Observations from a non-fan

[Freeport Warrior]

I sat with an old high school friend who played low D1 ball, but who I would qualify as an "ESPN" bball fan-- knowledgable, but not fan of either program, more of a fan of basketball but with little knowledge of either team. Some of his observations I found interesting:

- We were only a few rows back, so we could hear a lot. He was blown away by the lack of fire by MU, almost devoid of emotion. No leadership on the court at all.
- Couldn't understand how a D1 point guard wouldn't take/make a jumper just a step back from a free throw
- Commented that Gasser plays good D, but know way a "shooter" (Jake) doesn't get off shots. Couldn't understand how MU didn't have better options.
- Commented that the "Cyclops" cheer/taunting by the student section when Otule was shooting free throws was so classless for a fan base that thinks so highly of themselves.
- Thought MU should always run offense through Jamil and big guys, no other options -- thought Jamil should shoot more
- Thought Jamil would get a shot at NBA -- better chance than Blue
- UW was beatable on this day, but MU played "stupid" -- how Gardner was matched up with Dekker a handful of times was ridiculous
- Thought Jake looked like a walk-on just in there to pass
- Said UW has a great "team" concept going, but that Jackson is such an un-BO player and will cost them down the line because he is selfish

[ChicosBailBonds]

I sat with an old high school friend who played low D1 ball, but who I would qualify as an "ESPN" bball fan-- knowledgable, but not fan of either program, more of a fan of basketball but with little knowledge of either team. Some of his observations I found interesting:

- We were only a few rows back, so we could hear a lot. He was blown away by the lack of fire by MU, almost devoid of emotion. No leadership on the court at all.
- Couldn't understand how a D1 point guard wouldn't take/make a jumper just a step back from a free throw
- Commented that Gasser plays good D, but know way a "shooter" (Jake) doesn't get off shots. Couldn't understand how MU didn't have better options.
- Commented that the "Cyclops" cheer/taunting by the student section when Otule was shooting free throws was so classless for a fan base that thinks so highly of themselves.
- Thought MU should always run offense through Jamil and big guys, no other options -- thought Jamil should shoot more
- Thought Jamil would get a shot at NBA -- better chance than Blue
- UW was beatable on this day, but MU played "stupid" -- how Gardner was matched up with Dekker a handful of times was ridiculous
- Thought Jake looked like a walk-on just in there to pass
- Said UW has a great "team" concept going, but that Jackson is such an un-BO player and will cost them down the line because he is selfish

I believe I said something similar last week being only two rows behind the MU bench in Anaheim.  There was a bit of pop at the end of the SDSU game, but not as much as I expected or the love for fellow player I saw with some of the other teams in the past (when Matthews, McNeal, Jae, etc were cheering on their guys).

I actually felt like Jae was trying like crazy to get open but there was a Badger in his grill all game.  Now, part of that is because Jake lacks the athleticism to get open, but I honestly didn't feel like he avoided taking shots...he didn't have many opportunities to take any.

[4everwarriors]

I agree this team has chemistry issues, not just related to Mayo. Lack of OKGs.

[bilsu]

One of the problems Jake has is that he is the only real three point threat on the team, which makes it easy for a team to key on him. Much different than the UW team who starts 5 three point shooters, so you cannot key on any one player. Jake was never left open in UW game.

[Freeport Warrior]

I actually felt like Jake was trying like crazy to get open but there was a Badger in his grill all game.  Now, part of that is because Jake lacks the athleticism to get open, but I honestly didn't feel like he avoided taking shots...he didn't have many opportunities to take any.

I don't know about that. Many, many times it was as if Jake pre-determined he was going to quickly pass each time he got the ball. We teach kids early to "fake a pass, make a pass" and Jake was playing "hot potato" without even sniffing the idea of facing up, putting it on the floor or even looking to shoot. I don't mind Jake when he's shooting, but when he's not even looking to score, he has little value IMO.

[wadesworld]

One of the problems Jake has is that he is the only real three point threat on the team, which makes it easy for a team to key on him. Much different than the UW team who starts 5 three point shooters, so you cannot key on any one player. Jake was never left open in UW game.

If you ask me, Jamil and Todd are more of 3 point threats against any average to above average Division 1 basketball team.  Too bad Todd can't stay on the court.  Jake's biggest problem is that he can't do anything but shoot the ball.  The defense doesn't have to worry about Jake pump faking and going by them and making something happen.  Jake went by his defender once or twice and ended up just picking up the ball in the paint not knowing what to do.  The only thing the defense has to do when Jake gets the ball is get into his chest and get a hand up.  After that, nothing good is going to happen.

[Eldon]

They were chanting "cyclops?"  Wow.  Shame on them.  Seriously.

[Freeport Warrior]

They were chanting "cyclops?"  Wow.  Shame on them.  Seriously.

It was during one of the first free throw attempts by Otule when he wasn't facing the student section. It was really loud at first, then tapered out. I don't recall them doing it again, but it reminded me of the PLO chant at Kerr chant back at AZ. Like you said, classless.

[keefe]

They were chanting "cyclops?"  Wow.  Shame on them.  Seriously.

This never would have happened if Donna Shalala were still in Madison dispensing her curiously potent brand of political correctness

[Lennys Tap]

I actually felt like Jae was trying like crazy to get open but there was a Badger in his grill all game.  Now, part of that is because Jake lacks the athleticism to get open, but I honestly didn't feel like he avoided taking shots...he didn't have many opportunities to take any.

Not part of it, all of it.

[Freeport Warrior]

This never would have happened if Donna Shalala were still in Madison dispensing her curiously potent brand of political correctness

Is that Ben Stiller's dad?

[MU82]

I actually felt like Jae was trying like crazy to get open but there was a Badger in his grill all game. 

Oh, if only typos could talk ... and if only Jake was 1/20th the player Jae was!

[79Warrior]

One of the problems Jake has is that he is the only real three point threat on the team, which makes it easy for a team to key on him. Much different than the UW team who starts 5 three point shooters, so you cannot key on any one player. Jake was never left open in UW game.

Jamil Wilson is a better three point option than Thomas. JT is a D-2 player.

[WellsstreetWanderer]

Davante made more 3 point shots than our guards.
We were outhussled in Madison just like at the Honda center

[wadesworld]

Davante made more 3 point shots than our guards.
We were outhussled in Madison just like at the Honda center

Agreed.  That is my biggest worry.  The only players who seemed to want to fight to win were Jamil and Deonte.  The rest seemed indifferent.

[KenoshaWarrior]

Davante made more 3 point shots than our guards.
We were outhussled in Madison just like at the Honda center

We were not outhustled.  They had like 7 crazy long rebounds that went right too them.  We had a guy who took a dive on the floor headfirst (Burton) after one of those crazy hops that went directly too a badger.  If you ask me sometimes we hustle to much and put ourselves out of a bunch of plays.

If the Badgers miss two more three pointers we we win this game and somehow than we would have not been outhustled?  apparently you can only be outhustled if you lose. 
Dont be mad for the wrong thing. Be mad that we did not win, not because we were Outhustled.   It is almost as bad as someone saying "They wanted it more"

[WellsstreetWanderer]

Long shots result in long rebounds. That has nothing to with hustle or lack thereof. we generally were beaten to spots and late in reacting to movement. Opposition  had more movement and quickness not only this game but the previous one. Also happened to be mentioned to me by a former member of this program.

[brandx]

I sat with an old high school friend who played low D1 ball, but who I would qualify as an "ESPN" bball fan-- knowledgable, but not fan of either program, more of a fan of basketball but with little knowledge of either team. Some of his observations I found interesting:

- We were only a few rows back, so we could hear a lot. He was blown away by the lack of fire by MU, almost devoid of emotion. No leadership on the court at all.
- Couldn't understand how a D1 point guard wouldn't take/make a jumper just a step back from a free throw
- Commented that Gasser plays good D, but know way a "shooter" (Jake) doesn't get off shots. Couldn't understand how MU didn't have better options.
- Commented that the "Cyclops" cheer/taunting by the student section when Otule was shooting free throws was so classless for a fan base that thinks so highly of themselves.
- Thought MU should always run offense through Jamil and big guys, no other options -- thought Jamil should shoot more
- Thought Jamil would get a shot at NBA -- better chance than Blue
- UW was beatable on this day, but MU played "stupid" -- how Gardner was matched up with Dekker a handful of times was ridiculous
- Thought Jake looked like a walk-on just in there to pass
- Said UW has a great "team" concept going, but that Jackson is such an un-BO player and will cost them down the line because he is selfish

People keep referring to a point guard - We don't have one period!!!!!!!!!

Jake does get open coming off of screens, but...... see previous sentence.

[Freeport Warrior]

We were not outhustled.  They had like 7 crazy long rebounds that went right too them.  We had a guy who took a dive on the floor headfirst (Burton) after one of those crazy hops that went directly too a badger.  If you ask me sometimes we hustle to much and put ourselves out of a bunch of plays.

If the Badgers miss two more three pointers we we win this game and somehow than we would have not been outhustled?  apparently you can only be outhustled if you lose. 
Dont be mad for the wrong thing. Be mad that we did not win, not because we were Outhustled.   It is almost as bad as someone saying "They wanted it more"

Disagree. We were out hustled more than a few times. They were fired up and it showed in their effort.

[KenoshaWarrior]

They might have been energized by a home crowd but they had the lead the whole game so of course they were going to have tons of energy.

We were on the floor diving for loose ball.  Just didnt come up with those balls.

[bradley center bat]

Back to the top as you say "ESPN" bball fan-- knowledgable we don't take ESPN, we take FS1 or CBS. 

[real chili 83]

I agree with the leader thing.  It needs to be Jamil.  Trouble is, he is too nice of a guy. If you ever meet him, he's a great guy.  I spent 20+ minutes with him last spring.  Enjoyed every minute of it.

Someone has to get him ticked off.  Really ticked off.  Yesterday was the first time I've seen him play live. He was the best athlete on the floor.  By a long shot.  Dude has NBA skills.  Too bad he chooses to waste them.

If Jamil gets it figured out...the leadership thing, this team will be dangerous.  

[77ncaachamps]

Jamil Wilson is a better three point option than Thomas. JT is a D-2 player.

I gave JT the benefit of the doubt but he doesn't belong in the starting rotation of a Big East team.

He's there because our PG can't shoot.

Two guards playing essentially one position.

That causes STRESS on a team.

[SuddenSam]

We were outhustled, too many times UW going after ball while we stayed on back of our heels.  Maybe not game deciding but not a plus.

[ChicosBailBonds]

I think J Will became the leader yesterday.  Looked like he said ENOUGH and was putting it out there.  That's my hope anyway.  Not sure DG is the leader type, not really sure J Will is either, but I saw some flashes of it.  Your team big fella, seize it.  Show these guys how to win and more importantly, how to never quit.