[Cracked Sidewalks] Daily Update

[rocky_warrior]

Every hero needs a villain... without Crean, what is he supposed to do?

Rip Cottingham a new one?

[rocky_warrior]

Maybe he and his new staff are mulling changes in the way we attack (particularly against zones) and would like to see how our personnel adapt before dissussing it publicly.

It's not a lot of detail, but here's what Dominic said about Buzz's offense & defense in an interview...

`He's a workaholic and let's us know his every move," James added. "He's hungry."

James said he's expecting Williams, who spent one season as the head coach at New Orleans, to keep much of what Crean implemented – with a few changes.

``I know he's defensive-minded," James said. "He's also going to give us more freedom on the offensive end and isn't going to dictate everything He'll let the offense be more free-flowing."

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Rip Cottingham a new one?

Touche

[Henry Sugar]

Rip Cottingham a new one?

Well, crap... there's plenty of company there

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Well, crap... there's plenty of company there

Even you, Henry. 

The Cottingham thing is valid (to a degree), but it's awfully early to judge.

[4everwarriors]

Rican was like kin. I hope he reappears.

[Sir Lawrence]

Rican was like kin. I hope he reappears.

Strangely enough, I agree.

[Henry Sugar]

For a long time, though, PRN was posting both as PRN and as Harvey's Wallbangers.

I think that's creepy.

[bilsu]

I read somewhere were James said that Buzz will not be as restrictive on offense as Crean was. I always thought one of Crean's problems was that he would run to many sets. I remember reading that Crean teams would learn upto 200 sets. It was also one of the reasons Crean did so poorly in March. At year end he would go conservative on offense. In my opinion he would coach not to lose instead of coaching to win. He did the same thing this year and almost lost to Kentucky. He let Stanford play a half court game and we lost. Both Kentucky and Stanford were suppose to have trouble with turnovers. Neither team turned the ball over much against MU. Stanford in their next game got blown out by Texas, who created a number of turnovers. We lost to Stanford because Crean turn the game into a game that was good for Stanford  instead of playing the way we should have played.  Hopefully, Buzz will be a players coach and let them play.

[rocky_warrior]

I read somewhere were James said that Buzz will not be as restrictive on offense as Crean was.

Somewhere?  You mean like 8 posts up? 

[mviale]

The myth that Crean was a good x&o's guy is a mystery to me.  Years ago, before 2003, I could not fathom why MU canned Deane for this guy.  However, who could argue with the guy after 2003.  He was a good practice coach and he could drill his players until they broke their ankles.  However, he could never adjust in a game when they would come up against something new.  Syracuse(2x), Tulsa, WVU, Kansas, Alabama, UAB.    He was a good organizer, PR man and recruiter.

Buzz can do the crean thing - it just takes discipline and dedication. I believe his team of assistants with several years of experience will make up for any coaching skills that Crean brought to the table.  I also believe Buzz is a much better recruiter.  Time will tell, but that 2003 year really put crean on a pedestal.  I think buzz has the opportunity to make the sweet 16 and crean only did that once.

[Dry White Toast]

mviale - you missed the most obvious example of embarrassing lack of in game adjustment.  Huggy Bear threw a 1-3-1 at him and it looked like he had never seen it before.