1. Let’s try to start with some positives. I thought our defense was outstanding and we did an especially great job on Payne and Nix. I thought our rebounding was very strong on both ends and I thought we stood toe-to-toe with them the whole game, despite being outmanned.

2. I thought that despite clearly being ill, George Marshall gave a nice effort. He hustled on defense against some quick guards and tried to hunt for his shot.

3. Regarding the last play, I thought George was wise to take what the defense gave him. In my ideal world we shoot for the win, but they had Brust locked down and George saw some daylight. That’s a move that he has to make and he got the shot up. That being said, I had zero confidence that he would make the free throws. Regarding the attempted second miss… I swear that 80% of “trying to miss” free throws never hit the rim and end up being a turnover. Just tell him to shoot the shot normal and assume he’ll miss. And if he makes it, so be it.

4. Which gets is to free throws. I’m sure someone will come on here foolishly complaining about “how we teach free throws” or that “we need to practice more” or “fire the free throw coach”. Just remember that this is the same staff that coached the Badgers to within I miss of setting the all-time NCAA record for free throw percentage in a season (82%) just two years back in 2010-2011. The misses are 100% on the players. They need to be better.

5. I stole this thought from Badger beat writer Tom Lea. When you look at Ryan Evans’ shot selection, he must think that he shoots 1000%. As I’ve said before, he has pretty much the least self-awareness of any Badger ever. When it’s not your night, stop taking the same shot over-and-over. He really is turning into a black hole on offense. Just do something else. Anything!

6. His pal Tre Jackson was only slightly better. Jackson is now shooting 33% from the field. You can’t win with a point guard who shoots like that. At least tonight I thought Jackson was somewhat better at staying within his game. He also steps to the line like he expects to make his free throws. He doesn’t always make them, but at least he looks like he belongs there.

7. Another game, another missed chance for Berggren to step up and take over the game. When we really need a basket coming down the stretch he: gets a nice defensive rebound and misses the front end of a 1-and-1; allows a guard to disrupt his dunk and misses 2 free throws (that had no chance of going in); misses a difficult, but makeable, layup; and makes a horrendous pass to Bruiser for a turnover. What’s the opposite of senior leadership?

8. Anderson didn’t look totally out of place, but he’s just too slow and indecisive. His defense only involves one “effort” per trip. For instance, if he tries to block a shot; he’s not going to be able to go back and get the rebound. If he leaves his man, he’s not ever going to go back. He’s really still a project. The fact that he played confirms what a debacle the Z-Bo experiment was the other night. We need those 10-12 minutes of Frank desperately.

9. Back to the last play… just put Dekker in and hope for some magic. It was obvious to all 17,000 in the building that our offense was crap all night. So just isolate Sam on the top in a 1-4 set and say “win the game”. It’s not any sort of brilliant plan, but what the hell? Everyone else had their chances to get us the lead and failed. Why not just hope he makes a play

10. The most frustrating thing about this game was that it was there for the taking. I think I would actually feel better if MSU came in here, shot the lights out and blew us out by 20. This was a total missed opportunity that can be 100% placed upon the inability to shoot even a mediocre percentage from the field or the line. We controlled the glass, controlled the pace, allowed almost no fast breaks, held their shooting percentage down and contained their big guys. That should have been a win.

dan g wrote: There is no chance we can beat Minnesota.  I'm depressed.

redforeman62 wrote: You sort of contradict yourself saying basically Marshall did a good job but you would rather give the ball to Dekker and hope for a miracle? Given that you had no confidence in Marshall making FT's but he is an 80% FT shooter. Dekker is a far worse FT shooter. Dekker would be unlikely to be able to get into the paint like Marshall did. It sounds like you would rather have had Dekker throw up a contested 3 than an 80% FT shooter on the line going for a tie?

redforeman62 wrote: You sort of contradict yourself saying basically Marshall did a good job but you would rather give the ball to Dekker and hope for a miracle? Given that you had no confidence in Marshall making FT's but he is an 80% FT shooter. Dekker is a far worse FT shooter. Dekker would be unlikely to be able to get into the paint like Marshall did. It sounds like you would rather have had Dekker throw up a contested 3 than an 80% FT shooter on the line going for a tie?

EricTheeRed wrote:

dan g wrote: There is no chance we can beat Minnesota.  I'm depressed.

You do realize that Las Vegas (who knows a lot more about basketball than you) will likely install us as a slight favorite in that game?

redforeman62 wrote: You sort of contradict yourself saying basically Marshall did a good job but you would rather give the ball to Dekker and hope for a miracle? Given that you had no confidence in Marshall making FT's but he is an 80% FT shooter. Dekker is a far worse FT shooter. Dekker would be unlikely to be able to get into the paint like Marshall did. It sounds like you would rather have had Dekker throw up a contested 3 than an 80% FT shooter on the line going for a tie?

MUnertl wrote: That baseline shot by Evans never got above the rim.

potguy wrote: As poorly as Evans and Jackson shot all we had to do to win was make our free throws!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We knew it was only a matter of time before it cost us a win. here it is. I hope it isn't the first of many.

The takeaway from this game is we might have found someone who can make a play at the end of the shot clock or end of the game.  This is the second consecutive game that Marshall has gotten into the lane off the dribble and made a play.  Unfortunately he missed the FT's.  If Marshall can consistently get into the lane that adds an important element that in the long run will be beneficial to the team.

I'll take my chances with an 80% FT shooter at the line as opposed to hoisting up a three pointer especially with the way we've shot the ball the last couple of games.

EricTheeRed wrote:

1. Let’s try to start with some positives. I thought our defense was outstanding and we did an especially great job on Payne and Nix. I thought our rebounding was very strong on both ends and I thought we stood toe-to-toe with them the whole game, despite being outmanned.

2. I thought that despite clearly being ill, George Marshall gave a nice effort. He hustled on defense against some quick guards and tried to hunt for his shot.

3. Regarding the last play, I thought George was wise to take what the defense gave him. In my ideal world we shoot for the win, but they had Brust locked down and George saw some daylight. That’s a move that he has to make and he got the shot up. That being said, I had zero confidence that he would make the free throws. Regarding the attempted second miss… I swear that 80% of “trying to miss” free throws never hit the rim and end up being a turnover. Just tell him to shoot the shot normal and assume he’ll miss. And if he makes it, so be it.

4. Which gets is to free throws. I’m sure someone will come on here foolishly complaining about “how we teach free throws” or that “we need to practice more” or “fire the free throw coach”. Just remember that this is the same staff that coached the Badgers to within I miss of setting the all-time NCAA record for free throw percentage in a season (82%) just two years back in 2010-2011. The misses are 100% on the players. They need to be better.

5. I stole this thought from Badger beat writer Tom Lea. When you look at Ryan Evans’ shot selection, he must think that he shoots 1000%. As I’ve said before, he has pretty much the least self-awareness of any Badger ever. When it’s not your night, stop taking the same shot over-and-over. He really is turning into a black hole on offense. Just do something else. Anything!

6. His pal Tre Jackson was only slightly better. Jackson is now shooting 33% from the field. You can’t win with a point guard who shoots like that. At least tonight I thought Jackson was somewhat better at staying within his game. He also steps to the line like he expects to make his free throws. He doesn’t always make them, but at least he looks like he belongs there.

7. Another game, another missed chance for Berggren to step up and take over the game. When we really need a basket coming down the stretch he: gets a nice defensive rebound and misses the front end of a 1-and-1; allows a guard to disrupt his dunk and misses 2 free throws (that had no chance of going in); misses a difficult, but makeable, layup; and makes a horrendous pass to Bruiser for a turnover. What’s the opposite of senior leadership?

8. Anderson didn’t look totally out of place, but he’s just too slow and indecisive. His defense only involves one “effort” per trip. For instance, if he tries to block a shot; he’s not going to be able to go back and get the rebound. If he leaves his man, he’s not ever going to go back. He’s really still a project. The fact that he played confirms what a debacle the Z-Bo experiment was the other night. We need those 10-12 minutes of Frank desperately.

9. Back to the last play… just put Dekker in and hope for some magic. It was obvious to all 17,000 in the building that our offense was crap all night. So just isolate Sam on the top in a 1-4 set and say “win the game”. It’s not any sort of brilliant plan, but what the hell? Everyone else had their chances to get us the lead and failed. Why not just hope he makes a play

10. The most frustrating thing about this game was that it was there for the taking. I think I would actually feel better if MSU came in here, shot the lights out and blew us out by 20. This was a total missed opportunity that can be 100% placed upon the inability to shoot even a mediocre percentage from the field or the line. We controlled the glass, controlled the pace, allowed almost no fast breaks, held their shooting percentage down and contained their big guys. That should have been a win.

FireMarshalBill wrote: MSU D looked like Izzo had the "pack line" installed on their practice floor. Give up the perimeter passes and shut down everything inside of 17 ft. Seemed familiar.

Zemekis wrote: I just hope by next season Jackson is the 4th guard.