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Jim French Stepstool

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Everything posted by Jim French Stepstool

  1. Jim French Stepstool
    A forgottten man in all this, with ABs (as the roster now stands) available & LF almost certainly his best bet defensively. Great point. Certainly leaning to the LH side in the OF group though, maybe to a fault.
  2. Jim French Stepstool
    At least now we can stop talking about Collins providing depth at a # of positions. If Mitchell continues to be a no-show/K machine & we don't add to the OF, the possibility exists that we might miss Collins---as an OF. To the FO I think the idea of him providing depth at 2B-3B had long since sailed.
  3. Jim French Stepstool
    This may increase the possibility of Ashby starting, which I'm not exactly nuts about. As mentioned, lots of LH talent in the BP now, probably more than you'd go into a season with. So certainly not done. The door is open for Mitchell. But it really always has been, he just needs to stay healthy enough to walk through.
  4. Jim French Stepstool
    IMO, definitely more useful in the BP. Just another reason to at least consider taking a gander at Montgomery on what others have mentioned---team-friendly deal w/incentives.
  5. Jim French Stepstool
    Our dog refuses to wear dog booties. When we put them on her she just stands there like she's paralyzed. But when I walk her she plows around in the snow & when her paws get cold she holds them up, whimpers, and looks at me like I'm supposed to fix it.
  6. Jim French Stepstool
    Yep, TJ is a STM guy. And he's continued the trend of ISU recruiting Wisconsin well, so I hate him. Didn't see the game tonite, but vs Purdue Momcilovic was fantastic. Don't know if UW had a chance at him but I know they didn't rate him as highly as they should have, nor did I. And his HS coach was a former Badger, too.
  7. Jim French Stepstool
    Where's the 'groan' emoji when you need it?😜. As for Baddoo, I'm fine with him as organizational depth in the OF. I think I'd be a little more fine if he was a RHH.
  8. Jim French Stepstool
    Toughness can be quantified in different ways. Rebounding & 50-50 balls is one way, and I think they've been competing but outfought at times in that regard, especially in the losses. Another way is responding with poise to adversity, to runs by the opposition, particularly on the road. I consider the BYU game as much of a roadie as last night, and IMO the response was pretty poor in both instances. I won't throw anyone under the bus because in both cases the opponents played really well. But at times, even when responding to the halfcourt D by TCU I thought the mental toughness left something to be desired. I agree the attitude & willingness to play hard is still there. Still a talented group and yes, reason to be optimistic. You mentioned communication. Gard refers to it as 'connectiveness'. That's a huge key, to be sure.
  9. Jim French Stepstool
    Watched the presser after the game. Gard was his usual restrained self (which I like), but at the same time alluded to playing time going to people who defend, and sitting those who don't. In Bieliauskas, Rapp & Garlock we're talking two freshmen and a soph so there is going to be a learning process. But unless the bigs not named Winter get more consistent, his only option that I see is going smaller at the 4 like he did vs TCU. That would mean Janicki, Carrington or Jones, who Gard actually mentioned as having done some good things in his late stint. Villanova is a team you could get away with playing smaller against, and I'd love to be a fly on the wall the next 8 days on the practice floor. Along with consistency, I think Gard is looking for toughness, on both ends. They've effectively replaced McGee, Gilmore & Klesmit talent-wise, but..........?
  10. Jim French Stepstool
    Yeah. People talk about the last 5 of the half & first 5 of the 2nd half. Nebraska owned those segments. To see UW finish off the half like they did, then come out after halftime & as far as defensive effectiveness & getting quality shots are concerned nothing changes, that's painful to see.
  11. Jim French Stepstool
    If the defensive communication doesn't improve dramatically I'd tend to agree. Gards' teams usually get better in that department as the season unfolds. There's time for that to happen; but what's disheartening is vs the top two offensive squads they've faced so far the defense & at times the rebounding has been ugly. The guards, including Carrington & Janicki, are usually solid but today they all were soundly beaten with the possible exception of Boyd. Among the bigs, all of them save for Winter need the light to come on at some point regarding switching, hedging, communicating on a consistent basis. That'll happen by the next game, or the 1st of the year, or by March. Or next season. Stay tuned, I guess.
  12. Jim French Stepstool
    On the surface, it might appear we hoisted up a lot more threes than they did. Actually we shot 32; UN shot 30. The difference is how much we relied on it, due to some terrific halfcourt D & our inability to deal with it. A lot of hands in the passing lanes on the screen & roll. Their defense was probably even better than it was their last time out, and it was pretty damned good vs Creighton. On the other end Nebraska shot about the same # of twos as threes (31) but made 22 of them for a fairly ridiculous 71%. That more than anything is going to give you some very comfortable looks from three. Their man-ball movement was so much better than the UW defense. Communication has to improve. One way or another the two men going with the screener--or both men staying with the ball--has to stop.
  13. Jim French Stepstool
    Biggest story of the half was UN made themselves much, much harder to guard than we did. Their roll started with a stretch of several possessions in which UW shot nothing but 3-pointers, some of them OK looks & some not. Combine that with a final 5 minutes of the half in which we decided to revert back to BYU-level regarding lack of poise, and here we are. Despite our help, a very good defensive 20 minutes from UN. But Boyd & Blackwell need to understand that hero ball isn't the way to solve things. On the offensive end, Mast just does so very many things well. Then there's the old adage (at least it SHOULD be an old adage)-------when Berke Buyuktuncel knocks down a three from the corner, maybe it just isn't your day.
  14. Jim French Stepstool
    If he's in the organization in 2026 he needs to just get planted in LF & see if he can grow into the position, last chance to find a niche (although even there, there are folks ahead of him). 3B & 2B are far into the rearview mirror, he's never distinguished himself at 1B, and Burke is crawling up his back there, anyway.
  15. Jim French Stepstool
    Trech Kekahuna announced for the portal today. He's done that once (or was it twice?) before. So I wouldn't dismiss the possibility of him wanting to see what happens re UWs' upcoming shopping trip & whether they come up with a QB to his liking. OTOH, If the name is off his mailbox that wouldn't surprise me either.
  16. Jim French Stepstool
    I think Yoho factors into the BP depth & willingness to deal relievers, too. Memories are still fresh of his struggles in his first go-around with Milwaukee but he bounced back well In AAA & I thought he looked terrific in his final outing after being recalled. He may be a significant X factor in '26.
  17. Jim French Stepstool
    I was maybe the only person in Wisconsin that watched much of Nebraskas' game with Creighton on Sunday since it was oppo Packers-Bears. Rienk Mast is now 24 years old and a real problem offensively whether it's shooting from outside, driving the ball or finding teammates. Just one of these solid guys who can make others around him better when he's playing well. And the guards (Lawrence & Sam Hoiberg) do a nice job of decision-making & deferring to others when needed. Defensively they played man but with what kinda looked like zone principals to me. They sagged, helped & recovered and doubled on the baseline. Looks like driving the ball will be a major chore tonight. Winnable for UW but it's going to take a real impressive performance. Our old friend Connor Essegian (ankle) is out for the remainder of the season.
  18. Jim French Stepstool
    Never had an animal-related mishap with one of our trees. But this reminds me of a time as a kid, it was a cold winter & the family dog developed a habit of running out the back door, doing what he had to do, and quickly rushing back in. When the tree was put up he stared at it longingly. In a fit of paranoia my mom yelled at him, "Don't even think about it!!!" Fortunately he didn't.🐶
  19. Jim French Stepstool
    I've seen those; they ARE really cool. Not surprising that the motor would go belly up eventually.
  20. Jim French Stepstool
    Not to go off-topic but that's one of my bigger concerns re 2026. IMO Turang already Ks a little more than he should given his skillset. I love the unexpected power but please Bryce, don't ever lose staying on the ball & the pokes to LF. I'm not concerned about Pratt offensively just yet as he's been young for his level. But the #s were modest last year & this certainly isn't the tine to deal him. Once Made passes him on the ladder--which seems just a matter of time--hopefully they're both putting up good numbers, and Fischer & Pena are also impressing. To me that seems like the ideal time to pull the trigger.
  21. Jim French Stepstool
    Ours doesn't collect dust when stored; but thanks for pointing out the possibility of the tiny cuts. It solves the mystery of the gloves that came with our tree. I thought to myself "why do I get a pair of batting gloves with the tree?" The thing isn't very old & still pretty supple. Maybe I'll need the gloves down the road.
  22. Jim French Stepstool
    I like the fake trees that look real; we've done that for years with the exception of a few years ago when we decided to go 'old school' just for the heck of it. Made me remember why I stopped--the needles, keeping the thing hydrated, sometimes having an issue with fitting it into the stand. Ours doesn't come with the lights though, I still enjoy trimming it from scratch. My sister & her husband still go out & harvest a tree each year. I give 'em credit. Six hours---that's UP NORTH alright😐.
  23. Jim French Stepstool
    Gard talks a lot about Winter potentially having much more to give. Hes' kinda quietly become a double-double machine. I can certainly see where you put him above Boyd in overall talent. Blackwell has had a few too many what I would consider not-too-smart fouls. It ultimately didn't hurt the team Saturday when he picked up three in the 1st half, but IMO guys with the size, reach & athleticism sometimes let the positioning & early anticipation--the scouting report stuff--slide a little. Within that concept, yeah, be aggressive & figure out how much you can "get away with" for sure. Overall I believe Blackwell has 'elite defender' stuff in him. Just maybe follow the rules a bit better. To be fair Klesmit wasn't 100% most of last year. But I agree when at his best on both ends, Rohde can certainly play at a higher level. When he's locked in on the defensive end, now you've got a 6'6"-ish guy guarding hard & smart on the perimeter & that's a real plus. He's making so many good decisions lately. If he keeps this up, Gasser is a pretty good comp. Or to go further back, He's been Tom Molaski, but with a much better stroke.
  24. Jim French Stepstool
    I did this years ago on another board with some pretty entertaining feedback so I thought I'd try it here. Do you rock the artificial Christmas tree, or go with a real one? Or maybe no tree at all? Also, any funny /interesting Christmas tree stories? For example, years ago the family of a former GF had their tree attacked & knocked down by their cat. He ate the tinsel & the residue in his litter box had a silvery tinge for the next month.
  25. Jim French Stepstool
    And from me, and anyone else that appreciates Xs & Os. Just a solid, solid coach with a real knack for roster construction. He's adapted to the new landscape very well IMO.
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