Green Bay’s Shocking Loss to Michigan Tech: A Lesson in Humility for Doug Gottlieb
In the world of college basketball, surprises are not uncommon, but the recent turn of events for the Green Bay men’s basketball team has left many fans and analysts scratching their heads. Just a week after Doug Gottlieb’s controversial comments about “Nobody U,” his team suffered a stunning defeat at the hands of Division-II Michigan Tech, losing 72-70. This marked their eighth consecutive loss, a streak that has been difficult for the team and its supporters to swallow.
Green Bay seemed to be in control during the first half, taking a double-digit lead into halftime and extending it to as many as 13 points in the second half. However, Michigan Tech, undeterred by the odds, mounted a comeback. With just under eight minutes left, they took the lead, setting the stage for a nail-biting finish. The game remained tight until Michigan Tech’s Marcus Tomashek hit a crucial 3-pointer with 53 seconds remaining, securing a lead that Green Bay could not overcome.
Gottlieb’s comments about scheduling and his disdain for playing weaker teams have now come back to haunt him. In a news conference following their loss to Milwaukee, he explained his philosophy, stating, “Part of the reason I want to play better teams is like, it’s 2 degrees outside, it’s snowing. I don’t really like the idea of Nobody U coming in here. What do we learn playing a game where we win by 20? There’s a methodology to it and I’m going to have to adjust moving forward.”
He further elaborated, “Every game on our schedule is a game that we can lose. And nobody else does that. Now you know why.” These words, intended to justify his approach, have now taken on a different meaning in light of the recent loss.
After the defeat, Gottlieb took to social media to address the situation, writing on X, “Done with this crap. We scheduled up. Including Michigan Tech. No where ever, have I been critical of anyone on our schedule. Now, back to work.”
During the post-game media session, Gottlieb was questioned about his off-court activities, including his interactions on X with ESPN’s Adam Schefter and his daily radio show on Fox Sports Radio. He responded, “Whatever I do is gonna draw a ton of attention. I have a certain tone sometimes to the way I speak and especially to the way I tweet, which can upset people. I promise you, even though it’s in the negative now, it’ll be in the positive soon. Keep all the receipts and we’ll just keep doing our job.”
Currently, Green Bay’s record stands at 2-11, with their last three Division-I losses averaging a 20-point margin. They are 0-3 in Horizon League play and are set to face Drake, one of the four remaining undefeated teams in Division I, on Saturday.
Gottlieb remains steadfast in his commitment to the team, stating, “I’m as dedicated to this job as any human being has ever been. And I’m going to see it through until we win a Horizon League championship. This is my dream job and I will not fall short of the 100% effort that’s required.”
His journey with Green Bay began in May when he was hired to replace Sundance Wicks, who had led the Phoenix to an 18-14 record before moving on to Wyoming. Despite lacking college coaching experience, Gottlieb brought with him a wealth of knowledge from his time with the United States team at the 2009 and 2017 Maccabiah Games, where he served as head coach in 2017 and as an assistant under Bruce Pearl in 2009.
- Green Bay’s current record: 2-11
- Recent loss to Michigan Tech: 72-70
- Upcoming game against undefeated Drake
- Gottlieb’s commitment to winning a Horizon League championship
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Gottlieb and his team to see how they respond to this challenging period. Will they rise to the occasion and turn their season around, or will the struggles continue? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the journey will be closely watched by fans and critics alike.
Originally Written by: Jeff Borzello
