That Hurt. A lot.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

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.

Nigel is not going anywhere - that couldn't be more obvious. 

[Vander Blue Man Group]

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.

So you're just completely ignoring everything James and Stevens have said recently?  They'll both be here going forward.

[Badgerhater]

MU has eight losses of seven points or less.

A few minutes of better basketball in each of those games perhaps changes the outcome.

MU has grown into a competitive team as the season progresses.  Good basketball teams that win figured out how to address those few minutes of bad basketball each game.  MU isn't there yet but when they get there it is going to be fun.

[Billy Hoyle]

So you're just completely ignoring everything James and Stevens have said recently?  They'll both be here going forward.

Money talks, though. If St. John's or UConn (or other P4 programs, I chose them because they're close to his home) come out and offer James $1 million all bets are off.

[WellsstreetWanderer]

I'm starting to see this year as a CBB equivalent to Marine Boot. These guys are starting to coalesce into a solid team. Freshmen and Sophomores playing like F&S but building a sense of themselves as a unit as they struggle through the challenges

[panda]

So you're just completely ignoring everything James and Stevens have said recently?  They'll both be here going forward.

I hope they will be but as I said before, it's naive to believe, James especially, is an automatic returnee next year because of rgv. Cmon now

[panda]

Nigel is not going anywhere - that couldn't be more obvious. 

I hope not !

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Money talks, though. If St. John's or UConn (or other P4 programs, I chose them because they're close to his home) come out and offer James $1 million all bets are off.

He's not leaving.

[WhiteTrash]

He's not leaving.

This level of analysis has convinced me he is not transferring. You have laid out the facts and inside intel so plainly that nobody could argue with your position.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

I hope they will be but as I said before, it's naive to believe, James especially, is an automatic returnee next year because of rgv. Cmon now

I shouldn't say there is no chance he leaves because nothing is absolute.  I think there's a 99% chance he's back, however.

The money is important, obviously, but as Tower said the types of families and players Shaka recruits makes it much less likely they're going to bolt.

[Its DJOver]

Until we actually lose a contributor, and they leave because of $, I'm going to assume that it's not going to happen because of RGV (pretty much the only benefit of it right now). Oso could have gotten more at Arizona, TKO could have gotten more at StJ/UConn/insert school in NE here, Memphis was rumored to have offered Kam a bag, they all stayed. Could it happen in the future? Sure, but until I hear otherwise, I assume every major contributor will be back.

[Viper]

I shouldn't say there is no chance he leaves because nothing is absolute.  I think there's a 99% chance he's back, however.

The money is important, obviously, but as Tower said the types of families and players Shaka recruits makes it much less likely they're going to bolt.

...so, Hamilton, Clark, Norman, Jones...all back?

[panda]

I shouldn't say there is no chance he leaves because nothing is absolute.  I think there's a 99% chance he's back, however.

The money is important, obviously, but as Tower said the types of families and players Shaka recruits makes it much less likely they're going to bolt.

This is the first time that philosophy will be put to the test.

I don't mean to repeat myself, but sunshine and rainbows works very well when you're playing/winning tournament games.

[The Sultan]

This.  I am apparently in the extreme minority but I love this team as is - the trajectory during this second half is vindicating Shaka's culture/strategy.

Come on. This season hasn't vindictated anything. In fact it has pretty much shown that Shaka's strategy was a poor one. Just getting "more competitive" against mediocre BE opponents isn't the goal here. They still haven't won on the road. They haven't beaten a team likely to do to the dance.

[JTJ3]

...so, Hamilton, Clark, Norman, Jones...all back?

No, the above group will not all be back.

Yes, Nigel, Stevens and Royce will be back.

And thats really all that matter right now.

[panda]

No, the above group will not all be back.

Yes, Nigel, Stevens and Royce will be back.

And thats really all that matter right now.

The more open spots the better. We need reinforcements in a bad way.

[DienerTime34]

This team is so allergic to finishing games they should carry an epipen.

Nigel out of control and Ross on a milk carton.

That said, if somehow "they're due" for winning a close game, please Lord let it be in the Big East Tournament.

[tower912]

Nigel is not going anywhere - that couldn't be more obvious. 

I 95% agree with you.  It is clear he and Shaka have a great relationship and that he loves his teammates.  It has also been shown that MU pays their stars.  The last 5% is if somebody comes at him with a mammoth offer.

[Shooter McGavin]

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.

This has to be the assumption or the program is lost.  I'm with you. I think all of them stay as long as a couple reinforcements arrive to appease the desire (of parents and players) to win BIG next year.

[willie warrior]

MU has eight losses of seven points or less.

A few minutes of better basketball in each of those games perhaps changes the outcome.

MU has grown into a competitive team as the season progresses.  Good basketball teams that win figured out how to address those few minutes of bad basketball each game.  MU isn't there yet but when they get there it is going to be fun.

We are still low major status. Performance this year has been unacceptable and is fully on Mr. Shaka

[jfp61]

I don't care about whether our 9 win players transfer out.

I care about whether the leadership in place makes sense for next season.

Shaka is now 14 and 24 in his last 38. And we look lost in late game situations, game after game. The staff is visually bloated. Way to many people involved. And we got a brand new internal hire AD.

Somethings rotten/ or we are just young and unlucky (which our coach opted to be).

[TSmith34, Inc.]

Come on. This season hasn't vindictated anything. In fact it has pretty much shown that Shaka's strategy was a poor one. Just getting "more competitive" against mediocre BE opponents isn't the goal here. They still haven't won on the road. They haven't beaten a team likely to do to the dance.

I disagree that it has "shown that Shaka's strategy was a poor one." I think it has shown that his strategy can work, but not if you completely whiff on back-to-back recruiting classes.

[panda]

I disagree that it has "shown that Shaka's strategy was a poor one." I think it has shown that his strategy can work, but not if you completely whiff on back-to-back recruiting classes.

Avoiding the portal torpedoed last season and ruined this season before it even started.

[WhiteTrash]

Come on. This season hasn't vindictated anything. In fact it has pretty much shown that Shaka's strategy was a poor one. Just getting "more competitive" against mediocre BE opponents isn't the goal here. They still haven't won on the road. They haven't beaten a team likely to do to the dance.

Agreed 100%. I think Shaka himself would, and may publicly, concede this season exposed some flaws in his strategy. There has been zero vindication on the "previous" strategy. If MU had recovered from an awful OOC schedule to be .500 in a weak BE, you might be able to argue that there was a minimal amount of vindication. Alas, we are in last place.

The backbone of the RGV plan is your juniors and seniors are ready to step up. 0% success with that.

Shaka and MU have learned that you need to leverage the transfer portal to backfill your HS recruiting misses in the P5 these days. I have faith Shaka will grow and succeed at MU.

[GoldenEagles03]

Money talks, though. If St. John's or UConn (or other P4 programs, I chose them because they're close to his home) come out and offer James $1 million all bets are off.

You don't think Marquette would be able to offer them $1 million?