I'm giving the edge to Crean. I'm likely biased because I was a student at that time. He did a good job of getting us engaged and making it feel like it was our team. He also added a level of showmanship and production value that Buzz never had.
A couple things I appreciate:
- The prerecorded video before each game, outlining the strengths of the other team, and what MU would be focused on. i.e. "Make sure to cheer when we're diving for loose balls, we've been working on that all week"
- Personally handing out donuts, food, etc. before huge games
- Allowing the student section into the BC 5-6 hours before a big Wisconsin game. They played Dumb & Dumber on the Jumbotron and we even got to watch MU warm up. Crean clapped and laughed when we chanted "F the Badgers"
- Crean came to my "Sports & Sociology" class and spoke for the whole hour, talking about his journey from assistant to head coach.
- Opening up practices to the public and doing Q&As with the fans.
- Always making an effort to get the BC sold out, it was always "We gotta talk to the Fire Marshall to see how many people we can fit in here."
Obviously, the guy had a ton of faults as well, like an unchecked ego and trying to name the student section after himself. But I still have a ton of great memories. I'd be happy to hear yours.
No contest, The Al era. Period!
'03 Final Four, although I have to admit when I traveled to New Orleans to watch the game against Kansas it was a pretty large buzz kill.
Also a Crean-era alum. He was slick and tan but he loved the students and I think it paid off for him.
He didn't have to be there at 6am handing out donuts to those of us waiting in sub-zero weather for the 2pm tip but he did because it was his way of thanking us for screaming our heads off the whole game (and also maybe for doing a bit of taunting of the opposing players during warmups from our courtside seats).
I know it was C-USA, but I'll always maintain that that 28 game home winning streak had a lot to do with the rabidity of the fan base - and Tommy fed that.
Quote from: muwarrior69 on March 21, 2021, 08:49:04 AM
No contest, The Al era. Period!
Yes, and BTW he did nothing but lose year after year. Then he got lucky and then he retired on top. At retirement, among many other comments, he said, I can't recruit like I once did. ?????
Crean. I was a student at the Kentucky game, and coming into the Big East and immediately competing was awesome. I enjoyed the Buzz years too, but nothing tops that F4 high.
I attended MU during the Deane era and I could get a great student section seat right at game time. Winning the CUSA tourney title was fun.
I maintained season tickets through Crean and Buzz. Fun basketball—review MU's list of top scorers and noticed how many played during this period. Old Big East basketball was great to be part of and watching Junior Cadougan hug the BE trophy while getting off the bus at the Al is a great MU moment to be part of.
Had to cut some bills a few years ago and MU season tickets under Wojo didn't make the cut. My main memory of this period was at the BET where Wojo watched helplessly while Seton Hall beat the hell out of his team.
Looking forward to what's next.
Quote from: 1SE on March 21, 2021, 08:55:23 AM
Also a Crean-era alum. He was slick and tan but he loved the students and I think it paid off for him.
He didn't have to be there at 6am handing out donuts to those of us waiting in sub-zero weather for the 2pm tip but he did because it was his way of thanking us for screaming our heads off the whole game (and also maybe for doing a bit of taunting of the opposing players during warmups from our courtside seats).
I know it was C-USA, but I'll always maintain that that 28 game home winning streak had a lot to do with the rabidity of the fan base - and Tommy fed that.
Cusa wasn't a joke back then. It was a legit conference.
https://twitter.com/coachingchanges/status/1373634785541812225?s=21
Crean. Nothing is quite like that first run.
I have been going to games forever, and seeing how that building transformed in 01-02 was incredible.
My Dad was a manager under Al.
I went to MU during Kevin & Mike.
Of the 3 you listed? It's not even close. Buzz. Hands down the easiest call. He's the closest we came to Al.
Crean rebuilt Marquette and helped shepherd them into the Big East. I don't care how he dealt with alumni. Everything KO did was being undone by Mike Deane. Crean came in and embraced the past but never at the sake of moving forward. When he left, he left Buzz and the 3 Amigos along with Lazar. No one since Al did more to build the Marquette brand
Buzz.
New Orleans, no to doubt about it. The game sucked, but the experience and going to New Orleans is the market highlight for me. As I missed the Al era.
Quote from: tower912 on March 21, 2021, 09:31:37 AM
Buzz.
Loved buzz on the floor. The issues revealed and not revealed off the floor, and some of the things of her about, tainted it a bit for me. It was time for him to go win or lose on both sides.
While beating Kentucky under Crean was a real highlight of my MU fandom, Buzz by a very wide margin. He brought excitement and action to the program that had not been seen since the Al era. The WVU win is one of my all time favorite regular season wins.
Yes. Like Crean, his shelf life at MU had expired. In hindsight, it was time for him to move on.
Quote from: TallTitan34 on March 21, 2021, 09:23:42 AM
https://twitter.com/coachingchanges/status/1373634785541812225?s=21
Jesus
I really enjoyed Buzz's first 5 seasons. Players who worked their arses off, coached by a guy who worked his arse off. Guys like Jimmy and Jae and DJO and Lazar who went to battle. So if I had to choose an entire era, I'd pick Buzz's, despite that extremely disappointing final season.
But going to a Final Four is incredible, 2003 was our only FF experience in coming up on 45 years, Wade was a once-in-a-generation talent, and that team was something else. Walking around New Orleans in my Marquette gear was so much fun. So I make a special place in my heart for that amazing ride, as I think all of us do.
I was in school during the Buzz era, so that is tough to top. But started going to games in 03 and being at the Kentucky game is probably my top sports moment.
Needless to say, both have produced some great memories for MU.
Crean by a lot. Wade and Final 4 are why MU is relevant now. Buzz continued that to a degree but Crean is ultimately responsible for it.
I was a student during the Buzz Era.
The Crean era made me a Marquette fan. Being a student during the S16, S16, E8 run made me a MU nut.
We need to get back there. And fast.
buzz by far
Buzz. Dude was fun and best personality at MU since AL,
Crean, not even close. He embraced our tradition, alumni and fans.
For me, Buzz was holding my nose until I couldn't hold it anymore. Phony doesn't fully describe him.
Buzz.
Al
You guys don't know what basketball fandom is really like until you are standing in the middle of Wisconsin Avenue totally soaked from a rain on a 45 degree night when your Warriors just won the national championship.
Nothing comes close — which why we want it back so badly.
Next closest was being at Minneapolis in 2003 when we defeated Kentucky. DWade had the game of his life and UK was an incredibly good team. Seeing the looks on Wildcat fan faces when we absolutely destroyed them.
Quote from: Billy Hoyle on March 21, 2021, 11:57:33 AM
Crean, not even close. He embraced our tradition, alumni and fans.
For me, Buzz was holding my nose until I couldn't hold it anymore. Phony doesn't fully describe him.
Buzz had more "real" in his little toe than Crean had in his entire body. Phoniest coach in MU history, not even close.
Crean sucks.
Buzz was by far the best era.
March 2003 was the best 3 weeks.