11-2 first place. Never worried.
- Thread starter QChawks
- Start date
If theres one thing I learned playing college basketball its that you take any win any way.. Wasn't a great effort and I really don't care!
Iowa's 2 all Americans carried them. Luxury having 2 players like that when nothing else is going right.
Wasn't terribly concerned but my god that was the choppiest game I've ever seen and that's not an exaggeration.
I was worried but I thought we played really well, mostly. Jok and Uthoff can really carry us a long way when they are on.
The players were disrupted because they couldn't watch "60 Minutes".
Tough even in Key West to get up for a Sunday nite basketball game.
Count our good fortune tonite... And move on.
Tough even in Key West to get up for a Sunday nite basketball game.
Count our good fortune tonite... And move on.
I understand the " A win is a win " thought process. But, I disagree with it.
It does matter how you win and what you are doing on the floor. It reflects where you are as a team. And this game does not reflect well on that front.
Poor defense on the dribble drive and closing out on shooters. Poor rebounding on the defensive end. Poor free throw shooting. Yes, they won anyway. But, they won't get away with that in upcoming games.
If they would have been playing a better team with equal talent level that came in playing hard and battled them to the end for a tough win, you could feel good about that. Playing a terrible team at home and escaping with a close win does not inspire confidence.
It does matter how you win and what you are doing on the floor. It reflects where you are as a team. And this game does not reflect well on that front.
Poor defense on the dribble drive and closing out on shooters. Poor rebounding on the defensive end. Poor free throw shooting. Yes, they won anyway. But, they won't get away with that in upcoming games.
If they would have been playing a better team with equal talent level that came in playing hard and battled them to the end for a tough win, you could feel good about that. Playing a terrible team at home and escaping with a close win does not inspire confidence.
I see what you're saying but its not the trend. That was the first big ten game this year that I thought there wasn't great effort and intensity.. Maybe @ Rutgers too..
When does "worried" start? Freak out stage 12?
Thank god for Jok and "udoff"!
For sure on those two, but do not minimize what Mike and Adam did either. Was the announcer correct that Gessell had zero TOs?
Just need to pull it together and play at Penn State. Then we get a week off and my contention is we've got some bumps and bruises to heal up.
Sorry SD. The win allows you to flush the reasons we won and move on to the next game. If they'd played this way and lost, then we have something to worry about.
Not that they don't. But worrying about it after a win is sooooo much better. There's things to clean up, but shoe on the other foot....playing a great game and losing. That's what happened to Minnesota. Ask them how they feel.
Not that they don't. But worrying about it after a win is sooooo much better. There's things to clean up, but shoe on the other foot....playing a great game and losing. That's what happened to Minnesota. Ask them how they feel.
I predict if we don't start to play with better effort we will go 1-3 in the next 4. Remember when Izzo said we punked them? These guys are playing entitled.
If we would come out and play with intensity and focus for 40 minutes I think we win them all, but we're not playing hungry. Wagner and Baer played hard off the bench tonight. Our bench defense is very weak however.
We're all about a spurt and relax mentality. Those who are worried about seeds aren't considering a sure loss in the B1G tourney. Indiana, MSU, Maryland, and Wisky are all playing better then the Hawks.
I think we're believing our press clipping just like when these kids were sophs. We are better now and have won games not playing well just because we are more talented, but our energy level suggests we're in for a let down. We're getting teams best shots and we're either wearing down or not responding. I don't know whoch is worse.
If we would come out and play with intensity and focus for 40 minutes I think we win them all, but we're not playing hungry. Wagner and Baer played hard off the bench tonight. Our bench defense is very weak however.
We're all about a spurt and relax mentality. Those who are worried about seeds aren't considering a sure loss in the B1G tourney. Indiana, MSU, Maryland, and Wisky are all playing better then the Hawks.
I think we're believing our press clipping just like when these kids were sophs. We are better now and have won games not playing well just because we are more talented, but our energy level suggests we're in for a let down. We're getting teams best shots and we're either wearing down or not responding. I don't know whoch is worse.
It wasn't lack of effort it was lack of concentration. I can't remember ever being so angry immediately after a WIN. I'm blowing off that steam and calming down now. This game looked too much like the Indiana game e.g. Missed FT's, lack of bench scoring, giving up too many offensive rebounds. I about flipped when (I think it was Uthoff and Woody) they fouled TWICE at the end to give Minney consecutive opportunities at a 3 point play. Fran was reaming the guys on the bench at the end and I have to imagine that was why.
Oh well, an ugly win beats a pretty loss any day. Hawks sit alone in 1st place. They need this upcoming break and will finish strong. Go Hawks!
Yes. We can count our victories and Minnesota can count their moral victories.
True and the law of averages are in their favor to finally get a win. Thank God it wasn't against the hawks.
Good post. Agree with all of it. Iowa better wake up and start playing some ball of this could end up being a very disappointing end to the season.
Also remember that every team goes through a slump or two every year. We seem to be in ours currently. Need to get through Penn State and get to the bye weekend.
MSU has had one. KU has had one. Duke has had one. Etc. My big fear is that our bench may have peaked early because they have really taken a hit lately.
MSU has had one. KU has had one. Duke has had one. Etc. My big fear is that our bench may have peaked early because they have really taken a hit lately.
I seem to recall being mocked 2 weeks ago for listing Minnesota as a game we can't overlook....pretty much like any conference games.
My reason for calling this a lack of effort game was the number of loose balls we didn't get. Do you remember anyone diving on the floor for loose balls or diving into the seats trying to save a possession? Baer had two nice efforts on one play, but that was the only one I recall. No tough slams in traffic and few this is MY ball rebounds.
This is why we won early and IMO is a big part of what's missing now. There is a definite lack of mental focus too. We closed out this game (tho it was ugly), but we haven't won a string of nail biters but rather coasted to the end with big double digit leads. In March you have to execute and win the close ones. We need to be able to do that and to me the book is out on our ability to close the close ones.
It's been a great ride this season but we need a W a Penn State and then a long look in the mirror before we go down the stretch.
This is why we won early and IMO is a big part of what's missing now. There is a definite lack of mental focus too. We closed out this game (tho it was ugly), but we haven't won a string of nail biters but rather coasted to the end with big double digit leads. In March you have to execute and win the close ones. We need to be able to do that and to me the book is out on our ability to close the close ones.
It's been a great ride this season but we need a W a Penn State and then a long look in the mirror before we go down the stretch.
Iowa is one victory away from matching last season's B1G win total. Minnesota is better than 0-13 and Iowa is better than 75-71 in CHA over a team in the cellar. Big game in State College on Wednesday! Go Hawks, Sweep Penn State!
Its the WORST TEAM in the HISTORY of Minnesota Basketball. The Big Ten Leaders should absolutely DESTROY that team on its HOME COURT.
This game is a W in the books, and that's the only place.
Minnesota has been I'm most of their games... .they just haven't figured out how to win yet.
They're a young team with some talent. I'm happy we got the win. Anytime you think you should destroy a BigTen Conference foe.....you'll be disappointed
FIFY.
Really, the beauty contest has passed now. Just remember that we lost to NW and Minnesota this week last year. I'm glad they have the time off this week though.
