BottomLine

IU 70 Ark St 49

IU 79-73

IU 76 Howard 58

Had some time to kill tonight and I'm starved for some Indiana basketball, so I hit YouTube for replays of the 2002 IU - Duke game and the IU - Oklahoma game. After the Oklahoma game the camera zeroed in of 3-year-old Antoine Davis, the son of then IU coach Mike Davis. Then I started thinking. If Antoine was 3 back then he would be about ready to finish high school and whatever happened to him. It didn't take much searching to find out. Turns out the young man turned out to be a pretty good basketball players and has committed to play next year for the University of Houston. He is listed at 6-1 and 160# and is listed as either a 3-star or 2-star player, depending on the listing. Just thought I'd give everyone a smile.

IU 73 ISU 58

I missed that. Sorry to repeat old news. Everybody move along there is nothing to see here.

97-57 IU

I go back a long way as an IU fan. I grew up watching IU play on channel 4 out of Indianapolis and as a result, when the time came, I attended and graduated from IU in 1969. For me there were two players that I idolized in my youth, Jimmy Rayl and Archie Dees. From the time I got my first basketball and dad put up a hoop I reenacted over and over again the plays that I had seen my heroes make on TV. Oh how I wanted to shoot the ball from outside like Jimmy or have unstoppable inside moves like Archie. I know a lot of you on here are much younger than me and you have no recollection of the days before coach Knight came to Bloomington, but take my word for it that Indiana basketball did not start with Robert Montgomery Knight. The glorious history of Indiana basketball goes much farther back, even farther back than me. If you missed seeing Archie Dees play you missed something very special. He was one of only three players to win Big Ten MVP honors in back to back years. The other two were Jerry Lucas and Scott May. That, my friend, is very select company. Time moves on for all of us but for me a little piece of my childhood died today when I heard the word that Archie had passed. It makes me want to hit the driveway and put up a few hook shots in memory of the big guy. As a Hoosier player he was something special. In some ways he has never been matched.

As much as I hated to see IU lose to Michigan, I can't help but wonder if it is for the best.  The only way that we were going to improve out seed for the NCAA tourney is if we won the BTT.  But would it have been worth it?  We have players nursing injuries and playing them in the BTT only increased the possibility that they would re-injure themselves.  Can't see how the extra week of rest and healing can't work out to our favor.  So we don't get a #2 seed.  Big deal.  We are easily in and will probably draw somewhere between a 3 and 5.  I'd be happy at this point with a #4.  At full strength, healthy, rested and focused I like our chances.  I guess I'm one of those half full guys.

I know everyone is upset any time IU loses, myself included.  However, stop for a second and ask yourself which tournament you want to win -   The Big Ten or the NCAA and don't give me the line that you want to win both.  Everybody wants to win both.  We lost Friday primarily because Hartman, Morgan and Johnson are dealing with injuries and that forced IU to put some pretty strange combinations on the floor.  Yogi also took some brutal blows on Friday.   If we are in foul trouble the combinations get even stranger.  We don't have the solid depth that we had only a few weeks ago and that is changing how we are playing.  Can't be helped.  Burton and Niego have now entered the picture as the next men up because of the injury problems.  Or, would you rather go with the starters all the way and grind them down.  They aren't machines, they are flesh and blood and subject to fatigue.   Now do you want to keep pushing players back on the floor who obviously aren't 100% or would you rather have them working with the trainers and doctors in an attempt to go into the NCAA with the strongest team possible?  Keep your eye on the prize.  IU should welcome the extra time off.  Bet our last final four team would have liked to have had a healthy Coverdale and our last Sweet 16 team would have liked to have had a healthy Hulls.  Don't want to see a repeat of that this year.

www.vegasinsider.com/college-basketball/odds/futures/   Just looked up the odds in Vegas for an IU victory in the NCAA tournament and they are offering 45-1.  Seems to me that is a bit long.  Play this tourney 45 times and IU will get on a roll and win at least once.  I'm not saying that we are gong to win this year but for $10 you get a chance for a $450 return and I'll take those odds.  Considering that there are no overwhelming favorites this year the line makers have established Michigan State as the favorite to win it all.  IU is the 23rd team listed, which I think is ridiculous.  Wonder what the odds were a couple of months ago when we got no respect?

Big Ten Standings and Schedule (2/22/16) Top 7 Rec - Bottom 7 Rec - BIG Rec - Overall Rec- Remaining Games Indiana                4-2          8-1          12-3       22-6       Ill (A), Iowa (A), Mary (H) Iowa                     5-2          6-1          11-3       20-5       Wisc (H), OSU (A), IU (H), Mich (A) Maryland             4-3          7-1          11-4       23-5      PU (A), Ill (H),  IU (A) Ohio State           1-5          9-0          10-5       18-10     MSU (H), Iowa (H), MSU (A) Mich St                 4-4          5-1          9-5          22-5       OSU (A), Penn St (H), Rut (A), OSU (H) Wisconsin            3-4          6-1          9-5          17-10     Iowa (A), Mich (H), Minn (A), PU (A) Michigan              2-5          7-1          9-6          19-9       NW (H), Wisc (A), Iowa (H) Purdue                 3-5          6-1          9-6          21-7       Mary ((H), Neb (A), Wisc (H) Nebraska             1-7          5-2          6-9          14-14     Penn St (A), PU (H), NW (A) Northwestern       1-6          4-3          5-9          17-10     Mich (A), Rut (H), Penn St (A), Neb (H) Penn St               2-7          3-2          5-9          14-13     Neb (H), MSU (A), NW (H), Ill (H) Illinois                   1-6          3-4          4-10       12-15     IU (H), Minn (H), Mary (A), Penn St (A) Minnesota            1-7          0-6          1-13         7-19     Rut (H), Ill (A), Wisc (H), Rut (A) Rutgers                0-7          0-7          0-14         6-21     Minn (A), NW (A), MSU (H), Minn (H)       Indiana sweeps we win outright.  Suddenly the path isn't completely clear for Iowa.  First a hot Wisconsin then upset minded OSU on the road before IU and then an away game at Michigan.  With Purdue and Indiana on the road and being a game back in the loss column, Maryland needs help.  Ohio finishes with a murderers row.  MSU is the only team that is done with the top half of the conference (excluding OSU) but can't win the conference without A LOT OF HELP.   As to the bottom it looks like Illinois, Minnesota and Rutgers are locks to play on the first day of the Big 10 tourney.  Nebraska, Northwestern, and Penn State are fighting to avoid the other spot.  IU, Iowa and Maryland are almost locks to get double byes.  The fourth double bye should probably go to Michigan State but who knows what crazy upsets might happen.   Have fun figuring how the rest of the season is going to play out.

68 years young   Don't see what is gained by playing the BTT except putting more money in the bank for the schools.  The season title is far more important because you need quality over an extended period to win.  In a tourney you can get hot and go on a binge.  That binge is seldom carried over to the big tourney.   Can't see how it will make any difference on who gets into the NCAA tourney.  It increases the possibility of injury and wears out teams that should be resting for the task ahead.  Ask yourself, which do you most remember the seasonal champion or the tourney champion.  Personally I can't remember who wins the BTT but I usually do remember the seasonal champion.

Big Ten Standings and Schedule (3/1/16) Top 7 Rec - Bottom 7 Rec - BIG Rec - Overall Rec- Remaining Games Indiana                 5-2          9-1          14-3       24-6       Mary (H) Mich St                 4-4          7-1          11-5       24-5       Rut (A), OSU (H) Maryland              4-4          7-1          11-5       23-6      Ill (H),  IU (A) Wisconsin            5-4          6-1          11-5       19-10     Minn (A), PU (A) Purdue                 4-5          7-1          11-6       23-7       Wisc (H) Iowa                      5-4          6-2          11-6       20-8       Mich (A) Ohio State            2-6          9-0          11-6       19-11     MSU (A) Michigan               2-6          8-1          10-7       20-10     Iowa (H) Northwestern        1-7          5-3          6-10       18-11     Penn St (A), Neb (H) Penn St                2-8          4-2          6-10       15-14     NW (H), Ill (H) Nebraska             1-8          5-3          6-11       14-16     NW (A) Illinois                   1-6          4-5          5-11       13-16     Mary (A), Penn St (A) Minnesota            1-7          1-7          2-14         9-20     Wisc (H), Rut (A) Rutgers                0-7          0-9          0-16         6-23     MSU (H), Minn (H)          Not much left to calculate but the seeds for the Big 10 tourney.  Boy, does it make me happy to see the Hoosiers all alone on top.   Do you realize that both the Purdue and Iowa results turned around basket interference calls in the last seconds.  How often do you see that call?   IU has beaten everybody in the conference except Maryland, MSU and Penn State.  Penn State?  when you look back it is hard to find a game that IU shouldn't have won.  Nobody was going to beat Duke in the Big 10-ACC challenge.  They were just unconscious that night.  When do we ever beat MSU up there.  Think we were going to lose that one too.  The Wisconsin loss doesn't look so bad now considering what Wisconsin has done since.  We could/should have won that one.  As to the losses at Maui, we weren't ready to play top ball yet.  If we had won the first game we would have probably lost the next two anyway.  Penn State is still a mystery to me but on any given night anybody can beat anybody so I guess that game was just a matter of the basketball gods being fickle.  Now, ask yourself, when was the last time you could recall all of IU's losses from memory?  Thing is, I can't think of any games that IU won that we shouldn't have won.  It has been an amazing season that is still not over.

Big Ten Standings and Schedule (2/28/16) Top 7 Rec - Bottom 7 Rec - BIG Rec - Overall Rec- Remaining Games Indiana                 4-2          9-1          13-3       23-6       Iowa (A), Mary (H) Mich St                 4-4          7-1          11-5       24-5       Rut (A), OSU (H) Maryland              4-4          7-1          11-5       23-6      Ill (H),  IU (A) Iowa                      5-3          6-2          11-5       20-7       IU (H), Mich (A) Wisconsin            5-4          6-1          11-5       19-10     Minn (A), PU (A) Ohio State           2-6          9-0          11-6       19-11     MSU (A) Purdue                 4-5          6-1          10-6       22-7       Neb (A), Wisc (H) Michigan              2-6          8-1          10-7       20-10     Iowa (H) Northwestern       1-7          5-3          6-10       18-11     Penn St (A), Neb (H) Penn St                2-8          4-2          6-10       15-14     NW (H), Ill (H) Nebraska             1-7          5-3          6-10       14-15     PU (H), NW (A) Illinois                  1-6          4-5          5-11       13-16     Mary (A), Penn St (A) Minnesota           1-7          1-7          2-14         9-20     Wisc (H), Rut (A) Rutgers               0-7          0-9          0-16         6-23     MSU (H), Minn (H)          By now everybody knows that IU has clinched a tie for the Big Ten championship.  But, guys, the season isn't over.  We have two games left to play against Iowa and Maryland and there is a potential disaster awaiting around the bend.  We win either game and we win outright.  We lose both games and there is a high probability that we end up in a five way tie for first.  We have 3 losses and MSU, Maryland, Iowa and Wisconsin have 5.  However, it we lose two and all four win out, which is possible because they don't play each other, we all end with 5 losses and in a tie which will go to tiebreakers for the Big Ten tourney seeding.  Let's hope that we don't end up in that situation.   On the bottom of the pile Minnesota and Rutgers have clinched spots on the first day of the Big Ten tourney.  Northwestern, Penn State and Nebraska (with 10 losses each) and Illinois (with 11 losses) are fighting it out to avoid playing on the first day.  Two of the four are going to fill in the last two spots on the bottom of the bracket.   Who would have thought that Northwestern has a chance for 20 wins.   This should be a very interesting week.

Big Ten Standings and Schedule (2/24/16) Top 7 Rec - Bottom 7 Rec - BIG Rec - Overall Rec- Remaining Games Indiana                4-2          8-1          12-3       22-6       Ill (A), Iowa (A), Mary (H) Maryland             4-3          7-1          11-4       23-5      PU (A), Ill (H),  IU (A) Iowa                     5-3          6-1          11-4       20-6       OSU (A), IU (H), Mich (A) Mich St                4-4          6-1          10-5       23-5       Penn St (H), Rut (A), OSU (H) Wisconsin           4-4          6-1          10-5       18-10     Mich (H), Minn (A), PU (A) Ohio State           1-6          9-0          10-6       18-11     Iowa (H), MSU (A) Michigan              2-5          8-1          10-6       20-9       Wisc (A), Iowa (H) Purdue                 3-5          6-1          9-6          21-7       Mary ((H), Neb (A), Wisc (H) Nebraska             1-7          5-2          6-9          14-14     Penn St (A), PU (H), NW (A) Penn St                2-7          3-2          5-9          14-13     Neb (H), MSU (A), NW (H), Ill (H) Northwestern       1-7          4-3          5-10       17-11     Rut (H), Penn St (A), Neb (H) Illinois                   1-6          3-4          4-10       12-15     IU (H), Minn (H), Mary (A), Penn St (A) Minnesota            1-7          1-6          2-13         9-19     Ill (A), Wisc (H), Rut (A) Rutgers                0-7          0-8          0-15         6-22     NW (A), MSU (H), Minn (H)           The loss by Iowa to Wisconsin certainly sharpens the picture considerably.  If Indiana wins 2 of the next 3 we are guaranteed at least a tie for the conference championship.  We beat Illinois and Iowa but lose to Maryland we probably tie with Maryland for the title unless Purdue helps us by beating Maryland.  If we beat Illinois and Maryland we probably tie with Iowa, if Iowa can beat OSU on the road and Michigan on the road.  If we lose to Illinois but beat Iowa and Maryland we win outright.  Who would have thought it would come down to this.   Somebody better find a rule book and start figuring out the tie breakers between MSU, OSU, Wisconsin, Michigan and Purdue.  After the top three it is going to be a tight fight to the finish for everyone between 4 and 8.  I don't like OSU's chances.  Would be surprised if the Big Ten doesn't get 7 into the big dance.   Sure wish we had a healthy Robert Johnson for the Illinois game.  I don't like to think we might depend on Niego for long stretches or the thought of Hartman or Williams at guard.  Go Hoosiers!!!!

Thanks for the tie breaking procedure.  I just got a major headache.  Let's just hope IU finishes #1, then the rest can fight it out.  Don't want to meet MSU before the finals.  I think they have our number.  We can take anyone else.

Big Ten Standings and Schedule (2/14/16) Top 7 Rec - Bottom 7 Rec - BIG Rec - Overall Rec- Games left with top 7 Iowa                      5-2          6-0          11-2       20-5       Wisc (H), IU (H), Mich (A) Indiana                 3-2          7-1          10-3       20-6       PU (H), Iowa (A), Mary (H) Maryland             3-3          7-0          10-3       22-4       Mich (H), PU (A), IU (A) Michigan              2-4          7-0          9-4          19-7       Mary (A), Wisc (A), Iowa (H) Wisconsin            3-3          5-1          8-4          16-9       MSU (A), Iowa (A), Mich (H), PU (A) Purdue                 3-4          5-1          8-5          20-6       IU (A), Mary ((H), Wisc (H) Mich St                 3-4          5-1          8-5          21-5       Wisc (H) Ohio State           0-5          8-0          8-5          16-10     Mich (H), MSU (H), Iowa (H), MSU (A) Nebraska            1-6          5-1          6-7          14-12     Wisc (A), IU (A), PU (H) Northwestern      1-5          4-3          5-8          17-9       PU (A), Mich (A) Illinois                  1-5          2-4          3-9          11-14     Wisc (A), IU (H), Mary (A) Penn St              1-7          2-2          3-9          12-13     Iowa (H), MSU (A) Rutgers              0-7          0-5          0-12       6-19       MSU (H)               Minnesota          0-7          0-6          0-13       6-19       Mary (H), Wisc (H)   With only 5 or 6 games remaining until the end of the Big Ten regular season some things are coming into sharper focus.  Northwestern, Illinois, Penn State, Rutgers and Minnesota have been mathematically eliminated from winning the conference.  The same is probably true of Nebraska but at this point I don't want to figure out the possible permutations.  At this point the record of the bottom 7 is 4-38 against the top 7 for a 9.5% win percentage.  I can never remember the bottom of the conference being this bad.   Iowa, with a one game lead, controls their own fate but they better not look beyond Wisconsin, the hottest team in the league.  A loss to IU could set up the possibility of a three way tie but that Wisconsin game looms as a stumbling block, especially after squeaking against Minnesota.   Maryland needs help to win outright or tie.   If Indiana sweeps Indiana wins outright.  An IU loss to Maryland in the final game sets up the possibility of a Maryland - Iowa tie and the Hoosier finishing third.  Assuming that all three teams win their other games.  There is still a lot of basketball to be played.   We are also looking at seeding for the Big Ten Tourney.  Seeds 1-4 get a double bye.  Seeds 5-10 get a one game bye.  Seeds 11-14 get no bye and must play five games to win the tourney.   Significantly 1-4-5-8-9-12-13 are in the top bracket.  2-3-6-7-10-11-14 are in the lower bracket.  Where Wisconsin and Michigan State end up could have a significant impact on the tourney results.  Personally, I'd rather not play either again.   At this point all IU can do is take them one at a time and get back to winning.

Big Ten Standings and Schedule (2/18/16) Top 7 Rec - Bottom 7 Rec - BIG Rec - Overall Rec- Remaining Games Indiana                3-2          8-1          11-3       21-6       PU (H), Ill (A), Iowa (A), Mary (H) Iowa                     5-2          6-1          11-3       20-5       Wisc (H), OSU (A), IU (H), Mich (A) Maryland             3-3          7-1          10-4       22-5       Mich (H), PU (A), Ill (H),  IU (A) Mich St                4-4          5-1          9-5          22-5       OSU (A), Penn St (H), Rut (A), OSU (H) Purdue                3-4          6-1          9-5          21-6       IU (A), Mary ((H), Neb (A), Wisc (H) Michigan             2-4          7-1          9-5          19-8       Mary (A), NW (H), Wisc (A), Iowa (H) Ohio State          1-5          8-0          9-5          17-10     Neb (A), MSU (H), Iowa (H), MSU (A) Wisconsin           3-4          5-1          8-5          16-10     Ill (H), Iowa (A), Mich (H), Minn (A), PU (A) Nebraska            1-7          5-1          6-8          14-13     OSU (H), Penn St (A), PU (H), NW (A) Northwestern      1-6          4-3          5-9          17-10     Mich (A), Rut (H), Penn St (A), Neb (H) Penn St               2-7          2-2          4-9          13-13     Rut (A), Neb (H), MSU (A), NW (H), Ill (H) Illinois                  1-5          3-4          4-9          12-14     Wisc (A), IU (H), Minn (H), Mary (A), P St (A) Minnesota           1-7          0-6          1-13         7-19     Rut (H), Ill (A), Wisc (H), Rut (A) Rutgers               0-7          0-6          0-13         6-20     Penn St (H), Minn (A), NW (A), MSU (H), Minn (H)             After the upsets of Michigan, Iowa and Maryland anything might happen.  The dogs from the pack are starting to close in.  Hard to see Michigan and Ohio State sustain and time is running out for Wisconsin.  Indiana has a must win tomorrow.  Has Iowa peaked.  The remaining schedule isn't looking as favorable.

Don't go overboard on Niegro.  Everybody loves the underdog but he is a role player and he is doing fine filling his role.  At this point in his career he has been pushed into service because of our lack of depth at guard because of Blackmon's injury. He  isn't ready to be pushed much farther or his shortcomings will become more apparent.  As to the future, we will see what happens.

Loved Troy when he was a freshman.  Thought he was okay last year.  This year every time he gets the ball on top I want to throw something at the TV.  His bull rushes and wild out of control shots kill the offense.  Everyone stands around when Troy gets the ball out front because the offense comes to a standstill.  Then the turnovers are maddening.  Crean benched him as a starter in Maui and his mother had a meltdown.  That, I believe, tells you something.  Crean has been sitting him down more and more for poor play and Troy still doesn't get it.  I don't think he ever will.  He is a great athlete but a pretty sorry basketball player.  So the choice is put up with what we have or start Anunoby and run the risk that Troy blows up the team with a sour attitude.  If it were my team I'd take the risk.  The goal is to put a better team on the floor.  I'd put Troy right next to me on the bench and tell him he is now the sixth man.  His job is to watch the action and figure what he can do to help because he is always going to be the first sub and he needs to bring high energy when he sets foot on that floor.  Above all he must play team ball, not hero ball.  From there his playing time would depend on his effectiveness.

Exactly right.  At that point Johnson was getting a breather.

I think the new NBA system might change things considerably.  Invite about 50 athletes and evaluate them, without any threats that they will lose their eligibility.   If you are an underclassman and you don't get invited, that is a big NO for your future.  If you do get invited and get a negative report, go back to school.  The NCAA is getting tired of losing kids that should not go and the NBA is getting tired of drafting on potential.  Maybe the new system will work out, especially if it helps kids make the right choices.  Bottom line, I'm not sure any of our underclassmen get invited.  Blackmon is still in recovery.  Bryant still needs seasoning.  Can't imagine Williams playing in the NBA right now.  We are actually having a discussion about whether he should be starting for IU and the NBA is a whole new ball game.  I can see Williams looking for another school where his talents are better "appreciated", especially if he is on schedule to graduate after three years.  Can you imaging next year being "Troy's" team? The maturity would be outstanding (sarcasm).   I guess I'm one of those glass half full guys but I like the way the pieces are coming together for next year.  It's Crean's team.  Let him finish the job.  If he screws it up, then we will see what happens.  BTW losing Yogi is a big deal but I think we will do fine at PG next year.  Either the kid from Pitt, Newkirk, gets the spot or it goes to some hot show freshman.

Niegro was on the floor for only one reason last night.  With Blackmon gone we are short guards and Yogi was gassed.  He was in the game to buy time for Yogi to get a breather.  Would he continue to get stops?  Would he score more baskets?  Don't know.  If Yogi is ready to go back in he goes back in.  Who would you rather have on the floor - a walk-on freshman or a senior MVP candidate?

We are losing one senior starter this year.  Williams will be back unless he graduates in three years and becomes a senior transfer.  NBA camp (if he gets an invite) is going to tell him to go back and work on consistency.  Blackmon will be back.  Can't play NBA defense and has injury problems.  Bryant might leave but he needs a lot more seasoning.  Hartman and Johnson will be back.  We have young improving players on the bench and some good freshmen coming in.  The depth that Zeisloft and Bielfeldt give us off the bench can be replaced with kids that are potential starters down the road.  In short IU should be better next year than this year.  And, isn't that the kind of year to year consistency that MSU and Wisconsin have demonstrated.  The roster is finally starting to balance itself out.  Why would we blow all that up by changing the coach now?