Big Ten Coach of the Year?

[Norm Peterson]

So, we were picked by most media to finish either next-to-last or dead last, but here we sit solidly in 4th place, two-thirds of the way through conference play.  If things continue this direction, I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see Big Ten Coach of the Year honors go to Matt Painter.

 

Or Tom Izzo.  Everyone likes Izzo.

[AuroranHusker]

Painter probably gets the nod; Miles still has a few miles to log, but keep winning & anything is possible.

[Lifetimesker]

5 minutes ago, Norm Peterson said:

So, we were picked by most media to finish either next-to-last or dead last, but here we sit solidly in 4th place, two-thirds of the way through conference play.  If things continue this direction, I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see Big Ten Coach of the Year honors go to Matt Painter.

 

Or Tom Izzo.  Everyone likes Izzo.

Huskers have exceeded expectations by "Miles" (pun intended). With that being said, I think Chris Holtmann may get the nod!

[49r]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure Izzo isn't gonna be winning any awards this year...keeping his job will be enough of an award after the shitstorm he's gonna have to endure the next few weeks.

 

But yeah, it's probably down to Painter or Holtmann.

[huskerbaseball13]

10 minutes ago, AuroranHusker said:

Painter probably gets the nod; Miles still has a few miles to log, but keep winning & anything is possible.

 

If we win out I could see a case to be made for Miles.  But, Purdue has been so darn good it would be hard not to give it to Painter. 

[jayschool]

OSU fades. NU surges. Painter or Miles.

[HuskerFever]

I think the Big Ten has already locked in on Holtmann. They've got a love affair with the guy this season.

[AuroranHusker]

Just now, HuskerFever said:

I think the Big Ten has already locked in on Holtmann. They've got a love affair with the guy this season.

 

Yeah, that's true.

 

[aphilso1]

My vote is for Fran McCaffery. 

[hskr4life]

28 minutes ago, aphilso1 said:

My vote is for Fran McCaffery. 

 

He’s doing so good this year that he is coaching other teams to win against him.  Rightfully so, he got an extension on his contract.

[hhcmatt]

1 hour ago, HuskerFever said:

I think the Big Ten has already locked in on Holtmann. They've got a love affair with the guy this season.

 

It's probably between him and Painter.  If Holtmann can figure out how to beat Purdue at Purdue? Give him the trophy there.

[Handy Johnson]

2 hours ago, HuskerFever said:

I think the Big Ten has already locked in on Holtmann. They've got a love affair with the guy this season.

The B1G is always puckered up by the Buckeye's rear end regardless of the sport. I'd lean Painter or Miles, but Holtmann probably has it locked up 

[cozrulz]

Right now, Holtmann or Painter.  Depends how end of the season goes.  We all know it is how you finish.

Edited January 30, 2018 by cozrulz

[cjbowbros]

This year is not like the last time we went to the tournament. Miles got CotY that year right? That year he had quickly turned around the program this year is his 7th season. Or 6th idk. 

[Norm Peterson]

If Holtmann wins, they'll need to saw the trophy in two and give half of it to Keita Bates-Diop.  He's the real MVP.

 

Reminds me of an episode of the Simpsons where they get Darryl Strawberry to play on the company softball team.  Mr. Burns sends Strawberry to bat and tells him to hit a homerun, which Strawberry promptly does.  Burns says "I told him to do that!" and Smithers responds unironically, "Brilliant strategy, sir."

 

I think Thad would have looked a lot smarter as a coach had Keita not been injured last year.  So, the improvement under Holtmann isn't as easy as comparing last year under Matta with this year under Holtmann.  And Holtmann certainly doesn't get credit for all the change.

 

Nebraska is a bit different.  It's Miles' roster, Miles' players, the recruits Miles brought in.  And, yeah, we had a couple guys sitting out as transfers who probably account for a lot of our success.  But a lot of teams had newcomers join the program this year, and everyone knew who we had sitting out last year.  And, still, nearly everyone had us in the bottom two.  

 

Bates-Diop averaged 12 ppg as a true sophomore before playing hurt as a junior (and still averaging 10 ppg before going down completely after 10 games.)  Who saw James Palmer coming in, though, and doing what he's done?  

[Cazzie22]

3 minutes ago, Norm Peterson said:

If Holtmann wins, they'll need to saw the trophy in two and give half of it to Keita Bates-Diop.  He's the real MVP.

 

Reminds me of an episode of the Simpsons where they get Darryl Strawberry to play on the company softball team.  Mr. Burns sends Strawberry to bat and tells him to hit a homerun, which Strawberry promptly does.  Burns says "I told him to do that!" and Smithers responds unironically, "Brilliant strategy, sir."

 

I think Thad would have looked a lot smarter as a coach had Keita not been injured last year.  So, the improvement under Holtmann isn't as easy as comparing last year under Matta with this year under Holtmann.  And Holtmann certainly doesn't get credit for all the change.

 

Nebraska is a bit different.  It's Miles' roster, Miles' players, the recruits Miles brought in.  And, yeah, we had a couple guys sitting out as transfers who probably account for a lot of our success.  But a lot of teams had newcomers join the program this year, and everyone knew who we had sitting out last year.  And, still, nearly everyone had us in the bottom two.  

 

Bates-Diop averaged 12 ppg as a true sophomore before playing hurt as a junior (and still averaging 10 ppg before going down completely after 10 games.)  Who saw James Palmer coming in, though, and doing what he's done?  

Jim Larranaga?

[Norm Peterson]

When Palmer left Miami, I read the Miami boards and people were saying things like he was slow, unathletic, couldn't shoot, thanks for clearing some roster space to get someone good. etc.  They were not sorry to see JPJr leaving.  Just sayin. 

[hskr4life]

2 minutes ago, Norm Peterson said:

When Palmer left Miami, I read the Miami boards and people were saying things like he was slow, unathletic, couldn't shoot, thanks for clearing some roster space to get someone good. etc.  They were not sorry to see JPJr leaving.  Just sayin. 

 

Same with Copeland, Petteway, Pitchford to an extent.  Miles has really made lemonade with what others assumed was an apple.

[Huskerpapa]

I sort of think the top three would be Holtmann, Painter and Miles.  My Nebraska bias leans me toward Coach Miles, but the job Holtmann is doing so far this year is also impressive.

[tcp]

5 hours ago, 49r said:

Yeah, I'm pretty sure Izzo isn't gonna be winning any awards this year...keeping his job will be enough of an award after the shitstorm he's gonna have to endure the next few weeks.

 

But yeah, it's probably down to Painter or Holtmann.

Holtmann's the big surprise, and I gotta admit, he's my choice, even with a bit of fade at the end. 

Miles is likely going to get some votes again. 

Everyone likes the coaches that finish way above where they were predicted. Purdue was expected to be good this season. And they are. 

Same with Izzo. 

 

Next year will be interesting, too, because I think Underwood's going to be in the mix. The Illini aren't far off. 

 

[nuhusker7]

My vote is for Tom Crean. I finally don't want to punch him in the face this year.