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Post by motorcitysam on Jan 6, 2019 21:29:31 GMT -5
Another classic case of not being satisfied with being really good. In 9 seasons under Weber, Illinois had 8 winning seasons, 6 NCAA appearances, and 1 Final Four. The buyout for Weber was $3.9 million (I don't know if Illinois paid much of that since Weber quickly found other work). This is year 7 post-Weber, and they've made the NCAA tournament once (the first year after firing Weber), and this will likely be their 3 sub-.500 season in the last 4 years. They lost today to Northwestern and are now 4-11. Yep. On the other hand, old Bruce hasn't looked back. He went to Kansas State after being fired by UI, and in his six years there he has five winning seasons and four NCAA trips, including an Elite Eight run in 2018.
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Post by motorcitysam on Jan 7, 2019 19:24:15 GMT -5
The Big Ten is looking strong early. From Twitter:
Marcus R. Fuller @marcus_R_Fuller · 7h7 hours ago
Four Big Ten teams are ranked (No. 2 Michigan, No. 6 Michigan St, No. 16 Ohio St & No. 22 Indiana) in the AP college basketball poll. Wisconsin, Iowa and Nebraska drop out after losses. Six teams including Minnesota, Purdue and Maryland are others receiving votes.
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Post by motorcitysam on Feb 23, 2019 14:36:07 GMT -5
Fewer teams have been as baffling as the Hoosiers. IU started the season 12-2, with wins over Marquette, Louisville and Butler. Since then, their record is 1-12. Fans are mystified.
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Post by motorcitysam on Mar 1, 2019 18:08:42 GMT -5
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Post by motorcitysam on Mar 10, 2019 17:57:21 GMT -5
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Post by motorcitysam on Mar 11, 2019 16:27:34 GMT -5
Matt Painter of Purdue named Big Ten Coach of the Year. Personally, I would have gone with Izzo, but Painter has a strong case, too.
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Post by motorcitysam on Mar 23, 2019 3:31:47 GMT -5
I thought the Big 14 was being overrated by pundits during the season, because each team I saw had serious flaws. But the committee put eight teams in the Big Dance and seven advanced to the round of 32, so what do I know.
Michigan State overcame injuries and adversity to tie with Purdue for the league title. The Spartans doubled down by winning the conference tournament. As the Commissioner has said, Michigan may have peaked early, going 11-6 over the second half of the season, but finished only a game out of first. Minnesota and Ohio State made the NCAA tournament despite finishing below .500 in conference play. IU was maddeningly inconsistent. Nebraska, a trendy pick to the make the tournament, went 6-14 in conference and finished way off the bubble, but made the NIT. For some reason, Tim Miles still has a group of cheerleaders in the basketball media. Northwestern brought up the rear, finishing 4-16 in the league.
We'll see how the conference does the rest of the way, after a great start in NCAA tournament play.
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Post by Commissioner on Mar 23, 2019 8:41:41 GMT -5
Those 7 first round wins tie the record for most 1st round wins by a conference (Big East in both 2008 and 2011).
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Post by motorcitysam on Mar 28, 2019 14:37:34 GMT -5
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Post by motorcitysam on Apr 7, 2019 13:18:28 GMT -5
Minnesota extended the contract of head coach Richard Pitino by two years. Interesting development, when you compare the tenures of Pitino and his predecessor.
Pitino's six years in Minnesota: Overall winning percentage of .549, conference winning percentage of .364. Two NCAA tournament appearances, one NIT appearance (won the NIT title in his first season at Minnesota). Two losing seasons, including an 8 win season. Pitino took over a 21 win team that won a game in the NCAA tournament and returned several starters.
Tubby Smith at Minnesota: Overall winning percentage of .605, conference winning percentage of .426. Three NCAA appearances, one NIT appearance. No losing seasons. Smith took over an 8 win team from the previous coach.
Different athletic director for Pitino, so that could explain the different decisions.
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Post by motorcitysam on Apr 7, 2019 13:28:41 GMT -5
The Big Ten's drought continues with Michigan State's loss in the Final Four. The last Big Ten team to win the national championship was the Spartans in 2000.
Depending on who comes back, who else is signed, etc., the Spartans could be a favorite in 2020.
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Post by motorcitysam on May 2, 2019 17:35:02 GMT -5
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Post by motorcitysam on May 10, 2019 15:53:52 GMT -5
New coach Fred Hoiberg is building Nebraska the same way he built Iowa State, with heavy emphasis on transfers and JUCOs. So far in the 2019 class the Huskers have two grad transfers, two traditional transfers, two JUCOs, and one high school player.
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Post by motorcitysam on May 12, 2019 18:54:42 GMT -5
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Post by motorcitysam on May 15, 2019 15:39:13 GMT -5
New coach Fred Hoiberg is building Nebraska the same way he built Iowa State, with heavy emphasis on transfers and JUCOs. So far in the 2019 class the Huskers have two grad transfers, two traditional transfers, two JUCOs, and one high school player. Nebraska adds another transfer, 6-8 power forward Derrick Walker of Tennessee. Walker played in 30 games for the Vols and averaged less than one point per game. Sit one, play two.
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