Next Year Is Here

[dgies9156]

With today's loss in Philadelphia, it's time to think about next year. Put a fork in this year's team, they're done. No NCAA is likely. The NIT is a "who gives a rat's backside" tournament and the NCAA in Milwaukee probably means we would not get a home game anyway.

So that said, what's the takeaways from this year? Here's a couple:

1) Buzz is still a great coach, but he's not going anywhere right now. He's got work to do in Milwaukee.

2) The verdict is still out on last year's vaunted recruiting class. I'm anxious to see what JuJuan can do with some more defensive work and a year under his belt.

3) I like what I see in ST Jr., and Deonte. Here's hoping they'll get their playing time next year.

4) Is Todd Mayo ever going to be the team leader we so badly wanted this year? I had high hopes for this year's team because I had hoped Todd Mayo would step up as Vander did last year. He didn't and still lacks some of the basic maturity to lead. Oh, and don't even think about going NBA Todd.

5) Where's next year's offense coming from? With Davante gone, this is a big question.

6) What's it going to take for us to turn it around next year? Was this a one-year aberration or a sign of a  not-so-expected rebuilding program?

[Galway Eagle]

4)  I actually think that he would've stepped up if he hadn't been suspended for most of last season.  I think it killed a bit of his confidence but he's clearly got it back and I fully expect him to step up next year.  

5) Todd, Deonte, then remember Duane coming back from injury will give us an offensive option at PG.  Thinking STJ and Fisher will hook us up with some.  

6)  In the very least I think we'll be fine in two years but I doubt these pains will last. Wayyy too much talent on the team and I think we'll get some addition by subtraction.  

But I refuse to believe the season's over till it's actually over.  If I did I would've missed the Blackhawks epic comeback against the Red Wings last year and in the same mindset I won't give up till it's over. 

[wardle2wade]

We'll have 7 months to wonder about next season.  I'll wait a couple weeks before calling it over.

[WarriorFan]

It was interesting at the end seeing next years starting lineup in the game... Dawson, Burton, JJJ, Taylor, Anderson.

I'd pay to see that 5 against our current starting 5.

Hell, I'd pay to see that 5 against Wilson, Wilson, Jake, Chris and Davante today!

[keefe]

1) Buzz is still a great coach, but he's not going anywhere right now. He's got work to do in Milwaukee.

The silver lining is that Steve Patterson has updated his Rolodex

[GGGG]

It was interesting at the end seeing next years starting lineup in the game... Dawson, Burton, JJJ, Taylor, Anderson.

I'd pay to see that 5 against our current starting 5.

I don't think that would turn out like you think it would.

[madtownwarrior]

You really think Buzz won't start De Wilson - I see some easy bets to make and win next year....

It was interesting at the end seeing next years starting lineup in the game... Dawson, Burton, JJJ, Taylor, Anderson.

I'd pay to see that 5 against our current starting 5.

Hell, I'd pay to see that 5 against Wilson, Wilson, Jake, Chris and Davante today!

[UticaBusBarn]

Coach Williams has to continue the same approach/players at Providence tomorrow night. However, if the Warriors cannot take down the Friars on the road, Coach Williams should do what Al did with the Scrambled Eggs.

That is, let the young guys loose for St. John's and the BE tournament. I suspect the won-loss would likely remain the same with the young guys, but what the hell. It cannot be any duller, or pedantic than we have seen in the last 29 games.

Think about, we been through 29 games, and the Warriors still appear to have the same problems. Certainly, the criticism on this board has been the same for 29 games.

So, as I said, what the hell?

[GGGG]

Because the young guys aren't as good.

[bradley center bat]

If they end up in the NIT, fine! NIT is a good tourney.

[KenoshaWarrior]

The silver lining is that Steve Patterson has updated his Rolodex

AD's dont think the way fans like you and I do.   Fans think that if a hot coach has a bad season than all of the sudden that he is a nobody and that he will stay put in his job.   AD's dont look at one year and say "O looks like Buzz got really stupid in 12 months, Im going to pass."   He will still be a hot commodity for some big team, he probably wont go, but just because fans think he stinks now does not mean that AD's do.   

[GooooMarquette]

It was interesting at the end seeing next years starting lineup in the game... Dawson, Burton, JJJ, Taylor, Anderson.

I'd pay to see that 5 against our current starting 5.

Hell, I'd pay to see that 5 against Wilson, Wilson, Jake, Chris and Davante today!

So Juan will start but Derrick and Todd won't?  I'm curious what makes you think that.  

[madtownwarrior]

agree with Kenosha - it's probably worse as Buzz seems to feel the criticism of the his team and players by the fans - at least he seems to periodically address it which I find a bad sign

AD's dont think the way fans like you and I do.   Fans think that if a hot coach has a bad season than all of the sudden that he is a nobody and that he will stay put in his job.   AD's dont look at one year and say "O looks like Buzz got really stupid in 12 months, Im going to pass."   He will still be a hot commodity for some big team, he probably wont go, but just because fans think he stinks now does not mean that AD's do.   

[Wojo'sMojo]

I think for the next 2 games and the BE tournament we should start Dawson, JJJ, Burton, Taylor, and Gardner. Maybe they can give this team a spark, maybe not. We have nothing to lose!! If the normal starters don't like it, tough crap. They have had all season to prove who they are and that is a middle of the road BE team. I know this won't happen, but the thought at least excites me and would most likely be more enjoyable to watch.

[thekahoona]

4) Is Todd Mayo ever going to be the team leader we so badly wanted this year? I had high hopes for this year's team because I had hoped Todd Mayo would step up as Vander did last year. He didn't and still lacks some of the basic maturity to lead. Oh, and don't even think about going NBA Todd.

I think this is exactly the issue. I think this year has been the tale of two squads: A squad that can play pretty good, aggressive defense – but couldn't put the ball in the hole and a squad that could provide some streaky scoring – but had serious defensive liabilities.

There was no leadership that could bridge both squads. It would seem that Todd should have been able to step into that role, but I think Todd was playing for Todd. In some games, Todd was playing for Marquette. But, in other games it seems like Todd was playing for the NBA scouts and attempting to boost his resume.

[Coleman]

If they end up in the NIT, fine! NIT is a good tourney.

Is this what we've come to?

Look, I'll watch MU in the NIT. I'll never stop caring.

But the NIT is not a good tournament.

[keefe]

But the NIT is not a good tournament.

Not according to Mike Deane

[Wade for President]

I think for the next 2 games and the BE tournament we should start Dawson, JJJ, Burton, Taylor, and Gardner. Maybe they can give this team a spark, maybe not. We have nothing to lose!! If the normal starters don't like it, tough crap. They have had all season to prove who they are and that is a middle of the road BE team. I know this won't happen, but the thought at least excites me and would most likely be more enjoyable to watch.

Love the idea and reasoning.  I hate to continually pile on De. Wilson, but I've never seen so many ill-advised passes and decisions with the ball (volunterly dribbling towards a double team) as I did Sunday. 

Lose at Providence, and you scrap that starting line-up in search of a spark for the future.

[ecompt]

Because the young guys aren't as good.

If that is the case, then Buzz may have made some serious mistakes recruiting them. If JJJ, Burton and DuWilson aren't significantly better than Juan, Jamil and Derrick are right now, we will have serious problems.

[Galway Eagle]

Don't scrap the starting lineup till we officially end up in the NIT. 

[willie warrior]

Next year is definitely a rebuilding year. Bot sure what this year has become: How about Buzz fart Mulligan on his resume. So if this year is Buzz's mulligan "reset", what does he get for next year? Answer: Another Mulligan.

[Coleman]

He's earned a couple mulligans. He gets a pass next year.

But we better be in the tournament in 2015-2016.

[MarquetteDano]

Next year is definitely a rebuilding year. Bot sure what this year has become: How about Buzz fart Mulligan on his resume. So if this year is Buzz's mulligan "reset", what does he get for next year? Answer: Another Mulligan.

I think with better guard play we will make the tourney next year.  We will have senior leadership in the guards and some really good newcomers.  That equals success in college basketball.  Though the frontcourt will be weaker which will lead to an early NCAA tourney exit.

[goldeneagle91114]

I know it may sound cliché, but this year's team also lacked the heart/toughness of a typical Buzz Williams squad. Jake Thomas has been the only person on the team that has consistently dove for loose balls and rustled 100% of the time.

I wonder if the back to back sweet 16's and an elite eight gave these seniors a sense of entitlement, like the NCAA tournament was a given. I hope that next year's team plays like their hair is on fire. I can watch a bad team that works hard and plays tough, but this year's team was bad and and those that we thought were going to be leaders really didn't seem to care (i.e, J. Wilson's 9 total points the past 2 games.).

[avid1010]

agree with Kenosha - it's probably worse as Buzz seems to feel the criticism of the his team and players by the fans - at least he seems to periodically address it which I find a bad sign

i would disagree with both of you:
1. AD's think about what/who their donors will support...while buzz doesn't go from a great coach to a bad coach overnight, i'm sure they have some inside information that would certainly raise some questions (importance of juco's in his system, ability to get along with his superiors, etc.).  i love buzz, but if i were hiring at a big name school this year would raise some concerns, and i'd certainly have a number of questions i'd want answered before giving him the keys to the program.

2.  what coach is picked to have a top 15 team and conference champion team...then fails to make the NCAA, and doesn't feel heat from fans?  if anything this should make buzz realize how he's built a reputation at MU that will allow him to work through down years.  the heat he's feeling in milwaukee is much less than if he were at a blue blood program.  if this is getting to him (and i don't think it is), then he should realize he has less of it here than anywhere else he could leave for.