Buzz can coach a little bit.

[tower912]

Buzz has gotten the absolute max and more out of this team.  That is all any coach can hope for. Even if we flame out in the tournaments, no one can possibly argue that this team has underachieved in the slightest.    He has held this team together when they easily could have packed it in at 11-8 with a string of heartbreaking losses.   Instead, he and the team worked harder.   Now we know what he meant at his introductory press conference when he said that his team played 'winning' basketball.     Make the extra pass. And then the next extra pass.    Sell out on defense.   Outwork the other team.    Always be prepared.   In some ways, this team is more fun to watch than the 03 team.   Not better, just more fun to watch.   The constant ball movement and team play is how the game is supposed to look.   
     To top it off, he has made it about the team and the university, representing with class and his own distinctive style.   He has given us a team and young men to be proud of.      Well done, coach. 

[GoldenWarrior]

+1.  I will admit I was criticizing him not too long ago for not being a great in game coach, but I really think that has begun to turn around and he most certainly has this team clicking right when we need it to be!  He is a fantastic person and a great representation of what Marquette University is all about.

[tower912]

I get the feeling that in end of half/game/shot-clock situations, he doesn't have a lot of plays that he calls during a timeout, but emphasizes who he wants to have the ball and where in the context of the offense.    Something like....'run the offense until DJO has it on the left wing with Lazar coming over to set the high pick.    Make your move off of that and see what is open, particularly with Jimmy on the block.'     Or...'run the offense until you hand off to Jimmy at the top.   Jimmy, you can take your guy off of the dribble.    Start your move with about 6 seconds and take him.    If the double comes from DJO's guy, pitch it to him in the corner.'     'Throw it to Lazar in the block.   Lazar, if the double doesn't come, take your guy.   If the double comes, rotate the ball until somebody is open.'         None of this 2000 plays/150 sets nonsense.   Just more running of the offense. 

[NCMUFan]

Has this link been posted?  Buzz #1 on the authors 2nd All-Coaches Team.
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/news;_ylt=Auzv6NH.ySY3LhNSMAd7w9PevbYF?slug=jn-kotc030310&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Lazar also listed as a "In a Zone".

[lab_warrior]

It's very refreshing to see some actual strategies/plays against zone defense--it seemed like we had several iterations of ways to attack the 2-3 last night, versus, when, you-know-who coached, and we basically just dribbled around for 30 seconds against a zone.

[what the fulce?]

I have to admit that I was always a little bit skeptical of Buzz because he was unproven. A lot of the credit last year went to the experienced players and was deflected away from Buzz. While that's true to some degree, I believe that this year (especially our last ten games) really shows our resolve as a team and his ability to work with and maximize the talent he's got. Players, and more importantly how they play, are an extension of their coach; I'm happy to say I'm proud of both.

[Roscoe]

As much as I'm impressed by the team's play, I'm probably as much or moreso impressed by their on-court demeanor.  Very little "look at me" type behavior.  It's all about team, play hard, win as a unit.  And Buzz's comments post-game are generally very much in line with what one would expect from a fine university such as Marquette.  He's a fine ambassador for the school.

[mu_hilltopper]

From that Rivals' list of top coaches:

Buzz Williams, Marquette – Picked to finish 12th in the Big East preseason poll, the Golden Eagles appear headed back to the NCAA tournament despite the loss of top players Jerel McNeal, Wesley Matthews and Dominic James.

I've seen that quote more than once .. predicted 12th .. loss of 3 Amigos. -- Pshaw, that's nothing.  Get 11 or 12 wins in the BE after losing the 3 Amigos AND your incoming PG, AND BOTH of your tallest guys, AND your Mr. Basketball winner PF. 

It's not that amazing we lost players to graduation and are where we are.  It's that we lost 4 of our players prior to the BE season start and are where we are.