Nice, Spank. Did you see this in today's WSJ? Big Ten Basketball: Grueling Display of Bumping, Bashing - WSJ.com
I like Fran's quote at the end.
how long before other teams adopt the Iowa method of forcing a uptempo game, yes they managed a 83-60 win over OSU. but how often and for how many games can they keep that up as that is not their game plan,
another ting is who on their roster or coming in will replace Taylor
And this was the day I became convinced that HUUURRBY was a troll alt.
After watching the MVC and other conference tournaments this week, it is clear the big ten needs to chat with the officials and get the games cleaned up. I think it was a WCC game (not sure), but ESPN played the audio of the refs talking to the players before the game about play in paint and said no arm bars, no hooking, grabbing, leaning, play straight up D and we will call it fairly from there.
I realize you can't take all of this out of the game, but watching teams grab Gatens' jersey, knock him off balance running through a screen or simply hand checking / holding him isn't good defense.....it's fouling. MSU, WI and Purdue seem to be able to play with all kind of contact and not get called for fouls because it is "their style". I do not think there is a conspiracy against Iowa, just think the way games are called favors the teams that play like WI.
Part of the reason they lost to Cornell and Davidson is because when you get into the tournament, refs outside the Big Ten don’t fall for that.
Well I will agree with the bumping. The Badgers do not grab though. Very rarely. That has been a point of emphasis for years with Bo. Ever since some ruckus with Izzo or somebody else bigtime who complained and made refs watch for that NCAA-wide. The bumping is something every team including nonconference teams have been doing to Jordan Taylor and Trevon Hughes for 7 or 8 years now. It's just not called anymore. I don't care for it, but if it is at least equal I can live with it.
The Ben Brust deal I don't buy it. Lickliter was fired and he (Brust) was released by the Hawkeyes. 30 plus teams recruited him. WTF was Bo supposed to do? Sit on his hands?
hopefully Fran does to the BT what Knight did by slowing it down. and brings back the high scoring games