Marquette Men's Basketball Centennial Hoopla

[muwarrior69]

And Crean wasn't leaving for anywhere but MSU when Izzo left.......and the only place Buzz was going was Texas.
One MU coach will figure out that Marquette is the destination job--not sure if it's Wojo, but I think it just might be. They way he embraces the history is impressive, but it's easier ultimately to recruit at Duke--since they offer and recruit very little.

That is exactly what a lot of folks think. Let's see how easy it is to recruit at Duke once Coach K retires. That notion did not help Crean at Indiana nor the myriad coaches that followed Wooden at UCLA. I hope you are right about Wojo; perhaps he can be our Mark Few only more successful.

[muwarrior69]

One of the more interesting comments while watching the player interviews was the one made by Bo Ellis. It was the "players" that recruited him" Al was just the icing. It sounded like they were pretty active in that effort as well. Are there any rules today that prevent current players from contacting recruits? Sure, the coaches build that relationship but it sounded like back in Al's day the players were involved too. How true is that today?

[Mr. Sand-Knit]

And Crean wasn't leaving for anywhere but MSU when Izzo left.......and the only place Buzz was going was Texas.
One MU coach will figure out that Marquette is the destination job--not sure if it's Wojo, but I think it just might be. They way he embraces the history is impressive, but it's easier ultimately to recruit at Duke--since they offer and recruit very little.

I never said that

[dgies9156]

I guess I wasn't clear. It is much much much easier to recruit at Duke than at MU. MU could be on a recruit for 3 years, his brother could be on the team, and Duke could come in at the 11th hour and swoop that player up with little to no involvement or effort.

Not sure I buy that.

If you're arguing that Joey Hauser would drop everything and go to Duke if only Coach K called, not sure I buy that either. He's been pretty focused on us and two lesser schools. Yeah, it is flattering when a Coach K, Roy Williams or John Calipari calls (won't get into Slick Rick because his calls involve something else), but there are many intangibles that enter into a 17-year-old's thought process when selecting a school to play college basketball.

I suppose a recruit would have to listen if Coach K called, but Coach K doesn't get his "choice" of recruits. I'm sure Wojo would agree.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

One of the more interesting comments while watching the player interviews was the one made by Bo Ellis. It was the "players" that recruited him" Al was just the icing. It sounded like they were pretty active in that effort as well. Are there any rules today that prevent current players from contacting recruits? Sure, the coaches build that relationship but it sounded like back in Al's day the players were involved too. How true is that today?

I remember Duane being really good at that. He was always talking to recruits on twitter and I'm sure he would call them as well.

Same with Noskowiak, never played for us obviously but I remember him always reaching out to potential recruits.

[jsglow]

That is exactly what a lot of folks think. Let's see how easy it is to recruit at Duke once Coach K retires. That notion did not help Crean at Indiana nor the myriad coaches that followed Wooden at UCLA. I hope you are right about Wojo; perhaps he can be our Mark Few only more successful.

And let's remember that the supposed 'easier to recruit' notion is absolutely coupled with the 'must win national championships' expectation that comes with it.

[Avenue Commons]

Absolutely. Listening to his story about Izzo telling Crean he had the best job I the country, I thought if Tom could do it all over again, he'd still be our coach.

What was the story?

[jsglow]

What was the story?

That was essentially the story. Izzo told Crean. Crean implied that maybe he shoulda listened.

[muwarrior69]

And let's remember that the supposed 'easier to recruit' notion is absolutely coupled with the 'must win national championships' expectation that comes with it.

...and getting into the NBA.

[4everwarriors]

Really? People are so naive.

[jsglow]

Really? People are so naive.

Well 4never. Several of us were there and heard what he said. No one is suggesting that he was saying that he'd necessarily do things differently.  What we all heard was that he has a soft spot for MU and probably didn't appreciate it enough while he was here. Live and learn.

You're the only one who sees him as a calculated liar.  That's singularly on you. Sorry you're so bitter.

[muwarrior69]

I think what really impressed me the most is how successful all the returning players have become "after basketball". KO touched on that during the coaches interview regarding his players.

[warriorchick]

I think what really impressed me the most is how successful all the returning players have become "after basketball". KO touched on that during the coaches interview regarding his players.

Yep. And Mike Deane said that Aaron Hutchins has one class left, and when he completes that, 100% of his players will have graduated.

Come on Aaron, get on the stick!  I bet it's not too late to register for 2nd session of summer semester!

[4everwarriors]

Well 4never. Several of us were there and heard what he said. No one is suggesting that he was saying that he'd necessarily do things differently.  What we all heard was that he has a soft spot for MU and probably didn't appreciate it enough while he was here. Live and learn.

You're the only one who sees him as a calculated liar.  That's singularly on you. Sorry you're so bitter.

I heard what he said, also. I'm a pretty good judge of a person's fabric and character. But, I highly doubt that I'm "the only one who sees him as a calculated liar." He is, however, a master at self-promotion, drama, and hyperbole. Credit is hereby given for fooling most of the people, most of the time.

[We R Final Four]

Not sure I buy that.

If you're arguing that Joey Hauser would drop everything and go to Duke if only Coach K called, not sure I buy that either. He's been pretty focused on us and two lesser schools. Yeah, it is flattering when a Coach K, Roy Williams or John Calipari calls (won't get into Slick Rick because his calls involve something else), but there are many intangibles that enter into a 17-year-old's thought process when selecting a school to play college basketball.

I suppose a recruit would have to listen if Coach K called, but Coach K doesn't get his "choice" of recruits. I'm sure Wojo would agree.

Coach K and Coach Cal get several top 20 players every year. Every year. These recruits are their "choices" and they get them--not every one but a great majority.
I sure hope the blue bloods don't come knocking on JHs door, cuz I don't know what he'll do.

[We R Final Four]

That is exactly what a lot of folks think. Let's see how easy it is to recruit at Duke once Coach K retires. That notion did not help Crean at Indiana nor the myriad coaches that followed Wooden at UCLA. I hope you are right about Wojo; perhaps he can be our Mark Few only more successful.

Recruiting was not TCs problem at IU--he's the same coach he was here.

[B. McBannerson]

When Crean was gushing Marquette, my buddy leaned over & ax'D a valid Q... "why'd you leave, then?"

Thought Crean did well, but not gonna leap to conclusions of true regret

Because people make decisions, sometimes they regret.  O'Neill has said he made a mistake leaving.  People cheat on their spouses, move to a city they later regret, sold that stock when they shouldn't have, etc.

We are human beings and we cannot see the future.

That is why.


What troubles me with some comments in this thread are the lack of forgiving principles by MU and Catholic educates alumni, and the lack of acceptance of redemption by people.  Folks can change, they can admit the error of their ways, yet we too often seem unwilling to accept this happens in life on a daily basis.

Crean was a huge jerk at MU.  So was Kevin O'Neill.  Some say Rick was. As they got older, matured, lived life, had failures, did they become better people? Are they allowed to acknowledge regrets?

[GooooMarquette]

That is exactly what a lot of folks think. Let's see how easy it is to recruit at Duke once Coach K retires. That notion did not help Crean at Indiana nor the myriad coaches that followed Wooden at UCLA. I hope you are right about Wojo; perhaps he can be our Mark Few only more successful.

Bull.

TC signed five 5-star recruits at IU: Zeller, Ferrell, Vonleh, Blackmon, Bryant.  That's exactly five more than he signed at MU in the same amount of time.

He recruited fine with the IU name.  He just didn't get the expected performance out of the kids he got to campus.

[B. McBannerson]

Recruiting was not TCs problem at IU--he's the same coach he was here.

He was BIg Ten COach of the year last year and 3rd nationally.  His problem was roster management, especially when injuries came into the equation.  They were 14th in nation last year, beat KU and UNC, but when they lost key players they could not adjust.

He should stay in TV, he is good at it.  Don't be shocked if that is how it shakes out ultimately and has a long career doing it.

[B. McBannerson]

Guru disagree with u 1000% on crean and the BE.  Final 4, wade sure crean clearly deserves credit, but the BE?! No. MU fit all the criteria the BE was looking for eveb before Crean.  Al deserves credit, not Crean.  Hell Depaul got in!
Doesnt deserve credit on the Al, either that was getting built regardless

You ignore Commissioner Tranghese's comments about MU and the BE, and Crean's influence of MU landing there.  Timing is everything, Final Four was critical, commitment critical, no Crean equals no Wade, no Wade = no Final Four.

For whatever odd reason this grates some people. Be happy stars aligned, or recruits fell into one's lap if that makes others feel better through disparagement, end of the day those events happened and MU benefitted from it.

Is that not enough for all of us to be happy where we are?  MU would likely be in this version of the BE after the breakup a few years ago, that was not necessarily a slam dunk case when we actually joined with what we had done the previous two decades (not much).  Read Tranghese's comments.

[muwarrior69]

Recruiting was not TCs problem at IU--he's the same coach he was here.

I guess were conflating the school with the coach as I don't disagree with you. It's not Duke or Kentucky that can get any recruit they want it is coach K or Cal that gets the recruit.

[jsglow]

I heard what he said, also. I'm a pretty good judge of a person's fabric and character. But, I highly doubt that I'm "the only one who sees him as a calculated liar." He is, however, a master at self-promotion, drama, and hyperbole. Credit is hereby given for fooling most of the people, most of the time.

I should have included the word 'here'. No reason to fight further. Just wanted to clarify what I had meant to say. 

[wadesworld]

He was BIg Ten COach of the year last year and 3rd nationally.  His problem was roster management, especially when injuries came into the equation.  They were 14th in nation last year, beat KU and UNC, but when they lost key players they could not adjust.

He should stay in TV, he is good at it.  Don't be shocked if that is how it shakes out ultimately and has a long career doing it.

If IU beat KU and UNC before injures "last year," then Tom Crean was not B1G COY "last year." Those things didn't happen in the same year.

[wadesworld]

Because people make decisions, sometimes they regret.  O'Neill has said he made a mistake leaving.  People cheat on their spouses, move to a city they later regret, sold that stock when they shouldn't have, etc.

We are human beings and we cannot see the future.

That is why.


What troubles me with some comments in this thread are the lack of forgiving principles by MU and Catholic educates alumni, and the lack of acceptance of redemption by people.  Folks can change, they can admit the error of their ways, yet we too often seem unwilling to accept this happens in life on a daily basis.

Crean was a huge jerk at MU.  So was Kevin O'Neill.  Some say Rick was. As they got older, matured, lived life, had failures, did they become better people? Are they allowed to acknowledge regrets?

Some people do. Other people claim to have a life changing loss that completely changes their outlook on life, come back to an online forum they've been blocked from many times, claim they're not trying to nor interested in coming back to MUScoop but rather just want to apologize for his previous actions because life is too short to spend on MUScoop, promise to never return again, and then once Tom Crean is fired a few months later come running back to defend his every move. Maybe the lesson wasn't learned.

[B. McBannerson]

If IU beat KU and UNC before injures "last year," then Tom Crean was not B1G COY "last year." Those things didn't happen in the same year.

Last year meaning 2016, of I recall, but this past season (2016-2017 season).  He was Big Ten coach of the year and three finalists for national coach of the year in 2016, also happened last year, but reflective of the 2015-16 season.

Both happened last year but represent different seasons.  The act of winning COY and the act of beating UNC and KU both happened in 2016, some would say that is last year. My apologies for any confusion this may have caused.  2016 feels like last year to me.  Others may differ on that interpretation.