Philipe Ndong to Marquette

[noblewarrior]

2-3? Sure. But this year alone we have 7 for which my expectations are zero or barely above that.

Crowdis, Miletic, and Walker all sound like guys that probably shouldn't be playing much.

Hamilton and Clark are guys who we've watched and would generally prefer they not play much without seismic leaps.

Johnston and Egbuonu are unknowns but I'm not expecting much out of them either.

And all 7 are eligible to return in 2027-28. We don't need more projects.

I'd suspect Crowdis (practice player), Fru (pro), and Hamilton (graduates) won't be back next year (just speculating here) based on the idea that many here are holding to that MU is still targeting a PG and Center. 

[Scoop Snoop]

I think Shaka stays in his niche while at MU.  I think he will continue to recruit high schoolers and develop them, only hitting the portal when he has to, while continuing to develop his recruits. And I think that approach will continue to resonate.

I see what you have written as RGV 2.0.

I get both Brew's take and this one. As long as Shaka is our coach, it will be an academic discussion.

[tower912]

I don't disagree.

[The Sultan]

I think Shaka stays in his niche while at MU.  I think he will continue to recruit high schoolers and develop them, only hitting the portal when he has to, while continuing to develop his recruits. And I think that approach will continue to resonate.

As long as it works, that's fine. But it feels like he's been operating behind the curve for a couple of years now, and last year it bit him.

[Hards Alumni]

As long as it works, that's fine. But it feels like he's been operating behind the curve for a couple of years now, and last year it bit him.

Yeah the seat is certainly warm.  All that matters are W's.

[Boone]

Hitting the portal will be a yearly thing from now on

[The Sultan]

Especially on who has a dad who turned into a strong professional player..after not getting recruited much because he was skinny.

Scoopers thought we should have recruited Marcus Jordan too.

[willie warrior]

Middle school humor is a great way to start the day!

My Ndong is getting excited too. Some say he is a project. Well Hamilton and Clark were also projects and look how well they are turning out. Shaka once again proving that he is a savant on the recruiting trail, when he tries real hard....Look, here comes Reeker with some snarky comment...proving once again that I live rent free in his gourd. The guy literally lurks out there waiting for my posts.

[tower912]

Yeah the seat is certainly warm.  All that matters are W's.

If Shaka was worried about his seat being warm, he wouldn't be signing HS players.

[willie warrior]

Middle school humor is a great way to start the day!

My Ndong is getting excited too. Some say he is a project. Well Hamilton and Clark were also projects and look how well they are turning out. Shaka once again proving that he is a savant on the recruiting trail, when he tries real hard....Look, here comes Reeker with some snarky comment...proving once again that I live rent free in his gourd. The guy literally lurks out there waiting for my posts.

[brewcity77]

Is it really a safer bet to go the Yaxel route over the Oso route?

Who's talking about Yaxel? If we're dedicating a spot to a reserve big, there are plenty of bench bigs that transferred to Big East programs and didn't cost a fortune.

King at Creighton, Jacques at DePaul, Aletan at Providence, Chitikoudis at Xavier, all came in to be bench contributors. NJ Benson is going to Georgetown for that kind of role showing that there are still 5/5 guys (like Porter) that could help.

And next year the options will be far, far greater. Because of 5/5 going fully into effect, the only 2026-27 players that won't be eligible to return for 2027-28 are the fifth year players currently challenging the NCAA ruling in court and a few older Euro players like Quinn Ellis.

If there was ever a year to not remotely consider a project, 2027 is it.

[Uncle Rico]

My Ndong is getting excited too. Some say he is a project. Well Hamilton and Clark were also projects and look how well they are turning out. Shaka once again proving that he is a savant on the recruiting trail, when he tries real hard....Look, here comes Reeker with some snarky comment...proving once again that I live rent free in his gourd. The guy literally lurks out there waiting for my posts.

I'm just waiting for you to share your yearly donations to the program so I can match.  If you're too modest to share, send a DM and I'll keep it confidential.

[The Sultan]

If Shaka was worried about his seat being warm, he wouldn't be signing HS players.

He brought in transfers last year, and by all indications, will continue to do so. I know he is in Kimo's good graces, but that only lasts until the money shuts off.

[MuggsyB]

KA-FRICKING-BOOM!!!!

LFG!!!

[brewcity77]

He brought in transfers last year, and by all indications, will continue to do so. I know he is in Kimo's good graces, but that only lasts until the money shuts off.

It also assumes that the seats over his head aren't also getting warm.

[MuMark]

https://www.instagram.com/p/Dc3b5R3EYcI/?igsi=MXd2ZnU3Z3hsbGtrcQ==

[tower912]

He brought in transfers last year, and by all indications, will continue to do so. I know he is in Kimo's good graces, but that only lasts until the money shuts off.

The two things we said are not contradictory.  He is going to be Shaka.  If it doesn't work and he and MU part, life will continue.   

[Bo Ryan's Massage Therapist]

Middle school humor is a great way to start the day!

Will his nickname be the Donger?

[Galway Eagle]

He's ranked 93 in 247's composite, 92 at Rivals.

Nigel James was ranked 89 in 247's composite just as a reference.

But predictable the people who come out and claim this kid should be going to a mid major without having seen more than 2 minutes of highlight video on him. Same people are probably complaining we're wasting time chasing the number 5 player in the country.

Tre Norman was ranked 98 in composite symir Torrence was 75. I'm not hyped or down on the guy but I think history has shown that after the top 50ish players rankings aren't exactly always the most accurate indicator for success.

I'm wary about the lack of other big name teams offering him but think if we trim some of the other roster fat next year he's worth while taking on as a project for a few years.

[Hards Alumni]

If Shaka was worried about his seat being warm, he wouldn't be signing HS players.

Consider that he is a very stubborn man.

[The Sultan]

The two things we said are not contradictory.  He is going to be Shaka.  If it doesn't work and he and MU part, life will continue.   

You were using as evidence that bringing in a high schooler means his seat isn't warm. I think using this recruitment as evidence for a cold seat doesn't make a lot of sense considering that he brought in transfers last year.

[Jay Bee]

2-3? Sure. But this year alone we have 7 for which my expectations are zero or barely above that.

Crowdis, Miletic, and Walker all sound like guys that probably shouldn't be playing much.

Hamilton and Clark are guys who we've watched and would generally prefer they not play much without seismic leaps.

Johnston and Egbuonu are unknowns but I'm not expecting much out of them either.

And all 7 are eligible to return in 2027-28. We don't need more projects.

Completely different discussion. We have multiple questionable roster decisions embedded in our 2026-27 bench. I'm speaking to Ndong specifically. This year's "projects" or "likely not helpful" are far too plentiful. But a guy like Ndong, viewing only him and not the rest of the roster, I'm quite agreeable to.

Do we need to churn after this year? Hell yes.

[tower912]

You were using as evidence that bringing in a high schooler means his seat isn't warm. I think using this recruitment as evidence for a cold seat doesn't make a lot of sense considering that he brought in transfers last year.

Stunningly, we disagree.  Also, stunningly, yawn.

[brewcity77]

But a guy like Ndong, viewing only him and not the rest of the roster, I'm quite agreeable to.

At this point, my expectation of NEPSAC players is that they're probably going to disappoint whatever my expectations are. What makes 3-star Ndong more promising than Itejere or Amadou were?

With Fru eligible to return (by age) that means we're one over for next year. And while the staff won't say this, they absolutely are trying to add at least two more freshmen for next year.

If that comes to pass, we're running off 3 to start with. So why bring in another project at a position we've had a 20% hit rate at so far (Gold the one success)? If you're running someone off, at least do it for a contributor, which Ndong seems 3 years away from being if it all goes well.

[The Sultan]

Stunningly, we disagree. 

OK, well disagree all you want, the evidence supports my point.

Also, stunningly, yawn.

I mean, you brought it up. Sorry that challenging your narrative makes you sleepy.