Tubby on Buggs, U's strength program, tighter curfew's, sideline engagement, etc.

[BleedGopher]

Some interesting comments from Tubby:

"A lot of people say, 'Well, Coach Smith is out of touch or old school or this type of thing,'" said Smith, who is in his fifth season with the Gophers. "I don't know what you mean by that. I just want to win and teach them how to be good citizens and get a degree."

"I will from now on," Smith said when asked if he would put a curfew in place two days before a game. "I can promise you that. I'm going to try to control everything I can control now. Before you hoped they were mature enough and smart enough, but I've been here long enough to know that when you're having these types of things and you're losing the way we're losing, it's not a physical problem."

"Sometimes when that happens kids are like anything else," he said. "When the cat's away the mice will play. And they don't take things seriously. ... I wasn't there Friday and maybe they're sensing, 'Coach Smith, maybe he's not serious about this game."

"That's what I keep talking about controlling (things). You almost have to be a control freak, as a coach in this day and time as much as you can. A lot of coaches (don't allow players) to use Twitter. You have to go all the way down the line. If I was old school, I'd be one of those guys. But I'm saying, 'OK, I'm going to let you have your space, group up, mature.' Sometimes it's got to be trial and error."

http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/...searching_for_solutions_to_teams_issues022712

Go Gophers!!

 

[Blizzard]

I hope I'm not the only who'd like to see Tubby go Frank Martin on a player or two during a game.

 

[bga1]

Some interesting comments from Tubby:

"A lot of people say, 'Well, Coach Smith is out of touch or old school or this type of thing,'" said Smith, who is in his fifth season with the Gophers. "I don't know what you mean by that. I just want to win and teach them how to be good citizens and get a degree."

"I will from now on," Smith said when asked if he would put a curfew in place two days before a game. "I can promise you that. I'm going to try to control everything I can control now. Before you hoped they were mature enough and smart enough, but I've been here long enough to know that when you're having these types of things and you're losing the way we're losing, it's not a physical problem."

"Sometimes when that happens kids are like anything else," he said. "When the cat's away the mice will play. And they don't take things seriously. ... I wasn't there Friday and maybe they're sensing, 'Coach Smith, maybe he's not serious about this game."

"That's what I keep talking about controlling (things). You almost have to be a control freak, as a coach in this day and time as much as you can. A lot of coaches (don't allow players) to use Twitter. You have to go all the way down the line. If I was old school, I'd be one of those guys. But I'm saying, 'OK, I'm going to let you have your space, group up, mature.' Sometimes it's got to be trial and error."

http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/...searching_for_solutions_to_teams_issues022712

Go Gophers!!

I listened to the interview. You have to like the man and want him to win before he retires. However, it just strikes me as amazing the lack of any sense of marketing the future. The interview was a wandering, philosophical series of musings about what has went wrong this season. Always dancing in the background is the idea that he really believes it would have been a fine season with Mbakwe and Mo. And it might have. The problem is that people are looking for some information to sink their teeth into for the future. Why will we be any good going forward?

I would have loved to hear him talk about the future of Coleman's game, Andre Hollins, Austin and especially about what he thinks Mo can do. I would have liked to hear him discuss the prospects for next year and why he thinks things will be different. There was the tidbit about Buggs, but nothing about Ellenson. Can Andre take over the point next year and what does he have to do to get there? Seriously at this point I didn't want to hear concerns about behavioral issues and controlling what their activities are. I want to know how things are going to change. Just give me a little hope about how good we might be next year if these guys have a great offseason.

The one sense I got is that there will not be any system changes. The system is all good. It's all about the player's mental approach to it. This was not inspiring, but it did make me feel bad for him.

 

[SelectionSunday]

The way I look at it, there will be plenty of time for Tubby to talk about next year and beyond when this season is finished. I'd rather have him trying to fix what ails us right now and salvage something out of this season as opposed to spending time pontificating about next season. He can do that in a couple weeks when 2011-12 is over.

 

[station19]

Tubby is hard to listen to. He seems to ramble aimlessly.

He sounded desperate, confused and reaching for straws.

 

[bga1]

The way I look at it, there will be plenty of time for Tubby to talk about next year and beyond when this season is finished. I'd rather have him trying to fix what ails us right now and salvage something out of this season as opposed to spending time pontificating about next season. He can do that in a couple weeks when 2011-12 is over.

Of course. Fix what ails us within the team setting in the locker room and on court. Yes, that is what he should be concentrating on. However, when you have a FULL HOUR radio show and your fan base is as discouraged as this one the idea of getting a little better effort these remaining few games is not that big of a deal in the big scheme of things to most fans. Most fans have given up on this year.

The idea that there is a lot of hope for the future is a big, big deal. Right now fans are trying to figure out whether to buy into Smith's program next year. Not this fan- I'm a complete fool for the Gophers- but the regular everyday non-Gopherholing fan. I think you use every public showing to create hope- not Brewsteresque hope but real hope that better days are ahead.

 

[Minnesconsin fan]

Of course. Fix what ails us within the team setting in the locker room and on court. Yes, that is what he should be concentrating on. However, when you have a FULL HOUR radio show and your fan base is as discouraged as this one the idea of getting a little better effort these remaining few games is not that big of a deal in the big scheme of things to most fans. Most fans have given up on this year.

The idea that there is a lot of hope for the future is a big, big deal. Right now fans are trying to figure out whether to buy into Smith's program next year. Not this fan- I'm a complete fool for the Gophers- but the regular everyday non-Gopherholing fan. I think you use every public showing to create hope- not Brewsteresque hope but real hope that better days are ahead.

sell us hope for the future- that is the base fundamental thing in any fans makeup. Just ask a Cubs fan or some other die-hard fan base. And that is what we are missing. I don't get a sense of hope from the fan base or from the head coach.

one other thing- a lot of posts mention Mo Walker as being the answer for next season and I liked a few things he did in his limited minutes against smaller, inferior competition last year but I watched a few of his jump shots in warmups on Sunday. Granted this is a small sample but he has had over a year to at least get the proper rotation on a shot and hasn't done that yet. The Jamaal Wilkes like release is one thing but forward rotation is not a good thing. Most good shooters use backspin.

 

[jamiche]

I listened to the interview. You have to like the man and want him to win before he retires. However, it just strikes me as amazing the lack of any sense of marketing the future. The interview was a wandering, philosophical series of musings about what has went wrong this season. Always dancing in the background is the idea that he really believes it would have been a fine season with Mbakwe and Mo. And it might have. The problem is that people are looking for some information to sink their teeth into for the future. Why will we be any good going forward?

I would have loved to hear him talk about the future of Coleman's game, Andre Hollins, Austin and especially about what he thinks Mo can do. I would have liked to hear him discuss the prospects for next year and why he thinks things will be different. There was the tidbit about Buggs, but nothing about Ellenson. Can Andre take over the point next year and what does he have to do to get there? Seriously at this point I didn't want to hear concerns about behavioral issues and controlling what their activities are. I want to know how things are going to change. Just give me a little hope about how good we might be next year if these guys have a great offseason.

The one sense I got is that there will not be any system changes. The system is all good. It's all about the player's mental approach to it. This was not inspiring, but it did make me feel bad for him.

I didn't hear the interview. Reading his comments, however, gave me nothing of substance. If anything, they were borderline evasive. Tubby wasn't checked out on the sideline because he had two guards who were banged up. He was checked out because he was checked out. Tubby doesn't live on campus so I very seriously doubt that Tubby's whereabouts were any factor in the players' decisions about activities on this or any other Sat night. A good friend of mine in the stands has said more than once this year how come the other teams are so much more physically developed than our guys, so Tubby's comments about the weight program seem odd. Did he arrive on campus Monday or has he been here five years. It's his weight program; it's his offense; it's his defense; these are his players; these are his assistance. He acts like a casual observer of HIS program.

I think you are correct, beej. As long as he is running the program any changes will be minor, for public consumption and at the margins.

 

[Gopher Warrior]

The way I look at it, there will be plenty of time for Tubby to talk about next year and beyond when this season is finished. I'd rather have him trying to fix what ails us right now and salvage something out of this season as opposed to spending time pontificating about next season. He can do that in a couple weeks when 2011-12 is over.

He is doing that! He's going to set a curfew before the Nebraska game. Should take care of everything.

I would like to hear him talk about whether or not Mo Walker could have played this year (i.e., medically cleared in January?).

I will say this - the fact that a recruiting trip to see Buggs takes away his entire day is unfortunate (if it truly did). That's a limitation of the program, though.

 

[goldengophers]

The interview was really hard to listen to, as someone said he seemed so unsure of himself and seems to be struggling to find a philosophy and vision for the program. One of the oddest items he talked about was how he left of a recruiting trip on Thursday or Friday and returned early Saturday to find that the inmates were running the asylum, which is extremely discouraging to hear. The fact that his assistant coaches may lack the ability to keep things together while he is gone is alarming. Overall the interview was just as discouraging as the Indiana game.

 

[savagerube]

I thought it was really interesting that previous Gopher coaches warned him about coaching in an urban setting. Tubby said that kids here, when compared the other schools, have "A lot more access" to certain things. It makes you wonder what he means by that? Is that why players like Devoe had to transfer? It's got to be a huge adjustment for players who come from a rural setting and then are placed in the middle of a major metropolitan setting. However, Devoe came from a pretty big city and Royce White grew up here so Minneapolis can't be the only reason. Previous coaches warning Tubby about coaching at an urban campus is somewhat concerning; especially now that Royce and Devoe are excelling in Ames and Eugene.

 

[SelectionSunday]

Tubby is hard to listen to. He seems to ramble aimlessly.

Public speaking definitely is not one of Tubby's strengths, which is somewhat unusual for that profession. I'd say the majority of D-I coaches are smooth and savvy when dealing with the public, media, etc. Tubby is not.

 

[Winnipegopher]

Georgetown doesn't seem to have too many "urban problems".

 

[scher215]

Public speaking definitely is not one of Tubby's strengths, which is somewhat unusual for that profession. I'd say the majority of D-I coaches are smooth and savvy when dealing with the public, media, etc. Tubby is not.

Agreed. I think he is very good in 1 on 1 situations with people and very personable, just not much of a public speaker.

 

[bga1]

The interview was really hard to listen to, as someone said he seemed so unsure of himself and seems to be struggling to find a philosophy and vision for the program. One of the oddest items he talked about was how he left of a recruiting trip on Thursday or Friday and returned early Saturday to find that the inmates were running the asylum, which is extremely discouraging to hear. The fact that his assistant coaches may lack the ability to keep things together while he is gone is alarming. Overall the interview was just as discouraging as the Indiana game.

It was like- "hey you think our play is bad, that's nothing, we have plenty of behavioral issues to deal with besides."

I hope this means he recongnizes that his staff of assistants is little league level.

 

[GoodasGold]

It was like- "hey you think our play is bad, that's nothing, we have plenty of behavioral issues to deal with besides."

I hope this means he recongnizes that his staff of assistants is little league level.

Or more like "our play is bad because of behavioral issues". This may or may not be valid, but I was under the impression that the bad actors had all vacated last year.

 

[savagerube]

Georgetown doesn't seem to have too many "urban problems".

Georgetown is also a Roman Catholic Private School with 16,000 students.

 

[GophersInIowa]

At this point, I really don't think it matters that much what he says. If he talked a bunch about the future, there would have been those that said, "Yeah it's always about potential and next year. How about now?"

I'm not blaming anyone for having that or any other negative point of view, I just don't think words mean a whole lot right now.

 

[scher215]

Georgetown is also a Roman Catholic Private School with 16,000 students.

Marquette could be a comparison. Milwaukee is urban (too lazy to look up the nature of the school) but they just had players suspended for a half for violating team rules.

It's definitely not an excuse for poor play though, at all.

 

[From the Barn]

It is pretty interesting that in the top 25 that Ohio State is the only major university in a big city, though I supposed you could include San Diego State and UNLV I suppose. Three out of 25 seems to be more than a trend.

 

[Winnipegopher]

Georgetown is also a Roman Catholic Private School with 16,000 students.

Huh? Are you suggesting that Georgetown recruits a higher quality person to play basketball than the U? To attend? I am honestly missing your point. Public universities are more "urban" than private ones?

 

[savagerube]

Marquette could be a comparison. Milwaukee is urban (too lazy to look up the nature of the school) but they just had players suspended for a half for violating team rules.

It's definitely not an excuse for poor play though, at all.

Agreed. Can't be used an as excuse. However, it might of played some type of a role in transfers, etc. For me, the comment wouldn't of been a big deal, but if previous coaches told Tubby about some of the struggles, it's got to be a factor in some capacity.

 

[dpodoll68]

It is pretty interesting that in the top 25 that Ohio State is the only major university in a big city, though I supposed you could include San Diego State and UNLV I suppose. Three out of 25 seems to be more than a trend.

Marquette
Georgetown
Louisville
Temple

all exist in large cities.

St. Mary's is also less than 15 miles from downtown Oakland.

 

[From the Barn]

Two of the four are relatively small catholic schools and Louisville only has 15,000 undergrads. I said major universities in big cities.

 

[dpodoll68]

Two of the four are relatively small catholic schools and Louisville only has 15,000 undergrads. I said major universities in big cities.

What's your definition of "major"? By any definition, a BCS school with a head coach earning a seven-figure salary is "major". The size of a school is totally irrelevant. Notre Dame only has ~12,000 students. On what planet is Notre Dame not a "major" university? By your definition, UNLV and SDSU have no place in the discussion.

 

[savagerube]

Huh? Are you suggesting that Georgetown recruits a higher quality person to play basketball than the U? To attend? I am honestly missing your point. Public universities are more "urban" than private ones?

It makes a difference. A significant difference? probably not. For example, Gopher football recruit Martez Shabbaz couldn't get into Baylor (Private), but was accepted into the U. Now is there a correlation with grades and a higher quality person? That's for another conversation. Furthermore, a private school like Georgetown has a completely different student base. The overall culture at a private school is different; from the people you surround yourself with, to the level of education. The U has 52,000 students --Three times the size of a Georgetown. It might not make a big difference but comparing the Georgetown atmosphere to the U's atmosphere could be questionable. Just because you're really good at basketball doesn't mean you can get into any school. You still have to provide good grades to get into a Duke, Georgetown, Notre Dame, Temple, Marquette, etc.

 

[Mulligan]

At this point, I really don't think it matters that much what he says. If he talked a bunch about the future, there would have been those that said, "Yeah it's always about potential and next year. How about now?"

I'm not blaming anyone for having that or any other negative point of view, I just don't think words mean a whole lot right now.

+1 As it's been noted, we really do spend a lot of time analyzing "coach speak". Don't know if it's because as Gopher fans we always seem to be searching for answers to the latest disaster. Tubby has always rambled as he searches for the words he wants, but it doesn't make any difference because there's a level that we fans never see. I'm much more interested in seeing how we play against Wisconsin. Another lifeless, disengaged performance by the lads does not bode well.

 

[Winnipegopher]

Lexington is decent sized as well (metro area of 500 000) or so. People can get in trouble anywhere.

I can buy the argument that it is hard for a NCAA team to flourish in a metro but not so much the argument that players have an easier time getting in trouble.

 

[Gopher Warrior]

The University of Minnesota campus is about as urban as Boone, Iowa. Using that as an excuse for why your team just laid down at home is ridiculous.

FTB - your comments on major universities and big cities are bizarre. Why don't you define both for us and explain what the "3 out of 25 seems to be more than a trend" comment means.

 

[savagerube]

The University of Minnesota campus is about as urban as Boone, Iowa. Using that as an excuse for why your team just laid down at home is ridiculous.

FTB - your comments on major universities and big cities are bizarre. Why don't you define both for us and explain what the "3 out of 25 seems to be more than a trend" comment means.

Huh?