Steve Wojciechowski likes results of Marquette's practices

[Spotcheck Billy]

from Mike Hunt in today's JS:
http://www.jsonline.com/sports/goldeneagles/steve-wojciechowski-likes-results-of-marquettes-practices-b99280622z1-261193701.html



Marquette has begun its eight-week summer practice session with every player except two.

Point guard Matt Carlino, the transfer from Brigham Young, and swingman Sandy Cohen, who is finishing his senior year at Seymour High, have yet to arrive on campus.

But coach Steve Wojciechowski, who has been on the job for two months, said Carlino and Cohen will both be present for the second four-week practice session that will coincide with the second session of summer school.

Marquette's other nine players are enrolled in the first session of summer school and working out with the new staff.

"The kids have embraced me and the staff and the way we want to do things." Wojciechowski said. "I've been impressed with their capacity to work. I've been impressed with their willingness to embrace change.

"The excitement and the enthusiasm have been terrific."

For now the Golden Eagles are moving ahead with 11 scholarship players, two fewer than the NCAA limit. Three of the players who signed with Buzz Williams backed out of their scholarships, leaving the Golden Eagles short-handed and largely without what was considered to be one of the country's top recruiting classes.

Wojciechowski didn't rule out adding to the roster with another transfer or a walk-on, but added he is comfortable going into the season with what he has.

"I don't know how that will shape out, but we're always looking to improve our roster," he said. "In today's age of college basketball, it's a transient society, so things change all the time. We have to be alert to those changes. If there is a kid who fits the profile who comes available, we have to be ready to recruit him here.

"I'm completely comfortable with who we have in the program right now. I love my guys. I believe in them. If we can add somebody I can believe in the same way and wants to be a part of what we do, we'll be open to that."

As for the three who declined to enroll at Marquette after the coaching change, he said, "I only want guys who want to be at Marquette. To me it's an honor to wear the Marquette jersey. So if I have to twist your arm or trick you or have to promise you stuff to put on that jersey, that's not the right fit.

"There are enough kids around the United States who recognize the Marquette brand both as a basketball program and a university, as a place they can get better as a person and a player."

At the moment, the guard-heavy roster skews small and will pose a challenge for the new staff to balance.

Carlino, Duane Wilson and Derrick Wilson are at the point. John Dawson is a combo guard. Todd Mayo and JaJuan Johnson are shooting guards. Cohen can play small forward or shooting guard. Deonte Burton, Juan Anderson and Steve Taylor Jr. are forwards. Indiana transfer Luke Fischer is the only big man.

The loss of 7-foot center Satchel Pierce, who joined Williams at Virginia Tech, cut into Marquette's size.

After his arrival on April 1, Wojciechowski was allotted two hours each week to work with the players. Most of that time was devoted to getting to know them.

He'll use the first four-week session to develop and orient the players to the new system. "We're trying to develop a skill set and a base they'll need to play the style we want to play," he said. "The additional benefit is you really get to know a guy. I've always found the best way to build a relationship is on the court."

Wojciechowski recently returned from the Big East meetings in Florida, where the emphasis was fine-tuning the bugs out of the first season of the reorganized league. He has yet to settle into a new home because his family is still in North Carolina, where his two young children are finishing school.

"I love Milwaukee," he said. "It's a very cool city. The people are great. There are really cool areas to it. The staff and I have enjoyed it. I don't know it nearly as well as I'm going to know it, but I love what I've seen so far."

[mu03eng]

I will not fall in love with this coach.....I will not be burned again.....I will not fall in love with this coach.....I will not be burned again.......I will not fall in.....F*CK IT....I'm all in!

[LAMUfan]

he looks like he should be petting a hairless cat in that picture... exxxcellent   

[willie warrior]

How common is it nowadays that schools have all the players/or most of them in summer school and then have practices? Did not know this was even allowed--shows I am dated. What are the NCAA regs on these type of practices? Anybody know?

[79Warrior]

I will not fall in love with this coach.....I will not be burned again.....I will not fall in love with this coach.....I will not be burned again.......I will not fall in.....F*CK IT....I'm all in!

I think he is doing all the right things with the players. He needs to rebuid their confidence after last seasons head trips from Buzz. WOJO learned from one of the best motivators in college basketball. I will take that style over Buzz's bi-polar treatment of some of his players.

[warriorchick]

This is the part you should have put in bold:

To me it's an honor to wear the Marquette jersey. So if I have to twist your arm or trick you or have to promise you stuff to put on that jersey, that's not the right fit.

There are enough kids around the United States who recognize the Marquette brand both as a basketball program and a university, as a place they can get better as a person and a player.

This guy gets it.

[ChicosBailBonds]

He isn't stupid...saying the right things, serving the fans what they want to hear.  Smart guy.


Wash, rinse, repeat.  Hope he stays awhile and is successful

[Dawson Rental]

This is the part you should have put in bold:

This guy gets it.

We'll have a quality program that'll see the NCAA tournament most of the time.  I don't expect to ever see a elite eight again, however.

[Sharpie]

He isn't stupid...saying the right things, serving the fans what they want to hear.  Smart guy.


Wash, rinse, repeat.  Hope he stays awhile and is successful

Personal question: do you think he is genuine in what he is saying? Or do you feel that this is coach speak and his schtick ala Buzz?

[BCHoopster]

Recruiting is the lifeblood of any program, we will see by November what is going on, needs 3 or 4 bodies for sure next year.  Lets see who buys into what he is doing.  he can say what he
wants now, the right stuff, so time will tell.

[Bocephys]

Personal question: do you think he is genuine in what he is saying? Or do you feel that this is coach speak and his schtick ala Buzz?

No one knows, and for the life of me I don't know why we spend so much time analyzing that point.  Just enjoy the ride and hope it's not a bumpy one.

[damuts222]

The 2015 recruiting class is huge for the direction of the program under Wojo.

[MUfan12]

Another recap- http://marquette.scout.com/story/1407144-wojo-s-first-59-days-at-mu?s=415

Interesting part here- "One player who was noted in Wojciechowski's press conference was red-shirt guard Duane Wilson, who missed his entire freshman season with a stress fracture in his left leg. Wojciechowski confirmed that Wilson is healthy and complimented his love for the game and work ethic.

"I really like Duane a lot," Wojciechowski said. "I think he has great potential and I think he's a really good player right now with room to improve. I like his spirit, I like the fact that he loves being in the gym and he's a guy who I think will have an impact on our team this year and will be a big part of our program."

[ChicosBailBonds]

Personal question: do you think he is genuine in what he is saying? Or do you feel that this is coach speak and his schtick ala Buzz?

I think in today's media trained world, the world that even corporate executives have to go through now, they all say roughly the same thing.

Do I think he likes Milwaukee...sure.  Do I think he likes his team and wants only guys that want to be at Marquette.  Absolutely.  Do I think in 5 to 10 years he could substitute Milwaukee with Charleston, or Atlanta or Los Angeles and the other words be exactly the same?  YUP.

So it's a bit of both.  I just don't get sucked in with the "but but but he said he loved MU and Milwaukee" when it comes time he bolts.

That's why I thought Buzz's crap from day one was just that...crap.  It's crap with all of them in the sense that they are saying what wants to be heard or has to be said in that position.  Doesn't mean their isn't a hint of truth to what they are saying, but people shouldn't latch on to it like they are going to be here until they retire either.   Hell, 38% of folks that say I DO forever doesn't materialize either.  Just the nature of the world where contracts don't mean jack anymore, commitments aren't binding, and an entitlement society that pushes all.

[The Lens]

That's why I thought Buzz's crap from day one was just that...crap.  It's crap with all of them in the sense that they are saying what wants to be heard or has to be said in that position.  Doesn't mean their isn't a hint of truth to what they are saying, but people shouldn't latch on to it like they are going to be here until they retire either.   Hell, 38% of folks that say I DO forever doesn't materialize either.  Just the nature of the world where contracts don't mean jack anymore, commitments aren't binding, and an entitlement society that pushes all.

Never bought in to Buzz's schtick.  But I did buy in that he could win a title here.  Thought he was just crazy enough to do it. 

[Golden Avalanche]

Another recap- http://marquette.scout.com/story/1407144-wojo-s-first-59-days-at-mu?s=415

Interesting part here- "One player who was noted in Wojciechowski's press conference was red-shirt guard Duane Wilson, who missed his entire freshman season with a stress fracture in his left leg. Wojciechowski confirmed that Wilson is healthy and complimented his love for the game and work ethic.

"I really like Duane a lot," Wojciechowski said. "I think he has great potential and I think he's a really good player right now with room to improve. I like his spirit, I like the fact that he loves being in the gym and he's a guy who I think will have an impact on our team this year and will be a big part of our program."

Was convinced a year ago that Duane would be a star for Marquette. I can't determine if it will be a dynamic, carry a team to Final Four type star or simply a Cotton candy type star who steadily becomes a program's best player with intermittent team success. But Duane seems to get "it" and I agree with Wojo that he has a spirit above most other players.

[River rat]

I dont at all believe it to be shtick.  The only one that I have felt was full of S#it was Crean.  And that is only because Crean lacked any personality whatsoever.  So he had to do something.  I believe KO, Deane, Buzz and Wojo speak from the heart.  They are all in guys as you have to be.  They speak from the heart and have tremendous desire to be successful.  The perception that these guys are diabolical masterminds pltting at all times to F over a fanbase or what have you is ludicrous to me.  I know a lot of coaches and they are all good guys.  Heck, they are just basketball coaches and they know that, the oone thing that they do do and they will all admit to it is they feel they need to stay one step ahead of the posse.  They get fired and they may neve get a job again.  Not only do they want to coninue doing what they love. But they do not want tp lose their paychecks and professionin their 40's 50's etc.  That is why you see guys like Haith and Buzz make the moves thay made.

Do i think Buzz made a dumb move, of course.  But its not what i or anyone else think.  he stated he wasnt gonna mess with happy nad that he would stay as long as MU would have him.  obviously what tarnspired over the last few years changed his perception.  You can disagree with his perception but you cant chnage it.  He might have been paranoid, unhappy, or whatever. But his move provided him a new start, green grass, & 7 years guaranteed.   Happens quite alot withepeople in all types of careers we just dont have to like it when it happens to us

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

It's all schtick.

It doesn't mean it's a lie, but it's schtick.

Wojo seems cool, and he's likeable.

If he wins, he'll be lovable.

If he loses, he'll be hatable.

It's not anymore complicated than that.

[barfolomew]

Personal question: do you think he is genuine in what he is saying? Or do you feel that this is coach speak and his schtick ala Buzz?

MUScoop: "Wojo, does this dress make us look fat?"
Wojo: "Of course not!"

[GGGG]

MUScoop: "Wojo, does this dress make us look fat?"
Wojo: "Of course not!"

It took until late Friday afternoon, but you just earned "Post of the Week" honors.

[79Warrior]

It's all schtick.

It doesn't mean it's a lie, but it's schtick.

Wojo seems cool, and he's likeable.

If he wins, he'll be lovable.

If he loses, he'll be hatable.

It's not anymore complicated than that.

Bottom line is it is a business and coaches are hired guns. Unless you happen to be Kevin Ollie and coach where you played, its all coach speak. Who is really going to say I hate it here and can't wait to leave. Every coach "loves" their current employer until the next one comes calling. Maybe WOJO is a lifer, maybe not. The guy has not even coached a game yet, so there are plenty of chapters to come in this book.

[EnderWiggen]

We'll have a quality program that'll see the NCAA tournament most of the time.  I don't expect to ever see a elite eight again, however.

How old are you?  Unless you are dying sometime soon, I have a feeling that you will see another Elite 8 (albeit it might take some time).

[tower912]

What was he supposed to say?

[keefe]

What was he supposed to say?

That sonuvabitch Derrick ain't starting sh!t this season!

[HutchwasClutch]

We'll have a quality program that'll see the NCAA tournament most of the time.  I don't expect to ever see a elite eight again, however.

The last 10 years or so NCAA tournaments have demonstrated clearly that really any school from any conference can make a run.  You've had George Mason, Va. Commonwealth, and Butler all make Final Fours.  Anything is possible.  The only thing to expect is the unexpected.  MU is clearly at a level and in a conference where it's eminently possible any given year.

Let's hope Wojo and staff can make it happen.