As the expression goes, beware the ante diem VI Idūs Februarias.

Also its time for an IPA.

Stauskas needs to take charge. Someone needs to take charge. We have no one to fill the Trey Burke role this year, by which I mean take over when times get tough and make shit happen. The closest we have is LeVert, and for whatever the reason he's not able to rally anyone else. This game was abysmal. There was no effort from Stauskas or GRIII. Irvin should definitely be starting. I just don't know what else to say. Neither Stauskas nor GRIII looks like an NBA player right now.

Well at least Irvin has been playing excellent. He and Caris were the lone bright spots today.

On the other hand I really don't think GRIII is ready for the NBA. He needs to follow the same path as THJ and return for his junior year after this sophomore slump. It might also be in Stauskas' best interest to come back given how deep this year's draft class is. I imagine McGary won't declare this year either for obvious reasons. So even though this team has been quite impressive (with the exception of today), there's a chance we could be absolutely loaded next year.

Get any rebounds? It sure felt like Iowa out-rebounded us 1,500:0

It would be nice if Glenn Robinson looked like he wanted to play.

1. Defensive Rebounding? At some point Iowa had 15 offensive rebounds, on 29 misses. It was a problem vs Purdue, but we shot 60%. If hurt us vs IU and now Iowa. 

2. Nik Staukus? 8.3 PPG the last 3 games. I get it that vs Nebraska, he didnt have to shoot and got 8 assist but what happened vs IU and Iowa? 

Main thing I'm noticing since the Indiana game is that stauskas struggles hard against the face guarding technique, which in turn lowers our offensive efficiency, leading to our current struggle. Obviously there are other issues but I just singled out one. Any thoughts on how to get away from being so reliant upon the deep ball?

The issue most of us have is this: a loss is excusable but a lack of effort is not. Anger is from the lack of effort.

By twenty or by one, a loss is a loss.  Iowa knocked down a lot of shots.  Michigan didn't.  I am concerned that the blueprint for definding Michigan is to pack it in, cover Stauskas and dare anyone else on the team to shoot threes, but if there is one thing that John Belien has proven over the last few years, it is that he can usually find a "counterpunch" when teams adjust to the Wolverines.  

Terrible start to "The Gauntlet v2," but it's only one game.  

has people who can play too, lets remember their effort against us and their most recent loss against Ohio.  This game today was their biggest home game remaining.

                I don't know how Brent Petway convinced Glenn Robinson to pretend to be his Dad, but I still don't think it will lead to an NBA career.

Unfort the secret is out with GR3.   Opposing coaches have adjusted to focus on Nik with a quicker player, let Caris do his thing (if he scores 15-20) that is ok, and realize GR3 won't beat you one on one.  So really it's been Caris + Irvin when teams take out Nik since GR3 simply disappears when pressure rises and/or almost any game on the road verus a mid level or higher team. 

IMO 15 games ago they bought the GR3 hype and spread their defense equally on Nik and GR3, but now it's focus on Nik and live with GR3 doing.... well something. 

Honestly we are spoiled with this team... if you are being honest there is zero inside threat without McGary.  We have 2 nice men in Horford plus Morgan but Horford it just seems like the injuries robbed him of athleticism/development and Morgan was never really a jump out of the gym guy.   He provides nice defense and is a 5th type option on offense.

Losing a full NBA backcourt plus a top 15 pick in McGary, I am  astounded at the record and once we got rolling in the Big 10 of course we want more but this is a team that almost entirely plays on the outside...  it has 4 key scoring options in Nik, Caris, GR3, and lately Irvin.  Other teams now focus on option #1 and let option #2 and #4 do its thing.  Option #3 disappears.   I mean I am astounded at GR3 at times - he didnt score in the last 39 minutes of this game and can not take "white kids from Iowa" off the dribble.  /s  And our perimeter defense is poor at times - it is what it is. 

If you take off 2 NBA players from last year's team you kind of expect a Sweet 16 to Elite 8 type of team this year if all goes well...then you lose Mitch and honestly you are thinking Sweet 16 would be an accomplishment.  The staff has done wonderful things but you cannot expect to win in a tough conference with one of your top 3 options disappearing against almost every good team on the road.  It is what it is, and in the big picture this team has really overachieved relative to the age / STARS / talent - McGary in the Big 10.  While today sucked, I am more of a "going along and enjoying the ride" mode for this team as once McGary went out I had hopes of going 10-8 or so in the Big 10, and getting in as a #8 seed so whatever they do from here they have exceeded my expectations by a wide margin. 

And we continue to have a great staff which remains whether we lose or win any game... I will be interested to see if they pull some more magic out of a hat to adjust to the "put quick lanky guy on Nik so he can't drive".

Staukas needs to pull his head out of his ass, GRIII needs to watch film on Jordan or Kobe , and we need McGary. That game was horrific!!