Alabama was 20-16 (8-10) last year and got an at large.
'Bama was 19-15 when they got the bid. They then went 1-1 in the tourney to finish the year at 20-16.
Alabama was 20-16 (8-10) last year and got an at large.
If memory serves, 14 losses is the record for an at-large berth. So you're suggesting we would have a winning streak so compelling that the committee would literally make history?
Standings on the Big Ten web site has us 0-6 for road games.It was neutral for Maryland, but a road game for us,
Standings on the Big Ten web site has us 0-6 for road games.
Maybe this is irrationally annoying me, but I absolutely hate the question that the reporter (Rob McColley, I think) asked:
"Was there any grade-out that you were able to get from Samba's 49 seconds?"
A lot of questions that reporters ask are kind of pointless, but this one is awful. You're not looking for an insightful answer at all and are likely either making fun of BU for what you think was a silly substitution or are making fun of Samba.
I actually don't have a problem with this question. There are lots of times as a fan where I would like for someone to ask the coach, "Are you stupid?" It seems like there have been several times where Underwood needed to be asked this question. My favorite (and I think, the turning point of this season) was when he was asked during post-game (and I paraphrase) "What exactly does your walk-on son give you that your much higher ranked, much higher recruited D-1 athletes not give you?" Right after that TU started disappearing from the box score. I know the FAU game was painful, but the silver lining for me, was that even though we lost, TU was not in the box score. I saw this as a positive sign for the rest of the season. It feels, to me, like this is when we started making progress as a team.Maybe this is irrationally annoying me, but I absolutely hate the question that the reporter (Rob McColley, I think) asked:
"Was there any grade-out that you were able to get from Samba's 49 seconds?"
A lot of questions that reporters ask are kind of pointless, but this one is awful. You're not looking for an insightful answer at all and are likely either making fun of BU for what you think was a silly substitution or are making fun of Samba.
No. 7-4 home, 1-5 neutral and 0-6 away, for a total of 23 games and 8-15.Yep and it has us at 7-5 at home. Which means we only played 2 neutral site games despite playing 3 in Maui, one at UC v OSU and one at MSG. Guess what, they've got it wrong!
I actually don't have a problem with this question. There are lots of times as a fan where I would like for someone to ask the coach, "Are you stupid?" It seems like there have been several times where Underwood needed to be asked this question. My favorite (and I think, the turning point of this season) was when he was asked during post-game (and I paraphrase) "What exactly does your walk-on son give you that your much higher ranked, much higher recruited D-1 athletes not give you?" Right after that TU started disappearing from the box score. I know the FAU game was painful, but the silver lining for me, was that even though we lost, TU was not in the box score. I saw this as a positive sign for the rest of the season. It feels, to me, like this is when we started making progress as a team.
If memory serves, 14 losses is the record for an at-large berth. So you're suggesting we would have a winning streak so compelling that the committee would literally make history?
I agree with you concerning McColley (not a big fan). This may simply be a "Blind Squirrel" situation for him, but I believe the question/underlying statement is legitimate. Question -- What possible gain are you or Samba possibly getting from 49 seconds on the court, but the underlying statement was -- Samba needs more time on the court to progress. Just as in the previous example, the underlying statement was quit playing your own son. Maybe I'm just reading my own concerns into the question.That's a legitimate, serious question. I think McColley just likes making people feel uncomfortable during interviews and fishes for laughs.
No. 7-4 home, 1-5 neutral and 0-6 away, for a total of 23 games and 8-15.
I agree with you concerning McColley (not a big fan). This may simply be a "Blind Squirrel" situation for him, but I believe the question/underlying statement is legitimate. Question -- What possible gain are you or Samba possibly getting from 49 seconds on the court, but the underlying statement was -- Samba needs more time on the court to progress. Just as in the previous example, the underlying statement was quit playing your own son. Maybe I'm just reading my own concerns into the question.
Would have loved any of the reporters to ask BU whether or not he sees this as a "trap game" following a big MSU win. Line is -6.5 and I see this being a last shot kind of game.
(https://247sports.com/college/rutge...-for-Illinois-unique-style-of-play-128850941/)
- The Fighting Illini live up to their name on the court, playing a sped-up, in-your-face brand style of basketball synonymous with head coach Brad Underwood’s success in previous stops at Stephen F. Austin and Oklahoma State.
- “They’re the most unique team in the whole league,” Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell said during a Thursday conference call. “They played an unbelievable schedule so they’ve been challenged by everybody and they’re playing really good basketball. They beat a ranked Maryland team, obviously Michigan State. It’s hard to beat Michigan State any place, any time. They’re playing with great energy and I think they’re in that groove right now.”
- Illinois plays at the 40th highest tempo in the country, per KenPom, including the 20th fastest defensive tempo in the country and the quickest in the Big Ten. Opponents average 16.4 seconds of possessions on each trip down the floor, with many ending without a shot.
- The Illini put tremendous pressure on the ball and attempt to force turnovers nearly every stop down the floor. They rank top in the Big Ten in forced turnover percentage (22.4 percent of defensive possessions), steal percentage (11.8 percent of all defensive possessions) and steals per game (eight).
- “They play at a crazy pace so we’re going to be subbing in this game just because of fatigue,” he said.
I don’t think TUs playing time was ever about nepotism or because BU thought it would help us win that particular game. I think it was about making a point about effort and understanding the system (on both sides). If you don’t give your best in practice and learn your position (or your spot in a position-less system), you will sit down while a walk-on plays because he knows where to be and tries. If you let teenagers have what they want without ever demanding what you need, you’ll never get what you need out of them. It’s part of the process. We are now reaping the rewards, as fans, of coach’s actions early in the season - not the questions a reporter asked. My opinion, anyway....I actually don't have a problem with this question. There are lots of times as a fan where I would like for someone to ask the coach, "Are you stupid?" It seems like there have been several times where Underwood needed to be asked this question. My favorite (and I think, the turning point of this season) was when he was asked during post-game (and I paraphrase) "What exactly does your walk-on son give you that your much higher ranked, much higher recruited D-1 athletes not give you?" Right after that TU started disappearing from the box score. I know the FAU game was painful, but the silver lining for me, was that even though we lost, TU was not in the box score. I saw this as a positive sign for the rest of the season. It feels, to me, like this is when we started making progress as a team.
So, you’re saying take Rutgers and the points.
Very nicely put!I don’t think TUs playing time was ever about nepotism or because BU thought it would help us win that particular game. I think it was about making a point about effort and understanding the system (on both sides). If you don’t give your best in practice and learn your position (or your spot in a position-less system), you will sit down while a walk-on plays because he knows where to be and tries. If you let teenagers have what they want without ever demanding what you need, you’ll never get what you need out of them. It’s part of the process. We are now reaping the rewards, as fans, of coach’s actions early in the season - not the questions a reporter asked. My opinion, anyway....
Wow. Read that line a few times over. Let it sink into your brains. Then go back to the bubble talk and realize how ridiculous that is today.No. 7-4 home, 1-5 neutral and 0-6 away, for a total of 23 games and 8-15.
Would have loved any of the reporters to ask BU whether or not he sees this as a "trap game" following a big MSU win. Line is -6.5 and I see this being a last shot kind of game.