new Hunt article on Buzz

[TVDirector]

"It's funny how people want to tell me how to coach when they never have before. It's like I have amnesia and I forgot."


http://www.jsonline.com/sports/goldeneagles/buzz-williams-will-get-golden-eagles-to-fly-again-b99179349z1-239193301.html

[GoldenWarrior11]

In Buzz, we trust!

[MU82]

I'm a big Buzz fan and hope he's here for a long time, but ...

I really don't like this quote:

Junior (Cadougan) was not that good a player. Vander was OK. Trent Lockett statistically was average. We won the Big East and that's never happened here. We went to the Elite Eight.

What this says to me, the reader, is:

We were great last year not because of the players -- they were OK at best -- but because I'm one hell of a coach. And I'm still one hell of a coach even though we're not great this year. So everybody should shut the hell up.

It's kind of like when a coach says the team prepared great all week but then didn't execute on game day. Hey, don't blame me; blame them.

That might not be what he meant to say, but that's how I translate it. And I'm a Buzz guy.

[marquette20]

Buzz pretty much had to say that. He needs this team to think they can compete. Buzz has a relationship with former players that makes it okay to use this to help the current team. By undermining the importance of last years players, Buzz hopes to light a spark under this years players.

[GoldenWarrior11]

I'm a big Buzz fan and hope he's here for a long time, but ...

I really don't like this quote:

Junior (Cadougan) was not that good a player. Vander was OK. Trent Lockett statistically was average. We won the Big East and that's never happened here. We went to the Elite Eight.

What this says to me, the reader, is:

We were great last year not because of the players -- they were OK at best -- but because I'm one hell of a coach. And I'm still one hell of a coach even though we're not great this year. So everybody should shut the hell up.

It's kind of like when a coach says the team prepared great all week but then didn't execute on game day. Hey, don't blame me; blame them.

That might not be what he meant to say, but that's how I translate it. And I'm a Buzz guy.

You can read this quote in a different way: "We were a great team, not because we had great players, but because we had a lot of decent players that played beyond their potential as one." 

I don't think Buzz would slap Junior, Trent or even Vander in the face like that.  They had their weaknesses, sure, but they were talented basketball players.

[MU82]

You can read this quote in a different way: "We were a great team, not because we had great players, but because we had a lot of decent players that played beyond their potential as one." 

I don't think Buzz would slap Junior, Trent or even Vander in the face like that.  They had their weaknesses, sure, but they were talented basketball players.

I agree that's one legitimate way to read it, and maybe that really is what Buzz meant and I'm reading too much into it.

As for the second half of that ...

You might not think Buzz slapped J, T and V in the face, but, in fact, he did. Especially Junior. There's no subtleness to "Junior was not that good a player." One could argue Buzz was just telling the truth, but that wouldn't make it any less of a slap.

[77ncaachamps]

I get Buzz's in your face mannerisms.

It works...when players buy into it.

The problem is finding the players that do, then coaching them all 4 years at MU...IF they stay.

In Buzz I Trust, but some of the games this year have been dreadful.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

The "Junior was not that good" quote is aimed at fans. The athletic department is trying to get people off Derrick's back! And I agree with them (and Buzz). Junior wasn't that good! And we were much better vs. DePaul with Derrick in the game. Derricks biggest problem is lack of confidence/decision making on when to shoot. The fans riding him all the time isn't helping. He's a college kid!

[MUCam]

The "Junior was not that good" quote is aimed at fans. The athletic department is trying to get people off Derrick's back! And I agree with them (and Buzz). Junior wasn't that good! And we were much better vs. DePaul with Derrick in the game. Derricks biggest problem is lack of confidence/decision making on when to shoot. The fans riding him all the time isn't helping. He's a college kid!

Whoa. Has your heart grown three sizes today? That's about as compassionate a post as I've ever read from you.

I jest, kind of.

I agree with you, completely.

[GooooMarquette]

The "Junior was not that good" quote is aimed at fans. The athletic department is trying to get people off Derrick's back! And I agree with them (and Buzz). Junior wasn't that good! And we were much better vs. DePaul with Derrick in the game. Derricks biggest problem is lack of confidence/decision making on when to shoot. The fans riding him all the time isn't helping. He's a college kid!

Very well said.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Sometimes I think Buzz would have the Bradley Center booing instead of cheering.

He loves the "us vs the world" approach to motivation.

[willie warrior]

You can read this quote in a different way: "We were a great team, not because we had great players, but because we had a lot of decent players that played beyond their potential as one." 

I don't think Buzz would slap Junior, Trent or even Vander in the face like that.  They had their weaknesses, sure, but they were talented basketball players.

Buzz slaps players all the time--listen to his quotes. Maybe sometimes some of the players need slapping, but the guy is full of Buzzspeak--says volumes about little. And if you don't like what he is doing--the hell with you, because in his world, Buzz is the man. You cannot question his decisions. That is what this quote was all about. He is not the humble cowboy that many think he is. And the "In Buzz I trust crowd" has difficulty seeing past their noses. Buzz has done a good job up to this year, but is stubborn and appears to be close minded. Ok, now come the slams, character assasinations, name calling, and various insults from the Kool Aiders.

[esotericmindguy]

I'm a big Buzz fan and hope he's here for a long time, but ...

I really don't like this quote:

Junior (Cadougan) was not that good a player. Vander was OK. Trent Lockett statistically was average. We won the Big East and that's never happened here. We went to the Elite Eight.

It's a true statement.

[GGGG]

Buzz slaps players all the time--listen to his quotes. Maybe sometimes some of the players need slapping, but the guy is full of Buzzspeak--says volumes about little. And if you don't like what he is doing--the hell with you, because in his world, Buzz is the man. You cannot question his decisions. That is what this quote was all about. He is not the humble cowboy that many think he is. And the "In Buzz I trust crowd" has difficulty seeing past their noses. Buzz has done a good job up to this year, but is stubborn and appears to be close minded. Ok, now come the slams, character assasinations, name calling, and various insults from the Kool Aiders.

1. I still don't know what "Buzzspeak" is.

2. Buzz can be questioned all the time, but when it comes to basketball related decisions, he has a proven track record, and Scoopers (including myself) don't.  Does that mean he is infallible?  No.  But does that give him the benefit of the doubt?  IMO yes.

3.  I agree that the humble cowboy thing is basically an exaggeration...and yeah he is stubborn.  Many successful people are.

4. You continue to portray yourself as quite the victim.  It is amazing that you were even able to step down from your cross and type this post.

[tower912]

Buzz has a long history of speaking truth about his team.  09-10, he talked about not getting along with Cubi at first but coming to appreciate him.    Brought Crowder off of the bench and criticized his stupid fouls.  (what?   bringing your best player off of the bench?   the horror!)  Talked about Blue taking his first charge of his MU career late last year.  That Jamil thinks too much.   That Davante's work habits aren't great.  That last year's team couldn't shoot.  That this team lacked leadership as far back as September.   Junior didn't have great numbers.   Statistically, Lockett was average.   There isn't a single thing in there that wasn't accurate or mentioned in many posts around here.  And it isn't like Buzz isn't frequently publically critical of himself and self deprecating.   If anything, he is TOO honest and blunt.   I'm sure he is getting a whole bunch of texts from morons  who think they know more about his team than he does.   Such is the curse of the modern social media age.   And it has been obvious all year that even after going S16, S16, E8, a bunch of the basement dwellers of this board think he has suddenly gotten stupid.  



Astounding.  

[The Lens]

Does anyone have Buzz's #?  I need to text him and to pick up some Skyline for me.

Thanks in advance,

The Lens

[ronald dragon]

The "Junior was not that good" quote is aimed at fans. The athletic department is trying to get people off Derrick's back! And I agree with them (and Buzz). Junior wasn't that good! And we were much better vs. DePaul with Derrick in the game. Derricks biggest problem is lack of confidence/decision making on when to shoot. The fans riding him all the time isn't helping. He's a college kid!

+1

[Daniel]

The funny thing about people being critical of Buzz is this: he has provided so much to this program, and to us the fans, that now we think we are entitled to a Sweet 16 or better every year.  Every year.  Buzz is so good that this is what we expect.  I remember some NIT years with Crean yet when he let we were devastated.  

Of all the "earning" talk that goes on around the basketball program (earning playing time, earning the chance to win etc), the one thing we overlook sometimes is that Buzz has earned our respect over his tenure here, like no one else in recent history.  

So I say, let's deliver.

[Lennys Tap]

And if you don't like what he is doing--the hell with you, because in his world, Buzz is the man.

Isn't the head coach supposed to be "the man"? Would you prefer he have a suggestion box? How is caring about what you like or don't like going to make Marquette better?

[Daniel]

The "Junior was not that good" quote is aimed at fans. The athletic department is trying to get people off Derrick's back! And I agree with them (and Buzz). Junior wasn't that good! And we were much better vs. DePaul with Derrick in the game. Derricks biggest problem is lack of confidence/decision making on when to shoot. The fans riding him all the time isn't helping. He's a college kid!

+1  Fans were very critical of Junior during his 4 years here, and this year say how much we miss him!  Not many know more about coaching than Buzz.  Us fans like to think we know.  We don't know jack! (really don't see practices, interactions, attitudes etc.)

[willie warrior]

1. I still don't know what "Buzzspeak" is.

2. Buzz can be questioned all the time, but when it comes to basketball related decisions, he has a proven track record, and Scoopers (including myself) don't.  Does that mean he is infallible?  No.  But does that give him the benefit of the doubt?  IMO yes.

3.  I agree that the humble cowboy thing is basically an exaggeration...and yeah he is stubborn.  Many successful people are.

4. You continue to portray yourself as quite the victim.  It is amazing that you were even able to step down from your cross and type this post.

reading is fundamental, Sultan. Buzz speak is defined above. How have I portrayed myself as a victim. The name calling etc. happens all the time. Keep slurping Sultan.

[MU82]

Buzz has a long history of speaking truth about his team.  09-10, he talked about not getting along with Cubi at first but coming to appreciate him.    Brought Crowder off of the bench and criticized his stupid fouls.  (what?   bringing your best player off of the bench?   the horror!)  Talked about Blue taking his first charge of his MU career late last year.  That Jamil thinks too much.   That Davante's work habits aren't great.  That last year's team couldn't shoot.  That this team lacked leadership as far back as September.   Junior didn't have great numbers.   Statistically, Lockett was average.  

I think there is a pretty big difference between strategically taking pokes at current players to motivate them and belittling players who have moved on after serving the program.

I can see the motivational ploy behind saying publicly that Derrick should be starting over Junior -- as Buzz said repeatedly last season even though he obviously was never going to start the vastly inferior Derrick. I don't see the point today of trashing Junior, who was instrumental in helping Buzz go S16-S16-E8.

To take heat off Derrick? To placate fans? To make himself feel better? None of that rings true to me.

[CTWarrior]

I read it as Buzz not making excuses for this team or himself.  To me, by saying we won the BE regular season last year and made the Elite 8 and the guys we lost weren't THAT good, he is saying that we still have the talent to be very good and that Buzz and the current players should be able to figure out a way to make that happen. 

Perhaps that is what Buzzspeak is.  He says stuff that is incomplete or vague and can mean whatever you want it to mean. 

By the way, for everybody who gets bent out of shape about criticisms of Buzz or the team, this is a message board for fans of MU basketball!  For goodness sake, if we didn't complain about the coach's decisions, conjecture about alternate lineups, and alternately praise and knock the players, what would we talk about?  It's OK to think Buzz is great but think and discuss that he is screwing up this or that royally.  Hell, you're probably wrong, but so what?  That's what being a fan is all about.

[GGGG]

reading is fundamental, Sultan. Buzz speak is defined above. How have I portrayed myself as a victim. The name calling etc. happens all the time. Keep slurping Sultan.

I've had enough debating stuff with someone who is incapable of anything but "willie speak." 

You aren't worth the effort to actually put on ignore, but from here on in you are basically ignored.

[madtownwarrior]

I define this as "Buzzspeak"  -  Publicly saying that Derrick should be starting over Junior -- as Buzz said repeatedly last season even though he obviously was never going to start the vastly inferior Derrick.

and the constant "were no good / this player is no good"   - obviously MU is good (the past 3 years) and the players & Buzz are very good to be at a major D1 program and make 2 sweet 16's and an Elite 8 the past 3 years.


Calling it "Buzzspeak" does not mean one thinks Buzz is a bad coach or distrust of Buzz, it's acknowledging how he uses his statements


not sure why Sultan has his panties in such a bunch over term Buzzspeak...