Last year was a gut punch. This year is just forgettable. I wish we could have just blamed the venue. Sadly it looks like the problems go way deeper. Seniors don’t perform, transfers regress, freshmen flash little progress. Hard to see any bright spot now in this program. I wouldn’t say we’re back to square one, because Collins got the historical monkey off our back, got the arena, and got the practice facility. But he’s definitely squandered whatever momentum he built, and he’ll need another Herculean effort just to get back to the postseason let alone the second round of the tournament in the next few years.
So I guess Allstate Arena wasn’t the biggest problem last year?
- Thread starter Medill '03
- Start date
Excellent post. They're seems to be some deep-rooted issues with this program. Hope it gets moving in the right direction next year but it doesn't seem promising.
Seriously wish I could disagree with this, but if I did - and you challenged me to back up my position - it'd be a pretty short conversation.
The only positive development this season has been Gaines, who looks like he belongs at this level after that wasn’t clear during his first season.
For the first six weeks, Law’s newfound ability to find the bucket - a lot - was a lot of fun.
And Pardon was great for a while too.
For me, the biggest disappointment has been the non-contributions of the freshmen, none of whom we can be sure will be even starter-quality players based on their freshmen seasons. Kopp’s freshman year is pretty similar to Lindsey’s, which doesn’t portend stardom. Nance and Greer have done less, of course.
I hope Nance gets well and gets minutes in the next three weeks, something to build on. Otherwise, it’s pretty much a lost season for both he and Greer.
For the first six weeks, Law’s newfound ability to find the bucket - a lot - was a lot of fun.
And Pardon was great for a while too.
For me, the biggest disappointment has been the non-contributions of the freshmen, none of whom we can be sure will be even starter-quality players based on their freshmen seasons. Kopp’s freshman year is pretty similar to Lindsey’s, which doesn’t portend stardom. Nance and Greer have done less, of course.
I hope Nance gets well and gets minutes in the next three weeks, something to build on. Otherwise, it’s pretty much a lost season for both he and Greer.
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One of the biggest sales pitches that Collins used was, "Be the first team to take NU to the NCAA Tournament."
He doesn't have that "lure" anymore. It's ridiculous but true.
Now with the monkey off our backs, we're just like every other terrible Power conference basketball team.
Maybe not "stardom", but Scottie did make the All B1G team as a Junior.....I'd be happy with that for Miller.
We were one good point guard away from a decent season. We were not able to finish out close games. The defense has been solid. The effort has been there. Without a reliable point guard to direct the offense there was no flow and we had players playing out of position to try to be the point guard. Disappointing but can be corrected with a quality 5th year or freshman point guard next year.
How was Gaines last year? Many on this board were critical of him. Now I think he at least projects to adefensive starter that can contribute some on offense. My biggest criticism of CCC is his use of younger players not his recruiting. He just doesn’t seem to trust them.
Yes, we're losing games.
But the sky isn't falling and the program hasn't collapsed. I expected this year and next year to be bad for the program given problems with our team's make up (losing Lathon and development issues).
We've just got to get through these next 2 years and hope that CCC can prevent a falloff in recruiting while improving development.
No matter what level you're at, not having a good point guard is a problem in this day and age. It's been the most important position at both the pro and collegiate level for the past decade or so, and it's often been the most talent-rich as well.
If we get to 2022 and we look to be far away from a tournament bid, then we have a problem. It's best to just look past the short-term struggles right now.
But the sky isn't falling and the program hasn't collapsed. I expected this year and next year to be bad for the program given problems with our team's make up (losing Lathon and development issues).
We've just got to get through these next 2 years and hope that CCC can prevent a falloff in recruiting while improving development.
No matter what level you're at, not having a good point guard is a problem in this day and age. It's been the most important position at both the pro and collegiate level for the past decade or so, and it's often been the most talent-rich as well.
If we get to 2022 and we look to be far away from a tournament bid, then we have a problem. It's best to just look past the short-term struggles right now.
There is very, very little that separates teams 4-13 in the Big Ten. We knew this back in June.
The hope was the cats would gel and find a fix for PG. I think they gelled on defense but the PG issue has prevented the offense from ever humming.
The lost some very close games, confidence was affected and it's been a struggle.
I think the disappointment today is more from the fact that the Cats looked very good at times in the first third of the season.
We talk a lot about the loss of BMac....but Scotty had a skill set that has not been replaced. He was a very large 2 who could handle the ball and body up 3's and the occasional 4. At times he was dynamic on offense. I don't know that there's a player on the roster or coming in who can do the things that were Scotty's portfolio.
People are trashing the freshman. Let's be sure to save those posts for use later. I'm still sky high on the frosh.
The hope was the cats would gel and find a fix for PG. I think they gelled on defense but the PG issue has prevented the offense from ever humming.
The lost some very close games, confidence was affected and it's been a struggle.
I think the disappointment today is more from the fact that the Cats looked very good at times in the first third of the season.
We talk a lot about the loss of BMac....but Scotty had a skill set that has not been replaced. He was a very large 2 who could handle the ball and body up 3's and the occasional 4. At times he was dynamic on offense. I don't know that there's a player on the roster or coming in who can do the things that were Scotty's portfolio.
People are trashing the freshman. Let's be sure to save those posts for use later. I'm still sky high on the frosh.
Does this fit your definition of trashing? Found this one in 30 seconds. If not, give me more time than 30 seconds, I am, sure I can find more...
https://northwestern.forums.rivals....han-watching-a-pickup-game.43688/#post-604998
13 years as Associate Head Coach to perhaps the greatest college head coach of all time?
By the end of last year Gaines looked like he belonged. I would say Kopp looks like he does going forward and I would guess Nash looked like he was beginning to get comfortable before he got sick. Greer has shown flashes. I would guess all three will get plenty of minutes next year
Turner likely fits that role. He was listed as a 2 guard coming out of HS but added two inches. He can still handle the ball well enough for the 2 position and he is big enough to handle the 3. At BC, his 3 pt% was high enough to replace Lindsey. But without a PG, he is out of position and cannot use his talents to best advantage.
Frosh are, well, Frosh. Unfair to judge them at this point
Should be that it was not the only problem. It definitely was a problem. Injuries killed us last year. This year it is injuries and Lathon
It was just silly to blame last season on the arena. As coach Dale explained to his players when they entered Butler's court, in the movie "Hoosiers" the floors dimensions are the same and so is the height of the basket. It looks like Allstate Arena was just a used as a terrible excuse. It's time for the administration to give Collins the same leeway given to Fitz on questionable recruits or expect a bottom of the conference and the inability to hang onto good coaches.
Where did this come from? Never heard Fitz got a lot of special dispensation, but I would think if that's the case, basketball would need it even more.
Sorry but seem to remember that he gets quite a leeway and has had success with it. Guess if his special guys stop graduating , he'll have to readjust.