Ignatius L Hoops
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The 6-5 Gophers take on the 10-1 Badgers
To what end? Make the tournament? Is that even a big deal at this point? Maybe they need to miss the tourney and eat some more humble pie to get their heads on straight. Smh.Wisconsin is definitely a whole level better than the Gophers. We got a clinic today. The Wisconsin players could anticipate everything the Gophers tried to do. Minnesota had trouble stopping what Wisconsin would do. The Gophers need to forget this match and get mentally prepared for the rest of their matches. They need to beat all the teams in the middle and bottom of the pack.
So what is the difference when two years ago we were equals playing in the Final Four of the NCAA tournament? NIL money? Horse*bleep* recruiting? A coach who gave up in the middle of a season? The precipitous fall we have taken is something that needs looking in to, in my opinion. You don't get this bad this fast without influence.Wisconsin is definitely a whole level better than the Gophers. We got a clinic today. The Wisconsin players could anticipate everything the Gophers tried to do. Minnesota had trouble stopping what Wisconsin would do. The Gophers need to forget this match and get mentally prepared for the rest of their matches. They need to beat all the teams in the middle and bottom of the pack.
Answer is yes to all your questions. Many many many things need to change for us to have a different season next year. However, I am more concerned for our program beyond that right now.So what is the difference when two years ago we were equals playing in the Final Four of the NCAA tournament? NIL money? Horse*bleep* recruiting? A coach who gave up in the middle of a season? The precipitous fall we have taken is something that needs looking in to, in my opinion. You don't get this bad this fast without influence.
Yes, making the NCAA tournament is a big deal. Only 20% of the Division I teams make the tournament. Good recruits and transfer players will choose schools where they have a good chance of making the tournament. Plus, you are apt to have fewer players transfer out. I don't think that quitting when the going gets tough is the answer to the program's problems.To what end? Make the tournament? Is that even a big deal at this point? Maybe they need to miss the tourney and eat some more humble pie to get their heads on straight. Smh.
Just frustrated right now and I hate hate hate losing to Wisconsin and their arrogant fans.
Yes, the transfer portal has made a difference. Texas won the national championship with key transfer players. They probably have more NIL money than most other programs. We probably don't know why Hugh retired. However, I can believe that the change in the recruiting landscape (portal, NIL) is something he did not want to do and was part of the reason why he stepped down.There should be asterisks next to teams like Wisconsin. They were able to load up on talent only because of COVID rule exceptions. I know we could have done the same, but we lost our head coach at the WORST time, which made it very difficult for us.
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I think five freshman could make up a solid core for our rotation. I'm concerned about getting more solid help via the transfer portal. We need to make that work for us not against us. We need a better setter and 6 position players who have comeptent back row and serve receive skills. I'm not emotionally tied to Landfair, Schafmaster and Wuecher. AFAIAC, they can stay or go. Especially if we can get players in the portal who play better than them.Answer is yes to all your questions. Many many many things need to change for us to have a different season next year. However, I am more concerned for our program beyond that right now.
We have three Freshman.....one not seeing any playing time and two more who have seen very very little. I am not expecting that to change for the rest of this season. In January we will add two more Freshman to those three. So my concern is will all five of these players sit out all next season? I hope not but we could very well be seeing that. My final question is will that really set us up for more success in 2025 and will all the verbal commits still commit?
It's already happened and those players are starters/stars on the team. I don't see them as salvageable. They quit last season, when Hugh did. They learned about going through the motions last season.Yes, making the NCAA tournament is a big deal. Only 20% of the Division I teams make the tournament. Good recruits and transfer players will choose schools where they have a good chance of making the tournament. Plus, you are apt to have fewer players transfer out. I don't think that quitting when the going gets tough is the answer to the program's problems.
While I don’t necessarily agree with your assessment, I do believe you’ll get your wish. Once this disaster of a season is over, I would expect them all to hit the transfer portal. I, personally place 100% of the blame for this mess on our “coach”. It takes a special kind of loser to take napalm to a roster this strong. And to think, we are actually paying this dolt to do it. What an embarrassment!!It's already happened and those players are starters/stars on the team. I don't see them as salvageable. They quit last season, when Hugh did. They learned about going through the motions last season.
We aren't going deep in either tournament this year and won't next year, if we don't upgrade from Landfair, Wuncher and Shaffmaster.
Makes sense. Portal plus NIL is just killing my interest in college sports. Why wouldn’t it also damage Coach Hugh’s desire to coach?Yes, the transfer portal has made a difference. Texas won the national championship with key transfer players. They probably have more NIL money than most other programs. We probably don't know why Hugh retired. However, I can believe that the change in the recruiting landscape (portal, NIL) is something he did not want to do and was part of the reason why he stepped down.
I have a difficult time with blaming Kegan. This team cratered when Hugh announced he was done coaching in the middle of last season Deifying and demonizing the coaches isn't helpful to the players. Why Hugh did it in midseason is shrouded in mystery, but the impact it had on players confidence was awful. The players' resilience to this adversity has been awful.While I don’t necessarily agree with your assessment, I do believe you’ll get your wish. Once this disaster of a season is over, I would expect them all to hit the transfer portal. I, personally place 100% of the blame for this mess on our “coach”. It takes a special kind of loser to take napalm to a roster this strong. And to think, we are actually paying this dolt to do it. What an embarrassment!!
This is what concerns me: too many ifs.I think you are right that this season’s shortcomings are more mental than a lack of physical ability. Hopefully with the Swenson twins and some good transfers, especially DS/Libero and some strong blockers this team can find the right mentality to fight through tough situations.
This is what concerns me: too many ifs.
If the Swenson Twins....
If we get some good transfers....
If we get a DS/libero transfer....
If we get some strong blockers.....
If we can find the right mentality....
I have faith in the Swenson Twins, but the remaining options give me dread.