VT Suspends Joey van Zegeren Indefinitely (Twitter Rumor: Tried To Punch Buzz)

[Tugg Speedman]

@DavidTeelatDP  #Hokies announce indefinite suspension of Joey van Zegeren for demonstrating "a lack of discipline and self-control at practice."

Twitter is saying this means he tried to punch out Buzz in practice.

Joey van Zegeren banned indefinitely

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/12112843/virginia-tech-hokies-f-joey-van-zegeren-suspended-indefinitely

Virginia Tech forward Joey van Zegeren has been suspended indefinitely from the team.

Coach Buzz Williams said in a statement the 6-foot-10 redshirt junior "demonstrated a lack of discipline and self-control at practice." The statement gave no further details.

Van Zegeren is the Hokies' leading rebounder with a 5.3 average and third-leading scorer at 9.8 points per game. He has started only three of the first 13 games, averaging 20.4 minutes.

Virginia Tech (8-5) opens Atlantic Coast Conference play Saturday against Syracuse (9-4).

It is unknown what exactly caused this suspension, but it definitely is a statement that Williams is willing to suspend anyone if they break the team rules. It will be interesting to see how long van Zegeren ends up being suspended for, but the timing of the suspension means that he will not play against Syracuse.
More From Virginia Tech Men's Basketball

This definitely will hurt the Hokies against Syracuse as the Orange have two very good big men in Rakeem Christmas and Chris McCullough. These players are dominant in the post and are both at least 6’9” while the Hokies only have one player that is at least 6’9” in Satchel Pierce.

The experience of Joey van Zegeren would have been valuable in this game, but the Hokies will now need Pierce, Shane Henry, and Christian Beyer to all step up in the Dutch big man’s absence. This game against Syracuse was already going to be a challenge, but the loss of van Zegeren hurts even more.

It would not be surprising if van Zegeren is back in a couple of games though the length of the suspension could tell us more about how substantial the problem was. Hopefully, van Zegeren will get his act together and this will only be a one time issue with the Dutch big man.

However, Joey van Zegeren’s indefinite suspension does prove that Buzz Williams is not going to except low character just to win games which is going to be a big part of building a winning culture for Virginia Tech basketball.

[tower912]

Shades of James Matthews. 

[Jay Bee]

Van der Sloot, van Zegeren.. what is it with these crazy Dutch?

Hopefully when he threw the punch he didn't mean it in the wrong way.

[forgetful]

I wonder if all this is starting to mess with his happy.

[HutchwasClutch]

I see Buzz's coaching career going the way of Kevin O'Neill.

[HutchwasClutch]

I admit, I looked the other way many times (especially early on) with Buzz and the never ending player discipline issues.  It is just so evident now we are WAY better off without his act here.  I'm so glad he's gone and far away from our program now. 

[HutchwasClutch]

However, Joey van Zegeren’s indefinite suspension does prove that Buzz Williams is not going to except low character just to win games which is going to be a big part of building a winning culture for Virginia Tech basketball.

 

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiight

[chren21]

Anyone watching this game. ?   Buzz looks like his eyes may explode out of his head at any second. 

[Groin_pull]

I can understand this. Brent's face is very punchable.

[Tums Festival]

First time I've ever wanted Syracuse to win a basketball game.

[Warrior Code]

8 - 5? One guy taller than 6'9"? Hell, he could have had that here, only with better uniforms.

[pbiflyer]

This kid is now one of my favorite players of all time.

[brandx]

However, Joey van Zegeren’s indefinite suspension does prove that Buzz Williams is not going to except low character just to win games which is going to be a big part of building a winning culture for Virginia Tech basketball.

Jouranalism schools aren't what they used to be.

[Jay Bee]

However, Joey van Zegeren’s indefinite suspension does prove that Buzz Williams is not going to except low character just to win games which is going to be a big part of building a winning culture for Virginia Tech basketball.

I thought he did "except" van Zegeren from today's game?

[Sylvester78]

I admit, I looked the other way many times (especially early on) with Buzz and the never ending player discipline issues.  It is just so evident now we are WAY better off without his act here.  I'm so glad he's gone and far away from our program now. 

Agree wholeheartedly.  I was very uncomfortable the way things operated under Buzz.  I am surprised most were OK with it in the name of winning. Wojo is and will be a Godsend.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

Just a punch?  Weak.  That cat from IU at least tossed at potted plant at I4.

[Lighthouse 84]

However, Joey van Zegeren’s indefinite suspension does prove that Buzz Williams is not going to except low character just to win games which is going to be a big part of building a winning culture for Virginia Tech basketball.

Jouranalism schools aren't what they used to be.

+ 1

[4everwarriors]

Character revealed, aina?

[keefe]

Gotta love a "Big Dutchman"

[Dawson Rental]

However, Joey van Zegeren’s indefinite suspension does prove that Buzz Williams is not going to except low character just to win games which is going to be a big part of building a winning culture for Virginia Tech basketball.

Jouranalism schools aren't what they used to be.

You're just going to have to learn to except that.

[rocket surgeon]

Wonder if this means buzz doesn't love Joey anymore

[79Warrior]

Character revealed, aina?

Let's be fair, Al let plenty of fisticuffs happen.

[warriorchick]

Let's be fair, Al let plenty of fisticuffs happen.

He let his players hit him?

[tower912]

He didn't LET them. 

[Nukem2]

He let his players hit him?

Yes.  Well documented.

[tower912]

"Tales from the Marquette Hardwood", by Tom Pipines and Mike Neufeldt.  Page 8
..."Majerus:  ....we were playing Cincinnatti in Omaha.   Al took Toone out of the game for a bad shot.  Toone said to him,  **** you.
We came in at halftime.   Al couldn't let it go.   He went underneath Toone's chin, and he started saying something to him.   He gave him the finger and then he slapped him.  "

[4everwarriors]

"I was in school under Al. I knew Al. Al was a friend of mine. Buzz, you're no Al McGuire."

[Warrior Code]

"I was in school under Al. I knew Al. Al was a friend of mine. Buzz, you're no Al McGuire."

Amazing.

[jficke13]

This is a thing? We care that much about our ex coach, on a game day, that we're posting about his disciplining of his players? In the board dedicated to *Marquette* basketball?

Take this garbage to the superbar with arguing over minor league football.

[Mutaman]

" You had to be tough (or know how to fake it) to play for McGuire, because eventually you had to fight him before practice, during it, afterward or following games. Joe Hughes, who played with McGuire at St. John’s before transferring to Denver, said he witnessed Al going round and round in the Marquette locker room with macho forward Maurice Lucas.

Bruised and bleeding, his shirt ripped to shreds, McGuire casually remarked, “He’ll think twice about disrespecting me again.” At the same time, Al treasured revolt and prized the rebellious."

http://nypost.com/2009/04/05/mcguire-an-unorthodox-legend/

[keefe]

"I was in school under Al. I knew Al. Al was a friend of mine. Buzz, you're no Al McGuire."

Still the most devastating political put down, ever. The fact it was on national TV made it epic. Quayle's inability to retort with anything beyond 3rd grade hysterics carved it in stone for the ages.

[Tugg Speedman]

Still the most devastating political put down, ever. The fact it was on national TV made it epic. Quayle's inability to retort with anything beyond 3rd grade hysterics carved it in stone for the ages.

Best thing that ever happened to Quayle was losing.  He went on to be a vice-chairman of Cerberus proving very skilled as a private equity manager while making about a zillion dollars for himself (way more than Gore),

Yet another case of highly competent in the private sector does not mean you will be a good politician.  In Quayle's case he did it backwards.

[Tugg Speedman]

However, Joey van Zegeren’s indefinite suspension does prove that Buzz Williams is not going to except low character just to win games which is going to be a big part of building a winning culture for Virginia Tech basketball.

Jouranalism schools aren't what they used to be.

Above I mixed two stories but forgot the second link.  The second half of the story, which includes the passage above, was from the VT school newspaper.

I think this goes to mindset and why Buzz left.

If we (MU) hear Buzz suspended a player because he tried to punch him out, we think something is terribly wrong with the program.  We fear it is out of control.  Most likely the administration is going to ask for an explanation of how this happened.

Conversely, as the quote above says, they think Buzz's action is a good thing and shows he is getting control.  The quality of player that would do this is not questioned.  It's like they almost expect this kind of behavior but are glad to see the coach will not put up with it.  Buzz will not be asked to account for this type of player.  (In fairness he is an inherited player but I don't think it matters to VT.)

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

" You had to be tough (or know how to fake it) to play for McGuire, because eventually you had to fight him before practice, during it, afterward or following games. Joe Hughes, who played with McGuire at St. John’s before transferring to Denver, said he witnessed Al going round and round in the Marquette locker room with macho forward Maurice Lucas.

Bruised and bleeding, his shirt ripped to shreds, McGuire casually remarked, “He’ll think twice about disrespecting me again.” At the same time, Al treasured revolt and prized the rebellious."

http://nypost.com/2009/04/05/mcguire-an-unorthodox-legend/

Festivus is not over until someone pins Al McGuire.

[brandx]

Above I mixed two stories but forgot the second link.  The second half of the story, which includes the passage above, was from the VT school newspaper.

I think this goes to mindset and why Buzz left.

If we (MU) hear Buzz suspended a player because he tried to punch him out, we think something is terribly wrong with the program.  We fear it is out of control.  Most likely the administration is going to ask for an explanation of how this happened.

Conversely, as the quote above says, they think Buzz's action is a good thing and shows he is getting control.  The quality of player that would do this is not questioned.  It's like they almost expect this kind of behavior but are glad to see the coach will not put up with it.  Buzz will not be asked to account for this type of player.  (In fairness he is an inherited player but I don't think it matters to VT.)

I was talking about grammar.

[Warrior of Law]

Nearly sprung the upset of Syracuse (68-66) without him.  In front of 6,000 in Blacksburg.

[Lennys Tap]

" You had to be tough (or know how to fake it) to play for McGuire, because eventually you had to fight him before practice, during it, afterward or following games. Joe Hughes, who played with McGuire at St. John’s before transferring to Denver, said he witnessed Al going round and round in the Marquette locker room with macho forward Maurice Lucas.

Bruised and bleeding, his shirt ripped to shreds, McGuire casually remarked, “He’ll think twice about disrespecting me again.” At the same time, Al treasured revolt and prized the rebellious."

http://nypost.com/2009/04/05/mcguire-an-unorthodox-legend/

Al would have made many here "squirmy".

[WarhawkWarrior]

Forget Bert, this is an MU board! Be glad he is gone and lets move on.  This doesn't mean that we shouldn't dis Crean every chance we get.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Al would have made many here "squirmy".

Al was squirmy as hell. But a good and genuine person. He's lucky he coached in the era he did, I don't think he would have been the same if he had to coach in the present day.

[grzy6]

Yet Brent can exhibit respectable character by dancing at half court on an opposing team's floor.  Dork.

[GooooMarquette]

Players took swings at Al, and he swung back.

Players take swings at Bert, and he suspends them.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Al was squirmy as hell. But a good and genuine person. He's lucky he coached in the era he did, I don't think he would have been the same if he had to coach in the present day.

I had the unique priviledge of working with Al for 3+ years as the producer of the radio and television network.  He was always a blast to talk to, very genuine, great story teller.  A lifetime thrill for those of us that had the opportunity.

Al also coached in an era where the rules were much different than they are today.  There is a difference between pushing the limit of the rules while being a decent human being, and completely disregarding some of them while being a human a-hole to people in the department that he felt didn't measure up. Let's put it this way, Al isn't Newbilling anyone.  Quite frankly, the last two MU coaches were human a-holes in the people treatment category.

[79Warrior]

Nearly sprung the upset of Syracuse (68-66) without him.  In front of 6,000 in Blacksburg.

Good crowd for them considering the students are on break.

[willie warrior]

I had the unique priviledge of working with Al for 3+ years as the producer of the radio and television network.  He was always a blast to talk to, very genuine, great story teller.  A lifetime thrill for those of us that had the opportunity.

Al also coached in an era where the rules were much different than they are today.  There is a difference between pushing the limit of the rules while being a decent human being, and completely disregarding some of them while being a human a-hole to people in the department that he felt didn't measure up. Let's put it this way, Al isn't Newbilling anyone.  Quite frankly, the last two MU coaches were human a-holes in the people treatment category.

How dare you speak that way about the phony hillbilly cowboy. No wonder so many posters dis you. Talking about the Saint of Downhome that way!! Please!

[Lennys Tap]

Yet Brent can exhibit respectable character by dancing at half court on an opposing team's floor.  Dork.

Al stands on the scorer's table arms raised after a win over Wisconsin as the moron father of the Hughes twins gives him the finger.

Buzz dances to "Country Roads" after a win in Morgantown as the Mountaineer crazies go batcrap.

Two of my favorite MU basketball memories.

[Lennys Tap]

I had the unique priviledge of working with Al for 3+ years as the producer of the radio and television network.  He was always a blast to talk to, very genuine, great story teller.  A lifetime thrill for those of us that had the opportunity.

Al also coached in an era where the rules were much different than they are today.  There is a difference between pushing the limit of the rules while being a decent human being, and completely disregarding some of them while being a human a-hole to people in the department that he felt didn't measure up. Let's put it this way, Al isn't Newbilling anyone.  Quite frankly, the last two MU coaches were human a-holes in the people treatment category.

I could write a book about your pathological need to name drop, exaggerate your importance and demean Buzz - but I'll leave that to your biographer. However...

Here is the truth you need to confront: Al McGuire personally and the Al McGuire era at Marquette were everything you claim to despise. You love you some NCAA and defend them at every turn. Al hated them and saw through them as corrupt and defenders of only the powerful. You hate "Just win, baby" - it was Al's mantra. We were the Oakland Raiders of college basketball. We were the misfits - JUCOs, transfers, kids with bad grades and bad scores from bad schools and bad neighborhoods. The kind of kids a guy like you can't stand because you think they devalue your degree. Al and the program were on the edge, renegades, anti establishment. We loved him and players in part because of that. If we can believe what you opine regularly on Scoop you would have hated him and them.



 

[wadesworld]

http://sports.yahoo.com/video/sideline-dance-moves-vts-buzz-211119069.html

Well, he's still a nut.

[dgies9156]

Al stands on the scorer's table arms raised after a win over Wisconsin as the moron father of the Hughes twins gives him the finger.

Buzz dances to "Country Roads" after a win in Morgantown as the Mountaineer crazies go batcrap.

Two of my favorite MU basketball memories.

Al shows up Ole Man Hughes and feels good about it. Would do it again tomorrow under the same circumstance, the Good Lord Willing.

The Hillbilly, country bumpkin that he is and was, would apologize for it and retreat into false modesty. I use to gag when I heard him say, "we're just honored to be here."

What the Hillbilly should have said was that our opponents, our conference and the NCAA should be proud to have us!

[Benny B]

http://sports.yahoo.com/video/sideline-dance-moves-vts-buzz-211119069.html

Well, he's still a nut.

Is it just me, or does it look like he's not just back on the sweet tea again, but he's on sweet tea again with a vengeance?

[Dawson Rental]

This is a thing? We care that much about our ex coach, on a game day, that we're posting about his disciplining of his players? In the board dedicated to *Marquette* basketball?

Take this garbage to the superbar with arguing over minor league football.

Why are you whining like a point guard who got stripped of the ball and then had the ball dunked over him?  You read the thread title.  If you disliked it so much, why did you click on it?  Why don't you just PM everyone who posts in the thread and let us have your list of acceptable topics?

[Dawson Rental]

Yet Brent can exhibit respectable character by dancing at half court on an opposing team's floor.  Dork.

Damn.  I thought that the moderators had figured out how to filter out all those posters from China.

[77ncaachamps]

For those staunch Buzz despisers, we need to get them this shirt with his face on it and "Bert" as well: