Why I still like buzz

[KenoshaWarrior]

1. Program is better off
2. Back to Back to Back Regional appearances
3. The dancing at WVU
4. Buzz Bunch
5. Buzz Bunch
6. Buzz Bunch

I dont understand the hate.   Obviously he felt extremely unsettled here as the conference situation and the admin situation was hectic to say the least.

I cant say I blame him,  we the fans loved the guy, the admin hated him cause he went to a different beat.

Thanks Buzz!!!!

I will always be a Marquette fan first
but I will always cheer for Buzz an Va Tech unless they play MU

[warriorchick]

Except he is kicking Buzz's Bunch to the curb now.

[ChicosBailBonds]

1. Program is better off
2. Back to Back to Back Regional appearances
3. The dancing at WVU
4. Buzz Bunch
5. Buzz Bunch
6. Buzz Bunch

I dont understand the hate.   Obviously he felt extremely unsettled here as the conference situation and the admin situation was hectic to say the least.

I cant say I blame him,  we the fans loved the guy, the admin hated him cause he went to a different beat.

Thanks Buzz!!!!

I will always be a Marquette fan first
but I will always cheer for Buzz an Va Tech unless they play MU

As time passes, you may find out why some in the administration had their concerns and you may change your tune

[Goose]

Well stated, Chico's.

[LON]

Except he is kicking Buzz's Bunch to the curb now.

Right after seemingly using it to bolster his résumé.

[WarriorHal]

As time passes, you may find out why some in the administration had their concerns and you may change your tune

And just what were those concerns, if you know?

[KenoshaWarrior]

Except he is kicking Buzz's Bunch to the curb now.

As someone who has a child with developmental disabilities I can tell you that the fact that he did something is more than enough.  Im happy that he was thinking of people like my daugther when he developed the program.

[nathanziarek]

I dont understand the hate. Obviously he felt extremely unsettled here as the conference situation and the admin situation was hectic to say the least.

When the going gets tough, the tough scamper. He didn't feel unsettled; he felt MU and the new Big East was beneath him (ironically, due in large part because he was so bad this year). Rather than try and rectify that by making MU a better program, he bolted.

If you want to praise that, please do. Buzz's Bunch is a great program, and he should be held in esteem for that. As a fan of a basketball team, there's plenty of room for disenchantment with the man.

[GooooMarquette]

Right after seemingly using it to bolster his résumé.

Yeah, it was pretty interesting that all the national press about Buzz's Bunch came out within the past few weeks.

[WarriorGreg1965]

Yeah, it was pretty interesting that all the national press about Buzz's Bunch came out within the past few weeks.

Timing of something like that is never a coincidence.

Buzz did a really nice thing and then used it for good publicity when the time was right. 

[Tommy Brice for Coach]

Can we keep Buzz's Bunch going? Obviously we have to change the name, but I thought that it was a wonderful program.

[connie]

Timing of something like that is never a coincidence.

Buzz did a really nice thing and then used it for good publicity when the time was right. 

Yeah, but you use that publicity to get the Va. Tech job?  If that's true it seems like a waste.

[ecompt]

Yeah, but you use that publicity to get the Va. Tech job?  If that's true it seems like a waste.

He didn't use it specifically to get the VT job. He used it to get ANY job, and he took the first one that came along. I love what he does with special-needs children, I hate what he did with this year's team.

[The Lens]

I enjoyed every second the dude was here.  I'm shocked but not surprised.  Interesting people do interesting things.  And Buzz was certainly interesting.  I'll probably find myself cheering for Va Tech, just as I did for Tennessee (and of course Lamar).

Thanks Buzz.  It was a hell of a ride.  You could have been a legend* here...wish you would have rode it out.



(*This is assuming Chicos constant insinuations of sanctions coming does not bear fruit)

[Big Papi]

I dont understand the hate.   Obviously he felt extremely unsettled here as the conference situation and the admin situation was hectic to say the least.

I cant say I blame him,  we the fans loved the guy, the admin hated him cause he went to a different beat.

Thanks Buzz!!!!

I will always be a Marquette fan first
but I will always cheer for Buzz an Va Tech unless they play MU

I have been a Buzz backer and a Crean backer.  Why?  I am a MU backer and during their tenure, they elevated the program and we had great success.  

I understand why some hated Crean.  By all accounts he was a jerk and was always looking out for himself and it seemed like he was always looking to go somewhere else.  Well, he did stay at MU for 9 years and he left for a blueblood program, not some also ran.  As far as being a jerk goes, the only downside to that for me was the consistent turnover.  Some didn't like the way he left, but I don't hold a grudge.  He never said a bad word about Marquette or its leaders.  

I am starting to have some issues with Buzz.  What I don't like is what Buzz's media spokeperson, Goodman said about the reason why Buzz left.  Those are digs at the university and at the conference.  Say you wanted a new challenge.  Say it was just time to move on.  Buzz is great at saying things without really saying things.  I think Buzz leaving hurts a little more for me because he went to Virginia Tech.  Great it is an ACC team but a bottom feeder.  No one who has the resources that Buzz had at his former job goes to a habitual losing program.  No one, unless they were forced to or felt the pressure and decided it was time to get out of dodge before something happened.  

I am sure we will hear lots of stories and rumors.  It will be hard to sift through fact and fiction.  That's here or there and frankly while I like to hear the gossip and the real reason behind the reasons why he left, I have more pressing concerns.  We need to hire a President, asap.  We need to hire an AD, asap.  It sounds like we are close but it needs to happen quickly.  Then I will keep my fingers crossed that we hire the right coach and hope that he will be able to keep most of the team intact and keep most of the incoming recruits.

I personally hope that we stick to what has worked in the past and hire a great recruiter.  A coach that connects with the current youth.  I don't know how valid IWB's comment werefrom last night on his website but he did post that Shaka Smart would have interest in the position but that we were going after someone else.   I don't know who that someone else might be but I would go after Smart today.  His style will recruit players and so will the Big East no matter what Buzz says.

[willie warrior]

Yeah, Buzz was the man. In Buzz we trust.

Maybe MU should pick up the phone, offer Buzz more bucks and try to talk him back. Gee, Buzz, we miss you already!

[NavinRJohnson]

Timing of something like that is never a coincidence.

Buzz did a really nice thing and then used it for good publicity when the time was right. 

I don't recall exactly when it was, but I can tell you that CBS filming for that piece took place at least a month ago...i was there when they filmed one of the kids featured that was involved in something my daughters are also involved with (of course that footage ended up on the cutting room floor).

[NersEllenson]

I have been a Buzz backer and a Crean backer.  Why?  I am a MU backer and during their tenure, they elevated the program and we had great success.  

I understand why some hated Crean.  By all accounts he was a jerk and was always looking out for himself and it seemed like he was always looking to go somewhere else.  Well, he did stay at MU for 9 years and he left for a blueblood program, not some also ran.  As far as being a jerk goes, the only downside to that for me was the consistent turnover.  Some didn't like the way he left, but I don't hold a grudge.  He never said a bad word about Marquette or its leaders.  

I am starting to have some issues with Buzz.  What I don't like is what Buzz's media spokeperson, Goodman said about the reason why Buzz left.  Those are digs at the university and at the conference.  Say you wanted a new challenge.  Say it was just time to move on.  Buzz is great at saying things without really saying things.  I think Buzz leaving hurts a little more for me because he went to Virginia Tech.  Great it is an ACC team but a bottom feeder.  No one who has the resources that Buzz had at his former job goes to a habitual losing program.  No one, unless they were forced to or felt the pressure and decided it was time to get out of dodge before something happened.  

I am sure we will hear lots of stories and rumors.  It will be hard to sift through fact and fiction.  That's here or there and frankly while I like to hear the gossip and the real reason behind the reasons why he left, I have more pressing concerns.  We need to hire a President, asap.  We need to hire an AD, asap.  It sounds like we are close but it needs to happen quickly.  Then I will keep my fingers crossed that we hire the right coach and hope that he will be able to keep most of the team intact and keep most of the incoming recruits.

I personally hope that we stick to what has worked in the past and hire a great recruiter.  A coach that connects with the current youth.  I don't know how valid IWB's comment werefrom last night on his website but he did post that Shaka Smart would have interest in the position but that we were going after someone else.   I don't know who that someone else might be but I would go after Smart today.  His style will recruit players and so will the Big East no matter what Buzz says.

Nice synopsis of the departures of Crean and Buzz and I tend to agree.  The bolded part though, however, to me is really alarming...if Shaka is open to listening and has ANY interest in the program/job - we absolutely HAVE to go after him...cannot fathom who would be a better choice.  IF Shaka was good enough for UCLA to covet, how in the hell can MU not covet him?  Wisconsin native.  Young.  Charismatic.  Great track record at a school with far less tradition/resources where he competes against ACC heavyweights for recruits...yet still gets the job done?  And if MU passes on him?  Unforgivable in my opinion..

[77ncaachamps]

He didn't use it specifically to get the VT job. He used it to get ANY job, and he took the first one that came along. I love what he does with special-needs children, I hate what he did with this year's team.

Why would he leave MU for the Vermont job?!?!

[keefe]

And just what were those concerns, if you know?

The specifics are not important but it is best for all concerned that BW moved on. Marquette will be better for the change. Bring on Mr. Howland!

[overthinkingit]

Been overthinking this since yesterday, but I think Buzz is a classic case of charismatic leadership.  He engages in relentless image building.  From the stories of him hanging around the final four, writing letters to coaches, chugging sweet tea, leaving UNO for an assistant coaching position, floating his name (or at least not shooting down offers) for every job opening, especially jobs that make no sense (SMU, USF, and of course VTech).  He uses symbols like Buzz's bunch, statements of loyalty, Al's jacket, and emotion.  The image building and symbols draw people towards him.  Looking, back, I think there is a reason he did these things, and a reason we heard about them when we did.    

Buzz also attracts followers (in the media at here at MU) that offer almost blind loyalty.  I don't post here, but I read, and I was a full-fledged slurper.  The transfers, the Newbill situation, the off-the-court issues in the Chicago Tribune, the Larry v. Buzz battle.  I rationalized and supported Buzz in every situation, even though I really had no logical reason to do so aside from that I was drawn to him.  I liked the image, and wanted to believe, plus as an MU alum I care about MU ball and began to see Buzz as MU.  

Finally, Buzz had the situation that allowed him to succeed.  He inherited a strong program that Crean brought back to prominence (and it kills me to realize this after despising Crean up until yesterday), had the three amigos, but most importantly had a fan base mad about Crean and insecure about the future of the program despite it being in a pretty good place.  

The drawback to charismatic leadership is it is short-lived. Situations change (conference realignment, campus leadership, on-the-court success), followers lose their loyalty and the image-building and use of symbols becomes less effective (read the board this year, the shine was wearing off Buzz).  I can predict what happens at VTech.  Buzz will have some success, make the tourney, media will fawn about how Buzz made an inexplicable move, but it worked because it was Buzz being Buzz.  Then it will burn out just like it did here.  This probably could describe a lot of coaches, and I don't discount the good Buzz did.  Our recent tourney success, Buzz's bunch, good stuff.   But Buzz appears to be vain and thin-skinned, in addition to being a master image-builder. He was unable to cope with the smallest of changes and upheaval.

That or Buzz was just crazy.  If you ever have dated crazy you know it can be a lot of fun, but it ends poorly.  Either way, time to move on.            

[T.V. Diener 34]

Nice synopsis of the departures of Crean and Buzz and I tend to agree.  The bolded part though, however, to me is really alarming...if Shaka is open to listening and has ANY interest in the program/job - we absolutely HAVE to go after him...cannot fathom who would be a better choice.  IF Shaka was good enough for UCLA to covet, how in the hell can MU not covet him?  Wisconsin native.  Young.  Charismatic.  Great track record at a school with far less tradition/resources where he competes against ACC heavyweights for recruits...yet still gets the job done?  And if MU passes on him?  Unforgivable in my opinion..

+1... it's one thing to try and fail but it's entirely different to not try at all

[NersEllenson]

+1... it's one thing to try and fail but it's entirely different to not try at all

Just visited the IWB board...and got to read some mind numbing opinions again from BrewCity1977...to quote:
I'd pass on Smart. Hasn't impressed much as a recruiter and seems like more of a gimmick coach succeeding in a small conference. I'd like Howland first. Great recruiter and has had success at multiple stops. Never should have been canned at UCLA

I mean are you kidding me??  Tower 912 lists Howland, WARDLE and Marshall, along with Mike Hopkins Syracuse, and Chew...WOW.

I could live with Howland....or Marshall, yes...but Shaka is a HELL of a lot more attractive than those guys.  Ask any of our current players or recruits - who would you want to play for:  Howland, Marshall, Hopkins, or Shaka??  Would bet 90+% would say Shaka.  If he can get it done at VCU...how in the hell could he not get it done at MU???

Some comments there about Shaka recalling memories of racism growing up in Wisconsin...well...that of course is everywhere....but Shaka didn't grow up in Milwaukee....and Milwaukee of course is a very African American city...can't imagine it is any less racist than Richmond, Virginia...home state of the Confederate party as I recall..?

[connie]

That or Buzz was just crazy.  If you ever have dated crazy you know it can be a lot of fun, but it ends poorly.  Either way, time to move on.            

Yeah.  It sure is fun while it lasts.

[keefe]

Just visited the IWB board...and got to read some mind numbing opinions again from BrewCity1977...to quote:
I'd pass on Smart. Hasn't impressed much as a recruiter and seems like more of a gimmick coach succeeding in a small conference.

More pearls of wisdom from the self-righteous? Why bother going over there...