Bryan Medema

Third row opposite basket, end of the row. Lept from my seat when it hit, knocked over one of KYs security guards and kept running. I figured I was dressed like Bobby Knight so they'd never found me. Found myself with my arm around Cody and Elston. Awesome.   Side Note: Welcome to the B1G Maryland, now cut that shit out. (Please don't bring up IU's worthless court-storms in the early Crean era)

Not saying that this topic has been beaten to death like a dead horse...

So you're telling me we could potentially have him (PF), Eron Gordon (G), and Joey Brunk (C) in on class? I like this, especially with the salavating prospect of the 2017 prospects.   2016 Roster (Graduates- Yogi/Hanner/Zeisloft), New Players in Bold, Assumed Loses (NBA/Transfer/Etc) Struck Through, Non-Scholarship players (*)   G- Rojo (Jr), Eron Gordon (Fr), Blackman(Jr.), Robinson (Sr.)   F- Morgan (So), Davis (Fr), Annonuby (So), Colin (Sr), Hoetzel (Jr), Williams (Sr), Burton (Jr.)*, D.Davis (Sr), Fuchs (Jr.)* , Holt (Jr), Priller (Jr) Ritchie (Jr.)*   C- Brunk (Fr), April (Jr)   Scholarships Available- 3

So a few friends of mine and I have been debating why IU doesn't use more pressure (full, 3/4 etc) defensive sets, especially given our depth at guard and weakness inside.   I've argued that our athletic depth isn't there yet, primarily at the wing and inside, to sustain that kind of up-tempo defense (especially considering the pace of our offense). In short, we would exhaust ourselves for minimal benefit.    Do you think that if we played any kind of pressure set with greater regularity it would be beneficial at all? (IE) Would the price paid in stamina be worth it against it's ability to stop our opponents AND still score?   Further, do you think that the team next year (assuming all key contributors return, plus Annonoby and Morgan to reinforce the wing) will be more inclined to play this kind of defense (given the greater athletic depth at key positions)?    NOTE: Please refrain from complaining about CTC (beyond his decision to refrain) if you choose to comment- I'm more interested in discussing the sustainability of this style, not frothing at the mouth comments about our failure to use it. 

Remember when people thought that VCU might bring it back in vouge? Ha.... As for the 1-3-1, I agree- I think it could be a great set for us if we can just get it up and running. The only issue with adding something like that in this late in the season is that (we can assume) it's under practiced and not very well understood. Then again, given the current state of the defense (against talented teams, Rutgers not included...), it couldn't hurt, right?

I think my greatest concern with us pressing is our reliance on the high-motion/screen offense. It requires 5-players to constantly move and be ready to receive the ball and shoot. Paired with our rapid deployment of the ball after baskets/turnovers, we play an incredibly up-tempo and, as a result, exhausting offense. Adding in a press would run our team into the ground and put our greatest asset on offense at risk- our shooting. Statistically speaking, jump shot percentages tend to decrease as the game wears on (outside of the first 5 min "warm-up" period) due to fatigue setting in. If we used a heavy press, our ability to hit jumpers would likely decrease and I'm not sure the defensive advantage, paired with the expected increase in points of turnovers, would make up for the increase in missed jumpers and easy baskets allowed on broken presses.   Looking ahead, it's a feasible system next year (assuming players return) due to continuity and the ability to learn, practice, and perfect the system in advance of the season. We'd also have to play more isolation/penetration offense. This means a larger role for Yogi, Troy, and JBJ (meaning we need all three back). Still, with the talent/length coming in and the roster we have in place, I think that IU could run it's own brand of "havoc" and break teams at both ends of the court. 

I get busy for like, 2 days (conveniently I think), and the board devolves to chaos.    Thank you for this post.

    Not a bad proposal, but I think a much cleaner way to do it would be to give every team one protected rivalry. Proposed concept would be- -Protected Rival (2x, home and away, last game of the season reserved) -3 pools of 4 teams rotated as 2x, H, and A groups.    This maintains the current number of conference games, creates a regular rotation, and protects rivalries. Rivalries would look something like-   IU/Purdue, Michigan/Michigan State, Wisconsin/Minnesota, Iowa/Nebraska, Illinois/Northwestern, Rutgers/Maryland, Penn-State/OSU 

I feel like the idea of going overseas to play for a year before entering the NBA draft is a growing trend, or at least a much more discussed idea, than it ever used it be. Can anyone help get a conversation going?   -How many recruits actually go this route? -Is the trend growing? -How successful are these players in getting drafted and, when if they do make it to the NBA, do they seem like they are ahead/behind the curve?   

So looking at what we've got next year (please fill in any gaps you happen to know)   Non-Conference:    Confirmed-      -Gavitt Tip-Off (IU vs Big East opponent. TBD Spring)      -Maui Invitational (Participants: Chaminade, Kansas, St. Johns, UCLA, UNLV, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest- Bracket TBD)      -B1G/ACC Challenge (Likely Away game, opponent TBD)      -Cross-Roads Classic (Notre Dame, Bankers Life)       Rumored-      -Louisville (Start of 3-game series)   Conference:       -H/A: Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Wisconsin       -H: Maryland, Ohio State, Northwestern, Purdue       -A: Michigan, Michigan State, Rutgers, Penn State     Assuming we have the roster I believe we'll have next year (JBJ, Zeisloft, Hoetzel, Rojo, Troy, Yogi, Hanner, Devin, Holt, Hartman, Hartman, Morgan, Anunoby....Some combination of Stan and either Priller/April will leave) I believe this schedule sets up nicely.   We have the opportunity to win some high visibility, high caliber non-conference games (minimum 4 away or neutral-site games against a Big 6 conference opponents, likely more).   As far as the B1G is concerned, this schedule is difficult but allows for what should be one of the more balanced and talented Hoosier teams in recent memory to flourish. The road games don't look overly daunting (sans MSU, Illinois, and Wisconsin...I think Michigan, Nebraska, and Minnesota will be down especially) and some of our tougher outs are at home (OSU, MD, PU).   Is it too early to get excited for next year? (Answer: Yes, yes it is)

Purdue is frustrating because it seems like whenever we beat them its not a big deal/expected REGARDLESS of their perforamce to that point. However, when we lose, it's a bad loss regardless of Home versus Away/Purdue's Performance/IUs Performance.   Honestly, there seems to be little in the rivarly other than 1 in the column.

  No one in Illinois does either.

I hate UK as much as the next guy...but the refs are giving them the shaft. 

Do you think that Yogi, JBJ, or Troy will make the jump this year? If you're on the fence, what do you think it will take (statistically, team performance, etc) for them to be tempted to enter the draft?

You're right, where did that perimeter J come from? I had to adjust my strategy from yelling at Troy every time he takes a jumper to holding back. 

Agreed. It's a razors edge and, gun to my head (or not), I'd take success any day. 

Couldn't agree more. I'd argue that IU will be one of the most dangerous teams outside the top 12-16 (as those are givens). Our offense gives us the ability to pull spectacular upsets or incredible collapse. Given how the team has shown up for big games, I hope that we can pull at least one or two of the former prior to the inevitable latter.   My ONLY concern is that the team drives deeper than can imagine (elite 8 would qualify) and Troy/Yogi/JBJ/Priller gain enough national notoriety and leaves for the draft.    I stand by my assertion that this team can be something special next year if we can stay together. That said, I won't be upset if we accidentally hang a banner his year (a la UCONN). 

C'mom now, tell us what's really on your mind...

I saw a few media members mention this on twitter and finally turned it on as background noise while I was watching something else. It ultimately stopped me dead in my tracks.   IUBB is about way more than on-court performance and Basketball. I honestly don't know another fan base that knows, loves, and cares about their program as much as IU fans and I absolutely love seeing the program go out of it's way to demonstrate how it feels about the fans. 

  It's the same people who look at the Exec handling Domestic Policy and complain he should be handling Foreign Policy and visa-versa. Doing research and coming up with meaningful criticism is hard. 

The list for Naismith HOF nominees was recently released and, after looking over the 18 finalists, Calipari's name lingers like an albatross amongst doves. His numbers are unquestionably incredible:   -580-174 -5 final fours (2 vacated) -1 NCAA Championship -11/10 Conference Season/Tourney championships   ...but, given that two of his more noted accomplishments have been vacated, should he be elected to join basketball's aristocracy?    Curious to see what you all think. Please consider-   -He was never (technically) directly implicated in the two vacated final fours. We can all have our opinions but legally (does that apply here?) he's clean. (I feel dirty for saying that)   -His body of work and position within the sport; not your personal opinions about UK (please don't burn me in effigy)   Painful as it is to say, I think he deserves a spot (though I don't think he should be a priority candidate, yet). His numbers or remarkable and he's technically clean. There's far worse figures in the Hall and, barring some unknown revelation, he's definitely far from THE biggest scumbag (slimiest, maybe). Put him somewhere in line and make him wait for his name to be called, maybe while we're waiting we'll find out he's the monster we make him out to be. 

Thanks!

So does TB have a timeline for making his decision? I know his whole recruitment just seems to be a series of unsubstantiated rumors and hear-say, but I'd be interested to see if we at least know when it all comes to an end.

Agreed! Let's start talking 5-years from now! Won't effect the team  :D . But really, I think this is a 5-1 stretch. The schedule sets up wonderfully for us:   -MINN relies on pressure defense (which we're more than capable of demolishing) and favorable winds to help their shots fall.   -PU is the definition of a revenge game for us (I still maintain that tempo will give us a chance to demolish them; much easier at AH).   -RUT and NW deserve credit for, much like my dog, refusing to roll over. However, it would take a night where Yogi, Troy, AND JBJ just decide they don't feel like scoring for us to lose. I think Yogi is about to go full Terminator after that last game: He'll be back  :cool:  -IOW and MSU are concerning because they are tough groups with strong coaching. That being said, they get to come to AH. I've already spoken with my friends in the Indiana National Guard about providing all IU players with Kevlars and Eye Pro to make sure we don't have a rehash of "A Christmas Story" thanks to Iowa's defense. MSU will be close as always, but I think the prospect of a high seed in both the B1G and NCAA will help some of our shots fall.    Still, we slip somewhere and go 5-1.

I admit I don't know a lot about the PU roster (guess that's a consequence of being virtually irrelevent and never, ever playing on national/regional/local/student TV). Their inside strength worries me. Hammons is a talented and tall, but irratic. Their other tall guy is also tall (I'm the John Madden of basketball commentary). If we can force the issue with an up-tempo, spread offense we should be able to put it away. Much as I malign PU, this is their Super Bowl. We have to take the fans out early and send them and their T-1000 Graphing Calculators back to their dorm rooms.   Prediction: Yogi stands taller than anyone on Purdue's roster, Purdue fans start chanting "we want Stevens", and the one (1) remaining attractive girl at Purdue decides to transfer after seeing Tim Priller.