It was a tough season for Durley
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/147756215.html
It sounds like Durley needs a year of prep school to get game time ready. That or a solid JUCO program.
Great update. Very Candid article which from a outsider's perspective I would say is fair considering he played so Little this year.
So now he's behind Otule at the same point?
"when asked to compare Otule and Durley at this stage of their careers, Courtney said that Otule was further along as a player across the board."
Honest and painful remarks by the coach. Not at all promising given how raw Otule was when he enrolled at MU. Buzz needs to have an honest chat with him and his folks and tell them what's what.
Quote from: BrewCity BallCrusher on April 17, 2012, 10:45:50 AM
So now he's behind Otule at the same point?
"when asked to compare Otule and Durley at this stage of their careers, Courtney said that Otule was further along as a player across the board."
That's exactly what I saw and thought. Didn't Courtney say Durley was farther along not too long ago?
Well looks like all the worries from folks around here were well justified. Coming from his HS coach makes this sound like he is nowhere near High Major talent.
This article presents as many questions as it answers. If he's averaging 7/5 behind Ridley, that's not bad at all, but how many games did he play? If it was in 5 games, there may be cause for concern, but if it was 25, I'm good with that.
I fully expect him to be here, but I really think this is a rare time where a redshirt would really be helpful. If needed because of injury, he can always take it off, but it sounds like a year of polish and practice could really help this kid.
Besides Beer Town, who else expects Durley this summer.
Looks like the red flags that some of us pointed out were real danger signs. I've never read a more negative review of an alleged high D1 prospect by his own coach. Those who insisted his lack of playing time his senior year was meaningless were wrong - he started the season (in his coach's eyes) ahead of Otule at the same stage and finished behind him. I get the impression that motivation is a problem - if that's the case he has no business here. I'd LOVE to be wrong on this one - 6'10", 280, and athletic is hard to find - but don't think so.
Just a few thoughts regarding my expectation of him being here -- with him signing his LOI, as long as he has applied and has his ducks in a row, we are obligated to give him a scholarship for 2012-13. In addition, while we definitely are recruiting one additional player (Lockett) with no vacant 2012 spots, Buzz has had at least one transfer out each year, and I expect this year to be the same, especially the further along we get. And when people questioned him being here, his family came on and were pretty vehement in saying he'd be here. I know...phillycoach...but I get the impression Durley's got his paperwork in order.
Not saying there won't be someone not here who's slated to be, just saying I don't think it's Durley.
I expect to see him here. Sounds like he's got a lot of work to do, but his coach did say he's not afraid to work hard. I don't expect a lot of playing time for him right away, but you can't teach that kind of size and there aren't a lot of guys that big available. With a year or two under Buzz/Todd's conditioning programs, I still think he can eventually become a beast.
How things have changed in a year:
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/132883078.html
I don't know whether or not he'll be here. My question is whether he belongs here. You (Brew) and many others were unconcerned with a senior year in high school filled with DNPs/coaches decision. To some of us it was a huge red flag. His coach appears to be in our camp.
Quote from: 4everwarriors on April 17, 2012, 11:05:14 AM
Besides Beer Town, who else expects Durley this summer.
No one, not sure why he thinks that. Buzz said himself on his television show that things have changed and the durley situation has changed. I can almost guarantee Buzz has already ha a conversation with him.
From a journalist's perspective, how do you not get quotes from Durley??
I have been thinking this about Durley all along but was afraid i would be bashed by you guys if i voiced my opinion on him lol.
Quote from: Lennys Tap on April 17, 2012, 11:23:53 AM
I don't know whether or not he'll be here. My question is whether he belongs here. You and many others were unconcerned with a senior year in high school filled with DNPs/coaches decision. To some of us it was a huge red flag. His coach appears to be in our camp.
Exactly. I don't know whether he will be here or not, but should he be? I don't care if Dwight Howard was his starting center, he should still see minutes if he is a high major d-1 prospect. His coaches comments are exactly what I didn't want to hear, but they are the truth. I hope he goes another route, and if development happens then maybe re-open the door. I would much rather have Lockett, or use the scholarship in 2013.
Quote from: brewcity77 on April 17, 2012, 11:09:06 AM
Just a few thoughts regarding my expectation of him being here -- with him signing his LOI, as long as he has applied and has his ducks in a row, we are obligated to give him a scholarship for 2012-13.
If he wants to come, he is coming. The real question is how much MU wants him to come because I doubt he will force the issue if he feels unwanted. Does MU still want him as much as last summer? I have serious doubts about that.
If he does come, he likely won't see the court until his 3rd year here, so that'd be 4 consecutive seasons without any real game action. Time to cut the cord.
Hearing that "he isn't afraid of hard work" sounds to me like he doesn't show much initiative. I'd like the guy who is always working hard and pushing himself, not the guy who wil work hard when he needs/ wants to. I'm hoping when he shows up and begins practicing with Davante and Otule, as well as possibly scrimmaging with RJax, he'll take a few hits and realize he's gonna need to take it up a notch and start throwing that body around.
Look at Roy Hibbert or Aaron Gray. Big men need time to develop. If he does nothing for 2 years and can contribute junior/senior year what is wrong with that? All we need to do is look to the West to see how well it works to bring big men along slowly.
I hear people complain about mid majors having better bigs than us. The reason is they took chances and let the kid develop.
Quote from: Lennys Tap on April 17, 2012, 11:23:53 AM
I don't know whether or not he'll be here. My question is whether he belongs here. You (Brew) and many others were unconcerned with a senior year in high school filled with DNPs/coaches decision. To some of us it was a huge red flag. His coach appears to be in our camp.
+1000 After seeing this article my thoughts on Durley are the same as they have always been. I want the kid to be here but not for a year or so. He needs to get some game time experience that he lacked in high school. If he is a starter on a JUCO or prep team for 1 year it will only boost his confidence. He then would arrive at MU and get a year of practice with Otule and Ox that Brew keeps talking about. I believe this is the best route for him and MU most importantly. I have never seen such a negative review from a head coach about his own player. The only question I have is if he was averaging 7/5 what were his minutes per game? That's the deciding factor here.
This entire article seems odd.
1. When ever has ENlund ever blogged anything more than a 3 sentence capture of info. from a AP release.
2. Of the 4 incoming recruits why Durley...or does the JS online only report bad news in regards to Mu now?
Quote from: Canadian Dimes on April 17, 2012, 12:03:45 PM
This entire article seems odd.
1. When ever has ENlund ever blogged anything more than a 3 sentence capture of info. from a AP release.
2. Of the 4 incoming recruits why Durley...or does the JS online only report bad news in regards to Mu now?
Seems like the Journal will do anything to make MU seem worse then it really is.
Quote from: esotericmindguy on April 17, 2012, 11:26:06 AM
No one, not sure why he thinks that. Buzz said himself on his television show that things have changed and the durley situation has changed. I can almost guarantee Buzz has already ha a conversation with him.
I think that because I believe that since Buzz recorded that, more has changed that will ensure we still have room for Durley.
Granted, I am much less optimistic having read his coach's comments. There seems to be an issue, and it's definitely a red flag; however more importantly, is it an issue that can be rectified in a different environment (i.e. strength & conditioning, poor coaching, "chemistry" with his HS team, etc.).
That being said, I 100% - without a doubt - want Durley on campus this summer. Even if he's a DNP, mid-season transfer, what's the alternative right now? It's not like he's preventing Buzz from signing a 5* prospect (despite what people will speculate).
There's little, if any, downside in bringing on Durley and seeing what he can give you. The upside potential, however, is huge... figuratively and literally.
Quote from: Benny B on April 17, 2012, 12:27:14 PM
Granted, I am much less optimistic having read his coach's comments. There seems to be an issue, and it's definitely a red flag; however more importantly, is it an issue that can be rectified in a different environment (i.e. strength & conditioning, poor coaching, "chemistry" with his HS team, etc.).
That being said, I 100% - without a doubt - want Durley on campus this summer. Even if he's a DNP, mid-season transfer, what's the alternative right now? It's not like he's preventing Buzz from signing a 5* prospect (despite what people will speculate).
There's little, if any, downside in bringing on Durley and seeing what he can give you. The upside potential, however, is huge... figuratively and literally.
Don't you think the downside could be not getting Lockett. Or getting another player in 2013. Or using his space to bring in Duane Wilson with Otule's 6th year. Honestly, the biggest downside is flexibility. Sure bringing in a center to development might not be bad, but after his coaches comments and the lack of flexibility I think there is plenty of downside.
Quote from: THEultimateWARRIOR on April 17, 2012, 12:06:03 PM
Seems like the Journal will do anything to make MU seem worse then it really is.
I'm hesitant to pick up the conspiracy theory theme, but I think this was a pretty unprofessional article for Enlund to write. It would be one thing if he was a devoted journalist to the program and constantly coming out with updates and information, more like Rosiak. Then you could justify it as a reporter just trying to get all relevant information out there. But it really seems like he has given a half-hearted effort to covering MU basketball with short, sporadic articles on relatively superficial topics. Now he comes out with this harsh critique of a high school kid with no opportunity to defend himself. Just seems like this could have waited or been presented in a more appropriate manner.
Quote from: ibechillindoe on April 17, 2012, 12:31:36 PM
Don't you think the downside could be not getting Lockett. Or getting another player in 2013. Or using his space to bring in Duane Wilson with Otule's 6th year. Honestly, the biggest downside is flexibility. Sure bringing in a center to development might not be bad, but after his coaches comments and the lack of flexibility I think there is plenty of downside.
A) Trent Lockett has not signed with Marquette. Even if he does, those close to the situation who have already speculated have surmised that a transfer would be the path to opening up a spot for Lockett.
B) Scholarships are 1 year. If Durley is a complete bust 12 months from now, you sign his release and you open up a 2013 scholarship.
C) Otule needs to get through his fifth year before there's a sixth year -- a lot can happen in that time.
Keep in mind, 40% of college basketball players transfer at some point. Don't burn a bridge you can cross now to save one you may not even get to in the future.
Quote from: THEultimateWARRIOR on April 17, 2012, 12:02:04 PM
+1000 After seeing this article my thoughts on Durley are the same as they have always been. I want the kid to be here but not for a year or so. He needs to get some game time experience that he lacked in high school. If he is a starter on a JUCO or prep team for 1 year it will only boost his confidence. He then would arrive at MU and get a year of practice with Otule and Ox that Brew keeps talking about. I believe this is the best route for him and MU most importantly. I have never seen such a negative review from a head coach about his own player. The only question I have is if he was averaging 7/5 what were his minutes per game? That's the deciding factor here.
This sheds some more light on Buzz's comments about things changing and doing what is in the best interests of Durley. Does he sit on the bench for 2 years with little actual game experience and if so does he redshirt a year or does he go to a prep school to get much needed playing time?
I think Buzz really wants him here but with the lack of playing time this past year and Otule probably getting an additional year, I think Buzz would prefer he get playing time and enroll at MU next year.
I'm waiting for the next article, "It was a great season for Steve Taylor" incoming freshman for Marquette University!
Regarding Dimes comment, it almost makes you think that someone suggested that he talk to the high school coach to set the stage for what's to come. I have no evidence that this is the case but I agree that this is a very odd article.
Quote from: Aughnanure on April 17, 2012, 10:54:28 AM
That's exactly what I saw and thought. Didn't Courtney say Durley was farther along not too long ago?
That's exactly what I recall as well. Those words were used as justification for why Durley could be an effective big man at the next level.
I for one do not expect to see Durley on campus this year and think it was always a question mark as to if he would come this year. Maybe he comes the following year. I would not expect anyone to be upset by this, especially Durley.
Quote from: injuryBug on April 17, 2012, 11:53:53 AM
Look at Roy Hibbert or Aaron Gray. Big men need time to develop. If he does nothing for 2 years and can contribute junior/senior year what is wrong with that? All we need to do is look to the West to see how well it works to bring big men along slowly.
I hear people complain about mid majors having better bigs than us. The reason is they took chances and let the kid develop.
Sorry, but comparing Durley to Roy Hibbert and Aaron Gray? As a senior, Gray averaged 20 pts, 15 rebs and was player of the year in PA. Hibbert averaged 19 pts, 17 rebs and 6 blocks his senior year in HS. And yes, even they took some time to contribute at high level D-1 programs.
I get your point, but there is very little to suggest that Durley will ever be a factor at a program like Marquette. This is another Roseboro or Mbao situation and I would be a bit surprised if he even makes it to campus.
Quote from: injuryBug on April 17, 2012, 11:53:53 AM
Look at Roy Hibbert or Aaron Gray. Big men need time to develop. If he does nothing for 2 years and can contribute junior/senior year what is wrong with that? All we need to do is look to the West to see how well it works to bring big men along slowly.
I hear people complain about mid majors having better bigs than us. The reason is they took chances and let the kid develop.
I have thought this for some time. Third year big men are what we need. In order to be third year bigs, we need to let them have thier first two years of little contribution. Having the roster space to develop big men is important. Right now or roster is full of switchables, and having durley to redshirt, or play little to none for a year or two would allow him to be dwight burke on two years.
I think buzz is really considering durley not coming as a possibility. How can he not? But does the newbill situation effect his decision?
A few things:
1. Enlund actually did a little reporting with a story about a player many of us really wanted to know more about. (But just a little reporting.) To criticize him or the JS for running the story is silly, because it is news. I do agree it would be nice if he wrote about each of the recruits; maybe that's coming over the coming days/weeks and this was just the first of a series. Or maybe not.
2. As strotty said, of course Durley should have been contacted and quoted. The entire time I was reading it, I was thinking: "What does Durley think about all these condemning things his coach is saying?" Although the coach's quotes were zingers, and were news in and of themselves, this was yet another example of this writer's malaise since being "demoted" from the NBA to college ball.
3. Is it me, or does this coach sound like a tool? Isn't it his job to motivate, coach and improve his athletes? Maybe he wasn't asked by the reporter, but the coach never explains why, even in blowouts, a few minutes couldn't be found for Durley. By the coach's own admission, it sounds like the team underachieved. That's usually a sign of mediocre-at-best coaching, although I'm sure this coach would find others to blame.
4. Sometimes we on this board wonder why some of us will take seemingly cruel shots at "college kids," but hey, we're only goofy fans. This is a high school kid's own coach, and he is brutal here. Yep ... "tool" it is.
5. Not counting his 200 mph fastball, I have yet to see one shred of evidence that Durley is Big East material. The only hope I have is that he was so poorly coached by the tool that a couple of years working with Buzz and the staff will make him a serviceable college player. If he ever steps foot on campus, that is.
Quote from: tommyc6 on April 17, 2012, 11:52:46 AM
Hearing that "he isn't afraid of hard work" sounds to me like he doesn't show much initiative. I'd like the guy who is always working hard and pushing himself, not the guy who wil work hard when he needs/ wants to. I'm hoping when he shows up and begins practicing with Davante and Otule, as well as possibly scrimmaging with RJax, he'll take a few hits and realize he's gonna need to take it up a notch and start throwing that body around.
I think you're reading waaaayyyy to much into that simple phrase.
The coaches remarks certainly clear up the mystery that surrounded Durley all year. To read that his coach feels that he is not as good as Otule is really disturbing.
Hard to say the kid didn't have good coaching when Cameron Ridley is on the same team and is a 5 star recruit and McDonald's AA. Clearly Courtney knows how to get something out of his big men. That's like saying Buzz isn't good at developing players because Jamail Jones didn't show much improvement this year, notwithstanding Jae Crowder.
Durley really needs the fall semester with all Of his fellow undergrads to really decide if he's a fit for MU.
Courtney was a college head coach and has coached NBA players like TJ Ford in high school. Pretty sure he knows what he is talking about. Also, very close to Buzz.
You would think that Enlund would have gotten comments from both Durley and Buzz regarding Courtney.
At least he has a 157 MPH fastball.
I really have a hard time that (1) Buzz didn't do his due dilligence on this kid, and (2) Courtney would be doing a 180 on this kid versus what he said about him earlier (ahead of Otule).
Something just doesn't add up. We can all speculate as to what that is, however, we will find out come next season.
Quote from: injuryBug on April 17, 2012, 11:53:53 AM
Look at Roy Hibbert or Aaron Gray. Big men need time to develop. If he does nothing for 2 years and can contribute junior/senior year what is wrong with that? All we need to do is look to the West to see how well it works to bring big men along slowly.
I hear people complain about mid majors having better bigs than us. The reason is they took chances and let the kid develop.
Hibbert averaged 19/17 in high school and Gray averaged 18/12. I don't think anyone here is against project bigs, but there needs to be some sort of reasonable talent there. And right now it appears with Durley that that reasonable amount of talent might not be there.
Quote from: MU82 on April 17, 2012, 01:25:39 PM
3. Is it me, or does this coach sound like a tool? Isn't it his job to motivate, coach and improve his athletes? Maybe he wasn't asked by the reporter, but the coach never explains why, even in blowouts, a few minutes couldn't be found for Durley. By the coach's own admission, it sounds like the team underachieved. That's usually a sign of mediocre-at-best coaching, although I'm sure this coach would find others to blame.
4. Sometimes we on this board wonder why some of us will take seemingly cruel shots at "college kids," but hey, we're only goofy fans. This is a high school kid's own coach, and he is brutal here. Yep ... "tool" it is.
Quote from: The Sultan of South Wayne on April 17, 2012, 12:59:46 PM
Regarding Dimes comment, it almost makes you think that someone suggested that he talk to the high school coach to set the stage for what's to come. I have no evidence that this is the case but I agree that this is a very odd article.
This is undoubtedly my overreading the situation, but from Courtney's standpoint, I think this might be about him trying to push Durley in another direction. Courtney has a really great thing going with Buzz after both Otule and Durley. But given Durley's skill level right now, combined with other available players for that schollie, Buzz might not want him on campus this year. That could easily put Courtney in a spot where he's worried he oversold Durley, and so in order to stay in Buzz's good graces and keep getting Buzz to look at his guys (the last two of whom have admittedly been projects, not top recruits) Courtney might be trying to steer Durley in another direction - regardless of whether or not Durley wants to be in Milwaukee this summer.
I don't doubt Durley belongs here or else the staff wouldn't have evaluated and offered him.
He is one of those "chip on his shoulder" players that Buzz wants.
However, he's not ready to step in and contribute especially if he's behind Otule's developmental stage when he was in HS. That was concerning to read.
I predict a RS though that would mean he'd still have occupied a schollie.
In which case, he may just be placed into a JUCO that will certainly develop him then back to MU.
This all makes sense considering all of the talk about Lockett.
Clearly the kid's coach is not a fan.
Durley will be more noted as a tall Little League baseball player than as an MU player.
This is 100% speculation that I just thought of, but maybe his parents have money and he is willing to come as a walk-on. His dad had that job in the oil industry in the Saudi Arabia (and maybe still does but in Texas) so there is a chance they are well off financially. Now I don't know a thing about those jobs and how much they pay but if I were to guess I would say quite a bit.
Who knows if this is even possible and that the family is willing to do it, but so many scenarios have been tossed out there...why not this one?
Or buzz will adopt him. Or, more likely, buzz will adopt cadogan.
Quote from: cbowe3 on April 17, 2012, 03:10:17 PM
This is 100% speculation that I just thought of, but maybe his parents have money and he is willing to come as a walk-on. His dad had that job in the oil industry in the Saudi Arabia (and maybe still does but in Texas) so there is a chance they are well off financially. Now I don't know a thing about those jobs and how much they pay but if I were to guess I would say quite a bit.
Who knows if this is even possible and that the family is willing to do it, but so many scenarios have been tossed out there...why not this one?
Isn't there some rule about guys not being allowed to walk on if we've spent recruiting dollars on him in the form of official visits and whatnot?
Quote from: Dr. Blackheart on April 17, 2012, 01:44:49 PM
Courtney was a college head coach and has coached NBA players like TJ Ford in high school. Pretty sure he knows what he is talking about. Also, very close to Buzz.
I don't know Courtney or his work. I don't know how much coaching Ridley needed. I might have been wrong suggesting Courtney was anything but a fine coach for Ridley, Durley and everybody else.
Doesn't mean he's not a tool for taking out a machete and hacking a high-school kid at the knees. I stand by that evaluation.
Durley not ready for MU basketball this coming season?
(http://i.imgur.com/ErIup.png)
Quote from: MU82 on April 17, 2012, 03:44:00 PM
I don't know Courtney or his work. I don't know how much coaching Ridley needed. I might have been wrong suggesting Courtney was anything but a fine coach for Ridley, Durley and everybody else.
Doesn't mean he's not a tool for taking out a machete and hacking a high-school kid at the knees. I stand by that evaluation.
Honestly, I don't think his quotes were that bad.
Quote from: The Sultan of South Wayne on April 17, 2012, 07:54:36 PM
Honestly, I don't think his quotes were that bad.
He sure as sh1t wasn't talking him up. It was worse than damning with faint praise...
Quote from: cbowe3 on April 17, 2012, 03:10:17 PM
This is 100% speculation that I just thought of, but maybe his parents have money and he is willing to come as a walk-on. His dad had that job in the oil industry in the Saudi Arabia (and maybe still does but in Texas) so there is a chance they are well off financially. Now I don't know a thing about those jobs and how much they pay but if I were to guess I would say quite a bit.
Who knows if this is even possible and that the family is willing to do it, but so many scenarios have been tossed out there...why not this one?
His dad is still in Saudi Arabia. He lives with his grandparents on his father's side in Houston.
why not this one?
Because college costs a pantload for anybody who has to work.
Quote from: warthog-driver on April 17, 2012, 07:57:32 PM
He sure as sh1t wasn't talking him up. It was worse than damning with faint praise...
No, but I think he was being honest.
Quote from: The Sultan of South Wayne on April 17, 2012, 09:09:02 PM
No, but I think he was being honest.
Roger honest. Pretty plain speak for a coach. Doesn't sound good.
Any coach -- or any adult -- who really likes a kid doesn't publicly say that kind of stuff.
Tool.
Coach just threw him under the bus
You don't know the context of what was said. Buzz has said some things about players that were odd too unless placed in proper context. People are being too quick to judge.
Quote from: The Sultan of South Wayne on April 18, 2012, 06:11:36 AM
You don't know the context of what was said. Buzz has said some things about players that were odd too unless placed in proper context. People are being too quick to judge.
If you really believe that Sultan, you aren't as smart as I thought you were. I have never heard a high school coach talk so negatively about a recruit. His candor is shocking.
Quote from: Hards_Alumni on April 18, 2012, 06:42:17 AM
If you really believe that Sultan, you aren't as smart as I thought you were. I have never heard a high school coach talk so negatively about a recruit. His candor is shocking.
Though in all honesty, it's almost Buzz-like, when you think about some of what he says. Maybe Buzz is in Courtney's ear trying to build that chip on Durley's shoulder. In fact...that wouldn't surprise me at all. What we've heard of this kid is that he's a physical beast, but when he visited college, took it easy because he didn't want to hurt people. Buzz already has a long-standing relationship with Courtney going back to Otule and possibly beyond, and we know Buzz's saying "If you don't have a chip on your shoulder, I'll put one there". It would be incredibly savvy of him to start with the kid's HS coach and continue it when he gets to Marquette.
Just listen to what Buzz has said in the past about guys, Gardner perhaps most prominently. Yet Gardner's also the guy who has called himself lazy. He needs that kind of motivation. If Durley does too, why wait until he gets to campus to start motivating him?
Quote from: brewcity77 on April 18, 2012, 06:56:12 AM
Though in all honesty, it's almost Buzz-like, when you think about some of what he says. Maybe Buzz is in Courtney's ear trying to build that chip on Durley's shoulder. In fact...that wouldn't surprise me at all. What we've heard of this kid is that he's a physical beast, but when he visited college, took it easy because he didn't want to hurt people. Buzz already has a long-standing relationship with Courtney going back to Otule and possibly beyond, and we know Buzz's saying "If you don't have a chip on your shoulder, I'll put one there". It would be incredibly savvy of him to start with the kid's HS coach and continue it when he gets to Marquette.
Just listen to what Buzz has said in the past about guys, Gardner perhaps most prominently. Yet Gardner's also the guy who has called himself lazy. He needs that kind of motivation. If Durley does too, why wait until he gets to campus to start motivating him?
I understand where you are coming from and I follow your logic. I just disagree with it. It makes sense for Buzz to try to light a fire under Durley at this point, but it should have been Courtney's job to do that all of last year, and it doesn't seem to have worked.
Quote from: Hards_Alumni on April 18, 2012, 07:04:29 AM
I understand where you are coming from and I follow your logic. I just disagree with it. It makes sense for Buzz to try to light a fire under Durley at this point, but it should have been Courtney's job to do that all of last year, and it doesn't seem to have worked.
Which might be why we're seeing this now. I'd guess that Courtney was being honest when he said Durley was ahead of Otule last year. Look at the kid physically, and he's put up numbers in AAU, there's likely something there. So Courtney said as much in hopes that the positivity would motivate Durley. Quite possibly, it did the opposite, maybe got a sensitive kid thinking that if he's already ahead of Otule, all that will happen at Marquette is he will feel afraid to hurt people. So after watching a non-productive season, Buzz contacted Courtney and said "Hey, this hand-holding isn't working, and I'll be using a different angle when he gets here, so let's start with tough love before he leaves."
Again, this is all speculation, but looking at the near-180 from Courtney and considering Buzz's past, I think this is definitely possible. And while plenty will say this is fueling the "Durley to Prep/JUCO" fire, I actually think this is an even better indicator that Durley will be here in Fall.
It seems that one of Buzz's glaring weaknesses is the failure to recruit good "bigs". During his time at MU he has recruited Roseboro, Mbao, McMorrow and Durley, while other BE teams continue to recruit talented bigs. I think Buzz is an up and coming good young coach, but, cannot be considered successful until he consistently recruits good bigs. MU will continue to fight and scrap, but may not win the big one until they have at least one or two "good big men."
Quote from: msbjim on April 18, 2012, 08:51:00 AM
It seems that one of Buzz's glaring weaknesses is the failure to recruit good "bigs". During his time at MU he has recruited Roseboro, Mbao, McMorrow and Durley, while other BE teams continue to recruit talented bigs. I think Buzz is an up and coming good young coach, but, cannot be considered successful until he consistently recruits good bigs. MU will continue to fight and scrap, but may not win the big one until they have at least one or two "good big men."
Gardner and Otule don't fall under the "good big men" category to you?
Quote from: QuetteHoops on April 18, 2012, 08:53:18 AM
Gardner and Otule don't fall under the "good big men" category to you?
+1
Buzz won't likely get those quality bigs to MU until he proves he can succeed with quality bigs. It's a chicken/egg issue, but if guys like DG, CO, and Durley succeed, he'll likely start getting those top-notch guys. Yes, you see quality bigs at UConn, Pitt, Syracuse, and Louisville, but they have coaches with a proven track record in that regard.
Quote from: brewcity77 on April 18, 2012, 09:12:32 AM
+1
Buzz won't likely get those quality bigs to MU until he proves he can succeed with quality bigs. It's a chicken/egg issue, but if guys like DG, CO, and Durley succeed, he'll likely start getting those top-notch guys. Yes, you see quality bigs at UConn, Pitt, Syracuse, and Louisville, but they have coaches with a proven track record in that regard.
They are also UConn, Pitt, Syracuse and Louisville. No offense to Marquette, but little higher on the hierarchy of NCAA programs.
Quote from: The Sultan of South Wayne on April 18, 2012, 06:11:36 AM
You don't know the context of what was said. Buzz has said some things about players that were odd too unless placed in proper context. People are being too quick to judge.
The proper analogy would be Buzz coming out now and saying Crowder was a disappointment who didn't live up to his potential, thereby making him seem unfit for the NBA.
Even if had been the truth (which it isn't, obviously), it still would have been cruel and unnecessary.
Buzz does say things about guys in his program to light a fire under them, but it would be hard to imagine him ripping an ex-player publicly the way Courtney did to Durley. Buzz wouldn't even do it to a guy like Maymon, who left him in the lurch, let alone a kid he supposedly likes.
Quote from: Canadian Dimes on April 17, 2012, 12:03:45 PM
This entire article seems odd.
1. When ever has ENlund ever blogged anything more than a 3 sentence capture of info. from a AP release.
2. Of the 4 incoming recruits why Durley...or does the JS online only report bad news in regards to Mu now?
You guys got played. Enlund, if I were to guess, was asked to write this or given information by the coaching staff to write it. To prepare the fans that Durley wasn't coming. Someone whispered something to him and he wrote an article out of character for him because he got the lowdown on what to write. Prepping the masses is all this was. Buzz using the media to his advantage in this case. Let the media and his high school coach take him down to soften the blow before the Buzzcut.
Durley is probably a good kid with a supportive home. Buzz likes those kids. He saw good character in him, I'm sure.
But if the coach (who presumably is updating Buzz with Durley's progress all-season long) says those things about his own player publicly, who has committed to a D-1 university, I think this was a done deal for quite some time.
I would like to see Durley develop greatly in a JuCo setting, and if the opportunity were to arise, contribute to MU's team.
I wish him the best. The expectations are high for incoming recruits at Marquette. It sounded like Durley wasn't going to realistically be able to meet them.
Similar to the Roseboro case, but you have to tip your hat to Buzz and Co.: they learned how to cut ties more cleanly this time.