SI article: West Reset

[muwarrior69]

Agree with what most have said. Should be fun to see who steps up next season. There was a similar article in my local paper here in Princeton with the teams ranked 1-16. We were 10th. What was really nice was the photo of DJO going in for one of his signature drives against Murray State which took up one fourth of the print page. Let'e enjoy the run and another fun season.

[warriorchick]

Gentlemen,

From the time Buzz took over as head coach, the press has grossly underestimated Marquette every year.

Keep in mind that many "experts" didn't even have Marquette in the top 25 in this years' preseason rankings - and that was with a healthy Otule and Gardner.

I don't let it bother me anymore.  Next year as always, we will greatly exceed expectations.

[NotAnAlum]

Retrospectively, that is correct.  DJO was in his 1st year the year after Hayward.  Far from proven and not any different than Taylor - except Taylor was more highly rated out of HS when he signed with Oklahoma over MU.  JWilson was similar to Butler the year after the Amigo's.  Mayo could be similar to Butler, or moreso, as well.

You may be correct for next year, but at the time of those departures, the feelings were similar to this year.  

You can replace scoring but its hard to replace leadership.  The departure of the 3 amigos is similiar (probably even a bigger hole) BUT Lazar turned out to be an OUTSTANDING team leader.  I would argue the big difference in this team's success all year was Crowder's leadership.  They say the best teams are those where the best player is the leader.  Who will be the leader next year, Junior is the most likely.  Can he be what Lazar was and what Crowder is.  Pretty tall order.

[RushmoreAcademy]

I think Junior can definitely be a leader.  Buzz clearly believes in the kid and I think the players recognize that and that goes a long way.
I'm predicting that this time next year we are talking about what an amazing season Jamil had and how as good as we thought he was, we didn't see it coming.

[MUMac]

You can replace scoring but its hard to replace leadership.  The departure of the 3 amigos is similiar (probably even a bigger hole) BUT Lazar turned out to be an OUTSTANDING team leader.  I would argue the big difference in this team's success all year was Crowder's leadership.  They say the best teams are those where the best player is the leader.  Who will be the leader next year, Junior is the most likely.  Can he be what Lazar was and what Crowder is.  Pretty tall order.

I agree and every year we are concerned about who will fill the leadership void.  I think the tradition started long ago, but the Seniors pass that torch on.  The coaches make sure someone is there to accept it.  They tell them, "this is your team now".  I expect Junior to be that person.  Maybe with Otule, Blue and Wilson as well.

I am not concerned about the leadership, but again it will be different.  It will be fun to watch this develop next year.  And I guarantee we will see a thread questionning who the leader is and why they haven't stepped up.  Later in the year, we will see another thread wondering how we will replace the leadership from that team.

[Lennys Tap]

The difference between those we have to replace next year and those we had to replace in other recent years is the lack of proven talent ready to step up.

Wade and Jackson left; we had Diener and Novak.

And what followed were two 19-12, NIT seasons, with an 8-8 and 7-9 record in C-USA. But I think Buzz has built a stronger foundation - don't see us sinking that low in spite of much tougher competition.

[Coleman]

Fair enough but Marquette was also going to be in trouble after Diener when they only had a spot-up shooter and 3 freshmen...then they were in trouble when those 3 freshmen graduated...then they were in trouble when Lazar moved on...then they were in trouble when Butler moved on...now they'll be in trouble next season without Crowder and DJO. If history tells us anything, Marquette is going to be just fine in 2012-13.

This.

I feel good about returning Junior, Vander, Otule, Gardner, Mayo and Jamil. And that's not even counting on any of our recruits for serious production.

We're definitely a tourney team next year. Sweet 16 for a third straight year? Probably not, but you never know who can take you for a run in March.

[PJDunn]

Those two post Wade seasons were in large part a function of Crean.  Buzz is a different coach, I am not expecting the same drop-off.  Personally I think our offense next year is going to revolve around Devante.  His ability to score almost at will inside will open things up for Mayo, Blue, and Junior.

[Coleman]

 Personally I think our offense next year is going to revolve around Devante.  His ability to score almost at will inside will open things up for Mayo, Blue, and Junior.

Davante AND Otule, provided they both stay healthy.


We'll be tough to beat with those twin towers down low.

[CTWarrior]

Fair enough but Marquette was also going to be in trouble after Diener when they only had a spot-up shooter and 3 freshmen...then they were in trouble when those 3 freshmen graduated...then they were in trouble when Lazar moved on...then they were in trouble when Butler moved on...now they'll be in trouble next season without Crowder and DJO. If history tells us anything, Marquette is going to be just fine in 2012-13.

Depends on your definition of fine.  None of those teams you mention were even remote Final Four threats, nor will next year's team be, which was the author's correct point.  

I know a lot of you guys love Blue, and I respect that he has improved a great deal on offense, but be realistic.  His improvement on offense has really just been from "horribly wretched" to "not terrible".  He's not a particularly good shooter, ball handler or passer.  What's left?  He's a good defender/rebounder for his size, but he's got another big leap to make before you could classify him as "helpful" on offense.

I think Cadougan will be solid at the point and Otule/Gardner if healthy will combine for a darned good center.  We will need J Wilson, Mayo and Blue to make large strides forward and Anderson/Jones or one of the newcomers to have a big impact.  Even if all that happens, we probably won't be as good as this team is.  

[MU82]

Retrospectively, that is correct.  DJO was in his 1st year the year after Hayward.  Far from proven and not any different than Taylor - except Taylor was more highly rated out of HS when he signed with Oklahoma over MU.  JWilson was similar to Butler the year after the Amigo's.  Mayo could be similar to Butler, or moreso, as well.

You may be correct for next year, but at the time of those departures, the feelings were similar to this year.  

You are wrong about DJO. He was a sophomore when Hayward was a senior, and he had a darn good season as Hayward's teammate. He shot almost 50 percent from 3s, was the team's defensive player of the year and averaged 13 points. Among the returnees for next season, we have nobody even close to that in production.

[MUMac]

You are wrong about DJO. He was a sophomore when Hayward was a senior, and he had a darn good season as Hayward's teammate. He shot almost 50 percent from 3s, was the team's defensive player of the year and averaged 13 points. Among the returnees for next season, we have nobody even close to that in production.

Yep, my bad.  I forgot he played one year with Hayward. 

Frankly, I am not concerned about MU scoring points.  Buzz will find a way to get them in position to score.  MU will have scorers.  I believe Taylor will come in similarly to how DJO came into MU as a Sophomore.  Mayo will be much improved.  It is the intangibles I worry about more.