Shaka cost us the game tonite

[The Sultan]

So Shaka has been plugging in transfers the past three years? 

No, but Relationships Growth Victory certainly can work with transfers. People have this strange idea that Shaka and Marquette are slavishly tied to a model regardless of the results. They are going to find out very shortly that this isn't the case, and RGV will still be splashed around.

[muwarrior69]

Shaka did not cost us the game, Chase did. He was a virtual no show last night. He was to be our team leader and ceded that to NJ over the last few games.

[WhiteTrash]

No, but Relationships Growth Victory certainly can work with transfers. People have this strange idea that Shaka and Marquette are slavishly tied to a model regardless of the results. They are going to find out very shortly that this isn't the case, and RGV will still be splashed around.

I agree with you, but it appears like he did have a slavish tie to the model for the past three years. I have great confidence he will adjust and this year will be a blip on the radar.

[Pakuni]

No, but Relationships Growth Victory certainly can work with transfers. People have this strange idea that Shaka and Marquette are slavishly tied to a model regardless of the results. They are going to find out very shortly that this isn't the case, and RGV will still be splashed around.

I don't know that they're slavishly tied to a model going forward, especially after this season, but it's fair to say that they were slavishly tied to it the past two offseasons.
The 2023-24 squad was deep and talented enough that there was really no obvious need to dip into the portal. But last year's and this year's squads had some pretty obvious holes that Shaka and Co. chose not to address. That's because of some combination of a)their dislike (bordering on disdain) for the transfer market and b)a mistaken confidence that their brand of RGV could fill those holes from within and they didn't need to hedge their bets on players like Hamilton, Sean Jones and Lowery taking a leap.

[Scoop Snoop]

I agree with you, but it appears like he did have a slavish tie to the model for the past three years. I have great confidence he will adjust and this year will be a blip on the radar.

Yep on the bolded. I think he will adjust, but do not have great confidence because he impresses me as a "true believer". That's why I think it will be difficult for him to change course.

[TSmith34, Inc.]

b)a mistaken confidence that their brand of RGV could fill those holes from within and they didn't need to hedge their bets on players like Hamilton, Sean Jones and Lowery taking a leap.

This is the bit I don't get. Did he have mistaken confidence, or did Shaka simply strike out finding upgrades in the portal? Because Lowery I understand, he had obviously athleticism and skill, but Jones and Hamilton?

I'm just a dopey message board poster, but even I could see there was no way for MU to be successful if they were going to be relied upon to be significant contributors.

[TheGym]

Shaka didnt cost the game. Nigel was brutal and more or less gave Nova a run in the last 2:30.

Very frosh game from him in the last 10 or so. Kudos to nova for flusterimg him in the press.

This is exactly what cost us the game.  Two turnovers on the last three possession and gave up an offensive rebound that could have easily been gotten if all he did was box out.  He is a 20 year old freshman so I am less likely to give him the benefit of the doubt.

[Tha Hound]

Very surprised (maybe I shouldn't be) some people have honed in on Shaka's in-game coaching as some weakness of his. Even as recently as last year, many here were lauding his adjustments out of the halftime break where Shaka was often besting Big East coaches in the first 5-6 minutes.

I don't think Shaka is an elite in-game coach, but he's certainly better than most. I have a much bigger bone to pick with roster construction than in-game coaching and the good news is the environment has never been better to quickly upgrade your roster. Make it happen or take a hike.

[79Warrior]

Yep on the bolded. I think he will adjust, but do not have great confidence because he impresses me as a "true believer". That's why I think it will be difficult for him to change course.

He will absolutely adjust.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

This is exactly what cost us the game.  Two turnovers on the last three possession and gave up an offensive rebound that could have easily been gotten if all he did was box out.  He is a 20 year old freshman so I am less likely to give him the benefit of the doubt.

 

One of those "turnovers" resulted from a blatant foul. 

James just turned 20 a month ago. And considering how man college players are over 22 years old, he deserves a little bit of grace with all of the responsibility that has been put on his shoulders.

[Scoop Snoop]

One of those "turnovers" resulted from a blatant foul. 

James just turned 20 a month ago. And considering how man college players are over 22 years old, he deserves a little bit of grace with all of the responsibility that has been put on his shoulders.

So he faceplants in one game at the end after being the one consistently bright spot in this year's team. He needs to leave after this season. 

[Vander Blue Man Group]

So he faceplants in one game at the end after being the one consistently bright spot in this year's team. He needs to leave after this season. 

Cost himself a bunch of NIL money with that performance.

Seriously, though, as good as he's been people should still expect some ups & downs (and I think most do).

[JakeBarnes]

Cost himself a bunch of NIL money with that performance.

Seriously, though, as good as he's been people should still expect some ups & downs (and I think most do).

I was the source of the quoted stuff and 100% agree. It's year 1. Growth is happening. He is going to be good if he keeps this up

[Vander Blue Man Group]

I was the source of the quoted stuff and 100% agree. It's year 1. Growth is happening. He is going to be good if he keeps this up

Don't mean to nitpick but I'm going to anyway... 

He's going to be an absolute star if he keeps getting better. 

[BrewCity83]

He is already a star.  And will become a bigger one.  But you guys are wrong; he just turned 19 in January.  He was born in January 2007--I looked it up.

[vogue65]

IMHO, the only way to win on the road is to build up a significant lead and then keep it.  Keep your foot on the gas, peddle to the medal as they say.

Why would the home team want to send thousands of fans home feeling bad? 

On the other hand, as has been said, end game basketball is a different game.  The refs. don't want to be perceived as having an undue  influence on the outcome.  So they ignore fouls.  If the score is close the visiting team usually loses.  However, if the visiting team is dominating the game, they win.

Don't tell anybody, it's a big secret. 🤫

If any number crunches around here can demonstrate otherwise, I'm all ears.
 

[MuggsyB]

Shaka did not cost us the game, Chase did. He was a virtual no show last night. He was to be our team leader and ceded that to NJ over the last few games.

I hate to pick on certain players, but there is no sugarcoating with Chase and his issues this year.   It's one thing to have a bad game, or even a slump, but this is different.  We're not seeing him fully engaged at all or playing with max effort.  I think this is pretty clear. 

Tuesday wasn't his only enigmatic performance this season.  The guy looks like a 1st team BEast guard in the 1st half vs DePaul, and then craps an emu egg in the 2nd.  We've seen this kind of thing from him all year in conference play.   

This isn't on Shaka, it's about our presumed best player NOT SHOWING UP.  PERIOD.  And he's not engaged in every facet of the game.  He's not thinking out there at all.  His head is elsewhere and its impact has been extremely detrimental to our team.