MY TOURNAMENT TAKEAWAY

[mediaexpert]

To be honest, I hate ESPN. I think their goal is to popularize pro sports and IMO we misplace our values. We listen to actors and ballplayers more than we do teachers, civil leaders and Pastors. I love Purdue and the fact that Matt has student athletes who make me proud on and off the court.

Having said that, I thought the announcer on ESPN 3 was outstanding. He understood better than any other analyst that Purdue has the potential to be a final four team, because we have a great inside outside game. My frustration is that we were not hitting our outside shots the first two games of the tournament, yet we could have won IF we kept feeding the post. Instead we kept jacking it from outside. Against Arizona, we jacked up a couple of balls, but we were shooting well from the outside and they went in. Actually my favorite play that happened throughout the tournament was when we threw it in to Haas. They double teamed, he took a dribble out and spotted someone open at the 3. We either made the shot or made the extra pass to a wide open shooter when his man left to pick up.

However, we must also learn from Arizona. The announcer also said they have the potential to be a final four team. The reason is that they play two 7 footers together. Why is that? When their center had mediocre stats. The reason he did is that Arizona had only one scoring small man and we did an excellent job shutting him down. However, they had other men developing and will continue to develop plus they have another wing who is not playing right now. When he is back, Zona will be a handful, because they too can go inside out.

To recap, the things we need to take from the tournament is to learn to adjust and when the outside shot isn’t falling, we need to work it inside. Our best offense is to come down in transition and make a play, but if it is not there. Set up the half-court offense with the inside out component. We also need to experiment and keep trying situations where we have our Twin Towers on the floor. Both Haas and Haarms had great games and each should have been more on the floor and to attain that they need to play together. When our 3’s are falling, we can beat anyone, BUT we need to adjust when they are not.

 

[boilersallthewaynow]

To be honest, I hate ESPN. I think their goal is to popularize pro sports and IMO we misplace our values. We listen to actors and ballplayers more than we do teachers, civil leaders and Pastors. I love Purdue and the fact that Matt has student athletes who make me proud on and off the court.

Having said that, I thought the announcer on ESPN 3 was outstanding. He understood better than any other analyst that Purdue has the potential to be a final four team, because we have a great inside outside game. My frustration is that we were not hitting our outside shots the first two games of the tournament, yet we could have won IF we kept feeding the post. Instead we kept jacking it from outside. Against Arizona, we jacked up a couple of balls, but we were shooting well from the outside and they went in. Actually my favorite play that happened throughout the tournament was when we threw it in to Haas. They double teamed, he took a dribble out and spotted someone open at the 3. We either made the shot or made the extra pass to a wide open shooter when his man left to pick up.

However, we must also learn from Arizona. The announcer also said they have the potential to be a final four team. The reason is that they play two 7 footers together. Why is that? When their center had mediocre stats. The reason he did is that Arizona had only one scoring small man and we did an excellent job shutting him down. However, they had other men developing and will continue to develop plus they have another wing who is not playing right now. When he is back, Zona will be a handful, because they too can go inside out.

To recap, the things we need to take from the tournament is to learn to adjust and when the outside shot isn’t falling, we need to work it inside. Our best offense is to come down in transition and make a play, but if it is not there. Set up the half-court offense with the inside out component. We also need to experiment and keep trying situations where we have our Twin Towers on the floor. Both Haas and Haarms had great games and each should have been more on the floor and to attain that they need to play together. When our 3’s are falling, we can beat anyone, BUT we need to adjust when they are not.

Nicely stated, completely agree.

Recognize, adjust, perfect, and execute with confidence.

Oh yea, and have fun while doing it. I’ve always found hard work that I enjoy much easier than hard work that I don’t want to do.

These young men love basketball, make it fun to play CMP and the winning will accompany this team every where that they play.

 

[Wolegib]

I would agree we tend to live and die by the three! I expected some adjustments in the Arizona game! I believe we made some adjustments on defense, but the offense seemed the same! The difference was the shots went in so we didn't worry about our deficiencies in offensive rebounding!

 

[todd brewster]

I also want to add that I thought Matt did a great job in working the refs in defending Haarms and this seemed to motivate the team immensely. Also the D on Trier was outstanding. We also saw Haarms with great D against Ayton and you also have to appreciate Vince blocking out Ayton. Another advantage was PJ harassing the ball handler bringing the ball up court. Cline is not shooting well, but is still contributing. Easterly is developing fine. Carson IMO should be 6th man, as he brings instant offense and the energy could be best served where to spend it after he sees how the game is being played out.

 

[Boiler Buck]

My tourney takeaway.....Boilers will likely not win B10 unless CMP performs miraculous wonders as a coach.....Front lines of a few B10 teams will be way too tough for us to handle unless we are just on fire from three.

 

[snowsquirrel11]

Nicely stated, completely agree.

Recognize, adjust, perfect, and execute with confidence.

Oh yea, and have fun while doing it. I’ve always found hard work that I enjoy much easier than hard work that I don’t want to do.

These young men love basketball, make it fun to play CMP and the winning will accompany this team every where that they play.

You've certainly changed your tune.

 

[boilersallthewaynow]

You've certainly changed your tune.

Trying to be a better Boilermaker

 

[mathboy]

Trying to be a better Boilermaker

We appreciate your struggles. We all understand how hard it is to root for another school, even when pretending to be an alum. Hang in there! By the way, you have my sympathies on the Bucket game Saturday, I know you are in mourning about the loss of the bucket.

 

[jadeezra]

LOL!

We appreciate your struggles. We all understand how hard it is to root for another school, even when pretending to be an alum. Hang in there! By the way, you have my sympathies on the Bucket game Saturday, I know you are in mourning about the loss of the bucket.

 

[boiler-deuce]

We appreciate your struggles. We all understand how hard it is to root for another school, even when pretending to be an alum. Hang in there! By the way, you have my sympathies on the Bucket game Saturday, I know you are in mourning about the loss of the bucket.

Ok, ok......so that was hilarious!

 

[klmLB]

Nice thoughts and assessment.

I would like to add that the lack energy and desire from the Tenn and WKU were what was most disappointing to me and goes along with PJ's comment about being entitled.

Conversely, the collective fight and focus in the Arizona game was a complete 180.

Shots will fall and sometimes they won't, but we need the fight and focus we displayed against Arizona each time out.

Lastly, I rewatched the first half against Arizona and Matt Haarms defensive effort was impressive. Blocked 4 shots (including a couple on Ayton - supposed #1 draft pick), but altered *at least* another 5. I noticed when he left the game Arizona had 3 straight dunks. He's also pretty decent at hedging screens on the perimeter.

I know he is a little on the slender side, but we need Matt Haarms out there disrupting shots. The first few games of the year, he tended to swing down on blocks and he has since limited that. He moves well and when he gets his arms up, it's impossible to make shots over him.

 

[tjreese]

To be honest, I hate ESPN. I think their goal is to popularize pro sports and IMO we misplace our values. We listen to actors and ballplayers more than we do teachers, civil leaders and Pastors. I love Purdue and the fact that Matt has student athletes who make me proud on and off the court.

Having said that, I thought the announcer on ESPN 3 was outstanding. He understood better than any other analyst that Purdue has the potential to be a final four team, because we have a great inside outside game. My frustration is that we were not hitting our outside shots the first two games of the tournament, yet we could have won IF we kept feeding the post. Instead we kept jacking it from outside. Against Arizona, we jacked up a couple of balls, but we were shooting well from the outside and they went in. Actually my favorite play that happened throughout the tournament was when we threw it in to Haas. They double teamed, he took a dribble out and spotted someone open at the 3. We either made the shot or made the extra pass to a wide open shooter when his man left to pick up.

However, we must also learn from Arizona. The announcer also said they have the potential to be a final four team. The reason is that they play two 7 footers together. Why is that? When their center had mediocre stats. The reason he did is that Arizona had only one scoring small man and we did an excellent job shutting him down. However, they had other men developing and will continue to develop plus they have another wing who is not playing right now. When he is back, Zona will be a handful, because they too can go inside out.

To recap, the things we need to take from the tournament is to learn to adjust and when the outside shot isn’t falling, we need to work it inside. Our best offense is to come down in transition and make a play, but if it is not there. Set up the half-court offense with the inside out component. We also need to experiment and keep trying situations where we have our Twin Towers on the floor. Both Haas and Haarms had great games and each should have been more on the floor and to attain that they need to play together. When our 3’s are falling, we can beat anyone, BUT we need to adjust when they are not.

A couple of things...yes, I think Purdue needs an effective option to go big as needed...said it for a while. Second, zona could have its team cut in half and have more talent than most D1 teams. All that said it appeared to me that Zona lived on their talent alone and could outscore most people. If you are not going to guard Purdue and Purdue has an average game...Purdue will score the ball. Tenn brought a bar room brawl on teh court and I have not got to see the first half of WKU to see what happened there...but Tenn was willing to fight and grind. I think Tenn got Purdue's number due to the physicality and grind for an ugly game and wonder if the shock was still in effect against WKU. This is not a whole lot different than starting hot from teh three and then losing that hot streak and never getting into the grind. The ideal game is to continue to build a lead and finish with a 20 pt victory. Losing that mentality of a fighter will sometime happen when the finesse game is not working as well...and now you have problems.

Purdue shot well...because Zona never played as hard on D as Tenn...AND the third game in that funky gym was maybe more normal than the first night...

 

[mathboy]

A couple of things...yes, I think Purdue needs an effective option to go big as needed...said it for a while. Second, zona could have its team cut in half and have more talent than most D1 teams. All that said it appeared to me that Zona lived on their talent alone and could outscore most people. If you are not going to guard Purdue and Purdue has an average game...Purdue will score the ball. Tenn brought a bar room brawl on teh court and I have not got to see the first half of WKU to see what happened there...but Tenn was willing to fight and grind. I think Tenn got Purdue's number due to the physicality and grind for an ugly game and wonder if the shock was still in effect against WKU. This is not a whole lot different than starting hot from teh three and then losing that hot streak and never getting into the grind. The ideal game is to continue to build a lead and finish with a 20 pt victory. Losing that mentality of a fighter will sometime happen when the finesse game is not working as well...and now you have problems.

Purdue shot well...because Zona never played as hard on D as Tenn...AND the third game in that funky gym was maybe more normal than the first night...

I love all the Zona talent. Top 50 guys scattered all over the court and bench. Archie's brother didn't seem to have a clue on how to use it. Sean (SP?) recruits like crazy with that beautiful campus and that "challenging" academic climate at Arizona. Too bad ne never finished coaching 101.

 

[Boilersss]

I love all the Zona talent. Top 50 guys scattered all over the court and bench. Archie's brother didn't seem to have a clue on how to use it. Sean (SP?) recruits like crazy with that beautiful campus and that "challenging" academic climate at Arizona. Too bad ne never finished coaching 101.

Miller has been to 4 elite 8s including one at Xavier. I'd take that at this point.

 

[mathboy]

Miller has been to 4 elite 8s including one at Xavier. I'd take that at this point.

Me too. My point would be that the talent he recruit has carried him to those positions, not his coaching skill.

 

[Boilersss]

Me too. My point would be that the talent he recruit has carried him to those positions, not his coaching skill.

Did he have elite talent at Xavier? (Serious question, I don't remember). Also, are you suggesting better results come from having an elite recruiting coach even if they aren't a great coach?

 

[mathboy]

Did he have elite talent at Xavier? (Serious question, I don't remember). Also, are you suggesting better results come from having an elite recruiting coach even if they aren't a great coach?

I think you can get good results from great coaching or from great recruiting. You have to have both to get great results (FF).

I don't know what Miller had a Xavier (don't care enough to look up - too lazy!). I was mostly just poking at our cousins in the south than claim some sort of greatness by association or by family ties. I have heard enough of Archie = Sean to fertilize my flower garden for the next 4 years, and that's a lot of manure!

 

[Boilersss]

I think you can get good results from great coaching or from great recruiting. You have to have both to get great results (FF).

I don't know what Miller had a Xavier (don't care enough to look up - too lazy!). I was mostly just poking at our cousins in the south than claim some sort of greatness by association or by family ties. I have heard enough of Archie = Sean to fertilize my flower garden for the next 4 years, and that's a lot of manure!

Fair enough! (I'm too lazy as well btw haha)

 

[lbodel]

To be honest, I hate ESPN. I think their goal is to popularize pro sports and IMO we misplace our values. We listen to actors and ballplayers more than we do teachers, civil leaders and Pastors. I love Purdue and the fact that Matt has student athletes who make me proud on and off the court.

Having said that, I thought the announcer on ESPN 3 was outstanding. He understood better than any other analyst that Purdue has the potential to be a final four team, because we have a great inside outside game. My frustration is that we were not hitting our outside shots the first two games of the tournament, yet we could have won IF we kept feeding the post. Instead we kept jacking it from outside. Against Arizona, we jacked up a couple of balls, but we were shooting well from the outside and they went in. Actually my favorite play that happened throughout the tournament was when we threw it in to Haas. They double teamed, he took a dribble out and spotted someone open at the 3. We either made the shot or made the extra pass to a wide open shooter when his man left to pick up.

However, we must also learn from Arizona. The announcer also said they have the potential to be a final four team. The reason is that they play two 7 footers together. Why is that? When their center had mediocre stats. The reason he did is that Arizona had only one scoring small man and we did an excellent job shutting him down. However, they had other men developing and will continue to develop plus they have another wing who is not playing right now. When he is back, Zona will be a handful, because they too can go inside out.

To recap, the things we need to take from the tournament is to learn to adjust and when the outside shot isn’t falling, we need to work it inside. Our best offense is to come down in transition and make a play, but if it is not there. Set up the half-court offense with the inside out component. We also need to experiment and keep trying situations where we have our Twin Towers on the floor. Both Haas and Haarms had great games and each should have been more on the floor and to attain that they need to play together. When our 3’s are falling, we can beat anyone, BUT we need to adjust when they are not.

I think it's easy to forget that we finished this tournament on November 24. Often times, you see teams not really get into a groove until late December/January. I know we think of Purdue as a veteran team, but we are still relying on some young and inexperienced players. While it certainly doesn't make a loss to WKU ok, I'd rather hit bumps in the road and learn from them now - than later in the season.

I said going into this tournament, we have 3 "shaky" things, even though it may not have said it on the stat sheet.

1. Rebounding. Will we do fine against most teams at this point? Sure. Look at Marquette. But against BETTER rebounding and more physical teams, it will be something we have to overcome. Most teams aren't that, but they do exist. For example, we shot 15%+ better than AZ and basically were even on offensive rebounds. I think Purdue will get better at rebounding as a team - we aren't going to be a dominant rebounding team by any stretch and that's ok. But nights that we face a physical team and shoot well below our average, it's going to expose us. Our shooting on most nights will make up for rebounding issues.

2. Defense. I'm not terribly worried about this, but I think it will take some time to gel which is pretty common. Haarms for some reason loves to leave his feet even though he's 7'3". If he can tighten up a bit of his sloppy defense, he's shown he can make an impact on the defensive end and that would be huge (I did not have high hopes for him).

3. Depth. Ryan Cline has been flat out off this season. We can't afford that. Haarms has shown a lot of promise, which is good. Would like to see Eastern break out - and not sure if I should expect anything from Taylor.

I'll add - everyone has been so focused on rebounding after the Tennessee game as that became the storyline. Purdue also had 18 turnovers - and had a 10 point difference in points off turnovers. We can't let this creep up into an issue - Vince seems to just have an issue with them period. We survived on some high turnover games last year because of the rebounding strength - we have to keep this under control this year. That being said, you look at a game like Tennessee - outrebounded by 10, had 18 turnovers, shot 37% - and we barely lost in overtime.

Sometime cruising through your schedule isn't ideal. There's a reason that a lot of those teams that seem perfect come crashing down. It's good to have hiccups in November, as long as you learn from them. While it was certainly frustrating during the WKU game, it was good to see them bounce back against Arizona. We have a tough schedule and need a resilient team - two big games this week.

 

[CRBoiler]

Quick takes:
- Harmes (“H” and “e” optional) is for real and displays more passion than anyone else playing. Are the others coached to be cerebral/stoic or is it their nature? Seems to me Harmes demonstrates it’s good energy to celebrate. Hope it catches on.
- Boogie gonna shoot from everywhere, whether he’s making them or not. Just a little %shot selection and “feed the hot hand” discipline will go a long way. It seems it must come from within himself.
- Dakota & PJ = glue & big contributions of all kinds on any given night
- Vince needs to realize for himself he is elite. He does so well already, but a dash of swagger would help him tremendously imo.
- Haas... not sure what to say. On O he is good, often great at times, but his D... film of that WKU Johnson guy scoring on him repeatedly ain’t gonna help him with NBA scouts. Hope he gets coached up & gets past his sieve-ness. No way it should be that easy to score up close on 7’2” from 6”-7” lower.
- Others... I like Cline’s game - just needs to start hitting 3’s. Eastern is gonna be good, but he looked a bit anxious under pressure against AZ... more experience will help - git him some minutes coach... at the right times & places until he has his D1 bearings. JT... to me it is a question of will he get enough minutes to break on through to become the player he has the potential to be. Grady, with his role-player execution on O and decent D with good rebounding... he belongs; thank goodness he’s there to serve when we need him.

 

[BoilerBulldog]

I think it's easy to forget that we finished this tournament on November 24. Often times, you see teams not really get into a groove until late December/January. I know we think of Purdue as a veteran team, but we are still relying on some young and inexperienced players. While it certainly doesn't make a loss to WKU ok, I'd rather hit bumps in the road and learn from them now - than later in the season.

I said going into this tournament, we have 3 "shaky" things, even though it may not have said it on the stat sheet.

1. Rebounding. Will we do fine against most teams at this point? Sure. Look at Marquette. But against BETTER rebounding and more physical teams, it will be something we have to overcome. Most teams aren't that, but they do exist. For example, we shot 15%+ better than AZ and basically were even on offensive rebounds. I think Purdue will get better at rebounding as a team - we aren't going to be a dominant rebounding team by any stretch and that's ok. But nights that we face a physical team and shoot well below our average, it's going to expose us. Our shooting on most nights will make up for rebounding issues.

2. Defense. I'm not terribly worried about this, but I think it will take some time to gel which is pretty common. Haarms for some reason loves to leave his feet even though he's 7'3". If he can tighten up a bit of his sloppy defense, he's shown he can make an impact on the defensive end and that would be huge (I did not have high hopes for him).

3. Depth. Ryan Cline has been flat out off this season. We can't afford that. Haarms has shown a lot of promise, which is good. Would like to see Eastern break out - and not sure if I should expect anything from Taylor.

I'll add - everyone has been so focused on rebounding after the Tennessee game as that became the storyline. Purdue also had 18 turnovers - and had a 10 point difference in points off turnovers. We can't let this creep up into an issue - Vince seems to just have an issue with them period. We survived on some high turnover games last year because of the rebounding strength - we have to keep this under control this year. That being said, you look at a game like Tennessee - outrebounded by 10, had 18 turnovers, shot 37% - and we barely lost in overtime.

Sometime cruising through your schedule isn't ideal. There's a reason that a lot of those teams that seem perfect come crashing down. It's good to have hiccups in November, as long as you learn from them. While it was certainly frustrating during the WKU game, it was good to see them bounce back against Arizona. We have a tough schedule and need a resilient team - two big games this week.

Pretty much on point for me too. I would add as far as rebounding goes, we need Haas and Haarms to better understand when to try and disrupt the shot versus when to concede the shot and get in rebounding position. This is why I want Taylor or Ewing to start earning more meaningful minutes because they could be boxing out more athletic bigs while H or H are going for the block.

 

[mediaexpert]

I want Purdue to be a final four team. We have a great inside out playing team and we have to learn that when we are not hitting the 3's. we have to concentrate more so in going inside. The added benefit is Haas had several nice assists where he fired out and the op scurried to the open man and there was an extra pass for a wide open 3.

I want to see more twin towers. Haarms plays the 4 on O and is well suited for playing the 4 on D. Let Haarms challenge every jump shot to make the shooter be aware of his presence. If he is out of position, we still have Haas protecting the rim. And vice versa Haas can also then become a little more aggressive in blocking shots. Haas and Haarms do a good job blocking out and Vince is a great rebounder, but he is a 3 type rebounder. Against an aggressive athletic team like TN, we have to use more strength to box them out.

I still see a poster is still under the misconception that Johnson scored on Haas. He scored 3 baskets against Haas and the rest on Haarms and Taylor.

I have a feeling we have not gone to Twin Towers over fear of one of the big men fouling out, but hopefully Taylor can absorb some more minutes.

 

[BoiledSteel]

I have a feeling we have not gone to Twin Towers over fear of one of the big men fouling out, but hopefully Taylor can absorb some more minutes.

In reality we probably haven't gone to the 'twin towers' because it would put us at a serious speed disadvantage. I like Haarms but he isn't as quick as he needs to be to play the 4 alongside a slower Haas.

 

[mediaexpert]

If both box their man out, they can be slower. On D, Haarms can effect any jump shot even being half a step slow. His liability is if his man drives around him, but that is fine and even encouraged, because hello Haas. On O, Haarms is outside and does not come inside that often. He showed outstanding ability on the pick and roll. This also means he can get a lot of easy baskets on the dive cut when Haas has the ball. On fast breaks, Haarms always hustles back. You may have a point that teams will get accustomed to the size, but if they play for 5 minutes at different intervals during the game, it should be very effective until they adjust, if they ever do.

 

[klmLB]

One more random thought ...

Not sure if it was the regained focus against Arizona, but WKU and Tenn played more zone than man against us. Arizona was exclusively man-to-man.

Against man-to-man, our offense was crisp. The movement and cutting. Once a player received a pass, their head was up looking for cutters and moving the ball. In particular, feeding the post and the big sealing their man to create a lane to pass to. There was a nice flow to the offense and more times than not, resulted in a good team shot. A well oiled machine.

Against zone, our offense was very hesitant and unsure. Like a fish out of water. We were not at a comfortable pace. Player movement and cuts were completely mistimed. Cutters were not finding soft spots in the zone and as a result our shot - even when good shots, were not falling.

It makes sense, as we play exclusively man-to-man and I'm sure in practice, that's what we run against. I'm sure we practice some zone and zone offense, but not at a level some opponents run, which is to be expected.

I love it when we see an opposing team play man-to-man against us. I'd like to see us be more comfortable and reactive when playing against a zone. Even with our subpar focus and defense against WKU and Tenn, just a few more possessions here or there would have won those games as well.

 

[BoilerAndy]

Miller has been to 4 elite 8s including one at Xavier. I'd take that at this point.

No you wouldn't. If Purdue had that talent and only elite 8's to show for it, you'd be unhappy.

Be honest. Would you and those who 'liked' your post really be satisfied and not expect more if Painter had made a couple of Elite 8's with the talent he has been working with?

 

[Boilersss]

No you wouldn't. If Purdue had that talent and only elite 8's to show for it, you'd be unhappy.

Be honest. Would you and those who 'liked' your post really be satisfied and not expect more if Painter had made a couple of Elite 8's with the talent he has been working with?

I would be satisfied if Painter was pulling in Elite talent almost every year which gave us a shot at a championship/Final 4. Are you really saying you would take Painter over Sean Miller at this point? (Please mention the FBI investigation so I can't point out Miller has not been tied to it.)

 

[BoilerAndy]

I would be satisfied if Painter was pulling in Elite talent almost every year which gave us a shot at a championship/Final 4. Are you really saying you would take Painter over Sean Miller at this point? (Please mention the FBI investigation so I can't point out Miller has not been tied to it.)

Rather than being honest, as I requested, you changed the subject.

Would you really stop complaining and start defending Painter if Purdue made Elite 8's instead of Sweet 16's?

 

[Boilersss]

Rather than being honest, as I requested, you changed the subject.

Would you really stop complaining and start defending Painter if Purdue made Elite 8's instead of Sweet 16's?

Yes, however we haven't been close. Now it's your turn to be honest. Would you rather have Painter or Sean Miller?

 

[BoilerAndy]

Yes, however we haven't been close. Now it's your turn to be honest. Would you rather have Painter or Sean Miller?

Painter. And yes, we have been close. Not sure you meant to post that claim.

 

[BoilerAndy]

I would be satisfied if Painter was pulling in Elite talent almost every year which gave us a shot at a championship/Final 4. Are you really saying you would take Painter over Sean Miller at this point? (Please mention the FBI investigation so I can't point out Miller has not been tied to it.)

Based on this and your other posts, you may have been one of those who would have preferred Crean over Painter.

 

[Boilersss]

Based on this and your other posts, you may have been one of those who would have preferred Crean over Painter.

They have produced the exact same results (not much). To your other post, fair enough on taking Painter over Miller. I will respectfully disagree. As for Painter being close to an elite 8... he has been to 3 sweet 16s (in 13 years). He has been beaten by 12, 13, and 30 in those games. We will have to agree to disagree on how close we came to the Elite 8.

 

[Wolegib]

I just thought of an interesting point. Down the road, our win over Arizona might prove significant. However, if we had beaten WKU, that would not have been considered a meaningful win. and that would have led to another meaningless game. We could have been 2-1 and finished in 5th place. But by losing and playing Zona, we actually came away from the tourney with at least one quality win.

 

[lbodel]

In reality we probably haven't gone to the 'twin towers' because it would put us at a serious speed disadvantage. I like Haarms but he isn't as quick as he needs to be to play the 4 alongside a slower Haas.

A lot of it has to do with matchups. Teams that are bigger/more traditional in nature it could work. A lot of teams don't really have very effective centers, let alone a big PF AND an effective, more traditional center.

And you don't have to play "down" to another opponent - but offensively, I'm not sure if that combo is quite solidly effective to where it would be unstoppable.

 

[mathboy]

They have produced the exact same results (not much). To your other post, fair enough on taking Painter over Miller. I will respectfully disagree. As for Painter being close to an elite 8... he has been to 3 sweet 16s (in 13 years). He has been beaten by 12, 13, and 30 in those games. We will have to agree to disagree on how close we came to the Elite 8.

I think two of those defeats were against the eventual national champion.

We were just beaten by the luck of the draw. I think if you keep knocking at the door, eventually you will get through the door.

 

[mediaexpert]

It is great to see that we learned from this tournament.

 

[todd brewster]

I just came across this and I have to say I would take Matt any day of the week over Miller. Most important to me is that Matt runs a clean program and he recruits quality kids. They are not perfect, but they are kids I can easily root for because of their character. I LOVE the way they encourage each other and are so happy when their teammates are doing well even though they are on the bench. Hopefully, several of our players can play pro ball after graduating, but again must importantly is that they will all be productive citizens.