2011 Big Ten-ACC challenge (B1G 8, ACC 4)

[Bucky32]

Mixed feelings on tonight. On one hand, I did say that if they kept it within 10 I'd be happy. So kudos on that.

However, this team is going to struggle mightily unless Taylor is playing out of his mind. That is the most stagnant I've seen that offense in awhile. Berggren is going to need to stay out of foul trouble, because they're sorely lacking for depth in big men. Kaminsky is an uncoordinated goon who should never see the floor, much less touch the ball.

I'm going to keep saying it until it happens: start Ben Brust. You can already tell the kid's going to be good. Start working him in and give him some time when Gasser isn't looking so good.

Overall, satisfied with the effort, but they've got some work to do offensively.

 

[OSU_Buckguy]

However, this team is going to struggle mightily unless Taylor is playing out of his mind.

where are your points going to come from if a team guards the 3-point line?

i have to be honest, bucky... i think it would be a little frustrating to watch the same deliberate, consistent, but unexciting offense each season. there is no denying the reliable top third finishes in the big ten, but don't you feel like there will always be limits as to what ryan's teams can do?

 

[Bucky32]

where are your points going to come from if a team guards the 3-point line?

i have to be honest, bucky... i think it would be a little frustrating to watch the same deliberate, consistent, but unexciting offense each season. there is no denying the reliable top third finishes in the big ten, but don't you feel like there will always be limits as to what ryan's teams can do?

There will be. And don't believe that there aren't people in Madison who have called for Ryan's job multiple times over.

It's never going to be a top-tier job. I get that. There's never going to be NC banners hanging from the rafters. Is that being complacent? Maybe. But it'd be a damn shame if suddenly Badger fans got real greedy and Bo got fired in the same manner as Glen Mason at Minnesota.

With that said, it's time he took some risks and changed up the offense a bit. The swing just doesn't work in the tourney. And that's where you make your money. If Bo's too stubborn to let old habits die, then he can expect to get bounced in the Sweet 16 every year by less talented teams.

Just my .02

 

[southcampus]

This is the photo E!SPN decided to use for the UNC Wisco game:

 

[BigJim]

I gotta think BTN has something to do with B10 basketball rising the last few years. The BTN basically guarantees that if you live in B10 country, your family and friends will be able to watch every single one of your games on TV if you stay in the B10.

Basketball recruiting in particular has such a domino effect on the quality of teams since it only takes a few players to make a big difference. If 1-2 top 100 players from Indiana that may have ended up in the BE/ACC now end up at Illinois or MSU, that means the top 100-200 player they replaced at MSU/Ill may now end up at a lower tier B10 team. Even if it doesn't impact the top 100 type players, the lower half B10 teams should have an easier time keeping high 3-star, low 4-star talent in the midwest due to TV telecasts. Point being, it doesn't have to happen on a very wide scale for there to be a noticeable difference.

 

[LovelandBuckeye]

This is the photo E!SPN decided to use for the UNC Wisco game:

Was that 30 seconds into the game? O-face!

 

[Oh8ch]

I am delighted with the talent and depth in the Big Ten this season of all seasons.

No point owning a Maserati just to commute to work, and that is what Matta is driving.

 

[DubCoffman62]

There will be. And don't believe that there aren't people in Madison who have called for Ryan's job multiple times over.

It's never going to be a top-tier job. I get that. There's never going to be NC banners hanging from the rafters. Is that being complacent? Maybe. But it'd be a damn shame if suddenly Badger fans got real greedy and Bo got fired in the same manner as Glen Mason at Minnesota.

With that said, it's time he took some risks and changed up the offense a bit. The swing just doesn't work in the tourney. And that's where you make your money. If Bo's too stubborn to let old habits die, then he can expect to get bounced in the Sweet 16 every year by less talented teams.

Just my .02

I think Wisconsin does pretty good for a school that never gets the big time recruits like UNC. I think that Bo does a good job with the talent that he gets, they always seem to overachieve.

 

[SidehatchHusker]

Well, they finally hit a 3...nah, no way they pull this out of their ass.

Damn, Corn lost by two.

I would like to apologize in advance to the B1G for NU basketball. I'm beside myself with this loss. Been following NU hoops for a loooong time and I think I've snapped.

NU will rise up and win a few games they're not supposed to this year. They'll play hard. But most of their games will be 50 point slugfest with no go-to scorer in the final minutes.

The Wake Forest game last night was a model example of NU bball fans frustration.

 

[muffler dragon]

I would like to apologize in advance to the B1G for NU basketball. I'm beside myself with this loss. Been following NU hoops for a loooong time and I think I've snapped.

NU will rise up and win a few games they're not supposed to this year. They'll play hard. But most of their games will be 50 point slugfest with no go-to scorer in the final minutes.

The Wake Forest game last night was a model example of NU bball fans frustration.

I had no idea that they had such a great home record against non-conference teams. Then I heard that they lost to Oregon at home this year, and I didn't expect them to win against Wake. Could be a long year for 'Husker hoops.

 

[DubCoffman62]

I had no idea that they had such a great home record against non-conference teams. Then I heard that they lost to Oregon at home this year, and I didn't expect them to win against Wake. Could be a long year for 'Husker hoops.

Wake Forest is a bad basketball team, they lost to Arizona State by almost 30 points. ASU has lost to Pepperdine and new Mexico at home and to Fairfield in the Old Spice Classic.

 

[bkochmc]

NU will rise up and win a few games they're not supposed to this year. They'll play hard. But most of their games will be 50 point slugfest with no go-to scorer in the final minutes.

With that said I'm expecting the NU/Wisky came to be something like 40-36.

 

[Dryden]

I think Wisconsin does pretty good for a school that never gets the big time recruits like UNC. I think that Bo does a good job with the talent that he gets, they always seem to overachieve.

The catch-22 is that Wisconsin will never get big time recruits running that offense, so they have very likely peaked under Bo Ryan.

 

[Jaxbuck]

I think Wisconsin does pretty good for a school that never gets the big time recruits like UNC. I think that Bo does a good job with the talent that he gets, they always seem to overachieve.

I wonder if the style he plays doesn't make the lack of talent a self fulfilling prophecy?

What I mean is, I can understand the concept of dragging opponents down into your ugly style to keep it close when you find yourself in say a new situation or an off year of recruiting or what have you.

But after 10 years of deliberate offensive grinding the high end talent sees you playing the modern version of 4 corners and says eff that I'm going to UK, Duke, UNC, OSU etc etc.

Just a thought but overall I don't agree with the "play an ugly style to overcome a lack of talent" philosophy for more than a short period of time. Go recruit some freaking talent.

 

[Bucky32]

The catch-22 is that Wisconsin will never get big time recruits running that offense, so they have very likely peaked under Bo Ryan.

I really think they have peaked. I think you saw Ryan's offense hit rock bottom last night. The offense has devolved to the point where passing the ball around for 20 seconds and then jacking up a 3-point shot is considered "good basketball".

It's becoming painfully clear why big-time in-state recruits like Vander Blue, Korie Lucious, and J.P. Tokoto ran as far away from UW as possible. No marquee players will want to play here unless they are a local PG.

With that said, Bo is still a very good coach that gets a lot out of his limited talent. But the question has to become: is that talent limited because of Bo Ryan?