For the first time in his tenure at Marquette I really felt for Shaka tonight.
The look on his face said it all...

He's got an entire system based off of senior leadership carrying the way- a system that thrives off of guys gaining experience as underclassmen, stepping into the starting lineup when needed, and starring in their roles to carry the team as Jr's and especially Sr's.

When you get what he's gotten from the upperclassmen the last month or so, this deep into their tenures, it's hard to not feel bad.

I'm not casting stones, I'm not suggesting he starts all the freshmen and sophomores. Im actually not saying I even know the answer, or that there is an answer.
All I'm saying is that for the first time in his Marquette career it feels like his tried and true system is taking a large blow, and that stinks.

I don't know what gives in the way those guys have played of late, with injuries likely involved, but I also don't think it's fair to give them a complete pass.
David Joplin, Stevie, and even Kam have been poor of late, to levels that we would never expect. They have been amazing ambassadors to Marquette and have had an incredible 4-year run, and their story is still being written, but they also need to be perform for their coach's system to work.

I don't think the answer for this season is giving freshmen and sophs more run- don't forget about a month ago we were discussing if the bench is even usable. It's nice to see isolated games like Zaide had today- I've always thought that kid will be great at MU- and to see many of the others be serviceable.

The answer to salvaging this season is Kam, Stevie, Jop, Chase, and Ben playing like Shaka wants them to play, expects them to play.
The answer is the upperclassman coming together and playing with a chip on their shoulder in order to turn this thing around.
If one of the above isn't holding up his end of the bargain the others have to hold him accountable and then you make a move, but as a whole the group above needs to right the ship here.

If they don't, or can't, all you can do is feel for Shaka that the plan has not gone to plan.
At that point it would be back to the drawing board...

Well said Dr.V. 

Quote from: MuggsyB on February 21, 2025, 08:44:36 PMWell said Dr.V. 

Agree. Even if the story doesn't end well for these guys, it's still been a good story. They've all had good careers and have been part of a lot of big wins.

Jop is a head scratcher.
A couple of times he is at the basket only a couple feet away with a single defender.  He decides to pass the ball out.
Then other times he is at the top of the key with two players in position in front of him and he decides to drive like a bull through them.

Quote from: NCMUFan on February 21, 2025, 08:53:52 PMJop is a head scratcher.
A couple of times he is at the basket only a couple feet away with a single defender.  He decides to pass the ball out.
Then other times he is at the top of the key with two players in position in front of him and he decides to drive like a bull through them.

It's perplexing.  And today's performance was extremely upsetting. 

Shaka name drops players that he is disappointed with.  TKo, Kam last season.  Joplin this season.  The bench this season.   We will see if he names names this weekend.

I don't feel bad for Shaka.  At all.  Make some adjustments in playing time (not gonna change scheme) or in your psychological approach to get these guys loose and ready to play.  That's his job. 

Quote from: tower912 on February 21, 2025, 09:00:04 PMShaka name drops players that he is disappointed with.  TKo, Kam last season.  Joplin this season.  The bench this season.   We will see if he names names this weekend.

https://x.com/bensteelemjs/status/1893129391045013832?s=46&t=jOIAE3JSVy6X9HsYnQP8Nw

Quote from: tower912 on February 21, 2025, 09:00:04 PMShaka name drops players that he is disappointed with.  TKo, Kam last season.  Joplin this season.  The bench this season.  We will see if he names names this weekend.

The minutes tell us the story.

Again, there are likely injuries involved, but Jop, Stevie, and Ben got less minutes than the bench.

I'm not convinced that if those 3 were performing as Shaka wanted they wouldn't be getting more minutes than the underclassmen coming off the bench, injury or not.

Either way, the bigger problem he faces is at this point, so deep into their careers, how do you motivate them to snap out of it and perform the way they are capable, or the way you hope they should be capable, to finish the season strong?

If this is the culmination of the recruit and develop model I sure hope he reconsiders to some degree.

Quote from: DoctorV on February 21, 2025, 09:04:22 PMEither way, the bigger problem he faces is at this point, so deep into their careers, how do you motivate them to snap out of it and perform the way they are capable, or the way you hope they should be capable, to finish the season strong?

Right.  Sigh.  Hopefully they can get healthier...I guess.

Quote from: MUfan12 on February 21, 2025, 09:06:29 PMIf this is the culmination of the recruit and develop model I sure hope he reconsiders to some degree.

Would be thrilled to hear the "logic" that led to this post.

Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on February 21, 2025, 09:27:29 PMWould be thrilled to hear the "logic" that led to this post.

His first class of HS recruits are wilting as they get to the end of their tenure. This could have been prevented to some degree with better quality depth, particularly at guard, rather than redshirting two lottery ticket HS signings.

We didn't know how severe Sean's injury was, but they did. Not having someone to take some of the load off of Kam really altered the trajectory of the season.

Quote from: MUfan12 on February 21, 2025, 09:35:04 PMHis first class of HS recruits are wilting as they get to the end of their tenure. This could have been prevented to some degree with better depth rather than redshirting two lottery ticket HS signings.

We didn't know how severe Sean's injury was, but they did. Not having someone to take some of the load off of Kam really altered their trajectory.

The senior class is not his first class of high school recruits. Jop followed him so that can be considered an exception. 

Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on February 21, 2025, 09:38:00 PMThe senior class is not his first class of high school recruits. Jop followed him so that can be considered an exception. 

Fine, first class of freshmen he had. But my point stands. They're cooked.

Quote from: MUfan12 on February 21, 2025, 09:35:04 PMWe didn't know how severe Sean's injury was, but they did

I'll likely be proven wrong in this situation, but the communication in this one doesn't make sense to me.  Shaka says he's medically cleared, and will play when he's ready...which turns out to be next year??? 

Quote from: rocky_warrior on February 21, 2025, 09:39:36 PMI'll likely be proven wrong in this situation, but the communication in this one doesn't make sense to me.  Shaka says he's medically cleared, and will play when he's ready...which turns out to be next year???

It was more than just an ACL. He went into more detail in one of the postgames after the redshirt was announced.

Quote from: MUfan12 on February 21, 2025, 09:41:27 PMIt was more than just an ACL. He went into more detail in one of the postgames after the redshirt was announced.

So Sean wasn't medically cleared?

Quote from: rocky_warrior on February 21, 2025, 09:39:36 PMI'll likely be proven wrong in this situation, but the communication in this one doesn't make sense to me.  Shaka says he's medically cleared, and will play when he's ready...which turns out to be next year???

Shaka got burned on that one unexpectedly. It was painfully obvious listening to his comments on Sean at the time. Shaka was caught completely off guard that Sean didn't want to play this year. Sean didn't feel confident enough. That's fine it's his decision, but it surprised Shaka without question.

Quote from: rocky_warrior on February 21, 2025, 09:42:13 PMSo Sean wasn't medically cleared?

The caveat is being ready is more than just being medically cleared.

So I'm the only one doing the math.  Ok.

Quote from: rocky_warrior on February 21, 2025, 09:45:26 PMSo I'm the only one doing the math.  Ok.

There's nothing confusing. He was medically cleared. But he also didn't feel comfortable playing on the knee at a speed he could give in game play.

Same thing happened to the Florida big man. He was supposed to return a month ago. Was cleared. Night of game he changed his mind cause hedidnt feel ready. And planned to redshirt

He did however change his mind again last week after nother injury feeling like he could help.

Bryce Hopkins was cleared. Couldn't go.

Quote from: PGsHeroes32 on Today at 12:02:50 AMThere's nothing confusing.

Ok

There are two problems:
a) Joplin.   When he doesn't have the ball, he's like a 6th defender.  His screens are terrible and he brings his defender into the action to help on the ball which takes opportunities away from Kam.  When he does have the ball, he's a turnover.  Jop is the worst player on the team bar the walkons and just needs to sit.  You can see that he's causing chemistry problems because he's taking opportunities away from better players.  Sit him, replace him with anyone, and the team will improve.  Give him a little run after the first tv timeout and if he makes his first shot he can play longer.  If he drives or misses, he gets yanked. 
b) There is no offensive system.  I see others saying that the system is fine.  The system is now out of date and too easy to defend.  Look at Xavier and Creighton and (god forbid - with a guy I think is a horrible head coach) Villanova.  They have an offensive system that gets easy buckets and open 3's.  Nevada Smith has to go and Shaka needs to hire an offensive coordinator to put in a system.  Last year's system was better because 15 PNR per game is tough to defend.  Why they don't run more PNR this year is a mystery. 
I'm not anti-Shaka yet because I think culture is important, but if there are not changes immediately - changes which are sooooo obvious - then I'll have to stop supporting Shaka.  Both of the above problems are on Shaka. 

Quote from: MUfan12 on February 21, 2025, 09:06:29 PMIf this is the culmination of the recruit and develop model I sure hope he reconsiders to some degree.

Do you really believe he will?