NICE JOB WOJO!

[DarkWarrior]

I was impressed with the team's toughness and their obvious preparation. WOJO's handing of Howard when he had three fouls was impressive. He protected him when he could but maximized the opportunity to exploit his offensive skills. WOJO deserves some serious props for the work he is doing. The boys are starting to look like at team you wouldn't want to play.

[Markusquette]

I agree. He's having a great year, and it's nice to see. Wojo's young and learning, but has assembled some talented teams. He's definitely coaching well and deserves the credit.

[CountryRoads]

Best non-conference season since when? It's been a fun first half to the year beating 3 ranked teams this month.

Wojo has done a great job with the team this year. I've been pretty indifferent on him and it's definitely taken a lot of time to get to this point, but I'm happy with where the program is at now.

[skianth16]

This team seems to be finding an identity, and they are playing lights out right now. A ton of credit has to go to Wojo and the coaching staff for this last stretch. The team is playing tough, cutting down on mistakes, and working well as a team. This squad can compete for a Big East title with this kind of momentum. I'm really excited to see these next few months.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

This team seems to be finding an identity, and they are playing lights out right now.

I agree.  They have multiple ways to win (one is Markus on ludicrous mode) and you can even hope for some key defensive stops.  If Theo and Joey can contribute like they did tonight consistently—look out. 

[brewcity77]

Best non-conference season since when? It's been a fun first half to the year beating 3 ranked teams this month.

2001? That was the Great Alaska Shootout where Wade came out. 11-2 record, wins over Indiana, Gonzaga, Tennessee, and a pretty good Dayton team. Losses to Wisconsin & Wake Forest.

There's no inexplicable loss this year, lots of quality wins, and a (knock on wood for Southern) perfect home record. You have to go way back to find a non-con as good. This was certainly better than any non-con under Wojo or Buzz.

[avid1010]

I didnt feel MU even needed much out of Howard in the 2nd half to win the game...their defense allows them to be in games and Sam is pretty consistent by college bball standards.  I was worried about Wojo...but he has MU in a great spot.  Lots of fun and I like the players...was so happy for Cain last night.  He seems like a great kid.

[MUMountin]

And, the great thing is that barring injury or transfer, the core is all back next year, giving us two solid years of continuity.

[MU82]

Wojo is delivering exactly as realistic fans should have expected.

Arrived as a first-time-ever head coach in a rebuild, recruited well, got to 20 wins in his second year, got to the NCAAs in his third, had a decent fourth year but a mild step backward, and now his team is taking off with a talented crew of his own recruits in place and a better idea of what it means to be a major-college head coach.

I can see how some could argue that what we are doing this year should have been done in Year 4, but I also think most are realistic enough to see why, especially defensively, we needed the players we have now to get that done. Of course, the coach also is the GM, so personnel is on him, too. But those who thought this should have happened in Year 2 or 3 simply don't know much about building a program.

Some folks here don't like it when a few of us have compared his progress to that of other coaches who needed 3, 4, 5 years to build their programs to this level. They viewed it as "making excuses." I simply looked at it as being realistic.

There have been VERY few coaches who have stepped right into their first head coaching jobs and guided major-college programs to immediate riches. In the cases of guys like Jay and K, it took several years into their second head-coaching jobs to get it done. If it were easy, everybody would be able to do it!

[SoCalEagle]

I didnt feel MU even needed much out of Howard in the 2nd half to win the game...their defense allows them to be in games and Sam is pretty consistent by college bball standards.  I was worried about Wojo...but he has MU in a great spot.  Lots of fun and I like the players...was so happy for Cain last night.  He seems like a great kid.

I wish I had a video clip of him hustling back on D after the ball was stolen from him.  He came all the way back and blocked the shot when the Buffalo player was about to lay it up and in.  It's what we teach kids all the time .... don't give up. 

[Cheeks]

I hope he is here a long time. Love love love love this coach and how he is doing it.

Locker room after game last night.

Get on BOARD!!!


https://twitter.com/marquettembb/status/1076540332492423169?s=21

[Vander Blue Man Group]

I hope he is here a long time. Love love love love this coach and how he is doing it.

Locker room after game last night.

Get on BOARD!!!


https://twitter.com/marquettembb/status/1076540332492423169?s=21

That was fantastic.

[Lighthouse 84]

You gotta love this thread right next to "FIRE WOJO". 

I think Wojo did a great job yesterday managing the foul situations and match ups. 

[wade_county37]

A high character coach attracts high character players.

[Stretchdeltsig]

Hat's off to coach Wojo. I applaud him, the coaches and the team for their performance.  Love the character and chemistry.  It makes us proud to be Warrior alumni.

[fjm]

Wojo is learning on the job. And he's doing well. Have been in his corner since he got here. Let's be honest, there are a LOT of posters you will never see post in this thread because they have disliked Wojo since day one.

But we need to atleast realize a rebuild it a process. We are getting better daily. Keep it up WOJO. 

[Floorslapper]

I didnt feel MU even needed much out of Howard in the 2nd half to win the game...their defense allows them to be in games and Sam is pretty consistent by college bball standards.  I was worried about Wojo...but he has MU in a great spot.  Lots of fun and I like the players...was so happy for Cain last night.  He seems like a great kid.

This is a solid post.  The best part of the Buffalo game was the fact that the team rallied back with Markus on the bench in the 1st half and Markus being off his game.  The defense is markedly improved, and the Wisconsin game was the biggest source of belief in team/Wojo for me, because we won against a quality opponent due to toughness, defense, and Markus being off his game.

Glad to see Cain get another shot, and that he is bought into the staff, and didn't transfer out despite some early season struggles.

Team chemistry is good, and this is a high character bunch, and that is a credit to Wojo and staff.

It's taken longer than I felt it should have to get the program back on track, and I stand by my belief that Wojo was pretty slow out of the gate - but he's improved as a coach and I'm encouraged.

[fjm]

This is a solid post.  The best part of the Buffalo game was the fact that the team rallied back with Markus on the bench in the 1st half and Markus being off his game.  The defense is markedly improved, and the Wisconsin game was the biggest source of belief in team/Wojo for me, because we won against a quality opponent due to toughness, defense, and Markus being off his game.

Glad to see Cain get another shot, and that he is bought into the staff, and didn't transfer out despite some early season struggles.

Team chemistry is good, and this is a high character bunch, and that is a credit to Wojo and staff.

It's taken longer than I felt it should have to get the program back on track, and I stand by my belief that Wojo was pretty slow out of the gate - but he's improved as a coach and I'm encouraged.

Well said. I don't think everyone should have the same opinions. But I am glad you're encouraged because you are a harsh critic so that shows the team is leaving an impression.

Also if I must say so, I am one of the many who may call you out on negativity at times. But I also am likely over optimistic at times. Glad everyone is able to be happy about the W's we are stacking up.

[UticaBusBarn]

It is amazing how much better a coach Wojo has become with a talented and deep team.
He certainly was not as good a coach when the team was made up of less talented players. 

Kidding aside, I think Wojo has, indeed, shown his coaching ability this year. I have often
quoted Casey Stengel's comment of how it is easy to get eight good ball players. The hard
part, Stengel said, was getting them to play together as a team.

What Wojo has shown this year is the management and leadership skill to meld his first deep group into a team that can win with different combinations of players.

Wojo was always a technically good Xs and Os guys, as the Paint Touches article, on the success of his inbound plays, of a couple years ago, highlighted.

I never had a question of Wojo's recruiting skills, or his teaching ability. The question I had was
how would he lead and coach a team 10 players deep. That seemed to be the true hurdle of building a lasting program.

So far this season, Wojo has answered this challenge in a very positive way.