ESPN: Minnesota is fundamentally flawed; Maybe it is a lack of leadership. Or energy.

[BleedGopher]

Eamonn Brennan tees off, from the article:

Disjointed Minnesota limps to finish

On one hand, it's pretty easy to explain: Minnesota is fundamentally flawed. The Gophers turn over the ball too often, and they have all season; Minnesota had the highest turnover percentage (21.3) in the Big Ten this season. Its 19 turnovers Thursday cost it early, and cost it late, leading to key opportunities for Illinois as it clawed back in the game in the closing moments. Turnovers are always bad (um, duh), but the trait is especially problematic for the Gophers, whose best feature -- their national-best offensive rebounding -- relies on them having actually attempted a shot in the first place. When that doesn't happen, which is often, the Gophers' entire offense breaks down.

And that's just the offense. Minnesota's defense, which ranked eighth in the Big Ten in points per possession allowed this season, remains a constant issue.

Maybe it is a lack of leadership. Or energy. Or focus. Or maybe it's just as simple as a turnover-prone, rebound-reliant offense and a mediocre defense. Whatever the answer is, Minnesota has to find it soon. Indeed, it might already be too late.

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/79317/disjointed-minnesota-limps-to-finish

Go Gophers!!

 

[jovs]

Eamonn Brennan tees off, from the article:

Disjointed Minnesota limps to finish

On one hand, it's pretty easy to explain: Minnesota is fundamentally flawed. The Gophers turn over the ball too often, and they have all season; Minnesota had the highest turnover percentage (21.3) in the Big Ten this season. Its 19 turnovers Thursday cost it early, and cost it late, leading to key opportunities for Illinois as it clawed back in the game in the closing moments. Turnovers are always bad (um, duh), but the trait is especially problematic for the Gophers, whose best feature -- their national-best offensive rebounding -- relies on them having actually attempted a shot in the first place. When that doesn't happen, which is often, the Gophers' entire offense breaks down.

And that's just the offense. Minnesota's defense, which ranked eighth in the Big Ten in points per possession allowed this season, remains a constant issue.

Maybe it is a lack of leadership. Or energy. Or focus. Or maybe it's just as simple as a turnover-prone, rebound-reliant offense and a mediocre defense. Whatever the answer is, Minnesota has to find it soon. Indeed, it might already be too late.

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/79317/disjointed-minnesota-limps-to-finish

Go Gophers!!

If it was a one time thing I think you could point to the players but it has been Tubby's legacy the last four years, you can't help but put the bullseye right on Smith, somehow he has the ability to completely destroy a teams confidence.

 

[bleedsmaroonandgold]

Focus. Energy. Effort. All of the above. We have a team that tries hard for stretches, and then just gives up for stretches.

 

[Rouser4eVA]

Indeed, it might already be too late.

I'm not sure I agree with this statement. They did enough to punch a ticket to the tournament. As I see it, it is not too late to play mistake-free basketball. They've shown the ability to topple the best; they just haven't shown an ability to do it with any consistency.

Tremendously disappointing to see the Big Ten season end this way, but I'm hopeful that the guys realize their potential as they face opponents in the tournament that may not be as talented.

Is it too late for a change in mindset? No, it is never too late for a change in mindset. Too late will be when the clock ticks to zero and the scoreboard favors the opponent. That's when I'll give up on this team!

 

[sal]

On one hand, it's pretty easy to explain: Minnesota is fundamentally flawed. The Gophers turn over the ball too often, and they have all season; Minnesota had the highest turnover percentage (21.3) in the Big Ten this season. Its 19 turnovers Thursday cost it early, and cost it late, leading to key opportunities for Illinois as it clawed back in the game in the closing moments. Turnovers are always bad (um, duh), but the trait is especially problematic for the Gophers, whose best feature -- their national-best offensive rebounding -- relies on them having actually attempted a shot in the first place. When that doesn't happen, which is often, the Gophers' entire offense breaks down.

This paragraph describes exactly who/what we are. Some of this is on the players, but the coach ultimately is responsible. Teams have to sell you some hope to keep the fan base and with Tubby at the helm...it's a tough sell right now. The AD will have some tough choices in the next few weeks.

 

[PeanutButterGopherTime]

This paragraph describes exactly who/what we are. Some of this is on the players, but the coach ultimately is responsible. Teams have to sell you some hope to keep the fan base and with Tubby at the helm...it's a tough sell right now. The AD will have some tough choices in the next few weeks.

I honestly don't see it being that tough for Norwood to cut bait on Tubby. The last thing Norwood wants is to get weighed down by somebody else's hire. He's going to bring in his own guy (Flip).

 

[sal]

I honestly don't see it being that tough for Norwood to cut bait on Tubby. The last thing Norwood wants is to get weighed down by somebody else's hire. He's going to bring in his own guy (Flip).

I can think of 2.5 million reasons why it might be tough. How do you know Flip is "his guy"?

 

[short ornery norwegian]

Indeed, it might already be too late.

I'm not sure I agree with this statement. They did enough to punch a ticket to the tournament. As I see it, it is not too late to play mistake-free basketball. They've shown the ability to topple the best; they just haven't shown an ability to do it with any consistency.

I admire your optimism, but I can't agree. Teams have personalities, and this year's Gopher team has established its personality - inconsistency. Turnovers - poor decisions - often at the most crucial part of the game.
Expecting them to suddenly turn thing around and play mistake-free basketball is just asking way too much. It's like expecting the office jackass to suddenly turn into a nice guy - it ain't going to happen, no matter how much you want it.

I hate to say it, but the Indiana win is not the norm for this team - it's the exception. It's like my golf game. I hit one nice 5-iron, and 10 crappy shots, but I only remember the nice shot.

 

[upnorthkid]

I still just don't get how, as a coach when this is your entire job, you can allow kids to come out so inconsistent, lacking energy, lacking motivation. it makes no sense

 

[station19]

I still just don't get how, as a coach when this is your entire job, you can allow kids to come out so inconsistent, lacking energy, lacking motivation. it makes no sense

The team is a reflection of it's coach.

 

[JimmyJamesMD]

The team is a reflection of it's coach.

BINGO. There's a reason why this team are mental midgets on the court.

 

[upnorthkid]

The team is a reflection of it's coach.

i agree with this. but you'd think all people like money. coaches inspire kids to play their best for money. hence it'd only make sense that he'd have some motivation, but instead tubby just looks like he just doesn't give a flying $#@* at times.

 

[Bad Gopher]

i agree with this. but you'd think all people like money. coaches inspire kids to play their best for money. hence it'd only make sense that he'd have some motivation, but instead tubby just looks like he just doesn't give a flying $#@* at times.

If I understand you correctly, you're saying Tubby should be motivated by the big money he's making. Interestingly, the research on that topic indicates that, as income goes through the roof, performance and production tend to decline - at least in the everyday business world. You reach a point of declining returns at some point. Obviously that's a generalization/average and not universally applicable, but it does tend to explain some circumstances you see - for instance in pro sports, how big salaries have made some players too comfortable and complacent.

 

[mnsports1]

BINGO. There's a reason why this team are mental midgets on the court.

Say they are not cool under pressure...
Say they get rattled by zones....
You can say a million things that you don't like about the team....
But calling your team (I'm guessing because we are on Gopher Hole) mental midgets is just stupid and reflects what an idiot you are!

That^^ and your Subject Verb Agreement.

 

[XMan]

Say they are not cool under pressure...
Say they get rattled by zones....
You can say a million things that you don't like about the team....
But calling your team (I'm guessing because we are on Gopher Hole) mental midgets is just stupid and reflects what an idiot you are!

That^^ and your Subject Verb Agreement.

His subject verb agreement is pretty messed up....but how can he be an idiot. He must be smart, he has MD after his name!

 

[JimmyJamesMD]

but how can he be an idiot. He must be smart, he has MD after his name!

Exactly.

 

[XMan]

Exactly.

Nice try Doogie Howser

 

[upnorthkid]

If I understand you correctly, you're saying Tubby should be motivated by the big money he's making. Interestingly, the research on that topic indicates that, as income goes through the roof, performance and production tend to decline - at least in the everyday business world. You reach a point of declining returns at some point. Obviously that's a generalization/average and not universally applicable, but it does tend to explain some circumstances you see - for instance in pro sports, how big salaries have made some players too comfortable and complacent.

i meant more that if you turn into a lazy pile as a coach, you are out of a job and make $0 for the rest of your life. i agree with the big contract deal though

 

[minny01]

[/QUOTE=station19;676782]The team is a reflection of it's coach.[/QUOTE]

This is exactly correct. It is the coaching staff who is responsible for putting the players in the best position to be successful. This team is so poorly prepared to play. I'm not sure that they have any designed out of bounds plays and I'm never sure just what they are trying to do when they have to play in a half court offense.

I don't think that you can fault the players effort yesterday. They came out and played hard the first 4 minutes, but then he put both Austin and Trevor on the bench the rest of the half. That is 66% of the scoring power on the floor. On top of that, he took Andre out of the game shortly thereafter and nobody who could create a shot for themselves. As Flip said earlier today, I'm not sure why he didn't try to play EE at the high post and Trevor down low to get him some shots. EE is by far our best passer. Ingram played ok yesterday but he doesn't do enough to help out Trevor in the paint.

I keep thinking that the coach is going to learn something from previous games and come out better prepared and not go to his bench on 2 fouls in the first half, but I'm starting to wonder. I would hate to be a high seed and see Minnesota come up as the 10 or 11 seed in their region because they are still capable of doing some damage in the dance.