cthomas

Don't sugarcoat it, I can take the truth!

If we leave Morgan under the basket, I don't see any way he doesn't have two fouls in the first five minutes.

Horrible call against Downing. That was the team that showed the promise of the Knight era. Honestly, I was more disappointed in what happened in '74. Lost a regular season game to Michigan, I think, after having a 15 point or so lead at the half. That created a tie for the conference championship which forced a play-off game with the Wolverhampton which we also lost. Very disappointing ending to a promising season. Since only the conference champion made the tournament, we ended up a conference runners-up tourney, which we won. That set the table for the great 1975, 1976 teams. And, as they say, the rest is history.

Yet!

I can think of so many possible responses to this but none of them are permissible in today's world. I'll just say "Go Hoosiers".

I've read it mentioned by people, including CAM, the team has lost confidence. How does that happen. They have played this game at a high level their entire lives. I never had talent but I never lacked confidence. Losing only pissed me off, and I mean really pissed me off. To the point I wanted to fight somebody!

Not the one I was thinking of, but then again, they may be one and the same.

I think there is a name for that.

I hope in the name of everything holy that you let him have it!

Thanks for the info. When kids go through the kind of ups and downs that AJ did, you start worry about James Hardy types of outcomes.

Ratliff was a kid who I thought was going to be outstanding. He sadly had some issues that he was never able to overcome, but the talent was there. Would be an interesting "where are they now".

Was an extraction required before he could be treated?

It's never easy to say goodbye to loved ones. At the end of our days on this earth we can only hope that we have had a life well lived. It sounds like you have that to celebrate and the wonderful memories made along the way.

I think by now we have a pretty good read on the type player that CAM recruits. Long, and athletic! Other types need not apply.

I have no doubt! I was in grad school in '75-6 there, and then began working for the USPS shortly after. Drugs of all kinds were prevalent to the extent that people today have a hard time believing the stories I tell them. It truly was a different time.

I may be remembering this wrong, but I thought that Butch Carter was the one who spilled the beans about who and to what extent was involved. As I recall not everyone associated with the team was pleased with him for being the "snitch".

You mean like most AAU games are played? The danger in recruiting the top kids is that they are more interested in auditioning for their next stop than being a part of a college team. The degree to which Langford succeeds here will influence whether other similar kids want to play here in my opinion. We seem to be caught between wanting the best players available and wanting a disciplined, structured basketball team that plays with a discernible purpose. I'm not sure those two things are compatible in today's environment.

Five players in double figures tonight, so there's that.

Society will probably sooner than later decide that weed is legally acceptable. I, personally, don't care one way or the other and my behavior won't change. But, regardless of how one feels, the requirements surrounding the basketball team are quite clear. If D. Greene's priorities and focus had been in the right place, he would be available to play tonight. When real adversity hits, a team either circles the wagons and pulls together, or they pull apart. We are about to find out what the true character of this team is.

Can't really argue with any of that. I suspect that CAM is a system and process coach above all else. What happens in practice is going to determine who plays, come hell or high water.

For me, it's not about excuses. It's about being able to objectivity assess the situation. All the coaches in this league are good and they all have quality players. Some days the other guys are just better. I have no idea what the locker room dynamics are with this team. This is still a transitional team. From my viewpoint, we were not clearly more talented than Nebraska or Purdue. Nothing that I have seen for most of this season would tell me that. We need size, shooters, and experience at key positions. Until then, we are who we are.

I'm sure that nobody knows the shortcomings of this team better than CAM. He sees it everyday in practice. I'm sure he is also well aware of the expectations, his job security depends on it. He will do everything in his power to improve this team. I'm not sure we can ask for more than that. On a side note, this is not the team he, or anyone else, thought we would have. Losing the guys we have lost to injury is not an excuse, it's a reality.

I fully understand what you are saying, but he only has to make the tournament if the administration says he has to. There are priorities that are public and then there are discussions that go on behind closed doors. I'm not convinced they are the same. I don't think we are ever going back to the heyday of Indiana basketball. I don't think that the administration wants to. I'm saying this as someone who has followed IU basketball for close to 65 years. I'm willing to wait for CAM to build his team. Not that I have a choice.

So what is likely to be the offensive style and who among our current qb's does this hire favor. Asking for a friend.

I agree in principle, but a different starting five won't help if they can't make shots. Tonight, no matter who played, we couldn't make shots.