MUScoop

I've always thought the questions asked to wojo are complete softballs. Today someone (Andrew Goldstein) finally asked a question regarding his coaching. While he said he is responsible for everything, he did so in a super defensive tone. Even saying something like, if you want to write I'm doing a bad job than write it before storming out moments later. "You'll evaluate the game. You pick it apart. You figure out where I need to do a better job."

Kind of weak sauce if you ask me. Came off like a lil b. Im pulling for the guy but please watch it and let me know if I'm totally off base here.

Link to presser:

4:30 on is the meat and potatoes

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cbjD7Yf0f00

Amen. I'm so tired of his pressers where all he says is what is politically correct and what he thinks everyone wants to hear. Just be honest, open, & blunt for once. Have a personality! I never feel like we ever get a glimpse at any real truth. He's mastered coach-speak. It's so annoying when that's how he talks 100% of the time. I'll take Cooley's honesty & personality any day.

Quote from: TheyWereCones on February 03, 2018, 08:51:58 PM
Amen. I'm so tired of his pressers where all he says is what is politically correct and what he thinks everyone wants to hear. Just be honest, open, & blunt for once. Have a personality! I never feel like we ever get a glimpse at any real truth. He's mastered coach-speak. It's so annoying when that's how he talks 100% of the time. I'll take Cooley's honesty & personality any day.

Sounds like you need to become a Providence fan then

At least it isn't the pablum coach speak of his early years.     The man is clearly frustrated.   

By the way, I can tell him the pinnacle moment where he did a bad job. It was burning our last timeout, so our team could come out of the huddle, force it to Markus, then watch him dribble & juke burning almost half the remaining game clock before launching a prayer 3.

It's either one of two things:

1. What in the world kind of play call is that out of a timeout?

2. Why don't his players listen to him?

Either answer is...not good.

Quote from: jesmu84 on February 03, 2018, 08:53:26 PM
Sounds like you need to become a Providence fan then

You're an idiot if that's what you got from that. I respect another coach for their honesty and I'm not in love with Wojo's constant coach-speak, so I must go cheer for another team. Get bent.

Quote from: TheyWereCones on February 03, 2018, 08:56:09 PM
By the way, I can tell him the pinnacle moment where he did a bad job. It was burning our last timeout, so our team could come out of the huddle, force it to Markus, then watch him dribble & juke burning almost half the remaining game clock before launching a prayer 3.

It's either one of two things:

1. What in the world kind of play call is that out of a timeout?

2. Why don't his players listen to him?

Either answer is...not good.

Bingo!!

I heard it differently. It seemed like he was going out of his way to defend his players. Trying to remind people that they are young kids, even by college basketball standards, and are doing what they can. A very vanilla version of the "I'm a man, I'm 40" presser.

Quote from: TheyWereCones on February 03, 2018, 08:56:09 PM
By the way, I can tell him the pinnacle moment where he did a bad job. It was burning our last timeout, so our team could come out of the huddle, force it to Markus, then watch him dribble & juke burning almost half the remaining game clock before launching a prayer 3.

It's either one of two things:

1. What in the world kind of play call is that out of a timeout?

2. Why don't his players listen to him?

Either answer is...not good.

Option 3:

Providence stopped the initial play and forced Markus to improvise. He improvised poorly.

Quote from: TheyWereCones on February 03, 2018, 08:57:46 PM
You're an idiot if that's what you got from that. I respect another coach for their honesty and I'm not in love with Wojo's constant coach-speak, so I must go cheer for another team. Get bent.

The irony of someone telling another person to "get bent" in a thread they created to whine about a coach's press conference...

Quote from: TAMU Eagle on February 03, 2018, 09:03:47 PM
Option 3:

Providence stopped the initial play and forced Markus to improvise. He improvised poorly.

Timing was f*cked from the start. They had no idea what they were running.

Quote from: TAMU Eagle on February 03, 2018, 09:02:40 PM
I heard it differently. It seemed like he was going out of his way to defend his players. Trying to remind people that they are young kids, even by college basketball standards, and are doing what they can. A very vanilla version of the "I'm a man, I'm 40" presser.

Very fair and fully understand people will take his presser different ways. (Great gundy  reference btw).

It just rubbed me the wrong way. I have no qualms with him saying dont blame my players for anything, blame me - all good with that. Where he really irked me was his defensive tone insinuating what else do you want me to do?

Is there a link to the presser?

I hear he is bad in the coaches huddles too!  And that he is pretty boring on Homer's show!!!!

Quote from: wadesworld on February 03, 2018, 09:04:27 PM
The irony of someone telling another person to "get bent" in a thread they created to whine about a coach's press conference...

I didn't start this thread and the conclusion drawn from what I said was ridiculous.

Quote from: #bansultan on February 03, 2018, 09:13:25 PM
I hear he is bad in the coaches huddles too!  And that he is pretty boring on Homer's show!!!!

Never ever said anything about being good or bad at pressers having any correlation with how successful you are or aren't. 

Just simply saying this one rubbed me the wrong way as if there's nothing else he can be doing - sarcastically and defensively telling the reporter (Goldstein) to look at the tape and tell him what he should be doing.

Quote from: TAMU Eagle on February 03, 2018, 09:03:47 PM
Option 3:

Providence stopped the initial play and forced Markus to improvise. He improvised poorly.

Ok, could be. But Providence stopped the initial play by doing what exactly? Was it that easy to stop? Was Markus not supposed to get the ball (since that's what happened and what seemed like they were trying to make happen)? Was Plan B really what ended up happening? I can't be the only one concerned about that sequence of events.

Quote from: MUfan12 on February 03, 2018, 09:06:32 PM
Timing was f*cked from the start. They had no idea what they were running.

Sacar was confused and that started the mess

Quote from: TheyWereCones on February 03, 2018, 09:28:28 PM
Ok, could be. But Providence stopped the initial play by doing what exactly? Was it that easy to stop? Was Markus not supposed to get the ball (since that's what happened and what seemed like they were trying to make happen)? Was Plan B really what ended up happening? I can't be the only one concerned about that sequence of events.

The problem is that once Markus got the ball, he tried to play hero ball.  Not the first time he has done that. 

Quote from: #bansultan on February 03, 2018, 09:13:25 PM
I hear he is bad in the coaches huddles too!  And that he is pretty boring on Homer's show!!!!

his coaches huddle almost always boils down to "play harder!"

The announcers (supposedly knowledgeable about hoops) put the blame on Sacar for "forgetting" to do whatever he was supposed to do. Sorry, had a distraction at the time, but whatever it was he was supposed to do, he apparently "forgot." At least that was their take.

Quote from: WindyCityGoldenEagle on February 03, 2018, 09:27:12 PM
Never ever said anything about being good or bad at pressers having any correlation with how successful you are or aren't. 

Just simply saying this one rubbed me the wrong way as if there's nothing else he can be doing - sarcastically and defensively telling the reporter (Goldstein) to look at the tape and tell him what he should be doing.

Yeah I just don't care.  He could have skipped around the stage dressed as Mary Poppins for all I care.

Quote from: #bansultan on February 03, 2018, 09:32:11 PM

The problem is that once Markus got the ball, he tried to play hero ball.  Not the first time he has done that.

Exactly, which brings it back to the point. Either Wojo called timeout to run a play and Howard went hero ball anyway, or Wojo called timeout to call for hero ball.

Quote from: ATWizJr on February 03, 2018, 09:34:05 PM
his coaches huddle almost always boils down to "play harder!"

I know.  It's a real problem.  We need to get to the bottom of it.

Quote from: TheyWereCones on February 03, 2018, 09:35:21 PM
Exactly, which brings it back to the point. Either Wojo called timeout to run a play and Howard went hero ball anyway, or Wojo called timeout to call for hero ball.

He didn't call a play for hero ball.  My guess is that PC's defense was not what they expected, the back up play got screwed up because someone did not recognize the problem, and Howard got the ball and tried to be the hero. 

Quote from: #bansultan on February 03, 2018, 09:35:35 PM

I know.  It's a real problem.  We need to get to the bottom of it.

yeah. Maybe some actual direction would be helpful.

Quote from: #bansultan on February 03, 2018, 09:37:07 PM
He didn't call a play for hero ball.  My guess is that PC's defense was not what they expected, the back up play got screwed up because someone did not recognize the problem, and Howard got the ball and tried to be the hero.

What a luxury to be Providence, where they can make some defensive change out of a timeout to try to stop us (imagine that!) and completely derail our plan and force us into hero ball.

I'm not saying that what you're saying isn't true. But if it is, it still comes back to getting outcoached. That or we don't have an actual PG who can see a defensive adjustment and then knows what to do. Or both. I just don't see any way that moment in the game wasn't a complete failure.

Quote from: TheyWereCones on February 03, 2018, 09:47:30 PM
What a luxury to be Providence, where they can make some defensive change out of a timeout to try to stop us (imagine that!) and completely derail our plan and force us into hero ball.

I'm not saying that what you're saying isn't true. But if it is, it still comes back to getting outcoached. That or we don't have an actual PG who can see a defensive adjustment and then knows what to do. Or both. I just don't see any way that moment in the game wasn't a complete failure.

Well of course it was a failure.  No one is disputing that.

PC has experience too.  Makes a difference.

Not one of Wojo's finer moments. 

Video of presser:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbjD7Yf0f00

That actually made my night, Topper. I actually feel badly for Wojo, the job might be too big for him. Sad part, we are a bottom tier BE team and the job might be too big for him.

Quote from: mu_hilltopper on February 03, 2018, 10:05:47 PM
Not one of Wojo's finer moments. 

Video of presser:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbjD7Yf0f00

4:30 onward. You're doing a perfect job wojo. No reason to question your coaching.

Seriously?  The "tell me how I should do better" was completely hypothetical. 

Complain about what is happening on the court all you want, but there is nothing there.  Good lord...

Quote from: TheyWereCones on February 03, 2018, 08:57:46 PM
Get bent.

Far out. I haven't heard this phrase since high school back in the mid-sixties.

Quote from: Mutaman on February 03, 2018, 10:53:22 PM
Far out. I haven't heard this phrase since high school back in the mid-sixties.

That's pretty rad.

Quote from: injuryBug on February 03, 2018, 09:30:15 PM
Sacar was confused and that started the mess

Almost from the inbound, Wojo was up screaming and waving at Sacar. The play was confused from the get-go.  That said, you need a Plan B and C out of that time out.

Quote from: #bansultan on February 03, 2018, 10:50:02 PM
Seriously?  The "tell me how I should do better" was completely hypothetical.

If you can't hear the tone of the last 3 minutes as "My coaching doesnt deserve to be questioned" than I don't know what to tell you.

Just hope the level of pressure he clearly seems to be feeling now isn't impacting the players.

Just watched. Not a good look. After a tough loss on top of some bad losses, it is easy to see how he can be frustrated and emotional in the moment.  That said, as the leader of this program, he needs to be more composed or send out Stan.

He missed a Homer interview a few games ago and now this hissy fit. MU AD needs to prepare him a bit more instead of sending him out there like that.  Good lord, that mic took some CTE shots. Reminds me when Buzz went nutso on Mac after a tough loss.

Quote from: WindyCityGoldenEagle on February 03, 2018, 11:44:36 PM
If you can't hear the tone of the last 3 minutes as "My coaching doesnt deserve to be questioned" than I don't know what to tell you.

Just hope the level of pressure he clearly seems to be feeling now isn't impacting the players.

The questions weren't softballs, but they weren't overly critical either. I'm honestly kind of surprised he folded like this. Like it was said above, maybe he's starting to feel like the job is too big for him.

At least we can get a new drinking game out of this, though! Take a drink every time Wojo mentions how young we are. Take two when he mentions how old the Big East is. At least this way, we'll all be drunk enough to forget the last few games of this little slump.

So everyone hates his coach speak, thinks he's perfected the art of covering everything up, thinks he's boring and a robot, and then gets pissy and upset when he shows emotion. Got it.

Quote from: skianth16 on February 04, 2018, 12:13:08 AM
At least we can get a new drinking game out of this, though! Take a drink every time Wojo mentions how young we are. Take two when he mentions how old the Big East is. At least this way, we'll all be drunk enough to forget the last few games of this little slump.

(https://memegenerator.net/img/instances/500x/80219536/thats-a-hell-of-an-idea.jpg)

Quote from: TAMU Eagle on February 03, 2018, 09:03:47 PM
Option 3:

Providence stopped the initial play and forced Markus to improvise. He improvised poorly.

Wojo stomped his feet up and down about 10 seconds into the play. Indicating no one was running it. This has happened many times over the years.

Other than that it was a horrid time out to begin  with. Last one. Burned it on the run, allowed Providence to setup and killed what our team does best, shooting on the transit.

That mic was really giving Woj issues in that presser.

Quote from: Dr. Blackheart on February 04, 2018, 12:08:35 AM
Just watched. Not a good look. After a tough loss on top of some bad losses, it is easy to see how he can be frustrated and emotional in the moment.  That said, as the leader of this program, he needs to be more composed or send out Stan.

He missed a Homer interview a few games ago and now this hissy fit. MU AD needs to prepare him a bit more instead of sending him out there like that.  Good lord, that mic took some CTE shots. Reminds me when Buzz went nutso on Mac after a tough loss.

He skipped Xavier and butler in the last week no?

Quote from: wadesworld on February 03, 2018, 09:04:27 PM
The irony of someone telling another person to "get bent" in a thread they created to whine about a coach's press conference...

Yeah, cause nobody has ever made a thread to whine about anything, and definitely not a thread whining about rowsey 4 days ago.

Quote from: wadesworld on February 04, 2018, 12:18:42 AM
So everyone hates his coach speak, thinks he's perfected the art of covering everything up, thinks he's boring and a robot, and then gets pissy and upset when he shows emotion. Got it.

It's not coach speak.  I just don't think he's that smart. 

Quote from: Dr. Blackheart on February 04, 2018, 12:08:35 AM
Just watched. Not a good look. After a tough loss on top of some bad losses, it is easy to see how he can be frustrated and emotional in the moment.  That said, as the leader of this program, he needs to be more composed or send out Stan.

He missed a Homer interview a few games ago and now this hissy fit. MU AD needs to prepare him a bit more instead of sending him out there like that.  Good lord, that mic took some CTE shots. Reminds me when Buzz went nutso on Mac after a tough loss.

Good way to describe it.

"I'm not saying it's the refs, but..."

Come on, dude.  Super lame.

Quote from: TAMU Eagle on February 03, 2018, 09:02:40 PM
I heard it differently. It seemed like he was going out of his way to defend his players. Trying to remind people that they are young kids, even by college basketball standards, and are doing what they can. A very vanilla version of the "I'm a man, I'm 40" presser.

Goose is gonna put me in your camp as a lifelong Wojo homer, TAMU...but I thought Wojo's reaction was exactly what we should want. At the beginning of the presser, he was calm and collected. Showed perspective and urged patience as to our youth. He stressed the absolute love and belief he has for his guys. He could've ripped apart the players for not executing...AGAIN. He showed restraint and class. Then, when the reporter still seeks the juicy write-up despite all that, what would any of us do in that type of situation? I love that he got pissed and defended himself. He's already defended his team. He's more frustrated than all of us Scoopers combined, and that's "frustrated". But he's a pro. He did it perfectly. The buck stops here, yes. But our guys have to be accountable too. Did it without singling guys out.

Quote from: Dr. Blackheart on February 04, 2018, 12:08:35 AM
Just watched. Not a good look. After a tough loss on top of some bad losses, it is easy to see how he can be frustrated and emotional in the moment.  That said, as the leader of this program, he needs to be more composed or send out Stan.

He missed a Homer interview a few games ago and now this hissy fit. MU AD needs to prepare him a bit more instead of sending him out there like that.  Good lord, that mic took some CTE shots. Reminds me when Buzz went nutso on Mac after a tough loss.

I heard sometimes he doesn't mow his lawn enough for his neighbor's liking too.  It's really shameful.

Quote from: Eldon on February 04, 2018, 06:34:53 AM
Good way to describe it.

"I'm not saying it's the refs, but..."

Come on, dude.  Super lame.

In terms of physicality on O, Markus Howard is not Derrick Rose, and that's a good thing. Rose's penchant for driving right at and through contact has severely hampered his productivity and longevity in the league. MH smartly tries to avoid the brunt of contact, and is often still fouled, but due to the attempt to evade said contact, a foul is often not called.

Good for our head coach getting it out there that refs have been extremely inconsistent this year. That is having MH's back. He wasn't saying or implying that most calls have gone against us. Also, AR has done a poor job controlling his emotions re those calls/non calls.

Quote from: #UnleashRowsey on February 04, 2018, 12:45:29 AM
Wojo stomped his feet up and down about 10 seconds into the play. Indicating no one was running it. This has happened many times over the years.

Other than that it was a horrid time out to begin  with. Last one. Burned it on the run, allowed Providence to setup and killed what our team does best, shooting on the transit.

Yes it has, which raises a whole series of questions, like "can Wojo coach or are the players he recruits incapable of being coached?" 

I've been a defender of Wojo and the process, but the press conference was not a good look. The question that got him riled up was pretty routine. He went from a pretty stock press conference to "if you wanna get out the pitch forks go ahead!" It made me feel like he's been reading too much MU Scoop, because I haven't seen any of that from the actual media outlets yet.

And it's a fine line between "no excuses, it's on me" to "we're young, we're really young, youngest team in the oldest league, one of the youngest teams in the country." Are we young? Sure. According to Pomeroy, we are #318 in terms of experience and #224 in continuity of minutes returning. But repeating that is, by definition, an excuse.

I'm probably in the minority that I haven't given up on this season yet. We were a couple possessions away from a week where we knocked off Villanova and Providence. We need 5 wins in a schedule that includes 4 games against Georgetown, DePaul, and St. John's that are a combined 0-21 against Big East teams not mentioned in this sentence. It's an uphill climb, but the season isn't over. It's been a frustrating run, but I guess this is where we see what Wojo is made of. We were supposed to stamp our membership to the tournament this week by beating Butler and Providence, instead we are at the point where we will be fighting for our NCAA lives every night. I'll be very curious to see what the lineup and effort looks like on Wednesday.

Quote from: #bansultan on February 04, 2018, 07:06:20 AM

I heard sometimes he doesn't mow his lawn enough for his neighbor's liking too.  It's really shameful.

I know.  Do I have to shovel the driveway today? Don't want to ruin the neighbor's picture-window contrast of my snowy yard and black driveway. Something about property values.

Quote from: brewcity77 on February 04, 2018, 07:27:22 AM
I've been a defender of Wojo and the process, but the press conference was not a good look. The question that got him riled up was pretty routine. He went from a pretty stock press conference to "if you wanna get out the pitch forks go ahead!" It made me feel like he's been reading too much MU Scoop, because I haven't seen any of that from the actual media outlets yet.

And it's a fine line between "no excuses, it's on me" to "we're young, we're really young, youngest team in the oldest league, one of the youngest teams in the country." Are we young? Sure. According to Pomeroy, we are #318 in terms of experience and #224 in continuity of minutes returning. But repeating that is, by definition, an excuse.

I'm probably in the minority that I haven't given up on this season yet. We were a couple possessions away from a week where we knocked off Villanova and Providence. We need 5 wins in a schedule that includes 4 games against Georgetown, DePaul, and St. John's that are a combined 0-21 against Big East teams not mentioned in this sentence. It's an uphill climb, but the season isn't over. It's been a frustrating run, but I guess this is where we see what Wojo is made of. We were supposed to stamp our membership to the tournament this week by beating Butler and Providence, instead we are at the point where we will be fighting for our NCAA lives every night. I'll be very curious to see what the lineup and effort looks like on Wednesday.

Brew, I agree and disagree. Agree it sounded like he reads Scoop. Disagree as to look. To me, it almost seemed like AG's question was a Wojo-plant...you know... a la Buzz/ Goodman. But with the intent to help the team. If you look at the dichotomy of the press conference, it was like two halves (Scoop meme alert?):-) No, seriously, he spent the first part defending his players and taking the heat, and the second part holding them accountable.

Quote from: mu_hilltopper on February 03, 2018, 10:05:47 PM
Not one of Wojo's finer moments. 

Video of presser:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbjD7Yf0f00

Wow. That was some really weak sauce and incredibly thin skin

\It's great that he didn't want to use the fact that the team is young as an excuse, he just happened to mention that factor repeatedly.

Quote from: NickelDimer on February 04, 2018, 07:48:01 AM
Wow. That was some really weak sauce and incredibly thin skin

One guy's "thin skin" is another's "motivational ploy." Wojo took (and always takes) way more of the blame than he put (or ever puts) on his players. His storm-off and tongue-in-cheek "it's never about players making plays" sends the right message to all.

Quote from: ZenyattasTapitColt on February 04, 2018, 07:59:22 AM
One guy's "thin skin" is another's "motivational ploy." Wojo took (and always takes) way more of the blame than he put (or ever puts) on his players. His storm-off and tongue-in-cheek "it's never about players making plays" sends the right message to all.

You're giving him way too much credit in thinking that was contrived. That was an emotional outburst. The worst part of it is the reporter used Wojo's own words and asked him to elaborate when Wojo went all "victim of pitchforks" on him. That was not a good moment

Quote from: #bansultan on February 04, 2018, 07:06:20 AM

I heard sometimes he doesn't mow his lawn enough for his neighbor's liking too.  It's really shameful.

He is a $2 million plus public face of the program and university. That was not a good look nor is it when he skips media appearances continuously.

Frankly, it's immature on one hand (the kid is a student journalist who was being pretty tame) and shows a lack of leadership on the other. He needs media coaching.  That was a 7 minute advertisement that will be picked up by TV, radio and print outlets.  Guess what the message will be?

Yet, the Scoop Intelligencia shrugs their shoulders and blames us posters.

Quote from: mu_hilltopper on February 03, 2018, 10:05:47 PM
Not one of Wojo's finer moments. 

Video of presser:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbjD7Yf0f00

Well at least he took ownership for what everyone can see......

I think he is doing a great job except for game planning/player utlization/in game situations.....

Talent evaluation, recruiting, running a program the right way......All very good......

Needs to hire a mentor assistant like Ewing and Mullin have......I remind you.....Even Buzz had a couple......Wainraidt and Orr.....I believe.....

KNOW YOUR LIMITATIONS AND ADPAPT!

Knot understandin' da "tough environment" comment. Obviously, Wojo's sphincter's tighten'in up, hey?

I think I'll refine my remarks .. it wasn't a fine moment, but .. it really wasn't awful either. 

On a scale of media-freakouts it was a 2/10.  I think we're all used to his robotic 0/10 responses, so a 2 blows our minds.

4th year coach, all his guys, all his transfers, all his plays, and crappy results and a press conference to chit chat about his failures.   

Doesn't matter how well he's paid, it sucks for him.   This is the lowest point of his career to date.  No excuses, but I'd be grumpy and picking up a sack of Arby's on the way back to Mequon too.

Quote from: burger on February 04, 2018, 08:33:12 AM


Needs to hire a mentor assistant like Ewing and Mullin have......I remind you.....Even Buzz had a couple......Wainraidt and Orr.....I believe.....

KNOW YOUR LIMITATIONS AND ADPAPT!

Might interfere with the daily hoops game between the assistants.

Quote from: Dr. Blackheart on February 04, 2018, 08:18:43 AM
He is a $2 million plus public face of the program and university. That was not a good look nor is it when he skips media appearances continuously.

Frankly, it's immature on one hand (the kid is a student journalist who was being pretty tame) and shows a lack of leadership on the other. He needs media coaching.  That was a 7 minute advertisement that will be picked up by TV, radio and print outlets.  Guess what the message will be?

Yet, the Scoop Intelligencia shrugs their shoulders and blames us posters.

Let's play a game of  "Pin the Quote on the Coach"! 

"They made us look bad, but we made ourselves looks bad. We did not play to a caliber worthy of our program. We had blank faces, we didn't talk, didn't communicate at all. WE WERE LIKE 5 INDIVIDUALS OUT THERE. IT WAS DISGUSTING TO WATCH, ACTUALLY. I DO NOT KNOW WHY. I CAN SAY THATS NOT THE GROUP I'VE COACHED ALL YEAR. VERY FRUSTRATING TO COACH TODAY. THEY DIDNT RESPOND TO ANYTHING I TOLD THEM UNTIL THE LAST 8 MIN, AND THATS UNNACCEPTABLE!!"

I wonder what coach called out his team yesterday. Could it be, oh maybe Coach K??

Quote from: #bansultan on February 04, 2018, 07:06:20 AM

I heard sometimes he doesn't mow his lawn enough for his neighbor's liking too.  It's really shameful.

I revisit this quote because it sums up all of our reactions here, including my own. Like Sultan says in another post...."I don't care." Wojo insulted a student reporter. Oh the humanity. Probably did a career-based service to the kid. People are gonna b frustrated and treat the media poorly.... athletes, pols, etc. Good that the kid learns that now.

Oh, no! Media outlets are gonna pick this up! How does this make Marquette and my degree look? Oh, the horrors! If anything, Wojo is busting his rear so that local and national media will start covering us again and populating our post-game pressers again. Wojo loses it to a small gathering of student media while Coach K loses it and calls out his players in the national media capital of NYC, bright lights glaring. Yet some are afraid of a bad "look." The only look Wojo cares about is his team, thank God.

Quote from: ZenyattasTapitColt on February 04, 2018, 08:46:28 AM
Let's play a game of  "Pin the Quote on the Coach"! 

"They made us look bad, but we made ourselves looks bad. We did not play to a caliber worthy of our program. We had blank faces, we didn't talk, didn't communicate at all. WE WERE LIKE 5 INDIVIDUALS OUT THERE. IT WAS DISGUSTING TO WATCH, ACTUALLY. I DO NOT KNOW WHY. I CAN SAY THATS NOT THE GROUP I'VE COACHED ALL YEAR. VERY FRUSTRATING TO COACH TODAY. THEY DIDNT RESPOND TO ANYTHING I TOLD THEM UNTIL THE LAST 8 MIN, AND THATS UNNACCEPTABLE!!"

I wonder what coach called out his team yesterday. Could it be, oh maybe Coach K??

100% nailed this!! This is Wojo's mentor...THIS is what wojo should have said instead of the continual "we're young" drumbeat, or "it's on me" that he's been repeating. Sometimes, you have to call a spade a spade, and that's exactly what Coach K did and what Wojo should have done.

Quote from: ZenyattasTapitColt on February 04, 2018, 08:46:28 AM
Let's play a game of  "Pin the Quote on the Coach"! 

"They made us look bad, but we made ourselves looks bad. We did not play to a caliber worthy of our program. We had blank faces, we didn't talk, didn't communicate at all. WE WERE LIKE 5 INDIVIDUALS OUT THERE. IT WAS DISGUSTING TO WATCH, ACTUALLY. I DO NOT KNOW WHY. I CAN SAY THATS NOT THE GROUP I'VE COACHED ALL YEAR. VERY FRUSTRATING TO COACH TODAY. THEY DIDNT RESPOND TO ANYTHING I TOLD THEM UNTIL THE LAST 8 MIN, AND THATS UNNACCEPTABLE!!"

I wonder what coach called out his team yesterday. Could it be, oh maybe Coach K??

Coach K's team isn't Wojo's team. So why would you want them to say the same thing?

I know some people get excited about this stuff but a coach knows

Quote from: muguru on February 04, 2018, 09:08:28 AM
100% nailed this!! This is Wojo's mentor...THIS is what wojo should have said instead of the continual "we're young" drumbeat, or "it's on me" that he's been repeating. Sometimes, you have to call a spade a spade, and that's exactly what Coach K did and what Wojo should have done.

Wait, I'm confused. If he calls out his players he's passing the buck and covering up coaching mistakes, according to Scoop. If he doesn't call out his players, he's soft, according to Scoop. MUScoop is a microcosm of American politics, I guess. 50 percent are always against you.

Quote from: #bansultan on February 04, 2018, 09:13:28 AM

Coach K's team isn't Wojo's team. So why would you want them to say the same thing?

I know some people get excited about this stuff but a coach knows

Basically what I'm saying is, it doesn't hurt to call out the players like Coach K did..Yes, Wojo has to shoulder SOME of the responsibility for the debacle we have seen the last two games, but when they have played as bad as they have the past two games, it's on the players..and they need to be held accountable.

When struggles like this happen, seemingly out of the blue like this one has, I always wonder to myself, if there are some sort of chemistry issues that have cropped up. That may not be fair or right, but It always makes me wonder.

Quote from: #bansultan on February 04, 2018, 09:13:28 AM

Coach K's team isn't Wojo's team. So why would you want them to say the same thing?

I know some people get excited about this stuff but a coach knows

I agree 100 percent. Thought it went without saying. Wojo is walking gingerly around his young players' psyche while K is retorting his All-Americans. Different teams. Just brought it in to illustrate how some have attacked Wojo for allegedly covering his rear.

Quote from: muguru on February 04, 2018, 09:19:58 AM
Basically what I'm saying is, it doesn't hurt to call out the players like Coach K did..Yes, Wojo has to shoulder SOME of the responsibility for the debacle we have seen the last two games, but when they have played as bad as they have the past two games, it's on the players..and they need to be held accountable.

When struggles like this happen, seemingly out of the blue like this one has, I always wonder to myself, if there are some sort of chemistry issues that have cropped up. That may not be fair or right, but It always makes me wonder.

Good post. What concerns me is in no way an indictment of Harry Froling or Joey Hauser. We are fortunate to have both of them. I think it is coincidental and schedule-related more than anything, but our poorest stretch of basketball has occurred just after Harry became eligible. Did the changes made to the offense to accommodate this affect our chemistry?

Quote from: muguru on February 04, 2018, 09:19:58 AM
Basically what I'm saying is, it doesn't hurt to call out the players like Coach K did..Yes, Wojo has to shoulder SOME of the responsibility for the debacle we have seen the last two games, but when they have played as bad as they have the past two games, it's on the players..and they need to be held accountable.

When struggles like this happen, seemingly out of the blue like this one has, I always wonder to myself, if there are some sort of chemistry issues that have cropped up. That may not be fair or right, but It always makes me wonder.

Of course they have to be held accountable. They don't have to be held accountable publically.

Quote from: Dr. Blackheart on February 04, 2018, 08:18:43 AM
He is a $2 million plus public face of the program and university. That was not a good look nor is it when he skips media appearances continuously.

Frankly, it's immature on one hand (the kid is a student journalist who was being pretty tame) and shows a lack of leadership on the other. He needs media coaching.  That was a 7 minute advertisement that will be picked up by TV, radio and print outlets.  Guess what the message will be?

Yet, the Scoop Intelligencia shrugs their shoulders and blames us posters.

scoop intelligencia is a contradiction of terms. kind of like jumbo shrimp

Listen, I don't think Wojo should have gone Coach K and ripped the players, but I don't think he should act like a flapping seal up there.  I agree with Topper that it wasn't a Lee Elia meltdown but it also shows he isn't handling adversity well.

Write five-ten points down on an index card. Use your stat sheet.  Get composed. Call out the high and low lights with the three points needed for improvement.  "Great Big East game.  I appreciate the fan support on NMD.  Tough loss and a tough stretch for a young learning team. Providence is well-coached and experienced and responded well to our charge back led by the freshmen.  Theo and Greg were great. They zeroed in on our guards, we countered with Sam post ups. Foul trouble hurt both teams but our big three were really hampered.  Thought about going zone to protect them but we were down and needed on ball pressure.  With a young team building for the future, we got better defensively today but are still learning to defend the home court, taking control of the game. On to Seton Hall where they will be ready for us."

Instead we got a mic swatting, tightly wound, defensive, temper tantrum. It happens as these coaches are all in emotionally, but give the guy some media help. The public wants and expects to hear from him.  What went right, what went wrong and what's next--not the excuses and storm offs.

Quote from: Dr. Blackheart on February 04, 2018, 09:53:53 AM
Listen, I don't think Wojo should have gone Coach K and ripped the players, but I don't think he should act like a flapping seal up there.  I agree with Topper that it wasn't a Lee Elia meltdown but it also shows he isn't handling adversity well.

Write five-ten points down on an index card. Use your stat sheet.  Get composed. Call out the high and low lights with the three points needed for improvement.  "Great Big East game.  I appreciate the fan support on NMD.  Tough loss and a tough stretch for a young learning team. Providence is well-coached and experienced and responded well to our charge back led by the freshmen.  Theo and Greg were great. They zeroed in on our guards, we countered with Sam post ups. Foul trouble hurt both teams but our big three were really hampered.  Thought about going zone to protect them but we were down and needed on ball pressure.  With a young team building for the future, we got better defensively today but are still learning to defend the home court, taking control of the game. On to Seton Hall where they will be ready for us."

Instead we got a mic swatting, tightly wound, defensive, temper tantrum. It happens as these coaches are all in emotionally, but give the guy some media help. The public wants and expects to hear from him.  What went right, what went wrong and what's next--not the excuses and storm offs.

This entire subject is so stupid. So completely irrelevant.

Quote from: #bansultan on February 04, 2018, 09:56:09 AM

This entire subject is so stupid. So completely irrelevant.

Thanks for FINALLY weighing in.  I was wondering where you would net out on this. 

Quote from: #bansultan on February 04, 2018, 09:56:09 AM

This entire subject is so stupid. So completely irrelevant.

I fully agree. We've seriously resorted to whining about what Wojo says in a press conference? Who cares.

Quote from: Smokin' Jae on February 04, 2018, 01:06:55 AM
Yeah, cause nobody has ever made a thread to whine about anything, and definitely not a thread whining about rowsey 4 days ago.

Rowsey's play on the court and offensive scheme. Wojo's...press conference?  Yeah, really good comparison. Lol.

Quote from: cheese ball chaser on February 04, 2018, 10:15:14 AM
I fully agree. We've seriously resorted to whining about what Wojo says in a press conference? Who cares.

Yep.  Cooley was equally testy in his presser when asked about the 2 Friar's loss prior to this game.  Just what it is. 

Quote from: Dr. Blackheart on February 04, 2018, 08:18:43 AM
He is a $2 million plus public face of the program and university. That was not a good look nor is it when he skips media appearances continuously.

Frankly, it's immature on one hand (the kid is a student journalist who was being pretty tame) and shows a lack of leadership on the other. He needs media coaching.  That was a 7 minute advertisement that will be picked up by TV, radio and print outlets.  Guess what the message will be?

Yet, the Scoop Intelligencia shrugs their shoulders and blames us posters.

When Wojo's presser is hitting the news outlets please provide the link. I would love to see it.

Fact of the matter is nobody outside of this thread is going to see a single thing from it.

I'd consider myself a pretty avid fan and this is the first post game press conference of Wojo's I've watched this year, and the only reason I did was because it got linked here and people were acting like he just insulted their dead mother.

I guess it is just another Rorshach test.     I didn't see anything objectionable.    He owned it.    And he spoke the truth about youth and schedule that some here don't want to accept.      I would be disappointed if he DIDN'T get a little testy.   

(https://www.wynnstayagriculture.co.uk/media/catalog/product/cache/2/image/650x/040ec09b1e35df139433887a97daa66f/1/3/13586.jpg)

Heaven forbid our coach acts like a mature leader to the public eye. Thanks to the Illenigencia for telling me what to think.

Quote from: Dr. Blackheart on February 04, 2018, 12:32:43 PM
(https://www.wynnstayagriculture.co.uk/media/catalog/product/cache/2/image/650x/040ec09b1e35df139433887a97daa66f/1/3/13586.jpg)

Heaven forbid our coach acts like a mature leader to the public eye. Thanks to the Illenigencia for telling me what to think.

Again, how many people do you think are going to see this?

But oh boy look out, Wojo may not be the squeaky clean guy people think MU got! He showed some emotion at a press conference that...250? People will see!

Quote from: Dr. Blackheart on February 04, 2018, 12:32:43 PM
(https://www.wynnstayagriculture.co.uk/media/catalog/product/cache/2/image/650x/040ec09b1e35df139433887a97daa66f/1/3/13586.jpg)

Heaven forbid our coach acts like a mature leader to the public eye. Thanks to the Illenigencia for telling me what to think.

He looked fine.

I've seen many post game pressers where coaches get far more agitated than that. IMHO, this one doesn't even hit the radar screen of "big deal" responses.

I'm glad he showed some real emotion, it was out of frustration but it's better than more coach speak. Harness that anger and frustration and let's make a damn push to finish out conference. The tournament is still there for the taking.

As of this writing

This thread has 2,047 views

Wojo's presser on youtube has 850 views.

What percentage of those 850 views are people on this thread?  Half?  More?

Does anyone not part of this thread care? 

Quote from: Tugg Speedman on February 04, 2018, 01:47:13 PM

Does anyone not part of this thread care?

Nope.  And frankly, most of the people who have posted in this thread don't care much either.  There are a few who didn't like it - that's certainly their prerogative - but IMHO it was no big deal.

Just deciding to browse scoop after staying away yesterday. Man this place is blowing up. Some crazy talk in this thread.

The presser is a non issue. I'm glad he showed some emotion. This team is going to need some - Rowsey in particular - before this train is fully derailed.

Mediocre vanilla Woj

Quote from: mu_hilltopper on February 04, 2018, 08:41:10 AM
I think I'll refine my remarks .. it wasn't a fine moment, but .. it really wasn't awful either. 

On a scale of media-freakouts it was a 2/10.  I think we're all used to his robotic 0/10 responses, so a 2 blows our minds.

4th year coach, all his guys, all his transfers, all his plays, and crappy results and a press conference to chit chat about his failures.   

Doesn't matter how well he's paid, it sucks for him.   This is the lowest point of his career to date.  No excuses, but I'd be grumpy and picking up a sack of Arby's on the way back to Mequon too.

I'm with topper here.  I want Wojo to be grumpy at times like this.  Now if the guy asking the question was a reporter for MU Wire or the Tribune (my sense from reading is that he might be) then Wojo should reach out to him privately and apologize as it would be one thing to fire on Ben Steele who gets a paycheck for this but getting heated at a Trib reporter who frankly asked a damn good and probing question is another.  Wojo gets paid a crap ton of money.  He's expected to win and needs to appreciate that there will be external pressure if he doesn't.  The press is part of that pressure.

Oh, and one more thing.  Who's fault is it that we're the youngest team in the oldest conference?  Bingo.

Dr. B .. I'll bite.  What is that device in the picture?

I imagine the tube goes in to Arby's sauce, but I can't figure out the rest of it.

Quote from: mu_hilltopper on February 04, 2018, 02:47:39 PM
Dr. B .. I'll bite.  What is that device in the picture?

I imagine the tube goes in to Arby's sauce, but I can't figure out the rest of it.

No biting allowed. It is the "Scoop Intelligencia Wojo Suckling Device".  Horsey Sauce is extra. 

Heaven forbid Wojo gets upended by a 21 year old journalism major in his presser.

Quote from: Dr. Blackheart on February 04, 2018, 03:02:38 PM
No biting allowed. It is the "Scoop Intelligencia Wojo Suckling Device".  Horsey Sauce is extra. 

Heaven forbid Wojo gets upended by a 21 year old journalism major in his presser.

Were you also butthurt when he was robotic with his coach speak?

Wojo got blinded sided in da presser. Wuz expectin' softie questions. Could visably cee da hare raise up on the back of his neck as he got more and more pissed. Kinda painted himself inta a corner wit the stance he took. Gotta bee da consumate professional wen da face of yo Unversity. Butt, as da program, he's a work in progress two, aina?

It was clear he was frustrated after losing 4 straight, but it was good to see him get rattled a little. I like how he defended the team as well. Those guys arent taking it well I am sure, but at the same time, I am confident the team shows up vs SHU and moving forward. Anyone who watches CBB knows teams can hit rough stretches in a season, this was definitely MUBBs and I think its past that. On to some Ws.

Quote from: #bansultan on February 03, 2018, 09:37:07 PM
He didn't call a play for hero ball.  My guess is that PC's defense was not what they expected, the back up play got screwed up because someone did not recognize the problem, and Howard got the ball and tried to be the hero.

Correct. We really don't need to worry about Markus for hero ball. Andrew is the one that attempts way too much.

Quote from: #bansultan on February 04, 2018, 09:56:09 AM

This entire subject is so stupid. So completely irrelevant.

About as relevant as Wojo's Huddles on TV ! ! !   8-)

There was definitely some ego things there. He brought it up again before he stormed off. I'm not worried about our Offense. He's clearly got guys like Sam, Greg, Theo to come a long way on that side of the ball.

I am concerned defensively. I understand he can't magically be able to make Andrew a great on-ball defender. Then don't HUG another player 10 feet behind the 3 point line, give him a little space. So you are not in 'jail' the second he dribbles.

I think they are little things...Things a 2 time national DEFENSIVE player of the year should see.

This thread is peak Scoop.

Quote from: Pakuni on February 04, 2018, 09:00:07 PM
This thread is peak Scoop.

Amen.

Quote from: Pakuni on February 04, 2018, 09:00:07 PM
This thread is peak Scoop.

All down hill from here.  We had a good run.

Talk about blowing all of this way out of proportion.

Yup.   On a 1-10 scale for post game rants, this is about a 3.    Nothing controversial.    A couple minutes where the frustration came out.    Meh. 

Quote from: wadesworld on February 04, 2018, 03:33:21 PM
Were you also butthurt when he was robotic with his coach speak?

Please stop driving valuable posters away from the board with your vitriol.

I finally gave in and watched it...did I have the wrong YouTube link?  What did he say that was so wild?  Cheezus man, I wouldn't mind seeing a little more fire and brimstone.  I like how he took the blame and shielded the players. 

Need to send him to the bill belichek school of post game pressers, that would get some regular viewers, heyn'er?

Quote from: g0lden3agle on February 04, 2018, 09:38:26 PM
Please stop driving valuable posters away from the board with your vitriol.

If someone is going to call others thin skinned for a pretty dang mild post game press conference and then get "driven away" from a message board when someone calls them out for a stupid post maybe they're the ones with the thin skin.

Wojo just needs to coach better to win.  He has been doing a poor job of preparing the players for games; he has not made good adjustments during games; his defensive schemes are terrible.  In short, he is a good recruiter but a poor coach.  I wish it weren't so.  But, it is.

I think many of you are completely missing the point..

Nobody is saying it was a heated argument between him and the student journalist.  Nobody is saying there was a bunch of fireworks and it was crazy!

The point is wojo will constantly say "I'm not going to make excuses, BUT...".  Then makes a million excuses.  A young journalist asked him a legit and great question, wojo completely unraveled and acted like a baby.  Marcus doesn't get to the free throw line, but it's not the refs fault.  We have a young team, and our conference is a monster, blah blah blah.

Here's an idea, take some accountability and don't throw a fit when someone asks you a simple question that you yourself stated in the last post game conference. See his post on Instagram about his dad's birthday today "he taught me don't make excuses". Really?  That's all your last post game conference was, along with the last 3 of them.

Here's a thought, stop being condescending, man up, earn your grossly over paid 2+ million dollar salary, and figure it out. 

It's frustrating when every year it's the same ol excuse.  It's another transfer which is why we're  "so young and every other team is so old".

Creighton, Nova, Providence lose players to injuries and what happens?  Nothing, they continue to win and do well. 

Hang your hat on that top 13 offensive ranking though woj, great job.

Quote from: MUpilot on February 04, 2018, 10:00:02 PM
I think many of you are completely missing the point..

Nobody is saying it was a heated argument between him and the student journalist.  Nobody is saying there was a bunch of fireworks and it was crazy!

The point is wojo will constantly say "I'm not going to make excuses, BUT...".  Then makes a million excuses.  A young journalist asked him a legit and great question, wojo completely unraveled and acted like a baby.  Marcus doesn't get to the free throw line, but it's not the refs fault.  We have a young team, and our conference is a monster, blah blah blah.

Here's an idea, take some accountability and don't throw a fit when someone asks you a simple question that you yourself stated in the last post game conference. See his post on Instagram about his dad's birthday today "he taught me don't make excuses". Really?  That's all your last post game conference was, along with the last 3 of them.

Here's a thought, stop being condescending, man up, earn your grossly over paid 2+ million dollar salary, and figure it out. 

It's frustrating when every year it's the same ol excuse.  It's another transfer which is why we're  "so young and every other team is so old".

Creighton, Nova, Providence lose players to injuries and what happens?  Nothing, they continue to win and do well. 

Hang your hat on that top 13 offensive ranking though woj, great job.

K.

I don't care that he went off.  Fine. What's a touch bothersome is how the whole thing lacked direction.  He had no idea what he was saying, it was a rambling mess.  Nice name drop on the #13 offense tho.  Always good to know your KenPom stats when you have 10 losses on Feb 4th.

Character revealed?

In the presser, you can tell he was frustrated - frustrated we lost again, frustrated at the coach g question, and tho he said the team did not execute the scouting report/game plan, he went out of the way to say don't blame them - that's on me.  And he is correct and he knows it,  it must be frustrating to be gong through this in his 4th year.  The Big East is a lot more brutal than he anticipated.  But I give him credit for taking the blame and understand his frustrations knowing everyone is on him about this.

What will happen next?  The team gels and rallies around Coach, or they do not.  Coach figures out how to get to them and they gel.   Who knows. I think he is, as he said, "coaching his butt off". 

Get a pg for next year, and what he has brought together could be special.  Go Marquette!

Quote from: g0lden3agle on February 04, 2018, 09:38:26 PM
Please stop driving valuable posters away from the board with your vitriol.

Ignore list also works.

Like any one of us could sit up there are do a better job?

Quote from: MUpilot on February 04, 2018, 10:00:02 PM
I think many of you are completely missing the point..

Nobody is saying it was a heated argument between him and the student journalist.  Nobody is saying there was a bunch of fireworks and it was crazy!

The point is wojo will constantly say "I'm not going to make excuses, BUT...".  Then makes a million excuses.  A young journalist asked him a legit and great question, wojo completely unraveled and acted like a baby.  Marcus doesn't get to the free throw line, but it's not the refs fault.  We have a young team, and our conference is a monster, blah blah blah.

Here's an idea, take some accountability and don't throw a fit when someone asks you a simple question that you yourself stated in the last post game conference. See his post on Instagram about his dad's birthday today "he taught me don't make excuses". Really?  That's all your last post game conference was, along with the last 3 of them.

Here's a thought, stop being condescending, man up, earn your grossly over paid 2+ million dollar salary, and figure it out. 

It's frustrating when every year it's the same ol excuse.  It's another transfer which is why we're  "so young and every other team is so old".

Creighton, Nova, Providence lose players to injuries and what happens?  Nothing, they continue to win and do well. 

Hang your hat on that top 13 offensive ranking though woj, great job.

I completely understand the point.  I don't think his performance in a press conference is a big deal...at all.  Unless the dude flips over the podium, strings together a dozen profanities or has a "I'm a man.  I'm 40" moment, 99% of the fan-base never hears it or moves on.

Of course there will be some who read too much into it and keep a topic going for two days focusing on irrelevant stuff...

Quote from: GurneeHitchkr on February 05, 2018, 08:20:23 AM
Like any one of us could sit up there are do a better job?

I would walk up there with my Arby's hat and bag of beef and cheddars and go to town on them reporters.

Quote from: mu_hilltopper on February 04, 2018, 09:08:30 PM
All down hill from here.  We had a good run.

I am still going to the Seton Hall game. Go Warriors. Maybe you should change your user name to mu_downhiller.

Quote from: ZenyattasTapitColt on February 04, 2018, 07:03:14 AM
Goose is gonna put me in your camp as a lifelong Wojo homer, TAMU...but I thought Wojo's reaction was exactly what we should want. At the beginning of the presser, he was calm and collected. Showed perspective and urged patience as to our youth. He stressed the absolute love and belief he has for his guys. He could've ripped apart the players for not executing...AGAIN. He showed restraint and class. Then, when the reporter still seeks the juicy write-up despite all that, what would any of us do in that type of situation? I love that he got pissed and defended himself. He's already defended his team. He's more frustrated than all of us Scoopers combined, and that's "frustrated". But he's a pro. He did it perfectly. The buck stops here, yes. But our guys have to be accountable too. Did it without singling guys out.

Yep lots of Frustration ,by Wojo and the Coaches on this Board as well as many everyday Scoopers.

But my salvation is looking at  the big picture and trying to understand there will be snapshots frustrating losses within that Big picture.

Wasn't a good look from Wojo.  One thing to get defensive and snarky with a professional journalist, another thing to get snarky at a student journalist.  The kid's question was reasonable.

As for what would have made a difference coaching-wise in the Providence game:  There were, as I recall, two ~4 minute segments of the game where we were just getting abused by Providence at the rim - they were scoring at will, and we were struggling on the offensive end.  You look at Providence, their length, strength, and athleticism - and the only guy on our roster who can match that is Theo.  While Theo played 24 minutes, he should have played 30-34.  Also, Cain was underutilized in my opinion.

Entertaining game, team is still fun to watch - BUT Wojo still has a ways to go as a coach.  He's improved, BUT, at best, at present he is an average bench coach.  Not sure he can ever be more than average, which means we will have to get elite talent in order to compete.

Quote from: Floorslapper on February 05, 2018, 09:14:34 AM
Wasn't a good look from Wojo.  One thing to get defensive and snarky with a professional journalist, another thing to get snarky at a student journalist.  The kid's question was reasonable.

As for what would have made a difference coaching-wise in the Providence game:  There were, as I recall, two ~4 minute segments of the game where we were just getting abused by Providence at the rim - they were scoring at will, and we were struggling on the offensive end.  You look at Providence, their length, strength, and athleticism - and the only guy on our roster who can match that is Theo.  While Theo played 24 minutes, he should have played 30-34.  Also, Cain was underutilized in my opinion.

Entertaining game, team is still fun to watch - BUT Wojo still has a ways to go as a coach.  He's improved, BUT, at best, at present he is an average bench coach.  Not sure he can ever be more than average, which means we will have to get elite talent in order to compete.

I just watched the game replay, and I think Wojo coached a pretty good game. Man, the things that went against us were almost uncanny.....
1.MH drives and defender jumps out at and into him (while Gottlieb somehow says he jumped vertically)...no call.
2. Later, Sam is as vertical as vertical can be....foul called.
3. Late in game, Sam does his version of the "Thing", gets defender to bite, and inexplicably doesn't make a shooting motion, instead throws a pass, thus getting only two free throws.
4. Theo (who had an awesome game) for some reason doesn't allow MH's layup to likely spin in, and MH converts 2 frees instead of an &1 situation.

Points 3 and 4 above alone means potentially a tie game. I couldn't find one game situation where Wojo either didn't adjust or made a bad decision. A team like MU is much better in transition after a free throw miss than calling a timeout and drawing up a play in the half court. Just unfortunate MH turned it over after the double team.

Quote from: MUpilot on February 04, 2018, 10:00:02 PM
I think many of you are completely missing the point..

Nobody is saying it was a heated argument between him and the student journalist.  Nobody is saying there was a bunch of fireworks and it was crazy!

The point is wojo will constantly say "I'm not going to make excuses, BUT...".  Then makes a million excuses.  A young journalist asked him a legit and great question, wojo completely unraveled and acted like a baby.  Marcus doesn't get to the free throw line, but it's not the refs fault.  We have a young team, and our conference is a monster, blah blah blah.

Here's an idea, take some accountability and don't throw a fit when someone asks you a simple question that you yourself stated in the last post game conference. See his post on Instagram about his dad's birthday today "he taught me don't make excuses". Really?  That's all your last post game conference was, along with the last 3 of them.

Here's a thought, stop being condescending, man up, earn your grossly over paid 2+ million dollar salary, and figure it out. 

It's frustrating when every year it's the same ol excuse.  It's another transfer which is why we're  "so young and every other team is so old".

Creighton, Nova, Providence lose players to injuries and what happens?  Nothing, they continue to win and do well. 

Hang your hat on that top 13 offensive ranking though woj, great job.

I think this is pretty well said and sort of where I was going with the original post.

I also agree with sultan in that the presser is pretty irrelevant....unless he's letting the pressure he's likely feeling effect his handling of the team.

Didn't expect this to turn into this type of thread but I guess I'm new posting to scoop. Now I know what to expect  :)

Did it ever occur to anyone that maybe we're just not as talented as everyone thinks we are?  Sure Markus and Rowsey are studs but all opposing teams have to do is shut one of them down and they can pretty much have their way with us.  Wojo knows our weaknesses and did something about in acquiring Morrow, but he's not eligible this year.  I have confidence in the staff, just not the players.  We're way too dependent on the 3 ball and when it doesn't fall we're exposed plain and simple.  It's great to see Theo and Sacar develop, but they're not quite where they need to be yet for us to be a really good team.  At the end of the day, they're just not as good or as experienced as we all want them to be.  By the way I think it's fine to cite our youth as an excuse because in addition to being young, we don't routinely acquire blueblood one and done talent, which candidly is who Wojo has spent the vast majority of his career coaching.  It's a lot more difficult with mediocre players and when they're mostly coming directly out of high school, which was not the case with many of his predecessor's recruits, it's exacerbated even more.  We were very experienced last year yet still incredibly lucky to make the dance as it is.  I like what I see from the frosh and I think we'll be a top 25 team next year with the addition of Joey, Morrow and Bailey.   If we're not, then I would advocate for a change but I think Wojo and staff get a pass until the end of next season.

Quote from: Disco Hippie on February 05, 2018, 10:13:13 AM
Did it ever occur to anyone that maybe we're just not as talented as everyone thinks we are?  Sure Markus and Rowsey are studs but all opposing teams have to do is shut one of them down and they can pretty much have their way with us.  Wojo knows our weaknesses and did something about in acquiring Morrow, but he's not eligible this year.  I have confidence in the staff, just not the players.  We're way too dependent on the 3 ball and when it doesn't fall we're exposed plain and simple.  It's great to see Theo and Sacar develop, but they're not quite where they need to be yet for us to be a really good team.  At the end of the day, they're just not as good or as experienced as we all want them to be.  By the way I think it's fine to cite our youth as an excuse because in addition to being young, we don't routinely acquire blueblood one and done talent, which candidly is who Wojo has spent the vast majority of his career coaching.  It's a lot more difficult with mediocre players and when they're mostly coming directly out of high school, which was not the case with many of his predecessor's recruits, it's exacerbated even more.  We were very experienced last year and we're lucky to make the dance as it is.  I really like what I see from the frosh and I think we'll be a top 25 team next year.  If we're not, then I would advocate for a change.

It occurred to me long ago.   I have just been saying it differently.     And with the exception of Rowsey and Heldt, I believe all can improve.     So, I don't say (player x) sucks.   I point out there youth and where they can improve.    Be it skill development or muscle development. 

Well if he's frustrated, who can blame him?
(didn't watch presser - figured I had a good idea about what he'd say [not a judgement])

Quote from: GurneeHitchkr on February 05, 2018, 08:20:23 AM
Like any one of us could sit up there are do a better job?

I hate this argument. I hate it for athletes, coaches, politicians, teachers, CEOs, etc etc etc. It's trotted out time and time again when a valid criticism comes up, but the responder doesn't have a great answer to defend whoever is being critiqued.

Just because no one here is able to coach at Wojo's level doesn't mean criticism of him is off base (the merits of this particular thread notwithstanding). Similarly, no one here is able to play basketball at the same level as the MU team. Does that mean we can't point out Rowsey's careless  turnovers at times? Or our big men's propensity for bad fouls?

I'll agree that in general most people can do a better job of trying to respect just how hard it is to compete at this level, but there are still going to be times where critical comments will come up after a poor performance. That's just how it works. 

Quote from: jsglow on February 04, 2018, 02:46:59 PM
I'm with topper here.  I want Wojo to be grumpy at times like this.  Now if the guy asking the question was a reporter for MU Wire or the Tribune (my sense from reading is that he might be) then Wojo should reach out to him privately and apologize as it would be one thing to fire on Ben Steele who gets a paycheck for this but getting heated at a Trib reporter who frankly asked a damn good and probing question is another.  Wojo gets paid a crap ton of money.  He's expected to win and needs to appreciate that there will be external pressure if he doesn't.  The press is part of that pressure.

Oh, and one more thing.  Who's fault is it that we're the youngest team in the oldest conference?  Bingo.

All right ... I'll weigh in now. I had mostly stayed away from Scoop the last coupla days, both because I didn't want to be sucked into the Cavern of Angst & Anger, and because I was busy dealing with my effen broken cellphone (and no, I didn't throw it in disgust!). I just watched the video of this Wojo presser a few minutes ago.

First, just a teeny bit of personal background for those who didn't already know or who care too little to remember ... I am a former sportswriter. I probably attended 5,000 press conferences. During my 30 years, I asked great questions and stupid questions and softball questions and everything in between. I mostly had very good professional relationships with the people I interviewed, but there were a few testy answers. It happens.

And final disclosure (again, something most Scoopers already know): I am in the pro-Wojo camp. I wanted Shaka, he turned us down, and I thought Wojo was a good hire after that. I think he has done a good job rebuilding the program, has improved as a coach, but needs to get better.

OK ... enough preliminaries.

I attached this to glow's comment because I agree with his viewpoint on this. Wojo took out his frustrations on a student reporter who actually asked a pretty darn good question. Frankly, it was a weasel move.

I agree with the many who say that in the context of BIG things, this was a pretty small one. But I also agree with those who say that dealing with the media is Wojo's job. And given that he gets very little negative publicity, especially nationally - I mean, Bilas blows him weekly! - he has to be grown up enough to understand that when he has a 4-game losing streak in Year 4 and looks like he'll miss the NCAAs a year after making them, he might get a tiny bit of criticism. And again, I'm not even sure the amount of criticism he has gotten (other than on Scoop) can even be called "tiny."

The "pitchforks" comment was idiotic and over-the-top. It sounded paranoid, as much of his mini-tirade did.

It is fine to talk about how young the team is when asked about it - as he was. But then ... asked and answered, as they say in the courtroom. Don't trot it out 10 more times in the same 7-minute presser. When you do that, it goes from being a fact - which it is - to an excuse and then to a lame excuse. Especially when punctuating it with "I'm not making a big deal of it" ... which he clearly was.

To be set off so easily by a student reporter's decent question, Wojo came off looking a little small and thin-skinned.

Those who think he actually was taking responsibility with the way he answered the questions ... he wasn't. By saying, "Blame me for everything," he really was saying, "Who the hell are you to blame me for anything?"

Yes, I much prefer honesty and even frustration to coach-speak all the time, but Wojo simply didn't handle this press conference very well.

To those who say that nobody (relatively) will see it, that's true. And that's good.

BTW, this press conference did not make me less happy with how the team is progressing under him. I still am bullish on our future.

It's just that how a person handles adversity is important. Given the lack of real criticism he has received so far makes me a little worried about how he will react if it comes. I hope Wojo goes back and watches that video, learns from it and handles things more professionally next time.

Very well said 82. Bravo.

Quote from: MU82 on February 05, 2018, 11:14:05 AM
It's just that how a person handles adversity is important. Given the lack of real criticism he has received so far makes me a little worried about how he will react if it comes. I hope Wojo goes back and watches that video, learns from it and handles things more professionally next time.

Bingo. It often seems clear when a player goes through a coaching moment, but sometimes it isn't apparent when coaches run into a similar scenario. This is one of them. It's not likely to draw criticism from the media or the university, but he should still consider ways to avoid this kind of scenario again, which I'm sure he will.

Your point about how little actual criticism he's received is also spot on. I know most commentators and sportswriters don't want to critique a coach and question his methods too regularly, but at a certain point, when expectations have increased for Wojo and the program, I've got to think he'll begin to be held to a different standard when it comes to winning. If we drop an early game or two next year, I wouldn't be surprised to see more questions like he got Saturday.

Quote from: MU82 on February 05, 2018, 11:14:05 AM
All right ... I'll weigh in now. I had mostly stayed away from Scoop the last coupla days, both because I didn't want to be sucked into the Cavern of Angst & Anger, and because I was busy dealing with my effen broken cellphone (and no, I didn't throw it in disgust!). I just watched the video of this Wojo presser a few minutes ago.

First, just a teeny bit of personal background for those who didn't already know or who care too little to remember ... I am a former sportswriter. I probably attended 5,000 press conferences. During my 30 years, I asked great questions and stupid questions and softball questions and everything in between. I mostly had very good professional relationships with the people I interviewed, but there were a few testy answers. It happens.

And final disclosure (again, something most Scoopers already know): I am in the pro-Wojo camp. I wanted Shaka, he turned us down, and I thought Wojo was a good hire after that. I think he has done a good job rebuilding the program, has improved as a coach, but needs to get better.

OK ... enough preliminaries.

I attached this to glow's comment because I agree with his viewpoint on this. Wojo took out his frustrations on a student reporter who actually asked a pretty darn good question. Frankly, it was a weasel move.

I agree with the many who say that in the context of BIG things, this was a pretty small one. But I also agree with those who say that dealing with the media is Wojo's job. And given that he gets very little negative publicity, especially nationally - I mean, Bilas blows him weekly! - he has to be grown up enough to understand that when he has a 4-game losing streak in Year 4 and looks like he'll miss the NCAAs a year after making them, he might get a tiny bit of criticism. And again, I'm not even sure the amount of criticism he has gotten (other than on Scoop) can even be called "tiny."

The "pitchforks" comment was idiotic and over-the-top. It sounded paranoid, as much of his mini-tirade did.

It is fine to talk about how young the team is when asked about it - as he was. But then ... asked and answered, as they say in the courtroom. Don't trot it out 10 more times in the same 7-minute presser. When you do that, it goes from being a fact - which it is - to an excuse and then to a lame excuse. Especially when punctuating it with "I'm not making a big deal of it" ... which he clearly was.

To be set off so easily by a student reporter's decent question, Wojo came off looking a little small and thin-skinned.

Those who think he actually was taking responsibility with the way he answered the questions ... he wasn't. By saying, "Blame me for everything," he really was saying, "Who the hell are you to blame me for anything?"

Yes, I much prefer honesty and even frustration to coach-speak all the time, but Wojo simply didn't handle this press conference very well.

To those who say that nobody (relatively) will see it, that's true. And that's good.

BTW, this press conference did not make me less happy with how the team is progressing under him. I still am bullish on our future.

It's just that how a person handles adversity is important. Given the lack of real criticism he has received so far makes me a little worried about how he will react if it comes. I hope Wojo goes back and watches that video, learns from it and handles things more professionally next time.

Phenomenal post, great insight.

The bold part is why the presser is worth discussing.  The number of views is irrelevant.  What is relevant, however, is what it can reveal about his personality, how he handles (perceived) criticism, etc. 

I'm going to extrapolate a bit here--okay, a lot--and take a guess that the assistant coaches gingerly avoid saying anything to Wojo that could be perceived as a criticism. 

Quote from: Eldon on February 05, 2018, 12:36:46 PM
Phenomenal post, great insight.

The bold part is why the presser is worth discussing.  The number of views is irrelevant.  What is relevant, however, is what it can reveal about his personality, how he handles (perceived) criticism, etc. 

I'm going to extrapolate a bit here--okay, a lot--and take a guess that the assistant coaches gingerly avoid saying anything to Wojo that could be perceived as a criticism.

Of course you would extrapolate that. It fits your narrative

I didnt see any issues, there have been way worse post-game pressers.

Quote from: GoldenZebra on February 05, 2018, 01:46:19 PM
MU Athletics deleted the videos of both Wojo and Sam's post-game pressers form YouTube. Only Ed Cooley's video is up there still.

Wrong.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbjD7Yf0f00 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbjD7Yf0f00)

Quote from: Dr. Blackheart on February 04, 2018, 12:08:35 AM
Just watched. Not a good look. After a tough loss on top of some bad losses, it is easy to see how he can be frustrated and emotional in the moment.  That said, as the leader of this program, he needs to be more composed or send out Stan.

He missed a Homer interview a few games ago and now this hissy fit. MU AD needs to prepare him a bit more instead of sending him out there like that.  Good lord, that mic took some CTE shots. Reminds me when Buzz went nutso on Mac after a tough loss.

Buzz went nutso on Mac after a win over Georgetown.  And Mac lobbed him a softball question that was complimentary of the team coming back after a slow start or something like that.  Then Buzz went off on him.  He must have misunderstood the question (focused on the slow start part or something).  I don't normally listen to the postgame radio but I happened to be listening that day.  That remains the strangest/most inappropriate response to a question I have ever heard from a coach.  I remember thinking that our new coach has a screw loose after that.

Quote from: #UnleashRowsey on February 04, 2018, 12:51:12 AM
He skipped Xavier and butler in the last week no?

He didn't skip Butler. He came on really, really late. You could tell Homer and Mac were struggling to find things to talk about.  I had dropped off a friend in Brookfield by the time he came on.

Wojo is definitely feeling the pressure from losing.  Hey, we all want him to succeed.  He has put together a very good, granted young, talented team.  The losses show that he is not preparing the players or putting them in the best offensive and defensive schemes to win.  He is right in admitting that he is responsible for the losses.  He is.  So up your coaching.  Coach us to win.  For starters designate a rim protector to stop layups.

Instead of the portion of the press conference that was truly "coach speak".....

He actually does need to re-examine everything......The scouting reports have to be "piss pour" or they are not being "instituted"......

All I know is the end result from and X's and O's perspective on the floor is atrocious......

That is only part 1.......

Part 2:Then when you get to special situations......That play at the end of the game was so lame......you have a play in your back pocket that you have been practicing for "weeks" in practice to bring it out at the right time......(Eagles yesterday for an example)

Part 3: Everybody says we are who we are......Well we are now much more than we were......Has even thought about John and Harry on the floor at the same time.....With Elliot Cain, and a diminutive guard and play a 3 2 zone with Howard at the Top , the 2 wings and a pair of Rim protectors.....on the offensive side.....Grind it out.....Harry and John on every play down in the post......Lay the LUMBER!

These are just examples thrown out.....of thought.....trying things.....no going back to the same old "stubborn" "coach speak"crap......

Stupid is as stupid does......

Either "really" adapt or don't let the door hit you......

We can do better......

There have been significant defense adjustments throughout this season. They have all had mixed results. The idea that Wojo is not trying anything new is a myth.

Quote from: TAMU Eagle on February 05, 2018, 04:07:51 PM
There have been significant defense adjustments throughout this season. They have all had mixed results. The idea that Wojo is not trying anything new is a myth.

No doubt that trying something new was on full display when (inexplicably) Wojo chose to go small against Providence who were abusing us at the basket throughout the game.  Cooley recognized it and they went at the basket and scored nearly every possession against our small lineup. 

Theo 24 minutes?  Contrary to anyone saying differently, Theo is a well-enough conditioned athlete to play 30+ minutes EVERY game.  Yet he has "low mileage" on this year as it relates to game playing time.  One thing to think Howard/Rowsey/Sam might be hitting a bit of a wall with all of their minutes, but Theo is as fresh as can be.

Quote from: The Lens on February 04, 2018, 10:31:18 PM
I don't care that he went off.  Fine. What's a touch bothersome is how the whole thing lacked direction.  He had no idea what he was saying, it was a rambling mess.  Nice name drop on the #13 offense tho.  Always good to know your KenPom stats when you have 10 losses on Feb 4th.

This may be the best post so far. It definitely lacked direction. He talked about himself coach better sarcastically. like really?

Burger, not mentioning Sam is stupid.  Second, when is the last time you saw a 3-2 zone?   What team? Let me know, so I can watch the next game they play and file it away and use it next year when I coach.

Quote from: jaygall31 on February 05, 2018, 04:57:48 PM
This may be the best post so far. It definitely lacked direction. He talked about himself coach better sarcastically. like really?

He appeared to lack direction because he was dancing around the fact that these simply ARE young kids who after three tough losses already had fragile psyches. As Sultan pointed out, you don't go off on these kids like Coach K went off on his guys after their loss to St. Johns. Maybe next year...but not this year.

Quote from: Eldon on February 05, 2018, 12:36:46 PM
Phenomenal post, great insight.

The bold part is why the presser is worth discussing.  The number of views is irrelevant.  What is relevant, however, is what it can reveal about his personality, how he handles (perceived) criticism, etc. 

I'm going to extrapolate a bit here--okay, a lot--and take a guess that the assistant coaches gingerly avoid saying anything to Wojo that could be perceived as a criticism.

Does Wojo talk to his assistants?  Does he listen to them?  Do they say anything?  I never see communication during the time outs.  During one time out I saw Rowsey, who had fouled out, wondering around sort of in the huddle.   

If Wojo is asking for all the blame/credit does that mean that the assistants are superfluous, is it all on him?  Does he do everything, recruit, game plan, train, drill, coach in the game?

Seems to me that most coaches use a different management style.  Some teams even have a huddle of assistants prior to the team huddle.  Am I missing something?  Even Buzz, the evil one, had a retired long beard by his side for some insight. 

Quote from: MU82 on February 05, 2018, 11:14:05 AMAll right ... I'll weigh in now.

Great post, 82. No need to quote it all, you know what you wrote, but I think it was spot on.

Quote from: ZenyattasTapitColt on February 05, 2018, 07:07:25 PM
He appeared to lack direction because he was dancing around the fact that these simply ARE young kids who after three tough losses already had fragile psyches. As Sultan pointed out, you don't go off on these kids like Coach K went off on his guys after their loss to St. Johns. Maybe next year...but not this year.

Agree with that, 100%. I just didn't appreciate how, IMO, he got very fiesty when talking about himself needing to coach better. Almost sarcastic.

I believe when that question was asked around the 4:30 mark, the question referred to a previous statement about Wojo saying he himself needed to coach better. Anyone have a link/article/video from that initial comment?

Quote from: jaygall31 on February 06, 2018, 12:35:13 AM
Almost Abso-freakin-lutely sarcastic.

FIFY

Quote from: MU82 on February 06, 2018, 12:40:31 AM
FIFY

Of course it was sarcastic. That's my whole point. All year he has shouldered the blame when we came up short. He starts the presser with how much he loves his team, still doesn't lay any blame on the players. So badly wants to do what K did, but correctly bites his tongue. How is his restraint rewarded? By a student "reporter" going right back to the "could it be the  coaching?"  narrative.

It IS, at some point, about "players making plays." Of course. But I guess you'll say he was playing "mind games" by not ripping into them from the start. Maybe he should have. Maybe he has...... just not publicly.

So, I just got done watching the game on Dvr this morning.  I would have never guessed this game came down to the wire and we were in a position to win.

Theo was outstanding. Period.  Sacar and Greg were very serviceable.  Not bad for a couple of youths.  Shame on Marcus for being barely 18. 

This team has a loooong way to go to be elite.  In the meantime, we are going to win a lot of games as the pieces come together. Especially next year when we have an interior defense.

Quote from: real chili 83 on February 06, 2018, 06:37:10 AM
So, I just got done watching the game on Dvr this morning.  I would have never guessed this game came down to the wire and we were in a position to win.

Theo was outstanding. Period.  Sacar and Greg were very serviceable.  Not bad for a couple of youths.  Shame on Marcus for being barely 18. 

This team has a loooong way to go to be elite.  In the meantime, we are going to win a lot of games as the pieces come together. Especially next year when we have an interior defense.

I think our interior defense suffers because our bigs have to help our guards which are not very good defenders. We need a guard that can defend.

Quote from: muwarrior69 on February 06, 2018, 08:28:00 AM
I think our interior defense suffers because our bigs have to help our guards which are not very good defenders. We need a guard that can defend.

Amen.

We will miss Rowsey's offensive abilities quite a bit.  But simply having Greg in instead of Rowsey defensively will make our defense better.

If we can add a defensive minded point guard that can handle the ball, we will be in for a very good season next year.

Quote from: real chili 83 on February 06, 2018, 06:37:10 AM
So, I just got done watching the game on Dvr this morning.  I would have never guessed this game came down to the wire and we were in a position to win.

Theo was outstanding. Period.  Sacar and Greg were very serviceable.  Not bad for a couple of youths.  Shame on Marcus for being barely 18. 

This team has a loooong way to go to be elite.  In the meantime, we are going to win a lot of games as the pieces come together. Especially next year when we have an interior defense.

Every thread after every loss we keep getting the same message. Underclassmen don't win big basketball games. Kind of weird they figured it out against the same guys on the road, though. Happy coincidence, I guess.

When Markus is a 20 year old senior, are we still going to give him the same out for being young? Lots of redshirt freshmen turn 20 in their first year playing, after all.

(http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/deadhorse.jpg)

Quote from: ZenyattasTapitColt on February 06, 2018, 04:50:26 AM
How is his restraint rewarded? By a student "reporter" going right back to the "could it be the  coaching?"  narrative.

Classic "shoot the messenger" stance.

Wojo is a grown-up - and a well-compensated grown-up at that.

It was a perfectly good question ... but even if it wasn't, handle it with class.

Quote from: skianth16 on February 06, 2018, 12:31:53 PM
Every thread after every loss we keep getting the same message. Underclassmen don't win big basketball games. Kind of weird they figured it out against the same guys on the road, though. Happy coincidence, I guess.

When Markus is a 20 year old senior, are we still going to give him the same out for being young? Lots of redshirt freshmen turn 20 in their first year playing, after all.

(http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/deadhorse.jpg)

It's not that underclassmen don't win big games (and I think you know that). It's that underclassmen are more inconsistent and in most cases have their best basketball in front of them. You keep getting the same message this season because the fact that we are young has not changed. It will change next year when that fact does change.

Three ways to win at a high level in college basketball:
1. Get one and dones (Duke and Kentucky)
2. Get old (Purdue, Wichita State, etc)
3. Combination of the two (Michigan State, Louisville, etc)

Quote from: TAMU Eagle on February 06, 2018, 01:08:47 PM


Three ways to win at a high level in college basketball:
1. Get one and dones (Duke and Kentucky)
2. Get old (Purdue, Wichita State, etc)
3. Combination of the two (Michigan State, Louisville, etc)

Three ways to win at a high level in college basketball:
1.Have the best players.
2.Have the next best players.
3.Have a combination of the best players and the next best players.

IOW, have really good players. We're not there yet.

Quote from: Lennys Tap on February 06, 2018, 01:19:48 PM
Three ways to win at a high level in college basketball:
1.Have the best players.
2.Have the next best players.
3.Have a combination of the best players and the next best players.

IOW, have really good players. We're not there yet.

Shoot. We should stop paying the coaches all this money, then.

Quote from: skianth16 on February 06, 2018, 01:26:34 PM
Shoot. We should stop paying the coaches all this money, then.

They're the ones who get the players.

Quote from: Lennys Tap on February 06, 2018, 01:40:14 PM
They're the ones who get the players.

I'll rephrase. Coaches should really stop putting all that effort in after a guy signs his LOI. What a waste of time!

Quote from: skianth16 on February 06, 2018, 01:42:48 PM
I'll rephrase. Coaches should really stop putting all that effort in after a guy signs his LOI. What a waste of time!

Coaches make a difference, especially when the talent level is close. Buzz could take his guys and beat Wojo's or take Wojo's guys and beat a VPI squad coached by Wojo, for example.

But coaching only takes you so far, especially at a level where virtually all of the coaches are at least competent. Then talent generally wins out.

Quote from: Lennys Tap on February 06, 2018, 01:51:07 PM
Coaches make a difference, especially when the talent level is close. Buzz could take his guys and beat Wojo's or take Wojo's guys and beat a VPI squad coached by Wojo, for example.

But coaching only takes you so far, especially at a level where virtually all of the coaches are at least competent. Then talent generally wins out.

Yes that's why us and VT have had nearly identical seasons the past 2 years. Are you saying we're that much more talented than VT? We have a better offense, they have a better defense although they also are outside the top 100. I've seen 5-6 VT games this year and they have a lot of talent. Why are they 5-5 in conference with only 1 top 40 win and losses to Ball State and Indiana?

Quote from: MUeagle1090 on February 06, 2018, 02:37:07 PM
Yes that's why us at VT have had nearly identical seasons the past 2 years. Are you saying we're that much more talented than VT? We have a better offense, they have a better defense although they also are outside the top 100. I've seen 5-6 VT games this year and they have a lot of talent. Why are they 5-5 in conference with only 1 top 40 win and losses to Ball State and Indiana?

Last year the game I wanted early was Marquette v Oklahoma State. This year I think us and Va Tech would be really fun. Great up-and-down game in Dayton.

Quote from: MU82 on February 06, 2018, 12:45:24 PM
Classic "shoot the messenger" stance.

Wojo is a grown-up - and a well-compensated grown-up at that.

It was a perfectly good question ... but even if it wasn't, handle it with class.

Sometimes the "messenger" is a "message-er" as well. Officials sometimes try to be "the show", and take away from the game. It happens with the media as well. I'm sure you were the consummate pro, but I can't watch either Fox News or CNN anymore with all the "reporters" trying to make a name for themselves. Everyone thinks they are the next Woodward +/or Bernstein.  Wojo had a right to be irked. It was a stupid question.

Quote from: MUeagle1090 on February 06, 2018, 02:37:07 PM
Yes that's why us and VT have had nearly identical seasons the past 2 years. Are you saying we're that much more talented than VT? We have a better offense, they have a better defense although they also are outside the top 100. I've seen 5-6 VT games this year and they have a lot of talent. Why are they 5-5 in conference with only 1 top 40 win and losses to Ball State and Indiana?

Va Tech didn't play Indiana or Ball State this year.  They did lose to Saint Louis.

Quote from: ZenyattasTapitColt on February 06, 2018, 07:07:29 PM
Sometimes the "messenger" is a "message-er" as well. Officials sometimes try to be "the show", and take away from the game. It happens with the media as well. I'm sure you were the consummate pro, but I can't watch either Fox News or CNN anymore with all the "reporters" trying to make a name for themselves. Everyone thinks they are the next Woodward +/or Bernstein.  Wojo had a right to be irked. It was a stupid question.

It was a fine question. A good question, even. It was just a follow up from something Wojo had said recently. On one hand, it was a follow up seeking more clarity, and on the other hand, it forced Wojo to actually take ownership over that comment. I think it was great, and it had nothing to do with the reporter trying to upstage the coach. Not even close.

Quote from: ZenyattasTapitColt on February 06, 2018, 07:07:29 PM
Wojo had a right to be irked. It was a stupid question.

We'll have to agree to strongly disagree.

Quote from: WarriorDad on February 06, 2018, 08:35:27 PM
Va Tech didn't play Indiana or Ball State this year.  They did lose to Saint Louis.

Huh. Who the hell's Kenpom page was I looking at

Quote from: MUeagle1090 on February 06, 2018, 11:17:01 PM
Huh. Who the hell's Kenpom page was I looking at

Notre Dame's.

Quote from: ZenyattasTapitColt on February 06, 2018, 04:50:26 AM
Of course it was sarcastic. That's my whole point. All year he has shouldered the blame when we came up short. He starts the presser with how much he loves his team, still doesn't lay any blame on the players. So badly wants to do what K did, but correctly bites his tongue. How is his restraint rewarded? By a student "reporter" going right back to the "could it be the  coaching?"  narrative.

I'm surprised at how many still haven't realized that Wojo was simply asked to elaborate ON HIS OWN WORDS FROM THE PREVIOUS WEEK. Listen to the PC again. No one asked Wojo whether he can coach. He was asked to expand on his own assertion made the days before this game that he needs to coach better

Quote from: skianth16 on February 06, 2018, 09:04:37 PM
It was a fine question. A good question, even. It was just a follow up from something Wojo had said recently. On one hand, it was a follow up seeking more clarity, and on the other hand, it forced Wojo to actually take ownership over that comment. I think it was great, and it had nothing to do with the reporter trying to upstage the coach. Not even close.

Fair enough. I just meant "stupid" in that Wojo had already made clear how the game did NOT come down to the last play. When the reporter asked the question, I got the feeling Wojo was like, "Does he really want to go over every single play in the game and how my coaching had an impact on it?" Coaches are detail-oriented animals, and the question was seen as  logistically ridiculous or meant to undermine the coach, and Wojo was having none of it. Hence the "You go through the tape and tell me how I can improve" retort by Wojo.

Quote from: MU82 on February 06, 2018, 10:00:19 PM
We'll have to agree to strongly disagree.

Sounds good. I'm having a hard time finding who loses in this endgame. Andrew Goldstein has got to be loving this. Wojo finally shows some emotion and probably fired up his team for the rest of the season. Wojo detractors (I know you're not among them, '82) are like, "See, told ya so. he's thin skinned." Wojo apologists (ok, put me in that camp..I think he's about to prove his worth very soon) got to see some fire from the guy they believe in. Wojo clearly showed he hates to lose. And so do we all.

Quote from: wadesworld on February 07, 2018, 06:30:39 AM
Notre Dame's.

Odd because I distinctly remember seeing VT beat ND. I must have clicked on ND halfway through and not realized it

Quote from: ZenyattasTapitColt on February 07, 2018, 07:13:11 AM
Sounds good. I'm having a hard time finding who loses in this endgame. Andrew Goldstein has got to be loving this. Wojo finally shows some emotion and probably fired up his team for the rest of the season. Wojo detractors (I know you're not among them, '82) are like, "See, told ya so. he's thin skinned." Wojo apologists (ok, put me in that camp..I think he's about to prove his worth very soon) got to see some fire from the guy they believe in. Wojo clearly showed he hates to lose. And so do we all.

Reasonable post, except I believe you are in the distinct minority in thinking that the question wasn't legit.

And yes, if I were Andrew Goldstein - and I did have many similar situations, including a few as a kid at the Trib - I would be wearing this as a badge of honor.

Anyone have a link to the St. John's presser? I can't find it and want to see it