Is this now Buzz's team?

[Tugg Speedman]

For the moment, next year's team will have four "non-Buzz" recruits.  Hayward, Cube, Mo and Hazel.  I say "for the moment" as their is wide speculation that Hazel is leaving and we are currently one over the minimum.

Is this now Buzz's team?  Or, he is still coaching Crean's team?  Even if Hayward has a monster year, and Mo starts at the point, is it still Buzz's team?

Why ask?  Because so many posters say we cannot judge Buzz until we see how he performs with "his guys."  Is that next season?

[MR.HAYWARD]

i think it is pretty clear with how we competed, how we played, and the players felt and spoke of buzz that last's years team was 100% buzz's team.

[DJO's Pump Fake]

agreed

[Nukem2]

i think it is pretty clear with how we competed, how we played, and the players felt and spoke of buzz that last's years team was 100% buzz's team.

Agree.  Departures and injuries changed the make-up of the team and buzz did a great job of molding together what was left.  It was Buzz's team in my estimation.

[ChicosBailBonds]

For the moment, next year's team will have four "non-Buzz" recruits.  Hayward, Cube, Mo and Hazel.  I say "for the moment" as their is wide speculation that Hazel is leaving and we are currently one over the minimum.

Is this now Buzz's team?  Or, he is still coaching Crean's team?  Even if Hayward has a monster year, and Mo starts at the point, is it still Buzz's team?

Why ask?  Because so many posters say we cannot judge Buzz until we see how he performs with "his guys."  Is that next season?

Yes, this is now Buzz's team.  Hazel will be gone, leaving just three players with only one a major impact player left over from Crean's days.

[Lennys Tap]

i think it is pretty clear with how we competed, how we played, and the players felt and spoke of buzz that last's years team was 100% buzz's team.

Agree 100%. Last year's team consisted of several "former Ton Crean recruits", but its style, passion and joy was all Buzz. Easily the most entertaining MU team in 30 years.

[dennycrane]

i think it is pretty clear with how we competed, how we played, and the players felt and spoke of buzz that last's years team was 100% buzz's team.

'08-09 almost entirely played with Crean's recruits. Players he developed over 3 years. Buzz tweaked some things. No way was the line of demarcation before the '08-'09 season.

[MUSig54]

Agree 100%. Last year's team consisted of several "former Ton Crean recruits", but its style, passion and joy was all Buzz. Easily the most entertaining MU team in 30 years.

I dunno, 2002-2003 was pretty darn entertaining.

[bilsu]

You cannot fully judge Buzz until Cadougan, Williams and Maymon graduate.
While Buzz had a hand in bringing in Otule and Fulce, they signed when Crean was coach. Let me go on record as saying I am a big Buzz fan. I also have low expectations for next year's team due to lack of experience.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Agree 100%. Last year's team consisted of several "former Ton Crean recruits", but its style, passion and joy was all Buzz. Easily the most entertaining MU team in 30 years.

Easily?  I thought that 2003 team was a bit more entertaining....especially going to the Final Four, winning the conference title, etc

[Nukem2]

Easily?  I thought that 2003 team was a bit more entertaining....especially going to the Final Four, winning the conference title, etc

Chicos, have to diasagree with you on this one.  Certainly, the 2003 team had significant accomplishments and was also a joy to watch. I'll certainly have great memories as I do of 1977 and 1974. But, the 2009 team was simply more fun to watch game in and game out and week in and week out as the guys really busted their rear ends and the offense was simply the best in eons.  Maybe not the most successful of MU teams, but an MU team that got every last ounce out of its God-given talents through their hard work and high energy levels.  Just different.  Of course, drinking pina coladas on the golf course in Orange County, you were not able to see things close up at the BC and The Al.   

[ChicosBailBonds]

Chicos, have to diasagree with you on this one.  Certainly, the 2003 team had significant accomplishments and was also a joy to watch. I'll certainly have great memories as I do of 1977 and 1974. But, the 2009 team was simply more fun to watch game in and game out and week in and week out as the guys really busted their rear ends and the offense was simply the best in eons.  Maybe not the most successful of MU teams, but an MU team that got every last ounce out of its God-given talents through their hard work and high energy levels.  Just different.  Of course, drinking pina coladas on the golf course in Orange County, you were not able to see things close up at the BC and The Al.   

It's all a manner of taste I suspect.  The 2002-03 team to me was more balanced...had penetrators with Wade, a terrific point guard with Diener, outside shooting from Novak, Diener, Bradlee, Townsend, had inside presence with Jackson and Merritt and Sanders.  I just found that team to be more entertaining.

That's not to say this year's team wasn't entertaining, of course it was.  But I found '03 to be more entertaining, let alone with a comment like "easily the most entertaining".  If anything, it's hard to separate the two but "easily" seems way off the mark in my opinion....but they're just opinions like we all have.   Part of entertainment enjoyment is also winning and that 2003 team won critical games which made the entertainment value...in my opinion....the best of any MU team in 25 years.   There's nothing more entertaining than watching your alma mater win a conference title by knocking off evil Cincinnati, beating Missouri in OT, knocking off top 10 Pitt, knocking off overall number 1 Kentucky and going to the Final Four.  That's pure entertainment.

PS  Bloody Mary's on the golf course for me, not pina coladas

[Tommy Brice for Coach]

i think it is pretty clear with how we competed, how we played, and the players felt and spoke of buzz that last's years team was 100% buzz's team.

+1

[Nukem2]

It's all a manner of taste I suspect.  The 2002-03 team to me was more balanced...had penetrators with Wade, a terrific point guard with Diener, outside shooting from Novak, Diener, Bradlee, Townsend, had inside presence with Jackson and Merritt and Sanders.  I just found that team to be more entertaining.

That's not to say this year's team wasn't entertaining, of course it was.  But I found '03 to be more entertaining, let alone with a comment like "easily the most entertaining".  If anything, it's hard to separate the two but "easily" seems way off the mark in my opinion....but they're just opinions like we all have.   Part of entertainment enjoyment is also winning and that 2003 team won critical games which made the entertainment value...in my opinion....the best of any MU team in 25 years.   There's nothing more entertaining than watching your alma mater win a conference title by knocking off evil Cincinnati, beating Missouri in OT, knocking off top 10 Pitt, knocking off overall number 1 Kentucky and going to the Final Four.  That's pure entertainment.

PS  Bloody Mary's on the golf course for me, not pina coladas

Certainly, I'd rather have the joy of a 2003 than the heartbreak of 2009.  The 2009 season with the Amigos and all that transpired was truly a season to experience.  As I said, just a different kind of season.  It wiil be sad to see the seniors one last time at the upcoming awards banquet.  Now, lets hope Buzz has a few of those 2003 seasons in his MU future. 

[bilsu]

To me a close loss with one of our stars injured is easier to take than the final 4 embarassment of 2003.

[DJO's Pump Fake]

To me a close loss with one of our stars injured is easier to take than the final 4 embarassment of 2003.

A final four does much more for the program though.....I would rather suck it up and take the embarrassment.

[Coach Norman Dale]

A final four does much more for the program though.....I would rather suck it up and take the embarrassment.

I would venture to say that very few people think about the details of how the 2003 Final Four turned out for Marquette.  That is, most everyone is aware that we made it, but did not advance to the final game.  As to how we lost, I do not give that even a passing thought except when I re-read it here. 

In my opinion, two things matter in the tournament -- (A) did you make the final four; and, if so, (B) did you win?  (A) is a noteworthy accomplishment, and (B) is a huge accomplishment. 

Beyond that losing on the first or second weekend is pretty much the same to me.  For example, did Marquette, (lost first weekend), Purdue (lost second weekend) or Villanova (got thumped in the Final Four) have a more successful tournament?  I say Marquette and Purdue had basically the same experience and no one (except possibly obsessing fans) is really going to think about it again, while Villanova had something worth remembering b/c they accomplished "A" regardless of how it ended. 

For that matter, in my mind, Michigan State, Uconn and Villanova, all finished the same -- got "A" but not "B" -- footnotes to history.

[ChicosBailBonds]

To me a close loss with one of our stars injured is easier to take than the final 4 embarassment of 2003.

Most people don't care about the score.  In 5 years will people say Michigan State got blown out this year? 

[VegasWarrior77]

Most people don't care about the score.  In 5 years will people say Michigan State got blown out this year?

My sister and brother-in-law have been season ticket holders for the Jayhawks for about 25 years.  They have a son and daughter who graduated from there.  Unfortunately they all remember the approximate score and will remember it forever!

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

Most people don't care about the score.  In 5 years will people say Michigan State got blown out this year? 

People will absolutely remember Michigan State got blown out, just as they remember the blood bath in New Orleans -- which was much, much worse than the one suffered by MSU in this year's final.

[GOMU1104]

People will absolutely remember Michigan State got blown out, just as they remember the blood bath in New Orleans -- which was much, much worse than the one suffered by MSU in this year's final.

WE will always remember the "bloodbath"...


Nationally, people dont care too much about what happened in that game. It is all about Marquette + D Wade going to the Final 4...that is what will be remembered.

[ChicosBailBonds]

My sister and brother-in-law have been season ticket holders for the Jayhawks for about 25 years.  They have a son and daughter who graduated from there.  Unfortunately they all remember the approximate score and will remember it forever!

Yes, because they are Jayhawks fans.....but most basketball fans don't remember.  It becomes a footnote. 


The really sad thing is that I believe some folks here would have rather lost to Kentucky by a few points and not go to the Final Four.  People weigh more on that loss than the journey to get there.....which I find amazing.

[VegasWarrior77]

Yes, because they are Jayhawks fans.....but most basketball fans don't remember.  It becomes a footnote. 

The really sad thing is that I believe some folks here would have rather lost to Kentucky by a few points and not go to the Final Four.  People weigh more on that loss than the journey to get there.....which I find amazing.

+1
There are a lot of "the glass is half empty" thinkers in the world!

[RubyWiscy]

There are a lot of "the glass is half empty" thinkers in the world!

What a pessimistic way to view things!

[Nukem2]

Yes, because they are Jayhawks fans.....but most basketball fans don't remember.  It becomes a footnote. 


The really sad thing is that I believe some folks here would have rather lost to Kentucky by a few points and not go to the Final Four.  People weigh more on that loss than the journey to get there.....which I find amazing.

Agreed.  Making the final four is an accomplishment that is recorded for history.  Nobody remembers the score.  who cares.  but we all rember being in the final 4.