RIP Marquette 2025-2026 Men's Basketball Season

[Warrior of Law]

The fact that Stevens and James were as bad shooting as they were, and they only lost by 2, can be viewed as somewhat optimistic. Parham has solidified his role. Biggest weakness is team defense and rebounding. The redshirts should improve the perimeter shooting. MU's portal gets will focus on those weaknesses, so the players brought in may not have huge offensive numbers. Think O-Max and Morsell. The point being is that the portal transfers may not be very high-profile.

[Galway Eagle]

Also, Anonymous Eagle is spot on here. Shaka gets grace because of the work he did, but this season was so bad that it is strikes one and two. He can't miss the tourney next year.

You Won't See Shaka Smart's Name On Next Year's Hot Seat Lists...... But You Should

This. It's why I've been onto people that have been just saying "it's a bad season" 2018 or 2016 were bad seasons. Wojos first and last years were very bad seasons. I'd take any of those over this past year.

[Pakuni]

Also, Anonymous Eagle is spot on here. Shaka gets grace because of the work he did, but this season was so bad that it is strikes one and two. He can't miss the tourney next year.

You Won't See Shaka Smart's Name On Next Year's Hot Seat Lists...... But You Should

"When it comes to the general guideline of success for Marquette men's basketball, my baseline is "make the NCAA tournament every year."

I've been told having this expectation makes a person insane.

[muwarrior69]

I know with 100% certainty Shaka has turned down a bag drop from a high rolling donor to go into the portal. Assuming it's happened on more than one occasion then it becomes more about the opportune cost of what those who write checks could be writing.

Wayne Sanders with others offered 2 million to go back to Warriors but the University refused. I wonder if the University will continue their preferred MO refusing large donations, but continue to appeal to alumni to make a charitable donation to MUBB.

[muwarrior69]

The fact that Stevens and James were as bad shooting as they were, and they only lost by 2, can be viewed as somewhat optimistic. Parham has solidified his role. Biggest weakness is team defense and rebounding. The redshirts should improve the perimeter shooting. MU's portal gets will focus on those weaknesses, so the players brought in may not have huge offensive numbers. Think O-Max and Morsell. The point being is that the portal transfers may not be very high-profile.

That is an assumption, not a given.

[Its DJOver]

Schools with an active tournament appearance streak over 10: Michigan State, Gonzaga, Purdue, Kansas* (2018 season vacated).

If the only thing you look at is appearance/performance in the tournament (which provides an incomplete picture IMO), I would set the expectation for MU at an 80% appearance rate with more second weekends than misses.  Nothing happens 100% of the time in sports.

[The Sultan]

Wayne Sanders with others offered 2 million to go back to Warriors but the University refused. I wonder if the University will continue their preferred MO refusing large donations, but continue to appeal to alumni to make a charitable donation to MUBB.

Calling it their "preferred MO" is hilarious considering that was in 2004 and they just completed a $750M campaign. And schools often turn down donations if they come with restrictions, or strings, they aren't comfortable with.

Regardless Wayne Sanders made the gift anyway. And he died a couple years ago.

But keep bitching.

[Pakuni]

Schools with an active tournament appearance streak over 10: Michigan State, Gonzaga, Purdue, Kansas* (2018 season vacated).

If the only thing you look at is appearance/performance in the tournament (which provides an incomplete picture IMO), I would set the expectation for MU at an 80% appearance rate with more second weekends than misses.  Nothing happens 100% of the time in sports.

You're conflating expectation with outcome.
Marquette should enter every season expecting to make the tournament. The team might fail to meet that expectation on occasion. And if that failure occurs more than a rare occasion, changes need to be made.

But that failure should not diminish the expectation.

[JTJ3]

I won't mock or diss. This is where I was a couple months ago. But I fully believe you are wrong.

The Big 3 (NJ, Royce, Stevens) will be back. The redshirts (Nash, Sheek, Miletic) will be back. I think they'll try to retain Owens & Phillips. And Egbuonu and Johnston will be here.

That leaves Tre, Sean, Caedin, and Josh. If you put the over under at 1.5 returning, I'm definitely taking the under and I imagine some of these guys are already working back channels to find new homes because they've been told they won't be here.

I expect 4-5 new players we aren't aware of. Might end up with a Sheek type redshirt reclass, but 3-4 transfers incoming for sure.

Pretty ideal offseason.  Add a starting big, starting wing, 6th man combo guard and another big through the portal and we'll be in a way different spot a year from now.

[Galway Eagle]

Wayne Sanders with others offered 2 million to go back to Warriors but the University refused. I wonder if the University will continue their preferred MO refusing large donations, but continue to appeal to alumni to make a charitable donation to MUBB.

lol. Let's say the valley fields story is true that it was conditional on the name change your brilliant idea is we go back on our deal and likely have to use every cent of that gift in court... over a mascot... genius

[The Sultan]

You're conflating expectation with outcome.
Marquette should enter every season expecting to make the tournament. The team might fail to meet that expectation on occasion. And if that failure occurs more than a rare occasion, changes need to be made.

But that failure should not diminish the expectation.

The AE article even says this. Occasionally missing the tournament is fine and normally balanced out by a S16 appearance.

[Its DJOver]

You're conflating expectation with outcome.
Marquette should enter every season expecting to make the tournament. The team might fail to meet that expectation on occasion. And if that failure occurs more than a rare occasion, changes need to be made.

But that failure should not diminish the expectation.

You're arguing semantics which I have no intention of doing. 

I was just providing additional context to assertion that that the baseline should be a 100% appearance rate. It shouldn't because it won't be. 

[Hards Alumni]

Really the other thing is that at this point, it would cost Marquette $2m to do a mascot change!

[muwarrior69]

"On the positive side of that line is every so often, you catch lightning in a bottle and you're competing for a Big East championship, ranked top 10 in the country, and considered to be a contender for the national championship. That's a rare case, not an expectation".

During the Al years, 71-77, that was the expectation. Talk about the COLE, this is it, especially in today's environment when you can go after the best talent.

[RJax55]

Wayne Sanders with others offered 2 million to go back to Warriors but the University refused. I wonder if the University will continue their preferred MO refusing large donations, but continue to appeal to alumni to make a charitable donation to MUBB.

Dude, give it up already!

Calling it their "preferred MO" is hilarious considering that was in 2004 and they just completed a $750M campaign. And schools often turn down donations if they come with restrictions, or strings, they aren't comfortable with.

Regardless Wayne Sanders made the gift anyway. And he died a couple years ago.

But keep bitching.

I give him credit for bringing up something from merely 2004. A vast improvement over the tales from the 1960s.

[muwarrior69]

Calling it their "preferred MO" is hilarious considering that was in 2004 and they just completed a $750M campaign. And schools often turn down donations if they come with restrictions, or strings, they aren't comfortable with.

Regardless Wayne Sanders made the gift anyway. And he died a couple years ago.

But keep bitching.

I will!

[Hards Alumni]

"On the positive side of that line is every so often, you catch lightning in a bottle and you're competing for a Big East championship, ranked top 10 in the country, and considered to be a contender for the national championship. That's a rare case, not an expectation".

During the Al years, 71-77, that was the expectation. Talk about the COLE, this is it, especially in today's environment when you can go after the best talent.

32 team tournament, no 3 point line, no shot clock.  Al has been dead for a quarter century.

Time to move on from the 70s, brother.

[muwarrior69]

32 team tournament, no 3 point line, no shot clock.  Al has been dead for a quarter century.

Time to move on from the 70s, brother.

So you are conceding that we don't have the resources to compete for a Natty.

[Scoop Snoop]

This. It's why I've been onto people that have been just saying "it's a bad season" 2018 or 2016 were bad seasons. Wojos first and last years were very bad seasons. I'd take any of those over this past year.

Yep. All I will add is it was not "one bad year", as if players like Hamilton suddenly appeared at Marquette over last summer. It was a horrendous year rooted in very poor judgement by Shaka over multiple years in his unshakable belief that the big G-growth- was enough to turn a guy like Hamilton into a starting center.

[GoldenEagles03]

Really the other thing is that at this point, it would cost Marquette $2m to do a mascot change!

Which begs the question...

If Marquette misses the NCAA Tournament next year but Shaka gets the mascot changed back to the Warriors, is that enough to allow him back for another go around?

[Hards Alumni]

So you are conceding that we don't have the resources to compete for a Natty.

Not what I said at all.  Bringing up Al in today's game is like reminiscing about driving your model T.  All of that stuff is irrelevant to modern college basketball.

[Scoop Snoop]

So you are conceding that we don't have the resources to compete for a Natty.

Honestly, you are pitiful. He is not conceding anything, but in your narrow little mind, you see what you want to see.

And please do not reply in large print. That makes you look foolish. Oh wait, wait. Go ahead. Reply in large print. 

[Pakuni]

The AE article even says this. Occasionally missing the tournament is fine and normally balanced out by a S16 appearance.

Yes, exactly.
I accept that there will be down seasons in which the team doesn't meet expectations. And if that's infrequent, it shouldn't put a coach whose been mostly successful on the hot seat. But if you're stacking those seasons, or it becomes a regular occurrence, then it's time to make a change.

[willie warrior]

That is an assumption, not a given.

True, it is an assumption, however it is also an assumption that Shaka will change his RGV philosophy by seeking studs in the portal

lol. Let's say the valley fields story is true that it was conditional on the name change your brilliant idea is we go back on our deal and likely have to use every cent of that gift in court... over a mascot... genius

It is more than a mascot, genius.

[willie warrior]

That is an assumption, not a given.

True, it is an assumption, however it is also an assumption that Shaka will change his RGV philosophy by seeking studs in the portal

lol. Let's say the valley fields story is true that it was conditional on the name change your brilliant idea is we go back on our deal and likely have to use every cent of that gift in court... over a mascot... genius

It is more than a mascot, genius.