I've changed my mind

[MU82]

Confirms he didn't tell the right players/enough people

Wut?

[The Sultan]

Wut?

I think he believes we need something like ten transfers.

[jfp61]

I think he believes we need something like ten transfers.

Next year, we are on tract to have 3 players better than an average Big East player.

We need 6-7+ transfers.

Otherwise we are on track for a 17-15 record next season.

[MurphysTillClose]

Next year, we are on tract to have 3 players better than an average Big East player.

We need 6-7+ transfers.

Otherwise we are on tract for a 17-15 record next season.

You know ball

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Next year, we are on tract to have 3 players better than an average Big East player.

We need 6-7+ transfers.

Otherwise we are on tract for a 17-15 record next season.

LOL

[wadesworld]

Next year, we are on tract to have 3 players better than an average Big East player.

We need 6-7+ transfers.

Otherwise we are on track for a 17-15 record next season.

You don't need 10 "better than average Big East players."

Not to mention, we have 3 redshirts (2 of which are redshirting because the came a year/a half year early) and 2 incoming freshman.  Will any of them be "better than average Big East players?"  Maybe not.  But we have 2 freshman this year that are showing to be well worth having on our roster.  I'd expect a couple of the freshman/redshirts show to be well worth having on the roster next year.

We need 3 high level transfers.

[jfp61]

You don't need 10 "better than average Big East players."

No you need 6 or 7 guys better than average.

And your faith in this staff to have 7 for 7 hit rate is crazy. I'm praying for 3 hits.

You should take more swings to get those

[wadesworld]

No you need 6 or 7 guys better than average.

And your faith in this staff to have 7 for 7 hit rate is crazy. I'm praying for 3 hits.

You should take more swings to get those

We have 3 players on the roster that we know.  I won't say I know who they will be, but I'd imagine one or two of the incoming freshman or redshirts will be rotational players at the level of a Ben Gold (who, while not good enough to be a top 3 player, is good enough to contribute to a winning BE program like he did as a sophomore and junior).  Identifying transfers is much different than incoming freshman.  Transfers have played D1 college basketball before.  They won't all work out, but it should be much easier to project immediate production from transfers than it is from incoming freshman.

[Zog from Margo]

MU needs a physical BE big who can rebound at a very high rate, defend and protect the rim, and score around the bucket. I'm guessing Pearson will not yet have the girth to bang against seniors in the BE.

MU needs a physical three who can defend and is a serious scorer off the bounce on penetration and from 3.

MU needs a physical combo guard with the same skills as the 3 noted above.

That won't be easy to accomplish but they need all 3 to avoid a pretty glaring weakness. Getting additional experienced players might provide some insurance against poor talent evaluation. It's possible that one of the incoming players will surprise but Shaka is in no position to rely on surprises.

[panda]

The answer is somewhere in the middle. I don't think it's too far fetched to say we need 4-5 legit big east additions this off season. What last place, 20 loss team can only make minor adjustments to do a complete 180 the following season?

[Galway Eagle]

No you need 6 or 7 guys better than average.

And your faith in this staff to have 7 for 7 hit rate is crazy. I'm praying for 3 hits.

You should take more swings to get those

To win the conference I'm not sure you even need 7 better than average players. Let's say finishing top 2 is a good barometer of being in contention for the conference championship what 7 players were better than average on 2012, 2013, 2019, 2023, & 2024 teams?

2012, DJO Jae Jamil Vander Davante... Junior?

2013, Vander Jamil Davante Lockett... Junior? Todd Mayo?

2019, Markus Sam...joey? Sacar?

2023, TKO Oso Kam Omax Jop Stevie... Chase?

2024, TKO Oso Kam Jop Stevie... Chase?

Let alone just to compete you definitely don't need 6-7 better than average I mean if we did this with any team that was just competing for a bid you need like two good all conference level guys and one or two more to be reliable and nobody to truly suck.

[panda]

To win the conference I'm not sure you even need 7 better than average players. Let's say finishing top 2 is a good barometer of being in contention for the conference championship what 7 players were better than average on 2012, 2013, 2019, 2023, & 2024 teams?

2012, DJO Jae Jamil Vander Davante... Junior?

2013, Vander Jamil Davante Lockett... Junior? Todd Mayo?

2019, Markus Sam...joey? Sacar?

2023, TKO Oso Kam Omax Jop Stevie... Chase?

2024, TKO Oso Kam Jop Stevie... Chase?

Let alone just to compete you definitely don't need 6-7 better than average I mean if we did this with any team that was just competing for a bid you need like two good all conference level guys and one or two more to be reliable and nobody to truly suck.

If we want to make the tournament next year I say we have two rock solid BE starters on the roster right now. Steven's is a great piece long term but I'm not sure he's at the level we need for next season as a starter.

We need 4-5 new guys to reverse course next season.

[Mu8891]

While I would prefer 4 or 5 additions,
MU can be a near the top of the BE next year w / 3 guys ( as Zog described above)
... but only if the 3 additions are in the top 6 for next year.

Hope I am wrong, but still not convinced
Shaka add even three...

[Galway Eagle]

If we want to make the tournament next year I say we have two rock solid BE starters on the roster right now. Steven's is a great piece long term but I'm not sure he's at the level we need for next season as a starter.

We need 4-5 new guys to reverse course next season.

Here's the thing I think the two biggest wildcards this offseason are him and Owens. We know Parham and James are fairly polished above average big east players. Owens has shown flashes, let's see him do better moving into upper class years (especially without injury for once) than Zaide did. Stephens has also shown huge promise, can he turn into a Stevie with slightly better offense his second year? If both these break our way we need two pieces, if sheek's ready from the jump or another freshman we only need 1. But that's a big gamble, if Shaka wants to ensure we're back with the big boys he may want to bring in more fire power and slot owens and Stephen's to the bench one more year.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Here's the thing I think the two biggest wildcards this offseason are him and Owens. We know Parham and James are fairly polished above average big east players. Owens has shown flashes, let's see him do better moving into upper class years (especially without injury for once) than Zaide did. Stephens has also shown huge promise, can he turn into a Stevie with slightly better offense his second year? If both these break our way we need two pieces, if sheek's ready from the jump or another freshman we only need 1. But that's a big gamble, if Shaka wants to ensure we're back with the big boys he may want to bring in more fire power and slot owens and Stephen's to the bench one more year.

Stevens has earned a starting role, IMO.  No need to recruit over him. 2 spots open in the starting lineup.  Room in the rotation off the bench for 1-2 more.

[panda]

Here's the thing I think the two biggest wildcards this offseason are him and Owens. We know Parham and James are fairly polished above average big east players. Owens has shown flashes, let's see him do better moving into upper class years (especially without injury for once) than Zaide did. Stephens has also shown huge promise, can he turn into a Stevie with slightly better offense his second year? If both these break our way we need two pieces, if sheek's ready from the jump or another freshman we only need 1. But that's a big gamble, if Shaka wants to ensure we're back with the big boys he may want to bring in more fire power and slot owens and Stephen's to the bench one more year.

Totally agree ! Lots of potential and I love those guys. I'm taking a more pragmatic approach realizing those guys most likely wont change the dynamic enough next season.

[GoldenEagles03]

Yeah. Sean is gone. I'd assume Clark is too. My gut says Caedin stays. Tre is the wild card. Spot in rotation has dropped, firmly behind DO. He's one of the last guys off the bench. I think he goes, but wouldn't be shocked if he stays

Kinda the vibe I'm getting too.

[Galway Eagle]

Stevens has earned a starting role, IMO.  No need to recruit over him. 2 spots open in the starting lineup.  Room in the rotation off the bench for 1-2 more.

While I agree I think it come down to what type of rebound Shakas trying to have. Back to competing with UConn for the conference championship? Stephens to bench cut Owens or move him to end of bench fill 3 starters rolls with extremely proven pieces. If he wants to focus on continuity and get back to competing for bid then sure keep Stephens, hell give Owens a shot. Bring in a sophomore coming off a good freshman year and get one known great expensive commodity.

[JTJ3]

We're going to bring in 3 transfers.  If Stevens has a good offseason and holds off a transfer to keep his starting spot, great!  If he is our 6th man, thats great too.  We're a really good team if he is our 6th best player (or even the 5th starter).