If You're Wojo...

[Silent Verbal]

Again, I'm not saying I don't want it to happen, but why do people think BC or PSU would want Wojo?  His teams have collapsed three straight years with this one being the worst so far, he's never won an NCAA tournament game, his record in conference is under .500.  Those schools could do way better than Wojo.

Just answer me why, right now, in this very moment, another P6 school would want Wojo.

[MU82]

I worry that Garcia will leave at the end of this season if I stay on another year. I'm soooo tired of hearing TV announcers refer to the Hauser brothers as "Marquette transfer....". If they start referring to Garcia as "Marquette transfer...." I will never, ever live down the losses of three star players.

Unless he tries to go pro, why would Garcia leave? He will be the star of next season's team (or at least co-star with DJ, if DJ comes back). He will be the focal part of the offense, and will get all the shots he wants from inside and outside.

Plus, a pretty good sell job could be made to him: "If you, Justin and DJ come back, and we add our recruits, and I get us a good transfer or two, we will be ready to compete for a conference title next year." Scoopers might not think a conference title (or anything close to it) would be possible, but we're not the ones who need to be sold on it if he's trying to get Dawson to stay.

[The Sultan]

Again, I'm not saying I don't want it to happen, but why do people think BC or PSU would want Wojo?  His teams have collapsed three straight years with this one being the worst so far, he's never won an NCAA tournament game, his record in conference is under .500.  Those schools could do way better than Wojo.

Just answer me why, right now, in this very moment, another P6 school would want Wojo.

1. He recruits well
2. He would be a solid figurehead for the program
3. They wouldn't be able to do any better.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

OK, Mr. Reporter:

Here is the entirety of your posts regarding your "scoops" (or MUScoops, if you will) about Wojo's future:

The above is not a declaration that he's gone. This is you saying you're not certain he'll be back.

Actually, 2 games ago you said only that you weren't certain Wojo would be back. Now you are making a firm declaration, though, so that's cool.

With the above, you have softened your tone considerably to "Time will tell" and "We shall see" ... both of which are significantly different from "Wojo is gone."

Here you're saying that IF you bet, you'd bet on him being gone. But you're only HOPING that's true and, in fact, you're PLANNING on it being wrong. You want syrup with those waffles?

Wager on what? That you're hoping he's gone but planning on being wrong?

With the above, you're finally back to a solid statement. That WOULD be good news.

And again, firm prediction.

And again.

And again.

Actually, you didn't. Not on Scoop anyway. It was 11 days ago, on Jan. 31, that you only said you "hear it's not so certain" Wojo would be back. And just 3 days ago, on Feb. 7, you were still saying, "Time will tell," and "We shall see what happens," and "Hope I'm right, and I'm planning on being wrong." All of those are many miles from "He's gone."

There you are saying you're not 100% sure, but offering to bet again.

So ... do you "firmly believe wojo is gone this year"? Or do you not have faith he is gone this year because you lack faith in Marquette's decision-makers?

Mr. Reporter, if you think he's gone, please say it without hedging.

As for me, I don't know if he's gone or not. I hope he is. I have been saying since Jan. 25 that not only should Wojo be fired, but it should have happened right after the DePaul game, with an interim taking over for the rest of the season and a search starting immediately. But there is a 7-figure buyout to dump him, a pandemic going on, and an administration that does not seem to disapprove of the job he's doing, so I'm pretty realistic about the prospects.

So I very much am rooting for you to be right -- that is, when you actually have made strong statements rather than wishy-washy ones.

Basically, what you've done is this:

You've said multiple times that Wojo is gone. So if he is gone, you can say, "I told you so. Eat crow!" But you've also said multiple times that you can't be certain he's gone because of our clueless administration. So if he isn't gone, you can just shrug and say, "I know lots of high-ranking people who want him gone, and I thought he'd be gone, but Lovell is clueless, so what are ya gonna do?"

Well done!

And no, I won't bet you. Because I don't know, and I don't make bets unless I have a strong belief that I'll be correct.

Have a nice night.

[Billy Hoyle]

Unless he tries to go pro, why would Garcia leave? He will be the star of next season's team (or at least co-star with DJ, if DJ comes back). He will be the focal part of the offense, and will get all the shots he wants from inside and outside.

Plus, a pretty good sell job could be made to him: "If you, Justin and DJ come back, and we add our recruits, and I get us a good transfer or two, we will be ready to compete for a conference title next year." Scoopers might not think a conference title (or anything close to it) would be possible, but we're not the ones who need to be sold on it if he's trying to get Dawson to stay.

he could have that at Minnesota, with the greater chance to play in the NCAA Tournament. That's what coaches will sell him on as they try to poach him.

[MU82]

he could have that at Minnesota, with the greater chance to play in the NCAA Tournament. That's what coaches will sell him on as they try to poach him.

I suppose, but leaving is a whole to-do. I guess it could happen, and of course we'll be trying to do some poaching, too. It could really be the wild, wild west this offseason.

[Scoop Snoop]

Unless he tries to go pro, why would Garcia leave? He will be the star of next season's team (or at least co-star with DJ, if DJ comes back). He will be the focal part of the offense, and will get all the shots he wants from inside and outside.

Plus, a pretty good sell job could be made to him: "If you, Justin and DJ come back, and we add our recruits, and I get us a good transfer or two, we will be ready to compete for a conference title next year." Scoopers might not think a conference title (or anything close to it) would be possible, but we're not the ones who need to be sold on it if he's trying to get Dawson to stay.

Why would he not come back? Well, the inability of Wojo to get this year's team any where near an NCAA bid for starters. I believe the chance to play in the tourney is really important to a player of Garcia's potential. Secondly, he could get greater exposure (as did Mac Clung), allowing pro scouts to see how he works with a stronger, well-coached team. Garcia is not ready for the pros. If all he wants are minutes (I doubt it) then MU might be the right place for him.

No disrespect to you, but your premise of the possibility of a significant improvement next season is based upon returnees and Wojo getting some good transfers, but I see no mention whatsoever of improved coaching. So yes, I think Garcia may say adios!

[MU82]

Why would he not come back? Well, the inability of Wojo to get this year's team any where near an NCAA bid for starters. I believe the chance to play in the tourney is really important to a player of Garcia's potential. Secondly, he could get greater exposure (as did Mac Clung), allowing pro scouts to see how he works with a stronger, well-coached team. Garcia is not ready for the pros. If all he wants are minutes (I doubt it) then MU might be the right place for him.

No disrespect to you, but your premise of the possibility of a significant improvement next season is based upon returnees and Wojo getting some good transfers, but I see no mention whatsoever of improved coaching. So yes, I think Garcia may say adios!

Reasonable. We'll see soon enough.

[mug644]

I suppose, but leaving is a whole to-do. I guess it could happen, and of course we'll be trying to do some poaching, too. It could really be the wild, wild west this offseason.

I said elsewhere that the 'freedom to transfer' situation might be a silver lining on canning Wojo, as new coach could get players that are immediately eligible.

82s comment is a fair acknowledgement of the flip side. That a coaching change could create too much uncertainty for players to come to play for a new coach. A player looking to change his situation is likely looking for stability, not uncertainty.

[MuggsyB]

I said elsewhere that the 'freedom to transfer' situation might be a silver lining on canning Wojo, as new coach could get players that are immediately eligible.

82s comment is a fair acknowledgement of the flip side. That a coaching change could create too much uncertainty for players to come to play for a new coach. A player looking to change his situation is likely looking for stability, not uncertainty.

Exactly right.  That's why making this decision sooner rather than later seems prudent.

[Stretchdeltsig]

If I were Wojo I'd leave while I can. At least before the Scoopers tar and feather him and chase his team out of town.

[Scoop Snoop]

I believe that Wojo has too much pride to stay at Marquette and risk a disastrous, career ending season next year. It is in his best interest to find a way out and, as I already have said in this thread, he would probably be able to cut a deal with Marquette to leave with a pile of money. Not his buyout, but a big chunk of money.

If he believes he can redeem himself elsewhere (I don't), he needs to get out and start anew. Call it an amicable divorce. I no longer think Marquette will let him stay on, even with the financial problems and the layoffs.   

[panda]

I believe that Wojo has too much pride to stay at Marquette and risk a disastrous, career ending season next year. It is in his best interest to find a way out and, as I already have said in this thread, he would probably be able to cut a deal with Marquette to leave with a pile of money. Not his buyout, but a big chunk of money.

If he believes he can redeem himself elsewhere (I don't), he needs to get out and start anew. Call it an amicable divorce. I no longer think Marquette will let him stay on, even with the financial problems and the layoffs.   

It will be a PR disaster next season if he's the head coach.

[4everwarriors]

I'm going to go out on a limb and its just a hunch, but I think Woj bolts from MU and....lands on his feet with a better gig than Marquette. Just sayin', hey?

[CountryRoads]

I'm going to go out on a limb and its just a hunch, but I think Woj bolts from MU and....lands on his feet with a better gig than Marquette. Just sayin', hey?

Same hunch. Lewis, Mitchell, and Aidoo would likely follow him, especially if he goes out east. Worst case scenario is he cleans out our good players and leaves the admin caught off guard and scrambling in a few weeks. I'm on the fire him today train because of this possibility. Wojo is the one that should be scrambling.

[cheebs09]

I'm going to go out on a limb and its just a hunch, but I think Woj bolts from MU and....lands on his feet with a better gig than Marquette. Just sayin', hey?

Really? I mean K could retire and handpick him. What jobs are expected to open that are both better than MU and that Wojo would be a candidate for? To me, that seems to be a non-existent list.

[4everwarriors]

He's had months to think this through. We aren't privy to discussions with his agent or know his "connections." Like I said, its just my hunch, hey?

[The Sultan]

I'm going to go out on a limb and its just a hunch, but I think Woj bolts from MU and....lands on his feet with a better gig than Marquette. Just sayin', hey?

Like...where?  I can't think of any potential openings that would be considered a "better gig than Marquette" that would settle for Wojo.

[Scoop Snoop]

Same hunch. Lewis, Mitchell, and Aidoo would likely follow him, especially if he goes out east. Worst case scenario is he cleans out our good players and leaves the admin caught off guard and scrambling in a few weeks. I'm on the fire him today train because of this possibility. Wojo is the one that should be scrambling.

I'm not so sure that players and commits will follow a coach who not only will not be in the tourney but is also under fire by national sportswriters for demonstrated incompetence. Curious as to why you did not mention Garcia.
We may well lose players and commits but I doubt that they will follow Wojo. Usually, they follow a successful coach to his new gig.

I agree that Wojo is the one who should be scrambling. He may be already and he deserves to be scrambling after failing so badly.

[wadesworld]

W2D.

[Silkk the Shaka]

W2D.

It's not called the D-League anymore, it's been the G League for several years now

[cheebs09]

W2D.

I don't think even Dayton would take him.

[Lennys Tap]

Successfully oversaw the de-emphasizing of basketball at MU. If that's what Duke is looking to do he'd be a home run!

[NCMUFan]

I guess Buzz bolted when his final season at MU started to melt down.  But Buzz has a better MU resume than Wojo.  But we will see what the BOT and Wojo do.  Stay tuned, maybe the offseason will not be boring.

[Hards Alumni]

Successfully oversaw the de-emphasizing of basketball at MU. If that's what Duke is looking to do he'd be a home run!

To be real tho, Duke is under .500 and is going to miss the tournament.  Maybe K hangs it up and we all get lucky here.