Marquette Identity

[Jwillkom]

Every coach/program eventually develops an identity, essentially what other teams come to expect from them night in and night out. Crean's was toughness on both ends of the floor, and Buzz brought a similar hard-nosed style.
The identity under Wojo has seemed to be a "let's outscore our opponents at all costs."

My question for the group is this: If this team wins 25 games this year, do we care what the identity looks like?

[Galway Eagle]

There's always someone who'll say "I long for the tough hard nosed way we played under Al and what we briefly had under O'Neil and Buzz"

I would be thrilled with 25. Provided the Big East isn't the 2 bid league that so many have predicted 

[Its DJOver]

That may have been Wojo's identity the last two years, but I do not think that it will be this year with the defensive improvements (and offensive regression) that we have seen thus far. 

As to your question: As long as Wojo runs a clean program, I do not particularly care what this teams "identity" is, if we achieve the level of success proposed in your hypothetical.

[GGGG]

When the identity was switchables and junk-yard dogs, people wanted more "skills players."  When we have more "skills players" people want more of what Buzz gave us.

I just want to win basketball games.  It doesn't matter how.  It can be done multiple ways.

[Milkshakes]

As to your question: As long as Wojo runs a clean program, I do not particularly care what this teams "identity" is, if we achieve the level of success proposed in your hypothetical.

I agree with this. I want a program I can be proud of in terms of being well run and focused on the players education and development as much as winning. Of course, I want them to win 25 games a year. However, I want the coach and team to be good representatives of the school off the court as well as on it.

All that said I do think Wojo needs more pure athletes in the mix with his fantastic shooters. For me it is more about athletes than "toughness" or whatever.

[theBabyDavid]

When the identity was switchables and junk-yard dogs, people wanted more "skills players traditionals"  When we have more "skills players traditionals" people want more of what Buzz gave us.

I just want to win basketball games.  It doesn't matter how.  It can be done multiple ways.

[Silkk the Shaka]

Every coach/program eventually develops an identity, essentially what other teams come to expect from them night in and night out. Crean's was toughness on both ends of the floor, and Buzz brought a similar hard-nosed style.
The identity under Wojo has seemed to be a "let's outscore our opponents at all costs."

My question for the group is this: If this team wins 25 games this year, do we care what the identity looks like?

I think this team will look more in style like Buzz's E8 team. They'll win ugly based on defense and some clutch shooting/upperclassman-type gut checks. And I'm fine with that! Not what I was expecting in terms of style, but just gimme the wins.

Regarding your 25 win query, I'm thinking it's still likely they get there

The eFG% indicators are quite good (defense very strong in that area despite some good competition, offense will likely go up based on Wojo's history and available personnel)

If you take those as a given, it's a pretty simple path to 25

*Currently at 4
*no slip-ups against remaining cupcakes (+4)
*take 2/3 at home against KState, UW, Buffalo (+2)
*go 8-1 at home in BEast (beat everyone but Nova) (+8)
*go 5-4 on the road in BEast (win 4 out of GTown/SH/Xavier/Providence/DePaul; win 1 of Nova/Butler/Creighton/St.J) (+5)
*win 1 in BEast tourney (+1)
*win 1 in NCAA tourney (+1)

We got this!

[JakeBarnes]

I agree with this. I want a program I can be proud of in terms of being well run and focused on the players education and development as much as winning. Of course, I want them to win 25 games a year. However, I want the coach and team to be good representatives of the school off the court as well as on it.

All that said I do think Wojo needs more pure athletes in the mix with his fantastic shooters. For me it is more about athletes than "toughness" or whatever.

Honestly, I think the athletes are there. I think what is more accurate is more athletes that are willing to and not afraid to drive.

[Herman Cain]

The only identity I care about is that the team is a winner. So to answer the question,  It is up to the coaches to mold the team in the best way that the talent allows to reach the 25 win mark. Which means the team has to deliver on consistent basis possession by possession which is what  winning in the Big East is all about.