Harrison Announcement

[radome]

I am not a member but I saw this title on Dodds:

Harrison Makes Decision, Headed West

[bma725]

I am not a member but I saw this title on Dodds:

Harrison Makes Decision, Headed West

That story is about DeMarcus Harrison, not Deangelo.\

[ChicosBailBonds]

Because he really hasn't won anything of substance yet.

Oh...let me add that I am still laughing at being called out that "pretty much won over" isn't enough for some people.  I guess to some the only way I can achieve complete fanboi status is if I shave my head, wear flashy suits, drink lots of sweet tea and name my kids Buzz.

LOL and so f'ing true

[ChicosBailBonds]

If TC had stayed MU would have had 5 RSCI top 100 guys on the 2008-09 roster - Mbakwe was gone for sure. The 5 included 3 senior guards and 2 freshman guards. In between was Lazar and little else. Some great players? Yes. But also unbalanced classes without any size. And Dwight Burke as a starter. That would have been year 10 for TC with his best class ever graduating. Major rebuilding would have followed. With Buzz, the rebuilding became reloading.

First of all you don't know who would have been here and who wouldn't.  Using that logic, we better not count on 6 guys until next year when everyone is actually here....right?  A lot can happen in 9 months.

Second of all, it would be 7 not five. If he did leave it would be 6, not 5.  Explain to me how you go from 7 to 5 when you only subtracted Mbakwe?

[NersEllenson]

Does this mean you won't accept Buzz until he beats the number 1 team in the country to get MU to the Final Four?

Nah - Buzz would need to follow it up with losing in the first round of the NIT the next 2 years, while still having 2 future NBA players on his roster in those seasons.

As we know it takes 5 years to evaluate a coach...so to evaluate before the 5th year is premature, and must include the above NIT first round exits..after we struck lightning in a bottle with D-Wade.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Ners,

You haven't been around these boards that long so there's no way for you to know this, but the notion that Chico's is a Crean lover is absolutely f'n absurd to anyone who's read his posts for more than a couple years.  Back in the old days, he used to say the exact same things about Crean that he's saying about Buzz now.  And just like now, people used to blast him and call him a Deane apologist and a Crean hater.  

It's just his M.O. and you have to learn to deal with it.  Doesn't matter who it is, he's always going to take the same approach to a new coach.  I'm sure when Buzz is gone and people are fawning over whomever his replacement is, Chico's will be blasted as a Buzz lover and a new guy hater while everything he said about Crean is merely a memory for those who've been around awhile, just like the Deane stuff is now.

Thank you....and you're right...I was tagged a Deane apologist for a number of years.  Part of human nature, I worked with the guy for four years and liked him a lot.  Wish it didn't end the way it did for him.  But it was the right move.  I railed on the Jason Rabideaux situation for years and for Crean taking him on, he NEVER should have been on the MU staff and I took extreme grief about that from certain other moderators on another board, etc, etc.  I railed on Crean for years with his substitution patterns, his treatment of employees, his terrible end of half \ game offensive and defensive plays, for putting the UWM series back together, etc, etc.

But people have incredibly selective memories over here or they like to play psychologist and decide what I'm thinking.  I appreciate the fact your memory is still together BMA!      

[StillAWarrior]

Does this mean you won't accept Buzz until he beats the number 1 team in the country to get MU to the Final Four?

This is a good example of one of the most annoying things on this board.  People react reflexively to Chico's posts.  He didn't say anything about accepting Buzz in the post you're referring to.  He simply said he'd be happy if Buzz matches Crean.  So would I.  So would you.  So would all of us.  It wasn't a negative comment.  He didn't imply that he doesn't "accept" Buzz.  In fact, he does accept Buzz and frequently makes very positive comments about Buzz.  But, it's become a parlor game for some people on this board to try to find something negative in every post Chico makes about Buzz -- even if his post is neutral (or even positive).

I wish Chico could find it within himself to allow a compliment of Buzz pass without feeling the need to point out that the same positives may also apply to Crean (which doesn't, in my mind, negate the compliment to Buzz or imply a criticism of Buzz).  I also wish that Chico could allow an insult of Crean pass without feeling the need to point out that the same negatives may also apply to Buzz (which, again, doesn't negate the criticism to Crean or imply a compliment to Crean).  But most of all, I wish people would just quit with the whole, "I'm a better fan than you are, and you obviously hope Marquette fails" crap.


Edited:  upon reading the second paragraph above, I realized that it appeared more critical of Chico that I intended.  I know Chico, and I know he's one of the best Marquette fans out there.  To the extent I'm critical of him, it's not because I think he's overly critical of Buzz or overly complimentary to Crean.  I think he's a big Buzz fan, even if he's "reserving judgment" until five years.  I just think he has a hard time not responding sometimes (and his post count certainly bears this out).

[ChicosBailBonds]

Several flaws with your point:
Considering the Big 3 were in one class (2005), and Nick Williams and Ty Taylor weren't 3 years later until the 2008 class - really wouldn't be an issue for being able to sell playing time..it was quite easy for Taylor and Williams to see the court was all theirs after a 1-year apprenticeship under the Big 3.  Crean was always good for landing a good recruiting class every 3 years, no one disputes that - but never did he have to sell players on coming to MU with a roster that was clearly stacked.  Did he ever land just back to back Top 20 classes..much less land 3 in a row (which is where we are at this season with Buzz).

Furthermore, you aren't taking into account that there isn't a DJO type of player on the roster, nor a Jae Crowder type of player on the roster..in addition to the names on your list above.

Ners....don't disagree with you.  I'm just saying in 2008 we would have had 7 on the roster (6 if you believe Mbakwe was gone).  My point was simply to show we were actually right there in the same boat but things change.  Maymon was supposed to be a sophomore this year, he didn't even get out of the first semester.  Things change....I'm really hoping in the next 3 to 4 years we can have a stable roster, something we haven't had probably in a decade if not more.

[Lennys Tap]

Hell, can you imagine the bitching in the 1977 year itself?  There are many folks that claim MU didn't deserve a bid at all with 7 losses. 

It's like watching what's going on with Georgia right now and Mark Richt...or Texas fans calling for Mack Brown's head.  What a joke.  It's like watching some of the bitching during the TC era.  Or LSU fans pissed at Les Miles.  As you win, people want more and more.

Personally, if Buzz can do what TC did, I'm be extremely happy.  If he exceeds it, I'll be off the charts happy. 

You're right about 1977. The team was actually booed at the arena during a particularly disappointing loss to Wichita State. Success breeds the expectations of continued success and there are a certain % of fans who bitch at any opportunity.

On a personal level I see good things in your future. Good job, nice family and a college basketball team poised to make you off the charts happy. Remember during the journey not to get derailed. Don't be the most pissed/critical guy on the board after a bad (i.e. DePaul) loss (they happen everywhere) and don't reflexively take the side of our coach's critics (UNO fans,Stan Laws, etc). Otherwise you'll sound eerily similar to the fans you so justifiably criticize.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Since we've taken to debating Chico's motivations - I'm not sure why, and I feel bad for participating (though apparently not bad enough not to participate) - this isn't exactly how I recall his early stance on Crean. My recollection, which could be wrong, was that he had issues with TC because he thought TC would be using MU as nothing more than a steppingstone and we'd be back searching for another coach a few years down the line. Turns out he was partially correct.

That said, I have no doubt Chico's is a hardcore Marquette fan and sincerely wishes the program success. He just has an unconventional way of showing his support and, IMHO, is unduly critical skeptical of the current coach.

p.s. Not sure it qualifies him as an apologist, but he was one of the few fans on the old, old Ahoya board who didn't think Deane deserved to be fired.

Thanks...I think.   Yes, I was worried about Crean doing the stepping stone routine and you can bet your bottom dollar I was impressed when he didn't jump ship after the Final Four when he had every opportunity to do so.  For once, even if was flawed, we had someone that at least "publicly" said he was staying at MU.  Something we hadn't seen for DECADES!!!!  That stability led to us in the Big East, new practice center, etc.  So many of you just aren't willing to accept that reality. TIMING IS EVERYTHING IN LIFE.  If we didn't get good when we did, where is MU right now?

As for my "skepticism" of Buzz....just because I don't slather on the baby oil doesn't mean I'm against him.  My problem is that for every 3 steps forward he takes a step back for me (Maymon, Newbill, things that shall not be mentioned).  Love his enthusiasm, love his recruiting, his personality is infectious, etc...but he has been handed a gem and a situation that is absolutely GOLDEN (especially in comparison to any other MU coach the last three decades).  As a result, my expectations are different because of the starting point. 

I'm much more on board then I was 2+ years ago, but I don't jump on bandwagons quite as quickly as some others....too many examples through history to back up that logic.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Does this mean you won't accept Buzz until he beats the number 1 team in the country to get MU to the Final Four?

Is this for Sultan or me?

If it's me.. I accept Buzz now...I will be MORE on his bandwagon if the following happens

Continue to win and compete as we have in the last decade
Continue to graduate 90% of players
No NCAA issues
Stop with the Newbilling \ Buzzcutting of players

But I truly think there are some complete morons here that believe some people on this board cheer against MU, want Buzz to fail, hope he has a heart attack, etc.  It's so outlandish but I have ZERO doubt in my mind that some people truly believe this. 

I want MU to succeed.  Buzz Williams is the coach, in order for MU to succeed Buzz has to succeed.  They are INTERLOCKED.  I do want MU to do it the right way and I will not back down from that.  Some of you have a JUST WIN BABY attitude.  I don't.  That's the difference.

[ChicosBailBonds]

You're right about 1977. The team was actually booed at the arena during a particularly disappointing loss to Wichita State. Success breeds the expectations of continued success and there are a certain % of fans who bitch at any opportunity.

On a personal level I see good things in your future. Good job, nice family and a college basketball team poised to make you off the charts happy. Remember during the journey not to get derailed. Don't be the most pissed/critical guy on the board after a bad (i.e. DePaul) loss (they happen everywhere) and don't reflexively take the side of our coach's critics (UNO fans,Stan Laws, etc). Otherwise you'll sound eerily similar to the fans you so justifiably criticize.

Fair point.  As I've said often here, I'm guilty of some of the very same things I have implied of others.  I don't deny it.  But yes, I do love to point out the hypocrisy with some posters here and the sets of rules they have for one coach or program vs a different set for another coach or program.  GUILTY as charged. 

[StillAWarrior]

Fair point.  As I've said often here, I'm guilty of some of the very same things I have implied of others.  I don't deny it.  But yes, I do love to point out the hypocrisy with some posters here and the sets of rules they have for one coach or program vs a different set for another coach or program.  GUILTY as charged. 

And this relates to the point I was making above.  I think the hypocrisy is self-evident and does not need to be pointed out so often.  I wish you could find it within yourself to let it go a little more often.  It drives me crazy too, but I just gloss over it most of the time.

[Lennys Tap]

First of all you don't know who would have been here and who wouldn't.  Using that logic, we better not count on 6 guys until next year when everyone is actually here....right?  A lot can happen in 9 months.

Second of all, it would be 7 not five. If he did leave it would be 6, not 5.  Explain to me how you go from 7 to 5 when you only subtracted Mbakwe?

I went from 6 to 5. Lazar was not in the RSCI top 100, which is the criteria used by Sugar. He didn't include DJO, Crowder, Smith or Gardner since they didn't make that list.

If you want to count only the guys who were actually here the number goes down to 3 - all seniors.

[Pakuni]

As for my "skepticism" of Buzz....just because I don't slather on the baby oil doesn't mean I'm against him.  My problem is that for every 3 steps forward he takes a step back for me (Maymon, Newbill, things that shall not be mentioned).  Love his enthusiasm, love his recruiting, his personality is infectious, etc...but he has been handed a gem and a situation that is absolutely GOLDEN (especially in comparison to any other MU coach the last three decades).  As a result, my expectations are different because of the starting point.   

Well, I suppose it's all relative, but I'm not sure many would say Buzz walked into a GOLDEN situation. He walked into a situation in which his top two recruits already wanted out, a third (and soon a fourth) player was asking to transfer and a roster that - while including four seniors, three of them excellent players - would require some serious rebuilding/reloading in one year. Not a bad situation by any stretch, but not an easy one either. GOLDEN is what Jamie Dixon walked into at Pitt, or what Bill Self walked into twice (at Illinois and Kansas).

Anyhow, isn't there be a reasonable middle ground between slathering on the baby oil and your exceptionally - again, just my opinion - high level of skepticism/cynicism about Buzz? I don't believe you let the former coach off scot-free on all his faults, but you certainly were less critical of his issues  -transfers, asst. coaches fleeing, inconsistent recruiting - than you have been of the current coach's.
As is your right, by the way.

Oh, and if this "thing that shall not be mentioned" should not be mentioned , then why do you keep mentioning it? It serves no good to repeatedly imply wrongdoing without giving those reading these sites (fans, players, recruits, families of players and recruits) the facts by which they can make their own judgments.
Otherwise, you come off as the obnoxious kid who parades around the playground saying "I know something you don't know."

[Aughnanure]

Godwin's law: As an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Crean approaches 1.

[Aughnanure]

Thanks...I think.   Yes, I was worried about Crean doing the stepping stone routine and you can bet your bottom dollar I was impressed when he didn't jump ship after the Final Four when he had every opportunity to do so.  For once, even if was flawed, we had someone that at least "publicly" said he was staying at MU.  Something we hadn't seen for DECADES!!!!  That stability led to us in the Big East, new practice center, etc.  So many of you just aren't willing to accept that reality. TIMING IS EVERYTHING IN LIFE.  If we didn't get good when we did, where is MU right now?

As for my "skepticism" of Buzz....just because I don't slather on the baby oil doesn't mean I'm against him.  My problem is that for every 3 steps forward he takes a step back for me (Maymon, Newbill, things that shall not be mentioned).  Love his enthusiasm, love his recruiting, his personality is infectious, etc...but he has been handed a gem and a situation that is absolutely GOLDEN (especially in comparison to any other MU coach the last three decades).  As a result, my expectations are different because of the starting point. 

I'm much more on board then I was 2+ years ago, but I don't jump on bandwagons quite as quickly as some others....too many examples through history to back up that logic.

Really? Maymon makes you think LESS of Buzz? And what is this crap you keep bringing up that cannot be named? Are you hearing Voldemort is back? Jesus!, I completely get the Newbill stuff but alluding to a mysterious rumor that you basically insinuate being much much worse is a pretty lame way, even for a message board, to rip others' stance on Buzz who may not have the connections you love to remind us that you do.

[jfmu]

Alright to get back on track...

Harrison is announcing at 3PM via espn outlet.

Im going to guess its eastern time.

[jaybilaswho?]

Whats the verdict?

[MarkCharles]

Alright to get back on track...

Harrison is announcing at 3PM via espn outlet.

Im going to guess its eastern time.

ESPN outlet? whats that?

[MarkCharles]

From Scout

"The standout combo guard said that he plans to give a commitment Thursday without taking those two visits, but insists that all four finalists – Baylor, Marquette, Oklahoma State and St. John's – are still in the running."

[RubyWiscy]

From Scout

"The standout combo guard said that he plans to give a commitment Thursday without taking those two visits, but insists that all four finalists – Baylor, Marquette, Oklahoma State and St. John's – are still in the running."

Translation: He knows exactly what he plans to do, but is looking for attention and wants to yank a few chains.

No school has a 25% chance.  It's either 100% or 0%.  Guess we'll know tomorrow.  Wonder if Buzz will be surprised?

[MUfan12]

St. John's per NY2LA. Same people who broke the Anderson commit.

[ceh]

Yeah, just saw that.  Here is the link.

"2011 SG Deangelo Harrison is expected to verbally commit to St. Johns on Thursday. Harrison is a top 100 prospect nationally who played with the Franchize All-Stars during the grassroots travel season."

http://www.ny2lasports.com/dai...spx?dimeid=1150

[MarkCharles]

Damn...oh well, on to the next guy.

Good for St. John's. I am glad they are turning things around. In my book, with this climate of conference re-alignment, when one Catholic bball-only school gets stronger, we all do.