Jeff Goodman's ESPN Insider post on Marquette

[Buchec18]

Marquette Golden Eagles

After Buzz Williams jumped to Virginia Tech, the big question is where Marquette goes to replace a coach who led the program to five NCAA tournament appearances in his six seasons.

Despite not having a permanent athletic director -- and finally hiring a full-time president earlier in the week -- the Golden Eagles took a swing at VCU's Shaka Smart.

Smart is a Wisconsin native and Marquette has deep pockets. Sources told ESPN that the program, which was slated to pay Williams $3 million this season, is tossing around a figure in excess of that number to try and lure Smart -- who has declined several high-major gigs in the last few years.

When Marquette finally moves on, there are several candidates in play: Former UCLA coach Ben Howland is in the mix, as is Syracuse coach-in-waiting Mike Hopkins and former Marquette player and assistant Brian Wardle -- who is currently the head coach at Green Bay.

Remember, this is a program that hired a virtual unknown in Williams after Tom Crean left for Indiana -- and it paid off. There's also another mystery candidate, sources told ESPN, that is still playing in the NCAA tournament.




Good to hear more information from a national source. Mystery candidate has to be Cuonzo Marin, I would think.  

[Hards Alumni]

Oh, so Cuonzo Martin or Tony Bennett.

K.

[Windyplayer]

Marquette Golden Eagles

After Buzz Williams jumped to Virginia Tech, the big question is where Marquette goes to replace a coach who led the program to five NCAA tournament appearances in his six seasons.

Despite not having a permanent athletic director -- and finally hiring a full-time president earlier in the week -- the Golden Eagles took a swing at VCU's Shaka Smart.

Smart is a Wisconsin native and Marquette has deep pockets. Sources told ESPN that the program, which was slated to pay Williams $3 million this season, is tossing around a figure in excess of that number to try and lure Smart -- who has declined several high-major gigs in the last few years.

When Marquette finally moves on, there are several candidates in play: Former UCLA coach Ben Howland is in the mix, as is Syracuse coach-in-waiting Mike Hopkins and former Marquette player and assistant Brian Wardle -- who is currently the head coach at Green Bay.

Remember, this is a program that hired a virtual unknown in Williams after Tom Crean left for Indiana -- and it paid off. There's also another mystery candidate, sources told ESPN, that is still playing in the NCAA tournament.

Get bent, Goodman.

[Shark]

Goodman seems like he's lost his "sources" with MU since Buzz left

[WadeATKBurton]

Get bent, Goodman.

Lol I caught that too

[We R Final Four]

What a dick.  finally........finally.

[MaymonsPops]

Funny he would write "mystery candidate still playing in the tournament" when we have already been linked to Cuonzo... If its Cuonzo, why dramatize this?

[mugoose]

no crap.

Folks. It sure as hell is not Tony. He said no in the past. He has roots to UW so he probably can't stand Marquette.

[The Love House]

Oh, so Cuonzo Martin or Tony Bennett.

K.

Bennett turned us down repeatedly in the past and appears to be very entrenched at UV. No way he's our next coach.

[Eldon]

Get bent, Goodman.

?

I'm no fan of Goodman, but I think he meant "moves on" from trying to lure Shaka, not "moves on" from the departure of Brent

[WadeATKBurton]

Im actually a Goodman fan

[Buchec18]

Funny he would write "mystery candidate still playing in the tournament" when we have already been linked to Cuonzo... If its Cuonzo, why dramatize this?

Only other candidate I could think of is Bo Ryan.

[WadeATKBurton]

Only other candidate I could think of is Bo Ryan.

And now the thread is over..that didnt last long

[RyanConroy]

?

I'm no fan of Goodman, but I think he meant moves on from trying to lure Shaka, not move on from the departure of Brent

He's suggesting MU has no shot at landing Shaka while simultaneously reporting they're still trying to lure him.

He's a POS. He was very critical of the reporting this past Monday. Suggesting your gut feelings will end up as fact (which he absolutely did here) without using sources is very bad reporting.

[WadeATKBurton]

And now the thread is over..that didnt last long

[NavinRJohnson]

My only source on this is IWB's guys (ok, it's actually only my gut), but I'm tellin you, its Johnny Dawkins.

[Tugg Speedman]

Only other candidate I could think of is Bo Ryan.

Dayton. Archie Miller

[Buchec18]

And now the thread is over..that didnt last long

I hope you sensed my sarcasm in that.

[chapman]

Only other candidate I could think of is Bo Ryan.

If any new Italian restaurants have opened in Milwaukee recently, I would think that Rick Pitino would then be in the mix. 

[We R Final Four]

?

I'm no fan of Goodman, but I think he meant "moves on" from trying to lure Shaka, not "moves on" from the departure of Brent

You are right-- he's saying we can't dance with the pretty girl at the dance and should/will move on.

[mugoose]

$ talks. and i strongly believe there is a reason why SS hasn't made an announcement dismissing any and all rumors that he would  leave VCU.

north of $3m...if that is true...is hard to turn down.

The only logical way he would turn it down is he is waiting for a Duke/Cuse/UNC job to open up.

[4everwarriors]

C'mon dudes, let's flat name the other 11 coaches still in it, hey?

[denverMU]

Bennett turned us down repeatedly in the past and appears to be very entrenched at UV. No way he's our next coach.

He may have changed his mind

[Pakuni]

Exhibit A for disproving the notion Goodman knows anything we don't.

[Tugg Speedman]

He's suggesting MU has no shot at landing Shaka while simultaneously reporting they're still trying to lure him.

He's an pretty boy.

He was on Chicago sportstalk radio Tuesday morning saying Shaka to MU would not happen.

This is his opinion, which he has always held, and not based on fact from new info