Howland

[Norm]

Just not feeling the Howland aura. I think the guy will use Marquette to get a better job - IF he is successful in the first several years. No way he stays longer than 3-4 if he gets us back to the NCAAs. Plus, his style of play is not fan friendly.

[Rockmic87]

Just not feeling the Howland aura. I think the guy will use Marquette to get a better job - IF he is successful in the first several years. No way he stays longer than 3-4 if he gets us back to the NCAAs. Plus, his style of play is not fan friendly.

His style of play is proven and successful...

[Pakuni]

His style of play is proven and successful...

All those Final Fours and winning seasons.
Snore.....

Obviously Howland is unlikely to replicate what he did at UCLA at MU, but the notion that this guy is beneath us is laughable.

[Markusquette]

How is winning not fan friendly?  I don't care how ugly a win is.  Winning is winning.

[Rockmic87]

All those Final Fours and winning seasons.
Snore.....

Obviously Howland is unlikely to replicate what he did at UCLA at MU, but the notion that this guy is beneath us is laughable.

Well, if he replicates what he did at Pitt, that would keep MU fans at least content.  I also think Howland can land Stone through his success with Kevin Love.

[Tums Festival]

Howland never impressed me as having the energy level nor the drive required to win consistently.  He carried the UCLA banner well, and used it to his best effect.  Not much more.

Considering how his tenure at UCLA ended, I think Ben Howland will have some things to prove and will be plenty motivated. Also, in an interview with Seth Davis last fall he said he would play a more up-tempo style the next place he goes. His name has been linked to other schools (Wake Forest, Boston College) but I get the sense he's giving Marquette the first place in line to hire him.

[ChicosBailBonds]

http://articles.latimes.com/2013/dec/21/sports/la-sp-ben-howland-dwyre-20131221

[ChicosBailBonds]

Just not feeling the Howland aura. I think the guy will use Marquette to get a better job - IF he is successful in the first several years. No way he stays longer than 3-4 if he gets us back to the NCAAs. Plus, his style of play is not fan friendly.

Some of this is perception, not truth but as we all know, perception can become the truth in one's eyes.  In some ways the issue is that he stresses defense so much that people forget the offense.  Or they will see guys do well at UCLA, but explode in the NBA like Russel Westbrook or Kevin Love.  That's partly unfair as that scenario happens quite often when players move to the NBA.

Last year when UCLA won the Pac 12, they averaged 75 points per game, tops in the conference....ahead of Arizona.

The current version of UCLA has 6 of its 7 players are Howland recruits. 

[Niv Berkowitz]

How is winning not fan friendly?  I don't care how ugly a win is.  Winning is winning.

I know. That's what we all say on this board regarding the Badgers. 

Please.

[ChicosBailBonds]

I know. That's what we all say on this board regarding the Badgers. 

Please.

Well, I do.   People here rip on the Vadgers all the time for style of play, but all they do is win.  Can't stand their arrogant prick fans, but they win on the court. 

[Markusquette]

I know. That's what we all say on this board regarding the Badgers. 

Please.

The Badgers were certainly more entertaining to watch than we were this year.

Anyway, good Howland videos here (5 parts): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAiHZhQZksQ

[chapman]

Just not feeling the Howland aura. I think the guy will use Marquette to get a better job - IF he is successful in the first several years. No way he stays longer than 3-4 if he gets us back to the NCAAs. Plus, his style of play is not fan friendly.

Not even that worried about him leaving.  He's 56.  What better jobs will come calling for a 60 year old in 3-4 years?  The blue bloods will see their coaches retire, and won't be looking to bring in a successor who could be right behind him in retiring, as well as one who may have the perception of failing at a blue blood previously.  Much more potential for stability than a fast-rising mid-major coach or assistant.

The Badgers were certainly more entertaining to watch than we were this year.

Anyway, good Howland videos here (5 parts): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAiHZhQZksQ

In Part 4, he also points to his UCLA team last year being near the top in the nation in fast break points, as well as promising that he would want to run more at his next destination.

[Markusquette]

Not even that worried about him leaving.  He's 56.  What better jobs will come calling for a 60 year old in 3-4 years?  The blue bloods will see their coaches retire, and won't be looking to bring in a successor who could be right behind him in retiring, as well as one who may have the perception of failing at a blue blood previously.  Much more potential for stability than a fast-rising mid-major coach or assistant.

In Part 4, he also points to his UCLA team last year being near the top in the nation in fast break points, as well as promising that he would want to run more at his next destination.

What's nuts is how Stockton played 5 mpg as a frosh and Russell Westbrook only 9. Not to mention Howland has a great track record with stud point guards lately.  Sure would be nice to put out PG debate to rest.  I think he could get a lot out of Duane and Dawson.

[Tugg Speedman]

Just not feeling the Howland aura. I think the guy will use Marquette to get a better job - IF he is successful in the first several years. No way he stays longer than 3-4 if he gets us back to the NCAAs. Plus, his style of play is not fan friendly.

Howland is 56.  What "better job" than MU hires a guy who is 60+?  Texas Tech?  SMU? 

If Howland wins the NC at MU, and Boeheim retires, you think Syracuse would replace him with a 60yr old?

This would be Howland's last high major job.  If he wins, he stays until he retires.  Loses and he is fired and it's off to a studio job or mid-major.

[downtown85]

I just hope that if we hire Howland that he has kept in contact with lots of potential recruits when during this period he was not governed by any NCAA recruit contact rules during his year off.  (I think Huggy did this after he was fired from Cincy before he was hired at Kansas State.) 

[willie warrior]

Hope they hire him and do it quick.  Don't want to risk a screw up and end up with a risk hire like Buzz was.  He worked out, but man I don't want to have to go a bunch of seasons wondering how our coach will pan out because he is so new to coaching.  Need a guy that we know what to expect.

Uhh..sorry...Buzz did not work out. This fiasco proves that!

[willie warrior]

Bill ingested a lot of psychedelics all those years touring with the Dead...

And that is highly likely. They must have helped him with his BB skill set. Now there is an interesting scientific study that should be conducted.

[muwarrior69]

Some of this is perception, not truth but as we all know, perception can become the truth in one's eyes.  In some ways the issue is that he stresses defense so much that people forget the offense.  Or they will see guys do well at UCLA, but explode in the NBA like Russel Westbrook or Kevin Love.  That's partly unfair as that scenario happens quite often when players move to the NBA.

Last year when UCLA won the Pac 12, they averaged 75 points per game, tops in the conference....ahead of Arizona.

The current version of UCLA has 6 of its 7 players are Howland recruits. 

I guess not many asked to be released from their LOIs at UCLA.

[Avenue Commons]

Howland did have plenty of UCLA teams that looked like utter sh..t  during that last half decade of b ball....

Howland better leave the fly fishing sh..t at home....and bring some passion.  

Hunt article: Howland was let go last season at tough-to-please UCLA after winning the Pacific-12 title with a record of 25-9.

25-9 and a Big East title? Yes, please.

[Windyplayer]

ESPN just posted the Howland-Marquette connection on their home page. Gives the story a little more traction.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/10658826/marquette-golden-eagles-contact-ben-howland

[willie warrior]

Unless, of course, he has one or -- gasp! -- two mediocre seasons. Then we can dump him and say we never liked him anyway.

Spoken like a true Buzz Slurper.

[willie warrior]

I kind of agree on this.  If I could get Marshall, I'd announce asap. Howland I would wait a week or so.  See how it plays out.  Cords will have a list and if the rumors are true that I've heard, that list has been dusted off for a little while now.

Marshall should already have communicated an interest/or lack of to Cords through his agent. He would be a good get. However, he is riding high now, has a good gig and may want to wait for a better name comes calling. Although, what better name could there be than MU?

[Skatastrophy]

ESPN just posted the Howland-Marquette connection on their home page. Gives the story a little more traction.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/10658826/marquette-golden-eagles-contact-ben-howland

Multiple sources close to Howland told ESPN that he is "extremely interested" in the Marquette opening.

Awesome!

[Pakuni]

I guess not many asked to be released from their LOIs at UCLA.

One of three Howland recruits got out of his LOI. Allerik Freeman, who I believe redshirted with an injury at Baylor this year.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Howland playing beer pong at UCLA.  He'll fit right in