BTW, really like Owens' effort defensively today. Hopefully his offense can come around too.

Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on February 21, 2025, 08:42:32 PMWrong.

Hopefully. Not optimistic at all.

Quote from: rocky_warrior on February 21, 2025, 07:58:57 PMHave we had great results with Zaide getting more minutes? I don't think this is confusing.

What do you think Jop does better than Xaide?  And newdlash - guys getting sporadic minutes isn't it indicative of what they'll do if they play big minutes, when said player is talented - like Zaide. Derrick Wilson?  Not so much.

Quote from: Elonsmusk on February 21, 2025, 08:46:53 PMJop does better than Xaide?  And newdlash

newdlash:  Jop does everything better than Xaide.

Zaide had a nice game.  Better than Jop in this particular instance.  Shaka has said Jop can be one of the best in the country, he needs to get him there.

Quote from: ATL MU Warrior on February 21, 2025, 08:45:18 PMHopefully. Not optimistic at all.

I'm curious - do you not see big upside in Zaide, Parham, and Owens?

I agree there are plenty of questions for next season but I also see a nice ceiling. 

Quote from: rocky_warrior on February 21, 2025, 08:48:07 PMShaka has said Jop can be one of the best in the country, he needs to get him there.

It's February 21 of his senior year.

Quote from: The Sultan on February 21, 2025, 08:54:37 PMIt's February 21 of his senior year.

Haha I actually had the same thought

Quote from: The Sultan on February 21, 2025, 08:54:37 PMIt's February 21 of his senior year.

I'm not disagreeing, but if Zaide becomes a Marquette hero in April 2025, I'll rename the site ZaideScoop.

Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on February 21, 2025, 08:50:30 PMI'm curious - do you not see big upside in Zaide, Parham, and Owens?

I agree there are plenty of questions for next season but I also see a nice ceiling. 

I guess?  I don't know, I guess I'm just down on the team with how they've been playing.  I hope like hell the optimists are correct and I'm wrong.

Quote from: The Sultan on February 21, 2025, 08:54:37 PMIt's February 21 of his senior year.

Yep. Can't tank the season because you're expecting a guy who hasn't figured it out in 125 games to figure it out in 130.

Quote from: rocky_warrior on February 21, 2025, 08:56:27 PMI'm not disagreeing, but if Zaide becomes a Marquette hero in April 2025, I'll rename the site ZaideScoop.

I don't think we need him to be a hero. But he might be a better option to start at this point. He is a better off ball defender than Jop and, after tonight, leads the team in EFG.

Has anyone else noticed that we have looked super tight over the past month?  A lot of hesitation or rushed shots as well as indecisiveness in general.  I'm completely lost about this to tell you the truth. 

Quote from: The Sultan on February 21, 2025, 08:59:27 PMI don't think we need him to be a hero. But he might be a better option to start at this point. He is a better off ball defender than Jop and, after tonight, leads the team in EFG.

With less usage.  I don't really believe Shaka will demote Seniors at this point in his tenure.

Quote from: rocky_warrior on February 21, 2025, 09:00:58 PMWith less usage.  I don't really believe Shaka will demote Seniors at this point in his tenure.

You are right. He probably won't.

Quote from: The Sultan on February 21, 2025, 09:01:52 PMYou are right. He probably won't.

I'd also argue (since nobody has claimed Jop is hurt), Jop is better with a good Kam. good Stevie, and good Ben.

Quote from: rocky_warrior on February 21, 2025, 08:48:07 PMnewdlash:  Jop does everything better than Xaide.

Zaide had a nice game.  Better than Jop in this particular instance.  Shaka has said Jop can be one of the best in the country, he needs to get him there.

Shaka has gone to the wall for Jop to build and instill confidence.  Jop is giving him little choice but to have his minutes massively cut.

But, you're wrong.  Zaide is a better shoooter, better defender, better athlete, and not a ball stopper on offense.  Doesn't mean Jop doesn't have an important place on this team, but that likely is in a 6th man role.  The bench is the best motivator, and it may be time for Shaka to employ some benchings.

Quote from: Elonsmusk on February 21, 2025, 09:11:25 PMThe bench is the best motivator, and it may be time for Shaka to employ some benchings.

Perhaps this is changing as the year goes along, but the bench (statistically) has been MUCH worse than the starters. 

Like you, I'm high on Zaide (and moreso Chase) for the future.

I don't really care to watch Jop. But zaide's offense before tonight was equal to tre's.

This is very very short sighted.

Go with Royce

Quote from: rocky_warrior on February 21, 2025, 09:14:12 PMPerhaps this is changing as the year goes along, but the bench (statistically) has been MUCH worse than the starters. 

Like you, I'm high on Zaide (and moreso Chase) for the future.

Stats are good to an extent but it really is comparing apples to oranges how guys who have clearly defined roles and consistent playing time play, versus a role player who comes in for spotty, inconsistent minutes.  And season long stats can't define the trend - the recent Paint Touches piece does that best - and its clear Zaide is ascending.  I think Royce can take another step yet this season too.

I've been on the Zaide train since early last year, so perhaps I'm a little biased in the sense I've liked him from the drop - but it seems he's found some footing and confidence and the results are following.  His shot form/arc/rotation are the best on the team, IMO.  I think eventually he'll do well slashing to the basket too.

Quote from: jfp61 on February 21, 2025, 09:18:31 PMI don't really care to watch Jop. But zaide's offense before tonight was equal to tre's.

Uh..what?

Zaide has been clearly better than Tre offensively for the past month.

JFP hates Jop.

Quote from: Elonsmusk on February 21, 2025, 09:20:01 PMStats are good to an extent but it really is comparing apples to oranges how guys who have clearly defined roles and consistent playing time play, versus a role player who comes in for spotty, inconsistent minutes.  And season long stats can't define the trend - the recent Paint Touches piece does that best - and its clear Zaide is ascending.  I think Royce can take another step yet this season too.

I've been on the Zaide train since early last year, so perhaps I'm a little biased in the sense I've liked him from the drop - but it seems he's found some footing and confidence and the results are following.  His shot form/arc/rotation are the best on the team, IMO.  I think eventually he'll do well slashing to the basket too.

Already improving going to the rim off the dribble. You can also see his confidence soaring.

Quote from: jfp61 on February 21, 2025, 09:18:31 PMI don't really care to watch Jop. But zaide's offense before tonight was equal to tre's.

This is very very short sighted.

Go with Royce

Huh?  Usually agree with most of your takes, but feel you really miss the mark on Zaide.  129 O-Rating, 44% from 3, and 63.6 eFG.  And yes, tonight happened and is part of the body of work.

Conference only he's shooting 54% from 3.  70% eFG, and a 146.9 O-Rating.  Far cry from Tre. 

Zaide's performance was SOTG all the way if we won.  Give him more minutes when others aren't performing up to level.

Quote from: rocky_warrior on February 21, 2025, 08:48:07 PMnewdlash:  Jop does everything better than Xaide.

Zaide had a nice game.  Better than Jop in this particular instance.  Shaka has said Jop can be one of the best in the country, he needs to get him there.

We have like 6 games left

Shaka said that like two years ago

Jop clearly is not who shaka thought he could be