Baltimore Hoosier

Definitely left a mark with National voters who watched the game. That's the only thing I can think of. Agreed about winning. Go into Michigan 12-2 and come out with a win, and we are sitting in the top 10.

I almost spit out my water looking at the Top 25's his week.. Total lack of respect for IU and some real head scratchers. But I think these things work themselves out. Beat Butler on Saturday, then take care of business at home, and IU is sitting at 12-2 going into Michigan with a chance to vault themselves up the polls.

Would definitely be a non-conf resume difference maker.

Absolutely. It almost looked like Justin Smith had a Rookie of the Year moment on Saturday after that dunk (when the kid fires the ball from the outfield of Wrigley Stadium to the pitcher's mound after his injury, and is in disbelief of what he just did.) Smith needs to realize who and what type of player he is.

If Archie can get him to play with some fire, passion, and straight up anger and aggression, he will be hard to stop around the rim.

Anddddd then Smith goes and has one of his best games of the season....

I'm sure there is some kind of analysis out there on the forum about the NET, so I won't reinvent the wheel, but I just did some analysis of IU's schedule as compared to the NET Rankings and RPI. As most folks know, wins are now broken down into 4 quadrants based on the RPI Rankings which are in parenthesis (released this morning) and whether it was a home, road, or neutral court. Quadrant 1 and 2 wins are really the only ones that matter. Butler, at Michigan, at Maryland, and vs Nebraska are Indiana's next chances at Q1 wins. Based on how the non-conference schedule played out, getting Q1 wins in the Big Ten is going to be VERY important. Until then, IU will have to continue beating up on inferior talent. Quadrant 1 wins: Marquette (19) Quadrant 2 wins: @ Penn State (78) Louisville (33) *Note - These rankings WILL change during the season as teams continue to play out their schedule.

Haha. Does common sense make one smart? Probably a topic for the BtownBanners Philosophy page...

My point is this is the 2018 - 2019 season. Not 2017 or 2016. Virginia plays Duke twice. I'm not a really smart guy, but I am waiting to make my assessment of Virginia until I see them play the most athletically gifted team in the country. I think those games will shed more light on whether or not this team can defend the most athletic guys, and keep up in a scoring battle.

You're making a lot of insinuations based on a very small sample size of games. Virginia NOT a title contender? Seven days into December? Have you followed college basketball for a full season? MANY times, the teams that are hot in December, are forgotten by March/April. You should leave the Bracketology to the Bracketologists...

Didn't even get to that.. I want him to score points obviously, but at this point, I just want to see something that shows me he belongs on the floor other than his 48" vertical that we keep hearing about but may never get to see.

As far as concerns go, I get that most people are looking big picture, but my biggest is Justin Smith.... Dude is so athletic, has all the physical gifts, but holy ****, PLEASE stop turning the ball over and making Freshman mistakes. It is unbelieveable how many times he makes an errant pass that goes off a fingertip or goes in soft for a rebound in traffic. ESPN is telling me 2.4 TO's per game, which is attrocious for your 6'7 Forward, but I think if you add in all the deflections and just poor decisions, I bet Smith is to blame for at least 5 TO's a game.

I drove up to Happy Valley for the game on Tuesday and took off Wednesday. $30 for a seat at mid-court about 8 rows from the floor. Couldn't have asked for a better view. Great road trip. Turned out to be a little closer of a game than I hoped, but overall, a pretty sweet expericene. All that said, maybe I missed it.. But Clifton Moore was the guy who really stood out to me. Like might-be-able-to-contribute-solid-minutes, stood out. I know it was a very short sample size, but he came in, actually looked somewhat poised with the ball in his hands (minus the almost-turnover after the inbound play), scored some points, played defense, and got a few rebounds. I'm not cashing in my hand on Moore, but I think he can be a warm body down low, who doesn't do stupid stuff with the ball (see Justin Smith highlights for more details) to give guys like Fitzner, Morgan, and Davis a rest.

GET JUSTIN SMITH OFF THE COURT!

Throw some alley oops to Smith or something. GOTTA figure out a way to get the guy with a 48" vertical involved in the offense!

I like that IU has been so good at defending the 3-ball, which I think bodes well for them in this game. Duke, at times, has been a live/die by the 3 type of team early on in the season. That being said, I don't have a great feeling about tomorrow.. I think Duke's athleticism, shot making ability, and quickness are going to all present major problems. Defenders must contain the freshmen playmakers and not let them drive to the bucket at will and get fouled or kick out for open looks, or it will be a looooong night. Getting position and taking charges as well as closing driving lanes are musts! Also, on the offensive end, this team MUST limit unforced turnovers. I say IU keeps it closer than the last time they went to Cameron Indoor. Duke 83 - Indiana 74 Side note - I'm actually going to the Duke - Stetson game at Cameron Indoor on Saturday (a buddy of mine got floor seats). First trip there. Really looking forward to it.

So based on pre-season rankings that mean nothing, this was a bad loss? I'm more of a "watch the game and form my own decision" type of guy so I'd say that Arkansas was better than expected, and that freshman Gafford is a beast.. True road game against one of the harder teams to beat in their gym in the country, and a one point loss? Don't see this hurting IU in the grand scheme of things.

I was probably the only guy talking about Wojo as a potential head coaching candidate before Archie was hired, but I love the guy. Some of my first basketball memories (nightmares) were him coming down the floor for Duke and slapping the paint on defense. He will have this team prepared to play tomorrow night. Very similar player to Archie back in college. Tough nosed ACC point guard noted more for defense and ball movement than scoring. As far as the game, I think this team will be energized and ready to play at home, on national TV, against another borderline top 25 team. Howard is the X-factor. If the IU defense is as stingy as they look, and can keep him around his average and not let him go off for 40, I am thinking a 6-8 point W.

Should I be a little alarmed that IU has yet to land a commitment for 2019? I'm not one of those people who's going to freak out and talk about Firing Archie, but there has been alot of hype about landing TJD, Brooks, Watford, Hurt etc, however, these guys are also being sought after by programs like Duke, Kentucky, Kansas, Michigan State, etc. TJD is the only one I feel somewhat confident about, but the longer his recruitment goes, the more worried I get..

IU Football needs to do EVERYTHING they can to attract recruits.. Taking names off of jerseys isn't one of those things.

I would encourage you to visit West Baltimore, then tell me that one place isn't as dangerous as another. Also, looks like there isn't much of a chance with Hurt at this point. Hope IU is focusing on the in-state guys as opposed to battling with Kentucky, Duke, and Kansas.

Circling the January 11th game at Maryland. Might be my only chance to see IU in person this year. Should be highly competitive, but a chance to get a win on the road.

What does this mean for his recruitment? Isn’t IU on Stewart’s radar too although he’s a heavy lean to the ACC? Hopefully Archie stays in the mix...

I find it hard to believe that Indiana will finish outside the Top 4.. However, I get the skepticism. The shooting last year for IU was ATROCIOUS. If Romeo and someone else can step up and hit jumpers, the Hoosiers will be dancing.

Indiana is looking like a long shot, with the likes of Duke, Kentucky, UNC, and UCLA involved.