Sheek in the Portal?

[Zog from Margo]

I feel badly for Hamilton because the staff placed a lot of pressure on a guy with very little experience. Shaka talks him up in the media in the offseason and then starts him when it was clear he wasn't ready. Maybe Shaka was trying to light a fire under Parham (who started the season slowly) or maybe he realized his roster was weak and he needed to roll the dice in the hope of catching lightning in a bottle. In any event, there'd be a lot less pressure on Hamilton now if Shaka slowly worked him in from farther down the bench, which would have been more in line with where Hamilton was in his development. At this point, MU looks to have the makings of a decent starting five but no proven depth.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

If I recall one of the advanced stats sites had Cardin as the second worst high major D1 player.

Second worst offensive high major player who played at least 500 possessions, beating out Dorin Buca of Kansas State. I shudder to think what Dorin's offense looks like.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Second worst offensive high major player who played at least 500 possessions, beating out Dorin Buca of Kansas State. I shudder to think what Dorin's offense looks like.

The staff has to be aware of this, right?

[wadesworld]

Then why not get a good one? Why didn't they spend 3 or 3.5 on  Fru? If they have 2 mil to splash on Sheek, they could have gone top shelf.

Because nobody wants to live in STL or play for SLU.  They need to overpay players, even ones who are hometown kids.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

The staff has to be aware of this, right?

They are. But the same site has Caedin as our big defensive big man last season.

[jfp61]

I disagree. IMO, Caedin was our worst player. Again, IMO, when he did something well, it felt like it was an accident. He doesn't even look comfortable playing basketball.

People who disagree with this don't like the defensive aspect of basketball. Or can't accept the simple fact that taller players are better players.

EvanMiya BPR
Caedin Hamilton -0.38
Tre Norman -0.60
Sean Jones -1.01

HoopExplorer RAPM NET
Caedin Hamilton 1.7
Tre Norman 0.3
Sean Jones -1.7

Hell just for fun. Box oRtg
Caedin Hamilton 96.6
Tre Norman 93.5
Sean Jones 96.3

I am not arguing that he is even an average NCAA player.

We just had two players on our team worse than him.

[SchnitzelBoy]

These dudes are on the roster no matter how we feel about it.

I really hope another offseason allows Josh Clark (7 footers don't grow on trees) to come around. I don't know what it is about Caedin but he's not athletic enough to compete at this level. Have you ever seen him jump? There's no lift whatsoever. Josh at least has the height and leaping ability to turn into a rim protector/runner.

If Josh and Caedin haven't reached the level of serviceable Big East center by November 2026, then there are absolutely grounds to cut them loose next April.

[wadesworld]

I'd be surprised if Caedin didn't graduate and transfer out after next year.

[MU82]

I'd be surprised if Caedin didn't graduate and transfer out after next year.

That's if Marquette University can survive as an institution with him in it. People are saying that he's also responsible for the recent Milwaukee floods.

[SchnitzelBoy]

One silver lining about Sheek Leaving is that MU might become a better 3-point shooting team. Sheek leaving opens up minutes for Ian Miletic, MPIII, and Owens at PF. So we could end up playing small ball a bit more. I've heard good things about Ian and have seen enough from a (should be in HS) Phillips that I'm intrigued. Also, Owens had one of his best games when he started in place of Royce. Giving those guys more run might unlock their potential. We can throw some lineups with impressive positional size

PG: Nolan Minessale (6'5)
Wing: Damarius Owenns
Wing: Ian Miletic (6'7) / MPIII (6'7)
Wing: Royce Parham (6'8)
C/F: Sananda Fru (6'11)

[Scoop Snoop]

I'd be surprised if Caedin didn't graduate and transfer out after next year.

And take the entire team with him to Saint Louis. Then SLU will be admitted to the BE and Marquette will join the A10. Shaka will return to VCU.

[WhiteTrash]

People who disagree with this don't like the defensive aspect of basketball. Or can't accept the simple fact that taller players are better players.

EvanMiya BPR
Caedin Hamilton -0.38
Tre Norman -0.60
Sean Jones -1.01

HoopExplorer RAPM NET
Caedin Hamilton 1.7
Tre Norman 0.3
Sean Jones -1.7

Hell just for fun. Box oRtg
Caedin Hamilton 96.6
Tre Norman 93.5
Sean Jones 96.3

I am not arguing that he is even an average NCAA player.

We just had two players on our team worse than him.

That's fair, I guess. I'm basing it on the "eye test".

For example, in on of the last games of the season CH blocked out his guy for a defensive rebound (positive) then the rebound went to the other team, and CH continued to block out his guy instead of trying to prevent a put-back shot by the other team, which they made. 100% of D1 players pivot from a block-out to playing defense in that situation.

My subjective evaluation is he has no feel for the game. He looks like a bundle of nerves on the court. Playing doesn't seem enjoyable to him, unlike his very positive and energetic demeanor on the bench.

[DienerTime34]

That's fair, I guess. I'm basing it on the "eye test".

For example, in on of the last games of the season CH blocked out his guy for a defensive rebound (positive) then the rebound went to the other team, and CH continued to block out his guy instead of trying to prevent a put-back shot by the other team, which they made. 100% of D1 players pivot from a block-out to playing defense in that situation.

My subjective evaluation is he has no feel for the game. He looks like a bundle of nerves on the court. Playing doesn't seem enjoyable to him, unlike his very positive and energetic demeanor on the bench.

I have no doubt Caedin Hamilton is a great person, student, and teammate. I bet he helps little old grannies cross the street and always brings his mom flowers. This doesn't change the fact he absolutely, positively, should not be getting playing time on the Marquette basketball team.

[Uncle Rico]

And take the entire team with him to Saint Louis. Then SLU will be admitted to the BE and Marquette will join the A10. Shaka will return to VCU.

A-10?!?  We'll be lucky to get an invite to the MAAC

[CountryRoads]

Second worst offensive high major player who played at least 500 possessions, beating out Dorin Buca of Kansas State. I shudder to think what Dorin's offense looks like.

Thanks for this. Whenever this was brought up, I always assumed he slightly beat out Clark.

[TSmith34, Inc.]

Caedin wasn't horrible in the UConn game coming off the bench. I think if Clark can improve, Shaka might be able to have one serviceable 10 min a game big between the two. My concern is 3 point shooting. Hoping Phillips improves his all around game to see the court more. If not, I believe this is where we need to get another rental.

While players generally improve year to year, I think it is a long shot Clark improves enough to be a contributor. I mean, his minutes dwindled to nearly zero as the season wore on. I would think that if he showed even the slightest ability to positively impact a game, Shaka would have played him for a team going nowhere.

I think *hoping* those two guys would contribute is what got us a 12-20 season in the first place.

[1SE]

While players generally improve year to year, I think it is a long shot Clark improves enough to be a contributor. I mean, his minutes dwindled to nearly zero as the season wore on. I would think that if he showed even the slightest ability to positively impact a game, Shaka would have played him for a team going nowhere.

I think *hoping* those two guys would contribute is what got us a 12-20 season in the first place.

Thats why i can't believe we didnt #freejosh -  give him extended run in meaningless season to show what (potential) he does(nt) have. If he really had nothing he should've been  shakaxed and we could use his 100k towards buying a serviceable back up. Now we just have "hope"

[WhiteTrash]

While players generally improve year to year, I think it is a long shot Clark improves enough to be a contributor. I mean, his minutes dwindled to nearly zero as the season wore on. I would think that if he showed even the slightest ability to positively impact a game, Shaka would have played him for a team going nowhere.

I think *hoping* those two guys would contribute is what got us a 12-20 season in the first place.

I'm all in favor of being positive about the outlook for next year. We, as MU fans, really should.

But we need to keep in the back of our minds, teams don't lose 20 games due to a handful of players underperforming. I'm sure Michigan has 2 or 3 guys that would be marginal contributors at MU, they just don't play much or at all.

[Badgerhater]

A-10?!?  We'll be lucky to get an invite to the MAAC

Summit League swap with St Thomas.

[Uncle Rico]

Summit League swap with St Thomas.

I like the MAAC because of the Catholic connection and it was the worst league of the two.  Better chance to compete and keep worrier happy

[The Sultan]

I like the MAAC because of the Catholic connection and it was the worst league of the two.  Better chance to compete and keep worrier happy

Good call. We would be joining at an exciting time too since the MAAC is getting an exciting new rebrand and logo! Plus they play their conference tournament in the hip town of Atlantic City! Who needs MSG and New York?

And of course we would share this conference with two of our Jesuit brethren - Canisius and Fairfield.

[WhiteTrash]

Good call. We would be joining at an exciting time too since the MAAC is getting an exciting new rebrand and logo! Plus they play their conference tournament in the hip town of Atlantic City! Who needs MSG and New York?

And of course we would share this conference with two of our Jesuit brethren - Canisius and Fairfield.

Fear the Stags!

[Uncle Rico]

Good call. We would be joining at an exciting time too since the MAAC is getting an exciting new rebrand and logo! Plus they play their conference tournament in the hip town of Atlantic City! Who needs MSG and New York?

And of course we would share this conference with two of our Jesuit brethren - Canisius and Fairfield.

That's a sign of a steady league.  Many brilliant business minds can't make it in Atlantic City. 

[Shooter McGavin]

Second worst offensive high major player who played at least 500 possessions, beating out Dorin Buca of Kansas State. I shudder to think what Dorin's offense looks like.

As it stands, we are one injury away from this again.  Hopefully Shaka gets a quality back up.

Speaking of injuries,  with millions of dollars on the line every year for these players, I envision extended stays on the IR, for lack of a better term, to preserve value for the following year's contract. I think this changes the calculus for agents and players regarding how soon they come back from injury, if at all.

For example, if the season is not going well next year, and Nigel is hurt but thinking ahead to a bigger payday, does he sit the rest of the year like Burton did at ND?  He gets his millions and preserves value by being fully healed for his next contract.

Just wondering what others think about this.  It's not keeping me up at night but big money and immediate transfer has added this to the equation.

[Jay Bee]

That's if Marquette University can survive as an institution with him in it. People are saying that he's also responsible for the recent Milwaukee floods.

Well, it did rain 18 inches in an hour.