Should Be Crystal Clear To All MU Fans...

[4everwarriors]

this team has no identity. Though they're young, don't see team improvement, even a tiny, little bit. The same problems on October 15 are still present today. DJO has sucked all season and to make matters worse, none of the other guards can shoot either. Don't have to be John Wooden to realize we can't beat a zone.

Now, if ever there was a game that validates the value of big men, it was today's. Hammered in the paint and hammered on the boards. Can't wait for BE season to witness some of those interior ass-kickings. The rodents are chiseled. I have yet to see a whimpy Badger. This is all on the bus driver. He directs the program and calls the shots. I'm happy with Buzz, but he's not infallible. Dramatically needs to change his  focus of recruiting. Needs shooters and rebounders.

You can rip on Bucky and Bo all you want, but the man has built a winner everywhere he's been. Recruits his type of player and they execute his system to perfection. Will they win the Tourney, probably not, but they're consistently damn good. At this point, Buzz has a lot to learn.

[mileskishnish72]

Amen.

[willie warrior]

this team has no identity. Though they're young, don't see team improvement, even a tiny, little bit. The same problems on October 15 are still present today. DJO has sucked all season and to make matters worse, none of the other guards can shoot either. Don't have to be John Wooden to realize we can't beat a zone.

Now, if ever there was a game that validates the value of big men, it was today's. Hammered in the paint and hammered on the boards. Can't wait for BE season to witness some of those interior ass-kickings. The rodents are chiseled. I have yet to see a whimpy Badger. This is all on the bus driver. He directs the program and calls the shots. I'm happy with Buzz, but he's not infallible. Dramatically needs to change his  focus of recruiting. Needs shooters and rebounders.

You can rip on Bucky and Bo all you want, but the man has built a winner everywhere he's been. Recruits his type of player and they execute his system to perfection. Will they win the Tourney, probably not, but they're consistently damn good. At this point, Buzz has a lot to learn.

How dare you criticize  In Buzz We Trust.

[nomorebuycks]

this team has no identity. Though they're young, don't see team improvement, even a tiny, little bit. The same problems on October 15 are still present today. DJO has sucked all season and to make matters worse, none of the other guards can shoot either. Don't have to be John Wooden to realize we can't beat a zone.

Now, if ever there was a game that validates the value of big men, it was today's. Hammered in the paint and hammered on the boards. Can't wait for BE season to witness some of those interior ass-kickings. The rodents are chiseled. I have yet to see a whimpy Badger. This is all on the bus driver. He directs the program and calls the shots. I'm happy with Buzz, but he's not infallible. Dramatically needs to change his  focus of recruiting. Needs shooters and rebounders.

You can rip on Bucky and Bo all you want, but the man has built a winner everywhere he's been. Recruits his type of player and they execute his system to perfection. Will they win the Tourney, probably not, but they're consistently damn good. At this point, Buzz has a lot to learn.

Well, from what I was told on Friday, Buzz is just as concerned as you are and he's not at all confident in this team.  And this was before the underwhelming performance vs UW.

[ChicosBailBonds]

this team has no identity. Though they're young, don't see team improvement, even a tiny, little bit. The same problems on October 15 are still present today. DJO has sucked all season and to make matters worse, none of the other guards can shoot either. Don't have to be John Wooden to realize we can't beat a zone.

Now, if ever there was a game that validates the value of big men, it was today's. Hammered in the paint and hammered on the boards. Can't wait for BE season to witness some of those interior ass-kickings. The rodents are chiseled. I have yet to see a whimpy Badger. This is all on the bus driver. He directs the program and calls the shots. I'm happy with Buzz, but he's not infallible. Dramatically needs to change his  focus of recruiting. Needs shooters and rebounders.

You can rip on Bucky and Bo all you want, but the man has built a winner everywhere he's been. Recruits his type of player and they execute his system to perfection. Will they win the Tourney, probably not, but they're consistently damn good. At this point, Buzz has a lot to learn.

Well said.

[brewcity77]

Mostly agree, except for the need for big men. Otule and Gardner are big. But despite that, we were better at rebounding last year with a smaller Hayward and a healthy Fulce. We just need guys who embrace the role of rebounding the ball, and guys that not only can shoot, but are willing to. As nice as a utility switchable player is, you're lost when you are trying to get 4-5 on the court at the same time.

[thekahoona]

my take on this team: five words - No. Eye. Of. The. Tiger.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

There has to be something going on behind the scenes. DJO is an extremely talented basketball player, but he's being yanked out of games quickly and he just seems to have zero confidence. It doesn't make sense. At some point, Buzz has to let him play and quit playing games with him unless there's something else going on. Nothing against Smith, but what was he doing in the starting lineup if he was going to take a charge 45 seconds into the game only to get yanked for Caudogan 30 seconds later. There are too many head games going on. It's kind of odd.

[Jam Chowder]

this team has no identity. Though they're young, don't see team improvement, even a tiny, little bit. The same problems on October 15 are still present today. DJO has sucked all season and to make matters worse, none of the other guards can shoot either. Don't have to be John Wooden to realize we can't beat a zone.

Now, if ever there was a game that validates the value of big men, it was today's. Hammered in the paint and hammered on the boards. Can't wait for BE season to witness some of those interior ass-kickings. The rodents are chiseled. I have yet to see a whimpy Badger. This is all on the bus driver. He directs the program and calls the shots. I'm happy with Buzz, but he's not infallible. Dramatically needs to change his  focus of recruiting. Needs shooters and rebounders.

You can rip on Bucky and Bo all you want, but the man has built a winner everywhere he's been. Recruits his type of player and they execute his system to perfection. Will they win the Tourney, probably not, but they're consistently damn good. At this point, Buzz has a lot to learn.

I absolutely could not have written a post that better describes my exact thoughts after tonight. Perfectly said.

[groove]

There has to be something going on behind the scenes. DJO is an extremely talented basketball player, but he's being yanked out of games quickly and he just seems to have zero confidence. It doesn't make sense. At some point, Buzz has to let him play and quit playing games with him unless there's something else going on. Nothing against Smith, but what was he doing in the starting lineup if he was going to take a charge 45 seconds into the game only to get yanked for Caudogan 30 seconds later. There are too many head games going on. It's kind of odd.

I agree. If he is rewarding guys for being tough and having good practices by giving them starting spots and playing them two minutes then buzz is being ridiculous. 10 games into the season against one of the few quality teams in the pre-conference schedule is the wrong time to be playing these kind of head games. The rotation is ridiculous, guys are shuffling in and out like crazy. Only 7 guys got major time but it seemed like the frequency of subsitition between those 7 was high. Hell, if you looked away for a second the odds were that you missed someone getting replaced.

[Doctor J]

Here is what is cystal clear:
1.  We do not have a true point guard.
2.  We do not have pure shooters; we have streak scorers. 
3.  Buzz needs to change his position and practice free throws.

[Eye]

I'd still rather have the coach that long term gives you a better chance to win 6 games in March, but this is probably the first time in 3 years I've been concerned about Williams, though I am glad to hear second-hand that he's concerned. Players don't appear to know what their roles are 10 games into the season. No identity and lack of improvement (same issues as the Gonzaga game) are pretty much spot on.

[MerrittsMustache]

Here is what is cystal clear:
1.  We do not have a true point guard.
2.  We do not have pure shooters; we have streak scorers. 
3.  Buzz needs to change his position and practice free throws.

This statement has been blown way out of proportion. Very few D1 teams actually take practice time to work on FTs. The players are expected to do that on their own. College basketball teams have a limited amount of time that they can spend practicing each week. Most coaches do not want to use that time to stand around shooting FTs.

[ATWizJr]

This statement has been blown way out of proportion. Very few D1 teams actually take practice time to work on FTs. The players are expected to do that on their own. College basketball teams have a limited amount of time that they can spend practicing each week. Most coaches do not want to use that time to stand around shooting FTs.

Wooden's teams practiced FTs.

[Jam Chowder]

There has to be something going on behind the scenes. DJO is an extremely talented basketball player, but he's being yanked out of games quickly and he just seems to have zero confidence. It doesn't make sense. At some point, Buzz has to let him play and quit playing games with him unless there's something else going on. Nothing against Smith, but what was he doing in the starting lineup if he was going to take a charge 45 seconds into the game only to get yanked for Caudogan 30 seconds later. There are too many head games going on. It's kind of odd.

I never agree with you about anything, but I agree with you here.. It seems like there is a big time culture problem on the team this year. Almost like disillusionment or something. I think it seems most obvious in Jimmy and DJO. I've been a member of the Buzz Williams Kool-Aid Drinkers club ever since he started, but I'm starting to wonder what the deal is. I wonder if hs brutal honesty approach is finally starting to wear on the players...

[NotAnAlum]

You can rip on Bucky and Bo all you want, but the man has built a winner everywhere he's been. Recruits his type of player and they execute his system to perfection. Will they win the Tourney, probably not, but they're consistently damn good. At this point, Buzz has a lot to learn.

UW was the better team today and will probably finish with more wins than MU this year but I'm not so sure I'd trade coaches.  The main people I've heard "ripping Bo and his recruits" over the last several months are the UW fan base.  UW beat us with 2 seniors and a junior.  Bo's recruiting over the last couple years hasn't resulted in a bunch of stellar sophs and freshmen out there.  His best freshman player, Gasser, wouldn't even be at UW if another of his young players hadn't been kicked off the team leaving Bo in late desperation move to offer Gasser.  Bo certainly has had a number of his players like J.P. Gavinski and Greg Stiemsma fail to develop.  Bo has had the luxury of program stability while Buzz is still suffering from the roster turn over associated with the Head Coaching change.  Put junior Ty Taylor out there in place of Reggie Smith or JC and Senior Trevor Mbakwe in place of Otule and its MU winning by 10+.  I believe MU’s future after this year at least as bright as UW’s.  I believe that over the next 5 years Buzz will build a consistent winner just like Bo has. 

[muhoops1]

Let's keep kidding ourselves with comments like "we're more athletic".  That and a quarter gets you a phone call.

[mileskishnish72]

I'm with you, hoops1. You'd think that a team way more "athletic" would have fast break points (other than off a steal or TO), buy wait - that would require a rebound.
For some reason, these athletic switchables have not gelled into a well-functioning team. Starting to wonder if Buzz can make it happen. The last two years the kids "got it" and worked thier asses off - this year many of them look tentative as hell.

[willie warrior]

Excuses, excuses. The players there are Williams. His strength coach is his. The recruiting strategy is his. The shooters or lack thereof are his. The big men are his. The rotation he uses is his. The program is his. The head games being played is his strategy. Excuses, excuses. My advice for what it is worth:
~~Establish a starting lineup, and for the most part, stick with it. Smith should not be part of it.
~~Give DJO the green light to shoot out of his slump, and don't yank him right away. Tell him so and stop playing the yo-yo game with him Two to three games should determine how that goes.
~~Leave Crowder out of the Center rotation, except for 2-3 minutes at most. Teach Otule how to box out. He already is a good shot blocker. Gardner and Otule should garner almost all the minutes at Center.
~~When Gardner is in, pound the ball inside, as first option. He has good touch/moves around the basket, and gets fouled. He also is a good passer.
~~The Guard rotation should be Jr., DJO and Buycks with Blue some spot minutes there and at small forward. Jr. and DJO are the starters. If DJO does not get his stroke back after several games OF NO HEAD GAMES from Buzz, then decide the next course of action.

[4everwarriors]

Is punting an option?

[chren21]

My advice for what it is worth:
~~Establish a starting lineup, and for the most part, stick with it. Smith should not be part of it.
~~Give DJO the green light to shoot out of his slump, and don't yank him right away. Tell him so and stop playing the yo-yo game with him Two to three games should determine how that goes.
~~Leave Crowder out of the Center rotation, except for 2-3 minutes at most. Teach Otule how to box out. He already is a good shot blocker. Gardner and Otule should garner almost all the minutes at Center.
~~When Gardner is in, pound the ball inside, as first option. He has good touch/moves around the basket, and gets fouled. He also is a good passer.
~~The Guard rotation should be Jr., DJO and Buycks with Blue some spot minutes there and at small forward. Jr. and DJO are the starters. If DJO does not get his stroke back after several games OF NO HEAD GAMES from Buzz, then decide the next course of action.

I agree with everything except think that Blue should start for Buycks.  Yes he has played well but agree with the comment I saw somewhere here that he is a street baller and the way we are currently playing lends itself to his type of game.  If we actually start playing team ball then Blue will be a better fit.  My 2 cents.

Junior
DJO
Blue
Butler
DG

If DJO cant break the slump then go with Buycks at some point based on your comment above.

[Golden Avalanche]

Well, from what I was told on Friday, Buzz is just as concerned as you are and he's not at all confident in this team.  And this was before the underwhelming performance vs UW.

If true, scary.

This is his team entirely. This is the team that many fans said scared away top prospects like Shaw, Hood, Faust, etc. This is a team that isn't getting an impact player next year unless there's some serious improvement over the next month. This is his team for job security.

People crushed the last guy because so much potential talent was wasted with no skill devlopment and player improvement through the years. A very short sample but 1/3 into the year and there's not much difference from Prairie View.

[willie warrior]

If true, scary.

This is his team entirely. This is the team that many fans said scared away top prospects like Shaw, Hood, Faust, etc. This is a team that isn't getting an impact player next year unless there's some serious improvement over the next month. This is his team for job security.

People crushed the last guy because so much potential talent was wasted with no skill devlopment and player improvement through the years. A very short sample but 1/3 into the year and there's not much difference from Prairie View.

Well said. We might be in the hurt locker, however, we do have two cupcakes now, so we can get all psyched up again.

[brewcity77]

If true, scary.

Just take what you read with a grain of salt, this is probably the biggest troll on the board you're responding to.

[M@RQUETTEW@RRIORS]

This team is built on a model similar to Missouri.  however, it doesnt attempt to play the same style of ball as a missouri type team.  There is no urgency to ramp up the tempo.  If you arent gonna push the tempo, there is not reason to play 10-11 guys.  It gets you nothing.  UW should have been pressured the entire game if MU is gonna play that many players.  If MU cant play that style, then scrap the 10-11 man rotation and go back to last years style of the dribble drive half court offense.