MUScoop

MUScoop => Hangin' at the Al => Topic started by: WarhawkWarrior on November 17, 2014, 03:47:58 PM

Title: Walk-ons
Post by: WarhawkWarrior on November 17, 2014, 03:47:58 PM
Sorry if this has been discussed but I was out of the loop for awhile.  Have we picked up a student walk-on this year?  Rather concerning with an injury or two we may need bodies in the game if foul situations arise.

Title: Re: Walk-ons
Post by: GGGG on November 17, 2014, 03:50:58 PM
None on the official roster.
Title: Re: Walk-ons
Post by: MU62 on November 17, 2014, 03:59:59 PM
I was just going to ask the same question.  With the injury situation and strong possibility of foul trouble, we don't apparently have a plan at this time.  I still remember when Diener went down and we had to use a walk on to take his place.   
Title: Re: Walk-ons
Post by: JamilJaeJamailJrJuan on November 17, 2014, 04:08:16 PM
Yeah, I find it odd that they didn't add a few walk ons to the roster. 
Title: Re: Walk-ons
Post by: bilsu on November 17, 2014, 04:10:04 PM
I suspect that if we need a body for practice, that Diener could play. It could be more of an issue this year, but an MU player rarely fouls out. I would guess that under Buzz that there were less than 10 players fouling out in 6 years.
Title: Re: Walk-ons
Post by: GGGG on November 17, 2014, 04:15:44 PM
Maybe as a new coach Wojo just wanted to focus on his scholarship players?  Maybe he has no use for walk-ons in general?

I'm not sure Travis Deiner can participate in an official practice since he isn't one of the three "official" assistant coaches.  (Carrawell, Nelson, Phelps.)
Title: Re: Walk-ons
Post by: JamilJaeJamailJrJuan on November 17, 2014, 04:17:38 PM
Maybe as a new coach Wojo just wanted to focus on his scholarship players?  Maybe he has no use for walk-ons in general?

I'm not sure Travis Deiner can participate in an official practice since he isn't one of the three "official" assistant coaches.  (Carrawell, Nelson, Phelps.)

There is always a use for walkons when your roster goes 9 deep.  Literally, MU is screwed if (knock on wood) two guys go down with serious injuries.  Obviously walk-ons aren't going to bring you to March, but its better than playing 5 of 4.  Hopefully we don't find out the hard way. 
Title: Re: Walk-ons
Post by: GGGG on November 17, 2014, 04:23:36 PM
There is always a use for walkons when your roster goes 9 deep.  Literally, MU is screwed if (knock on wood) two guys go down with serious injuries.  Obviously walk-ons aren't going to bring you to March, but its better than playing 5 of 4.  Hopefully we don't find out the hard way. 


Well I hope that injuries wouldn't mean a literal screwing.  That seems harsh.

Send an email to Wojo.  Maybe he could let you know what his thoughts are.
Title: Re: Walk-ons
Post by: JamilJaeJamailJrJuan on November 17, 2014, 04:35:34 PM

Well I hope that injuries wouldn't mean a literal screwing.  That seems harsh.

Send an email to Wojo.  Maybe he could let you know what his thoughts are.

You're such a funny guy.
Title: Re: Walk-ons
Post by: keefe on November 17, 2014, 04:45:55 PM

Well I hope that injuries wouldn't mean a literal screwing.  That seems harsh.


Not sure about that. I have always found it the perfect tonic for whatever ails me...
Title: Re: Walk-ons
Post by: GOO on November 17, 2014, 04:53:04 PM
Not sure about that. I have always found it the perfect tonic for whatever ails me...
Too funny.  Good to have Keefe back.
Title: Re: Walk-ons
Post by: Pakuni on November 17, 2014, 05:32:39 PM
Matt Velazquez addressed this question in his chat last week:

Wojo seems averse to adding walk-ons because he's focused on building the players he has. He said he won't close the door on any opportunity to get better, but he's supremely focused on the players he has. Will his view on walk-ons change if there are a couple injuries? We'll see.
Title: Re: Walk-ons
Post by: Brewtown Andy on November 18, 2014, 09:23:03 AM
Matt Velazquez addressed this question in his chat last week:

Wojo seems averse to adding walk-ons because he's focused on building the players he has. He said he won't close the door on any opportunity to get better, but he's supremely focused on the players he has. Will his view on walk-ons change if there are a couple injuries? We'll see.

The other problem with walk ons is that they have to be currently enrolled students.  You don't see a lot of guys not capable of latching on to a D1 scholarship somewhere paying Marquette's tuition and walking on to the team.

I get the concept of bodies for practice, but if they're going to be caliber of, say, Wisconsin Lutheran's players, what's the point?
Title: Re: Walk-ons
Post by: Ellenson Guerrero on November 18, 2014, 09:31:54 AM
The other problem with walk ons is that they have to be currently enrolled students.  You don't see a lot of guys not capable of latching on to a D1 scholarship somewhere paying Marquette's tuition and walking on to the team.

I get the concept of bodies for practice, but if they're going to be caliber of, say, Wisconsin Lutheran's players, what's the point?

The point is that you'd have some bodies in case someone goes down with injury during a game.  One guy gets injured tonight and two get into foul trouble and we are suddenly without a sub.  I find it highly unlikely there aren't a couple Rob Frozena-types walking around campus.
Title: Re: Walk-ons
Post by: Galway Eagle on November 18, 2014, 09:36:04 AM
The point is that you'd have some bodies in case someone goes down with injury during a game.  One guy gets injured tonight and two get into foul trouble and we are suddenly without a sub.  I find it highly unlikely there aren't a couple Rob Frozena-types walking around campus.

I knew a guy who was Allstate honorable mention in illinois while I was at MU. He didn't even try out because there's a perception that the MU team is essentially already pros.  So while there probably is a couple rob frozenas (who I think was better than Dylan flood) I think it'd be hard to get them to try out.
Title: Re: Walk-ons
Post by: Litehouse on November 18, 2014, 09:47:25 AM
There's always a few students playing at the Rec Center that are capable of being walk-ons, or are even better than our recent walk-ons, but the amount of time and effort you have to put in to be on the team for virtually no return just doesn't make it worth the hassle for most people.  It takes a certain type of person to do that.
Title: Re: Walk-ons
Post by: CAGASS24 on November 18, 2014, 09:48:58 AM
Talented enough to be worth coach's time, willing enough to cover the needed cost of tuition, and stupid enough to forgo your god given right to stumble around campus at all hours of the day in a lush-haze!

Title: Re: Walk-ons
Post by: mu03eng on November 18, 2014, 10:04:15 AM
Not sure about that. I have always found it the perfect tonic for whatever ails me...

Except for that burning sensation you get from poor tonic selection.
Title: Re: Walk-ons
Post by: warriorchick on November 18, 2014, 10:35:24 AM
Not sure about that. I have always found it the perfect tonic for whatever ails me...

Keep in mind who would be doing the screwing, though. 
Title: Re: Walk-ons
Post by: MU82 on November 18, 2014, 10:46:30 AM
I'm not sure Travis Deiner can participate in an official practice since he isn't one of the three "official" assistant coaches.  (Carrawell, Nelson, Phelps.)

Is there really a rule that would prevent someone in Diener's job from practicing with the team? I'm not asking to be a wise-arse. I really don't know and would like to.

If a history professor or department secretary wanted to run a little with the team in practice and the coach wanted to let him or her, is there a rule preventing that? If President Obama showed up in Milwaukee for some reason and wanted to run with the team for 30 minutes, would it be an NCAA violation?
Title: Re: Walk-ons
Post by: warriorchick on November 18, 2014, 10:52:21 AM
Is there really a rule that would prevent someone in Diener's job from practicing with the team? I'm not asking to be a wise-arse. I really don't know and would like to.

If a history professor or department secretary wanted to run a little with the team in practice and the coach wanted to let him or her, is there a rule preventing that? If President Obama showed up in Milwaukee for some reason and wanted to run with the team for 30 minutes, would it be an NCAA violation?

I think if there was such a rule, it would be almost impossible to enforce. For example, who is to say that if he is playing in an in-practice scrimmage, it is not simply coaching by demonstrating the proper way to do something?

And I am guessing it is okay for a history prof to practice with the team.  Dr. Lovell has done it on several occasions, and the athletic department posted pictures of it everywhere.
Title: Re: Walk-ons
Post by: GGGG on November 18, 2014, 10:59:15 AM
The rule is that you can only have the head coach and three assistants participate somehow in practice.  Deiner isn't one of the assistants...he is the director of player development.

I might be mistaken on that.  JayBee could provide more clarification.
Title: Re: Walk-ons
Post by: Pakuni on November 18, 2014, 11:02:37 AM
Is there really a rule that would prevent someone in Diener's job from practicing with the team? I'm not asking to be a wise-arse. I really don't know and would like to.

I believe so, yes. As I understand it, NCAA rules say only the head coach and full assistants are allowed to participate in practices.

Title: Re: Walk-ons
Post by: w0bbie on November 18, 2014, 11:03:04 AM
Is there really a rule that would prevent someone in Diener's job from practicing with the team? I'm not asking to be a wise-arse. I really don't know and would like to.

If a history professor or department secretary wanted to run a little with the team in practice and the coach wanted to let him or her, is there a rule preventing that? If President Obama showed up in Milwaukee for some reason and wanted to run with the team for 30 minutes, would it be an NCAA violation?

Here's a quote from a PT article:

"As director of basketball operations, Diener is expressly forbidden from recruiting and being on the court during practices. Instead he will tasked with maintaining relationships with the players and doing work behind the scenes."

http://painttouches.com/2014/09/17/travis-diener-bridging-marquette-past-to-present/ (http://painttouches.com/2014/09/17/travis-diener-bridging-marquette-past-to-present/)
Title: Re: Walk-ons
Post by: MU82 on November 18, 2014, 11:13:32 AM
Here's a quote from a PT article:

"As director of basketball operations, Diener is expressly forbidden from recruiting and being on the court during practices. Instead he will tasked with maintaining relationships with the players and doing work behind the scenes."

http://painttouches.com/2014/09/17/travis-diener-bridging-marquette-past-to-present/ (http://painttouches.com/2014/09/17/travis-diener-bridging-marquette-past-to-present/)

Thanks!
Title: Re: Walk-ons
Post by: Texas Western on November 18, 2014, 11:36:00 AM
We have 11 players for practice with Luke and Wally. So from that perspective we don't need a walk on. Yes we are thin if there is an injury, but I think the players would prefer to soak up as many minutes as possible.

I think there needs to be some further clarification as to what a walk on is. Most " walk ons" are invited to play on the team but there is no open scholarship for . Michigan State has done this for years as there are some kids who love the school and want to part of it. Sometimes they turn into key role players, the way Austin Thornton was for MSU a few years ago. Sometimes they are just practice players.  Many times, these are highly motivated academic kids, who love the sport and want to be true student athletes. Other times they are kids who are low D-1 or D-2 who want to be part of a high D-1 experience. In most cases they are pre identified. I think over time , Wojo will  see the benefit have a few of these players on the team, rather than having a disgruntled recruited kid leave because he is the 13 player on the roster. Marquette is a popular school so I can see something like this evolving with kids from the region. Particularly ones with size.




Title: Re: Walk-ons
Post by: Brewtown Andy on November 18, 2014, 04:49:05 PM
We have 11 players for practice with Luke and Wally. So from that perspective we don't need a walk on. Yes we are thin if there is an injury, but I think the players would prefer to soak up as many minutes as possible.

I think there needs to be some further clarification as to what a walk on is. Most " walk ons" are invited to play on the team but there is no open scholarship for . Michigan State has done this for years as there are some kids who love the school and want to part of it. Sometimes they turn into key role players, the way Austin Thornton was for MSU a few years ago. Sometimes they are just practice players.  Many times, these are highly motivated academic kids, who love the sport and want to be true student athletes. Other times they are kids who are low D-1 or D-2 who want to be part of a high D-1 experience. In most cases they are pre identified. I think over time , Wojo will  see the benefit have a few of these players on the team, rather than having a disgruntled recruited kid leave because he is the 13 player on the roster. Marquette is a popular school so I can see something like this evolving with kids from the region. Particularly ones with size.

Depending on whether they want to take on the price tag to do so.
Title: Re: Walk-ons
Post by: Nephew on November 18, 2014, 05:11:40 PM
Do any current students know whether there were tryouts for walk-ons prior to the season?  If they did have tryouts, maybe the coaching staff just didn't see anything they were looking for.

I doubt that Wojo has philosophical opposition to walk-ons, but Coach K/Duke's philosophy towards them might shed some light on the issue.


 
Title: Re: Walk-ons
Post by: bilsu on November 18, 2014, 08:37:34 PM
I suspect that if we need a body for practice, that Diener could play. It could be more of an issue this year, but an MU player rarely fouls out. I would guess that under Buzz that there were less than 10 players fouling out in 6 years.
There was noboby close to fouling out in the Ohio St. game.