Buzz has got to learn....

[WayOfTheWarrior]

The guy definitely puts everything into this program. He sweats so much he has to change clothes during games and his voice is destroyed during post-game as well. Gross, sure, but he shows he means business on the court. Stressed? I would be greatly surprised if he wasn't.

Of course this year is probably his worst so far, but arguably the toughest situation in terms of personnel as well.

I liken the situation to that of the Packers. Fans have grown used to the notion of going to the post season and making a run for the past decade. They are spoiled enough that there is overreaction if there is an off year.

If this team struggles like this the next two years, then we can have a legit conversation about Buzz moving on. But until that happens, if ever, I am not going to consider abandoning ship.

Haven't given up hope on the big dance but sometimes things just don't go your way. That's life.

[JakeBarnes]

I like you. You're alright by me.

[ecompt]

This year I would give Buzz a C- or possibly lower.

That said I don't think hes leaving, I don't want him to leave and I think this is his only bad year out of 6 so far.

If Buzz leaves it will be for a job that pays him half of what he is making now.

[CTWarrior]

I think Buzz is the best thing to happen to MU basketball since Al McGuire.  He's got a team full of incomplete players and the right combination of guys have just eluded him this year.  That may be because the right combination of guys on this team does not exist.  It could be that the right combination of guys varies from night to night so much that it takes 25 game minutes to figure out what that combination is.  It could be that the best players are not the best at grasping the game plan or something.

Last night was a great example of the rotation problems.  Starters got 144 minutes and scored 23 points on 25.8% shooting.  Our bench played 106 minutes, and scored 57 points on 41% shooting.  Bench guys also had more rebounds and assists/minute than the starters.  Jockey those minutes around a little better and we win in regulation. 

Our bench outscored theirs 57-3 and we lost.  Yikes.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Sigh.

I'm not sure what you all wanted different from Buzz last night. I thought the playing time was distributed just fine.

Derrick: I'll get this one out of the way first. I know you all think that Derrick is all that is wrong with MU basketball. You are wrong. He is a lot of what is wrong with it. But we DON'T have a better option. I know you all love what you see from Dawson, but to quote a famous anti-slurper, Derrick eats Dawson's lunch every day in practice. You all want to see more of Dawson to see what he can do. Buzz already has seen months of what he can do. How often do you hear of a player being exponentially better in game than he is in practice? The only time you do is when guys don't put in effort in practice. And I really don't think Dawson is that kind of player.

Jake can't be off the floor for long, period. Last night wasn't his best game but I did love the hustle he brought, not to mention the blocks. But Jake is our ONLY true 3 point threat. Without him on the floor, the defense would collapse all 5 defenders into the paint and make even more difficult for our frontcourt and slashers to operate. So unfortunately, we have no better options at this point.

Juan: Only got 5 minutes last night. I think this was a welcome change from Buzz.

Burton: I would have given him another chance late in the game, but I understand why he didn't sniff the end of the second half. He played 6 minutes in the 2nd and those 6 minutes were when Providence extended the lead to 11 or 12 (can't remember). Buzz took him out and the new lineup battled us all the way back to OT. I would have given him another chance but understand why he was left out.

Davante/Chris: I would have given Ox a little more time but I trust Buzz to know his player's limits better than I do. It is possible that 31 minutes is all Ox had after a 48 hour turnaround.

Johnson: I don't what the deal here is. Thought this kid was a talent but now he can't even crack the rotation. Hopefully he realizes his potential next season.

In the end, I think Buzz actually coached one of his better games last night. Fought back from a 12 point 2nd half deficit to get to 2 OTs. On the road on senior night MU wasn't going to get a lot of calls and they didn't. Our boys battled and our coach led well. The way it ended just left a bad taste in all of our mouths.

[CTWarrior]

I know you all love what you see from Dawson, but to quote a famous anti-slurper, Derrick eats Dawson's lunch every day in practice.

I find this impossible to believe unless unrealistic scenarios like Dawson actually guarding Derrick all over the floor happens in practice.  I agree that all things considered Derrick is probably the better of the two right now, though.  Buzz, was actually trying the Otule/Gardner offense/defense switch with them last night.

[NersEllenson]

Sigh.

I'm not sure what you all wanted different from Buzz last night. I thought the playing time was distributed just fine.

Derrick: I'll get this one out of the way first. I know you all think that Derrick is all that is wrong with MU basketball. You are wrong. He is a lot of what is wrong with it. But we DON'T have a better option. I know you all love what you see from Dawson, but to quote a famous anti-slurper, Derrick eats Dawson's lunch every day in practice. You all want to see more of Dawson to see what he can do. Buzz already has seen months of what he can do. How often do you hear of a player being exponentially better in game than he is in practice? The only time you do is when guys don't put in effort in practice. And I really don't think Dawson is that kind of player.

Which anti-slurper has been in practices that posts here to support your claim?  And if Derrick is eating Dawson's lunch in practice....then why does Dawson look every bit as good and better than him in games?  And if Dawson is able to hit mid-range shots off the dribble as we saw last night against other teams...how then is Derrick not totally and completely eating the opposition guards alive defensively?  Cotton?  Thames? Carson? Christon?  And about 5 others that elude me that went off for season highs against us?

If you don't think Dawson is a better option, you my friend are delusional.

This is where it gets ridiculous.....when you come on the board after a performance like last night from D-Will and try to suggest we don't have a better option???  How could it have gotten ANY worse??

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Which anti-slurper has been in practices that posts here to support your claim?  And if Derrick is eating Dawson's lunch in practice....then why does Dawson look every bit as good and better than him in games?  And if Dawson is able to hit mid-range shots off the dribble as we saw last night against other teams...how then is Derrick not totally and completely eating the opposition guards alive defensively?  Cotton?  Thames? Carson? Christon?  And about 5 others that elude me that went off for season highs against us?

If you don't think Dawson is a better option, you my friend are delusional.

This is where it gets ridiculous.....when you come on the board after a performance like last night from D-Will and try to suggest we don't have a better option???  How could it have gotten ANY worse??

I have several friends within the administration who have access to practices. They all say the same thing and Buzz's distribution of the minutes confirm it for me. What's the other option? Buzz is tanking the season on purpose?

Not to mention that Matty, a self admitted non-Derrick fan, supplied us with some lovely stats that show that the offense actually works better with Derrick. Love your stuff Matty, even when I don't agree, please keep posting.

Look, I get that Dawson passes the eye test over Derrick. I am equally frustrated at times. Last night, Derrick's offense couldn't have been worse. But his defense was great. Cotton may have gotten 25, but that's barely above his season average and he had 10 extra minutes. Cotton shot 10% less from the floor than usual. Maybe if Buzz gives it to Dawson, Cotton burns us and we lose in regulation. We will never know.

In the end, we took a good team to 2 OT, on the road, on senior night, with no help from the refs, after being down 12 in the second half. I'm proud of how our boys played. I think we all should be. There were some dumb mistakes that cost us and I hate how we lost. Trust me, I screamed, threw my remote at the wall, and woke my girlfriend who was sleeping two rooms away. But in the end it was one of our better games.

[brandx]

Sigh.

I'm not sure what you all wanted different from Buzz last night. I thought the playing time was distributed just fine.

Derrick: I'll get this one out of the way first. I know you all think that Derrick is all that is wrong with MU basketball. You are wrong. He is a lot of what is wrong with it. But we DON'T have a better option. I know you all love what you see from Dawson, but to quote a famous anti-slurper, Derrick eats Dawson's lunch every day in practice. You all want to see more of Dawson to see what he can do. Buzz already has seen months of what he can do. How often do you hear of a player being exponentially better in game than he is in practice? The only time you do is when guys don't put in effort in practice. And I really don't think Dawson is that kind of player.

Jake can't be off the floor for long, period. Last night wasn't his best game but I did love the hustle he brought, not to mention the blocks. But Jake is our ONLY true 3 point threat. Without him on the floor, the defense would collapse all 5 defenders into the paint and make even more difficult for our frontcourt and slashers to operate. So unfortunately, we have no better options at this point.

Juan: Only got 5 minutes last night. I think this was a welcome change from Buzz.

Burton: I would have given him another chance late in the game, but I understand why he didn't sniff the end of the second half. He played 6 minutes in the 2nd and those 6 minutes were when Providence extended the lead to 11 or 12 (can't remember). Buzz took him out and the new lineup battled us all the way back to OT. I would have given him another chance but understand why he was left out.

Davante/Chris: I would have given Ox a little more time but I trust Buzz to know his player's limits better than I do. It is possible that 31 minutes is all Ox had after a 48 hour turnaround.

Johnson: I don't what the deal here is. Thought this kid was a talent but now he can't even crack the rotation. Hopefully he realizes his potential next season.

In the end, I think Buzz actually coached one of his better games last night. Fought back from a 12 point 2nd half deficit to get to 2 OTs. On the road on senior night MU wasn't going to get a lot of calls and they didn't. Our boys battled and our coach led well. The way it ended just left a bad taste in all of our mouths.

All good points except DW should not have been in the game on the inbounds play. He doesn't see the floor well enough to start with, but it also left Jake helpless because he could not pass the ball back quickly to Derrick because he can't be trusted at the foul line. That was the major decision by Buzz that cost the game.

And what team uses its PG to inbounds the ball rather than to be the recipient of the pass? That alone screams that he is playing too many minutes.

[NersEllenson]

I have several friends within the administration who have access to practices. They all say the same thing and Buzz's distribution of the minutes confirm it for me. What's the other option? Buzz is tanking the season on purpose?

Not to mention that Matty, a self admitted non-Derrick fan, supplied us with some lovely stats that show that the offense actually works better with Derrick. Love your stuff Matty, even when I don't agree, please keep posting.

Look, I get that Dawson passes the eye test over Derrick. I am equally frustrated at times. Last night, Derrick's offense couldn't have been worse. But his defense was great. Cotton may have gotten 25, but that's barely above his season average and he had 10 extra minutes. Cotton shot 10% less from the floor than usual. Maybe if Buzz gives it to Dawson, Cotton burns us and we lose in regulation. We will never know.

In the end, we took a good team to 2 OT, on the road, on senior night, with no help from the refs, after being down 12 in the second half. I'm proud of how our boys played. I think we all should be. There were some dumb mistakes that cost us and I hate how we lost. Trust me, I screamed, threw my remote at the wall, and woke my girlfriend who was sleeping two rooms away. But in the end it was one of our better games.

First, I agre that in the end it was probably the best game of the year...hard fought..entertaining.  As for Derrick/Dawson - I'd imagine if you are doing 1 on 1 ball handling drills against each other...he would give Dawson a good challenge and win those types of battles...but the game is so much more than being a 1 on 1 defender.

Dawson's 2 mid-range jumpers last night were an illustration of 2 plays we simply don't, and won't get from D-Will...and even though Dawson missed a 3..he launched it...he has to be respected and defended.

Nothing is a better teacher than game experience, and other than the one home game against Seton Hall where Dawson was awful...he's never looked overmatched....and he shows some really good potential/talent out there...ceiling is higher....eventually felt Buzz should have cultivated that more, and tapped into about 20 games ago...it was evident 5 games in this season was going to be a struggle if we didn't address PG issue..

[hairy worthen]

All good points except DW should not have been in the game on the inbounds play. He doesn't see the floor well enough to start with, but it also left Jake helpless because he could not pass the ball back quickly to Derrick because he can't be trusted at the foul line. That was the major decision by Buzz that cost the game.

And what team uses its PG to inbounds the ball rather than to be the recipient of the pass? That alone screams that he is playing too many minutes.

You are correct. They tried initially to get the ball to mayo, they should have brought up gardner and inbounded to him, game over.  but you can point to any number of things that cost them the game or kept them in it as well.

[Windyplayer]

This is coming from someone in the know.  What grade would you give Buzz this year?  Be honest.

This is such crap. Wouldn't Buzz be more likely poached after a good year? Now, we have to worry about him being poached in a somewhat down year? Give me a break. And for a guy in the know, I like how you post a few times early on in this thread and then just go silent when there are doubters.

What would be the optimal season to retain Buzz. (1) Barely make the NCAA tournament, (2) lose on a last second shot in the second round, then (3) call out a player in the post-game presser. I mean, come on. If you're going to post, be a little more specific. This just reaks of careless sensationalism.  

[Wojo'sMojo]

I have several friends within the administration who have access to practices. They all say the same thing and Buzz's distribution of the minutes confirm it for me. What's the other option? Buzz is tanking the season on purpose?

Not to mention that Matty, a self admitted non-Derrick fan, supplied us with some lovely stats that show that the offense actually works better with Derrick. Love your stuff Matty, even when I don't agree, please keep posting.

Look, I get that Dawson passes the eye test over Derrick. I am equally frustrated at times. Last night, Derrick's offense couldn't have been worse. But his defense was great. Cotton may have gotten 25, but that's barely above his season average and he had 10 extra minutes. Cotton shot 10% less from the floor than usual. Maybe if Buzz gives it to Dawson, Cotton burns us and we lose in regulation. We will never know.

In the end, we took a good team to 2 OT, on the road, on senior night, with no help from the refs, after being down 12 in the second half. I'm proud of how our boys played. I think we all should be. There were some dumb mistakes that cost us and I hate how we lost. Trust me, I screamed, threw my remote at the wall, and woke my girlfriend who was sleeping two rooms away. But in the end it was one of our better games.

I disagree with the great defense comment. Cotton goes for 25 which is above his average...how is someone scoring more than their average equal great defense? I would say solid, great would be 10 pts or less in my opinion. Heck on the basis of that stupid Hail Mary defensive coverage at the end of the game he should be automatically downgraded.

[mattyv1908]

I have several friends within the administration who have access to practices. They all say the same thing and Buzz's distribution of the minutes confirm it for me. What's the other option? Buzz is tanking the season on purpose?

Not to mention that Matty, a self admitted non-Derrick fan, supplied us with some lovely stats that show that the offense actually works better with Derrick. Love your stuff Matty, even when I don't agree, please keep posting.

Look, I get that Dawson passes the eye test over Derrick. I am equally frustrated at times. Last night, Derrick's offense couldn't have been worse. But his defense was great. Cotton may have gotten 25, but that's barely above his season average and he had 10 extra minutes. Cotton shot 10% less from the floor than usual. Maybe if Buzz gives it to Dawson, Cotton burns us and we lose in regulation. We will never know.

In the end, we took a good team to 2 OT, on the road, on senior night, with no help from the refs, after being down 12 in the second half. I'm proud of how our boys played. I think we all should be. There were some dumb mistakes that cost us and I hate how we lost. Trust me, I screamed, threw my remote at the wall, and woke my girlfriend who was sleeping two rooms away. But in the end it was one of our better games.

TAMU

I don't hate Derrick Wilson.  At this point he's our best option at PG, but that doesn't mean I have to make believe he's anything other than an average defender and an offensively absent player.  We won't win with him being our best option either for the remainder of this season or next year if someone else cannot take away the majority of his minutes.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Im not afraid of Buzz leaving but this goes for coaches in general. I can easily see coaches leaving after an off year just because the have fans, like some people here, ripping everything they do and all of their players as well. (See: Derrick Wilson) Again, I dont think Buzz is leaving by a long shot but as a coach in general i would get pretty annoyed if couch coaches were questioning everything I did.

[KenoshaWarrior]

If Buzz leaves it will be for a job that pays him half of what he is making now.

UMMM... No

He is still a very hot name.

[Eldon]

TAMU

I don't hate Derrick Wilson.  At this point he's our best option at PG, but that doesn't mean I have to make believe he's anything other than an average defender and an offensively absent player.  We won't win with him being our best option either for the remainder of this season or next year if someone else cannot take away the majority of his minutes.

No.  No, NO, NO!! 

I used to say "Derrick is our best PG, but Dawson has a higher ceiling.  Let's play Dawson ASAP so that that ceiling can be approached come BE tourney time."

But after yesterday's game, I'm confident saying "Dawson is our best option at PG."  The fact that people are still saying "DWil is our best option at PG" is mind-boggling.  I mean, seriously--these statements literally boggle my mind.  At some point in the season, you guys swapped blue and gold glasses for Buzz/Derrick ones.

[WellsstreetWanderer]

I'm obviously not privy to what goes on in practice but in second overtime leaving DWil in to inbounds was a strategic error. Firstly,seeing the probably shortest guy on the court inbounding the ball , Buzz should have called a time out and called a better play. Secondly, He can substitute DG and CO limitlessly-Offense for Defense- why not take Derrick out for someone who has a chance to make free throws. Great game and ,like so many this year, we had to overcome big deficits to make it a game. 

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

I mean in all honesty though Buzz always uses this PG to inbound the ball on out of bounds plays. I dont agree with it but he is consistent.

[brandx]

I mean in all honesty though Buzz always uses this PG to inbound the ball on out of bounds plays. I dont agree with it but he is consistent.

The problem, is this case, is that the easiest pass to make is right back to the guy who inbounded it. With the game on the line and "the guy" being a 45% FT shooter, that best option is taken away.

[Bo Ryan's Massage Therapist]

The original point is that Buzz is wanted by other programs.  This is obviously a down year and when things don't go well, sometimes people leave for greener pastures.  Other programs will see this as an opportunity to try and lure Buzz.  I did not mean Buzz is under pressure from administration.  Buzz is under pressure from us as fans, the media, etc.  He is hearing it from all angles.  He isn't oblivious to the comments, etc.  Heck, he even said he hears it from his family.  This creates pressure, like it or not.  Buzz is under a lot more stress than previously.  

other programs are lurking/ constantly sniffing around and when things aren't going well, it is often a time for coaches to go elsewhere.  Now Buzz has said he will stay here as long as we'll have him.  He has stayed here through an administration that previously was not supportive.  Those people are gone.  Our current administration realizes how important he is to the university. I just hope he can get through this storm and learn from this down season.

[Golden Avalanche]

The original point is that Buzz is wanted by other programs.  This is obviously a down year and when things don't go well, sometimes people leave for greener pastures.  Other programs will see this as an opportunity to try and lure Buzz.  I did not mean Buzz is under pressure from administration.  Buzz is under pressure from us as fans, the media, etc.  He is hearing it from all angles.  He isn't oblivious to the comments, etc.  Heck, he even said he hears it from his family.  This creates pressure, like it or not.  Buzz is under a lot more stress than previously.  

other programs are lurking/ constantly sniffing around and when things aren't going well, it is often a time for coaches to go elsewhere.  Now Buzz has said he will stay here as long as we'll have him.  He has stayed here through an administration that previously was not supportive.  Those people are gone.  Our current administration realizes how important he is to the university. I just hope he can get through this storm and learn from this down season.

The administration is all that counts. Buzz makes fun of us internet trolls and there is zero media pressure on him as there is zero media presence covering the MU program in a local manner.

I think Buzz has failed this season. I don't think he nor his program know how to win when being the target of every other program as they were this season being predicted Champions but that has happened with many guys in Calhoun, K, Roy Boy, Self, etc. who needed transition time from being plucky darkhorses to dominant powerhouses.

All this said, it would seem counter to nearly every word Buzz has said for him to quit at the first hint of any struggle at MU. If he were to leave of his own volition it would make him a liar and I don't see a Christian like him committing sin like that. I'm willing to bet Buzz regroups this summer and exorcises the demons of this travesty of a squad.

[CTWarrior]

The original point is that Buzz is wanted by other programs.  This is obviously a down year and when things don't go well, sometimes people leave for greener pastures.  Other programs will see this as an opportunity to try and lure Buzz.  I did not mean Buzz is under pressure from administration.  Buzz is under pressure from us as fans, the media, etc.  He is hearing it from all angles.  He isn't oblivious to the comments, etc.  Heck, he even said he hears it from his family.  This creates pressure, like it or not.  Buzz is under a lot more stress than previously.  

other programs are lurking/ constantly sniffing around and when things aren't going well, it is often a time for coaches to go elsewhere.  Now Buzz has said he will stay here as long as we'll have him.  He has stayed here through an administration that previously was not supportive.  Those people are gone.  Our current administration realizes how important he is to the university. I just hope he can get through this storm and learn from this down season.

Holy cow, and here I was thinking that the only good thing about this season was that we'd be spared an off-season of rumors about Buzz to <fill in the school here> rumors.  I don't even have that to look forward to?

[tower912]

C-.   IMO, the single biggest weakness of this team is that the seniors, with the exception of Jake, didn't lead.  IMO, Buzz's biggest failure of the year is the same one that many here made, and that is he expected the seniors to take on the mantle of leadership like other had before.   Granted, Vander could have been that guy, but he was gone.   Buzz said in October that the seniors weren't stepping up.   I'm not sure Buzz, for all of the preparation and study he has done on so many details, was ready for an experienced team without leaders.    He didn't make the adjustments he needed to.   He couldn't find the buttons to push with this senior class to get them to take ownership.    I think he was a little blindsided.    On the other hand, he knows that he is going to have to do an insane about of teaching next year.   He will be ready. 

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I disagree with the great defense comment. Cotton goes for 25 which is above his average...how is someone scoring more than their average equal great defense? I would say solid, great would be 10 pts or less in my opinion. Heck on the basis of that stupid Hail Mary defensive coverage at the end of the game he should be automatically downgraded.

Cotton's avearge is 22 ppg. That is while averaging 40 minutes a game. He got 10 extra minutes last night to get those 3 extra points. He shot 32% from the floor, 10% below his season average. All of that is significant.