Bruce Weber Fired

[Lighthouse 84]

Who's going to make sure he doesn't lose possession of his luggage on the way down?

+1

[Lennys Tap]

Bernstein's (the Score in Chicago) source says it's Shaka Smart's if he wants it. After that, the choice is Anthony Grant, then Reggie Theus. Definitely will be a minority hire.

[Lennys Tap]

Who's going to make sure he doesn't lose possession of his luggage on the way down?

Heard Junior, Vander and DJO all had their pockets picked walkin' back to the hotel after the game.

[Dawson Rental]

How about Junior to Illinois?

While at times, Junior has high numbers of turnovers, he does not show the necessary consistency at turning the ball over game in and game out to interest Illinois.

[MattyWarrior]

Maybe Weber can just switch places with Smart, one on the way up, one on way down..

[brewcity77]

One thing I hadn't considered and really should have when Weber was fired...

...Transfers.

Mike Shaw was a top-100 guy that was down to us and Illinois and picked the Illini. He barely played during his freshman campaign. Of course, we have no scholarships available right now, and the need for Shaw may have diminished when Steve Taylor inked his LOI, but might we find room if he wants to come?

Nnanna Egwu (center), Mychael Henry (small forward) and Tracy Abrams (point guard) were also top-100 guys that went to IU last year and may be looking to transfer. All three are from Chicago and wouldn't be able to transfer to Big Ten schools, which was where they drew most of their interest.

With no scholarships available until 2014, I highly doubt any of these materialize, but MU would be a close-to-home destination for any one of them.

[jutaw22mu]

Anyone else find it interesting that the Illinois job was open in 2003 also?  And the CUSA conf final was Louisville against Cinci?  I see many more parallels between that season and this one.  Interesting...

[Chief Wampum]

One thing I hadn't considered and really should have when Weber was fired...

...Transfers.

Mike Shaw was a top-100 guy that was down to us and Illinois and picked the Illini. He barely played during his freshman campaign. Of course, we have no scholarships available right now, and the need for Shaw may have diminished when Steve Taylor inked his LOI, but might we find room if he wants to come?

Nnanna Egwu (center), Mychael Henry (small forward) and Tracy Abrams (point guard) were also top-100 guys that went to IU last year and may be looking to transfer. All three are from Chicago and wouldn't be able to transfer to Big Ten schools, which was where they drew most of their interest.

With no scholarships available until 2014, I highly doubt any of these materialize, but MU would be a close-to-home destination for any one of them.

I'm a dual Illinois and Marquette fan (Sorry!!!), so I thought I could weigh in.

I don't see any of Illinois' freshmen transferring at this time. Meyers Leonard will almost certainly leave for the NBA, and Nnanna Egwu will slide right into the starting center role. Tracy Abrams already wrestled the starting PG role from Maniscalco when he went down with an injury (plus Maniscalco is gone anyway).

It'll be harder to tell with Shaw and Henry, but without much room at MU, I don't see it happening. MU already has a player similar to Henry in Jamail Jones, but that doesn't necessarily preclude them from bringing him in.

As has been stated earlier, Illinois will hire a minority coach, so I wouldn't worry too much about Buzz leaving (for Illinois, anyway).

[Scooter22]

The telling thing is that the ESPN talking heads are mentioned Tony B. (an MU assistant) as a candidate for the Illinois job, but not Buzz.  Thus, they have at least learned the lesson that Buzz is not going to Illinois.  I'm sure, however, that we will hear the "Buzz to School X" talk ramp up again come tournament time.  But what big time (and I don't mean Nebraska) jobs are likely to come open this year?

[brewcity77]

The telling thing is that the ESPN talking heads are mentioned Tony B. (an MU assistant) as a candidate for the Illinois job, but not Buzz.  Thus, they have at least learned the lesson that Buzz is not going to Illinois.  I'm sure, however, that we will hear the "Buzz to School X" talk ramp up again come tournament time.  But what big time (and I don't mean Nebraska) jobs are likely to come open this year?

The only marquee job that might open is UCLA. Not sure they'd come after Buzz, but that is a legitimately big job that might draw some interest. Still not convinced Howland will be out, however.

[tower912]

Buzz and MU have effectively priced him out of all but the highest profile jobs.    He isn't taking a pay cut to go somewhere else.    So, if UCLA showed up with $3+ million a year, I could see it.   Short of that, he isn't leaving anytime soon. 

[Hoopaloop]

The telling thing is that the ESPN talking heads are mentioned Tony B. (an MU assistant) as a candidate for the Illinois job, but not Buzz.  Thus, they have at least learned the lesson that Buzz is not going to Illinois.  I'm sure, however, that we will hear the "Buzz to School X" talk ramp up again come tournament time.  But what big time (and I don't mean Nebraska) jobs are likely to come open this year?

UI is hiring a minority.  Buzz isn't a minority, that's why they are saying it.  Nothing to do with a lesson learned, UI has their sites on a specific hire that meets specific guidelines.  Benford meets those guidelines.  Smart meets those guidelines.  Grant meets those guidelines.  Buzz does not.

[Goose]

Buzz has put himself in the upper tier money jobs only provided he is wanted here at MU. If for some reason the school would not want Buzz back it open up many more opportunities for schools to come knocking. I am not trying to scare anyone, but my sources tell me that there is a major divide in the inner circle over Buzz. Circumstances from last years assault remain to be far bigger than the media reports.

I love Buzz, I love the style of play and I love us being in the spotlight. But, this fan is scared that something bad could happen. Everybody can bust my balls but the suspensions were based off new rules placed on Buzz. The new hires did not hire Buzz and that is a dangerous situation guys.

[tower912]

LWilliams and Pilarz come from ND and G-town, respectively.   They get the idea that basketball and MU are irrevocably intertwined.    They cannot get a better coach than Buzz to come to MU.   There may be growing and adjustment pains, but if they for one second are considering letting him go, then their entire judgement gets called into question.    I am skeptical of your sources. 

[Goose]

Tower
I can assure you I have multiple sources and hearing same thing over and over. I agree with the backgrounds of new hires but also know Penn State and Syracuse issues have made everyone on edge. They might fully understanfpd what basketball means and still error on side of caution. I think most folks have not looked at the big picture in last years .

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

Tower
I can assure you I have multiple sources and hearing same thing over and over. I agree with the backgrounds of new hires but also know Penn State and Syracuse issues have made everyone on edge. They might fully understanfpd what basketball means and still error on side of caution. I think most folks have not looked at the big picture in last years .

This makes no sense. "Multiple sources" are telling you there is a "major divide?" Our AD has been here for 2 months, hardly enough time to form a "major divide," particularly coming off a second place Big East finish one year after a Sweet 16.

Big Daddy, who proved himself to be an impeccable "source" indicated the suspensions had nothing to do with last year.

I don't believe you have sources. I believe you are stirring the pot, just as you did last year around tournament time...before any of this "assault" business came to light. No idea why you would do that. But it's deja vu.

[Goose]

PRN
If memory serves me last year my fear was MU would not pony up the money, not that they might not want Buzz. I was very happy they rewarded Buzz and kept him as coach. You have right to any opinion you want regarding my comments. Believe sources or not, that is your call. For the record I have zero idea what the AD thinks or what is goals are for the program. My comments, based off very good sources, are based off opinions with far more pull than the AD.

You can accept Big Daddy for his comments and think I am an idiot, what do I care? I have zero interest in stirring any pot. I will add that if someone had information, even possible negative, on the program I would want them to share that on here. Unlike Big Daddy I am not going to run away because PRN does not like my comments.

For the record were you living in a cave last March? The assault issue definitely was on the minds of many of the MU brass last March. Just because Local media made little out of the problem does not mean the school had not been monitoring very closely. My comments on the topic are based off numerous conversations I have had in past few weeks.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

You must be part of this "inner circle" if they're confiding in you about this "major divide." I'm sure Dick Strong has a never ending, Gatsby-like cocktail party where he and his well heeled cronies share their opinions for guys like you to float on message boards.

I think you are absolutely full of crap. Even if all this was true, which its not, what's the purpose of posting it other than to create doubt amongst fans?

We are 25-7. Should get a 3 seed. We have two of the best players MU has had in a decade...pairings come out tomorrow...let's focus on your "sources" and their "divide" about the most charismatic coach we've had since McGuire.

Let me guess, you have a graduate degree from Purdue?

[mr.MUskie]

PRN
If memory serves me last year my fear was MU would not pony up the money, not that they might not want Buzz. I was very happy they rewarded Buzz and kept him as coach. You have right to any opinion you want regarding my comments. Believe sources or not, that is your call. For the record I have zero idea what the AD thinks or what is goals are for the program. My comments, based off very good sources, are based off opinions with far more pull than the AD.

You can accept Big Daddy for his comments and think I am an idiot, what do I care? I have zero interest in stirring any pot. I will add that if someone had information, even possible negative, on the program I would want them to share that on here. Unlike Big Daddy I am not going to run away because PRN does not like my comments.

For the record were you living in a cave last March? The assault issue definitely was on the minds of many of the MU brass last March. Just because Local media made little out of the problem does not mean the school had not been monitoring very closely. My comments on the topic are based off numerous conversations I have had in past few weeks.

My concern, assuming their is some friction there, is that they try to dictate to Buzz how to run his program, and he tells them to shove it and walks.  I'm sure there are plenty of places that would take him in and leave him alone.

[Goose]

Thank you Muskie. That is the point, Buzz is not getting canned but putting handcuffs on him could make him want to leave. The whole issue is that I have heard he under watchful eye and that makes things difficult.

[nyg]

Goose, not questioning your sources if valid but some things:

Your comments were based on opinions of those above the AD?  Doesn't the AD report directly to MU's President?  To be honest I don't know.

The assault issues were on the minds of the MU brass last March.  Again, was that the MU President or just high level alumni like PRN states.

If this was such a huge issue, you stated the circumstances were far larger than the media stated, why wasn't Buzz disciplined in some manner last March (12 months ago).

The school has been monitoring Buzz for the past year.  Was he placed on a "probationary watch" and with the suspensions two weeks ago, he either violated his probation or caused additional concern for media attention.  Having such an oversight with someone constantly looking over your shoulder, second guessing all your moves is a difficult task.

With a new President and a new AD, coinciding with Buzz's well, different behavior, I still don't see them even coming close to considering cutting ties.  He has done a wonderful job to date with the program.

[MUMac]

nyg, excellent comments/questions.  I wanted to answer the reporting question.  According to the MU Org Chart on the President's page, Larry is a direct report to the Pres.

[mr.MUskie]

The last AD was pushed out due to the events of last year.  Could the new AD be tightening the reins on Buzz to make sure the same thing doesn't happen to him?

[nyg]

nyg, excellent comments/questions.  I wanted to answer the reporting question.  According to the MU Org Chart on the President's page, Larry is a direct report to the Pres.

OK, then that should be the concern if Goose's source is valid.  Thanks.

[Goose]

NYG
I do believe one important of the story never was in the media and that part of the story is the root of the problem. Nobody on this site loves Buzz more than I do....I think a lot of us are tied in the man crush, but that does not make everything perfect. There are several smart guys on this site regarding MU and I believe those folks do not think my posts are crazy.

My stirring the pot, as PRN called it, is merely an attempt to inform those who love this program. I would hate to see us go backwards because of last year. Maybe Buzz was punished last spring, maybe the suspensions are a result of that. Again, this fan, alum, donor, parent of incoming freshman and another in 2013 is completely behind Buzz!