Michael Rand on UW game: "The most important game Smith has coached here."

[BleedGopher]

per Rand:

http://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/191026711.html

Catching Wisconsin in the standings now seems quite unlikely. Thursday night's rematch at the Barn now takes on a different tint: the most important game Smith has coached here.

A victory would put the Gophers back to .500 in the conference, go down as another quality win, and solidify what is already pretty solid ground for, at least, an NCAA tournament bid. The Gophers are still waaaay up there in the RPI at No. 13 thanks to a No. 3 in the country strength of schedule. Beat Wisconsin, finish at least .500 in the Big Ten, win at least a game in the Big Ten tourney, and something like a No. 6 seed -- which comes with a good chance to win an NCAA tourney game and at least a puncher's chance at making the Sweet 16 -- is possible.

A loss, however, would be Minnesota's third consecutive setback and would drop them to 5-7 with road games against Iowa (better than its record), Ohio State (a tough, ranked team) and a home game against Indiana (one of the best teams in the country) looming among the next three. It's not hard to see a streak becoming a tailspin, and a nosediving RPI turning into RIP for a tourney bid -- and perhaps Smith's coaching tenure.

Go Gophers!!

 

[SelectionSunday]

Rand summed up the whole situation very well, and yet he didn't feel the need to take the obligatory cheapshots at Tubby. Just telling his readers exactly what the stuation is. Thanks, Michael.

 

[Gopher Bandanna Guy]

Rand summed up the whole situation very well, and yet he didn't feel the need to take the obligatory cheapshots at Tubby. Just telling his readers exactly what the stuation is. Thanks, Michael.

Agree with most of this, and it's refreshing to see an article written about Tubby and the Gophs that is cheap-shot free. Do the Souhan and Reusse-style predictable quips and undercuts really sell more papers or get more clicks? I want to say 'no', but alas I am probably being naive here.

What I don't agree with is that this is Tubby's most important game coached at Minnesota. I reserve that for the 2 Tourney appearances vs. Texas and Xavier. Games IN the Big Dance have more gravity IMO, than games that might or might not get you into the Big Dance. There's simply no way to know right now, if a loss to Wisconsin tomorrow dooms us and eliminates us from the Tourney.

 

[bga1]

Agree with most of this, and it's refreshing to see an article written about Tubby and the Gophs that is cheap-shot free. Do the Souhan and Reusse-style predictable quips and undercuts really sell more papers or get more clicks? I want to say 'no', but alas I am probably being naive here.

What I don't agree with is that this is Tubby's most important game coached at Minnesota. I reserve that for the 2 Tourney appearances vs. Texas and Xavier. Games IN the Big Dance have more gravity IMO, than games that might or might not get you into the Big Dance. There's simply no way to know right now, if a loss to Wisconsin tomorrow dooms us and eliminates us from the Tourney.

For Smith- it is the most important game. This is the first time he realistically stands at the edge where you could say no tournament means no job. This game if won would make it a pretty reasonable path to the tournament and the continuing of the Tubby era. Losing this game would mean that the path is difficult and the growing unrest that would occur with both players and fans would not help a bit.

After the Texas and Xavier games I don't think anyone was thinking about tossing a brick through their TV set. Getting to the tournament at that point was enough for most people to leave the season with a sense of satisfaction and a feeling that the program was progressing. Now we have quite a different feeling.

 

[Monty519]

If we find a way to lose this game but still make it to the Dance, that 1st round game will be the most important game of Tubby's tenure here. At this very moment, yes, it does have that "make or break" feel to it, like if they can't get this W Thursday, it's gonna get ugly 'round these parts. But really, there's no way to know that.

They could easily lose to Wisconsin and still win their low RPI match ups remaining on the schedule and finish 9-9 in conference and be well clear of the bubble come Selection Sunday. If that happens, then like I said, that first round tourney game will be crucial to this program.

 

[From the Barn]

After the Texas and Xavier games I don't think anyone was thinking about tossing a brick through their TV set. .

Especially considering that Texas and Xavier were pretty clearly underseeded. That Texas team was good, and Xavier went on quite a run.

 

[howeda7]

For Smith- it is the most important game. This is the first time he realistically stands at the edge where you could say no tournament means no job. This game if won would make it a pretty reasonable path to the tournament and the continuing of the Tubby era. Losing this game would mean that the path is difficult and the growing unrest that would occur with both players and fans would not help a bit.

After the Texas and Xavier games I don't think anyone was thinking about tossing a brick through their TV set. Getting to the tournament at that point was enough for most people to leave the season with a sense of satisfaction and a feeling that the program was progressing. Now we have quite a different feeling.

+1. Every coach's tenure has a turning point. For Monson it was Illinois 2002. For Tubby, to this point, it's when Nolen broke his foot. But tomorrow is another one. For good or bad.

 

[Gopher Bandanna Guy]

For Smith- it is the most important game. This is the first time he realistically stands at the edge where you could say no tournament means no job. This game if won would make it a pretty reasonable path to the tournament and the continuing of the Tubby era. Losing this game would mean that the path is difficult and the growing unrest that would occur with both players and fans would not help a bit.

After the Texas and Xavier games I don't think anyone was thinking about tossing a brick through their TV set. Getting to the tournament at that point was enough for most people to leave the season with a sense of satisfaction and a feeling that the program was progressing. Now we have quite a different feeling.

I get what you are saying, and it may end up being Tubby's most important game relative to keeping his job. But there is really no way of knowing this until more games after Thursday are played. You lose to Wisconsin, but then find a way to beat Iowa on the road, and upset IU at home (unlikely, I realize), and suddenly this game vs. Wisconsin loses its gravity.

To me, once you get into the NCAAs, anything can happen. Yes, it was nice to finally return to the Tourney, but the one-and-done finality of those games ups the ante for me. Like anyone, I want the team to go as deep as possible, and keep the season rolling. Unrealistic if you draw a 1-4 seed, yeah I know. I don't want to 'settle' on losing in the first round to a #6 seed. It feels different to me than say the moral victory of making a bowl game in football.
I for one, was quite upset about losing to Xavier (but maybe that was because I was there in person and half-in-the-bag thanks to the pre-game booze infused morning rally at Bootleggers), as it felt like that game was in reach the entire time, and it ended our season.

 

[bga1]

I get what you are saying, and it may end up being Tubby's most important game relative to keeping his job. But there is really no way of knowing this until more games after Thursday are played. You lose to Wisconsin, but then find a way to beat Iowa on the road, and upset IU at home (unlikely, I realize), and suddenly this game vs. Wisconsin loses its gravity.

To me, once you get into the NCAAs, anything can happen. Yes, it was nice to finally return to the Tourney, but the one-and-done finality of those games ups the ante for me. Like anyone, I want the team to go as deep as possible, and keep the season rolling. Unrealistic if you draw a 1-4 seed, yeah I know. I don't want to 'settle' on losing in the first round to a #6 seed. It feels different to me than say the moral victory of making a bowl game in football.
I for one, was quite upset about losing to Xavier (but maybe that was because I was there in person and half-in-the-bag thanks to the pre-game booze infused morning rally at Bootleggers), as it felt like that game was in reach the entire time, and it ended our season.

For me (and everyone can view it differently so I respect your point of view) I view the Xavier and Texas games as points in the progression. I had admitted to myself that we were not going far, but I was appreciative that we had gotten there and been competitive. After six years we deserve more- on occasion. Now is the time.

 

[BarnBurner]

For me (and everyone can view it differently so I respect your point of view) I view the Xavier and Texas games as points in the progression. I had admitted to myself that we were not going far, but I was appreciative that we had gotten there and been competitive. After six years we deserve more- on occasion. Now is the time.

I agree with your assessment, save on item.

ON occasion.

If that means every 4-6, or 3-5 years winning a couple in the NCAA, then no.

Time for tubby to produce results. Consistently.