important last year as well.  Ben and Chase were never asked to fill that leadership or alpha role until this year.  I didn't think Chase would be Kam good, but I thought he could be an alpha.  Never saw it with Ben.  And the juniors simply haven't stepped up this year.

So by being thrown into the fire out of necessity this year, hopefully James, Stevens, and Parham grow from the experience and are ready for the moment starting next year.  As well as Shaka hopefully admitting his errors in the junior class, seeing how this year's senior class didn't fill those roles, and finds some studs in the portal to help the three young core guys.

...and that is the big if. It certainly will not happen with just one stud. It will require at least 2 if not 3.

[Jay Bee]

So by being thrown into the fire out of necessity this year, hopefully James, Stevens, and Parham grow from the experience and are ready for the moment starting next year. 

If by "out of necessity" you mean "long overdue with the delay (especially Royce) caused by insane coaching decisions", sure.

[wadesworld]

If by "out of necessity" you mean "long overdue with the delay (especially Royce) caused by insane coaching decisions", sure.

I mean by "out of necessity" because none of the juniors or seniors stepped into that role this year.

Royce should've been starting from day 1, but let's not pretend he was playing well early in the year.  Through the Wisconsin game he was averaging 7.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 0.7 assist, 0.6 block, 0.6 steal, and 1.1 turnover per game in 21.2 minutes per game, shooting 40.5% from the field, 20.6% from 3, and 57.1% from the line.  His minutes would have been higher against Albany (18) if it wasn't a blowout, Little Rock (18) if it wasn't a blowout, had 4 fouls against Maryland but still played 25 minutes, and Valpo (18) if he didn't have 4 fouls.

[#UnleashThePortal]

Who fires coaches who make the tournament?

Programs who understand that the coach sucked.

Took Marquette far to long.

[The Sultan]

Programs who understand that the coach sucked.

Took Marquette far to long.

*too

And no they don't.

[#UnleashThePortal]

*too

And no they don't.

Yup, clearly Wojo was absolutely the answer.

[The Sultan]

Yup, clearly Wojo was absolutely the answer.

He was not. They just weren't going to fire him after making the tournament.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

I mean by "out of necessity" because none of the juniors or seniors stepped into that role this year.

Royce should've been starting from day 1, but let's not pretend he was playing well early in the year.  Through the Wisconsin game he was averaging 7.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 0.7 assist, 0.6 block, 0.6 steal, and 1.1 turnover per game in 21.2 minutes per game, shooting 40.5% from the field, 20.6% from 3, and 57.1% from the line.  His minutes would have been higher against Albany (18) if it wasn't a blowout, Little Rock (18) if it wasn't a blowout, had 4 fouls against Maryland but still played 25 minutes, and Valpo (18) if he didn't have 4 fouls.

I certainly remember a number of posters suggesting Royce be pushed out while he was struggling.

True ball knowers. 

[tower912]

Scoop is legendary for hot takes, even when things are going well.   Particularly the game chats.  The least surprising thing is that there would be exponentially more when things are not going as well.

[Small Orange Soda]

I mean by "out of necessity" because none of the juniors or seniors stepped into that role this year.

Royce should've been starting from day 1, but let's not pretend he was playing well early in the year.  Through the Wisconsin game he was averaging 7.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 0.7 assist, 0.6 block, 0.6 steal, and 1.1 turnover per game in 21.2 minutes per game, shooting 40.5% from the field, 20.6% from 3, and 57.1% from the line.  His minutes would have been higher against Albany (18) if it wasn't a blowout, Little Rock (18) if it wasn't a blowout, had 4 fouls against Maryland but still played 25 minutes, and Valpo (18) if he didn't have 4 fouls.

I'm 50/50 with wades on his takes, but he's right about this one. Royce was bad to start, which sucked, cause that meant minutes for Caedin, worst player to put on the MU uniform in the last two decades.

[tower912]

I haven't given up on Caedin.

And Mbao.

[WhiteTrash]

I haven't given up on Caedin.

And Mbao.

Do you manage an Arbys?

[PointWarrior]

Are we still top 45ish?

The team is trending better than the aggregate record.  We've got a lot of angsty fans, but if you look at the team's play the last 6 weeks it is trending toward being more of a team playing like a 45ish ranked team.

Unlike last season where we were getting worse as the season wore on, this team is heading the right direction.

[BM1090]

Are we still top 45ish?

Dropped to 55 since 1/14 after the X game.

44th on offense, 113rd on defense.