2012-2013 Gophers

[schmitty3]

Talent wise we are way better than Wisconsin and Illinois. How can you say Wisconsin has better talent than the Gophers? The Gophers are much more talented then Wisconsin, only difference is Wisconsin has a great coach, and the Gophers have a terrible coach. Bo Ryan could take a good high school team and compete in the big ten. Tubby can take a high seed tournament team and send them to the NIT.

[DrJuice1980]

Bo Ryan could take a good high school team and compete in the big ten.

And you think my comments are questionable?

[Scott M]

This team should be behind Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio State. A fourth place finish and respectable showings against the aforementioned teams would be commendable. Falling short of that, it has been and will continue to be a disappointment. No decent college coach is going to watch tape of this team before the Big Dance and not know how to knock the Gophers out - zone defense, limiting transition, forcing turnovers, hitting the offensive rebounds, shooting 3's...there's plenty on the rap sheet to go off of. And it's not like only the Big Ten teams can execute that game plan.

[DrJuice1980]

You think we're better than Michigan State? Please da_chise. Better talent better coach. No way we should be above them.

[schmitty3]

Bo Ryan could take a good high school team and compete in the big ten.

And you think my comments are questionable?

I was obviously being sarcastic with the high school quote. Your standards are ridiculously low. How can you be satisfied hovering around .500 in conference play with this team? It the mind set you have that always screws over the Gophers. They go into those big games and expect to lose. Aside from the Michigan State they have lost every big match up. Yea they beat Wisconsin, but I thought they looked terrible that game, and if it was for Bruesiwitz's bone headed play running the base line they would have lost. On paper at the start of the year they were a team that was suppose to challenge for a big ten championship, now they are a team looking to get into the NCAA tournament. That is pathetic.

[Scott M]

Better coach by a country mile, not better talent if anything its a draw. State is playing out of their minds of late, but that's why you want to play them early as the Gophers did. It's splitting hairs if they finish 5 or 6, I expected a split this year and that's what we got. When the final B1G standings are out, check and see where a 13-5 record puts them. If you don't want to wait that long, go see where it would get you in years past. Not any worse than fourth. But the Gophers never exceed expectations.

Switch rosters and give them a year and Izzo would have the Gophers ranked in the top 10 and Tubby would have the Spartans middling.

I wish this HSOforum would let you search beyond 3 years, I remember a post I made about watching an ESPN behind the scenes program "All Access: XY University" I remember watching Izzo and Krzyzewski talking about practicing hard mentally and watching them push players to do things better. Then they showed a Minnesota practice in a different episode and guys are jogging and Tubby is just walking around aimlessly and mumbling basketball coaching cliches. We'll never know what happens on the practice floor, but it's irreleveant. It's a results oriented business and Tubby's failing by most every standard.

[DrJuice1980]

Williams has been a disappointment, so has Mbakwe at times, dre Hollins needs to find consistency, and their bench has not been there. I had high hopes for Eliason and he has disappointed as well. I don't blame Tubby for all of this. I don't think he is innocent by any means but it's up to the players execution and that hasn't been there. Do you really think during a TO Tubby draws up those plays? You can see by his frustration that they're aren't running it like they should. Is Tubby to hard on the boys? Um have you heard what other coaches say? I don't think anything he's made public is false or wrong at all. Bill Self's tirade last week seemed pretty bad, how did Kansas react? It's up to the players to play.

[DrJuice1980]

I would never put Tubby in the catagory of Izzo or Coach K. I don't think we will ever attract a coach like that here. Maybe if we spend the bucks on a practice facility we might but without that we have zero chance.

[Greybeard53]

Wow!! Someone has some serious misconceptions about the Big 10.

I'm sorry, but 3 #1 seeds is hilarious. And if the Gophers were in the Big 12, Big East, PAC 12 or any other major conference for that matter, they'd have the same record they do now. The Big 10 is NOT at a different level. Sorry.

You can't win in a major conference with a weak defense and no offense. This team has players with alot of individual talent. But it's the coaches job at a minimum to make those talents fit together and work as a team. Some coaches even step outside the box and actually work to make their players better and learn new skills.

A lot of big time coaches would LOVE to be in a situation like at the U.. Any coach that comes here and turns it around would be treated like royalty.

Not that there are a ton of D1 prospects in MN., but if the UofM had a successful program not many would leave the state.

[DrJuice1980]

Indiana, Michigan, and Michigan State are all potential #1 seeds. How can you argue that? Please let me know because I can not see your logic what so ever. Also can not understand the idea that the Big 10 is not at a different level but I guess you will see when theres 7 teams that make the tourney, more than any other conference. That means the Big 10 is on a different level. Sorry to you when youre wrong.

[Greybeard53]

The Big 10 is perennially over rated. That's why they always get 6 or 7 teams in every year. And every year without fail, half of them lose in the first round. This year they do have four legitimately good teams (one #1 seed)and one borderline tourney team. The bottom seven teams are average to below average and do not deserve a tourney bid, but two of those teams will most likely get in anyway.

The Big East will send 7-8 teams

The Big Ten will send 7 (should be five)

The Big twelve and PAC 12 will each send 6

Hardly proof of a better talent level.

Those four conferences are roughly equal. Difference being that the other three conferences have a better consistency of talent top to bottom vs a top heavy Big 10. This makes it tougher to run up a high number of wins, but also make them better prepared for the tourney, which is why they last longer.

[schmitty3]

Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse...

[toughguy]

Wow. Just wow. NIT here we come...

[milkingman]

The team has totally quit on him. He has to go sooner than later.

[YiGGiN4SLoBS]

Lets hear your defense of tubby on this one Dr J... Should be interesting, cant wait.

[DrJuice1980]

Where is all this talent everybody thinks we have? Let me guess, Tubby sucked it out of them. Seriously guys, this team is not as good as you dream it is. Tubby must have been the reason for the 27% 3pters. He made Williams a weak arse. Eliason make great choices because of him too. Seriously, I mean seriously Tubby is trying everything he can. He's even giving minutes and touches to Mo Walker. This team just is not as good as you guys think. You can't get the expectations out of a very few bright spots. As much as I love the Gophs I'm a realist and this is reality, not want you guys see.

Ps, your cant wait gave me a chuckle. "Can't wait!.......Can't wait!"

[milkingman]

How does a team go 15-1 to start a season with no talent? They had some impressive wins early on. This is a coach who cannot adjust to other teams strengths. You watch tape of teams to make adjustments as a coach. Alot of tape is out there now. Some coaches can use it as an advantage. Tubby forgets to put on his 3-d glasses because he is totally missing how to dissect film.

[Snag]

NIT here we come.

0 NCAA wins in 6 years with Flubby. They won't make the tourney this year.

Reusse was right, Turkey of the year.

Another Maturi flop.

[schmitty3]

We have been consistently scoring around 50 points the last 10 games. Where are the adjustments on offense? Those first 20 games or so we were averaging around 75 points a game. How can your offense just all of sudden go that bad. How can you not turn it around at least for a few games. We make no adjustments at all. It's the same standing around and turning it over game after game. Our big are catching the ball 5 ft from the 3 point line and are expected to make something happen. What do you expect Mo Walker to do with the ball at the top of the key? If no ones there to help him he's gonna turn it over.

[YiGGiN4SLoBS]

Where is all this talent everybody thinks we have? Let me guess, Tubby sucked it out of them. Seriously guys, this team is not as good as you dream it is. Tubby must have been the reason for the 27% 3pters. He made Williams a weak arse. Eliason make great choices because of him too. Seriously, I mean seriously Tubby is trying everything he can. He's even giving minutes and touches to Mo Walker. This team just is not as good as you guys think. You can't get the expectations out of a very few bright spots. As much as I love the Gophs I'm a realist and this is reality, not want you guys see.

Ps, your cant wait gave me a chuckle. "Can't wait!.......Can't wait!"

YES, TUBBY IS THE REASON FOR THE 27% 3 POINTERS! HE DOESNT RECRUIT ANYONE THAT CAN SHOOT!! Shooters are a dime a dozen! They are literally EVERYWHERE across the country! Why he doesnt have ONE guy that can shoot on this team is MIND boggling! Just stop blaming everything on the players. You sound like tubby, constatly running the players down and refusing to accept any blame himself. Face it, Tubby is a VASTLY over-paid and HIGHLY over-rated coach. Hes proven that beyond a doubt to me. This team is playing like they are the WORST team in the big ten! Un-acceptable anyway you slice it. Especially un-acceptable when your being paid 2 MILLION FRICKIN DOLLARS TO WIN IN THE BIG TEN. And after six years its still not happening and it never will with this guy.

[schmitty3]

Well they do have a decent shooter in Wally Elenson warming the bench every game. But hey why play him when Osenieks can throw up air balls shot after shot.

[YiGGiN4SLoBS]

didnt tubby waste ellansons red shirt earlier this year in a meaningless game too?? Another brilliant move by the "great" tubby. PLAY THE MAN IF YOU ALREADY WASTED HIS REDSHIRT!

[DrJuice1980]

15-1 should not have given you [false hope] bud. We had a win against Memphis. That was all. The talent is not here. If it was you would see it at some point in the last 8 games but you have not seen a lick. Why? because its not here. Where is the talent? Not here. Not the talent that you guys think we have anyways. We got decent players and have had a decent season. The real ness hurts....

[Scott M]

The Big 10 is perennially over rated. That's why they always get 6 or 7 teams in every year. And every year without fail, half of them lose in the first round. This year they do have four legitimately good teams (one #1 seed)and one borderline tourney team. The bottom seven teams are average to below average and do not deserve a tourney bid, but two of those teams will most likely get in anyway.

The Big East will send 7-8 teams

The Big Ten will send 7 (should be five)

The Big twelve and PAC 12 will each send 6

Hardly proof of a better talent level.

Those four conferences are roughly equal. Difference being that the other three conferences have a better consistency of talent top to bottom vs a top heavy Big 10. This makes it tougher to run up a high number of wins, but also make them better prepared for the tourney, which is why they last longer.

Well, there's no shortage of unique takes on this board...Big Ten had 7 teams that were ranked in the top 25 at some point during conference play. I'd also submit a plucky Iowa squad as a bubble team. RPI and SOS beyond win-loss and how you've played of late determine who gets in. There aren't any free invites to the Big Dance.

Just four years ago the Big Ten was pretty bad, but strength of conference goes in waves. Big Ten was a power basketball conference in the 70's and 80's, had a few decent teams in the 90's and 00's but played second fiddle to ACC and Big East, but this year they are the best conference. I will predict 5 Big Ten teams win their opening round matchup this year. Pac 12, ACC, and Big 12 are down this year, not on par with B1G or Big East.

If anything, I would say the Big Ten has the most talent and parity top to bottom which might make them tougher come tournament time. The Big Dance is about getting stops as much as anything, and the grind it out style of the conference can help. No doubt you need the horses on offense too, and when you see MSU, Michigan, and Indiana playing for a #1 seed and look at the personnel. I would say Michigan and Indiana have the horses to get there and can get the stops. I'm not saying 2013 crowns a Big Ten team National Champion, but I'd say it'll come down to the Big East and Big Ten for most NCAA tournament wins.

[Scott M]

15-1 should not have given you [false hope] bud. We had a win against Memphis. That was all. The talent is not here. If it was you would see it at some point in the last 8 games but you have not seen a lick. Why? because its not here. Where is the talent? Not here. Not the talent that you guys think we have anyways. We got decent players and have had a decent season. The real ness hurts....

Memphis was the only ranked win, but the composite score was formerly #1, then #2 for nonconference SOS...those numbers ebb and flow as teams win and lose in their respective conferences, but at last check it was #12. Nonconference RPI was #2. That's not a whole collection of bananas, there's a few as that's the nature of college basketball, but the body of evidence is pretty strong.

You are ready to wash away Tubby himself calling this the most talented team he's had in Minnesota? Even if we were to agree with your assertion that the talent is not there, it's okay to pay Tubby the kind of money he's getting and accept zero NCAA victories during his six years in Minnesota?

After this team loses to Indiana, they have to win out to go .500. I expect them to do it, but it's just sad that they will be mentioned as a bubble team (I don't think they have nearly as much to worry about as some teams for the reasons listed above). You realize he's had bubble teams every year he's been here? The injury, defection, blame the players routine only works for so long...