SI.com article on Steve

[barfolomew]

Seth Davis' astute and timely take on the state of MU basketball:

http://www.si.com/college-basketball/2014/08/19/steve-wojciechowski-marquette-golden-eagles-big-east

BTW, I will never tire of that picture of Steve and the chicken.
The look on his face says, "WTF are you supposed to be?"

[patso]

Moribund is a bit overstated.

[Aughnanure]

Moribund is a bit overstated.

a bit? ya think?

[77ncaachamps]

"This program is on shaky footing."

Then he follows it up with a Buzz-led debacle but never pins it on Buzz.
Later, top recruits leaving MU for VT and Buzz but never mentions that happens everywhere else in D-1 when there's a coaching change.

But this is why we support Wojo: he's actively leading the program's direction.

"“I’m not looking for Band-Aids. I want guys who will fit the program. We’ll play with the guys we have and we’ll see what we’re made of.”"

We know it's going to be a growing year but I believe our patience will pay off.

Overall, a fair article with some of my gripes mentioned above.
But if lowering the expectations worked for Buzz, it should also work the same magic for Wojo.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Solid interview. Sounds like Wojo has a good idea of the direction he wants to take the program. It also sounds like he really expects a down year this year. Hopefully it's the only one.

In Wojo we trust

[GGGG]

"This program is on shaky footing."

Then he follows it up with a Buzz-led debacle but never pins it on Buzz.

No national writer is going to do that.

[mr.MUskie]

"Wojciechowski was especially enticed by the idea of living in Milwaukee"

Really?  That's what made it a DoneDeal?

[Silkk the Shaka]

Moribund is a bit overstated.

Honestly, I don't care what Seth Davis or anyone writes, but that one was egregious. Two definitions are "at the point of death" and "in terminal decline." Are you sh!tting me? He either a.) doesn't know the meaning of the word, or b.) is completely clueless re: MU hoops. The only one that looks bad there is Seth.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Seth Davis' astute and timely take on the state of MU basketball:

http://www.si.com/college-basketball/2014/08/19/steve-wojciechowski-marquette-golden-eagles-big-east

BTW, I will never tire of that picture of Steve and the chicken.
The look on his face says, "WTF are you supposed to be?"

His look to me says "you are a pathetic mascot, certainly not a warrior and I demand warriors on my team.  Go support another school and don't let me ever catch you hear again"

[ChicosBailBonds]

"This program is on shaky footing."

Then he follows it up with a Buzz-led debacle but never pins it on Buzz.
Later, top recruits leaving MU for VT and Buzz but never mentions that happens everywhere else in D-1 when there's a coaching change.

But this is why we support Wojo: he's actively leading the program's direction.

"“I’m not looking for Band-Aids. I want guys who will fit the program. We’ll play with the guys we have and we’ll see what we’re made of.”"

We know it's going to be a growing year but I believe our patience will pay off.

Overall, a fair article with some of my gripes mentioned above.
But if lowering the expectations worked for Buzz, it should also work the same magic for Wojo.

This was exactly my point the other day....perception and reality.  Many people view it as Buzz leaving for a crappier program and they aren't blaming Buzz for that.  That's the perception and that's the reality. 

79Warrior can disagree, but that was my point.  http://www.muscoop.com/index.php?topic=44608.msg643601#msg643601

[MU82]

Agree on all of the above. Very good article, very fair assessment, poor use of "moribund."

More on moribund: As a fellow writer who (regrettably) has used a word thinking it meant something only to find out later it meant something else, I'm guessing that's exactly what we have here. I can accept hyperbole as a writing mechanism, but moribund goes beyond that. DePaul, Northwestern and TCU are moribund programs; Marquette has made the NCAAs 9 of the last 10 years, has some talent coming back and more talent coming in, and has a strong university-wide commitment toward excellence.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

This team is going to surprise a lot of people. I may be an optimist, but I'd be shocked if we don't improve on last years 17-15 record.

[barfolomew]

"Our fan base and our program have a lot of pride. They tend to remember things."

I take this as clear proof Wojo follows Scoop closely.

[tower912]

An open, honest assessment of where the program is.   Wojo continues to say the right things.

[Spotcheck Billy]

I thought it was going to be with Steve Taylor Jr.

[MU82]

I thought it was going to be with Steve Taylor Jr.

Gotta admit ... when I saw the headline I thought the exact same thing ... and wondered why in the world Seth Davis would be writing about SJT!

[Aughnanure]

This team is going to surprise a lot of people. I may be an optimist, but I'd be shocked if we don't improve on last years 17-15 record.

This. May take till the second half of the season (Fischer!), but we will be better.

[tower912]

This. May take till the second half of the season (Fischer!), but we will be better.

   
The damage may be done before he gets back.   It may take winning the Big East to get to 17 wins. 

[swoopem]

   
The damage may be done before he gets back.   It may take winning the Big East to get to 17 wins. 

I'm not so sure. I think we'll only lose 3 games during out of conference, if that. The 3 might be Ohio St, either Michigan St or Kansas (can't lose to both the way the bracket is setup), and Wisconsin. I'm confident we'll beat GA Tech in the first round of the Orlando Classic and then we'll beat ASU at home in Luke's first game that he's eligible. After that it's all cupcakes who we should destroy.

If it were to play out like this I would be pretty happy. Yes, we don't get that great out of conference win, but we go into the Big East with only 3 loses, wins over GA Tech, ASU, and who ever we beat in the consolation final of the Orlando Classic (if we lose beforehand).

[Aughnanure]

   
The damage may be done before he gets back.   It may take winning the Big East to get to 17 wins.  

We're not going to lose every big non-con game. This is basketball, not football, we'll pick up a game we didn't think we would. I think 9-4/8-5 would be the worst possible non-con (out of 13 games right, we got 3 in Orlando?). Win one of the Mich St, ASU, Wiscy, Ohio St, Ga Tech games and don't completely crap the bed in Orlando and we should be okay.

If we're sitting with 8 wins out of non-con, it only takes .500 in BE to equal 17 wins. And we've never finished below .500 in the Big East. And that's like the worst possible scenario for the non-con. So I see room for optimism because I believe we're going to be better than that worst-case scenario.

[MU82]

I'm not so sure. I think we'll only lose 3 games during out of conference, if that. The 3 might be Ohio St, either Michigan St or Kansas (can't lose to both the way the bracket is setup), and Wisconsin. I'm confident we'll beat GA Tech in the first round of the Orlando Classic and then we'll beat ASU at home in Luke's first game that he's eligible. After that it's all cupcakes who we should destroy.

If it were to play out like this I would be pretty happy. Yes, we don't get that great out of conference win, but we go into the Big East with only 3 loses, wins over GA Tech, ASU, and who ever we beat in the consolation final of the Orlando Classic (if we lose beforehand).

Love the optimism.

And hope you're right.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Some of you are overvaluing Fischer at this stage in his career.  He has work to do.  He'll be a nice, solid add, but he has some strides he needs to make that he hasn't yet.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

Some of you are overvaluing Fischer at this stage in his career.  He has work to do.  He'll be a nice, solid add, but he has some strides he needs to make that he hasn't yet.

How much Luke Fischer have you watched since his departure from IU last year? My guess is none.

[tower912]

We're not going to lose every big non-con game. This is basketball, not football, we'll pick up a game we didn't think we would. I think 9-4/8-5 would be the worst possible non-con (out of 13 games right, we got 3 in Orlando?). Win one of the Mich St, ASU, Wiscy, Ohio St, Ga Tech games and don't completely crap the bed in Orlando and we should be okay.

If we're sitting with 8 wins out of non-con, it only takes .500 in BE to equal 17 wins. And we've never finished below .500 in the Big East. And that's like the worst possible scenario for the non-con. So I see room for optimism because I believe we're going to be better than that worst-case scenario.

I fervently hope that I am wrong.   I just have a feeling that there are going to be a couple of injuries/academic issues/transfers and there will be games where there are only 7 scholarship players dressed.   So Wojo gets a pass this year.   I am much more interested in the process and not the outcomes.

[Aughnanure]

I fervently hope that I am wrong.   

Ditto.

[ChicosBailBonds]

How much Luke Fischer have you watched since his departure from IU last year? My guess is none.

I got my heads up from the same folks that said Mayo wouldn't be on the team this year.....several months in advance of him not coming back.

My guess is they qualify for greater than "none"...I trust my sources.  He's going to be a good player, but he has a bit of a ways to go, most big men do.

[ATVSandKARATE]

Some of you are overvaluing Fischer at this stage in his career.  He has work to do.  He'll be a nice, solid add, but he has some strides he needs to make that he hasn't yet.

Perhaps they are, but I believe that Deonte and Duane will be a force to be reckoned with. Once conference starts, they will be extremely comfortable with the ways Coach Steve runs things. Them Double D's will be bouncing all over the court.

Also, this has nothing to do with the thread, but when I picture Deonte training this offseason, he is doing one arm pullups while texting with his other hand. We are going to be ok.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

when I picture Deonte training this offseason, he is doing one arm pullups while texting with his other hand. We are going to be ok.

MU should shoot that as a promo video. Hilarious.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Perhaps they are, but I believe that Deonte and Duane will be a force to be reckoned with. Once conference starts, they will be extremely comfortable with the ways Coach Steve runs things. Them Double D's will be bouncing all over the court.

Also, this has nothing to do with the thread, but when I picture Deonte training this offseason, he is doing one arm pullups while texting with his other hand. We are going to be ok.

I'm excited about this year.  Too many people, however, do the same thing here every year.  So and so got huge over the Summer. So and so is taking 10,000 shots every 30 minutes.  So and so's defense has improved so much.   The thing is, most kids should improve, and most kids do, but the eyes get a little big (as saucers) with some of the reports and what actually translates onto the court.  There are exceptions, of course, but typically it is a process and takes time.

Luke is a Sophomore with only 1 semester of play under his belt, and that was against lower DI competition for the most part.  Love the kids upside and work ethic.  Think he is going to be a solid Warrior, same for some of the kids you mentioned.  Think we will be young and inexperienced, which will lead to some frustrating basketball, some mindblowing basketball (both good and bad) and some greatness at times. 

[Dawson Rental]

I'm sure that this quote got Ners very excited, then bummed when he realized it wasn't true:

"...the lone experienced returnee is Deonte Burton."

[GGGG]

I'm excited about this year too because I am looking forward to watching the progression and growth from early to late in the year.  I am not expecting anything greater than the NIT however.  Too many hopes that too many players make huge leaps. 

[muwarrior69]

I just hope we have some guys that can just put the ball in the basket from mid range on a consistent basis for a change. That should help open up the inside and maybe Steve Taylor can get some good offensive rebounds and put them in. One can dream.

[NersEllenson]

I'm excited about this year too because I am looking forward to watching the progression and growth from early to late in the year.  I am not expecting anything greater than the NIT however.  Too many hopes that too many players make huge leaps. 

Considering all that was lost as the article points out...to make the NIT would be amazing....given that Buzz's most experienced team in his 6 years couldn't even qualify last season.   

I definitely think we'll make the NIT....and the NCAA would not surprise me...but losing Mayo really hurt.  Still counting on big things from Deonte...and look forward to seeing what Duane, Dawson and JJJ can do now that they all should get some reasonable playing time.  The potential is certainly there for the team to surprise...add in Luke and Steve Taylor too.

[wadesworld]

I thought it was going to be with Steve Taylor Jr.

Gotta admit ... when I saw the headline I thought the exact same thing ... and wondered why in the world Seth Davis would be writing about SJT!

If Seth Davis wanted to write an article about Teve, then he would've wrote an article about Teve, not Steve!

[MU82]

How much Luke Fischer have you watched since his departure from IU last year? My guess is none.

It's not a matter of watching Fischer. It's a matter of being logical.

He wasn't a force at Indiana. He is in a new program with a brand new coaching staff. He enters with great expectations because of our lack of height.

It is logical to assume there will be a breaking-in period, perhaps a long one.

I hope he'll step right in and be a stud, and maybe he will be, but it is prudent and logical to be cautiously optimistic rather than have oversized expectations.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

It's not a matter of watching Fischer. It's a matter of being logical.

He wasn't a force at Indiana. He is in a new program with a brand new coaching staff. He enters with great expectations because of our lack of height.

It is logical to assume there will be a breaking-in period, perhaps a long one.

I hope he'll step right in and be a stud, and maybe he will be, but it is prudent and logical to be cautiously optimistic rather than have oversized expectations.

I was more just ribbing chicos but yeah, obviously the hope is he is beast right out of the gate but that's unlikely. One thing I know - he'll get his looks.

[Texas Western]

It's not a matter of watching Fischer. It's a matter of being logical.

He wasn't a force at Indiana. He is in a new program with a brand new coaching staff. He enters with great expectations because of our lack of height.

It is logical to assume there will be a breaking-in period, perhaps a long one.

I hope he'll step right in and be a stud, and maybe he will be, but it is prudent and logical to be cautiously optimistic rather than have oversized expectations.

I agree with your cautious optimism.

[GB Warrior]

"Our fan base and our program have a lot of pride. They tend to remember things."

I take this as clear proof Wojo follows Scoop closely.

Clearly referring to the 2006 CBE Championship.

[The Lens]

Seth Davis does realize we went 9-9 in conf last year, right?  We weren't THAT bad.  I mean Wojo isn't taking over DePaul or even Seton Hall or the most recent edition of Butler.

And yes, while we lost production from that team, some would call that addition by subtraction and that team gave a lot of fans fits because of the talent sitting on the bench.

[Lennys Tap]

Seth Davis does realize we went 9-9 in conf last year, right?  We weren't THAT bad.  I mean Wojo isn't taking over DePaul or even Seton Hall or the most recent edition of Butler.

And yes, while we lost production from that team, some would call that addition by subtraction and that team gave a lot of fans fits because of the talent sitting on the bench.

7 NCAA tournament wins in the last 4 years. A 2nd place and a championship in the best conference ever over the last 3 years. 7 RSCI top 100 players on the current roster. Moribund program? Major rebuild? No, just a Dookie (Seth Davis) setting the bar as low as possible for another Dookie. You could have seen this one coming from miles away.

[Skatastrophy]

7 NCAA tournament wins in the last 4 years. A 2nd place and a championship in the best conference ever over the last 3 years. 7 RSCI top 100 players on the current roster. Moribund program? Major rebuild? No, just a Dookie (Seth Davis) setting the bar as low as possible for another Dookie. You could have seen this one coming from miles away.

I love the low expectations!

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/t9SVhg6ZENw" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/t9SVhg6ZENw</a>

[swoopem]

7 NCAA tournament wins in the last 4 years. A 2nd place and a championship in the best conference ever over the last 3 years. 7 RSCI top 100 players on the current roster. Moribund program? Major rebuild? No, just a Dookie (Seth Davis) setting the bar as low as possible for another Dookie. You could have seen this one coming from miles away.

I will give him credit for saying that our acedmics are on par with Duke.

[Lennys Tap]

I will give him credit for saying that our acedmics are on par with Duke.

I'm gonna assume "acedemics" was on purpose and nominate you for post of the day.

[ATVSandKARATE]

I don't think they'll make the tourney, but it will be fun to watch them grow. Trey J and STJ are going to be fun to watch (I hope) and if you have realistic standards for this team, it can still be a fun season. They'll upset some teams, they'll lose some games they shouldn't, and the young guys will develop.

Also, we won't have to hear about God after every game.