Former college basketball coach Rick Majerus died over the weekend from heart complications. He was 64.
Majerus coached St. Louis University in his last stop. The heart condition forced him to walk away from the 2012-13 season. He also coached Utah, Ball State and Marquette, but his health always seemed to be a major factor.
But Majerus was a college basketball gift. He displayed humor, crustiness and frankness. Sportswriters and broadcasters loved the guy because he was very quotable. The guy knew basketball and he knew how to coach it.
Majerus didn’t seem to find peace in one particular coaching job. I don’t know if the press or Majerus himself would start rumors about his potential candidacy at another school. His name kept popping up for openings.
I will always remember Majerus for his competitive nature. I saw it first hand one night in Ames, Iowa when Majerus brought his Marquette team to play Iowa State in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT). The coach became agitated with a call or calls that went against Marquette. The official gave Majerus one technical, then two technicals and then three technicals in a span of about 30 seconds. Majerus was kicked out of the game, but refused to leave. Police then escorted him off the floor, but not before he wanted to charge the referee who gave him the three technicals. Majerus was restrained and Marquette went on to win the game without its coach.
Showing posts with label Marquette. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Marquette. Show all posts
Monday, December 3, 2012
Friday, April 20, 2012
Wisconsin Badgers do the Right Thing
The Wisconsin Badgers have officially released Jarod Uthoff from transfer prison.
This story developed when Uthoff wanted to transfer from Wisconsin after sitting out his freshman season as a redshirt. For my international readers, a redshirt can participate in team activities including practices but cannot play in actual games.
Usually a player and coach will say nice things about each other after the transfer decision is announced and the player will go on its merry way. But Uthoff’s case became a national story because Wisconsin coach Bob Ryan and the school put major restrictions on where Uthoff could transfer.
The NCAA allows schools to put restrictions on transfers, but most schools put only a small handful of teams on the list. Often, schools won’t allow a player to attend another conference school or one of their biggest rivals. But Wisconsin first said that Uthoff couldn’t go to the entire ACC, the Big Ten (where the Badgers are a member), Florida, Marquette and Iowa State.
Uthoff cried foul.
The former 2011 Iowa Mr. Basketball wanted at least the opportunity to consider a wide range of schools. Apparently, more than half of Uthoff’s options were on Wisconsin’s no-no list.
Uthoff appealed to Wisconsin officials and after a meeting Thursday, the Badgers will now allow him to transfer to any school but a Big Ten member. There is talk that Uthoff may appeal that ruling too so he can consider a Big Ten school.
Ryan and his program were taking considerable national heat over the restrictive behavior. If Ryan was trying to prove a point, it didn’t work. Apparently, he caved in to the pressure and probably for good reason. If you were a recruit, would you want to go to Wisconsin with the thought that if it wasn’t a good fit and you wanted to transfer that Ryan would put you in prison too?
It’s probably too late for Wisconsin to avoid short-term recruiting damage, but at least Uthoff can consider more flavors rather than just vanilla and chocolate.
This story developed when Uthoff wanted to transfer from Wisconsin after sitting out his freshman season as a redshirt. For my international readers, a redshirt can participate in team activities including practices but cannot play in actual games.
Usually a player and coach will say nice things about each other after the transfer decision is announced and the player will go on its merry way. But Uthoff’s case became a national story because Wisconsin coach Bob Ryan and the school put major restrictions on where Uthoff could transfer.
The NCAA allows schools to put restrictions on transfers, but most schools put only a small handful of teams on the list. Often, schools won’t allow a player to attend another conference school or one of their biggest rivals. But Wisconsin first said that Uthoff couldn’t go to the entire ACC, the Big Ten (where the Badgers are a member), Florida, Marquette and Iowa State.
Uthoff cried foul.
The former 2011 Iowa Mr. Basketball wanted at least the opportunity to consider a wide range of schools. Apparently, more than half of Uthoff’s options were on Wisconsin’s no-no list.
Uthoff appealed to Wisconsin officials and after a meeting Thursday, the Badgers will now allow him to transfer to any school but a Big Ten member. There is talk that Uthoff may appeal that ruling too so he can consider a Big Ten school.
Ryan and his program were taking considerable national heat over the restrictive behavior. If Ryan was trying to prove a point, it didn’t work. Apparently, he caved in to the pressure and probably for good reason. If you were a recruit, would you want to go to Wisconsin with the thought that if it wasn’t a good fit and you wanted to transfer that Ryan would put you in prison too?
It’s probably too late for Wisconsin to avoid short-term recruiting damage, but at least Uthoff can consider more flavors rather than just vanilla and chocolate.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Transfers a Plenty
The Iowa State men’s basketball team must have the most transfers of any school in the NCAA. In fact, four of the five starters transferred from other programs.
The players didn’t exactly come from sisters-of-the-poor schools either. Schools include Marquette, Michigan State, Penn State, Minnesota and Southern Illinois.
There is definite talent in the group but growing pains are part of the process. Getting all the players to buy into the new team is more challenging than it seems. But if anyone can do it, Iowa State coach Fred Hoiberg has the credentials. Hoiberg became an outstanding player for the Cyclones and was a serviceable player in the NBA. He also has experience as a NBA executive.
Iowa State should cause some teams in the Big 12 Conference fits. Texas experienced that first hand last night when the Cyclones outlasted the Longhorns in Ames.
One thing that scares me about Iowa State is Royce White. White is a 6-8, 280-pound center that brings the ball up the court. He doesn’t do it occasionally but frequently. In my opinion, guards were made for that purpose not centers. White should be content to stand under the basketball, catch the ball and do his work.
White also needs to spend more time practicing free throws. When you cannot even hit the basket, rim or anything, then you realize you have problems.
But in the final analysis, Iowa State is a fun team to watch this year even if it seems like eating at a buffet with all the different players.
The players didn’t exactly come from sisters-of-the-poor schools either. Schools include Marquette, Michigan State, Penn State, Minnesota and Southern Illinois.
There is definite talent in the group but growing pains are part of the process. Getting all the players to buy into the new team is more challenging than it seems. But if anyone can do it, Iowa State coach Fred Hoiberg has the credentials. Hoiberg became an outstanding player for the Cyclones and was a serviceable player in the NBA. He also has experience as a NBA executive.
Iowa State should cause some teams in the Big 12 Conference fits. Texas experienced that first hand last night when the Cyclones outlasted the Longhorns in Ames.
One thing that scares me about Iowa State is Royce White. White is a 6-8, 280-pound center that brings the ball up the court. He doesn’t do it occasionally but frequently. In my opinion, guards were made for that purpose not centers. White should be content to stand under the basketball, catch the ball and do his work.
White also needs to spend more time practicing free throws. When you cannot even hit the basket, rim or anything, then you realize you have problems.
But in the final analysis, Iowa State is a fun team to watch this year even if it seems like eating at a buffet with all the different players.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
The Big East is a Big Bust
The Big East Conference isn’t so high and mighty after all.
The league entered the NCAA basketball tournament with 11 entries out of 16 teams. Only two teams remain in Marquette and UConn. That means nine clubs didn’t even survive the first weekend of the tournament. Granted, a couple games pitted conferences foes against each other, but this is still significant.
Even the two teams left have a difficult path to the Final Four. I don’t think Marquette will defeat North Carolina in the next round. If it does, Marquette gets the Ohio State-Kentucky winner. If UConn defeats San Diego State (and that’s a big if), the Huskies play the Duke or Arizona.
I guess bias cannot even protect a team once it plays the game. Maybe, the NCAA brass will reconsider its Big East thinking for future NCAA tournaments. As I stated in an earlier blog, no conference should receive 11 bids.
Some of those bids should go to smaller schools in smaller conferences. Who cares if the Big East No. 10 team plays the No. 7 Big Ten team?
We can only hope this lesson has been learned.
The league entered the NCAA basketball tournament with 11 entries out of 16 teams. Only two teams remain in Marquette and UConn. That means nine clubs didn’t even survive the first weekend of the tournament. Granted, a couple games pitted conferences foes against each other, but this is still significant.
Even the two teams left have a difficult path to the Final Four. I don’t think Marquette will defeat North Carolina in the next round. If it does, Marquette gets the Ohio State-Kentucky winner. If UConn defeats San Diego State (and that’s a big if), the Huskies play the Duke or Arizona.
I guess bias cannot even protect a team once it plays the game. Maybe, the NCAA brass will reconsider its Big East thinking for future NCAA tournaments. As I stated in an earlier blog, no conference should receive 11 bids.
Some of those bids should go to smaller schools in smaller conferences. Who cares if the Big East No. 10 team plays the No. 7 Big Ten team?
We can only hope this lesson has been learned.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Too Many Big East Conference NCAA Bids
I thought the Big East Conference Tournament was last week, but apparently the tournament lives into the future some call the NCAA tournament.
The NCAA selected 11 Big East teams for its tournament. That is 24 percent of the entire 68-team field. Is the Big East that worthy? Are the teams that good? Can you say East Coast bias?
Yes, the Big East is rated the No. 1 power conference. But really are its 9-9 conference teams better than someone else’s 9-9 conference teams?
Connecticut finished 9-9, but won the Big East tournament. So yes, the Huskies should qualify. But what about the only 9-9 teams, Villanova and Marquette? Villanova finished on a long losing streak; Marquette was 20-14 overall. I guess if you are Villanova and Marquette, membership does have its privileges.
The NCAA is robbing fan interest. The NCAA should not be giving mediocre teams bids from power conferences. I know I live in a glass house, but isn’t the beauty of the NCAA tournament upsets from smaller schools? You limit the number of smaller schools; you limit the possibility of upsets.
Just ask a school like Missouri State that has been repeatedly a NCAA snub—including this season.
The NCAA selected 11 Big East teams for its tournament. That is 24 percent of the entire 68-team field. Is the Big East that worthy? Are the teams that good? Can you say East Coast bias?
Yes, the Big East is rated the No. 1 power conference. But really are its 9-9 conference teams better than someone else’s 9-9 conference teams?
Connecticut finished 9-9, but won the Big East tournament. So yes, the Huskies should qualify. But what about the only 9-9 teams, Villanova and Marquette? Villanova finished on a long losing streak; Marquette was 20-14 overall. I guess if you are Villanova and Marquette, membership does have its privileges.
The NCAA is robbing fan interest. The NCAA should not be giving mediocre teams bids from power conferences. I know I live in a glass house, but isn’t the beauty of the NCAA tournament upsets from smaller schools? You limit the number of smaller schools; you limit the possibility of upsets.
Just ask a school like Missouri State that has been repeatedly a NCAA snub—including this season.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)