[Cracked Sidewalks] Memo to Marquette: Don't Get Sidetracked

[CrackedSidewalksSays]

Memo to Marquette: Don't Get Sidetracked

Written by: noreply@blogger.com (Alan Bykowski)

We knew we could beat Xavier, but after years of earlier-than-hoped-for exits, there was plenty of relief from the Marquette faithful when the final buzzer went to signal our victory. And while we beat Syracuse less than two months ago, it came as a surprise to many, not only Warrior fans but also the national media. In an instant, we went from the Big East team that didn't deserve to make it in to the rag-tag bunch of JUCOs conquering the world, starting with our JUCO coach and continuing to four of our most important contributors.

It all started with Bob Ryan of the Boston Globe writing an article about Buzz's journey to the Big East and mentioning the JUCO history of himself and his players. questions to Buzz during the post-game press conferences. It continued when Buzz was joined by Crowder, Butler, and Buycks at the podium for their post-game presser after beating Syracuse. By Monday morning, it went from being a small sideshow to suddenly being "the story" about Marquette. Before I could blink, it seemed Buzz was everywhere, defending our team and their backgrounds on ESPN First Take, then on Mike & Mike, followed by Scott Van Pelt, and before the day his done he'll appear on PTI.





What Buzz has to say generally seems to follow the same script. He doesn't belong in a class with guys like Thad Matta, John Calipari, and Roy Williams. He and his players took the road less traveled. It shouldn't be about where guys like Butler and Crowder came from, but rather about their talent and accomplishments on the court. The issue isn't whether or not he and his players are "JUCO guys", but rather that they are now all "Marquette guys". And that his biggest concern is not about their roots but rather about how they represent Marquette not just on the court but also off it.

While Buzz is right on all of these points, I really wish it would all stop, and I wish Buzz would take a break. As proud as the Marquette family is of Buzz and his guys, and as impressive as their accomplishments are, the biggest thing Buzz is right about is that it isn't about where they come from. Not where they come from in terms of places like Indian Hills Community College or Tyler Junior College, but also not where they come from in terms of beating Xavier and Syracuse. When all is said and done, there will be plenty of time to look back at where all of these players and coaches came from.

Right now should be about where they are going. It should be about North Carolina. While most pundits don't give Marquette a chance, a few realize that with a week to prepare, the Warriors have a real chance to give the vaunted Tar Heels a run for their money. This team, regardless of where they may be from, has an opportunity to remind UNC that we are Warriors Forever, and that the disappointment they felt in 1977 can be handed to them all over again if Buzz and the young men that proudly represent Marquette can send them back to Chapel Hill with their tails between their legs. Critics of Marquette and its fanbase complain that we bring up 1977 too often. Well, this is one time when we can tangibly link the present to that fateful night in Atlanta. I say we do it all over again in Newark, maybe UNC can hang a banner that says "NCAA 9th Place 2011".





So my message to Buzz, his staff, and all the young men that so proudly and honorably represent all of Marquette as its Warriors is this: Forget about the past, forget about where you come from, and forget about what all the critics have to say. Because you are Marquette. You are Marquette. You represent all of us, and never once have you failed to do it in a proud and honorable manner that should make any alum, student, or fan proud to call you their brothers and frontline Warriors. So forget the talk shows, the critics, and all the crap they spew, and focus on film, game-planning, and giving us all a night to be proud of.

Win or lose, we will still be proud of you. Win or lose, we will still embrace you as our most visible representatives. Win or lose, you will still be Marquette. But make no mistake, we're all hoping for a win, and hoping to celebrate alongside you, whether its in Newark, Milwaukee, or in spirit from California, Africa, Europe, or anywhere Marquette may exist. You've got at least one more night to Grind Together and Shine Together. Focus on that, for all of us.

http://www.crackedsidewalks.com/2011/03/memo-to-marquette-dont-get-sidetracked.html

[MerrittsMustache]

Getting Buzz out there on the media circuit gets Marquette's name out there which is good for recruiting and good for "business."  Buzz is an excellent face of the program and the university. He's humble yet engaging and entertaining. All of those interviews combined probably took less than 30 minutes of his time. For a guy who occasionally sleeps 2 hours a night and schedules his day to the minute, I have no fears about him getting caught up in the MU hype and not having his team ready to play on Friday night.

Might also want to get some wine to go with that cheese in the last paragraph.

[77ncaachamps]

Buzz is starting to get around so much these days, it's got TC jealous!

[macman320]

Usually I'm on board with whatever CSW is posting, but do you really think Buzz won't have his guys ready to play?

[boyonthedock]

he will have them ready to play, but damn that is a good speech about representing marquette. and i am a card carrying cheese hater, as far as locker room type speeches go.

[willie warrior]

Memo to Marquette: Don't Get Sidetracked

Written by: noreply@blogger.com (Alan Bykowski)

We knew we could beat Xavier, but after years of earlier-than-hoped-for exits, there was plenty of relief from the Marquette faithful when the final buzzer went to signal our victory. And while we beat Syracuse less than two months ago, it came as a surprise to many, not only Warrior fans but also the national media. In an instant, we went from the Big East team that didn't deserve to make it in to the rag-tag bunch of JUCOs conquering the world, starting with our JUCO coach and continuing to four of our most important contributors.

It all started with Bob Ryan of the Boston Globe writing an article about Buzz's journey to the Big East and mentioning the JUCO history of himself and his players. questions to Buzz during the post-game press conferences. It continued when Buzz was joined by Crowder, Butler, and Buycks at the podium for their post-game presser after beating Syracuse. By Monday morning, it went from being a small sideshow to suddenly being "the story" about Marquette. Before I could blink, it seemed Buzz was everywhere, defending our team and their backgrounds on ESPN First Take, then on Mike & Mike, followed by Scott Van Pelt, and before the day his done he'll appear on PTI.





What Buzz has to say generally seems to follow the same script. He doesn't belong in a class with guys like Thad Matta, John Calipari, and Roy Williams. He and his players took the road less traveled. It shouldn't be about where guys like Butler and Crowder came from, but rather about their talent and accomplishments on the court. The issue isn't whether or not he and his players are "JUCO guys", but rather that they are now all "Marquette guys". And that his biggest concern is not about their roots but rather about how they represent Marquette not just on the court but also off it.

While Buzz is right on all of these points, I really wish it would all stop, and I wish Buzz would take a break. As proud as the Marquette family is of Buzz and his guys, and as impressive as their accomplishments are, the biggest thing Buzz is right about is that it isn't about where they come from. Not where they come from in terms of places like Indian Hills Community College or Tyler Junior College, but also not where they come from in terms of beating Xavier and Syracuse. When all is said and done, there will be plenty of time to look back at where all of these players and coaches came from.

Right now should be about where they are going. It should be about North Carolina. While most pundits don't give Marquette a chance, a few realize that with a week to prepare, the Warriors have a real chance to give the vaunted Tar Heels a run for their money. This team, regardless of where they may be from, has an opportunity to remind UNC that we are Warriors Forever, and that the disappointment they felt in 1977 can be handed to them all over again if Buzz and the young men that proudly represent Marquette can send them back to Chapel Hill with their tails between their legs. Critics of Marquette and its fanbase complain that we bring up 1977 too often. Well, this is one time when we can tangibly link the present to that fateful night in Atlanta. I say we do it all over again in Newark, maybe UNC can hang a banner that says "NCAA 9th Place 2011".





So my message to Buzz, his staff, and all the young men that so proudly and honorably represent all of Marquette as its Warriors is this: Forget about the past, forget about where you come from, and forget about what all the critics have to say. Because you are Marquette. You are Marquette. You represent all of us, and never once have you failed to do it in a proud and honorable manner that should make any alum, student, or fan proud to call you their brothers and frontline Warriors. So forget the talk shows, the critics, and all the crap they spew, and focus on film, game-planning, and giving us all a night to be proud of.

Win or lose, we will still be proud of you. Win or lose, we will still embrace you as our most visible representatives. Win or lose, you will still be Marquette. But make no mistake, we're all hoping for a win, and hoping to celebrate alongside you, whether its in Newark, Milwaukee, or in spirit from California, Africa, Europe, or anywhere Marquette may exist. You've got at least one more night to Grind Together and Shine Together. Focus on that, for all of us.

http://www.crackedsidewalks.com/2011/03/memo-to-marquette-dont-get-sidetracked.html

HMMM.....Are some people here saying that maybe Buzz is a differnt kind, but also a prima donna, like Crean?? I'm not saying it, but itseems like a bunch of posts are implying it. Let the media hype die down and focus on the game prep?

[tower912]

When you unexpectedly make the sweet 16, there is always going to be a media grind.   And it is usually focused on the underdogs.     The coaches from VCU, Richmond, Marquette are spending more time doing interviews than Matta, K, Roy, et al because the nation knows little about them and the underdog is the more interesting story.    Not co-incidentally, the underdog coaches are the same ones being mentioned for the job openings at the the BCS schools.   It is the world we live in.    If we lose to UNC, it isn't going to be because Buzz did too many interviews, or because some of our guys are intimidated by the Tar Heel mystique.    It is going to be because UNC is good and we played less than perfect. 

[GGGG]

While Buzz is right on all of these points, I really wish it would all stop, and I wish Buzz would take a break. As proud as the Marquette family is of Buzz and his guys, and as impressive as their accomplishments are, the biggest thing Buzz is right about is that it isn't about where they come from. Not where they come from in terms of places like Indian Hills Community College or Tyler Junior College, but also not where they come from in terms of beating Xavier and Syracuse. When all is said and done, there will be plenty of time to look back at where all of these players and coaches came from.

Right now should be about where they are going.

What makes you think that Buzz isn't focused on what they are doing?  Because he has done a few interviews?  C'mon...what you see publicly isn't necessarily what is going on privately.

[HoopsMalone]

I don't think the identity of this team is to be serious.  Throwing up the Three goggles, going on TV and joking around, etc. are ok things for this team.  We are inexperienced and need to be relaxed when shooting.  We don't need to act all serious and tighten up. 

[NavinRJohnson]

I agree with the premise of all of this to an extent. However, I also think it doesn't need to be said. For one thing, the game is still 3 days away. Second, when you get national media requests, you take 'em. I think we've all realized by now, that Buzz doesn't just shoot off his mouth. He has purpose behind nearly everything he says and does.

They've arrived in Newark now, and are gettin' down to work, and I suspect you will hear the tone of Buzz's comments change somewhat. More along the lines of "we are nobody's underdog," We came here to win," etc. The hard work, toughness, hunger, etc. is all still there, but I think the focus now becomes more about confidence, and what they have accomplished this year, and the fact that they can play a little - especially inside the locker room.

Its not about getting side tracked, its about giving these guys their moment He's talked about the past, and I'm pretty sure in the next few days you will hear more about the present and the future. I'm certain they all believe they can and are going to win, despite the fact that they are largely being billed as the worst team left in the field.

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/118421149.html

My bigger concern is that they get too hung up on proving they belong, and their play suffers, but I suspect Buzz will have them in exactly the right place when game time comes. Whether they have the talent to be able to win remains to be seen.

[MUMac]

I don't think the identity of this team is to be serious.  Throwing up the Three goggles, going on TV and joking around, etc. are ok things for this team.  We are inexperienced and need to be relaxed when shooting.  We don't need to act all serious and tighten up. 

Brings me back to the memory of '77.  UNC players would comment on how they would go out in a tie and sportcoat see some of the MU players who were wearing jeans and sandals.  Al tried to keep it loose.  Buzz may well do the same.

That does not mean that either team is ill prepared.  Exact opposite.

[Skatastrophy]

Every once in a while CS posts something that's out of character for CS.  This is one of those times.

All emotions, no real content. 

[MountainCreekHouse]

I love the inspiring speech at the end CS, We Are Marquette!

[NCMUFan]

Of course it was light journalism this time.  But still, the images of Roy Williams Kansas team completely humiliating and destorying Marquette in 2003 is very vivid.  You have your head in the clouds for a second and you will be down 20 points in a blink.

[macman320]

For a man that plans the way Buzz does there is no way he won't have his team ready. I'm proud of Marquette and what we are. So is Buzz, just listen to him talk about how his values are in line with the Jesuits, etc. Are you embarrassed that we have JUCO's? If they are motivated by where they came from, why take it from them? These guys wear the jersey proud and represent us well. I wouldn't take anybody over Jimmy Butler on or off the court.

[brewcity77]

For a man that plans the way Buzz does there is no way he won't have his team ready. I'm proud of Marquette and what we are. So is Buzz, just listen to him talk about how his values are in line with the Jesuits, etc. Are you embarrassed that we have JUCO's? If they are motivated by where they came from, why take it from them? These guys wear the jersey proud and represent us well. I wouldn't take anybody over Jimmy Butler on or off the court.

Where do you get embarrassed about JUCOs?  Buzz himself said that it shouldn't be whether they are JUCO guys or high school guys, but rather that they're Marquette guys. I don't think anything at all in there remotely suggests any problem with JUCO guys. Pretty sure saying "You represent all of us, and never once have you failed to do it in a proud and honorable manner..." indicates that I don't care if they are JUCOs or not, but rather that I'm glad they are Marquette guys regardless of their roots.

[macman320]

No, it's not a direct shot at JUCO guys, and perhaps embarrassed is too strong of a word. The article does have a tone that the author is annoyed by the JUCO talk, or at the least the talk of anything in the past.
"In an instant, we went from the Big East team that didn't deserve to make it in to the rag-tag bunch of JUCOs conquering the world, starting with our JUCO coach and continuing to four of our most important contributors.

It all started with Bob Ryan of the Boston Globe writing an article about Buzz's journey to the Big East and mentioning the JUCO history of himself and his players. questions to Buzz during the post-game press conferences. It continued when Buzz was joined by Crowder, Butler, and Buycks at the podium for their post-game presser after beating Syracuse." And follows it by "Forget about the past, forget about where you come from."

I'm on board with the author about being proud of Marquette and where you play now. I think all the players are. But why, after so many motivation CS posts and brilliant statistics, make a post asking guys to now stop talking about their roots? It just seemed out of the ordinary for CS.

I don't know the author and he's probably mostly concerned with winning the game like hopefully everybody. In that case I don't mean to put words in his mouth. I love our team and Buzz. I'm just curious if other people are pumped we are in the sweet 16 and don't care where our guys came from, or if people think "I wish we recruited our kids from high schools like normal high profile teams." When I read the CS article I was left the impression that I was the outsider regarding our team makeup.

Judging by the "I" in your post you were probably the author. It actually feels good knowing your intentions, I hope other fans are just as proud.

[brewcity77]

I don't know the author and he's probably mostly concerned with winning the game like hopefully everybody. In that case I don't mean to put words in his mouth. I love our team and Buzz. I'm just curious if other people are pumped we are in the sweet 16 and don't care where our guys came from, or if people think "I wish we recruited our kids from high schools like normal high profile teams." When I read the CS article I was left the impression that I was the outsider regarding our team makeup.

Judging by the "I" in your post you were probably the author. It actually feels good knowing your intentions, I hope other fans are just as proud.

I was indeed, and mainly it was just hearing the same thing over and over and over. When you hear every media figure either questioning Buzz's JUCOs or trying to figure out what the secret is, they are ignoring the fact that these guys are simply good basketball players and quality representatives of Marquette.

I suppose some of my frustration with began within our own ranks of fans. How many times this year have we heard that JUCOs give a negative impression or that people would prefer 4-year guys. These kids spent an entire year (and in the case of JFB and Fulce, 3 years) proving that what's important is that they are Marquette guys. Just when it seems the doubters among the Marquette faithful are lightening up, the doubters across the country take up the torch.

I agree with what Buzz says in defending them, it just feels like a broken record at this point. I feel (like I think Buzz does) that the story isn't about JUCOs or 4-year guys or high-major transfers, but rather that it's about what makes all of them part of the Marquette culture. As a guy who transferred to Marquette from a 2-year school myself (and felt a few biases upon my arrival), I hate to think that where I started in school has any bearing on whether or not I was good enough to be at Marquette. Maybe I feel it's a bit personal when Buzz has to defend his guys, but what I feel is most important is where they are now and what they can accomplish.

And admittedly, far more of an emotional post than anything else I've previously done in my short CS tenure. Just hearing everyone in the national media make the story about JUCOs and not Marquette got this 2-year transfer a bit riled up I guess