Great Motivator, Good Role Model, Poor Basketball Coach

[ATL MU Warrior]

Buzz has always been able to adjust and put his teams in the best positions to win. He was able to coach them up and get the most out of them. He for whatever reason this year refuses to make any meaningful changes and in the process has alienated a majority of the fan base. This season is lost and a large amount of the blame falls on his stubbornness. I have to imagine his act gets rather tiresome for his players when they aren't winning and he continues to trot out a starting backcourt that couldn't hold UWGB's backcourts jockstraps.

Have you ever stopped to think that maybe, just maybe, he *is* coaching them up this year and getting the most out of what he has?  That maybe what we have seen is what this roster is capable of delivering? 

[willie warrior]

Have you ever stopped to think that maybe, just maybe, he *is* coaching them up this year and getting the most out of what he has?  That maybe what we have seen is what this roster is capable of delivering? 

Yeah, he might be--that is his job after all--coaching. Maybe what we have seen is what HIS roster is capable of--key word HIS-and that is on him.

So let's not anoint Buzz as Saint Buzz. He has done a good job up to this year, and we are now approaching a .500 season with the best front court we have had in years and the last two recruiting classes fairly highly rated. So coach them up to prior years level Coach, and earn that big time salary.

[Archies Bat]

Have you ever stopped to think that maybe, just maybe, he *is* coaching them up this year and getting the most out of what he has?  That maybe what we have seen is what this roster is capable of delivering? 

I think about that all the time.  But it makes for boring Scoop.

[Archies Bat]

Yeah, he might be--that is his job after all--coaching. Maybe what we have seen is what HIS roster is capable of--key word HIS-and that is on him.

So let's not anoint Buzz as Saint Buzz. He has done a good job up to this year, and we are now approaching a .500 season with the best front court we have had in years and the last two recruiting classes fairly highly rated. So coach them up to prior years level Coach, and earn that big time salary.

I guess we need less bigs and more switchables.

[Wojo'sMojo]

Have you ever stopped to think that maybe, just maybe, he *is* coaching them up this year and getting the most out of what he has?  That maybe what we have seen is what this roster is capable of delivering? 

I don't believe we have seen what this team can deliver because 3 of our most talented players don't see the floor. If we have exhausted all avenues and tried different player combo, then I could say that this is who we are as a team. I can't because Buzz has been unwilling to shake things up for the good of the team. I think everyone would agree that making the tourney is the goal. We aren't going so why maintain the stays quo? Start playing the talent and get them the experience...maybe we could catch lightning in a bottle in the BE tourney and get in. We have no chance playing the same guys have been out there all year.

[ATL MU Warrior]

I don't believe we have seen what this team can deliver because 3 of our most talented players don't see the floor. If we have exhausted all avenues and tried different player combo, then I could say that this is who we are as a team. I can't because Buzz has been unwilling to shake things up for the good of the team. I think everyone would agree that making the tourney is the goal. We aren't going so why maintain the stays quo? Start playing the talent and get them the experience...maybe we could catch lightning in a bottle in the BE tourney and get in. We have no chance playing the same guys have been out there all year.

Ah yes, our most talented players are the freshmen.  of course.  Based on their recruiting rankings...from HS.  ok.

If they were the most talented players, they would see the floor.

Unless Buzz is tanking the season in order to parlay a down season into a huge new contract somewhere else.  Makes total sense.

[Wojo'sMojo]

Ah yes, our most talented players are the freshmen.  of course.  Based on their recruiting rankings...from HS.  ok.

If they were the most talented players, they would see the floor.

Unless Buzz is tanking the season in order to parlay a down season into a huge new contract somewhere else.  Makes total sense.

Sorry, you're right...Derrick and Jake are just oozing with potential and have brought many wins to Marquette this season.

[GGGG]

Sorry, you're right...Derrick and Jake are just oozing with potential and have brought many wins to Marquette this season.

You are shifting the goalposts.  You now say "potential."  Just because they may have more potential, doesn't mean they should play now.

[GGGG]

Buzz has always been able to adjust and put his teams in the best positions to win. He was able to coach them up and get the most out of them. He for whatever reason this year refuses to make any meaningful changes and in the process has alienated a majority of the fan base. This season is lost and a large amount of the blame falls on his stubbornness. I have to imagine his act gets rather tiresome for his players when they aren't winning and he continues to trot out a starting backcourt that couldn't hold UWGB's backcourts jockstraps.

The best coach can't turn chicken sh*t into chicken salad.

[Eldon]

You are shifting the goalposts.  You now say "potential."  Just because they may have more potential, doesn't mean they should play now.

Let's get that potential realized ASAP.  Hopefully in time for the BE tourney.  And if nothing else, we hit the ground running next season.

[Wojo'sMojo]

You are shifting the goalposts.  You now say "potential."  Just because they may have more potential, doesn't mean they should play now.

Do you enjoy watching this team? What purpose does it serve spinning our wheels around .500 all season? I would rather bottom out and get the future more pt. Talent, potential, call it whatever you want. The players sitting on the bench have it and the starting backcourt does not. My point is this season is going nowhere and at this point we have nothing to lose. Unless we are trying to protect that .500 record.

[ChicosBailBonds]

I guess we need less bigs and more switchables.

It's a guard's game, starting with the point guard.   I'm fine with switchables, of course get some quality bigs (very difficult to do), but you if you don't have the PG don't mean squat.

The game has changed, the spacing has changed, you need a PG that can control the tempo, score some, distribute. 

[GGGG]

Do you enjoy watching this team? What purpose does it serve spinning our wheels around .500 all season? I would rather bottom out and get the future more pt. Talent, potential, call it whatever you want. The players sitting on the bench have it and the starting backcourt does not. My point is this season is going nowhere and at this point we have nothing to lose. Unless we are trying to protect that .500 record.

You play the players who give you the best chance to win right now.  That is what Buzz is doing.  You disagree.

[MU82]

Do you enjoy watching this team? What purpose does it serve spinning our wheels around .500 all season? I would rather bottom out and get the future more pt. Talent, potential, call it whatever you want. The players sitting on the bench have it and the starting backcourt does not. My point is this season is going nowhere and at this point we have nothing to lose. Unless we are trying to protect that .500 record.

If I didn't enjoy watching, I would stop.

That being said, I would have played Dawson significantly more than 8 minutes yesterday, would have given JJJ at least some run if healthy enough, and would have played Mayo twice as many minutes as Jake.

[Eldon]

Do you enjoy watching this team? What purpose does it serve spinning our wheels around .500 all season? I would rather bottom out and get the future more pt. Talent, potential, call it whatever you want. The players sitting on the bench have it and the starting backcourt does not. My point is this season is going nowhere and at this point we have nothing to lose. Unless we are trying to protect that .500 record.

This.

[brandx]

+1 to Sultan.  I don't post often, but have been a diehard fan since my freshman year.  That year the fans heavily criticized the coach for starting a senior forward over two future team captains.  That was Bill Neary, and somehow the coach won exactly the right number of games with that lineup.  I don't agree totally with the way Buzz is doing it, but I'm in sales, not coaching.

By the way, nice exit, Al!

Buzz is more than a solid coach.  This original post belongs to a fair weather fan at best.

Al was also criticized for starting Jim Boylan over local favorite and outstanding shooter Gary Rosenberger the same year. Most fans thought the last 2 spots should hae gone to Toone & Rosey rather than Neary & Boylan. And I can imagine what this board would have been like when they had their 3 game losing streak (and 4 out of 6). in the middle of the season.

[ATL MU Warrior]

If I didn't enjoy watching, I would stop.

That being said, I would have played Dawson significantly more than 8 minutes yesterday, would have given JJJ at least some run if healthy enough, and would have played Mayo twice as many minutes as Jake.

Did Dawson even play in the 2nd half?  I agree that he should have seen more time, a 50/50 split at PG is something I am comfortable with in general.  Obviously, in-game performance and tactical considerations have more importance. 

I don't think Mayo for Jake is the answer.  I think both of them on the floor together is the answer. 

[GGGG]

Did Dawson even play in the 2nd half?

Two short stints that added up to about two minutes.

During the second of those two, he came in at the under 12:00 TO down five.  Taylor missed two shots, gave up an offensive rebound, and MU gave up another lay up.  Down nine.  Buzz calls a 20 second TO, and Dawson is gone for the rest of the day and Taylor just gets some spot time toward the end of the half.

I do think that Dawson should have gotten more time, if anything so that Derrick could have gotten more of a blow.

[willie warrior]

The best coach can't turn chicken sh*t into chicken salad.

That's right Sultan, but then who brought in the chicken sh$t? Answer: Da Coach!

[GGGG]

That's right Sultan, but then who brought in the chicken sh$t? Answer: Da Coach!

Exactly.  Which is why I have acknowledged that he has made some mistakes recruiting wise that has lead to the problems this year....and next year as well.

[Ellenson Guerrero]

Exactly.  Which is why I have acknowledged that he has made some mistakes recruiting wise that has lead to the problems this year....and next year as well.

I hardly think Buzz' mistakes have been in recruiting. This team is struggling because it lacks the upperclass leadership that we have had in years past and the guards we play can't initiate offense. Its pretty tough to project what a HS junior's leadership qualities will be when they are college senior. And I think Buzz was projecting that Duane would be our starting PG right now.

My critique of Buzz is that he hasn't realized that Jake and Derrick don't have what it takes for us to win in the present and we should be playing guys with an eye toward next season. Its a tough pill to swallow for a competitive coach like Buzz, but its what he has to do. If we don't see significantly more of the freshman down the stretch I will be disappointed.

[ChicosBailBonds]

I hardly think Buzz' mistakes have been in recruiting. This team is struggling because it lacks the upperclass leadership that we have had in years past and the guards we play can't initiate offense. Its pretty tough to project what a HS junior's leadership qualities will be when they are college senior. And I think Buzz was projecting that Duane would be our starting PG right now.

My critique of Buzz is that he hasn't realized that Jake and Derrick don't have what it takes for us to win in the present and we should be playing guys with an eye toward next season. Its a tough pill to swallow for a competitive coach like Buzz, but its what he has to do. If we don't see significantly more of the freshman down the stretch I will be disappointed.

He's made some recruiting mistakes...all coaches do...Buzz is no different.

[hoops12]

Keep in mind, at this time last year Buzz was planning on having the choice of Vander Blue, Duane Wilson, Todd Mayo, Derrick Wilson and John Dawson in his backcourt. If they are all here, Jake Thomas would not be on the roster. He came back once Vander left. This is a totally different team with Vander and Duane. I can't even begin to exaggerate the difference those two loses were for the program. Recruiting is just fine! With Vander and Duane, we would be ranked and that ranking might be very high. Some things that happen are out of a coaches control. GO MU!

[Atticus]

Keep in mind, at this time last year Buzz was planning on having the choice of Vander Blue, Duane Wilson, Todd Mayo, Derrick Wilson and John Dawson in his backcourt. If they are all here, Jake Thomas would not be on the roster. He came back once Vander left. This is a totally different team with Vander and Duane. I can't even begin to exaggerate the difference those two loses were for the program. Recruiting is just fine! With Vander and Duane, we would be ranked and that ranking might be very high. Some things that happen are out of a coaches control. GO MU!

Buzz wasn't the only coach that unexpectedly lost a player after last year.

[tower912]

Tis true.   But buzz lost 2 guards, one established as a leader and a scorer, the other reputed to be a dynamic point guard.   What is this team lacking?