Andy Katz: Marquette needs to be taken very seriously

[SCdem@MU]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/columns/story?columnist=katz_andy&id=3841309

The Big East title chase is officially wide-open. Louisville is undefeated in the league. So, too, is Marquette. Pitt and Connecticut are still the favorites, even though each has lost once. Discounting Georgetown and Syracuse would be foolish, too.

Marquette needs to be taken very seriously. The Golden Eagles were sensational in the final few minutes Saturday to pull away from Providence 91-82. The Golden Eagles can score in a variety of ways and have the toughness to win on the road. They pose a real threat to compete for the league title with one of the top home-court advantages in the country and the most experienced perimeter play in the conference.

And his mention on Xavier's brother on the court:

Jonathan Xavier needs to chill. Look, there's nothing wrong with sticking up for your brother, Jeff Xavier. But every fan in the building knows you don't go on the court, as Jonathan did during Saturday night's Marquette-Providence game. With 17 minutes left, PC's Jeff Xavier was hit in the face, and when the players were at the free-throw line, Jonathan came down from the stands, jumped over the bench and confronted a referee before anyone from security could get to him. Thankfully, this issue ended peacefully.

[tower912]

Andy Katz wrote something about MU?   He must be in convusions about now at the horror of the act.

[MUFanInGreenBay]

I just heard Katz on ESPN say that Buzz will be the favorite for the Arizona job.

[77ncaachamps]

Funny.

I heard that Indiana fans were in an uproar over their loss to PSU and are now considering Buzz on their short list.

[detroitwarrior]

It's Arizona, it's Arizona 

[4everwarriors]

Call me naive, but if that happens, I think Buzz stays at MU.

[TheGym]

It's funny that he is now a leader for the Arizona job, but nine months ago the same pundits were saying MU's hire was a knee-jerk reaction.

[Marquette84]

I just heard Katz on ESPN say that Buzz will be the favorite for the Arizona job.

I said right after Buzz's monster recruiting class that if he proves he can coach, he'll be on the short list for any elite level job.

Can anybody name four or five other candidates right now that they'd rather have? 

[downtown85]

I hope Mrs. Williams likes and enjoys the cold weather.  I think she has a huge sway over Buzz and if she can't take the Milwaukee winters, such jobs will be very alluring for the Williamses. 

That being said, I think it will take several years to judge whether or not Buzz is a success, at least in his own eyes.  So I am not worried about any openings for a couple of years.  :-S

[ecompt]

I love Buzz and think he's been terrific this year, but some other Top 10 school would probably have trouble selling its alumni on him just yet.

[MisterJaylenBrownMU]

Maybe I just don't understand coaching as well as I think I do, but it seems to me that Buzz is going to have to stay in Milwaukee for at least 5 years.  After leaving New Orleans with only a season under his belt, something tells me that the "elite" schools are going to be scared away if he's willing to leave Marquette after a season. I'd think you have to prove your sense of loyalty at some level before getting a job like AZ.

[Marquette84]

I love Buzz and think he's been terrific this year, but some other Top 10 school would probably have trouble selling its alumni on him just yet.

So who are the likely candidates that top 10 schools would not have trouble selling to alumni?

[Daniel]

Seems like just a few days ago Andy Katz called Marquette the "Queen of the Pretenders" didn't he?  Well, I am encouraged to see he is big enough to change his mind.  That said, we have a long long way to go int he BEast.  DePaul - that's the next focus.

As for Buzz leaving, he has a lot to prove, and I think he is a man of character.  He appreciates the opportunity, an dI hope he is dedicated to making Marquette a premier basketball powerhouse.  I hope that his honesty, humbleness and sincerity guides him to remain and do well, as we all expect.

Thanks Buzz

[reinko]

Hey Daniel, that was Andrew Katz on some lame sports blog that said that.  Not the same person.

[denverMU]

Marquette84 wake up, Buzz(who I like), has a record of 30-19 as a head coach.  Your telling me that he is the ONLY coach Arizona will want?  Not , Jamie Dixon, not  Mike Brey, not Jay Wright hell and I haven't left the BEAST yet.

[IAmMarquette]

Nobody will even look at Buzz until they see what he can do with his own recruits. Stupid discussion.

[Daniel]

Hey Daniel, that was Andrew Katz on some lame sports blog that said that.  Not the same person.

Ah really  - wow - ok - well that explains some things then.  Thanks

[romey]

Ah really  - wow - ok - well that explains some things then.  Thanks

Sorta like a pornstar taking on a pseudonym of some legit star's name

[Eye]

U of A will make a push for Mark Few first IMHO.

[tower912]

OK, all is right in the world.   Katz is doing everything he can to undercut MU.   Phew.     Other than weather, how is Arizona a better job?

[🏀]

OK, all is right in the world.   Katz is doing everything he can to undercut MU.   Phew.     Other than weather, how is Arizona a better job?

Better question: How isn't Arizona a better job?

[tower912]

Conference.   Replacing a legend as well as entering an incredibly dysfunctional program.  Starting from scratch with recruiting again.    Ah, well.   Worrying about this now is like worrying about who might leave if we theoretically oversign for next year.   No point to it right now. 

[bma725]

OK, all is right in the world.   Katz is doing everything he can to undercut MU.   Phew.     Other than weather, how is Arizona a better job?

What exactly does MU have that Arizona doesn't?

Beyond the weather, nearly everything points to Zona.  They've got more money to throw at a coach than MU, they've got more money for a recruiting budget, they've an easier conference to win in, they've got an easier city to recruit to, and they've got just as much history.

[cheebs09]

Just to be clear, but Katz didn't say anything about Buzz and Arizona right? I took it as a joke, but I see some people who are taking it seriously.

[tower912]

Fair enough.   Punch his ticket and start the next search.