Tyler in the NCAA's

[jeffreyweee]

UNC - 1/5, 3pts, 10 ast, 0 TO VMT - 3/11, 8 pts, 4 ast, 3 TO MSU - 2/7, 7 pts, 5 ast, 6 TO

The kid was absolutely elite this year and he's our offensive engine. But he's got an enormous mental block in the tournament. He's not just missing shots, he's an entirely different player -- one that is actively harming our team while he's on the floor with horrible turnovers, bad shots, and stupid fouls. What in the world do you do with that if you're Shaka Smart? The team is effectively playing without their best player in the tournament. Not to mention we don't have great ball handlers behind him. This team without the BEPOY is not a final four team.

Priority number 1 for Shaka has to be adding a guy that can handle the ball. We need to have someone that can get the team going and set the offense up in the case of Tyler having foul trouble or the yips.

Priority number 1 for Tyler is some honest internal reflection about what is going on. Nerves and anxiety? Trying to do too much? He's competitive as crap. He desperately cares. I'm always going to back a guy like that to figure it out eventually.

I see a lot of people saying MU wasn't elite this year. That's garbage. We almost made the sweet 16 essentially without the BEPOY. We're as good as any team in the country sans Bama when he's on. Let's hope he figures it out.

See you all next year.

[tower912]

Thumb(s) down.

[PointWarrior]

Maybe Kolek needs 4 days of darkness to figure it out? 

[wisblue]

Even bringing up last year’s NCAA game when Kolek had a completely different role and some of the team’s veteran “leaders” lost their poise IMHO makes this whole post meaningless.

[We R Final Four]

An average Kolek today we win.

[tower912]

I predict sometime in the next couple of weeks, we hear about TKo having thumb surgery.

[IrwinFletcher]

I predict sometime in the next couple of weeks, we hear about TKo having thumb surgery.

Said the same to my wife.  To think it didn't affect him isn't being fair.

[NoLongerWarrior]

Thumb(s) down.

Maybe just the thumb on the right hand

[Tyler COLEk]

I predict sometime in the next couple of weeks, we hear about TKo having thumb surgery.

You could tell Shaka was being uncharacteristically coy about it in yesterday’s press conference. I was hoping that meant it wasn’t an issue at all, but then we found out it was an aggravation of an existing injury. I was wondering the same about surgery.

[TSmith34, Inc.]

I predict sometime in the next couple of weeks, we hear about TKo having thumb surgery.

Me too. I've thought that since someone posted that video of practice the day before Vermont. OF COURSE he was going to try to play through whatever it is, but that was two really bad games back-to-back and he looked pissed during the entirety of both.

[PointWarrior]

Maybe Kolek is allergic to the floors made for the NCAA tourney? 

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Maybe Kolek is allergic to the floors made for the NCAA tourney?

Idiot. 

[MUCam]

I predict sometime in the next couple of weeks, we hear about TKo having thumb surgery.

I expect the same.

[mileskishnish72]

I predict sometime in the next couple of weeks, we hear about TKo having thumb surgery.

You may be right, Tower.

I thought "OMG" when play was stopped and he went to the locker room. Breathed easier when he returned, but even then he wasn't POY.

Tonight, seriously suboptimal. Haven't seen the box, but prob. more TO's than points, or close.

I don't think, at all, that he's a gag artist. I think this is something physical. He was just so much a different player, and he's got so much of a  "F-em" mentality, I presume it's a physical problem.

I suspect a gamekeeper's injury. I guess we'll see. Too bad to see such a disappointing end to such a great year.

[Elonsmusk]

Maybe Kolek is allergic to the floors made for the NCAA tourney?

You're better than this.  Kid played his heart out all year and willed us to wins in down the stretch in clutch moments and you are going to throw him under the bus?  C'mon man.

[statnik]

Maybe he should lay off the trash talking until he gets more clutch in tournament settings.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Maybe he should lay off the trash talking until he gets more clutch in tournament settings.

You're also an idiot. 

[PointWarrior]

Maybe Kolek was point shaving.

[5DollarPitcher]

You're better than this.

He’s not. PointWarrior is a certified moron.

[Ellenson Guerrero]

Maybe he should lay off the trash talking until he gets more clutch in tournament settings.

You are a loser.

[PointWarrior]

Maybe someone on the team stole Kolek’s girlfriend. 

[PointWarrior]

He’s not. PointWarrior is a certified moron.

Hey 5 Dollar - I am just making some obvious sarcastic posts to the original poster. 

Kolek drives the bus of the team.  Obviously something is wrong the the last two games (probably his thumb and not an allergy to the court).

But I look forward to your chickenshiit posts next year. 

[5DollarPitcher]

Hey 5 Dollar - I am just making some obvious sarcastic posts to the original poster. 

Kolek drives the bus of the team.  Obviously something is wrong the the last two games (probably his thumb and not an allergy to the court).

But I look forward to your chickenshiit posts next year.

What are you on? We just lost the game. Every game in the NCAA tourney is going to be difficult just ask Purdue. It’s not chickenshiit its reality. Maybe if you could comprehend that your posts wouldn’t be so incoherent and useless.

[Warrior of Law]

The bench was the difference. 5 consecutive possessions with Ross and Joplin turning the ball over. Essentially blew the lead and gave away the game. Kolek’s 6 turnovers didn’t help.

[PointWarrior]

5Dollar paid Tyler to throw the game.


Is that more obvious to you?

[5DollarPitcher]

5Dollar paid Tyler to throw the game.


Is that more obvious to you?

Useless poster - another great example

[MuggsyB]

I don't think the thumb was the issue frankly. He played poorly, it happens.  He made poor decisions and it started with reaching and picking up his 2nd foul.  My personal take is that he pressed a bit as the leader of this team and 3rd team AA.  He was uncharacteristically forcing and just out of sorts.  But I'm gonna tell you this:  TyKo and the rest of this group will come back next year and want to overcome this crushing exit. 

[We R Final Four]

Said the same to my wife.  To think it didn't affect him isn't being fair.

Is it fair to excuse him throwing 40’ passes to the safety ala Brett Favre??
He walked today, he didnt drive.
Blame that on his non shooting hand if you want.

[CountryRoads]

When Kolek got hurt in the first minute of the Vermont game and then came back in and showed poor body language, I knew that was it. That whole game just felt odd and the vibe  wasn’t there for a long run. Had a feeling it would carry over into today’s game and it did. The optimist in me wanted him to turn the corner but it was too quick. He’ll come back strong. He’s a great player.

[We R Final Four]

UNC - 1/5, 3pts, 10 ast, 0 TO VMT - 3/11, 8 pts, 4 ast, 3 TO MSU - 2/7, 7 pts, 5 ast, 6 TO

Double digit assists as an example of poor play is odd. The last games….for sure.


The kid was absolutely elite this year and he's our offensive engine. But he's got an enormous mental block in the tournament. He's not just missing shots, he's an entirely different player -- one that is actively harming our team while he's on the floor with horrible turnovers, bad shots, and stupid fouls. What in the world do you do with that if you're Shaka Smart? The team is effectively playing without their best player in the tournament. Not to mention we don't have great ball handlers behind him. This team without the BEPOY is not a final four team.

Priority number 1 for Shaka has to be adding a guy that can handle the ball. We need to have someone that can get the team going and set the offense up in the case of Tyler having foul trouble or the yips.

Priority number 1 for Tyler is some honest internal reflection about what is going on. Nerves and anxiety? Trying to do too much? He's competitive as crap. He desperately cares. I'm always going to back a guy like that to figure it out eventually.

I see a lot of people saying MU wasn't elite this year. That's garbage. We almost made the sweet 16 essentially without the BEPOY. We're as good as any team in the country sans Bama when he's on. Let's hope he figures it out.

See you all next year.

[NickelDimer]

I don't think the thumb was the issue frankly. He played poorly, it happens.  He made poor decisions and it started with reaching and picking up his 2nd foul.  My personal take is that he pressed a bit as the leader of this team and 3rd team AA.  He was uncharacteristically forcing and just out of sorts.  But I'm gonna tell you this:  TyKo and the rest of this group will come back next year and want to overcome this crushing exit.

Agree with this. If he just had a bad shooting day you’d of course say it’s the hand. He had a terrible decision day

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Agree with this. If he just had a bad shooting day you’d of course say it’s the hand. He had a terrible decision day

He couldn’t dribble in his right hand. Can’t remember the exact time but it was in the first half, switches the ball from his left to his right, bobbled it, then got stripped.

I’m guessing torn ligament. Happens when you get your thumb stick into someone’s jersey like that.

[PointWarrior]

Useless poster - another great example

I think Kolek was looking ahead to the KState game and not focusing on todays game.

[Ellenson Guerrero]

There is going to be plenty of bulletin board material for TKO after this game… I’m ready for 2023-24 already!

[Mu8891]

It was more ( or less ) than just his hand.  He had terrible TOs and lots and lots of bad decisions …

If he just does not make all the TOs they may have won.   

I trust he will fix it next year …

But that’s about 363 days away!

[ATL MU Warrior]

For some reason he has been trying to do too much in the Tournament. He was clearly pressing. Maybe trying to overcompensate for the injured thumb or maybe something else, but it was clear as day from the start of the Vermont game that this was a different Tyler.

[5DollarPitcher]

I think Kolek was looking ahead to the KState game and not focusing on todays game.

Just pack it up with what little dignity you have left, champ

[Goose]

I am fairly certain that Kolek knows he did not bring his A game today. If anyone is concerned about Kolek moving forward, that might be emotions talking.

[Daniel]

This game loss was a team effort, and yes Kolek was hurting.    And I agree with those wondering about surgery.  He clearly was bothered last two games - complete opposite of how he played the previous 34. 

The team needed to rally around the situation.   It was just a bad game for the team.  It happens

[PointWarrior]

Just pack it up with what little dignity you have left, champ

Sarcasm dipshiit..

[PointWarrior]

If some of you are as challenged as 5Dollar,

I love Tyler Kolek’s play.  He leads this team with swagger. He is clutch, he makes everyone around him better.  I hope we get two more years of him.  He clearly played the last two games way differently than the past 10. Probably his thumb.  My posts were sarcasm to the OP calling out Kolek play in the NCAA.

[We R Final Four]

I am fairly certain that Kolek knows he did not bring his A game today. If anyone is concerned about Kolek moving forward, that might be emotions talking.

If he’d have brought his C game things would be different. His A game would have been a cake walk.

[WarriorFan]

I'd encourage any of you to first tear up your thumb and then try to play a pick-up game with it numbed with whatever injection they use these days.  The injections mean you don't roll around in pain every time the ball hits your thumb, but it also means you really cannot feel your hand. 

Thumbs are almost impossible to tape up as well. 

He gutted it out and didn't have his best game. 

Come back and do better next year.

[willie warrior]

UNC - 1/5, 3pts, 10 ast, 0 TO VMT - 3/11, 8 pts, 4 ast, 3 TO MSU - 2/7, 7 pts, 5 ast, 6 TO

The kid was absolutely elite this year and he's our offensive engine. But he6hb's got an enormous mental block in the tournament. He's not just missing shots, he's an entirely different player -- one that is actively harming our team while he's on the floor with horrible turnovers, bad shots, and stupid fouls. What in the world do you do with that if you're Shaka Smart? The team is effectively playing without their best player in the tournament. Not to mention we don't have great ball handlers behind him. This team without the BEPOY is not a final four team.

Priority number 1 for Shaka has to be adding a guy that can handle the ball. We need to have someone that can get the team going and set the offense up in the case of Tyler having foul trouble or the yips.

Priority number 1 for Tyler is some honest internal reflection about what is going on. Nerves and anxiety? Trying to do too much? He's competitive as crap. He desperately cares. I'm always going to back a guy like that to figure it out eventually.

I see a lot of people saying MU wasn't elite this year. That's garbage. We almost made the sweet 16 essentially without the BEPOY. We're as good as any team in the country sans Bama when he's on. Let's hope he figures it out.

See you all next year.

Wrong. We have guards up the Ying yang.
Priority 1 needs to be a rim protecror.

[MuggsyB]

I trust that our Freshmen will all be better as sophs.  If we're talking about specific needs I would like an additional big and a knock down shooter but if everyone stays I think without question this is a title contending team.  Don't let one terrible performance by our best player cloud how good we were this season.

A 3/4:that can rebound the ball would obviously help Oso.  Ironically we lost Sunday because of our offense.  We have great guards and guard depth.  Ross in particular will be much better next year and is a key player for us moving forward.   If we have a knock down shooter among our incoming Frosh, or Ross becomes that guy, we will be monumentally more difficult to guard in the half-court.   You won't see scoring droughts like we did this season.  I also expect Ighodaro and Gold to be better on both ends of the floor.

I honestly don't care if TyKo's thumb is a serious injury or not. We all saw that he was not himself and certainly some of that credit goes to the Mich St. defense.  I think he got caught up in trying to do too much after his early fouls and just never felt comfortable orchestrating the entire day.  It is something he will learn and grow from and I have zero concerns it will impact his game next season.  As frustrating as Sunday was there's no question in my mind MU will be back and and consistently good for many years to come. 

[4everwarriors]

Big man's game, aina?

[wisblue]

I can’t believe that anyone who has actually played basketball at any level would think that an injured thumb, even one to your non dominant hand, isn’t going to affect your play. Especially someone whose primary role involves handling the ball.

A player still uses his off hand to catch, dribble, and pass the ball and often to help guide a shot.

We don’t know how much that injury affected Kolek physically and/or mentally. But the fact that the incident was followed immediately by two of his worst games of the season has to at least raise a question if the two things are related.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

I can’t believe that anyone who has actually played basketball at any level would think that an injured thumb, even one to your non dominant hand, isn’t going to affect your play. Especially someone whose primary role involves handling the ball.

A player still uses his off hand to catch, dribble, and pass the ball and often to help guide a shot.

We don’t know how much that injury affected Kolek physically and/or mentally. But the fact that the incident was followed immediately by two of his worst games of the season has to at least raise a question if the two things are related.

I’m not sure anybody has said an injured thumb wouldn’t affect somebody’s game. This was beyond that, though. I thought he looked off BEFORE he hurt his thumb, albeit it that was very early in the Vermont game. I thought he was too keyed up. It’s fine to get “lost in the fight.” It’s another to be lost before the fight even starts. Even a below average performance and we win that game. I thought he should’ve been benched in both games.

[Ardmore Mug]

I wonder if any of our MU trained PT's or Ortho MD's might give us some insight on TKO's thumb injury??? I know they don't know what exactly the injury was, but maybe some "professional" thoughts might help us try to understand what actually might have been going on....   

[murara1994]

I’m not sure anybody has said an injured thumb wouldn’t affect somebody’s game. This was beyond that, though. I thought he looked off BEFORE he hurt his thumb, albeit it that was very early in the Vermont game. I thought he was too keyed up. It’s fine to get “lost in the fight.” It’s another to be lost before the fight even starts. Even a below average performance and we win that game. I thought he should’ve been benched in both games.

Is there some thought that he had an injury before the Vermont game?  Someone said that in this thread but didn't know anything about it.

[Shooter McGavin]

I wonder if any of our MU trained PT's or Ortho MD's might give us some insight on TKO's thumb injury??? I know they don't know what exactly the injury was, but maybe some "professional" thoughts might help us try to understand what actually might have been going on....   

Gate keepers thumb would be something that would require casting for 4-6 weeks or surgery and casting.  He said he got his thumb caught in a jersey and it bent backwards.  This could be a possibility.  We will know how serious it is if he is in a cast.

[TSmith34, Inc.]

Is there some thought that he had an injury before the Vermont game?  Someone said that in this thread but didn't know anything about it.

Yes. Someone--apologies, don't remember who--posted a clip of the MU shoot around the day before Vermont. TK can be seen in the video shaking his right hand and looking at his thumb.

I think he hurt it worse on his second(?) drive to the basket in the Vermont game. He looked really pained then, and went to the locker room shortly thereafter.

[GoldenEagles03]

Yes. Someone--apologies, don't remember who--posted a clip of the MU shoot around the day before Vermont. TK can be seen in the video shaking his right hand and looking at his thumb.

I think he hurt it worse on his second(?) drive to the basket in the Vermont game. He looked really pained then, and went to the locker room shortly thereafter.

I was only able to post one, but I saw multiple videos of their practice on Thursday in Columbus where he was clearly bothered by it.

Likely hurt it in the week of practice leading up to the game on Friday and then just banged it up even more in the game.

[Farley36]

It’s hard to criticize the player most responsible for such a successful season.  However, he clearly did not perform in the tourney as the team needed him to.  Much of that likely is because of the thumb.  Some may be for other reasons.   If MU is to continue to have this level of success in the regular season and in the tourney TK will continue to be the catalyst.  Seems apparent that as TK goes, MU goes.

[GoldenEagles03]

It’s hard to criticize the player most responsible for such a successful season.  However, he clearly did not perform in the tourney as the team needed him to.  Much of that likely is because of the thumb.  Some may be for other reasons.   If MU is to continue to have this level of success in the regular season and in the tourney TK will continue to be the catalyst.  Seems apparent that as TK goes, MU goes.

I fully expect Sean Jones and Tre Norman to provide a significant boost as a backup PG duo next year.

Sean Jones was ok this year but it was a lot to ask of a Freshman to control an offense like Tyler does.

Marquette will still want 30+ minutes from Tyler each night but those minutes he's not on the court should be much cleaner than they were this year.

[dgies9156]

I am fairly certain that Kolek knows he did not bring his A game today. If anyone is concerned about Kolek moving forward, that might be emotions talking.

Thank you Goose.

Nobody is more disappointed than Tyler, I'm sure, that we're not playing next weekend.

But dammit folks, don't kill the goose that laid the golden eggs. Tyler Kolek is the heart and soul of this team and I shudder to think where we would have been in 2022-2023 without him. On my list of favorite Warriors, he's up there with Bob Lackey, Butch Lee, Maurice Lucas and Bo Ellis.

Stop complaining and save your energy for next year, when we will go further and faster!

[MuggsyB]

I fully expect Sean Jones and Tre Norman to provide a significant boost as a backup PG duo next year.

Sean Jones was ok this year but it was a lot to ask of a Freshman to control an offense like Tyler does.


Marquette will still want 30+ minutes from Tyler each night but those minutes he's not on the court should be much cleaner than they were this year.

Jones the Younger will be significantly better next year.  Especially in the h-c. 

[Markusquette]

I think he let the thumb frustrations get to him a little too much and made some uncharacteristic plays due to that and the limitations. It was clear to me that Kolek heading to the locker room didn't bode well for MU's tournament chances going forward, despite his quick return.

Maybe they could get by with a role player banged up, but not their floor general. The early fouls ruined the flow of the game. Just bad timing for both to happen at once.

[WellsstreetWanderer]

TK thrilled us all year. He showed us it is
Impossible to play PG with one hand but he
gave it a try like the Warrior he is.

[Daniel]

TK thrilled us all year. He showed us it is
Impossible to play PG with one hand but he
gave it a try like the Warrior he is.

This.  Tyler in the presser did not want to use the thumb as an excuse and he did not.   Reality, it had to be bothering him which threw his game off. Ye us. Warrior. And we would have never been a 2 seed without him.   Nowhere close.   Helped make Marquette basketball exciting again!

[lawdog77]

TK thrilled us all year. He showed us it is
Impossible to play PG with one hand but he
gave it a try like the Warrior he is.

Although I agree with your post, that has to be the worst haiku ever.