Shaka gets an A- imo

[Jay Bee]

Dudes out here praising a potential 17 win season smh

[brewcity77]

Owens and Phillips have both had healthy offseasons.  Shaka has consistently been raving about  Phillips.  That feels like a pretty good 8-man rotation already.

Last year they were raving about Caedin Hamilton and Sean Jones. I'll be honest, I feel skeptical about everyone outside the projected starting 5 until I actually see it on the court.

Give us the health of 2023 along with a couple big leaps from rotation players and we could be battling for the league crown and a protected seed, but if our mid-major transfer looks like he doesn't belong and the bench options don't take steps forward, we could be much closer to .500. I find this to be a very difficult team to project, though maybe I'm gunshy after putting faith in the coaching staff ahead of last year's disaster.

[BM1090]

Last year they were raving about Caedin Hamilton and Sean Jones. I'll be honest, I feel skeptical about everyone outside the projected starting 5 until I actually see it on the court.

Give us the health of 2023 along with a couple big leaps from rotation players and we could be battling for the league crown and a protected seed, but if our mid-major transfer looks like he doesn't belong and the bench options don't take steps forward, we could be much closer to .500. I find this to be a very difficult team to project, though maybe I'm gunshy after putting faith in the coaching staff ahead of last year's disaster.

I get that. But my counter would be we're significantly better at 4 of 5 starting positions than we were in November last year.

[MuggsyB]

Last year they were raving about Caedin Hamilton and Sean Jones. I'll be honest, I feel skeptical about everyone outside the projected starting 5 until I actually see it on the court.

Give us the health of 2023 along with a couple big leaps from rotation players and we could be battling for the league crown and a protected seed, but if our mid-major transfer looks like he doesn't belong and the bench options don't take steps forward, we could be much closer to .500. I find this to be a very difficult team to project, though maybe I'm gunshy after putting faith in the coaching staff ahead of last year's disaster.

I vehemently disagree Brew.  .500?  No way.  I think you're underestimating our returning triumvirate.  .500 would be an immediate dismissal for Shaka and a complete overhaul of our program.  If healthy, our team should make some noise. 

[MU82]

Last year they were raving about Caedin Hamilton and Sean Jones. I'll be honest, I feel skeptical about everyone outside the projected starting 5 until I actually see it on the court.

Give us the health of 2023 along with a couple big leaps from rotation players and we could be battling for the league crown and a protected seed, but if our mid-major transfer looks like he doesn't belong and the bench options don't take steps forward, we could be much closer to .500. I find this to be a very difficult team to project, though maybe I'm gunshy after putting faith in the coaching staff ahead of last year's disaster.

It's reasonable to be gunshy after last season and to take a wait-and-see approach.

But this is also reasonable:

I get that. But my counter would be we're significantly better at 4 of 5 starting positions than we were in November last year.

[brewcity77]

I vehemently disagree Brew.  .500?  No way.  I think you're underestimating our returning triumvirate.  .500 would be an immediate dismissal for Shaka and a complete overhaul of our program.  If healthy, our team should make some noise. 

I didn't say .500, I said closer to .500, which is in comparison to the 2023 team that went 29-7 which was 22 games above .500. Shaka had one losing season in his career before last year and followed it up with a 19-15 record and first round NCAA exit at Texas. When I say "closer to .500" that's the type of season I mean. Something over .500 but in the 17-19 win range rather than the 22+ wins we're all hoping for.

Our returning three look great on paper, but making a 10+ win improvement is a lot to ask out of any team.

[MuggsyB]

I'd be more worried Brew if you were skeptical of our starting 5. 

[Shooter McGavin]

So MU played like the #42 team but with some caveats that contributed to that ranking.  Fine.

They're also bringing back the potential BE POY.  Parham played like an ALL BE player the last half of the conference season.  Stevens was grew tremendously during conference play.  They've all had an offseason to continue getting better.

Then you add an excellent center that shores up multiple weaknesses and a big guard with a diverse skill set from the portal.  Not to mention the recent add for PG depth.

Owens and Phillips have both had healthy offseasons.  Shaka has consistently been raving about  Phillips.  That feels like a pretty good 8-man rotation already.

Is there anyone from that remaining group that will surprise or at least give serviceable minutes?  We'll see. 

Perhaps I'm setting myself up for disappointment but I'm bullish on this team as of today.

I am on the same page. 

[Captain Quette]

I am bullish on more wins next year and think we push close to or at 20 wins. My reasons for a pause include:

1. Players from last year making following year jump simply because they are 1 year older,
2. Tougher big east making conference schedule more difficult,
3. Transfers / new players making a large impact, Fru has potential but other than him, other a bit sus,
4. Shaka totally bombed with roster construction and development of several returning players we were really counting on.

I understand there are counter arguments to all this, just have a more prove it perspective this year.

[muwarrior69]

Last year they were raving about Caedin Hamilton and Sean Jones. I'll be honest, I feel skeptical about everyone outside the projected starting 5 until I actually see it on the court.

Give us the health of 2023 along with a couple big leaps from rotation players and we could be battling for the league crown and a protected seed, but if our mid-major transfer looks like he doesn't belong and the bench options don't take steps forward, we could be much closer to .500. I find this to be a very difficult team to project, though maybe I'm gunshy after putting faith in the coaching staff ahead of last year's disaster.

I hope raving about Phillips is not the kiss of death for him as Shaka raved about Hamilton last year. I do hope the kid comes through.

[MU82]

Thanks, eeyore69.

[muwarrior69]

Thanks, eeyore69.

Your Welcome. I am glad you appreciate my perspective. 

[Jay Bee]

Your Welcome.

His WAT?!?!

[Scoop Snoop]

Your Welcome. I am glad you appreciate my perspective.

Since you once confused the word prostrate and prostate, I'm guessing you meant "I am glad that you appreciate my being persnickety".

persnickety /pər-snĭk′ĭ-tē/
adjective
Overparticular about trivial details; fastidious.
Snobbish; pretentious.
Requiring strict attention to detail; demanding.
"a persnickety job."

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition • More at Wordnik

[muwarrior69]

Since you once confused the word prostrate and prostate, I'm guessing you meant "I am glad that you appreciate my being persnickety".

persnickety /pər-snĭk′ĭ-tē/
adjective
Overparticular about trivial details; fastidious.
Snobbish; pretentious.
Requiring strict attention to detail; demanding.
"a persnickety job."

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition • More at Wordnik

What is trivial about Hamilton being raked the over coals, not just by me but others here as well. Perhaps not intentionally, but Shaka did put a target on his back as the kid just did not meet expectations but dramatically underperformed. Who knows, perhaps Hamilton will surprise us this season.