Your math is wrong.  Parham, Gold, and two developmental bigs.  If you want an established big out of the portal, do your own money bag drop to the BTD fund.

Talking 2 years from now!

From what we've seen of late it seems like Shaka is going to have a lot more success with the 75-125/150 HS ranking types of guys, as he's had since he came to Marquette.

Recruiting rankings aren't an end all be all, and as we've seen some lower ranked players outshine top 50 guys, but it seems like that's where Shaka will continue to do most of his work for one reason or another.

I was hopeful that he would periodically bring in a big hitter, top 30 type of guy like JJ, by year 4/5 but it doesn't seem to be in the cards.
The money being thrown around to incoming frosh in the 5 star territory doesn't help Shaka and MUs system.

So, then it seems like unless things change with funding and/or approach- the no one comes and no one of high value goes- Marquette under Shaka will rely on development of these 75-150 ranked HS kids. That's ok, since that's pretty much been the way for decades at MU. Shaka has shown he can make it work, and we will see what the next 4 years brings.

Biggest risk to it is a class or succession of classes with no rising stars or "duds" in development.
I will say that what Shaka did in bringing in the OMax/TyKo crop in his first year here was very impressive, and it's a bit unfortunate to me that he's given that up. I'd like to see him use his ability to evaluate talent by picking off stud mid major or developmental high level kids with 3 years of eligibility here and there and trying to turn them into stars at MU.

The other part of it is that in a season where Marquette doesn't have a star like TyKo or Kam coming into the season, an argument can be made to give less NIL to the alphadog- in this case Chase- and even another Sr, like Benny getting less than say Oso or Jop/Stevie and use the extra to snag a high ranked recruit or incoming soph looking for a bigger role and development in the Big East.
It seems a bit odd to me for someone like Chase to make what TyKo and Kam did. He's gonna be great next year, but unlikely at the level of TyKo or Kam. I'm sure some disagree that he should be given less, but that's just my two cents on it.

Quote from: BCHoopster on April 19, 2025, 12:44:38 PMTalking 2 years from now!

Why?  Two more recruit classes.

Quote from: tower912 on April 19, 2025, 01:40:18 PMWhy?  Two more recruit classes.

Do we even have a center for the 2030 team?

Quote from: Uncle Rico on April 19, 2025, 04:03:54 PMDo we even have a center for the 2030 team?

No, but I heard 2031 is looking pretty promising. 

Quote from: mugrad_89 on April 19, 2025, 04:34:37 PMNo, but I heard 2031 is looking pretty promising. 

Thank God.  I've been worrying about it

Quote from: Uncle Rico on April 19, 2025, 04:03:54 PMDo we even have a center for the 2030 team?

By 2030 we can rightfully expect another sweet 16.

Quote from: PointWarrior on April 19, 2025, 05:26:30 PMBy 2030 we can rightfully expect another sweet 16.

Yeah, but the usual whiners would be worrying about the 2036 roster

Quote from: onepost on April 18, 2025, 07:12:40 PMIt sounds like we moved on a while back when it became a bag game. Bummer, Andrews was the kind of recruit I thought we could finally break through that top 25 echelon with.

However, finally for some good goddamn news, sounds like we're in a great spot with Egbuonu and Johnston.

It's disappointing that Shaka can't close on the Cam Ward or JJ Andrews level recruits, but it's clear Shaka won't get into a bidding war.

Which means Shaka is going to have to land some diamonds in the rough; flawed prospects  that he will need to develop.

I think the argument can be made that that is what he has been doing.  Lots of 3 and 4 stars. Developmental bigs.  Announced he isn't getting in bidding wars, that players coming to MU don't need agents, and that development/growth is a pillar.   And then sending under the radar players like OMax, TKo, and Oso to the NBA.  All while winning 98 games in 4 years.

Quote from: tower912 on April 20, 2025, 09:13:08 AMI think the argument can be made that that is what he has been doing.  Lots of 3 and 4 stars. Developmental bigs.  Announced he isn't getting in bidding wars, that players coming to MU don't need agents, and that development/growth is a pillar.   And then sending under the radar players like OMax, TKo, and Oso to the NBA.  All while winning 98 games in 4 years.

He needs to adapt or die

Quote from: Uncle Rico on April 20, 2025, 09:18:45 AMHe needs to adapt or die

He can win with 3 and 4 star athletes. But can not have a bad year recruiting, last two classes were better then the prior 2 years. Needs at least 2 kids in the next recruiting cycle.

Shaka's recipe seems to lead to teams that are good, not great. Personally, I like his approach and his results thus far. In the era of big money, it seems that he is not interested in going down that path. I like having players for multiple years and watching them develop, but it will take a remarkable coincidence of multiple players developing remarkably for the system to produce a natty contender. Never say never, look at Butler in two straight championship games.

It always takes a remarkable coincidence of remarkable players to win the championship. 

Quote from: tower912 on April 20, 2025, 06:13:14 PMIt always takes a remarkable coincidence of remarkable players to win the championship. 

The bottom line.