Buzz at MU

[Gato78]

Saw the Scoop Board had a lengthy thread about whether Buzz will stay or whether our new AD will cause Buzz to leave. Hey, I got news for ya. Fr. Pilarz was going nuts yesterday. Way into the game and the whole scene. Cheering beyond anything Fr. Wild did. The second person who means something in all of this is Coach Strong and he is loving Buzz right now. Buzz is gonna feel the love.

[MUMac]

Yeah, I read that. Made me very nervous. Glad to hear a different perspective.

[warriorfan4life]

Damn it Gato, I just lost a ton of brain cells reading that thread. There is a reason I stopped reading that board, and it's crap like that.

[Hamostradamus]

That's great to hear. Hopefully Pilarz realizes his tenure and Buzz' are intertwined. I'm sure Coach Strong will ensure his views are communicated.

[Goose85]

Glad to hear Pilarz was enjoying the game. Stong is in Buzz's corner as well.

Problem is, Buzz has to deal with his boss and that is Larry Williams. If Larry is not showing Buzz the love, that is who Buzz has the most interataction with.

Buzz needs to stay long term. Hopefully that is understood at all levels of MU management (athletic dept and administration).

[Halo]

I believe everything will be ok. Buzz likely has the most interaction with Mike Broeker. If Fr. Pilarz and Dick Strong are in Buzz's corner, everything should be good.

[Markedman]

IWB any truth to this

http://blogs.suntimes.com/hoopsreport/2012/03/shaka_train_derailed_but_still.html

[MUMac]

IWB any truth to this

http://blogs.suntimes.com/hoopsreport/2012/03/shaka_train_derailed_but_still.html

That is the article that started the thread on Scoop.

[Markedman]

ok...so...the question still stands. Is their any truth to the idea that 1. The buyout is very small and 2 that Buzz isn't happy?


That is the article that started the thread on Scoop.

[IWB]

I don't take too much stock in that article, except where he states that there have been no feelers sent out from Illinois to Williams.

He mentions that things aren't kosher between Williams and Marquette - the writer must be reading the fans' opinions on various message boards.

He says the buyout is only $100k - I don't know specifics, but I do believe that in Buzz' last contract renewal/upgrade the buyout was boosted significantly.

Look, Buzz has a team taking a shot at a Final Four run. Every anti MU or 'bring Buzz to my school' guy out there is going to be taking shots, spreading rumors. Fact is, Buzz is on a roll. Fans love him, the media loves him, recruits love him and most importantly, the team loves him. Remember this photo?

149
Seth Davis reported on the moment captured in that picture...., "Williams was likewise moved by the quiet, intimate words that senior guard Jae Crowder whispered into his ear after the final horn. "He hugged me and said, 'Coach, I love you. I'm so thankful you're here. I'll fight for you anywhere, anytime,'" Williams said. "I put my head in his chest and I was crying. It's why I got so emotional and danced. I mean, that's what all this is supposed to be about."

Buzz Williams is the real deal, and he has a love for MU. If anyone can't see that, they are blinded by some other obsession.

[Goose85]

This is such a great time to be an MU fan and Buzz is really a perfect fit for MU and our hoops and school history.

I just worry that something isn't right as this idea of Buzz not getting the love continues to surface.

Keeping Buzz happy and the coach at MU long term is my obsession.

[Drbchilds]

Goose, let me put you at ease. He ain't going anywhere. Our kids just need to make progress towards a degree, stay out of trouble, graduate, and everything will be more than fine for a long time

[MUMac]

Love to see the comments from IWB and Drbchilds. When I first read that article, I was nervous. I definitely feel much better after those comments in this thread.

[IWB]

I hear what Drbchilds is saying, and agree, but the one thing that is now getting blurry for me is the graduation. Don't get me wrong, I think that is critical, but let's look at a couple of specific cases.

Jimmy Butler & Lazar Hayward - You have a shot at being drafted by the NBA, where you would make more per year than any of your classmates will make in 10-20 years. You could....

A) Leave Milwaukee, work out with NBA trainers and tour the NBA cities to work out for their teams, and do everything you can to be one of those selected on draft day

Orrrrrrrr

B) You can finish the semester taking those last 3 classes you need and just hope that you fall into a draft spot.

What would you do?

Dwight Buycks - You have been selected to play for the NBDL Tulsa 66ers. It isn't huge money, but it is enough for you to buy clothes and food for your 2 year old daughter, and if you do well, there is always a chance that you can get called up by the Phoenix Suns and get a major pay boost. What do you do.....

A) Leave Milwaukee for a job that gives you a chance to make it to the NBA....

or......

B) You can finish the semester taking those last 4 classes you need and just hope that some team takes you next season.


Seriously, what would any of you do? You have to take your shot when you can, the money on the line is just too big, and that window of opportunity opens and closes in the blink of an eye.

[mufansince72]

I don't think graduation should be too tough for many of the guys. Especially guys who have been here four years. Look at Jerel, he only had one class his second semester of Sr. Year. These guys are on campus all year. I assume they are taking a class or two during the summer months. With some assistance and flexibility, players should be able to get those last few credits at the end of their senior year or finish up in the summer.

[Drbchilds]

I personally agree with you completely, jim.
I do not know how important the graduation would be to the administration in those scenarios you outlined, but i do know that the first two items are very critical to the administration.
We can't and won't be another UCONN and our kids have to make progress toward a degree and HAVE to stay out of trouble.

[mufansince72]

I assume you are referring to that NCAA proposal that 50% of athletes need to graduate. While I have not looked closely at that proposal, how is a school like Kentucky with all the one and dones going to adhere to that requirement! For every stud NBA player you have to sign a bookworm type who will stay four years, graduate, and never play?

[IWB]

72 - As to your comments about the graduation and senior year - Yes, I agree, but you mention, "players should be able to get those last few credits at the end of their senior year or finish up in the summer". That is the exact time frame that comes in to play. Yes, both had a couple of credits to go, but when your agent says, you are borderline of being drafted, if you go here for a month it will ensure you are drafted, you are going. And, once you are drafted, you have summer league etc etc, so there is no time in the summer to come back for class.

Then look at Buycks - behind the 8 ball because he was a 2 year Juco guy. He was determined to stay in Milwaukee and finish his degree. He shunned offers to play in Europe, and took a full load of classes, but when the Phoenix Suns invited him to their pre-season training camp, he had to go, and anyone else would have too.

[mufansince72]

I was thinking more along the lines that they should be able to get incompletes and be able to finish up the classwork at another time. Also, if a kid really is on track to graduate, there is only about 6 weeks left in the semester following the end of the NCAA tournament. Much less time at most schools outside of Wisconsin. It seems to me that the university could make some accomodation to make sure these kids graduate while simultaneously pursuing their NBA dreams.

[IWB]

Agree with you

[Nukem2]

We are very fortunate to have a man of Buzz's skill, work ehtic and care for others. Hope he is with a long time.

[TulsaWarrior]

Buzz has spent a long time in the business, paid his dues and found a home.

[ydouask23]

Williams better not screw this up. I am really tired of the corrupt journalism being done right now by many of these reporters. Time to get some facts straight before just throwing things out there.