Blaming Buzz

[Clam Crowder]

How is everyone blaming Buzz for so much of this year when the fact of the matter is this is the same brand of MU bball we have seen for a while now.

We are the junkyard dogs, we get in close games, we won alot of those games.

This year we got in alot of those close games and we didn't come through and alot of that is not on Buzz its on the guys on the floor. NO ONE took the role of leader.

Jamil had the most disappointing season I have witnessed from an MU player in the last 5 years and didn't even seem to care.

Buzz game plan has always been predicated on making more free throws than the opponent attempts. Check the stats from these close games we missed a ton of free throws. Jamil at 68% Otule in his 6th year at 50ish or starting PG at 50 ish. Can you blame Buzz for guys not caring about practicing free throws? Even Gardner in big spots in these last few games bricked them. We would have beaten St Johns if Gardner made 2 at the end.

This year was to blame on a lack of player leadership not poor game planning IMO

[MU82]

How is everyone blaming Buzz for so much of this year when the fact of the matter is this is the same brand of MU bball we have seen for a while now.

We are the junkyard dogs, we get in close games, we won alot of those games.

This year we got in alot of those close games and we didn't come through and alot of that is not on Buzz its on the guys on the floor. NO ONE took the role of leader.

Jamil had the most disappointing season I have witnessed from an MU player in the last 5 years and didn't even seem to care.

Buzz game plan has always been predicated on making more free throws than the opponent attempts. Check the stats from these close games we missed a ton of free throws. Jamil at 68% Otule in his 6th year at 50ish or starting PG at 50 ish. Can you blame Buzz for guys not caring about practicing free throws? Even Gardner in big spots in these last few games bricked them. We would have beaten St Johns if Gardner made 2 at the end.

This year was to blame on a lack of player leadership not poor game planning IMO

There is plenty of blame to go around, and the players deserve a heaping helping of it. Still, although I'm a big Buzz guy, I'll admit that he had his worst season as a game-manager and decision-maker.

It is a coach's job to find answers. If his chosen "brand" didn't work this season, he needed to find a different brand, or at least make some tweaks to the brand. Instead, Buzz chose to keep trying to force success out of a failed situation.

Unlike those who think Buzz should be fired and replaced with the dozens of proven coaches who have led teams on S16-S16-E8 runs and are clamoring to come to Milwaukee, I am glad we have Buzz. Doesn't mean he is blameless, though.

[77ncaachamps]

I support Buzz and he doesn't deserve all of the blame.

But putting Derrick and Jake out there every gosh darn game is something I place solely on his shoulders.
With Deonte's game and the little output from Jake and Derrick, it just befuddles me more why the freshmen weren't getting enough reps.

[brandx]

There is plenty of blame to go around, and the players deserve a heaping helping of it. Still, although I'm a big Buzz guy, I'll admit that he had his worst season as a game-manager and decision-maker.

It is a coach's job to find answers. If his chosen "brand" didn't work this season, he needed to find a different brand, or at least make some tweaks to the brand. Instead, Buzz chose to keep trying to force success out of a failed situation.

Unlike those who think Buzz should be fired and replaced with the dozens of proven coaches who have led teams on S16-S16-E8 runs and are clamoring to come to Milwaukee, I am glad we have Buzz. Doesn't mean he is blameless, though.

+1

[willie warrior]

His players, his strategies, his game plans, his decisions, his rotations, his practices, his 2.5 million per year, 8th highest BB budget of all D1 schools, his jet for recruiting=his responsibility. He gets the credit for what went prior to this year, he gets the focus for poor performance this year

[We R Final Four]

I don't think that it is too much to ask of Buzz to install an inbound that we actually can get inbounds.........no steals, no turnovers, no 5 second calls, and no timeouts.
I'm not asking that we score on these inbound plays, I am asking that we GET THE BALL INBOUNDS.

[ChicosBailBonds]

There is plenty of blame to go around, and the players deserve a heaping helping of it. Still, although I'm a big Buzz guy, I'll admit that he had his worst season as a game-manager and decision-maker.

It is a coach's job to find answers. If his chosen "brand" didn't work this season, he needed to find a different brand, or at least make some tweaks to the brand. Instead, Buzz chose to keep trying to force success out of a failed situation.

Unlike those who think Buzz should be fired and replaced with the dozens of proven coaches who have led teams on S16-S16-E8 runs and are clamoring to come to Milwaukee, I am glad we have Buzz. Doesn't mean he is blameless, though.

Who are those clamoring to have him fired and replaced?

[keefe]

I'm not asking that we score on these inbound plays

Why the hell not? That's the whole point of the friggin game!

[NersEllenson]

Far and away his worst coaching job at MU.  Every coach has an off year on occasion.  Hope he reflects and finally lets go of his total and complete disinterest in playing freshman  - to argue he's willing based on say Vander and Todd is not quite an apples to apples comparison, as the cupboard was quite empty Vander's freshman year, as was it to an extent Todd's.  He also didn't have guys he'd developed close relationships with over the course of 3+ years, which is the case with Derrick and Juan...more loyalty heartstrings in play.

Burton should have been starting from Day 1.  Like we saw in San Diego State game early..Burton sparks team significantly in early 2nd half...and then bench city for last 10 minutes of game.  Same as we saw in St. John's game.  Same basically as last night against X.  Buzz has to let go of not trusting freshman, and live with their mistakes - particularly if more talented than the vet.

Buzz also refused to ever give Dawson a fair shake/opportunity with playing time.  Even the one game at Georgetown - that was cause Derrick told Buzz to keep running with John because he was playing well.

Why a coach would want to play 4 on 5 on the offensive end all year, when he clearly has a better offensive option at the same position is beyond me...so you have a few more turnovers...consider every time Derrick is on the floor and has wide open 3's he could take...but doesn't - those are missed opportunities essentially, and it bogs down the game for the other 4 guys.  Hell if Dawson just made the wide open 3 he took last night...totally different game..we might have won...

Simply am beyond befuddled as to how Buzz couldn't have made the necessary changes - max Burton, Mayo, Gardner...and split time at PG with Dawson/Derrick...and not bury JJJ on bench.

[Boone]

Listened to IWB's show recently and co-host 'Zach' said something to the effect that this was Buzz' best coaching year. Called to mind the immortal words of Mike Ditka, several years ago when he asked "Who are you crapping?" After that bit of BS, there was no need to continue listening.

[muwarrior69]

Who are those clamoring to have him fired and replaced?

I want to know who are the coaches clamoring to come to Milwaukee?

[ChicosBailBonds]

I want to know who are the coaches clamoring to come to Milwaukee?

Well, 4 of the last 4 have had NCAA success that came here.  The last two have had very big success.  There will always be coaches that want to cut their teeth and prove their abilities, especially at a place like MU that has the resources and commitment to the basketball program.

[MU82]

Who are those clamoring to have him fired and replaced?

I'm guessing joyless willie isn't the only one, but maybe I was being presumptuous.

[MU82]

Well, 4 of the last 4 have had NCAA success that came here.  The last two have had very big success.  There will always be coaches that want to cut their teeth and prove their abilities, especially at a place like MU that has the resources and commitment to the basketball program.

This is of course true. Marquette is a much better job now than when Crean got it, and it's probably a better job than when Buzz got it, too.

But going back to my post, I was being facetious. I guess I shoulda used teal.

[willie warrior]

I'm guessing joyless willie isn't the only one, but maybe I was being presumptuous.

Reading is fundamental MU82. Did you not pick up reading with your illustrious MU degree that you have so often "bragged" about. I have said on numerous occasions in the past, that I do not advocate firing Mr. Buzz, but then again you admit you are only "guessing". And, yes, you are being presumptuous

[We R Final Four]

Why the hell not? That's the whole point of the friggin game!

Baby steps--need to inbound the ball before you can score.  

[willie warrior]

Baby steps--need to inbound the ball before you can score.  

have to go with Keefe here. Why the hell take a TO to draw up a play if it always fails. The purpose of the TO is to specifically get a scoring play.

[We R Final Four]

I don't think that it is too much to ask of Buzz to install an inbound that we actually can get inbounds.........no steals, no turnovers, no 5 second calls, and no timeouts.
I'm not asking that we score on these inbound plays, I am asking that we GET THE BALL INBOUNDS.

Wille--not sure what you are talking about.  As you can read in this very thread, I am asking that we NOT use a timeout to get the ball inbounds.  And then you say.....'yeah i am against using a TO to install a play that isnt going to work anyways.'

Not sure what you missed---I am not talking about calling a TO to draw up a play.

[WarriorGreg1965]

I don't think anyone has called for Buzz to be fired after this season.

If next year is another rancid pile of crap season, however, things could get interesting.  As big as phony as Crean was, the students and alumni just loved the guy.  And nobody worked harder at that PR angle of the job than Crean.  From what I've heard (from a coach of another MU team), Buzz could care less about relationships with alumni and students.  That's fine as long as you win big.

[ronald dragon]

I don't think anyone has called for Buzz to be fired after this season.

If next year is another rancid pile of crap season, however, things could get interesting.  As big as phony as Crean was, the students and alumni just loved the guy.  And nobody worked harder at that PR angle of the job than Crean.  From what I've heard (from a coach of another MU team), Buzz could care less about relationships with alumni and students.  That's fine as long as you win big.

I remember seeing a video where Buzz brought donuts to students outside waiting for a game. Not saying that proves he cares much about those relationships but I feel like he at least tries to keep it on good terms.

[forgetful]

I remember seeing a video where Buzz brought donuts to students outside waiting for a game. Not saying that proves he cares much about those relationships but I feel like he at least tries to keep it on good terms.

I really think just about every coach in the country does this.

[willie warrior]

I really think just about every coach in the country does this.

Crean did similar things, and likely donuts, so is that where Buzz coined the idea?

[ronald dragon]

I really think just about every coach in the country does this.

While that's true I'm sure it still makes the students like him a bit more

[willie warrior]

While that's true I'm sure it still makes the students like him a bit more

Yup--it works in elections too as votes are bought with dole outs.

[Wojo'sMojo]

I don't think anyone has called for Buzz to be fired after this season.

If next year is another rancid pile of crap season, however, things could get interesting.  As big as phony as Crean was, the students and alumni just loved the guy.  And nobody worked harder at that PR angle of the job than Crean.  From what I've heard (from a coach of another MU team), Buzz could care less about relationships with alumni and students.  That's fine as long as you win big.

This year was terrible and what made it worse was a lot of people feel we left a lot of talent on the bench, that had they received playing time could have made a difference. Would they have? Who knows, I believe they would have as the bar was set so terribly low by our backcourt and it couldn't get much worse. I expect to have a similar year next year and then I think Buzz will feel some pressure. I think it would take 2 more years in a row like this one before his job would be in jeopardy. I am very curious to see how he does next year after this dismal performance this year. Hope he turns it around because I think he's about as good a recruiter as we can hope to get at MU...now he just needs to figure a way to utilize the highly ranked guys. I don't think his game day coaching would be hard to replace.