B1G Tourney

[Boiler Buck]

Here are the games I would most like to watch.....

Purdue Vs Michigan
Purdue Vs MN
Purdue Vs MD

I know things prob won't go this way.....but that would just be great fun as a fan for Purdue to play and have a crack at beating those teams.

MIchigan would be fun to see the coaching adjustments Painter makes to beat those guys. MICH is playing incredibly well now and has a shot to go all the way. There PG is tremendous and playing the best basketball of his life. Their shooting is just outstanding. It would be a great test of our D and to see if we have improved....although sometimes MIchigan does not play well away(but do not tell that to NE).

MN - nightmare matchup for Purdue. There length really gave Purdue fits and the quick guards also do too. Would be fun to see if our D has improved to beat these guys.

MD - of the bottom bracket they are the most challenging to us....and who I hope if we get there we play.

I just like to see Purdue beat the best - and beating those 3 would give the Boilers the confidence they need to handle the NCAAT.

 

[FirstDownB]

** Warning: Debbie Downer Alert **
After last year I don't think what happens in the BTT has much bearing on what happens in the NCAAT. And after 31 games I don't think anything new about this team is going to be revealed, particularly against teams it has already played.
If we win it, that's awesome. But I just don't think it translates to the NCAAT. Same if we go 1 and done.
I just hope we stay healthy.

 

[TC4THREE]

I don't care if it changes our NCAAT seeding, I just want to add another conference championship to our total.

 

[TC4THREE]

Here are the games I would most like to watch.....

Purdue Vs Michigan
Purdue Vs MN
Purdue Vs MD

I know things prob won't go this way.....but that would just be great fun as a fan for Purdue to play and have a crack at beating those teams.

MIchigan would be fun to see the coaching adjustments Painter makes to beat those guys. MICH is playing incredibly well now and has a shot to go all the way. There PG is tremendous and playing the best basketball of his life. Their shooting is just outstanding. It would be a great test of our D and to see if we have improved....although sometimes MIchigan does not play well away(but do not tell that to NE).

MN - nightmare matchup for Purdue. There length really gave Purdue fits and the quick guards also do too. Would be fun to see if our D has improved to beat these guys.

MD - of the bottom bracket they are the most challenging to us....and who I hope if we get there we play.

I just like to see Purdue beat the best - and beating those 3 would give the Boilers the confidence they need to handle the NCAAT.

Eh. I don't care if we face "the best" or not. I just want to win. If we have to go through these teams to do it, then so be it. I do agree that this would be our toughest route but I don't really agree that Minnesota is a "nightmare" for us. A tough matchup? Sure. I think they caught us off guard the first time with being better than we expected. I don't think they are going to catch us off guard in the BTT semis though. The only reason Maryland scares me a little is because they'd be playing for a conference championship on what would amount to a homecourt for them. I know we beat them on their actual homecourt this season but that game could easily have gone the other way. If there was one game I felt we "stole" this year it was probably that one.

I won't feel guilty if we get Illinois (Michigan not nearly as good away from Ann Arbor), MSU (swept Minnesota early in the conference season), and Wisconsin (still the highest ranked team other than us) or even IU (hey, nobody has ever won 3 game against the other in this rivalry). That route, or any other, will still be plenty tough for us. Only 1 bad team in the Big Ten this year and we won't be playing them. Going to have to win 3 games against decent competition on a neutral court and are going to have to play well to do that.

 

[NVBoilerFan]

Eh. I don't care if we face "the best" or not. I just want to win. If we have to go through these teams to do it, then so be it. I do agree that this would be our toughest route but I don't really agree that Minnesota is a "nightmare" for us. A tough matchup? Sure. I think they caught us off guard the first time with being better than we expected. I don't think they are going to catch us off guard in the BTT semis though. The only reason Maryland scares me a little is because they'd be playing for a conference championship on what would amount to a homecourt for them. I know we beat them on their actual homecourt this season but that game could easily have gone the other way. If there was one game I felt we "stole" this year it was probably that one.

I won't feel guilty if we get Illinois (Michigan not nearly as good away from Ann Arbor), MSU (swept Minnesota early in the conference season), and Wisconsin (still the highest ranked team other than us) or even IU (hey, nobody has ever won 3 game against the other in this rivalry). That route, or any other, will still be plenty tough for us. Only 1 bad team in the Big Ten this year and we won't be playing them. Going to have to win 3 games against decent competition on a neutral court and are going to have to play well to do that.

One thing I think many forget about Maryland is that they lost one of their big men, Michal Cekovsky, a 7 footer, a few weeks back and he really helped keep them in our game.

 

[TC4THREE]

One thing I think many forget about Maryland is that they lost one of their big men, Michal Cekovsky, a 7 footer, a few weeks back and he really helped keep them in our game.

True. He had a ridiculous number of blocks. 6 or something?

 

[lbodel]

** Warning: Debbie Downer Alert **
After last year I don't think what happens in the BTT has much bearing on what happens in the NCAAT. And after 31 games I don't think anything new about this team is going to be revealed, particularly against teams it has already played.
If we win it, that's awesome. But I just don't think it translates to the NCAAT. Same if we go 1 and done.
I just hope we stay healthy.

I agree - besides staying healthy, I think you can have some coachable moments where you are challenged by things that typically make you uncomfortable.

Obviously getting a title would be nice, especially considering usually NCAA Tournaments end in disappointment in most every top 5 seed's case.

While I do not want to be debbie downer either, I think the reality of many of our fans is not there. Last year, our fans definitely got overhyped about the team leading into the NCAA Tournament (most people thought we would be seeded higher than we were). And it was crash and burn when we lost (we've RARELY been upset in the tournament, yet people suddenly acted like it happens every year). This year if we're a 5 seed, you're basically favored on paper to win 1 game. If you're a 4 seed, you're favored to win 2 - but obviously a 4/5 matchup is a toss-up. So all these people saying Sweet 16 or bust or we have to make the Elite 8 for me to be happy - it's just not reality. And unless the Big Ten exceeds expectations as a conference, we shouldn't be favored to do much either. The pundits are often wrong, but they're not really wrong until proven otherwise.

 

[Purdue Grad in Texas]

True. He had a ridiculous number of blocks. 6 or something?

Yes....10-3-1-6 in 13 minutes (4-4 from the field). He was a key contributor off the bench. Not that Maryland can't still advance some, but it's still a significant loss.

 

[TC4THREE]

Yes....10-3-1-6 in 13 minutes (4-4 from the field). He was a key contributor off the bench. Not that Maryland can't still advance some, but it's still a significant loss.

Particularly against us it should be. Just wish the tournament were in a more neutral location. Have a feeling if we saw MD in the championship game that they would pack the place with Terrapin fans.

 

[tjreese]

Here are the games I would most like to watch.....

Purdue Vs Michigan
Purdue Vs MN
Purdue Vs MD

I know things prob won't go this way.....but that would just be great fun as a fan for Purdue to play and have a crack at beating those teams.

MIchigan would be fun to see the coaching adjustments Painter makes to beat those guys. MICH is playing incredibly well now and has a shot to go all the way. There PG is tremendous and playing the best basketball of his life. Their shooting is just outstanding. It would be a great test of our D and to see if we have improved....although sometimes MIchigan does not play well away(but do not tell that to NE).

MN - nightmare matchup for Purdue. There length really gave Purdue fits and the quick guards also do too. Would be fun to see if our D has improved to beat these guys.

MD - of the bottom bracket they are the most challenging to us....and who I hope if we get there we play.

I just like to see Purdue beat the best - and beating those 3 would give the Boilers the confidence they need to handle the NCAAT.

I too want to see if any "obvious" adjustments..like who guards Wagner out of the gate happens. IF not, that tells me that Matt thinks the other game plan was right...just not for that game when Wagner went off in seconds it seems. I also think Matt "IF" he starts with Biggie on Wagner that he adjusts quick since that has been a mistake in the first meeting. I don't know MIchigan enough to get a feel, but like everyone else...Biggie out in space on Wagner doesn't appear to be sound. Wagner scored and shot exceptional...but Walton got too many boards.

 

[FirstDownB]

I agree - besides staying healthy, I think you can have some coachable moments where you are challenged by things that typically make you uncomfortable.

Obviously getting a title would be nice, especially considering usually NCAA Tournaments end in disappointment in most every top 5 seed's case.

While I do not want to be debbie downer either, I think the reality of many of our fans is not there. Last year, our fans definitely got overhyped about the team leading into the NCAA Tournament (most people thought we would be seeded higher than we were). And it was crash and burn when we lost (we've RARELY been upset in the tournament, yet people suddenly acted like it happens every year). This year if we're a 5 seed, you're basically favored on paper to win 1 game. If you're a 4 seed, you're favored to win 2 - but obviously a 4/5 matchup is a toss-up. So all these people saying Sweet 16 or bust or we have to make the Elite 8 for me to be happy - it's just not reality. And unless the Big Ten exceeds expectations as a conference, we shouldn't be favored to do much either. The pundits are often wrong, but they're not really wrong until proven otherwise.

I am personally conflicted on this point as I see both sides clearly. In a vacuum you are correct from a statistical perspective. A 4 seed should win 1 or 2 games on average in the NCAAT. But context is extremely important here...
We are talking about a proud program that hasn't advanced to a sweet 16 in seven years. One that hasn't gotten out of the first round in five years. One that rarely "overachieves" to its seed as others have done.
At some point fans will look at this team and its NPOY candidate and say if not now then when? At some point that magical run that defies the odds needs to be ours.

 

[lbodel]

I am personally conflicted on this point as I see both sides clearly. In a vacuum you are correct from a statistical perspective. A 4 seed should win 1 or 2 games on average in the NCAAT. But context is extremely important here...
We are talking about a proud program that hasn't advanced to a sweet 16 in seven years. One that hasn't gotten out of the first round in five years. One that rarely "overachieves" to its seed as others have done.
At some point fans will look at this team and its NPOY candidate and say if not now then when? At some point that magical run that defies the odds needs to be ours.

But that's where you are looking at things in tunnel vision. What the program has or hasn't done 6 or 7 years ago is irrelevant to this team. When you say it hasn't gotten out of the first round in four years - well you're also failing to state that only 2 of those years they were in the tournament. Which obviously doesn't mean it's great cause we weren't in the tournament - but stating that makes it sound like we've lost in the first round for 5 straight years (which in fact we had the longest 1st round winning streak in the nation until we lost to Cincinnati). And 2 years ago, we were a 9 seed that lost to an 8 seed. Before that, we had lost to a lower seed 1 time (VCU - which obviously was a very good team and advanced deep in the tournament).

So yes, can you spin stats to make it sound like we're horrible in the tournament? Sure. But I also don't think it's terribly meaningful. We've had one "bad" loss in the tournament in Painter's 12 years - that happened to be last year, so it's fresh in our heads. It just also happened to follow the 1 other time that we lost in the first round under Painter, even though we were a 9 seed playing an 8 seed. So yeah, they happened to be back-to-back years that were firsts for us in a not good way.

I was absolutely disappointed those two games, but I'm also not going to hold a grudge against our players and say "well because you did this, I expect more from you now". Like that's not how life works...

 

[FirstDownB]

But that's where you are looking at things in tunnel vision. What the program has or hasn't done 6 or 7 years ago is irrelevant to this team. When you say it hasn't gotten out of the first round in four years - well you're also failing to state that only 2 of those years they were in the tournament. Which obviously doesn't mean it's great cause we weren't in the tournament - but stating that makes it sound like we've lost in the first round for 5 straight years (which in fact we had the longest 1st round winning streak in the nation until we lost to Cincinnati). And 2 years ago, we were a 9 seed that lost to an 8 seed. Before that, we had lost to a lower seed 1 time (VCU - which obviously was a very good team and advanced deep in the tournament).

So yes, can you spin stats to make it sound like we're horrible in the tournament? Sure. But I also don't think it's terribly meaningful. We've had one "bad" loss in the tournament in Painter's 12 years - that happened to be last year, so it's fresh in our heads. It just also happened to follow the 1 other time that we lost in the first round under Painter, even though we were a 9 seed playing an 8 seed. So yeah, they happened to be back-to-back years that were firsts for us in a not good way.

I was absolutely disappointed those two games, but I'm also not going to hold a grudge against our players and say "well because you did this, I expect more from you now". Like that's not how life works...

You are correct. It is not fair to the players. Just like many other things that fans hold dear: records against rivals, previous championships won, number of all americans, number of draft picks. But that is all part of the fabric of sports. The fans, the culture, the history remain while the faces change.

One thing that has remained constant along with the fans for 12 years now is the coach. You can look at his teams' results and say he has not underachieved just as another person can say that have not overachieved. Where is the truth? I don't know, probably both - high floor/ low ceiling. Can this team change that perception? If so, then the narrative changes. If not, then we'll all be having the same conversation next year.

 

[BoiledSteel]

** Warning: Debbie Downer Alert **
After last year I don't think what happens in the BTT has much bearing on what happens in the NCAAT. And after 31 games I don't think anything new about this team is going to be revealed, particularly against teams it has already played.
If we win it, that's awesome. But I just don't think it translates to the NCAAT. Same if we go 1 and done.
I just hope we stay healthy.

I agree. With the tourney happening the same weekend as the selection, I just don't see how it can have any impact on our seeding. It's not like the committee is going to wait out and see what happens sunday before they put teams in their spot.

I think our seed is already determined based on the perception the B1G has from the outside anyway.

 

[FirstDownB]

I agree. With the tourney happening the same weekend as the selection, I just don't see how it can have any impact on our seeding. It's not like the committee is going to wait out and see what happens sunday before they put teams in their spot.

I think our seed is already determined based on the perception the B1G has from the outside anyway.

I think it might affect our seed, but only if we are on the borderline between 2 seed lines going into the weekend. I just don't think it will affect our PLAY in the NCAAT either way.

 

[Boiler Buck]

Eh. I don't care if we face "the best" or not. I just want to win. If we have to go through these teams to do it, then so be it. I do agree that this would be our toughest route but I don't really agree that Minnesota is a "nightmare" for us. A tough matchup? Sure. I think they caught us off guard the first time with being better than we expected. I don't think they are going to catch us off guard in the BTT semis though. The only reason Maryland scares me a little is because they'd be playing for a conference championship on what would amount to a homecourt for them. I know we beat them on their actual homecourt this season but that game could easily have gone the other way. If there was one game I felt we "stole" this year it was probably that one.

I won't feel guilty if we get Illinois (Michigan not nearly as good away from Ann Arbor), MSU (swept Minnesota early in the conference season), and Wisconsin (still the highest ranked team other than us) or even IU (hey, nobody has ever won 3 game against the other in this rivalry). That route, or any other, will still be plenty tough for us. Only 1 bad team in the Big Ten this year and we won't be playing them. Going to have to win 3 games against decent competition on a neutral court and are going to have to play well to do that.

Illinois presents its own set of challenges. There D has improved vastly.

Agree with MD ~homecourt is a tough challenge.

 

[lbodel]

You are correct. It is not fair to the players. Just like many other things that fans hold dear: records against rivals, previous championships won, number of all americans, number of draft picks. But that is all part of the fabric of sports. The fans, the culture, the history remain while the faces change.

One thing that has remained constant along with the fans for 12 years now is the coach. You can look at his teams' results and say he has not underachieved just as another person can say that have not overachieved. Where is the truth? I don't know, probably both - high floor/ low ceiling. Can this team change that perception? If so, then the narrative changes. If not, then we'll all be having the same conversation next year.

Well, the whole point is that the narratives exist by some on a message board. Throwing out the stat "We haven't won a first round game in 5 years" - well it's actually four, 2 of which we were not in the tournament. So we haven't won the first round the last two appearances. Not something that's great absolutely, but we also had the longest first round winning streak in the nation until that - so to label Purdue as a "one and done" team is not really accurate. Also, we made the championship game of the BTT - I'm not sure how one can be a good tournament coach in one tournament, but then state they are a terrible tournament coach in another?

 

[FirstDownB]

Well, the whole point is that the narratives exist by some on a message board. Throwing out the stat "We haven't won a first round game in 5 years" - well it's actually four, 2 of which we were not in the tournament. So we haven't won the first round the last two appearances. Not something that's great absolutely, but we also had the longest first round winning streak in the nation until that - so to label Purdue as a "one and done" team is not really accurate. Also, we made the championship game of the BTT - I'm not sure how one can be a good tournament coach in one tournament, but then state they are a terrible tournament coach in another?

I never labeled Purdue a "one and done" team. I said I see both sides of the discussion (why the expectation should be 1 or 2 wins but also why some fans are eager to see a Purdue team overachieve in the NCAAT). I gave credit for Painter generally winning at the expected level in the tournament. Just hasn't had that special season where the expectation was far surpassed. Maybe you heard that as more of an attack than it was.

And it has been 5 years - 2012 vs. St. Mary's.

 

[GS Thomas]

Here are the games I would most like to watch.....

Purdue Vs Michigan
Purdue Vs MN
Purdue Vs MD

I know things prob won't go this way.....but that would just be great fun as a fan for Purdue to play and have a crack at beating those teams.

MIchigan would be fun to see the coaching adjustments Painter makes to beat those guys. MICH is playing incredibly well now and has a shot to go all the way. There PG is tremendous and playing the best basketball of his life. Their shooting is just outstanding. It would be a great test of our D and to see if we have improved....although sometimes MIchigan does not play well away(but do not tell that to NE).

MN - nightmare matchup for Purdue. There length really gave Purdue fits and the quick guards also do too. Would be fun to see if our D has improved to beat these guys.

MD - of the bottom bracket they are the most challenging to us....and who I hope if we get there we play.

I just like to see Purdue beat the best - and beating those 3 would give the Boilers the confidence they need to handle the NCAAT.

nightmare matchup for Purdue

I don't see it. If Purdue doesn't get down 16-2 and Mason doesn't go nuts, there's no issue.

 

[BoilerBiker]

I'm not sure how one can be a good tournament coach in one tournament, but then state they are a terrible tournament coach in another?

Versyp may have been increasingly an example

I see she had been diagnosed with cancer...
Making their tourney run more remarkable last week

 

[PistolPt]

nightmare matchup for Purdue

I don't see it. If Purdue doesn't get down 16-2 and Mason doesn't go nuts, there's no issue.

Agree. Minnie came out and punched them in the face and hit everything in sight. They also came off a loss to Mich St. at home earlier that week so maybe underestimating a little. Love to play them on Saturday.

 

[Boiler Buck]

nightmare matchup for Purdue

I don't see it. If Purdue doesn't get down 16-2 and Mason doesn't go nuts, there's no issue.

OK, perhaps as a couple pointed out "Nightmare" is too strong a word. Thanks for the correction.

Still our D allowed them to pound us last time @ OUR house, and I for one would like to see if our D has improved.....if that match up even happens.....I think our D last time allowed Mason to go nuts and them to play so well.

 

[BoilerGal74]

True. He had a ridiculous number of blocks. 6 or something?

True, but Carsen helped him out with several of those if memory serves...lol!

 

[nagemj02]

Here are the games I would most like to watch.....

Purdue Vs Michigan
Purdue Vs MN
Purdue Vs MD

I know things prob won't go this way.....but that would just be great fun as a fan for Purdue to play and have a crack at beating those teams.

MIchigan would be fun to see the coaching adjustments Painter makes to beat those guys. MICH is playing incredibly well now and has a shot to go all the way. There PG is tremendous and playing the best basketball of his life. Their shooting is just outstanding. It would be a great test of our D and to see if we have improved....although sometimes MIchigan does not play well away(but do not tell that to NE).

MN - nightmare matchup for Purdue. There length really gave Purdue fits and the quick guards also do too. Would be fun to see if our D has improved to beat these guys.

MD - of the bottom bracket they are the most challenging to us....and who I hope if we get there we play.

I just like to see Purdue beat the best - and beating those 3 would give the Boilers the confidence they need to handle the NCAAT.

I think you might be over-complementing Michigan and Minnesota. They're good but Michigan doesn't always shoot the way they did on Senior Day against the Boilers. The same goes for Minnesota when they lit the Boilers up in Mackey. They're not going to shoot and score at that level in a rematch, at least they better not.

 

[Boiler Buck]

I think you might be over-complementing Michigan and Minnesota. They're good but Michigan doesn't always shoot the way they did on Senior Day against the Boilers. The same goes for Minnesota when they lit the Boilers up in Mackey. They're not going to shoot and score at that level in a rematch, at least they better not.

No doubt I like Purdue as the favorite....and MD is the home team so GREAT advantage there for them............BUT

If I pick dark-horses to win this thing it is: MN, Iowa & Mich in that order.......these teams are all capable of runs to the title game.

1. MN blocks or alters 20% of its opponents 2 point shots they said on B1G live this morning. The D they have shown is great advantage for them. The second thing I like about them is balanced scoring, Coffey, Mason, Springs, Curry, Murphy... you just never know who will go off. The all defensive player of the year Lynch, is a great rim protector like we had in Hammons. The late MD win @ MD was impressive. They should be one of the top 2-3 teams to be favored to win the B1G next year....now they like all B1G teams could get beat right off the bat....but I like what they bring to the table.

2. Iowa - has shown defensive improvement here at the end of the year. They too bring a balanced scoring attack and pulled off some big road wins down the stretch that really impressed me as winning @ MD and @ WI was great for there confidence and was a statement for there team. Their young guys are great and Jok is a guy that can go off for 30 and carry a team.

3. MICH - while they can beat 1-2 teams with their hot shooting what I like about them is the play of their PG. DWJ has been dominate late....and outside of Biggie and Trimble is a B1G game changer. DWJ has put up double digit assists this season and did so last year in the tourney - so he is a big game guy that MICH can go to war with a lot of teams and has him as a steady force. The problem is yes, team shooting fades every now and again and might do so in a back to back to back game format as why I have them third in this group as likely to make a run. Plus the main thing is....they play some strong defensive teams in Illinois (as of late) and for sure Purdue that likely either very much could destroy their hopes real quick.

 

[lbodel]

I never labeled Purdue a "one and done" team. I said I see both sides of the discussion (why the expectation should be 1 or 2 wins but also why some fans are eager to see a Purdue team overachieve in the NCAAT). I gave credit for Painter generally winning at the expected level in the tournament. Just hasn't had that special season where the expectation was far surpassed. Maybe you heard that as more of an attack than it was.

And it has been 5 years - 2012 vs. St. Mary's.

Sorry, I'm speaking in general terms of what people complain about on this forum.

To be clear...

2015-16: #5 Purdue lost to #12 Arkansas Little Rock in the first round in 2 OT
2014-15: #9 Purdue lost to #8 Cincinnati in the first round in OT
2013-14: No tournament
2012-13: No tournament
2011-12: #10 Purdue beat #7 St. Mary's in the first round; #10 Purdue lost to #2 Kansas in the next round, who went on to play in the national championship game

Unless you're predicting a first round loss this year, that's not really "5 years". The "fifth" year was a win.

 

[FirstDownB]

Sorry, I'm speaking in general terms of what people complain about on this forum.

To be clear...

2015-16: #5 Purdue lost to #12 Arkansas Little Rock in the first round in 2 OT
2014-15: #9 Purdue lost to #8 Cincinnati in the first round in OT
2013-14: No tournament
2012-13: No tournament
2011-12: #10 Purdue beat #7 St. Mary's in the first round; #10 Purdue lost to #2 Kansas in the next round, who went on to play in the national championship game

Unless you're predicting a first round loss this year, that's not really "5 years". The "fifth" year was a win.

Ok, 4 years and 350-something days. You got me!