MU's Resurgence

[MuggsyB]

I'm super happy the Freshmen got to play tonight.  And they played with tremendous tenacity and energy.  What I see are athletes that are  unselfish and eager to learn.  Let me tell you something...I think we are creeping closer to being what I call a "reload" program, not a "rebuild" program.  We're embarking on a special, special, era of MU hoops.  Of course there will be some bumps along the way but we've definitely arrived. 

[Herman Cain]

I'm super happy the Freshmen got to play tonight.  And they played with tremendous tenacity and energy.  What I see are athletes that are  unselfish and eager to learn.   Let me tell you something...I think we are creeping closer to being what I call a "reload" program, not a "rebuild" program.  We're embarking on a special, special, era of MU hoops.

I agree with this analysis.

[Lennys Tap]

I'm super happy the Freshmen got to play tonight.  And they played with tremendous tenacity and energy.  What I see are athletes that are  unselfish and eager to learn.  Let me tell you something...I think we are creeping closer to being what I call a "reload" program, not a "rebuild" program.  We're embarking on a special, special, era of MU hoops.  Of course there will be some bumps along the way but we've definitely arrived.

Creeping closer? We need the old "It's happening!" resurrected.

[MuggsyB]

Creeping closer? We need the old "It's happening!" resurrected.

I don't want to get ahead of things Lenny.  And tournament success is important as well. 

[Goose]

Muggsy

The future is as bright as the present. Next season may be more D driven based off of f makeup of the roster. I loved watching thd young guys in full court and half court D. That group is definitely at a different level of athleticism than the starters. Add three guys 6-7 and taller next year that are great athletes, get ready for some excitement.

[Lennys Tap]

I don't want to get ahead of things Lenny.  And tournament success is important as well.

Tournament success always comes to those who reload - it becomes a numbers game.

[MuggsyB]

Muggsy

The future is as bright as the present. Next season may be more D driven based off of f makeup of the roster. I loved watching thd young guys in full court and half court D. That group is definitely at a different level of athleticism than the starters. Add three guys 6-7 and taller next year that are great athletes, get ready for some excitement.

Yes Goose.  Adding a few 6'7 switchables would not suck. 

[MuggsyB]

Tournament success always comes to those who reload - it becomes a numbers game.

No doubt Lenny.  I'm. beyond pumped about the present and future of this program. 

[mugrad_89]

The freshmen don't look like freshman.

[DoctorV]

Muggsy

The future is as bright as the present. Next season may be more D driven based off of f makeup of the roster. I loved watching thd young guys in full court and half court D. That group is definitely at a different level of athleticism than the starters. Add three guys 6-7 and taller next year that are great athletes, get ready for some excitement.

Maybe, but there's no one close to TyKo and Kam offensively on this years roster of underclassmen, I don't think.

I agree with you on next years shift towards a stronger defensive side, partly because of the athleticism but also because of the lack of offensive firepower and ability to score.

A few seasons ago I learned that scorers emerge and we will find something, but MU will go from a top 5 O team to outside the top 75 if TyKo and Kam leave. If one returns, we will stay in the top 50.

That said, need some scorers. Our shooters aren't as good as we think they are I'm afraid- Kam, TyKo, Jop probably the 3 best and if they leave it'll be a struggle on that end.
We would likely be starting a non effective shooting pg (SJ22) and SG (Stevie or Tre). I'm not sold on Chase or Ben as shooters yet- stroke looks fine but it's just not dropping yet.

We will have the ball handling and defensive parts ok, even tho the defense will suffer with Oso gone. We will have much needed and excessive depth at the 4/5 compared to this season.

Shaka needs to bring in a microwave scorer at any position- I'd prefer a wing so as to not stunt the development of current bigs and guards and not affect recruitment of top 50ish type combo guards that he's in on.

6'6 scoring G/F to play alongside Jop and Chase in that 3/4 spot would be ideal imo.
If TyKo or Kam return we are back to being elite. If BOTH return we are title contenders again

[MuggsyB]

Maybe, but there's no one close to TyKo and Kam offensively on this years roster of underclassmen, I don't think.

I agree with you on next years shift towards a stronger defensive side, partly because of the athleticism but also because of the lack of offensive firepower and ability to score.

A few seasons ago I learned that scorers emerge and we will find something, but MU will go from a top 5 O team to outside the top 75 if TyKo and Kam leave. If one returns, we will stay in the top 50.

That said, need some scorers. Our shooters aren't as good as we think they are I'm afraid- Kam, TyKo, Jop probably the 3 best and if they leave it'll be a struggle on that end.
We would likely be starting a non effective shooting pg (SJ22) and SG (Stevie or Tre). I'm not sold on Chase or Ben as shooters yet- stroke looks fine but it's just not dropping yet.

We will have the ball handling and defensive parts ok, even tho the defense will suffer with Oso gone. We will have much needed and excessive depth at the 4/5 compared to this season.

Shaka needs to bring in a microwave scorer at any position- I'd prefer a wing so as to not stunt the development of current bigs and guards and not affect recruitment of top 50ish type combo guards that he's in on.

6'6 scoring G/F to play alongside Jop and Chase in that 3/4 spot would be ideal imo.
If TyKo or Kam return we are back to being elite. If BOTH return we are title contenders again

Who do you think is our best NBA prospect Dr. V?  I wouldn't mind picking up a spot shooter moving forward. 

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Tournament success always comes to those who reload - it becomes a numbers game.

Bingo.  Look at Nova.  They had a 5 year stretch being either a 1 or 2 seed.  3 times they went out in the 2nd round, 2 times they won it all.

A consistent level of sustained excellence will eventually equal tournament success.  Shaka has Marquette primed to have many bites at the apple.

[JakeBarnes]

Muggsy

The future is as bright as the present. Next season may be more D driven based off of f makeup of the roster. I loved watching thd young guys in full court and half court D. That group is definitely at a different level of athleticism than the starters. Add three guys 6-7 and taller next year that are great athletes, get ready for some excitement.

Not to mention one of those bigs is playing a PG role for his team right now. Great athletes coming in!

[MuggsyB]

Not to mention one of those bigs is playing a PG role for his team right now. Great athletes coming in!

That's rather promising.

[DoctorV]

Who do you think is our best NBA prospect Dr. V?  I wouldn't mind picking up a spot shooter moving forward.

Oso, but I think TyKo and Kam have better NBA careers.

Oso is very elite smart, and I think he moves to greener pastures quickly making a lot of money, possibly still in basketball circles as a front office type of guy.

Don't really want a spot of shooter Muggs, I want a microwave high volume scorer type.
A guy you need to reign from 20 shots per game to 10 but will still give you 16 on a given night.

Think someone like Hopkins, Scheierman, Shannon Jr.

Again this assumes TyKo and Kam are gone.

Who cares about next season though when Marquette can win a Natty this one? Amirite?

[MuggsyB]

Oso, but I think TyKo and Kam have better NBA careers.

Oso is very elite smart, and I think he moves to greener pastures quickly making a lot of money, possibly still in basketball circles as a front office type of guy.

Don't really want a spot of shooter Muggs, I want a microwave high volume scorer type.
A guy you need to reign from 20 shots per game to 10 but will still give you 16 on a given night.

Think someone like Hopkins, Scheierman, Shannon Jr.

Again this assumes TyKo and Kam are gone.

Who cares about next season though when Marquette can win a Natty this one? Amirite?

You're correct on all of your points.  I just like sustained dominance. 

[MU82]

Maybe, but there's no one close to TyKo and Kam offensively on this years roster of underclassmen, I don't think.

I agree with you on next years shift towards a stronger defensive side, partly because of the athleticism but also because of the lack of offensive firepower and ability to score.

A few seasons ago I learned that scorers emerge and we will find something, but MU will go from a top 5 O team to outside the top 75 if TyKo and Kam leave. If one returns, we will stay in the top 50.

That said, need some scorers. Our shooters aren't as good as we think they are I'm afraid- Kam, TyKo, Jop probably the 3 best and if they leave it'll be a struggle on that end.
We would likely be starting a non effective shooting pg (SJ22) and SG (Stevie or Tre). I'm not sold on Chase or Ben as shooters yet- stroke looks fine but it's just not dropping yet.

We will have the ball handling and defensive parts ok, even tho the defense will suffer with Oso gone. We will have much needed and excessive depth at the 4/5 compared to this season.

Shaka needs to bring in a microwave scorer at any position- I'd prefer a wing so as to not stunt the development of current bigs and guards and not affect recruitment of top 50ish type combo guards that he's in on.

6'6 scoring G/F to play alongside Jop and Chase in that 3/4 spot would be ideal imo.
If TyKo or Kam return we are back to being elite. If BOTH return we are title contenders again

For his first season and a half for Marquette, Kolek was neither a shooter nor a scorer. Thread after thread talked about how bad his shot looked. Now look at him. Kam was a one-trick pony as a freshman and Shaka had to bench him several times because of poor D. Now look at him. Oso was a non-player as a freshman and a non-scorer as a sophomore. Now look at him.

Motivated players coached by outstanding coaches improve.

But sure, I'd rather Kolek and Kam return. Oso too. Can't always get what you want. I'll worry about what we can't do next season when next season gets here. I mean, Gold and Ross might be All-Big East-level players next season. Who knows?

[Shooter McGavin]

For his first season and a half for Marquette, Kolek was neither a shooter nor a scorer. Thread after thread talked about how bad his shot looked. Now look at him. Kam was a one-trick pony as a freshman and Shaka had to bench him several times because of poor D. Now look at him. Oso was a non-player as a freshman and a non-scorer as a sophomore. Now look at him.

Motivated players coached by outstanding coaches improve.

But sure, I'd rather Kolek and Kam return. Oso too. Can't always get what you want. I'll worry about what we can't do next season when next season gets here. I mean, Gold and Ross might be All-Big East-level players next season. Who knows?

Great points.  Shaka is getting the players he likes who fit his system and develops them well.  He will only get more selective if we have success this year. The future is bright.

[tower912]

Doctor V, Tyler wasn't always Tyler.   I remember discussions that Sean should be handed the reins and TKo should move to SG or come off the bench.   MU was picked to finish 9th last season.    You are looking at the unknowns and assuming there will be no growth, no development.  This is your right, of course.

I look at a roster with Stevie, Sean, Chase, Tre, and Zaide at guard, project growth and development, and think 'hell, yeah.'    I think of a roster with Gold, Joplin, Amadou, Hamilton, Parham, and Owens, project growth and development, and look forward with anticipation.

Different, sure.   Not every prospect pans out, sure.   But I see the potential.    Watching the becoming is the fun part.

[DoctorV]

Oh sure, there will be plenty of growth and development because those kids are in great hands.

There won't be a drop off the cliff type of regression as long as Shaka is here.

When Kam and Jop first came to campus there was an obvious elite skill already in place, the ability to score the ball.
When Tyler first came to campus there was an obvious elite skill already in place, the ability to pass the ball and read the game better than we had seen in a long time.

They all got better and are continuing to get better, as the others will too.
TyKo for example is becoming a better and better multi-faceted scorer every single game.

All I'm saying that in the younger crop I haven't quite seen the natural ability to score just yet.
They will get better, but I'm not sure that elite skill is there.

Also, don't take it from me- Shaka was glowing about all 3 of the above quickly into their Marquette careers
Said Kam was a natural scorer, said Jop could lead the BE in scoring, and compared Tyler to Travis and said he's a way better shooter than he had shown early, etc.

The athleticism is thru the roof. The toughness and defensive ability seems thru the roof. I just don't quite see the next elite scorer just yet.
Of course it's likely that we've been extremely spoiled and it'll be hard to fill the existing shoes.

It'll be fun watching them grow for sure.

[zcg2013]

Part of this resurgence is the work put in the off-season. Each year, someone's shot improves drastically. This year Tyler's shot form is quicker, smoother and it looks pure a nearly every attempt. When he said at Big East Media day he's working on range, it's clearly with this new form. First four yesterday looked good from the release. That last 3 was a bit further out and you can tell that form isn't quite there yet.

However, kudos to whoever is working endlessly on improving the shooting form for players each off-season.

[MuggsyB]

I think every guy on our roster has come back better this year.  I get that we haven't seen it from certain guys every single game but the roster development has been very noticeable and encouraging.  We're really deep so it's difficult sometimes when you have truncated mins. 

All that said I look at our 3 Frosh, combined with our 3 Sophs and the 3 guys coming  in?  This is a resurgence folks.  It's really that simple.  Obviously Kolek is a special, special, player.  Guys like TyKo just don't come through the turnstile.  However, like certain irreplaceable guys under Wright  Nova  was able to rearm and be a top 10 program and F4 threat every season.  When you move from the "rebuild" to the "reload" mode that's when you know you have arrived and are a consistent threat to net cut.  It's a beautiful thing and the MU community has been waiting patiently for 45+ years. 

[HowardsWorld]

I'm glad we got a look at the freshman too because that was my biggest concern after this year. You have to have the mindset the Kolek, Kam and Oso are all gone after this year. We do not want this to be a flash in the pan like the Badgers in 14-15 where they make the Championship and then suck for the next 10 years. I believe in Shaka's recruiting but having a older team you just never know if the freshman don't get playing time.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

I'm probably way off here but I think it's more likely than not that Kam returns. 

[MuggsyB]

I'm probably way off here but I think it's more likely than not that Kam returns.

You are not way off. Agreed.