Chip Scoggins: Tubby probably needs a Sweet 16 appearance to feel completely safe

[big10guy]

At a news conference afterward, Smith, Williams and Hollins spoke repeatedly about their struggles this season and how the tournament provides a second chance. None of them showed any real emotion or outward joy.

Certainly agree with Chip's take on this. Their tone and body language certainly didn't give any impression that they were excited or confident in their ability to play well and win this game. Austin and Rodney looked like they'd just been told they'd have to re-take their final exams. Players take their lead from the coach and Tubby didn't look like he was excited for the chance to put this group on the floor one more time.

 

[MRJ]

At a news conference afterward, Smith, Williams and Hollins spoke repeatedly about their struggles this season and how the tournament provides a second chance. None of them showed any real emotion or outward joy.

Certainly agree with Chip's take on this. Their tone and body language certainly didn't give any impression that they were excited or confident in their ability to play well and win this game. Austin and Rodney looked like they'd just been told they'd have to re-take their final exams. Players take their lead from the coach and Tubby didn't look like he was excited for the chance to put this group on the floor one more time.

Perhaps it's finally sinking in to Smith and company that short of a miracle run in the tournament, this season will be considered a failure by a good chunk of Gopher fans...

 

[Monty519]

I guess I just don't read that the same way others do. I wasn't expecting much joy for a team that was at one point #8 in the country, and now has a seed in the tournament even lower than that. I think they're just pissed off at how this whole thing has gone down. They can try to pretend like they're hyped about being an 11 seed in the tourney, but c'mon let's face it, it's disappointing. But I don't think it really relates in any way to what they believe they can actually do in the NCAAs. I think they fully expect to beat UCLA and move on.

 

[Former Goofer]

per Chip:

Smith enters the tournament on the hot seat and probably needs a Sweet 16 appearance to feel completely safe. Anything less should compel athletic director Norwood Teague to make a change, even if Smith’s $2.5 million buyout seems unpalatable. Smith responded to a question about his job security Sunday night by noting that he works in a profession of “What have you done for me lately?”

This is a critical time for Tubby and his program. The Gophers became one of the biggest disappointments in college basketball this season. But they get one final chance to prove themselves, to show that they are indeed a good team capable of achieving success in March. Or they could continue to flounder and look disinterested and just go away quietly.

Selection Sunday is supposed to be a festive occasion for teams to celebrate their season and inclusion in the tournament. The mood around the Gophers felt strangely sullen. The team opted to watch the selection show in private, eschewing the public party many schools choose. At a news conference afterward, Smith, Williams and Hollins spoke repeatedly about their struggles this season and how the tournament provides a second chance. None of them showed any real emotion or outward joy.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/198714311.html?page=all&prepage=1&c=y#continue

Go Gophers!!

That settles it then, I'm rooting against us making the Sweet 16