Buzz Williams this year

[mu35577]

I was talking to some friends that say Buzz doesnt deserve that much credit because he inherited a great situation but I believe that he deserves a ton of credit. he has been a great coach this year and it doesnt matter that he inherited a great situation. what do you guys think

[sv48]

He deserves a ton of credit, not only he is coaching excellently, he is bringing in a great recruiting class.

[ErickJD08]

I think he deserves a ton of credit for game planning.  Execution is the other half of the equation and the players get that credit.  

We have mentioned this in other posts, but Buzz gets a ton of credit for putting Wes in the proper role.

As far as player development, Buzz has done a good job with Butler and I think Burke has improved alot during the course of the season.  That low post move during Georgetown surprised me.

If we win BE, I think he will be a lock.

[DomJamesToTheBasket]

This is a topic stolen from scout that I started today. Whatever. Buzz has a much better record than TC would've produced. IMO Buzz is head and shoulders above TC in almost every aspect of coaching. Buzz was not my top choice and he is putting me in my place!!!! He is DYNAMITE!!!!!!!!

[CrazyEcho]

Agreed about Buzz . . . I think he's going to have a really, really good tenure at MU.  Somewhere between TC and Al.

[esotericmindguy]

He coaches four Seniors and a Junior, three 1500 point scorers and a 1000 point scorer....not saying he isn't or won't be a good coach but he doesn't deserve as much credit as he's getting.  He never calls timeouts, admits that he doesn't say much at halftime that the players haven't already said, and has an offense that allows the players to be independent.  The defense has been much worse this year and players that contributed before (acker, cubillan) have been invisible.

His best coaching is that he doesn't coach that much, which he definitely deserves credit for.....but I would give the vast majority of the credit to the players.  Jerel, Wes, and DJ have been unbelievably consistent.

That said, he's obviously an outstanding recruiter but IMO his coaching skills are yet to be determined.  Lets see what he does with his own players before we crown him.  

[mugrack]

Ask Wes Matthews if Buzz deserves any credit.

[mu_hilltopper]

Yup, sorry, but chalk me up as someone who thinks Buzz inherited a BMW.  Guess what?  It's been a pretty good ride so far, just needed someone to turn the key.

That's not to say I don't like him.  He may have made the difference in a game or two, and the recruits are jumping on the boat.  

But these 3-4 future NBA players would have 21-23 wins right now if Fr. Kelly was HC.

[ErickJD08]

Yup, sorry, but chalk me up as someone who thinks Buzz inherited a BMW.  Guess what?  It's been a pretty good ride so far, just needed someone to turn the key.

That's not to say I don't like him.  He may have made the difference in a game or two, and the recruits are jumping on the boat.  

But these 3-4 future NBA players would have 21-23 wins right now if Fr. Kelly was HC.

Not sure you can give many coaches credit with that attitude.  Memphis, Kansas, UNC.  They have massive talent too.  Should the coaches get no credit?  Not saying that our 4 allstars have not made Buzz's job easier, but to say anyone could be possibly winning the BE at this stage when people picked up to finish in the middle of the pack is not being fair. 

Len just thought he should win COY for BE... Not sure if that is a good or bad thing.

[avid1010]

I didn't see one thing, outside of McNeal's play at the end of last year, that made me think TC could take this Crean to a higher level.  DJ had gotten worse yearly and Wes just wasn't aggressive on offense.  Being a senior is a major benefit, but these guys had more experience as juniors than most have as seniors.  Buzz is the major change.  I'm not sure our defense is better, so in return, I think it would be a fair argument to question whether Buzz has given up some ground in that area, but it's all a guess anyhow.

[79Warrior]

lets see where buzz is in two years when he has almost al his own players.

[tower912]

Buzz has done a great job this year.   Period.    We don't know how he will do long term until he has actually had a long term.    If past is predictor of future, I am not worried. 

[MUBasketball]

Yup, sorry, but chalk me up as someone who thinks Buzz inherited a BMW.  Guess what?  It's been a pretty good ride so far, just needed someone to turn the key.

That's not to say I don't like him.  He may have made the difference in a game or two, and the recruits are jumping on the boat.  

But these 3-4 future NBA players would have 21-23 wins right now if Fr. Kelly was HC.

I hate that mindset. If this team were struggling, it would be the coach's fault. They are winning, so now they were supposed to and the coach has no impact on that. Can't have it both ways.

Notre Dame has a very, very talented roster, for one example. They are underachieving. There's something to be said about winning games.

[NotAnAlum]

I think you just have to withhold judgement until next year.  It is a very rare thing to have this core of guys who have played together for so long.  Buzz may be the perfect coach for this situation but how often does this situation actually occur.  More frequently you are trying to develop young talent or build team chemistry.  This team is a coaches dream where the best players are also the leaders and everyone knows their role.  The bench players knew at the start of the season they'd be the bench players.  Buzz is very hands off (doesn't call time outs during runs, doesn't practice free throws, doesn't say much a half time).  That isn't likely to be enough next year.  I'm not sure if its just an act but sometimes Buzz sounds like Forrest Gump.  Now next year if they win some games they shouldn't and the talent develops I'll have to say that the "act" works with the kids and it doesn't really matter how he sounds talking to us.

[Blackhat]

Buzz inherited a Ferrari.....now he could have crashed that mofo, but has kept it on the highway and maybe even added some boosters to it.   

But we won't know until 2-3 years from now if he is a good coach/program builder or not.   Plenty of guys have started out strong to falter later....Paul Hewitt, Brad Soderburg, Rob Jeter. 

[Lennys Tap]

This BMW had performed more like a Chevy Impala under the previous regime. We've had this discussion ad infinitum/ad nauseam. The less prideful Buzz doubters have watched the games and happily admit they were wrong. The more prideful ones set up straw men and deny the evidence right in front of their noses.

[Blackhat]

This BMW had performed more like a Chevy Impala under the previous regime. We've had this discussion ad infinitum/ad nauseam. The less prideful Buzz doubters have watched the games and happily admit they were wrong. The more prideful ones set up straw men and deny the evidence right in front of their noses.

Go talk to Georgia Tech fans.  Can he build and maintain a program? that's where there is no evidence yet.  I was one of the first, if not the first to support the Buzz hiring before anyone here knew his story, but the truth is we don't know where this program will be in 3 years no matter how good buzz does with inherited players. 

[mu_hilltopper]

I hate that mindset. If this team were struggling, it would be the coach's fault. They are winning, so now they were supposed to and the coach has no impact on that. Can't have it both ways.

Sorry, but that's not how I would view it, unless deserved.  If the team were struggling, I think we could take reasoned views as to why, by evaluating each cog, each player, how good they are this year, injuries, or, yes, offensive or defensive schemes.

I don't look at Coobie's struggles this year, and blame them on coaching.

[ErickJD08]

I think you just have to withhold judgement until next year.  It is a very rare thing to have this core of guys who have played together for so long.  Buzz may be the perfect coach for this situation but how often does this situation actually occur.  More frequently you are trying to develop young talent or build team chemistry.  This team is a coaches dream where the best players are also the leaders and everyone knows their role.  The bench players knew at the start of the season they'd be the bench players.  Buzz is very hands off (doesn't call time outs during runs, doesn't practice free throws, doesn't say much a half time).  That isn't likely to be enough next year.  I'm not sure if its just an act but sometimes Buzz sounds like Forrest Gump.  Now next year if they win some games they shouldn't and the talent develops I'll have to say that the "act" works with the kids and it doesn't really matter how he sounds talking to us.

Subject: Buzz WIlliams this year.

He has done a good job this year.  Lets break it down.

We were projected to finish middle of the pack.  We are in the top.

We have a MASSIVE deficiency at the 5 and we have a 3 playing in the 4 spot.  Also, we are not deep.  Saying "all he needed to do is turn the key" is not right.  I don't think we had one preseason first team all american.  We don't have a player who just dominates like a Blake Griffin.  But we do have some good players.

Point is, give credit where credit is due.  I am not saying Buzz will take us to the promise land after this year (I think we have a shot) but having talent is not the end all be all.  Georgetown has a team filled with highly touted HS players and Monroe is a stud but they are playing awful.  

[Blackhat]

Subject: Buzz WIlliams this year.

He has done a good job this year.  Lets break it down.

We were projected to finish middle of the pack.  We are in the top.

We have a MASSIVE deficiency at the 5 and we have a 3 playing in the 4 spot.  Also, we are not deep.  Saying "all he needed to do is turn the key" is not right.  I don't think we had one preseason first team all american.  We don't have a player who just dominates like a Blake Griffin.  But we do have some good players.

Point is, give credit where credit is due.  I am not saying Buzz will take us to the promise land after this year (I think we have a shot) but having talent is not the end all be all.  Georgetown has a team filled with highly touted HS players and Monroe is a stud but they are playing awful.  

Buzz inherited four 1,000 point scorers.   I'm leery to announce anyone the real deal after one year.   Especially the way our defense has regressed this year.   Our offense has overcome it this year(much kudos to Buzz) but lets see if it improves with longer guys or not.   

There's still alot to be determined so forgive me if I don't declare him John Wooden yet.  If you want to do so, knock yourself out.

[ErickJD08]

Buzz inherited a Ferrari.....now he could have crashed that mofo, but has kept it on the highway and maybe even added some boosters to it.   

But we won't know until 2-3 years from now if he is a good coach/program builder or not.   Plenty of guys have started out strong to falter later....Paul Hewitt, Brad Soderburg, Rob Jeter. 

Ferrari???

Pitt and UConn and UNC are Ferraris.  Obviously the whole country thought that since they were in the top 5.  Why are they top notch?  Deep, top talent, and they have all the pieces.  We do not have all the pieces.  And that is just pointing out the obvious.

[Blackhat]

they're lamborghinis, no matter which car you want to assign us, the fact of the matter is we don't know if Buzz can build and maintain a program.  We'll find out soon enough, as I said before if you want to claim he's the shiz go ahead.   He's proven he can improve an offense and get by on D, I'll give him that so far. 

[mu_hilltopper]

This BMW had performed more like a Chevy Impala under the previous regime. We've had this discussion ad infinitum/ad nauseam. The less prideful Buzz doubters have watched the games and happily admit they were wrong. The more prideful ones set up straw men and deny the evidence right in front of their noses.

That's a bunch of crap.  Serious crap.

1. We were a Chevvy Impala last year?  Gosh, I had no idea all it took was a run-of-the-mill GM car to be ranked in the top 15 all year, plus be .5 seconds away from a Sweet 16 appearance.  I had no idea it was so easy.

2. Pride has nothing to do with coming up with a reasoned opinion on why a program is doing well, whether it had to do with past or present coaches, or present players, or just dumb luck.     90% of the reason we're a top 10 team right now is because McNeal, Lazar, DJ, and Wes are all having great seasons, respective to their personal abilities.   

It's a legit opinion to believe that the PLAYERS bouncing that ball are a very large chunk of why a team succeeds.   As I said, I can give Buzz credit for a couple games in the W column, but if Crean were here, or a dozen other coaches, there'd be variability and credit to dish out for the staff.

It's just totally bogus to dismiss anyone who says Buzz needs more time to be judged, based on some "pride" of whether they want to be right or wrong from their original opinion.   

Why?  I'll tell you this with 100% certainty:  Every single fan out there, every single one who had even the smallest inkling that Buzz wasn't right for the job back in April .. EVERY SINGLE ONE wants this team to win, wants the program to succeed, and wants that sooner rather than later, meaning whoever is at the helm is wished success, including Buzz.  If Buzz fails, that means we limp through 2-3-4-5 years of bad results, and NO ONE wants that.  -- Just because some of us aren't sold yet doesn't mean we're not overjoyed with the way things are going, and desperately want that trend to continue.

[ErickJD08]

Buzz inherited four 1,000 point scorers.   I'm leery to announce anyone the real deal after one year.   Especially the way our defense has regressed this year.   Our offense has overcome it this year(much kudos to Buzz) but lets see if it improves with longer guys or not.   

There's still alot to be determined so forgive me if I don't declare him John Wooden yet.  If you want to do so, knock yourself out.

No one is declaring him a genius.  He just has done a good job this season.  That's all.  Is it that hard to give him that credit?

I read this board multiple times a day for the last few months and I don't remember many (just playing it safe because I want to say ANY) saying that we would be 12 and 2 competing for the BE championship at this stage.  And I am talking about preseason, not after the first few weeks where people posted "This season could be special".  PRESEASON.  I read a ton of "I would be happy to be 4 and 2 in the beginning of BE play" or "How are we going to beat ND?" or (after Dayton) "I hope we make the tourney".  Some statistical analysis had us most likely at 11 and 7 (I think).  

I am not a basketball expert and I think some of you know a ton more than me.  But some people are making it sound like he just lets his players running around for a couple of hours a day and crosses his fingers on gameday.  

[mu_hilltopper]

No one is declaring him a genius.  He just has done a good job this season.  That's all.  Is it that hard to give him that credit?

I read this board multiple times a day for the last few months and I don't remember many (just playing it safe because I want to say ANY) saying that we would be 12 and 2 competing for the BE championship at this stage.  And I am talking about preseason, not after the first few weeks where people posted "This season could be special".  PRESEASON. ..

Yes, Buzz deserves a chunk of credit.  Absolutely!  But actually, some are declaring him a genius, with the CoY talk. 

Oh, and while not 12-2, I had them at 11-3 at this point, one game short, but completely competing for the top 4 spots in a brutal BE .. (predictions done before the season.)  This was before I knew one whit about Buzz and the staff, before Otule and Fulce were hurt.  Just based on last year's players, their ability, and some projected growth in their games.