Five Prime

Calling myself out. Holy *&$%. Rob Phinisee is having the game of his life! Also Xavier Johnson has been stellar. Love to be wrong!

*butt slapping

IU - Purdue match-up getting some talk on national radio - ESPN U

Slim chance with our guard play

College sports have shifted to the South. It's more than just refereeing style. The SEC is arguably the best conference in college hoops this year and it's been a steady trend that way over the last decade.

Honestly I think they would contend for top team in the conference if this were the case. Everything else is there.

Road wins gotta start somewhere. That was a must win. Mission accomplished. Hope TJD is OK.

The refs cannot call that many fouls in the second half. They completely took over the game.

This team won't win close games away from home consistently with the current PG situation. I'm not expecting anything to change until that changes. I'm not expecting much from the remainder of the season. .500 in Big 10 and bubble status sounds about right. Which is unfortunate because with a good PG this team could contend for the Big 10 title. That's the difference.

I don't trust Johnson at all with the ball in his hands, he is too inconsistent and out of control. Same goes for the defensive end. Rob I don't trust much but at least I know he'll play consistently great defense and stay under control on offense.

*You can. If it's a freebie year then why even play Johnson or Kopp or anybody else that won't be here next year? Get the young guys some more run. Actually I know why, the coaching staff doesn't see it that way, not at all. They are trying to win now as they should. And potentially much better guard play is coming while inside the post next year will be a wide, gaping hole left by TJD and Thompson.

Woodson isn't to blame for the roster in full. Though there was a time in the first half when IU had an 8-9 point lead. Then he put in a lineup that included Durr, Galloway, Phinisee, Bates, and Kopp I believe. Terrible lineup frankly and Iowa tied it within a few minutes. Those are the sort of situations that make you scratch your head.

A "freebie" year with a 1st team all American is hard to rationalize.

I'd start Phinisee. At this point I'd take his defense and serviceable outside shooting over whatever Johnson brings

Also, I don't like XJs game. He's not smart with the basketball, reaches and fouls too much, doesnt stretch the floor, and doesn't hit fts at a high rate. This is not the kind of starting pg that wins you games on the road or in tournaments.

Also, I think Bates will be a very good player someday, but how he gets PT at a loaded position group while Lander gets no playing time in a poor position group I can't understand.

Just finished watching. Poor guard play on the road - nothing new. Too many turnovers - nothing new Poor FT shooting - nothing new Road loss - nothing new This is the Indiana basketball we've all grown accustomed to.

Geronimo is going to fill Thompsons role next year. Who will fill TJDs? Lol, we may have to go small ball next year

One other observation - I hope Bates watches this replay a few times. If he can get his game to mirror something like a Battle/Willis hybrid he can take this IU team to the next level. We need someone on the wing to turn into an on ball playmaker.

Just finished replay. Phinisee was fantastic, especially on defense. Guard play in general was much better. We should keep winning games if they play at that level. Galloway has been a huge spark and should continue to see a lot of minutes. The refs kind of sucked honestly, especially for a home game. Minny had like 1 foul in each half at the under 8 timeout. Have to find a way to play like this on the road and close out games for wins.

Just finished watching replay. 1) TJD brings that energy and level of play consistently and this team would be undefeated right now. I realize it is harder to do on the road but we need him to figure it out. Incredible performance. 2) Galloway was the difference between a close win or loss and a blowout win. He is absolutely needed on this team. 3) defense is top in the Big 10 4) we beat a top 15 team while shooting 13% from 3 5) our PGs were serviceable, which is about as good as we can hope for this season. 6) Stewart needs to keep his head up and have a short memory. We are going to need his shooting on the road in the Big 10. 7) great bounce back by Woody and the staff. They need to push the buttons to get this energy out of these guys every game.

What is competent guard play Alec?

Honestly forgot we played today. Just saw the score come across the ticker. So, yeah...

Is Deion Prime playing?

I long for the day of IU basketball when there is much more to be excited about than seeing rivals lose.