Otzelberger comes to defense of players after blowout Big 12 Tournament loss to Texas Tech

[Cyinthenorth]

To be perfectly clear. This has nothing to do with losing to Tech. They are a super good team snd I would not be surprised to see them in the Final Four. I promise you know one wants to see them in their bracket and doubt anyone here disagrees with that.

My problem is losing by 30. And making absolutely zero adjustments whatsoever. None. Just keeps running the f**king weave further and further from the basket.

Tonight was so bad. Nobody looked like they wanted to be there, they all had such vacant facial expressions from start to finish. Let's just hope for a good matchup in game 1, then say goodbye to some of these guys that have worked so hard this year but just don't quite have it at this level.

 

[jdoggivjc]

Especially in year one with a pieced together roster full of second and third tier transfers

For some fans ISU could win the NCAA Tournament and they'd still find something to ***** about - and that the coach would have some explaining to do for not reaching some unreasonable expectation.

 

[twincyties]

For some fans ISU could win the NCAA Tournament and they'd still find something to ***** about - and that the coach would have some explaining to do for not reaching some unreasonable expectation.

Losing by less than 30 on a neutral court is unreasonable expectation?

 

[twincyties]

Tonight was so bad. Nobody looked like they wanted to be there, they all had such vacant facial expressions from start to finish. Let's just hope for a good matchup in game 1, then say goodbye to some of these guys that have worked so hard this year but just don't quite have it at this level.

This is exactly my problem. When your team looks like that you have to try something different? When you’re getting killed on the boards maybe bring in Enaruna? Or when you’re 1-9 from three and turning the ball over at a record pace you bring in Jackson. Just do something. Anything. This is my problem with TJ.

 

[KCyclone2010]

As a coach he needs to take responsibility. He’s the ceo, this performance is his

 

[HoustonClone]

As a coach he needs to take responsibility. He’s the ceo, this performance is his

Where did you see TJ didn’t do this?

 

[NorthCyd]

I get it. I can count. How many years are going to play that card?

Years? It's his first year. I think it's ok to allow him to talk about it for one year, his FIRST year. If he's still bringing up the 2 wins next year I'll join you in the criticism.

 

[jdoggivjc]

Losing by less than 30 on a neutral court is unreasonable expectation?

Not having this discussion in year freaking one - especially when the team has historically overachieved this season.

 

[CoKane]

To be perfectly clear. This has nothing to do with losing to Tech. They are a super good team snd I would not be surprised to see them in the Final Four. I promise you know one wants to see them in their bracket and doubt anyone here disagrees with that.

My problem is losing by 30. And making absolutely zero adjustments whatsoever. None. Just keeps running the f**king weave further and further from the basket.

Ok, I get all that, but what adjustment should have been made? We're still not that talented of a basketball team. It's not like there's anything we can really do about that. Brockington not going for 20+ means we're going to have a long night, and even if he does that we're still a good deal away from winning.

 

[alarson]

I get it. I can count. How many years are going to play that card?

I'd say about 2.5.

TJ was left almost nothing after a disastrous season (and not much better the year before that). He had to piece this together and has massively overachieved expectations. There are some red flags, but a lot of green flags in that.

Next year, we will likely have to rebuild and try to add talent again in large part due to this program being left with very little. Especially if brockington is gone, next year is another year where we should probably not expect to make the tournament but it'd be a nice surprise if we do.

In year 3, it will still apply, but we need to be making good progress. Building a program with a solid foundation does take time. Yes you can bring in some transfers here and there, but theyre not the bedrock programs are built on.

Are there legitimate criticisms of the coaching staff this year? Of course. And i'm sure after reviewing things even TJ and his staff would tell you that. It just seems like a game versus the #1 defense in the country and a team that is exactly the kind of team we are set up to do poorly against isn't the game to freak out about.

 

[ClonesTwenty1]

Let me TJ coach.

 

[cloneinIC]

Its obvious some fans will always be out of touch with reality, looking through their cardinal and gold glasses. But we should be able to adjust our expectations based on the performances of the team. Everyone got their high in the noncon but then expected to compete with every team in the Big 12, not scoring 36 at home or getting beat by 31 in KC. Yes this is year one and we won 2 games last year, we all understand that. That excuse is getting more and more like "the cupboard was empty" that the Prohm apologetics threw out in year 5.

 

[Stormin]

I get it. I can count. How many years are going to play that card?

I’m sorry, but it’s not a fluke we handled Xavier, Iowa, Memphis, Creighton, and won 7 games in the Big 12. Damn near win at Baylor and got robbed at KU.

You know nothing about basketball if you can watch those games and not think coaching has something to do with getting blown out by 30 points at “Hilton South”. Same with scoring 36 at home on senior night for god’s sake.

This team is not very good. TJ is a helluva coach to have won 20 games with this team. Without TJ, you are looking at looking at another Prohm type season of single digit wins.

 

[madguy30]

I get it. I can count. How many years are going to play that card?

I’m sorry, but it’s not a fluke we handled Xavier, Iowa, Memphis, Creighton, and won 7 games in the Big 12. Damn near win at Baylor and got robbed at KU.

You know nothing about basketball if you can watch those games and not think coaching has something to do with getting blown out by 30 points at “Hilton South”. Same with scoring 36 at home on senior night for god’s sake.

One of ISU's best teams ever (96-97) got blown out at Hilton South.

This group had some horrible nights for sure but it's a little weird to ignore the really close wins vs. bad teams between those big games, don't you think?

They had their work cut out vs. SWAC teams.

The question early on was can this group maintain what they were doing and the answer is 'no'.

But they kept it together enough to get in the NCAA tourney which is historically very good at ISU.

 

[madguy30]

I guess my question is what adjustments could be have really made?

Watching the bigs dive to the basket after setting screens, and guards not even looking at them has driven me nuts this year. They got back in the game at Baylor actually feeding the dive

But tech is a different animal all together.

As the kids say, Tech was 'fire' last night.

ISU playing well and hitting 3s probably still gets beat by 15 going away.

 

[mj4cy]

Like to see but tonight, our guys just didn't show up. The effort and energy just wasn't there. It's been a great year but tonight was brutal all around. Hopefully TJ can get their heads back in the right place.

Sadly I thought there was effort we just got outplayed.

 

[CyBobby]

Even TJ playing the “two wins” card. Laughable.

After that performance its the ONLY CARD TJ HAS LEFT TO PLAY...I sincerely hope we do not draw another...Strong with Length Frontline Team in the Big Dance.

 

[madguy30]

Ok, I get all that, but what adjustment should have been made? We're still not that talented of a basketball team. It's not like there's anything we can really do about that. Brockington not going for 20+ means we're going to have a long night, and even if he does that we're still a good deal away from winning.

Bench everyone and play the inconsistent tentative guy.

The '____ needs to go to the bench' was relentless this year like ISU was UNC '05.

 

[CYEATHAWK]

Even TJ playing the “two wins” card. Laughable.

I was hoping he would never do that like his groupies on this site. Reminds of GMAC and his followers blaming Wayne Morgan for everything his entire failed tenure.

TJ hasn't failed on anything. He doesn't need to do that.

They got handled.........it happens. But last year had nothing to do with it. And he doesn't need to bring that up to defend anything.

 

[madguy30]

Its obvious some fans will always be out of touch with reality, looking through their cardinal and gold glasses. But we should be able to adjust our expectations based on the performances of the team. Everyone got their high in the noncon but then expected to compete with every team in the Big 12, not scoring 36 at home or getting beat by 31 in KC. Yes this is year one and we won 2 games last year, we all understand that. That excuse is getting more and more like "the cupboard was empty" that the Prohm apologetics threw out in year 5.

Just to be clear, this isn't year 5 of TJ.