Class of '66 Old Fart

Possibly the best tweet of the day:   Kent Sterling ‏@KentSterling 35s36 seconds ago Indiana, USA CBS/Turner asking Charles Barkley to talk about college hoops is like asking Kentucky fans to talk about NCAA compliance.

2 fouls.

RoJo with 2 assists .

The quota has been met.  No more 12's over 5's today.  

I didn't get to the game until late - whoa, huge 3 by ALR - why hasn't Haas seen any playing time?

It just keeps getting uglier and uglier for John Groce and the Illini: Illini's Nunn arrested   Thu, 03/17/2016 - 5:31pm | Mary Schenk   URBANA — University of Illinois basketball player Kendrick Nunn has been charged with domestic battery for allegedly striking a woman in her apartment Wednesday evening. Champaign police arrested the junior guard at 5:10 p.m. Thursday after a judge issued a warrant earlier in the day on the misdemeanor charges. Nunn turned himself in. First Assistant State’s Attorney Steve Ziegler said Champaign police were called to the apartment of the alleged victim in the 500 block of South Second Street, Champaign, about 5:15 p.m. Wednesday. “Neighbors call 911 to report a loud argument. They hear a woman yelling, ‘Get off of me’ and a man yelling, ‘Give me my money,’” Ziegler said. Police talked to the 20-year-old woman at the door of her apartment. Nunn was in the living room but no one else was in the apartment, he said. “Initially, they both indicate it is just a friendship and that nothing physical happened,” the prosecutor said. Police officers talked to Nunn. Ziegler said there was no arrest at the time because both Nunn and the woman said nothing happened. Ziegler said some time later, the woman called the police and said that she and Nunn do indeed have a relationship and that something had happened. Officers returned to her apartment. “She said they were arguing about their relationship and whether or not she owed him money and at some point he did push her and strike her in the back of the head. During the physical part of the altercation is when Champaign police showed up,” Ziegler said. Ziegler said police reported seeing red marks on her neck and shoulder. They took photos. The information was taken to the state’s attorney’s office Thursday and Judge John Kennedy issued a warrant for Nunn’s arrest with a $5,000 bond. Ziegler said the charges allege he struck her about the head, pushed her to the floor and held her by the neck and that in doing so, the contact was of an “insulting or provoking” nature. Nunn is expected to make a court appearance Friday afternoon. Nunn listed an address in the 0-100 block of East John Street in the same apartment where fellow teammate and alleged domestic batterer Jaylon Tate, 21, lives. Nunn and Tate were teammates at Chicago Simeon for two seasons and won a pair of Class 4A state championships together in 2012 and 2013 while going a combined 39-4. Nunn was also on Simeon’s 2010 and 2011 4A title teams, and the Wolverines posted a 110-15 record in his high school career. Nunn’s arrest is the fourth for the Illinois basketball program since August. Darius Paul was arrested in August in France during the team’s foreign tour, Leron Black was arrested and charged with a felony for allegedly brandishing a knife outside an Urbana night club in February and Tate was arrested last week for misdemeanor domestic battery. The alleged victim in Tate’s case told his attorney he didn’t do it but the charges remain on file against him. Nunn, a junior guard, averaged 15.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game this season. He missed the first five games of the season recovering from a torn ligament in his left thumb during a mid-October practice. Nunn also missed the game at Michigan State to remain in Champaign for the birth of his son, Kason.

Let's hope this is the only 12 upset of a 5 that takes place today!

I know that Scott Drew is an Indiana native, but after that crap they pulled during HMP's recruitment, I want Yale to win this game so badly. 

If we can easily win without him, why run the risk of further injuring his shoulder when we'll definitely need him in our next game.

  I agree.  Ideally it will become a blowout very quickly and he can get 15 - 20 relatively soft minutes of action and I'd rest JM the entire game if at all possible. 

‘Total package’ Romeo Langford drawing comparisons to Damon Bailey   Kyle Neddenriep, kyle.neddenriep@indystar.com 5:51 p.m. EDT March 16, 2016 NEW ALBANY – Terry Fleshman has been watching high school basketball here since the 1950s. He graduated from New Albany in 1959 and taught history at the school until his retirement in 2000. Fleshman has seen great players. Great teams. New Albany’s long history of basketball has produced plenty of both, including 15 IndyStar Indiana All-Stars and a state title in 1973. But Fleshman contends that this Southern Indiana city has never seen anything like the quiet 16-year-old currently rewriting the program’s record books. “A lot of older fans think he’s the best player we’ve ever had,” Fleshman said. “Even as a sophomore. He might be the best player we’ve ever had as a sophomore.” The “Romeo Show” is in full bloom in New Albany, where the Bulldogs are 25-1 and ranked No. 1 in Class 4A. Romeo Langford, a 6-4 sophomore guard, is perhaps the best player in the state regardless of class. He’s not perfect, coach Jim Shannon says. But there’s startlingly little that he can’t do. New Albany has never had an IndyStar Mr. Basketball. That streak seems likely to end in two years. “There’s always been a lot of fan interest here,” said Shannon, in his 18th season at New Albany. “But a lot of people come out just to see Romeo play. Some aren’t even New Albany fans. I’ve seen kids from the opposing school lined up after the game to get an autograph and picture with him. I’ve never seen that before.” There are parallels made from Langford to Damon Bailey, who triggered a phenomenon as a high schooler at Bedford North Lawrence that was capped with a state title victory in front of more than 41,000 fans at the Hoosier Dome in 1990. Bailey still holds the state’s boys career scoring record with 3,134 points. If there’s anyone who could track him down, it might be Langford. Going into Saturday’s Class 4A semistate against Southport at Richmond, Langford has 1,229 career points in 52 games. “A lot of people compare him to Damon,” Fleshman said. “As a sophomore, he’s better. But maybe that’s New Albany prejudice saying that.” * * * New Albany's Romeo Langford drives around Evansville North's Tanner Turpin on Friday. New Albany's Romeo Langford (right) drives around Evansville North's Tanner Turpin (left) on Friday at New Albany High School.  David Hartlage/Special to the Co Part of the appeal of Langford is his undeniable talent. He can soar for alley-oop dunks, knock down long-range 3-point shots and swoop into passing lanes for steals that look great on highlight clips. According to the 247sports composite rankings, Langford is the No. 24-ranked prospect nationally in the sophomore class. His offer list is already impressive: Indiana, Purdue, IUPUI, Louisville, UCLA and Vanderbilt. It will continue to grow, probably significantly. But there’s another part of Langford’s makeup that New Albany faithful seem to appreciate even more – he’s unshakeable. Or at least he appears to be. There’s no amount of physical play or a call from an official that ever appears to throw him for a loop. His father, Tim, preached this attitude to Romeo at a young age. Junior teammate Isaac Hibbard said it’s Langford’s “greatest attribute.” “I don’t boast or show it off that I’m getting any of these accolades or anything,” Langford said. “I don’t like to show it like that. Some kids my age don’t know how to handle it or get a big head and think they are too good. Then they stop working hard. That’s not me.” Even as a freshman, there was a different air about Langford. He led New Albany to a 23-3 record and into the regional, where it lost to eventual state runner-up Evansville Reitz. Langford averaged 17.6 points and 6.1 rebounds. “I’ve never seen him get rattled,” Shannon said. “I have to get on him here and there – that’s what I’m here for – but he doesn’t walk around with his head down. He never does that. I think that starts at home. I can’t take credit for that. But when I do talk to him, his eyes are on me. He’s different, man. When you are that talented and are humble, the sky is the limit.”   Shannon has known Langford since the sophomore was in the third grade. His talent was obvious even then. By the time Langford was in middle school, Shannon fretted he would lose him to some other school. “I wanted him to stay where he belonged,” Shannon said. “I was worried about that for a long time. I didn’t sleep very well when he was in seventh and eighth grade. But his family said all along he was going to be a Bulldog. We fought hard to make that a fact. We wanted to keep him here.” Like most high-profile recruits, there have been rumors of Langford going to some prep school. He shakes off such talk. He wants to “win state multiple times.” And possibly win Mr. Basketball. New Albany can offer him a route to those goals. A prep school cannot. “It’s all I expected,” Langford said of his high school experience. “The crowds and the atmosphere of playing on Friday nights and Saturday nights is great.” * * * The numbers don’t tell the whole story, but they are impressive nonetheless. Langford is averaging 29.7 points a game this year in addition to 9.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.7 blocked shots and 1.7 steals. He is shooting 59 percent overall from the field and 39 percent (62-for-161) from the 3-point line. On Saturday, in front of a packed house at the 8,110-seat gym in Seymour, he led New Albany to victories in the regional over Bloomington South (73-66 in overtime) and Evansville Reitz (84-70). He called it the highlight of his high school career so far. Hibbard said the “sky is the limit” to where Langford can go from here. “Freshman year coming in, he was crazy good,” Hibbard said. “He’s just getting better and better. He’s a great player because he makes everybody else better.”   Langford’s recruiting process is still in the early stages. Coaches can’t even call him directly until June. But it has already opened some doors for the New Albany program to get to college games or practices it otherwise wouldn’t. Shannon jokes that the list of contacts in his cellphone is far more impressive than it was two years ago. Langford said his father handles most of the recruiting as of now. “It’s not that crazy,” he said. “I don’t put that first. I really focus on my team. It’s not a big deal to me during the high school season.” But it will get crazy, Shannon expects. Probably beginning this summer and into next year. “Next year will be nuts,” Shannon said. “That’s when the heavies will start to figure out how to try to get him.” Meanwhile, Langford is focused on bringing a state title back home to New Albany. Damon did it as a senior. Romeo, as they’ll remind you around here, is still a sophomore. “One of the two or three best I’ve ever seen,” Fleshman said. “He’s the total package.”

IU's James Blackmon Jr. focused on recovery, not transfer rumors Zachary P Osterman, IndyStar 8:14 p.m. EDT March 16, 2016   DES MOINES, Iowa -- Refuting any suggestion that he plans to transfer after the season, IU sophomore guard James Blackmon Jr. said Wednesday his focus is squarely on rehabilitating from a torn ACL, and helping his team in the NCAA tournament. Speaking to reporters in front of his locker before the Hoosiers' open practice Wednesday, Blackmon said he had "no clue" how the transfer report took form. "People just kept texting me and calling me, like, 'What’s going on?' I haven’t even said anything about that," Blackmon said. "I’ve just been focused on this championship, on my team, on helping us win. I haven't even said anything about nothing after the year. I don’t even know how that got out." IU's second-leading scorer (15.8 ppg) during non-conference play, Blackmon suffered a season-ending injury -- which eventually required surgery -- two days before the Hoosiers' Big Ten opener at Rutgers on Dec. 30. Blackmon confirmed Wednesday that the injury was a partially torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, and said he still hasn't been cleared to resume full activity.   "Everything went well with the surgery, and I’m far ahead of the protocol, but I’m not gonna rush anything," he said. "I haven’t gotten back a lot of things I was able to do on the court, because I haven’t been able to run, cut, things like that. But I can shoot. "I definitely know I’m a lot stronger upper-body wise, because I’ve been hitting the weights hard. Pretty much now I do everything the team does in the weight room, with my legs involved." During his recovery, Blackmon said he has spent more time in the weight and film rooms, and tried to serve as an extra pair of eyes on the bench. "Just be a full leader, be the guy that I wanted to be at the beginning of this year, but a little bit better," Blackmon said of his goals during his injury layoff. "I’m gaining experience right now by not even playing, being a coach on the bench. I’ve been in the film room a lot, seeing where my teammates can attack and where I can come in and attack. ... "You see a lot of things you could’ve done better, and a lot of things you do well."

From Mike Miller:   DES MOINES, Iowa — After spending nearly the last month on the sideline nursing a high-ankle sprain, Robert Johnson appears poised to return to action. Indiana coach Tom Crean said the sophomore guard is probable to play in Thursday’s NCAA Tournament opener against Chattanooga, telling reporters that Johnson has been more active in practice and appears ready to get back on the floor. “He’s been making progress,” Crean said. Johnson appeared to be a full participant during IU’s open practice on Wednesday afternoon at Wells Fargo Arena, running through drills and shooting with teammates throughout the 40-minute session. Johnson has only recently returned to full speed behind the scenes. He worked out in halfcourt situation on Monday and made his return to a full-court practice on Tuesday. “Every day I’m feeling stronger and better,” Johnson said. “I think I’m at a point where I can go out there and give it a try, hopefully.” How much will Johnson play? That answer depends on a few factors, including the movement of his left ankle and his pain threshold. Johnson said the pain “wasn’t too bad” during Tuesday’s full-court practice. A day later, Johnson said the ankle isn’t any more sore than usual. Tuesday’s return to practice was the latest recovery checkpoint hit by Johnson, who participated in IU’s pregame warmup prior to Friday’s Big Ten Tournament opener against Michigan. “I was definitely thinking about (playing against Michigan),” Johnson said. “It wasn’t just my decision, so it’s just one of those things where we decided not to give it a go. … With having the extra week, we got it that much more stronger and tested. I really tested where that was at, and I think that was good for me.” Johnson hasn’t played since Feb. 20 against Purdue when he had to be carried off the floor late in the second half by strength and conditioning coach Lyonel Anderson. Johnson started 22 of the first 28 games he played this season, averaging 8.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists, while standing out as arguably IU’s most consistent guard on the defensive end. On the eve of IU’s biggest game of the year, Johnson said he’s hoping to make an impact when the Hoosiers take the court Thursday against Chattanooga. “I definitely think that me playing would help us, or give us a better chance to win,” he said. “Just for the simple fact that it’s another guy out there that can help defensively and follow the game plan.”

From the offensive side, I think Kepner may be right but I watched CuJo play a couple of games and didn't see a strong defensive presence.  To me that's a generic problem for the basketball factories and his defensive abilities may be far greater than my perception from a couple of games on TV.  Hopefully they are.

247 has an article titled Jones looking to make impact as freshman   http://indiana.247sports.com/Article/Indiana-signee-Curtis-Jones-looking-to-make-impact-as-freshman-44301294     I'm not a subscriber but if someone out there is and would like to post it for us cheap old farts to read we'd be most grateful.

If Pitino doesn't survive will Kenny still have a job?

  That's the problem.  We should NEVER EVER be worried about getting beat in a first round game!  NEVER!   But $h!t happens and I know it did in the immortal General's latter years and I can honestly say that I'm more than a little worried about the Chatty game.  Under CTC, we are just so consistently inconsistent when it comes to playing in tournaments.  It's maddening, frustrating along with a thousand other synonyms.  This team is definitely Sweet 16 caliber and it can be an Elite 8 and even a Final 4 but it's got to play with its head screwed on straight.  But will it?

The Good Guys in the Candystripes   84   Pardon me boys, is that the Chattanooga Choo Choo?  66   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XQybKMXL-k

And isn't this ESPN selection show 1000% better than the CBS fiasco last night?

#9 seeds are always good bets to knock of an 8.  Great job Coach Moren and the Lady Hoosiers.  Show'em how we play the game.

Probably some 10-year old is the culprit!

It darn well better!

SOUTH:  Vandy over AZ       Temple over IA   EAST:  Providence over USC       And I'm more than a little concerned about our first round game but we'll find a way (we better)   WEST:  VCU over Oregon St.   MIDWEST:  Syracuse over Dayton even though I despise Jim Boeheim

We have got to get off to a strong start on Thursday and not let the Choos Choos start getting the idea they can hang with us.  We don't need this game to be in the final few minutes as a nail biter.

I'd have to grudgingly acknowledge that if CTC can get us past pUKe and UNoClasses he deserves to keep his job -- at least for 1 more year.  But he better get us past Choo Choo for sure.