Every day Buzz sounds more and more like Al McGuire:
Buzz on DJO and Jae, who never appeared any scouting service in HS: "For them to be where they're at in their careers speaks to who they are. I root for guys that are playing from behind and I root for guys that don't have a white picket fence and a puppy dog in the front yard. (can you say"cracked sidewalks?") I root for those guys and I seem to coach those guys better because their story is reflective of mine. When they get a T-shirt, they look you in the eye and say, 'I really appreciate it. Thank you.' And when we say let's go to work, they understand what work is."
In his final days, Al gave his stamp of approval on the Tan One and said TC was "the one" to lead Marquette. Well, Coach McGuire missed by one coaching change.
Long live Buzz "picket fence and puppy dog" Williams
Amen to that.
It's Al part II
Not quite as catchy as "seashells & balloons", but not too bad.
I think I like "puppies and picket fences" even better than "seashells and balloons".
Maybe some other 'old-timers' can speak to this, but I seem to recall many of the same criticisms then and now.
Al's in-game coaching was often questioned as was his substitution pattern. Bernard Toone had an easier time getting in the lineup his 1st couple years than Jamail - but not by a whole lot. I think he only averaged 3 or 4 points a game as a sophomore. I seem to remember that Al valued toughness much the same as Buzz.
Quote from: brandx on February 14, 2012, 07:43:04 PM
Maybe some other 'old-timers' can speak to this, but I seem to recall many of the same criticisms then and now.
Al's in-game coaching was often questioned as was his substitution pattern. Bernard Toone had an easier time getting in the lineup his 1st couple years than Jamail - but not by a whole lot. I think he only averaged 3 or 4 points a game as a sophomore. I seem to remember that Al valued toughness much the same as Buzz.
Al had his share of critics, especially when winning became so commonplace it was taken for granted. The fans were toughest in his last year when the Warriors lost an unheard of 7 games. The same guys who booed the team in the waning minutes of a loss to Wichita St hopped back on the bandwagon in time to celebrate the national championship, though.
I remember Al's insistence on starting Bill Neary was so frustrating to me as a young fan.
Perfect coach for MU. White picket fences are for hairy wet cats and badgers (the two are not mutually exclusive).
Marquette ~~ best school in country
Rich kids ~~ bad?
This guy ~~ best MU coach I have ever seen