Tom Crean and Dominic James to M Club HOF

[TallTitan34]

[Warrior of Law]

Both are very deserving and good representatives of MU.  Now, when is that schedule getting released?

[Lennys Tap]

TC? Just threw up a little in my mouth.

Congrats to DJ and the other inductees.

[MU82]

TC? Just threw up a little in my mouth.

Congrats to DJ and the other inductees.

I'm not the biggest Crean fan out there, but I'm not a Crean hater, either.

In the more than 100-year history of Marquette basketball, two coaches have taken the team to the Final Four. Tom Crean was one of them.

Congrats to him, Dominic and the other inductees.

[tower912]

He atoned at the 100 year anniversary.   Bygones.   Moved on.

[TallTitan34]

Also Crean has had nothing but great things to say about Marquette since leaving.  He continues to represent the University well unlike some other past coaches...

[Galway Eagle]

Pro: 1/3 Final Fours in School history. 1/4 conference championships (1/3 regular season), just shy of 1/7 of our NCAA invites, 3/16 of our NITs. Brought in Wade, Deiner, Novak, James, McNeal, Matthews, Hayward.

Con: Had two years with Wade but one of those was a first round flame out. Had 4 years with Steve and Deiner and didn't do squat sans Wade. Had three years with with the 3 amigos and 2 with Lazar and also didn't do anything of note beyond losing to the Lopez towers.

Deserves it more than say Bill Chandler.

[tower912]

Pro: 1/3 Final Fours in School history. 1/4 conference championships (1/3 regular season), just shy of 1/7 of our NCAA invites, 3/16 of our NITs. Brought in Wade, Deiner Novak, James, McNeal, Matthews, Hayward.

Con: Had two years with Wade and one of those was a first round flame out. Had 4 years with Steve and Deiner and didn't do squat without Wade. Had three years with with the 3 amigos and 2 with Lazar and also didn't do anything of note.

He won one tourney game without Wade.

[HutchwasClutch]

Both Crean and DJ are absolutely deserving and congrats to both of them.

[HutchwasClutch]

Also Crean has had nothing but great things to say about Marquette since leaving.  He continues to represent the University well unlike some other past coaches...

Buzz being the best example.  Just a jerk for the school that gave him his major break when he was a nobody.  I haven’t heard him utter anything in gratitude or praise of the school since slithering out 7 plus years ago.

 I know Deane had his problems at MU and could be a little surly.  But I give him a ton of credit for being part of the 100th celebration. He really had to swallow his pride to do that.  But he did and was classy during it, even praised Cords as I recall.  How many people can offer any public praise to the person who fired you? 

[HutchwasClutch]

I'm not the biggest Crean fan out there, but I'm not a Crean hater, either.

In the more than 100-year history of Marquette basketball, two coaches have taken the team to the Final Four. Tom Crean was one of them.

I’m not either, in between on him like you.

But exactly right why he clearly belongs - the only coach not named McGuire in our history to reach a Final Four. Then to top it off, one of the greatest diamond in the rough findings ever in Dwyane, our greatest player ever. 

Throw out everything else good, bad, and in between during his tenure, FF and  bringing in Dwyane were easily enough for him to earn this.

[Uncle Rico]

Tom Crean has as many Final 4’s as Shaka Smart

[HutchwasClutch]

Tom Crean has as many Final 4’s as Shaka Smart

What’s your point?  That our run was fluky like you described Shaka’s?  We were a 3 seed that year. There was nothing fluky about our run.

[Nukem2]

I’m not either, in between on him like you.

But exactly right why he clearly belongs - the only coach not named McGuire in our history to reach a Final Four. Then to top it off, one of the greatest diamond in the rough findings ever in Dwyane, our greatest player ever. 

Throw out everything else good, bad, and in between during his tenure, FF and  bringing in Dwyane were easily enough for him to earn this.

Yes, he belongs.  But, not until he retires.  Strange to induct the coach of a potential tourney foe some year into the HOF of the school he voluntarily left. 

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Good lord people.  TC in the Marquette HOF is a no-brainer.

[Uncle Rico]

What’s your point?  That our run was fluky like you described Shaka’s?  We were a 3 seed that year. There was nothing fluky about our run.

Tom Crean belongs in the Marquette Hall of Fame for what he did in upgrading the facilities and direction of the program.  He embraced the past while building a future.  He took over a program with mediocre talent and helped guide them to a Final 4.  He helped guide them into the Big East at a time people thought it might hurt the program but instead propelled the program to a bigger and better stratosphere. 

And he has as many Final 4’s as Shaka Smart.  All of these things are true

[NCMUFan]

Congratulations to both and the other sport student athletes.  First year in the BEAST with Tom Crean and the three Amigos really sealed that Marquette basketball was big time college basketball.

[JWags85]

Also Crean has had nothing but great things to say about Marquette since leaving.  He continues to represent the University well unlike some other past coaches...

Crean was a bit too slick at times, obviously left in an unpleasant manner, and was kind of corny at IU. 

But as others have said, he's been nothing but gracious and classy about Marquette, and the last 4-5 years, seeing him in media spots and doing stuff like Pardon My Take, he's actually come off as pretty damn likable and self aware.  I think he was humbled and grew up a bit.  I have no problem with him and 2003 was the most fun year I had as a sports fan.

[Galway Eagle]

Congratulations to both and the other sport student athletes.  First year in the BEAST with Tom Crean and the three Amigos really sealed that Marquette basketball was big time college basketball.

Yeah oh for the 02-13 era 😔

[Newsdreams]

He must be making that donation....

[4everwarriors]

Eye'v bin axed ta bee T-Cube's presenter at da festivities. But, had ta decline sew dat Mrs. 4ever and Eye kan host a fundraiser for FD Joe's re-election campaign. Tough choice, doe, hey?

[MU82]

He won one tourney game without Wade.

So?

Crean brought in Wade, who to this day rarely fails to mention Crean when he talks about his fond Marquette memories.

If Wade was primarily responsible for the Final Four run -- and he was, though Diener saved his bacon against Holy Cross -- then Crean was 100% responsible for Wade being a Warrior.

I loved the 2003 team, as did most of us, and that team's coach absolutely deserves to be honored like this.

[tower912]

I have no problem with Crean receiving this honor.   However, a fact is a fact.

[MU82]

I have no problem with Crean receiving this honor.   However, a fact is a fact.

But it's a silly fact, tower, one usually brought up to take a swipe at one of only two coaches to lead us to the Final Four.

I mean, Al McGuire coached in zero Final Four games without Bo Ellis.

[Uncle Rico]

But it's a silly fact, tower, one usually brought up to take a swipe at one of only two coaches to lead us to the Final Four.

I mean, Al McGuire coached in zero Final Four games without Bo Ellis.

Makes you think

[Herman Cain]

Dom was an enjoyable player to watch . Was a great representative of MU basketball . I like all the things he is doing with his family these days as well.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Wes should have been in there first.

[GooooMarquette]

I’m not either, in between on him like you.

But exactly right why he clearly belongs - the only coach not named McGuire in our history to reach a Final Four. Then to top it off, one of the greatest diamond in the rough findings ever in Dwyane, our greatest player ever. 

Throw out everything else good, bad, and in between during his tenure, FF and  bringing in Dwyane were easily enough for him to earn this.

Agree. Crean is totally deserving.

Contrats to him, Dominic and the other inductees.

[Herman Cain]

Wes should have been in there first.

Wes is still playing in The Association.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Wes is still playing in The Association.

So is Jae Crowder

[augoman]

So?

Crean brought in Wade, who to this day rarely fails to mention Crean when he talks about his fond Marquette memories.

If Wade was primarily responsible for the Final Four run -- and he was, though Diener saved his bacon against Holy Cross -- then Crean was 100% responsible for Wade being a Warrior.

Y'know, 82, I keep hearing that Crean was responsible for Wade at MU.  However, I remember that Odarty Blankson told Crean to offer him and Crean had no idea who he was.  Blankson knew him and his ability and insisted.  Crean was more surprised than we were.

I loved the 2003 team, as did most of us, and that team's coach absolutely deserves to be honored like this.

[1SE]

I always thought TC was a bit greasy and a very average game coach, but the team he put together in 2003 was outstanding. If ODB wouldn't have bolted it would have been in contention for best MU roster ever and  I wonder if we wouldn't have won it all (although KU was such a buzzsaw that night).

If we see a team that's anywhere close to as complete as that (I know it would be a different style) under Shaka I'll consider it a great success.

[Galway Eagle]

What was Creans second best team? 08? 02?

[swoopem]

I’d say 07-08

How the hell has Wes not been inducted? That’s ridiculous

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Because based on college production, Wes was the clear #3 of the amigos.

[Billy Hoyle]

Dom was an enjoyable player to watch . Was a great representative of MU basketball . I like all the things he is doing with his family these days as well.

he could have so much better had he worked on shooting at FT's. 60% career FT shooter for a PG?  Though his FT's against Pitt in 2007 were clutch.

So?

Crean brought in Wade, who to this day rarely fails to mention Crean when he talks about his fond Marquette memories.

If Wade was primarily responsible for the Final Four run -- and he was, though Diener saved his bacon against Holy Cross -- then Crean was 100% responsible for Wade being a Golden Eagle.

I loved the 2003 team, as did most of us, and that team's coach absolutely deserves to be honored like this.

Travis and Scott Merritt in the first two games saved us from losses. And the Merritt commitment (Crean's first) was big because he was able to get a highly rated local kid to stay home.

[wadesworld]

he could have so much better had he worked on shooting at FT's. 60% career FT shooter for a PG?  Though his FT's against Pitt in 2007 were clutch.

Travis and Scott Merritt in the first two games saved us from losses. And the Merritt commitment (Crean's first) was big because he was able to get a highly rated local kid to stay home.

I'm guessing he worked on his free throws quite a bit.  Just like I'm very confident Giannis works on his free throws a lot.  Neither have a fluid shooting stroke.  They just aren't good shooters.  From the perimeter or from the stripe.  And it's hard to remake your shooting form when you've been playing the sport for 10+ years.

[Billy Hoyle]

I'm guessing he worked on his free throws quite a bit.  Just like I'm very confident Giannis works on his free throws a lot.  Neither have a fluid shooting stroke.  They just aren't good shooters.  From the perimeter or from the stripe.  And it's hard to remake your shooting form when you've been playing the sport for 10+ years.

Maybe, but his FT shooting got worse (46% as a senior) as did his three point shooting.

[MuggsyB]

I agree with the sentiment that Crean shouldn't have gotten in now but probably down the road.  Very happy for Dominic. Total legend and class act in addition to what he brought to the basketball court.

[TSmith34, Inc.]

he could have so much better had he worked on shooting at FT's. 60% career FT shooter for a PG?  Though his FT's against Pitt in 2007 were clutch.

He shot 62%. If he had shot 75% he would have scored 69 more points in his career or .5 per game.

[Uncle Rico]

He shot 62%. If he had shot 75% he would have scored 69 more points in his career or .5 per game.

Nice

[Dr. Blackheart]

Because based on college production, Wes was the clear #3 of the amigos.

Based on old school stats or modern day stats?  Frankly, using modern day stats, it's not even close that Wes is #1, which Buzz saw and employed their senior years and TC didn't in years 1-3 (which may say something about CTC).

Btw, using old school stats, Wes is not too shabby either, coming in 10th all-time in points scored and is the school record holder in FTM.

[bilsu]

What’s your point?  That our run was fluky like you described Shaka’s?  We were a 3 seed that year. There was nothing fluky about our run.

Any coach can get lucky once.
At least Crean did it why he was at MU.

[milwaukee ex-pat]

"Any coach can get lucky once. At least Crean did it why he was at MU."  I don't get this sentiment. Crean didn't get lucky once and his accomplishments at MU weren't isolated to getting D Wade.  He molded that final four team through intense practices into a great team and as has been mentioned recruited a number of other great pieces to that team besides Wade.  But what was perhaps even more impressive was - after losing an entire recruiting class - he recruited the amigos and developed that team into an instant competitor in the Big East which was a huge surprise and accomplishment.  Looked like at the time DePaul might reassert itself when we both joined the Big East and instead we left the Blue Demons in the dust and were a top 4 team in the Big East from the moment we arrived (finished in top 4 with at least 10 wins for first 5 seasons or so in BE iirc).   Good stuff.  Not a great look when he bolted to IU but he didn't leave the cupboard empty and he was responsible for bringing on possibly the best prospective assistant coach in Buzz who turned out to be arguably the best MU coach since McGuire.  Not too shabby imo...

[Eye]

I'd say '02 was Crean's 2nd-best team at MU.

[Billy Hoyle]

I'd say '02 was Crean's 2nd-best team at MU.

agreed. I'm still haunted by that Steve Logan coast to coast lay up that saved Cincy in the finale against Memphis and cost us the title. Oh yeah, and Donald Little at the Shoe.

Crean did a great job melding his guys with Deane's guys to create such a special season. Yeah, the Tulsa lost was depressing as hell but it was such run ride.

Injuries killed the 2005 and 2007 seasons. If Travis doesn't get injured we probably make the tourney and if Jerel doesn't get injured we would have been a higher seed.  But, that's basketball. 2006 was incredibly fun too with Novak becoming a star and the freshman developing like they did.

I remember the old WISN talk show muppet Mark Belling making fun of MU for "fill the corners for Al night." He laughed at the idea MU would ever fill the BC or be relevant again. Some were advocating for us going back to the Arena. Crean embraced the challenge and proved him and many others wrong.

[JWags85]

I remember the old WISN talk show muppet Mark Belling making fun of MU for "fill the corners for Al night." He laughed at the idea MU would ever fill the BC or be relevant again. Some were advocating for us going back to the Arena. Crean embraced the challenge and proved him and many others wrong.

Politics aside, when it comes to sports (outside of maybe the Bucks), most 3rd graders I know have better and more informed takes than Belling.  If I had a dollar for every stupid thing Ive heard him say or read him saying about Marquette or college sports in general, I could have bought out Wojo myself.  And I don't even listen to him personally.

[GooooMarquette]

Travis and Scott Merritt in the first two games saved us from losses.

Totally agree. I would add clutch 3-point shooting by Novak and Chapman off the bench…especially Novak in overtime against Mizzou.

[The Equalizer]

Politics aside, when it comes to sports (outside of maybe the Bucks), most 3rd graders I know have better and more informed takes than Belling.  If I had a dollar for every stupid thing Ive heard him say or read him saying about Marquette or college sports in general, I could have bought out Wojo myself.  And I don't even listen to him personally.

To be fair, at the time--in the era of Mike "I think the NIT is more fun" Deane, and an average attendance of around 12K in a 19,000 seat facility, and the only sellouts coming when Wisconsin was the opponent, the notion of a new coach coming in with a goal of regularly filling the corners of the Bradley Center was laughable.

[Galway Eagle]

To be fair, at the time--in the era of Mike "I think the NIT is more fun" Deane, and an average attendance of around 12K in a 19,000 seat facility, and the only sellouts coming when Wisconsin was the opponent, the notion of a new coach coming in with a goal of regularly filling the corners of the Bradley Center was laughable.

Did he actually say that? Or is that a reference to his coaching?

[Billy Hoyle]

Did he actually say that? Or is that a reference to his coaching?

I know he expressed that he liked playing in the NIT (Siena had made a run to the Final Four in 1994, which got Deane the MU job) and that there was nothing wrong with it considering the level he viewed MU to be at. If he made such a comment it was probably in regards to games being on campus.

[GooooMarquette]

Politics aside, when it comes to sports (outside of maybe the Bucks), most 3rd graders I know have better and more informed takes than Belling.  If I had a dollar for every stupid thing Ive heard him say or read him saying about Marquette or college sports in general, I could have bought out Wojo myself.  And I don't even listen to him personally.

Haven’t heard him in years. Sounds like nothing has changed…

[Billy Hoyle]

Politics aside, when it comes to sports (outside of maybe the Bucks), most 3rd graders I know have better and more informed takes than Belling.  If I had a dollar for every stupid thing Ive heard him say or read him saying about Marquette or college sports in general, I could have bought out Wojo myself.  And I don't even listen to him personally.

he had a vendetta against MU, I remember that. Is that wanker still around?

[The Equalizer]

Did he actually say that? Or is that a reference to his coaching?

I don't recall the exact wording, but the sentiment was that we should expect only an occasional NCAA bid, and that as fans we should be okay with that because the NIT provided more fun & excitement.