HoosierAloha

Tied up!

  I was thinking this the other day.  I think our best chance is to have Hartman start on him.  When Hartman has to foul him make sure they count.  Then we bring OG and JMor in to guard him.  If he's taking those turn around fade away jumpers we're in business.  If he's hitting them you just clap for him.  I would allow Troy to guard him for a few possessions here and there.

I noticed this too. Crean also yanked Troy for.... NZ on defense after Troy took a nap with 20 seconds left that gave King a wide open look for 3.

^ I think Max and Hartman have also provided good leadership. Hartman grabbed TB after what he felt was a bad call. TB seemed to have lost it for a second before regaining his composure and making a play. I like the feel of the 2015 class already. OG and JMor seem to have steady play and steady heads. TB is more fiery but has controlled it better recently. If Troy, RoJo, and Hartman can find their games again there is still another few levels this team can reach.

Watch the second half of the Minny game. It was NZ with a great close out on a shooter in the left corner forcing him to put the ball on the floor and then keeping him out of the lane. It was NZ moving his feet to keep Buggs (I believe) out of the lane and forcing a pass into the right corner. Hartman played great D against Shields in Lincoln that allowed us to win that game. OG and JMor helped out as well. It frustrates me when people label players and then just assume they will never do anything to improve or help the team in that department. Every player has limitations but I've seen a lot better defense, individually and as a team, in the last handful of games. This team has a better understanding of team defense and principals than they did a month ago. Go Hoosiers!!

Can you determine if a team has peaked by one playing one game well and then struggling the next? Did we peak after blowing out Creighton and then struggling in Maui? This is rather balling, not questioning whether the team has peaked but doing so by observing one game. What...?

Pay closer to NZ on defense.  He doesn't have lateral quickness but he can chase a shooter well through screens.  He also does a good job on help defense.  If our "athletes" had half the basketball IQ as our "poor defenders" we would be one heck of a defensive team. 

  I don't think so.  They played an extremely soft OOC schedule.  They're SOS is like 262 or something.  They'll need to beat some of the top tier B1G and have 10 or 11 wins to get in.

Northwestern doing Northwestern things

  Excellent!   I'm ready to throw some pads on and go.  Great hire and this could be the real turning point to IUFB.  It's great to have a Hoosier coming home to take the football program to another level.  Welcome home Tom!!

Our offense dropped significantly to #23 because we only scored about 1.01 PPP @Minny.  Our defense is up to #57, crazy!!

Seton Hall drops #17 Providence on the road.  I'm guessing we're ranked come Monday but man that's a scary thought with this team.

  He missed some around the rim that would have been fouls at home.  I was happy to see him hit his FTs down the stretch and get some key assists for some buckets.  He forced some shots but didn't go into super hero ball. 

  Evidenced by Troy not getting out to King on a simple ball screen with about 20 seconds left.  At the last second he kind of moved in his direction.  I honestly think Troy has difficulties with concentrating.

We held Sota to .91 PPP, the most we've allowed in the B1G this season is .97 to Nebrasketball.

  Hartman caught him with his right elbow on an offensive rebound attempt.  It would have dropped most people but OG went down onto one knee as they went into a media timeout.  They showed him walking down the steps back to the locker room and stumbling down the last few steps.

  I think we had 10 at half or just after halftime.  We did value the ball better in the 2nd half.  It was good to see Troy actually pass the ball off to Yogi coming up the court a few times. 

A win is a win.  We're doing just enough, in most games, to get it done.  I couldn't care less about style points if we keep winning.    Great to see Z3 back!!  He carried us during a stretch when nothing was falling.  Yogi closed down the stretch.  We played much better team defense to start the second half.

  No, it's not a good reason to let him start.  I was implying that he was probably given a starter's spot to come to IU.

  I got 99 responses but this ain't one?  How do you feel about 101?

Wow, so much in the last few pages. Our defense is better but does anyone actually think it's the best in the B1G? I think a lot has to do with the teams we've played and who the other top teams have played. 12-6 is possible but it's at the higher end of possible outcomes, imo. A lot of that isn't how good this team is or isn't but who we play. We have 5 games against the top of the B1G (Iowa, MSU, Maryland, and pu) with 3 of those at home. Who has it easier in the B1G? JBJ will be starting if/when he gets back to 100%. He chose IU to be a star not a reserve off the bench. This team with better defenders and leadership around him can cover some of his weaknesses on defense. Edit: There should be zero FF talk until a few hours before we possibly play in an E8 game. Haha

IU - 79 Others - 68

  I believe they lost to ND; however, the transitive property doesn't work in college basketball.  With the way they've played recently, I'd be happy with a split with them.  I think for IU to contend in conference we need to defend home court, win on the road against lower tier B1G teams, and possibly steal one against a mid to upper tier team like @Iowa, @Wis, @UM, or @MSU.  I would be happy with a 12-6ish, top 4 finish this season.

  Always thought he was more of a Birkenstock kind of guy

  I heard rumors MSB will be working with Diamont this offseason.  I hope Diamont survives...