Phillips vs. Militic

[BCHoopster]

Shaka seems to like bringing in kids that are not ready as freshman. Phillips at 17 years old as shown he is not ready to play, sure he can make a 3 once in awhile, but has no creative skill to drive to the hoop.  Hard to believe he has not scored a 2 all year.  So why bring in another kid who is not ready yet either, makes no sense.
 
What I am getting at, my grandson in 7th grade is going to play 50 games this year.  Kids play so much prior to college Shaka should have a feeling if they can help right away.  Enough with projects.  I hope Johnston and Alex can play right away.

[Biggie Clausen]

Shaka's probably pissed he got strong-armed by the boosters and can't bring in another project to fill Zaide's spot.

[Jay Bee]

Shaka seems to like bringing in kids that are not ready as freshman. Phillips at 17 years old as shown he is not ready to play, sure he can make a 3 once in awhile, but has no creative skill to drive to the hoop.  Hard to believe he has not scored a 2 all year.  So why bring in another kid who is not ready yet either, makes no sense.
 
What I am getting at, my grandson in 7th grade is going to play 50 games this year.  Kids play so much prior to college Shaka should have a feeling if they can help right away.  Enough with projects.  I hope Johnston and Alex can play right away.

No idea how your 7th grader grandson has anything to do with this, but I will say.. when you have 15 scholarships available, I don't have any issue bringing in guys - especially "a year early" to be with the team and improve.

Now, if the hit rate of good/solid players vs. total misses within 2-3 years of their start date is awful, then it's a problem. But, a young shooter with great length (pawz).. I'm OK with that.

Back to your 7th grader and determining if a kid can be good in the future or not... were you sold on Tyler after his second year of college, and his first here? I think he probably played more than 50 games prior to that in his career...

[The Sultan]

Shaka seems to like bringing in kids that are not ready as freshman. Phillips at 17 years old as shown he is not ready to play, sure he can make a 3 once in awhile, but has no creative skill to drive to the hoop.  Hard to believe he has not scored a 2 all year.  So why bring in another kid who is not ready yet either, makes no sense.
 
What I am getting at, my grandson in 7th grade is going to play 50 games this year.  Kids play so much prior to college Shaka should have a feeling if they can help right away.  Enough with projects.  I hope Johnston and Alex can play right away.

We have two freshmen who start, including one who may be the BE freshman of the year.

[wadesworld]

Shaka seems to like bringing in kids that are not ready as freshman. Phillips at 17 years old as shown he is not ready to play, sure he can make a 3 once in awhile, but has no creative skill to drive to the hoop.  Hard to believe he has not scored a 2 all year.  So why bring in another kid who is not ready yet either, makes no sense.
 
What I am getting at, my grandson in 7th grade is going to play 50 games this year.  Kids play so much prior to college Shaka should have a feeling if they can help right away.  Enough with projects.  I hope Johnston and Alex can play right away.

Lol had been too long until your grade school grandson was brought up.

There are 15 scholarship spots available to rosters now.  1) You aren't going to be able to fill up your roster with 15 players who are ready to be rotational pieces in the Big East, kids who are ready to play will go elsewhere if there aren't minutes available for them.  2) Unless you're landing 5 star prospects, you very rarely can tell if a kid will be ready to play Big East minutes from the jump until they're actually playing in those games.  And again, you aren't getting 15 5 stars to come join your team.

There's a bit of a difference between 50 7th grade games (congrats to your grandson!) and Big East basketball.  Or even really high level AAU and Big East basketball.

[BCHoopster]

Just trying to say, if you play 50 games starting in 7th, by the time they get to being seniors they have played almost 309 games, as a college coach who should be able to see if they are ready or not.

I saw Nigel play enough in high school to realize he was ready to shine as a frosh, hope the 2 kids are ready as well

[wadesworld]

Just trying to say, if you play 50 games starting in 7th, by the time they get to being seniors they have played almost 309 games, as a college coach who should be able to see if they are ready or not.

I saw Nigel play enough in high school to realize he was ready to shine as a frosh, hope the 2 kids are ready as well

You should send your resume to Shaka for GM position.

[The Sultan]

Just trying to say, if you play 50 games starting in 7th, by the time they get to being seniors they have played almost 309 games, as a college coach who should be able to see if they are ready or not.

I saw Nigel play enough in high school to realize he was ready to shine as a frosh, hope the 2 kids are ready as well

Other guys are playing 309 games a well though.

[nyg]

This is why recruiting, with the exception of Top 50 recruits, is a crap shoot.  It is really up to the coach and staff to ascertain the potential they observe in the recruiting process.

For example, take the case of Illinois's Keaton Wagler.  He was rated #150 in the 2025 class, which included Phillips at #108 and Militec at #112.  Wagler is now being mocked as a lottery pick in the 2026 draft.  Illinois staff saw something and it paid off.

Shaka has had his misses with Amadou, Norman, Hamilton, Clark and even Lowery. Phillips has nice form on his three shot, his only attribute, but shoots like 35% from the free throw line??? Owens was the big get and he in a stall mode in development. So, lots of non development or bad observation of potential when recruiting. He has hit with James and potential for Parham and Stevens as they gain experience.  I am sure no one here has seen Militec, Nash or Pearson play, so no one knows how they will play out in the future. Maybe one of them can do half of what Wagler has done for Illinois and surprise for next season.

[LAZER]

This is why recruiting, with the exception of Top 50 recruits, is a crap shoot.  It is really up to the coach and staff to ascertain the potential they observe in the recruiting process.

For example, take the case of Illinois's Keaton Wagler.  He was rated #150 in the 2025 class, which included Phillips at #108 and Militec at #112.  Wagler is now being mocked as a lottery pick in the 2026 draft.  Illinois staff saw something and it paid off.

Shaka has had his misses with Amadou, Norman, Hamilton, Clark and even Lowery. Phillips has nice form on his three shot, his only attribute, but shoots like 35% from the free throw line??? Owens was the big get and he in a stall mode in development. So, lots of non development or bad observation of potential when recruiting. He has hit with James and potential for Parham and Stevens as they gain experience.  I am sure no one here has seen Militec, Nash or Pearson play, so no one knows how they will play out in the future. Maybe one of them can do half of what Wagler has done for Illinois and surprise for next season.

Not entirely related, but I was shocked to see he's also 0-11 on 2PA for the season.

[nyg]

Not entirely related, but I was shocked to see he's also 0-11 on 2PA for the season.

Yes, Michael Phillips, as of now, has not made a single non three field goal.  Not one.
No offensive rebound for a basket, no dunk, no layup, nothing. Almost impossible.

[MUbiz]

Not entirely related, but I was shocked to see he's also 0-11 on 2PA for the season.

Including 0-2 dunks, per Torvik.

[CountryRoads]

Phillips only has about 4 threes that weren't in garbage time. Non factor this year.

[hawk]

I think it might be the case that talent isn't the only or maybe even the best attribute a player can have.  Shaka needs to bring in some attitude as well.  At the end of this season this team has a decent starting 5 but no bench except Owens.  Neither Ross or Gold have the attitude to lead.  If Gold had been 14 pts. and 7rbs. per game MU would be much better today.  Ross also did not step up this  year from last year.  On the up side Parham,James and Stevens all play like alphas, if 2 or 3 of the new kids show up in the alpha  mode MU takes off next year.  I have my eye on Egbouno in that regard if soebody else shows it too all the better.  A stating center from the portal and this next class I think, will stop the hand wringing.  GO WARRIOS.