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

[Plato]

It was an entertaining game with the biggest crowd in the barn so far this year with a fair amount of WI fans.
Johnson has done a better job with molding transfers into a semblance of a team than Hoiberg has done at NE.
Unless he recruits some ace freshmen or lucks out in the transfer portal next year could be worse than this year.
Excepting Davison, WI has a very young and inexperienced team compared to the veteran transfers that MN has,
Gard has done a very good job with this team and probably will be the BIG COY.
Pre seasonn WI was picked to be at the bottom of the BIG and are tied for first.
The officials gross incompetence almost ruined a fun game.
With Russia invading Ukraine and the post WW2 order falling apart a BB game loses its significance.

 

[salzie]

It was an entertaining game with the biggest crowd in the barn so far this year with a fair amount of WI fans.
Johnson has done a better job with molding transfers into a semblance of a team than Hoiberg has done at NE.
Unless he recruits some ace freshmen or lucks out in the transfer portal next year could be worse than this year.
Excepting Davison, WI has a very young and inexperienced team compared to the veteran transfers that MN has,
Gard has done a very good job with this team and probably will be the BIG COY.
Pre seasonn WI was picked to be at the bottom of the BIG and are tied for first.
The officials gross incompetence almost ruined a fun game.
With Russia invading Ukraine and the post WW2 order falling apart a BB game loses its significance.

Yeah, but Wisconsin will lose Davison and Davis next year and without them, Wi would be in trouble this year

Of course, no one expected Davis to emerge like he has this year and I'm sure someone will step up next year, but I could see Wi taking small step back

MN has a pretty good class coming in, but will need to finish up class with some impact transfers.

I like what Ben is doing. We knew this season was challenge and I like he recruited seniors instead of tying up scholarships

From strategy/game plan they seem to want to follow Wi model. Limit mistakes, don't turn it over, get good shots

 

[cjbfbp]

Love it or hate it... that is part of the strategy.

Your dedication to playing the role of apologist for every weakness in the construction of this team is downright nauseating. I suppose we could extend that logic to defend all sorts of damaging behaviors in the world. For example, a person just stopped for DUI could reply to the policeman: "Like it or not, officer, drinking 10 beers and driving home afterward is my strategy."

 

[Spottedmuskie]

Sutherlin can flat out get to the basket, terrible hands but when he's making them he actually looks very good. Exceptional defense all night.

It seems like Willis's game changed after the 30 point outing against Rutgers, more about individual play and he tends to force things as apposed to a team first approach, shades of Carr.

That's what I like about Sutherlin and Loewe, when their offense has struggled they still played hard on D all year. Yes last night gave me flash backs of Pitino and Carr. Someone in here said, "run a play Ben!", it was frustrating watching four guys stand around, we did not see that at the beginning of the year.

 

[bga1]

Fantastic job by Ben and the players last night. Even in a loss this was terrific ball movement and defense. The rebounding was terrible but a lot of the lost rebounds were long rebounds. We just don't have the physical size, strength and quickness to win those. If Ben can get a higher level of talent in here to work and move like these kids do- we are going to be really solid in years to come.

 

[cjbfbp]

Pre seasonn WI was picked to be at the bottom of the BIG and are tied for first.

That statement is very misleading. Wisconsin's preseason expectations weren't anywhere close to as low as ours. Our team was an almost unanimous last place pick. For example, CBS Sports' preseason power rankings were pretty representative of the general consensus. We were ranked dead last while Wisconsin was ranked 9th.

No question that the Wisconsin coaches have done a very good job this year but there is a much bigger difference in qualitative expectations between an upper tier conference team and the consensus last place team than there is between an upper tier team and a consensus middle of the pack team (9th has to be considered middle of the pack). Being a 9th place preseason pick in the Big Ten means that the team is estimated to be a potential NCAA tournament team.

Having an expectation of finishing last in the conference means that you are expected to have a lousy season. Starting at 2021 and going backwards, the last five 14th place finishers had records of 7-20, 7-25, 13-19, 15-19, and 15-18.

 

[BarnBurner]

Yeah, but Wisconsin will lose Davison and Davis next year and without them, Wi would be in trouble this year

Of course, no one expected Davis to emerge like he has this year and I'm sure someone will step up next year, but I could see Wi taking small step back

MN has a pretty good class coming in, but will need to finish up class with some impact transfers.

I like what Ben is doing. We knew this season was challenge and I like he recruited seniors instead of tying up scholarships

From strategy/game plan they seem to want to follow Wi model. Limit mistakes, don't turn it over, get good shots

With Wahl, Crowl, and Hepburn they will be just fine. Hepburn will become a star.

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

So do my walleyes muskies while they're turned into fillets

Fixed it!

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

College is probably going to give more leeway than HS. Also depends on the ref. I played organized (refereed) basketball into my 40's and a lot just depends on the ref and also how you complain.

Both ironically were against Elk River - after the second one where I slammed the ball down as violently as I could and yelled, "No!!!" to a foul - an Elk quipped to my friend, wow, does he have anger issues. The first one I offered the ref my Rec Specs as he obviously was visually impaired.
Was I in the wrong?

 

[Roland Brooks]

Refs hate us and announcers ignore us and now the Big Ten itself hates us? Anyone else??

 

[MNVCGUY]

My bad, I was being bitter last night. Purdue could go far and yes Illinois will probably be peaking at the right time with Cuerbelo healthy and Kofi being the beast that he is. Ohio state has the size to match anybody and Izzo is Izzo. Teams I don't really trust, Iowa, Wisconsin

I would keep MSU in the borderline teams. Purdue, Illinois and OSU are the only teams in the Big Ten this year that look like they could do well in the tournament and the rest will need good draws or will probably bow out early.

 

[SelectionSunday]

Fantastic job by Ben and the players last night. Even in a loss this was terrific ball movement and defense. The rebounding was terrible but a lot of the lost rebounds were long rebounds. We just don't have the physical size, strength and quickness to win those. If Ben can get a higher level of talent in here to work and move like these kids do- we are going to be really solid in years to come.

Yep, it’s impossible not to be encouraged with what Ben has done, the coaching chops he’s shown with a very limited roster. Left the arena last night thinking, now go get the Jimmys & the Joes and we may have something here.

Hoping Ben & staff hit the free agency market hard this spring & summer to get some experienced and talented players to go along with Battle. Don’t just rely on Battle, a couple guys coming off injuries & the freshmen class. Do not want 2022-23 to be treated as a “throw away” season.

 

[howeda7]

Big Ten should be ashamed and embarrassed at tonight's officials. Not about the calls they made,but the way they let Wisconsin players question there every call,good or bad ,and then they would explain to them why they made it, sickens me.
When Davis fouls out they hold a 3 man conference to explain it to him.Why ?
On top of that ,before the game ,Wisconsin coaches an captains get hugs,gophers barely a hand shake.
Why Big Ten is this allowed ?
Disgraceful

The checks cleared. That doesn't deserve at least a hug?

 

[ecoperson]

Your dedication to playing the role of apologist for every weakness in the construction of this team is downright nauseating. I suppose we could extend that logic to defend all sorts of damaging behaviors in the world. For example, a person just stopped for DUI could reply to the policeman: "Like it or not, officer, drinking 10 beers and driving home afterward is my strategy."

I didn't apologize for anything and was simply informing the poster about the strategy which has been oft discussed by the coaching staff. Nauseating? What a nice way to start my day. I could resort to some sort of tit for tat but will instead just applaud you for being you.

 

[howeda7]

Refs hate us and announcers ignore us and now the Big Ten itself hates us? Anyone else??

Minnesota Sports God's...

 

[mnvballdad]

Yeah, but Wisconsin will lose Davison and Davis next year and without them, Wi would be in trouble this year

Of course, no one expected Davis to emerge like he has this year and I'm sure someone will step up next year, but I could see Wi taking small step back

MN has a pretty good class coming in, but will need to finish up class with some impact transfers.

I like what Ben is doing. We knew this season was challenge and I like he recruited seniors instead of tying up scholarships

From strategy/game plan they seem to want to follow Wi model. Limit mistakes, don't turn it over, get good shots

Wahl, Hepburn and Crowl are going to be really, really good next year. If they get any development from Jordan Davis or Lorne Bowman they're going to be really good again.

 

[cjbfbp]

I could resort to some sort of tit for tat but will instead just applaud you for being you.

Thanks! Appreciate the recognition.

 

[cjbfbp]

With Russia invading Ukraine and the post WW2 order falling apart a BB game loses its significance.

Who cares about them? They don't even play in our league!

 

[fan of Ray Williams]

Wahl, Hepburn and Crowl are going to be really, really good next year. If they get any development from Jordan Davis or Lorne Bowman they're going to be really good again.

Can't stand Gard, really dislike him, but he can coach. No getting around it.

 

[skiumah1]

Sutherlin can flat out get to the basket, terrible hands but when he's making them he actually looks very good. Exceptional defense all night.

It seems like Willis's game changed after the 30 point outing against Rutgers, more about individual play and he tends to force things as apposed to a team first approach, shades of Carr.

Agreed, much better movement without Willis on the floor. It's been tough. He also made a couple big shots.

Rebounding was the huge killer though

 

[Word]

Both ironically were against Elk River - after the second one where I slammed the ball down as violently as I could and yelled, "No!!!" to a foul - an Elk quipped to my friend, wow, does he have anger issues. The first one I offered the ref my Rec Specs as he obviously was visually impaired.
Was I in the wrong?

Yeah, I could see how those would get you a technical.

 

[#2Gopher]

Both ironically were against Elk River - after the second one where I slammed the ball down as violently as I could and yelled, "No!!!" to a foul - an Elk quipped to my friend, wow, does he have anger issues. The first one I offered the ref my Rec Specs as he obviously was visually impaired.
Was I in the wrong?

I would agree with the Elk River guy with his comments to your friend. Appears that many on this board still have those issues. We knew that this was going to be a tough year. Despite that, many acting like they should be Big 10 Champions.

 

[gophereric30]

I didn't apologize for anything and was simply informing the poster about the strategy which has been oft discussed by the coaching staff. Nauseating? What a nice way to start my day. I could resort to some sort of tit for tat but will instead just applaud you for being you.

The strategy when were on offense is dont worry about rebounds and get back on defense. On defense that is not the strategy. We fail to put a body on people. That offensive rebound they got last night with 20 seconds to go was a guy running from the corner while everyone just sat and watched which allowed wisconsin guy to tip it back. There were at least 5 offensive rebounds by wisconsin where i couldnt believe we didnt get.

 

[goldenboy]

Man, could we use a Jordan Murphy type on this team. Battle is athletic enough, but he just doesn’t have the drive to go get rebounds. Curry has developed into a savvy post defender (for a guy who can’t block shots), but he is not a good rebounder. Our obvious team weakness has been very evident, as we are cream puff soft inside. That said, and as frustrating as these close losses have been, I never thought we’d be close to this competitive this year. I’m impressed with Ben’s Xs and Os; we just need better Jimmys and Joes.

 

[Mountaineer Gopher]

Sutherlin can flat out get to the basket, terrible hands but when he's making them he actually looks very good. Exceptional defense all night.

It seems like Willis's game changed after the 30 point outing against Rutgers, more about individual play and he tends to force things as apposed to a team first approach, shades of Carr.

Right on the money. Too much dribbling ...work the d.......pass the ball! Looked like a different team against Northwestern......played like a team!

 

[fan of Ray Williams]

I would agree with the Elk River guy with his comments to your friend. Appears that many on this board still have those issues. We knew that this was going to be a tough year. Despite that, many acting like they should be Big 10 Champions.

You talkin' to me?! Sounds like you're talkin' to me!!!!

 

[cjbfbp]

Man, could we use a Jordan Murphy type on this team. Battle is athletic enough, but he just doesn’t have the drive to go get rebounds. Curry has developed into a savvy post defender (for a guy who can’t block shots), but he is not a good rebounder. Our obvious team weakness has been very evident, as we are cream puff soft inside. That said, and as frustrating as these close losses have been, I never thought we’d be close to this competitive this year. I’m impressed with Ben’s Xs and Os; we just need better Jimmys and Joes.

Can't blame Battle. He moves all over the court but he's a very valuable perimeter player so he's not going to be in good rebounding position a large amount of the time. Murphy was very limited from the outside so rebounding was one of his primary jobs and he was great at it.

Yes, "cream puff soft" is descriptive but "stiff as a statue" may be too. Our big men have poor foot speed and little lateral movement.

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

I would agree with the Elk River guy with his comments to your friend.

Me 2 in retrospect and I was yanking my own chain

Appears that many on this board still have those issues.

I'm blessed to have grown past that - for the most part

We knew that this was going to be a tough year.

Tough from W & L, but there is a coherent plan and lots of new pieces for Ben to play with next season (including Fox and Ilhen).

Despite that, many acting like they should be Big 10 Champions.

Who knows maybe we win a couple more and play tough in the conference tourney - I'm willing to wait a few more years for the next Dutch - time is our ally at this point.

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

You talkin' to me?! Sounds like you're talkin' to me!!!!

With your mug, can you blame him?

 

[Duker]

Right on the money. Too much dribbling ...work the d.......pass the ball! Looked like a different team against Northwestern......played like a team!

They had a ton of assists last night, must have been passing the ball more than you think.