Wojo

[Babybluejeans]

Like Providence last season?

That's exactly my point. The signature win of the Wojo era was not against the conference elite like X or Nova, but against Providence -- a team that finished the regular season and postseason unranked, an 8-seed in the NCAA tourney, and tied for fourth in the conference.

[MU82]

That's exactly my point. The signature win of the Wojo era was not against the conference elite like X or Nova, but against Providence -- a team that finished the regular season and postseason unranked, an 8-seed in the NCAA tourney, and tied for fourth in the conference.

Providence finished 4th at 10-8 instead of 3rd at 12-6 because Wojo's lads beat them twice.

Providence went from No. 8 in the Week 9 rankings to No. 12 in the Week 10 rankings because Wojo's lads beat them at Providence.

Providence was still ranked No. 20 in February ... until Wojo's lads beat them on Feb. 10.

So yes, Providence finished exactly as you say -- unranked and in 4th place. But Wojo's lads had a little something to do with that.

I mean, the Broncos' signature win in last year's playoffs was over a Panthers team that lost its final game, you know?

[Babybluejeans]

Providence finished 4th at 10-8 instead of 3rd at 12-6 because Wojo's lads beat them twice.

Providence went from No. 8 in the Week 9 rankings to No. 12 in the Week 10 rankings because Wojo's lads beat them at Providence.

Providence was still ranked No. 20 in February ... until Wojo's lads beat them on Feb. 10.

So yes, Providence finished exactly as you say -- unranked and in 4th place. But Wojo's lads had a little something to do with that.

I mean, the Broncos' signature win in last year's playoffs was over a Panthers team that lost its final game, you know?

I have no truck with arguing whether Providence was good last year, even though you compared the Super Bowl winners to MU 2015-16. I'll give you that: Providence was good. But they weren't elite, of the level Villanova and Xavier have been consistently playing. Hope this year is different and we can get a win between one or the both of them, but I still echo Keefe's point that they're not games I'm especially looking forward to.

[Freeport Warrior]

Haven't gone through the entire thread, but thought this would be good of time as any to share.

Been hearing for last couple years that Wojo's actual in-game coaching ability is suspect. Before any says "source" -- I'm talking about people privy to huddles, etc. People who are rooting for us. Wojo is a great guy and recruiter. He "lives" the floor slap -- motivation, go harder, push through it, win. That is also how he coaches. His message is "try harder." That works for some kids, but others need to be told exactly what to do on the court, in the game. I've heard him described as the exact opposite of Brad Stevens, who by all accounts is a technician. Successful coaches don't need to have it all, but they do need to recognize their deficits. And they typically fill those deficits with assistants. I'm not sure they have any "technicians" on the staff, rather other "motivators." Just my two cents.

[tower912]

I am still in Wojo's corner, but during the Michigan game (IIRC) they cut to him on the bench sitting hunched with a lost little boy look on his face.    Not what I wanted to see. 

[jsglow]

Haven't gone through the entire thread, but thought this would be good of time as any to share.

Been hearing for last couple years that Wojo's actual in-game coaching ability is suspect. Before any says "source" -- I'm talking about people privy to huddles, etc. People who are rooting for us. Wojo is a great guy and recruiter. He "lives" the floor slap -- motivation, go harder, push through it, win. That is also how he coaches. His message is "try harder." That works for some kids, but others need to be told exactly what to do in order to get better. I've heard him described as the exact opposite of Brad Stevens, who by all accounts is a technician. Successful coaches don't need to have it all, but they do need to recognize their deficits. And they typically fill those deficits with assistants. I'm not sure they have any "technicians" on the staff, rather other "motivators." Just my two cents.

The good thing is that great technicians are much easier to find then great recruiters/motivators.  Here's one thing that does seem to be true.  I have no sense that Wojo is so egocentric that he can't take suggestion to heart.  If something remains 'lacking' throughout the season, I'd sincerely hope he brings in that type of guy for next year.  I guess that's the Hank thread.

[Herman Cain]

The good thing is that great technicians are much easier to find then great recruiters/motivators.  Here's one thing that does seem to be true.  I have no sense that Wojo is so egocentric that he can't take suggestion to heart.  If something remains 'lacking' throughout the season, I'd sincerely hope he brings in that type of guy for next year.  I guess that's the Hank thread.

I just don't see Wojo as a motivator. I see him as a de-motivator.

He is good with recruiting, because he has a good sales pitch that appeals to families.

[GGGG]

Haven't gone through the entire thread, but thought this would be good of time as any to share.

Been hearing for last couple years that Wojo's actual in-game coaching ability is suspect. Before any says "source" -- I'm talking about people privy to huddles, etc. People who are rooting for us. Wojo is a great guy and recruiter. He "lives" the floor slap -- motivation, go harder, push through it, win. That is also how he coaches. His message is "try harder." That works for some kids, but others need to be told exactly what to do on the court, in the game. I've heard him described as the exact opposite of Brad Stevens, who by all accounts is a technician. Successful coaches don't need to have it all, but they do need to recognize their deficits. And they typically fill those deficits with assistants. I'm not sure they have any "technicians" on the staff, rather other "motivators." Just my two cents.

I have absolutely no doubts that this is the case.  It is pretty evident in the team's performance. 

[GGGG]

I just don't see Wojo as a motivator. I see him as a de-motivator.

The evidence doesn't bear this out.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

The good thing is that great technicians are much easier to find then great recruiters/motivators.  Here's one thing that does seem to be true.  I have no sense that Wojo is so egocentric that he can't take suggestion to heart.  If something remains 'lacking' throughout the season, I'd sincerely hope he brings in that type of guy for next year.  I guess that's the Hank thread.

I think the AD has a role in this soul searching if it truly is an inhibitor to success.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I just don't see Wojo as a motivator. I see him as a de-motivator.

Any proof? Figured I'd ask for the 19th time.

Because typically when you have a player like Sacar Anim heaping praise on a coach after being told he was going to redshirt, it means the opposite.

And for all your complaints about how he treats JJJ, he's only gotten better under wojo and has never transferred despite scoops insistance that he was gowne.

[mu03eng]

Haven't gone through the entire thread, but thought this would be good of time as any to share.

Been hearing for last couple years that Wojo's actual in-game coaching ability is suspect. Before any says "source" -- I'm talking about people privy to huddles, etc. People who are rooting for us. Wojo is a great guy and recruiter. He "lives" the floor slap -- motivation, go harder, push through it, win. That is also how he coaches. His message is "try harder." That works for some kids, but others need to be told exactly what to do on the court, in the game. I've heard him described as the exact opposite of Brad Stevens, who by all accounts is a technician. Successful coaches don't need to have it all, but they do need to recognize their deficits. And they typically fill those deficits with assistants. I'm not sure they have any "technicians" on the staff, rather other "motivators." Just my two cents.

This is 100% my belief and my concern. Was hoping there would be a coaching staff update this off-season but wasn't in the cards. I get why the staff is the way it is and everyone is useful, but there is no savvy X and O coach on the bench to help out.

Wojo reminds me of Tikhonov on the bench at the end of the movie Miracle just plucking away at his eyebrow because he doesn't really know what to do.

[Freeport Warrior]

I just don't see Wojo as a motivator. I see him as a de-motivator.

Maybe you are not understanding me. He yells. He's rah rah. He gets guys to push their bodies, to suck it up. He motivates to excel from a physical standpoint and gets just about all he can from an effort standpoint. By all accounts, this is his strong suit. But like I stated, that is just part of the equation.

[GGGG]

Maybe you are not understanding me. He yells. He's rah rah. He gets guys to push their bodies, to suck it up. He motivates to excel from a physical standpoint and gets just about all he can from an effort standpoint. By all accounts, this is his strong suit. But like I stated, that is just part of the equation.

No he understands you.  He just thinks he knows better.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

Maybe you are not understanding me. He yells. He's rah rah. He gets guys to push their bodies, to suck it up. He motivates to excel from a physical standpoint and gets just about all he can from an effort standpoint. By all accounts, this is his strong suit. But like I stated, that is just part of the equation.

I understand what you are saying for sure.  The product looks that way as a fan.

I would say that what you describe is also stereo-typical for the athlete coach - particularly one that came with incredible raw physical talent.  I don't know that I would automatically assume that Wojo fits that mold but its definitely not the first time this story has been written.  In addition if you look down our bench they are not a diverse bunch -- all the same background. 

[Goose]

It did not take me a long time to figure out that Wojo's TO huddles were not deep in substance. I remember early on hearing my wife and mother in law laughing about Wojo's huddle conversation with the team. They literally could not believe that every time the mic was in huddle he was screaming the same useless stuff.

IMO it is becoming painfully obvious why Wojo was AC for some years and not a HC. He came across as a safe hire and got the job. We will see over the next months if Wojo can hack it or not. In addition, we will learn if MU wants a big time ball program or not. A lot riding on the remainder of season.

[rocky_warrior]

I think there's a lot of revisionist "memories" here.  Out of timeouts, the team *usually* executes one good play.  After that, all bets are off.

Agree though that a grizzled presence on the bench would add some benefit to this young staff.

[mu03eng]

It did not take me a long time to figure out that Wojo's TO huddles were not deep in substance. I remember early on hearing my wife and mother in law laughing about Wojo's huddle conversation with the team. They literally could not believe that every time the mic was in huddle he was screaming the same useless stuff.

IMO it is becoming painfully obvious why Wojo was AC for some years and not a HC. He came across as a safe hire and got the job. We will see over the next months if Wojo can hack it or not. In addition, we will learn if MU wants a big time ball program or not. A lot riding on the remainder of season.

If your wife and MiL are basing their judgement on TV coverage of his game coverage, they may be more clueless than Wojo. TV will only show the rah rah/platitude stuff, very poor measure of how he runs his huddles. Not saying his huddles aren't a problem just saying we can't know that based on what we're allowed to see.

[Goose]

MU03eng

Both TV and sitting courtside.

[mu03eng]

MU03eng

Both TV and sitting courtside.

Well that's certainly more disconcerting then.

[ATL MU Warrior]

Well that's certainly more disconcerting then.

Yep...I'm really concerned now that Goose's wife and mother in-law are so concerned.

[4everwarriors]

Just ta start a chit storm, Wojo would be a much better coach dis season wit HE in his startin' 5, ai na?

[wadesworld]

The fact that Thurl Bailey, a college great and a guy who played 10 years in the NBA and averaged 12 points and 5 rebounds per game, is trusting Wojo to coach his son tells me that people who understand the game a lot better than anybody on MUScoop does trust that Wojo is a good enough coach to put his son's playing career in his hands.  Not to mention Sam Hauser, whose dad coaches and who clearly has been coached well up to this point.  If Bailey decommits, Sam transfers, and Joey Hauser immediately eliminates us from consideration, I'll be concerned about Wojo's ability to coach kids.

[Spotcheck Billy]

sheesh, a bunch of chicken littles after just 4 games, give it some time

kind of like Matty's article today about the unsettled PG position, it takes time to determine the rotations etc.

[Goose]

Atl MU Warrior

Actually my wife and MIL are like 97% of the MU fans that could care less. They will go to Miss Katie's for pregame, take bus to the nearly empty BC and enjoy socializing before and after games. I on the other hand, have very big concerns over a below average ball program and overall impact it has on the university.

It is funny the glass half full crowd on here. IMO most do not understand the overall impact basketball has on the success of the university. Quite honestly, crossing your fingers and hoping Wojo is a success is not a plan.

You can mock me about about wife and MIL all day long, but I can assure you my assessment is not based off their belief that Wojo is a joke. I have seen quite a bit of basketball in my day and have ZERO problem standing behind my assessments or beliefs. Once again MU has put themselves in a do or die crossroads with the basketball program. For this alum, parent of students, basketball fan and backer of school I am very uncomfortable with ROI on the program.