Dumb Question - Uniform Numbers

[Marquette_g]

This is very unimportant question, but I was curious if anyone is aware how incoming players get their uniform numbers.  My assumption is that they are allowed to choose from any number not currently being used or retired.  However, within that:

1.  Does a new recruit have the ability to choose the number currently being worn by a walk-on?
2.  What order do new recruits choose, thinking that there are likely times where two new players may desire the same number.

It would seem that new players would have the following choices (provided no new retirements):

00,0,1,5
12,13,
22,23,25
30,34,35
40,41,45
50,51,52,53,54

[GGGG]

Well, Liam's probably got first choice...he probably already has his.

Other than that, I doubt it's that big of a deal for most players.  They will probably hold off on handing out the big three's numbers next year though.

[HoopsMalone]

I wonder if there is kind of an unspoken rule not to take a consistent starter's number for a little while. I think that 1, 22, and 23 should not be taken right away.  Heck, I'd even hold off on giving 34 and 20 out for a few more years.  Not saying that they should be retired, but shown a little bit of respect.

[larrym]

NM

[Marquette_g]

larrym, you were not obligated to read the thread.

Liam will wear #55 according to the Wiki

[larrym]

larrym, you were not obligated to read the thread.

Liam will wear #55 according to the Wiki

Nope.  I couldn't figure out how to delete my post about Wade's number, who obviously had his number retired.  Brain fart that I didn't remember that.

I would be very surprised if someone suits up in 1, 22 or 23 in the next couple of years.  And while we technically retire jerseys now, probably not 24 anytime soon either.

[BrewCity83]

I would think that Frozen A gets to keep his 45.

[GGGG]

larrym, you were not obligated to read the thread.

Liam will wear #55 according to the Wiki

I dont know what I mean by this, but Liam seems like either a 55 or 00 kind of guy.

[Ahoya06]

I dont know what I mean by this, but Liam seems like either a 55 or 00 kind of guy.

Shades of Diekembe Mutumbo or Robrt Parish? Let's hope so!

[Robyrd5]

To go along with the subject line of dumb questions, there is a difference between retiring jerseys and retiring numbers, correct?

[Chili]

To go along with the subject line of dumb questions, there is a difference between retiring jerseys and retiring numbers, correct?

Yes - retired jersey's can have the number worn again. Retired numbers will never be worn again unless the wearer of that number says it is ok.

[NCAARules]

Along the same lines - I remember when Doc Rivers had his jersey retired. At that time it was very clearly stated that MU only retires jerseys. I was not around town when D-Wade's 3 got sent to the rafters. Does anyone know if that policy changed?

[Buzz4Prez]

I would say that if we are just retiring jerseys then when we retire a players jersey and give him a banner, then they shouldn't put the number on the banner.

With that said, I find it hard pressed to see a player wear one of those numbers that is up in the rafters, especially with what happened with Lazar and the number 24

[Robyrd5]

Along the same lines - I remember when Doc Rivers had his jersey retired. At that time it was very clearly stated that MU only retires jerseys. I was not around town when D-Wade's 3 got sent to the rafters. Does anyone know if that policy changed?

Did some digging around on Marquette's website and found an old news brief. It seems we've retired nine jerseys and three numbers:

"Wade will become the ninth men's player in school history to have his jersey number retired.  His No. 3 jersey will join Dean Meminger's No. 14, Butch Lee's No. 15, Maurice Lucas' No. 20, George Thompson's No. 24, Bo Ellis' and Doc Rivers' No. 31, Earl Tatum's No. 43 and Don Kojis' No. 44 as the only retired players' jerseys in program history.  The university has retired the numbers 11, 38 and 77 in honor of the Apollo 11 crew, long-time trainer Bob Weingart and legendary coach Al McGuire, respectively."

[Robyrd5]

Okay, now that I'm rereading what I just posted, I think I could be wrong in how I interpreted that. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

[Ahoya06]

As per the athletic department, jerseys are retired, so in theory, the numbers can be re-worn. I think players might tend to avoid this however, so as not to have added pressure of "shoes to fill."

Lazar is the only recent one I can think of, Novak chose his #20 before the Lucas retirement. I believe that was his senior year.

[BrewCity83]

I think that 34 is the greatest number/jersey never retired.

Tony Smith, Jim McIlvaine, Travis Diener

[The Lens]

Let's remember that this whole we retire jerseys not numbers thing was started only b/c TC wanted to pee all over George Thompson.  You know giving #24 to a guy who didn't wear it at Prep School, AAU or HS.  Another reason why giving a coach carte blanche over an entire school is a bad thing.  TC was really good coach for MU but so is Tim Grogan, we don't let him rule the athletic department.

If we are going to make some number moves I would take down Doc Rivers.  He's a great guy and heck of an ambassador for MU but he does not belong up there.  Another example of TC having too much power.  Might be the first person to ever have their number retired because they were on TNT.  I would then retire Tony Miller and probably Jerel in 5-10 years.   

[BrewCity83]

You can't unretire a jersey.  Unless the guy becomes a Dahmer or something.

[mosarsour]

You can't unretire a jersey.  Unless the guy becomes a Dahmer or something.

LOVE THIS POST!!

[Coach Norman Dale]

I would take down Doc Rivers . . . I would then retire Tony Miller

Tony Miller more significant that Rivers????  C'mon, man. 

As per the athletic department, jerseys are retired, so in theory, the numbers can be re-worn. I think players might tend to avoid this however, so as not to have added pressure of "shoes to fill."

At Indiana they (or at least they used to when Bob Knight was there) post the names at the corresponding lockers of those who wore the number prior to them for the opposite reason -- as a reminder of the history.  So at the locker of the player wearing #21, for example, they would see (or have seen) the name Quinn Buckner, etc.   

[The Lens]

Tony Miller more significant that Rivers????  C'mon, man.   

Are you being serious?

Tony Miller orchestrated an MU hoops rivival, led his teams to 2 NCAAs, including a Sweet 16 where he nearly single-handedly beat Kentucky and a NIT Runner-Up.  His assist total alone should get him up there.  Best PG in the Modern MU Era (Post Al).

It never ceases to amaze me how much some people under-appreciate players from the KO era.

[GooooMarquette]

Are you being serious?

Tony Miller orchestrated an MU hoops rivival, led his teams to 2 NCAAs, including a Sweet 16 where he nearly single-handedly beat Kentucky and a NIT Runner-Up.  His assist total alone should get him up there.  Best PG in the Modern MU Era (Post Al).

It never ceases to amaze me how much some people under-appreciate players from the KO era.

Agree.  Rivers was great at MU, but I suspect the fact that he got his jersey retired and Miller still hasn't is more a function of what Rivers did in the NBA.  If you look solely at their careers at MU, Miller stacks up very favorably against Rivers.

[MerrittsMustache]

McMorrow is listed as #55, but in all the JumbroTron features that he was in, he had on jersey #50. I'm not sure if that was just a random jersey he was given or if he changed his mind at some point and that's the actual number he'll wear.

I've seen clips of Cadougan wearing #55 for his AAU team (I believe)...maybe those two made an arrangement for him to have it next season?

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

Doc Rivers having his number retired was a prime example of Crean having his nose completely up anybody's ass who he's ever seen on television. There is no way he belongs up there with Lee, Wade, Ellis or anybody else. I don't even think Maurice Lucas belongs up there.