Hunt is alive

[Lighthouse 84]

Nice article by Mike Hunt. 

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/goldeneagles/marquette-players-enjoy-steve-wojciechowskis-style-b99284758z1-261900271.html

I think the reason he's appearing to be on his game, as opposed to in the past only on his a$$, is this from the article:

"Coming over a couple of times during practice to speak with a reporter, something Williams never would have done, Wojciechowski explained that he wants most of his time with the players to be one-on-one."

Butz never gave Hunt the time of day.  Good to see Wojo talking to him so he can get something worthwhile to MU Nation.

Big difference in how Wojo's going about things also.  He's actually introducing an offense beginning with the second session in July instead of waiting until well into the season!

[T-Bone]

I think Mike Hunt rubbed Buzz the wrong way and gave him the cold shoulder.  At that point Hunt decided to phone it in.

[UticaBusBarn]

I think Mike Hunt rubbed Buzz the wrong way and gave him the cold shoulder.  At that point Hunt decided to phone it in.

Or, did Brent rub Mike Hunt the wrong way, and Mike said well screw him?

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Its a good article. Nice job, Hunt.

I a bit torn in my reaction though.

#1 What are the players supposed to say? "We hate the new coaches."? Of course they are going to say they like the new approach. They don't really have a choice.

HOWEVER

#2 I think one of Buzz's problems is that he's in high gear all of the time, and doesn't deal well with guys who aren't. His idea of off-season training was pushing the guys beyond their limits, and see who can take it. If you don't give 100%, he's going to find a reason for you to work harder, or you can just leave (it happened a couple of times).

Now, I'm sure Wojo is going to push the guys as well, but it sounds like there is a longer term vision in mind, with basketball skill being a big part of it.

There will be a time to push the guys and send them through a "bootcamp" scenario (every team does it), but doesn't seem like that type of work is going to be a focus for these coaches.

EDIT:

#3 I don't know if having former players is a huge advantage or not... but I can imagine that when doing skill development, it's helpful to have former high end players work individually with the current players. They are generally more qualified to talk in terms of feel and specific techniques vs rigid coaching & instruction.

"Derrick, it should feel like X", or "Try visualizing Y" etc. etc.

It's hard for guys who didn't play at a high level to have that type of nuance. But, like I said, we'll see if that actually helps or not.

[Mike Deane]

One major difference between the current coaches and the previous regime is that, according to the players, the current coaches were BIG TIME PLAYERS before, and they knew what it is like to play, as opposed to just knowing how to coach.

[Mods, Delete me please. 8/26/2020]

Or, did Brent rub Mike Hunt the wrong way, and Mike said well screw him?

I'm having fun thinking about the two of them rubbing each other. 

[Goose]

Wojo being a big time player at a big time school definitely means something to the kids. One major gripe I had with Buzz was his lack of experience as a player. Much easier for kids to relate to a coach that played at high level and easier for coach to understand players limits as a player.

[GGGG]

One major difference between the current coaches and the previous regime is that, according to the players, the current coaches were BIG TIME PLAYERS before, and they knew what it is like to play, as opposed to just knowing how to coach.

Eh...they say it makes a difference, but I am not sure it really does.  How many top coaches were "big time players?"  

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Lot of snide remarks by Hunt on Buzz. He must have really done something to annoy Hunt. Crossing my fingers that we get some solid JS articles this year. Also is it just me or in that first picture did it look like JJJ put on some muscle.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Eh...they say it makes a difference, but I am not sure it really does.  How many top coaches were "big time players?"  

Right, that's why I'm torn.

I don't know if it makes a ton of difference at the HC level... but I can see it helping individual skill development when players are dealing with assistant coaches.  

Derrick and Juan specifically are guys who seem to have the athletic ability and general basketball acumen, but are lacking in some more nuanced skills (shooting specifically).

Will be interesting to watch their development. Both could be pretty good role players with moderate improvements to their shooting.

[Mike Deane]

Eh...they say it makes a difference, but I am not sure it really does.  How many top coaches were "big time players?"  

How about rings on their fingers?

[MUfan12]

Also is it just me or in that first picture did it look like JJJ put on some muscle.

Noticed that as well.

One of the more refreshing things about Wojo is the emphasis on skills development. I got tired of Buzz's constant harping on toughness, when it was pretty clear there was a skills gap.

[Mike Deane]

Right, that's why I'm torn.

I don't know if it makes a ton of difference at the HC level... but I can see it helping individual skill development when players are dealing with assistant coaches.  

Derrick and Juan specifically are guys who seem to have the athletic ability and general basketball acumen, but are lacking in some more nuanced skills (shooting specifically).

Will be interesting to watch their development. Both could be pretty good role players with moderate improvements to their shooting.

don't know about Juan and Derrick.  The previous regime had probably diminished their development, and it is quite late in the game.  But I expect to see vast improvement in J3 and Burton.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

don't know about Juan and Derrick.  The previous regime had probably diminished their development, and it is quite late in the game.  But I expect to see vast improvement in J3 and Burton.

Agreed, but I'm just mentioning Derrick and Juan specifically because it seems like those guys have everything required to be good D1 players, but they can't shoot... at all.

Maybe an increased concentration on skill development could help them get over the hump. I'm not expecting a HUGE jump, just saying that it's conceivable that different coaching techniques could help them.

[GGGG]

How about rings on their fingers?

Not sure what you are asking here. 

[GGGG]

Agreed, but I'm just mentioning Derrick and Juan specifically because it seems like those guys have everything required to be good D1 players, but they can't shoot... at all.

Maybe an increased concentration on skill development could help them get over the hump. I'm not expecting a HUGE jump, just saying that it's conceivable that different coaching techniques could help them.

I agree with that...but I'm not sure that has to do with the coaching staff being former players.  I think it is a simply different philosophies on how to coach basketball. 

Buzz focused a lot on toughness and pushing players to their physical and mental limits, thinking that would make them persevere when things got difficult.  Up until last year, it worked well.  If this is indeed a different approach, it might work better...it might not...time will tell.

[Galway Eagle]

Eh...they say it makes a difference, but I am not sure it really does.  How many top coaches were "big time players?"  

Donovan and coach K... Plus Al McGuire.  I mean it's not a huge sample but some of the best coaches were players.  Not sure how I feel about only going the former player route but I'll wait for games for that opinion.


But anyone notice that it seems to be more of a classicly ACC style that Wojo put in? I mean the BE was always grind and tough while the ACC was finesse.  Still think it'll work but will definitely be strange to our school after coaches like Al, O'Neil and Buzz

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

I agree with that...but I'm not sure that has to do with the coaching staff being former players.  I think it is a simply different philosophies on how to coach basketball. 

Buzz focused a lot on toughness and pushing players to their physical and mental limits, thinking that would make them persevere when things got difficult.  Up until last year, it worked well.  If this is indeed a different approach, it might work better...it might not...time will tell.

Ya, as far as Buzz's techniques, I don't really have a problem with it (it worked most of the time)... but for the previously mentioned players, a new voice and some new skill instruction could make a difference. I don't think Derrick and Juan need to be any tougher. They need to be better at basketball.

[Lennys Tap]

Right, that's why I'm torn.

I don't know if it makes a ton of difference at the HC level... but I can see it helping individual skill development when players are dealing with assistant coaches.  

Derrick and Juan specifically are guys who seem to have the athletic ability and general basketball acumen, but are lacking in some more nuanced skills (shooting specifically).

Will be interesting to watch their development. Both could be pretty good role players with moderate improvements to their shooting.

Ted Williams was the greatest hitter of all time. Charlie Lau couldn't hit a lick. Ted was a failure as a coach/manager, Charlie is considered by some to be the greatest hitting coach of all time. Doing and teaching are two very different skill sets.

[Spotcheck Billy]

I'm having fun thinking about the two of them rubbing each other. 

squirmy

[PJDunn]

Ted Williams was the greatest hitter of all time. Charlie Lau couldn't hit a lick. Ted was a failure as a coach/manager, Charlie is considered by some to be the greatest hitting coach of all time. Doing and teaching are two very different skill sets.

+1000

Wojo success or failure as a head coach will depend upon an entirely different skill set than his success as a ball player.  That being said, I am firmly in the positive column.

[Jay Bee]

Lot of snide remarks by Hunt on Buzz. He must have really done something to annoy Hunt. Crossing my fingers that we get some solid JS articles this year. Also is it just me or in that first picture did it look like JJJ put on some muscle.

JJJ on swole. Big time potential.

Hopefully Mike Hunt will be a little less sour this coming year.

[Stretchdeltsig]

It seemed at times that Buzz was coaching a football time with his emphasis on toughness instead of shooting, etc.  Many times it seemed that the lack of emphasis on improving skills actually set the players back.  It is good to see the new coaching philosophy.  Can't wait to see the difference in this year's games.

[Skatastrophy]

Nice that the coaches already have the full buy-in of the players. Now they just need to win all of the basketball games and I'll be happy.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

Where's JJJ's headband?