Tubby's Not the Problem

[jmag21]

Again, this season was ruined by Nolen's unfortunate injury and D.J.'s idiocy and selfishness. I agree with the folks who point out issues with Tubby's coaching. He didn't cover himself in glory last night, and he hasn't made the adjustments necessary. However, you folks have to remember something. He's got no point guard, and he's keeping this team competitive. Every game it's coming down to the end, and every game, our lack of a point guard, and the necessity of playing true freshmen in key spots is killing us. Look, is Tubby a great offensive coach? No, and I'd like to see him bring in an assistant who's better at X's and O's, there's no doubt. But anybody calling for Tubby's job is, to be quite honest, deluded, in my honest opinion, or isn't a true fan of the team. Missing the tourney this year, as the Gophers will do, I'm convinced (although I did say that last year as well) will be a blow, no doubt. And next year, we'll have uncertainties. However, again, terrible luck has been the issue here. Tubby's doing what he's always done, coach pretty good defense, hard work, offense that doesn't work well in a half-court set, and it's not working out because he has Blake at point, which means not only a below-average point guard who can't get the ball up the floor in the final minutes, but also that we don't have Blake on the wing for the threes. I will say this, though. The one thing I've got a problem with Tubby on (besides the offense) is recruiting Mav. There's no excuse to having a guy like Mav in the program. It'd be different if he were a walk-on like Dawson. Dawson stinks, but everybody knew that. Wasting a scholarship on Mav was a huge mistake in my opinion. I've seen other people talk about how the offense flowed better with him in there, and I think they're mistaken. It just so happened that we got more steals and were able to go up-tempo when he was on the floor. Anyway, those are my thoughts. Tubby's not working a miracle this year, unfortunately, but people thinking he should be fired are no better than the dregs over on Cat's Pause, and hopefully now that the emotions are calmed down will realize what a short-sighted position that is.

 

[CentralGopher]

+1000

 

[DontHassleTheHoff]

Completely agree.

 

[Gopher Bandanna Guy]

Well said. There are things to be a down on Tubby for, offensive efficiency being the biggest, but he's been significantly shorthanded the bulk of the conference schedule. Take away any Big 10 team's starting PG and their first offensive threat off the bench, and I guarantee you that they are struggling. Bottom line is, you've gotta have bodies to compete in the Big Ten, especially at the guard position.

Yes - its frustrating to underachieve this year, but there are extenuating circumstances. If anything, I'm more angry about last year's underachieving, given the senior leaders on that squad. Some might point out two years straight of underachieving is on Tubby, and I'd agree IF the Gophers were at full strength and sitting in the position they are. But the fact is, they are not at full strength.

 

[gall0249]

-1000

offense that doesn't work well in a half-court set, and it's not working out because he has Blake at point

Blake wasn't our PG during the previous years of Tubby's tenure, so why was our offense so terribly ineffective then?

The one thing I've got a problem with Tubby on (besides the offense) is recruiting Mav.

So Mav is the reason for our losses? What exactly is Mav doing to ruin this season? He's not dropping 10 points a game? Is he even being allowed to shot? He's probably afraid to shot because Tubby will pull him if he even thinks about attempting a shot.

Quit blaming the kids, quit blaming the lack of point guards. Let Chip or Mav play point, it can't be any worse.