What was Wojo's alternative?

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

If you're grading NCAA basketball coaches on keeping the roster together then failing in that regard is the norm. Happens to 80% of the programs every April.


Also, don't conflate keeping an ego happy with dancing on eggshells around discontent.

Major programs do not lose a three year starter. I'd imagine when this does happen (lose a starter) it is a situation where a major upgrade in talent is coming which will impact mins (ala Shayok even though I think he was the sixth man). This wasn't normal and isn't akin to 80% of programs having transfers.

Now the debating whether the situation was unsalvageable and Wojo playing it properly seems fair.   However he is accountable as the head of the program regardless of opinion.   

By the way.  If Sam was such a jerk why did Wojo give him co-MVP.  Seems like a bad move if the new narrative is true (Hausers as villains).

[tower912]

If he is co MVP, why does he want to leave?  You would think that someone who has been so immersed in the program would have bought in and not abandoned his teammates

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

If he is co MVP, why does he want to leave?

I don't know — but I've quit my job before for a better opportunity.  I've known people to leave because they did not like the organization.  I've seen them leave because they hate their boss. And sure sometimes they leave because they are a bad fit. There are a million things and I'm not Sam. 

Hauser as villain though works great if you are a fan.

[tower912]

Wojo and Markus as villain works for others.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

Wojo and Markus as villain works for others.

Again calling into question Wojos actions that led to this odd situation seems fair—he is the head of the program.  If you aren't questioning it I'd be surprised.  If this happened to Gard last year with Happ I am sure we would have a 20 page thread of glee and scorn. 

[wadesworld]

Again calling into question Wojos actions that led to this odd situation seems fair—he is the head of the program.  If you aren't questioning it I'd be surprised.  If this happened to Gard last year with Happ I am sure we would have a 20 page thread of glee and scorn.

But questioning why a guy who started from day 1 for the last 3 years, played 30+ mpg the last 2 years, and averaged 15 ppg would bail on a projected top 10 (even top 2 if you look at ESPN) team in the country means you're making the kid a villain...

[Eldon]

Maybe the best way to manage the egos is to let them walk.

The inmates never get to run the asylum.

And if you read a similar story about any other school, would you blame the coach or the players?

The buck always stops with the coach, bruh. 

It should have never gotten to the point where the inmates had the idea to try to run the asylum.

[wadesworld]

The buck always stops with the coach, bruh. 

It should have never gotten to the point where the inmates had the idea to try to run the asylum.

Some inmates will always try to run the asylum. It's why there are almost 3 transfers per program per year in D1 basketball right now.

[Class71]

If he is co MVP, why does he want to leave?  You would think that someone who has been so immersed in the program would have bought in and not abandoned his teammates

Interesting perspective.

Also interesting that we heard little negative about Sam before he left the program. Was he not very easy to coach (i.e. according to  Wojo), did he not share the ball and encourage his teammates, was he not touted as a model team player?

Do we really think the reason why he left after 3 solid years was due to an insignificant issue? And if it was trivial why did UVA decide to take a headcase that is a quitter?  Does UVA not have enough talent and do they think they can turn this so called quitter around in a year?

Maybe you are correct. I do not know the details. I would suggest, however,  people do not change personalities overnight and I do not believe Sam Hauser was a quitter.

This issue is tragic for all concerned. I wish it could have turned out differently. I also wish that we can be a final 4 team next year. But t is not so simple. What is simple, is like it or not, the Hauser's are gone and Wojo will continue to be the coach. We can blame whoever we want but MU's course is now set in a different direction. We will find out what that direction is next year and all the speculation as to how it will turn out is largely groundless.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

But questioning why a guy who started from day 1 for the last 3 years, played 30+ mpg the last 2 years, and averaged 15 ppg would bail on a projected top 10 (even top 2 if you look at ESPN) team in the country means you're making the kid a villain...

I am sure the players are not pure in this situation - there was a divorce. 

However, I've seen people saying Sam tanked our season, should have been thrown off the team for the 'letter', etc.  That is what I mean as Hauser as villain.  It's a great argument if you want to absolve MUs accountability or want to believe it's a black swan event.

Everyone who wants to blame players for this great - go for it.  I believe though it's misplaced because none of them are in charge of the program.

[tower912]

800 transfers this year.  Almost all because they want more.  Sam was happy at Marquette.  So much so that his brother came.  Wojo was by Joey's side during his surgery.  Sam's numbers went up versus his sophomore year.  He is a team captain and co MVP.  Joey was averaging 29 minutes a game and nearly 10 points as a freshman. MU was 23-4 and in the top 10.  And the Hausers decide to leave.   But they'll stay if Markus goes.  And they leave and everyone else chooses to stay.

Best of luck in your future endeavors.

[Silent Verbal]

800 transfers this year.  Almost all because they want more.  Sam was happy at Marquette.  So much so that his brother came.  Wojo was by Joey's side during his surgery.  Sam's numbers went up versus his sophomore year.  He is a team captain and co MVP.  Joey was averaging 29 minutes a game and nearly 10 points as a freshman. MU was 23-4 and in the top 10.  And the Hausers decide to leave.   But they'll stay if Markus goes.  And they leave and everyone else chooses to stay.

Best of luck in your future endeavors.

Did the Hausers or Wojo or anyone associated with the Marquette program actually say on the record that the Hausers would stay if Markus left?  This is being stated as a fact.  Was it said by anyone? 

[brewcity77]

Did the Hausers or Wojo or anyone associated with the Marquette program actually say on the record that the Hausers would stay if Markus left?  This is being stated as a fact.  Was it said by anyone?

Publicly on record? I don't think so.

[Silent Verbal]

Publicly on record? I don't think so.

Thank you, I didn't think so.  For all anyone knows, the Hausers might've left even if Markus had gone pro.  Or if all three had stayed, we likely would've had other transfers.  No way to know.  It's just tiresome to see speculation and rumor stated as fact to help support a given narrative. 

[Pakuni]

It's just tiresome to see speculation and rumor stated as fact to help support a given narrative.

I see you're new around here.

[brewcity77]

No way to know.  It's just tiresome to see speculation and rumor stated as fact to help support a given narrative.

You can choose who you do and don't trust, but there are people on here that share information as they are able and are actually getting information that's close to the source. There are always things said off the record & always parts of the story that are left out. That doesn't make the statements inaccurate.

[Cheeks]

Major programs do not lose a three year starter. I'd imagine when this does happen (lose a starter) it is a situation where a major upgrade in talent is coming which will impact mins (ala Shayok even though I think he was the sixth man). This wasn't normal and isn't akin to 80% of programs having transfers.

Now the debating whether the situation was unsalvageable and Wojo playing it properly seems fair.   However he is accountable as the head of the program regardless of opinion.   

By the way.  If Sam was such a jerk why did Wojo give him co-MVP.  Seems like a bad move if the new narrative is true (Hausers as villains).

Maybe he was trying to hold the roster together with that MVP, or more importantly because the kid deserved it.

Wanting to leave doesn't make someone a jerk, either.  I've seen very few people here claim Sam fits that description. He wanted a change, he made it.   I'm cheering for those that want to be at MU.

[Cheeks]

Did the Hausers or Wojo or anyone associated with the Marquette program actually say on the record that the Hausers would stay if Markus left?  This is being stated as a fact.  Was it said by anyone?

That's interesting, you and others are buying into other "theories" here that were not publicly stated by program, player or coach....why the double standard RR?

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

The Co-MVP award certainly seems to lend credibility to the argument that Sam was a non-issue

[tower912]

Thank you, I didn't think so.  For all anyone knows, the Hausers might've left even if Markus had gone pro.  Or if all three had stayed, we likely would've had other transfers.  No way to know.  It's just tiresome to see speculation and rumor stated as fact to help support a given narrative.

But to pursue the other narrative, that it is Wojos fault, also relies on speculation and rumor.   

[Pakuni]

But to pursue the other narrative, that it is Wojos fault, also relies on speculation and rumor.

My speculation and rumor is better than your speculation and rumor.
Duh.

[tower912]

Exactly.

[Fred Garvin]

Talked to friend on Friday night,he talked to Family member,simply said in the families mind the inability of Wojo to reel in Howard 's play,was the reason they left

[tower912]

So, all about the touches.   And unable to co-exist with Markus.   

[NickelDimer]

So, all about the touches.   And unable to co-exist with Markus. lack of trust the coach knows what he's doing

Tomayto tomahto