ESPN Take on MU

[keefe]

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/92368/marquette-continues-to-disappoint

[tower912]

In year's past, MU would have tied the game at 60, that would have been the signal that it was winning time, and one of the leaders would have stepped up.   Lazar, Jimmy, Jae, DJO, Blue would have stepped up their game and MU would have closed it out.   Last night, one of our leader's missed an ill-advised 3 and then fouled out and our other one let a former MAC center abuse him down low.    I want to believe in this team.   But they are only as good as their leaders. 

[4th and State]

Can't argue with much.  We're close but just don't have "it"...whatever "it" is.

[keefe]

In year's past, MU would have tied the game at 60, that would have been the signal that it was winning time, and one of the leaders would have stepped up.   Lazar, Jimmy, Jae, DJO, Blue would have stepped up their game and MU would have closed it out.   Last night, one of our leader's missed an ill-advised 3 and then fouled out and our other one let a former MAC center abuse him down low.    I want to believe in this team.   But they are only as good as their leaders. 

I couldn't agree more. There is a conspicuous absence of leadership on this team. And there is nothing more chilling. Leadership is not formulaic and manifests itself in many ways. Lloyd Walton arguing with Al as he brought the ball up court was leadership that worked given the unique personality of Al McGuire; remember it was Al who pioneered the use of the Technical Foul to motivate his team. Al transferred authority to Lloyd in his own unique way because he only wanted tough scrappers with sparks coming out of their a$$. Al took on authority and expected no less from his men.

Gifted leaders know how to empower their people. Al's greatest strength was his ability to motivate. This is also Buzz' but he has yet to crack the code this year. People here focus on the Wilsons. In fact, the failure rests with Buzz and the coaching staff for their principle role is not to develop a 300 page playbook a la Tom Crean. Rather, their job responsibility is to motivate. Figuring that out is the challenge and if they do we will win because this team has incredible talent.

[connie]

In year's past, MU would have tied the game at 60, that would have been the signal that it was winning time, and one of the leaders would have stepped up.   Lazar, Jimmy, Jae, DJO, Blue would have stepped up their game and MU would have closed it out.   Last night, one of our leader's missed an ill-advised 3 and then fouled out and our other one let a former MAC center abuse him down low.    I want to believe in this team.   But they are only as good as their leaders. 

Isn't this the key to the collective frustration?  I agree wholeheartedly.

[bilsu]

In year's past, MU would have tied the game at 60, that would have been the signal that it was winning time, and one of the leaders would have stepped up.   Lazar, Jimmy, Jae, DJO, Blue would have stepped up their game and MU would have closed it out.   Last night, one of our leader's missed an ill-advised 3 and then fouled out and our other one let a former MAC center abuse him down low.    I want to believe in this team.   But they are only as good as their leaders. 

In past years  a DJO would suddenly sink two threes to blow a close game open. What happen yesterday was two players hit threes and then Christon hit two. The game was won more by Xavier more than it was lost by MU.

[Texas Western]

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/92368/marquette-continues-to-disappoint

This author has historically wrote less than favorable articles about MU,even last year during our run, which is why he characterized it as remarkable (hello 14-4 Big east record?)

Although on the other hand his analysis is reasonable and accurate.

My sense is this team has lost confidence in Buzz. The team chemistry is a function of the coach just as much as the players. Buzz needs to man up and admit he is making a mistake with his rotations, and start giving the really talented freshman more consistent playing time. When he does that everything will be fine. Deonte and JJJ are physically gifted just let them play. Understand the mentality of these kids. Also Put JJJ in at the same time as Todd, they are friends and Todd will actually pass the ball to JJJ instead of taking all sorts of forced shots.

[tower912]

My sense is this team has lost confidence in Buzz. 

ROFLMFAO.

[Coleman]

I couldn't agree more. There is a conspicuous absence of leadership on this team. And there is nothing more chilling. Leadership is not formulaic and manifests itself in many ways. Lloyd Walton arguing with Al as he brought the ball up court was leadership that worked given the unique personality of Al McGuire; remember it was Al who pioneered the use of the Technical Foul to motivate his team. Al transferred authority to Lloyd in his own unique way because he only wanted tough scrappers with sparks coming out of their a$$. Al took on authority and expected no less from his men.

Gifted leaders know how to empower their people. Al's greatest strength was his ability to motivate. This is also Buzz' but he has yet to crack the code this year. People here focus on the Wilsons. In fact, the failure rests with Buzz and the coaching staff for their principle role is not to develop a 300 page playbook a la Tom Crean. Rather, their job responsibility is to motivate. Figuring that out is the challenge and if they do we will win because this team has incredible talent.

+1

[real chili 83]

I couldn't agree more. There is a conspicuous absence of leadership on this team. And there is nothing more chilling. Leadership is not formulaic and manifests itself in many ways. Lloyd Walton arguing with Al as he brought the ball up court was leadership that worked given the unique personality of Al McGuire; remember it was Al who pioneered the use of the Technical Foul to motivate his team. Al transferred authority to Lloyd in his own unique way because he only wanted tough scrappers with sparks coming out of their a$$. Al took on authority and expected no less from his men.

Gifted leaders know how to empower their people. Al's greatest strength was his ability to motivate. This is also Buzz' but he has yet to crack the code this year. People here focus on the Wilsons. In fact, the failure rests with Buzz and the coaching staff for their principle role is not to develop a 300 page playbook a la Tom Crean. Rather, their job responsibility is to motivate. Figuring that out is the challenge and if they do we will win because this team has incredible talent.

It's called servant leadership.

Derrick gets it.

Jamil has heard of it.

Run the right plays, and Jake executes it.

Buzz's trying to teach it   

[JTBMU7]

"Marquette just didn't have enough. Again."

Sad but true... Close - but can't finish, awfully frustrating.

[RawdogDX]

Can't argue with much.  We're close but just don't have "it"...whatever "it" is.

pretty sure "it" is "Vander Blue".

[GurneeHitchkr]

I agree with Tower.  In past years, we would come back from a deficit to tie it up and our "go to guys" would take control and win the game.  We have been in many close games this year, but have lost them all because we don't have that "go to guy".  I expected it to be Todd, Jamil or DG, but they aren't doing it.  Don't know why.