OnMilwaukee.com Article

[MU4Life]

Long time reader, first time poster.  Thought this article had some interesting quotes in it.  Hopefully I can link this correctly:

http://onmilwaukee.com/sports/articles/marquetteoffense.html

"Some of our best offensive players are our worst defensive players; and some of our best defensive players are our worst offensive players," head coach Buzz Williams said against Providence. "So, running them in waves the way we did in the first half (against Providence) was kind of a balance of all of it. Not, who started, not how old they are, not where they're from, not what they did the last game or the game before, but what gives us our best chance today, from start to finish, to win."

[BenCat12]

Long time reader, first time poster.  Thought this article had some interesting quotes in it.  Hopefully I can link this correctly:

http://onmilwaukee.com/sports/articles/marquetteoffense.html

"Some of our best offensive players are our worst defensive players; and some of our best defensive players are our worst offensive players," head coach Buzz Williams said against Providence. "So, running them in waves the way we did in the first half (against Providence) was kind of a balance of all of it. Not, who started, not how old they are, not where they're from, not what they did the last game or the game before, but what gives us our best chance today, from start to finish, to win."

Yeah, Buzz doesn't read message boards or pay attention to what the restless natives think.
He also isn't thin skinned......
It's almost like he is directly responding to Ners!!!

[jesmu84]

Long time reader, first time poster.  Thought this article had some interesting quotes in it.  Hopefully I can link this correctly:

http://onmilwaukee.com/sports/articles/marquetteoffense.html

"Some of our best offensive players are our worst defensive players; and some of our best defensive players are our worst offensive players," head coach Buzz Williams said against Providence. "So, running them in waves the way we did in the first half (against Providence) was kind of a balance of all of it. Not, who started, not how old they are, not where they're from, not what they did the last game or the game before, but what gives us our best chance today, from start to finish, to win."

It blows my mind that anyone thinks that a coach at this level is doing ANYTHING other than trying to get us to win in whatever way and with whatever personnel possible.

[esotericmindguy]

It blows my mind that anyone thinks that a coach at this level is doing ANYTHING other than trying to get us to win in whatever way and with whatever personnel possible.

I would argue that isn't his only goal. And he's says it to every parent of a player he recruits. He wants to turn boys into men and make them better people when they leave campus. Playing the best players to help win that particular game doesn't fit into that principle, and I don't believe he follows that philosophy, consciously or subconsciously. I'm a fan so I hate it, but I can see why he does it. You can't tell me Juan Anderson or Chris Otule give MU the best chance to win. I refuse to believe that. Steve Taylor and Deonte Burton are far superior. Otule gets worked by every decent center and Juan Anderson should be playing for San Luis Abispo.

[BenCat12]

I would argue that isn't his only goal. And he's says it to every parent of a player he recruits. He wants to turn boys into men and make them better people when they leave campus. Playing the best players to help win that particular game doesn't fit into that principle, and I don't believe he follows that philosophy, consciously or subconsciously. I'm a fan so I hate it, but I can see why he does it. You can't tell me Juan Anderson or Chris Otule give MU the best chance to win. I refuse to believe that. Steve Taylor and Deonte Burton are far superior. Otule gets worked by every decent center and Juan Anderson should be playing for San Luis Abispo.

That was racist

[Goose]

Trust me Buzz ain't playing to lose, but not any pressure to win at all cost this year. Having a down year is not worst thing fr a coach with a ton of early success. This season proves it is not always S16 and E8's and probably takes pressure off of Buzz a tad.

By no stretch am I saying this season is good thing for Buzz and he is happy about it, but .500 winning brings expectations down to earth moving forward. Buzz is high street smart guy and this crappy season does have silver lining.

[willie warrior]

Hoo Boy! Now we can celebrate the silver lining in a crappy season...because it is all about Buzz.

[GGGG]

Long time reader, first time poster.  Thought this article had some interesting quotes in it.  Hopefully I can link this correctly:

http://onmilwaukee.com/sports/articles/marquetteoffense.html

"Some of our best offensive players are our worst defensive players; and some of our best defensive players are our worst offensive players," head coach Buzz Williams said against Providence. "So, running them in waves the way we did in the first half (against Providence) was kind of a balance of all of it. Not, who started, not how old they are, not where they're from, not what they did the last game or the game before, but what gives us our best chance today, from start to finish, to win."

Post more often.  Because this is straight out of the horses mouth.  This is *exactly* why he's been playing a lot of guys, and exactly what I mean by playing the hot hand.  Some days that will be JJJ, Deonte and Derrick....some days not.

This quote should put this whole dumb thing to rest.

[BenCat12]

Post more often.  Because this is straight out of the horses mouth.  This is *exactly* why he's been playing a lot of guys, and exactly what I mean by playing the hot hand.  Some days that will be JJJ, Deonte and Derrick....some days not.

This quote should put this whole dumb thing to rest.

Just out of curiosity, can we define "hot hand?"

[GGGG]

Just out of curiosity, can we define "hot hand?"

I defined it in other thread.  Whomever is playing better on that particular day against that particular team.  (I acknowledge that "hot hand" is a poor term since that usually means best offensive scorer...)

[jesmu84]

Post more often.  Because this is straight out of the horses mouth.  This is *exactly* why he's been playing a lot of guys, and exactly what I mean by playing the hot hand.  Some days that will be JJJ, Deonte and Derrick....some days not.

This quote should put this whole dumb thing to rest.

The (twice) self-imposed moratorium was supposed to do that too...

[tower912]

Long time reader, first time poster.  Thought this article had some interesting quotes in it.  Hopefully I can link this correctly:

http://onmilwaukee.com/sports/articles/marquetteoffense.html

"Some of our best offensive players are our worst defensive players; and some of our best defensive players are our worst offensive players," head coach Buzz Williams said against Providence. "So, running them in waves the way we did in the first half (against Providence) was kind of a balance of all of it. Not, who started, not how old they are, not where they're from, not what they did the last game or the game before, but what gives us our best chance today, from start to finish, to win."

So......simple.   And yet.......so hard for so many to understand.   

[BenCat12]

I defined it in other thread.  Whomever is playing better on that particular day against that particular team.  (I acknowledge that "hot hand" is a poor term since that usually means best offensive scorer...)

But that isn't factual.  The Providence game for example.  He did not play the "hot hand," not even close.  He played Jake almost the entire second half despite horrible results and despite JJJ being very effective especially using his length on defense.

I'm not a Buzz "hater," but I am extremely frustrated with his lack of consistency, especially in regards to defending certain players playing time.  He says things like this yet he hardly ever practices it.  

[GGGG]

But that isn't factual.  The Providence game for example.  He did not play the "hot hand," not even close.  He played Jake almost the entire second half despite horrible results and despite JJJ being very effective especially using his length on defense.

But that's not what happened.  Jake played the last 8 minutes of the game.  MU was only up three when he came in...and they won by 11.

Jake is a better defender than JJJ at this point.  JJJ is getting better, but he's not where he needs to be.

[Superfan]

While watching a Big East game last night they put up the top fiver freshment this year.  I found it very disappointing that despite having a heralded class at the beginning of the year and the guard problems we have had (which should have provided playing opportunities for them) that none of our guys were mentioned.  Hopefully Buzz will be loosening the leashes on Dawson, Burton & JJJ and giving them some meaningful minutes.  We need these guys next year.

[WellsstreetWanderer]

I would argue that isn't his only goal. And he's says it to every parent of a player he recruits. He wants to turn boys into men and make them better people when they leave campus. Playing the best players to help win that particular game doesn't fit into that principle, and I don't believe he follows that philosophy, consciously or subconsciously. I'm a fan so I hate it, but I can see why he does it. You can't tell me Juan Anderson or Chris Otule give MU the best chance to win. I refuse to believe that. Steve Taylor and Deonte Burton are far superior. Otule gets worked by every decent center and Juan Anderson should be playing for San Luis OBISPO.

Fixed

[esotericmindguy]

Jake is a better defender than JJJ at this point.  JJJ is getting better, but he's not where he needs to be.

But that's the point that frustrates everyone. Believe me, I'm not comparing our class to Kentucky's or Kansas', but they always start slow and let the young guys figure it out. Had buzz played Deonte and JJJ early they'd have figured it out by now. There are things you can't translate from practice to games, most notably Speed. The best way to learn is to play in the games. It was obvious to most on this board in early December that Juan and Jake couldn't play, but Buzz continued to give major minutes early in the year. I'm a strong believer that had Burton and JJJ gotten 25 minutes a game they'd be better off now and next year. They are way to athletic to be poor defenders. In fact, JJJ was heralded on this very board for his defense in high school. And Deonte is a freak, you can't tell me he won't be a defensive presence. Just need time to adjust.

Hindsight is easy, but we were right. This is a largely wasted season to this point. There is no future with Juan, Mayo, Otule & Thomas. Buzz gambled and made a mistake, he thought he could win with these guys....he can't. I say play Taylor, Burton & JJJ 25 minutes a game here on out and see what happens, can't get worse and prepares them to be leaders next year, along with DWilson, who I think will be better with scorers around him.

[BenCat12]

But that's the point that frustrates everyone. Believe me, I'm not comparing our class to Kentucky's or Kansas', but they always start slow and let the young guys figure it out. Had buzz played Deonte and JJJ early they'd have figured it out by now. There are things you can't translate from practice to games, most notably Speed. The best way to learn is to play in the games. It was obvious to most on this board in early December that Juan and Jake couldn't play, but Buzz continued to give major minutes early in the year. I'm a strong believer that had Burton and JJJ gotten 25 minutes a game they'd be better off now and next year. They are way to athletic to be poor defenders. In fact, JJJ was heralded on this very board for his defense in high school. And Deonte is a freak, you can't tell me he won't be a defensive presence. Just need time to adjust.



Hindsight is easy, but we were right. This is a largely wasted season to this point. There is no future with Juan, Mayo, Otule & Thomas. Buzz gambled and made a mistake, he thought he could win with these guys....he can't. I say play Taylor, Burton & JJJ 25 minutes a game here on out and see what happens, can't get worse and prepares them to be leaders next year, along with DWilson, who I think will be better with scorers around him.

How dare you!!!!!

[Eldon]

Winning today is great and all, but not if it comes at the expense of future wins.  Any victory from here on out that does not happen in MSG is a moral victory, nothing more.

I would rather have two wins in the future than one win today.

The most important thing *right now* is not winning--it is finding the best lineup that will win us the BE tourney.

[jesmu84]

But that's the point that frustrates everyone. Believe me, I'm not comparing our class to Kentucky's or Kansas', but they always start slow and let the young guys figure it out. Had buzz played Deonte and JJJ early they'd have figured it out by now. There are things you can't translate from practice to games, most notably Speed. The best way to learn is to play in the games. It was obvious to most on this board in early December that Juan and Jake couldn't play, but Buzz continued to give major minutes early in the year. I'm a strong believer that had Burton and JJJ gotten 25 minutes a game they'd be better off now and next year. They are way to athletic to be poor defenders. In fact, JJJ was heralded on this very board for his defense in high school. And Deonte is a freak, you can't tell me he won't be a defensive presence. Just need time to adjust.

Hindsight is easy, but we were right. This is a largely wasted season to this point. There is no future with Juan, Mayo, Otule & Thomas. Buzz gambled and made a mistake, he thought he could win with these guys....he can't. I say play Taylor, Burton & JJJ 25 minutes a game here on out and see what happens, can't get worse and prepares them to be leaders next year, along with DWilson, who I think will be better with scorers around him.

Agreed with everything you say. However, it can work both ways. Sometimes Kentucky lets it play out and they get far in the NCAA or they bounce out first round in the NIT. There's no sure-fire formula either way. Buzz went with what he thought was the better choice - the upperclassmen.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Winning today is great and all, but not if it comes at the expense of future wins.  Any victory from here on out that does not happen in MSG is a moral victory, nothing more.

I would rather have two wins in the future than one win today.

The most important thing *right now* is not winning--it is finding the best lineup that will win us the BE tourney.

We can still go 8-1 and make the tourney. Do I believe that will happen? No. Am I hopeful? No. Do I still want Buzz to play to win every game? Yes

[esotericmindguy]

We can still go 8-1 and make the tourney. Do I believe that will happen? No. Am I hopeful? No. Do I still want Buzz to play to win every game? Yes

There is no way you can defend Buzz playing 11 guys. Juan & Jake don't need to play. I could deal with this crap if I saw some glimmer of hope. But it juniors and seniors playing AWFUL! Very frustrating.