Wisconsin Basketball Thread 2019 - 20: BIG TEN CHAMPS & BPI NCAA Champs!

[OldSchoolSnapper]

^He's talking too much. I hate blindly supporting the flag in cases like this, but the more it goes on every action King takes smacks of insecurity.

 

Just leave and be quiet. People will forget about this completely in a couple months. He's not doing himself any favors by dragging out the drama. Either get very specific with a smoking gun or shut up, stop launching vague and cryptic criticisms.

 

I hope he did this with a very clear destination in mind because honestly what program is going to welcome this with open arms? I'd be pretty scared to be his next coach.

[MrTPlush]

He probably would love to just ride into the sunset, but fans, media, and former college players that couldn't average 10 points a game want to treat him like he has personally hurt them. Probably isn't that easy to ignore all the harassing comments. For some reason people want to rip apart college athletes for what they do.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

That's true, but someone older and wiser in his corner should be telling him to be quiet. I think that's what I was getting at earlier with Herro chiming in; I think he was basically saying the things he wanted to say to people making those comments three years ago. But he knew better at the time and just went on his way.

 

The fans do this to everybody and psychotically are happy when the players fail.

[wallus]

One of my favorite students was a scholarship recruit to a P5 school. He said you better be able handle intense criticism at all times. I am surprised we don't hear of things like this much more often.

[homer]

That's true, but someone older and wiser in his corner should be telling him to be quiet. I think that's what I was getting at earlier with Herro chiming in; I think he was basically saying the things he wanted to say to people making those comments three years ago. But he knew better at the time and just went on his way.

 

The fans do this to everybody and psychotically are happy when the players fail.

 

He may not have that person in his life.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

That's true, but someone older and wiser in his corner should be telling him to be quiet. I think that's what I was getting at earlier with Herro chiming in; I think he was basically saying the things he wanted to say to people making those comments three years ago. But he knew better at the time and just went on his way.

 

The fans do this to everybody and psychotically are happy when the players fail.

 

He may not have that person in his life.

 

Not just that, I'm beginning to think he has some not very good people giving him bad advice.

[tmwiese55]

I actually respect for taking this interview and talking a bit rather than a cryptic "respect my decision" type tweet then disappearing. I think it's an adult way to handle it. And I think he's playing a good middle ground in that he also doesn't want to create more drama/scandal etc and throw anyone under the bus so to speak. I'm sure in spite of what he didn't like about things he doesn't wanna be a problem for the team.

 

I'd generally just kinda think the pressure of all this got to him, coach pushing, etc, just got to be too much. It really can't be easy and I think full blown adults ripping on young adults like these kids who are in higher stress and pressure environments isn't quite right.

 

For the people in his life, best of my knowledge he comes from a strong family background. If you're not aware his dad played in the NBA and has other family connections to the league. I think he has a strong and knowledgeable support system around him.

[LouisEly]

Not just that, I'm beginning to think he has some not very good people giving him bad advice.

I've been wondering, and probably inaccurately, how much of this is him being jealous of Herro and how Herro is making millions and living in Miami and because King was a hyped-up Mr. Basketball in the state of Wisconsin that he is as good as Herro and should be where Herro is as well.

 

That being said, I understand where King is coming from, because I'm in a situation right now where I have had several concerns with how my immediate manager has been managing me. I have had several conversations with that person and that person's boss that I feel have gone nowhere, that they weren't listening, and now I am actively job searching, even though I really enjoy the team that I work with.

 

It's one thing to be overly sensitive (maybe that's the case, maybe it isn't). But it's another when you feel like you aren't being listened to. When you have 1:1 meetings with your boss and your boss, for example, is multi-tasking and reading emails during your meeting, I think you have a legitimate complaint.

[pacopete4]

Maybe King was more of an issue than anything? 1/2-Blue. What a great first half vs. Michigan State. Please don’t go cold in the second half.

[homer]

The same source that told me about the treatment of King being the reason for this move also told me the Davis twins are as good as gone. They’re dad is working media right now as they figure out their next move. Again, take that for what it’s worth but I found it interesting to say the least.

 

Davis twins have already signed letter of intent. I don't know what happens to your eligibility once you do that. I think you're treated like a regular athlete and have to sit out a year unless the team releases you from your commitment. Anyone know?

[brooks_quichenick]

As good of a half as they’ve played all season. Stifling defense. Keep it up Badgers!

[OldSchoolSnapper]

You lose a year of eligibility/can't compete for a year. You can still leave and get another scholarship, but can't play for a year. Unless the school releases you, I think, or you win an appeal. Both of those things are fairly common since the schools really have no interest in guys that don't want to be there. If you were stuck with that though, it's asking an awful lot of another program to give TWO guys schollies while they can't compete.

[RollieTime]

Maybe King was more of an issue than anything? 1/2-Blue. What a great first half vs. Michigan State. Please don’t go cold in the second half.

 

I was thinking this too watching how dominant they were in the first half. Maybe he was more of a distraction to the team and causing some issues within the clubhouse. It’ll be interesting to see how they play the next couple weeks. Could be pretty telling.

Edited February 1, 2020 by RollieTime

[OldSchoolSnapper]

Extend Gard!

[RollieTime]

I really like Winston as a basketball player. I don’t think he will ever be an All-Star at the next level, but I feel like he will be a similar player to Brogdon. Nice complementary piece and a great third option on a good team.

[pacopete4]

Consistency such an issue with this team. Wow.

[homer]

Maybe King was more of an issue than anything? 1/2-Blue. What a great first half vs. Michigan State. Please don’t go cold in the second half.

 

I was thinking this too watching how dominant they were in the first half. Maybe he was more of a distraction to the team and causing some issues within the clubhouse. It’ll be interesting to see how they play the next couple weeks. Could be pretty telling.

 

They were also missing Davidson....just sayin'.

[Cool Hand Lucroy]

Gard a little salty in the postgame: "We got a lot of guys in the locker room that love wearing that jersey, love wearing that W."

 

Big win. 6 Q1 victories is a lot, and the schedule is less daunting down the stretch. Long way to go, but they look to be in pretty good shape. Go win at Minnesota.

[PeaveyFury]

I know every team can look back on a few games and wonder 'what if', but you really have to wonder where this team would be sitting right now if Potter had been eligible in the non-conference season. If they could have turned that St. Mary's game, or even one of the two on a neutral court in NY, they'd be having a much different season. Heck, if they hang on to their lead vs. Iowa and flip that one-point home loss to Illinois, they're tied for first in the Big Ten. Such an odd season.

[LouisEly]

Maybe King was more of an issue than anything? 1/2-Blue. What a great first half vs. Michigan State. Please don’t go cold in the second half.

 

I was thinking this too watching how dominant they were in the first half. Maybe he was more of a distraction to the team and causing some issues within the clubhouse. It’ll be interesting to see how they play the next couple weeks. Could be pretty telling.

They played a lot better at Iowa without him that at Purdue with him, and Iowa arguably is a better team than Purdue.

[Oxy]

Maybe King was more of an issue than anything? 1/2-Blue. What a great first half vs. Michigan State. Please don’t go cold in the second half.

 

I was thinking this too watching how dominant they were in the first half. Maybe he was more of a distraction to the team and causing some issues within the clubhouse. It’ll be interesting to see how they play the next couple weeks. Could be pretty telling.

They played a lot better at Iowa without him that at Purdue with him, and Iowa arguably is a better team than Purdue.

 

King is an excellent 1 on 1 scorer. And that's about it. That's a very visible thing for casual fans to lock into though and thus proclaim him as one of the best players on the team. In reality, he isn't as good as Pritzl and Wahl at every other facet of the game (King might be a slightly better 3 point shooter than Wahl). As long as nobody gets hurt the team isn't in any worse shape this year and a very good case could be made for them actually being better without him THIS YEAR. The guy obviously has a ton of potential though, so it hurts more for the future than anything else. Pritzl will be gone next year, and King would have another year to improve his ballhandling, passing, 3 pt shooting, defense, decision making, spacing, etc.

 

As far as people trying to blame Gard for this, it is completely ridiculous. Transferring is incredibly commonplace throughout all of college basketball. Gard is basically the perfect Wisconsin coach, and he's had success despite terrible circumstances. The next 2 recruiting classes secured his job for another 3 years. When they make the tourney all 3 of those years it will likely be secure for as long as he wants it after that.

[Oxy]

I know every team can look back on a few games and wonder 'what if', but you really have to wonder where this team would be sitting right now if Potter had been eligible in the non-conference season. If they could have turned that St. Mary's game, or even one of the two on a neutral court in NY, they'd be having a much different season. Heck, if they hang on to their lead vs. Iowa and flip that one-point home loss to Illinois, they're tied for first in the Big Ten. Such an odd season.

 

It's mostly window dressing at this point. They probably weren't going to truly contend for a B1G title this year either way (although their next 9 games are all pretty winnable), so then it's basically a difference in seeding, which I cared about 15 years ago, but when you make the tourney every year the less that matters and the more that matchups and being "hot" at the right time matter. Last year they were a 5 seed and an underdog in the first game. 3 years ago they got jobbed by the committee with an 8 seed and ended up beating #1 seed defending Champs Villanova anyway (who was coaching then?) in the 2nd round. Just get in and be playing well at the right time and you can make a run.

[pacopete4]

On top of the Gard quote here is Tom Izzo:

 

“We got our ass kicked today by a team that played for their coach, played for their school and played for each other. I give a lot of credit to Wisconsin. I just love what [Gard] did...except that it was against me.”

 

 

Seems like a stand with another quality coach comment to me but could also be a nothing thing.

[Cool Hand Lucroy]

Gard and Izzo are good friends. Gard calls Izzo a mentor. They are close. I think it was much a personal thing as a coaching fraternity thing.

 

Pritzl has arguably been the most consistent Badger this year. He keeps earning hos minutes. And Ford was excellent. Anderson gave quality minites. McGory let Trice rest for 90 seconds, at least....

 

True team win.

[LouisEly]

Wisconsin now playing with eight healthy, eligible scholarship players. Marquette was playing the past two weeks with eight healthy, eligible scholarship players (now nine with Elliot back, but still not 100% on that ankle).

 

Both teams gutting out some tough wins with a short bench.