Kevin Looney kisses Marquette goodbye...........

[willie warrior]

Top 5-10 players leave their state all of the time to play for one of the national powers. It's not like Coach K, Calipari, and Self are getting most of their elite recruits each year from North Carolina, Kentucky, and Kansas.

Excuses. Like I said, we have not had a top 10 0r 5 for decades. Unacceptable.

[willie warrior]

Would you fire Buzz if doesn't land either one?

No but what is your point? That it is too difficult to land one so we should always say aw shucks and think it is alright?

[GGGG]

No but what is your point?

You claimed it was "unacceptable." 

Obviously you think it is acceptable.

[willie warrior]

You claimed it was "unacceptable." 

Obviously you think it is acceptable.

Sorry, I do not. Judging by your comment, you do!!!!!!!!!!

[Ellenson Guerrero]

Sorry, I do not. Judging by your comment, you do!!!!!!!!!!

So what is Buzz failing to do? How do we land these 5*/top10 kids? Obviously Buzz hasnt had sucess with this recruiting segment, but that's not really constructive criticism.

[Blackhat]

Omg

[netty24]

fuc* Looney

Stay classy.

[willie warrior]

So what is Buzz failing to do? How do we land these 5*/top10 kids? Obviously Buzz hasnt had sucess with this recruiting segment, but that's not really constructive criticism.

OK, what should he do? What is your constructive criticism> It appears whatever he did with Looney did not work. My point is that MU has not landed one of these types for decades--so that includes Buzz, Oneil, the Piano Man, Crean, etc. Hell, I cannot remember who the last top 10 was--maybe Rivers under Majerus. It was not meant as constructive criticism. Just my opinion that we always continue to use the excuse that we are not Ky or Duke, etc. Has Buzz come close? Not sure if he has been close on a top 10, but I continue to believe that we have plenty of advantages for those rare ones that are in our backyard: NBA arena and town, long standing NCAA tradition, fairly good fans, decent academics; a caring coach, and so on. Just think where we could be if we started landing some. And by the way, Duke was not a great program when Coach K took over there. Hopefully if Buzz landed one, more would come.

[GGGG]

Sorry, I do not. Judging by your comment, you do!!!!!!!!!!

Yes actually I do....since I am not willing to discipline any of those involved with the program if they don't.

[Ellenson Guerrero]

OK, what should he do? What is your constructive criticism> It appears whatever he did with Looney did not work. My point is that MU has not landed one of these types for decades--so that includes Buzz, Oneil, the Piano Man, Crean, etc. Hell, I cannot remember who the last top 10 was--maybe Rivers under Majerus. It was not meant as constructive criticism. Just my opinion that we always continue to use the excuse that we are not Ky or Duke, etc. Has Buzz come close? Not sure if he has been close on a top 10, but I continue to believe that we have plenty of advantages for those rare ones that are in our backyard: NBA arena and town, long standing NCAA tradition, fairly good fans, decent academics; a caring coach, and so on. Just think where we could be if we started landing some. And by the way, Duke was not a great program when Coach K took over there. Hopefully if Buzz landed one, more would come.

If your whole point was that we haven't had top 10 guys in decades and it would be great if we landed a couple, then I guess I agree. I just think its unfair to be upset with Buzz because he missed out on Looney. It's a lot to ask a kid to turn down a program like Duke or Kentucky

[NersEllenson]

Some people just want to complain to complain and that's that.  If you have a problem with back to back Sweet 16s, an Elite 8, and a roster full of talent for the upcoming and foreseeable future seasons - don't know what to tell you.  Perhaps maybe you can rip on our coach for not landing a 5* local kid.

At the end of the day Buzz is getting 4-5 star results with the talent he's been able to recruit to Marquette - which as much as some want to think has so much to sell - is still a tough sell given its geography, enrollment size, no football team, relative lack of diversity in student body, etc.

[Goose]

I agree with Willie for the most part. Obviously competing with Duke or Kentucky is difficult but easier sell today than it has been in decades. While it sounded like Looney was always going elsewhere it would have been nice to make final schools. Not saying Buzz does not go hard for the super elite kids but also seems like he prefers the underdog kids. I do believe we need to land a top ten kid to build program even further. Hoping Stone ends up being the guy and others follow down the road.

[GGGG]

I agree with Willie for the most part. Obviously competing with Duke or Kentucky is difficult but easier sell today than it has been in decades. While it sounded like Looney was always going elsewhere it would have been nice to make final schools. Not saying Buzz does not go hard for the super elite kids but also seems like he prefers the underdog kids. I do believe we need to land a top ten kid to build program even further. Hoping Stone ends up being the guy and others follow down the road.

Why care about being in his final five if you are pretty sure he's going elsewhere?  I'd rather know that he isn't coming here so Buzz can move on elsewhere.

And my disagreement with willie is that he drops the "inexcusable" word a lot...but in reality it is excusable.

[Blackhat]

Stay classy.

[Galway Eagle]

Buzz isn't going to bend over backwards for any recruits and when you have coaches telling these guys that they are the next coming of Michael Jordan (or major or Lebron whatever) then it puts us at a disadvantage.  I'd be pretty shocked if we ever break into consistently getting those top 10 players.   

[Silkk the Shaka]

Buzz isn't going to bend over backwards for any recruits and when you have coaches telling these guys that they are the next coming of Michael Jordan (or major or Lebron whatever) then it puts us at a disadvantage.  I'd be pretty shocked if we ever break into consistently getting those top 10 players.   

Totally disagree. Buzz wants the best of the best, and by and large most if not all would fit into Buzz' system & culture. Looney never really considered us for the simple fact that MU is located in Milwaukee and not called Duke. Once that was made clear, why would Buzz waste his time? Now look at Stone. He is apparently open to the idea of MU, so Buzz is on him hard. People using the Looney situation to draw any sort of conclusions about all 5 stars or all local kids or who Buzz is/isn't targeting well enough is laughable and the height of ignorance.

[The Equalizer]

Up until now, Buzz could excuse the lack of interest on the part of elites based on his own youth--he didn't have the experience or track record to show recruits.  But five years into his MU career, he's proven that he's good enough to coach successfully at a high-major level, get players prepared for the next level, and there's no reason why recruits wouldn't be taking note.   

The question at hand is what happens if Buzz ever reaches the conclusion that he cannot get those elite level players to come to MU.

Looking at it pragmatically, one of two things is likely to happen.

1.  He decides that he's happy with his legacy being the next Mark Few--a great coach who stayed at a lower level school, has a nice career, is loved by his team's fans--and has come to acceptance that his teams aren't considered at the Duke, UK, UNC, Syracuse, Louisville, etc. level.

2. He decides he wants a bigger legacy, leaves MU, and starts landing those elite players (and lets face it, nobody thinks he couldn't land those players if he went to an elite-level school). He then has a chance of going down as the next Bill Self or Coach K or Roy Williams. 

I think the people are all hoping for a unlikely third option--that he turns Marquette into the next Duke, KU or UK with nothing but underdog players.  This is just wishful thinking. 

Hence the unease when a Marquette coach can't land the elite players he's going hard after. 

[Pakuni]

This sure is a lot of silly and unnecessary teeth-gnashing over one recruit who we've known for a long time wasn't coming to Marquette. By all accounts this has nothing to do with Buzz not being able to land an elite player and everything to do with a young man who has this insane notion that college is a time to get away from home.

[willie warrior]

If your whole point was that we haven't had top 10 guys in decades and it would be great if we landed a couple, then I guess I agree. I just think its unfair to be upset with Buzz because he missed out on Looney. It's a lot to ask a kid to turn down a program like Duke or Kentucky

I am not down on Buzz because Looney has eliminated MU. I get that some guys want to go to the Big Time schools. What I do not get is why MU is not considered Big Time. There was a time that it was. Duke is considered Big Time, but it is also a small school like MU. Every time we lose out on these guys the same old refrain comes out: We can't compete with Ky. or Duke or NC; we have an urban campus; our weather is too cold; we do not have good looking chicks; etc. Excuses.

Now if Looney went to UW, then it is time to get on Buzz. Hope we land Stone.

[forgetful]

I am not down on Buzz because Looney has eliminated MU. I get that some guys want to go to the Big Time schools. What I do not get is why MU is not considered Big Time. There was a time that it was. Duke is considered Big Time, but it is also a small school like MU. Every time we lose out on these guys the same old refrain comes out: We can't compete with Ky. or Duke or NC; we have an urban campus; our weather is too cold; we do not have good looking chicks; etc. Excuses.

Now if Looney went to UW, then it is time to get on Buzz. Hope we land Stone.

But some of those other schools have elite basketball, and better weather and hot chicks.  That's like two companies competing to hire a CEO.  They both pay the same both fortune 500 companies, but one says oh yeah, your office will be on the beach and the other is in an igloo.

[Pakuni]

I am not down on Buzz because Looney has eliminated MU. I get that some guys want to go to the Big Time schools. What I do not get is why MU is not considered Big Time. There was a time that it was. Duke is considered Big Time, but it is also a small school like MU. Every time we lose out on these guys the same old refrain comes out: We can't compete with Ky. or Duke or NC; we have an urban campus; our weather is too cold; we do not have good looking chicks; etc. Excuses.

Now if Looney went to UW, then it is time to get on Buzz. Hope we land Stone.

Since 1988, Duke has been to 10 Final Fours and won four national titles.
Marquette in that same span has one Final Four and zero titles.

Do you now understand why Duke is considered "big time" and Marquette is not?
Do you now (hopefully) feel silly for even asking that question?

[keefe]

But some of those other schools have elite basketball, and better weather and hot chicks.  That's like two companies competing to hire a CEO.  They both pay the same both fortune 500 companies, but one says oh yeah, your office will be on the beach and the other is in an igloo.

For an Inuit that would be an easy choice

[keefe]

[Galway Eagle]

Totally disagree. Buzz wants the best of the best, and by and large most if not all would fit into Buzz' system & culture. Looney never really considered us for the simple fact that MU is located in Milwaukee and not called Duke. Once that was made clear, why would Buzz waste his time? Now look at Stone. He is apparently open to the idea of MU, so Buzz is on him hard. People using the Looney situation to draw any sort of conclusions about all 5 stars or all local kids or who Buzz is/isn't targeting well enough is laughable and the height of ignorance.

If that's what you think the height of ignorance is then you would in for some major shocks if you ever went to the rural south

[brewcity77]

This isn't remotely news. We haven't been after Looney for quite some time now because we knew we weren't going to be in the race at the end. Looney himself said he hadn't heard from Marquette in some time and that was months ago. Probably close to a year that we haven't been pursuing him because it's obvious from anyone following this recruitment (not wearing Badger red) where he's going to end up.

The smartest thing the staff did was to get off the Looney train early. There's no point lamenting this any more than complaining Jabari Parker went to Duke. We were never going to get him, so why waste time?