Paranoia????

[dgies9156]

Having read the Buzz Williams posts in the past two weeks, I'm surprised at the level of paranoia that seems to still exist with Marquette basketball fans.

At the risk of beating a dead horse, I think Buzz is different. There was always an edginess during both Kevin O'Neill and the Tanned One's time at Marquette. You had the feeling with both of these men that Marquette really was a stepping stone to something else. There was a lot of talk around town that both, to one degree or another, "had worn out their welcome." I'd wished they would have stayed, but they didn't. Here, unless we do something ridiculous, I don't see any reason Buzz won't stay.

Buzz seems genuine. He seems happy and notwithstanding the concerns about new leadership and greener pastures, it appears Father Pilarz "gets it" as to basketball's place at Marquette. I met Father at a Marquette dinner in Chicago late last year and he discussed his concern about the Big East's future. He was intimately involved in Marquette's end of how this problem shook out. Given Father's attitude and Buzz's success, I can't see Marquette easily letting Buzz get away.

Sure, we've had problems. Good God, we had problems when Al was around too!  But we got over them and it was no reason to chase Al off!

I recognize that we're again at a cross-roads. Our team is really good and Buzz develops talent. I recognize there are a lot of naysayers (like the Journal-Sentinel's Michael Hunt) who believe it is impossible for Marquette to sustain what it has done in the last three years. And I know that the loss of the Tanned One and O'Neill bothered a lot of us, including me, because in both cases it seemed like we were about back to what we expect our program to be.

But lay low folks. I may be naive, but I think this time is VERY different. I think we probably have someone who wants us as much as we want him.

[Litehouse]

Here, unless we do something ridiculous, I don't see any reason Buzz won't stay.

I agree with most of your post, but I think you're missing the point of the paranoia, which is that it looked like MU might do something ridiculous.

[warriorchick]

Having read the Buzz Williams posts in the past two weeks, I'm surprised at the level of paranoia that seems to still exist with Marquette basketball fans.

At the risk of beating a dead horse, I think Buzz is different. There was always an edginess both Kevin O'Neill and the Tanned One's time at Marquette. You had the feeling with both of these men that Marquette really was a stepping stone to something else. There was a lot of talk around town that both, to one degree or another, "had worn out their welcome." I'd wished they would have stayed, but they didn't. Here, unless we do something ridiculous, I don't see any reason Buzz won't stay.

Buzz seems genuine. He seems happy and notwithstanding the concerns about new leadership and greener pastures, it appears Father Pilarz "gets it" as to basketball's place at Marquette. I met Father at a Marquette dinner in Chicago late last year and he discussed his concern about the Big East's future. He was intimately involved in Marquette's end of how this problem shook out. Given Father's attitude and Buzz's success, I can't see Marquette easily letting Buzz get away.

Sure, we've had problems. Good God, we had problems when Al was around too!  But we got over them and it was no reason to chase Al off!

I recognize that we're again at a cross-roads. Our team is really good and Buzz develops talent. I recognize there are a lot of naysayers (like the Journal-Sentinel's Michael Hunt) who believe it is impossible for Marquette to sustain what it has done in the last three years. And I know that the loss of the Tanned One and O'Neill bothered a lot of us, including me, because in both cases it seemed like we were about back to what we expect our program to be.

But lay low folks. I may be naive, but I think this time is VERY different. I think we probably have someone who wants us as much as we want him.

Well said.  My worry has been that the paranoia (including the dispatching of frantic emails) about Buzz leaving could well be a self-fulfilling prophecy.  Then I realized that most (if not all) programs that Buzz would consider have fans that are just as crazed.

But seriously, people, knock it off.

[bilsu]

How often is one spouse surpirsed that the other spouse wants a divorce?
I agree buzz is different and I like that. It does not mean his bosses like it.

[Tugg Speedman]

Buzz keeps saying he does not have an agent.  The first sign that he wants to move on would be he hires an agent.  Until then, relax.

[4everwarriors]

What's the response when its, "I told you so"?

[avid1010]

Buzz keeps saying he does not have an agent.  The first sign that he wants to move on would be he hires an agent.  Until then, relax.

i think buzz is more savvy than people give him credit for...i'd be interested to know how much it has cost/saved buzz to not have an agent.  impossible to put a number on, but he doesn't pay a % and he comes off as looking like a good guy.  i'm just hoping he's honest in his words, and to this point, he has proven to be just that.  that's pretty special...especially in his profession. 

[dgies9156]

I agree with most of your post, but I think you're missing the point of the paranoia, which is that it looked like MU might do something ridiculous.

Look, sometimes Marquette hasn't always been smart. You can say that about any company. In MU's case, I can think of only two poorly thought out decisions (other than the construction of McCormick Hall). One was the attempt to get Milwaukee to close Wisconsin Avenue (good idea, horribly Catholic execution to it) and the changing of the nickname from Warriors to Golden Eagles to Gold to Golden Eagles (bad idea, horrible execution).

But on basketball, I truly think they get it. I've said before, look at the buildings built with "McGuire Money." Look at what basketball has done to a school that should theoretically be a "mid-major school" both for sports and for academics. We have a better student body because basketball exposes Marquette to a broader audience. We have better professors and better facilities in part because basketball gives Marquette money to spend on what matters.

We have alumni who share their pride by "Giving Marquette," the AMF or whatever it is called today in part because of basketball. Our visibility and support is strong in Milwaukee, Southeast Wisconsin and Northeast Illinois largely because basketball allows our community to come together with pride and see what else is happening at Marquette.

Our basketball team has us all proud the last few years. Father Pilarz, Larry Williams and everyone from O'Hara Hall to the back corner of McCormick knows that on campus. Most of us off campus know it too.

You can say a lot of things about Jesuits, but killing the goose that lays dozens of golden eggs a day is NOT something they are good at. They know how to a find a buck and I trust they'll do the right thing with our basketball program. It simply makes too much primary and secondary money for Marquette.

[Dawson Rental]

I see a lot of posters subconsciously saying to themselves; "We're not worthy, we're not worthy."

[TomW1365]

Well said.  My worry has been that the paranoia (including the dispatching of frantic emails) about Buzz leaving could well be a self-fulfilling prophecy.  Then I realized that most (if not all) programs that Buzz would consider have fans that are just as crazed.

But seriously, people, knock it off.

Couldn't agree more...
I was frustrated beyond belief reading posts from regulars who are typically a voice of reason.  The email campaign was a joke.  The speculation w/o any background or inside information was also a joke.  If I were Buzz, Fr Pilarz and Larry Williams, I would have found this whole thing to be an annoying distraction from the real business of running the school & program.  If we pull this panic attack every year after successful seasons, I could see the media and fan frenzy to be a reason to leave.

[avid1010]

i could see it being an issue with recruiting...."don't go to mu, buzz has issues with admin. and rumor has it he'll be leaving for the next high quality offer."

[Daniel]

Look, sometimes Marquette hasn't always been smart. You can say that about any company. In MU's case, I can think of only two poorly thought out decisions (other than the construction of McCormick Hall). One was the attempt to get Milwaukee to close Wisconsin Avenue (good idea, horribly Catholic execution to it) and the changing of the nickname from Warriors to Golden Eagles to Gold to Golden Eagles (bad idea, horrible execution).

But on basketball, I truly think they get it. I've said before, look at the buildings built with "McGuire Money." Look at what basketball has done to a school that should theoretically be a "mid-major school" both for sports and for academics. We have a better student body because basketball exposes Marquette to a broader audience. We have better professors and better facilities in part because basketball gives Marquette money to spend on what matters.

We have alumni who share their pride by "Giving Marquette," the AMF or whatever it is called today in part because of basketball. Our visibility and support is strong in Milwaukee, Southeast Wisconsin and Northeast Illinois largely because basketball allows our community to come together with pride and see what else is happening at Marquette.

Our basketball team has us all proud the last few years. Father Pilarz, Larry Williams and everyone from O'Hara Hall to the back corner of McCormick knows that on campus. Most of us off campus know it too.

You can say a lot of things about Jesuits, but killing the goose that lays dozens of golden eggs a day is NOT something they are good at. They know how to a find a buck and I trust they'll do the right thing with our basketball program. It simply makes too much primary and secondary money for Marquette.

Well written TY.  My only challenge is that I was amazed that McCormick HAD a back CORNER lol

[Niv Berkowitz]

i could see it being an issue with recruiting...."don't go to mu, buzz has issues with admin. and rumor has it he'll be leaving for the next high quality offer."

Unfortunately, because of Marquette's size, their lack of being a top-10 program....if ANY solid coach comes to Marquette, they/we will hear this. it's the way of the world.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Unfortunately, because of Marquette's size, their lack of being a top-10 program....if ANY solid coach comes to Marquette, they/we will hear this. it's the way of the world.

Bingo. But, longevity would help.

I don't hear Mark Few's name as much as Shaka Smart. Few has an impressive track record, but the longevity has made people realize he's probably staying where he is at.

If Buzz stays for 8+ years and is good every year, the rumors will start to die off.

With this said, Buzz is an absolute wildcard, so I think if/when he ever retires or takes another job (hopefully in 2025), I think it will come from nowhere.