SEC and Big 12 coaches
Wisconsin 91, Illinois 88 OT Postgame
- Status
Was at the game yesterday and finally recovered enough to post some thoughts. Boswell being taken out of the game early was a big loss, but I thought we actually played decent defense in the first half. Second half defense was non-existent and Boyd and Blackwell got whatever they wanted and made some big shots, just the norm for us this season to have guys go nuclear. Hate to call him out, but Tomi is giving us nothing right now. Can't shoot, can't rebound, can't jump, slow. Looks like he's just collecting a pay check at this point. Andrej was getting going early and taking it to the basket, but we subbed him out and never really went back to that. Rotations right now are terrible. Offensivley we got to chucking 3's again with the wrong guys and let them back in the game twice. Don't get me started on the refs, atrocious officiating.
To make it worse, I was sitting around some fans of other teams and they were less than complimentary about our coaching (or lack thereof). Literally had a Purdue fan tell me we should be way better than we are, given the talent we have but Brad is hurting us. Pointed out the fact that he is relying on his son too much. I had to push back a little bit because I don't think that's totally true, but to know that's what other programs are thinking is worrisome. Really hoping we can put it all together again and make a run, we'll see.
To make it worse, I was sitting around some fans of other teams and they were less than complimentary about our coaching (or lack thereof). Literally had a Purdue fan tell me we should be way better than we are, given the talent we have but Brad is hurting us. Pointed out the fact that he is relying on his son too much. I had to push back a little bit because I don't think that's totally true, but to know that's what other programs are thinking is worrisome. Really hoping we can put it all together again and make a run, we'll see.
call me crazy...
But our team is gonna be no worse than a 3 seed, and we're going into the tournament with a large chunk demanding a firing. Before even seeing the tournament happen... It's quite possible brad will have made 2 second weekends in the past 3 years.
It is a little toxic. that worries me.
But our team is gonna be no worse than a 3 seed, and we're going into the tournament with a large chunk demanding a firing. Before even seeing the tournament happen... It's quite possible brad will have made 2 second weekends in the past 3 years.
It is a little toxic. that worries me.
I got a chance to sit back and relax a little bit after yesterday's loss. I just keep coming back to the fact that this team is really good but they are missing a dawg, someone who brings that jyd mentality. I truly think if we had somebody like that we win six more games this year.
Can that mentality be developed before they start the tournament? I highly doubt it but if they can get some sort of a killer mentality this team is dangerous.
If it continues to be status quo then they'll be out and around of 32
Can that mentality be developed before they start the tournament? I highly doubt it but if they can get some sort of a killer mentality this team is dangerous.
If it continues to be status quo then they'll be out and around of 32
Clearly get where you are coming from.
What I am trying to portend is - Our offense is fine. If we make our FTs we win all those games.
The rebounding, defense and FTs under pressure is not the level of play that you are referring to. Those are all areas that require greater focus under pressure.
If we go low post or two on the baseline offensively, that is going to take Wagler, Boswell and Andrej out of the equation other than as 3pt shooters and the baseline dunks disappear.
I am just confused as to why the focus is lacking.
What does he have to do with a good coaches conversation?
Kruger sits second row and from everything I’ve seen with my own eyes provides absolutely nothing during the game …
We’re paying Antigua $1 million dollars … Geoff is making huge coin … We don’t need 2 guys who can only recruit … It’s that simple …
And if Brad insists we do ? Fine …
Go get a X and O coach … Pay him whatever it takes and have him handle all the dang plays !!!!!!!
This staff has too many guys to not have A GUY !!!!
Doesn't Izzo have 1 big ten title and no BTT titles since 2020? Its really hard to win them even with a great program.
What do you think Josh will tell Brad in his end of the year meeting?
There's no arguing against this unless you crave mediocrity.You can reword it however you want … He’s got 1 second weekend to his name … He’s been here since 2017 … We aren’t a second weekend team right now … Unless we magically figure things out …
Regular season wins ? Good … Not great … Are we hanging banners for regular season wins now ?
I’d gladly be 3rd or 4th in Big Tens wins and have 3 more sweet 16s and two more elite 8s … And maybe that’s just me …
I appreciate BU getting us into the conversations and winning a lot of games recently. He's earned the right to keep coaching.
However, the high standards and expectations that BU have placed on his program is the reality. In other words, mediocrity is not accepted.
If these expectations are not met, and mediocrity continues, isn't it reasonable to question the coach?
Some people act as if there are NO other coaches out there who can't achieve better NCAA Tournament deep runs than BU--who's reached one Elite 8.
As mentioned, I'd like to think that we, fans, prefer S16, E8 and F4 runs as opposed to winning a lot of conference games that do not translate to deep Tournament runs.
Let's hope this 4th place Big Ten team reaches its potential and gets to the expected E8.
Last edited:
Only Earl Bruce quote I care for: "Everybody wants to gamble with MY money"
Ever heard of sample size? Boswell is 31% from three on the season (27% outside of Assembly Hall) and Andrej is 24% (15% outside of Assembly Hall).
Those are shots opponents will let us take and be happy to live with the results.
Thanks for eloquently stating the view point some of us “doom and gloomers.”
It’s 100% what you said along with the inability to adjust. No BLOBS/SLOBS. No plans for situational basketball. Bad defense. The “hunt match-ups” and analytical stuff is good unfortunately, but not an acceptable winning formula alone. Our offense is a chunk it offense based off top PnR and really nothing else. There is no imagination. No toughness, no heart.
When things need coaching and changes to be made they aren’t. Either the staff can’t or won’t and that is what needs to be answered. That causes us fans who don’t see and agree with what is being pumped out or portrayed by some on here to have a different perspective which is rightful by both/all sides w/o being talked to like we’re not good fans just bc we disagree.
We have obviously had offensive drought issues in the preseason when we played Florida and we’ve seen it in most games this season….we saw it two years ago against UCONN and still no designed or play calls to get easy two point baskets but rely on our proclaimed good shooters.
When I saw the pic of Underwood and the Balkans in the track suits I had visions of imported inner-city toughness and physicality. The talk of we have the Visics is more like we have the B****es. And I don’t believe that’s representative of their true personalities, but what is learned that you conform with the staff’s style and don’t rock to boat or you won’t play. What I’ve seen is if you rock the boat and challenge things like you have your own brain and have been coached different things before then you’ll be in the dog house and on the bench. We’ll hear things like unplayable, wrong fit, etc.
Also the fast break away from the program by good coaches who develop players, recruit tough players, and coaches who are in game savants is still bothersome. The culture of hiring your son and his friend to have
The tough coaching on some players and the coddling of other players is a questionable observation. The loss of those players like DGL, Epps, Hansberry, Morez, White, Dania, Sincere, and almost Ty who had edge and toughness and a different kind of toughness. Also the mystery around guys like Morettti, Perrin, Petrovic is all what makes a staff have to be accountable for.
Even with all that said, I really like Underwood and the hire and always have. Living in Texas, I saw a lot of him when he was at SFA. My wife is an Oklahoma State grad, so we’ve had a transferred-shared love of his tenure at ILL eventhough strong criticism. I also admire the way he and the staff handled and trusted TSJ through the whole ordeal a couple of years ago.
There is a lot to like about the program and a lot to question. Some kind of changes have to be willingly made or forcibly made to change I. Order to be a real NC contender.
I asked this before, but would Brad listen to them or does he only listen to Tyler? Why is it that with all of the experience on that bench that he doesn't look to any of them for a play or take their input into account during the game?
He’s not happy at Florida. That was discussed quite a bit last season. Maybe the natty changed that, but it was an open secret he was looking for a good landing spot away from Florida last year.
blackdog
- Champaign
Those two pointers are drives, put backs, and dumpoffs. Yes the offense is efficient but its so dependent on Keaton or someone else getting to the paint on drives, especially since Tomi cant hit a 3 to save his life right now on pick and pops. Tomi and David are both great passers if a double comes so there will be a good chance of a high percentage look out it. They aren't getting the same amount of gold star shots they were earlier in the year so why not use a play that can generate them.
i think our recent struggles can all be attributed to a singular cause - Tomi’s regression.
No amount of elite couching, no amount of Pizza Hut parking lot toughness, “dawg-ness”…can plug the giant hole in shooting, rebounding and defense that is Tomi right now.
Simple as that
No amount of elite couching, no amount of Pizza Hut parking lot toughness, “dawg-ness”…can plug the giant hole in shooting, rebounding and defense that is Tomi right now.
Simple as that
- Status