15th spot for a 5

[Rimrocker]

Is there any evidence that our idiot coach is going to sign a back up at the 5?
Or will we go into our 6th year in a row with Shaka as a coach completely over matched at the 4/5 spot for the Big East conference. 
MU has been poor at best at defending the glass and rebounding margin under Shaka.
Easily argued that we let lightning in a bottle slip away during Kolek's final two years with Shaka's refusal to supplement the 4/5 spot with some braun.  Doing it again in year 6. 
Cant wait to get pounded on the glass yet again in year 6 and listen to Shaka's BS excuses.  Maybe he should chart rebounds and not deflections.  Bring focus to a glaring weakness.
Had some pretty solid recruiting and transfers under Buzz.  Good recruiting under Wojo, but terrible coaching.  The recruiting under Shaka has been poor, felt he would recruit better.  He is not a genius with the white board either.
 

[Hards Alumni]

Thank you for your contribution.

[wadesworld]

The guy who has led Marquette to it's only outright Big East Title and the two highest seeds in program history is an idiot that can't recruit and doesn't know Xs and Os.

I think I got that right.

[Its DJOver]

Rounding into peak offseason form nicely.

[jfp61]

Unless they are dipping into the EURO well, and that player is willing to come off the bench...

No shot they find a good enough player for it to be worth it

[Badgerhater]

I've never seen a message board thread about MU not recruiting a quality 5.  Given the long history of stellar 5 recruiting by Deane, Crean, Buzz and the coach who shall not be named, in a basketball world just dripping with such talent, I look forward to this new and unique discussion.

[Rimrocker]

I fully understand the issue with the difficulty of finding a good 5 being willing to accept a backup role.  But it is not like there is no opportunity.  Other schools are signing 6-7-8-10 players, it is not like they are all promised to be starters.  Additionally, the opportunity is more than there for a soph or junior to be to play decent minutes this year and have full reign next year.  We have two guys that are not D1 players as competition.  Or even a low major type with only 1 year left that would be willing to take a pay raise to play decent minutes and experience high major ball. 
I dont think it as hard a sell as people intent on defending Shaka want to make it out to be.  In fact,  other schools are signing non projected starters left and right.  And it would not take much more than a pulse to sign an improvement over Hamilton.
Once again Shaka appears to be going into a season under manned at the 4/5.  Will we be in store for yet another last place rebounding team in the BE rankings?

[tower912]

E mail Shaka your concerns

[Scoop Snoop]

Shaka's refusal to supplement the 4/5 spot with some braun.

I have a Braun electric shaver and cannot understand why Shaka refuses to use one. Maybe he did when he was bald.

Bring focus to a glaring weakness.

Considering how weak your post is, I'm surprised that you would accuse someone else of a glaring weakness.

He is not a genius with the white board either

At least he hasn't hurt his hand smashing one like Wojo once did.
 

[Uncle Rico]

This is a good topic.  Hadn't thought about this subject before

[MU82]

Sigh.

[JakeBarnes]

If only Shaka had recruited a 5 this year.

[The Sultan]

Will we be in store for yet another last place rebounding team in the BE rankings?

I'm simply hoping that Marquette makes the Big East tournament this year.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Live look in at Rimrocker:

[MU82]

If only our idiot coach had 3 years' services of a center who would become an all-conference player and an NBA starter. And if only the idiot coach had just brought in a big-money center for next season.

[BCHoopster]

He will sign a portal center next year, does not seem he is on on any bigs in next recruiting cycle.

[Galway Eagle]

Today I learned a 2nd team All Conference player that was starting for the Phoenix Suns this year was completely overmatched.

Had some pretty solid recruiting and transfers under Buzz.  Good recruiting under Wojo, but terrible coaching.  The recruiting under Shaka has been poor, felt he would recruit better. 

Omax, Tyler, Jop, Morsell, Chase, Adrien, Nigel? Seriously nothing there?

And that's assuming we don't give him credit for "re-recruiting" Kam, Stevie, Oso, & Justin.

I mean I'm not saying he's infallible or that I don't want a backup 5 but maybe at least a tiny bit of hyperbole here?

[Jay Bee]

The guy who has led Marquette to it's only outright Big East Title and the two highest seeds in program history is an idiot...

Its vs. it's.

As for the topic, SS already chose 18 over a potentially good backup in Sheek.

[wadesworld]

Unless they are dipping into the EURO well, and that player is willing to come off the bench...

No shot they find a good enough player for it to be worth it

Hopefully just like they were a "no" for Fru.

[MuMark]

Always appreciate posters who are very upfront in reminding me to use the ignore feature.

Thank you sir.

[MU82]

Its vs. it's.

As for the topic, SS already chose 18 over a potentially good backup in Sheek.

Rejected Bidunga and Thiam because of his love for 18, too. And now 18's gonna play 36 mpg. Can't believe MU hasn't fired this idiot coach yet.

[JakeBarnes]

Rejected Bidunga and Thiam because of his love for 18, too. And now 18's gonna play 36 mpg. Can't believe MU hasn't fired this idiot coach yet.

I heard Wemby was willing to play backup but Shaka said we were good

[tower912]

Giannis publicly offered.

[Hards Alumni]

Giannis publicly offered.

I think he did a silent verbal too.

[BrewCity83]

Too bad MU's academic standards were too high to realistically give Giannis a chance at admission.

[Jay Bee]

Too bad MU's academic standards were too high to realistically give Giannis a chance at admission.

No NIL 4 foreigners hurt too

[MUDPT]

FWIW, I heard they hosted Luke Bamgboye, but he ended up at TCU.

[brewcity77]

FWIW, I heard they hosted Luke Bamgboye, but he ended up at TCU.

Unfounded rumor, didn't happen.

[Viper]

The guy who has led Marquette to it's only outright Big East Title and the two highest seeds in program history is an idiot that can't recruit and doesn't know Xs and Os.

I think I got that right.

you did get that right. BUT...same coach that has gone 23-29 since Jan '25? I think I got that right.

[Uncle Rico]

you did get that right. BUT...same coach that has gone 23-29 since Jan '25? I think I got that right.

And doesn't host the Rhinelander coach at a clinic

[NCMUFan]

Seems like off season anxiety striking hard.
But in the same vein, hope Marquette doesn't get pummeled on the glass this upcoming season.
Opponents getting multiple opportunities every trip down the floor may negate deflections.

[The Sultan]

And doesn't host the Rhinelander coach at a clinic

To be fair, a Marquette quarter zip in Hodag country probably gets a guy killed.

[Jay Bee]

But in the same vein, hope Marquette doesn't get pummeled on the glass this upcoming season.
Opponents getting multiple opportunities every trip down the floor may negate deflections.

It's the shaka way. Expect it.

[Uncle Rico]

To be fair, a Marquette quarter zip in Hodag country probably gets a guy killed.

More dangerous than Milwaukee

[The Sultan]

More dangerous than Milwaukee

White guy violence doesn't really count though.

[Uncle Rico]

White guy violence doesn't really count though.

The poverty in Oneida County is crippling but those folks pull themselves up by the bootstraps and refuse the government cheese

[Galway Eagle]

White guy Traditional violence doesn't really count though.

[tower912]

Starting with my freshman year, and I am sure others will be able to add to this list, guys 6'8 or taller signed by MU, ostensibly to play down low.


Davis, Mueller, Grosse, Lovette, Shaw, Polonowski, Clausen, Kinsella, Grimm, Mbao, Roseboro, McMorrow, Heldt.

In other words, for the last 40+ years, MU has a tradition of big man prospects that frustrate the fanbase, if they ever suit up.   By no means is this a specific to Shaka problem.

[JoanofArcMascot]

Its vs. it's.

As for the topic, SS already chose 18 over a potentially good backup in Sheek.

Not buying that Shaka chose 18 over Sheek. No way. He was offered monster $ by SLU and maybe was miffed that Fru was recruited, but I refuse to believe Sheek thought 18 would get his minutes. I also refuse to believe that even without Sheek 18 will get any playing time because he repeatedly has shown that even in limited minutes he can inspire the opposition to make intense runs, shifting the momentum. One good game against UConn does not change the big picture and he's way too risky to play in games still in doubt and others with potential, such as Clark, need all the mopup minutes for development purposes. So why did he keep 18? Who knows? I'm sure he knows no other D1 school would offer him a scholarship if he cut him loose so he's probably doing it out of loyalty to a kid who tries his best. But with one spot open, I haven't given up on the idea that a backup 5, either a veteran or a reclassifying high school guy, will be recruited to help next season. Losing Sheek a big, big blow and Fru and Minessale big, big additions.

[MU82]

Not buying that Shaka chose 18 over Sheek.

Neither does JB. It's schtick.

I also refuse to believe that even without Sheek 18 will get any playing time

Of course he'll get playing time. Fru isn't gonna play 40 mpg.

I'm sure he knows no other D1 school would offer him a scholarship if he cut him loose

There are a lot of low D1 programs out there, and probably several that would offer a scholly to a center with 3 years of experience at Marquette, including 1 season as an occasional starter.

I haven't given up on the idea that a backup 5, either a veteran or a reclassifying high school guy, will be recruited to help next season.

That would be great.

[panda]

Neither does JB. It's schtick.

Of course he'll get playing time. Fru isn't gonna play 40 mpg.

There are a lot of low D1 programs out there, and probably several that would offer a scholly to a center with 3 years of experience at Marquette, including 1 season as an occasional starter.

That would be great.

Why hasn't a program come along yet? Probs because he's in line for yet again more undeserved minutes this year.

[MU82]

Why hasn't a program come along yet? Probs because he's in line for yet again more undeserved minutes this year.

Thanks.

[Tha Hound]

I've been very supportive of Shaka but slating CH/JC for 10+ mpg is coaching malpractice. That lack of depth will limit this teams ceiling. Demoralizing.

[wiscwarrior]

I normally root for the team over an individual player, but next year I will be rooting very hard for 2 backup centers who have taken an unwarranted (imo) amount of abuse on MU message boards.

[Dukiets Piano Bar]

Amen

[tower912]

I've been very supportive of Shaka but slating CH/JC for 10+ mpg is coaching malpractice. That lack of depth will limit this teams ceiling. Demoralizing.

I would argue that having 4 players (adding another big) that can only play one position and can't be used at the same time is coaching malpractice.

[Shooter McGavin]

I normally root for the team over an individual player, but next year I will be rooting very hard for 2 backup centers who have taken an unwarranted (imo) amount of abuse on MU message boards.

It would definitely be an incredible story if they were serviceable or even better than serviceable.  I will be rooting hard for this scenario as well.  Doesn't look like we have another choice.  They will, in part, be a reason for this team's success or failure. 

[The Sultan]

I would argue that having 4 players (adding another big) that can only play one position and can't be used at the same time is coaching malpractice.

That was the exact situation in place before Sheek transferred.

[tower912]

I still believe, along with the money, that being recruited over contributed to Sheek's departure.  Expecting to start, now coming off the bench for up to two years.

Anyway, give me a stretch 4.  One who can play alongside Royce, as well as when Royce goes to the bench.

[Tha Hound]

I would argue that having 4 players (adding another big) that can only play one position and can't be used at the same time is coaching malpractice.

Agreed, add one contributor and cut losses with the non-contributors.

[tower912]

Agreed, add one contributor and cut losses with the non-contributors.

Since they choose to stay, I choose to root for growth and development.

[Nukem2]

Since they choose to stay, I choose to root for growth and development.

At this point, that's about all we can hope for. We shall see.

[tower912]

That is all we can ever do.

[79Warrior]

I still believe, along with the money, that being recruited over contributed to Sheek's departure.  Expecting to start, now coming off the bench for up to two years.

Anyway, give me a stretch 4.  One who can play alongside Royce, as well as when Royce goes to the bench.

Sheek is not ready to be a BE center yet. Shaka had no choice but to get a big. Pretty much the whole board here felt that was important. The end result is, Sheek left. At this point, I don't care why he left.

[panda]

Sheek is not ready to be a BE center yet. Shaka had no choice but to get a big. Pretty much the whole board here felt that was important. The end result is, Sheek left. At this point, I don't care why he left.

You hit the nail on the head. Ch18 is believed to be more of a be ready big than sheek

[wadesworld]

You hit the nail on the head. Ch18 is believed to be more of a be ready big than sheek

Dis guy needs new rich golf partners.

[Jay Bee]

Playing guys bc of a sparkle in their eye didn't work last year and also caused Sheek's departure... but hey, maybe it'll work this season. Sure seems as though SS is set on employing the same practice.

[We R Final Four]

Playing guys bc of a sparkle in their eye didn't work last year and also caused Sheek's departure... but hey, maybe it'll work this season. Sure seems as though SS is set on employing the same practice.

Why haven't you said anything about this before?

[mileskishnish72]

Looks like our roster is set?

[Tha Hound]

Since they choose to stay, I choose to root for growth and development.

Same, I would love for one of them to surprise us and be a net positive on the floor. Given what we've seen thus far, it's fair to be very skeptical.

[tower912]

And yet, in a long history of watching bigs develop at their own pace, for many different teams and many different coaches, all hope is not lost.
No idea if the much maligned duo will follow that template.  I hope so. If they do, it will be really helpful.  If they don't, Shaka will need to do what other MU coaches have done, and win with small ball.  Swarming switchables.

Also, if Fru DOES end up at MU for two seasons, it changes the calculus significantly.

[Jay Bee]

And yet, in a long history of watching bigs develop at their own pace, for many different teams and many different coaches, all hope is not lost.

Music to SS's ears! 

[romey]

Looks like our roster is set?

I don't follow these things as closely as others, so I'll defer to those that are more in tuned to the portal and the deadlines, etc.  But I simply googled 247 college basketball portal and then doing a simply sort by position (Center) and status (Available) I counted 16 division one centers - or more - still available.  I know nothing about them, and there were others that at first glance were NOT division 1 still available. If there were anyone available willing to step in behind Fru I would hope we would be taking a serious look. 

[MU82]

So we've apparently reached the stage where we're assuming that any available D3 guy would be a better option than 18.

[panda]

Dis guy needs new rich golf partners.

You need a better source than trilly Donovan

[JoanofArcMascot]

Neither does JB. It's schtick.

Of course he'll get playing time. Fru isn't gonna play 40 mpg.

There are a lot of low D1 programs out there, and probably several that would offer a scholly to a center with 3 years of experience at Marquette, including 1 season as an occasional starter.

That would be great.

Why are you resigned to 18 getting minutes? Because of the position next to his name? With that logic, Chris Otule and Youssoupha Mbao should have combined for 40 minutes a game for the 09-10 team, instead of playing 8.4 mpg. Hayward played out of position at center because that made it way tougher on the opponent. Similarly, playing Parham, Owens, Egbuonu out of position at center for the 15 or so minutes Fru sits way tougher on opponents than playing Hamilton. If Clark develops enough to play in games, great, but Hamilton has proven that's not going to happen. No need to guard him at one end, incapable of guarding anyone at the other.
And no D-1 school would give him a scholarship based on him playing minutes for 12-20 team, especially since minimal homework would show how many of those 20 could be traced to him. No D-1 school offered him out of high school and even at that he has underachieved so why would one offer him now? It wouldn't. 

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Another victim of HDS.

[MU82]

Why are you resigned to 18 getting minutes?

What does that even mean? What if I wasn't "resigned" to it; what should I do? Call Shaka and scream at him?

I am using common sense based on what we all know about Shaka, the way our roster is currently constructed, and college basketball in general. What are you using with that silly post of yours?

[wadesworld]

You need a better source than trilly Donovan

That's one of the many things that makes us different.  I don't pretend I have inside sources.  I don't go around telling Scoop I golf with the biggest donor at Marquette.  I don't need to try and impress anonymous people on a Marquette basketball forum by telling everyone I rub elbows with filthy rich people.

I had a pretty solid second hand source inside the basketball program years ago, but that connection moved on.  Every once in a while I get a random bit of second/third/fourth hand information that turns out to be true.

But I have no problem admitting that I'm not schmoozing it up with whale donors.

Having said that, I'd definitely take Trilly as my source over your golf partner that is the biggest donor to Marquette University.  Of course Trilly shouldn't be taken as gospel, but they absolutely have some good sources.  Certainly better than the .000 you bat with your "scoops."

[JakeBarnes]

Trilly refuses to golf with me.

[TallTitan34]

You need a better source than trilly Donovan

Only three sources I trust:
- Brew
- Trilly
- Mark Miller

They may have some misses but their info proves to be correct the vast majority of the time.

[Scoop Snoop]

Certainly better than the .000 you bat with your "scoops."

Well...not exactly. Sean really did leave and he went to Ohio. So, there's that.

[Hards Alumni]

Only three sources I trust:
- Brew
- Trilly
- Mark Miller

They may have some misses but their info proves to be correct the vast majority of the time.

TAMU