One good thing about today..

[Brewtown Andy]

I'll rephrase.  If Wojo is looking at this year in any way other than 'win now' then we hired the wrong coach.  Prior seasons don't translate into future seasons.  This season and this team deserve a coach who is committed to winning as many games as possible this year.

You do realize that the man's motto for this program is "Win Every Day," right?

[PGsHeroes32]

To reference the original post, I actually think we could compete with SJU this year. Last year they dominated us on the road and beat us at the BC in 2OT, but that was mostly because we consistently got beat off the dribble. SJU is a good matchup for our zone, as Harrison is really their only reliable shooter. Rebounding could be a huge issue though.

Very good point on their lack of shooting but what worries me is the extreme length and athleticism they have. SJU isn't a very good "team" in that they are not very sound a lot but they are the type who should give us fits. I mean we are breaking down against Creighton, DePaul and Xavier. Obepka is going to have a field day.

Then eventually all our misses and TO's lead to fast breaks for them

The match up I just don't think is a good one for us at all.

[ATL MU Warrior]

I have a hard time understanding some of the posts this year (not referring to you, MU Eagle) when we are competitive almost every game with a severely undermanned and inexperienced roster.

+1000

[Class71]

Since this season is about "long term lessons" and not about winning, then there isn't much point spending hours and hours and hours watching every minute of every game. Hoping the children learn life lessons isn't in my mind when watching MU play. I thought this was big time college basketball and the coach's job is to win games.

On the other hand, I suppose establishing his "culture" is what's most important to Wojo this season, and wins and loses are secondary. Fine. That better not be the case next season. Coaches are ultimately judged on wins and loses.

Sounds like you don't understand or don't want to accept what is necessary to win.

Wojo is very concerned about winning as was Williams. Like us they love the game but they also want the big paycheck which is a huge in insentive to win.

The problem was/is we have/had a number of immature players that have/had some talent but just do not understand the focus, attention to detail and dedication necessary to win. If players followed what coaches teach based on what they are told the first time, anyone could coach. The problem is coaches deal with immature individuals that need positive and negative reinforcement to change behavior in a positive direction. Many immature players are simply one-on-one, mistake prone, stars in their own mind or those who need to buck up. And, yes some just want to have fun but don't understand the necessary sacrifice to be a winner.

Butler shows year in and year out teams can win with average talent that buy into basic concepts most coaches teach. Recruiting players that will accept change in their approach apparently was not a strong characteric of Buzz's recruiting process.  Wojo is trying various techniques to try and effectuate positive change in the players but some just do not get it. Derrick gets it, so while he is likely the least talented, he plays to show work effort is rewarded and since he protects the ball and plays reasonable defense. If some of our "stars" played better M-to-M D and protected the ball we would have a much better team and they would play a lot more.

[brewcity77]

I'll rephrase.  If Wojo is looking at this year in any way other than 'win now' then we hired the wrong coach.  Prior seasons don't translate into future seasons.  This season and this team deserve a coach who is committed to winning as many games as possible this year.

I agree with this. Wojo should be trying to win now. No, we aren't going to win a title, but every game, every time out, we should be trying to win. But so far, I haven't seen anything to convince me that Wojo isn't trying to win now. What...because he benched Jajuan? If the kid did something to deserve benching, then sit his ass so it doesn't happen again.

Was Buzz not trying to win when he benched Junior at Madison? Or when he benched Mayo, DJO, and others for a half at WVU? Part of the game is about getting everyone to be on the same page at the same time. If that takes benching a guy for a road game in January so he is up with the program by the time you get to MSG in March, I'm all for it.

[mattyv1908]

I agree with this. Wojo should be trying to win now. No, we aren't going to win a title, but every game, every time out, we should be trying to win. But so far, I haven't seen anything to convince me that Wojo isn't trying to win now. What...because he benched Jajuan? If the kid did something to deserve benching, then sit his ass so it doesn't happen again.

Was Buzz not trying to win when he benched Junior at Madison? Or when he benched Mayo, DJO, and others for a half at WVU? Part of the game is about getting everyone to be on the same page at the same time. If that takes benching a guy for a road game in January so he is up with the program by the time you get to MSG in March, I'm all for it.

Thanks Brew because prior to this whole topic getting out of control I simply made the suggestion that a first half benching could have probably had the same effect with JJJ and not left a depleted roster with seven players in a little foul which may have impacted the outcome of the game.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I'll rephrase.  If Wojo is looking at this year in any way other than 'win now' then we hired the wrong coach.  Prior seasons don't translate into future seasons.  This season and this team deserve a coach who is committed to winning as many games as possible this year.

This I definitely agree with. I don't think for a second that Wojo isn't trying everything he can to win this season. I've been impressed with his willingness to change defensive strategies and adjust playing time based on who's performing. I laughed last season at people who said we needed to play for the future and bench all the seniors.

This being said, I am ok with a coach who uses the bench to teach a kid that he needs to bring it more in practice. As MU82 said in another post, sometimes you need to be willing to lose today to win the pennant tomorrow. Maybe a benching for the first half would have been all JjJ needed. I don't know. I trust Wojo because he has the experience and has all of the information of this particular case.

[Class71]

I don't understand how people don't get this. If you have a player not doing whatever it is the coach expects him to do in order to get playing time, you must bench him. If you don't, you reinforce the idea that you don't have to practice or listen to the coach in order to get playing time. You may win the game right in front of you, but you will lose more in the future as a result.

We can argue all day about how severe the transgression needs to be to deserve a benching or how long/short the benching should be, but the only ones with all the information are the players and coaches. I trust the coaches' judgement.

Well said. To say Wojo is not interested in winning is a falsehood. The problem is he knows if he does not change behavior he will not be a consistent winner. To make an omelet you need to break a few eggs/bad habits. Benching is one of just a few options Wojo has. Al also used benching but the need in those days was not as great as today's instant gratification or I quit attitude of some players. What is more disappointing is that these guys have been around almost 2 years and they still don't get it. Patience is going to run out by the fans and the coaches if things don't change in the next few games for those who are not committed to the program.

[Lennys Tap]

Wojo wants to win. He's fiercely competitive, I'd guess much more competitive than matty, Hal, etc. He's also fiercely principled and won't sacrifice principle in order to win, unlike, I guess, matty, Hal, etc. I'm with Wojo.

[WarriorHal]

Well said. To say Wojo is not interested in winning is a falsehood. The problem is he knows if he does not change behavior he will not be a consistent winner. To make an omelet you need to break a few eggs/bad habits. Benching is one of just a few options Wojo has. Al also used benching but the need in those days was not as great as today's instant gratification or I quit attitude of some players. What is more disappointing is that these guys have been around almost 2 years and they still don't get it. Patience is going to run out by the fans and the coaches if things don't change in the next few games for those who are not committed to the program.

All well and good. The problem is with the attitude of some of the players Buzz recruited--unwilling to work hard in practice every day. I'll assume going forward that this will not be a problem with the players Wojo recruits since they should know what will be expected of them.

[Lennys Tap]

All well and good. The problem is with the attitude of some of the players Buzz recruited--unwilling to work hard in practice every day. I'll assume going forward that this will not be a problem with the players Wojo recruits since they should know what will be expected of them.

I wouldn't assume that. Wojo has already had one of his recruits transfer on him. There will always be misses no matter who the coach is.

[WarriorHal]

I wouldn't assume that. Wojo has already had one of his recruits transfer on him. There will always be misses no matter who the coach is.

His first batch of recruits aren't here yet--unless you count Cohen who he "re-recruited"--so don't know who you are referring to.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

His first batch of recruits aren't here yet--unless you count Cohen who he "re-recruited"--so don't know who you are referring to.

Gabe Levin

[WarriorHal]

Gabe Levin

Oh yeah, already forgot about him. Transferred in, transferred out. Thanks.

[real chili 83]

Oh yeah, already forgot about him. Transferred in, transferred out. Thanks.

Doesn't count.