How important is the 2nd weekend to you?

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

There was a subset of fans who believed Marquette could never return to the heights achieved under Al when Crean got hired.  After listening to things said by O’Neill and Deane, they bought into that idea. 

Crean challenged that notion while embracing the past.  He challenged the alpha in their league at the time, Cincinnati.  Went toe-to-toe with Louisville and Pitino and shepherded Marquette into the Big East, something unfathomable not that long before his hiring.  Not only went into the Big East but wasn’t bullied by the powers of the league.

No, Crean wasn’t a great in-game coach but he helped prove those wrong who said Marquette couldn’t rise again.  Maybe Shaka is the guy that returns them, but the foundation was laid by Crean and the department that hired him

He made the unforgiveable sin of looking like he wanted to talk to anyone else in the room when introduced to a certain dentist.

Surprising I know.

[Galway Eagle]

I disagree with 2012 and 2023 to an extent. The rest are spot on.

I was at the 2012 game and I didn't think we got embarrassed. We had a lot of shots that could have swung momentum that we just didn't make. DJO and Crowder went 3/14 on threes, just picked a bad time to have a cold shooting game. We had a better OR%, only 9 turnovers, and got to the line more than Florida.

Just not going to beat many solid teams shooting 30% from the field.

I was admittedly very drunk and watching from replay up on north Ave but I just remember their twin tower 7fters (young was one's name I think) destroying us in the paint and Vander being outclassed by Beal.

2023 I'll give you is a stretch but I still don't think either team looked good there.

[swoopem]

2012 was my fault. I bought gator meat from a butcher in Chicago and was making gator stew. Some friends came over, we started to party, I got high as I was cooking, forgot about it, and burnt the meat. After that we got our asses kicked. I’ll never forgive myself

[dgies9156]

2012 was my fault. I bought gator meat from a butcher in Chicago and was making gator stew. Some friends came over, we started to party, I got high as I was cooking, forgot about it, and burnt the meat. After that we got our asses kicked. I’ll never forgive myself

As they say in Florida, "Friends don't let friends grow up to eat gator" -- unless it is the Gainesville kind!

[Pakuni]

There was a subset of fans who believed Marquette could never return to the heights achieved under Al when Crean got hired.  After listening to things said by O’Neill and Deane, they bought into that idea. 

Crean challenged that notion while embracing the past.  He challenged the alpha in their league at the time, Cincinnati.  Went toe-to-toe with Louisville and Pitino and shepherded Marquette into the Big East, something unfathomable not that long before his hiring.  Not only went into the Big East but wasn’t bullied by the powers of the league.

No, Crean wasn’t a great in-game coach but he helped prove those wrong who said Marquette couldn’t rise again.  Maybe Shaka is the guy that returns them, but the foundation was laid by Crean and the department that hired him

You nailed it, Rico.

[Newsdreams]

When you listen to the loudest Crean critics, you know he did something right

Dentists, hey?

[MU82]

I agree with Pak and Rico about Crean, and I appreciate all he did to bring the program back to the big stage.

Other than the one big year, he didn't do enough with the talent he had. And the way he exited understandably upset lots of MU fans. But Crean did a ton of positive stuff for the Marquette basketball program.

[Galway Eagle]

I agree with Pak and Rico about Crean, and I appreciate all he did to bring the program back to the big stage.

Other than the one big year, he didn't do enough with the talent he had. And the way he exited understandably upset lots of MU fans. But Crean did a ton of positive stuff for the Marquette basketball program.

But would you put him over shaka?  buzz?

[Shooter McGavin]

There was a subset of fans who believed Marquette could never return to the heights achieved under Al when Crean got hired.  After listening to things said by O’Neill and Deane, they bought into that idea. 

Crean challenged that notion while embracing the past.  He challenged the alpha in their league at the time, Cincinnati.  Went toe-to-toe with Louisville and Pitino and shepherded Marquette into the Big East, something unfathomable not that long before his hiring.  Not only went into the Big East but wasn’t bullied by the powers of the league.

No, Crean wasn’t a great in-game coach but he helped prove those wrong who said Marquette couldn’t rise again.  Maybe Shaka is the guy that returns them, but the foundation was laid by Crean and the department that hired him

Agreed.  O’Neill saved the program from ruin.  But support for the program went way up because of Crean’s tenure.  Definitely laid the foundation for getting a coach like Shaka to MU. 

[1SE]

Agreed.  O’Neill saved the program from ruin.  But support for the program went way up because of Crean’s tenure.  Definitely laid the foundation for getting a coach like Shaka to MU.

And, unlike Buzz, Crean's worked hard to re-establish/re-habiliate himself in the MU community as a kind of elder statesman - like when mediocre presidents end up commanding more respect after they're out of office. I bear no ill-will towards Crean and think he is currently a net positive to the program.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

I don't believe Buzz or Marquette want anything to do with one another these days.

[rgoode57]

I certainly hope MU stays a long way away from Buzz. I too have been impressed with Crean's efforts to reconnect with MU.

[Newsdreams]

I don't believe Buzz or Marquette want anything to do with one another these days.

Buzz didn't come to the 100 yr celebration, all other coaches did.

[MU82]

But would you put him over shaka?  buzz?

I'd put Buzz and Crean roughly even. Crean brought in the best player in school history, made the only post-Al Final Four, brought in the Amigos, worked to get MU into the Big East, etc. Buzz was brought into the program by Crean and was handed an NCAAT team. But Buzz then sustained success at a high level with the S16-S16-E8 run; of course, there also were off-the-court issues.

As I said, I appreciate what both brought to the program.

Shaka has been incredible, exceeding all my expectations so far. But he hasn't been at Marquette long enough, or had enough late-March success, to be in comparisons yet. For example, Crean got to the Final Four in Year 4. Let's at least see how Shaka wraps up Year 3 before comparing them.

[Viper]

I'd put Buzz and Crean roughly even. Crean brought in the best player in school history, made the only post-Al Final Four, brought in the Amigos, worked to get MU into the Big East, etc. Buzz was brought into the program by Crean and was handed an NCAAT team. But Buzz then sustained success at a high level with the S16-S16-E8 run; of course, there also were off-the-court issues.

As I said, I appreciate what both brought to the program.

Shaka has been incredible, exceeding all my expectations so far. But he hasn't been at Marquette long enough, or had enough late-March success, to be in comparisons yet. For example, Crean got to the Final Four in Year 4. Let's at least see how Shaka wraps up Year 3 before comparing them.

agreed. Shaka seems to be held in very high regard on Scoop, yet has 1 ncaa tournament win. As you correctly state, let’s wait. If we go down in the 1st rd, what’s the opinion of Shaka then? I thought KO was awesome. Imagine cleaning-up the Dukiet mess?  Things are good now, but how’s ‘23/24 play out, and can success be maintained beyond?

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

agreed. Shaka seems to be held in very high regard on Scoop, yet has 1 ncaa tournament win.

I mean, he's been in two NCAA tourneys here. And if you're NOT very high on a guy who has put together two, top 10 seasons, I have no idea what to tell you.

[tower912]

There hasn't been a February swoon, unlike some schools in Madison. 

[Viper]

I mean, he's been in two NCAA tourneys here. And if you're NOT very high on a guy who has put together two, top 10 seasons, I have no idea what to tell you.

did I say I don’t hold the guy in high regard? And yeah, your posts indicate more often than not you have no idea.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

did I say I don’t hold the guy in high regard?

You implied it.

And yeah, your posts indicate more often than not you have no idea.

My fault for expecting posters to use logic and clear thinking. I will dumb myself down when dealing with you in the future.

[MU82]

agreed. Shaka seems to be held in very high regard on Scoop, yet has 1 ncaa tournament win. As you correctly state, let’s wait. If we go down in the 1st rd, what’s the opinion of Shaka then? I thought KO was awesome. Imagine cleaning-up the Dukiet mess?  Things are good now, but how’s ‘23/24 play out, and can success be maintained beyond?

For clarity: I hold Shaka in VERY high regard. I am amazed at how well we've done under his leadership, and I absolutely love watching us play such an exciting (and successful) brand of basketball. As a bonus, it has been fun that several of my friends have re-discovered Marquette hoops after having been apathetic for years - going to games with them again after so many years has been a blast.

But when asked to make comparisons with coaches who were at Marquette for significantly longer tenures and who had NCAAT success, I'm not quite ready to make those comparisons. I am NOT saying Shaka isn't as good or better than Buzz/Crean. I'm saying I want to see more before making such specific comparisons.

[romey]

For clarity: I hold Shaka in VERY high regard. I am amazed at how well we've done under his leadership, and I absolutely love watching us play such an exciting (and successful) brand of basketball. As a bonus, it has been fun that several of my friends have re-discovered Marquette hoops after having been apathetic for years - going to games with them again after so many years has been a blast.

But when asked to make comparisons with coaches who were at Marquette for significantly longer tenures and who had NCAAT success, I'm not quite ready to make those comparisons. I am NOT saying Shaka isn't as good or better than Buzz/Crean. I'm saying I want to see more before making such specific comparisons.

MU 82, five years? 

[MU82]

MU 82, five years? 

Nah, it only took me 4 years to graduate (though I'm not sure how!), so it shouldn't take me longer than that to judge.

[Viper]

You implied it.

My fault for expecting posters to use logic and clear thinking. I will dumb myself down when dealing with you in the future.

…dealing with me? Classic, just classic! A-hole factor 2nd to none.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

…dealing with me? Classic, just classic! A-hole factor 2nd to none.

Thank you. I don't do things half-a$$.

[lawdog77]

…dealing with me? Classic, just classic! A-hole factor 2nd to none.

Hey! Why does Sultan rate #1???????