That Hurt. A lot.

[DoctorV]

Stevens has a chance to be a heck of a player. 

Stevens has a chance to be a heck of a player. 

He will be. A backcourt of Nigel and AS will be good to elite for 3 more seasons given retention imo.

Rocky's point still stands though, it's slim pickens. Even if the above pan out and Royce is the stud we expect.

Nigel is a high impact guy, both within the game results and the way he plays. Dude is constantly barreling into people. Royce seems like hes a bit injury risk, Adrien seems solid.

Need more, more star power and more depth. 

I had the discussion with my wife about paying Nigel like a sr next season and she says "nope, can't do that. Shaka has a system and if he does it to one he will have to account to all"
So I says "well you also can't have a guy like Nigel leave"
She said "why? Sure he's good but why can't Shaka get better? He's no Tyler"

Threw me for a loop. Nigel is great and he deserves both accolades and money from Marquette but it's a down year. Imagine bringing in a stud pg in the portal, or recruiting another stud pg like Shaka is trying to.
One stud is good, two or several is elite. We can't lose sight of that if the goal is elite

[BM1090]

This team should be better than our record.

No we shouldn't. We sucked early. We're solid now. Once we learn to win on the road and consistently close games, we'll be good.

[rocky_warrior]

She said "why? Sure he's good but why can't Shaka get better? He's no Tyler"

I agree, and disagree.  He's way better than Tyler, especially as a frosh.

[MuggsyB]

He will be. A backcourt of Nigel and AS will be good to elite for 3 more seasons given retention imo.

Rocky's point still stands though, it's slim pickens. Even if the above pan out and Royce is the stud we expect.

Nigel is a high impact guy, both within the game results and the way he plays. Dude is constantly barreling into people. Royce seems like hes a bit injury risk, Adrien seems solid.

Need more, more star power and more depth. 

I had the discussion with my wife about paying Nigel like a sr next season and she says "nope, can't do that. Shaka has a system and if he does it to one he will have to account to all"
So I says "well you also can't have a guy like Nigel leave"
She said "why? Sure he's good but why can't Shaka get better? He's no Tyler"

Threw me for a loop. Nigel is great and he deserves both accolades and money from Marquette but it's a down year. Imagine bringing in a stud pg in the portal, or recruiting another stud pg like Shaka is trying to.
One stud is good, two or several is elite. We can't lose sight of that if the goal is elite

We definitely need more Dr.V!  Way more.  But I think Shaka will pivot and get some strong pieces.  If he doesn't it will be MU hoops malpractice, and my calm disposition will turn to relentless wrath and demanding immediate change. 

[DoctorV]

I agree, and disagree.  He's way better than Tyler, especially as a frosh.

Yea but you've got to understand she's my wife, and any basketball engagement I get is a net positive.

You can learn things from all opinions

She is right in one sense though- find a way to bring in more while retaining what you've built as your system and let it play out on the court, regardless of position

[rocky_warrior]

She is right in one sense though- find a way to bring in more while retaining what you've built as your system and let it play out on the court, regardless of position

Now you're putting words in her mouth! Lol

[DoctorV]

Now you're putting words in her mouth! Lol

Sometimes those darn jokes, they write themselves

[Pakuni]

This is on par for you.  You've suggested Shaka will/should be on the hot seat going in to next year.  But you can't answer basic questions about what you'd do as AD at the end of next season with a very straightforward scenario laid out for you.

But, you've been an awesome complainer all season long!

Why bother? I've answered this many times and you repeatedly lie about it. I have no reason or desire to restate myself for your benefit. Scoop has a search function. Use it. Or don't. Makes no difference to me.

[rocky_warrior]

Sometimes those darn jokes, they write themselves

[augoman]

I agree, and disagree.  He's way better than Tyler, especially as a frosh.

agree, better than a freshman Tyler.  Not better than a junior Tyler, yet.  still a poor passer, weak handle in traffic, poor decision making when going to the hole, gets caught with no shot, pass, or escape and forces a pass which is picked off. plays like a freshman sometimes.

[Shooter McGavin]

Would like to see more out of Owens and Phillips.  They need to be way more aggressive offensively.  Especially Owens as a sophomore.  He had those two good games where he was a revelation and is now back to his passive ways.  Had a nice drive into the lane last night and a good shot and missed.  Never did it again the rest of the game.  Phillips needs to take it hard to the hoop as well after he pump fakes and drives baseline.  Use that athleticism fellas!

[tower912]

I'm sorry Scoopers, you have to finish.  And when you beat yourself, it hurts.   

Sounds like a personal problem bordering on TMI.

[Viper]

And MU hit 90% and lost, so??

what are you arguing?

[Viper]

If you let a game like that bother you that much, it's on you. Did you honestly think they were ever likely to win that game after how they have played in close games down the stretch all season?

I'm more upset about Illinois choking away their game to the Badgers.

yeah, I turned over to that game. RED has road wins at Michigan and Illinois this season. 😢
Gard goes with upper classmen and guys on their 2nd & 3rd program. He plays the game, so to speak. S16 won't surprise me, unfortunately.

[panda]

Many here are glossing over the fact Nigel will attract big time suitors this offseason. If we have any chance of keeping him, "win now" mode needs to be activated and we need to overhaul this roster.

[panda]

A little worse (52) over a little less than the last 6 weeks (since the calendar year 2026 started, which I found out is what matters and not actual sports seasons because it made the narrative that last year sucked fit so we had more to complain about here).

So what is your opinion on our recent upward trend? Is it silly to think we can judge the season in a more positive light because it's only a portion of the season and not reflective of the whole?

[tower912]

Yes he will.  As will Royce.  MU has previously paid their stars enough to keep them when other schools have come sniffing.  It is only logical that MU will do everything they can to keep them.  Part of that will be relationships.  Like Kam not wanting to leave his brothers.

But, like the Brewers, if the college basketball equivalent of the Dodgers swoop in with an obscene offer, a merely competitive offer may mot be enough.

[panda]

Yes he will.  As will Royce.  MU has previously paid their stars enough to keep them when other schools have come sniffing.  It is only logical that MU will do everything they can to keep them.  Part of that will be relationships.  Like Kam not wanting to leave his brothers.

But, like the Brewers, if the college basketball equivalent of the Dodgers swoop in with an obscene offer, a merely competitive offer may mot be enough.

We were able to keep kolek, oso, jones etc. Because of the other returning talent and high expectations for the following season. We cannot say the same now so "rgv" only goes so far when the prospect of another mediocre season without many reinforcements is a possibility.

[tower912]

Perhaps.  But I also remember Kam alluding to not being able to leave Stevie and Jop.  But what if the relationships between players are still that strong, or the bonds with Shaka that go back to the recruiting process are that solid, and the young men are resilient and understand the growth process?

[panda]

Perhaps.  But I also remember Kam alluding to not being able to leave Stevie and Jop.  But what if the relationships between players are still that strong, or the bonds with Shaka that go back to the recruiting process are that solid, and the young men are resilient and understand the growth process?

Winning teams ease the burden of decision making. You can sell rgv 8 days a week but it's not as impactful when you're going through a crummy season or the coach doesn't fully commit to improving the roster your next season.

[tower912]

For the fans.

I know none of this matters to you right now so I am not going to spend much more time on it. 
Think about what we have learned about Shaka's recruiting process. 
Think about what Shaka has said about having to re-recruit every season, the player as well as his best friend on the team.
Think about the type of character Shaka has made it clear he is looking for.  Assume he usually gets it.
Think about it as young men cognizant of their situation, but understanding that young teams struggle sometimes, but believing the talent and building blocks are there if they stick with their friends and brothers.

I accept it as a given that big money is going to sniff around Nigel, Royce, and Adrien.  I don't assume that means they are gone.

[panda]

For the fans.

I know none of this matters to you right now so I am not going to spend much more time on it. 
Think about what we have learned about Shaka's recruiting process. 
Think about what Shaka has said about having to re-recruit every season, the player as well as his best friend on the team.
Think about the type of character Shaka has made it clear he is looking for.  Assume he usually gets it.
Think about it as young men cognizant of their situation, but understanding that young teams struggle sometimes, but believing the talent and building blocks are there if they stick with their friends and brothers.

I accept it as a given that big money is going to sniff around Nigel, Royce, and Adrien.  I don't assume that means they are gone.

Neither do I - but sunshine and rainbows are easier to sell when you're winning games in the tournament.