Walking Boot of Doom

Very interesting. Bitter and I were talking about IU being a potential outlier in another thread. Let's hope!

I'm not really in disagreement with you, statistics are. I think, with the way the top teams have been playing this year, statistical outliers have a shot this year. And I think we're hot at the right time. Trust me, I'm an optimist.

Absolutely. I've been paying attention to our defensive ranking changes since we started playing better B1G opponents hoping to see large improvements, and it just hasn't happened. 

Yeah I know, I'm bouncing around cuz I'm at work and trying to pretend to be engaged while trying to focus on that data and our convo haha.   I'm looking at the margin between AdjOE and AdjDE of all champions. I'm not the greatest stats guy, but what are your thoughts on that?

The ranking each year accounts for the relative differences each year. Indiana would need the greatest defensive ranking improvement since 2002 to break into that top 40 champion floor.

Average AdjOE of champions since 2002 is 116. Indiana currently has an AdjOE of 119.6, which would rank as the third highest pre-tourney rating among champions behind 2008 Kansas (120.9) and 2009 UNC (121.9).

Yes they are, but so has every team's rating since 2002. I agree that our defense is much better, but I don't think we'll see it meet the statistical benchmark set by champions since 2002.

Per KenPom, the champion with the worst defensive efficiency score, North Carolina in 2009, had a pre-tourney score of 95.35. Indiana currently has a pre-tourney AdjDE score of 98.2 (lower scores are better). 

Been looking at the same teams as you, but I have no faith in those teams. Sadly, I see a team like Kentucky getting hot and taking it.

Statistics say our team is not built to win it. Since 2002, no team outside of KenPom's top 40 in AdjO and AdjD has won. There's always a first time, but that's a pretty significant statistical trend.

Even better. There's a difference between him saying it, and you saying he has that reputation without realizing he talked about that on the podcast.

First commit without a Marni follow?

Rebel, feel free to flex on Hov. [emoji16]

I guess my scenario sort of worked out?

Interesting, according to Woj, NBA front offices talk to Crean every spring about his players and other B1G players. Is this fairly common, or is this recognition of Crean's scouting abilities? 

No insider information, but based on his past comments regarding the NBA, any move that will increase the amount of time he has to spend in college before going to the league has about a 0% chance of happening. He currently is not listed on either the 2016 or 2017 Draft Express boards. He needs a big year next year, and with plenty of space in the backcourt at Indiana with an experienced team and talented front court, I can't imagine a scenario where he'd leave. Even if he DESPISED Crean, he'd be a fool to leave.

He and Hollowell, First Team All-Grumpy Pants

If we're tracking, I'd argue three good years (11-12, 12-13, 15-16) and two bad/disappointing years (13-14.14-15), plus his first three years however you want to categorize those.   I think, logically, the fallout in 13-14 made sense. We lost four starters, four 1,000 point players, two lottery picks, etc., but missing the Tournament is never acceptable.    I believe that had the off-the-court issues not occured, there would never have been a fire Tom Crean movelment. 2014-2015 was definitely disappointing, but was an improvement year-over-year. The unacceptable 2013-2014 season results, failed drug tests, and legal issues built up a pile of dynamite. The Holt-Davis car accident lit the fuse.   If we make at least the Sweet Sixteen this year, I'd argue we've seen pretty consistent results over the past five years. I'd like to see an Elite 8 this year though. This team is Elite 8 worthy and has a shot at the Final Four, but I really can't see us progressing past the Final Four with our defense, despite the vast improvement since December.

I agree with your B1G Tourney prediction. I think we have a payback loss coming our way, which I honestly wouldn't be too upset about.

The guy just won the B1G by 2 games and was named B1G coach of the year. Nothing you had said was factual or constructive. If I had to guess, I'd say the mods deemed your post as "trolling". Hope you enjoyed the regular season!

They must have been playing FOR Indiana the entire time. Glad Crean and the boys figured it out.

Last two words contain your answer. Anytime he's lost on defense, the other team ran a screen for his man. I don't know if he just doesn't see it coming, or if he's slow coming off them, but it's bad.

Yogi named to the B1G All-Defensive Team!

Tom Crean chosen as B1G Coach of the Year by the coaches and media.   Congrats, Coach!

Yogi Ferrell chosen as unanimous All-B1G First Team player by the coaches and media