Free-Throw-Practice Chanters? Where you at?

[Niv Berkowitz]

Funny, I don't see that this year.

Buzz on the post game was hysterical. When asked why they are hitting so many, he sarcastically told Homer, "I guess it's because we practice them sooo much." Was great.

[Slim]

They probably moved to the Badger board.

[Tugg Speedman]

Besides this board, where else was Buzz getting grief for not practicing free throws?  That seems to be too inside baseball for anyone that is not hard-core like us posters.

So, was that also an admission that Buzz regularly reads this board?

[macman320]

I think it was a big deal in the JS a few years back. Maybe he reads that comments section.
He did sum it up well this time "making free throws is just about being tough. Are you tough enough to hit it. That's it."

[warriorchick]

For that matter, where are the student section haters?

BTW my daughter tells me that student section tickets to the ND game are going for 50 bucks apiece.  If you don't go to the game, AND you don't sell your ticket, you aren't smart enough to go to Marquette.  Sorry.

[KenoshaWarrior]

It stems from the consecutive WVU and Villanova losses where MU had a chance to salt game away at Line and DJO missed like 4 in a row.  I believe that Bill Michaels spouted off on WTMJ that Marquette needed to practice free throws if they were going to win.  

[TallTitan34]

On the post game Buzz said they don't practice free throws because he thinks the players should be tough enough to make them in the game.

I agree. Don't waste time on free throws.

[connie]

Good set-up by Mac for that question.

[chapman]

Buzz has it right.  You're only allowed so much practice time each week.  I would hope we have more complex things to spend our time on than shooting free throws.  It's not as if the guys don't pick up a ball and shoot them on their own and then crap their pants when they get fouled in the game.

[Pakuni]

Maybe they're hanging with the people still unhappy with "the process" and recruiting JUCOs.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Maybe they're hanging with the people still unhappy with "the process" and recruiting JUCOs.

We seem to be doing just fine without any JUCOs and they get to stay for 4 years instead of 2.

[martyconlonontherun]

For that matter, where are the student section haters?

BTW my daughter tells me that student section tickets to the ND game are going for 50 bucks apiece.  If you don't go to the game, AND you don't sell your ticket, you aren't smart enough to go to Marquette.  Sorry.

At 50 bucks I would sell mine and just pick one up the night before for ten. People always think the tickets are hard to get but we all have a friend who is too hungover/needs to study.

[Pakuni]

We seem to be doing just fine without any JUCOs and they get to stay for 4 years instead of 2.

Ummm. OK.
Can we agree that all the p*ssing and moaning about Buzz's recruiting of JUCOs from some quarters around here has been shown to be foolish?
As has the p*ssing and moaning about free-throw practice?

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Part of this is Buzz just being Buzz.

I'm POSITIVE the guys practice free throws, but they don't do it during organized practice hours (which are limited by the NCAA).

Buzz could clarify that point, but he doesn't because he's poking the media/fans a little bit, with the "We don't practice free throws".

As long as he keeps winning, he can be eccentric as he wants. I like it.

[avid1010]

We seem to be doing just fine without any JUCOs and they get to stay for 4 years instead of 2.

how much of "doing just fine" has to do with recruits seeing the likes of djo, crowder, and jimmy collect money from the league, or from the standard they set as being hard working individuals, or from the sweet 16's they lead us to.  

it's amazing that you will complain about anyone that understates TC's impact on our program, yet you make a comment about the success of our current team that doesn't give any respect to those that are responsible for their success...most, including our coach, having strong juco ties.  i'll take jimmy, jae, joe, and djo for 2-3 years any day.  

[Jay Bee]

We seem to be doing just fine without any JUCOs and they get to stay for 4 years instead of 2.

I can think of a number of JUCOs who stayed for 3.

Can also think of a lot of non-JUCOs throughout college who stayed for less than 4 years.

Lumping all JUCOs together is an assault on humanity.

[Silkk the Shaka]

We seem to be doing just fine without any JUCOs and they get to stay for 4 years instead of 2.

We also had a BEast POY & fellow 1st team all-BEast last year from JUCO, and three total NBA picks from JUCO in the last two years.  Point is, get great players.  If they're from high school, great.  If they're from prep school, great.  If they're from JUCO, great.  If they're from overseas, great.  If they're from Wisconsin or Illinois, great.  If they're from Texas, California, Virginia, Canada, Tennessee, great.  Who cares how they got here or where they come from?  If anything, I pull for a JUCO player more because they likely had a tougher path in life.  But ultimately that's irrelevant if the guy can't play.  I'm glad McKay is joining the team next year, because he seems like a hell of a player.

[Silkk the Shaka]

Buzz has it right.  You're only allowed so much practice time each week.  I would hope we have more complex things to spend our time on than shooting free throws.  It's not as if the guys don't pick up a ball and shoot them on their own and then crap their pants when they get fouled in the game.

Yep.  Spend practice time on team concepts.  Have the players practice FT's on their own time.  If they're motivated to get more PT, they'll practice them on their own time.  If they're not, well then they probably won't be getting PT anyway.

[Big Papi]

And Bo has his teams practice free throws at the end of practices and that approach has done wonders for Ryan Evans.....ooops.....never mind.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Ummm. OK.
Can we agree that all the p*ssing and moaning about Buzz's recruiting of JUCOs from some quarters around here has been shown to be foolish?
As has the p*ssing and moaning about free-throw practice?

No.  I still think the recruiting of JUCO's is a bad idea for reasons stated over the years.  4 years vs 2 years is one of the major reasons.  I can't wait to see Steve Taylor in years 3 and 4. Same for Vander next year.  Same for DG.  The transition years are their freshman years, not their junior years.  Some guys transition really well their junior year while others take half the season.  I'd rather they do that their freshman year, build up what they expect from the coach and program so their final two years they are absolutely all on the same page .  Better for balance of recruiting classes, better for stability in the program.  It's still why most of the top programs go for high school kids and I'm glad Buzz is now doing that.

[MU B2002]

Yea. Because buzz never went for high school kids before...

[ChicosBailBonds]

Yea. Because buzz never went for high school kids before...

He'll be doing it a lot more now because it makes more sense to do it for the reasons mentioned.  It was a short term fix...long term there is a reason why the top programs gravitate toward high school players and OCCASSIONALLY bring in a JUCO.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

See though, after Duane Wilson. Im most excited about Jameel McKay next year. Dude is a monster. No problem with the JUCO recruiting.

[Tugg Speedman]

See though, after Duane Wilson. Im most excited about Jameel McKay next year. Dude is a monster. No problem with the JUCO recruiting.

And JJJ and Burton are higher rated than those two.  A true monster class coming.

[jesmu84]

He'll be doing it a lot more now because it makes more sense to do it for the reasons mentioned.  It was a short term fix...long term there is a reason why the top programs gravitate toward high school players and OCCASSIONALLY bring in a JUCO.

It's pretty obvious Buzz likes students at JUCOs because of his connection to them (similar personal story/development). Assuming he continues to bring in a high caliber every year or so, do you think that Buzz's personal beliefs will then be a detriment to his long term coaching potential?