All_Hoosiers

Curt Miller is doing a tremendous job with the program. Great to see him and his team having so much success. Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners mobile app

1.) Wisconsin 15-0 (2-0), Last week (1): Wisconsin looked great in its opening B1G game, but Northwestern will make most teams look great. Still, a 27-point road victory is impressive in conference play. Iowa nearly upset Wisky, but the Badgers came out on top. Ben Brust led the way with 19 points. This is the program’s first 15-0 start in 100 seasons, and there are no signs of slowing down. With an incredibly easy schedule for Big Ten standards, Wisconsin is poised to roll through the Big Ten until February. (Upcoming: Illinois 1/8) 2.) Ohio State 15-0 (2-0), Last week (2): Ohio State was tested early when it traveled to West Lafayette. A close game throughout, the Buckeyes eventually defeated the Boilermakers by nine. OSU ended the week with a 31-point thrashing of Nebraska, highlighted by its elite defense. The offense is lacking a bit, but the Buckeyes’ defense can carry them through a bad shooting night. The number one team in the KenPom Rankings will face a huge test when visiting Lansing this Tuesday in a matchup of top five teams. Will Ohio State prove itself as a legit contender? (Upcoming: @Michigan State 1/7, Iowa 1/12) 3.) Michigan State 13-1 (2-0), Last week (3): Bad news for college basketball: Sparty is finally healthy. Michigan State’s starters seem to have healed up, and are now ready to take over. After a sloppy first half at Penn State, the Spartans outscored the Nittany Lions by 23 in the second to score a 16-point victory. MSU later waltzed into Assembly Hall, and overpowered the Indiana Hoosiers for a 17-point win. Essentially, Michigan State is finally looking like one of the best teams in the nation. After two big road wins, the Spartans welcome the Buckeyes to Lansing Tuesday in a battle for Big Ten supremacy. (Upcoming: Ohio State 1/7, Minnesota 1/11) 4.) Illinois 13-2 (2-0), Last week (5): The Fighting Illini survived a scare when Indiana took them to overtime in Champaign. Illinois, led by an outstanding performance from Rayvonte Rice, was ultimately too much for the Hoosiers and opened conference play with an 83-80 victory. John Groce’s squad had a much easier time handling Penn State, cruising to a 75-55 home win. The Illini have the makings of a low top 25 team, and will get their first big conference test, as it heads to Madison to take on Wisconsin. It’s safe to say this team has slightly exceeded expectations. Will it keep up the pace or crumble in the coming weeks? (Upcoming: @Wisconsin 1/8, @Northwestern 1/12) 5.) Iowa 12-3 (1-1), Last week (4): The Hawkeyes are down just one spot to five. Iowa beat Nebraska by ten at home before facing Wisconsin at the Kohl Center. After taking a nine-point lead into the half, things went south in the second. Fran McCaffrey had an epic meltdown, which led to an ejection, while his team was outscored 51-36 in the second. Iowa outplayed Wisconsin at Wisconsin for most of the night, and probably should have won. While Michigan didn’t suffer a loss, it’s hard to drop Iowa all the way to six. Maybe Fran can keep his cool this week. His team will need it. (Upcoming: Northwestern 1/9, @Ohio State 1/12) 6.) Michigan 10-4 (2-0), Last week (8): The Wolverines are the highest risers this week, jumping up two spots to six. While many believed Michigan would stumble without star Mitch McGary, the team appears fine after outlasting Minnesota on the road. Zak Irvin led the way with 15 points on 5-8 three-point shooting, and Nik Stauskas scored 14. This week also featured a 23-point win over Northwestern. UM remains a top 20 KenPom team, and has the tools to win even with McGary on the sidelines. It’ll be interesting to see how its season progresses. The Wolverines have an easy week. (Upcoming: Nebraksa 1/9) 7.) Minnesota 12-3 (1-1), Last week (6): The collective blood pressure of Gopher faithful can’t be good. Three points decided each of Minnesota’s games this week, with the team finishing 1-1. The fan base can feel positive, but not great after the start. The Golden Gophers narrowly lost to Michigan, and squeaked out a win over Purdue. As Pitino grows, so will this team. Right now, it is a borderline tournament team, but there are chances to improve its résumé. The Hollins brothers must continue to step up. (Upcoming: @Penn State 1/8, @Michigan State 1/11) 8.) Indiana 10-5 (0-2), Last week (7): “There are troubling times in the kingdom.” Indiana could’ve had a nice week, one that would have built their tournament résumé. Instead, a case can be made that the Hoosiers gave away a game on the road and were flat bad at home. Turning the ball over 23 – yes, 23 – times and making two whole baskets in the final 16 minutes of the game led to a three-point loss at Illinois. Fast forward to Saturday, and Sparty manhandled the Hoosiers at home. Poeroy is now projecting IU to finish 15-16, which doesn’t sit well with Hoosier Nation. A “Fire Crean” bandwagon is the opening stages of development, while low expectations are sinking even lower. Although they only have one game this week, the Hoosiers have a lot of questions to answer. (Upcoming: @Penn State 1/11) 9.) Purdue 10-5 (0-2), Last Week (9): The Boilermakers put up a noble fight at home against Ohio State on New Year’s Eve, but came up just short. If AJ Hammons can contribute anything close to 18 and 16 night in and night out like he did against the Buckeyes, Purdue can upset its fair share of teams. Hammons was non-existent against Minnesota, and, not shockingly, Purdue lost. If the Boilermakers want to go anywhere this season, Hammons needs to step up and be the player he is capable of being. The bad news: That’s a lot easier said than done. (Upcoming: Nebraska 1/12) 10.) Penn State 9-6 (0-2), Last week (10): Things started out great for the Nittany Lions when they look a seven point lead over Michigan State into halftime New Year’s Eve. In its next three halves, however, Penn State was outscored by 43 points. The Spartans bottled up Tim Frazier, and PSU’s top players were held in check by Illinois. This team can’t afford that if it wants to win some games in the Big Ten. The Nittany Lions have two winnable home games this week, and need to capitalize. (Upcoming: Minnesota 1/8, Indiana 1/11) 11.) Nebraska 8-6 (0-2), Last week (11): The Cornhuskers had arguably the toughest opening week, which featured road games at Iowa and Ohio State. Tim Miles’ squad fought hard in a ten-point loss to Iowa, but suffered a 31-point defeat to Ohio State. It’s going to be a rough, long year for the Huskers, but at least Northwestern will save them from the 12 spot. (Upcoming: Michigan 1/9, @Purdue 1/12) 12.) Northwestern 7-8 (0-2), Last week (12): The Wildcats lost by 27 and 23 this week. Sadly, that may be the norm this season. Chris Collins may be the right man to build this program, but year one will not be fun, as it’s hard to see a victory in the near future. (Upcoming: @Iowa 1/9, Illinois 1/12) Tell what I got right and what I got woefully wrong. Comment below and follow me on twitter (@All_Hoosiers.)

For those who care: "@ChronicHoosier: Pomeroy's latest game predictions have #iubb finishing 15-16. That would require 2 B1G tourney wins to become NIT eligible." That's a 5-13 conference record. I'm sure the season won't exactly be that bad, but still not something I like to see. Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners mobile app

[quote name="JSHoosier" post="28186" timestamp="1388966412"]I'm sorry, but if that happens Crean will have some serious explaining to do. And not just his post game "we're young, they're not listening" crap. Unfortunately, I don't have much faith we'll improve much as the year goes on. We should at least be seeing signs, but we're not and Crean has shown he won't make any changes.[/quote] Yeah, this ain't 2010 no more. It's Indiana. Rebuild is done, time to get up and go. I'm fine with a "transition year," but I'm not fine with anything close to these projections. Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners mobile app

[quote name="GoCubs1249" post="28035" timestamp="1388936126"]Look at Cody he could've gone to the draft as a frosh and he stays one more year and is the 4th pick and the team is a #1 seed I don't see what's so bad about that. Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners[/quote] Cody was considered a low lottery pick until Michael Jordan saved his draft stock and took him at four. Zeller got lucky in that aspect. That said, Vonleh could definitely be in a similar situation with a high draft pick and it may benefit him more than it did Zeller to stay an extra year. Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners mobile app

[quote name="ccgeneral" post="27964" timestamp="1388928098"]Thought i saw yesterday he was @ #8 in the mock draft. I think he goes and our problems compound. I don't see us landing a serviceable Big the next 2 years.[/quote] He's top ten for sure, and it won't matter if he has a subpar game against good competition. Teams are going to love him and he'll stay in the top ten of the mock drafts because he's 6'10" and can do a lot of things already while barely being 18. He won't sniff the top five though, and will likely be a top three pick next year. I think he stays, develops, and gets paid after his sophomore season. Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners mobile app

Crean is screwed if Vonleh doesn't return.

I think we need to accept the fact that this team is full of athletes, not talent, and just isn't very good. That's Crean's fault on top of poor in-game coaching. I don't think Crean needs to be fired, and who can IU get that's better? Don't give me Stevens. I doubt he'd give up on the NBA so soon, plus I'd take Boston Celtics job over Indiana.   I'm pretty sure I saw somewhere that Crean's buyout drops to one million next season.

Tom Crean may be in trouble, and that's not a knock on him. Oh, and I'm definitely not on the "Fire Crean" bandwagon. Who better is available? Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners mobile app

Time to send Troy Williams to the bench today. Jeremy Hollowell needs a short leash, and I'd like to see Stan Robinson get the start. Big, big game and could do a lot for IU's tournament hopes. Feeling good. Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners mobile app

Albers tweeted out the FGA numbers for Indiana basketball. Noah Vonleh's is way, way too low, and both Hollowell and William's are too high. Yogi leads by a mile.   Indiana FGA: Ferrell (174), Sheehey (121), Hollowell (99), Vonleh (93), Williams (88), Gordon (73), Robinson (44), Davis (29).

Crean is in trouble if Vonleh doesn't come back. Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners mobile app

Not a Bears fan, but I think it's a good deal. There's no better options available, and Cutler is a solid starting QB. 

I went with Noah Vonleh. Yogi played great, but had some questionable turnovers near the end. Plus I think Vonleh was more "valuable."

Last season, Cody Zeller led the team in FGA and FTA. Noah Vonleh needs to lead the team in each category this year, and must cut down on fouling if he wants to do that. Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners mobile app

Each of Indiana's starters have turnover rates of 20+%, with Troy Williams and Jeremy Hollowell leading the way at 25.6% and 25.1% respectively.   Not good (understatement).

  I don't think they're counted either, but I'd still like to see him have more shots. Vonleh has attempted the exact same amount of free throws as he has field goals (93). 

Illinois played great defense on that final possession of regulation. I wanna say the play wasn't designed for Evan Gordon to shoot the ball, but Illinois forced him to. Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners mobile app

[quote name="JSHoosier" post="26789" timestamp="1388596509"]Yogi is getting awfully good at these "what in the world are you doing" passes. He had two in a row near the end of regulation that were so insanely stupid they would be mind boggling to a deity.[/quote] Yogi is the king of trying to look cute and end up doing something stupid, but he's getting a little better. Nothing drives me more insane than when he drives the baseline, jumps in the air, and slings some crazy pass usually to the defense. Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners mobile app

Why not: Indiana-76 Michigan State-69 Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners mobile app

At one point in the first half, Troy Williams got the ball at the top of the key and, instead of making a solid entry pass to Hollowell on the block, he decided to basically sidearm sling a fancy pass which would've been behind Hollowell. Luckily, Illinois kicked the ball, saving the possession for IU. Some of these players try to get too cute and try to look fancy, and I think that adds to the turnover problem. I don't think the turnover problem will be solved, but it wouldn't hurt if our guys didn't try to get cute in the game. Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners mobile app

[quote name="HoosierBacon" post="26534" timestamp="1388531287"]It will be like this all season. Get used to seeing "amazing how we are this close with all these turnovers" for the rest of the year. This team will not even be on the bubble by the B1G tourney. I honestly don't know who we beat in conference. Can we even win at Penn State and Purdue? Yogi won't score 30 every game.[/quote] Can we win at Penn State and Purdue? Yes. Should we? Yes. Will we? Doubtful. And that's not a big knock on Indiana. Neither of those teams are bad, and road B1G games are always tough. Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners mobile app

Turnovers are a huge problem. We missed Luke Fischer today. That's all I have to say. Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners mobile app

The Jeff Howard Effect will decide this game. Kidding, of course.   Hoosiers have a good opportunity to open the conference slate with a solid road win. That said, I don't know if they can come out with a win today.

  Indiana high school all-star, correct? I think he has talked to Crean about possibly joining the team.