Tiny bright spot

[Galway Eagle]

This game didn't matter at all.

It didn't keep us out of the tournament like 2018, or the postseason like 2016.

We weren't a bubble team that just ended their 2year winless streak like 2010. It wasn't embarrassing like 2020.

This game and every ensuing pathetic crap out we have is pointless.

[Warriors, Come Out and Playeeyay]

Things that I will miss next season :

1) Chase hitting the side of the backboard.
2) Wondering how Ben Gold didn't get that rebound... or that one. Or that one two minutes ago.
3) Sean Jones' mom in the dance competition
4) Caedin checking in, while Shaka checks his bench to see who he should send to the scorers table to sub him out
5) Cheap tickets:  I get those from season ticket holders.  There may be far less next year.
6) Ben Gold's shot giving credibility to the flat earth theory (2" height elevation on the arc)
7) The middle aged female DePaul fan in 212 that was hooting/hollering after every made shot.  I didn't have the courage to tell her that she hadn't seen her team make the tournament since she was 7.
8) Owens whispering 'I'm Batman' to each person he defends.
9) Momentum being halted from a Chase Ross heat check (spoiler : the pilot light hasn't been on all year)
10) The rush I get when determining if we'll get a shot off at the end of a half/game with 18 seconds on the clock.
11) An 8 team logjam for last place
12) Wondering what Shake Shack does when we miss two free throws.
13) Calculating how few in-game charitable donations are made this year from corporate sponsors (3's, steals, etc).
14) My nephews 1st grade team yesterday putting up the same amount of first-half points as our Alma mater.
15) The student contestant also struggling from the free throw line.
16) Layups being an adventure

In all seriousness, MUBB is a business - for enrollment, for academic donations, and should be for NIL.  Not a great look in Broekers first year, which should challenge the system to change.  Shaka has hinted at it, but we'll see if there is a difference in roster building next year.  Keep the core couple of building blocks and surround them with experience, size and someone that can freakin box out for a change.

[rocky_warrior]

3) Sean Jones' mom in the dance competition

You might not miss this.

I was 100% certain he was transferring last year because he wasn't willing to come back mid season.  Now people are using him not coming back as proof he's gone...because he decided to sit out the rest of this season.

Sean & Shaka are buds.  And he's not getting more $ elsewhere.
https://xcancel.com/Aries_Sherrie/status/2026465228410519989#m
https://xcancel.com/Aries_Sherrie/status/2019475463928787187#m

[BCHoopster]

They paid him for two years, now graduating, time to move on. 

[rocky_warrior]

They paid him for two years, now graduating, time to move on. 

4 years!!!

Mom wouldn't be so engaged with current team if they were making plans for next year. Lol

[Biggie Clausen]

4 years!!!

Mom wouldn't be so engaged with current team if they were making plans for next year. Lol

If Shaka forces Sean to leave, Sean's mom is gonna make Mrs. Ellenson look like Mother Teresa.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

You guys really think Sean wants to come back to play 6-8 MPG next season, huh?

[NCMUFan]

That is awesome you could find one.

[muwarrior69]

4 years!!!

Mom wouldn't be so engaged with current team if they were making plans for next year. Lol

I could see Sean and Tre staying. However if CH, JC and DO are still here, ouch!

[Biggie Clausen]

You guys really think Sean wants to come back to play 6-8 MPG next season, huh?

For a couple hundred grand, as opposed to whatever low major he ends up at which might pay 1/10 of that?  Yeah, I'd say he might try to give it a whirl.  Ten years ago, he would've been gone, no question.  But there's too much money involved for him not to seriously consider staying, especially when he has no future in pro basketball.

[The Sultan]

For a couple hundred grand, as opposed to whatever low major he ends up at which might pay 1/10 of that?  Yeah, I'd say he might try to give it a whirl.  Ten years ago, he would've been gone, no question.  But there's too much money involved for him not to seriously consider staying, especially when he has no future in pro basketball.

I have no idea why this would need to be a unilateral decision by Sean. I also have no idea why Marquette would pay him significantly.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

For a couple hundred grand, as opposed to whatever low major he ends up at which might pay 1/10 of that?  Yeah, I'd say he might try to give it a whirl.  Ten years ago, he would've been gone, no question.  But there's too much money involved for him not to seriously consider staying, especially when he has no future in pro basketball.

Except we don't know what Marquette is paying him, would consider paying him next season, and what he could get from another program. 

I think there would actually be a market for his services at the mid-major level, especially if he were able to get a medical hardship waiver and another year of eligibility.

And again, why would the program intentionally put the news out there on a national broadcast that their roster building strategy has evolved if they only plan to fill Zaide's open spot?

I keep asking that question for those here that think that's what is going to happen and have yet to get an answer. 

[Billy Hoyle]

Except we don't know what Marquette is paying him, would consider paying him next season, and what he could get from another program. 

I think there would actually be a market for his services at the mid-major level, especially if he were able to get a medical hardship waiver and another year of eligibility.

And again, why would the program intentionally put the news out there on a national broadcast that their roster building strategy has evolved if they only plan to fill Zaide's open spot?

I keep asking that question for those here that think that's what is going to happen and have yet to get an answer. 

Because Shaka taking one transfer is a radical departure from the RGV brand MU has cultivated and promoted with a "this makes us more virtuous than everyone else" approach. And, even if taking just one, it allows Shaka and MU say "see, we're evolving, we took one guy from a low major where in the past we would have brought in a project who didn't have offers from any other school to redshirt However, everyone else is back so keep buying those RGV golf shirts, pint glasses, and keychains."

[Biggie Clausen]

Except we don't know what Marquette is paying him, would consider paying him next season, and what he could get from another program. 

I think there would actually be a market for his services at the mid-major level, especially if he were able to get a medical hardship waiver and another year of eligibility.

And again, why would the program intentionally put the news out there on a national broadcast that their roster building strategy has evolved if they only plan to fill Zaide's open spot?

I keep asking that question for those here that think that's what is going to happen and have yet to get an answer. 

In one thread, you're completely discounting what Shaka says in post game pressers, and yet you're banging the drum about an in-game sideline report.  That sideline report might as well have been Walter Cronkite telling the nation about JFK's death, for how much it's gone down in program history. 

[Vander Blue Man Group]

In one thread, you're completely discounting what Shaka says in post game pressers, and yet you're banging the drum about an in-game sideline report.  That sideline report might as well have been Walter Cronkite telling the nation about JFK's death, for how much it's gone down in program history. 

Give me a f'n break.  You've got people analyzing his choice of polos right now, that's how ludicrous this has become. 

Nothing he has said in a post-game presser since the sideline report has indicated they won't use the portal.  In fact, he's reiterated as much when asked about it since the report.

Because Shaka taking one transfer is a radical departure from the RGV brand MU has cultivated and promoted with a "this makes us more virtuous than everyone else" approach. And, even if taking just one, it allows Shaka and MU say "see, we're evolving, we took one guy from a low major where in the past we would have brought in a project who didn't have offers from any other school to redshirt However, everyone else is back so keep buying those RGV golf shirts, pint glasses, and keychains."

"Radical departure".  That's just hyperbole as is the "more virtuous" nonsense.

Your whole post is nonsense.  Essentially you're saying that Shaka is ok with getting fired as long as he maintains his "virtuous" roster-building strategy. 

I'll be the first to admit I was wrong if that's what comes to pass but, at this point, I think that expectation is batsh*t. 

[Jay Bee]

I think there would actually be a market for his services at the mid-major level, especially if he were able to get a medical hardship waiver and another year of eligibility.

Can't do dat yet. Need to wait another year.

[brewcity77]

It's not going to be up to Sean and Tre if they return.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Can't do dat yet. Need to wait another year.

So he can't apply for that until his current eligibility runs out?

[CountryRoads]

It's not going to be up to Sean and Tre if they return.

Is it 100% Shaka's decision or do those who are writing the checks have a say?

[The Sultan]

It's not going to be up to Sean and Tre if they return.

Thank you

[Jay Bee]

So he can't apply for that until his current eligibility runs out?

The issue at hand for Sean would be the Five-Year Rule.

Eligibility for a hardship waiver re: the current season looks like a SLAM DUNK. Easy. However, that doesn't get you anywhere. Once initial eligibility is exhausted (e.g., after NEXT season, which is year 5 for him), then his current institution could apply for a waiver of the Five-Year Rule.

In some circumstances, the likelihood of a waiver is very easy to ascertain. Here, it's a tough road because it's been widely discussed that he chose to not play last season. The facts are such that he's not a candidate for an additional year "by the book". Of course, the NCAA doesn't always do things by the book, so anything's possible.. but I think it would not be known until AFTER year 5. (You can still practice with your team for a period of time - I believe 30 days - in a situation where a Five-Year Rule waiver has been submitted, but not yet answered).

So, if I'm team X looking at Sean for next season, my thought is either (a) we're gonna get him for a year and that's it, or (b) there's a slim chance we can get him for 2 years, but we won't know until after year 1.

[jfp61]

Nuke the roster

[hawk]

No question that this season is/was a debacle.  It stands as a failure to properly evaluuate talent and shines a light on the problems of not using all tools available to build a team.  It is also ta testament to the success of the last four years.  Five guys into the NBA is a lot of talent to pass through a program.  That said I am optimistic about next season.  Parham,James,Stevens and Owens are forming the basis for the next big leap in the progam.  I expect Shaka will bag a starting center for next season to solidify the post that along with the four reurning key players makes MU instantly back in the pictuue.  Given the players coming in next season I seee no particular reason why MU should nt bee back in the NCAA.  If either Sean or Tre decide to leave the program I'd expect shaka to pick up a point guard in the portal as well.  If they both stay that is still probably enough to get back to the dance.  Whatever the case turns out to be I am confident that SDhaka knows what needs to be done and will act accordingly.  His name is Shaka Smart not Shaka idiot.