Coach K's former team, Wisconsin-Green Bay, is having quite a bit of success these past 2 years. 24-7 last year and now they're sitting at 23-7 this year with a good shot at making the Big Dance. Wonder if Coach K would ever schedule them.

I stand and travel to away games, always with my friends doing the same. You cant generalize our students.... Or OSU fans, or whatever they are.

It does suck not having a solid group of students that want to cheer and make teams feel out of place.

(03-03-2015 09:41 PM)toledobigmike Wrote:  We've won 46 games and counting in two seasons and you're hinting at replacing our coach?!?! That's INSANE! Get a grip.

Coach K, needs to hire a defensive coach, one who only teaches DEFENSE. This has been proven, this year, that we can't stop teams who shot 3 pointers well. We also have no mental toughness. Lost to many home games by not being mentally tough.

(03-06-2015 04:49 PM)FrickerRon Wrote:  

(03-03-2015 09:41 PM)toledobigmike Wrote:  We've won 46 games and counting in two seasons and you're hinting at replacing our coach?!?! That's INSANE! Get a grip.

Coach K, needs to hire a defensive coach, one who only teaches DEFENSE. This has been proven, this year, that we can't stop teams who shot 3 pointers well. We also have no mental toughness. Lost to many home games by not being mentally tough.

I agree. In addition, Coach K needs to prioritize defense. Defense is in part effort, so you have to reward that effort with playing time (or, put another way, punish lack of effort with bench time). Also, put Lauf in the starting lineup. Not because he's a better player the Jon-Jon. They're very different players, so it's hard to compare. But I'd rather see Jon-Jon playing with the second unit, which could benefit from his scoring ability. If Lauf is on the floor with the starters, it doesn't matter that he can't score. Play then each 20-25 minutes, but make sure that Lauf's minutes are primarily with the starters.

(03-06-2015 05:00 PM)Dwight Wrote:  

(03-06-2015 04:49 PM)FrickerRon Wrote:  

(03-03-2015 09:41 PM)toledobigmike Wrote:  We've won 46 games and counting in two seasons and you're hinting at replacing our coach?!?! That's INSANE! Get a grip.

Coach K, needs to hire a defensive coach, one who only teaches DEFENSE. This has been proven, this year, that we can't stop teams who shot 3 pointers well. We also have no mental toughness. Lost to many home games by not being mentally tough.

I agree. In addition, Coach K needs to prioritize defense. Defense is in part effort, so you have to reward that effort with playing time (or, put another way, punish lack of effort with bench time). Also, put Lauf in the starting lineup. Not because he's a better player the Jon-Jon. They're very different players, so it's hard to compare. But I'd rather see Jon-Jon playing with the second unit, which could benefit from his scoring ability. If Lauf is on the floor with the starters, it doesn't matter that he can't score. Play then each 20-25 minutes, but make sure that Lauf's minutes are primarily with the starters.

I think I agree with this. Jon Jon was much better off the bench last year as well. Lauf hasn't been able to throw it in the ocean from 3 pt land lately either. Less pressure for him to put that shot up playing with the first unit.

Saddest part of the season for me was that this was a perfect storm that could have been one of our best years in recent times. The schedule with the chance for poster wins (VCU or Oregon), a good exposure with the Duke game (we did step up from what I saw at the game) and winnable games vs UD and Oakland and then a winnable MAC. Not wanting to can TK but, lets be honest, a lack of D should be = to pine time!!! We should be in the semi's headed for a chance at the DANCE and we are potentially looking at a one-and-done> Not acceptable in any way. Agree that TK needs a mature coach who can teach and demand D. The assistant coach merry-go-round has got to stop for continuity if nothing else. Lets hope for a great showing on the road...3-0 and we dance!!!

My guess is that, if coach K is competent at what he does, he has been aware for some time of the limits of effectiveness on defense. I would expect that the entire coaching staff has been pushing the players to get better defensively for the last two years without measurable success. I agree with an earlier post that, while there are some learning elements on defensive fundamentals and defensive system responsibilities, the important pathway to success is hard work and commitment. Some players just are not committed to it and I suspect that is the problem with the current team. And those players have continued to eat up the playing minutes. So I conclude that coach K decided that either the bench players were no better on defense or that they were so inferior offensively that he would ride his offense as far as it would take him. IMO hiring a "defensive coach" doesn't get at the problem. Recruiters need to focus on players who are athletic and quick and take pride in their defense.

there's been a philosophy this year to play defense with containment instead of aggression. the emphasis has been on denying easy looks and avoiding fouls. don't get out of position trying to force turnovers. understand we have a good offense and force them to make fairly tough shots and keep pace with us. it works when we do a decent job defending the 3 and run our offense well. the problem is that our offensive play has been inconsistent. juice will be devastating for a few games and them pull a central (miss 12 shots and have 0 assists). boothe is great distributing and shooting 1 night then struggles w his shot or passing the next.

overall our perimeter defense is improved. against central it was poor. against kent they made tough shots. personally, i prefer the way joplin coached d. he put a lot of similar athletic swingmen on the floor and had them pressure the ball, double team the post and dig at the ball, anticipate and take chances in the passing lanes. it meant a lot of steals and fast breaks mixed with some wide open looks and open cutters, but at least we created turnovers. this year our d at best gives our offense a chance to outshoot the opponent, but it never gives us a real advantage. effort helps, but i don't expect much change of result in our remaining games. hopefully, we can generally force contested jumpers and play teams with tired legs. next year may see a better team with high energy defenders like lauf and hall on the floor more. plus a couple a of incoming frosh look like good defenders. of course, we won't have the shooters and finishers we've been spoiled to watch the past couple yrs in juice, drum and jd so we better play good d.

Bg isnt very athletic so they wont give our D fits like lots of other teams in the conference could. CMU actually should match up well with us, but when they hit shots they match up against everyone. UB is balanced and will dominate us in the paint. They are a team we have to outscore. Kent has very athletic and long guards which make it tough for us to score, stopping them has to do with them nailing 25 footers or not...

(03-07-2015 09:54 PM)pono Wrote:  there's been a philosophy this year to play defense with containment instead of aggression. the emphasis has been on denying easy looks and avoiding fouls. don't get out of position trying to force turnovers. understand we have a good offense and force them to make fairly tough shots and keep pace with us. it works when we do a decent job defending the 3 and run our offense well. the problem is that our offensive play has been inconsistent. juice will be devastating for a few games and them pull a central (miss 12 shots and have 0 assists). boothe is great distributing and shooting 1 night then struggles w his shot or passing the next.

overall our perimeter defense is improved. against central it was poor. against kent they made tough shots. personally, i prefer the way joplin coached d. he put a lot of similar athletic swingmen on the floor and had them pressure the ball, double team the post and dig at the ball, anticipate and take chances in the passing lanes. it meant a lot of steals and fast breaks mixed with some wide open looks and open cutters, but at least we created turnovers. this year our d at best gives our offense a chance to outshoot the opponent, but it never gives us a real advantage. effort helps, but i don't expect much change of result in our remaining games. hopefully, we can generally force contested jumpers and play teams with tired legs. next year may see a better team with high energy defenders like lauf and hall on the floor more. plus a couple a of incoming frosh look like good defenders. of course, we won't have the shooters and finishers we've been spoiled to watch the past couple yrs in juice, drum and jd so we better play good d.

I agree. It took me a while to get used to Joplin's aggressive, overplaying defenses, but they were effective - especially in MAC play. I don't necessarily think we need go to it as our primary defense, but it needs to be part of the repertoire and not just pulled out the last 20 seconds of games when we're down by a few baskets. Relying on our offense to outscore our opponents will win us games but not championships. I hope I'm proven wrong this week. See everyone in Cleveland!

(03-03-2015 11:14 PM)tolfbfan Wrote:  

(03-03-2015 09:41 PM)toledobigmike Wrote:  We've won 46 games and counting in two seasons and you're hinting at replacing our coach?!?! That's INSANE! Get a grip.

Totally agree. Some of these people are nuts!

happened to Stan

(03-08-2015 05:56 PM)owen Wrote:  

(03-03-2015 11:14 PM)tolfbfan Wrote:  

(03-03-2015 09:41 PM)toledobigmike Wrote:  We've won 46 games and counting in two seasons and you're hinting at replacing our coach?!?! That's INSANE! Get a grip.

Totally agree. Some of these people are nuts!

happened to Stan

Not even close. Most Stan ever won BTB was 40 games. That's a long way from 46, including a MAC Championship and UT record 27 win season.

Everyone has posted good comments that I agree with. However the defensive problems are not new ones to Coach K's Toledo team this year. Since his first year at Toledo, the weak side wing has been open for shots. Players are being beaten off the dribble out side with no help inside stepping in to pick up the driver.(Basically a fake help defense.) This isn't a problem that has developed recently. I agree there have been too many of change overs with his assistant coaches. The question is WHY? Another questions is what player has been benched for not hustling or playing defense? It doesn't take long for players to get the message....hustle and play defense or you will sit at the end of the bench until you do. For three years the message from the coach has been, we aren't playing defense or hustling but I will play you any way. Sorry but the problem is one of coaching not players. The first year it was acceptable to feel the coach needed time to get his style of play in place, but not this far along in his time as head coach. He has sent a message for three years that offense is the total package. The difference between a good coach and a great coach is the ability to see what isn't working and make adjustments, not just vocalize it. Makes me sad to post this, since I have always taken the most positive attitude on all issues.

(03-08-2015 10:34 PM)hwut1 Wrote:  Everyone has posted good comments that I agree with. However the defensive problems are not new ones to Coach K's Toledo team this year. Since his first year at Toledo, the weak side wing has been open for shots. Players are being beaten off the dribble out side with no help inside stepping in to pick up the driver.(Basically a fake help defense.) This isn't a problem that has developed recently. I agree there have been too many of change overs with his assistant coaches. The question is WHY? Another questions is what player has been benched for not hustling or playing defense? It doesn't take long for players to get the message....hustle and play defense or you will sit at the end of the bench until you do. For three years the message from the coach has been, we aren't playing defense or hustling but I will play you any way. Sorry but the problem is one of coaching not players. The first year it was acceptable to feel the coach needed time to get his style of play in place, but not this far along in his time as head coach. He has sent a message for three years that offense is the total package. The difference between a good coach and a great coach is the ability to see what isn't working and make adjustments, not just vocalize it. Makes me sad to post this, since I have always taken the most positive attitude on all issues.

I've had the impression since he got here that coach K prefers to put his efforts into the offense. It's been in the back of my mind since last year and I've started to vocalize once Stacey left - that I hope he hires an assistant or maybe even an associate head coach who is a defensive guru and give him half the practice time. Of course, that coach would also be responsible for recruiting some players who like to play defense - gym rats who like to skin their knees and guys who aren't afraid to put a body on you. Coach K says he doesn't want to risk injury during practice, but maybe he's rationalizing because he just finds coaching offense more fun.

well, coach has avoided practice injuries extremely well, so, i give him the benefit of any doubt on that. still remember going to watch a gene hisssssssss cross practice early his first year. he'd been raving about terry tubbs a joplin recruit who'd had to sit stan's last yr while the ncaa reviewed transcript issues. tubs was good but in obvious pain from a shoulder issue. cross kept pushing him hard in defense and rebounding drills as tubs tried to battle through the pain. 2 weeks later they announced that tubbs' shoulder problem had worsened and he was shut down for the year. kid left toledo and never returned.

defense is somewhat about effort and floor burns, but more so about helping and recovering, see the floor, doing little things like bumping cutters, getting in passing lanes without overplaying, etc... and, ultimately, creating chemistry on the defensive end. not a lot of great defensive teams anymore.

(03-08-2015 11:13 PM)RocketJeff Wrote:  

(03-08-2015 10:34 PM)hwut1 Wrote:  Everyone has posted good comments that I agree with. However the defensive problems are not new ones to Coach K's Toledo team this year. Since his first year at Toledo, the weak side wing has been open for shots. Players are being beaten off the dribble out side with no help inside stepping in to pick up the driver.(Basically a fake help defense.) This isn't a problem that has developed recently. I agree there have been too many of change overs with his assistant coaches. The question is WHY? Another questions is what player has been benched for not hustling or playing defense? It doesn't take long for players to get the message....hustle and play defense or you will sit at the end of the bench until you do. For three years the message from the coach has been, we aren't playing defense or hustling but I will play you any way. Sorry but the problem is one of coaching not players. The first year it was acceptable to feel the coach needed time to get his style of play in place, but not this far along in his time as head coach. He has sent a message for three years that offense is the total package. The difference between a good coach and a great coach is the ability to see what isn't working and make adjustments, not just vocalize it. Makes me sad to post this, since I have always taken the most positive attitude on all issues.

I've had the impression since he got here that coach K prefers to put his efforts into the offense. It's been in the back of my mind since last year and I've started to vocalize once Stacey left - that I hope he hires an assistant or maybe even an associate head coach who is a defensive guru and give him half the practice time. Of course, that coach would also be responsible for recruiting some players who like to play defense - gym rats who like to skin their knees and guys who aren't afraid to put a body on you. Coach K says he doesn't want to risk injury during practice, but maybe he's rationalizing because he just finds coaching offense more fun.

Coach K actually did hire a defensive specialist in Mike Wells during the offseason. Wells was a long time NBA assistant with the San Antonio Spurs and was expected to make a huge difference with the defense. He left about two months later when his friend Quinn Snyder became the head coach of the Utah Jazz and he joined his staff. He must have just preferred NBA over college.

(03-08-2015 09:31 PM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  

(03-08-2015 05:56 PM)owen Wrote:  

(03-03-2015 11:14 PM)tolfbfan Wrote:  

(03-03-2015 09:41 PM)toledobigmike Wrote:  We've won 46 games and counting in two seasons and you're hinting at replacing our coach?!?! That's INSANE! Get a grip.

Totally agree. Some of these people are nuts!

happened to Stan

Not even close. Most Stan ever won BTB was 40 games. That's a long way from 46, including a MAC Championship and UT record 27 win season.

I don't think anyone has actually said fire TK now? For my part, what I wrote was that the NEXT 2 seasons were what could lead to a coaching change if we have back-to-back losing records in MAC play.

(03-08-2015 05:56 PM)owen Wrote:  

(03-03-2015 11:14 PM)tolfbfan Wrote:  

(03-03-2015 09:41 PM)toledobigmike Wrote:  We've won 46 games and counting in two seasons and you're hinting at replacing our coach?!?! That's INSANE! Get a grip.

Totally agree. Some of these people are nuts!

happened to Stan

It's no coincidence that the two programs impacted by the point shaving had new coaches once the accusations materialized. Of course Stan's replacement nearly killed the program.

(03-09-2015 05:38 AM)RocketBBallFan Wrote:  

(03-08-2015 11:13 PM)RocketJeff Wrote:  

(03-08-2015 10:34 PM)hwut1 Wrote:  Everyone has posted good comments that I agree with. However the defensive problems are not new ones to Coach K's Toledo team this year. Since his first year at Toledo, the weak side wing has been open for shots. Players are being beaten off the dribble out side with no help inside stepping in to pick up the driver.(Basically a fake help defense.) This isn't a problem that has developed recently. I agree there have been too many of change overs with his assistant coaches. The question is WHY? Another questions is what player has been benched for not hustling or playing defense? It doesn't take long for players to get the message....hustle and play defense or you will sit at the end of the bench until you do. For three years the message from the coach has been, we aren't playing defense or hustling but I will play you any way. Sorry but the problem is one of coaching not players. The first year it was acceptable to feel the coach needed time to get his style of play in place, but not this far along in his time as head coach. He has sent a message for three years that offense is the total package. The difference between a good coach and a great coach is the ability to see what isn't working and make adjustments, not just vocalize it. Makes me sad to post this, since I have always taken the most positive attitude on all issues.

I've had the impression since he got here that coach K prefers to put his efforts into the offense. It's been in the back of my mind since last year and I've started to vocalize once Stacey left - that I hope he hires an assistant or maybe even an associate head coach who is a defensive guru and give him half the practice time. Of course, that coach would also be responsible for recruiting some players who like to play defense - gym rats who like to skin their knees and guys who aren't afraid to put a body on you. Coach K says he doesn't want to risk injury during practice, but maybe he's rationalizing because he just finds coaching offense more fun.

Coach K actually did hire a defensive specialist in Mike Wells during the offseason. Wells was a long time NBA assistant with the San Antonio Spurs and was expected to make a huge difference with the defense. He left about two months later when his friend Quinn Snyder became the head coach of the Utah Jazz and he joined his staff. He must have just preferred NBA over college.

It will be interesting to see if Coach K keeps assistant Nick Dials. Here's the press release from when he was promoted. Sounds like it could be temporary. Head Coach Tod Kowalczyk has promoted graduate assistant video coordinator Nick Dials to assistant coach for the remainder of the 2014-15 campaign.