2024 - 25 Wisconsin Basketball Thread

[yourout]

1 hour ago, Jim French Stepstool said:

AFA the conference title is concerned, the loss waaaay back when to Michigan hurt more than this one. It's now all about correcting mistakes, bouncing back & trying to stay in the top four.

Sucks that Oregon hit on a nice strategy in the 2nd half. That press just threw everything off kilter. It was a good press, and we reacted to it poorly.

The problem with the press is they didn't attach after breaking it. 

They would just settle after crossing mid court with they had numbers to go to the rack.

[yourout]

1 hour ago, Jim French Stepstool said:

AFA the conference title is concerned, the loss waaaay back when to Michigan hurt more than this one. It's now all about correcting mistakes, bouncing back & trying to stay in the top four.

Sucks that Oregon hit on a nice strategy in the 2nd half. That press just threw everything off kilter. It was a good press, and we reacted to it poorly.

Dupe

[Oxy]

Oregon's combination of defensive intensity without fouling was excellent.  The 2nd half went from "meh" the first 12 minutes to poor for two minutes to  bad for 4 minutes to "***" the last 2 minutes. Just a crescendo of nausea to ill to simultaneously puking it up while crapping down their leg.

Oregon is a good team and we played about as poorly as possible and it went to OT.  Timing wise, now is a good time for a wake-up call.  Hopefully everybody takes it to heart and it doesn't happen again.

[Jim French Stepstool]

2 hours ago, Oxy said:

Oregon's combination of defensive intensity without fouling was excellent.  The 2nd half went from "meh" the first 12 minutes to poor for two minutes to  bad for 4 minutes to "***" the last 2 minutes. Just a crescendo of nausea to ill to simultaneously puking it up while crapping down their leg.

Oregon is a good team and we played about as poorly as possible and it went to OT.  Timing wise, now is a good time for a wake-up call.  Hopefully everybody takes it to heart and it doesn't happen again.

That's what's frustrating about it. It's like, 22 things went wrong in the last five minutes, and if it was only 21 things you probably win.

Certainly shouldn't have any trouble getting kids' attention in practice.

[CheezWizHed]

8 hours ago, Samurai Bucky said:

This may sound silly, but this might be the best thing that could have happened to them in the long run.

Full disclosure -- I only saw the last 2 minutes of regulation, but was following on the Yahoo Sports app.

I think they let the hype get to them.  Up around 20 late in the game?  I am guessing they coasted... and got burnt.  I took notice that Oregon had only 4 fouls late in the second half.  Either the Badgers were not getting the calls, or the refs were letting them play.  Guess what?  The latter is what the NCAA tournament will be like.

Crowl?  That turnover late in the game happens at least once a game.  His sloppy passing has been an issue all year.

Film room will have something like this:  "Do not throw 100MPH fastballs when you are inbounding the ball."  Geesch.

That occurred to me also.  The chances of winning the Big10 title outright is there, but a bit of a long shot.  At least getting hit in the mouth today gives him some chance to learn from it.  I'd rather win the Big10 tournament anyway. 😉

[yourout]

2 hours ago, Oxy said:

Oregon's combination of defensive intensity without fouling was excellent.  The 2nd half went from "meh" the first 12 minutes to poor for two minutes to  bad for 4 minutes to "***" the last 2 minutes. Just a crescendo of nausea to ill to simultaneously puking it up while crapping down their leg.

Oregon is a good team and we played about as poorly as possible and it went to OT.  Timing wise, now is a good time for a wake-up call.  Hopefully everybody takes it to heart and it doesn't happen again.

Some of that goes to the way it was officiated. You could basically bear hug guys off the ball and that's largely what Oregon did when we tried to inbound against the press. Several times I saw Blackwell trying to get free during inbounds and the guy basically had his arms around him.

This badger team is a little different in that they are better when the game is called tighter.

[Jim French Stepstool]

11 hours ago, yourout said:

Some of that goes to the way it was officiated. You could basically bear hug guys off the ball and that's largely what Oregon did when we tried to inbound against the press. Several times I saw Blackwell trying to get free during inbounds and the guy basically had his arms around him.

This badger team is a little different in that they are better when the game is called tighter.

That's a good point. The way they play now it's really come to that, at least regarding the perimeter people that can drive the ball.

I actually thought it was a typically reffed game in that it had some inconsistencies to it. Nowadays you kinda have to expect that. AFA Oregon grabbing guys on the late inbounds plays, we were on the opposite end of the building so I'll defer to you. You probably had a better view of that from your sofa.

[yourout]

6 minutes ago, Jim French Stepstool said:

That's a good point. The way they play now it's really come to that, at least regarding the perimeter people that can drive the ball.

I actually thought it was a typically reffed game in that it had some inconsistencies to it. Nowadays you kinda have to expect that. AFA Oregon grabbing guys on the late inbounds plays, we were on the opposite end of the building so I'll defer to you. You probably had a better view of that from your sofa.

I was actually on the second level on the inbounding end of the court

[yourout]

9 minutes ago, Jim French Stepstool said:

That's a good point. The way they play now it's really come to that, at least regarding the perimeter people that can drive the ball.

I actually thought it was a typically reffed game in that it had some inconsistencies to it. Nowadays you kinda have to expect that. AFA Oregon grabbing guys on the late inbounds plays, we were on the opposite end of the building so I'll defer to you. You probably had a better view of that from your sofa.

 

Dupe

[Jim French Stepstool]

1 hour ago, yourout said:

I was actually on the second level on the inbounding end of the court

My bad. So you had a MUCH better view than I.

We were 3rd level, off the corner where McGee hit his 3-pointer.

[yourout]

46 minutes ago, Jim French Stepstool said:

My bad. So you had a MUCH better view than I.

We were 3rd level, off the corner where McGee hit his 3-pointer.

He missed the tag.... He missed the tag!

http://youtu.be/Sp4RIITcOt0?si=mt9YMl49KTVkPumc

[Jim French Stepstool]

1 hour ago, yourout said:

He missed the tag.... He missed the tag!

http://youtu.be/Sp4RIITcOt0?si=mt9YMl49KTVkPumc

Not QUITE that bad lol. Time constraints made us give up our season tix for this year at least, so we take what we can get for a handful of games. When you can score something in the first couple of rows, I actually like the 300 level.

[Playing Catch]

I needed some time before ranting about the Oregon loss. It looks like everyone else saw the same thing I did. Around the 8:00 mark remaining, one could SEE the Badger body language change. I suspect Gard had told them something in a timeout that was preparing their minds for end-of-game tactics, and they all collectively relaxed, and they couldn't drum up the adrenaline they needed to finish a tight game. Yes, this was about the same time when Altman started pressing, and I think Altman is a first-rate coach, but the Badgers have handled defensive pressure all season. The Oregon pressure wasn't special.

The team plays quickly now. Quick, crisp cutting, moving, screening. Aggressive dribble-drives, aggressive shot selection. When the team relaxed, the machine sputters. Lazy passing/receiving results in turnovers. Lazy shot selection with lazy legs results in missed shots.

I DO suspect, however, that this may be the last loss they have for a while.  Or, at least, the last time this season we see them throw a game away. They will be locked in the rest of the season.

[Jim French Stepstool]

5 hours ago, Playing Catch said:

 

The team plays quickly now. Quick, crisp cutting, moving, screening. Aggressive dribble-drives, aggressive shot selection. When the team relaxed, the machine sputters. Lazy passing/receiving results in turnovers. Lazy shot selection with lazy legs results in missed shots.

 

Yeah. They spent a LOT of time in the 2nd half up by anywhere from 10 to 15 pts, and it showed. During that "meat portion" of the half I thought there were many possessions of the type you might see if you're up 25 w/5 minutes to go. Lots of settling. Shooting 12 seconds into the shot clock is fine if it's a GREAT shot but they seemed to lose their will to probe for something better than a mediocre one.

IMO that had a lot to do with Bittle committing zero fouls in the last 25 minutes after having three at halftime. Was never forced to sit w/his 4th (or fifth) and he killed us late. I mentioned that a few posts back. Still sticks in my craw,

 

[Playing Catch]

18 hours ago, Jim French Stepstool said:

Yeah. They spent a LOT of time in the 2nd half up by anywhere from 10 to 15 pts, and it showed. During that "meat portion" of the half I thought there were many possessions of the type you might see if you're up 25 w/5 minutes to go. Lots of settling. Shooting 12 seconds into the shot clock is fine if it's a GREAT shot but they seemed to lose their will to probe for something better than a mediocre one.

IMO that had a lot to do with Bittle committing zero fouls in the last 25 minutes after having three at halftime. Was never forced to sit w/his 4th (or fifth) and he killed us late. I mentioned that a few posts back. Still sticks in my craw,

 

Crowl straight up turtled up. He had a bad turnover or something, and his head sagged. Both he and Winter had wide-open looks from 3 that they passed up. Gotta get Bittle out of the paint.

[Playing Catch]

Exactly what I had hoped to see last night, at home to the dregs of the B1G. It was a complete game. Every single player looked locked in from the moment they stepped onto the floor, to the moment they stepped off. I was particularly impressed with their defensive intensity. They looked like they were playing defense for fun and with pride. Blackwell played as I've expected him to play all season. They handled the chaos of the Huskies' 1-3-1 with aplomb.

After the game, Jordan Cornette* said the Badgers were a "two-seed," and wondered aloud if the Badgers were the team to end the B1G's National Title drought. Both me and Josh Pastner did a double-take with that hot-take, but I won't deny that the Badger's offense is deep, varied, balanced, and efficient. They should be able to put up a good point total in any game they play. Their defense is really good. If the Badgers get a favorable draw or two in the tournament, they could make it to the title game, IMO.

*By the way, I've been pleased with Peacock this season. I like Cornette and Pastner. Although, it's also true that announcers sound a lot better when the Badgers are good.

[Samurai Bucky]

I know the game was against the last place team in the B1G, but there were a few things that stood out (... not limited to...)

Janicki was much more aggressive.  Towards the end when he crashed the boards from the back side of the 1-3-1 was something you would never see.  That meant there wasn't somebody back on defense.  

#11 from Washington was a beast and very aggressive.  It was good for the Badgers to play against that type of physical player.  They seemed to handle it well for the most part.

[Cool Hand Lucroy]

Just agreeing with all the reactions to the Washington game. That was exactly what you hope for in that scenario.

Good to get the bad taste out of your mouth too. MSU has a tough week. @Maryland tonight and then us Sunday. A bit of a hot take, but I think the "Crab 5" (great nickname, despite my dislike of MD) is the best team in the B1G, or at least the one with the best title odds. Hopefully it's a real tough one for both teams.

I'll expect a fiery, competitive game in East Lansing. Feels like the Badgers have played wee there in recent times. Here's hoping!

 

[Jim French Stepstool]

Nice bounceback, and pretty much expected.

I was a little surprised Sprinkle didn't stay with the 1-3-1 w/the traps,or go back to it later. We didn't look all that comfortable with it compared to their man to man & it seemed to dirty up the game a little, which they needed if they had any chance of making it a game. Would it have ultimately succeeded? Probably not. But if I'm an opposing coach I'm doing anything I can to make UW continuously adjust on the fly.

Great bounceback for Blackwell, and nice to see the bench get productive minutes. Both Janicki & Amos had what I would call heat-check moments, took the shot, and knocked it down. Confidence builders. Look forward to added strength from Amos.

Sounds like Klesmit has been dealing with the 'lower leg' thing for awhile. Nice to get him almost a full game off plus 4 days.

[Jim French Stepstool]

7 hours ago, Cool Hand Lucroy said:

 

Good to get the bad taste out of your mouth too. MSU has a tough week. @Maryland tonight and then us Sunday. A bit of a hot take, but I think the "Crab 5" (great nickname, despite my dislike of MD) is the best team in the B1G, or at least the one with the best title odds. Hopefully it's a real tough one for both teams.

 

 

Watching MD-MSU as I type this. I'd hafta say they're the two best in the league right now. Adding quality play from Gillespie to their inside game makes MD really good.

[Cool Hand Lucroy]

1 hour ago, Jim French Stepstool said:

Watching MD-MSU as I type this. I'd hafta say they're the two best in the league right now. Adding quality play from Gillespie to their inside game makes MD really good.

Think I am guilty of underestimating MSU's toughness. Not sure how because that and the secondary break are basically their whole identity. But man a big win for them.

Looking forward to Sunday.

[Jim French Stepstool]

2 hours ago, Cool Hand Lucroy said:

Think I am guilty of underestimating MSU's toughness. Not sure how because that and the secondary break are basically their whole identity. But man a big win for them.

Looking forward to Sunday.

As am I. Over the last quarter-century, so many great games between the two programs. The toughness, the way they step up defensively & on the boards in big moments............I've been an Izzo fan for a long time. And it sounds like the relationship Gard has with Izzo, and the mutual respect, is totally genuine.

[nate82]

7 minutes ago, Jim French Stepstool said:

I've been an Izzo fan for a long time.

Izzo doesn’t get enough respect IMHO.  Especially from the media when coach K and others were coaching.  By far my favorite coach in all of college sports.

[yourout]

4 hours ago, Jim French Stepstool said:

As am I. Over the last quarter-century, so many great games between the two programs. The toughness, the way they step up defensively & on the boards in big moments............I've been an Izzo fan for a long time. And it sounds like the relationship Gard has with Izzo, and the mutual respect, is totally genuine.

I think his relationship with Bo evolved quite a bit from their earlier unpleasantness to also having pretty big respect for each other by the end. 

 

[Jim French Stepstool]

14 hours ago, yourout said:

I think his relationship with Bo evolved quite a bit from their earlier unpleasantness to also having pretty big respect for each other by the end. 

 

"I'll remember that". I think Izzo eventually forgot.😎

Classic matchups between those two.