That's where I'm at. How many times can we project them to get pissed and go on a roll? Maryland, yesterday's game after TJ got hammered in the head, etc.
This isn't about being motivated to win. This is a self starting bunch. It's not paying attention to details that's continually haunting us, especially on the defensive side. They get mixed up on switches, not defending slip screens well at all.....
This is the third game in a row where we've let up a ton in the paint. Northwestern should never, ever have that many points in the paint versus us. If they pull shots out of their rear, fine. The layups....can't have that.
Offensively, they're trying to find their identity again with TJ back in the lineup. The ball just sticks more, which can't be unexpected, but it needs to be addressed ASAP. We were back to having some not so great shots out of need. If TJ is going to be the alpha again, that's fine, but he needs to get to the rim. He also needs to be stronger with the ball. Way, way too many turnovers. I think that he's trying to do too much, but we'll see going forward.
I don't know if this is an issue or not, but TJ needs to tune out the fans. It's going to get worse than that. He's got to lock in and not try to quiet them down by trying to do too much. Again, I can't read his mind, but it did seem like he wanted to personally shut the fans up, which is understandable.
TO ME, as inconsistent as TJ last night, he has the ball in his hands at the end of regulation. He can create his own shot, he can get to the rim and draw contact and if he gets doubled, he can pass out of it to an open shooter. Domask had a decent look, it was just all of nothing, when TJ could have created matchup issues and options. That a BU decision and he knows his guys a lot better than we do.
fightingillini.com
