Takeaways: Barnhizer dominates in 71-60 win over Georgia Tech after losing front teeth
- Thread starter lou v
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The point is the idea of firing him was misplaced when you looked beyond just W/L. I spent years supporting a position that things were not as bad when you looked deeper, and was ultimately supported, per PWB’s earlier comment. It was not because of some inherent bias toward CCC; I just was inclined to believe in him based on what my eyes were seeing, and the data also backed it up.
I didn't want to seem overly optimistic and I couldn't figure out how many games we had to play to win the Big Ten tournament AND the NCAA tournament, so I just figured we win the next 20, then win the Big Ten tournament before eventually losing in the NCAA.
I did like the 19-1 Big Ten record, but the "4" in the overall loss column threw me.
The Allstate year was a failure. It should’ve been a tournament-caliber team, no doubt about it. But injuries, egos, and the lack of a true home court just wrecked everything. When you look at the expectations versus the reality of that season, it was probably the worst outcome for what should have been a promising team. And honestly, that’s probably Collin’s worst year as a coach.
Now, you know, after that, there was gonna be a drop-off anyway. That’s just part of the cycle in building a program. You lose your core players (sans Law) from that first tournament team, and suddenly, you’re left scrambling for Starting Big Ten-level talent. Outside of Pardon, we didn’t land that caliber of player, and some of that comes down to Collin being a younger coach, and of course, the challenges NU’s historically faced, academics, lack of history, all of it.
But after that rough patch, we started seeing some real progress. We brought in a solid class that contributed to competitive teams. Then, boom, we get the GOAT, and things started clicking, the results showed gradual improvement.
Then came the ultimatum. It hurt some recruiting momentum, and the losing during the rebuild didn’t help either. But with hits on on four strong recruiting classes in a row It gave us a real shot at making a third straight tournament this year, which is huge. Just some questions about the sophomore class which could leave a hole in the team next year. 2/3 left at NU. Neither has played a ton of meaningful minutes yet, or project to this season. We shall see how it turns out.
You, and you alone, agree with you.
By any metric unrelated to participation trophies, he was a terrible coach at that point. His ship was sinking. Whether you want to attribute Gagg to motivating the changes is subject to debate.
But any right minded athletic director would have sent him packing.
Now, he could have left, found this same Jesus and rebuilt his coaching reputation at another school. I am pretty sure that history has such examples. But CCC sucked at the time Gagg ridiculed him.
It takes insight and courage to stand behind a coach when the superficial metrics look as bad as they did for Coach Collins. Gordie was right while those of us that took the easy way and called for Coach Collins' firing were wrong. Whether it was based on money, an inept AD or whatever, the decision to keep Coach Collins following the 2021-2022 season was the right one. Gordie has rightfully taken a few victory laps for this, and as long as we keep winning, he can take as many more as he damn well pleases.
I would just like to point out that I was right there with Gordie all along in thinking CCC should be retained and, in fact, I predicted the two NCAA appearances.
(The fact that I am absolutely lying is irrelevant as this is the way history is done these days....)
It seems possible to think both that Collins was a bit of a dumpster fire and also that it wasn't yet time to replace him. After the Allstate experience, he seemed to be settling into Carmody-like results. Seven total conference wins in two years would make any fan a bit itchy, right? And then he moved the team back into that 6 to 7 wins a year world we'd gotten used to previously.
Things have worked out pretty well the last few years tho, so I'm sure we're all glad he stayed. I suggest that a lot of elements came into play beyond the 'ultimatum', and I suspect one of the bigger positive changes was bringing in Battle and the impact he had on Boo's everything. In a few decades, when Collins pens his memoirs, maybe we'll find out what went on in the room where it happened.
It's interesting stuff to think about objectively if you can get past some of the personal emotionally driven content here.
Things have worked out pretty well the last few years tho, so I'm sure we're all glad he stayed. I suggest that a lot of elements came into play beyond the 'ultimatum', and I suspect one of the bigger positive changes was bringing in Battle and the impact he had on Boo's everything. In a few decades, when Collins pens his memoirs, maybe we'll find out what went on in the room where it happened.
It's interesting stuff to think about objectively if you can get past some of the personal emotionally driven content here.
It’s taken you a long time but congratulations on quintupling down and digging your CCC and Gordie hate hole further. Some saw the light when examining the situation deeper; you did not, and it appears it’s impossible for you to admit it, so you keep digging.
If we can agree on anything - can we agree to stop discussing Collins’ past?
Thanks, @PURPLECAT88. I have no reason to want to take victory laps. I just would like to believe that sometimes, every one of us can draw a poor conclusion, and we should not feel any reluctance to not admit it, learn and move on.
Going 11-7 vs. 7-11 is not that different. Some clutch players hitting shots and free throws and getting stops.
We can absolutely to agree on that. I have held my tongue when you have revisited this topic many times as I was content to enjoy the winning. But you have been unrentless. So you won’t see me touch it again if you won’t either.
Yeah, Goldie was the most ardent CCC supporter, he wasn’t the only CCC supporter!
If Mart comes back - which he should - NBA won’t be a real option and he could have nil and be THE man here - that’s one big piece.
Hunger slides in for MN - and I think will be fine. More O and less D but workable on both ends.
Gelo gets first bite at the three.
Everything else is wide open. Lots of potential already here with a strong recruiting class. Next year could be the dip year as we go from quite old to quite young.
Be interesting to see who they bring in on the transfer wire. Pretty sure we will have one spot plus the rumored roster expansions.
I don’t care about next year now! We are likely a bubble team this year, but we have a shot to dance this year. Ride your horses.
I think Collins may be shopping for a big via the portal, enabling him to hopefully redshirt Brennerman. Another wing would be good too.
