True or False: Basketball players are playing for their coach tomorrow

BSpringsteen

BSpringsteen

Well-Known Member
Is it a stretch to say the team is playing for their coach tomorrow? If they come out withno energy, no sense or purpose, is that their way of saying, we've had enough? Conversely, if they are fighting and playing mad, is that the team saying the opposite?

Or option C, none of the above?
 
The apathy game: two teams that wanted their season to end last week. 20 points by halftime will be a stretch.

This game will be decided by this question: who wants to play tOSU the least?
 
They are playing because they are obligated the show up to the big ten tourney, otherwise I doubt they would play if it was up to the players.
 
This doesn't go directly to the "playing for their coach" thing, but in all the years I've been watching basketball, it seems like even a medocare/poor team usually has a game or two each season in which they will really surprise you and play above their heads and beat someone they're not supposed to beat.

That hasn't happened with this team, this year. In fact, I can't recall it happening off the top of my head since the win against Michigan State at CHA a couple of years ago.

I really don't know what that means but it may have something to do with a lack of leadership or inspiration in general.

It does, however, make me skeptical that they're even capable of an inspired effort, regardlesss of the source of the inspiration. So no, I guess at least I wouldn't attribute yet another meltdown to a conscious lack of respect for the coach. But the whole pattern speaks so clearly to the poor job our staff has done that it seems to me it doesn't matter that we have one more meltdown.

Having said all that, if they should shock the world and come out and play lights out against UM tomorrow, then given all that is swirling around I would tend to read that as a statement of support by the team for the coach.
 
I think that tomorrow is going to be rough. I think Lickliter really understands the game of basketball, but sometimes that is not enough. This team needs someone to light a fire and I don't see him doing that tomorrow.
 
theboat said:
I think that tomorrow is going to be rough. I think Lickliter really understands the game of basketball, but sometimes that is not enough. This team needs someone to light a fire and I don't see him doing that tomorrow.
Click to expand...

Agreed. Not that I know much (if anything) about coaching, but it seems to me that in addition to knowledge of the game, you also need to be a good teacher, a good salesman, a good communicator and a good motivator. Oh, it doesn't hurt to be a good recruiter (being a good salesman could come into play there). Did I miss anything?
 
Iowa has gotten destroyed in 3 of there last 4 games. Iowa is playing in a different setting the Big Ten Tournament on a neutral court. This is a no excuse game for Coach Lick and this staff. Play or go home...


If they can't get up to play for this game, then IMO something is seriously wrong. Not that something might seriously be wrong already.
 
Time will tell. If Iowa gets blasted (again) and no transfers occur, then I think that speaks louder for the players support or confidence in Lickliter than the outcome tomorrow. Of course, should Iowa win and shortly after there are a transfer or four, then that, too, speaks loudly.
 
If Iowa wins or at least comes within a basket, yeah, they're playing for the coach. If it's another 20-point blowout, no, they're saying goodbye, in one way or the other.
 
I think most are playing for the chance of winning the Big Ten tourney and getting an opportunity to go dancing.
I don't really think the "playing for their coach" thing applies. I don't think they feel pressure to play good to take pressure off their coach. And I don't think they want to lose so they can get the season over with. In short, I think they are playing for themselves.
 
burky247 said:
I think most are playing for the chance of winning the Big Ten tourney and getting an opportunity to go dancing.
I don't really think the "playing for their coach" thing applies. I don't think they feel pressure to play good to take pressure off their coach. And I don't think they want to lose so they can get the season over with. In short, I think they are playing for themselves.
Click to expand...

I agree. These kids are competitive and they want to win every time they step on the floor.
I have not bought the theory that they have given up the last few games...just think they ran into buzzsaw teams at home...and those teams are much better to begin with anyway.

Tomorrow, I think the Hawks will come out and play their best,regardless of the coach...hopefully the sun will shine on their butts for a change and they get to taste the joy of a tourny victory.
In the last three years, they have played in a few tournys and I think the KState win was the only one they had a win in,...so time for another win.

Win or lose, Lick should be let go...but probably will not be.
 
None of the above for me. I don't think players would intentionally come into a game hoping to lose so that a coach looked bad. Players generally want to win even if the odds are against them winning. I can see players wanting to win for their coach as well in certain situations, but mostly for the team and themselves.

I couldn't stand my coach for basketball in high school and still didn't change the way I looked at games. The guy got hate mail from fans that weren't parents. Nice guy that didn't know anything about basketball.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Share this page

Top