Oso planning to go pro
I find the whole topic confounding.There is too much criticism in a year where a 14-6 record is actually very good considering there are several very good teams doing worse.Looking at our losses using the current bracketology we have lost to:a 2 seed on the roada 4 seed on the roada 4 seed on a neutral sitea 6 seed on the roada 6 seed on the roadThat is five losses that, while no one should be happy with, it should not result in people calling for Wojo's head.The other loss was to Providence in overtime, which is the only loss to a team not currently projected to be in the NCAA tournament. However, Providence is not a bad team by any stretch.We all want MU to be more successful than it has, but at this time we are not a disaster that should lead to a coach being fired.
Some things would really have to go right for MU to make the sweet 16 this year. Things like Greg coming back 100% and Symir finally "getting it" on defense, as well as Markus making it to the post season unscathed, which, barring Greg and Symir suddenly contributing more, isn't very likely. The most likely scenario is a repeat of last year, considering Marquette will probably be a much lower seed than last year.That leaves me right where I've been all along, hoping MU lands Mane and that this recruiting class is as good as advertised. If both of those things pan out, Marquette should make some noise in the conference and in the tournament next year, and Wojo will be safe. If he fails with the incoming talent next year, including Mane, ( barring a wave of injuries ), a search for a replacement should begin in earnest.Markus leaving next year should not be an excuse. There are more consistent ways to win than what Marquette has been doing the last two years. Coming from Duke Wojo should already know how to handle the roster next year. With Markus gone I don't anticipate another Hauser situation, so Wojo should have no excuse for not getting the new players to work together from the start. Youth should not be an excuse either.For Wojo "next year" is more than just a tired refrain. It will very likely determine his future.
Greg Elliott and Symir are NOT the difference between winning and losing NCAA tournament games. Let's not start this narrative to potentially rationalize an early exit.Markus Howard will be a 1st team All-American, with a starting roster around him of 22 year olds. We are old, experienced, and have a coach in his 6th year. No reason to expect an early exit. Now, had the Hausers stuck around, we probably would be a 2 or 3 seed and have a higher probability of making the Sweet 16. But..NCAA is down this year, and we have Markus.As for the 2nd bolded paragraph. Wash. Rinse. Repeat. This has been said for each of the past 5 seasons.
Some things would really have to go right for MU to make the sweet 16 this year. Things like Greg coming back 100% and Symir finally "getting it" on defense, as well as Markus making it to the post season unscathed, which, barring Greg and Symir suddenly contributing more, isn't very likely. The most likely scenario is a repeat of last year, considering Marquette will probably be a much lower seed than last year.
I love how you read what people post and seem to purposefully miss the point every time.Marquette was short on competent guards last season and Markus got worn down. Marquette is short on competent guards this season and I believe the results will be the same. I never suggested that Greg or Symir would carry the team, only that they would give Markus(and Koby) a breather here and there.
Ahhh, the old lowering expectations trick. A Chicos oldie, but a goodie.
I'll play along... Who's responsibility is it to ensure adequate depth at the guard position?
How clueless can you be??If I was a big Wojo supporter who believed he was the greatest coach ever, wouldn't I be trying to rationalize how Marquette makes the sweet sixteen instead of how it's more likely that they don't?? How is my prediction that Marquette loses in the first round an endorsement of Wojo?? Your comment about lowering expectations is just an attempt to distract from the point I was making. Nice try.Sometimes people are just making predictions based on current observations and historical precedents. Just because your thoughts and opinions are colored by your obvious biases, doesn't mean everybody's mind works that way.
Well it's not that hard to figure out. Sounds like you are pissed that I called u out on it. You are lowering expectations by making excuses so if it happens you can say, not wojo fault. If he succeeds you can say what a great job he did.
I said when he was hired that only knowing the Duke way was a concern and that his success was contingent upon growing beyond his Duke roots.I have said multiple times that he reminds me of Crean without Wade. Paint by numbersI have not yet seen him make a team more than the sum of its parts.He has continued to attract talent.He has developed 3 stars.I think he can coach. I think he is getting better. I don't think he is great. I think he is nowhere near his coaching ceiling. I think he will win 20 games a year as long as he is at Marquette.I think he is more likely to leave than get fired.I think he will take teams deep in the tournament. I don't know of it will be at Marquette.
I normally agree with your rational, eloquent posts. Here I’m a bit confused. You have yet to see him make a team more than the sum of their parts, but you believe he is not near his ceiling, and he will take teams deep in the NCAAs. And you don’t know if it will be at MU. So, with an incoming Top5 or Top10 (sans Mane) class, do you feel high level success is imminent? Where else but DUKE would Wojo pull in a top5 recruiting haul and suddenly start creating that team alchemy necessary to become a “great” coach?
Not sure what about my OP is "confounding." And "disaster" and "fired" are your words.I'd like to see Wojo steer his program to the next level, that's all.And the only implied "or else" is that I'll be unhappy if it doesn't happen.We Are Marquette!
Competitive team. Upper half of Big East, competing with best teams (Nova, Etc). CheckPost Season appearances. CheckSolid to excellent recruiting. CheckClean program, no issues. CheckPlayers graduating. Check