Dave from Dayton

Really fired up for this game. Let's let er rip.

I want a win! Working our way up the seeding for the NCAAT.

IU 82-79. IU's offense is better. Our bench is too... And we brought our zebras.

USC's thing is to drive inside after a screen. They live at the line. I don't think that IU can stay out of the bonus very long. I also don't know if Bailey can body up against their PFs. If IU comes out early on fire...another Quad 1 win on the road in the B1G would be more than sweet. While USC doesn't make a lot of 3s, they really do not have big flaws for IU to exploit. Their offense is suspect, though. Can IU's defense travel again? Can IU continue to stay solid and in this game for the whole game? Is IU's PG Enright better than Kam Woods USC's rented short-term PG? He transferred Dec. 18. Get Woods to shoot jumpers away from the basket. IU's offense is better. IU's bench is too. And this game has B1G referees. IU 82-79. It's going to be a long night.

In my previous post, I mentioned that I need to know more about the current USC point guard situation. Seems that two PGs are out, and Kam Woods was added as a mid-season transfer. The following is from AI and is unverified. Kam Woods joined the team on Dec. 18 as a mid-season transfer … scored his first points as a Trojan against Michigan (Jan. 2) 2024-25: Spent one year at Robert Morris, where he and current USC Trojan Amarion Dickerson helped the Colonels make their 10th NCAA Tournament appearance … Was a All-Horizon League Second Team selection and the Barbasol Horizon League Men’s Basketball Championship MVP … Was a Riley Wallace Player of the Year Award Finalist, an award given annually to the most impactful transfer in Division I basketball … Led the Colonels with 14.9 points and averaged 4.2 rebounds and 5.2 assists … Had eight games with 20 or more points and four double-doubles

The USC game is going to be interesting. USC has won some close games. They are 6-1 in one-possession games. but struggle with turnovers. Both IU and USC have shown some grit in playing well most of the games lately. USC will score in streaks. Will IU stop that and keep trying? Same goes for the opponent. Will Coach DV call a timeout and send in a play? Will IU throw a full court press at USC at a critical point? Will IU's bench step up? USC just beat Rutger by 3 at home. Weird game. USC scored in streaks. They led by as mjuch as 19 points. In the last 3 minutes Rutger threw a full-court press at USC. In the 2nd half SC had 12 TO’s leading to 18 R pts, allowed 12 off rebs for 14 2nd chance pts and had extreme difficulty handling full court pressure. USC almost lost the game. USC shot 51% FG (26-51), 33.3% 3FG (4-12), 73.3% FT (22-30). Chad Baker-Mazara has made 5 double-doubles in a row. USC had only 5200 in attendance. They just doubled the cost of season tickets to both bball and fball. They like to think that they are a football school. We should show them our Natty Trophy before the game. There are a few fans...but they are somewhat disheartened by seeing Jordan Marsh wearing a black boot. What to make of all of this? IU better play defense. Bailey better get some blocks and rebounds. But IU is playing lots better lately. I need to find out a little more about USC's PG and other matchups before I make a prediction. I will catch a few winks before the game...or I will miss it. 10 PM start...glad I'm retired. IU win...I hope.

OMG! I would like to thank those little people for helping me with this lucky score...like Coach Cronin!

Peacock is broadcasting. Countdown to air 3 minutes. Go IU!

Changing my prediction!!! Enright's Team on a pick and roll 77 Cronin takes the air out of the ball and the fans 73 This is the beginning of the path to the Sweet 16. What is the point of being a fan if one can't pump sunshine?

I am getting excited about the IU v UCLA game. It's game day. However, I have really cold feet...about road trips in the B1G by this team. I should be visiting family in San Diego and commute to the game in LA. Been perusing the Bruins fan forums. Some nuggets about the UCLA coach liking to slow the game down and not practicing fast breaks. They play two power forwards instead of one big underneath. Other discussions cover their PG Dent who is crafty, a good defender and scorer. Fans are somewhat surprised that Dent...a mover and shaker...would agree to go to UCLA where Coach Cronin likes to be methodical. Seems Dent really wanted to return to LA. I put a lot of weight on PG vs PG matchups. Enright...according to some UCLA writers and fans is nothing to write home about. So he is somewhat underestimated in effectiveness by them. Personally, I think that Enright's effort and clutch play against Purdue just may be a huge springboard for this team when on the road to UCLA. That was a home game, though. IU's road losses were earlier in the season...and not since Dorn got healthy. Our forwards are doing better. And Enright and our perimeter players are getting around good defenses that are designed to slow our offense from penetrating and getting assists. Wilkerson has such an effective shake and then quick release. Great on the catch and shoot. IU seems to be getting over some shooting and assist slumps. IU seems to have stepped up in spite of some inability to stay in front of the other team while defending on the perimeter. Help defense? I guess. The link is to a sportswriter checking on IU's players. https://dailybruin.com/2026/01/30/scouting-report-ucla-mens-basketball-vs-indiana If Enright can ding Dent. The IU team is getting better. IU just shoots better than UCLA. Hope they prove it by taking the Hoosier defense along with them during the West Coast Swing! UCLA is favored by betting sites...locker room post material. Just pick and roll, baby! (Spoiler alert: IU 77, You don't see LA 73)

Bruins have lost starter Skyy Clark. They have a glue guy Trent Perry that is stepping up somewhat. This game is going to be a tossup. One poster on Bruingold posted yesterday an observation about IU: "They're much better than their record. Only one bad loss (@ Minnesota), and they like us just beat Purdue at home. They're a good team, very efficient shooting, score a lot of points, good defensive rebounding (not great offensive rebounding), and get to the FT line reasonably often. Don't score inside much at all, don't block many shots. In a lot of ways, they're a very similar team to us, with the exception that they shoot more efficiently, get a higher percentage of defensive rebounds, and we force more turnovers. Heck, they even play two PFs at center most of the game like we do for some reason! We have played roughly similar schedules, with the difficulty edge going to Indiana. There is another factor at play, though: Indiana has a brand new coach, and his team is getting used to his system and playing more cohesively now, hence their best win of the season against Purdue this week (Purdue, meanwhile, has now lost three straight...). They'll be coming into Pauley with a lot of momentum, and we will have our work cut out for us, especially after two pretty lackluster efforts against NU and Oregon." Background on Trent Perry, now a starter...and their team: The Trent Perry Dilemma that is brewing for the Bruins

Indiana 71 UCLA 73 On the road in the B1G is not easy. I would be more than happy to be wrong in this pick.

What a total *** up. joined the game at Puke 10 - 8. **** show.

Indiana stops PG Smith! Toiletmakers 78 Indiana, of course 82

UCLA blocked 8 shots in the first half during Purdue's loss to them. UCLA then, in the 2nd half, took advantage of Purdue's errors. Illinois got a record-breaking 46 points from freshman Wagler. And they scored 18- 2nd half points on offensive rebounds. Seems that in the last 4 games Purdue is not playing like they had been. Rebounding and 3-point shooting are a focus right now. They had been hitting closer to 40%. In the last 4 games their 3-point shot have dropped at a clip of 33.3%. IU played much better defense in our win against Rutger. And IU hit 15 3-pointers and Dorn and Alexis stepped up big. What is going on with them? Seems Purdue's offensive execution and perimeter defense are both off. They also are lacking depth at key positions. Finally, the key just may be that opponents are effectively defending against PG Braden Smith. A 6'0" playmaker from Westfield, IN, Smith is known for elite passing, high basketball IQ, and scoring ability. As a junior (2024-25), he was a consensus first-team All-American, the Bob Cousy Award winner, and led Purdue to the 2024 National Championship game. But Purdue is not the same as last year. Are IU's guards athletic, quick and smart enough to slow Braden Smith? I know that IU is on a roll and Purdue still sux more each day. I cannot imagine lil bro standing tall at our place. POTFB!

Question about why Sisley is not playing....

Indiana National Football Champions - Sarratt and Becker now in the lineup. 81 Do you know the best thing that ever happened in New Jersey? Me neither 75

Thanks for the Prediction Thread...twas brillig. Methinks we all won. Well played all. And Stuhoo...you were sooo close.

You know all of this, obviously... He is recruiting both players and donors...no doubt. That would include reviewing videos, talking to media, and inking contracts with Chipotle and others. And fielding some really tough inquiries from politicians in DC. I do not envy him or the others in the IU administration. But it doesn't get better than this. Today is an opportunity for IU football and the university. I would rather be a fan that is yelling: We want another one, just like the other one! Where will they hang the banner??!?! Will they put another tier of bleachers in the stadium? Just think... That big sucking sound is Purdue and Notre Dame assets being pulled towards B'town.

I'm beginning to like this coach. Anybody know if he is productive? Think I may Google him.

Indiana. 59. Michigan 81

Yeah. Targeting...Coach Cig went ballistic on the refs. That was after two roughing no-calls. Mendosa is a tough competitor. IU won in spite of many no calls....holding...etc.

POTFB!

With his meditation routines, Mendosa could be the reincarnation of the Maharishi Mahesh Yogurt. Turn the canes into syrup... Let it be.

Hoo Hoo Who's Getting Fired Up?! This could be the greatest night in Indiana football history! Stay safe, people.