When Kentucky blew out MU with its size in the mid 70's, Al realized he needed some muscle.  So, he was able to bring in Jerome Whitehead to compete against the opponent's physicality.  Shaka is not a fan of bringing in transfers and the NIL environment may make such a player unavailable, but we can't compete with teams who get so many shots so close to the basket. Incoming class has more quality athletes, but no big body. The game now appears to be too fast for Hamilton unless a significant development is possible.

Ejiofor averaged 5 minutes a game as a freshman.  Left Kansas.  Developed.

I am not guaranteeing Clark or Hamilton end up like him.  But I am not discounting the possibility, either.

Packers should draft him as an O lineman.

If our guards end up guarding an Ejiofor we get crushed.

I know you are a die hard fan Tower but sometimes you need to look at things without the rose colored glasses on

Quote from: tower912 on March 14, 2025, 09:10:42 PMEjiofor averaged 5 minutes a game as a freshman.  Left Kansas.  Developed.

I am not guaranteeing Clark or Hamilton end up like him.  But I am not discounting the possibility, either.

Has there been any intel out of The Al on how Clark and Amadou have come along this year?

Quote from: tower912 on March 14, 2025, 09:10:42 PMEjiofor averaged 5 minutes a game as a freshman.  Left Kansas.  Developed.

I am not guaranteeing Clark or Hamilton end up like him.  But I am not discounting the possibility, either.

Cmon Tower.

The fact that Ejiofor even got recruited at Kansas enough to play 5mpg as a frosh screams that he has more raw talent than all our bigs combined.

Rick saw that, and capitalized on it.

I get the development angle, and I'm not doubting our bigs named Clark, Hamilton, Ben Gold, etc develop to some degree, but to even compare them to a talented player like Zuby is MU goggled absurdity. There was a reason the kid was a Kansas recruit.

That's the next step Shaka must climb- get more talented guys out of HS to buy into his Marquette way.
We will see if it works, hopefully it does.
I just don't think expecting any current MU big to end up like Zuby is realistic, because the base talent coming into college isn't on the same stratosphere

Quote from: tower912 on March 14, 2025, 09:10:42 PMEjiofor averaged 5 minutes a game as a freshman.  Left Kansas.  Developed.

I am not guaranteeing Clark or Hamilton end up like him.  But I am not discounting the possibility, either.

Zuby was the #47 recruit nationally and a 96 on ESPN. Hamilton wasn't being legitimately recruited by Big West programs and wasn't even rated. Clark? Another project who didn't average double figures in HS. Yes, give me Zuby after a year at Kansas over Hamilton.

I said this weeks if not months ago, that we need a big and a shooter from the portal. Shaka not doing this borders on stupidity after watching this team play since January. Also, watching uconn and creighton play, it seems as if they have multiple longer dudes than us.

I am optimistic about Zaire and parnham and Owens but outside of chase and maybe Ben. Ugh. Simply trying to be realistic and not overly negative because we do have some pieces.

Shaka can't develop players and Kansas has been so much better than Marquette since Shaka had taken over Marquette we should really take their approach and their castoffs.

Quote from: Viper on March 14, 2025, 09:28:17 PMHas there been any intel out of The Al on how Clark and Amadou have come along this year?

It will take a miracle worker to get them ready for the big time if they're redshirting with our current front line situation

Quote from: Captain Quette on March 14, 2025, 09:55:55 PMI said this weeks if not months ago, that we need a big and a shooter from the portal. Shaka not doing this borders on stupidity after watching this team play since January. Also, watching uconn and creighton play, it seems as if they have multiple longer dudes than us.

I am optimistic about Zaire and parnham and Owens but outside of chase and maybe Ben. Ugh. Simply trying to be realistic and not overly negative because we do have some pieces.

Weeks ago? Months ago? Holy sheet.....you should have let everyone know! Why didnt Shaka take your call? You saw this coming after all.

for the "Shaka does not use the portal" slurpers - you do realize Pitino with a 2 year team of transfers crushed Shaka's home grown team of 4 years. 

Hurley uses transfer to win championships. Not using transfers is like playing without a big, is like not using timeouts to slow down an opponents run, and is likely subbing in 4 young guys at once to only lose a lead...

Quote from: panda2.0 on March 14, 2025, 10:20:59 PMIt will take a miracle worker to get them ready for the big time if they're redshirting with our current front line situation

Quote from: Viper on March 14, 2025, 09:28:17 PMHas there been any intel out of The Al on how Clark and Amadou have come along this year?

Haven't heard or seen much of anything, which is a bit concerning tbh.
If anyone else has seen or heard anything let me know.

We saw that video of Clark's raw defensive and lob receiving/good hands talent ability in the pre-season and that was all.

Earlier this season we heard raving reviews for both Caedin and Damarius...
I commented on it mid to late season saying how I could see Caedin and DO popping off the chart in MU practices because
1- Caedin can bully every other big on Marquette, and has some of the Oso passing vision skills in a closed practice format and 2- DOs raw athleticism and skill seemingly jump off the chart in a controlled and care free environment like infra-squad practices and scrimmages. Just the other day Damarius has a massive jam over Chase in practice, looked like Vince Carter.
Some took offense to those comments, however.

I stand by them though, I think that's exactly what happened.
As a matter of fact, we heard that Damarius was way ahead of Royce on defense... imagine that. Royce is no defensive wizard as a frosh, but he's been miles ahead of DO thus far.

That said- talent is usually immediately obvious when it steps onto the court and Damarius' talent is obvious. He and the staff just need to figure out how to properly unleash it.

Quote from: DoctorV on March 14, 2025, 10:32:13 PMHaven't heard or seen much of anything, which is a bit concerning tbh.
If anyone else has seen or heard anything let me know.

We saw that video of Clark's raw defensive and lob receiving/good hands talent ability in the pre-season and that was all.

Earlier this season we heard raving reviews for both Caedin and Damarius...
I commented on it mid to late season saying how I could see Caedin and DO popping off the chart in MU practices because
1- Caedin can bully every other big on Marquette, and has some of the Oso passing vision skills in a closed practice format and 2- DOs raw athleticism and skill seemingly jump off the chart in a controlled and care free environment like infra-squad practices and scrimmages. Just the other day Damarius has a massive jam over Chase in practice, looked like Vince Carter.
Some took offense to those comments, however.

I stand by them though, I think that's exactly what happened.
As a matter of fact, we heard that Damarius was way ahead of Royce on defense... imagine that. Royce is no defensive wizard as a frosh, but he's been miles ahead of DO thus far.

That said- talent is usually immediately obvious when it steps onto the court and Damarius' talent is obvious. He and the staff just need to figure out how to properly unleash it.

Damarius is going to be a stud. I have no clue what the staff sees in Hamilton. He is not a high major player.

"Caedin can bully every other big on Marquette"


that's a low bar...

'That said- talent is usually immediately obvious when it steps onto the court and Damarius' talent is obvious. He and the staff just need to figure out how to properly unleash it."


I guess I missed it as he has not been able to "step onto the court" despite the obvious struggles of this team..

Quote from: Captain Quette on March 14, 2025, 09:55:55 PMI said this weeks if not months ago, that we need a big and a shooter from the portal. Shaka not doing this borders on stupidity after watching this team play since January. Also, watching uconn and creighton play, it seems as if they have multiple longer dudes than us.

I am optimistic about Zaire and parnham and Owens but outside of chase and maybe Ben. Ugh. Simply trying to be realistic and not overly negative because we do have some pieces.

Who are Zaire and Parnham?

Quote from: wadesworld on March 14, 2025, 10:16:50 PMShaka can't develop players and Kansas has been so much better than Marquette since Shaka had taken over Marquette we should really take their approach and their castoffs.

Shaka can develop players. But how high is the ceiling for some of these guys? Gold, Hamilton, Clark, Amadou, Norman. Their starting points seem low...so significant development will be required. If I know a Kansas or Duke recruit wants out, I'm interested in at least having a discussion. Our 2022-23 and 2024-24 teams were solid. Very good season results. This year and in comparison, a step back to this point. Forecasting to next season it's not unreasonable to be pessimistic based on returnees and reliance on high school recruits. Balanced roster, sure. But, incoming talent and returning player development will need to be significant to match what Pitino is cookin'.

Quote from: PointWarrior on March 14, 2025, 10:32:09 PMfor the "Shaka does not use the portal" slurpers - you do realize Pitino with a 2 year team of transfers crushed Shaka's home grown team of 4 years. 

Hurley uses transfer to win championships. Not using transfers is like playing without a big, is like not using timeouts to slow down an opponents run, and is likely subbing in 4 young guys at once to only lose a lead...

Remind me what seed Marquette was in the tourney in his 2nd season, Biff.

Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on March 14, 2025, 10:44:45 PMRemind me what seed Marquette was in the tourney in his 2nd season, Biff.

awesome, we can hang on to two years ago we were a two seed...   

where are we now?

Quote from: PointWarrior on March 14, 2025, 10:46:50 PMawesome, we can hang on to two years ago we were a two seed...   

where are we now?

What seed were we last year, genius?

Damarius is a natural smooth athlete, but is he basketball player, like most of Shaka's athletes he has no mid range game or a jump shot.  He has trouble finishing since he is so skinny, he can get by his man but then he gets lost on the next move.  Tired of watching a team that does not have a jump shot! By the way, Ross does not either. If he plays his way going forward, it will be interesting how they score next year, hope those freshman are ready.  Hamilton and Norman have to go.

Quote from: Vander Blue Man Group on March 14, 2025, 10:44:45 PMRemind me what seed Marquette was in the tourney in his 2nd season, Biff.

Wasn't the best player on that team abd in the conference a transfer?

Quote from: BCHoopster on March 14, 2025, 10:52:14 PMDamarius is a natural smooth athlete, but is he basketball player, like most of Shaka's athletes he has no mid range game or a jump shot.  He has trouble finishing since he is so skinny, he can get by his man but then he gets lost on the next move.  Tired of watching a team that does not have a jump shot! By the way, Ross does not either. If he plays his way going forward, it will be interesting how they score next year, hope those freshman are ready.  Hamilton and Norman have to go.

Every time you post about a midrange game you should receive electric shock.