Here We Go Again ... Breathless Media Reports That Buzz Is Leaving For Texas A&M

[cgt399]

Thank you Drew M for pointing out that we have sarcasm in Texas. Apparently Buzz has a speaking engagement at a Marquette alumni event in Chicago tonight. The question will likely come up in some way or another of his interest (Apparently negotiations are still going on for some reason) at which time he will likely put them to rest. I wouldn't bother holding your breath as this situation will be ending (in your favor of course) in several hours.

[MU Buff]

Anyone else feel like this was a huge offseason to get through with Buzz staying on board?  I feel that the Sweet Sixteen appearance coupled with Buzz staying and the preseason rankings for next year (heightened expectations) will really create a lot of excitement around the team and increase attendance.

Also, I am happy that so many schools went after him this offseason.  If this many schools think of him that highly, it must mean that they think he's destined to be a great coach.  His salary and buyout also means he's not going anywhere unless one of only a few schools comes calling (which would hurt but I would be able to live with).

[Blackhat]

This was going to be a big year for Buzz regardless, need to reverse our trend in Big East play of losing spots in conference. 

But his name being out there and MU coming out on top is positive exposure for us and recruits (and their coaches) pick up on this.   

[MU Buff]

This was going to be a big year for Buzz regardless, need to reverse our trend in Big East play of losing spots in conference. 

But his name being out there and MU coming out on top is positive exposure for us and recruits (and their coaches) pick up on this.   

Agree completely about not losing spots in conference and I believe it will definitely be reversed this year.

[ChicosBailBonds]

I was under the impression that the alumni ran Rick out of town.

If you think the alumni ran Rick our of town in the Summer prior to the season....uhm...NO.  Yeah, there were alums pressuring him but Rick caved into that pressure.  No way MU wanted Rick gone in the Summer knowing we could get no one to replace him, which is exactly what ended up happening.

Rick caved

[ChicosBailBonds]

Hahaha! Vander ORANGE! Just like what the guy he clocked called him! That's hilarious! You should post this like 10-12 times on different threads on here to show everyone how funny you are. What? You already did that? OK. Nevermind.

10-12 times?

A simple search shows I've said it three times with one simply a rehash of what other students will say based on other boards, but facts were never your strong point.

By all means, do the search yourself....it's not hard or frightening, I promise

[ChicosBailBonds]

In the sense of fairness here.....and not trying to throw a wet blanket on all this MU fervor but we need to take the time to remove our blue and gold glasses and try to get some objectivity here.

First of all, before I moved to Dallas 31 years ago I had NO idea about what being "Texan" means and after 31 years I think I am only now coming to fully understand it. I've never seen anything like it anywhere else in the world. FACT: If you meet a Texan anywhere in the world when asked where they are from they will answer Texas, not the USA. Texans are VERY proud of the fact that their state flag is the ONLY flag allowed to fly at the same height as a US flag....it goes on and on....The current Governor was talking secession quite seriously a few years ago.

As a born Texan and resident several times during my life....I concur.  It's a different mentality.  From the history of it's roots, to the politics of independence, to the geographic size of the footprint.  Fiercely independent people...love it. 

AMERICAN BY BIRTH, TEXAN BY THE GRACE OF GOD is a common saying

[ChicosBailBonds]

Texas A&M... the Ivy of the Southwest.

Texas A&M is ranked higher than us academically by US News.  Do I think US News is a great barometer?  Nope...but MU has no problem using it to compare and contracts schools.

http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/spp%2B50/page+2

[Dawson Rental]

Texas A&M is ranked higher than us academically by US News.  Do I think US News is a great barometer?  Nope...but MU has no problem using it to compare and contracts schools.

http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/spp%2B50/page+2

Don't you mean compare and contrast?

LOOK EVERYBODY!  I GOT CHICOS!  I GOT CHICOS!!!!

[ChicosBailBonds]

At least you now recognize when you are trying to stir the pot.  As if any of us here need you to spell it out..but thanks anyway.

No Ners, I've been consistent from the day he was hired on my expectations.  All I want is someone to repeat what the last guy did in terms of results on and off the court (graduation rates, etc)....if anything I'm giving Buzz a huge mulligan. I've been told here time and time again he's a better recruiter, better coach so merely lowering my expectations to only duplicate what the "poorer recruiter and poorer coach" accomplished could be deemed as lowering expectations by some.  We'll see if he can keep it going, we took a step back this past season (lower division finish for the first time ever in Big East play) and apparently that was all due to the previous guy (as was the delay in killing Bin Laden and the still unfound cure for the common cold).  Fortunately we have a Sweet 16 moment to build off and a solid, top 25 team coming back this year.   

The future looks bright, I'm glad he's staying because we cannot afford the silly dance MU has gone through so many times with coaches bolting.  People talk about whether MU is a destination job....in our history apparently few coaches have felt that way since only once did a guy find is desirable enough to stick around more than 15 years.  Hope Buzz breaks that trend....we need it.

[GGGG]

As a born Texan and resident several times during my life....I concur.  It's a different mentality.  From the history of it's roots, to the politics of independence, to the geographic size of the footprint.  Fiercely independent people...love it. 

If by "independent" you mean "annoying and pompous" then yes...I would agree.

[Hards Alumni]

If by "independent" you mean "annoying and pompous" then yes...I would agree.

Agree!

Circle gets the square!

[NersEllenson]

No Ners, I've been consistent from the day he was hired on my expectations.  All I want is someone to repeat what the last guy did in terms of results on and off the court (graduation rates, etc)....if anything I'm giving Buzz a huge mulligan. I've been told here time and time again he's a better recruiter, better coach so merely lowering my expectations to only duplicate what the "poorer recruiter and poorer coach" accomplished could be deemed as lowering expectations by some.  We'll see if he can keep it going, we took a step back this past season (lower division finish for the first time ever in Big East play) and apparently that was all due to the previous guy (as was the delay in killing Bin Laden and the still unfound cure for the common cold).  Fortunately we have a Sweet 16 moment to build off and a solid, top 25 team coming back this year.   

The future looks bright, I'm glad he's staying because we cannot afford the silly dance MU has gone through so many times with coaches bolting.  People talk about whether MU is a destination job....in our history apparently few coaches have felt that way since only once did a guy find is desirable enough to stick around more than 15 years.  Hope Buzz breaks that trend....we need it.

Tom Crean has won exactly 1 NCAA tournament game without Dwyane Wade playing for him in an 11 year career.  However, he did guide us to 3 Top 6 finishes in the Big East, only to get bounced in the first round of the NCAA 2 of the 3 years.  Personally, I'd take a 9th place finish and a Sweet 16 instead of a 4th, 5th or 6th Big East finish and first round NCAA exit.

But yes, I do agree that looking at their recruiting results at MU...Buzz Williams is a better recruiter than TC, and thus should get better results on the court.

[leever]

10-12 times?

A simple search shows I've said it three times with one simply a rehash of what other students will say based on other boards, but facts were never your strong point.

By all means, do the search yourself....it's not hard or frightening, I promise

So that's just 3 times too many, not 10 or 12 times too many.  Just stop.

[Lennys Tap]

No Ners, I've been consistent from the day he was hired on my expectations.  All I want is someone to repeat what the last guy did in terms of results on and off the court (graduation rates, etc)....if anything I'm giving Buzz a huge mulligan. I've been told here time and time again he's a better recruiter, better coach so merely lowering my expectations to only duplicate what the "poorer recruiter and poorer coach" accomplished could be deemed as lowering expectations by some.  We'll see if he can keep it going, we took a step back this past season (lower division finish for the first time ever in Big East play) and apparently that was all due to the previous guy (as was the delay in killing Bin Laden and the still unfound cure for the common cold).  Fortunately we have a Sweet 16 moment to build off and a solid, top 25 team coming back this year.  

The future looks bright, I'm glad he's staying because we cannot afford the silly dance MU has gone through so many times with coaches bolting.  People talk about whether MU is a destination job....in our history apparently few coaches have felt that way since only once did a guy find is desirable enough to stick around more than 15 years.  Hope Buzz breaks that trend....we need it.

You say that you're okay with Buzz matching Crean's overall record at Marquette, which you inaccurately equate to a 4th-6th place finish each year in the Big East. A finish that high would mean an NCAA tournament berth EVERY year, and TC was only 5 for 9.

So if Buzz makes the tournament twice in the next six years and wins 2 tournament games over that span you will be happy since he will have matched Crean's record over nine years at MU (5 NCAA tourneys and 5 NCAA wins). I think he's a better coach and recruiter so I expect more. I'm willing to back up my opinion with my wallet. Any interest?  

[HouWarrior]

In the sense of fairness here.....and not trying to throw a wet blanket on all this MU fervor but we need to take the time to remove our blue and gold glasses and try to get some objectivity here.

First of all, before I moved to Dallas 31 years ago I had NO idea about what being "Texan" means and after 31 years I think I am only now coming to fully understand it. I've never seen anything like it anywhere else in the world. FACT: If you meet a Texan anywhere in the world when asked where they are from they will answer Texas, not the USA. Texans are VERY proud of the fact that their state flag is the ONLY flag allowed to fly at the same height as a US flag....it goes on and on....The current Governor was talking secession quite seriously a few years ago.

You are ALL kidding yourselves if you don't think that Buzz had a moment of pause when learning that the A&M job had opened. Let's not forget that A&M gave him a chance to return to Texas after taking his first Div 1 asst position at Colorado State. He might still be there if Billy Clyde hadn't gambled on the Kentucky job and if Billy Clyde had stayed then left for another job a few years later Buzz might have been their man.

You guys talk about A&M as if it was some small podunk school....you couldn't be more wrong. A&M is a MAJOR research university with over 49,000 students; its main campus sits on over 5200 acres and its endowment is in excess of $5.6 billion. It's home to the George H W Bush Library, has a medical, dental and veterinary school along with a top undergrad business school and engineering school. While there are plenty of "Aggie" jokes that float around here....similar to Polish jokes, there's a lot of truth to this: Question: What do you call an Aggie in 20 years? Answer: Boss.

I honestly believe that had A&M been calling when OU and others were in March, Buzz would have really had to think hard about leaving. I applaud his sense of loyalty to MU for giving him the opportunity that we did, but if A&M had been calling his answer might have been quite different. "Coming home" means a lot to a native Texan.

I hope Buzz stays at MU for a very long time but am not naive enough to ignore the deep seeded Texas roots that run through every inch of his sometimes considerable girth. Let's just hope that the UT and A&M jobs stayed filled for a long time because after making what he's currently making for a few more years, he could easily "afford" a pay cut to under $2 million to come back home...housing is less expensive and gives you far more amenities here and there are no state or city income taxes here so that salary nets him more here as well.

just my $0.02

Well Said. Texas is different from all other states in the union...from the beginning. After gaining independence from Mexico, it formed its own separate country, the Republic of Texas. When joining the union of the United states, it still had big war debts...which the USA would have had to assume and take over...if the USA took sovereign rights over Texas land. Accordingly, the United States did not take on these debts, and Texas,  joined, while still RETAINING rights of sovereignty over its own land....to this day.

Its worked out well. 60 years later, oil was found, and on all Texas state owned lands, the oil revenue funded the Permanent University Fund ("PUF"), which generated billions, and well funded UT and TAMU, with endowment $$. The USA does not own any mineral rights on any public lands in Texas--they are all ours.

Sooo. when you hear the arrogant and pompous Texans talking about secession...its because, as the only state which remains sovereign over its lands....Texas actually could secede.  

Dont worry though, until some  Texas school lands Buzz Williams as its coach, the Texas voters will never approve any secession from the USA. (sorry Texas arrogance, and pomposity overtook me for a moment-lol)

[ATL MU Warrior]

If by "independent" you mean "annoying and pompous" then yes...I would agree.

Agree 100%

I have to go to Dallas & Houston for work 3-4 times per year.  The people I deal with in Dallas are for the most part insufferable.  I like the folks in Houston much better. 

[reinko]

Well Said. Texas is different from all other states in the union...from the beginning. After gaining independence from Mexico, it formed its own separate country, the Republic of Texas. When joining the union of the United states, it still had big war debts...which the USA would have had to assume and take over...if the USA took sovereign rights over Texas land. Accordingly, the United States did not take on these debts, and Texas,  joined, while still RETAINING rights of sovereignty over its own land....to this day.

Its worked out well. 60 years later, oil was found, and on all Texas state owned lands, the oil revenue funded the Permanent University Fund ("PUF"), which generated billions, and well funded UT and TAMU, with endowment $$. The USA does not own any mineral rights on any public lands in Texas--they are all ours.

Sooo. when you hear the arrogant and pompous Texans talking about secession...its because, as the only state which remains sovereign over its lands....Texas actually could secede.  

Dont worry though, until some  Texas school lands Buzz Williams as its coach, the Texas voters will never approve any secession from the USA. (sorry Texas arrogance, and pomposity overtook me for a moment-lol)

I say secede, then we will invade and conquer and take your lands.   

PS: Just came across on the google image, and chuckled.

[Litehouse]

Texas lawmakers complaining about Rick Barnes getting a $200k raise to $2.4M.  I imagine A&M paying up for Buzz wouldn't have gone over well, especially with a possible $27B state budget deficit.

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/news?slug=ap-texas-barnesraise

[Marquette84]

Tom Crean has won exactly 1 NCAA tournament game without Dwyane Wade playing for him in an 11 year career.  However, he did guide us to 3 Top 6 finishes in the Big East, only to get bounced in the first round of the NCAA 2 of the 3 years.  Personally, I'd take a 9th place finish and a Sweet 16 instead of a 4th, 5th or 6th Big East finish and first round NCAA exit.

Personally, I'll take a Final Four over a Sweet 16.

Nonetheless, if you take all your usual emotion out of it, you simply can't count on 9th place finishes making the tournament every year. 

I also think that you can't count on as favorable pairings in the tournament as we had this year.  Our biggest weakness was 3 point defense--and Xavier was ranked a lowly 240th in the NCAA/11th in the A10 in 3 point shooting.  The second round was against a team we already beat this year.

(BTW, still waiting for your explanation as to why Missouri was as tough a matchup as Stanford.)

But yes, I do agree that looking at their recruiting results at MU...Buzz Williams is a better recruiter than TC, and thus should get better results on the court.

The problem is that we aren't consistently seeing better results on the court.  You can pull out the Sweet 16 this year all you want, I don't see that you can argue that we consistently played at the level of a Sweet 16 team. 

I cannot logically understand how you can argue that we are better at recruiting while at the same time get mad at the opinion that we had too much talent to lose 15 games.

I'm very happy with a Sweet 16 this year--I'm not happy with how we got there and believe that if this were a normal season we would have been an NIT team.

[alexius23]

Most likely this is all sound & fury signifying nothing. Even if so..MU survived Al's retirement. If Buzz leaves...life will go on...

[Windyplayer]

I cannot logically understand how you can argue that we are better at recruiting while at the same time get mad at the opinion that we had too much talent to lose 15 games.

Don't oversimplify "15 losses." We both know that those 15 losses translate to 8 or 9 losses for any other power conference team not in the Big East. We played in the best college basketball conference in quite possibly the HISTORY OF THE WORLD.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Don't oversimplify "15 losses." We both know that those 15 losses translate to 8 or 9 losses for any other power conference team not in the Big East. We played in the best college basketball conference in quite possibly the HISTORY OF THE WORLD.

This past year's Big East wasn't even as good as the Big East of several years ago when we placed three #1 seeds. 

[Marquette84]

Don't oversimplify "15 losses." We both know that those 15 losses translate to 8 or 9 losses for any other power conference team not in the Big East. We played in the best college basketball conference in quite possibly the HISTORY OF THE WORLD.

Don't overestimate the individual strength of our opponents.

I think we had enough talent to beat St. Johns and Cincinnati at home, hang onto a 17 point lead against Louisville, duplicate a blowout win against Notre Dame, and most certainly had enough talent to beat Seton Hall on the road.

[Windyplayer]

This past year's Big East wasn't even as good as the Big East of several years ago when we placed three #1 seeds. 

Certainly top heavy in 2009, but the conference only (relatively speaking) sent seven teams to the dance.