Anybody go to the Marquette/Buzz Event in Chicago Tonight?

[JoBo2756]

There was a good Q&A with Buzz about the season, his relationship with Marquette and his experience coming to Marquette. I've never been in that setting before with Buzz. He talks about God a lot...which is good because Marquette is a Jesuit school. Can you talk about God at Texas?

One thing to note, which Buzz pointed to as his indication of how we will do next year:

Year 1: The team collectively had 18 years of experience as basketball players at Marquette
Year 2: The team collectively had 12 years
Year 3: The team collectively had 9 years

Next year, the team should have more years (10 I guess), meaning they will be more emotionally, physically ready to play at the best level possible.

[4everwarriors]

What was served for dinner?

[JoBo2756]

Unfortunately it wasn't an Angelos pizza or a Sobelman burger.

[Tony]

Did anyone ask him forthright about the Texas A&M stuff?

And for what it's worth, Texas A&M is one of the most religious schools in the country.  You can talk about God all you want and actually GAIN support by doing it.

New Marquette Fan - t

[Skatastrophy]

Did anyone ask him forthright about the Texas A&M stuff?

And for what it's worth, Texas A&M is one of the most religious schools in the country.  You can talk about God all you want and actually GAIN support by doing it.

New Marquette Fan - t

I guess that's something I don't think about, namely the difference between academic climates in the North and the South.  If Bo Ryan started talking about God as much as Buzz does... well, I'm not sure what would happen.  The hippys at UW-Madison wouldn't be very happy.  Then again, if Bo started talking about the Earth Mother...

[Hards Alumni]

I guess that's something I don't think about, namely the difference between academic climates in the North and the South.  If Bo Ryan started talking about God as much as Buzz does... well, I'm not sure what would happen.  The hippys at UW-Madison wouldn't be very happy.  Then again, if Bo started talking about the Earth Mother...

[MUFC9295]

Though I did leave as the Q&A session began, I listened to the "interview" portion.  From what I listened to, there was no newsworthy bits.  Excerpts from his yet unpublished life story were shared.  But it was interesting to hear how character development and toughness is the first priority each season - the basketball follows for those that prove they can handle the program.  This is why the "man seasons" is more relevant.  When players such as Junior miss the full effect of development and practice by being injured, they cannot be expected to contribute meaningfully mid-season or at the end of the year once healed.  Buzz continues to stress how personal development off the court determines how a player will succeed on the court.  I feel Buzz will not allow a player to succeed, not matter how talented, if the player does not also demonstrate integrity, humility and positive maturity. 

[4everwarriors]

Wow, wonder how that plays out with the alleged incident at Humphrey?

[ChicosBailBonds]

Cat bite your tongue?

[axaguy]

Was at the event in Chicago on Wednesday. Though Buzz took questions from the audience for abit he never really directly answered any of them. He told stories, long and winding personal analyses, frequent "quotes", frequent references to God, his rags to riches personal trail, the "whole" and such but never really answering the question asked. Nothing of note came out of what was offered.
No references or q's about the A&M spot. He did say it's a good thing for us both, UM and he, that people want to talk to him but he never said he wouldn't or isn't interested in leaving MU.
I think he does enjoy playing a "country rube" when he is actually a very sharp coach. If someone thinks he's just some good ole boy coach and not very sharp, they are sorely mistaken. Hey, if an opponent or two underestimate his abilities, we win those games........ he understands that.

[Benny B]

I think he does enjoy playing a "country rube" when he is actually a very sharp coach. If someone thinks he's just some good ole boy coach and not very sharp, they are sorely mistaken. Hey, if an opponent or two underestimate his abilities, we win those games........ he understands that.

Not only are very, very few people able to successfully execute such a strategy - be it in sports, business, politics, or simple board games - once you've gone head to head with the elite and won, getting the competition to continue to underestimate you becomes nearly impossible.

After a season boasting a Sweet 16 appearance (beating Syracuse in the process), defeating the national champions on their home court (not to mention the only unranked team to do so), and being at the top of the list for nearly every major D-I coaching vacancy, the only ones that will underestimate Buzz in the future will be the actual "country rubes."

I don't think Buzz is dumb.  I also don't think he's a genius.  I don't even think he's a savant.  I think he's just a simple, average, hard-working, spiritual man who has a photographic memory and can keep his ego in check.

[GOMU86]

Well said.

[4everwarriors]

Crean was the same way except for the simple, photographic memory, and especially the ego in check parts.

[reinko]

I think he does enjoy playing a "country rube" when he is actually a very sharp coach. If someone thinks he's just some good ole boy coach and not very sharp, they are sorely mistaken. Hey, if an opponent or two underestimate his abilities, we win those games........ he understands that.

See:

Net worth: $100,000,000