Bilas on Wojo/MU

[DegenerateDish]

Great read on Insider, Bilas article on Wojo and building his program at MU.

[Chicos' Buzz Scandal Countdown]

pls share

[Dunk The Ball Eric]

It doesn’t matter the job. When a newly-hired coach walks into his office, it is empty. Everything is cleared out but the furniture. In a very real way, every coach is starting over and building anew. And, almost without exception, any new coach talks about building an improved "culture." It's almost cliché, and it typically implies there was a culture that didn’t exist before and should now, or that the previous culture was deficient in some way.

That's not the case with new Marquette head coach Steve Wojciechowski. It’s true that he walked into a bare, empty office and starts anew. It is also true that he walked onto a campus in transition, with a new President and no athletic director in place. There was some uncertainty, but Wojciechowski was not denigrating the culture that preceded his arrival. He feels it's his job to steady the program and to provide stability in a broader sense, but he's not getting grandiose with talk of a new aura around the program.

“Marquette has great tradition and is committed to winning,” Wojciechowski told me. “That has been true here for over 50 years. This is a great school that values basketball and will support the program at the highest level.”

In a nutshell, Wojciechowski knows he's taking over a program that has experienced success prior to his arrival. Whether it's been under the legendary Al McGuire or Tom Crean or the recently departed Buzz Williams, Marquette has won. That is not lost on Wojciechowski. “This is as good of a basketball school as there is in the country,” Wojo said. “There is tremendous fan support, educational support, resources and facilities. Marquette is the best of all worlds. And basketball drives the bus. It’s not just in the passenger seat.”

Of course, that is the long-term assessment. As we approach the season, most people are about outcome, not process. They want to know whether Marquette will be in the NCAA tournament this year, not about how a new coach will build for the future. In that regard, Wojciechowski isn’t naïve and this isn’t his first talent evaluation. There are some personnel deficiencies on this initial roster. Marquette lacks size and depth, though depth should get better. Indiana transfer Luke Fischer (6-foot-10) can play once the second semester begins, and there's some good backcourt and wing talent with BYU transfer Matt Carlino, sophomore Deonte Burton and redshirt freshman Duane Wilson.

Still, an NCAA tournament berth in Year 1 of the Wojo era could be a stretch from where I sit.

Yet, when I opined to him that I see a significant amount of work that needs to be done in the short term, he didn’t reflexively fall back on “culture” talk. Instead, he spoke of building a “sustainable environment.” Everything he does, Wojciechowski said, is in the best interests of the program, for long-term sustainability and for the development of the players, an environment where the players come first.

In other words, it has to be about far more than just this season. “We will be largely unproven, and we will have some size limitations this year,” he said. But that could change soon. Since Wojo's arrival, Marquette has hit the recruiting trail hard, and has secured three high-level commitments from ESPN 100 players Nick Noskowiak, a 6-foot point guard from Sun Prarie, Wis., Haanif Cheatham, a 6-5 combo guard from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., and Matt Heldt, a 6-10 center from Neenah, Wis..

And ESPN Recruiting Nation lists Marquette (along with Michigan State and Kentucky) as a favorite to land 6-10 power forward Henry Ellenson, ESPN’s No. 4 overall player in the Class of 2015. His brother Wally (a 6-6 wing that has cleared the bar at 7-feet in the high jump) is already playing at Marquette. Should the Golden Eagles get a commitment from the younger Ellenson, it would be looking at a top-5 recruiting class. Yet, with or without Henry Ellenson, Wojciechowski’s recruiting success is already a major milestone on the road to that goal of sustainability.

“Look, I’m the product of a great college experience,” Wojo said of his time as a player and assistant under Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski. “I want to win now, but I also want all Marquette players to feel the same way I do, that they’ve had a truly great college experience playing in the environment we’ve established for them here at Marquette.”

There’s that concept again. Environment. Not “culture,” not “my program,” but “our environment.”

Having never been a head coach before, I asked Wojciechowski, when taking over a program, where does one begin? Clearly, he draws upon his experiences at Duke and with USA Basketball every day, but when you haven’t sat in the big chair yet, it can be different. “I’m being myself, but I’m constantly thinking about how to connect with the players, on the floor and off,” Wojo said. From working with them on their games, to getting to know their personal situations, to being there when there is a family difficulty.

“We have had to be really intentional about everything we do,” Wojciechowski said. “Players always ask ‘Why?’ We tell them the reasons behind everything so they know what we’re trying to build here together, and why we’re doing the things we’re doing.”

Wojciechowski has some daily reminders of the task ahead. “Each day, I remind myself of four things,” he said. “One, we always put players first. We invest in them, we guide them, and we demand from them their very best every day.

“Second, we want to do things in a manner that will attract the best, the elite. Third, I want to empower our staff. I want ‘owners’ that are moved by the Marquette jersey and will fight for it, every day. We have talented people. I want them to feel allowed and encouraged to use their talents to make us better. This isn’t about me. It’s about us.

“Fourth, I want to connect the past, present and future at Marquette,” Wojo said. “I am reaching out to those that have made wearing the Marquette jersey an honor. They are part of what we are doing, and the past is connected to what we’re doing today and what will prove to be sustainable into the future.”

Wojo believes in the brand of Marquette. The program has been to Final Fours; it has won a National Championship. “It not only can be done here, it has been done,” Wojciechowski said. “We believe it can be done here again, and that we will do it. I want everyone to own that.”

[MUfan12]

It doesn’t matter the job. When a newly-hired coach walks into his office, it is empty. Everything is cleared out but the furniture. In a very real way, every coach is starting over and building anew. And, almost without exception, any new coach talks about building an improved "culture." It's almost cliché, and it typically implies there was a culture that didn’t exist before and should now, or that the previous culture was deficient in some way.

That's not the case with new Marquette head coach Steve Wojciechowski. It’s true that he walked into a bare, empty office and starts anew. It is also true that he walked onto a campus in transition, with a new President and no athletic director in place. There was some uncertainty, but Wojciechowski was not denigrating the culture that preceded his arrival. He feels it's his job to steady the program and to provide stability in a broader sense, but he's not getting grandiose with talk of a new aura around the program.

“Marquette has great tradition and is committed to winning,” Wojciechowski told me. “That has been true here for over 50 years. This is a great school that values basketball and will support the program at the highest level.”

In a nutshell, Wojciechowski knows he's taking over a program that has experienced success prior to his arrival. Whether it's been under the legendary Al McGuire or Tom Crean or the recently departed Buzz Williams, Marquette has won. That is not lost on Wojciechowski. “This is as good of a basketball school as there is in the country,” Wojo said. “There is tremendous fan support, educational support, resources and facilities. Marquette is the best of all worlds. And basketball drives the bus. It’s not just in the passenger seat.”

Of course, that is the long-term assessment. As we approach the season, most people are about outcome, not process. They want to know whether Marquette will be in the NCAA tournament this year, not about how a new coach will build for the future. In that regard, Wojciechowski isn’t naïve and this isn’t his first talent evaluation. There are some personnel deficiencies on this initial roster. Marquette lacks size and depth, though depth should get better. Indiana transfer Luke Fischer (6-foot-10) can play once the second semester begins, and there's some good backcourt and wing talent with BYU transfer Matt Carlino, sophomore Deonte Burton and redshirt freshman Duane Wilson.

Still, an NCAA tournament berth in Year 1 of the Wojo era could be a stretch from where I sit.

Yet, when I opined to him that I see a significant amount of work that needs to be done in the short term, he didn’t reflexively fall back on “culture” talk. Instead, he spoke of building a “sustainable environment.” Everything he does, Wojciechowski said, is in the best interests of the program, for long-term sustainability and for the development of the players, an environment where the players come first.

In other words, it has to be about far more than just this season. “We will be largely unproven, and we will have some size limitations this year,” he said. But that could change soon. Since Wojo's arrival, Marquette has hit the recruiting trail hard, and has secured three high-level commitments from ESPN 100 players Nick Noskowiak, a 6-foot point guard from Sun Prarie, Wis., Haanif Cheatham, a 6-5 combo guard from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., and Matt Heldt, a 6-10 center from Neenah, Wis..

And ESPN Recruiting Nation lists Marquette (along with Michigan State and Kentucky) as a favorite to land 6-10 power forward Henry Ellenson, ESPN’s No. 4 overall player in the Class of 2015. His brother Wally (a 6-6 wing that has cleared the bar at 7-feet in the high jump) is already playing at Marquette. Should the Golden Eagles get a commitment from the younger Ellenson, it would be looking at a top-5 recruiting class. Yet, with or without Henry Ellenson, Wojciechowski’s recruiting success is already a major milestone on the road to that goal of sustainability.

“Look, I’m the product of a great college experience,” Wojo said of his time as a player and assistant under Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski. “I want to win now, but I also want all Marquette players to feel the same way I do, that they’ve had a truly great college experience playing in the environment we’ve established for them here at Marquette.”

There’s that concept again. Environment. Not “culture,” not “my program,” but “our environment.”

Having never been a head coach before, I asked Wojciechowski, when taking over a program, where does one begin? Clearly, he draws upon his experiences at Duke and with USA Basketball every day, but when you haven’t sat in the big chair yet, it can be different. “I’m being myself, but I’m constantly thinking about how to connect with the players, on the floor and off,” Wojo said. From working with them on their games, to getting to know their personal situations, to being there when there is a family difficulty.

“We have had to be really intentional about everything we do,” Wojciechowski said. “Players always ask ‘Why?’ We tell them the reasons behind everything so they know what we’re trying to build here together, and why we’re doing the things we’re doing.”

Wojciechowski has some daily reminders of the task ahead. “Each day, I remind myself of four things,” he said. “One, we always put players first. We invest in them, we guide them, and we demand from them their very best every day.

“Second, we want to do things in a manner that will attract the best, the elite. Third, I want to empower our staff. I want ‘owners’ that are moved by the Marquette jersey and will fight for it, every day. We have talented people. I want them to feel allowed and encouraged to use their talents to make us better. This isn’t about me. It’s about us.

“Fourth, I want to connect the past, present and future at Marquette,” Wojo said. “I am reaching out to those that have made wearing the Marquette jersey an honor. They are part of what we are doing, and the past is connected to what we’re doing today and what will prove to be sustainable into the future.”

Wojo believes in the brand of Marquette. The program has been to Final Fours; it has won a National Championship. “It not only can be done here, it has been done,” Wojciechowski said. “We believe it can be done here again, and that we will do it. I want everyone to own that.”

[MUCrew]

Great read!

[Coleman]

[Galway Eagle]

That last quote gets me so pumped and happy.  “It not only can be done here, it has been done,” Wojciechowski said. “We believe it can be done here again, and that we will do it. I want everyone to own that.”

[Litehouse]

I like his talk about stability and building a sustainable environment, compared to Buzz, who often tried to piece things together year-to-year with short-term fixes.

[NersEllenson]

Great article.  The more I hear from Wojo, the more I like him.  He has a very balanced and measured approach, a clear vision, and there is a confidence that comes through in his words that make him believeable.  Not a snake oil salesman guy at all as were Crean and Buzz.

[Ellenson Guerrero]

With each passing day the more I believe that Buzz's decision was the best thing that could have happened to MU.  It seems like we finally have a coach who is comfortable in his own skin and doesn't have to rely on a shtick.

[LAZER]

Bilas > Goodman + Parrish

[River rat]

Really like Wojo's approach.  Gotta give Cords credit in his BBAll coaching hires.

I hope Wojo can take the ball and advance the program like Crean did from deane and like Buzz did from Crean.  I have tremendous confidence that Wojo is gonna elavate us even further.  For those that want to respond that he hasnt coached a game.  Remember just that, that its just a game and its a simple game.  Players play and recruiting is 90% of winning.  Dumb or arrogant basketball coaches always want to take credit for their coaching accumen, good coaches understand winning is done by the players and winning is done by winning in recruiting.  That is why Huggins, mocked Crean by calling him Tommy Naismith.  

(To my point, the reason guys like Huggins, Knight and amny others after huge early success did not win later in their careers is not becuase they became stupid and forgot everything they knew.  It was becuase their recruiting fell off.)

additionally, it is a tremendous pleasure to be able to read an article of this nature and not be immediately bombarded with 15 passive-aggressive posts by a certain banned poster.  hopefully the ban is permanent and we do not have the displeasure of having everything that is good about MU basketball pissed all over by a certain poster, as a feel good post devolves into a back and forth of MU fans and the resident troll who calls himself a fan but finds the need to only focus on the negative or negative possibilities all of the time.  hopefully the mods are reading this and giving it some though.

[tower912]

He continues to say the right things.   If he can game coach and develop players when he is in the big chair, then MU made a great choice.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

Love it -- doesnt mean he wont break my heart some day -- but love it.

[Brewtown Andy]

Bilas > Goodman + Parrish

Other than the fact that Bilas and Wojo are, y'know, both Duke grads, so it's not like Bilas is without bias here...

[mug644]

I'm also so impressed with what Wojo says, and I'm very optimistic about the future.

I was less than impressed with Bilas' focus on 'environment' not 'culture' Seems to me that they are exactly the same thing, but Bilas chooses to hang on the word choice. But, that's a frivolous complaint about a solid article.

[Tugg Speedman]

Great read!

+1

[The Lens]

/begin thread jack

I like how Wojo embraces all of MU's success both recent and past.  This isn't an ode to Al McGuire, it's an acknowledgment that we win here.  While TC would reference Al 77,000 times and then retired the # of a star broadcaster turned coach he never once acknowledged that...

5 years prior to his hiring we went to a Sweet 16
4 years prior to his hiring we were NIT runner up
3 years prior to his hiring we were a 4 seed
2 years prior to his hiring we won our conference tourney and made the NCAAs

Wojo may have taken over a non tourney team but he's not running from our proud history, recent or past.  If he was, even off the record, we'd read a lot more about Al McGuire and Bo Ellis.

/end thread jack

[River rat]

Other than the fact that Bilas and Wojo are, y'know, both Duke grads, so it's not like Bilas is without bias here...

Well...you know Bilas with out the "L" is Bias

[JakeBarnes]

I love how measured he is in his responses. Really exciting to hear about building an environment over a culture. Seems very deliberate on building a foundation in which he wants to build a program. To talk about the other guy for a sec, Wojo seems less about building the house every year than he is about finding the foundation so that he doesn't have to rebuild every time.

I can see why Lovell was as excited about Wojo after the hiring when I talked to him a few weeks later. It's articles like this that make me feel the same.

[susie90]

I think he will definitely be a great game coach and will continue to develop his players.  He actually played!  As did the assistants!  Seems like that's a pretty notable difference.  The players seem to be soaking up "specific drills" (time on task) for improvement vs. a boot camp type atmosphere, as one example.  I'm in!

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Don't mean to thread jack but while were praising new administration as a student I just want to give a shoutout to President Lovell. Hes a really great guy and very active and involved on campus. Just like how Wojo can relate more to his team, Lovell can relate really well to MU students exponentially more than Pilarz ever did.

[JakeBarnes]

Don't mean to thread jack but while were praising new administration as a student I just want to give a shoutout to President Lovell. Hes a really great guy and very active and involved on campus. Just like how Wojo can relate more to his team, Lovell can relate really well to MU students exponentially more than Pilarz ever did.

Met him at the Encompass ProAm (he was one of the golfers) and found him to be highly engaging. Really fun to talk to and definitely shares our excitement about Wojo and the basketball program. Definitely a great guy to have out there as a representative of the university.

[GoldenWarrior11]

Man, I want the season to start.  I just want to watch some basketball.

[Warrior Code]

Love it -- doesnt mean he wont break my heart some day -- but love it.

My thoughts exactly. Enjoy the ride.

[Chicos' Buzz Scandal Countdown]

But... is he a "lifer"?

Otherwise, what's the point?

[Vander Blue Man Group]

But... is he a "lifer"?

Otherwise, what's the point?

Overall, a great article that makes me even more confident in the future of the program.  

As for whether he is a lifer, it is pointless and counterproductive to even worry about that, IMO (and I certainly had my fears when Crean and Buzz departed).  Ideally, Wojo has great success and stays for a long-time.  

However, even if he departs at some point for Duke to replace Coach K, then that means he has had great success here and I am confident that we would find an excellent replacement.  Hopefully we don't have to worry about that for a long while.  

[Tums Festival]

Great article that balances the possibilities of the coach and the school, unlike Goodman's love letters to Brent.

Also can't wait for the season to start. So happy my cable provider moved Fox Sports 1 to their basic tier.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Very impressed with Wojo so far, his comments, actions, team building, and recruiting have been top notch. If he can couple this with an equal talent for in game coaching and player development....we could be looking at a future great. Obviously, way too early to tell.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Very impressed with Wojo so far, his comments, actions, team building, and recruiting have been top notch. If he can couple this with an equal talent for in game coaching and player development....we could be looking at a future great. Obviously, way too early to tell.

Lets be honest here. If Marquette lands Ellenson everybody here will be praising him as the next Al and without even coaching a game. What he has done since he got here has been nothing short of remarkable.

[Johnny B]

Lets be honest here. If Marquette lands Ellenson everybody here will be praising him as the next Al and without even coaching a game. What he has done since he got here has been nothing short of remarkable.

Ye well no other coach has pulled in a top 4 recruit.

[MU82]

I'm also so impressed with what Wojo says, and I'm very optimistic about the future.

I was less than impressed with Bilas' focus on 'environment' not 'culture' Seems to me that they are exactly the same thing, but Bilas chooses to hang on the word choice. But, that's a frivolous complaint about a solid article.

I agree with all of this. The whole environment vs. culture thing was goofy. Both are fairly meaningless coach-speak cliches. Still, given the shared alma mater of "reporter" and subject, I otherwise thought Bilas did a nice job. And I really like the way Wojo has answered questions pretty much since the day he was hired.

[LAZER]

Other than the fact that Bilas and Wojo are, y'know, both Duke grads, so it's not like Bilas is without bias here...

Oh for sure.  My comment was tongue in cheek.  It will be interesting to see coverage of MU moving forward without Buzz and if Bilas (and what other media members) will continue to cover Wojo and how closely.  I'm guessing if things go well for Wojo at MU, he will get plenty of media coverage given his stature in college basketball.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Really like Wojo's approach.  Gotta give Cords credit in his BBAll coaching hires.

I hope Wojo can take the ball and advance the program like Crean did from deane and like Buzz did from Crean.  I have tremendous confidence that Wojo is gonna elavate us even further.  For those that want to respond that he hasnt coached a game.  Remember just that, that its just a game and its a simple game.  Players play and recruiting is 90% of winning.  Dumb or arrogant basketball coaches always want to take credit for their coaching accumen, good coaches understand winning is done by the players and winning is done by winning in recruiting.  That is why Huggins, mocked Crean by calling him Tommy Naismith.  

(To my point, the reason guys like Huggins, Knight and amny others after huge early success did not win later in their careers is not becuase they became stupid and forgot everything they knew.  It was becuase their recruiting fell off.)

additionally, it is a tremendous pleasure to be able to read an article of this nature and not be immediately bombarded with 15 passive-aggressive posts by a certain banned poster.  hopefully the ban is permanent and we do not have the displeasure of having everything that is good about MU basketball pissed all over by a certain poster, as a feel good post devolves into a back and forth of MU fans and the resident troll who calls himself a fan but finds the need to only focus on the negative or negative possibilities all of the time.  hopefully the mods are reading this and giving it some though.

I'm not banned, if it was me who you were trying to call out.  I've been swamped with travel, work, etc.

Secondly, you just couldn't help yourself with this article...could you?  Great article about Wojo, but you couldn't help yourself....as if we didn't know how you felt about other coaches.

[Chicos' Buzz Scandal Countdown]

Overall, a great article that makes me even more confident in the future of the program.  

As for whether he is a lifer, it is pointless and counterproductive to even worry about that, IMO (and I certainly had my fears when Crean and Buzz departed).  Ideally, Wojo has great success and stays for a long-time.  

However, even if he departs at some point for Duke to replace Coach K, then that means he has had great success here and I am confident that we would find an excellent replacement.  Hopefully we don't have to worry about that for a long while.  

I was being sarcastic... figured that was apparent. We are in agreement.

[boyonthedock]

Wojo has done everything he possibly could in the time he has been here. He's retaining current kids, recruiting new high level ones at a rate as good or better than we are accustomed to, even tall guys!, and talking a good game to the media. Couldn't be happier with him so far.

Hopefully the product on the floor matches what he has accomplished in his limited tenure so far. When they roll tha ball out there, I hope I still don't have anything to complain about. I have no reason to think I will.

But we will probably suck this year, and I am prepared for that. I expect a .500ish season, and anything above that is gravy. Anything below that like 10-20ish will not cause me to call for his head either. Next year we better be at least knocking on the NCAA door. Year 3 we better be arguing about seeding and "respect" and the relative quality of our cupcakes again.

So in short, keep up the good work.

[tower912]

I do like the way he is embracing the history and all of the players, not differentiating between Al's guys, Hank's guys, Rick's guys, etc.    Making it all one big kumbaya singing "We are Marquette".   Now he needs to start inviting the all of the message board guys.   No 'ners guy' or 'sultan guy' or 'bma guy' or 'chicos guy' or 'dodds guy' or 'ganzer guy'.   Now if he can bring all of THOSE warring factions together......

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

I do like the way he is embracing the history and all of the players, not differentiating between Al's guys, Hank's guys, Rick's guys, etc.    Making it all one big kumbaya singing "We are Marquette".   Now he needs to start inviting the all of the message board guys.   No 'ners guy' or 'sultan guy' or 'bma guy' or 'chicos guy' or 'dodds guy' or 'ganzer guy'.   Now if he can bring all of THOSE warring factions together......

Only two kinds of guys -- those that played ball and those that watched.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

I was being sarcastic... figured that was apparent. We are in agreement.

I figured that was a strong possibility but there are some interesting viewpoints here from time to time so I wasn't 100% sure. 

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

I do like the way he is embracing the history and all of the players, not differentiating between Al's guys, Hank's guys, Rick's guys, etc.    Making it all one big kumbaya singing "We are Marquette".   Now he needs to start inviting the all of the message board guys.   No 'ners guy' or 'sultan guy' or 'bma guy' or 'chicos guy' or 'dodds guy' or 'ganzer guy'.   Now if he can bring all of THOSE warring factions together......

Peace in the middle east will come sooner.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

This gets me all jacked up.

[Warrior Code]

This gets me all jacked up.

Should have made it JenryJamilJaeJamailJrJaun.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Should have made it JenryJamilJaeJamailJrJaun.

Or Henry, Haanif, Heldt

[Class71]

May wish to see them play before getting too jacked. Otherwise we might see a few bipolar events on the blog.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

May wish to see them play before getting too jacked. Otherwise we might see a few bipolar events on the blog.

youtube.com/watch?v=GF8aaTu2kg0

[Daniel]

Great piece.  Wojo is very thoughtful. I think his focus on player development is huge, and as said, he was a player. He knows the drills.  In terms if being a good games coach, it will take him a bit to get his head coaching legs but he will  you don't hang with clack K as an assistant and not learn a ton.  He will be good.

[T.V. Diener 34]

[LloydMooresLegs]

Touch 'em all, Wojo.

And looking forward to the threads that  turn "sustainable environment" into a meme.

[RushmoreAcademy]

Love it.
I think Wojo could sell me a ketchup popsicle.

[Cooby Snacks]

Touch 'em all, Wojo.

And looking forward to the threads that  turn "sustainable environment" into a meme.

Environmental sustainability is one of the focus areas of the foundation I work for. Maybe we can start funding MU hoops.

[GurneeHitchkr]

Although it's important who is driving the bus, it's more important who the bus driver picks up on his way to the destination.  I think Wojo will be a great bus driver.

[Loose Cannon]

May wish to see them play before getting too jacked. Otherwise we might see a few bipolar events on the blog.

My thinking is controlled anticipation is a substantial part of the fun.  I try to remember Warren Zevon quote “Enjoy Every Sandwich”

[JakeBarnes]

Really like Wojo's approach.  Gotta give Cords credit in his BBAll coaching hires.

I hope Wojo can take the ball and advance the program like Crean did from deane and like Buzz did from Crean.  I have tremendous confidence that Wojo is gonna elavate us even further.  For those that want to respond that he hasnt coached a game.  Remember just that, that its just a game and its a simple game.  Players play and recruiting is 90% of winning.  Dumb or arrogant basketball coaches always want to take credit for their coaching accumen, good coaches understand winning is done by the players and winning is done by winning in recruiting.  That is why Huggins, mocked Crean by calling him Tommy Naismith.  

(To my point, the reason guys like Huggins, Knight and amny others after huge early success did not win later in their careers is not becuase they became stupid and forgot everything they knew.  It was becuase their recruiting fell off.)

additionally, it is a tremendous pleasure to be able to read an article of this nature and not be immediately bombarded with 15 passive-aggressive posts by a certain banned poster.  hopefully the ban is permanent and we do not have the displeasure of having everything that is good about MU basketball pissed all over by a certain poster, as a feel good post devolves into a back and forth of MU fans and the resident troll who calls himself a fan but finds the need to only focus on the negative or negative possibilities all of the time.  hopefully the mods are reading this and giving it some though.

What we have here is a good ol' fashioned scoop fight.



(i've really just wanted to use that gif lately).

[Lighthouse 84]

I, for one, have to admit not being enamored with the hire.  I had hoped we'd get a big name with experience instead of once again going the top assistant route.  But I couldn't be happier with how WOJO is turning out.  Yes, without coaching a game, but he's not only recruiting better than just about any other Warrior coach since I've been there, he's recruiting as well as almost anyone in the country.  It's also refreshing to hear him speak or read about something he said and actually think it is heartfelt, as opposed to "Bertspeak".

One other thing.....I know Bilas has the Dook connection for the article, but if there's a better analyst out there for college hoops, I can't think of him.

[Phuket MU Fan]

Peace in the middle east will come sooner.

Inshallah...

[MU82]

I, for one, have to admit not being enamored with the hire.  I had hoped we'd get a big name with experience instead of once again going the top assistant route.  But I couldn't be happier with how WOJO is turning out.  Yes, without coaching a game, but he's not only recruiting better than just about any other Warrior coach since I've been there, he's recruiting as well as almost anyone in the country.  It's also refreshing to hear him speak or read about something he said and actually think it is heartfelt, as opposed to "Bertspeak".

One other thing.....I know Bilas has the Dook connection for the article, but if there's a better analyst out there for college hoops, I can't think of him.

Thanks for the honest admission.

Had Shaka really been the guy, he would have been a no-brainer, but when that didn't happen I was happy to go the top-assistant route. Every other head coach we reportedly considered came with some kind of baggage. Plus, our previous two top-assistant hires turned out to be pretty darn good.

And FWIW, I agree completely about Bilas. He's by far the best college buckets analyst. If he's a 10, I'm not sure who even would be a 9 or 8.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

I'm going to enjoy all of the wojo speak right now.

When he leaves, I'll rip on him and talk about how fake he is.

Am I doing it right?

[Loose Cannon]

I'm going to enjoy all of the wojo speak right now.

When he leaves, I'll rip on him and talk about how fake he is.

Am I doing it right?

Pay your money........Take your Choice!

[Skatastrophy]

Wojo comes off as more genuine than Crean, while being more media savvy than Buzz was.

He's doing a great job building his brand so far.

That's really all we know about Wojo.

[The Lens]

Wojo comes off as more genuine than Crean, while being more media savvy than Buzz was.

He's doing a great job building his brand so far.

That's really all we know about Wojo.

We know he can recruit.  And that is very important. 

[Skatastrophy]

We know he can recruit.  And that is very important. 

That's very true. We know that he's a great relationship builder; winning over our players, former players and recruits alike.