Bright spot

[ATL MU Warrior]

He said he didn't want him fired so how can you say "clearly wants him gone" when he flat out said he didn't want him fired?

I'm not going to get drawn into some stupid debate over semantics.  OK I guess I am  

By the actual content of his first post, he is now (literally or figuratively, who knows?) counting down the days to when our coach does not get his contract extended.  Which means he is counting down the days to when he is no longer our coach.  Which I interpret as meaning he no longer wants him to be our coach.  Not sure what other conclusion you could arrive at from that.

Twist it however you want...and by all means bring his illustrious resume into the debate (as if that matters)...his comment seems pretty clear to me.  He's entitled to his opinion of course, as are all of us.  

[ChicosBailBonds]

I'm not going to get drawn into some stupid debate over semantics.  OK I guess I am  

By the actual content of his first post, he is now (literally or figuratively, who knows?) counting down the days to when our coach does not get his contract extended.  Which means he is counting down the days to when he is no longer our coach.  Which I interpret as meaning he no longer wants him to be our coach.  Not sure what other conclusion you could arrive at from that.

Twist it however you want...and by all means bring his illustrious resume into the debate (as if that matters)...his comment seems pretty clear to me.  He's entitled to his opinion of course, as are all of us.  

I don't even think it's nuanced, let alone a matter of semantics.  He's looking long term.  He feels in year 3, extending the contract makes no sense at this juncture.  That is not the same thing as wanting someone fired.  He clearly said that.  I spoke to him this morning and reiterated that fact.  The problem with these message boards or any written word is the intent behind it, how it was said, etc.  That's when we have too many people here playing Freud and deciding the psychology behind what was meant.  I know what he meant, he told me.  He also told others here, but they are choosing to ignore it.

[RawdogDX]

I don't even think it's nuanced, let alone a matter of semantics.  He's looking long term.  He feels in year 3, extending the contract makes no sense at this juncture.  That is not the same thing as wanting someone fired.  He clearly said that.  I spoke to him this morning and reiterated that fact.  The problem with these message boards or any written word is the intent behind it, how it was said, etc.  That's when we have too many people here playing Freud and deciding the psychology behind what was meant.  I know what he meant, he told me.  He also told others here, but they are choosing to ignore it.

Can you speak to him again and ask why he doesn't want a 'very poor coach' fired?  I think that everyone who is 'very poor' at their jobs should be moved to a position where they can be, at least, 'almost marginal'. 

[willie warrior]

is that a charge? or a travel

I would call that a "double foul", and sit both down.

[Lennys Tap]

Can you speak to him again and ask why he doesn't want a 'very poor coach' fired?  I think that everyone who is 'very poor' at their jobs should be moved to a position where they can be, at least, 'almost marginal'. 

This question has been asked several different ways on several different occasions. Hopefully we'll get an answer.

[ATL MU Warrior]

I don't even think it's nuanced, let alone a matter of semantics.  He's looking long term.  He feels in year 3, extending the contract makes no sense at this juncture.  That is not the same thing as wanting someone fired.  He clearly said that.  I spoke to him this morning and reiterated that fact.  The problem with these message boards or any written word is the intent behind it, how it was said, etc.  That's when we have too many people here playing Freud and deciding the psychology behind what was meant.  I know what he meant, he told me.  He also told others here, but they are choosing to ignore it.

No s**t extending the contract at this juncture doesn't make sense. 

And how exactly how do you get that from this?

The bright spot is that we are one game closer to Buzz not getting extended. He is a very nice guy and a very poor coach.

I didn't have a conversation with the guy so I can only go by what he actually wrote.  And what he wrote isn't what you are now saying he meant.

[StillAWarrior]

Chico's, he called him a 'very poor coach' if he thinks that and doesn't want him fired than there is something wrong with him.  Why would you want to keep a 'very poor' coach around for the nexgt 2.5 years?  Because he's a nice guy?

I can't really speak for anyone else, but I suspect the reason is the belief that like frosh become sophomores, some "very poor coaches" become better (or even excellent) coaches.

For the record, I don't believe Buzz is a "very poor coach."  I think he's an excellent recruiter; he gets his kids ready for games (both with game plans and conditioning); his kids play hard for him which I think is very important; and he represents the university well.  I think he's improving as an in-game bench coach, and that's a good thing because I think he needs a lot of improvement in this regard.  This doesn't mean I want him to leave or that there is someone out there who I would like to see replace him.  Over all, I'm very happy with him, but I do want him to develop.

Like I said before, it's like the frosh become sophomores thing.  I'm generally quite happy with Blue and Gardner, but if they don't get better in the next three years, I'll be disappointed. I feel the same way about Buzz.  Fortunately, I've seen enough improvement to have confidence that he'll continue getting better.  I totally disagree with those who say that Buzz is trending the wrong way.

[MerrittsMustache]

I didn't have a conversation with the guy so I can only go by what he actually wrote.  And what he wrote isn't what you are now saying he meant.

+1

Based on Chicos' story, I get the impression that ecompt was misquoted in his own post. No wonder he's a former editor.

[T-Bone]

Going back to the original idea of the post...

1. I think Gardner and everyone else on the team is pretty well aware of what sort of leash they have.
a) You don't practice well, you're probably not playing.
b) You do something that you are not supposed to do, like being out of position on D, you will get pulled.  Fouls probably don't count to that, unless they're because you're out of position or you've racked up too many. 
2. I wouldn't look into how he "looks".  I have thought at times he looks disinterested, but I know that's not the case.  I think that's just kind of how he carries himself. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLXVU_jo6sk
and IWBs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kyLH5Tuj-o&NR=1
From high school: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7dMMeMIdV4

Davante had a really nice game, and hopefully will have some more down the road for us shortly.

[leever]

Perfectly clear - he misquoted himself.

"I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure
you realize that what you heard is not what I meant."

[ecompt]

what part of my statement don't you understand, Merritt? I did not say Buzz should be fired, I said he should not be extended past his current contract. Is that so freaking tough to understand?
By the way, I am still a sports editor at a major newspaper and have been in sports journalism for 35 years.

[79Warrior]

what part of my statement don't you understand, Merritt? I did not say Buzz should be fired, I said he should not be extended past his current contract. Is that so freaking tough to understand?
By the way, I am still a sports editor at a major newspaper and have been in sports journalism for 35 years.

While I do not disagree with your point, not extending his contract does create other issues. How long will it take other coaches to use that aginst him . Oh ,by the way young recruit, buzz is out. Didn't you hear he has not been extended.  A lame duck coach as no shot at recruiting. It is not so simple.

If this season continues to unravel, next season will likely determine his fate. In fact, he may be being hurt right now.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Buzz has a six year rollover contract. 

[ecompt]

well then, we have nothing to worry about, do we?
Look, I don't want him fired. I think he's a credit to the school and represents MU very well. I just don't think at this point he's a good coach at all. I don't like the infusion of all the JUCOs (five is about three too many for my taste) and I don't think there's a coach in any major conference who has gotten less out of his first two recruiting classes (freshmen and sophomores, not JUCOs, than he has. My gut feeling is that Buzz's future lies squarely in the hands of Blue, Ox and Junior.

[groove]

well then, we have nothing to worry about, do we?
Look, I don't want him fired. I think he's a credit to the school and represents MU very well. I just don't think at this point he's a good coach at all. I don't like the infusion of all the JUCOs (five is about three too many for my taste) and I don't think there's a coach in any major conference who has gotten less out of his first two recruiting classes (freshmen and sophomores, not JUCOs, than he has. My gut feeling is that Buzz's future lies squarely in the hands of Blue, Ox and Junior.

+1

[ecompt]

Dr. Blackheart: Buzz's contract was for six years when he signed three years ago. He has three years left on this contract, unless you know that it's already been rolled over.

[groove]

Buzz has a six year rollover contract. 

does that make him coach for life?

[Dr. Blackheart]

Offensive Efficiency:  So, of the Top 100 D1 players who have at least 20% of the possessions used...

• A skimpy four freshman made the list, led by Sullinger
• Only 13 sophomores are on the list
• Two of our JUCO's are in the Top 25--Jae and Jimmy.  Joe would be 3rd if he had enough possessions and DJO is just out of the Top 100
• Gardner would be on the list if he had more touches
• EWill, Otule and Buycks are all above average

So what can we conclude, at least offensively?  Underclassmen are slow to make an impact at a high level, and Buzz knows this as reflected by his rotations. JUCO's have significantly helped MU (in addition to being good representatives for MU so far).  We have talent in the wings (and yes, we have holes to fill). I believe Anderson and Racine Wilson will be studs. Jones will be a scoring machine. And PG Wilson will be tough. EWill will convert to our face-up PF. 

[Dr. Blackheart]

Dr. Blackheart: Buzz's contract was for six years when he signed three years ago. He has three years left on this contract, unless you know that it's already been rolled over.

Automatic rollover.

[ecompt]

So it automatically stays at six years into infinity? Wow. Who was his agent? Hope you are right about the younger players, but I think the ship has sailed on EWill. And I think it is impossible to overstate how disappointing Vander's conference season has been.

[groove]

Automatic rollover.

oh, the Our Lady of Perpetual Hell contract

[Dr. Blackheart]

So it automatically stays at six years into infinity? Wow. Who was his agent? Hope you are right about the younger players, but I think the ship has sailed on EWill. And I think it is impossible to overstate how disappointing Vander's conference season has been.

1.  Permanence (commitment) and recruit assurance
2.  No Crean renog's every year on his little merry-go-round whirl he would take the school and program through
3.  Ward off surprise suitors, fend off opposing recruiters
4.  Outs and escalators can be built in

EWill needs to bulk up to be the PF which will be his natural fit...will fill the Fulce role. We'll see what goes on there.

You could see Vander's skill OOC, even against Vandy, Duke....then he hits the BE wall. He needs to get stronger and improve his handle and shot, which for a just 18 year old is part of the maturity process. Being lost will be overcome with experience--he is used to creating on the fly and it doesn't happen on this level like in high school.

This team has the talent to build leads, it doesn't have the experience to hold them.  SJU, ND, Gtown, Pitt, Nova, UL, Duke, Vandy have the upperclass experience to pull these games out. This is why I rail for a stop defense as it is the one thing an inexperienced team can rely on in these tough games. IMHO, Buzz remembered the Three Amigos, Mo-Cubie-Zar years and figured this team would learn to be just as steely by sheer will alone. Frankly, Buzz and staff need to step in and pull them along in these games as a result. Buzz has a lot to learn himself (as the 2nd youngest BE coach) as he has said.  

[Tugg Speedman]

This team has the talent to build leads, it doesn't have the experience to hold them.  SJU, ND, Gtown, Pitt, Nova, UL have the upperclass experience to pull these games out. This is why I rail for a stop defense as it is the one thing a inexperienced team can rely on in these tough games. IMHO, Buzz remembered the Three Amigos, Mo-Cubie-Zar years and figured this team would learn to be just as steely by sheer will alone. Frankly, Buzz and staff need to step in and pull them along in these games as a result. Buzz has a lot to learn himself (as the 2nd youngest BE coach) as he has said.  

Excellent Synopsis.  I would just add that of the regular rotation,  Jae, Vander, Outle, and Gardner were not on last year's team.  Junior effectively did not play last year as he only saw action in 12 games totaling 47 minutes (3.9/game).  So 5 of the 9 person rotation was new to the team this year.