mdn82

  I am going to duck after saying this, but the one thing everyone is not happy with is what Sampson was best at.  Davis was a terrible coach.  Sampson was a great coach, but couldn't stay within the rules of the time.  People saying they weren't excited about Sampson as a coach when he was hired probably aren't telling the truth.  I would say an overwhelming majority were pretty happy with that hire when it first happened.  People don't think about the total package involved with being a coach.  In game coaching is the most visible when everything else is going good, but the other parts can take down a program.  I honestly don't know if Crean is the long term answer.  If he is not, I hope we don't hire a coach regardless of other issues for sake of bringing in a coach.  

  Not only that, he has done done worse than Crean in more time.  I love Steve, but he wouldn't do any better than Crean.  

IMO, I am at the crossroads age for IU basketball.  People younger than myself don't remember winning at a Duke level.  People older than myself, that is what they always point to.  When I was younger (I am 31), we had basketball camps.  All of the time.  We didn't know what soccer was.  I joke about that now, because I never knew in this area we played soccer until I was older.  Now, its all kids play.  Nothing wrong with that, but consider IU was like how SEC is described during game day.  That is the way basketball was once thought of in this state.  I honestly remember that thought process start slipping when it seemed Knight no longer cared who he pissed off in the state.  Again, for those of you younger, know he had a Saban like grip on this state.  Then, so you are watching his detail oriented offense, which is based on discipline.  You go to these Branch McCracken camps which preach fundamentals.  You play summer league, fall league, school ball, which all preach ball movement and fundamentals.  Then, you grow up and watch a team that spent 30 years based on these principals becoming the polar opposite of it, it is hard.  Change is hard.  I am not saying Crean can or cannot do it this way.  I am just saying, you had every high school in this state playing the RMK way because he won.  That is how this STATE was taught until about 15 years ago.  IMO, Crean has an uphill battle all of the way.  You can do everything right.  Everything.  But, if you try to tell people in this state what they are seeing on the court is the way, then you will see we are hard to please.  

71-64 IU.

This weather sucks… 

I still see 17 wins going into B1G Tournament.  We may win 1 there.  Before the Illinois game we were pegged for 19 wins from Pomeroy.  Statistically we have been our worst for the last few games.  Not surprised to see this.  I am like you.  I think we will do better.  

We are screwed if a big transfers.  

I don't see Noah going.  He hasn't had a good game against a good team.  This draft is so loaded.  If he was coming to just get into the 1st round, then fair enough.  Education is big in his family.  I would honestly be surprised if he wasn't here for a 2nd year.  Now, if we don't get a big or 3 for 2015, then we are in big trouble.  

  It is.  That is why I think after 2 years if they were really bad in Boston he would look at it.  

  That is the thing though.  With the same players, I would agree.  Stevens is a better coach.  Would he get the same players?  Nobody knows either way.  I think when he comes back from the NBA, he will.  If he has 2 rough years in a row, and the IU position would open up, I would be willing to bet he would listen hard.  Unless you are a HOF coach, you are hired to be fired, and then sometimes that is still the case.  At some point Crean won't be here.  How we finish this season and how do next season, imo, will go a long way if it is soon or later on.  If Noah comes back, I see no way we aren't a top 15 team with everyone minus Will and Evan coming back.  I hope this shows Crean you can't overload on a class and be successful.  Hopefully, he evens out his classes going forward.  

IU has a week.  They have a week to head to PSU and right the ship that is the season after that beatdown at the hands of a team who should be there at the end of the year.  The outcome isn't a shock.  The way we got there isn't a shock.  In the grand scheme of things it was less surprising than the ND and UI games.  Unfortunately, we are getting to a point in the season where we have to beat teams we shouldn't to have any chance of making the tournament.     As a team, the story was the stagnant offense.  The story was shots falling for MSU that shouldn't have.  Defensively, we were ok until the end.  We had kept them at 40% all day until they pulled away at the end.  I was proud of the fact we kept it in the zip code with them in turnovers (15-11).  They out rebounded us 34-32.  For long stretches of time our issues were again in the half court.  We had many times where it would be a 2 man game where 3 players were weak side just watching.  We are easy to defend in those circumstances.  Also, when we got the ball in to the paint to Noah, they would collapse.  All of that is what you should do, but beyond that, that is where the smart play stops.  When the person guarding you collapses, you drive to the rim for a dump off pass if you are a slasher.  Our players do not do fundamental things such as that, that would make their lives easier on the court.  I hope these are teaching points that come through by the end of the year.     Individually, it all starts with Stanford Robinson for me.  This guy was everywhere.  He was even in the middle of a quick technical call when two MSU players threw a shoulder into him walking away.  He ended up with 11 points / 4 rebounds / 2 assists.  It wasn't just on the offensive end where Stan was the star.  He spent the afternoon pulling a Vic and guarding Gary and Keith for stretches.  Our most successful stretches on the court were when he was out there.  He also allowed Will to not have to guard Gary, and that in turn allowed Will to show up offensively.  He scored 13 on 4-6 shooting (3-3 from 3pt).  Yogi also got his with with 17.  Unfortunately he also added 5 of the turnovers.  Noah was fairly non-existent offensively with 5, but added 9 boards.  Beyond that Devin added 6 boards.    In conclusion, there really isn't much surprise from this.  Anyone who has watched us play over the last couple of weeks knew how bad we have played lately.  We were playing a team who will be there in that Championship discussion by the end of the year.  There were positives to take away from this game in spite of the beatdown.  We seen Stan breakout.  That breakout on both ends allowed Will to open up offensively, not having to exert so much energy defensively.  Both will be crucial to our success down the stretch.  I know 15 turnovers aren't great at first glance.  But, against a team who hunt for turnovers like Charlie for good play, it is a solid output.  Against a Nebraska, that is 12.  That is a great number for this team and will give us chances to win in games we shouldn't.  This was a game we really had little chance.  It is ironic in our most helpless game of the year I am the most excited about the progress of our team going forward.  

  Yep.  This is where I am.  I was actually encouraged by some of the things in the game today.  I was more pissed in the cupcakes than this game.  We had 15 turnovers.  We got them to 11.  We were out rebounded by 2 against a team who that is their trademark.  That said, some of the things that have been around for years are pissing people off.  He will get another year for sure.  

  I think its MSU or Duke honestly.  

  I think we win 7 and end with 17 wins.  7-11.  

  I know you are just trying to be a smart ass, but that is the smartest thing you said all day.   

Vonleh has to come over.  

  Its all preference and comfort.  He sees what they do every day.  He builds an opinion based on that.  I am not a fan of it, but he hasn't changed his methods.  

Wow, we only have 13 turnovers…  I thought we would have more.  

Taunting?  The two people running their shoulders into him aren't taunting and saying things to him?  

We need to get this under 5, by the under 4.  

Stan for MVP and its easy.  

I hope Gary goes to the NBA this year.  

  I live by Fort Wayne and actually go to a few IPFW games every year.  He is solid, but I didn't think IU when he was there.  He can shoot, but its easier against the Summit League than the B1G.  

Ha, touche…  

  :dance: