20 - 7 Northwestern B-Ball Appreciation Thread
As we watch Michigan b-ball struggle to get into the tournament, it is impressive just how amazing has been Northwestern's accomplishments this season as they are just one game away from 1st place in the B1G.
Watching them dismantle Iowa tonight...their front court looks like three Tschetters but amazing what their two veteran guards have done in taking them to the top of the league.
February 19th, 2023 at 9:48 PM ^
Matt painter would be proud
February 19th, 2023 at 11:12 PM ^
It is even more impressive considering they lost a very important impact player in the post in Pete Nance to the portal as he left to go to UNC. They could be first in the conference with him.
February 20th, 2023 at 1:07 PM ^
They lost one of the most overrated portal guys I can remember.
February 20th, 2023 at 6:24 PM ^
Is that a very young Tom Izzo - or is he just sharing his best Izzo impersonation?
February 20th, 2023 at 7:53 AM ^
Chris Collins is yet another mediocre coach from the Duke coaching tree. Cannot like. Sorry.
February 20th, 2023 at 8:30 AM ^
Honest question: have there been any coaches who studied under Coach K, worked for him, and then went on to be successful elsewhere? Not attempting to be snarky, but outside of a successful year or two from Mike Brey at ND, it sure doesn't seem like it. I guess time will tell with Jon Scheyer, but he's going to have built-in advantages that the others never had.
February 20th, 2023 at 10:27 AM ^
I think basically no. Coach K is a force of nature, so hyper intense, and one of those coaches who succeeds by (of course) being a very good coach but also screaming constantly at the refs. I think that approach doesn't lead to people like himself wanting to be around him, but rather people who can handle being around a deranged lunatic. Those types then go off and surprisingly cannot replicate the lunacy. Just my random thoughts.
February 20th, 2023 at 3:38 PM ^
Nothing comes to mind, but I will point out that many players under the little cheating dictator have done well in the media. Other than Grant Hill, they’ve been annoying, too.
February 20th, 2023 at 10:52 AM ^
Pretty good for the Michigan of Chicagoland.
February 20th, 2023 at 12:06 PM ^
But, this is MGOBlog, so not good enough (never good enough!)
February 20th, 2023 at 4:31 PM ^
JBHM,
Would the "Michigan of Chicagoland" be the University of Chicago?
February 20th, 2023 at 11:59 AM ^
Northwestern is a very good school. Michigan and Northwestern are the strongest academic institutions in the conference - and, the additions of UCLA and USC will add two more universities of that caliber.
IMO, Collins a good coach. The challenge Northwestern has in part is its academic rigor and maintaining / adhering to admissions standards.
The good news regarding basketball is - you don't require as large of a roster as a football team does. Coach Fitz and their football roster is usually pretty decent for their 1's, but - an injury can expose a "gap" between the 1's and 2's - which opponents can exploit.
Chicago is a basketball talent rich area, and there are a number of players in the general area who can play "relatively" close to home - which makes it easier for family and friends to watch / follow.
The biggest difference is - the experience of the Wildcats current roster. I'm a believer that "game experience is invaluable" and cannot be replicated in practice. They may not have "five star" talent on their roster - but, they have enough talent - with more than enough experience - to manage a game well.
The Cats are having a great season - and, unless they face the Maize & Blue, I'll cheer for them.
And - they've made some very nice changes to Welsh-Ryan arena. If you're going to a game - see if you can score tickets / pass to the Wilson Club. It makes for an even more enjoyable game day experience.
February 20th, 2023 at 1:04 PM ^
I understand people like to point at a coaches overall record but Chris Collins can flat out coach. He would have been a great fit at Michigan after JB was gone. He runs similar things and would have been able to recruit better at Michigan.
Anyone who can take Northwestern to the tournament once let alone twice should have the respect of people.
February 20th, 2023 at 2:07 PM ^
To be the only coach to take them to the tournament is a feather in his cap, for sure. But he has benefitted from some circumstances:
-The tournament field expanded to 68 teams in 2011, just before he got there.
-The Big Ten expanded to 14 teams, creating very unbalanced schedules.
-Northwestern is investing in its basketball programs (and in sports in general) like never before. Welsh-Ryan has been totally renovated and is a really cool venue now.
I think Bill Carmody deserves a lot of credit for laying down the groundwork. Before he got there, that was possibly the worst P6 job in the country. He got them close, making the NIT four straight years from 2009-12. He then got fired after one down season, which seemed harsh.
February 20th, 2023 at 2:41 PM ^
They were an 8-seed the last time they made it, so not on the bubble, UM was a seven. You may have a point on the unbalanced schedules though, this year they have a played a pretty good conference schedule, but their OOC schedule is not good, at least compared to say UM.
February 20th, 2023 at 5:22 PM ^
Didn't realize I was redirected to NWOblog.
Signed,
M swept NW appreciation comment.