Grade for the season?

[ricko654321]

Obviously we aren't done yet, but I would probably say B+. That is in part predicated on the thought that we make NIT, which I think is more likely than not but not certain.

We won everything we were supposed to OOC in going 12-1, with a couple close calls. I was thinking 7-11 predicted outcome for conference season, with an outside goal of 10-8. We clearly fell short of the latter, but I think this was a solid step forward. We fell short in some close calls on the road against Md, Mich, OSU, and showed some problems with the press, would have liked to hold on to one of those. But we did pull out tight ones against Wiscy and IL, so it wasn't all bad. We got to 20 wins which isn't bad, though with an easy schedule.

In terms of player development, Demps and Olah had some hiccups in the middle but finished the season strong. BMac clearly got better through the offseason and sustained his level of play through the year better. Lindsey progressed in the back half of the year. Pardon emerged as an option out of nowhere, and Skelly took a huge step forward. Sanjay is still mostly a defensive specialist, and injuries to Law and JVZ unfortunately stunted their development. All in all though we seem to be moving in the right direction.

So if we don't end up making the NIT then I would probably have to downgrade slightly, but I think we are already in decent position and Michigan is also a winnable game. Now comes the survive and advance fun!

Go Cats!

 

[NJCat83588]

Obviously we aren't done yet, but I would probably say B+. That is in part predicated on the thought that we make NIT, which I think is more likely than not but not certain.

We won everything we were supposed to OOC in going 12-1, with a couple close calls. I was thinking 7-11 predicted outcome for conference season, with an outside goal of 10-8. We clearly fell short of the latter, but I think this was a solid step forward. We fell short in some close calls on the road against Md, Mich, OSU, and showed some problems with the press, would have liked to hold on to one of those. But we did pull out tight ones against Wiscy and IL, so it wasn't all bad. We got to 20 wins which isn't bad, though with an easy schedule.

In terms of player development, Demps and Olah had some hiccups in the middle but finished the season strong. BMac clearly got better through the offseason and sustained his level of play through the year better. Lindsey progressed in the back half of the year. Pardon emerged as an option out of nowhere, and Skelly took a huge step forward. Sanjay is still mostly a defensive specialist, and injuries to Law and JVZ unfortunately stunted their development. All in all though we seem to be moving in the right direction.

So if we don't end up making the NIT then I would probably have to downgrade slightly, but I think we are already in decent position and Michigan is also a winnable game. Now comes the survive and advance fun!

Go Cats!

Agree with a B+. Cats pretty much did what was expected of them. Before the season, I had them splitting with PSU, so not terribly disappointed in the home loss to the Nits. No bad losses, a couple of good wins as it turns out (Va Tech and Wisky).

In terms of player development, I think BMac has regressed as the season went along, but attribute it to fatigue. He really had no back-up this season and still plays too many minutes. Olah gets a pass because of his foot injury, but finished nicely yesterday. Skelly and Pardon are good surprises, Lindsey still terribly inconsistent. The only disappointment is Taphorn, I thought he would come on given his physical maturity this season, but whether due to his foot injury this summer or hitting his talent ceiling, he just fell out of the rotation. Ash is a question mark, he too had an illness that set him back but never played meaningful minutes and probably should have red shirted.

Can't complain about the season. Cats were only non-competitive in 3 games out of 31 so that is a nice sign for the future.

 

[VirginiaWildcat]

B or B+. Probably B+ since we didn't have Law...

 

[JournCat]

B. We didn't get a signature win this year. It's hard not to think about the Maryland game and the collapse of our late-game offense. But we did take a step forward from last year and have put ourselves in position for a memorable post-season and high expectations in 2016-17.

 

[Max_Power]

I give the Cats and Collins a solid C. The schedule was designed to get to 20 wins to sell in recruits progress, mission accomplished.

That said, Minnesota and Rutgers are atrocious. Penn State, Nebraska and Illinois are bad. That's 7 of the 8 big ten wins against bad teams. Upside, no bad losses.

 

[julescat]

I agree with C. However, if I was to look at this as an investment opportunity I would be super bullish on NU hoops for the next few years at least.

 

[NJCat83588]

I agree with C. However, if I was to look at this as an investment opportunity I would be super bullish on NU hoops for the next few years at least.

NU will struggle to match its 2015-16 overall record next season. The OOC schedule we know about thus far is more difficult, and replacing Tre and Alex no piece of cake. Yes, Vic will be back, but I think it will take time for him to adjust to game speed.The three incoming Freshmen are really exciting prospects but will they be effective from jump street? We'll see. So if NU loses a couple of more OOC games (not impossible) they will need to go 10-8 in the Big just to equal the 20-11 record of this season. Much more challenging than winning 20 was this year.

 

[julescat]

My point is the record doesn't really mean much without looking at who they played. I expect NU to be a much, much better team next year and if they play a respectable OOC schedule might not be as good as this year's possibly deceptive at the moment 20-11.

 

[NJCat83588]

My point is the record doesn't really mean much without looking at who they played. I expect NU to be a much, much better team next year and if they play a respectable OOC schedule might not be as good as this year's possibly deceptive at the moment 20-11.

I agree with you on that point.

 

[VirginiaWildcat]

I give the Cats and Collins a solid C. The schedule was designed to get to 20 wins to sell in recruits progress, mission accomplished.

That said, Minnesota and Rutgers are atrocious. Penn State, Nebraska and Illinois are bad. That's 7 of the 8 big ten wins against bad teams. Upside, no bad losses.

So...most wins in the regular season in the HISTORY of the program. Tied for most wins in conference play since 1933. All this done without a crucial component (Law) in which many predicted in the preseason we wouldn't win as many WITH said component.

A "C"? Uh huh...

 

[Noah121]

This somewhat reminds me of 2010-11 where we had no bad losses but no high quality wins.

 

[Max_Power]

So...most wins in the regular season in the HISTORY of the program. Tied for most wins in conference play since 1933. All this done without a crucial component (Law) in which many predicted in the preseason we wouldn't win as many WITH said component.

A "C"? Uh huh...

Finished 9th in conference. Played a very weak schedule and beat two quality teams, Va. Tech and Wisconsin. Top scorer under performed miserably for 50% of season. So yeah, a C. For a lot of programs it'd be a D so maybe I'm being generous. What did this team do that exceeded your expectations for the season?

That said, there is a lot of reason to be optimistic moving forward. Here's number one (maybe the most athletic play by two NU bigs I've seen in watching this team since 1983 when Welsh-Ryan opened and I started regularly going to games):

 

[VirginiaWildcat]

Finished 9th in conference. Played a very weak schedule and beat two quality teams, Va. Tech and Wisconsin. Top scorer under performed miserably for 50% of season. So yeah, a C. For a lot of programs it'd be a D so maybe I'm being generous. What did this team do that exceeded your expectations for the season?

That said, there is a lot of reason to be optimistic moving forward. Here's number one (maybe the most athletic play by two NU bigs I've seen in watching this team since 1983 when Welsh-Ryan opened and I started regularly going to games):

View embedded media

So if we'd done this WITH Law, it'd be a D? LOL It's nice to know you're suddenly so picky how we get our 20 wins (in the regular season for the 1st time EVER!).

 

[CappyNU]

So if we'd done this WITH Law, it'd be a D? LOL It's nice to know you're suddenly so picky how we get our 20 wins (in the regular season for the 1st time EVER!).

God, you are so incapable of responding to any opinion that disagrees with your own without belittling the person in response. Based on the Kenpom ratings of the teams we played at the time we played them, we won exactly 0 games we were expected to lose while losing 2 games we were expected to win. How can you be surprised that people are rating this season as a "C"? Yes, our B1G record improved by two games. We got 7 wins against teams below us, and again, at the time, Wisconsin did not have their act together. And yes, if Vic Law was playing this year and we achieved the exact same record against the same teams, I don't think a D would be out of the question, though I would probably go with C-, based on the expectations everyone had, and the relative weakness of the conference this year.

 

[spartcat]

The last thing I need is people bitching about grades (Its a test day, so I don't want to hear it.). However, if we have 7 conference wins against teams below us, that means 7 teams are below us. That's real progress, sourpuss views notwithstanding.

 

[VirginiaWildcat]

Some people are having a very difficult time giving Collins some credit where it's due...

 

[clarificationcat]

God, you are so incapable of responding to any opinion that disagrees with your own without belittling the person in response. Based on the Kenpom ratings of the teams we played at the time we played them, we won exactly 0 games we were expected to lose while losing 2 games we were expected to win. How can you be surprised that people are rating this season as a "C"? Yes, our B1G record improved by two games. We got 7 wins against teams below us, and again, at the time, Wisconsin did not have their act together. And yes, if Vic Law was playing this year and we achieved the exact same record against the same teams, I don't think a D would be out of the question, though I would probably go with C-, based on the expectations everyone had, and the relative weakness of the conference this year.

Your grade is your grade so I am not going to argue with you about it. But I am getting tired of reading on this board and even on Inside NU that we beat Wisconsin when "they did not have their act together." The two games before they played us Wisconsin lost at IU 59-58 and lost to Maryland 63-60 when Maryland was playing great. Two very close games against two very good teams. After we beat them, they immediately went on their big winning streak during which they beat IU by 3 and Michigan State by 1. Two very close games against two very good teams. They also went on to beat slumping Maryland (Maryland lost to Minnesota the following game) and Iowa and lost to MSU. They were playing well when they played us and continued to play well after they played us. I just watched that game and we played a great game. It was BMac's best game of the year. The light didn't suddenly go on right after they played us. It was a good win against a good team.

 

[thewildcat2011]

Some people are having a very difficult time giving Collins some credit where it's due...

Come on man, don't do this. He disagrees on a letter grade, so what? He also said, "That said, there is a lot of reason to be optimistic moving forward. Here's number one (maybe the most athletic play by two NU bigs I've seen in watching this team since 1983 when Welsh-Ryan opened and I started regularly going to games)" and linked a really great highlight.

I happen to think we were at a B. We didn't overachieve relative to the predictions/goals, but obviously we also were not "average" in the sense that we got some really good talking points to sell to recruits going forward.

If we beat UM and push into the NIT, I think I'll go B+.

 

[backdoorpass]

This somewhat reminds me of 2010-11 where we had no bad losses but no high quality wins.

We went 7-14 against RPI top 100 teams in 2010-11. This season we are 2-10. The fact that we only played 12 top 100 teams in 31 games this season reveals a lot about our 20 wins.

 

[julescat]

We went 7-14 against RPI top 100 teams in 2010-11. This season we are 2-10. The fact that we only played 12 top 100 teams in 31 games this season reveals a lot about our 20 wins.

Yes. Lots of people on this message board are very easy graders. We did nothing great this year except not lose to anybody bad. That's good but not better than C for me since we didn't really seize any of the opportunities that were there for good wins.

 

[VirginiaWildcat]

We went 7-14 against RPI top 100 teams in 2010-11. This season we are 2-10. The fact that we only played 12 top 100 teams in 31 games this season reveals a lot about our 20 wins.

It reveals we won EVERY game we were supposed to, often coming from behind late in the game to do it. No slip-ups like many other teams...

Crap on our wins all you want. We won 20 of them. Yep, an NU Wildcat basketball team won 20 games!

 

[NJCat]

Yep, an NU Wildcat basketball team won 20 games!

Again!!

 

[NUCat320]

We went 7-14 against RPI top 100 teams in 2010-11. This season we are 2-10. The fact that we only played 12 top 100 teams in 31 games this season reveals a lot about our 20 wins.

It reveals we won EVERY game we were supposed to, often coming from behind late in the game to do it. No slip-ups like many other teams...

Crap on our wins all you want. We won 20 of them. Yep, an NU Wildcat basketball team won 20 games!

No crap, just facts.

In my opinion, 'beat teams you're better than, and beat two teams who are better than you' dictates a C+ (in a world where C is average). NU performed basically to expectations.

It would have been interesting to see a better non-con opponent or two swapped in - how would NU have fared against a strong MVC team? A win in an imaginary game over, say, Northern Iowa, would have pushed it into B range.

But the win count was more important than the win quality, which is a perfectly defensible scheduling strategy.

 

[VirginiaWildcat]

Again!!

Not in regulation. First time ever...

 

[Max_Power]

So if we'd done this WITH Law, it'd be a D? LOL It's nice to know you're suddenly so picky how we get our 20 wins (in the regular season for the 1st time EVER!).

Yep, I would have expected more with Law and this schedule. I love Vic Law, so much so that I get crap constantly for it. Imagine if NU had a 6'7 athlete who is an above average defender who you could expect to shot about 40% from three and rebounds! I think Law makes this team a tourney team.

Here's more, I absolutely expect NU to be in the tournament in two years. As for next year, while I think Benson and Ivanauskas could be really good, they are freshman bigs and those don't usually lead you to the tourney. But with the development of Pardon and Skelly they won't need to start from day one. And I can't tell how good Brown is. He could honestly score 20ppg next year or 3ppg, just hard to tell off of his film how his game will translate to college. Also, I expect Falzon to be better and Law to be awesome. But I give Collins a pass next year if he does not make the tourney but I expect '17 - '18 to be the year!

Would my opinion change if the Cats beat Michigan and Indiana? Yep.

And you know what, I still like Bill Carmody and think he did a great job for NU while I root like crazy for Chris Collins and his current players to make the tourney.

And here's my last comment, there are a lot of teams that could have won 20 games with this schedule. What this team did was important for the appearance of progress for the program and for recruiting. But that does not mean that this team is even close to the best team NU has fielded in the last 10 years. While its a good team for NU, its not a team for the ages. However, a deep run into the Big Ten Tourney will completely change that but you know as well as I do, with this being NU and all, Demps' wife will go into labor after Demps hits the game winning 3 in the semi-finals and he will miss the final.

 

[VirginiaWildcat]

But that does not mean that this team is even close to the best team NU has fielded in the last 10 years.

If not the best, it's definitely right up there near it. We were competitive in pretty much every game...

 

[Styre]

However, if we have 7 conference wins against teams below us, that means 7 teams are below us.

No it doesn't, since you can play teams twice...

 

[thewildcat2011]

If not the best, it's definitely right up there near it. We were competitive in pretty much every game...

Have to make the NIT to be considered, otherwise they'll get slotted below the 4 teams that did in the past 10 years.

 

[VirginiaWildcat]

Have to make the NIT to be considered, otherwise they'll get slotted below the 4 teams that did in the past 10 years.

That tells me all I really need to know. If you remember correctly, we weren't slated to make it in the NIT two of those seasons and were surprised when we did. Luck plays very large role with the NIT. 8 B1G wins > 7 B1G wins every time. Highest regular season win total ever...yep, right there with the best.

 

[thewildcat2011]

That tells me all I really need to know. If you remember correctly, we weren't slated to make it in the NIT two of those seasons and were surprised when we did. Luck plays very large role with the NIT. 8 B1G wins > 7 B1G wins every time. Highest regular season win total ever...yep, right there with the best.

All you need to know about what?

You're thinking of 2010, when we snuck in as a 7 seed. The other years we were a 4 or 5 seed, which is solidly in. As it stands this is probably a top 5 team over the past 10 years, but needs the NIT to climb higher than #5. How strong or weak the B1G is also variable and dependent on luck.

 

[VirginiaWildcat]

All you need to know about what?

You're thinking of 2010, when we snuck in as a 7 seed. The other years we were a 4 or 5 seed, which is solidly in. As it stands this is probably a top 5 team over the past 10 years, but needs the NIT to climb higher than #5. How strong or weak the B1G is also variable and dependent on luck.

It's okay to give Collins some real credit...you can do it!

 

[thewildcat2011]

It's okay to give Collins some real credit...you can do it!

Come on, VW...I'm there every single game cheering my heart out for these guys. I'm giving away tickets to get people, including unaffiliated non-alums, to come and support the 'Cats and catch some purple fever. I love Northwestern, I love the 'Cats, I love Northwestern Basketball and consume it in doses that are not good for my health. I love Coach Collins and I love this team. I'm not someone who dumps their season tickets or lowers their support because of personal ties to a head coach...you have an argument with those guys, not with me.

I'm just giving my opinion based on all of the NU basketball I've watched. I think this team can beat Michigan and give IU a game, get into the NIT and do some damage. This could be the BEST team results wise in the history of this school...but right now, it stands at best at #5 on my list. Sorry.

 

[VirginiaWildcat]

Come on, VW...I'm there every single game cheering my heart out for these guys. I'm giving away tickets to get people, including unaffiliated non-alums, to come and support the 'Cats and catch some purple fever. I love Northwestern, I love the 'Cats, I love Northwestern Basketball and consume it in doses that are not good for my healthy. I love Coach Collins and I love this team. I'm not someone who dumps their season tickets or lowers their support because of personal ties to a head coach...you have an argument with those guys, not with me.

I'm just giving my opinion based on all of the NU basketball I've watched. I think this team can beat Michigan and give IU a game, get into the NIT and do some damage. This could be the BEST team results wise in the history of this school...but right now, it stands at best at #5 on my list. Sorry.

Oh sure. Most wins ALL TIME in regular season. Tied for most conference wins since freaking 1933.

"Meh...5th best team in last ten seasons." Lol You are hilarious. If that's not a backhanded complement, nothing is.

The only thing you forgot to add was "Phillips sabatoged Carmody!"

 

[thewildcat2011]

 

[CappyNU]

Oh sure. Most wins ALL TIME in regular season. Tied for most conference wins since freaking 1933.

"Meh...5th best team in last ten seasons." Lol You are hilarious. If that's not a backhanded complement, nothing is.

The only thing you forgot to add was "Phillips sabatoged Carmody!"

What is wrong with you? We had 8 conference wins in 2009 and 2012, where do you get 1933 from? In 2009, we beat 6 NCAA tournament teams, including at MSU and Purdue. In 2010, we beat 3 tourney teams. In 2011, we made it to the 3rd round of the NIT. In 2012 we made it to the 2nd round of the NIT. During those years the B1G was the best conference in the country. This year, in a weak B1G, we've beaten 1 tournament team and might not make the NIT. You have a very simple mind if all you can see is a shiny "20 wins" and think that must be the best season we've ever had.

 

[VirginiaWildcat]

What is wrong with you? We had 8 conference wins in 2009 and 2012, where do you get 1933 from?

Read my post again. "Tied" for most conference wins since 1933. Geez...

 

[willycat]

What is wrong with you? We had 8 conference wins in 2009 and 2012, where do you get 1933 from? In 2009, we beat 6 NCAA tournament teams, including at MSU and Purdue. In 2010, we beat 3 tourney teams. In 2011, we made it to the 3rd round of the NIT. In 2012 we made it to the 2nd round of the NIT. During those years the B1G was the best conference in the country. This year, in a weak B1G, we've beaten 1 tournament team and might not make the NIT. You have a very simple mind if all you can see is a shiny "20 wins" and think that must be the best season we've ever had.

Do you think that the 10 wins that the FB team had last season was also not worthy? just asking.

 

[EvanstonCat]

Obviously we aren't done yet, but I would probably say B+. That is in part predicated on the thought that we make NIT, which I think is more likely than not but not certain.

We won everything we were supposed to OOC in going 12-1, with a couple close calls. I was thinking 7-11 predicted outcome for conference season, with an outside goal of 10-8. We clearly fell short of the latter, but I think this was a solid step forward. We fell short in some close calls on the road against Md, Mich, OSU, and showed some problems with the press, would have liked to hold on to one of those. But we did pull out tight ones against Wiscy and IL, so it wasn't all bad. We got to 20 wins which isn't bad, though with an easy schedule.

In terms of player development, Demps and Olah had some hiccups in the middle but finished the season strong. BMac clearly got better through the offseason and sustained his level of play through the year better. Lindsey progressed in the back half of the year. Pardon emerged as an option out of nowhere, and Skelly took a huge step forward. Sanjay is still mostly a defensive specialist, and injuries to Law and JVZ unfortunately stunted their development. All in all though we seem to be moving in the right direction.

So if we don't end up making the NIT then I would probably have to downgrade slightly, but I think we are already in decent position and Michigan is also a winnable game. Now comes the survive and advance fun!

Go Cats!

C. C+ if we get to the NIT. We passed. But, let's face it, we are mediocre. You can't get a B unless you go to the tourney in my book (yes, NU has been a C or worse student for it's entire history), and an A is only reserved for conference titles and Final Four appearances.

I'm not flattening the curve just because we've had a ton of D's and F's in the past and happen to have won more regular season games than ever.

 

[EvanstonCat]

Do you think that the 10 wins that the FB team had last season was also not worthy? just asking.

B for football. Though a B+ could be argued for getting to double digit wins.

Again, you don't get an A without winning the B1G or finishing in the top 10 in my book. The plus generally requires a bowl win, though I might give it for getting 10 wins.
Beating dOSU gets a whole letter grade increase for extra credit.

 

[Fitz51]

Basketball: C+
Football: B