Could this also be said for Sha?

[Fishjam]

Politi column saying Pikiell has to change the way he does everything and money alone won't be the remedy.

".....a much-awaited cash infusion this offseason won’t offset other issues — starting with an archaic offensive strategy, poor roster management and his stagnant coaching staff — that are holding the program back."

Sha needs to change his offensive approach at a minimum. He needs to embrace ball movement and shooting over horizontal dribbling, handoffs and wild drives. He also needs to balance his intensity and going off on players with some composure and teaching. The team plays like their coach acts - frantic, intense and often mindless.

At the same time, Seton Hall needs to step up and give Sha more money to compete. This year $8 to 8.5M was considered average money for P4/BE which is the number Rutgers AD is saying she'll provide. Felt better be planning the same thing. Give Sha the average money and see what happens. If he can't make the NCAAT with real money well then at least we will have our answer. Sha deserves the opportunity and Seton Hall needs to come through for its flagship program.

 

[Piratz]

We have got to start prioritizing offensive players or revamp what we’re doing on that side of the ball. It’s not working. We are too extreme in coaching style. It’s not getting us anywhere right now.

We have a Top 50 team even with another atrocious offense despite new players. For 4 seasons we’ve been talking about this topic with the absence of a 3PT game at all plus being easy to defend.

 

[NYC Pirate]

We have got to start prioritizing offensive players or revamp what we’re doing on that side of the ball. It’s not working. We are too extreme in coaching style. It’s not getting us anywhere right now.

We have a Top 50 team even with another atrocious offense despite new players. For 4 seasons we’ve been talking about this topic with the absence of a 3PT game at all plus being easy to defend.

I guess we have to re-visit our expectations. So, 4th place can still be realistic because Creighton has a very tough schedule, maybe a bit tougher than Seton Hall. It is impossible to gage how the team will perform the rest of the way, although many are throwing in the towel after the recent play. Here's hoping. If the Hall finishes 4th or 5th that would probably mean some type of post season tournament. Looking at that from a glass half full perspective, the team has made some significant strides after last season. I believe there could be some exciting moments still awaiting us this last part of the season. We shall see. So, hopefully the staff will look at the data and understand there need to be more of a focus on recruiting players with offensive potential. If they do, then SHU can possibly take another leap next season.

 

[SHallguy2]

I guess we have to re-visit our expectations. So, 4th place can still be realistic because Creighton has a very tough schedule, maybe a bit tougher than Seton Hall. It is impossible to gage how the team will perform the rest of the way, although many are throwing in the towel after the recent play. Here's hoping. If the Hall finishes 4th or 5th that would probably mean some type of post season tournament. Looking at that from a glass half full perspective, the team has made some significant strides after last season. I believe there could be some exciting moments still awaiting us this last part of the season. We shall see. So, hopefully the staff will look at the data and understand there need to be more of a focus on recruiting players with offensive potential. If they do, then SHU can possibly take another leap next season.

I also think our best basketball may still lie ahead of us, which is what you want. I maybe crazy but think this team has enough offense to go on a run right now. I expect them to be more focused with a lead going forward, thinking Creighton was an excellent learning experience. Sha built this team to make a run late in the season. The story has not been fully written on the year.

 

[CaptBob]

If you substituted Seton Hall for rutgers in Politi's column, it would still be 100% applicable! Sad but true.

 

[HALL85]

Is it just Sha and Pikiel? There are six coaches underperforming worse than Sha In the BE this year, who all had loftier expectations before the season started.

seems like a lot of coaches are struggling to figure it out.

 

[Fishjam]

We have 3 of the most important pieces for a good team capable of coming back next year. Hines, Budd and Simpkins are all capable BE starters next year and will be better in Year 2 in the program.

Then you need to hit on 3 players in the Portal and we will be setup. Give Sha the $8-9 Million needed to make it happen. If he can't do it with all the resources and returning starters then at least you have a definitive answer and no regrets that you took your best shot.

You don't want to be in a position 5-6 years with Sha and no NCAAs wondering what if we just had an average budget for 1 year?

 

[Fishjam]

Is it just Sha and Pikiel? There are six coaches underperforming worse than Sha In the BE this year, who all had loftier expectations before the season started.

seems like a lot of coaches are struggling to figure it out.

Providence coach will be fired, Matta maybe also. Cooley is on shaky ground. Pitino and Holtman are new coaches with bottom tier resources so will be given time.

The other 5 coaches are top coaches.

 

[Left Coast Pirates]

We have 3 of the most important pieces for a good team capable of coming back next year. Hines, Budd and Simpkins are all capable BE starters next year and will be better in Year 2 in the program.

Then you need to hit on 3 players in the Portal and we will be setup. Give Sha the $8-9 Million needed to make it happen. If he can't do it with all the resources and returning starters then at least you have a definitive answer and no regrets that you took your best shot.

You don't want to be in a position 5-6 years with Sha and no NCAAs wondering what if we just had an average budget for 1 year?

Continuity still is such an important piece to having a good team and being able to coach the way you want.

Before we start adding piece 4 or 5 to the roster to bolster Clark, Hines, and Simpkins…

How do we feel about realistically retaining those 3?

 

[PhishingPirate088]

Continuity still is such an important piece to having a good team and being able to coach the way you want.

Before we start adding piece 4 or 5 to the roster to bolster Clark, Hines, and Simpkins…

How do we feel about realistically retaining those 3?

Are we sure we want Hines?

 

[NIL BAD]

That can't be serious question.

 

[PhishingPirate088]

That can't be serious question.

Why

 

[NIL BAD]

He's one, if not the the best Freshman we've ever had in our program.

 

[PhishingPirate088]

He's one, if not the the best Freshman we've ever had in our program.

It’s been reported he’s at the top of our nil and he has played over 20 min in 1 big east game

He has played less than 10 minutes in more games than he has played over 19..including our latest game

Does that seem like someone the program desperately wants back? So again you positive Sha wants him back

 

[King of S]

We have 3 of the most important pieces for a good team capable of coming back next year. Hines, Budd and Simpkins are all capable BE starters next year and will be better in Year 2 in the program.

Then you need to hit on 3 players in the Portal and we will be setup. Give Sha the $8-9 Million needed to make it happen. If he can't do it with all the resources and returning starters then at least you have a definitive answer and no regrets that you took your best shot.

You don't want to be in a position 5-6 years with Sha and no NCAAs wondering what if we just had an average budget for 1 year?

Time to call the Crowd Strike guy.

 

[King of S]

Hey, Tom Coughlin finally changed his ways and the Giants won the Super Bowl. It can happen.

 

[Piratz]

I guess we have to re-visit our expectations. So, 4th place can still be realistic because Creighton has a very tough schedule, maybe a bit tougher than Seton Hall. It is impossible to gage how the team will perform the rest of the way, although many are throwing in the towel after the recent play. Here's hoping. If the Hall finishes 4th or 5th that would probably mean some type of post season tournament. Looking at that from a glass half full perspective, the team has made some significant strides after last season. I believe there could be some exciting moments still awaiting us this last part of the season. We shall see. So, hopefully the staff will look at the data and understand there need to be more of a focus on recruiting players with offensive potential. If they do, then SHU can possibly take another leap next season.

Yeah, I don’t get caught up with all the talk about this expectation then, this expectation now, should I be happy comparing it to October or sad that we’re collapsing. Teams are human beings, **** happens, let’s see where it ends up. You should definitely get excited at 14-2, 4-1 and #25 ranking, how you could you not? What’s the point of being a fan if you’re not juiced and optimistic?

Right now we’re a fringe Bubble Team that needs to get work done. Are we going to figure it out? How do they respond, what’s the effort, what are the clear limitations and it’s impossible to know that with 10 new players.

We clearly made good progress since last year across the board from funding to level of play. That was a HUGE open question, it was that fundamental. The current team plays a limiting style of basketball, but they’re very strong in some of those areas like pressure defense. Yet somehow we’re sub-300 in shooting % again despite the influx of better players. Why is this? Let’s see what happens. We lost Saturday because we were dumb. We have 4 winnable games ahead, let’s see.

 

[Bud Boomer]

Agree with Fishjam. If we keep missing the NCAAs, the school is eventually going to have to make a difficult decision regarding Shaheen. Better to make that decision having answered the question of “how would Shaheen do with resources?” Commit some extra rev share for a year and get the answer.

I’ll bet it would work and Shaheen would deliver.

 

[shu67]

Politi column saying Pikiell has to change the way he does everything and money alone won't be the remedy.

".....a much-awaited cash infusion this offseason won’t offset other issues — starting with an archaic offensive strategy, poor roster management and his stagnant coaching staff — that are holding the program back."

Sha needs to change his offensive approach at a minimum. He needs to embrace ball movement and shooting over horizontal dribbling, handoffs and wild drives. He also needs to balance his intensity and going off on players with some composure and teaching. The team plays like their coach acts - frantic, intense and often mindless.

At the same time, Seton Hall needs to step up and give Sha more money to compete. This year $8 to 8.5M was considered average money for P4/BE which is the number Rutgers AD is saying she'll provide. Felt better be planning the same thing. Give Sha the average money and see what happens. If he can't make the NCAAT with real money well then at least we will have our answer. Sha deserves the opportunity and Seton Hall needs to come through for its flagship program.

Maybe they should hire you to replace Sha since you have all this untapped expertise.

 

[shu67]

Is it just Sha and Pikiel? There are six coaches underperforming worse than Sha In the BE this year, who all had loftier expectations before the season started.

seems like a lot of coaches are struggling to figure it out.

Not only that but all but one of them have far greater coaching experience and have excelled at coaching in the past! Very highly regarded coaches are struggling with this new NIL environment!

 

[dehere23]

Not only that but all but one of them have far greater coaching experience and have excelled at coaching in the past! Very highly regarded coaches are struggling with this new NIL environment!

Coaches have down years. When you win consistently at the level of a Mac or Shaka, you get a pass and longer leash from a critique standpoint (not to mention job security). It’s a simple as that.

 

[Piratz]

We have 3 of the most important pieces for a good team capable of coming back next year. Hines, Budd and Simpkins are all capable BE starters next year and will be better in Year 2 in the program.

Then you need to hit on 3 players in the Portal and we will be setup. Give Sha the $8-9 Million needed to make it happen. If he can't do it with all the resources and returning starters then at least you have a definitive answer and no regrets that you took your best shot.

You don't want to be in a position 5-6 years with Sha and no NCAAs wondering what if we just had an average budget for 1 year?

Agreed. But:

1. We’re putting it all on Sha to execute. Is he willing to pay big to keep individuals? He seems totally against it. Or will he simply try to recreate a roster like this year. We’ll find out. And it boils down to results. My point is if we won’t pay Hines $2M it may not be bc we’re poor.

2. Are we maxed out on revenue sharing? Is there more? Is there internal resistance against?

3. Where are we with the NIL funding?

 

[Fishjam]

Agreed. But:

1. We’re putting it all on Sha to execute. Is he willing to pay big to keep individuals? He seems totally against it. Or will he simply try to recreate a roster like this year. We’ll find out. And it boils down to results. My point is if we won’t pay Hines $2M it may not be bc we’re poor.

2. Are we maxed out on revenue sharing? Is there more? Is there internal resistance against?

3. Where are we with the NIL funding?

Yeah these are still unanswered questions. If Sha gets $8M and still won't pay for difference-makers that's another story. I wonder how much he was trying to spread his budget last Spring versus he just didn't have the money to spend for the first 6 weeks when everyone came off the board. I'm sure he'll do puzzling things this year also.

I've always felt we needed a GM who's job was to have answers to these questions and wake up everyday thinking about how to strategize around this.

Our strategy, budget, priorities and pre-talks with agents should already be underway but our HC needs to be 100% devoted to coaching the team during the season. I still think its a massive disadvantage to not have a GM. Sha and the coaches can't wait until the season ends to formulate strategy on the Portal.

 

[HallX2]

If what he writes is actually correct it will be the proverbial blind squirrel getting the nut cause Politi knows nothing but pot stirring.

 

[shu67]

Coaches have down years. When you win consistently at the level of a Mac or Shaka, you get a pass and longer leash from a critique standpoint (not to mention job security). It’s a simple as that.

Yes but why are all of the BE coaches with far greater resumes than SHA having down years at the same time? It's not just a couple, Kudos for Sha and the results he is getting with the resources he has.

 

[Bud Boomer]

They aren’t all having down years. Danny and Pitino are doing fine. Last year Danny struggled (relative to his standards). Two years ago Rick struggled. In the portal era, whiffing on a few guys can cook a season. And it can easily happen.

 

[JTSHU]

Agreed. But:

1. We’re putting it all on Sha to execute. Is he willing to pay big to keep individuals? He seems totally against it. Or will he simply try to recreate a roster like this year. We’ll find out. And it boils down to results. My point is if we won’t pay Hines $2M it may not be bc we’re poor.

2. Are we maxed out on revenue sharing? Is there more? Is there internal resistance against?

3. Where are we with the NIL funding?

Is hines worth 2M to us even if we can afford it if we dont get him touches

 

[Hall Is Life]

Is hines worth 2M to us even if we can afford it if we dont get him touches

Gotta figure sophomore year Hines will be lightyears better than freshman year Hines. His development this offseason, whether with us or someone else, will be enormous. He is going to be really, really good. If (big if) we can come up with the money to run back a second year of Budd and Hines, I think the results will be enormous. The question is...is Sha willing to forego his own strategy and invest heavily into his nucleus? I would love to see him unload his budget on Budd, Hines, and Simpkins. That would be one hell of a "Big 3."

 

[Seton75]

We hate Sha's defense first philosophy. We hate out 3 pt philosophy.

Pc runs a good offence and can shoot 3s great.

Hmmm.

 

[joeyklings]

We keep talking about keeping Clark, Simpkins, and Hines. Add Godswil to that list for me. He will be much improved with an offseason, no injury, and should come relatively cheap.

 

[Hall Is Life]

We keep talking about keeping Clark, Simpkins, and Hines. Add Godswil to that list for me. He will be much improved with an offseason, no injury, and should come relatively cheap.

Absolutely agree. He showed promise last year and showed last night that it's still there. Huge concern at the free throw line though. Yes, he hit both of them, but oof. I wonder if that can be corrected. Since those were his first attempts this year, I was curious to see if it got any better. The first one was missed badly to the left. The second off the glass. And the third. Wow. But they went in and that's what matters!

 

[shu67]

They aren’t all having down years. Danny and Pitino are doing fine. Last year Danny struggled (relative to his standards). Two years ago Rick struggled. In the portal era, whiffing on a few guys can cook a season. And it can easily happen.

Not talking about Danny and Rick. Everyone else except for Willard and Sha is having a very bad year. That's 7 coaches and many with very good resumes compared to Sha. Need I go down the list?

 

[shu67]

Is hines worth 2M to us even if we can afford it if we dont get him touches

Hines is worth whatever the free market commands. If he goes can he be replaced with a productive big for less money? What will Godswill want? Can we afford both Hines and Godswill? Lots of questions about NIL pot and where to spend it. Haven't even discussed a power forward who can rebound and score and someone who can make 3's.

 

[Garyshu1971]

Paying a coach a salary in the top half of the BE and paying the players in the bottom quartile makes no sense. He needs to have the money commensurate with his salary or why bother paying the money and why be in The BE.

 

[Bud Boomer]

Great to see Gary back in the house.

 

[NYC Pirate]

Yes but why are all of the BE coaches with far greater resumes than SHA having down years at the same time? It's not just a couple, Kudos for Sha and the results he is getting with the resources he has.

I do believe some of the traditionally solid BigEast teams are missing some key players out with injuries. Thankfully, Hall only missing a couple of non impact players.

 

[Hall Is Life]

I do believe some of the traditionally solid BigEast teams are missing some key players out with injuries. Thankfully, Hall only missing a couple of non impact players.

Speaking of...will Bizjack be suiting up on Sunday?

 

[dehere23]

Yes but why are all of the BE coaches with far greater resumes than SHA having down years at the same time? It's not just a couple, Kudos for Sha and the results he is getting with the resources he has.

You are missing the point and moving the goal posts.

First off, "all" BE coaches are not struggling.

Second, every coach has a down year here or there. Even the greatest. Look around the sport. Even in other conferences, some really good coaches are having tough seasons. To Bud's point, a downside of this portal era is having to integrate so many new players each season. If you miss in the portal, it can really impact your season, unless you figure out a way to adjust. And just like free agency in major sports, EVERYONE will miss in the portal at some point.

The difference is that when a great coach or even a consistently very good coach has a rough stretch or a down year, they aren't going to be subject to any significant level of criticism because of what they've done in the past. It is common sense.

If Danny Hurley or Pitino came here tomorrow, or even a Greg McDermott or Shaka Smart, (as 4 examples in the league). this board and our fan base would give them a longer leash because of what they've accomplished elsewhere.

I think Sha has done a solid job this season, so I'm not down on him as much as others. But part of the Sha discussion is what he's done over the past 4 years, not just last year or just this year. Four years, especially when you inherit a program that lived in the NCAA tournament for a half decade before and had some very good talent dropped at your feet, is a good sample size. That's what drives the criticisms, even from those who recognize he's done solid overall this year and understand the NIL world we live in (which, btw, he needed to after last season's debacle).

 

[dehere23]

I do believe some of the traditionally solid BigEast teams are missing some key players out with injuries. Thankfully, Hall only missing a couple of non impact players.

But wait, I thought we were the ones ones who ever dealt with injuries to key players : )

 

[Fishjam]

Speaking about relationships with other coaches. I hope Sha can lean into his relationship with Danny. Although only a few years older, Danny has been in Sha's shoes and he reached the mountain top.

Sha could learn a lot about growing as a coach, valuing the offensive side of the game while keeping your identity of intensity and defense, forging relationships with players, building strong support staffs to supplement your weaknesses and getting what you need from your school and AD.