A little different than our posts of late, but I think it's a sentiment shared by a lot of MU fans.
https://painttouches.com/2023/01/11/strotman-how-shaka-brought-me-back-marquette/ (https://painttouches.com/2023/01/11/strotman-how-shaka-brought-me-back-marquette/)
"Also, a reminder for Wednesday that I take attendance"
A-hole.
Very nice read.
Although we disagree on this site for many items and issues, we can all agree we are infected with MUBB.
Quote from: pux90mex on January 11, 2023, 08:39:03 AM
A little different than our posts of late, but I think it's a sentiment shared by a lot of MU fans.
https://painttouches.com/2023/01/11/strotman-how-shaka-brought-me-back-marquette/ (https://painttouches.com/2023/01/11/strotman-how-shaka-brought-me-back-marquette/)
So you are a Nojo?
Whatevs. My fandom never changed. Born of the last two years of Majerus and the first two of Dukiet. Wojo was easy. Not particularly inspiring.
Welcome back.
Quote from: Dr. Blackheart on January 11, 2023, 09:01:51 AM
So you are a Nojo?
I (Andrei, the dumb one) was probably the last one on the SS Wojo. Mark (the smart one) wrote this. Should have made it clearer, apologies.
I remember reading early stuff on the old site. Used to think you guys were like middle aged, here I am probably having been drinking my own vodka in a sprite bottle right behind you.
I never lost faith -- except, perhaps during the Dukiet years. I've always gone when I could and for several years, when I still lived in Lake County, IL, I had weekend season tickets (much to my wife's chagrin). I saw much more of Wojo than most Marquette fans and probably screamed at the TV as much as anyone not named Goose.
Coach Smart is a breath of fresh air. Our teams are as scappy as Al's and are guys we can be proud of. They aren't a**holes and I don't think we will be reading about them on the front pages of the Chicago Tribune. Because he left Texas, much to the disappointment of several of my Texas alum friends, and came to us, I rather believe that Coach Shaka is here as long as we want him.
Because I'm Al-era grad, I'm not yet prepared to say, "We're Back!" I am prepared to say we're headed up and with a few more really good victories (like tonight, perhaps) and sustained success, we will be BACK! I've said in here before, I want Marquette FEARED again. That's beginning to happen. Teams don't want to see us, especially at home!
I don't see the team as much in person anymore, living in Florida (though I did drive over to Ft. Myers for the day). But, my Christmas present from my wife (who definitely WILL NOT be accompanying me) is airline tickets back and tickets to the Villanova and Butler games!
That is a great read and welcome back to the family. Three seasons ago I found myself watching Bosch or anything I could find on Netflix over watching the team and program. I loved MU basketball since the late 1960's, when I was a 5-6 year kid and found myself not missing it. The program has been part of me for over 50 years and I hated not supporting the program, but I could not support the program any longer. It was simple, the fans and the university deserved better and I lost faith that it would ever get better.
Shaka Smart not only has changed my feelings on the program, but MU as a whole. The move they made to hire him was outstanding and showed what MU basketball means to the school and the fanbase. What Shaka has accomplished in bringing back the fanbase is simply unbelievable. I was just telling my so that on FB the MU basketball posts are getting 100's of likes vs. the 50 or so even a year ago. There is an energy and excitement surrounding the program that you can feel.
Like many on here, talking MU ball amongst my family and friends is getting off the charts. My daughter in law (UW grad) thinks my son is overly jacked up and he swore off the program 6-7 years ago. All I can say, I am going to enjoy every minute of this season and hopefully a long run of a Shaka led program.
MU will never be the MU of the 1970's and I am fine with that, but it can be a modern version of it. My interest in building a successful program is completely selfish because I have wanted the pre-Al fans and my kids to see something special happen at MU. My negativity in the past was because I felt MU could do much better. I am convinced that Shaka Smart is the guy to make it happen.
Fxxk 'em!!!!
Quote from: tower912 on January 11, 2023, 09:10:40 AM
Whatevs. My fandom never changed. Born of the last two years of Majerus and the first two of Dukiet. Wojo was easy. Not particularly inspiring.
Welcome back.
Yeah, I don't want to sound like a preachy old man, but I've seen much worse than the Wojo era.
Quote from: pux90mex on January 11, 2023, 09:23:13 AM
I (Andrei, the dumb one) was probably the last one on the SS Wojo. Mark (the smart one) wrote this. Should have made it clearer, apologies.
I got that the first time. I was just being funny as Mark used a lot of emotions and words when "NoJo" would have worked just fine. I enjoyed this article and all the others PT puts out. Thanks for your efforts!
With Tower. Have always and will always be a Marquette basketball fan. If I have the opportunity to go to a game or watch it on TV, I'll take it. I'll hope the team wins no matter how bad they are or what state the program is. When they are good, the results of each game might "make or break" my next 2 hours after a game, but not much more has or will change regardless of where the program is.
Having lived through Dukiet and then Mike Deane's satisfaction with the NIT and recruiting talent like Jarrod Lovette, I did not fall as hard or as far, but my feeling for my beloved warriors was certainly diminished. I think "apathy" is the best description for the Wojo years, and I, too have been drawn back in by Shaka. Thanks Coach, and well done MU.
Quote from: Dr. Blackheart on January 11, 2023, 09:31:33 AM
I got that the first time. I was just being funny as Mark used a lot of emotions and words when "NoJo" would have worked just fine. I enjoyed this article and all the others PT puts out. Thanks for your efforts!
The season ending collapses under Wojo were incredibly frustrating and the Hauser situation was very disappointing, but the high-profile recruiting victories, overall talent, and high-powered offenses were enjoyable...
Not much worse than the Wojo era - Deane teams were at least fun to watch, Dukiet years were short and had no expectations really. Wojo years were maddening, lasted way too long, and lie most, I just started not watching.
Quote from: The Sultan of Semantics on January 11, 2023, 09:29:37 AM
Yeah, I don't want to sound like a preachy old man, but I've seen much worse than the Wojo era.
Quote from: PointWarrior on January 11, 2023, 10:21:23 AM
Not much worse than the Wojo era - Deane teams were at least fun to watch
Until all of KO's recruits graduated.
Great article Mark. Been a die-hard MU fan since K.O. was hired. We've generally had a good run since that time. As much as I disliked Wojo as a Coach since 10 games in to his hire, I still tuned in. On the positive we generally were fun to watch/skilled offensively. However, I did stop caring his last year, and didn't watch a lot of the games, and certainly didn't attend any.
The issue with Wojo was that he had A LOT of talent in the program during his whole time here, but he never could figure out how to best use it, seemingly couldn't figure out best lineup combinations and playing time allocations. It was maddening and alarming. He was waaaayyy to reactive. Buzz at times could get unhinged too.
Contrast that to Shaka. Cool. Calm. Consistent. Our starting lineup hasn't changed one time this season. He mixes in guys wonderfully, and has created a great culture within the locker room and revived passive fan interest.
And to think that if Wojo just would have been less of a meathead and more open-minded to Scholl's request to modify his coaching staff - we potentially would still be stuck with Wojo.
Nah, Wojo was gone. Why stick around if you don't have admin and fan support. Makes no sense. Head to Utah and enjoy a couple years off.
Quote from: NCMUFan on January 11, 2023, 10:31:02 AM
Nah, Wojo was gone. Why stick around if you don't have admin and fan support. Makes no sense. Head to Utah and enjoy a couple years off.
He was tryin to land something else for two years but no one was biting.
Maybe
Said at last regular-season game in '20 wasn't going to another home game until Time and Score was gone. Last 21 months have been fun, and the ceiling is high.
Quote from: tower912 on January 11, 2023, 09:10:40 AM
Whatevs. My fandom never changed. Born of the last two years of Majerus and the first two of Dukiet. Wojo was easy. Not particularly inspiring.
Welcome back.
My fandom didn't change either, but the joy that fandom brings has increased exponentially.
Quote from: The Sultan of Semantics on January 11, 2023, 09:29:37 AM
Yeah, I don't want to sound like a preachy old man, but I've seen much worse than the Wojo era.
New Year's resolution?
We reached dangerous levels of mediocrity and apathy during the Wojo years.
Glad to see we have a program builder back at the helm in Shaka.
Quote from: tower912 on January 11, 2023, 09:10:40 AM
Whatevs. My fandom never changed. Born of the last two years of Majerus and the first two of Dukiet. Wojo was easy. Not particularly inspiring.
Welcome back.
When people have to go back 30 years to reference when things were worse, they're kinda proving the point.
Quote from: Small Orange Soda on January 11, 2023, 12:22:29 PM
When people have to go back 30 years to reference when things were worse, they're kinda proving the point.
Or by comparing the era to the worst stretch of modern Marquette basketball.
Quote from: Small Orange Soda on January 11, 2023, 12:22:29 PM
When people have to go back 30 years to reference when things were worse, they're kinda proving the point.
We just referenced a 50 year old event without you commenting. Thanks for the recognition. I am proud of my affection for MU hoops
Quote from: Goose on January 11, 2023, 09:28:45 AM
MU will never be the MU of the 1970's and I am fine with that, but it can be a modern version of it.
Brother Goose:
Like you, I was a child of 1960s and 1970s Marquette. It helps to have a Dad who was an MU Engineer and wildly supportive of anything Marquette.
I don't agree with your premise. The closest thing to MU of the 1970s has been Villanova. Consistently Top 10 under Jay Wright. National Champions in 2016 and 2018. Consistent top recruiter, strong fan base and city that is madly in love with them. What they didn't have is someone as colorful and obnoxious as Al. We can be Villanova if we want to be. Shaka, as you note, has us pointed in the right direction.
If we keep Shaka and maintain the Commitment to Excellence that we must have, we'll get there! Think of all these young whippersnappers who will experience what we did in the 1970s for the first time! Not sure they can handle it! LOL
Quote from: withoutbias on January 11, 2023, 11:17:43 AM
Obviously not yours, though.
Somebody call the waaambulance for the snowflake "without bias."
Quote from: panda on January 11, 2023, 12:24:39 PM
Or by comparing the era to the worst stretch of modern Marquette basketball.
I wonder if back at the end of the Dukiet days the older folks were calling into radio shows going, "I dunno what these young whippersnappers are complaining about, I experienced the last three years of Bill Chandler!"
Quote from: tower912 on January 11, 2023, 12:31:00 PM
We just referenced a 50 year old event without you commenting. Thanks for the recognition. I am proud of my affection for MU hoops
True! I had no idea what that thread was about.
Good read, glad the author is "back."
I'm a hopeless optimist, so I gave Wojo way too long a leash, but even I came around eventually to say enough is enough.
I sure have enjoyed most of these two seasons under Shaka. Last year's finish was disappointing, but that was last year and it has nothing to do with this season.
I love the way our guys play, and Shaka's a heck of a coach with the perfect personality for our program. I'm thinking this can be a real special season, and the program obviously is in great hands.
We Are Marquette!
That $81 is now going to cost you roughly double at about $159.
Same age as Mark - freshman in 08, graduated 2012. Came to Milwaukee as a life long hockey player/fan, and didn't care too much about hoops. Well, let's just say that changed in a hurry and I fell in love with Lazar and the Amigos in a snap of the fingers. I was at every home game and planned my weeks around making sure I was available to watch the road games. I wouldn't miss one. This continued all the way through college and the early portions of my professional career, albeit I moved away from Milwaukee. My now wife and I would plan at least a trip a year to go back to Milwaukee and/or to attend the annual thanksgiving tournament, wherever that may be. We've been in Charleston, we've been to Maui, Florida, NYC multiple times, etc. Marquette hoops was a big part of my November-March agenda.
While I never got the point of swearing off Marquette and not watching games; truthfully I probably have been in person or watched 495 of the last 500 Marquette games, with those 5 being the odd non-televised game, or I just so happened to be on a plane situation. But apathy definitely began to creep in. A Marquette loss used to crush me; by around 17-18 and half a dozen years removed from Milwaukee, I was pretty used to losing and would just go about my day thereafter. It was sad. I always tried to stay positive about Wojo - as the end of the day this just a hobby of watching college kids through a ball in a hoop - but it definitely made the winters less interesting.
While I cannot say the passion I once had has returned to its fullest extent, I am again on the edge of my seat for each game. I am yelling at the TV again and fist pumping/high fiving my wife on big plays. This season has different feel; something I haven't felt since the pre-13/14 Buzz days. I can actually see a plan getting executed and the team improving each game. Its exciting stuff, and very glad my fandom allowed me to stick it out.
Quote from: tower912 on January 11, 2023, 09:10:40 AM
Whatevs. My fandom never changed. Born of the last two years of Majerus and the first two of Dukiet. Wojo was easy. Not particularly inspiring.
Welcome back.
I read this incorrectly and was shocked for a minute that you were much younger then I thought.
Now that would be funny.
Quote from: withoutbias on January 11, 2023, 11:17:43 AM
Obviously not yours, though.
Any criticism from you is a compliment. So thanks.
Quote from: Hoops92 on January 11, 2023, 01:48:05 PM
That $81 is now going to cost you roughly double at about $159.
We should probably start a superbar thread, but isn't that just downright sad?
Im no better than anyone on here.....but I have never passed up MUBB tickets to watch a movie. MH was must see tv.
Quote from: JamilJaeJamailJrJuan on January 11, 2023, 02:12:03 PM
Same age as Mark - freshman in 08, graduated 2012. Came to Milwaukee as a life long hockey player/fan, and didn't care too much about hoops. Well, let's just say that changed in a hurry and I fell in love with Lazar and the Amigos in a snap of the fingers. I was at every home game and planned my weeks around making sure I was available to watch the road games. I wouldn't miss one. This continued all the way through college and the early portions of my professional career, albeit I moved away from Milwaukee. My now wife and I would plan at least a trip a year to go back to Milwaukee and/or to attend the annual thanksgiving tournament, wherever that may be. We've been in Charleston, we've been to Maui, Florida, NYC multiple times, etc. Marquette hoops was a big part of my November-March agenda.
While I never got the point of swearing off Marquette and not watching games; truthfully I probably have been in person or watched 495 of the last 500 Marquette games, with those 5 being the odd non-televised game, or I just so happened to be on a plane situation. But apathy definitely began to creep in. A Marquette loss used to crush me; by around 17-18 and half a dozen years removed from Milwaukee, I was pretty used to losing and would just go about my day thereafter. It was sad. I always tried to stay positive about Wojo - as the end of the day this just a hobby of watching college kids through a ball in a hoop - but it definitely made the winters less interesting.
While I cannot say the passion I once had has returned to its fullest extent, I am again on the edge of my seat for each game. I am yelling at the TV again and fist pumping/high fiving my wife on big plays. This season has different feel; something I haven't felt since the pre-13/14 Buzz days. I can actually see a plan getting executed and the team improving each game. Its exciting stuff, and very glad my fandom allowed me to stick it out.
I see a pattern in this thread. The guys who went to school when the program was good to great were down on the program during the Wojo era. The guys who went to school when the program was meh to crappy didn't mind. Maybe it brought back memories.
Any criticism from you is a compliment. So thanks
Quote from: Lennys Tap on January 11, 2023, 04:21:03 PM
I see a pattern in this thread. The guys who went to school when the program was good to great were down on the program during the Wojo era. The guys who went to school when the program was meh to crappy didn't mind. Maybe it brought back memories.
I think that's it exactly. The Wojo era was less than ideal, but it wasn't awful compared to other Marquette eras I have witnessed. If people only became part of the program from 2002 onwards, I can see why the Wojo era seemed like an historic low.
Quote from: The Sultan of Semantics on January 11, 2023, 04:31:52 PM
I think that's it exactly. The Wojo era was less than ideal, but it wasn't awful compared to other Marquette eras I have witnessed. If people only became part of the program from 2002 onwards, I can see why the Wojo era seemed like an historic low.
Well stated.
Quote from: tower912 on January 11, 2023, 04:40:46 PM
Well stated.
Exactly...having 4 years at Marquette with the last year of Rick and three years of Dukiet conditioned mid-to-late 80's Warriors for anything...Wojo was frustrating but was nothing compared to Dukiet
Quote from: Lennys Tap on January 11, 2023, 04:21:03 PM
I see a pattern in this thread. The guys who went to school when the program was good to great were down on the program during the Wojo era. The guys who went to school when the program was meh to crappy didn't mind. Maybe it brought back memories.
Ummmmm, no. "Didn't mind" is wrong. "Having perspective" maybe, but even if you had to live through the Dukiet years, Wojo's yearly collapse and consistent underachievement relative to the talent he recruited were painful.
That said, being ranked more than occasionally and having a talented team were things Dukiet-era students could only dream of.
I am so happy to see where this Marquette program is headed under Shaka.
I will be the first to say, I have been sort of an "inconsistent" fan of Marquette since fall of 1983. I began heavily following them when I was in high school and rooted hard for them in the Rick Majerus years and the very early Bob Dukiet years. Then I went off to college, UW-Green Bay to be exact and I didn't follow Marquette as much during those years as UWGB surprisingly became a very strong mid-major team during the Dick/Tony Bennett years that I attended.
I moved to Milwaukee area after graduating and I will confess that at times I was more of a Badgers fan while Dick Bennett was at UW and during the very early Bo Ryan years. 2005 was the year of my "conversion" to a pretty strong Marquette fan and more of an MU fan than UW since that time. I have to thank the 3 Amigos and Steve Novak for a really enjoyable 2005-2006 season and from that point on I've been a pretty consistent Marquette fan (I'll admit I didn't like Buzz his last 2 or 3 seasons though and was happy he was gone despite the success on the court).
I liked Wojo, seemed like a good guy who worked really hard to make Marquette great. Unfortunately, everything about his coaching era was hype and teasing of potential but ultimately nearly every season ended in a bit of a disappointment. There were stretches of promise during the Wojo era, but the Wojo doubters were right, he just didn't have what it took to make Marquette consistently good in the Big East. He clearly was outclassed by many of the Big East coaches, not all of them, but enough of them that you could see by the end the corner was never going to get turned with him at the helm.
Oh well, here we are today, and Marquette really truly looks like they are heading the right direction in every way. Shaka has an extremely likeable personality. He seems to have the perfect coaching temperament, he's confident but not arrogant, and you can tell his players play with confidence under his leadership and they seem to love playing for him. My gut feeling is Shaka is building something special. Maybe those are my homer glasses on, but man, just seeing the incredible improvement all his guys have made from year 1 to year 2 is very impressive.
I honestly like everyone on this team warts and all. Everyone brings something to the table. I didn't necessarily feel that way at times over the past decade, but this year's roster is a lot of fun to watch. Here's to hoping I don't jinx everything by being extremely excited by the progress under Shaka but I guess I'll just say I am incredibly impressed with what I have seen the last year and half. Hopefully the arrow continues to be pointed upwards under his leadership.
Quote from: Richie on January 11, 2023, 04:49:46 PM
Exactly...having 4 years at Marquette with the last year of Rick and three years of Dukiet conditioned mid-to-late 80's Warriors for anything...Wojo was frustrating but was nothing compared to Dukiet
My four years at Marquette were the worst stretch the program has had in over 50 years...last two years of Dukiet and first two of KO. Only the first year of KO had a winning record in that stretch and that was mostly because of Tony Smith. KO reignited the program after it had bottomed out.
The Wojo era was very frustrating because he could never build a consistent winner. Plenty of talent but limited success. I still never stopped watching but last year really started up the excitement and this year even more so. Love hearing everyone else's take on this as well.
I Wasn't even born for most of the KO years but in my opinion, KO saved the program, Shaka reinvigorated it.
Marquette as a brand after Wojo was never really in danger and will always have been fine because they have the dollars to spend.
If KO didn't come along though, who knows what could have happened.
Side note, always find it interesting that KO never won another NCAA tourney game after Marquette.
NM
This article really defines my perspective. Living and working 8-15 time zones away from where the games are played for the last several (28) years, I often am faced with the choice of a good night's sleep or an MU game viewed through a slightly too slow internet connection. Increasingly during the Wojo era I opted for sleep. For about 12 years I had a streak of getting to at least one game per year... usually after a transpacific flight, land at ORD, go to Milwaukee and catch a game before heading north to see my parents & family. Wojo helped me break that streak.
Now I find myself choosing games over sleep, and am planning my next US visit based on the need to see a game in person... anywhere...
It is really an entertaining and fun style of basketball this year - and the winning makes it even more compelling.
Quote from: tower912 on January 11, 2023, 09:10:40 AM
Whatevs. My fandom never changed. Born of the last two years of Majerus and the first two of Dukiet. Wojo was easy. Not particularly inspiring.
Welcome back.
I also wouldn't say my fandom "changed"...I was always a Marquette guy and always rooted for them. I tried to watch every game. But I do remember a time late in Wojo's tenure -- not sure if it was his last year or not -- when I realized that Marquette had played the day before. I had completely forgotten that they had a game. That was unthinkable for a long, long time. And now it's unthinkable again.
I'm really enjoying this.
We are Marquette!
I love what Shaka has done so far and I love this team - I've never left my MU fandom but we're not "back" until we see some success in March. I think we'll get that this year.
Quote from: We R Final Four on January 11, 2023, 04:18:35 PM
Im no better than anyone on here.....but I have never passed up MUBB tickets to watch a movie. MH was must see tv.
I did this once during the Wojo era (I had Hamilton tickets, so not a movie but close enough), against #1 Nova. I still think it was the right choice.
But I NEVER would have done that in the Buzz era and I'm pretty confident I wouldn't do it now. Those years were just ok. But I never had any confidence in Wojo's teams and they just weren't supposed to be fun.
(I, of course, was wrong about that particular game)
No hero ball, team ball; that is what is back. Who needs a go to guy. Maybe we should retire the SOTG thread when we have 9 guys and can't decide because no one real hero stood out.
Quote from: WarriorFan on January 12, 2023, 04:20:58 AM
This article really defines my perspective. Living and working 8-15 time zones away from where the games are played for the last several (28) years, I often am faced with the choice of a good night's sleep or an MU game viewed through a slightly too slow internet connection. Increasingly during the Wojo era I opted for sleep. For about 12 years I had a streak of getting to at least one game per year... usually after a transpacific flight, land at ORD, go to Milwaukee and catch a game before heading north to see my parents & family. Wojo helped me break that streak.
Now I find myself choosing games over sleep, and am planning my next US visit based on the need to see a game in person... anywhere...
It is really an entertaining and fun style of basketball this year - and the winning makes it even more compelling.
Come to the Gtown game in DC and we could meet up. Afterwards, just for fun, we can storm the Capitol.
Quote from: SaveOD238 on January 12, 2023, 06:17:22 AM
I did this once during the Wojo era (I had Hamilton tickets, so not a movie but close enough), against #1 Nova. I still think it was the right choice.
But I NEVER would have done that in the Buzz era and I'm pretty confident I wouldn't do it now. Those years were just ok. But I never had any confidence in Wojo's teams and they just weren't supposed to be fun.
(I, of course, was wrong about that particular game)
I skipped an Elton John and Billy Joel concert to watch Marquette get it's doors blown off on TV. So I might be the biggest dingus here.
Quote from: ChitownSpaceForRent on January 12, 2023, 12:04:25 AM
I Wasn't even born for most of the KO years but in my opinion, KO saved the program, Shaka reinvigorated it.
Marquette as a brand after Wojo was never really in danger and will always have been fine because they have the dollars to spend.
If KO didn't come along though, who knows what could have happened.
Side note, always find it interesting that KO never won another NCAA tourney game after Marquette.
Great perspective. KO absolutely saved the program but Bill Cords deserves credit as well. He saw they were in danger of falling into irrelevance with Dukiet and as an independent. He fired Dukiet, brought in a very young KO and joined a conference. Then quickly got us in a better conference. Those moves were huge for the program to return to prominence.
Warrior69
Last year I said all MU fans would remember every member from that team as being the foundation of the rebirth of MU basketball and I believe that to be true. This year, I believe every fan will remember a season that was team oriented and building off the foundation built last year. The returning guys had enough success, maybe not enough for some fans, to know what success feels like. I believe the poor finish last year, coupled with the success they had, was the springboard for this season.
I guess I am saying that SOTG never really meant much to me, aside from conversation. This year MU fans have seen what a team looks like and a team with strong leadership and a common goal. I am impressed every time I see the guys talking to each other and coaching each other. Al always said his teams were an extension of him and this program is an extension of Shaka.
Should've added one other note. Student starting in fall of '89. Was a game against Loyola in December of 89. Group I was with thought I was really weird to actually be into the game and concerned about whether MU won or lost. Overall apathy then was higher than that it was a couple of years ago, but couple of years was worst since late 80s IMHO.
Quote from: Lennys Tap on January 11, 2023, 04:21:03 PM
I see a pattern in this thread. The guys who went to school when the program was good to great were down on the program during the Wojo era. The guys who went to school when the program was meh to crappy didn't mind. Maybe it brought back memories.
This seems to be exactly the case. From my perspective, since I didn't do my undergrad at MU, I was one of those "I support all the D1 schools in the state" people... until I came to MU in 2013. It took a couple years to transition, but was fully converted during the Wojo years. This is probably why I too gave him a lot more leeway and saw the March meltdowns as flukes... year after year. There always seemed to be a reason(s) for it and it was always "next year!" we'll make it happen.
So this observation holds true in my case and can see why it had for many others.
Quote from: SaveOD238 on January 12, 2023, 06:17:22 AM
I did this once during the Wojo era (I had Hamilton tickets, so not a movie but close enough), against #1 Nova. I still think it was the right choice.
But I NEVER would have done that in the Buzz era and I'm pretty confident I wouldn't do it now. Those years were just ok. But I never had any confidence in Wojo's teams and they just weren't supposed to be fun.
(I, of course, was wrong about that particular game)
See, I happen to think the 2016-17 season was a lot of fun. It wasn't as well-coached or talented as this season's team is, but they had 6-7 guys who could score, they moved the ball pretty well, they beat the #1 defending champs in a thrilling finish, they had several other nice wins, and they didn't crater at the end of the season (won 4 of last 5 regular-season games to clinch NCAAT bid). We lost in the NCAAT, but it was a close game most of the way against a South Carolina team that got to play at home and ended up reaching the Final Four, and the team included 2 exciting freshmen who gave us lots of hope for the future. It was only Wojo's 3rd year and things seemed to be on an upward swing. If Marquette fans didn't enjoy that season with freshmen Sam and Markus, as well as JJJ, Rowsey, Katin, Duane, etc, I don't know what to say.
Same with the 2018-19 season, at least until the late crash. I mean, we went 20-2 over 3 months, and we had an All-American, plus Sam, plus some good role players.
With 20/20 hindsight, we know that Wojo couldn't sustain success, and yes, there were some Scoopers who were right about Wojo well before that. But in real time, it was pretty easy for this Marquette fan to enjoy those seasons.
But again, this season's team in particular and this program being built now tops all of those. And unlike the Wojo era, any objective observer would have to conclude that the program actually has focus and direction under Shaka, with an almost limitless future.
I see no reason why we can't have at least Buzz-level success. Maybe even be -- yes, I'll say it -- "The Next Nova."
Quote from: MU82 on January 12, 2023, 09:05:54 AM
Maybe even be -- yes, I'll say it -- "The Next Nova."
I'd settle for the next Gonzaga, if we become the next Nova and I'll go back & get another degree from MU just to feel like I'm a part of it lol
Quote from: MU82 on January 12, 2023, 09:05:54 AM
See, I happen to think the 2016-17 season was a lot of fun. It wasn't as well-coached or talented as this season's team is, but they had 6-7 guys who could score, they moved the ball pretty well, they beat the #1 defending champs in a thrilling finish, they had several other nice wins, and they didn't crater at the end of the season (won 4 of last 5 regular-season games to clinch NCAAT bid). We lost in the NCAAT, but it was a close game most of the way against a South Carolina team that got to play at home and ended up reaching the Final Four, and the team included 2 exciting freshmen who gave us lots of hope for the future. It was only Wojo's 3rd year and things seemed to be on an upward swing. If Marquette fans didn't enjoy that season with freshmen Sam and Markus, as well as JJJ, Rowsey, Katin, Duane, etc, I don't know what to say.
Same with the 2018-19 season, at least until the late crash. I mean, we went 20-2 over 3 months, and we had an All-American, plus Sam, plus some good role players.
With 20/20 hindsight, we know that Wojo couldn't sustain success, and yes, there were some Scoopers who were right about Wojo well before that. But in real time, it was pretty easy for this Marquette fan to enjoy those seasons.
But again, this season's team in particular and this program being built now tops all of those. And unlike the Wojo era, any objective observer would have to conclude that the program actually has focus and direction under Shaka, with an almost limitless future.
I see no reason why we can't have at least Buzz-level success. Maybe even be -- yes, I'll say it -- "The Next Nova."
Great post, spot on.
One more thank you to the Blog Boys who got Wojo fired and saved our University.
Quote from: The Lens on January 12, 2023, 09:18:11 AM
One more thank you to the Blog Boys who got Wojo fired and saved our University.
🚨🚨🚨CHICOS BLOOD BOIL ALERT🚨🚨🚨
I think the pinnacle of the wojo era was 02/23/19 when they demolished Providence at the Dunk and moved to 23-4. Specifically, it was the stretch from 12:08-10:21 in the 2nd half when they blew the game open and made 4 straight 3s (3 by the hausers, 1 Markus) and were passing the ball better than I'd seen in a long time.
My main gripe with the Wojo tenure is just how incompetent and in over his head he was when he got here. The first two years he did nothing to build the program and they were just completely lost years in MU basketball history. He was starting from scratch in year 3 and the program had zero identity. Couple that with his smug and arrogant demeanor and I think it's easy to see why a lot of fans were turned off by that point even when they started winning a few games.
Quote from: CountryRoads on January 12, 2023, 10:13:06 AM
I think the pinnacle of the wojo era was 02/23/19 when they demolished Providence at the Dunk and moved to 23-4. Specifically, it was the stretch from 12:08-10:21 in the 2nd half when they blew the game open and made 4 straight 3s (3 by the hausers, 1 Markus) and were passing the ball better than I'd seen in a long time.
My main gripe with the Wojo tenure is just how incompetent and in over his head he was when he got here. The first two years he did nothing to build the program and they were just completely lost years in MU basketball history. He was starting from scratch in year 3 and the program had zero identity. Couple that with his smug and arrogant demeanor and I think it's easy to see why a lot of fans were turned off by that point even when they started winning a few games.
????????
Quote from: MU82 on January 12, 2023, 09:05:54 AM
See, I happen to think the 2016-17 season was a lot of fun. It wasn't as well-coached or talented as this season's team is, but they had 6-7 guys who could score, they moved the ball pretty well, they beat the #1 defending champs in a thrilling finish, they had several other nice wins, and they didn't crater at the end of the season (won 4 of last 5 regular-season games to clinch NCAAT bid). We lost in the NCAAT, but it was a close game most of the way against a South Carolina team that got to play at home and ended up reaching the Final Four, and the team included 2 exciting freshmen who gave us lots of hope for the future. It was only Wojo's 3rd year and things seemed to be on an upward swing. If Marquette fans didn't enjoy that season with freshmen Sam and Markus, as well as JJJ, Rowsey, Katin, Duane, etc, I don't know what to say.
Same with the 2018-19 season, at least until the late crash. I mean, we went 20-2 over 3 months, and we had an All-American, plus Sam, plus some good role players.
With 20/20 hindsight, we know that Wojo couldn't sustain success, and yes, there were some Scoopers who were right about Wojo well before that. But in real time, it was pretty easy for this Marquette fan to enjoy those seasons.
But again, this season's team in particular and this program being built now tops all of those. And unlike the Wojo era, any objective observer would have to conclude that the program actually has focus and direction under Shaka, with an almost limitless future.
I see no reason why we can't have at least Buzz-level success. Maybe even be -- yes, I'll say it -- "The Next Nova."
I'm a strong believer that sometimes things work out the way they are supposed to - without those flashes of Wojo success (And they were fun in the moment - I was converted by that 20-2 stretch - it include some incredible wins and really exciting ball) he's probably fired at some earlier point. Maybe we get Oates or one of the other young guns at that point, but it's hard to see anyone having worked out better as a long term prospect than Shaka.
As long as we win in March.
Quote from: CountryRoads on January 12, 2023, 10:13:06 AM
I think the pinnacle of the wojo era was 02/23/19 when they demolished Providence at the Dunk and moved to 23-4. Specifically, it was the stretch from 12:08-10:21 in the 2nd half when they blew the game open and made 4 straight 3s (3 by the hausers, 1 Markus) and were passing the ball better than I'd seen in a long time.
My main gripe with the Wojo tenure is just how incompetent and in over his head he was when he got here. The first two years he did nothing to build the program and they were just completely lost years in MU basketball history. He was starting from scratch in year 3 and the program had zero identity. Couple that with his smug and arrogant demeanor and I think it's easy to see why a lot of fans were turned off by that point even when they started winning a few games.
I went online and bought two flights to NYC for Saturday BET. I'll never get over that Friday night loss to SHU.
I'm with the numerous posters above that never stopped watching or caring despite the mediocrity, but that also acknowledge that apathy surely crept in; or should I say stormed in. That said, I cannot imagine stopping to watch something for which I am so passionate about. It seems awfully much like quitting. But, to each their own.
The death knoll for a program is apathy. And, again, while I didn't miss a game (unless on very rare occasion it was impossible otherwise to watch, listen, etc.), I cannot deny the apathy that set in. Texts between friends about MU Basketball dwindled down to nothing. Losses lent themselves to a disappointed shrug of the shoulders. Big wins brought a glimpse of hope only for that hope to be drained again shortly thereafter.
What Shaka has done is remarkable. Nothing lasts forever. Enjoy this ride while we are on it. I hope it only gets better.
Quote from: The Lens on January 12, 2023, 10:51:10 AM
I went online and bought two flights to NYC for Saturday BET. I'll never get over that Friday night loss to SHU.
Me neither. My niece was accepted to Seton Hall (along with several other colleges) so for Christmas I bought her sweatshirts to the other colleges at which she was accepted with promises of more if she doesn't go to SHU. Her father, my brother-in-law, was born and raised in NJ and has several relatives who went to SHU (a few of whom attend my Day 2 NCAA Tournament party), though he did not.
Quote from: CountryRoads on January 12, 2023, 10:13:06 AM
I think the pinnacle of the wojo era was 02/23/19 when they demolished Providence at the Dunk and moved to 23-4. Specifically, it was the stretch from 12:08-10:21 in the 2nd half when they blew the game open and made 4 straight 3s (3 by the hausers, 1 Markus) and were passing the ball better than I'd seen in a long time.
+1. I remember walking out of that game thinking we had the Big East regular season title sewn up and that a Final Four, while not likely, was something you could dream about if things broke right. Just a few weeks later and I was just hoping against hope that we could find a way to win one NCAA game, which of course we didn't.
Quote from: MUCam on January 12, 2023, 11:22:04 AM
I'm with the numerous posters above that never stopped watching or caring despite the mediocrity, but that also acknowledge that apathy surely crept in; or should I say stormed in. That said, I cannot imagine stopping to watch something for which I am so passionate about. It seems awfully much like quitting. But, to each their own.
The death knoll for a program is apathy. And, again, while I didn't miss a game (unless on very rare occasion it was impossible otherwise to watch, listen, etc.), I cannot deny the apathy that set in. Texts between friends about MU Basketball dwindled down to nothing. Losses lent themselves to a disappointed shrug of the shoulders. Big wins brought a glimpse of hope only for that hope to be drained again shortly thereafter.
What Shaka has done is remarkable. Nothing lasts forever. Enjoy this ride while we are on it. I hope it only gets better.
Hey, there were at least a couple of clown-arse posters last March who, after the late-season flameout and NCAAT beatdown, claimed they were done forever with Marquette basketball. (Good effen riddance.) One dope even said Shaka should be fired. (They haven't been heard from this season, thank goodness. The bandwagon is closed to people that dumb.)
And that after Shaka so obviously was already starting to turn around the program's culture, not to mention putting together a season that was way beyond most observer's expectations.
Given that, it's hardly surprising that a good percentage of the fanbase just stopped caring during the Wojo era, especially the final season.
But I'm like you. If a Marquette game is on, I simply have to watch it even if I've become a little apathetic. And I have to root for the team to win, too.
Quote from: MU82 on January 13, 2023, 07:33:01 AM
Hey, there were at least a couple of clown-arse posters last March who, after the late-season flameout and NCAAT beatdown, claimed they were done forever with Marquette basketball. (Good effen riddance.) One dope even said Shaka should be fired. (They haven't been heard from this season, thank goodness. The bandwagon is closed to people that dumb.)
And that after Shaka so obviously was already starting to turn around the program's culture, not to mention putting together a season that was way beyond most observer's expectations.
Given that, it's hardly surprising that a good percentage of the fanbase just stopped caring during the Wojo era, especially the final season.
But I'm like you. If a Marquette game is on, I simply have to watch it even if I've become a little apathetic. And I have to root for the team to win, too.
If Shaka flameouts this March he should be fired
Quote from: Uncle Rico on January 13, 2023, 08:07:18 AM
If Shaka flameouts this March he should be fired
Absolutely, plus Crean is available.
Quote from: Newsdreams on January 13, 2023, 08:36:09 AM
Absolutely, plus Crean is available.
Final Four coach and Big Ten Champ, Tom Crean.
Tanned, rested, and ready.
Quote from: tower912 on January 13, 2023, 09:13:09 AM
Tanned, rested, and ready.
Could be a great addition to Shaka staff.