My observation about the players

[Stewo]

I'm very happy GMac showed some life and got T'd up, but I noticed something after that. Usually, when you are playing at home and your coach is getting ****** and gets T'd up, the crowd and the players typically will come unglued as well. Well, according to my two eyes, that was the point where the team fell down and couldn't get back up. My point here is, I wonder if these kids are really that passive and don't react to uprising well? I'm really getting the feeling that these kids are just too damn emotional to play like we need them. From the different things we've all heard coming from the locker room throughout the season, I'm starting to really think that this isn't at all a Mac problem, rather a bunch of soft kids.

DISCLAIMER: I know there are a few tough kids on the team(Ham, SC, Booz). This is directed at the majority.

I know toughness has been talked about quite a bit, but last night really put it into perspective, for me anyway.

[chuckd4735]

I thought that T would be the point where we really put the game away, especially after OSU missed both of the free throws on the T. Boy was I wrong.

The crowd, for as small as it was, was absolutely loud after the T, and is probably what lead to the two missed free throws. Than, after that, the crowd still quite loud, ISU has one of the worst defensive breakdowns of the game, and maybe all season, on the inbound pass from OSU.

[CycloneErik]

I'm very happy GMac showed some life and got T'd up, but I noticed something after that. Usually, when you are playing at home and your coach is getting ****** and gets T'd up, the crowd and the players typically will come unglued as well. Well, according to my two eyes, that was the point where the team fell down and couldn't get back up. My point here is, I wonder if these kids are really that passive and don't react to uprising well? I'm really getting the feeling that these kids are just too damn emotional to play like we need them. From the different things we've all heard coming from the locker room throughout the season, I'm starting to really think that this isn't at all a Mac problem, rather a bunch of soft kids.

DISCLAIMER: I know there are a few tough kids on the team(Ham, SC, Booz). This is directed at the majority.

I know toughness has been talked about quite a bit, but last night really put it into perspective, for me anyway.

That's why this team is so tough to figure out. There doesn't seem to be anything that actually brings that out of them.

[jsb]

I'm very happy GMac showed some life and got T'd up, but I noticed something after that. Usually, when you are playing at home and your coach is getting ****** and gets T'd up, the crowd and the players typically will come unglued as well. Well, according to my two eyes, that was the point where the team fell down and couldn't get back up. My point here is, I wonder if these kids are really that passive and don't react to uprising well? I'm really getting the feeling that these kids are just too damn emotional to play like we need them. From the different things we've all heard coming from the locker room throughout the season, I'm starting to really think that this isn't at all a Mac problem, rather a bunch of soft kids.

DISCLAIMER: I know there are a few tough kids on the team(Ham, SC, Booz). This is directed at the majority.

I know toughness has been talked about quite a bit, but last night really put it into perspective, for me anyway.

I hate to be a broken record but McDermott always shows life on the bench. He is always talking to the officials and yelling at them. ALWAYS. If you aren't at the games you maybe can't see this. If you are at the games you should try watching him.

I do agree about the players. McDermott has mentioned as much in the past about how the players are sensitive (for lack of a better word) and that they don't respond to being beat down. Not sure why.

[DaddyMac]

Overall I agree with Stewo. The only exception I might make is Brackins, although I only caught the final 10 minutes. Coincidentally right when GMac got T'd up.

But from there on, I thought Craig played pretty tough and aggressive (perhaps he was throughout the game). On a couple of occassions I thought he was going to go after an OSU player after a play. He was very strong in posting up. Once did his turnaround, baseline fadeaway (and missed), but after than he backed the defender down and went hard to the hoop. Glad to see it.

The rest of the team was more or less asleep. DG had moments - particularly on D.

[kg-cyclone]

Overall I agree with Stewo. The only exception I might make is Brackins, although I only caught the final 10 minutes. Coincidentally right when GMac got T'd up.

But from there on, I thought Craig played pretty tough and aggressive (perhaps he was throughout the game). On a couple of occassions I thought he was going to go after an OSU player after a play. He was very strong in posting up. Once did his turnaround, baseline fadeaway (and missed), but after than he backed the defender down and went hard to the hoop. Glad to see it.

The rest of the team was more or less asleep. DG had moments - particularly on D.

Good thread...

Brackins took a lot of dumb shots last night...

[Tre4ISU]

I hate to be a broken record but McDermott always shows life on the bench. He is always talking to the officials and yelling at them. ALWAYS. If you aren't at the games you maybe can't see this. If you are at the games you should try watching him.

I do agree about the players. McDermott has mentioned as much in the past about how the players are sensitive (for lack of a better word) and that they don't respond to being beat down. Not sure why.

No he isn't. Obviously last night was the first time. You aren't working them unless you get a T.

[Cloned4Life]

This is my opinion - I do not see a lot of mental toughness on this team.

And the fact that it gets implied on here sometimes that what we say on these message boards could potentially affect the emotional well being of a player or players on our team only amplifies my opinion.

I just see very little of the mental traits I really thought I'd see out of a Greg coached team. I see a lot of softness.

[buckleyfan]

is that why they're so undisciplined? coach is too scared to make touch criticisms? there seems to be no consequences for continual selfish play.

[Tre4ISU]

Good thread...

Brackins took a lot of dumb shots last night...

and missed the good ones. Heres what i think. I think it is very hard to judge how tough a kid is in high school. A lot of the guys we are recruiting are going to be standouts and they normally won't have to show toughness. I can't think of one player on the team that I would classify as tough on the court. It seems like everyone is willing to fold up when it matters. Hopefully Ejim and Phillips bring a little attitude with them to Ames.

[kg-cyclone]

This is my opinion - I do not see a lot of mental toughness on this team.

And the fact that it gets implied on here sometimes that what we say on these message boards could potentially affect the emotional well being of a player or players on our team only amplifies my opinion.

I just see very little of the mental traits I really thought I'd see out of a Greg coached team. I see a lot of softness.

I agree...How would you coach toughness and effort?

[chuckd4735]

I agree...How would you coach toughness and effort?

The same way every other coach in the country does it?

[cycloneG]

I agree...How would you coach toughness and effort?

Pushball!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[DaddyMac]

I agree...How would you coach toughness and effort?

I believe Tom Izzo borrows equipment from the football team...

[kg-cyclone]

Well, it was a good thread.