Shaka Smart 02/18/2026

[rocky_warrior]

You're right, he's going out of his way to lie to us.

Disagree.  He is excited to use the portal for players that are leaving.  Results, TBD.

[burger]

Does Theo John have a younger brother.....

[Small Orange Soda]

If there are actual Shaka quotes, why didn't you use them? Is it because they don't actually mention MU? He talks about UConn, Purde and Mich St.

"I think the UConns, the Purdues, the Michigan States, in terms of sustaining success from year to year, that appears to be the way to go about it," Marquette coach Shaka Smart told CT Insider. "What those guys have done through the combination of their high school recruiting, retention and transfer recruiting is they've kept their talent and their culture at a very high level. And that gives you a chance to win."

And again, there are more recent quotes, which is why this thread is titled what it is, why are you ignoring those and focusing on what a UConn article from 6 weeks ago is saying? Things have clearly changed.

It's in the article. This is basic journalism. Just because someone wasn't directly quoted doesn't mean they didn't say it to the reporter. That part would've been omitted if he hadn't, but instead you're assuming the writer just dug up some old quote from three years ago. And if that were the case, why wouldn't he just use the original quote? Again, just not how this stuff works.

And it's clear from the article that his thinking had already changed, like you quoted. Last night he said 'We decided for the past four years not to take D-1 transfers' and he's changed his mind about that. That's not different in any substantial way from "I think the UConns, the Purdues, the Michigan States, in terms of sustaining success from year to year, that appears to be the way to go about it," Marquette coach Shaka Smart told CT Insider. "What those guys have done through the combination of their high school recruiting, retention and transfer recruiting is they've kept their talent and their culture at a very high level. And that gives you a chance to win.""

I haven't seen anything that makes me think his thinking about pay structure has changed in the last six weeks.

[Jay Bee]

Does Theo John have a younger brother.....

Yes, but Alex has to be like 25 now

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Right ? The proof is this season. He rode RGV into the situation we're in now. Either he's married to that philosophy or he's a poor talent evaluator. I don't know which is worse.

This doesn't make any sense.

[panda]

This doesn't make any sense.

Let me break it down for you -

Shaka kept a bunch of players who are not up to standard on the roster the past couple of years because of his philosophy (rgv).

When the initial crop of players graduated, we were left with players who were misevaluated and he thought they would be bigger contributors.

Because of that, we're going through an abysmal season.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Let me break it down for you -

Shaka kept a bunch of players who are not up to standard on the roster the past couple of years because of his philosophy (rgv).

When the initial crop of players graduated, we were left with players who were misevaluated and he thought they would be bigger contributors.

Because of that, we're going through an abysmal season.

Except your response was in regard to what's going to happen next and not what happened last year or what's happened this season

Shaka has already indicated he's going to use the portal.

So you think he's lying?

Like I said, it doesn't make sense.

[panda]

Except your response was in regard to what's going to happen next and not what happened last year or what's happened this season

Shaka has already indicated he's going to use the portal.

So you think he's lying?

Like I said, it doesn't make sense.

I've stated many times I have my doubts he will use it to the extent the team next year needs him to use it to be highly competitive.

I think that because of his naivety in roster construction the last couple of seasons. 

[MuggsyB]

I've stated many times I have my doubts he will use it to the extent the team next year needs him to use it to be highly competitive.

I think that because of his naivety in roster construction the last couple of seasons. 

Let's just see what happens.  He essentially admitted he has made mistakes. 

[Its DJOver]

I haven't seen anything that makes me think his thinking about pay structure has changed in the last six weeks.

If you can't see it, it's because you're choosing not to see it, in which case, I can't help you. This whole circular argument is pointless anyways since anyone who actually has the financial information is not posting it to Scoop.

[Small Orange Soda]

If you can't see it, it's because you're choosing not to see it, in which case, I can't help you. This whole circular argument is pointless anyways since anyone who actually has the financial information is not posting it to Scoop.

You keep conflating using the portal and changing the pay structure. They are not the same thing. I hope his mind has changed, but I haven't seen any indication it has. It being mentioned in an article is much more valid than being posted on this message board.

But since he has been willing to talk about the pay structure, I do wish the local media would ask him about it.

[rocky_warrior]

You keep conflating using the portal and changing the pay structure. They are not the same thing. I hope his mind has changed, but I haven't seen any indication it has. It being mentioned in an article is much more valid than being posted on this message board.

But since he has been willing to talk about the pay structure, I do wish the local media would ask him about it.

Shaka is not willing to talk about pay, lol

[Small Orange Soda]

Shaka is not willing to talk about pay, lol

pay =/= pay structure

[rocky_warrior]

pay =/= pay structure

I agree.  But Shaka only has a degree in history and "social science"

[BM1090]

Guys, they really wouldn't be going public with this unless they've officially reconsidered their position.

They wouldn't reconsider the transfer portal if they weren't reconsidering the pay and everything surrounding it.

[rocky_warrior]

Guys, they really wouldn't be going public with this unless they've officially reconsidered their position.

They wouldn't reconsider the transfer portal if they weren't reconsidering the pay and everything surrounding it.

Shaka is 100% using the transfer portal.  For Zaide's spot.

[BM1090]

I'm pretty sure you're doing a bit right now but I want to argue with you so bad.

[rocky_warrior]

I'm pretty sure you're doing a bit right now but I want to argue with you so bad.

Go ahead...

[Small Orange Soda]

Guys, they really wouldn't be going public with this unless they've officially reconsidered their position.

They wouldn't reconsider the transfer portal if they weren't reconsidering the pay and everything surrounding it.

Here's to hoping! Not saying he won't change, just that the concern isn't unjustified.

[BM1090]

Here's to hoping! Not saying he won't change, just that the concern isn't unjustified.

I don't think they'll pay for top transfers. But I do think they'll pay for good transfers and pay them the same as an established player would get at MU

[rocky_warrior]

I don't think they'll pay for top transfers. But I do think they'll pay for good transfers and pay them the same as an established player would get at MU

History shows this, no?

Shaka has told us what is going to happen.

[Small Orange Soda]

I don't think they'll pay for top transfers. But I do think they'll pay for good transfers and pay them the same as an established player would get at MU

I hope they do too. It's just that considering the talent on this team, good transfers would be making top 5 money here if we only got two. It's a big change in philosophy is all.

And while I'm not fully on board with Rocky's comment about only replacing Zaide, I do think there are some assumptions being made about how many changes will happen. Zaide chose to leave, and it seems like Sean is planning to as well. Those read like player choices. I don't think skepticism about the staff being willing to tell Tre and Caedin that it's time to go are unwarranted. Different situations.

[rocky_warrior]

Sean is planning to as well.

Why would he!?!  # relationships

[Biggie Clausen]

Shaka is 100% using the transfer portal.  For Zaide's spot.

Yep.  We have people saying, "Sean Jones is 100% gone."  Is he?  Is even one of Tre, Caedin, or Josh Clark gone?  I'll believe it when I see it.

[rocky_warrior]

Yep.  We have people saying, "Sean Jones is 100% gone."  Is he?  Is even one of Tre, Caedin, or Josh Clark gone?  I'll believe it when I see it.

Unless someone says they want more playing time, and less money.  They're not leaving.