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).

[jfp61]

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.

2012, DJO Jae Jamil Vander Davante Junior. Is a good starting 5.
Jamil Wilson and Todd Mayo were above average Big East players that year.

2013, Vander Jamil Davante Lockett Junior. Is a good starting 5
Chris Otule, Juan Anderson, Todd Mayo (pre injury, above average Big East players.

2019, (in a DOWN Big east). Markus and Sam were awesome. Joey was a real starter. Sacer was fine.
Ed Morrow, Matt Heldt, and Theo John were all a bit better than average big east players that year.

2023, TKO Oso Kam Omax Stevie, Great Starting five.
Chase and Jop were better than average big east players.

2024, TTKO Oso Kam Jop Stevie, Great Starting five.
Chase and Ben were better than average big east players.

We just don't understand the difference between what a "contributor" is in comparison to an "above average big east player is".

[wadesworld]

2012, DJO Jae Jamil Vander Davante Junior. Is a good starting 5.
Jamil Wilson and Todd Mayo were above average Big East players that year.

2013, Vander Jamil Davante Lockett Junior. Is a good starting 5
Chris Otule, Juan Anderson, Todd Mayo (pre injury, above average Big East players.

2019, (in a DOWN Big east). Markus and Sam were awesome. Joey was a real starter. Sacer was fine.
Ed Morrow, Matt Heldt, and Theo John were all a bit better than average big east players that year.

2023, TKO Oso Kam Omax Stevie, Great Starting five.
Chase and Jop were better than average big east players.

2024, TTKO Oso Kam Jop Stevie, Great Starting five.
Chase and Ben were better than average big east players.

We just don't understand the difference between what a "contributor" is in comparison to an "above average big east player is".

So you think guys like Ed Morrow and Matt Heldt are above average Big East players? We should have zero issue getting a dozen above average Big East players then.

[mug644]

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.

No way Shaka will reverse course that dramatically. Stevens will be a starter, along with Nigel and Royce. He will already be significantly changes his approach if he brings in even 1 starter-level transfer. For me, I hope he brings in 2 such players, and a third that fills in bench needs, depending on who ends up leaving.

[Markusquette]

No way Shaka will reverse course that dramatically. Stevens will be a starter, along with Nigel and Royce. He will already be significantly changes his approach if he brings in even 1 starter-level transfer. For me, I hope he brings in 2 such players, and a third that fills in bench needs, depending on who ends up leaving.

Need to ironically replace our two seniors with much better players, and then get another guy who is also top 5 talent-wise, even if he's coming off the bench. Then if we can get some very solid production out of a few of the redshirts/newcomers that would go a long way. The foundation is there. Find a very solid big man, a versatile wing and whatever bpa as the third transfer. Will happily accept more than 3 but that's my expectation.

[DoctorV]

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.

I'll agree with the first part, but disagree with the 2nd- although we are on track, not on GI tract...

I think this offseason is about quality and not quantity of incoming transfer.

Shaka has plenty of unknown "bodies" that we have yet to really see on the court, many of which fit the size/athleticism/recruiting pedigree that he covets.
This is obviously not good enough to win next season, but you'd have to hope that 1-2 of the 6-7 of these are good enough to be a better than average BE player.
In this group I would place
Phillips, Clark, Miletic, Pearson, Walker, Egbuonu, Johnston.

You could say 2 of them becoming "better than average" BE players next season is wishful thinking, but I'd say it's impossible that at least one doesn't...
So let's say 1-2 fit the bill.

Of the others, I think it's impossible for Tre and Caedin to become above avg BE players, no offense to them. I think SJ22 will be gone- no insider info just feels like the writing is on the wall. So those 3 are out.
Damarius can, and if things fall in place he should, but no guarantee.
So of that group of 4 we will say 0.5 😂

So, that's 5, maybe 6 guys that should fit the bill of "better than average" by my completely inaccurate math.

Back to my original point
Shaka, in my opinion, needs 2 difference makers in the portal to have a solid tournament team next season. That's really not that easy, it seems like it's actually pretty hard.
If you define a "difference maker" as a "better than average" BE player it becomes a bit more manageable.
I think Shaka can get 2 of these guys, but it would be Smart to bring in 3, or maybe even 4?, in order to fall back to 2.
That would give him 7 better than average BE players that he needs to have a team that we can cheer for in late March.

6-7 transfers given his history and all the young, albeit unproven recruits that he has is a very extreme stretch, and also unnecessary.
2 quality "better than avg" BE newcomers will suffice.
He can get there with 3/4 incoming transfers, and he can open those extra spots with the departures of a few of the guys I mentioned above

[MuggsyB]

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.

Stevens will be a solid starter next season.