Our upperclassmen couldn't get us past the second game of the tourney. We needed to recruit better freshmen, or the ones we have should have been better prepared to provide what we needed against Houston. You see teams losing regularly early in the season, then hitting their stride when it really counts. Izzo is an example. Carolina is an 8 seed because they weren't afraid to lose games early while they were growing. We played the most "reliable" team in every tough game, instead of preparing to win all season.
I'm not happy to have won the regular season B1G title, then look like crap in the BTT and NCAA because we had a senior injured, one exhausted and diseased, one still afraid to shoot after 5 years, with nobody experienced to take their places. When you are losing in the NCAAs is not the time to realize that having 2 guys sagging off non-shooters is going to smother Kofi, so you had better bring in the frosh even though they have barely played. Darn, wish I had played them more!
If we had played the 3 freshmen more we might not have won the regular season, or we might have won it going away. We probably would have a slightly different record, been in a different bracket, and had 3 guys getting technicals for breakaway dunks. Had we played that way, coach would have had to lighten up a little, and Hawkins wouldn't have been in the doghouse until an injury forced him onto the court. Darn, I should have let Coleman play sooner!
He may have won us a game or 2.
Underwood was playing "not to lose" like Weber. Play to win! If somebody is going to make you better get him on the floor! Win the season, not just today's game! Don't be a female cat! Full speed ahead, Damn the torpedoes! This is America, and we're Illinois! ILFL