Old Friend

This just makes me laugh. Whatever, man. If you're that in need of validation, I'm the wrong guy, You wrote it. "Some people." Did that mean you? Did it not mean you? NOW you're saying it didn't. Okay. Fine. Whatever. But I told you what I responded to and no....it wasn't the wrong post. Don't need help, but thanks anyway.

There is just so much here.... 1) Saying college basketball as a whole is down is a pathetic excuse. Parity does not mean it's down. There's a reason Dayton, San Diego State, Baylor, etc are having success, and it's because there are WAY more really good players now. The field has been leveled to an enormous degree and to deny that says only that you have no idea what you're talking about. You really think the number of lesser-known programs is because college basketball is down? That's just ignorant. 2) The product on the floor matters, but because of the way basketball is played now, it will never look as pretty as it used to look. Defense is far more an emphasis than it used to be, officials allow more contact, and quicker, longer players are closing to shooters now. North Carolina was awful this season. Florida State (who we beat) just plays players in waves and always wins ugly. Except for games against bad teams, tell me who "wins pretty" in college basketball now, and simply "making shots" doesn't count. I'll hang up and listen. 3) Indiana was ranked #26 in defensive efficiency, and had as many quad one (which means solid) wins as almost any team in the country. You're defining "good basketball" by what, exactly? My initial post on the matter said the problems were basically attributable to kids Archie didn't recruit, and one in particular. That player has now graduated, and you know exactly what I'm talking about. He, by himself was responsible for "bad basketball," but why do I think when he was making shots, that is the rare occasion you're speaking of? 4) When did anybody say "we're Rutgers?" What point are you trying to make, here? You seem to have an understanding of this situation like old people drive at night. There's no perspective or peripheral vision at all. We get it. You're negative and upset that Indiana hasn't won yet to satisfy your "right now or else" millennial mentality. That's obvious. But you're not paying attention to what's really happening in favor of the most elementary approach you can possibly take. We all get THAT, too.

You wrote this : That is some people's fear. So...I asked. Nope....I responded to the word "fear." And asked "what's the fear?"

This should make you curmudgeons feel better. https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/indiana/2020/03/19/new-indiana-ad-scott-dolson-familiarity-iu-athletics-key-reason-appointment-fred-glass-indiana/2877101001/

Okay...help me. What are you afraid of? Seriously. Making a coaching change will not...I repeat will NOT magically make Indiana basketball a national champion. Any coach will need to build, just like Archie is building. Indiana has improved every year under Archie. He HAS had injury problems, and the roster he was left by Crean was garbage. Sorry, but it was. The kids he specifically recruited are nos sophomores. He even jettisoned one (Forrester) who wasn't going to fit. The caliber of player he's attracting is and has been solid. What are you afraid of? What's your fear? If all you're doing is judging the final results without looking at the true picture, it's going to look far different than what it is in reality. We have seen consistent material improvement on the basketball floor, even if the results we all want aren't there yet. The improvement and direction ARE there. I don't understand "fear."

I actually read a physical paper!!!!!.....In sports section today, though

Make no mistake, Archie was told who to keep. He did not choose who to keep. I agree next year is an important year, but nevertheless, Indiana made the tournament this season, and perhaps could have won a game or two. Next season, I don't think a top 3-4 finish in the Big Ten's unreasonable at all. NCAA Tournament success is pretty subjective, so I don't place my expectations there unless we dramatically under perform. If Indiana can become "in the conversation" on top of the Big Ten on a consistent basis, everything else will take care of itself. This season Indiana had no bad losses and a bunch of big wins. Indiana DID win. Just not yet to old standards. The curve is on the way up...

It is not an absolutely awful hire. Give it a rest.

God, if this is true, chalk another one up to McRobbie screwing one more thing up....about which he has no knowledge or interest. Dolson has a close friendship with lots of players, Chris included. Indiana did what Indiana does. I for one hope Scott tears up the student athlete book of softness or whatever that thing is. He does that, we're off to a good start. Scott isn't a bad hire. Chris just would have been better.

Indy Star

Have you read Dolson's comments and those of the hiring committee chair? You really should before you post this stuff

I'll say this again and keep saying it. Men's basketball is only "not doing well" if you look solely at results as they pertain to your own expectations and goals which were unreasonable for the last 3 teams to achieve. Archie's team year one was riddled with injury to the point where Zach McRoberts was 5th in total minutes played. The front court lost DDavis and Hartman, and there was no depth. Last season improved a bit, but you saw as well as I did the chaos created by Langford's being here. You also saw the injury problems; and reliance on youth. That matters. This season's team was better, but the most consistent problems on it were still the guys Crean recruited. Archie's guys are sophomores. Indiana made the tournament and had a legit shot to win a game or two. I don't like the finishing position in the Big Ten, but you saw how Indiana was playing late. They were better than that. And we won 20 games. That used to be a benchmark. It's not at all a finished product, but a long term solution isn't possible without a beginning phase. You said "to be fair," and I think it's wise to do that, but not selectively. Indiana was 26th this season in KenPom defensive efficiency. That's better than we've been since 2007 or something like that. Indiana has recruited three 5-star kids in 3 seasons. I think we're in a much better position moving forward than you do, and I'm not sure what 9,000 pound gorilla you're referring to, but I'll use a popular question : how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.

I'm like everyone else with time on his hands, and lots of opinion, but I'll offer these simple points : 1) Scott was the easy hire. I'd personally have rather had Chris Reynolds, but Scott is a former basketball manager and he has relationships with dozens of former players. They will have his ear. I wish IU would have hired Chris, and I think it's a mistake they didn't; but that doesn't mean Scott's a mistake, and I happen to know him. Good guy and a Hoosier through and through 2) By most measures that really matter, Scott is set up for success. The direction of IU's two most visible entities is positive. Basketball is on a good trajectory, and to deny that is driven by something different than facts. Is it on a steep curve upward? No. But an unhealthy program does not attract three 5-star players in 3 years. Football is what it is, and I think solid if not spectacular. Indiana is doing okay and better than it was 3-4 years ago. 3) Baseball under Glass became big time. IU has hosted the Big Ten tournament and the program is becoming one of the top in the midwest. Glass gets credit for that and the corresponding facilities. Scott will be an advocate of this continuing. Women's basketball is similar. On a great trajectory IU remains one of the top sports properties in the country. Its athletic program operates in the black. Its top programs are on a positive trajectory. I don't really think Glass botched a hire, unless you think IU Basketball should have won bigger than it has...Archie's improved every year, and still has a bunch of big wins. Has a solid recruiting class coming, and depending on what Lander does, a solid start to 2021. I like Scott personally. I think he'll be fine. But I wish Indiana had hired Chris. Scott's a good, safe consolation prize.

That would be fun to do, just one time. There's a reason Oladipo has been in this kid's ear. Vic is a Hoosier and we'll all be very thankful for a long time, and I don't mean just through this kid's tenure at IU.

I say yes to all but one.

This may be the best and most popular thread on this site for a while. Couple of beauties for my aspiring angler/baseball player who'll be off for a while.

To clarify, your assumption or is that the common thought? He was all smiles on the bench....

Franklin Hunter Thompson Jackson-Davis Phinisee I think I like that young group a whole lot. That group w/Durham, Smith, Brunk, and the freshmen give IU significant versatility. Does anyone know why walk ons played and Anderson didn't? Is he (Anderson) getting red-shirted? Hurt? He hasn't played in a while.

Help me. Rob was 4-6 from the floor, had 7 assists, 3 rebounds, and just one TO. Struggled? How?

That's funny....and he sure did.

This is such a great point. The flu is deadlier than COVID-19; but the unknown of it is causing the reaction.

He did. Influenza A. Common cold. So....some good news.

88-56 Indiana

IU is getting 3 kids who can shoot it. If they get grad transfers, they need to be bigs.

That one's on the players. 100%. Many of the scoring problems Indiana has are directly related to shot selection and shot timing. How many quick shots without offense does it take before these kids learn that's not how you win basketball games? I mean, seriously...Green missed 9 straight shots or something, and only ONE of them was in the flow of the offense. Kid shoots 36% for his career and gets 17 shots? Why? No one else gets more than 8?? Are you kidding me? 17 shots taken without a single assist? Happy senior day, DeVonte. Guess it was your show....team and their season be damned. Don't let the door hit you. He wasn't alone, but he has cost Indiana enough basketball games. Good riddance. Team had 9 total assists and Phinisee had 7 of them. Lots of individual crap today and against Wisconsin? That can't happen. You're praying to make shots and the game lies solely on that single variable. No offense being run and hero ball trying to knock out a good team. That was an embarrassing second half, and if I were Archie, there would be some major changes, but I am very happy it's THIS senior day.