Southside

no doubt there were a few during the game. post game was MUCH better this weekend.

It's nice to see this board happier and more positive. People were pretty miserable after the close win over Louisville. I thought I might see more misery and Archie bashing after a close Butler win. Perhaps folks are sitting back and just enjoying things more. Or perhaps they're just tired of being chicken littles. Either way, it's awesome to see a W, in a very entertaining finish, be ranked, and have a great start in the Big10. Let's beat a couple cupcakes, pound IL, and give scUM a bloody nose in Ann Arbwhore

https://twitter.com/IndianaMBB/status/1074093559928758273

I'm looking forward to the two cupcakes before Christmas to give the guys a rest and improve (and my heart a chance to recover), but I hate that we'll have to wait till next year (Jan3) for the next decent game.

Say whatever you want about the team struggling. We're 4-0 since Duke with some good wins. This team simply does not quit, and learning to win close games is a huge positive. I think I predicted a dog fight and a 74-69 win. Not too far off. Two cupcakes and then a little break before we start B10 play again.

holy cow. W

hits home. i was the same class as EA. did beer bongs with him during little 5 and had overlapping friends. good dude. awesome IU player. too young

IU 74, Butler 69

The voters must have read the game thread and could see how bad the team is lol.... if they had read the game thread, they would have believed we're 0-3 over the last 3 games, and would have left us out altogether... but maybe you're right, and saw the comment about our 23 pt thumping of Marquette as nothing more than an "aberration"

IU now 25 in the AP. A little, actually a lot confused why a 2 loss Marquette who we beat, and a 2 loss Wisconsin (who Marq beat) are ranked ahead of us.

Just read that yesterday's game was Louisville's worst offensive output this year. IU's D held them to 1pt per possession.

he's been a blessing. injury forced him into things, but we're better for it long term. he'll be the leader next year.

I get some frustration, but I think a lot of folks have irrational/unrealistic expectations to begin with. The good -Morgan returns -Langford one and done stud The bad, or the challenges -Six new players (half the team), 5 frosh, plus a one dimensional transfer -With the above, add Race Thompson who logged zero minutes last year (RS) -Injuries to 3 players who were projected as preseason starters (Davis, Green, McRoberts), as well as impacts to Hunter, Thompson, and Durham. IU was a poor team to start last year, who improved to be a mediocre team by the end of the season. To think we're going to be lights out world beaters (even without injury) early this year is pretty silly given what returned, and knowing we have 6 brand new guys coming in. Then add in the 6 injuries at various stages in a very short amount of time. Personally I thought by mid season (if healthy) we'd be starting to gel, and by end of season we'd be competing for 3rd or 4th place and we'd make the tourney. Maybe even second place with luck. We haven't been healthy at all, but we've still persevered to be 8-2 with a respectable KP ranking. I see no reason to think we won't compete for 3rd or 4th. For those who started out thinking we should win the Big, or even take second... are setting themselves up to be miserable this year. Be happy with a W, any W. And expect improvement while we get healthy. Last night, officiating sucked at times, and our FTs sucked. I'm betting Archie is working hard on FTs given his temperment in-game.

I know Pitino's history very well. My Q was which situation are you referring too. Meaning KY or Louisville. And like I said earlier, Pitino and Cal are on another level. Why would you compare Archie to one of them? Would that not be setting irrational expectation. It's like you expect every basketball player to be Jordan. In terms of star talent, MSU has the best composite talent over the last 4 years. OSU is not far behind.

according to some, 1) that's not good enough, and 2) we don't have an offensive system because we don't shoot FTs well.

at least 4 of their returning players are 95+ composite ranked. they are not void of talent.

which Pitino team/situation are you talking about? Archie is in the beginning of year two. Are you even going to give him this year to succeed? BTW, Pitino actually had a slightly worse record his first year at KY. And how many wins has he vacated for cheating? Mike White - the same Mike white that took over at FL after their coach went Pro. The same FL that went to the final four 2 years earlier lol... still waiting on a situation remotely close. FTs are a skill, not a system. The system get's the player to the line to shoot the FT.

what did i make up? i even re-quoted you after you conflicted your own post. you gave poor examples of coaches/situations not remotely close to Archie and IU. FTs aren't a system. nobody is saying we shouldn't shoot FTs better. BTW, RP had a few teams that were awful at FTs... Again with Pitino. Someone who's not remotely close to Miller/IU situation, and is also no longer in the game because he cheated. Still waiting for you to answer simple direct Qs. But keep dancing...

Those were not excuses. it was simple fact and data around the circumstances of the coaches you listed. I can't help it if you didn't do your homework. Since you don't like when people disagree, and give data points to disagree, i'll turn things around.... What should be a reasonable time frame to install a dramatically different system/style? What should be a reasonable time frame to populate a roster with quality player depth that fits the new system? You said success in year 2 was the exception, but said a coach should be able to be successful before 3 years? So which is it? Are you talking about summer ball in year 2.5? I'm still waiting on examples of coaches like Archie coming in from a lower conference, who inherit low talent, a sub .500 conf team, completely change a system, and are lights out in year 2? Nobody? Go ahead, keep dancing...

Let me caveat my response by saying I don't expect us to be lights out next year. I do expect us to be deeper, healthier, and more consistent in Archie's system. And I expect us to get better as the year goes along. Way to early to predict next year with any certainty, but here's what my gut says... Phin will become the leader of this team. At 3-5, assuming we end up with both Jackson-Davis and Brooks, a JD, Brooks, Smith, Davis should be a pretty good 3-5 rotation as the year goes on. SG/CG is the biggest hole IMO. Durham and Green need to be steady, and hopefully Franklin comes ready to shoot. He's an interesting prospect and could create some nice matchups at his size. And I wouldn't write all the other guys off. I think there will be a few that step up during the year.

lol... so no comment on your conflicting posts/logic. or examples of coaches like Archie taking over teams like IU and having comparable seasons to the names you listed? for the record, we are successful so far. we're 2-0 in conf play, with 2 solid out of conference wins. our losses are to a top 3 team, and on the road and injured to a team that has lost two games by a total of 3 pts.

I agree with all of this. I'm definitely not sold on Archie yet by any means. Given the situation though with injuries and playing 2 frosh (especially Phin at PG), I can understand our current status. I really don't expect consistency though until mid season to be honest.

Now you're just being obtuse. if you believe people being successful in year 2 is the exception, then why this: if there are tons of reasons why it shouldn't take 3 years, what are the reasons? And how do you believe that, while also believing success in two years is the exception. you're not making a whole lot of sense.