Just My Opinion

[oilcan]

A year ago, when Wojo was still the coach, and when DJ Carton and Dawson Garcia were still on the team, I believed MU was 2 years away from really competing in the Big East and putting a team on the floor that could make the elite eight.

The pieces were there, but they had to learn to play together and grow. Adding Justin Lewis was so important to the team’s ability to score from many spots on the floor. In college basketball it all comes down to guards. DJ- check. Add a McDonald’s All American to run up the court and force the ball when he was a freshman? Check. And then Lewis comes in and you say, “It’s going to come together.”

At Marquette we have such expectations. We understand you don’t bring in a Wade or a Butler every year. But because athletes play at MU and go on to have great NBA careers (I watched Jae Crowder play today), I still believe that there is something in the water (or the beer) that turns a player that has an upside into a player that excels at his position. I know I’m rambling here.

What is my point? Smart walked in and lost DJ and the kid from Minnesota. Outside of those 3 Shaka had bench warmers and a couple of freshmen guards coming in. And they didn’t bail after the coaching change. I would give those freshman guards more pt. Stevie Mitchell can’t drive to the basket if he’s only getting one minute a game.

When he got more minutes he fumbled it off his leg and out of bounds.  He should be shooting 3s- he did that in high school. I saw it. And the kid from Iowa with the crazy hair should get more pt. He could be electric. None of the guards are exceptional.

I don’t expect MU to compete for another 2 years. I mean Big East Championship or Elite Eight. Smart will recruit well enough to improve the program. I have no doubt about that. Hey, we won big games already against good teams and we lost a few heart breakers.

Even though I understand we’re still 2 years away, my expectations are high. And no– Justin Lewis is not leaving next year.

edit: paragraphs are your friend.

[#UnleashSean]

And no– Justin Lewis is not leaving next year.

Eh, that is not necessarily true.

What the old timers of scoop need to understand is this is not the NBA of the 80-2000's

The NBA has a legit minor league now, and a lot more money being put into player development. You no longer need to be NBA ready to get drafted. You need something they are looking for. Whether that be allstar caliber skill, body type, or a certain skill that has potential they will pick you up.

Henry Ellenson would not have been drafted after playing for 3 years for Marquette if he was playing in 2006, however I'm today's age, he was a guaranteed contract in the first round after his freshman year. He didn't pan out, the NBA doesn't care to much.

If Justin Lewis were to say the hell with college tomorrow, while he may not be drafted, he will get offers for the minor league.

Now will the nil do anything to change this? Maybe.

[Merit Matters]

A year ago, when Wojo was still the coach, and when DJ Carton and Dawson Garcia were still on the team, I believed MU was 2 years away from really competing in the Big East and putting a team on the floor that could make the elite eight. The pieces were there, but they had to learn to play together and grow. Adding Justin Lewis was so important to the team’s ability to score from many spots on the floor. In college basketball it all comes down to guards. DJ- check. Add a McDonald’s All American to run up the court and force the ball when he was a freshman? Check. And then Lewis comes in and you say, “It’s going to come together.” At Marquette we have such expectations. We understand you don’t bring in a Wade or a Butler every year. But because athletes play at MU and go on to have great NBA careers (I watched Jae Crowder play today), I still believe that there is something in the water (or the beer) that turns a player that has an upside into a player that excels at his position. I know I’m rambling here. What is my point? Smart walked in and lost DJ and the kid from Minnesota. Outside of those 3 Shaka had bench warmers and a couple of freshmen guards coming in. And they didn’t bail after the coaching change. I would give those freshman guards more pt. Stevie Mitchell can’t drive to the basket if he’s only getting one minute a game. When he got more minutes he fumbled it off his leg and out of bounds.  He should be shooting 3s- he did that in high school. I saw it. And the kid from Iowa with the crazy hair should get more pt. He could be electric. None of the guards are exceptional. I don’t expect MU to compete for another 2 years. I mean Big East Championship or Elite Eight. Smart will recruit well enough to improve the program. I have no doubt about that. Hey, we won big games already against good teams and we lost a few heart breakers. Even though I understand we’re still 2 years away, my expectations are high. And no– Justin Lewis is not leaving next year.

Someone has had a little too much eggnog. Wojo and elite eight don’t belong in the same universe. It’s an insult to the NCAA tournament.

[oilcan]

I know sweet sixteen was more reasonable.  Not elite eight. And yes, I'm guilty of the nog. But Hey, it's my first time. I also remember a story when Al was coach. A player came to him and said I'm leaving after this year. And Al said why, you need another year. Not for me, not for Marquette, but you need to get better. And the player said "Coach, I don't have any food in my refrigerator." And Al said, "Go. Do it. And I'll do anything I can to help you."

[DoctorV]

Oilcan I’m very glad you started posting. Keep it up.
Merry Christmas!

[oilcan]

Thank you for the encouragement DoctorV

I try to share what I know and remember and sometimes it doesn’t sit well with some people. And I know pro ball has changed the equation, especially as far as compensation. What Maurice Lucas made with Portland wouldn’t buy you an SUV today.

All Marquette fans feel bigger and better when high school recruits from Wisconsin sign with MU and stay at home. And of course, not with the demons who play over there in Madison. We can count Travis and Steve. And Vander Blue. Why did Diamond throw us over?  When Henry signed I danced around my living room. “We’ve got everything we need. We’ve got everything we need to win”, I told my wife. His freshman year he averaged 17 and 10. Henry was a bonafide college star and then he left. I don’t blame him for coming out. $1.5 million a year times 2. And then, who knows? He bounced around and then he’s in Europe or elsewhere.

And then there they are.  Or there they were. Sam & Joey. Sam, who thought he could be the next Steve Novak. And his younger brother Joey. It had us all jumping up and down, those guys and Theo John. Oh, and did forget Markus Howard? Next to us, our opponents were fluffy bunnies. I’m snapping my fingers. And then the Housers weren’t happy anymore. Sam left for Virginia to play for a Wisconsin native: Tony Bennett, who won a national championship, but is still a lounge singer in my book, much like Tony Bennett. I’m sorry if I’m starting to confuse you, because I’m confused too.

Anyway Sam left and then Joey left. For what? Michigan State.
I watch every Michigan State game I can and all I see Joey do is set screens. He does it well, I guess, but I don’t see him shooting threes and enjoying what he could have enjoyed here in Milwaukee.  He’s missing that crap, I’m sure.  I won’t dig into the Markus Howard deal   Not enough shots?  “Not comfortable in the situation?”  Go run off to Virginia and Michigan State. Go. Go. Go.
I wish so bad Michigan State would come to town so we could hold up signs that say "Joey Who?"  But I'm not bitter. We move on.

[DoctorV]

Agreed, MU fans love the local kids and rightfully so!
That’s why I was such a huge Vander Blue and Wes Matthews fan- it’s no easy task to leave a Madison upbringing and choose Marquette, especially when both teams are fairly successful.
It is a slap in the face to the Badgers system compared to the more modern aged MU style.

Why did you chose the name Oilcan?

[GoldenWarrior11]

Hindsight is 20/20, always. However, who's to say that Garcia and Carton don't both leave even if Wojo stays? The reality remains is that Wojo-led teams developed a very frustrating and sad trend, especially the last three seasons, where the teams would regress as the seasons wore on. Furthermore the team never really made adjustments and the roster became a yearly turnover, plugging gaps with transfers from lower conferences that were not skilled enough for the Big East.

Above all, Wojo failed at developing a program identity (other than perhaps high-usage scoring guards with average to subpar team defense). 

I don't know the ceiling of Smart here at Marquette - frankly no one does. But it is irrefutable that an identity is being formed and that this year's team is full of youth that will only benefit from the rigorous schedule and quality of competition.  There should be zero regret about making the move from Wojo to Smart, respectively - and I say that in hopes Wojo gets another opportunity at a high-major gig. I do believe he learned a lot from his time here at MU.

[Elonsmusk]

The only way you start playing Stevie Mitchell more (unless the game is a blowout) is if it becomes clear we aren't making the NCAA.  I think Emarion can help and get some limited minutes without the above caveats.

I think* Stevie can become a solid player at MU, however with Sean Jones coming in - if he's the real deal as many believe he will be, Stevie might just become a backup or 3rd option at PG - Kolek being the backup, but also likely getting some minutes off the ball as a 2.

Too early to throw in the towel for the sake of getting our freshman more minutes.

[panda]

My only concern with Stevie is that he hasn’t shown any exceptional single skill so far and he is a smaller, below average athlete.

[BCHoopster]

My only concern with Stevie is that he hasn’t shown any exceptional single skill so far and he is a smaller, below average athlete.
[/quote

Agreed, sometimes freshman realize they have issues in there game, Stevie has shown nothing lately, he needs the summer to play at this level.  What Wojo saw surprises me much like Ellis and Itejere.  Both are not ready either.  Texas would not have been happy with these recruits!  Hope these 3 stay, and improve as sophmores.  Transfer market is where Shaka has to go, better idea who can play at this level.

[JWags85]

Agreed, sometimes freshman realize they have issues in there game, Stevie has shown nothing lately, he needs the summer to play at this level.  What Wojo saw surprises me much like Ellis and Itejere.  Both are not ready either.  Texas would not have been happy with these recruits!  Hope these 3 stay, and improve as sophmores.  Transfer market is where Shaka has to go, better idea who can play at this level.

Ellis wasn’t a Wojo recruit.  He’s a borderline top 100 guy, so he wasn’t some deep dive flier. Any school, including Texas, is happy with a top 100 guy.  That doesn’t mean they are ready to be a stud from day 1.

And while I have no problem with Wojo criticism, Mitchell was a consensus top 100 guy with a bunch of high major offers who was Mr BB in PA.  Wojo wasn’t the only one who saw plenty in him.

[Its DJOver]

Stevie will be fine, he’s a freshman, these things take time

[Lennys Tap]

The only way you start playing Stevie Mitchell more (unless the game is a blowout) is if it becomes clear we aren't making the NCAA.  I think Emarion can help and get some limited minutes without the above caveats.

I think* Stevie can become a solid player at MU, however with Sean Jones coming in - if he's the real deal as many believe he will be, Stevie might just become a backup or 3rd option at PG - Kolek being the backup, but also likely getting some minutes off the ball as a 2.

Too early to throw in the towel for the sake of getting our freshman more minutes.

Agree on most points but I think Tyler Kolek is our starting PG as long as he’s here barring injury.

[tower912]

Never ever ever give up on freshmen 13 games into their career.   A classic scoop cliche.

[Elonsmusk]

Agree on most points but I think Tyler Kolek is our starting PG as long as he’s here barring injury.

I tend to agree, yet the reports on Sean Jones sound as though he'll be a fantastic PG.  Regardless, a great "problem" to have, having two skilled PGs..something we haven't had at MU in a long time.

Never ever ever give up on freshmen 13 games into their career.   A classic scoop cliche.

Not sure if you wrote this in response to my post about Stevie/not playing the young guards big minutes right now, but if so I want to clarify that in no way was I suggesting giving up on him.  At all.  Simply stating that at present he's not ready, and we still have NCAA chances and no need to play for the future.

[BCHoopster]

Ellis wasn’t a Wojo recruit.  He’s a borderline top 100 guy, so he wasn’t some deep dive flier. Any school, including Texas, is happy with a top 100 guy.  That doesn’t mean they are ready to be a stud from day 1.

And while I have no problem with Wojo criticism, Mitchell was a consensus top 100 guy with a bunch of high major offers who was Mr BB in PA.  Wojo wasn’t the only one who saw plenty in him.

I think I stated Texas would not have been happy with his recruits ie. Ellis and Itejere.

[Lennys Tap]

I tend to agree, yet the reports on Sean Jones sound as though he'll be a fantastic PG.  Regardless, a great "problem" to have, having two skilled PGs..something we haven't had at MU in a long time.

Hope the reports on Sean are accurate. “Too much” talent at PG would indeed be a nice luxury.

[BCHoopster]

They will have potential next year at both guard positions, practice will be interesting with all those bodies but unless he gets some meat upfront, they will be back in the pack as usual for MU.  Need a big transfer.

[oilcan]

Sorry I didn’t respond sooner but I’ve been out shoveling snow. It was tough and then I fell down. My wife wouldn’t lift a finger to help me. She sat in the house drinking eggnog while I froze out there. I’m just lucky an Amazon guy came by to deliver my new bowling ball or I’d be dead. Enough of my problems.

I am so impressed with what goldenwarrior11 said earlier. About the program, under Wojo, and the future. He has it all into focus. Wojo, the Coach K disciple, who we expected to recruit good players because of his basketball cv, and win close games because of his “smarts” and not just his pedigree, disappointed me. He couldn’t coach.  All he did was stand there with his arms crossed. Could he recruit?  Well he got Carton out of “the” unnatural carnal knowledgeing Ohio State University, after he quit because he was depressed or something? He had personal problems and took a break. And came back to play for MU. I loved the guy. Best wishes for his future. Wojo got Garcia. A McDonald’s All American. Good job. I was happy. The guy was coached well up in Minnetonka (sic) but why didn’t Wojo get Jalen Suggs? From what I hear MU was this close. And I understand Suggs was only going to play for the one year. Why wouldn’t he play the Golden Eagles for a coach who was a pg in college and would help him develop? Goldenwarrior11 nailed it again when he said the roster became a yearly turnover, plugging gaps with unskilled transfers.

Developing a team identity is a hard. I’m not sure I’m ready to advise anyone how to do that?

I like Kolek. We’re lucky to have him. Is he the starter because he can handle the ball better than the other guys and creates assists? Or is it because he’s the only guard with division one experience? Obviously the cupboard was bare. Then you recruit guards to come in you say “Well, the first year you’ll come in for a few minutes a game and you’ll find your role on the team. Freshmen come in and say, “That’s alright. I just want to get out of my mom’s house.”  But Ellis and Mitchell are quality players. And they need more minutes. That’s how you create team identity. A young stud comes in and plays and believes he is where he can make a difference and excel with other teammates. I don’t remember a great player at MU that didn’t start as a freshman. Just look at Justin Lewis. If I’m not starting as a freshman, I’m looking somewhere else.

Hindsight is 20/20, always. The reality remains is that Wojo-led teams developed a very frustrating and sad trend, especially the last three seasons, where the teams would regress as the seasons wore on. Furthermore the team never really made adjustments and the roster became a yearly turnover, plugging gaps with transfers from lower conferences that were not skilled enough for the Big East.   I agree. I agree again.

Above all, Wojo failed at developing a program identity (other than perhaps high-usage scoring guards with average to subpar team defense).

I don't know the ceiling of Smart here at Marquette - frankly no one does. But it is irrefutable that an identity is being formed and that this year's team is full of youth that will only benefit from the rigorous schedule and quality of competition.  I believe Smart will lift MU up, drip by drip.  I did some cut and paste stuff here 'cause I agreed so much with what goldenwarrior11 said and I'll tell you I couldn't have said it any better. I'm going to listen to this character if you guys don't call security and throw me out of here.

[MuggsyB]

Sorry I didn’t respond sooner but I’ve been out shoveling snow. It was tough and then I fell down. My wife wouldn’t lift a finger to help me. She sat in the house drinking eggnog while I froze out there. I’m just lucky an Amazon guy came by to deliver my new bowling ball or I’d be dead. Enough of my problems.

I am so impressed with what goldenwarrior11 said earlier. About the program, under Wojo, and the future. He has it all into focus. Wojo, the Coach K disciple, who we expected to recruit good players because of his basketball cv, and win close games because of his “smarts” and not just his pedigree, disappointed me. He couldn’t coach.  All he did was stand there with his arms crossed. Could he recruit?  Well he got Carton out of “the” unnatural carnal knowledgeing Ohio State University, after he quit because he was depressed or something? He had personal problems and took a break. And came back to play for MU. I loved the guy. Best wishes for his future. Wojo got Garcia. A McDonald’s All American. Good job. I was happy. The guy was coached well up in Minnetonka (sic) but why didn’t Wojo get Jalen Suggs? From what I hear MU was this close. And I understand Suggs was only going to play for the one year. Why wouldn’t he play the Golden Eagles for a coach who was a pg in college and would help him develop? Goldenwarrior11 nailed it again when he said the roster became a yearly turnover, plugging gaps with unskilled transfers.

Developing a team identity is a hard. I’m not sure I’m ready to advise anyone how to do that?

I like Kolek. We’re lucky to have him. Is he the starter because he can handle the ball better than the other guys and creates assists? Or is it because he’s the only guard with division one experience? Obviously the cupboard was bare. Then you recruit guards to come in you say “Well, the first year you’ll come in for a few minutes a game and you’ll find your role on the team. Freshmen come in and say, “That’s alright. I just want to get out of my mom’s house.”  But Ellis and Mitchell are quality players. And they need more minutes. That’s how you create team identity. A young stud comes in and plays and believes he is where he can make a difference and excel with other teammates. I don’t remember a great player at MU that didn’t start as a freshman. Just look at Justin Lewis. If I’m not starting as a freshman, I’m looking somewhere else.

Hindsight is 20/20, always. The reality remains is that Wojo-led teams developed a very frustrating and sad trend, especially the last three seasons, where the teams would regress as the seasons wore on. Furthermore the team never really made adjustments and the roster became a yearly turnover, plugging gaps with transfers from lower conferences that were not skilled enough for the Big East.   I agree. I agree again.

Above all, Wojo failed at developing a program identity (other than perhaps high-usage scoring guards with average to subpar team defense).

I don't know the ceiling of Smart here at Marquette - frankly no one does. But it is irrefutable that an identity is being formed and that this year's team is full of youth that will only benefit from the rigorous schedule and quality of competition.  I believe Smart will lift MU up, drip by drip.  I did some cut and paste stuff here 'cause I agreed so much with what goldenwarrior11 said and I'll tell you I couldn't have said it any better. I'm going to listen to this character if you guys don't call security and throw me out of here.

I hope you're okay oilcan.  Try to take it easy and not exert yourself too much.  The Shaka led Warriors will be okay despite two painful losses.  We need to learn how to finish games.

[Spaniel with a Short Tail]

[brewcity77]

I think I stated Texas would not have been happy with his recruits ie. Ellis and Itejere.

Which is why Texas and Shaka were poor fits for each other. Texas wants to be like Duke or Kentucky where they are a talent factory that rolls out the ball and wins while sending guys to the league. Shaka wants to win through system and development, more like a Villanova or Baylor approach.

Not saying one is right or wrong, all those programs have cut nets in the last decade, but there are clearly different approaches and you need the style of the coach to match with the expectations of the program.

[MU82]

Sorry I didn’t respond sooner but I’ve been out shoveling snow. It was tough and then I fell down. My wife wouldn’t lift a finger to help me. She sat in the house drinking eggnog while I froze out there. I’m just lucky an Amazon guy came by to deliver my new bowling ball or I’d be dead. Enough of my problems.

I've been reading Scoop for a long time, and I'm not sure I've never read a paragraph quite like this one.

Just another example of how bowling has saved America, I guess.

Glad you're OK. We Are Marquette!

[muwarrior69]

Which is why Texas and Shaka were poor fits for each other. Texas wants to be like Duke or Kentucky where they are a talent factory that rolls out the ball and wins while sending guys to the league. Shaka wants to win through system and development, more like a Villanova or Baylor approach.

Not saying one is right or wrong, all those programs have cut nets in the last decade, but there are clearly different approaches and you need the style of the coach to match with the expectations of the program.

Yes, they have won championships, but you omitted UW which has had a very successful program the last 20 years and I sadly envy. Sometimes the truth really hurts.