***OFFICIAL OREGON AT MINNESOTA IN-GAME THREAD!!!***

[USAF]

Think he was probably referring to the negative fans that seem to be almost giddy about the programs struggles....or you know....the ones that routinely brag about betting against the team.

There are plenty of keyboard warriors that love to go on other fan sites, pretending to be a fan of the team just to rip on the actual fans for their team's struggles. Those are the posters that get real quiet when things are going well only to reappear the moment there is something to be negative about again.

LOL.
"Keyboard warriors."

Says the nimrod who demanded Johnson get the 4th year he "deserved" .

Thanks so very much. Due to great Gopher fans such as yourself the rest of us are forced to endure this shitshow right along with you.

 

[MNVCGUY]

LOL.
"Keyboard warriors."

Says the nimrod who demanded Johnson get the 4th year he "deserved" .

Thanks so very much. Due to great Gopher fans such as yourself the rest of us are forced to endure this shitshow right along with you.

Look....I'm flattered you think I have some sort of control over Johnson's job status but unfortunately that just isn't the case.

I know these past few games have been hard on you but on the bright side our chances of beating MSU on the road are really low so you should have stuff to complain about tomorrow night without coming across like a tool.

 

[Spaulding!No!]

Think he was probably referring to the negative fans that seem to be almost giddy about the programs struggles....or you know....the ones that routinely brag about betting against the team.

There are plenty of keyboard warriors that love to go on other fan sites, pretending to be a fan of the team just to rip on the actual fans for their team's struggles. Those are the posters that get real quiet when things are going well only to reappear the moment there is something to be negative about again.

Danny Barreiro can seem negative.

 

[60's Guy]

Disagree with North Texas they've been a top AAC team for a few years now, they knocked Wisconsin out of the NIT two years ago and that same team lost to FAU's FF squad in the conference tournament finals. As far Wichita goes we played them in a tournament, I was surprised we drew them thinking we would draw Wake Forest in the first round and we should have beaten them (fucking foul when up three) But I would say anyone who has paid attention would have said North Texas was our toughest guarenteed non con opponent

No argument about North Texas not being a push over or one of our better non conference opponents, if not the best.
But, they are ranked #46 in the Net. Don’t think many expected that. And if Ben would have forecast that ability…we wouldn’t have scheduled them is my take.

 

[formerlybis]

Right. So what's the point in whining about the non conference schedule not preparing the team.....when the team wasn't even beating the teams with a pulse? We weren't prepared? That's nothing more than an excuse.....and a tougher non con would have only led to more losses.....more than likely.

Mansplain alert.

You learn more about what needs to be fixed when you play good teams, especially for teams that had high roster turnover. You don’t get better playing on “easy mode”. You can even develop bad habits because you can get away with anything against the Morgan States of the world. Lastly, you have an actual opportunity to put a quality win on your resume - at worst, it’s a quality loss. With all cupcakes, you only have “bad loss” opportunities - quad 3 and 4 wins are empty calories.

When you get to conference play, that’s when the learning unfortunately begins for teams that schedule like pussies.

 

[stocker08]

Mansplain alert.

You learn more about what needs to be fixed when you play good teams, especially for teams that had high roster turnover. You don’t get better playing on “easy mode”. You can even develop bad habits because you can get away with anything against the Morgan States of the world. Lastly, you have an actual opportunity to put a quality win on your resume - at worst, it’s a quality loss. With all cupcakes, you only have “bad loss” opportunities - quad 3 and 4 wins are empty calories.

When you get to conference play, that’s when the learning unfortunately begins for teams that schedule like pussies.

Anybody with eyes could see the issues with this team from the beginning. We were struggling with teams that we should have been burying. And then when we DID play teams with a pulse.....we lost those games. You think the coaching staff couldn't tell that there were deficiencies.....because we weren't getting blown out by 30 points? The "learning" didn't start when conference play started. The non conference results were pretty disastrous as well.

So basically what you are saying is that we should have played tougher non-con opponents and racked up a bunch of losses early......for the [i[chance[/i] that we would have started better come the conference schedule. Problem is that there is nothing to support the hypothetical claim. Especially when you consider that Mitchell was out for a good portion of the non-con.....and guys like F. Mitchell may not have been 100%.

Here's an idea......stop looking for excuses and blame. It's silly to try and explain why the team has started to put things together from the no information comfort of your couch.

 

[TwistingMyMelon]

This was the most "real" of the 3 wins to me in terms of quality of play and not being fluky. The "theory" of this team of Dawson Garcia being consistently very good and then getting a really good performance from one other guy out of a group of 4-5 players has started to actually come to fruition. Against Michigan it was Patterson, against Iowa it was Odukale, and against Oregon it was Fox. If that recipe can continue to replicated they should avoid missing the Big Ten tournament which seemed like a lock at 0-6.

That charge Dawson took was the play of the game. Pretty rare for your best offensive player by a mile to also be the guy who makes a play like that.

That's a good description of the dynamics of this team! An exception to that was the season's most frustrating loss: Ohio State. Despite Garcia having an amazingly bad game (for him anyway), they lost by 1 point in double overtime simply because Ohio State shot 29-33 from the free throw line while we shot 12-27. Patterson, Mike Mitchell, Fox, and Asuma all played 40 minutes or more and scored 20, 18, 21, and 18 respectively. It must be said that OSU was our last horrible free throw shooting game. Since then we've had more respectable numbers at the line: .615, .826, .692, .708, and .611.

In terms of participation throughout the lineup, I think the Iowa game was the one where I was most pleased. College Basketball at Sports Reference produces game scores for each player in their box score and I've reproduced those below.

Contrast the MN and IA game scores. Femi had the highest in that one with Garcia second and Frank Mitchell third but every MN player with the exception of Rigsby contributed something. IA in contrast had four players with significant contributions but almost nothing from the rest of the lineup.

Minnesota

tarters	GmSc
Dawson Garcia	12.1
Femi Odukale	14.9
Mike Mitchell Jr.	1.1
Lu'Cye Patterson	2.7
Parker Fox	5
Reserves	GmSc
Isaac Asuma	4.4
Frank Mitchell	10.7
Brennan Rigsby	-0.4
Trey Edmonds	1.3
Kadyn Betts	2

Iowa

Starters	GmSc
Josh Dix	0.9
Payton Sandfort	13.5
Owen Freeman	15.8
Brock Harding	12.9
Drew Thelwell	-0.4
Reserves	GmSc
Seydou Traore	10.5
Pryce Sandfort	0.8
Ladji Dembele	-0.7
Riley Mulvey	-0.4

 

[TwistingMyMelon]

Anybody with eyes could see the issues with this team from the beginning. We were struggling with teams that we should have been burying. And then when we DID play teams with a pulse.....we lost those games. You think the coaching staff couldn't tell that there were deficiencies.....because we weren't getting blown out by 30 points? The "learning" didn't start when conference play started. The non conference results were pretty disastrous as well.

So basically what you are saying is that we should have played tougher non-con opponents and racked up a bunch of losses early......for the [i[chance[/i] that we would have started better come the conference schedule. Problem is that there is nothing to support the hypothetical claim. Especially when you consider that Mitchell was out for a good portion of the non-con.....and guys like F. Mitchell may not have been 100%.

Here's an idea......stop looking for excuses and blame. It's silly to try and explain why the team has started to put things together from the no information comfort of your couch.

Bravo, sir! Extremely well done. The last sentence should be hung as a banner over every sports forum in the land.

 

[MNVCGUY]

Anybody with eyes could see the issues with this team from the beginning. We were struggling with teams that we should have been burying. And then when we DID play teams with a pulse.....we lost those games. You think the coaching staff couldn't tell that there were deficiencies.....because we weren't getting blown out by 30 points? The "learning" didn't start when conference play started. The non conference results were pretty disastrous as well.

So basically what you are saying is that we should have played tougher non-con opponents and racked up a bunch of losses early......for the [i[chance[/i] that we would have started better come the conference schedule. Problem is that there is nothing to support the hypothetical claim. Especially when you consider that Mitchell was out for a good portion of the non-con.....and guys like F. Mitchell may not have been 100%.

Here's an idea......stop looking for excuses and blame. It's silly to try and explain why the team has started to put things together from the no information comfort of your couch.

I'm in the camp that would have liked to see a tougher non-conf schedule but I agree that all that likely would have led to is additional loses with minimal gains of any kind from playing the better teams.

 

[howeda7]

I'm in the camp that would have liked to see a tougher non-conf schedule but I agree that all that likely would have led to is additional loses with minimal gains of any kind from playing the better teams.

But if you're in an "NCAA or Bust" season you can't schedule a crap non-conference like Ben did. Unless you run the table you're making it almost impossible for yourself and that's where we are now. Having to win 12 or 13 conference games just to get on the bubble.

 

[GophersInIowa]

That was the first Gophers basketball game I've attended in 20+ years. Wow, was that fun.

The last 20+ years were your fault. Someone get this guy season tickets.

 

[60's Guy]

Anybody with eyes could see the issues with this team from the beginning. We were struggling with teams that we should have been burying. And then when we DID play teams with a pulse.....we lost those games. You think the coaching staff couldn't tell that there were deficiencies.....because we weren't getting blown out by 30 points? The "learning" didn't start when conference play started. The non conference results were pretty disastrous as well.

So basically what you are saying is that we should have played tougher non-con opponents and racked up a bunch of losses early......for the [i[chance[/i] that we would have started better come the conference schedule. Problem is that there is nothing to support the hypothetical claim. Especially when you consider that Mitchell was out for a good portion of the non-con.....and guys like F. Mitchell may not have been 100%.

Here's an idea......stop looking for excuses and blame. It's silly to try and explain why the team has started to put things together from the no information comfort of your couch.

Obviously, you have never coached. Every player on our roster thinks they will play professionally. You can talk all day…until they get hit in the mouth by a quality opponent..they are not listening. Quality competition enforces your coaching points.
Players do learn. They wanna win.
Just play bad teams…they will tell you they’ll play better when we play the good teams.
Players know who is good and who is bad. They coast versus bad teams.

 

[GophersInIowa]

Look....I'm flattered you think I have some sort of control over Johnson's job status but unfortunately that just isn't the case.

I know these past few games have been hard on you but on the bright side our chances of beating MSU on the road are really low so you should have stuff to complain about tomorrow night without coming across like a tool.

Can you make sure Fleck has more money to spend on assistants going forward?

 

[stocker08]

Obviously, you have never coached. Every player on our roster thinks they will play professionally. You can talk all day…until they get hit in the mouth by a quality opponent..they are not listening. Quality competition enforces your coaching points.
Players do learn. They wanna win.
Just play bad teams…they will tell you they’ll play better when we play the good teams.
Players know who is good and who is bad. They coast versus bad teams.

Again.....more conjecture to justify pissing and moaning while the team is winning. Good for you.

 

[MNVCGUY]

But if you're in an "NCAA or Bust" season you can't schedule a crap non-conference like Ben did. Unless you run the table you're making it almost impossible for yourself and that's where we are now. Having to win 12 or 13 conference games just to get on the bubble.

On the flip side, if you schedule a tough non-conf schedule and lose a bunch of games you are still in the same spot in terms of needing to win a lot of conference games to get into the tournament. Damned if you do damned if you don't.

 

[MNVCGUY]

Can you make sure Fleck has more money to spend on assistants going forward?

On it....gotta put all this power I apparently have to good use after all.

 

[howeda7]

On the flip side, if you schedule a tough non-conf schedule and lose a bunch of games you are still in the same spot in terms of needing to win a lot of conference games to get into the tournament. Damned if you do damned if you don't.

There's a middle ground. No one expected him to have a top 10 SOS, but constantly being #330 or below every year is a choice. A bad one.

 

[MNVCGUY]

There's a middle ground. No one expected him to have a top 10 SOS, but constantly being #330 or below every year is a choice. A bad one.

I don't disagree. I would loved to have seen a better non-conf schedule, not drastically harder but at least schedule a few games against more well known programs. I'm just not sure we would be in a much different position in terms of tournament odds if the non-conf schedule was tougher then the one we played.

 

[formerlybis]

I don't disagree. I would loved to have seen a better non-conf schedule, not drastically harder but at least schedule a few games against more well known programs. I'm just not sure we would be in a much different position in terms of tournament odds if the non-conf schedule was tougher then the one we played.

Yes to this. You can't get a resume-building win if there are none on the schedule. A North Texas or a San Francisco do not move the needle. Put a couple P5s on the schedule and if you lose'em, you're no worse off than you are today. Happen to win one or two of those games, you put yourself in a much better position.

Here's an idea......stop looking for excuses and blame. It's silly to try and explain why the team has started to put things together from the no information comfort of your couch.

This might be a strawman. Is it incorrect than you learn more through failure than success? Or do you just know everything you need to work on from day one without ever putting it to the test?

 

[stocker08]

Yes to this. You can't get a resume-building win if there are none on the schedule. A North Texas or a San Francisco do not move the needle. Put a couple P5s on the schedule and if you lose'em, you're no worse off than you are today. Happen to win one or two of those games, you put yourself in a much better position.


This might be a strawman. Is it incorrect than you learn more through failure than success? Or do you just know everything you need to work on from day one without ever putting it to the test?

Are you actually suggesting that the Gophers didn't lose enough in the non-conference?

Please link me to your posts after the North Texas, Wichita State, and Wake Forest games where you calmly tell everyone that it's actually a good thing that we were losing to every team with a pulse.

 

[formerlybis]

Are you actually suggesting that the Gophers didn't lose enough in the non-conference?

Please link me to your posts after the North Texas, Wichita State, and Wake Forest games where you calmly tell everyone that it's actually a good thing that we were losing to every team with a pulse.

I would rather those games be replaced with Texas, K-State, and ... well, WF is an acceptable game. There's only downside in having a pussy schedule - if you win, you were supposed to, and if you lose, it haunts you for the rest of the season and causes you to need an extra win or two in conference. If you're going to lose, have good losses. You might even win one!

 

[Johnnyboy18]

I would rather those games be replaced with Texas, K-State, and ... well, WF is an acceptable game. There's only downside in having a pussy schedule - if you win, you were supposed to, and if you lose, it haunts you for the rest of the season and causes you to need an extra win or two in conference. If you're going to lose, have good losses. You might even win one!

WF is worse team than North Texas per every metric.

 

[formerlybis]

WF is worse team than North Texas per every metric.

OK, replace them, too.

FWIW, SS had WF in his latest bracket. 7-2 in the ACC.

 

[TwistingMyMelon]

Obviously, you have never coached.

I'll accept your claim that you've coached. Trouble is, you're still an idiot. There are a lot of dumb people in every profession, including coaches. I've pointed out clear empirical evidence (twice) that numerous teams have played weak nonconference schedules and still had very successful seasons but people with brains composed of solid lead don't allow any contrary evidence to penetrate their skulls.

 

[stocker08]

I would rather those games be replaced with Texas, K-State, and ... well, WF is an acceptable game. There's only downside in having a pussy schedule - if you win, you were supposed to, and if you lose, it haunts you for the rest of the season and causes you to need an extra win or two in conference. If you're going to lose, have good losses. You might even win one!

Thanks, Dr. Crystal Ball. Hey everyone.....let's replace all of next year's non conference losses with better teams. Bls here is going to tell us where those bad losses are ahead of time.

 

[Gophers7633]

On the flip side, if you schedule a tough non-conf schedule and lose a bunch of games you are still in the same spot in terms of needing to win a lot of conference games to get into the tournament. Damned if you do damned if you don't.

Given who we played this OOC, we basically lost coin flip games to the 3 toughest opponents on our OOC schedule. And Wichita State should have been a win if not for a coaching error at the end of the season.

Nobody is asking that we play an Auburn type of OOC schedule. But if we can play a couple more top 100 type of teams instead of 300+ teams, and win them going 8-3 OOC doesn't look so bad. Sure you might lose them, but if we go 0-5 against the toughest OOC opponents, it won't matter in the long run anyway because we aren't sniffing the tournament one way or another.

 

[Gophers7633]

Thanks, Dr. Crystal Ball. Hey everyone.....let's replace all of next year's non conference losses with better teams. Bls here is going to tell us where those bad losses are ahead of time.

If you're a team with tournament aspirations, you can't schedule like we have. If you're just looking to pad your win record, well mission accomplished over CBJ's tenure.

 

[stocker08]

If you're a team with tournament aspirations, you can't schedule like we have. If you're just looking to pad your win record, well mission accomplished over CBJ's tenure.

Hate to break it to you.....but a Big Ten team that loses to North Texas on their home court.....and then Wichita State and Wake Forest in back to back games isn't being left out of the tournament because of SOS.

 

[Gophers7633]

Hate to break it to you.....but a Big Ten team that loses to North Texas on their home court.....and then Wichita State and Wake Forest in back to back games isn't being left out of the tournament because of SOS.

Yeah, no shit. But we only know that after the fact. You don't go into the year projecting to lose those types of games (although North Texas has been a pretty good mid major).

Again if you're a team with tournament aspirations, you have to schedule better.

 

[howeda7]

Yeah, no shit. But we only know that after the fact. You don't go into the year projecting to lose those types of games (although North Texas has been a pretty good mid major).

Again if you're a team with tournament aspirations, you have to schedule better.

This. You give yourself know chance with the pathetic scheduling. And they've done it back to back years. It's gutless and pointless.