Takeaways: Barnhizer dominates in 71-60 win over Georgia Tech after losing front teeth
- Thread starter lou v
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I just hope little brother Mart is encouraged by BB to stay another year. This is the BB year like last year was the Boo year. Next year, it’s team Mart - he will be the undeniable BMOC. Having been on the Mart train from the beginning and loving his ugly, old white man game - I really hope he stays.
I once said Young reminded me of Tim Doyle (our own Fred Flintstone). I think Mart is what would happen if Doyle became suddenly athletic. Coordination plus old school moves. How can you not root for this kid?
I get it, running a short bench can be tough on the guys, especially as we move deeper into the B1G season. If they stick with a 7-man rotation, we might start to feel the wear and tear. But honestly, playing big minutes with a week of rest before and after games isn't the end of the world. The key is making sure they’re managing practice time, letting those starters rest up a bit, and then really push the freshmen and the depth guys this week. Get them to a point where they can step up and give the starting cast a breather when the B1G grind hits. It’s about building that trust and skill so they’re ready when it matters most.
This is true. But the chances of not having injuries all season long are like 10, 20%?
Ideally Ciaravino and Windham would have gotten brief runs in that game against Georgia Tech. We were up 65-43 with 5:18 to go.
So there was an opportunity. As it was, Collins left the starters in and they stopped playing hard. We got outscored 12-2 over the last 4 minutes.
I can understand Collins thinking "we need to win big." Thats the way it is now - essentially the NCAA tournament selection process rewards teams for poor sportsmanship - a.k.a. "running up the score." But there's also the subtleties of keeping the bench players engaged, not risking injury with your rotation, getting the young guys experience, etc. I tend to be rather risk averse - "Any risk without a potential reward is a mistake." Not sure what the coach was thinking - maybe we were running some new plays? Were we trying to blow Georgia Tech out? Were we padding stats? Who knows.
Did anybody else notice that when Hunger committed an offensive foul with 45 seconds to go in the first half, Collins immediately took him out and put Nicholson back out there with 2 fouls? My "Unnecessary Risk" detector went off immediately. But Nicholson didn't foul anybody, so it worked out.
This is very much a bubble team. Every win will matter. I am not sure the risk of pissing a game away over weighs the benefit of resting the studs. CCC has had a recent history of riding his horses. At a place like NU, that has veterans all over, it makes sense. Next year will be the developmental year with the tourney being a long shot. Jello and KJ will be good players, they are just overmatched right now.
I am not advocating risking losses. I am saying we can take calculated risks up by 20.
We played with Smith a few games last year which felt at times like playing with 1 less. Chances are we will have the same happen this year.
KJello are not exactly chumps on the court anyway.
Ultimately we are both arguing for wins, you just arguing for win at any cost now, me arguing taking a calculated risk to defend wins down the road.
As we head into the heart of the B1G season, I think we’re gonna see that risk hedge of running deeper into the bench more. The legs get tired, injuries pile up, it’s just part of the grind. Now, when you’ve got a week off before and after a game, that’s a different story. The risk is way lower in those situations. There’s a focus on the core 7, the guys who are gonna win games in March. The drop-off to the next tier is real right now. That’s normal with the freshman, and they’ve got potential, but they need development. They’re better off getting reps in practice than getting spot minutes in a game that’s decided. Secure the win, get the core of 7 the rest they need the beginning of this week, and let them recharge for what’s coming next. Run the depth hard in practice early this week.
TLDR: Not a big deal yet, especially this last game. If it continues as there’s less time to rest between games the risk starts increasing.
I hear the criticism, and it has some merit. But you can’t really argue with Collins’ results. It’s what he’s always done, and it works. As he pointed out yesterday, Brooks and Nick didn’t play much as freshmen, either. Brooks played in just 11 games in his first year.
I'm not sure which thing "Collins has always done"
Do you mean not playing the freshmen? Or playing like no lead is ever safe?
I'd argue that many things Collins used to do, he stopped doing (or changed) after the Gragg ultimatum, his re-assessment of himself and the arrival of Lowery.
I think Collins doesn't believe in the theory that if you play freshman perhaps before they're ready, it will help their development. He might be right. MN, NM and Brooks all developed very well without playing much as freshmen. I would have no problem with KJ and Jello having similar career arcs.
I will eat my hat if Collins ever said Gragg had an influence on his coaching approach/style. Collins’ only rightful fear was that Gragg would make an idiotic decision to can him. But that doesn’t mean Collins was going to change what he’s learned over his (and his dad’s) basketball lifetime because of Gragg - it’s a downright laughable conclusion to think so, knowing what we know of Gragg.
I can see the arguments on both sides. If I were me, I would have looked at putting KJ in at point with the 22 point lead and having them run some offensive sets with him 'in charge'. As long as he doesn't turn the ball over, its all gravy, and if they score four unanswered points immediately, sit him back down. But I'm not the coach.
I only write about the Gragg ultimatum in a "tongue-in-cheek" way, because it provides a frame of reference.
I was critical of the ultimatum right away because it was stupid - it seemed like a deliberate attempt to undercut recruiting and team morale, to essentially guarantee a bad year - and cover Gragg's butt.
However, Collins has said that Gragg's ultimatum forced him to re-evaluate everything.
Doesn't mean Gragg told him what changes to make - that would be crazy - not sure where you are getting that.
I’m less concerned about developing a player or him being “ready” than I am that someone important gets hurt. Tech lost a player to injury late (maybe not serious) and that could just as easily be NU.
Injuries last year may have a cost NU a better seed and a chance at the sweet 16. Sure, they weren’t beating UConn but a sixth or seventh seed with Berry and/or Nicholson could’ve made the second weekend.
Injuries can happen ANY time of course (case in point: Brooks losing his teeth practicing with a grad student assistant), but they won’t happen if the player is safely on the bench.
Injuries last year may have a cost NU a better seed and a chance at the sweet 16. Sure, they weren’t beating UConn but a sixth or seventh seed with Berry and/or Nicholson could’ve made the second weekend.
Injuries can happen ANY time of course (case in point: Brooks losing his teeth practicing with a grad student assistant), but they won’t happen if the player is safely on the bench.
I think this is right. With a week off to rest, Collins is way more interested in his top 6-7 getting as many reps together as possible. Plus, I have to think there is a huge difference between a freshman in November/December and one in February/March. These guys are still learning so much right now through practice and observation. Playing them before they're ready may not make much sense.
Now, the frosh did play more in earlier games including big games like Dayton. But, I'm guessing he had to play them in November more because Brooks and maybe Berry weren't in shape enough to take the minutes they are playing now.
I think what it forced Collins to re-evaluate was whether he wanted to coach for someone who knew so little about what it took to win basketball games at NU. Luckily for Collins and all of us, Collins kept pounding the rock and believed his great work would win the day over Gragg’s misplaced ultimatum. But there’s no way Collins changed his overall approach in any dramatic way. (Recognizing that coaches actually do make changes to their staff sometimes to improve the team).
Well we just disagree. I think Collins, faced with termination and embarrassed by how Gragg made it public, got (rightfully) pretty upset and did some real soul-searching - essentially accepting responsibility for (or at least objectively analyzing) - the team's failure to meet his own expectations. I don't know if he started thinking about working elsewhere (which you seem to be suggesting) but he has made it clear that he thought the team had been "not tough enough."
Collins gets credit for bringing in Lowery to help instill some toughness and rebuild the defensive work ethic, but it seems to me that if he hadn't done that, it is likely Collins would be at another job.
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Fair enough - agree to disagree. Collins always emphasized defensive toughness. (Hard to think he thought Nance would not be a guy with defensive toughness (Kopp - admittedly not sure on him). But I wish NU had the luxury of just picking guys that were perfect for a defensive system; you also need to score). He had excellent defensive coordinators in Baldwin and Donlon in the past. He found a better coordinator in Lowery than Borovich. If hiring Lowery saved his job then, in my opinion, it would only be because he was about to be wrongfully terminated.
Good call. It’s insane now to think people were calling for him to be fired—literally the most successful coach we’ve ever had.
Playing at All State was a huge disadvantage and set the program back. In hindsight, they should have put up a temporary stadium on the lake…
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It was not insane. It was reasonable. You are relying on your 20/20 hindsight applied to a remarkable turnaround.
In essence you are saying "Knowing what we know now, it would have been insane to fire Collins 2 1/2 years ago."
(Gordie was the only exception - his faith in Collins was rewarded - but the team's performance had made termination a real possibility)
Weird how Mahomes wasn’t drafted first. What a bunch of idiots work in nfl front offices. They should all be fired.
And who was that idiot manager that played Pipp over Lou G? Talk about the HOF dummies of coaching….
Yeah it wasn’t at all crazy to be critical and for him to be on the hot seat at the time.
I can’t remember the exact stat but it was something like CCC’s winning percentage his first 8 seasons was worse than BC’s last 8.
He got put on blast and changed his approach and his coaching staff. It’s been amazing to see. That’s what the best coaches do.
I think Collins has it right. He’s learned a lot while taking the Cats to three tournaments.
I won’t rehash all of the past, but I did feel it was extremely unreasonable and unjustified in firing Collins given:
1) Historical context and limitations specific to NU basketball. This sets realistic expectations for significant variation in our performance.
2) The documented improvement in his team each year after the first down year at Rosemont.
3) His having brought us to the tournament in the first place, improving each year since his hiring.
I’ll leave it at that but also ask - what great coaches “got put on blast” and that turned around their career? GMAB.
The most effort I've ever seem from Kopp was the second time he played against us at WR. He still sucked, but man he put everything he had into the game.
Man, this debate will never run its course. Lowrey has been great and deserves credit, but to say CCC wasn’t a defensive coach prior to him arriving is just false. To say, CCC would likely not be here without Lowery is a bridge too far for me.
NU had its best players that on the surface showed little interest in defense. They were also bad at it. This same group exhibited very little mental toughness in crunch time. Remember how many games NU lost down the stretch of games? Roles weren’t defined, and it was a bad mix of personalities. IMO, this wouldn’t be a good defensive team even with Lowrey’s magic.
CCC’s lesson was in his recruiting. If started with Chase. He had a true defensive stopper. Mullins is similar without the offensive. Big Matt makes a huge difference and I would argue is more valuable than a guy with nifty old man moves around the basket. Our two best players are basketball junkies that came in with a chip on their shoulder. We don’t lose because we are soft. He has learned the value of a couple roster spots for junk yard dogs.
NU had its best players that on the surface showed little interest in defense. They were also bad at it. This same group exhibited very little mental toughness in crunch time. Remember how many games NU lost down the stretch of games? Roles weren’t defined, and it was a bad mix of personalities. IMO, this wouldn’t be a good defensive team even with Lowrey’s magic.
CCC’s lesson was in his recruiting. If started with Chase. He had a true defensive stopper. Mullins is similar without the offensive. Big Matt makes a huge difference and I would argue is more valuable than a guy with nifty old man moves around the basket. Our two best players are basketball junkies that came in with a chip on their shoulder. We don’t lose because we are soft. He has learned the value of a couple roster spots for junk yard dogs.
I agree with most of what you said. It's important to acknowledge that while assistant coaches like Lowery have played a role in the team's defensive improvement, Collins has consistently been a defensive-minded coach throughout his career. Even with different staff members, Collins has been able to field strong defensive teams. The constant here is Collins himself. The improvement isn't just a sudden change, it’s the result of years of development, not just an offseason shift.
I also agree with you on the impact of player development, especially with Matt. The jump in his defensive game was huge, and that naturally had a ripple effect on the entire team. When you can have a strong post defender like Matt on the court, it changes everything. It’s not just about one coach or one player; it’s the accumulation of good recruiting, player development, and building a culture that prioritizes defense.
Regarding the "ultimatum" or Lowery “saving” Collins’ job, no coach is saved by a single assistant or a single “call out”. The players Collins has brought in, like Buie, Audige, Barnhizer, and Martinelli, are the real hits that have pushed this program forward. Most of these players were recruited prior to Lowery or the ultimatum. Martinelli and Buie were not defense first recruits. They’ve all contributed to making Northwestern competitive in a way that feels sustainable. So, no, I don’t believe that a sudden recruiting shift or an ultimatum changed everything overnight. It was a slow process, but Collins’ ability to get the best players he can and develop them, both offensively and defensively, is a testament to his coaching ability.
The challenges at Northwestern, new stadium, academic requirements, lack of historical success, makes sustained success difficult. It takes time to build something long-term. I think people forget that when they look at a program like NU. It’s not just about one season or one player or one coaching change, it’s about building something that lasts. Collins has done that, and it’s great to see people starting to recognize that he’s built something really solid here.
So, in conclusion, I think you're absolutely right to give credit where it’s due to Collins and the players, while also acknowledging that the process is ongoing. Success doesn’t happen overnight, and it’s built on years of hard work and smart decisions. Collins didn’t get here by accident, and he’s shown that he can sustain success, even in a program with as many challenges as Northwestern.
He inherited a program that wasn’t in historically bad shape. NU when he was hired was disappointing but not embarrassing, and had some good players and close tournament misses. He took the program to the mountain top then regressed to a point that was worse than what he inherited. That’s the point.
He realized his approach wasn’t working — and in his case realized he was going to lose his job over it — and adapted. Great coaches adapt when their approach isn’t working. He wasn’t being stubborn; he evolved. His predecessor couldn’t evolve because it’s all he knew. And I’m really glad CCC did and it shows his maturity and evolution as a coach.
Why is that so controversial?
While the results of the team may have regressed, I do not believe Collins regressed as a coach. Success isn’t a straight line, it’s more like a winding road with bumps and setbacks along the way. And those bumps? They happen. Recruiting issues, roster turnover, not having a home court for a season, those things matter. It’s not just about X’s and O’s. Ego management, keeping the team focused, not missing on most of a recruiting class, that’s a skill that grows year after year, and Collins has been getting better at it every single one.
I do believe some of the concerns about missing on most of a recruiting class continues still and can be partially blamed on the ultimatum. That’s a challenge, and it’s something that doesn’t get fixed overnight. But let’s be clear: Collins didn’t suddenly wake up and realize his job was on the line and change from there. The pressure? Sure, it’s always there. But the path to success? It’s built over years of hard work, not in just one off-season. Success takes time. Each year after the all-state season was another step in the direction of success.
I do not think Collins improving as a coach is controversial. I think giving credit for that improvement to Lowery and Gragg is. You don’t forget how to coach in one season. A not good coach doesn’t bring NU to its first ever tournament.
Regressing in (and, more accurately consistently poor) Win/Loss performance, is the history of NU basketball. And there are very good reasons for it.
Collins didn’t avoid it like every other coach we’ve ever had - so it should just automatically be assumed it’s a fireable offense when it happened?
When he showed up, the last 5 season’s wins:
17
20
20
19
13
…and the 13 was a year where our star player was injured.
If you think that’s the same as “same old northwestern” I’m just confused. Collins went to the tourney, it was awesome, and then went:
15
13
8
9
15
It wasn’t automatic. It was several *** seasons. And it wasn’t Iike he was devastated w injuries for 5 years straight. Completely reasonable for him to be on the hot seat.
This is exactly a conclusion that can be drawn when your analysis is limited and with insufficient context. If you want to call such thinking reasonable and sufficient enough to fire someone, that’s your choice.
Carmody was an undoubtedly great coach as well, by the way, but he had some limitations that Collins does not. Phillips and others saw that Collins could take us to new heights.
Let's see how long it takes EvanstonCat to react to a Carmody sighting........
I don’t know what “context” is needed to justify 5 straight bad seasons. Regardless, he wasn’t fired. He was on the hot seat after a bunch of bad seasons and several recruits not working out. He changed his approach and staff and types of guys he went after. It was awesome.
IIt would be nice if we could agree on the numeric facts. The program did not bottom out the year after the tournament season. That was the first big step toward a major low. But perhaps people are referring to the recruiting? Collins definitely bounced back recruiting-wise when the team made the NCAA the first time.
| Season | Overall | Big Ten | Notes | New Arrivals |
| 2013-14 | 14-19 | 6-12 | Baldwin, Gates, James | Taphorn |
| 2014-15 | 15-17 | 6-12 | BMac, Law, Lindsey, Skelly | |
| 2015-16 | 20-12 | 8-10 | Why No NIT? | Falzon, Pardon, Ash |
| 2016-17 | 24-12 | 10-8 | NCAA | Brown, Benson |
| 2017-18 | 15-17 | 6-12 | Donlon replaces Baldwin | Gaines, Ivanauskas |
| New Welsh-Ryan | ||||
| 2018-19 | 13-19 | 4-16 | Dildy replaces Gates | Nance, Kopp, Greer, Young (rs), Taylor* Turner* |
| 2019-20 | 8-23 | 3-17 | Borovich replaces Donlon | Buie, Beran, Coleman-Jones, Spencer* |
| 2020-21 | 9-15 | 6-13 | Audige** Berry, Big Matt | |
| 2021-22 | 15-16 | 7-13 | Battle replaces Dildy | Simmons, Roper, Barnhizer |
| "Gragg Ultimatum" | Lowery Hired | Borovich Fired | BMac moves James | |
| 2022-23 | 22-12 | 12-8 | NCAA | Martinelli*, Hunger, Verhoeven* |
| 2023-24 | 22-12 | 12-8 | NCAA | Langborg* Preston* Mullins* |
| 2024-25 | 33-4 | 19-1 | NCAA | Leach*, Windham, Ciaravino |
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