Wojo

[WarriorFan]

I'm not yet in the "dump Wojo" camp but what aggrieves me is that he's not doing anything to take advantage of his 11 deep roster of athletic mid-sized players.  He only has one advantage right now, and that's it... 11 capable players.  If he squanders it... his fault.

If he lines 'em up to play ball the "traditional" way with half court D and whatever the hell that offense is, he will lose all the 50/50 games, all the tough games, and a few he shouldn't.

What he needs to do is create something different.

Full court man to man D.  Always, every possession.  And do it DIFFERENT... put Fish on the in bounder, not under the rim where he's going to foul the guy who breaks through. 

On offense, he clearly needs a seasoned "offensive coordinator".  I've been saying this since the beginning of his first season.  He clearly doesn't have an offensive system himself.  What they're doing is unclear and not working, and they need someone to come in and install an offense.  Within that offense, they need to take early, open 3's.  Hauser, JJJ, Du, Rowsey and apparently Katin can make them.  Only open ones.  Stop rushing 3's.  There's nothing better for a shooter's confidence than an open 3 that goes in.  If this is the basis for your offense, then the defense shifts up, focuses on the close out, and leaves cutters and big men with more room. 
Lastly, anyone who takes a wild drive into the middle and just gets stuck/travels/pivots 4 times for a weak fade-away/ makes a forced pass/bad shot/turnover goes to the bench - for at least 10 minutes.  No questions... doesn't matter who, when, or the game situation.  There's gotta be some discipline!

[Dish]

The issue I have is I feel like I'm watching the exact same product I saw a year ago, the product is stale, and I don't want to see the same product a year from now. I don't know how to quantify that into solutions, I think people are trying, effort is there, but not much excitement, and quite frankly tough to see hope. I want to see MU playing in mid March with 63 other teams, it's troubling not seeing that on the horizon, year three in.

[slingkong]

Good luck. Maybe MU should set up a safe zone for Wojo. A new concept, hold him accountable? Shocking.

This is funny because here are you and keefe and bunch of other old people making fun of safe spaces (which strike me as odd, too) and, at the same time, crybabying over your favorite basketball team losing a game.

[brewcity77]

This is funny because here are you and keefe and bunch of other old people making fun of safe spaces

Maybe they could all go see Hamilton together. I heard this week that the theater is supposed to be a "safe place".

[Lennys Tap]

Maybe they could all go see Hamilton together. I heard this week that the theater is supposed to be a "safe place".

For now. Come January, Broadway goes all white/all male.

[GGGG]

The issue I have is I feel like I'm watching the exact same product I saw a year ago, the product is stale, and I don't want to see the same product a year from now. I don't know how to quantify that into solutions, I think people are trying, effort is there, but not much excitement, and quite frankly tough to see hope. I want to see MU playing in mid March with 63 other teams, it's troubling not seeing that on the horizon, year three in.

That is exactly the same basis for my concern as well.

With Buzz, when we would get blown out by Vandy or Florida, I kind of knew that he would right the ship because he had a track record for doing so.  We seemed to always have a clunker but they learned from it and improved.

With Wojo, I've seen this play before and the ending sucks.  The same things that lead to our demise last year were the same as the year before, and the generally haven't improved as the year has gone on.  And that is what is so disheartening.  Our games against Nova and X are probably going to look similar to last year's games.  We will try hard, hit some shots, but will probably turn the ball over a great deal and our man defense will be as porous as a sieve.

[keefe]

This is funny because here are you and keefe and bunch of other old people making fun of safe spaces (which strike me as odd, too) and, at the same time, crybabying over your favorite basketball team losing a game.

I have not made fun of safe spaces.

Nor have I been "crybabying" about losing a game.

I have expressed concern  over the very real lack of progress made by the leadership of that team. I was guardedly optimistic that this season would be when Marquette finally turned the corner

The game against Michigan exposed numerous structural problems with this team and where it is headed; frankly, I do not believe we are being well served by the current stewards. While we will likely log around 20 wins this season many will be due to schedule padding. We will probably be sub-.500 in conference play. (Hell, even the Bronze Beast of Bloomington fielded a competitive team during his tenure in a deeper conference with a more difficult schedule.)

What really concerns me is that when we have to play Nova and X we are going to be humiliated. I hope I am wrong but I don't think I will be.

[humanlung]

Cough...Howland...cough...

I was a huge proponent of hiring a proven winner but I still think Wojo needs some more time before calling for his head.  Unless we want MU to be the college basketball equivalent of the Cleveland Browns, I think we need to chill and not fire coaches before they have time to get a graduating class or two out the door.

[brewcity77]

Cough...Howland...cough...

I was a huge proponent of hiring a proven winner but I still think Wojo needs some more time before calling for his head.  Unless we want MU to be the college basketball equivalent of the Cleveland Browns, I think we need to chill and not fire coaches before they have time to get a graduating class or two out the door.

What about Howland? 14-17 last year, already lost to UCF this year. Super-recruit Malik Newman transferred after one year. Not exactly lighting it on fire down there.

Agreed that Wojo needs time. We all want results and all want the tournament this year, but Wojo is the ultimate anti-Buzz hire, including that he is not a quick fix kind of guy. His first recruits are still only sophomores. The "five years to judge a coach" thing is probably never going to be more apt than it will be with Wojo. We may win some sooner, but this is definitely a system designed to thrive on player development over the years moreso than quick talent injections.

[humanlung]

True.  Howland is not lighting it up down there yet.  Both coaches are in the same boat. 

But one has a track record of building programs and achieving a great deal of success and one does not.  Wojo might very well achieve more than Howland eventually but it is definitely the higher risk bet.

[brewcity77]

True.  Howland is not lighting it up down there yet.  Both coaches are in the same boat. 

But one has a track record of building programs and achieving a great deal of success and one does not.  Wojo might very well achieve more than Howland eventually but it is definitely the higher risk bet.

Okay...here's the thing, Howland has a huge reputation as an asshat. He's not loved by his players and creates a hostile atmosphere. This isn't a secret, it's pretty well known. After the stuff that happened under Buzz, Marquette would have never, NEVER even remotely considered Howland. That's why he wasn't brought in for an interview. That's why there was really only one person out there saying "sources tell me Howland is a candidate for Marquette" and I would bet dollars to donuts those "sources" were Ben Howland himself.

Did Howland want our job? Absolutely. Did he ever have a shot at getting it? No. Not remotely. Better chance Marquette would have hired the Hologram Al Twitter account than went with Howland.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Okay...here's the thing, Howland has a huge reputation as an asshat. He's not loved by his players and creates a hostile atmosphere. This isn't a secret, it's pretty well known. After the stuff that happened under Buzz, Marquette would have never, NEVER even remotely considered Howland. That's why he wasn't brought in for an interview. That's why there was really only one person out there saying "sources tell me Howland is a candidate for Marquette" and I would bet dollars to donuts those "sources" were Ben Howland himself.

Did Howland want our job? Absolutely. Did he ever have a shot at getting it? No. Not remotely. Better chance Marquette would have hired the Hologram Al Twitter account than went with Howland.

Winner winner

[Babybluejeans]

What really concerns me is that when we have to play Nova and X we are going to be humiliated. I hope I am wrong but I don't think I will be.

That's exactly it. Previous MU teams with obvious weaknesses across the last 15 years could still take down a conference powerhouse. And by doing so, they threw themselves into contention for tourney spots. The Wojo teams seem largely incapable of doing that, which is why many of us are rightly concerned about playing teams like Nova and X (the powerhouses of the Wojo era). In contrast to those earlier teams, the Wojo teams have lacked the ability to make up for deficiencies with grit and creative strategy.

[ecompt]

Who says there are low expectations for Wojo?

It appears the university did a few years back when it gave him an extension after a win over a cupcake. 

[jdbied]

To dr blackheart:.               So....without ANY evidence, we are now assuming Duane AND Rousey are transferring?????    What gives you this great power of seeing the future?   I'll await your answer, Nostradamus.

[Marcus92]

Good teams aren't always evident early in the season.

Last year, Wisconsin lost to Western Illinois (unranked) at home. Then lost to Georgetown (unranked) on a neutral court. Then lost to UW-M (unranked) and Marquette (unranked) at home. Then stumbled their way to a 1-4 start in Big Ten conference play. Their overall record at the time: 9-9. That team made the Sweet 16.

Going 2-2 to open the year is not a crisis. Michigan and Pitt aren't even bad losses. We have meaningful games left in the non-conference schedule — not to mention 18 games in the 3rd toughest conference in the country. Let's see how Wojo and the players adjust and progress over the next month and a half.

Or you can panic and give up on the season and the program right now.

[Herman Cain]

This isn't the end of the world. What it is, however, is a Marquette program mired in mediocrity.

There is no discernible progress towards the performance we all want which is measured in NCAA Tournament success.

Does the Scoop Charter contain a codicil requiring absolute adherence to some "feel good" zeitgeist? (which is, in fact, what Johnny Dodds demands over at Scout...)   

Fact is, our basketball team is not competitive for success in the Big East, much less even making the NCAA tournament. Pointing out a legitimate concern is not the same as being destructive.

The great thing about this site is there are alternative opinions allowed . Unlike Scout where you must toe the company line.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

Good teams aren't always evident early in the season.

Last year, Wisconsin lost to Western Illinois (unranked) at home. Then lost to Georgetown (unranked) on a neutral court. Then lost to UW-M (unranked) and Marquette (unranked) at home. Then stumbled their way to a 1-4 start in Big Ten conference play. Their overall record at the time: 9-9. That team made the Sweet 16.

Going 2-2 to open the year is not a crisis. Michigan and Pitt aren't even bad losses. We have meaningful games left in the non-conference schedule — not to mention 18 games in the 3rd toughest conference in the country. Let's see how Wojo and the players adjust and progress over the next month and a half.

Or you can panic and give up on the season and the program right now.

Good advice in general but the WI example is the worst example for those expressing displeasure. Getting rid of Bo removed a distraction.

[Dr. Blackheart]

To dr blackheart:.               So....without ANY evidence, we are now assuming Duane AND Rousey are transferring?????    What gives you this great power of seeing the future?   I'll await your answer, Nostradamus.

So at 1:06 PM I had Sandy on that list as posted here with a time stamp and a few hours later he was gone.  If you want Duane "answers", do a Scoop search from this summer that was backed up by many proven posters here.  I'll leave at that.  And "potential" does not mean "has" transferred. 

Who are your sources, 8 Post Wonder?

[mileskishnish72]

Got family that's Nova, SHU, GT. What I'm getting from them is: MU has too much talent to be playing like this. I kinda agree. Recruit 'em, but don't coach 'em up. I'm hearing what other posters are saying - it's likely that Wojo has another year after this free and clear. The so-called "trajectory" is flatter than we would like. Others are saying: "If he goes, chaos will ensue."
I had hoped for tournament action this year. It doesn't look like a reasonable possibility. Looking at the scholarship table, if it doesn't happen this year, how will it happen next year? Hani, Sam and Matt might progress but is that going to make a non-tourney team one that will get in?

Bottom line: this year is his last pass. If he does not deliver next year I think we need to look elsewhere.

[Herman Cain]

Got family that's Nova, SHU, GT. What I'm getting from them is: MU has too much talent to be playing like this. I kinda agree. Recruit 'em, but don't coach 'em up. I'm hearing what other posters are saying - it's likely that Wojo has another year after this free and clear. The so-called "trajectory" is flatter than we would like. Others are saying: "If he goes, chaos will ensue."
I had hoped for tournament action this year. It doesn't look like a reasonable possibility. Looking at the scholarship table, if it doesn't happen this year, how will it happen next year? Hani, Sam and Matt might progress but is that going to make a non-tourney team one that will get in?

Bottom line: this year is his last pass. If he does not deliver next year I think we need to look elsewhere.

I am confident Stan Johnson could retain all the recruits and the players would enjoy playing for him. Lets move in the direction of Stan soon.

[GoldenDieners32]

Uhh guys we are 2-2 its not terrible but i agree we should be playing better. We still have the whole season left.

[MU82]

Good teams aren't always evident early in the season.

Last year, Wisconsin lost to Western Illinois (unranked) at home. Then lost to Georgetown (unranked) on a neutral court. Then lost to UW-M (unranked) and Marquette (unranked) at home. Then stumbled their way to a 1-4 start in Big Ten conference play. Their overall record at the time: 9-9. That team made the Sweet 16.

Going 2-2 to open the year is not a crisis. Michigan and Pitt aren't even bad losses. We have meaningful games left in the non-conference schedule — not to mention 18 games in the 3rd toughest conference in the country. Let's see how Wojo and the players adjust and progress over the next month and a half.

Or you can panic and give up on the season and the program right now.

Silly.

Logic, facts, stats, history ... all silly.

So much easier to assume the season is over, resign ourselves to dumping the coach, watch most of his good players follow him out the door, and rebuild again. Much easier.

[jesmu84]

That's exactly it. Previous MU teams with obvious weaknesses across the last 15 years could still take down a conference powerhouse. And by doing so, they threw themselves into contention for tourney spots. The Wojo teams seem largely incapable of doing that, which is why many of us are rightly concerned about playing teams like Nova and X (the powerhouses of the Wojo era). In contrast to those earlier teams, the Wojo teams have lacked the ability to make up for deficiencies with grit and creative strategy.

Like Providence last season?

[jesmu84]

I am confident Stan Johnson could retain all the recruits and the players would enjoy playing for him. Lets move in the direction of Stan soon.

Is that what your boy, JJJ, is telling you?