Give this guy credit… virtually run out of Texas, he has been great at Marquette. He is up on KU, and just got into it with Self. I love the guys energy and enthusiasm.
He's found his footing ever since he went back home to Wisconsin. I've always liked him and his energy.
The interesting part is how he built that roster. Mostly mid level prep talent he has recruited and developed. Only portal players were multi year types. Just very intentional fits for his system who complement each other well. Long term, that’s the ideal strategy for a program that isn’t a blue blood and isn’t going to invest massively in the NIL space.
I am always happy when a coach finds he got "Peter Principled" and gets back to his level. Not an easy thing to do. And if he can "boink" a silly Blue Blood then that is fine by me. Two prime examples (one actually, the other TBD): Mike White and Mus-take. White is "right-sized" for where he was before UF. little willy needs to be HC of a Bama-Birmingham level of program. He is being wasted in that sewer known as UGa football, Not-so-Smart version. I wished he were less prideful.
But back to Shaka, not using a TO on any of the last three possessions may have cost them the game. the possession with just under a minute it was clear they were discombobulated. And he played it out. The next two I see the argument for, but still think it was a mistake. They are fun to watch though.
Like I said, the last 2 I see the argument for (the second one more than the third), but that first possession it was a fully set half court defense and the team was stuck, it was clear that possession was gonna end badly. And that wasn’t backward looking from me, I said it as it was happening. He had two left, use one.
I can't stand Bill Self either, but Shaka has no business chasing a college kid down the court, even though the kid was obviously barking at him.
