I wanted to wait a few months until things got settled and it seems a lull in the summer right now so the time is perfect.
I'd like people to help me create a list of 10--15 "accomplishments" for Buzz. We should avoid the inane but it also doesn't have to be too serious, for example we could include the June BBQ.
What I'd like to see is for the forum to come up with the list and then create a tagged thread in which people give their grades on each individual accomplishment which would give us a good idea of how people feel about Buzz and the new regime.
We have to decide whether we want to grade assistant coaches/recruits individually or collectively since if we follow the former that would be nine or ten items in itself.
It's just an idea to bat around during a slow time.
My list so far:
Assistant Coaches
Recruits
BBQ
NC State series
1. humility... My wife met with Buzz and spoke to him and could not stop commenting on how he was the absolute polar opposite of our old coach. Woman's intuition she hated our old coach as a person.
2. Scheduling...willing to do what is best for the team in playing road games against good competion...versus simply padding a win total in an effort to sell himself.
3. Recruiting...sight unseen and without a game played...the best recruitng class in 25 years...no more Kinsellas, Niv's, etc. No longer will MU be beholden to a coach who the players and asst coaches could not stand to be around cuasing turnover and instability in the program. No longer will starters flee the program. No longer will the list of recruits with serious interest be paper thin.
4. Size....Buzz's first two recruitng classes consist of 2 players 6'10 or bigger. no longer will Mu fans have to watch Mu be destroyed on the glass. Or have to endure maybe the single greatest waste of guard talent in Mu history by having three potential pro gaurds have to play with another potential pro guard at PF and the worst front court in the BE 3 years running. God Bless the 3 amigos for enduring what Crean put them through by not even surreounding them with adequate talent at the 4 and 5. What could have been, yet they never wavered.
As much as we want to ask this question/ Has Buzz Really accomplished anything?
Quote from: MUMOVERUWMBA2011 on July 22, 2008, 10:55:33 AM
As much as we want to ask this question/ Has Buzz Really accomplished anything?
I like the recruits he got for next year, but we prolly won't be able to really answer this question for at least a couple years.
Quote from: MUMOVERUWMBA2011 on July 22, 2008, 10:55:33 AM
As much as we want to ask this question/ Has Buzz Really accomplished anything?
He landed a head coaching job at a top 25ish program.
That's a pretty major accomplishment.
While greatly impressed with his few early career accomplishments at MU,give him a B grade with the expectation of A as the pre and regular season develop.
1.) One hell of a letter writer
2.) Copehagen Guy
3.) Likes Sweet Tea, McDonald's has Sweet Tea for a dollar. Winners all around.
Quote from: marqptm on July 22, 2008, 01:22:50 PM
3.) Likes Sweet Tea, McDonald's has Sweet Tea for a dollar. Winners all around.
+1
So far, I'm been very impressed with Buzz. Here are two things that stand out in my mind:
1.) Transition from Crean.
Looking back at it, the transition from TC to Buzz has gone pretty well. There were a few losses, but the core of the team remains. No matter who MU had hired, their was going to be some roster changes ... I believe that Buzz did a good job limiting the fallout. Also, the reports from the summer have been positive and things seem to be running very smoothly.
Finally, I give Buzz major credit for being able to retain Todd Smith (Strength & Conditioning Coordinator) and the academic support personal. They are a undervalued and underappreciated part of the program, but have a major influence in the success of MU basketball. Under Crean they did an excellent job and I'm very happy that they are staying.
2.) Buzz's Willingness to Recruit Locally:
One of my major concerns about Buzz is how well he would recruit in the region. Although MU should recruit nationwide, to be successful, the program must be able to recruit locally. I didn't have much doubt that Buzz could recruit Texas and the surrounding region, but did have concerns about how well he would do in the Upper Midwest.
Right away, Buzz answered my concerns by getting both Maymon and Buycks. In addition for 2010, MU is heavily involved with both Kyle Kelm and TJ Kadima. Buzz is making his presence know in Wisconsin and IMO that's a very positive development.
Anyone else tired of Mr. Hayward's diatribes against Crean?
Quote from: Norm on July 22, 2008, 01:55:16 PM
Anyone else tired of Mr. Hayward's diatribes against Crean?
Yeah, not exactly my number one option to be the first response. Not the direction I was hoping.
I like rjax55's point on the academic team staying in place and the local recruiting.
Maybe we should just list ACs/recruits independent. Something like this:
Tony Benford
Dale Layer
Aki Collins
Scott Monarch
Jimmy Butler
Liam McMorrow
Erik Williams
Jeronne Maymon
Dwight Buycks
Junior Cadougan
Transition (emphasize academic staff)
Texas BBQ
NC State series
Wisconsin recruiting
That's 14 items. Probably right. It'd be interesting to see people's grades on those 14 items and then what it averages out to.
Quote from: Norm on July 22, 2008, 01:55:16 PM
Anyone else tired of Mr. Hayward's diatribes against Crean?
he's obsessed. The man needs help.
Quote from: MR.HAYWARD on July 22, 2008, 10:50:59 AM
humility... My wife met with Buzz and spoke to him and could not stop commenting on how he was the absolute polar opposite of our old coach. Woman's intuition she hated our old coach as a person.
Recruiting...sight unseen and without a game played...the best recruitng class in 25 years...no more Kinsellas, Niv's, etc. No longer will MU be beholden to a coach who the players and asst coaches could not stand to be around cuasing turnover and instability in the program. No longer will starters flee the program. No longer will the list of recruits with serious interest be paper thin.
Size....Buzz's first two recruitng classes consist of 2 players 6'10 or bigger. no longer will Mu fans have to watch Mu be destroyed on the glass. Or have to endure maybe the single greatest waste of guard talent in Mu history by having three potential pro gaurds have to play with another potential pro guard at PF and the worst front court in the BE 3 years running. God Bless the 3 amigos for enduring what Crean put them through by not even surreounding them with adequate talent at the 4 and 5. What could have been, yet they never wavered.
Mr Hayward-----I'm glad your wife liked Buzz----I like him too-----but the question isn't likability. it's can he coach! I dis agre with your statement about his class being the best since 1983------how about Key, McIllaine, Logterman? How about Wade, Blankston, merritt? How about Dj, JM, and WM?
The two big guys are projects-----some projects make it an some don't-----very iffy situation.
I think you are too optimistic.
Quote from: MR.HAYWARD on July 22, 2008, 10:50:59 AM
1. humility... My wife met with Buzz and spoke to him and could not stop commenting on how he was the absolute polar opposite of our old coach. Woman's intuition she hated our old coach as a person.
2. Scheduling...willing to do what is best for the team in playing road games against good competion...versus simply padding a win total in an effort to sell himself.
3. Recruiting...sight unseen and without a game played...the best recruitng class in 25 years...no more Kinsellas, Niv's, etc. No longer will MU be beholden to a coach who the players and asst coaches could not stand to be around cuasing turnover and instability in the program. No longer will starters flee the program. No longer will the list of recruits with serious interest be paper thin.
4. Size....Buzz's first two recruitng classes consist of 2 players 6'10 or bigger. no longer will Mu fans have to watch Mu be destroyed on the glass. Or have to endure maybe the single greatest waste of guard talent in Mu history by having three potential pro gaurds have to play with another potential pro guard at PF and the worst front court in the BE 3 years running. God Bless the 3 amigos for enduring what Crean put them through by not even surreounding them with adequate talent at the 4 and 5. What could have been, yet they never wavered.
1. I could care less what your wife thought of Crean.
2. Al was the master of padding schedues
3.As ignorant a comment as can be made.
4. How do you know what Crean put the guys through. Grow up.
Quote from: nola03 on July 22, 2008, 02:20:42 PM
Tony Benford (A+...instant recruiter, Buzz replacement, best MU assistant ever?)
Dale Layer (A, experienced game coach, 5 specialist, stable)
Aki Collins (Incomplete...working the East Coast for 2010, young and hungry)
Scott Monarch (A came with the Juco crew, Texas connections)
Jimmy Butler (B...different match-up off the bench, nice shot, strong enough for BE?)
Liam McMorrow (Incomplete...major project)
Erik Williams (A...this kid is smooth, can go inside or out. May be highly under rated)
Jeronne Maymon (A...Buzz also got him on the rise...get statement close to home, books?)
Dwight Buycks (B...Experienced, nice shot, versatile and long)
Junior Cadougan (B+...all accounts is this kid is a stud with the ball, will make Otuke, McMorrow better, needs to work the outside jumper for BE play)
Transition (emphasize academic staff) (A-...took his time and did it right to fill his gaps and holes while keeping continuity the best he could. Losing TT was a blow but not unexpected and perhaps found a better fit recruit in Junior (I notice that Self is in the hunt for top 1 & 2's...including TT's Hurley HS mate) . Give TC some credit here)
Texas BBQ/Awards banquet/Camps (A...well attended and sold out)
NC State series (TV$$...puts our name out there in the South)
Wisconsin recruiting (B+...made a strong statement but the the Grinch was already booked...let's see what happens when Buzz goes head to head with Bo's progranda machine). Need to open up Chicago and NY again.
Quote from: Norm on July 22, 2008, 01:55:16 PM
Anyone else tired of Mr. Hayward's diatribes against Crean?
pretty mild diatribe