Oso planning to go pro
There is not Marquette basketball today, without KO. That's just a fact.
This statement would only apply to Al McGuire.
I have heard people speculate on what would have been had O'Neill stayed. Maybe he would have put roots down here and been a long term success. Or maybe he becomes the bitter guy he turned into anyway. Or maybe he was never meant to put roots down anywhere.
That Kevin O'Neill is not widely recognized as the "savior" of Marquette basketball is disappointing*.There are almost no words to describe glumly walking into the Bradley Center at the start of the 1988-89 season and realizing during warm-ups, before the tip-off of the pre-season game against Athletes in Action, that there was absolutely no hope. A 13-15 record, with a home loss to Austin Peay (by 10), and 2 losses to a Badger team that couldn't make the NIT . . . whew, it was bad. We envied the success of the Evansville Purple Aces. Think about that for a moment, Marquette was in the Midwest Collegiate Conference, looking up to the mighty Evansville Purple Aces.The Buzz-Wojo transition years were disappointing because there was something to Marquette basketball (Big East, recent Elite 8, top 10 recruit, etc...). In 1988, Marquette was a bottom-dweller in the MCC, and it seemed like Marquette basketball was headed to Division III.But one man changed all that. * I am open to argument about Al being the savior of Marquette Basketball, but my impression was that Al built from a solid foundation. O'Neill started his tenure from the smoldering crater left by Dukiet.
My thoughts:1. He saved the MU Men's Basketball Program2. Average, at best, basketball coach.3. Someone I very much enjoyed spending time with over the years, especially after games4. Probably stayed the proper length time at MU, based off his personality.5. Someone I still hope knocks out of the park6. He save the MU Men's Basketball ProgramA flawed man in many ways, but a kind heart as well. In recent years he showed some real class and compassion for a family member and that will not be forgotten.
There is no Marquette basketball today, without KO. That's just a fact.
He was the right man, at the right time, for the right job at MU.
I sure both used the McGuire legacy when they were recruiting.
I have no perspective on the inner workings of Wojo's staff but O'Neill on the staff coaching defense would be fun to see.