Collins talked extensively today about the lack of toughness leading to the inability to close out games. Great video.
Toughness
- Thread starter NJCat83588
- Start date
He's exactly right. Its lack of toughness. I think I posted yesterday with about 5 minutes left that I hope we can make the plays and not collapse down the stretch, though I knew in the back of my mind what would happen.... and it did. I think talent is certainly an issue, but those underdog teams that have a special season and make noise at the tournament are usually led by guys who are just tough SOBs who don't care if they have less talent. They just find ways to win. I don't know if you can teach that or make that happen. I think its just part of who a kid is. We haven't recruited those kind of guys yet. Maybe BMac will be that guy in the next two years. Maybe Law. But we know its not Olah and probably not Demps.
I think this is spot on. When I watch the team this year, it seems not a matter of if, but a matter of when they will melt down and fold like a tent. The good news is that I think mental toughness can be learned for the most part. I think of Craig Moore as someone who overcame shortcomings early in his career and became a mental beast by his senior year.
My favorite player with this quality of "toughness" was Michael Thompson. What a will to win the guy had and he was absolute money on the free throw line late in a game. I love McIntosh but he has failed at the FT line a couple of times in clutch situations despite normally being a deadeye from there. He carried us to wins against Columbia and Wisconsin, but perhaps because of all the minutes he's had to play and the fact he's been getting double teamed constantly, he hasn't been able to do that consistently, and no one else has really stepped up, including Demps, who had come up big in late game situations earlier in his career.
I agree that Michael Thompson was an outstanding point guard and tough as nails. Same with Craig Moore. I expect McIntosh to become like that from his junior year. He's already clutch, but as pointed out, needs to bury those free throws in the late stages of games.
I liked Thompson's toughness as well but my favorite NU 'tough guy" was Jitim. Anyone know what's he doing these days.
Here is what he says on his LinkedIn profile (he is also writing a book):
Coach/Mentor/Recruiting/StudentAffairs
Chicago Jesuit Academy
August 2013 – Present (2 years 7 months)Chicago, Illinois
Improving the leadership, discipline, sportsmanship, and athletic ability of the young men at Chicago Jesuit Academy. Mentoring them to be emotionally and athletically prepared in handling the responsibility of being a student-athlete at the high school level. I work with college persistence department in helping the alumni of CJA maintain their goals as high school or college students. I handle student recruitment, and assist with any fund raising or benefactors who wants to donate money to CJA. Benefactor's support definitely helps to make the academic environment a great experience for our students. I also instruct a social skills class, and teach 5th graders how to cope with problems and reflect about things they should be thankful to have. I'm a reading comprehension counselor for 5th graders who enter CJA reading at a lower level. I assist them with improving their reading level throughout the school year.
Counselor/Mentor/ Basketball Instructor
Swish Dreams
January 2013 – Present (3 years 2 months)Chicago, Illinois
Creating a basketball program that is challenging and enjoyable to the youth. Helping young people improve their basketball skills, public speaking, and writing ability. Developing leadership skills of youth by educating them on conflict resolution, teamwork, and communication.
Skills Coach/ Basketball Training
Players U
January 2013 – Present (3 years 2 months)Mount Prospect, Illinois
Helping athletes improve their fundamentals in the game of basketball, so they are effective players on the court. Establishing a program that weekly makes players better ball- handlers, shooters, passers, and with a "game situation" style of training; improve basketball IQ. I work with teams as well, building cohesiveness offensively and defensive court awareness.
Playing 4 ranked Big 10 teams in a row didn't improve the toughness, don't see how playing Butler or Creighton OOC would help any more!
More seriously, having better players will help "toughness" as much as anything. And better Jimmies and Joes are coming.......
Free throws become incredibly more difficult when you are fatigued, I'm not surprised McIntosh struggles at the line late in games given the minutes he plays.
