1. I know we have this annual “should Northwestern fire Bill Carmody” debate and tonight was more evidence of what I’ve been saying for years… he’s just not good enough. I understand the same tired arguments… “he’s a good game coach and they won’t be able to hire anyone better”. If that’s the case sign him to a lifetime deal and pencil this team in for 8-10 or worse In the Big Ten from now until he dies. I understand the limitations (and injuries this year), but whatever he’s doing just isn’t good enough.  

2. I thought there were a few things that were particularly damning for Carmody tonight. First of all, he looked 100% defeated on the bench at all times. Secondly, his team showed no heart and no hustle. We grabbed every loose ball, got every rebound, got whatever open shot we wanted and drove straight to the goal without any fever of having to absorb any contact. At least in other years where he lacked talent, they always gave us some resistance.

3. Unless Northwestern shoots over 60% in a game, they are done winning this year. You can’t abandon rebounding in the Big Ten and have any chance. In fact, the only worry I had on our rebounds was that we had so many guys in position that a couple would bump into each other and the ball would go out of bounds.

4. If Carmody evaluated that big freshman a Big 10 player, he has lost all objectivity and is grasping at straws. That guy was so mechanical that he made Evan Anderson look like Bill Walton.

5. Northwestern has now lost 5 Big Ten games by over 20 points. That is the most 20 point losses of any major conference team.

6. Why is Ben Brust, who sat out the last two days of practice with bad knees, checking back into the game with 3 minutes left? There is NO valid reason. And frankly, it borders on poor sportsmanship. Northwestern had used everyone they could use, so it’s not like we can wait for them to sub. Bo needed to make the move to the “middle bench” at the 6-7 minute mark. I know that it's “just Bo's way”; but in this case, Bo Ryan is most certainly wrong.

7. The ease with which we ran our offense tonight was almost comical. After maybe the first 10 minutes of the game, we didn’t even have to consider where the Northwestern defenders were playing. Every pass was open, so it was basically like running a drill until someone was so wide open that they had to shoot. Heck, if we knock down our uncontested shots in the first half, this borders on a 35-40 point game.

8. If Ryan Evans is going to miss a free throw, I prefer an airball. It makes you giggle, instead of getting more pissed at him. And how do you airball a free throw up 25 in a 70% empty building?

9. I think tonight was the first time I ever saw Bo change his mind about a sub. He was going to pull Frank after a bad turnover, but then Frank redeemed himself with some quick hands on a very nice steal and Bo decided to leave him in. I thought Frank had a well-deserved solid game overall.

10. Obviously a very good effort all-around. We did what we had to do against poor competition and earned a nice long break. Like Mike Kelley said “We’re just gonna keep improving our seed that rest of the way.”

Badger2116 wrote: #9 Kaminsky caused a turnover on D and then he got fouled on the offensive end.  I thought the exact same thing; he got a 'Get out of jail free' card for his hard work.

After Dekker 'lost his man' and the shutout, he was pulled.  However, I really can't remember him having another lapse on D.  He shot an airball on his 1st shot, then went 4-4 FG's, 2-2 FT's, with 3 rebounds, 1 assist & 1 block in 18 minutes.  Very solid and efficient.

Badger2116 wrote: #9 Kaminsky caused a turnover on D and then he got fouled on the offensive end.  I thought the exact same thing; he got a 'Get out of jail free' card for his hard work.

After Dekker 'lost his man' and the shutout, he was pulled.  However, I really can't remember him having another lapse on D.  He shot an airball on his 1st shot, then went 4-4 FG's, 2-2 FT's, with 3 rebounds, 1 assist & 1 block in 18 minutes.  Very solid and efficient.

"6. Why is Ben Brust, who sat out the last two days of practice with bad knees, checking back into the game with 3 minutes left? There is NO valid reason. And frankly, it borders on poor sportsmanship. Northwestern had used everyone they could use, so it’s not like we can wait for them to sub. Bo needed to make the move to the “middle bench” at the 6-7 minute mark. I know that it's “just Bo's way”; but in this case, Bo Ryan is most certainly wrong."

inexplicable....

FrontRowJBo wrote:

Badger2116 wrote: #9 Kaminsky caused a turnover on D and then he got fouled on the offensive end.  I thought the exact same thing; he got a 'Get out of jail free' card for his hard work.

After Dekker 'lost his man' and the shutout, he was pulled.  However, I really can't remember him having another lapse on D.  He shot an airball on his 1st shot, then went 4-4 FG's, 2-2 FT's, with 3 rebounds, 1 assist & 1 block in 18 minutes.  Very solid and efficient.

He went under a screen early and their guy hit a three. Immediately yanked.

He let his guy beat him backdoor for a layup (one of the two Bo alluded to post-game). Immediately yanked.

Otherwise, another solid effort from the kid.

mudcannon wrote: I thought Tre Jackson played a great game. He really filled up the stat sheet - 8 points  7 boards 5 assists.

newman21 wrote: Maybe it's time to bring in Rick Barry for a little time in the gym with Evans...

CloudsOfDust wrote: I'm amazed you found 10 things. That was a scrimmage, and not even a glorified one.

Bacchus1 wrote: Jackson continued to have a bunch of really lazy, unforgivable passes. He didn't try to press on the offensive side and played better, but his passing is atrocious for a PG.

sudsmcbucky wrote: I'm not exagerating when I say this.....Evans would be the worst FT shooter on my daughter's 5th grade BB team.

mkm13 wrote: I really hope Evans gets his confidence back.  If he can perform on offense at a semi respectable efficiency this team is going to be an extremely tough team come tourney time.  Today, the only shot he made was when his defender flopped terribly and left Evans with a wide open layup.  Other than that, he missed a few shots by a lot..had no chance of going in.  That is a pretty terrible offensive display considering we were playing the worst defensive big 10 team I may have ever seen.

I continue to be impressed with Brust's overall game.  He has really improved from last year...especially on defense. 

Frank with another solid game...IMO he will be ready for a much bigger role next year.