"We've got to win the next three. The next one that's the key," Smith said.

[98VQueens]

http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/116782118.html - Sid the kid.

"We've got to win the next three. The next one that's the key," Smith said. "If we can get the win against Michigan, it'll give us some confidence. Obviously, our confidence is shaken after losing three home games in a row now with Ohio State, Illinois and now to Michigan State. ...

"Now we haven't finished games properly; that's why we've lost. I mean every loss has been sort of the same way. It comes down to execution, taking care of the basketball, out-toughing people at the end, and we just haven't made those plays."

Smith pointed out that at the end of Tuesday's 53-48 loss to Michigan State, he had three freshmen on the floor in Maverick Ahanmisi, Chip Armelin and Austin Hollins, compared to last year, when he had seniors such as Lawrence Westbrook, Damian Johnson and Devron Bostick as well as players such as Paul Carter and Joseph, who have both transferred.

Smith added that had Rodney Williams not been bothered by a bad knee Tuesday, the result might have been different.

"I know people have great expectations," Smith said. "I probably had the greatest expectations for this team, but just like other teams, something happens during the season. Injuries, that's part of it. You've got to fight through that and overcome that.

"I keep telling people, you know, we're playing three guys out of position. We're playing three guys out of position. Blake Hoffarber, he's not a point guard. Ralph Sampson is not a three-man [small forward] but we're playing him at the three and we move Rodney to the shooting guard. So three guys, well, that's like trying to move a defensive tackle to offense, to a tight end maybe, maybe move a tight end to a quarterback."

 

[Friend Of Tubby]

http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/116782118.html - Sid the kid.

"We've got to win the next three. The next one that's the key," Smith said. "If we can get the win against Michigan, it'll give us some confidence. Obviously, our confidence is shaken after losing three home games in a row now with Ohio State, Illinois and now to Michigan State. ...

"Now we haven't finished games properly; that's why we've lost. I mean every loss has been sort of the same way. It comes down to execution, taking care of the basketball, out-toughing people at the end, and we just haven't made those plays."

Smith pointed out that at the end of Tuesday's 53-48 loss to Michigan State, he had three freshmen on the floor in Maverick Ahanmisi, Chip Armelin and Austin Hollins, compared to last year, when he had seniors such as Lawrence Westbrook, Damian Johnson and Devron Bostick as well as players such as Paul Carter and Joseph, who have both transferred.

Smith added that had Rodney Williams not been bothered by a bad knee Tuesday, the result might have been different.

"I know people have great expectations," Smith said. "I probably had the greatest expectations for this team, but just like other teams, something happens during the season. Injuries, that's part of it. You've got to fight through that and overcome that.

"I keep telling people, you know, we're playing three guys out of position. We're playing three guys out of position. Blake Hoffarber, he's not a point guard. Ralph Sampson is not a three-man [small forward] but we're playing him at the three and we move Rodney to the shooting guard. So three guys, well, that's like trying to move a defensive tackle to offense, to a tight end maybe, maybe move a tight end to a quarterback."

Excellent points made by this Smith fellow.

 

[Gopher Warrior]

"I keep telling people, you know, we're playing three guys out of position. We're playing three guys out of position. Blake Hoffarber, he's not a point guard. Ralph Sampson is not a three-man [small forward] but we're playing him at the three and we move Rodney to the shooting guard. So three guys, well, that's like trying to move a defensive tackle to offense, to a tight end maybe, maybe move a tight end to a quarterback."

Hoff/Hollins/Rod/Trevor/Ralph brings that three down to one.

 

[bga1]

http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/116782118.html - Sid the kid.

"We've got to win the next three. The next one that's the key," Smith said. "If we can get the win against Michigan, it'll give us some confidence. Obviously, our confidence is shaken after losing three home games in a row now with Ohio State, Illinois and now to Michigan State. ...

"Now we haven't finished games properly; that's why we've lost. I mean every loss has been sort of the same way. It comes down to execution, taking care of the basketball, out-toughing people at the end, and we just haven't made those plays."

Smith pointed out that at the end of Tuesday's 53-48 loss to Michigan State, he had three freshmen on the floor in Maverick Ahanmisi, Chip Armelin and Austin Hollins, compared to last year, when he had seniors such as Lawrence Westbrook, Damian Johnson and Devron Bostick as well as players such as Paul Carter and Joseph, who have both transferred.

Smith added that had Rodney Williams not been bothered by a bad knee Tuesday, the result might have been different."I know people have great expectations," Smith said. "I probably had the greatest expectations for this team, but just like other teams, something happens during the season. Injuries, that's part of it. You've got to fight through that and overcome that.

"I keep telling people, you know, we're playing three guys out of position. We're playing three guys out of position. Blake Hoffarber, he's not a point guard. Ralph Sampson is not a three-man [small forward] but we're playing him at the three and we move Rodney to the shooting guard. So three guys, well, that's like trying to move a defensive tackle to offense, to a tight end maybe, maybe move a tight end to a quarterback."

These two statements are the type of statements that sometimes make Smith unbearable. Get real Tubby- If Rodney had not had a bad knee he'd have played 30 + minutes- stood in the corner like he always does and we'd have had a different result all right - we'd have lost by more. Armelin who replaced Rodney was better than Rodney has been in most any Big Ten game this year.

Then he says he's playing three guys out of place. Well yeah! Then do something about it. Move Blake to where he should be, Rodney to where he should be and alternate guys using them at their real positions. GRRRRRRRRR

 

[bga1]

Excellent points made by this Smith fellow.

He's that good.

We need to win the last three and we can only win three if we win the next one. Check.

We have been losing because my players keep screwing up that last few minutes. Check.

We would be better if we had all of our former players. Check.

We might have won if the guy who has been playing poorly most of the year hadn't been dinged up and his subsitute came in and played better. Check.

We are playing three guys out of position because one guy got hurt. Check.

Brilliant. I had no idea that lineups were established by the musical chairs method.

 

[howeda7]

[/B]

These two statements are the type of statements that sometimes make Smith unbearable. Get real Tubby- If Rodney had not had a bad knee he'd have played 30 + minutes- stood in the corner like he always does and we'd have had a different result all right - we'd have lost by more. Armelin who replaced Rodney was better than Rodney has been in most any Big Ten game this year.

Then he says he's playing three guys out of place. Well yeah! Then do something about it. Move Blake to where he should be, Rodney to where he should be and alternate guys using them at their real positions. GRRRRRRRRR

I guess it's a little tough to say all of Chip's minutes came at Rodney's expense, but it's a valid point.

+1,000,000 on #2. Give me a break Tubby. Play Maverick and let's just struggle at one position instead of 3.

 

[ilovethebarn]

I completely agree beeg. He can put them back to their normal positions if he does one thing, start one of your freshman at the point. I know you don't trust freshman Tubby, but you are at the point where you really don't have a choice if want to do something. I am not a coach and I do not know as much about basketball as Tubby, but when you play players out of position this is what happens. I believe this team will not start winning again until he decides to put one of his freshman at the point position. I for one hope it is Hollins.

 

[WilliamsArenaGuy]

[/B]

These two statements are the type of statements that sometimes make Smith unbearable. Get real Tubby- If Rodney had not had a bad knee he'd have played 30 + minutes- stood in the corner like he always does and we'd have had a different result all right - we'd have lost by more. Armelin who replaced Rodney was better than Rodney has been in most any Big Ten game this year.

Then he says he's playing three guys out of place. Well yeah! Then do something about it. Move Blake to where he should be, Rodney to where he should be and alternate guys using them at their real positions. GRRRRRRRRR

I'm glad you (and a few others) are making these posts, so I don't have to waste my time wrtiting them.

 

[Moonlight]

I'll just point out that there were people who, before it transpired thought Hoff would make a good PG. Actually, he's not bad, esp. remembering Burleson.

Now while I could agree with some of the statements made here, I don't know if I could sit through a game with Mav at the point with my eyes open. Chip - no - he's a Westbrook style guy - shoot first and ask questions later (not that I'm complaining). Hollins is the only one who has the skills and head for it and I don't know about putting him there either.

This team is broken, and all the reshuffling of the line ups is just the deck chairs on the Titanic unless someone has a revelation, finds the holy grail or...
Really, someone moves to a new level of play. The later is the only real hope. A break out game for someone is the only possibility of resurrecting this team if Al is indeed done.

Will sitting Rodney for freshman support this possibility? No. Giving up on Colt/Sampson?
Mbakwe did not have a good game against MSU and when he has a poor % night we are toast.
Hollins is the one who has expanded his game and proved he can be counted on both ends of the floor, but it often still leaves 2 players out of position.

Now I'm not saying that Tubby lacks any responsibility for the situation, but I don't think there is a miracle line up waiting to be discovered. Just a bunch of guys who need to be inspired to take it to a new level, despite the challenges.

 

[Friend Of Tubby]

He's that good.

We need to win the last three and we can only win three if we win the next one. Check.

We have been losing because my players keep screwing up that last few minutes. Check.

We would be better if we had all of our former players. Check.

We might have won if the guy who has been playing poorly most of the year hadn't been dinged up and his subsitute came in and played better. Check.

We are playing three guys out of position because one guy got hurt. Check.

Brilliant. I had no idea that lineups were established by the musical chairs method.

Every point you listed is spot on the mark.

 

[underground629]

Not Tubby's best quotes...

 

[matt]

http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/116782118.html - Sid the kid.

"We've got to win the next three. The next one that's the key," Smith said. "If we can get the win against Michigan, it'll give us some confidence. Obviously, our confidence is shaken after losing three home games in a row now with Ohio State, Illinois and now to Michigan State. ...

"Now we haven't finished games properly; that's why we've lost. I mean every loss has been sort of the same way. It comes down to execution, taking care of the basketball, out-toughing people at the end, and we just haven't made those plays."

Smith pointed out that at the end of Tuesday's 53-48 loss to Michigan State, he had three freshmen on the floor in Maverick Ahanmisi, Chip Armelin and Austin Hollins, compared to last year, when he had seniors such as Lawrence Westbrook, Damian Johnson and Devron Bostick as well as players such as Paul Carter and Joseph, who have both transferred.

Smith added that had Rodney Williams not been bothered by a bad knee Tuesday, the result might have been different.

"I know people have great expectations," Smith said. "I probably had the greatest expectations for this team, but just like other teams, something happens during the season. Injuries, that's part of it. You've got to fight through that and overcome that.

"I keep telling people, you know, we're playing three guys out of position. We're playing three guys out of position. Blake Hoffarber, he's not a point guard. Ralph Sampson is not a three-man [small forward] but we're playing him at the three and we move Rodney to the shooting guard. So three guys, well, that's like trying to move a defensive tackle to offense, to a tight end maybe, maybe move a tight end to a quarterback."

Maverick was not on the floor in the last 2 minutes of that game until there were a few seconds left. He should have been though... we needed a ball handler on the court, but Maverick was sitting on the bench.

 

[gall0249]

Why does Bostick's name keep coming up as a senior leader from last year? I loved Bostick, he was entertaining as hell during Howard Pulley, and had the ability to hit every 3 pointer he shot in practice and warm-up, but he got got suspended last year and barely played. Does Sid even know who Bostick is?

 

[Monty519]

Why does Bostick's name keep coming up as a senior leader from last year? I loved Bostick, he was entertaining as hell during Howard Pulley, and had the ability to hit every 3 pointer he shot in practice and warm-up, but he got got suspended last year and barely played. Does Sid even know who Bostick is?

Tubby's brought him up on more than one occasion. We don't know what happened in the locker room, perhaps Bostick was a vocal leader even if he wasn't playing. I know Sid mentions specifically "on the floor", but I'm assuming he's just echoing what Tubby has said in the past.

 

[bga1]

Tubby's brought him up on more than one occasion. We don't know what happened in the locker room, perhaps Bostick was a vocal leader even if he wasn't playing. I know Sid mentions specifically "on the floor", but I'm assuming he's just echoing what Tubby has said in the past.

Bostick is a guy who Tubby made ride the bench most of both of his years because supposedly he wasn't good at Tubby's ball line defense. However, when it came down to the end of the year (both years) and the club was having trouble scoring, Bostick played a lot more by necessity. He always appeared to have a good attitude on the bench. It is amazing that Tubby refers back to him because Tubby obviously preferred not to play him.