Zaide for Jop

[PointWarrior]

Last year it was easy to look at the games kolek was out, and say "we'll be just fine". 

Hopefully others will step up, but I don't have that same feeling about Kam and Stevie being gone next year.

Will be watching intently regardless...

In current form, not much to replace next year.

[rocky_warrior]

Shaka said that like two years ago

And when has Shaka backed down from what he has said?  Parham is next up.

[PGsHeroes32]

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

Well you're living in a fantasy land

Zaide entered tonight at 44/37.

Batshit comment

[Small Orange Soda]

I would think if you were trying to do something about the slow starts then you'd have to at least try and make some changes to the starting lineup. Happened too many times to ignore at this point.

[Shooter McGavin]

I have watched 6-10 the last two games compared to where they were a month ago and I am salivating.

Agree, there is something interesting going on.  There is upside there.  I'm way more optimistic than a month ago about next year.

But hope this year can still be fixed.  And I hope everyone gives Kam, Stevie and Jop their due even if things don't pan out. Lots of good memories and hopefully a few more to come.

[jfp61]

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. 

When your usage is nearly in the single digits it doesn't matter at all.

Adjusted team O rating with Norman on the court 111.0. With Lowery on the court 111.6.

[rgoode57]

Based on play of the last month, yes Zaide should start and Jop should go back to the sixth man role. Zaide is coming on strong, rebounds well, and plays good defense. And, oh yeah, he can shoot. I also hope Parham and Owens continue to get major minutes. At this point, the rest of this season is about next year. This team is not going very far in the tournament.

[tower912]

Zaide is playing well.   I asked Muggsy in another thread, I will ask it here.    How many high major teams are successful starting 4 players 6'5 and under?   Because Zaide for Joplin is actually advocating for 4 guards with Ben as the only size.    Play that back in your head a few times.

If Joplin is replaced (not gonna happen), it has to be with Royce.  If you want to give Stevie a week off (NBA style load management), then start Zaide.

[Shooter McGavin]

Zaide is playing well.   I asked Muggsy in another thread, I will ask it here.    How many high major teams are successful starting 4 players 6'5 and under?   Because Zaide for Joplin is actually advocating for 4 guards with Ben as the only size.    Play that back in your head a few times.

If Joplin is replaced (not gonna happen), it has to be with Royce.  If you want to give Stevie a week off (NBA style load management), then start Zaide.

Agreed.  And it's all about playing time.  Jop should have a short leash.  If he is playing well keep him in.  If not go to Parnham earlier and give him extended minutes.  Same with Stevie and Zaide.  Allocate playing time based on production going forward but you can still keep the same starters.

[#UnleashSean]

Leaves us pretty undersized with Ben only our height. Seems a bit rough since Ben is well....

[wadesworld]

Zaide is playing well.   I asked Muggsy in another thread, I will ask it here.    How many high major teams are successful starting 4 players 6'5 and under?   Because Zaide for Joplin is actually advocating for 4 guards with Ben as the only size.    Play that back in your head a few times.

If Joplin is replaced (not gonna happen), it has to be with Royce.  If you want to give Stevie a week off (NBA style load management), then start Zaide.

Nova went 32-4 starting Brunson, Bridges, Hart, Jenkins, and Reynolds. They won the National title the year prior starting guys who were 6'3", 6'3," 6'5," 6'6", and 6'11".

Jop was playing well defending 4s earlier in the season and rebounding well. He's been awful lately. Zaide is a much better rebound of late than Jop has been. And Nova didn't win the game pounding the paint against us. It's our perimeter defense that is killing us.

[tower912]

Yup.  That one time it worked at Villanova is proof MU should try it now. 

[#UnleashSean]

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. 

careful when you use advanced stats without large sample sizes. Remember that Matt Heldt was the number 1 orating player in the country.

[#UnleashSean]

Nova went 32-4 starting Brunson, Bridges, Hart, Jenkins, and Reynolds. They won the National title the year prior starting guys who were 6'3", 6'3," 6'5," 6'6", and 6'11".

Jop was playing well defending 4s earlier in the season and rebounding well. He's been awful lately. Zaide is a much better rebound of late than Jop has been. And Nova didn't win the game pounding the paint against us. It's our perimeter defense that is killing us.

My worry about going small is forcing Ben into having to play big.

[Viper]

I have watched 6-10 the last two games compared to where they were a month ago and I am salivating.

why? Not being snarky...rather, your assessment for being so positive on 6-10.

[The Sultan]

Yup.  That one time it worked at Villanova is proof MU should try it now. 

I mean....you asked the question and he answered it.

[CountryRoads]

Shaka alluded to some lineup changes at the end of his press conference so we'll see what that means. Providence kind of sucks so it might be hard to take anything away from that game (I got duped into thinking we turned the corner after DP and SH lol).

As far as Jop goes, I think Shaka tried to push him past what he was really capable of in terms of his role on the team and it just backfired and overall shook his confidence this year. To a lesser extent, I'd say the same of Kam and Gold as well as both have been asked to take on significantly different/larger roles this year. Shaka preaches being "stars in your role" constantly. I'd argue that they all kind of were at one point in their career. He just changed the roles this year and they haven't been able to fully adjust or be as effective.

[Captain Quette]

With Ben, Zaide, Chase, Owen's, and Parnham next year.....this seems to me just a .500 team with no bench either. Last few years we had Tyler and Oso, 2 nba players. This year Kam, fringe NBA player. Next year we do not have any of the elite players. Plus Tre and Hamilton should be playing in the MAC. Shaka has to know he needs help from the portal and for God's sake get some frickin shooters. How can shaka watch any basketball game and not understand the value of 3 pt shooting. I am frustrated as you can see.

[rocky_warrior]

Parnham

I've seen this too often - and I don't think it's a joke.  There's no 'N' in his last name.

Owen's

And no apostrophe there, but simple mistake.

[tower912]

I see an 8 player rotation of Chase, Royce, DO, Ben, Zaide, Hamilton, Tre, Sean with another offseason of growth and development and I feel like MU is far ahead of the game.  Anything from Clark or Amadou and suddenly MU is long.  Anything from the freshman class and suddenly MU is deep.

Assuming all return, I am nearly giddy at the possibilities.

[CountryRoads]

I've seen this too often - and I don't think it's a joke.  There's no 'N' in his last name.

And no apostrophe there, but simple mistake.

iPhone always autocorrects to Owen's. It's really annoying

[ATL MU Warrior]

I see an 8 player rotation of Chase, Royce, DO, Ben, Zaide, Hamilton, Tre, Sean with another offseason of growth and development and I feel like MU is far ahead of the game.  Anything from Clark or Amadou and suddenly MU is long.  Anything from the freshman class and suddenly MU is deep.

Assuming all return, I am nearly giddy at the possibilities.

The freshmen are going to have to contribute for that team to be anything

[PointWarrior]

hope we don't see any transfers because Shaka refuses to sit his struggling seniors more...

[junglecat022]

https://x.com/coachajkings/status/1893087809457562045

Shaka and Izzo have mutual respect for one another, but perhaps different philosophies here.

[The Sultan]

hope we don't see any transfers because Shaka refuses to sit his struggling seniors more...

Lowery, Owens and Parham played as much or more than 3 of the 5 starters yesterday.  Gold, Joplin and Mitchell had season lows in minutes.