Shaka Smart 02/18/2026

[Jay Bee]

There's still time for Damarius Owens... He needs the game to slow down for him a little bit. There are so many flashes, despite the injuries. That lanky frame and athleticism alone are so useful. Watch him "transfer down" to a Dayton or SLU only to get huge money from an ACC school his senior year after he breaks out for real. I'd rather him bloom late for us.

Amen. I hope he stays - the ceiling is still high for DO.

But, yeah.. one 'good' path for him would be .. go to a mid major and get major run. Just go absolutely crazy. Then back to a HM for big $ as a senior.

[muwarrior69]

Pretty ideal offseason.

Return 3 starters, bring in 3 more capable of starting level minutes.  Owens, Sheek, Philips, etc. battle it out for the remaining minutes.

Thats a tournament team.

Well the 3 starters can't win games now what makes you think they will games next season or even be here?

We don't even know who these players are but they'll be capable of starting level minutes?

Sheek and the in coming class are unproven. Owens and Philips have not really shown much in limited play. 

As Doctor V noted our scoring has regressed over successive seasons. Unless that trend is reversed it could be another disaster season just as well.


The point is we just don't know as of now what next season will bring.

[Pakuni]

Amen. I hope he stays - the ceiling is still high for DO.

But, yeah.. one 'good' path for him would be .. go to a mid major and get major run. Just go absolutely crazy. Then back to a HM for big $ as a senior.

Jamal Cain would have done quite well for himself had he left MU a year earlier.

[DoctorV]

Well the 3 starters can't win games now what makes you think they will games next season or even be here?

We don't even know who these players are but they'll be capable of starting level minutes?

Sheek and the in coming class are unproven. Owens and Philips have not really shown much in limited play.

As Doctor V noted our scoring has regressed over successive seasons. Unless that trend is reversed it could be another disaster season just as well.


The point is we just don't know as of now what next season will bring.

It would be hard to see a shooting regression again next year, given how bad this year and last have been from 3.

If there is, I wouldn't suspect it comes from Nigel because his shot/form aren't all that great but it's been working this season.

Even if he does he will find other ways to score because he's a stud.
Hopefully some of the newcomers and returnees can shoot well in live action

[Elonsmusk]

Jamal Cain would have done quite well for himself had he left MU a year earlier.

Jamal is actually a good comp for Damarius.  Could very well follow same trajectory, although in 4 years versus the 5 it took Jamal.

[Zog from Margo]

Jamal is actually a good comp for Damarius.  Could very well follow same trajectory, although in 4 years versus the 5 it took Jamal.

I hope you're right but I'm not seeing it. As I recall, Cain always had a good shooting stroke. Owens can hit dunks without traffic and the occasional 3. I haven't seen him being able to convert anything else. Owens is a great athlete and hopefully it clicks next year.

[onepost]

High major schools have reached out about Damarius and I had heard we told them "thanks but he's staying". So I see him being here next season, which is great by me.

[Elonsmusk]

High major schools have reached out about Damarius and I had heard we told them "thanks but he's staying". So I see him being here next season, which is great by me.

So schools now have the power, not the athlete?  Didn't know in this day and age of the portal that a kid could only go into the portal with the school's approval.

[79Warrior]

High major schools have reached out about Damarius and I had heard we told them "thanks but he's staying". So I see him being here next season, which is great by me.

lol. Who did they reach out to? Who is "we" told them no thanks. Nobody makes a decision for DO but DO.
Sell that BS somewhere else.

[Johnny B]

What high major wants him. Doesn't make any sense. I'm struggling to hold onto a modicum of faith he can become a decent player. Tough to watch at times. Makes elementary level turnovers, instantly launches threes the moment he has an inch of space like he has the ultimate green light, and struggles to
Finish in traffic.