HoosierCoop

Here are some quick B1G thoughts I have after seeing the Incarnate Word debacle.
 
-I love that we have only home and neutral court games before the B1G starts.  I would almost like to see a true road game before that though.  MSG wasn't exactly a hostile environment.
 
-After seeing what is going down in our conference so far, it puts even more pressure on us to win in conference this year.  ANY loss outside of Wisky could be viewed as a bad loss to the selection committee.  Home games are always important, but we need to steal as many as we can on the road.
 
-I hate UK and Louisville with a passion.  I hope Louisville kicks their butts.

"We better teach this kid some control before he kills somebody."
 
-Lou Brown

I have been a fan of IU basketball since the late 70's.
 
To be able to discuss Hoosier basketball on this large of scale is awesome to me.  Unfortunately, with any large group discussion, you will get all sorts of personalities.  Those that shouldn't be on this site I have full confidence in our MODS for handling.
 
To keep going on historically as a fan, we have never really had to deal with off the court issues, team chemistry, etc.  It was never tolerated from Knight.  This isn't a comparison by any means but simply different times we are working with.  AAU has really tainted the college basketball scene and it is a really big business industry.
 
I for one would love to banter about just basketball, unfortunately with technology and other issues, we cannot achieve that.
 
As a fan though, I can't say that I am totally happy with the state of our program but we ALL have to understand how to express it in a manner that is suitable for all to comprehend.  We also have to respect the fact that we will never be in total agreement.
 
As much as I dislike it, our team and fan base has evolved.

I have been a fan of IU basketball since the late 70's.
 
To be able to discuss Hoosier basketball on this large of scale is awesome to me.  Unfortunately, with any large group discussion, you will get all sorts of personalities.  Those that shouldn't be on this site I have full confidence in our MODS for handling.
 
To keep going on historically as a fan, we have never really had to deal with off the court issues, team chemistry, etc.  It was never tolerated from Knight.  This isn't a comparison by any means but simply different times we are working with.  AAU has really tainted the college basketball scene and it is a really big business industry.
 
I for one would love to banter about just basketball, unfortunately with technology and other issues, we cannot achieve that.
 
As a fan though, I can't say that I am totally happy with the state of our program but we ALL have to understand how to express it in a manner that is suitable for all to comprehend.  We also have to respect the fact that we will never be in total agreement.
 
As much as I dislike it, our team and fan base has evolved.

I have been a fan of IU basketball since the late 70's.
 
To be able to discuss Hoosier basketball on this large of scale is awesome to me.  Unfortunately, with any large group discussion, you will get all sorts of personalities.  Those that shouldn't be on this site I have full confidence in our MODS for handling.
 
To keep going on historically as a fan, we have never really had to deal with off the court issues, team chemistry, etc.  It was never tolerated from Knight.  This isn't a comparison by any means but simply different times we are working with.  AAU has really tainted the college basketball scene and it is a really big business industry.
 
I for one would love to banter about just basketball, unfortunately with technology and other issues, we cannot achieve that.
 
As a fan though, I can't say that I am totally happy with the state of our program but we ALL have to understand how to express it in a manner that is suitable for all to comprehend.  We also have to respect the fact that we will never be in total agreement.
 
As much as I dislike it, our team and fan base has evolved.

I have been a fan of IU basketball since the late 70's.
 
To be able to discuss Hoosier basketball on this large of scale is awesome to me.  Unfortunately, with any large group discussion, you will get all sorts of personalities.  Those that shouldn't be on this site I have full confidence in our MODS for handling.
 
To keep going on historically as a fan, we have never really had to deal with off the court issues, team chemistry, etc.  It was never tolerated from Knight.  This isn't a comparison by any means but simply different times we are working with.  AAU has really tainted the college basketball scene and it is a really big business industry.
 
I for one would love to banter about just basketball, unfortunately with technology and other issues, we cannot achieve that.
 
As a fan though, I can't say that I am totally happy with the state of our program but we ALL have to understand how to express it in a manner that is suitable for all to comprehend.  We also have to respect the fact that we will never be in total agreement.
 
As much as I dislike it, our team and fan base has evolved.

I loved watching the '02 squad.
 
Newton
Moye
Coverdale
Fife
Jeffries
Hornsby
 
-Everyone underestimated these guys.  They had a nothing to lose attitude and played hard.  They didn't get caught up in the drama, coaching, or team dynamics that we might see today even though there was plenty happening during that time period.  They just played IU baskeball.

Here are some quick B1G thoughts I have after seeing the Incarnate Word debacle.
 
-I love that we have only home and neutral court games before the B1G starts.  I would almost like to see a true road game before that though.  MSG wasn't exactly a hostile environment.
 
-After seeing what is going down in our conference so far, it puts even more pressure on us to win in conference this year.  ANY loss outside of Wisky could be viewed as a bad loss to the selection committee.  Home games are always important, but we need to steal as many as we can on the road.
 
-I hate UK and Louisville with a passion.  I hope Louisville kicks their butts.

Here are some quick B1G thoughts I have after seeing the Incarnate Word debacle.
 
-I love that we have only home and neutral court games before the B1G starts.  I would almost like to see a true road game before that though.  MSG wasn't exactly a hostile environment.
 
-After seeing what is going down in our conference so far, it puts even more pressure on us to win in conference this year.  ANY loss outside of Wisky could be viewed as a bad loss to the selection committee.  Home games are always important, but we need to steal as many as we can on the road.
 
-I hate UK and Louisville with a passion.  I hope Louisville kicks their butts.

I loved watching the '02 squad.
 
Newton
Moye
Coverdale
Fife
Jeffries
Hornsby
 
-Everyone underestimated these guys.  They had a nothing to lose attitude and played hard.  They didn't get caught up in the drama, coaching, or team dynamics that we might see today even though there was plenty happening during that time period.  They just played IU baskeball.

Here are some quick B1G thoughts I have after seeing the Incarnate Word debacle.
 
-I love that we have only home and neutral court games before the B1G starts.  I would almost like to see a true road game before that though.  MSG wasn't exactly a hostile environment.
 
-After seeing what is going down in our conference so far, it puts even more pressure on us to win in conference this year.  ANY loss outside of Wisky could be viewed as a bad loss to the selection committee.  Home games are always important, but we need to steal as many as we can on the road.
 
-I hate UK and Louisville with a passion.  I hope Louisville kicks their butts.

Effort = A (It is obvious that the Hoosiers wanted that game last night and I truly believe they rose for the occassion)
Physically = D (it is not their fault, Did Louisville even break a sweat?  It looked like they could take their time on shots and passes)
Hanner = B (Had some really shining moments last night and I felt we missed him for once when he wasn't on the floor)
Guard play (yogi, rojo, jbj, nick) = B (unfortunately our game plan of UL's guards missing shots didn't work.)
Bench = C (Holt and Hartman, Horray! / Troy and Stan...not so well.  Probably UL accounted 12 points off of their turnovers)
Coaching = B (I think Crean had a legit game plan, UL is just a better team)
 
*side note - I saw during a timeout Stan push another IU player away in the huddle.  Did anybody else see that?  Who was it?  I am starting to think that we may not see Stan after Christmas.  Just my opinion, no rumors.
 
*shocking statement - I actually like the concept of Troy running the fast break, if he would stop thinking of himself and his highlights, I think that would be tough to stop.  Pride and control are your friends Troy!

Nope!
 
A little negativity can go a long way on a team.
 
Just get Thomas Bryant and keep our core.  We will be OK!

Nope!
 
A little negativity can go a long way on a team.
 
Just get Thomas Bryant and keep our core.  We will be OK!

I hear what you are saying but I truly think Troy is salvageable.  He needs to get away from Stan and I don't think that is possible as long as he is still on this team unfortunately.

I hear what you are saying but I truly think Troy is salvageable.  He needs to get away from Stan and I don't think that is possible as long as he is still on this team unfortunately.

I think you are right BK.  We need leaders on this team and I believe Nick was brought in to help with that.  He showed it last night.  If Stan can't take it, then that is a TEAM problem that needs to be dealt with.

I just stated this in the post game thread.
 
I believe Stan is causing a bleeding and we probably won't see him after Christmas.  I don't think this kid gets it.
-bad press
-rumors on grades and class attendance
-play and attitude on the court
-bad chemistry (did anyone else see him push another team member during a timeout last night?  It was after his two turnovers in a row.)
 
This is all a recipe for disaster.
 
I think Troy is at a crossroad.  He needs to choose his next path very wisely.
 
Bottom line IMO is Stan is gone.  Troy needs to cut the ties and focus on the things that can make him successful.  He has the tools to do it.  He just needs the negative whisper in his ear to go away.

Nope!
 
A little negativity can go a long way on a team.
 
Just get Thomas Bryant and keep our core.  We will be OK!

Effort = A (It is obvious that the Hoosiers wanted that game last night and I truly believe they rose for the occassion)
Physically = D (it is not their fault, Did Louisville even break a sweat?  It looked like they could take their time on shots and passes)
Hanner = B (Had some really shining moments last night and I felt we missed him for once when he wasn't on the floor)
Guard play (yogi, rojo, jbj, nick) = B (unfortunately our game plan of UL's guards missing shots didn't work.)
Bench = C (Holt and Hartman, Horray! / Troy and Stan...not so well.  Probably UL accounted 12 points off of their turnovers)
Coaching = B (I think Crean had a legit game plan, UL is just a better team)
 
*side note - I saw during a timeout Stan push another IU player away in the huddle.  Did anybody else see that?  Who was it?  I am starting to think that we may not see Stan after Christmas.  Just my opinion, no rumors.
 
*shocking statement - I actually like the concept of Troy running the fast break, if he would stop thinking of himself and his highlights, I think that would be tough to stop.  Pride and control are your friends Troy!

Going beyond the backcourt, I would love to see a lineup of the below next year (with a caveat that a lot can change between now and then).
 
Yogi
JBJ
RoJo
Holt
Big recruit/Hanner (depending on who the recruit is and who would win the job)
 
Bench Rotation:
Nick Z
Hartman
Big recruit/Hanner
Devin Davis (assuming he's back and able to play)
Max
Morgan
 
I think we'd be doing Holt a disservice by forcing him to play the 5. I really think he's a talented kid who could become an essential part of the program for the next 4 years, but we need to let him grow and expand his game. Not saying he'd be as talented, but I think he can be a Draymond Green/Harrell type of player. 

I think you are right BK.  We need leaders on this team and I believe Nick was brought in to help with that.  He showed it last night.  If Stan can't take it, then that is a TEAM problem that needs to be dealt with.

Teams that can shoot and have strong backcourts are usually the ones who make runs in the NCAAT. I think we have enough to get in and piss a few schools off the first weekend.

I just stated this in the post game thread.
 
I believe Stan is causing a bleeding and we probably won't see him after Christmas.  I don't think this kid gets it.
-bad press
-rumors on grades and class attendance
-play and attitude on the court
-bad chemistry (did anyone else see him push another team member during a timeout last night?  It was after his two turnovers in a row.)
 
This is all a recipe for disaster.
 
I think Troy is at a crossroad.  He needs to choose his next path very wisely.
 
Bottom line IMO is Stan is gone.  Troy needs to cut the ties and focus on the things that can make him successful.  He has the tools to do it.  He just needs the negative whisper in his ear to go away.

This was a great game going into the B1G season. We probably won't face another defense as big, strong, and experienced as Louisville the rest of the season, and we still put up more points than any other team and posted a .96 point per possession rate which is also the highest of any team thus far. We played 25 minutes of competitive basketball against a team that looks like it could be a championship contender.

Hanner and Emmitt really looked great out there, and neither turned the ball over. Hanner has really worked on positioning himself to take charges, which is great, but is still figuring out post defense. I was very impressed by Hanner's aggressive play on offense, and that beautiful shot block. Emmitt had some very strong, two-handed rebounds and a saw a very nice offensive board put-back from him as well.

The thing that killed us, was in the second half, we started playing hero ball. Too many individuals decided to start trying to take it to the rim within seconds of the possession, forgetting about the monster on the middle waiting to annihilate their shot. I found myself pleading with Troy not to drive to the hoop every time he touched the ball.

Crean clearly had a very good game plan, but buckled and went back to his unnecessary sub patterns. I understand the press defense by Louisville wears out a team, but I think our guys are better conditioned than most and we should have kept the lineup tighter, especially in the second half.

Although severely disappointed as I truly believed we had a shot at this game, I know we are not a championship contender, but I do see a tournament team on the floor. Can't wait for Georgetown and the B1G! HOO HOO HOO, HOOSIERS!