Horrendously coached year...

[Archies Bat]

Why isn't it working this year? I don't know. Maybe it's the players in particularly the seniors who lack court knowledge or as much skill as prior seniors or leaders?  Maybe it's Buzz. Either way, again, this effing board and what it's turned into this year - even a win - is a farce.

So after 8 years of making the tournament, a) Buzz sucks, b) nobody in their right mind would ever want to play for him/Marquette, c) half the team is gone because we all know more than Buzz and he's o violist being unfair to Dawson and JJJ.

We've become spoiled here. Most programs haven't had the consistent success we have had. Time to lighten up Francis.

Well said All American

[wadesworld]

Not what he told me last Wednesday.

Oh.

[jesmu84]

Than why isn't it working this year?  
If everyone stays four years and ego's are removed from the equation this is a solid long term plan.  Again this goes back to me asking how many players have made it 4 years under Buzz?

The plan may be working this year as it's showing JJJ, Burton, etc what it takes to play at a high D1 program. We may not be seeing that translate into on-court success because we don't have a great starting 5. But, again, if Buzz keeps recruiting high caliber players, then it could work down the road. The guys who are playing this year are not the same caliber players as what Buzz has been recruiting the lately.

[BenCat12]

No significant difference in on court results?

You realize that since Buzz shortened his line up and went with the more experienced guys, that they have won four out of five?

They haven't beaten anyone all year that is worth putting on a resume, with the experienced guys and they have done nothing to improve the future, by limiting the minutes of the young guys.  Basically a lost season.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Sigh....even after a win all of our players are going to transfer.

I posted this in another thread. No one disputed it. If you think it is wrong, I would welcome debate on why it is or isn't true.

Will the freshmen transfer because of playing time?
Let's think about this logically. If you accept the premise that the freshmen want more playing time right now, then why would they transfer? Next season at least one of them will HAVE to start (unless we have a really good freshmen) and if they aren't starting, they will be the first options off the bench. If they transfer, then they will get ZERO playing time next year as they will have to sit out. In two years, they will be the stars of this team as their will be only one Senior ahead of them. Meanwhile, if they transferred, they would be just getting to play now and would probably be getting the same if not less PT that they would have gotten for Marquette. The ONLY time transferring for PT makes sense is if you think that a player younger than you is going to be above you on the depth chart. That's why I hold that Dawson may transfer because Duane is now in a lower class than he is. I hope he doesn't, kid has talent. These players picked Marquette for more reasons than just PT. Trust those other reasons.

Also, these freshmen are in the top 7 in freshmen minutes during the Buzz era. Only Mayo, Vander, Gardner, and Maymon had more. If Buzz is half the man I think he is, I am sure he would have given these frosh heads up about what kind of PT they could expect.

Will frosh playing time this year negatively impact recruiting?
This is an argument I am more willing to accept. However, I think it is flawed. I truly believe that Buzz plays the players who give us the best chance of winning. If we accept this premise, then we must assume that the freshmen would be getting even less playing time at teams that are better than us. Buzz can counter any concerns a recruit has about PT but simply stating that the players who give us the best chance to win will play. Every HS student thinks that they will help a college team win. And if they don't think that they can help us win, then we probably don't want them.

So yes, I think an opposing coach could point to freshmen PT and try to sway recruits away from us. But the only teams that can do that are teams who are worse than us, so we have the upper hand on them in other ways. Our freshmen would not be starting at 95% of the teams that are better than us this year.

Recruits choose schools for more than immediate playing time.


Look, the future is bright. Most fans can't or refuse to see it because they don't like where they are now. But these doom and gloom predictions are baseless. They are just angry fans looking for a way to blow off steam. The freshmen love Marquette, they love Buzz, and they accept the playing time that they are given.

That being said, someone is going to transfer. The more and more I hear about Malek Harris, the more and more it sounds like he is coming to Marquette. That requires at least one player to go. The only three who I believe are threats to transfer are (in descending order of likelihood): John Dawson, Juan Anderson, and Jajuan Johnson. Taylor, Burton, and Duane aren't going anywhere.

Dawson may fear being behind Duane on the depth chart who is now a year younger. If that is the case, Dawson would never start and may be better served to play elsewhere. Anderson is already behind several younger players on the depth chart. Unless he discovers some untapped potential in the offseason, it may be best for him to Lockett-transfer somewhere else where he can be a star. Jajuan Johnson could fear that he will be behind both Mayo and Hill next season. If Hill surplants him, JJJ may end up a bench player for his whole career. If this is the case, he transferring may be the best option.

But, no matter which of the three transfer, they will end up at a lesser program than Marquette.  If a player needs to go down a competition level in order to be successful, do we really need them at Marquette? No. In addition, we will replace them with someone even better. This has happened every time someone has left a Buzz Williams team (except maybe in Maymon's case. Who did we replace him with?)

So, yes, a transfer will happen. It will not be because Buzz did not play them enough. It will be because Buzz gave them as much time as they deserved, and they simply weren't good enough to cut it as a Marquette Warrior.

[GGGG]

They haven't beaten anyone all year that is worth putting on a resume, with the experienced guys and they have done nothing to improve the future, by limiting the minutes of the young guys.  Basically a lost season.

Oh this argument again.  Put players that aren't ready out there so they can be better next year.

[GGGG]

(except maybe in Maymon's case. Who did we replace him with?)

Jae Crowder.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

"Ruthless" fans who just speculate who is going to transfer and blast our coach who has never missed the tournament...and this after a victory? Why should you be "disgusted" with this season? It's been a rough ride...so what? Does ripping teenagers make you feel better? Not speaking of you in particular, but the treatment of Derrick Wilson on this board is atrocious and offensive. We are a Jesuit institution and we have grown men throwing fits about the fact that he plays too many minutes, while guys who were "high school stars" (Whoppee!) are not playing enough for them. It's absolutely pathetic.

I don't agree with PRN often,

But when I do, it's about this

[jimmybutlerfanatic]

OJ Mayo does a daddy McDermott and Todd is officially a walk on like Doug.

No one transfers and they all play basketball together happily ever after.

EOM

[BenCat12]

Oh this argument again.  Put players that aren't ready out there so they can be better next year.

The argument is that I don't agree they aren't ready.  But how dare I question Buzz!

[wadesworld]

OJ Mayo does a daddy McDermott and Todd is officially a walk on like Doug.

No one transfers and they all play basketball together happily ever after.

EOM

OJ Mayo is not an employee of Marquette University, and Todd is not his son, so therefore Todd will not be getting free tuition, and thus will not be walking on at Marquette.

[brandx]

I understand the frustration during a tough season - one that is much worse than we expected.

But when the same uninformed people start telling all of us who is going to transfer, then it starts to get on my nerves.

Obviously my first thought, and those of most of the rational people here is that they don't know what they are talking about. And most people here know that is correct. Are some of these posters who make atrocious posts here in the inner circle of these players and are being told by the player that he is going to transfer? Of course not. It's just attention getting frustration.

I would venture a guess that not a single person posting here knows if anyone will or will not transfer. But of course that doesn't stop them from saying as much.

[GGGG]

The argument is that I don't agree they aren't ready.  But how dare I question Buzz!

Well here's my point of view...

On the one hand, we have a successful coach who sees these guys for a number of hours every day and has come to the conclusion that they aren't ready.

On the other hand, we have internet message board guy.

Guess who I am going to give the benefit of the doubt to?  Especially since what he has been doing has been successful recently.  Hint:  Not you.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Wilson may not have to sit out due to this redshirt season with injury and such. That could explain why he didn't move at semester break.

Wrong. You can only get a medical redshirt if the injury prevented you from playing the entire season. Duane could have played for a month now. Unless the coach leaves or the whole graduation in 3 years thing you have to sit out a year before transfering. People on this board are pathetic...

[BenCat12]

I understand the frustration during a tough season - one that is much worse than we expected.

But when the same uninformed people start telling all of us who is going to transfer, then it starts to get on my nerves.

Obviously my first thought, and those of most of the rational people here is that they don't know what they are talking about. And most people here know that is correct. Are some of these posters who make atrocious posts here in the inner circle of these players and are being told by the player that he is going to transfer? Of course not. It's just attention getting frustration.

I would venture a guess that not a single person posting here knows if anyone will or will not transfer. But of course that doesn't stop them from saying as much.

Just dumb.....see I can do it too.

[Archies Bat]

I would venture a guess that not a single person posting here knows if anyone will or will not transfer. But of course that doesn't stop them from saying as much.

You forgot about Dreadman.

[brandx]

The argument is that I don't agree they aren't ready.  But how dare I question Buzz!

As your posts have shown, you certainly are much more knowledgeable than Buzz when it comes to basketball.

And we all respect your knowledge too          

[BenCat12]

Well here's my point of view...

On the one hand, we have a successful coach who sees these guys for a number of hours every day and has come to the conclusion that they aren't ready.

On the other hand, we have internet message board guy.

Guess who I am going to give the benefit of the doubt to?  Especially since what he has been doing has been successful recently.  Hint:  Not you.

So you come here to defend Buzz's every move without an original thought of your own?  Got it.

[brandx]

You forgot about Dreadman.

Yeah - he's my go-to-guy for insider info 

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

I understand the frustration during a tough season - one that is much worse than we expected.

But when the same uninformed people start telling all of us who is going to transfer, then it starts to get on my nerves.

Obviously my first thought, and those of most of the rational people here is that they don't know what they are talking about. And most people here know that is correct. Are some of these posters who make atrocious posts here in the inner circle of these players and are being told by the player that he is going to transfer? Of course not. It's just attention getting frustration.

I would venture a guess that not a single person posting here knows if anyone will or will not transfer. But of course that doesn't stop them from saying as much.

Agree. Hell I even talk to the players semi-regularly and I couldnt even tell you if anybody is going to transfer.

[Dawson Rental]

We'll lose 2 of Duane Wilson, Jajuan Johnson, Deonte Burton and Steve Taylor.

And yet, MUScoop will still have you.  Therein lies the problem.

[PGsHeroes32]

OJ Mayo is not an employee of Marquette University, and Todd is not his son, so therefore Todd will not be getting free tuition, and thus will not be walking on at Marquette.

He's saying OJ would pay for Todd to go to school. He would use his own NBA money. You really couldn't understand that?

[BenCat12]

As your posts have shown, you certainly are much more knowledgeable than Buzz when it comes to basketball.

And we all respect your knowledge too          

I could care less if you respect my basketball knowledge.  But your blind loyalty to a guy who has a had a terrible season is pathetic.  

[jimmybutlerfanatic]

OJ Mayo is not an employee of Marquette University, and Todd is not his son, so therefore Todd will not be getting free tuition, and thus will not be walking on at Marquette.

What does any of that have to do with anything?

Bet OJ can spend/give his $$$ to anyone he wants.

The vow of poverty Jesuits will take it.

Trying to put a positive spin on this topic and another h8er dream crushes my theory.

H8 this place l8ly.

[Dawson Rental]

I can tell you that all of these kids are used to being stars...and they all put in the same work basically once on campus in the way of practice time/workouts.

If you are a talented freshman, and are sitting behind a guy who is really struggling...what do you think is going through your head?  What do you think the people close to you - friends, family, inner circle start telling you?

At least in JJJ's case he has Mayo in front of him...and Jake..who is the only reliable 3 point threat.  But Burton and Dawson??  

I absolutely concede Burton and Dawson aren't near the defenders of Juan and Derrick...but...we've tried the other way for 27 games now...and we almost lost what should have been as close to a lock of a game as possible today.  Team isn't going ANYWHERE with this backcourt..

I'm curious, Ners.  What transfer opportunities do you think Dawson will have?