85 replies to this topic

[BSLChrisStoner]

Reese and Young were both preseason All Big Ten.

 

Last year Young was 2nd team All Big Ten.
Reese and Scott (and Hart) were Honorable Mention. 

 

If those guys don't play at that level, there is nothing else to talk about. 

 

Really same thing with Harris-Smith, and Kaiser.... if they don't produce, not a whole lot to discuss.

[Mackus]

If they all underproduce (except Frosh who you have to leave room for questioning if they're actually any good), then there is something to discuss.

[BSLChrisStoner]

If they all underproduce (except Frosh who you have to leave room for questioning if they're actually any good), then there is something to discuss.

 

Yes, you'd wonder if the coaching was an issue which led to regression or if there was something else going on... so yeah, guess you are right. 

Guess my point is if they don't play like the All-Conference types they were expected to be, than discussing individual games, looking at the schedule, thinking about style of play etc... it's all whatever.  

If those guys perform to their expected levels, MD has a chance to dig out of this hole they've dug themselves...  but clearly no hope if they don't hit those levels.

[Mike in STL]

Can't fire Willard. Most, if not all, of these players will be gone next year. Do you just ride it out and start over?

Always have to give a coach a few years to recruit/develop his guys. If the results are poor in two years, or he can’t recruit and it’s all transfer portal guys making each season a mystery, pull the trigger.

[BSLMikeLowe]

Always have to give a coach a few years to recruit/develop his guys.

 

That's not the case anymore. You don't get time to develop guys because they go elsewhere before they're ready to contribute. You need to get enough players who can make an impact from the get-go, whether it's out of HS or the portal. I'm certainly not calling to replace Willard just 4 games into his second season, especially after he won 22 and made the tourney in his first, but what we are seeing so far is entirely unacceptable.

[makoman]

That's not the case anymore. You don't get time to develop guys because they go elsewhere before they're ready to contribute. You need to get enough players who can make an impact from the get-go, whether it's out of HS or the portal. I'm certainly not calling to replace Willard just 4 games into his second season, especially after he won 22 and made the tourney in his first, but what we are seeing so far is entirely unacceptable.

What you allude to is what makes this annoying. If last year was 16-17 with no tournament you realize it was a dud hire and start thinking about an out. Last year is hard to square with these 4 games so you feel like there can still be something there.