Let's Draw Some Lines!

[Panthers#1]

Re: Let's Draw Some Lines!

It seems to me like there's a few posters on here who believe that when the team does well, the game plan and the coaches' preparation was essential to that performance. When they do poorly, that's the players coming out flat. Any good coach will tell you that it is ALWAYS the exact opposite of that; games are won by players and lost by coaches. Please note that Jacobson has not said anything on this subject, so don't drag him into this.

I believe that there are a lot of people who are reading too much into this. Any logical person understands that a coach can't make free throws, or play good defense for teams.

I think what Marc is trying to say is that after a loss, instead of the coach saying, "Well, we didn't shoot well or Well, we didn't play good defense" maybe the coach should say something to the effect of, "The players played hard but I guess we didn't have the right game plan."

Now I know that can't be the same response every time. Any coach that would do that would be a moron. And I know that it is not always the coaches’ fault. I think Marc is saying that every time he goes on the post game shows, he never puts the loss solely on him or his coaching staff. In his three years as a UNI head coach, you and I both know there is at least one game where he didn't have a good game plan and the players played their hearts out.

I think the real issue is that I haven't ever heard Jake put the blame on himself or his coaching staff for a loss. Now should that be every loss? NO!!! But in my recent memory of Jacobson post-game interviews, it always seems that the loss is always something relating to the players not performing well instead of coaching mistakes. One man cannot be THAT perfect.

[Panther-Sheik]

Re: Let's Draw Some Lines!

Does this sound familiar?..."We aren't a disciplined enough team".

[Marc Wigim]

Re: Let's Draw Some Lines!

I believe that there are a lot of people who are reading too much into this. Any logical person understands that a coach can't make free throws, or play good defense for teams.

I think what Marc is trying to say is that after a loss, instead of the coach saying, "Well, we didn't shoot well or Well, we didn't play good defense" maybe the coach should say something to the effect of, "The players played hard but I guess we didn't have the right game plan."

Now I know that can't be the same response every time. Any coach that would do that would be a moron. And I know that it is not always the coaches’ fault. I think Marc is saying that every time he goes on the post game shows, he never puts the loss solely on him or his coaching staff. In his three years as a UNI head coach, you and I both know there is at least one game where he didn't have a good game plan and the players played their hearts out.

I think the real issue is that I haven't ever heard Jake put the blame on himself or his coaching staff for a loss. Now should that be every loss? NO!!! But in my recent memory of Jacobson post-game interviews, it always seems that the loss is always something relating to the players not performing well instead of coaching mistakes. One man cannot be THAT perfect.

There's always a reason why a game was lost. Here's the bottom line: I believe in my heart of hearts that we were the more talented team on Sunday. There is a reason why we lost, then, and I would like that situation to be rectified. It is my belief that Jacobson and do that, if some changes are made.

In the unlikely circumstance that any of those guys read this board, I have this to say: you have my support, all of you. But we aren't going to win a lot if these kinds of performances are the norm. The good news is that something can be done, and it CAN be done with Jacobson as the coach. We don't need a new one to be successful as it stands right now.

[Panther-Sheik]

Re: Let's Draw Some Lines!

I'm confused, didn't UNI just come back from a considerable deficit at halftime on Sunday? Does that mean the coaching staff made the necessary adjustments or the players finally decided to play with fire and execute the gameplan? It's never just the coach and it's never only on the players. This is a team effort and the blame is spread to everyone.

True, a coach will give credit to the team in a win and take blame in a losing effort in front of the media...but my guess is that when players make mistakes in execution in the gameplan...they're not running wind sprints the next day in practice. All that is, "is coach-speak". Like, "We've got to take them one game at a time." "And the good Lord willing, we'll be able to win some ball games." It's fodder for a newspaper story. We've all played sports and had our coach give a glowing report to the media (load of crap) and then come into the lockerroom and rip the team a new one. Players have to make plays.

Players have to make plays. We had some HUGE playmakers on Sunday. Travis knocking down a huge 3 to tie it, Kwadzo getting into the lane and dropping in two to send it to a second OT. Those are just two. There were many others.

The problem is that we are having trouble against a 2 - 3 zone...as if it were the latest and greatest thing that no one has ever seen before. It isn't...it is fundamental and these players or coaches aren't handling it. I personally feel that it is a lack of consistency with the players on the court i.e. way too much subbing inconsistent lineups playing with each other. Find your best 8 guys and go with them...we don't full court press, we don't run and gun...these guys don't need a breather every 4 minutes of action. They can get by on 25 to 30 minutes a game minimum and if they can't...then find players that can. No consistency = no continuity IMO.

[UNIFanSince1983]

Re: Let's Draw Some Lines!

Well I think Jake found that out in the second half. He found a lineup and he stuck with it and it worked. In fact it worked until they all fouled out towards then end of the second overtime. I mean Kwadzo played 46 outta 50 total minutes. I am sure Johnny, Lucas, and Ali weren't that far behind. He subbed a lot in the first half because nobody was playing well. In the second half and overtimes he found a group and stuck with them as much as he could.

[Panther-Sheik]

Re: Let's Draw Some Lines!

Well I think Jake found that out in the second half. He found a lineup and he stuck with it and it worked. In fact it worked until they all fouled out towards then end of the second overtime. I mean Kwadzo played 46 outta 50 total minutes. I am sure Johnny, Lucas, and Ali weren't that far behind. He subbed a lot in the first half because nobody was playing well. In the second half and overtimes he found a group and stuck with them as much as he could.

Which is what I think helped turn things around. You just have to find a lineup and go with it...subs are subs...they aren't every other game starters. This has driven me nuts the first two years of Jake...I hope this is figured out now. Everyone says, "well, we'll have fresh legs at the end of the season". Problem is, we are out of it by the end of the season and except for a chance to win the MVC tourney (long shot), it doesn't matter if we have fresh legs. I'd rather have somewhat tired but very well conditioned legs runnning up and down the court in the NCAA tourney or NIT than the alternative...

[jman2004]

Re: Let's Draw Some Lines!

I loved seeing 33 minutes out of Travis Brown. He's not perfect and he makes mistakes, but the guy is a senior and deserves the minutes. I think he's far more effective than Dunham and hope he continues to get the minutes. Kerwin can still get his, there's room, but I'd rather see more Brown.

[PantherFan]

Re: Let's Draw Some Lines!

Well I think Jake found that out in the second half. He found a lineup and he stuck with it and it worked. In fact it worked until they all fouled out towards then end of the second overtime. I mean Kwadzo played 46 outta 50 total minutes. I am sure Johnny, Lucas, and Ali weren't that far behind. He subbed a lot in the first half because nobody was playing well. In the second half and overtimes he found a group and stuck with them as much as he could.

Subbing liberally in the first half and going with five or six players in the second half is a consistent pattern for Jacobson. Mac did it, too. I always assumed they did it because they were saving their better players legs for the second half. Never cared for it because I figure games are lost in the first half as well as the second half.

Several posters have made note of the adjustments Jacobson made at halftime of the Indiana State game. Did they work? Yeah. But my question is: Why couldn't those adjustments been made during a time out in the first half? For example, they certainly changed their offense against Indiana State's zone in the second half so there was some screening at the top of the key to allow the guards to drive to the basket. That isn't anything completely new to the team. I've seen them do it on occasion earlier this year. Why can't this adjustment be made during a time out?

Maybe it is just me and my baseball background where all players and coaches make adjustments as the game goes on - no halftime to wait for to do it. Hell, my best year in basketball was my senior year in high school when I started for the JV.

[OH BABY! I luv this team!]

Re: Let's Draw Some Lines!

I believe that there are a lot of people who are reading too much into this. Any logical person understands that a coach can't make free throws, or play good defense for teams.

I think what Marc is trying to say is that after a loss, instead of the coach saying, "Well, we didn't shoot well or Well, we didn't play good defense" maybe the coach should say something to the effect of, "The players played hard but I guess we didn't have the right game plan."

Now I know that can't be the same response every time. Any coach that would do that would be a moron. And I know that it is not always the coaches’ fault. I think Marc is saying that every time he goes on the post game shows, he never puts the loss solely on him or his coaching staff. In his three years as a UNI head coach, you and I both know there is at least one game where he didn't have a good game plan and the players played their hearts out.

I think the real issue is that I haven't ever heard Jake put the blame on himself or his coaching staff for a loss. Now should that be every loss? NO!!! But in my recent memory of Jacobson post-game interviews, it always seems that the loss is always something relating to the players not performing well instead of coaching mistakes. One man cannot be THAT perfect.

In 2 1/2 years of post game interviews with Coach Jake he has taken the blame a number of times saying he wished he would have done this different or made this adjustment sooner....sometimes I think he says that to take the pressure off the player or players and NOT place blame on the players and put it on himself instead of that player or players who came up short in their effort. Coach Jake is stand up guy and always gives his players and assistant coaches credit after wins and takes or shares the blame for losses.

Also, the reason I responded to Marcs initial post of "players win games and coaches ALWAYS lose games" is because I took it for what it said, I didn't read between the lines and try to figure out what he was trying to say or meant I took it for what it said, for face value, and some fans read these post and believe what they read and to say coaches always lose game and players win games is an inaccurate statement and that is how I took it. I just wanted to give another perspective on that statement or that type of opinion!