DJ Carton, Justin Lewis, Dawson Garcia: How many transfer?

[muwarrior97]

Sometimes in baseball a batter will hit a long home run and upset the opposing team and pitcher by flipping his bat, admiring his shot, or styling it around the bases.  Crusty old baseball guys might call this showboating, but the simple solution is, if you don't want the guy to flip his bat or admire his homer, don't give up the home run in the first place.

That's sort of the situation here.  If Wojo was actually getting the job done, no one would be complaining.  As it stands right now, he's lost three games in a row to teams in the bottom half of the conference during a crucial stretch of the season.  We're currently ranked #93 in Net, which is dreadful.  He has never won an NCAA tournament game and it looks like we'll be on the outside looking in this year.

And finally, the only "Willy" on this board is the one who talks about slurpers and phony lonesome cowboys.  You're either Chico, or someone associated with the MU athletic department or administration.  Fans will keep complaining about Wojo until he either wins or is shown the door, and there's nothing you personally can do to stop it.  Unless of course you're Lovell or Scholl.

Most of us want nothing but the best for the all these guys but at this point if you are not allowed to complain (or vent frustrations) what is the point of even coming to a fan board....

I've watched all 17 games this year and many have been painful to watch but I keep hoping they turn it around, unfortunately they have not.

At some point you have to hold someone accountable or do something different IF you want different results

[MU82]

I'm not saying you personally, but fans generally overestimate their own teams talent/depth level. If none of the covid seniors return, it's going to be a slog.

And I'm not saying you personally, but some Scoopers so hate Wojo and are so down on anything and everything relating to MU hoops that they can't be objective or pragmatic.

Some can't even consider the possibility that obviously talented but raw players like DJ, Dawson and Justin could be significantly better next season.

They seemingly have forgotten how much better numerous Marquette players got over the years -- and yes, even under Wojo.

Again, I would fire Wojo today. But I also know that dedicated players tend to improve, often significantly, and I allow that could very well be the case for DJ, Dawson and Justin.

I hope they are back, regardless of who is coaching us. But I'm realistic enough to know that if Wojo and his assistants are told to hit the bricks, there's a good chance that all 3 will leave.

As for the subject of this thread, I don't know why any of them would leave if Wojo & Co. aren't fired. They will be totally handed the keys to the car next season; it will be their team.

[panda]

And I'm not saying you personally, but some Scoopers so hate Wojo and are so down on anything and everything relating to MU hoops that they can't be objective or pragmatic.

Some can't even consider the possibility that obviously talented but raw players like DJ, Dawson and Justin could be significantly better next season.

They seemingly have forgotten how much better numerous Marquette players got over the years -- and yes, even under Wojo.

Again, I would fire Wojo today. But I also know that dedicated players tend to improve, often significantly, and I allow that could very well be the case for DJ, Dawson and Justin.

I hope they are back, regardless of who is coaching us. But I'm realistic enough to know that if Wojo and his assistants are told to hit the bricks, there's a good chance that all 3 will leave.

As for the subject of this thread, I don't know why any of them would leave if Wojo & Co. aren't fired. They will be totally handed the keys to the car next season; it will be their team.

Without turning this into a projo vs nojo debate and taking a step back from both our fandoms, it's very reasonable to say that our talent level takes a steep drop beyond Lewis/Carton/Garcia.

[MU82]

Without turning this into a projo vs nojo debate and taking a step back from both our fandoms, it's very reasonable to say that our talent level takes a steep drop beyond Lewis/Carton/Garcia.

Agreed.

But in college basketball, 3 very good players can take a team pretty far, especially when one is a stud PG and another is a do-everything big.

I try not to overstate how good they can become - I learned my lesson by overrating Garcia a little early this season - but I try not to understate it either. Freshmen often get MUCH better (and DJ is not much more than a freshman), especially those with obvious talent.

[Goose]

panda

DJ and Dawson are legit D1 players and Lewis looks like he is going to one as well. Other that that, we have guys that would fill out a roster at Bradley.

[BigWilly77]

panda

DJ and Dawson are legit D1 players and Lewis looks like he is going to one as well. Other that that, we have guys that would fill out a roster at Bradley.

Not sure I agree with that. I think Cain could be NBA bound. Just needs to clean his handle up a bit.

[MUfan12]

Not sure I agree with that. I think Cain could be NBA bound. Just needs to clean his handle up a bit.

[Galway Eagle]

panda

DJ and Dawson are legit D1 players and Lewis looks like he is going to one as well. Other that that, we have guys that would fill out a roster at Bradley.

If we hire wardle then we can bring Bradley to the guys as opposed to them going. I don't see a down side.

[Viper]

Applying a Van Halen lyric here, in a slightly different context...finish what ya started.
No one leaves. IF each improves, IF Oso has some game, IF Mitchell is better than average, IF 'doo can offer 10-12 serviceable minutes each game, IF a 3-ball threat transfers in, on paper MU improves even w/the same HC.

[Silent Verbal]

Not sure I agree with that. I think Cain could be NBA bound. Just needs to clean his handle up a bit.

To quote the wrestler Booker T, "You didn't just say that.  TELL ME, YOU DID NOT, JUST, SAY THAT!"

[Galway Eagle]

Not sure I agree with that. I think Cain could be NBA bound. Just needs to clean his handle up a bit.

I agree if he picks up his handle he might make it to an NBA game handling a ticket.

[panda]

panda

DJ and Dawson are legit D1 players and Lewis looks like he is going to one as well. Other that that, we have guys that would fill out a roster at Bradley.

We agree.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Cain isn't heading into the NBA anytime soon. But if I had to pick a player from our roster who was going to pull a Juan Anderson in 4-5 years, it would be Cain.

[Billy Hoyle]

Not sure I agree with that. I think Cain could be NBA bound. Just needs to clean his handle up a bit.

The Netherlands Basketball Association?

[SaveOD238]

Maybe we're thinking about this wrong.  Maybe instead of worrying about whether Carton, Garcia, and Lewis go pro/transfer if Wojo leaves, we should be thinking the other way.  Should the Wojo decision be based on what those three decide?

Bring back those three and I'm ok with giving Wojo one more shot, especially if he can land a starting level guard in the transfer-madness that is coming.  If one or two or three of them leave town, then next year will suck no matter what we do, and the Wojo decision is basically made for us.

The problem is timing.  If we wait on those guys to decide, we are behind the 8-ball when it comes to the coaching carousel.

[MU82]

Maybe we're thinking about this wrong.  Maybe instead of worrying about whether Carton, Garcia, and Lewis go pro/transfer if Wojo leaves, we should be thinking the other way.  Should the Wojo decision be based on what those three decide?

Bring back those three and I'm ok with giving Wojo one more shot, especially if he can land a starting level guard in the transfer-madness that is coming.  If one or two or three of them leave town, then next year will suck no matter what we do, and the Wojo decision is basically made for us.

The problem is timing.  If we wait on those guys to decide, we are behind the 8-ball when it comes to the coaching carousel.

You don't base the Wojo decision on current players or recruits. If you don't think he can lead us to years of sustained success, which includes tournament success, you fire him.

But yes, if you wait for players to say they have entered the transfer portal, it probably would be too late. The best coaching candidates will have been grabbed by other schools.

[cheebs09]

You don't base the Wojo decision on current players or recruits. If you don't think he can lead us to years of sustained success, which includes tournament success, you fire him.

But yes, if you wait for players to say they have entered the transfer portal, it probably would be too late. The best coaching candidates will have been grabbed by other schools.

Not only that but also missing out on players in the transfer portal.

[MU82]

Not only that but also missing out on players in the transfer portal.

Good point.

If you're gonna fire Wojo, and you're unwilling to make a midseason move, you do it the day the season ends.

Hopefully, you already have started a serious coaching search and are ready to make a great hire quickly. Maybe that way, you can nab a few of the transfers.

Even if MU pulls off all of that perfectly, some current players will leave, some (if not all) recruits will bail, and the 2021-22 season will almost surely suck big-time. That's the price a program pays for firing its coach.

[Jockey]

I agree if he picks up his handle he might make it to an NBA game handling a ticket.

Actually, he would need to be able to handle his phone.

[Goose]

Galway

If they hire Wardle it would only confirm that they know little about running a major basketball program. I have said many times on here that lowering the budget and hiring Wardle is an option, just a horrible option. As much as I dislike Wojo being the HC, I would take him over Wardle any day of the week. Wojo can at least walk into any recruits house with a story to tell, a name to drop or a high level experience he can share. Brian Wardle's name should not be even mentioned IMO.

[MUfan12]

If they hire Wardle it would only confirm that they know little about running a major basketball program. I have said many times on here that lowering the budget and hiring Wardle is an option, just a horrible option. As much as I dislike Wojo being the HC, I would take him over Wardle any day of the week. Wojo can at least walk into any recruits house with a story to tell, a name to drop or a high level experience he can share.

I'd be concerned about having the recruiting relationships necessary to compete at this level. He hasn't worked in a high-major program since his time at MU 15 years ago.

The best option MU has at this point, IMO, is a guy who was a P6 assistant who is cutting his teeth at a mid-major school.

[Goose]

To follow up on post from 4ever earlier today, I would never hesitate on hiring someone over a short term hit. Losing players is part of the game today and I would not worry about who might stay or who might go based off of Wojo's status. The damage that can be done by keeping him outweighs the damage caused by letting him go.

Truthfully, parting ways with Wojo would be a win for him long term. He has never seemed all that warm and fuzzy about MKE and probably believed this was a learn on the job and be ready to take over at Duke. Only problem, he is better suited for Duquesne than he is for Duke. I had hoped he was going to get the job done here and it just did not happen. Time to move on.

[Warrior of Law]

I think a mid-major coach with a track record of success would be the right fit.  Porter Moser comes from a Jesuit school (LUC), worked with Majerus at SLU.  Can you get him to move 75 miles north?  Hopefully, through some agents those conversations are underway.

[MuggsyB]

To follow up on post from 4ever earlier today, I would never hesitate on hiring someone over a short term hit. Losing players is part of the game today and I would not worry about who might stay or who might go based off of Wojo's status. The damage that can be done by keeping him outweighs the damage caused by letting him go.

Truthfully, parting ways with Wojo would be a win for him long term. He has never seemed all that warm and fuzzy about MKE and probably believed this was a learn on the job and be ready to take over at Duke. Only problem, he is better suited for Duquesne than he is for Duke. I had hoped he was going to get the job done here and it just did not happen. Time to move on.

I agree with your overall point.  If the AD feels the coach is not capable of sustained success with a 2+mill salary and a storied program you take the immediate short-term hit.  That said it doesn't sound like there is a home-run hire for MU.  Of course no one saw Chris Beard coming.  I'm wondering if we would go after the Drake or Winthrop coach?  Or perhaps Moser at Loyola-Chi?  Do you think there's a prime-time candidate to lead the Warrios back to dominance?  Or even Buzz level?

[Galway Eagle]

I think a mid-major coach with a track record of success would be the right fit.  Porter Moser comes from a Jesuit school (LUC), worked with Majerus at SLU.  Can you get him to move 75 miles north?  Hopefully, through some agents those conversations are underway.

If he lives on the north shore it could be less. Heck maybe he lives in Lake Forest and hes practically halfway to Milwaukee already.