Do you know what does put Mayer in a good light? Quite literally everything since then, from his play on the court to his past two post-game press conferences where he's gone out of his way to praise BU and the program. Here's a taste:
Everybody is on the same page now. It is shown on the court. It is shown in how everyone is answering questions. It's a remarkable turnaround. No reason to dwell on something the team is clearly past.
I was also very suspect of him through the rough patch. I am glad to be proven wrong. And I don’t totally think he was taking to the coaching all that well at that point. But now, He’s winning me over with every game he plays.
Not dwelling on it just stating why I think so many of us thought he might be the problem.
And that is even with one of them having left the program. Buy how about a round of applause for Ty Rodgers tonight. His best minutes this season. He was all over the glass and extremely physical defensively. So nice cuts to the basket too!
MM in the Michigan State post-game press conference owns up to the fact he shouldn't have voiced his frustrations publically. That's the type of senior leadership you want. He then goes on to heap praise on BU for listening to his concerns and adjusting the schemes. Later on, MM goes so far in praising BU that he says he's scared of sounding like a teacher's pet.
Co existing with Brad was part of it ... He found out a lot about what food allergies he has, he's been fasting before games now and Fletch has been CRUCIAL in getting his body right ... Shoutout to Palmer for that as well on the nutrition side ...
TJ and Mayer both came in with some injury issues and Fletch has worked nothing short of magic with both of them ... Mayer is shredded now, and conditioning is night and day from arrival ... Dainja before and afters are going to blow people away if they ever get posted ...
I especially cannot wait to see what Jayden, Buck, and Ty look like in a couple years ...
Nico & Perrin have a little ways to go but give Fletch & Palmer some time ...
Also huge shoutout to JW for making sure Fletch and Palmer have not only the resources they need day in and day out but also making sure they are properly compensated for the work they put in to this program that no one sees until the results are posted ... well besides a few ...
The adjustments tonight was getting our starters back on the court. Danja (21 minutes) and CoHawk (17 minutes) had to sit a lot in the 1st half. Props to our bench for keeping it close so the adjustments could have their way.
I thought he played awesome defense on Garcia. Garcia was the one player who could do damage inside/out and Rodgers made it real difficult for him. Awesome defensive play. I thought that spurred 2nd half breakaway
Honestly the very last thing in the entire world that I care about is how Izzo feels about it... or how he feels about anything else for that matter.
I said the night we lost to NW that this team had a chance to do with that 03-04 did and that they sort of reminded me of that team. That team had some embarrassing loses to Providence, NW and started conference play at 1-2. I felt back then like I did that night after the NW game. I was ready to give up on this team like I was that team and the only way out was to go on a run like that 03-04 did. So far they are doing that but they have to keep their foot on the pedal and don't let up.
The Scirotto special.
Honest question: what changed between his time under Groce and now? It's the same Fletch but much better results.
Sophomore year they won a game in the tournament. But yes, by and large they didn’t win as much as they should have
Gives a nice interview too. Very well spoken. Happy for him.Would rather give those minutes to a kid like Lieb honestly … People clown on that kid but all he does is take care of business off the court, show up to practice and give it everything’s he’s got …
Kid is living his dream … Illinois Basketball … Pretty cool to see
In 2023 where every kid is entitled and thinks they’re going to the league … it’s nice to see a kid who stuck it out when he knows he ain’t gonna play and get rewarded with 10-15 minutes tonight
