Short Term and Long Term

[ScarletDave]

Regarding this season (not "the future") ... with 5 games left, 2 away now and 3 home, I'd be really happy with 1 more in the next four (@PUR, @NW, Mich, UMD) and then Illinois. That could move us to the 13 seed in which we'd have to face Wisconsin first and only one of UMD/Purdue, which would be better than the 14 having to play all the top 3 teams in the league (in theory).

Long term, the B1G tournament, I truly think we can take down anybody. If we play defense like we have been, knock down our shots and limit turnovers like we did today. We are more than capable. That said, if we can't hit our Free Throws by then, we won't be advancing past the first round.

 

[Knightmoves]

Regarding this season (not "the future") ... with 5 games left, 2 away now and 3 home, I'd be really happy with 1 more in the next four (@PUR, @NW, Mich, UMD) and then Illinois. That could move us to the 13 seed in which we'd have to face Wisconsin first and only one of UMD/Purdue, which would be better than the 14 having to play all the top 3 teams in the league (in theory).

Long term, the B1G tournament, I truly think we can take down anybody. If we play defense like we have been, knock down our shots and limit turnovers like we did today. We are more than capable. That said, if we can't hit our Free Throws by then, we won't be advancing past the first round.

Pretty enthusiastic post. Winning a game in the B1G tourney seems like a miracle at this point vs a top 3 conference team.

 

[ScarletDave]

I have a theory that this team is very "emotional" for lack of a better word. In other words, they're head casss. Like kickers. The missed FTs, the sloppy stuff, etc. The horrible first 10 mins in the Iowa game after Wisconsin. The team knows they're good, and they know they can win. I think that they also know the FT controversy and it's all any of them can think about when they get to the like because everyone is looking at them and thinking the same thing.
That said, head case teams can do some damage when they need to and have confidence. See: Nebraska game. Everyone was saying it was the best chance we have, and the team went and took it. Wisconsin at MSG same thing. On paper should have had no chance, but the team knew they played close with them at their place, and had been playing close against other top teams, and they went out and took it (almost) - had a 9-point lead with 3 mins to go. All in all, I think head cases and emotion can turn things good in a tournament when the guys know it's won or go home. That part, the stuff you can't measure on paper, is what gives me hope.