Of course, upsets happen in college basketball. But the loss stings a bit more given what Gottlieb said last week about wanting to schedule ‘better teams’ in his first season with the Phoenix, and that ‘you have to, like everyone else does, schedule a couple D2s early.’
‘Part of the reason I want to play better teams is, it’s two degrees, snowing outside,’ Gottlieb told reporters after Green Bay’s 88-67 loss to Milwaukee on Dec. 11. ‘I don’t really like the idea of Nobody U coming in here and what do we learn from playing a game where we win by 20. There’s a methodology to it. And I’m gonna have to adjust moving forward.’
Gottlieb didn’t directly call Michigan Tech ‘Nobody U.’ However, he was referring to playing teams of a higher caliber than Michigan Tech.
Gottlieb on Wednesday responded to his quote, which went viral after Green Bay’s loss.
‘Done with this crap,’ Gottlieb wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. ‘We scheduled up. Including Michigan Tech. No where ever, have I been critical of anyone on our schedule. Now, back to work.’
The namesake host of ‘The Doug Gottlieb Show’ is in his first season of coaching, as the former Oklahoma State standout has been a college basketball broadcaster for numerous years. The Phoenix fell to 2-11 on the season after Thursday’s loss, and are projected to win only two more games this season, according to KenPom.
Gottlieb started his playing career at Notre Dame before transferring and playing a season at Golden West College. He then played three years for the Cowboys, where he was one of the best passers in the country, leading the nation in assists as both a junior and a senior, averaging 8.8 and 8.6 assists per game, respectively.
Gottlieb has covered basketball for ESPN, CBS and Fox. He still hosts his radio show while coaching the struggling Phoenix.