cthomas

We can discuss different aspects of the game forever, but the talent difference was glaring. Until we can close the talent gap I don't see much hope of competing consistently in the top half of the conference. Pride, effort, caring, and whatever else you want to throw in there will only take us so far.

They might run the table in the conference. Their defensive line has been dominant and the offense has great speed. I really like our team, but.....

If we can answer, it's still a game. If not, I fear what might happen. On the plus side, we look much better fundamentally.

Like now.

I hope the Westbrook injury isn't serious.

Yeah, up until now they have been throwing into our strength.

They made that look easy. If they commit to the run it might become a long night. That running back is quick.

If we can't find a running game we can't win this game. Their defense will figure out our passing game.

They are so deep that I'm not sure tempo helps us much.

Wait! What! I thought Alaska WAS it's own country!

Wait! What! I thought Alaska WAS it's own country!

I think Coach Miller will do the best he can with the hand he has been dealt. I also think he wants to get his guys here as soon as possible. There may be some hard decisions to be made between the end of this year and the start of next. Though he hasn't said it, I believe he knows that a talent upgrade is needed and intends to provide it. He will take the best talent he can get at this point and give everyone an opportunity to play their way in or out. What we need, and what I think we have, is a somewhat compassionate hard-@$$ capable of making the decisions we need to get where we want to go.

I have been watching IU basketball since the '50's. I think Coach Miller is the real deal. Until I see otherwise, I'll trust how he chooses to build our team. I think he has a plan and I think he knows who fits in that plan. It may take a few years, but I think we will all be pleased with the result.

I like Old Friends input because I think he is on point more than he is not. I also tend to buy his take on rankings. Year in and year out I watch kids playing really good basketball that I have never heard of. Butler made a living off of those kids. Anyone remember losing to them at Bankers Life when Cody and company were #1? Does anyone think that Butler team had more talent? Coaching makes a difference and hopefully this year that advantage will be on our side. I trust that Coach Miller knows what he is doing when building a team and I will go with the guys he wants regardless of the rankings.

The Gelon decision only strengthens my belief we hired the right guy to run the program.

I have no idea what is going on here, but it just seems strange given the information I've seen posted. I really like RP, but if he is that worried about who else might be here, this might not be the best place for him. Then again, I have no clue how young people think these days.

Likewise. But then I'm old and not too quick on the uptake.

Yeah, or the one we could get into! I'm not disagreeing with you, just lamenting a time long gone.

While I agree with just about everything you said, it's also what I've come to hate about college basketball. The top players are more about their"brand" than about the college game or the school. I know it's their future and I don't blame them. It's just the way the game is played now.

Where does Butler go now? They have had a pretty good run of hiring very good coaches for a small school. Except for Brandon Miller, an excellent string of coaches actually.

Very solid hire for them if true. I've been impressed with what he has been able to do at Butler, and with OSU's resources, he could make them a force.

Mdn82 certainly doesn't need me to defend him and I don't think he has ever been unfair in his assessment of players. Opinions differ and that's fine. TB didn't have the season last year that most of us thought he would. Nothing wrong with pointing that out. I hope he does well in the future but his immaturity showed last year in my opinion. Hopefully he will grow and learn from it. One thing that I appreciate here is that people rarely make personal attacks on players. Being critical of attitudes or effort is completely fair as far as I'm concerned.

High school basketball is to AAU as college basketball is to the NBA. The game and the priorities are changing. Can't do anything about it. The college game is becoming similar to the NBA from a style and rules standpoint and probably will eventually be the same. Whether I like it or not makes no difference, it's going to happen anyway. If I dislike the product enough I'll stop watching. In the meantime, I'll continue to watch and support Coach Miller, who I think will be terrific, and the Hoosiers.

I can't believe that someone as prepared as Coach Miller is reputed to be hasn't worked out the various scenarios and their solutions. He may not know precisely how this will play out but I'm confident he knows what he will do in each possible situation.

Too soon!! Gonna need at least six months.