What I think I'll love about this team

[wadesworld]

We finally have some guys I think other fans will hate but Marquette fans will love. I guess Hank could've fit that bill. I think Rowsey and Reinhardt are going to be those guys and I think Howard and Carter might frustrate some fans.

[bma77]

We finally have some guys I think other fans will hate but Marquette fans will love. I guess Hank could've fit that bill. I think Rowsey and Reinhardt are going to be those guys and I think Howard and Carter might frustrate some fans.

I think you are right.  Those guys that get under the skin of other teams.  A lot like our coach, a player Duke fans loved and other fans hated.

[GoldenDieners32]

Reinhardt just looks like he will frustrate players this year..too bad he can only play 1 season

[TSmith34, Inc.]

Two years ago, watching MU was the most painful it had been since the darkness of the Dukiet years.  The dearth of talent, depth, and playing style combined to cause Marquette fans to drink their livers to the edge of failure.

Last year was marked step up.  While we didn't make the post season, it was a far faster-playing, more exciting team with the added bonus of an exciting crop of freshmen. Also, we slapped UW@Madison up side their collective heads on their home court.

This year, the collective talent level is even higher (despite losing their best player) and we have far more experienced team which should eliminate some of the silly mistakes.  I expect this team to be really exciting to watch even though they end up with a similar record, though I am optimistic they can get to 22 or 23 wins.  Bombs away from three!

[THRILLHO]

Two years ago, watching MU was the most painful it had been since the darkness of the Dukiet years.  The dearth of talent, depth, and playing style combined to cause Marquette fans to drink their livers to the edge of failure.

I was actually kind of excited for that season, hoping that the change to Wojo would unleash some of the players the way that changing to Buzz unleashed Wesley. Unfortunately the dearth of talent on that team possibly combined with Wojo's inexperience as a head coach meant it never happened.

[MerrittsMustache]

We finally have some guys I think other fans will hate but Marquette fans will love. I guess Hank could've fit that bill. I think Rowsey and Reinhardt are going to be those guys and I think Howard and Carter might frustrate some fans.

Not trying to start a big thing, just curious why you love having hateable players on your team? Who was the last MU player who fit that description?

[wadesworld]

Not trying to start a big thing, just curious why you love having hateable players on your team? Who was the last MU player who fit that description?

I guess it's probably worded poorly but just good players who know they're good and will show it on the court.  Guys like Travis Diener.  Just tough minded, really talented players who will annoy other teams, mostly with his play, for 40 minutes a game.  The image that stands out more than any of Diener's basketball career to me was in the Kentucky Elite 8 game when he got a steal in the backcourt and dropped a pass off to Robert Jackson, and after Jackson finished the layup Diener grabbed the ball out of the net and slammed it down on the baseline.  Just guys who aren't scared to go into an opposing team's arena and get fired up.  Tough guys.

[bma77]

I guess it's probably worded poorly but just good players who know they're good and will show it on the court.  Guys like Travis Diener.  Just tough minded, really talented players who will annoy other teams, mostly with his play, for 40 minutes a game.  The image that stands out more than any of Diener's basketball career to me was in the Kentucky Elite 8 game when he got a steal in the backcourt and dropped a pass off to Robert Jackson, and after Jackson finished the layup Diener grabbed the ball out of the net and slammed it down on the baseline.  Just guys who aren't scared to go into an opposing team's arena and get fired up.  Tough guys.

You like traditionals, then.  Woof.


Diener definitely was one of those guys other fans hated.  Wojo  for Duke, the same.  Mo was kind of like that, too.  Having that little guy hit a dagger was deflating for other teams.

[wadesworld]

You like traditionals, then.  Woof.


Diener definitely was one of those guys other fans hated.  Wiki for Duke, the same.  Mo was kind of like that, too.  Having that little guy hit a dagger was deflating for other teams.

I like players who will lift their teammates without even trying to.  Just exuding confidence.  Vander was like that.  He's a non-traditional.  But he definitely fit the bill.  In some ways Junior was like that.  I can see Carter as that.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

I like players who will lift their teammates without even trying to.  Just exuding confidence.  Vander was like that.  He's a non-traditional.  But he definitely fit the bill.  In some ways Junior was like that.  I can see Carter as that.

Jae was like that as well.

[Nukem2]

I like players who will lift their teammates without even trying to.  Just exuding confidence.  Vander was like that.  He's a non-traditional.  But he definitely fit the bill.  In some ways Junior was like that.  I can see Carter as that.

Junior was most definitely that way despite any limitations he might have had on the floor.  The guys looked up to him.

[wadesworld]

Jae was like that as well.

For sure, a great example.

[fjm]

I hope rowsey or Markus Howard will become a Ryan archidiacano (spelled wrong, don't care, from nova) or JJ Reddick (duke) type player. Good solid players that everyone can't stand because when you are up by 2, and they get the ball behind the 3 point line, you sweat.

That's what I hope we have with those 2 guys.
I want the rest of the team to just produce and work hard.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

Agreed on the OP though.

I think Rowsey is about to be an absolute stud.  Just hope he can hold his own defensively.  I think the kid is going to put on a shooting clinic most nights. 

[Silkk the Shaka]

You like traditionals, then.  Woof.


Diener definitely was one of those guys other fans hated.  Wojo  for Duke, the same.  Mo was kind of like that, too.  Having that little guy hit a dagger was deflating for other teams.

Worshipping the short guy, unnecessarily shoehorning in the word traditional. No doubt left that this is Chicos.

[Lennys Tap]

The idea that Wojo was universally loved by Duke fans is simply not true. Lots of Dookies couldn't stand him.

He shot a career .383 from the field and in his best year averaged 6.9 pts., 5.3 asst., and 3.0 reb. per game while playing good defense at the point.

By contrast, Derrick Wilson shot a career .388 from the field and in his best year averaged 5.6 its., 4.7 asst., and 3.9 reb. per game while playing good defense at the point.

Yes, Wojo was better at the line but he rarely got there. And yes, he was a better 3point shooter but Derrick rarely took 3s. All in all, pretty similar players with pretty similar numbers. Derrick was by far the most vilified player in Scoop history. Lots of Duke fans looked at Wojo the same way.

[tower912]

So true.  I watched replay of a Duke UNC game.  Wojo never went below the top of the key during the first  six minutes of the game.

[BM1090]

The idea that Wojo was universally loved by Duke fans is simply not true. Lots of Dookies couldn't stand him.

He shot a career .383 from the field and in his best year averaged 6.9 pts., 5.3 asst., and 3.0 reb. per game while playing good defense at the point.

By contrast, Derrick Wilson shot a career .388 from the field and in his best year averaged 5.6 its., 4.7 asst., and 3.9 reb. per game while playing good defense at the point.

Yes, Wojo was better at the line but he rarely got there. And yes, he was a better 3point shooter but Derrick rarely took 3s. All in all, pretty similar players with pretty similar numbers. Derrick was by far the most vilified player in Scoop history. Lots of Duke fans looked at Wojo the same way.

Derrick rarely took 3's because he couldn't make them. Wojo hit a good percentage in 3 out of 4 years, which of course opens up the floor. Other than that, probably pretty similar numbers. The difference is that Wojo started on a decent/good Duke team and Derrick started on 1. Marquette's most disappointing team in years and then 2. Marquette's worst team in years.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

The myth of Derrick Wilson's great defense lives on.  His D rating as a starter: 103.1 and 105.9. Not exactly stellar.

As my 8th grade hoops coach used to say, a defensive specialist is someone without an offensive game.  (I'm pretty sure he was quoting someone but I can't remember whom.)

[GGGG]

Oh for the love of Pete, can't we just drop Derrick as a topic for one season?

[HoopsterBC]

Oh for the love of Pete, can't we just drop Derrick as a topic for one season?

I wonder 5 years from now will they still be talking about Derrick?  Comparing Wojo vs. Derrick now, I am sure the Duke fans thought the same way MU fans felt for
years.  Both were not very good, but Duke had enough great players around him that they did not need him to do anything but play D and throw the ball to Laettner
and probably Hill.  Derrick would have been great if he only had to throw the ball to DWade and Novak. 

I am curious after the scrimmage the starting line-up?  Luke really is the only player that right now is starting, the other 4 spots, not sure.  Hauser acts like a forward, so he should start, with JJJ, Cheatham and Carter or Rowsey.

[GGGG]

Both were not very good, but Duke had enough great players around him that they did not need him to do anything but play D and throw the ball to Laettner
and probably Hill. 

He never played with either of them.  The best people he threw the ball to were Trajon Langdon, Elton Brand and Shane Battier.

[KampusFoods]

He never played with either of them.  The best people he threw the ball to were Trajon Langdon, Elton Brand and Shane Battier.

3 All-Americans

[GGGG]

Yeah I wasn't diminishing the players he played with.  Just letting Hoopster know that he wasn't in the Laettner / Grant Hill era. 

[tower912]

He never played with either of them.  The best people he threw the ball to were Trajon Langdon, Elton Brand and Shane Battier.

So all he had to do was pass the ball, not turn it over, and flop every chance he got. 

[Newsdreams]

The idea that Wojo was universally loved by Duke fans is simply not true. Lots of Dookies couldn't stand him.

He shot a career .383 from the field and in his best year averaged 6.9 pts., 5.3 asst., and 3.0 reb. per game while playing good defense at the point.

By contrast, Derrick Wilson shot a career .388 from the field and in his best year averaged 5.6 its., 4.7 asst., and 3.9 reb. per game while playing good defense at the point.

Yes, Wojo was better at the line but he rarely got there. And yes, he was a better 3point shooter but Derrick rarely took 3s. All in all, pretty similar players with pretty similar numbers. Derrick was by far the most vilified player in Scoop history. Lots of Duke fans looked at Wojo the same way.

But they were the easy assists.....

[HoopsterBC]

3 All-Americans

I figured it was some All-American type, thanks for correcting me, I was not sure, just guessing.

[bma77]

Worshipping the short guy, unnecessarily shoehorning in the word traditional. No doubt left that this is Chicos.

Ha ha.  Teal is needed only for those that do not have wit or humor.

People hated Parks and Laetner, too.  Are they short?  It would be great to establish a program where players are hated by other teams, it means we are winning. 

[bma77]

Wojo makes the top ten most hated Duke players of all time on every list.  For that alone, he is loved and revered by most Duke fans.

[#UnleashSean]

Jae was easily the player that fans from other colleges hated the most. They had to hear about his JuCo stories each time he ripped their team apart.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

So all he had to do was pass the ball, not turn it over, and flop every chance he got.

Wojo flops even when he's coaching.

[oldwarrior81]

The idea that Wojo was universally loved by Duke fans is simply not true. Lots of Dookies couldn't stand him.

He shot a career .383 from the field and in his best year averaged 6.9 pts., 5.3 asst., and 3.0 reb. per game while playing good defense at the point.

By contrast, Derrick Wilson shot a career .388 from the field and in his best year averaged 5.6 its., 4.7 asst., and 3.9 reb. per game while playing good defense at the point.

Yes, Wojo was better at the line but he rarely got there. And yes, he was a better 3point shooter but Derrick rarely took 3s. All in all, pretty similar players with pretty similar numbers. Derrick was by far the most vilified player in Scoop history. Lots of Duke fans looked at Wojo the same way.

Wojo was also the national defensive player of the year and AP Honorable Mention All-American.

[tower912]

Well, just like being able to pass the ball to Battier, Brand, and Langdon made him a better point guard, having those 3 playing help defense made him a better defender.     

Ha, FWIW, I have nothing but respect for Wojo's career at Duke.    I am playing devil's advocate just for the hell of it. 

[Nukem2]

Well, just like being able to pass the ball to Battier, Brand, and Langdon made him a better point guard, having those 3 playing help defense made him a better defender.     

Ha, FWIW, I have nothing but respect for Wojo's career at Duke.    I am playing devil's advocate just for the hell of it.

none of those guys could really defend at that time, so Wojo was the X-factor on defense.

[bilsu]

I would think a lot of non MU fans did not like DJO. More than once he turned a close game into a victory for MU by hitting back to back 3's.

[fjm]

Sweet!! Another thread that started with promise, now off the rails and gone completely dumb.

Scoop for the win.

[keefe]

a defensive specialist is someone without an offensive game. 

Ray Oyler?

[GoldenDieners32]

I think I'll love when we catch fire from the 3 point line and just go on a complete tear

[TSmith34, Inc.]

I was actually kind of excited for that season, hoping that the change to Wojo would unleash some of the players the way that changing to Buzz unleashed Wesley. Unfortunately the dearth of talent on that team possibly combined with Wojo's inexperience as a head coach meant it never happened.

While there is no doubt Wojo's inexperience lead to some coaching blunders, I don't know what even John Wooden could have done with that roster.  Just as one example, the defense was so porous that they had to switch to a 2-3 zone with the 6'1" point guard manning one baseline spot.  Not a lot of options.

[THRILLHO]

While there is no doubt Wojo's inexperience lead to some coaching blunders, I don't know what even John Wooden could have done with that roster.  Just as one example, the defense was so porous that they had to switch to a 2-3 zone with the 6'1" point guard manning one baseline spot.  Not a lot of options.

Yeah in retrospect I agree that the problem was just the talent level. But I had my blue and gold glasses on. I was always a Juan fan and thought he might have found a coach better able to utilize him.

[GoldenDieners32]

We have a chance this year at being something special and this team will be fun to watch without a doubt

[brewcity77]

Agreed on the OP though.

I think Rowsey is about to be an absolute stud.  Just hope he can hold his own defensively.  I think the kid is going to put on a shooting clinic most nights.

I've been hearing great things about him for the past year. I know it's easy to say that about the ineligible guy, but ever since he got in Ben Simmons' face, I've been excited by him. Heard a ton about his energy, effort, and competitive fire. I think he could be that guy we love and everyone else loves to hate.

[wadesworld]

What I also love so far is that these guys seem to be "all in" for each other.  Love seeing Traci be the first guy off the bench during a timeout to congratulate Rowsey or Howard when they did something that forced an opposing timeout.  Love seeing Reinhardt walk off the court with a big smile despite coming off the bench behind a freshman as a 5th year senior grad transfer.

I don't do Twatter but when it was mentioned that Howard spent Thanksgiving at the Hausers I went to check out Sam's, Joey's, and Markus's Twatter and saw Twats and retwats about their big games against Georgia and Sam's against Vandy, etc.  Katin Twatting "ROADKILL!" last night.  Etc.  These guys seem to truly enjoy being around each other and from the outside looking in it appears that even players who have been featured players and/or starters in past seasons, whether at MU or elsewhere (Rowsey, Traci, Katin), they are more than happy to play far less than they have if they get the win.

[jesmu84]

What I also love so far is that these guys seem to be "all in" for each other.  Love seeing Traci be the first guy off the bench during a timeout to congratulate Rowsey or Howard when they did something that forced an opposing timeout.  Love seeing Reinhardt walk off the court with a big smile despite coming off the bench behind a freshman as a 5th year senior grad transfer.

I don't do Twatter but when it was mentioned that Howard spent Thanksgiving at the Hausers I went to check out Sam's, Joey's, and Markus's Twatter and saw Twats and retwats about their big games against Georgia and Sam's against Vandy, etc.  Katin Twatting "ROADKILL!" last night.  Etc.  These guys seem to truly enjoy being around each other and from the outside looking in it appears that even players who have been featured players and/or starters in past seasons, whether at MU or elsewhere (Rowsey, Traci, Katin), they are more than happy to play far less than they have if they get the win.

None of that can be remotely true. Wojo is a de motivator. Unless he's playing the Herb Brooks de motivator role.