Takeaways: Barnhizer dominates in 71-60 win over Georgia Tech after losing front teeth

[lou v]

Here are @mshelton33's takeaways from Milwaukee...

Barnhizer dominates in 71-60 win over Georgia Tech after losing front teeth

Brooks Barnhizer scored 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds the same week his front teeth were knocked out at practice.

northwestern.rivals.com

 

[MC_Cat]

Ok I'd say officially the toughest player in NU men's bball history. Dude is nails.

 

[palbeans]

Disappointed that we didn't have more fans, but those who were there made themselves heard.

 

[IGNORE2]

This is a team. There was a Bartinelli play that ended w a stoppage. Waited to see the two high five - nope. They made it to the bench and ended up naturally together and kinda was a nod. These two are brothers.

 

[IGNORE2]

This is a team. There was a Bartinelli play that ended w a stoppage. Waited to see the two high five - nope. They made it to the bench and ended up naturally together and kinda was a nod. These two are brothers.

I just hope little brother Mart is encouraged by BB to stay another year. This is the BB year like last year was the Boo year. Next year, it’s team Mart - he will be the undeniable BMOC. Having been on the Mart train from the beginning and loving his ugly, old white man game - I really hope he stays.

I once said Young reminded me of Tim Doyle (our own Fred Flintstone). I think Mart is what would happen if Doyle became suddenly athletic. Coordination plus old school moves. How can you not root for this kid?

 

[ThatkidfromHolland]

I get it, running a short bench can be tough on the guys, especially as we move deeper into the B1G season. If they stick with a 7-man rotation, we might start to feel the wear and tear. But honestly, playing big minutes with a week of rest before and after games isn't the end of the world. The key is making sure they’re managing practice time, letting those starters rest up a bit, and then really push the freshmen and the depth guys this week. Get them to a point where they can step up and give the starting cast a breather when the B1G grind hits. It’s about building that trust and skill so they’re ready when it matters most.

 

[GatoLouco]

I get it, running a short bench can be tough on the guys, especially as we move deeper into the B1G season. If they stick with a 7-man rotation, we might start to feel the wear and tear. But honestly, playing big minutes with a week of rest before and after games isn't the end of the world. The key is making sure they’re managing practice time, letting those starters rest up a bit, and then really push the freshmen and the depth guys this week. Get them to a point where they can step up and give the starting cast a breather when the B1G grind hits. It’s about building that trust and skill so they’re ready when it matters most.

This is true. But the chances of not having injuries all season long are like 10, 20%?

 

[PurpleWhiteBoy]

This is true. But the chances of not having injuries all season long are like 10, 20%?

Ideally Ciaravino and Windham would have gotten brief runs in that game against Georgia Tech. We were up 65-43 with 5:18 to go.
So there was an opportunity. As it was, Collins left the starters in and they stopped playing hard. We got outscored 12-2 over the last 4 minutes.

I can understand Collins thinking "we need to win big." Thats the way it is now - essentially the NCAA tournament selection process rewards teams for poor sportsmanship - a.k.a. "running up the score." But there's also the subtleties of keeping the bench players engaged, not risking injury with your rotation, getting the young guys experience, etc. I tend to be rather risk averse - "Any risk without a potential reward is a mistake." Not sure what the coach was thinking - maybe we were running some new plays? Were we trying to blow Georgia Tech out? Were we padding stats? Who knows.

Did anybody else notice that when Hunger committed an offensive foul with 45 seconds to go in the first half, Collins immediately took him out and put Nicholson back out there with 2 fouls? My "Unnecessary Risk" detector went off immediately. But Nicholson didn't foul anybody, so it worked out.

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

This is true. But the chances of not having injuries all season long are like 10, 20%?

This is very much a bubble team. Every win will matter. I am not sure the risk of pissing a game away over weighs the benefit of resting the studs. CCC has had a recent history of riding his horses. At a place like NU, that has veterans all over, it makes sense. Next year will be the developmental year with the tourney being a long shot. Jello and KJ will be good players, they are just overmatched right now.

 

[GatoLouco]

This is very much a bubble team. Every win will matter. I am not sure the risk of pissing a game away over weighs the benefit of resting the studs. CCC has had a recent history of riding his horses. At a place like NU, that has veterans all over, it makes sense. Next year will be the developmental year with the tourney being a long shot. Jello and KJ will be good players, they are just overmatched right now.

I am not advocating risking losses. I am saying we can take calculated risks up by 20.

We played with Smith a few games last year which felt at times like playing with 1 less. Chances are we will have the same happen this year.

KJello are not exactly chumps on the court anyway.

Ultimately we are both arguing for wins, you just arguing for win at any cost now, me arguing taking a calculated risk to defend wins down the road.

 

[ThatkidfromHolland]

I am not advocating risking losses. I am saying we can take calculated risks up by 20.

We played with Smith a few games last year which felt at times like playing with 1 less. Chances are we will have the same happen this year.

KJello are not exactly chumps on the court anyway.

Ultimately we are both arguing for wins, you just arguing for win at any cost now, me arguing taking a calculated risk to defend wins down the road.

Ideally Ciaravino and Windham would have gotten brief runs in that game against Georgia Tech. We were up 65-43 with 5:18 to go.
So there was an opportunity. As it was, Collins left the starters in and they stopped playing hard. We got outscored 12-2 over the last 4 minutes.

I can understand Collins thinking "we need to win big." Thats the way it is now - essentially the NCAA tournament selection process rewards teams for poor sportsmanship - a.k.a. "running up the score." But there's also the subtleties of keeping the bench players engaged, not risking injury with your rotation, getting the young guys experience, etc. I tend to be rather risk averse - "Any risk without a potential reward is a mistake." Not sure what the coach was thinking - maybe we were running some new plays? Were we trying to blow Georgia Tech out? Were we padding stats? Who knows.

Did anybody else notice that when Hunger committed an offensive foul with 45 seconds to go in the first half, Collins immediately took him out and put Nicholson back out there with 2 fouls? My "Unnecessary Risk" detector went off immediately. But Nicholson didn't foul anybody, so it worked out.

As we head into the heart of the B1G season, I think we’re gonna see that risk hedge of running deeper into the bench more. The legs get tired, injuries pile up, it’s just part of the grind. Now, when you’ve got a week off before and after a game, that’s a different story. The risk is way lower in those situations. There’s a focus on the core 7, the guys who are gonna win games in March. The drop-off to the next tier is real right now. That’s normal with the freshman, and they’ve got potential, but they need development. They’re better off getting reps in practice than getting spot minutes in a game that’s decided. Secure the win, get the core of 7 the rest they need the beginning of this week, and let them recharge for what’s coming next. Run the depth hard in practice early this week.

TLDR: Not a big deal yet, especially this last game. If it continues as there’s less time to rest between games the risk starts increasing.

 

[lou v]

I hear the criticism, and it has some merit. But you can’t really argue with Collins’ results. It’s what he’s always done, and it works. As he pointed out yesterday, Brooks and Nick didn’t play much as freshmen, either. Brooks played in just 11 games in his first year.

 

[PurpleWhiteBoy]

I hear the criticism, and it has some merit. But you can’t really argue with Collins’ results. It’s what he’s always done, and it works. As he pointed out yesterday, Brooks and Nick didn’t play much as freshmen, either. Brooks played in just 11 games in his first year.

I'm not sure which thing "Collins has always done"
Do you mean not playing the freshmen? Or playing like no lead is ever safe?

I'd argue that many things Collins used to do, he stopped doing (or changed) after the Gragg ultimatum, his re-assessment of himself and the arrival of Lowery.

 

[PURPLECAT88]

I think Collins doesn't believe in the theory that if you play freshman perhaps before they're ready, it will help their development. He might be right. MN, NM and Brooks all developed very well without playing much as freshmen. I would have no problem with KJ and Jello having similar career arcs.

 

[SDakaGordie]

I'm not sure which thing "Collins has always done"
Do you mean not playing the freshmen? Or playing like no lead is ever safe?

I'd argue that many things Collins used to do, he stopped doing (or changed) after the Gragg ultimatum, his re-assessment of himself and the arrival of Lowery.

I will eat my hat if Collins ever said Gragg had an influence on his coaching approach/style. Collins’ only rightful fear was that Gragg would make an idiotic decision to can him. But that doesn’t mean Collins was going to change what he’s learned over his (and his dad’s) basketball lifetime because of Gragg - it’s a downright laughable conclusion to think so, knowing what we know of Gragg.

 

[EagerFan]

I can see the arguments on both sides. If I were me, I would have looked at putting KJ in at point with the 22 point lead and having them run some offensive sets with him 'in charge'. As long as he doesn't turn the ball over, its all gravy, and if they score four unanswered points immediately, sit him back down. But I'm not the coach.

 

[PurpleWhiteBoy]

I will eat my hat if Collins ever said Gragg had an influence on his coaching approach/style. Collins’ only rightful fear was that Gragg would make an idiotic decision to can him. But that doesn’t mean Collins was going to change what he’s learned over his (and his dad’s) basketball lifetime because of Gragg - it’s a downright laughable conclusion to think so, knowing what we know of Gragg.

I only write about the Gragg ultimatum in a "tongue-in-cheek" way, because it provides a frame of reference.
I was critical of the ultimatum right away because it was stupid - it seemed like a deliberate attempt to undercut recruiting and team morale, to essentially guarantee a bad year - and cover Gragg's butt.

However, Collins has said that Gragg's ultimatum forced him to re-evaluate everything.
Doesn't mean Gragg told him what changes to make - that would be crazy - not sure where you are getting that.

 

[SmellyCat]

I’m less concerned about developing a player or him being “ready” than I am that someone important gets hurt. Tech lost a player to injury late (maybe not serious) and that could just as easily be NU.

Injuries last year may have a cost NU a better seed and a chance at the sweet 16. Sure, they weren’t beating UConn but a sixth or seventh seed with Berry and/or Nicholson could’ve made the second weekend.

Injuries can happen ANY time of course (case in point: Brooks losing his teeth practicing with a grad student assistant), but they won’t happen if the player is safely on the bench.

 

[TheC]

As we head into the heart of the B1G season, I think we’re gonna see that risk hedge of running deeper into the bench more. The legs get tired, injuries pile up, it’s just part of the grind. Now, when you’ve got a week off before and after a game, that’s a different story. The risk is way lower in those situations. There’s a focus on the core 7, the guys who are gonna win games in March. The drop-off to the next tier is real right now. That’s normal with the freshman, and they’ve got potential, but they need development. They’re better off getting reps in practice than getting spot minutes in a game that’s decided. Secure the win, get the core of 7 the rest they need the beginning of this week, and let them recharge for what’s coming next. Run the depth hard in practice early this week.

TLDR: Not a big deal yet, especially this last game. If it continues as there’s less time to rest between games the risk starts increasing.

I think this is right. With a week off to rest, Collins is way more interested in his top 6-7 getting as many reps together as possible. Plus, I have to think there is a huge difference between a freshman in November/December and one in February/March. These guys are still learning so much right now through practice and observation. Playing them before they're ready may not make much sense.

Now, the frosh did play more in earlier games including big games like Dayton. But, I'm guessing he had to play them in November more because Brooks and maybe Berry weren't in shape enough to take the minutes they are playing now.

 

[SDakaGordie]

I only write about the Gragg ultimatum in a "tongue-in-cheek" way, because it provides a frame of reference.
I was critical of the ultimatum right away because it was stupid - it seemed like a deliberate attempt to undercut recruiting and team morale, to essentially guarantee a bad year - and cover Gragg's butt.

However, Collins has said that Gragg's ultimatum forced him to re-evaluate everything.
Doesn't mean Gragg told him what changes to make - that would be crazy - not sure where you are getting that.

I think what it forced Collins to re-evaluate was whether he wanted to coach for someone who knew so little about what it took to win basketball games at NU. Luckily for Collins and all of us, Collins kept pounding the rock and believed his great work would win the day over Gragg’s misplaced ultimatum. But there’s no way Collins changed his overall approach in any dramatic way. (Recognizing that coaches actually do make changes to their staff sometimes to improve the team).