Southside

Injury is the main issue right now. Fatigue is just one of the products. We all knew we would rely on RL, but to have RP be thrust into this many minutes is tough. I'm not an Archie apologist at all. I just have lower, and realistic expectations because of the injuries. Most teams that run a small (#s, not height) line up, have at least subs that can pop in and let just about every player get a breather. At guard, running 3, we do not. I expect Morgan to be in shape, and be able to hold his own if forced into big minutes, but you're playing with fire when you have that situation with 4-5 starters. Especially 2 true freshmen. Honestly, we lucked out late in the 2H. UCD used 11 kids, and were fresh and accurate early. Our crowd finally came alive in the second when we got some stops. We had three 3pt shots in a row, or close to being in a row IIRC, which turned the game. The rest were free throws for the most part (which we made thank god). In short, we played a team that over achieved big time in the first half. Talent and a bit of luck overcame a team that was playing beyond themselves. If you can't look at the logged minutes of each player, and understand the impact of 3 games in 6 days, and 4 in 9 days, I'm not sure what to tell you. It's a simple fact of B-Ball., and actually a much simpler fact of playing any sport.

when you run a 3 guard line up, and you have no guards to sub because of injury, you're going to struggle. take a look at the minutes played in those two games. Morgan didn't come of the floor at all vs UCD, and Durham (38 min), Phinesee (36), and Langford (39) barely got a rest. UTA wasn't that much different, but at least Durham was subbed for Fitzner (who went 0-3). Until we get guys back, guys are going to get worn out, and this team is going to struggle. It's not rocket science.

Duke is the favorite for the NC. They have 5 star talent at every position, and the best coach in the league. IU is not ranked, has one 5 star, and have huge injury issues. We competed with Marquette just fine, but Duke is on a whole other level. It's just funny to see all the folks expect that we're all of sudden going to be a top 5 team this early in the season with the addition of one 5 star. It's not like being a chicken little sky is falling guy is going to help anything. Getting thumped sucks, but at least it was early, on the road, and to arguably the best team in the nation. We'll improve a lot throughout this season, but to expect us to go on the road and beat a top team with the injuries we have, is just silly.

so much of this thread is laughable. injuries. 2 true frosh starting at guards on the road playing #3 who has four 5star freshmen and the #1 recruiting class from last year your most experienced leader in foul trouble not sure what you expect in the first place. then compound that with your best weapon is 3-15 (0-3 long), he also led the team in RBs, which is another problem all in itself starting 5 is 1-9 (starting guards are 1-8) from deep FT% is 56% Give the team a chance to get healthy. it's early. the whiny stuff is off the hook tonight. save it for when we lose at home to a **** team. we'll be right there competing for the BIG at the end if we can get some guys back.

just pointing out the "team" is not shooting well as the numbers say. i don't want to over rely on it at all. but i want our starting 5 to shoot well enough so that teams extend. the point about fitz is that he's a role player, and to an extent situational. we need guys on the floor all the time that are a threat to hit the long ball. i'm all for great defense. i'm also for a well rounded offense. there will be teams on our schedule that will be able to defend the low post play. it's harder to do that if we have guys that can hit from long. we don't have to have 3pt assassins all over the place, just solid shooters that are a threat, and keep Ds honest. he's one of the guys that need to improve lol.

take away Fitzner's 4-4 and it doesn't look near as good. his stats on the year also skew things. we need one or two more that consistently hit the long ball that are more than situational like Fitz. Phin is our best hope (from a minutes perspective) right now I believe. Morgan has improved as well.

We've got to shoot the 3 better, but so far, i love what I see. Awesome to see Phin and Romeo look this good in their first big game as Hoosiers. Very solid on both sides of the ball.

PTL It's the most excited I've been in a while for IU BB, and was either going to switch or figure Kodi out.