AKHoosier

Seems like we're saying the same thing. Before the season, I didn't see us much differently than UNC last year, and they made the title game as an 8 seed. Obviously it's all dependent on matchups. We have 2 guys who are shooting 50%+ from 3pt, a five star guard in JHS, and one of the best big men in the game. Xavier Johnson's injury factors into this a ton, as he would be probably the best PG in the B1G right now. He certainly was playing like it toward the end of last year. I'll die on this hill. From a talent/experience perspective, I think we're right there to make a run.

After JHS there's such a dropoff in production for our guards. Galloway is our only other consistent guy. Bates, ugh. Maybe he needs another offseason to develop but I just don't know with him sometimes. Seems like a great kid, always seems engaged and high energy on the bench, but we need so much more from him if we want to get past the first weekend of March.

Woof. And this is supposed to be the good year. Whatever. I'm chalking this up to the guys being gassed, and already knowing they're in the tournament. Just hold serve at home to not let our seeding fall below a 5.

And it's bedtime.

Ah I think you're right. Maybe that's why he can't actually be charged with anything.

Man, I can't imagine how I'd feel if I was Brandon Miller right now. If my friend texted me asking if he could borrow one of my guns, I complied, and later learned that gun was used to kill an innocent mother, not only would I feel an extreme sense of guilt but also panic that I'm about to go to jail.

I love the sound of it being an Indiana/UGA battle, but it would be a kick to the crotch to lose him to a school that values football, spring football, and baseball before the basketball team. Pretty sure students get in free to home games. This is one recruitment a deep tournament run may help solidify, but sounds Georgia has a lot in their favor here.

I hate saying this but I will anyway. I'm worried they get a friendly whistle during an emotional game.

Really hoping Edey leaves after this year. Basically everyone of significance returns for PU, he's the only question mark. If he comes back, yikes.

MSU needs a win after dropping one on the road to UM. Let's not give them one.

Valid. It was never the correct path for Lander. Didn't Race Thompson do it too? Not sure how much it benefitted him either, but Flory is clearly miles ahead of both players so I guess no need to throw the baby out with the bath water. If we're looking to avoid taking a step back next year, I just don't think Bidunga solves that on his own. Great player and prospect, but I don't know if he negates the need for a portal big. I'd sure be excited though, don't get me wrong.

We'll definitely need a big in 2024, no question about that. My hope is that we get a portal big for 23/24 season to pair with Reneau, and Bidunga stays in the 2024 class to continue developing. You could make the argument he'd develop better by reclassifying and practicing against college athletes, but that didn't work for Lander so it clearly doesn't work for everyone.

Why is Louisville so bad, is their talent level comparable to Crean's first few years here? Or is Payne just that terrible of a coach?

Wow, I'd say so. 3-23 overall. Didn't even win a game until December 21st. I wonder what's going on there.

What a kick to the nuts. We look like we expected Illinois to come in and just roll over.

You gotta be kidding me. Anyone who thinks we can finish strong and make a run in the NCAAT without Xavier Johnson needs to understand how wrong that is. Our guards are way too inconsistent to be relied on.

Yeah give me that East or Midwest region. I want no part of Alabama, Baylor, or UVA. Bad draw.

Let's not lose a home game to Illinois.

He isn't wrong, we are right there. No truly dominant team exists this season. Need Xavier Johnson back though. Bates isn't consistent enough if JHS has an off night.

I'm legit hoping we don't play past Saturday in the Big Ten Tournament. A tournament championship means nothing to me, I'd rather our players get a win or 2 then rest.

Jerry Palm will still have them as his #1 overall seed, and IU among the First 4 Out.

We'd be so close to a share of the B1G right now if we took care of NW last night. Stings extra hard.

21 wins before the BTT. That's my benchmark for this team right now. Pick up a win in the conference tournament, hopefully at least 2, and that would put us at 22-11 for the season. I'd have to think we'd be no lower than a 5 seed, but lots depends on what other teams do too.

Agreed, great point. I say get us to at least a 5 seed, and I like our chances for a run in the tournament. At least we shouldn't have a nightmare travel schedule this year brought on by the play-in game and a long overnight flight delay to a different time zone to worry about again.

If that is the case, that's completely unacceptable and that ref needs to be disciplined. As long as coach Rosemond didn't say something completely egregious AND directed right at the official, a technical foul is not warranted for reacting to a missed call.