Old Friend

The mental midgetry of our shot selection is astounding. Trying to throw knock out punches in the first half with quick shot after quick shot after quick shot; all contested. And we do NOT have to shoot it just because we get it into the post. I don't need to see Brunk and Thompson taking contested shots in the paint. I don't need to see Green taking heat check shots..just take the good ones, and he's been terrific. This team is still SO mentally immature sometimes.

Which of the guys Archie hand picked are the problems on this team? His hand picked guys aren't even upper classmen yet, and in the Big Ten; especially with talent all over the place now (this ain't our daddys' college basketball), that matters, even if you don't like it. I disagree with you here, Fleek. Best players in the conference are mostly upper classmen. Luka Garza - Junior Geo Baker - Junior John Teske and Zavier Simpson - Seniors Xavier Tillman - Junior D'Mitrick Trice and Brad Davidson - Juniors Lamar Stevens Senior Kaleb Wesson - Junior Cassius Winston - Senior Anthony Cowan - Senior Why is it expected that Indiana, without an upper classman even close to this list should be better than the teams with players who DO have experienced and very talented upper classmen? This is the part I don't get. Indiana has awful seniors and at least one junior who's caused his share of problems. Who are Archie's hand picked guys who should be better than these guys and these teams? Indiana has no leadership and these guys ALL provide it.

I'm struggling to understand how someone....ANYone can think "team ball" means you don't have high level players within a successful team system. The abject density it takes to formulate that opinion is shocking to me. Every single team which has ever won anything had guys. And usually, they have a guy who steps up in big moments, a-la Keith Smart in the 2nd half in the final; but he wasn't "the guy" on that team. Alford was. Thomas after him. Indiana has guys now. Indiana does not have upper classmen "guys." Indiana does not necessarily play a championship caliber brand of basketball all the time, but Indiana has guys and more guys coming. Having good players does not mean those guys are going to win in an isolation/ball dominant system. The last player I remember winning a title that way was Carmelo Anthony, and Syracuse's defense that year was among the best in the country by any measure. Yes...team defense. So even that example from 17 years ago is a reach. Do you think the teams you listed above did NOT play as a unit? Did NOT utilize team concepts on both ends of the floor? Do you think you can win in today's college basketball without playing well as a team? Among the coaches listed above, you have Bill Self, Mike Krysiewski, Roy Williams, Billy Donovan, Jay Wright, Rick Pitino, and Jim Calhoun. Stop me when ANY of those guys focused on an individual or isolation game to win. A couple were more defensively focused, but ALL utilize ball movement; secondary break; and either a lot of talent or a lot of experience. None....I repeat NONE have successful experience in the NBA which IS an isolation game to a degree. How does having "guys" equate to the opposite of "team ball?" Seriously....to come up with that argument is an incredibly ignorant reach. And if you're arguing that Archie is trying to play "team ball" without guys, I offer you the three 5-star recruits in 3 seasons, and the multiple 4-star guys as well. You're looking for, and have BEEN looking for immediate results from a guy and a system that takes time. This is year three. It's been and will finish better than year two, which was better than year one. Is it a finished product yet? Nope. So what exactly is your point?

I marvel at the people here who seem to think basketball is a one on one game. Creating shots, perimeter defender, etc. This is not an isolation league, and the best NCAA basketball teams are not isolation teams. Why these skills are discussed as much as they are, and more than that VALUED as much as they are is a mystery to me Team defense and team offense win. Guys who can make shots....priority 1. And those guys are coming. Guys who can penetrate and make plays for other people? Yep. All day. Remember how Sampson used Eric Gordon? Tried to get the guy to penetrate and finish from 20 feet. He struggled to do that. Eric Gordon may have been the best athlete in the Big Ten when he played. And HE couldn't finish from 20 feet...team defenses. So why do we think kids need to do that now? Give me kids who understand the help line and the responsibility that comes with it. Who will step up to help and sprint to recover. Who sprint in transition. Who stop the ball. Who give the team a GREAT rim run or get their feet set to shoot. Who get in gaps and get their hands on balls (Crean was right about the importance of deflections, even if he counted them and counted ON them way too much. Taking away the easy pass is critical). Who understand the value of making the right basketball play. Who are great at shot selection. Who take care of the ball. Who play with intensity and effort on every possession. Who know how to set and use screens. Who contest shots with their hand up and keep a hand in the face of a guy with the ball. Who talk and communicate. That sound like Smith to anybody? Green? Was it Durham last night? "Can't create his own shot." Whatever,.

Any point guard will look better with players around him who can spread the floor and make shots. It's sort of unfair in my opinion to judge a point guard when his team is inconsistent and can't score. You've all seen his (Rob's) opportunistic dribble penetration and he's good at that. He's also good in transition; but when you don't GET in transition because some of your teammates jog or you struggle on the defensive glass (like last night), you limit what a point guard can do. Archie doesn't run an isolation offense, and I have no idea why "creating your own shot" is a big deal. Anyone see a college offense where emphasis on "creating" has won anything? Ever? Rob's also our best (and a pretty good) on ball defender. I think injuries have hurt him. No question. I also understand the frustration with him. What I do not understand is the disappointment in his production as a shooter or creator because that's never been what he is. I can think of at least 5 open shots off his passes that were missed last night (same can be said for Green, Durham, Franklin, and about anybody), but when the team shoots 25% from the floor, John Stockton's numbers would be awful. The fact is, he's shooting 34% from the 3 point line. Green shooting 30% from there. Durham 33%. I've been on the "give it another year" bandwagon, and I'm staying on it. I think this team will benefit greatly from "addition by subtraction."

Bad example. This is a kid who hasn't come close to realizing his potential, and when he was at IU, his team vastly under-achieved, but hey....at least he got paid early. I guess if you're all about the money?

I agree with your last, but I don't think that's untrue if he comes to IU that year. Nor do I think it makes the difference between a FF team and NOT a FF team if he comes next year. 18 year old kids are not generally ready for the Big Ten. You've seen some of the guards in this conference.. kid only weighs 160 pounds. I dunno'. I'm just not big on "hurry up and grow up." Especially in a program that's trying to field mature, experienced teams.

I really hope he decides to stay in high school. There's no reason to hurry up and grow up. No need to play in college while his body is still developing as a 17 year old kid. I get that many people want him "up" now, but the reality is the balance is better if he waits until 2021. For his own sake, I hope he stays in his own class.

Getting healthy hasn't hurt. Thompson's improvement, Hunter's simple availability, and Phinisee finally looking like he can move normally have all made a significant difference. I believe the more recent games are a better indication of who Indiana is; even if I still expect a game or two where this thread blows up.

He DID play college ball. But he's not someone most would think of. Sort of "wow....I had no idea" kind of thing. There is a reason I can't out the guy; and it's nothing more than simply protecting his name because I don't think HE wants it out there that he's offered his services. All I can say is this dude can flat out shoot it, kids on the team would easily relate to him, he's a terrific coach, and many have already been benefactors of his training. I swear to God I'm not trolling, nor am I trying to tease or garner attention. I simply know a very qualified guy has offered to help; and it's possible he'll get the opportunity. He's not a "no name," he's just not someone most would immediately think of.

All great guesses...but see above. I can't just give his name. I just can't. But the game is an interesting view of the thoughts from you dudes!

Another good guess. The guy I'm speaking of is a better shooter than anyone knows because I doubt they've seen him unless they played against him in high school. I'll stay with my hint from earlier only because I made a direct comment about him.....this past summer, maybe? GREAT coach now. And an incredible shooter. I've seen it with my own eyes many times. As good as I have ever seen just messing around.

Looks like the reports of Archie Miller's demise were premature and greatly exaggerated. Three in-state 5 star kids in 3 recruiting classes? I'm not sure how anyone can argue with the direction. The results? They'll come. This is a huge get. Regardless of whether or not he re-classifies, IU's back court (1's, 2's, 3's) is loaded. Maybe as good and deep as anyone in the country. Need a little size now; but damn....

I guess he could, but he makes more money now than he could as a grad assistant. He'd be a guy Archie could just bring in to help. His path doesn't yet include college coaching, but I'd be shocked if it doesn't someday. I don't mean to tease. It's not going to happen as far as I know; I just know the services were offered and I would love to see them accepted.

I've met Anthony Leal and talked with him. I know and have coached a kid he plays with. I'd take 12 Anthony Leal's.

IU's hot. Purdue's dead Hoosiers get their revenge in an ugly one IU wins 58-53

None of the above, and the guy wouldn't be anywhere near anyone's "A" list. You've all heard of him, but likely have no idea how terrific a shooter he is. My hint is I said this guy - if he wanted to be - would be the next great assistant coach and maybe college head coach to come from IU. Of the above guesses, Hulls is the closest.

Per a relatively well educated source : Wanted to play for a different coach, with different kids and in a different system. Nothing to do with his being featured. He's featured plenty at his high school. This is about broadening his game and his experience. More off the ball, more using screens that aren't ball screens...change of scenery, etc.

Indiana pulls it off 63-58

Not me....but someone I have seen shoot it, and he'd be absolutely terrific. I could help...this guy could make significant and immediate changes.

I happen to know a great one has offered his services. Yet to be seen if accepted or not.

They're trying to protect against the ball handler getting downhill; which is a maddening strategy because help should be there, and also his getting an open jumper off the ball screen. But..even on the roll; help isn't there. Defenders are chasing and hugged up. No team defense or communication at all. No effort sometimes on close outs (and it's that way so often that when there IS effort, it's noticeable). It's almost like we're trying so hard to guard against even allowing the 3 point shot we've gotten away from the design of the pack line, which is to take away the paint. I don't get it.

Especially by a guy who's slower than the guy he's guarding so he has no chance to get back to the screener when he rolls. Good Lord...how many times do you have to see that? You don't HAVE to blitz a ball screen with a slow guy. Hell, I'd rather jam it and risk the foul call or switch it and give up the drive or the jump shot. Anything but the uncontested roll.

Archie will get another year. New AD, likely new president, and anyone who's responsible for those decisions will let HIS recruits become upper classmen. Glass won't fire him, nor will any new AD. Not yet, anyway. And if it's Chris Reynolds or Scott Dolson, they won't feel the need to....but both will keep a keen eye on the pulse of things. Today's defense was horrendous. The effort and execution on that end were about as bad as I can remember this season. Seriously...how many times are you going to guard a high ball screen with a hard hedge with a slow guy (Davis or Brunk), then allow a slip to the unprotected rim? No help, horrible rotations, no talk....and seemingly no learning. I also don't understand the philosophy of making Brunk your offensive go to early. If HE's your primary post, TJD has a long way to go before even considering the NBA as an option. What did Brunk take, 6 of our first 10 shots or something? Some of that is on the players. Some on coaches. I'm starting to question players I had faith in earlier this fall. That said, I can't imagine how difficult it would be to coach a kid like Green. From what he did on Thursday to a 1 for 7 performance....and that's his pattern. That's maddening. I was unimpressed with everyone but Durham. I know DDavis had some points, but how in the hell does Indiana get out rebounded 37-21? (Brunk and DDavis 3 rebounds between them in 35 minutes) How does Indiana assist on only 7 of 28 made FG's? Are we all of a sudden an iso team with not enough players who can iso or create? How does Indiana have only 7 TO's and manage to lose by 24? The shooting is another issue, and it's so bad it's embarrassing. I know one former walk on who would be - by FAR - the best shooter on this team, and it's a complete no contest. Good Lord, can we find a kid on this team who can consistently make shots? This entire team is mercurial, and it's getting tired. Archie isn't going anywhere yet, however he had better figure out a way to get these kids to buy in, or he'll be on a very hot seat a year from now. I still say a whole lot of this is on the players.

When we played them, MSU was ranked #5 in the country. Lots of teams have a guy who can blow up. Garza just scored 38 against us. Indiana is getting healthier and getting more from more players. Our bigs just won a game (and 3 of them played well) playing against the best big in the conference and one of the best in the country. What are you talking about? I don't think this is the Indiana team of a month ago. Will be interesting to see how they finish.