THJ: "We took Ohio(The Bobcats) lightly last year"
Not working for me.
Edit: There it goes. Now I look stupid.
I was about to say the same thing. When I went to reply I saw your post.
First: Aarrgh, why you gotta hurt us like that, baby?
Second: It's good that he realizes this and can admit it.
I know he's acts like a buffoon now, but there was a lot to be said for Lou Holtz's typical pre-game act. "Gosh, I don't even think we can beat Idaho Tech. Have you seen their wide receivers?!"
... to be fair to Lou, he was actually saying "Virginia"... the spit just makes it sound like "Idaho".
~Herm
I didn't mean to knock them. I can look back on a lot of things and see that I didn't take them as seriously at the time as I needed to.
If you take an NCAA tournament game lightly, then you have a general intensity/motivation problem that likely can't be turned on and off.
This certainly does not make me think happy thoughts. Please do not let this be the case on Thursday. Turn your switches in the locker room back on boys and keep them on!
(I do agree with your general statement though and think it has a lot of merit)
I just watched "Survive and Advance" and the '83 NCSU players admitted taking their NCAA opener (Pepperdine) lightly. I think it's just human nature to overlook a competitor you don't think is as good as you.
I suspect a lot of high seeds don't put all their effort into preparing for their underdog opponents. They can get by on their talent alone. (Think the Fab Five were sweating it out over Coastal Carolina?) The specific problem last year was that Ohio was much better than the average #13 seed - the talent gap was very small.
The specific problem last year was that Ohio was much better than the average #13 seed - the talent gap was very small.This and Michigan's 4 seed last season belied the fact that the team was loaded with overachievers and got by more on grit than talent.
worried that is the case. I have seen a few interviews with players on this team over the last few days and I am waiting to see one where the player looks the least bit interested. When I say the bracket I was not overly concerned, but I am concerned now. I think their may be a fracture somewhere on this team and it has me flat out worried.
March 20th, 2013 at 10:41 AM ^
On the other hand, it's easy to look ahead when you know you're going to be playing an incredibly important, and theoretically more challenging, game in another 2 days.
that's unfortunate. I wish they had taken them more seriously
That's too bad. They also took a few teams they played this season too lightly. I hope the pattern doesn't continue on Thursday.
I respect him for saying that. Last year was kind of a perfect storm for a tourney loss. Quality wins all year, a B1G share, being almost basket away from a sweet 16 the year before, and an overrated seed that we didn't deserve. I can't really blame them for taking a MAC team lightly. Tourney experience will help the team this year since Trey and Tim and co. will have the idea of how easy it is to go home fresh in their minds.
I can very much blame them for taking a MAC team lightly.
And I hope they've come to understand that they're not good enough to take anyone lightly, especially when it comes to the tournament.
thanks. couldn't have said it better. I think this is what has made watching this team so difficult. You know they are better than this, but so often we were all left trying to find answers after a stupid loss. The answers were comforting for a couple days, but after so many of these you start to think: "Good teams don't make this many excuses." Then, 'Oh no! Maybe they really are not a good team."
I don't know anymore. All I have left is blind homerism filling out my bracket and putting them into the Final Four.
How do we know they are better than this? Kentucky is sitting on a lot more talent and an NIT bid. I could make a pretty good argument that Beilein has coached them up in a huge way and helped make Burke a star but conventional wisdom among many is to criticize Beilein and/or the players after a loss.
But "taking a team lightly" seems like hindsight justification analysis. If it helps them to focus even moreso this time around, great. But it's hardly a revelation.
If he can't take Bobcats seriously, how is he going to get motivated for the Twist contest at Jackrabbit Slims?
I'm Vincent Vega
...he needs some heroin?
hopefully they saw that a lot of folks are picking VCU in the region and have said SDSU is a dangerous team...don't take anyone lightly
Actions are louder than words. Enough of the excuses and apologies. Play hard and never let up. For a team with a POY candidate, I have not heard or seen any positive predictions from any pundits for them in the tourney. Could be just what they need.
There are some. Dick Vitale and Gregg Doyel are picking us to make the Final Four.
http://www.umhoops.com/2013/03/18/what-theyre-saying-national-media-wei…
and then you think you can slack off? You think the other guys think they can slack off? Ugh.
M just needs to bring the DMo to Stu type swag to the Palace
Well, let's hope THJ and everyone else takes this matchup more seriously than last year. Personally, I just think Ohio played a better game. I'm not nearly as worried about SDSU as Ohio.
Many have questioned this teams heart,intensity,motivation,work-ethic etc. THJ statement gives ammo to those folks.I'm begining to agree with them.I can't imagine being in any game that could end my season and 'take my opponent lightly."
Oh please, it's easy to sit on the sideline and criticize when you're not the one grinding through 5 months of basketball. When Michigan goes out tomorrow night and wins by 15+ points we're all going to feel like a bunch of assholes for fretting so much over this game.
If anything ought to have killed the "Ohio" meme once and for all, it is losing to Ohio in an NCAA tournament game.
Well in that case our name isn't Michigan
I might feel bad, if I were someone who was trying to promote/extend the "Ohio" meme. But I'm not. I never was. I know of "Ohio U" and "Ohio State." I never thought of anything else. Your point would need to be answered by the folks who refer to "Ohio."
I don't know any team should be taken lightly. The goal is win the game and turning down the intensity should never be an option in sports. UofM lacks that intensity that is why they have been a 6-6 team in the last 12 games. If everyone picks up their intensity, this team would be so much better. There should never be an off switch unless you're up by 50 pts and you bring the bench in.
It's all but impossible to do this. You can only go to the well so many times.
You really think we took Wisconsin lightly either time? They're a good team. Not to mention that we would have won the first if not for a prayer being answered at the buzzer.
says something, I don't care to hear it. I just wish the guy would continue to play hard, stop making "news worthy" statements and promises and for the love of all that is decent and holy, stop saluting the crowd and pounding his chest.
March 19th, 2013 at 10:36 PM ^
March 20th, 2013 at 11:46 AM ^
It's really up to the players who were there last year to make sure the team is ready for this game. Coaches can talk all they want about not taking teams lightly, but the players are the ones who have to believe it. SDSU is already saying they'll be more ready this year than last year (the school's first ever NCAA tournament) and that they like the matchup with Michigan--teams that have given them the greatest difficulty pound the ball inside.