Main feeling: Past anger, just sadness for the seniors. (UPDATED, with more sadness)

[olshin]

Honestly, right now, I'm past the anger stage. We're not very good, not putting 40 minutes together, and we don't seem to adjust to anything the opponent does offensively. We don't get many stops late in games.

But mainly, I'm sad thinking that Barnhizer, Berry, and Nicholson will likely leave here after the end of the regular season and that's it. Forget the NCAA, the NIT looks pretty unlikely at this point ... and we aren't even favorites to get into the Big Ten Tournament at this point. Just sadness. Wish there were answers, but if Barnhizer isn't right - and he clearly isn't - this team just doesn't seem to have what it takes.

Shame. They deserve better. Hope someone figures something out. Two rough home losses are deflating as heck though.

TWO. HOURS. LATER. .....

Left the computer to catch the press conference and go out ....

And who knew that was only the tip of the sad iceberg.

These guys - Brooks especially, but also Ty and Matt for coming back - deserve the Boo moment at the end of last year. It honestly f'ing sucks that he won't get it. Hope the Cats fans can make Senior Night extra special. He deserves it as much as anyone who has ever worn the Purple and White (at least in the modern era) ... regardless of the rest of this year.

As for the future ... we'll be fine. Just keep Culture First.

 

[AdamOnFirst]

We just don’t have the juice to beat these other viciously good teams. The bad beats vs Iowa and Penn state were disasters. We’re one good scorer short, and now that Berry is more often thag guy we lose Barney

 

[SDakaGordie]

The Gragg effect is haunting our current (lack of) depth. Just imagine if other BIG schools had zero help in an entire class of recruits…

 

[SmellyCat]

I'm sad too. A couple months ago, when NU barely lost to Iowa and beat Illinois I was thinking, "Barnhizer might be the best NU player ever - we're on our way to the NCAAs again!" It's clear though that this team just isn't that good relative to the rest of the conference, and when you combine it with some bad luck, this is what happens.

The ride of 2022 to 2024 was so much fun, and a lot of the guys on this year's team made seriously significant contributions to that ride, but it looks like the NCAA dream for 2025 is over, which means starting over next year with a young team and low expectations.

And I think Collins may need to recruit some of his current players to make sure they come back. Teams will come after Martinelli. They'll come after Windham and Jello. I'm not saying those guys are looking elsewhere or that they're in any way disloyal, but next year is going to be rough.

 

[Catreporter]

They'll come after Windham and Jello.

Oh come on now, They scored ZERO points today and I doubt Martinelli is going anywhere but who knows in this day and age. I'm very happy with the incoming recruit class. Collins has some good credibility after the last two years to rebuild this team. I just hope the fans keep showing up. This was a gritty game by this crew today, but check out the difference in bench scoring . Crohl had a terrible game (3 points) but it didn't matter. They have multiple threats. I'm not sure we can win many more games this year. Tough ending for the seniors who gave this program so much juice.

 

[Baz=Heisman]

I'm sad too. A couple months ago, when NU barely lost to Iowa and beat Illinois I was thinking, "Barnhizer might be the best NU player ever - we're on our way to the NCAAs again!" It's clear though that this team just isn't that good relative to the rest of the conference, and when you combine it with some bad luck, this is what happens.

The ride of 2022 to 2024 was so much fun, and a lot of the guys on this year's team made seriously significant contributions to that ride, but it looks like the NCAA dream for 2025 is over, which means starting over next year with a young team and low expectations.

And I think Collins may need to recruit some of his current players to make sure they come back. Teams will come after Martinelli. They'll come after Windham and Jello. I'm not saying those guys are looking elsewhere or that they're in any way disloyal, but next year is going to be rough.

Next year does absolutely NOT have to be rough. We have the 23rd ranked recruiting class in the country coming in, Martinelli back and I assume will bring in a serviceable PG and C in the portal. A bubble team should be the expectation next year. I won’t settle anymore because I’ve seen we can do it.

 

[SmellyCat]

Next year does absolutely NOT have to be rough. We have the 23rd ranked recruiting class in the country coming in, Martinelli back and I assume will bring in a serviceable PG and C in the portal. A bubble team should be the expectation next year. I won’t settle anymore because I’ve seen we can do it.

I hope you're right, but the team will be VERY young, even if we keep the core of Martinelli, Windham, Jello, Mullins, and Hunger. I guess a lot hinges on what portal guys we bring in.

 

[Hungry Jack]

I'm sad too. A couple months ago, when NU barely lost to Iowa and beat Illinois I was thinking, "Barnhizer might be the best NU player ever - we're on our way to the NCAAs again!" It's clear though that this team just isn't that good relative to the rest of the conference, and when you combine it with some bad luck, this is what happens.

The ride of 2022 to 2024 was so much fun, and a lot of the guys on this year's team made seriously significant contributions to that ride, but it looks like the NCAA dream for 2025 is over, which means starting over next year with a young team and low expectations.

And I think Collins may need to recruit some of his current players to make sure they come back. Teams will come after Martinelli. They'll come after Windham and Jello. I'm not saying those guys are looking elsewhere or that they're in any way disloyal, but next year is going to be rough.

Big Ten teams won’t spend NIL on young, unproven talent. I have high hopes for KJ and Gelo, but they don’t make any power school roster better at this point. They need a year of development.

 

[AdamOnFirst]

Well now with the Barney news my emotions are just pure basketball sorrow

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

Big Ten teams won’t spend NIL on young, unproven talent. I have high hopes for KJ and Gelo, but they don’t make any power school roster better at this point. They need a year of development.

I can’t believe all the clamoring for Gelo and KJ to play more on this board. Gelo killed us today. Bad passes, bad shooting, bad defense. KJ at least looked decent on D. They are not ready to consistently contribute. They will flash.

To be clear, I think BOTH will be good players down the line. The extra time these last 5 weeks should help them. I think they will be light years better next year.

 

[olshin]

Well now with the Barney news my emotions are just pure basketball sorrow

Yeah ... I was sad during the game ... and that was nothing compared to after it, hearing the press conference

 

[olshin]

Next year does absolutely NOT have to be rough. We have the 23rd ranked recruiting class in the country coming in, Martinelli back and I assume will bring in a serviceable PG and C in the portal. A bubble team should be the expectation next year. I won’t settle anymore because I’ve seen we can do it.

Yep.
Can certainly be done.
Let's hope we do!