My man crush on Buzz Williams around here is well known among veteran Scoop posters - that aside, I felt it was time to start a topic discussing Buzz.
The guy has been a great ambassador of MU, works his ASS off, has shown loyalty in the face of major temptation (OU, Texas A&M, Arkansas), and is recruiting at a level better than any MU coach since Al McGuire...and not to mention took us to a Sweet 16 last year.
The off court incidents this past season were perhaps a bit of a black eye, though not sure Buzz can really control what happens between 19 year old boys and girls in the heat of the moment. Hopefully we won't see any more of those episodes any time soon - though it is almost unfortunately part of the high major college athletics landscape on occasion in this day and age.
I'd like to hear others reactions - even the haters - Golden Avalanche, 84, etc.
Quote from: Ners on September 04, 2011, 09:29:01 AM
My man crush on Buzz Williams around here is well known among veteran Scoop posters - that aside, I felt it was time to start a topic discussing Buzz.
The guy has been a great ambassador of MU, works his ASS off, has shown loyalty in the face of major temptation (OU, Texas A&M, Arkansas), and is recruiting at a level better than any MU coach since Al McGuire...and not to mention took us to a Sweet 16 last year.
The off court incidents this past season were perhaps a bit of a black eye, though not sure Buzz can really control what happens between 19 year old boys and girls in the heat of the moment. Hopefully we won't see any more of those episodes any time soon - though it is almost unfortunately part of the high major college athletics landscape on occasion in this day and age.
Agreed. I'm very impressed with Buzz continually making Marquette better. As long as the hijinks from last year was an aberration I'm a very happy camper :)
He's absolutely getting it done. To argue otherwise would be asinine.
Ners, not sure if I am sold on Buzz's recruiting those JC kids. Do you really think any of those kids will graduate? If all you care about
is what happens on the court then Buzz is doing a great job. He recruits his ass off, there is no question about that. Concerned about
what happened last year off the court. I know Buzz had to work hard to keep the program strong. Crean left to a program in shambles and
lost the last 3 years. MU has not had a letdown. The future is bright, like getting high school kids for 4 years but MU has to take what they
can get. There are at least 15 teams it is hard to recruit against, Buzz is not afraid to go up against them. What I like is that you lose more
kids than you get, Buzz keeps going. I am sure TC did not do that nor does Bo Ryan. They go after a few kids, hope they win. Win they
lose it is very hard. Jarmusz/Evan Turner. Buzz recruits more of the nation, MU's budget lets him do that. Steve Taylor was an important
recruit, so is Burton. Need to keep a base in Wisco and Illinois. He has made a few mistakes, all young coaches do that. Overall, you have
to happy with Buzz. Has to recruit high character kids, I think he is now. I think MU administration looked the other way on some of his
earlier recruits, maybe they had to.
Well, TC didn't leave the program in "shambles." But clearly Buzz has been better when it comes to getting talent in here. It seems to me that he has moved off of the JUCOs now that he has regular stock of HS players coming in. An occasional Juco transfer is fine by me - many programs do that and I hardly think of it as a black eye. (And I don't really count TJ Taylor as a Juco...he is essentially a transfer who is playing this year instead of sitting on our bench.)
Like others have said, keep the off the court problems to a minimum and I think he will be great for MU.
Quote from: The Sultan of South Wayne on September 04, 2011, 09:51:53 AM
Well, TC didn't leave the program in "shambles." But clearly Buzz has been better when it comes to getting talent in here. It seems to me that he has moved off of the JUCOs now that he has regular stock of HS players coming in. An occasional Juco transfer is fine by me - many programs do that and I hardly think of it as a black eye. (And I don't really count TJ Taylor as a Juco...he is essentially a transfer who is playing this year instead of sitting on our bench.)
Like others have said, keep the off the court problems to a minimum and I think he will be great for MU.
In shambles was going to Indiana, that is the program that was in a mess. When Buzz took over, TC left a program in pretty good shape. Buzz improved it,
helped Wes and Lazar become pros. Buzz got Jimmy and if there is an NBA a pro as well. That is what kids look for, it might be wrong, but all 17 year olds
want a degree in basketball, called NBA. I have no problem with Taylor as MU got him on the rebound from a 4 year school. He is like a transfer.
As long as the Newbill situation and the off-court escapades from last year are the outlier and not the norm, I agree. BChoopster, if you look at his recruiting, he recruited JUCO's the first year or two as he needed to bring in guys quick and that was his base. Same with the Texas kids early. He went with them becaue he already had the relationships built. In his mind, this was the best way to manage the transition, as he felt the need to keep MU at a high level. He did not want the big dip that IU has gone through; he didn't think he could afford it.
Look at his recruiting now. Drawing in top 100 kids from all over the country. On this year's roster, we will have two JUCO's. Next year, we will have one, and he should come with an asterisk. And of the JUCO's he brought in, which one(s) do you feel failed to represent MU in the best possible fashion? If you are philosophically opposed to them, I would ask why. Al had them. Majerus had them. Crean had them. Bobby Knight won his last championship starting 2. What is the problem?
Right now, Buzz is bringing them in. It sure is fun to think how good MU can be. Inevitable concerns are: Can he manage all of the egos and how long can he hold on to his assistants? Having too many good players and in-demand assistants are good problems to have.
BC Hoop - It appears that the one player involved in the most serious of last year's off court incidents was not a JC player...but rather a transfer from another university.
I have NO problem with Buzz recruiting Junior College players - and do not think it is accurate that just because they went to Junior College they: A) Won't graduate, or B) Aren't as good of person as a kid coming out of high school.
Fulce, Jimmy Butler have been great kids at MU...and to my knowledge DJO, Crowder and Buycks have been solid as well. I have NO doubt that all of these kids having played under Buzz/schooled at MU - will have grown tremendously as people, and advanced their chances at success post MU....regardless of if they have a formal degree or not. I'm not terribly wrapped up in the degree thing - though certainly would like for all MU players to earn their degree. The discipline, teamwork, adversity lessons, time commitments, etc., that these guys learn from their commitment to Buzz/MU/Basketball team - will have great value to them in their lives moving forward - perhaps more than a formal degree...
Quote from: tower912 on September 04, 2011, 10:09:24 AM
As long as the Newbill situation and the off-court escapades from last year are the outlier and not the norm, I agree. BChoopster, if you look at his recruiting, he recruited JUCO's the first year or two as he needed to bring in guys quick and that was his base. Same with the Texas kids early. He went with them becaue he already had the relationships built. In his mind, this was the best way to manage the transition, as he felt the need to keep MU at a high level. He did not want the big dip that IU has gone through; he didn't think he could afford it.
Look at his recruiting now. Drawing in top 100 kids from all over the country. On this year's roster, we will have two JUCO's. Next year, we will have one, and he should come with an asterisk. And of the JUCO's he brought in, which one(s) do you feel failed to represent MU in the best possible fashion? If you are philosophically opposed to them, I would ask why. Al had them. Majerus had them. Crean had them. Bobby Knight won his last championship starting 2. What is the problem?
Right now, Buzz is bringing them in. It sure is fun to think how good MU can be. Inevitable concerns are: Can he manage all of the egos and how long can he hold on to his assistants? Having too many good players and in-demand assistants are good problems to have.
If you think it is OK to recruit JC kids that will probably never graduate school then great. Lets see if any of them graduate? They have questionable grades to begin with.
Look, Buzz had to what he had to do to keep his job. I have no issue with that. McGuire recruited JC kids as well. Walton, Whitehead, Lackey all were JC kids, they turned out pretty
good. I can not answer the question about who represented MU well or not, bit none will graduate and not sure who the 4 were in the questionable case.
BC...my apologies regarding TC. I mis-read it. But honestly, your posts are very hard to read because you use carriage returns instead of just letting the text wrap. I don't know why you do that.
And why are you so against Jucos? Some, like JFB, were full qualifiers out of high school, but went Juco to improve their basketball prospects. The non-qualifiers (like DB and Jae) have actually had to earn an associates degree in order to be eligible. That is at least some sort of accomplishment.
Let me put it another way...it would be nice if all of our players could graduate. There is nothing to indicate that Jucos perform worse academically than our four year guys though.
Quote from: Ners on September 04, 2011, 09:29:01 AM
My man crush on Buzz Williams around here is well known among veteran Scoop posters - that aside, I felt it was time to start a topic discussing Buzz.
The guy has been a great ambassador of MU, works his ASS off, has shown loyalty in the face of major temptation (OU, Texas A&M, Arkansas), and is recruiting at a level better than any MU coach since Al McGuire...and not to mention took us to a Sweet 16 last year.
The off court incidents this past season were perhaps a bit of a black eye, though not sure Buzz can really control what happens between 19 year old boys and girls in the heat of the moment. Hopefully we won't see any more of those episodes any time soon - though it is almost unfortunately part of the high major college athletics landscape on occasion in this day and age.
I'd like to hear others reactions - even the haters - Golden Avalanche, 84, etc.
I agree with the comment he is getting it done. Anther way of putting it though is that he is meeting expectations, given the amount of money MU is spending on the program and the amount of money Buzz is being paid. Based on his new contract I would disagree with the notion that he is exceding expectations.
We were fortunate to get seeded with Xavier last year.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but the only two JUCO's to not graduate so far are Buycks and Fulce. I know both are still on campus and know Fulce is in class and saw Buycks walking with a backpack (I assume he is still in class, just know someone who has a class with Fulce). If we are recruiting JUCO's, fine by me. So far there hasn't been a reason for me to be ashamed or anything but impressed with how they have performed on the court or off. Yes, we've had some troubles off the court, but that shouldn't mean that recruiting JUCO's is wrong. I can only make guesses at players involved, but it seems it was a mix of backgrounds. Schools have had problems with 4-year players from high schools, transfers, and JUCO's. I see a player and a person when a kid commits, not a JUCO or a high schooler.
Echoing what others have said on Buzz, as long as the off-court stuff is limited (No college is perfect), I think he will do and has done great. I'm very happy with the on-court results, but thinks he needs to work on defensive coaching a little more. I feel that's been a pretty consistent weakness of all his teams.
Quote from: Knight Commission on September 04, 2011, 10:29:00 AM
I agree with the comment he is getting it done. Anther way of putting it is that he is meeting expectations, given the amount of money he is getting paid and the amount of money Buzz is being paid. Based on his new contract I would disagree with the notion that he is exceding expectations.
We were fortunate to get seeded with Xavier last year.
The money thing doesn't hold any water for me. MU had to pay Buzz what they did to keep him...that was his going rate for the production that he had done at MU. I think MU has to pay a bit more because it isn't the easiest school to recruit players to. If Roy Williams were to start coaching at UW-Milwaukee, getting paid the same as he currently is at UNC, you'd expect the same results based off of his salary?
Quote from: The Sultan of South Wayne on September 04, 2011, 10:25:02 AM
BC...my apologies regarding TC. I mis-read it. But honestly, your posts are very hard to read because you use carriage returns instead of just letting the text wrap. I don't know why you do that.
And why are you so against Jucos? Some, like JFB, were full qualifiers out of high school, but went Juco to improve their basketball prospects. The non-qualifiers (like DB and Jae) have actually had to earn an associates degree in order to be eligible. That is at least some sort of accomplishment.
Sorry about the text. I will let it wrap around on this text, see if it is better. JC's are kids with questionable grades. I have no problem with them if they graduate. Buzz makes them go to
school, but I want a program that graduates kids. I remember Cinci's graduation rate was pathetic. I wonder if the administration looked the other way to get these kids even in to MU, I was told they did. Buzz is moving forward with less JC kids, what is the reason then? One major reason is that you get those kids for 4 years vs. 2. Now adays schools lose scholarships ala UConn if they do not graduate, so MU needs kids who want to be student/athletes, not just basketball players.
Quote from: BCHoopster on September 04, 2011, 10:38:28 AM
Sorry about the text. I will let it wrap around on this text, see if it is better. JC's are kids with questionable grades. I have no problem with them if they graduate. Buzz makes them go to
school, but I want a program that graduates kids. I remember Cinci's graduation rate was pathetic. I wonder if the administration looked the other way to get these kids even in to MU, I was told they did. Buzz is moving forward with less JC kids, what is the reason then? One major reason is that you get those kids for 4 years vs. 2. Now adays schools lose scholarships ala UConn if they do not graduate, so MU needs kids who want to be student/athletes, not just basketball players.
How many of those UConn kids that didn't graduate were JUCOs?
BC, JCs are not *necessarily* kids with questionable grades. As I menioned, some are full-qualifiers and *could* have gone to a four year school but chose JCs for a basketball related reason. Those who aren't qualifiers, and have earned associates degrees, might actually be further ahead academically than those who have done their first two years at MU. They essentially completed much of their core curriculum. I'm not saying you are wrong, just that you have no proof that you are correct.
Quote from: BCHoopster on September 04, 2011, 10:38:28 AM
Buzz is moving forward with less JC kids, what is the reason then?
If you know anything about Buzz you know how much he appreciates JC kids. To stereotype all JC kids as having grade issues is too simple.
JCs are just schools. It's not like we got kids when they got out of prison. Maybe it wasn't a 4 year school, but the kids who go JC at least are in schools trying to better themselves. It's not like they dropped out and were gangbanging on the the streets. Why all the negativity towards JCs? I don't get it. Some people act like these guys have a permanent stink on them because they stayed in school at a JC instead of going to some more prestigious place to get an education.
Quote from: BCHoopster on September 04, 2011, 10:21:51 AM
If you think it is OK to recruit JC kids that will probably never graduate school then great. Lets see if any of them graduate? They have questionable grades to begin with.
Look, Buzz had to what he had to do to keep his job. I have no issue with that. McGuire recruited JC kids as well. Walton, Whitehead, Lackey all were JC kids, they turned out pretty
good. I can not answer the question about who represented MU well or not, bit none will graduate and not sure who the 4 were in the questionable case.
Really? Questionable grades to begin with? Fulce, Butler and Taylor all qualified out of high school. Two enrolled in college, but left for JC rather than sitting out. DJO passed through the clearing house during his Frosh season. The only 2 true JC players were DB and Crowder. DB's situation had more to do with MPS than anything.
What do you know about any of their grades? How do you know "none will graduate"?
Quote from: BCHoopster on September 04, 2011, 10:38:28 AM
I wonder if the administration looked the other way to get these kids even in to MU, I was told they did.
First of all I think painting all Juco kids with a broad picture is complete BS. Maybe that's just me.
Anyway, define "looked the other way to get these kids into MU." Like, if they were not basketball players and applied for admission to Marquette, they would not be admitted and instead another kid would have been accepted over them? No kidding! EVERY school in the NCAA does that with ALL sports, with very few exceptions (Stanford, Ivy League schools - which I believe do not give out athletic scholarships, but I could be wrong on that). Even schools like Duke do that. If it was anything beyond that, the NCAA Clearinghouse would not have ruled them eligible, and they would have never set foot on Marquette's campus. Sorry, but your claims are ridiculous on Juco kids.
- Buzz has recruited the AAU scene much better than Crean did at MU. With that comes the sense of entitlement and posses. With talent comes problems until he is proven, experienced and seasoned. He has shown well in this regard through rough patches.
- Buzz never stops recruiting (cold called Anderson's coach last summer). TC never really enjoyed that aspect, and when he did, tried to sell with flash, relied on the high school coach connection. CTC has wisely adapted at I4 now that that failed him early on there. Buzz has balanced his classes and depth very, very well.
- In game coaching for Buzz is a development area but unlike his predecessor, he is willing to admit and learn from his mistakes. Made great strides, adjustments at the end of last season.
- Both are good at game prep, but Buzz has proven to be an upgrade. TC was too tied to his system and pre-set plays, Buzz rolls with his match-up strengths within his concepts. This was a major surprise to me as he may be one of the top in the nation at this right now.
- Defense: Buzz looks at D as vehicle to propel the offense. I would like to see more of a stop mentality.
- Buzz is more sincere publically but naive. Crean had many major pr fiascoes (Gold, Brute Force), but he could sweep the black eyes under the table better. Buzz is far more open and giving, sincerely supports the history and the area. Buzz is a much better fit for MU.
- Wardrobe: Buzz in a heart beat, baby blue or gold blazers over Johnson length ties. Same with the hair do. Curly over Tom Arnold
- Entertainment: Buzz...just much more fun to watch him and his players. I would much rather have a dancing coach on the sidelines than an ADD pacer.
Quote from: avid1010 on September 04, 2011, 10:46:36 AM
If you know anything about Buzz you know how much he appreciates JC kids. To stereotype all JC kids as having grade issues is too simple.
There are other reasons besides grades why kids go to JC. Jimmy to improve his game and Fulce to find a school where Buzz ended up. I am more concerned with Dwight. He had a big
family at senior night, hope he gets his degree. Buzz has JC roots, so I see no reason not to use them. Al usually recruited one kid every few years to fill in a spot. The problem now
is that kids go to prep school much like Mayo to get a fifth year, like St. Johns Military. That way, Mayo can mature in prep school, probably was not ready for college after 4, so it is
like a JC but gets 4 years instead of 2 or 3. MU can not be that picky, it is an urban school in a cold climate. Buzz can sell going to Hawaii every 4 years, the Virgin Islands once in awhile
and South Florida twice in 4 years. The big selling point is playing in the Garden every year.
Quote from: Dr. Blackheart on September 04, 2011, 11:11:11 AM
- Buzz is more sincere publicly but naive.
No, no he's not. While he may appear that way, he is far smarter and aware than he lets on.
I don't get all the JC bashing either. My daughter did not have a clue as to what she wanted to do with her life. So she went to the local community college for 3 years until she figured it out. Then she went to a 4 year school to complete her junior and senior year. Saved me a bundle of money.
As for Buzz....truly a diamond in the rough.
Quote from: pbiflyer on September 04, 2011, 11:28:34 AM
No, no he's not. While he may appear that way, he is far smarter and aware than he lets on.
Didn't say he was not sly as a fox, but that botched interview this summer is one instance where he and his handlers messed up. The Jimmy Mac radio interview was another or comments like Hazel plays like a "retard". Naive to the public stage at times, but real and sincere and learning the pr side.
Quote from: cheebs09 on September 04, 2011, 10:35:57 AM
Correct me if I'm wrong, but the only two JUCO's to not graduate so far are Buycks and Fulce. I know both are still on campus and know Fulce is in class and saw Buycks walking with a backpack (I assume he is still in class, just know someone who has a class with Fulce).
Yep. Buycks is still taking classes.
Quote from: Warriors10 on September 04, 2011, 11:51:41 AM
Yep. Buycks is still taking classes.
The idea in college is to graduate to possibly get a job, if they graduate, then Buzz did his job. Bring in all the JC kids he wants
then. Also, if you do become a pro who cares if you graduate. Name me 3 potential millionaires out of college the first few years?
Jimmy, Lazar and hope DJO!
First of all I really like Buzz. However, having said that 25-10, 22-12 to 22-15 is not a positive trend. I believe this trend will reverse itself this year. I like how Buzz adapts. He changes his offense with the talent of the team. I hope this year he changes his defense. I do not have a problem with recruiting junior college kids. I think it is interesting how his recruiting has evolved. He came here with Texas and junior college connections. It looks like he has built up a totally different base to recruit from. He works hard. Does he make mistakes? Yes, but you do not hear him make excuses. He has a tough time, because (and I think he is doing it the right way) he does not respond to outside parties when they attack him, his players or MU. I was not happy with the Newbill situation, but I realize we will never know the actual reasons it happened. I do not have a problem with oversigning, if Buzz has a plan as to how the extra scholie will resolve itself. Certainly, Buzz knows which players are happy here and which are not and which players are working hard and which are not. The unhappy ones or slackers can move on as far as I am concerned. Every coach makes mistakes. The fact of life is the fans that like the coach either accept or ignore the mistakes and the people that hate the coach bash him over the head with them.
I have minor issues with Buzz, but must admit really dig the recruiting. He is chasing studs and never stops chasing. Hopefully as he continues to grow as a coach the in game coaching will eventually match the intense recruiting skills. Not ready to save man crush....but am very excited about upcoming season (s).
Quote from: Dr. Blackheart on September 04, 2011, 11:11:11 AM
- Both are good at game prep, but Buzz has proven to be an upgrade. TC was too tied to his system and pre-set plays, Buzz rolls with his match-up strengths within his concepts. This was a major surprise to me as he may be one of the top in the nation at this right now.
I couldn't agree more. We are in every game because he adjusts to whats happening and takes advantage of what the opposition is giving him. TC used to have his pregame and if it wasn't right we would get blown out from the tip. I love knowing we can go out and have a chance against anybody in the country.
Quote from: bilsu on September 04, 2011, 12:44:44 PM
First of all I really like Buzz. However, having said that 25-10, 22-12 to 22-15 is not a positive trend. I believe this trend will reverse itself this year. I like how Buzz adapts. He changes his offense with the talent of the team. I hope this year he changes his defense. I do not have a problem with recruiting junior college kids. I think it is interesting how his recruiting has evolved. He came here with Texas and junior college connections. It looks like he has built up a totally different base to recruit from. He works hard. Does he make mistakes? Yes, but you do not hear him make excuses. He has a tough time, because (and I think he is doing it the right way) he does not respond to outside parties when they attack him, his players or MU. I was not happy with the Newbill situation, but I realize we will never know the actual reasons it happened. I do not have a problem with oversigning, if Buzz has a plan as to how the extra scholie will resolve itself. Certainly, Buzz knows which players are happy here and which are not and which players are working hard and which are not. The unhappy ones or slackers can move on as far as I am concerned. Every coach makes mistakes. The fact of life is the fans that like the coach either accept or ignore the mistakes and the people that hate the coach bash him over the head with them.
Good post Bilsu - lots of good points here. Though I'd take a regular season record that regresses, but ultimately ends up in a better post-seson (Sweet 16). Let's not forget that last year's schedule was the most difficult in school history as far as number of ranked opponents on the schedule.
Buzz definitely has the program on an upward trajectory, and as he continues to have more success in the post-season, and sending guys to the NBA - the talent coming to MU is only going to continue to get better. Buzz has that intangible "it" factor.
The next few years should be very good. He has a centers that can play offense and 1 that can play defense. Otule showed a good left hand
this summer. Last year he tried shooting that shot going into the defender with his right hand and got that shot blocked. The left will help, I wonder how much having only one eye effects
him shooting that shot? He has 2 good forwards, a little concerned with only one real backup who is very skinny, so you might see a lot of 3 guard offenses but Vander is tall enough to guard a small forward. If JC keeps improving they should have a run again with the Sweet 16 or Elite 8. If to get a better seeding and this year they should. Also, I think the following year if Buzz can get one more big that the team again should be very strong. Otule and Cadougan will be seniors with Wilson, both Taylors, Anderson and Blue being a pretty good rotation.
It would be nice to get that one big in next year so that big will have a year under his belt at MU, so Taylor does not have to start right away. Time will tell. Add Burton and whomever in 2013 and the majority of this decade looks entertaining and you can not ask more than that. Bring a JC kid if you need to, where is a Bob Lackey clone?
Quote from: bilsu on September 04, 2011, 12:44:44 PM
Every coach makes mistakes. The fact of life is the fans that like the coach either accept or ignore the mistakes and the people that hate the coach bash him over the head with them.
Show me a coach that does not make mistakes and I'll show you a coach that has accomplished nothing.
The question is not if he made mistakes, but on-balance has he made more good decisions than mistakes.
I think the answer is "definitely yes."
Quote from: bilsu on September 04, 2011, 12:44:44 PM
First of all I really like Buzz. However, having said that 25-10, 22-12 to 22-15 is not a positive trend.
Considering the amount of talent we lost from that 25-10 team did you think it would be possible that we would 1) make the NCAA tourney the year after we lost 85% of our scoring, and 2) make the sweet 16 just two years later. I for sure didn't think either of those would happen. Buzz has done a hell of a job so far and the future looks very bright.
Quote from: marquette09 on September 04, 2011, 11:38:11 PM
Considering the amount of talent we lost from that 25-10 team did you think it would be possible that we would 1) make the NCAA tourney the year after we lost 85% of our scoring, and 2) make the sweet 16 just two years later. I for sure didn't think either of those would happen. Buzz has done a hell of a job so far and the future looks very bright.
+1
Add to the above that last year the BE sent 11 teams to the tourney, a record. And, some stats I have mentioned numerous times, we played 16 ranked teams last year, more than MU played between 1985 and 1993 combined! Our SoS last year was #9, the highest in MU history. For the first time ever, we played Duke and UNC in the same season.
How can it be argued that 25-10 with the three amigos to 22-15 without them while playing the hardest schedule in MU history is a regression? I'm arguing their was no regression, that the three amigos might have been 22-15 playing last year's schedule.
I concur that last year's seeming 'regression' during the regular season was mostly due to the schedule. In our non-con games, we lost a couple of toughies, most notably the Vandy game that was there for the taking. The Loiusville loss shouldn't have happened and wouldn't had it not been for 5 minutes of terrible basketball (that I mostly blame on Buzz). Also, we lost focus just a bit at the end of the regular season but regained it in the post season.
Buzz continues to grow as a top flight D1 game coach. I particularly appreciate his own humble statements about his own growth every time he goes against long established BEast coaches. And I really believe he's decided to make Marquette his long term home. The program is in solid hands for the next 10+ years in my opinion.
Quote from: jsglow on September 05, 2011, 06:43:17 AM
I concur that last year's seeming 'regression' during the regular season was mostly due to the schedule. In our non-con games, we lost a couple of toughies, most notably the Vandy game that was there for the taking. The Loiusville loss shouldn't have happened and wouldn't had it not been for 5 minutes of terrible basketball (that I mostly blame on Buzz). Also, we lost focus just a bit at the end of the regular season but regained it in the post season.
Buzz continues to grow as a top flight D1 game coach. I particularly appreciate his own humble statements about his own growth every time he goes against long established BEast coaches. And I really believe he's decided to make Marquette his long term home. The program is in solid hands for the next 10+ years in my opinion.
While we made mistakes in the Louisville game, we would not have lost that game if Preston Knowles did not bury all of those threes. It was amazing how that game changed. Buzz's game plan was to take it to Louisville's centers and I believe we fouled both of them out. Then Louisville went to the smaller lineup the whole game changed as Louisville went on a roll.
It's a good idea to have a Buzz appreciation thread. Normally the love is shown most when his name pops up in the offseason carousel. Buzz is the MAN! Quite possibly the best recruiter in the country.....I can't believe how he continues to stack classes. Not long ago it was exciting to get ONE top 100 recruit. Of course, he brings a whole lot more to the table than just recruiting. We are very lucky to have Buzz. I hate the way TC left, but he sure found us one helluva "replacement." I wouldn't trade Buzz for anyone.
I love that Buzz has changed his offense with his team. The first year with the three amigos was run and gun. The next year when we were small we slowed it down and shot the three with Acker, Cubillan, and Hayward. Seeing Crean run the "handoff at the top of the arc" was hard to watch when we had no talent and Diener shot a 3 with 3 on the shot clock. Having a coach than can adapt systems and keep us competitive in nearly every game he's coached is a fine change to me after watching us with no point guard and poor seasons in C-USA. I'll admit it, I love Coach Buzz.
Buzz in a word......DOGGED 8-)
If you think it is OK to recruit JC kids that will probably never graduate school then great. Lets see if any of them graduate? They have questionable grades to begin with.
A little elitism on this board with statements about the academic ability of our JC transfers. Although I hate to let facts get in the way of some peoples posts, Jimmy Butler has completed all requirements for graduation with the completion of courses taken this summer. Joe and Dwight are enrolled in classes this Fall in an effort to complete their requirements as well. While many consider it normal for students to take 5 years to graduate at state universities, Marquette alums should recognize the challenge of completing degree requirements for an MU degree in just two years following junior college. Making up all of the Theology and Philosophy requirements takes more than a semester at MU, in addition to the requirements for a major.
Quote from: 6746jonesr on September 05, 2011, 09:43:07 AMIf you think it is OK to recruit JC kids that will probably never graduate school then great. Lets see if any of them graduate? They have questionable grades to begin with.
A little elitism on this board with statements about the academic ability of our JC transfers. Although I hate to let facts get in the way of some peoples posts, Jimmy Butler has completed all requirements for graduation with the completion of courses taken this summer. Joe and Dwight are enrolled in classes this Fall in an effort to complete their requirements as well. While many consider it normal for students to take 5 years to graduate at state universities, Marquette alums should recognize the challenge of completing degree requirements for an MU degree in just two years following junior college. Making up all of the Theology and Philosophy requirements takes more than a semester at MU, in addition to the requirements for a major.
Excellent point. I transferred to Marquette from UW-Waukesha and was amazed by how many courses I needed to take to meet core requirements. I was under the impression when I transferred that I would have 2 years ahead of me, but Theology and Humanities pushed it to 4. I also added a minor late, but at that point it was either add a minor or take meaningless classes while I fulfilled my major requirements.
Bottom line, anyone who thinks that Joe Fulce, Jimmy Butler, Dwight Buycks, DJO and Jae Crowder aren't representing Marquette well is an ass. These kids are working their butts off and either graduating on time or sticking around to make sure they get a degree before they pursue other interests. I'm damn proud to call any of them Warriors.
Plus, it has been shown that merely attending, but not graduating from Marquette is enough to become the leader of Wisconsin. ::) So we have that going for us.
Quote from: tower912 on September 05, 2011, 10:10:26 AM
Plus, it has been shown that merely attending, but not graduating from Marquette is enough to become the leader of Wisconsin. ::) So we have that going for us.
Keep this garbage off the board.
oh, come on. it was funny.
This year is the year we learn what we have with Buzz. He has shown a strong recruiting prowess and he's shown an ability to win when no one expected us to.
But last year showed he has work to do if we want to be in the elite of college basketball. The aforementioned Vanderbilt and Louisville games as well as Cincinnati and North Carolina (in the NCAAs) showed that sometimes our team just checks out. At times, there was an incredible lack of leadership on our team (see Seton Hall) -- and then there was UConn last year.
Great coaches get consistency from their team. Everyone has off nights, but we seemed to have "off weeks." We need to play with a consistent fire. And we need to develop Vander Blue into an All-American, or at least a player equal to his hype.
That's reality folks. If we want to be a bottom rung NCAA tournament team, we'll play like we did last year. Developing Vander and finding consistency may mean we return to the days when Marquette was a "destination," and we are consistently a Top 10 team that finds it was to a regional final.
Quote from: tower912 on September 05, 2011, 10:10:26 AM
Plus, it has been shown that merely attending, but not graduating from Marquette is enough to become the leader of Wisconsin. ::) So we have that going for us.
Well-played ;D
Quote from: 6746jonesr on September 05, 2011, 09:43:07 AM
If you think it is OK to recruit JC kids that will probably never graduate school then great. Lets see if any of them graduate? They have questionable grades to begin with.
A little elitism on this board with statements about the academic ability of our JC transfers. Although I hate to let facts get in the way of some peoples posts, Jimmy Butler has completed all requirements for graduation with the completion of courses taken this summer. Joe and Dwight are enrolled in classes this Fall in an effort to complete their requirements as well. While many consider it normal for students to take 5 years to graduate at state universities, Marquette alums should recognize the challenge of completing degree requirements for an MU degree in just two years following junior college. Making up all of the Theology and Philosophy requirements takes more than a semester at MU, in addition to the requirements for a major.
I hope they graduate as much as anybody. Really happy to see the kids back in school. I will retract my statement as I expected Dwight to go to Europe to play ball. Surprised he is not
as he can play given the chance. Good for Joe. I want every kid MU recruits to finish there education. Not all of them will be like Wes.
Quote from: sgurgs on September 05, 2011, 10:39:57 AM
oh, come on. it was funny.
Then why can't funny comments portraying the other side go without people flipping out? I agree with Skats. Keep it to yourself.
Buzz has been great for Marquette. The difference between Buzz and TC from what I see is that Buzze believes he can get it done at Marquette - he can make Marquette a consistent top team that can compete at a high level, year after year, and compete in the NCAA tourney at a high level. He goes after the elite, up again the top coaches and the top schools. - that mindset is awesome, and is refreshing. And Marquette's name is no consistely mentioned, as a result, in the same articles, tweets etc as Kasas, NC, Duke etc.
He is doing a lot of good for MU on the court, and off the court. He has not yet shown the media savvy that TC had, but Buzz has his way of dealing with the media.
Simple Fan Logic (myself included).
If
They win.
They graduate almost every player.
They keep the naughty stuff to a minimum.
Then
I will like Buzz. Everybody will like him.
If
They lose.
The graduation rate drops.
There are continuous problems with off court behavior.
Buzz takes another job.
Then
People will not like him.
Buzz can coach (with KO, the best at MU since McGuire). Buzz can recruit (best since Al) and he's a character (like Al) with character (like Hank). TC's leaving and Buzz's subsequent hiring left many in Warrior Nation disappointed, angry and fearful of the future. Turns out they should have been dancing in the streets. So much for conventional wisdom.
Quote from: Lennys Tap on September 06, 2011, 10:58:35 AM
Buzz can coach (with KO, the best at MU since McGuire). Buzz can recruit (best since Al) and he's a character (like Al) with character (like Hank). TC's leaving and Buzz's subsequent hiring left many in Warrior Nation disappointed, angry and fearful of the future. Turns out they should have been dancing in the streets. So much for conventional wisdom.
Lenny - You are a wordsmith! Very well stated as usual. +1