MU knew Buzz leaving was possibility for some time

[ChicosBailBonds]

No one was really caught off guard at MU, this is why no real effort to keep him.  A shock to the basketball world not a shock internally.  More info to come out in the coming days and weeks that will help crystallize the why. 

Ultimately will benefit both parties or so I'm told.  We shall see how credible that birdie is, but it fits in with some of the other stuff floating around.

[Goose]

Could not agree more. Do hope that more does come out and I believe it would make MU look better than we might possibly look to ball world. There have been times we have screwed up over the years, but I do not believe we did this time.

[Tugg Speedman]

Hunt's article was reprinted in today's Chicago Tribune.  It has this.

Cords said Marquette already had engaged in internal discussions about the possibility of Williams leaving and added that the position would be filled as soon as possible.


Internal discussions about the possibility ... that means before he left.  Yes they knew he was leaving, expected it and wanted it.

[NickelDimer]

It seems like it was more of a shock to Buzz than to some at Marquette.  Although I'm still miffed at how Marotta's response contradicts this growing belief MU saw this coming?

[Chicos' Buzz Scandal Countdown]

It seems like it was more of a shock to Buzz than to some at Marquette.  Although I'm still miffed at how Marotta's response contradicts this growing belief MU saw this coming?

means Marotta didn't know. There's no chat room for high end donors.

Cords attending the meeting with Buzz at 5pm on a Friday (coupled with his dodging the question in leaving MU) tells me everything I need to know. He was not asked to return.

[Tugg Speedman]

means Marotta didn't know. There's no chat room for high end donors.

Cords attending the meeting with Buzz at 5pm on a Friday (coupled with his dodging the question in leaving MU) tells me everything I need to know. He was not asked to return.

... and then Cords immediately went to dinner with Dick Strong Friday night. (got that from someone that said it was "100%")

[Eldon]

... and then Cords immediately went to dinner with Dick Strong Friday night. (got that from someone that said it was "100%")

Was it at a BBQ joint?

[Oldgym]

Was it at a BBQ joint?

Well played sir.

[jsglow]

There were suspicions on campus.  I am not surprised Marc didn't know. I suspect only Cords and Fr. Wild were fully in the loop.

[Blackhat]

After the SMU fiasco with Larry and Pilarz the relationships at MU were irrevocably tarred. 

[ChicosBailBonds]

After the SMU fiasco with Larry and Pilarz the relationships at MU were irrevocably tarred. 

I hate that Larry wanted Buzz to follow rules and not let the inmates run the asylum...damn him

[Pakuni]

No one was really caught off guard at MU, this is why no real effort to keep him.  A shock to the basketball world not a shock internally. More info to come out in the coming days and weeks that will help crystallize the why.  

Ultimately will benefit both parties or so I'm told.  We shall see how credible that birdie is, but it fits in with some of the other stuff floating around.

Why wait?
Not MU (I can understand them not airing dirty laundry), but you? If know something, please share with the class.

[WellsstreetWanderer]

I hate that Larry wanted Buzz to follow rules and not let the inmates run the asylum...damn him

 "5 Easy Pieces" had to have an ending sometime

[keefe]

There's no chat room for high end donors.

What! What the hell is Scoop then??

[mr.MUskie]

What! What the hell is Scoop then??

After paying tuition we're all high end donors.

[keefe]

I hate that Larry wanted Buzz to follow rules and not let the inmates run the asylum...damn him

That's way too simple, Jams. There was a lot more to LW than just not getting along with BW. Let's agree that MU will be a better place going forward now that those two are gone, shall we?

[tweakers_suck]

Why wait?
Not MU (I can understand them not airing dirty laundry), but you? If know something, please share with the class.

This. Why wait is exactly right. At least a little blurb to be able to read between the lines would be a nice way to fill the void.

[Eldon]

Guys guys guys

If we don't fire LW, Buzz's buyout doesn't get reduced --> VT can't afford him --> We don't get Howland --> Dawson never plays --> We let a FF run escape from our potential.

Firing LW was good.

[ChicosBailBonds]

That's way too simple, Jams. There was a lot more to LW than just not getting along with BW. Let's agree that MU will be a better place going forward now that those two are gone, shall we?

Time will tell....but I come from an era where the AD should have some control over the program and God forbid if that also means keeping the coach in line.  When I read stuff on here that Buzz should have had no oversight, no AD, be the AD himself, etc...I wanted to throw up.

That doesn't mean LW was the right guy, nor am I claiming that to be the case.  I just want a department that has clear structure, a good relationship with the AD and coaches, but also a department where the AD yields a big stick.  Departments with pseudo AD's and coaches doing whatever they please ends up putting universities in very bad positions.

[Blackhat]

Only person I feel bad for in all of this is that they threw MU man Steve Cottingham under the bus.      Never had confidence in Pilarz after that move. 

[Blackhat]

Time will tell....but I come from an era where the AD should have some control over the program and God forbid if that also means keeping the coach in line.  When I read stuff on here that Buzz should have had no oversight, no AD, be the AD himself, etc...I wanted to throw up.

That doesn't mean LW was the right guy, nor am I claiming that to be the case.  I just want a department that has clear structure, a good relationship with the AD and coaches, but also a department where the AD yields a big stick.  Departments with pseudo AD's and coaches doing whatever they please ends up putting universities in very bad positions.

Do you like Howland?   Knowing the shady stuff that went down in Westwood...though that isn't exactly new at UCLA.

[T-Bone]

Only person I feel bad for in all of this is that they threw MU man Steve Cottingham under the bus.      Never had confidence in Pilarz after that move. 

Agree. He took the biggest hit in a growing career.

[Blackhat]

 nicest guy you'd ever meet and very sharp.

[Newsdreams]

No one was really caught off guard at MU, this is why no real effort to keep him.  A shock to the basketball world not a shock internally.  More info to come out in the coming days and weeks that will help crystallize the why. 

Ultimately will benefit both parties or so I'm told.  We shall see how credible that birdie is, but it fits in with some of the other stuff floating around.

Spill it, be a good scooper!!

[ChicosBailBonds]

Do you like Howland?   Knowing the shady stuff that went down in Westwood...though that isn't exactly new at UCLA.

Personally?  As a coach?  I find him to be a bit gruff, eccentric, etc.  Not unlike many other coaches I have met.  Do I have concerns, yes I do.  Not going to lie to you. 

The stuff that went down in Westwood...are we talking Sam Gilbert ancient history stuff or something else?  I think the Shabazz recruitment was slimy as hell for all schools involved, though everything that I'm aware of is pre UCLA stuff and tied around the AAU crap, DreamVision, Addidas, etc.  There is a reason why the NCAA sent letters to the schools recruiting him and warned of his amateur status.

My friends currently in the UCLA department or that have left, all have high regard for Ben, though they acknowledge he can be tough to work for at times.