I expected it to be a 10-15 point game, so I'm not too disappointed. Wisconsin is really, really good. We'll get better, and hopefully by March, we're closer to that level. Lucas and Krut seem to be there already, but it's hard for me to pick on other guys too much because we don't know who has nagging injuries, who might be dealing with the post-COVID fog, etc. For whatever reason, Kennedy and Tate were just kind of non-factors last night. We're not going to beat a top 10 team without them contributing more.

I agree with everyone about Tom. He's been really strong offensively, and I would also like to see him playing with Krutwig. Seems like switching Aher and Tom would be a nice defense-office change up that we could go to. Granted, without Frank, it is harder to do that. The only time Krut can get rest is when Tom is on the court. So in that regard, I think Frank is an important piece for us. Especially in the back-to-backs we have coming up.

I thought Norris played too many minutes (something to watch are his turnovers), but we just weren't getting anything from guards other than Lucas. Have to think we'll figure out a better balance as we grow as a team.

We missed some shots, but I thought the untimely turnovers hurt us offensively as much as anything else. We beat them on the glass, but we lost the turnover and three point shooting battles badly. Defense started really strong, and then we left them too many open looks from deep that buried us.

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This team has a chance to do big things this year. Nobody knows who is coming back next year. If the waiver rule passes this afternoon, I say put all of our chips in and play Anderson.

Who knows if/when Frank is going to be back or if will be able to provide 7 minutes off the bench in relief?

If Welch is gonna have to play back up center the rest of the year, and he’s the best fill-in we have, Anderson and Uguak can split minutes at the 4. Maybe it gives Uguak a kick in the pants, or helps him decide whether to come back next year or grad transfer.

If Frank comes back, him and Welch can split backup center time, and Welch can still play the 4 when needed. Anderson might give us an offensive spark off the bench, or at the very least, we have him in case we have injury or sickness with Krut, Uguak or Welch.

I want us to do anything and everything we can do to win THIS YEAR.

Agreed. But, like I said earlier, there’s a lot that we don’t know about Anderson yet that Porter is able to see and judge. Defense is probably #1 on Porter’s checklist, followed by fitting into the offense, and we don’t where Anderson is with those right now. The only thing we know is he has the raw potential to be a huge addition.

It doesn't show up on the stat sheet but Tom had two possession saving tip outs back to back early on in the game. I thought he played really hard and fought amongst the trees. Defensively I think he's still overmatched in the post; but he's playing out of position so it is what it is. When he has forced misses though I've been really impressed with his improved rebounding ability. Love his confidence and how active he is on the bench as well. Thus far he's probably our most improved player... just have to hope Frank gets back soon so we have someone else to give Krut a break and allow them to play together.

The turnovers were killer yesterday. And I thought they were even more backbreaking because many of them ranged from "questionable at best" offensive fouls to full on flops. Krutwigs first foul was a horrendous call. It's what Wisconsin does, I get it's what they're known for but it's an awful brand of basketball to watch as far as I'm concerned.

Yeah. There was a wide variety of turnovers. Throwing the ball into the stands, running out of bounds on the baseline, driving with nowhere to go...

Granted, it was against a really tough defense. Hopefully guys like Marquise and Tate find more room to operate against teams that aren't gigantic.

I have to say I don't understand why some on here are so focused on Anderson. None of us has seen him play with a Loyola jersey on. I doubt anyone even saw him play at Indiana. I'm going to trust the development process and that the sit-out year will be good for him.

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I thought Lucas had a really tough start too but he seemed to compose himself in a way Hall and Kennedy didn't. Value of experience I guess. We're not going to beat teams like Wisonsin based on talent, it has to be on execution. I don't want to overreact to poor execution in the 3rd d1 game of the season, especially after the covid layoff, but it was tough to watch the game slip away like that.

Also, agreed - BUT - if Uguak chooses to come back next year, then why would Anderson stay? He has already sat out a year, and probably would be eligible immediately to go ANYWHERE ELSE next year. Anderson didn’t transfer from Big 10 Indiana to Loyola to sit out a year, only to have to play back-up or split time in 2021. I’m sure the pitch to him was that he could sit out a year, and then would get his chance in the starting lineup with significant minutes because Uguak would be gone in 2021. That’s obviously not necessarily the case now....

If you choose to sit Anderson now, and Uguak comes back- I bet he leaves.

Scenario 1) you play him now, he’s not ready. He sits at the end of the bench. We still have him 2 years.

Scenario 2) you play him now. He is great. Uguak moves down the depth chart, then maybe stays, leaves or grad transfers next year.

Scenario 3) you keep him out. Uguak stays - Anderson transfers out to a school that promises him minutes.

Scenario 4) you keep him out. Uguak leaves. Anderson has no Porter coached game experience going into next year.

Agreed...there were some ugly ones. Tate has had two straight games where at some point he just sprints to the baseline and falls over. I'd believe he's banged up though as someone suggested a few days ago. Every time he gets up he's been grimacing.

Also I'm with you on Anderson. It's another thing to deal with as we're already trying to balance out play time. And playing Damezi now only further creates a log jam for Tom... also if we're being honest while he was super talented in high school his stats left a lot to be desired at Indiana. I'm fine letting him get up to speed.

Last but not least: this wasn't our Florida.... nor was it our Boise.... it was our Milwaukee!!!

I agree about the development process, and the fact that nobody here really knows. But, this being essentially a “free year”, and the NCAA about to say that everyone is immediately eligible, that changes the dynamic a bit IMHO. If he’s eligible, and will still have two years after this no matter what, you have to at least think about it. Coming out of high school he was 6’7 with guard skills and a scoring machine. Those are players who can create mismatches and headaches for opposing teams that Porter loves. Aundre Jackson types. Those don’t grow on trees for a mid major. Aher brings a lot on defense, but he doesn’t fully fill that role. If Porter sees that this Anderson kid can do what his potential shows he can do, you play him.

I was very proud of our efforts last night. Williamson and Krutwig really stepped up and played like the stars that they are.
We will be fine this year. Getting the kinks out for sure but the first 7-8 minutes shows what this team can do. A lot of pieces to put together. I was hoping Wojcik would get some minutes. He is a talent that could be that Richardson type glue that every team needs.
As General Grant said: "On to Richmond!" Should be another test but I am so glad we have these two games to get that level of competition that we need.
I saw Wichita State playing last night but did not catch the game. I wonder how they are doing without Marshall.

And on another note: JCT so sorry about Dora your cat. You mentioned the cat was a stay from 12 years ago. Those are the best kind as they love you unconditionally. All of my dogs have been shelter dogs and to lose a pet whether cat or dog is devastating.
My current dog was a stray from Decatur. I know she is a Sox fan because when we got her she chewed the Cubs logo off of my Cubs jacket. Prior to her my previous dog was a stray as well and one day I had to fly in from DC and go to vet to have her put down as well as I wanted to be there. We tried to save her with surgery but the illness had spread too far. So I know what you are going through.
My vet sent us a consoling card and it mentioned my dog would be waiting for us across the Rainbow bridge.
Keep the faith my friend. Think of the great life you gave Dora.
God bless!