Huskerpapa

This is now firmly on Trev. Sorry to do this to you; but something has to be done immediately. No more excuses. No more soft noise...the effort WAS NOT present. The "I don't give a sh** attitude rose from the floor like smoke from a burning dumpster fire.

Pathetic!

My initial reaction was: what the heck, we are rewarding these players who are playing like cat poop, this cool uniform??? But I calmed a bit and remembered it is for a good cause. Maybe the team will play at a higher level to honor the cause.

I voted #2. But i do believe there is a #4. Character and effort. Not just the players but the staff as well. The team (coaches and players) lack focus, effort, basketball IQ, et al, to do the little things that is required to be winners.

I get what you are saying. But it is hard, when you make a play, a good play, and a clueless ref makes an assumption rather than a factual call. Roll back the clock...during a pivotal game earlier this year a ref swallows his whistle and neglects to make the call on an obvious foul, and we simply grin and bear it. Point being, this team is beyond frustrated. We have found numerous ways to lose games. But when outside forces causes you to slip down the losing slide, it is difficult, if not impossible, to mask your frustration.

I will call myself an idiot because I must think too much inside the box. If I were building a program I would build as if I were building a home. You need a rock solid foundation first and foremost. In basketball my foundation would be players whose goals and character are what I want my team to exhibit throughout my tenure. Hustle, tough, work ethic, team first. Every player that follows, be it a three or five star would understand those requirements. This is the freaking Big Ten. Players knowing the expectations would come here. You do not need to be an ogre to coach the players, simply hold them accountable. It seems the current Husker teams do not have those foundational players. If we do, who are they?

This may or may not be worth discussing, but what the hey. When we do have a time out, most times the players sit while the coaching staff meets. Fred then sits in front of the players and provides them direction (although that is ripe for additional debate as well). I was watching the Rutgers v. Northwestern game the other night and Collins stood behind the assistant coach who was seated and provided the coaching. I've seen this often with Northwestern as well as other teams. By the way, you will see Cook step aside often as well letting his coaches coach...you see it in football and baseball where coordinators or miscellaneous coaches take the lead. Add to that, Trev seems to push that the head coach should be more of a CEO. I guess what I am proposing is that a different voice(s) should be more active with the players. I am not convinced we have the right coaches to do that or if it is the right thing to do; but I do know what we currently are doing is not working.

IF we wanted to go with a more traditional line up next year I would argue that Ed will have a chance at more playing time...or not. Blaise is a true five as is Andre. But let's not yet sleep on Oleg. Granted I have only seen bits and pieces but he seems to have some good offensive tools. He has a good genealogy as well. With those three it frees DW and Wilhelm to play a more traditional PF position. Not sure that is the cards, but it certainly provides options. Just remember, for whatever reason(s) Andre didn't appear much, if at all, early on. He appears to be improving IF he could stop whining and fouling.

Sounds like a bill of goods. Yet if so, how pray tell was he starting earlier this season? Just an aside, when watching him in the intro scrimmage, I was impressed with his athleticism. But when the season rolled around, he looks like a different player. I have no clue why there appears to be a day to night difference.

I am going to try to believe until I hear it from Bryce, Trey or Coach McGowan.

I believe that Lat appears to be the best match.

My humble opinion only...both Trey and Bryce return. Just a hunch...just a guess...nothing more, nothing less.

I thought we played okay but we continue to make the little mistakes that end up being costly. I didn't mind the technical. I would have gotten one if I were called for a foul in that same situation. Perhaps (haha) the Big Ten (lol) could come out and admit the error (yeah right). Fred admits the five he was riding was tired, but made no change while Trey was sitting right next to him??? Bryce continues to improve... Dickinson (sp) was ungaurdible, but kudos to both DW and Andre for their efforts. I wonder if it is possible to have the two of them on the floor for a few minutes at the same time. Heck, we are 0fer so it is not much of a risk to try it???

Lat on Nance should be an interesting match up.

Us 71 Them 74

Played better. But it comes down to the little things...and yes...one big man.

By the way...during the offseason, I am pretty sure I read about about the demise of Wisconsin and their coach...hmm.

Keisei actually getting his shot off without it getting blocked would be nice... He may not see the floor tonight.

Doc was not a fan of many of the AAU programs. He preferred to recruit HS programs/coaches which hindered him a bit.

Just asking... If it isn't the players, if it isn't the coaches, if it isn't the schemes, if isn't the fans, if it isn't the arena, then why aren't we winning?

I am betting he is back with changes in staff. Maybe I missed it but I have not heard Trev provide the "dreaded" vote of confidence yet? An additional thought, if Trev goes to Fred and provides him with a directive to change assistants, what happens? I mentioned this in another thread. Does Fred say no to the directive? Does he acquiesce? What then?

Us 69 Them 80

I am soooo proud that we once again found a new way to lose a game. There literally was a conversation in the arena posing the question, how are we going to lose this one. I will credit the effort yesterday, especially on the defensive end and rebounding. But goodness, we are lost souls on the offensive end.

Just read how small Harbaugh's buyout at Michigan is and it almost made me cry. I was numb after the game yesterday. That told me that apathy has set in. For a diehard like me this a hard blow to the solar flex. Dang. I had a section mate leave ahead of me and she indicated her Husker relationship is the most toxic relationship she's ever been in...that kinda says it all.

Yup...he looks fine.