Larry Williams Article in JS

[MUAlphaBangura]

Unfortunately, perception is reality for most of these people that don't get this stuff. They equate juco to questionable kid, regardless of the facts. Hell, there are still people out there that have a problem with MU recruiting african-american kids. Sadly, many of these people are in power positions whose voice can and will be heard by the MU administration. Those people are why I follow my life motto---- expect people to be stupid- if they are, you won't be dissapointed. if they aren't, you're pleasantly surprised.

[Gato78]

IWB: Certainly Steve Cottingham understood this and got to know the kids well--had them as role models for his own children who are African-American with white, adoptive parents. That says a lot to me, perhaps more than any other statement about the character of our players. We will never know why Cottingham left MU but knowing his character, I think he was involved in one of those goofy university disputes referenced by Hamos above. Still find that hard to believe. Perhaps Larry just needs more time to get to know Buzz and the kids he recruits. I am afraid the alums referenced by AlphaBangura may not have met the players before jumping to certain conclusions.

[IWB]

Gato - that was going to be my next question to AlphaBangura - Of the people you mentioned, how many of them do you think have ever really talked to, or gotten to know a player, other than the typical 'he was at our table at a luncheon' situation?

I have the benefit of running the summer Pro-Am. I make it a point to get to know every single player in the league. MU, UWM, D3, Euro players, former college players - every single one of them. I will admit, there are some I do not want back. On the bright side, there are some that surprise me, not on the court but off the court - I get to know them, and I really like them. There isn't a kid at MU that I would want to see leave.

Time for a side story.....

There is a guy who signed up for the Pro-Am mid season and was brought up off the waiting list. I would describe him as a street-baller. Didn't go to college, and I honestly don't know if he even graduated high school. Looking at him, he would be the guy that the negative people are describing. One day he had a monster game, and afterwards there were kids lined up for his autograph. His friends were laughing about the fact that someone wanted his autograph, but I sat there and watched this - not only did he sign every autograph, he talked to the kids, posed for pictures with them - etc. Fact is, it may have been cool for those kids, but it also may have been the highlight of his year. One simple thing, and my impression of him has completely changed.

If any of you know someone that has issues with any of the "Jucos" or any player that Buzz has brought in for that matter, do what you can to introduce them to one of those players - they just may be surprised.

[TedBaxter]

I predict a couple things if Buzz takes a job elsewhere after this year and it gets out that he didn't have the support of the athletic or university administration. There will be plenty of lower level season tickets available and MU will have problems funding all of the sports in the coming years because of lack of contributions.

[mufansince72]

A friend of mine from Menomonee Falls is a teacher at Jae's HS in Villa Rica. I can tell you they are beaming in pride over Jae's accomplishments at MU. My friend knows that I go to a ton of MU games and has asked me on a few occasions to pass along local news reports on Jae's progress. I sent her a link to the gomarquette.com slideshow from senior day and those folks could not get enough of it.

[Hamostradamus]

I think Larry Williams is going to have to issue a statement or do another interview to put out the fire (about Buzz, about the LaCrosse team, about adding Big East members, etc.). Justified or not, you don't want three MU Hoops websites simultaneously questioning your ability to do your job 61 days into your tenure and while on the cusp of a magical (and lucrative) basketball season. Then again, smart PR was never MU's strong suit.

[MUAlphaBangura]

Gato - that was going to be my next question to AlphaBangura - Of the people you mentioned, how many of them do you think have ever really talked to, or gotten to know a player, other than the typical 'he was at our table at a luncheon' situation?

I have the benefit of running the summer Pro-Am. I make it a point to get to know every single player in the league. MU, UWM, D3, Euro players, former college players - every single one of them. I will admit, there are some I do not want back. On the bright side, there are some that surprise me, not on the court but off the court - I get to know them, and I really like them. There isn't a kid at MU that I would want to see leave.

Time for a side story.....

There is a guy who signed up for the Pro-Am mid season and was brought up off the waiting list. I would describe him as a street-baller. Didn't go to college, and I honestly don't know if he even graduated high school. Looking at him, he would be the guy that the negative people are describing. One day he had a monster game, and afterwards there were kids lined up for his autograph. His friends were laughing about the fact that someone wanted his autograph, but I sat there and watched this - not only did he sign every autograph, he talked to the kids, posed for pictures with them - etc. Fact is, it may have been cool for those kids, but it also may have been the highlight of his year. One simple thing, and my impression of him has completely changed.

If any of you know someone that has issues with any of the "Jucos" or any player that Buzz has brought in for that matter, do what you can to introduce them to one of those players - they just may be surprised.

IWB, unfortunately those people think they know better and it is not even on the radar to actually learn the facts about our guys. It's a no win situation. Way too closed minded.

[CaribouJim]

What specifically do some of these people have with JUCO's? Is it a snob thing or something? Al used them to great benfit for MU as did Hank. Plus, Buzz had no real choice did he? Other than JUCO's are they worried that Buzz is not recruiting enough "traditionals"? In either case, very sad.

[MUMac]

Good point Alpha, and this is something that really bothers me. Not long ago, I had someone who I would consider on the high end of the booster chain ask me about recruiting, and he added his concern over the Jucos. I wouldn't think I would ever have to go over all of this again, but here goes..... I will start with the "kind of kids", meaning Jucos.

Jucos:
Jae Crowder - He had the grades, but went Juco because no one recruited him.
DJO - The NCAA challenged his transcripts. He won the challenge, meaning he should have qualified out of high school, but because the NCAA took so long in their investigation (fall sports take priority) he had no choice but to go Juco. Backed up by the fact that he didn't have to stay two years.
Jimmy Butler - He had the grades, but went Juco because no one recruited him.
Dwight Buycks - This one still bothers me. Some teams stayed away from Buycks because they didn't think he would get the grades needed to qualify. But he busted his butt and did get the grades. One problem - he didn't have enough core credits. Had an academic adviser looked at everything and said, no, take science not math, take another social studies not another PE class, he would have qualified.
Joe Fulce - Now Joe is a different story - committed to Texas A&M, then followed Buzz to UNO, then Buzz left. In the end, Joe did not qualify, so he went to Juco, then followed Buzz for the third time, coming to MU.

So Joe Fulce is the only one that I would consider a 'traditional Juco'. And guess what? Joe Fulce graduated.

Transfers:
Get used to it, this is today's college basketball. What is the rate, 68% of college freshmen transfer? Something outlandish like that? Yes, MU has had a lot of transfers, but they are no different than any other program that recruits nationally. There is a reason coaches are pushing for a 'no freshmen transfer rule'.

Problems with kids getting into trouble
Yes, this is a concern, no question. It is a concern everywhere, at every school. Athletes and students alike. You can't hold their hands all the time, the best you can do is guide them in the right direction, give them the best advice you can and preach it every day. Yes, MU had two ugly 'alleged' incidents last year, I will not downplay that. Having gotten to know each and every one of these kids, they are good kids that are growing up at a much faster rate than most of us ever did.

Graduation rate:
To me this is the most important component, but at times is out of your control.
Take guys like Jimmy Butler & Lazar Hayward. You are one semester away from graduation. You are projected to be a second round pick in the NBA draft, possibly first, which means millions of dollars. Let me say that one more time, MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. The NBA scouts say you need to start training with an NBA trainer right away, and be at Portsmouth and Moody. Then you need to fly around the country and work out for NBA teams that might be interested in you. What do you do? A) Say no and finish classes B) Give it your best shot and try and get drafted? You can always come back and take classes over the summer. If you don't answer B, you are lying.

So, in the examples I have broken down above, does anyone honestly think Buzz is bringing in questionable kids and does not have these guys on the right path?

IWB, you missed a step in Fulce. He did not qualify for A&M, due to grades, and went the prep route. The next year, followed Buzz to UNO and when Buzz left, he went JUCO for one year - not due to grades, but due to Buzz leaving and he would have to transfer to follow Buzz. He was in JUCO only one year, thus would not have needed JUCO to be eligible. Still, IMHO, not a traditional JUCO.

[Gato78]

There are some who want the white guy, academic all american model in place. Marquette becomes St. Norbert College.