IndyHutch

As hard as it is to agree with that point about 2012, you're correct. My fear was that Indiana would beat North Carolina and get to the Elite Eight and lose to a worse seed and then people would be bellyaching. And that would have been more understandable.

I hope you enjoy the book. Drop me a note and let me know what you think.

I’m looking forward to finding out if we see Indiana-Kentucky intensity Saturday afternoon in Des Moines. I know we’re going to see second-round-of-the-NCAA-Tournament intensity and with a trip to the Sweet Sixteen on the line that much is a given. And the crowd that will be on hand should make it seem closer to IU-Kentucky intensity. But here’s the reality of the situation. There is not a player on either the Kentucky or Indiana roster that has ever played in an Indiana-Kentucky game. Not one Indiana player knows what it feels like to play the Wildcats in Rupp. Not one Kentucky player knows what it feels like to play in front of 17,000 plus at Assembly Hall. And when you experience it, that’s when I think you truly understand Indiana vs. Kentucky basketball. I still remember those days when they would play on a neutral site at Freedom Hall and the court would be split right down the middle with a sea of red on one side and a sea of blue on the other. Each side would have 10,000 fans. And it was a spectacle. It was a college basketball rivalry at its best. But I just don’t it’s the same when your knowledge of IU-Kentucky is from watching replays of the Wat Shot. Troy Williams said he watched that game from home. So did OG Anunoby. Yogi Ferrell said he had a game that day but he taped it and watched it later. The Indiana and Kentucky kids that played in the annual Indiana-Kentucky high school series get it a little bit more than those who didn’t. But to expect everyone else just to get mega-hyped because it’s Indiana-Kentucky may be asking a bit much. They’ll get mega-hyped because a trip to the Sweet Sixteen is on the line. But asking this game to mean as much to the players as it does to the fan bases I think is asking a lot. Now I’ll admit I hope that these players grow to love that rivalry once again after the powers-that-be finally come to their senses and end this silliness and find a way to re-instate the IU-Kentucky rivalry. There has to be a compromise. To just say there’s no way to resolve the differences in philosophy here is a cop out. It’s time for the two schools to quit relying on the NCAA Tournament committee to do their work for them and find a way for these two historic programs to play on an annual basis. I’m happy to see IU-Kentucky facing off again Saturday in Des Moines. But it’s time for this to become an annual event, too.

It's good that the NCAA Tournament committee found a way to get Indiana and Kentucky back on the hardwood again but it's time for both schools to find a way to make this an annual event once again. Here's my take. I’m looking forward to finding out if we see Indiana-Kentucky intensity Saturday afternoon in Des Moines.   I know we’re going to see second-round-of-the-NCAA-Tournament intensity and with a trip to the Sweet Sixteen on the line that much is a given.   And the crowd that will be on hand should make it seem closer to IU-Kentucky intensity.   But here’s the reality of the situation. There is not a player on either the Kentucky or Indiana roster that has ever played in an Indiana-Kentucky game. Not one Indiana player knows what it feels like to play the Wildcats in Rupp. Not one Kentucky player knows what it feels like to play in front of 17,000 plus at Assembly Hall.   And when you experience it, that’s when I think you truly understand Indiana vs. Kentucky basketball. I still remember those days when they would play on a neutral site at Freedom Hall and the court would be split right down the middle with a sea of red on one side and a sea of blue on the other. Each side would have 10,000 fans. And it was a spectacle. It was a college basketball rivalry at its best.   But I just don’t it’s the same when your knowledge of IU-Kentucky is from watching replays of the Wat Shot. Troy Williams said he watched that game from home. So did OG Anunoby. Yogi Ferrell said he had a game that day but he taped it and watched it later.   The Indiana and Kentucky kids that played in the annual Indiana-Kentucky high school series get it a little bit more than those who didn’t. But to expect everyone else just to get mega-hyped because it’s Indiana-Kentucky may be asking a bit much.   They’ll get mega-hyped because a trip to the Sweet Sixteen is on the line. But asking this game to mean as much to the players as it does to the fan bases I think is asking a lot.   Now I’ll admit I hope that these players grow to love that rivalry once again after the powers-that-be finally come to their senses and end this silliness and find a way to re-instate the IU-Kentucky rivalry. There has to be a compromise. To just say there’s no way to resolve the differences in philosophy here is a cop out.   It’s time for the two schools to quit relying on the NCAA Tournament committee to do their work for them and find a way for these two historic programs to play on an annual basis.   I’m happy to see IU-Kentucky facing off again Saturday in Des Moines.   But it’s time for this to become an annual event, too. [url=https://btownbanners.com/page/index.html/_/basketball/analysis-its-time-for-indiana-kentucky-to-r326]Click here to view the article[/url]

DES MOINES, Iowa – Thomas Bryant scored two points in the first 30 minutes of Saturday’s second round NCAA Tournament game against Kentucky. That was a 17 foot baseline jumper he made with about 5 minutes to play in the first half. Some of that was because he picked up two quick fouls again and would sit more than 10 minutes in the first half. The other reason is that the freshman center simply wasn’t demanding the ball enough in the post and often settling for holding the ball on the perimeter. All of that changed in the game’s final 10 minutes. Bryant would score 17 of his game-high 19 points to lead No. 5 seed Indiana to a 73-67 victory over No. 4 seed Kentucky Saturday afternoon at the Wells Fargo Arena. Bryant had some big shots inside and also connected on 7 of 9 free throws including two with 10.4 seconds remaining that put the Hoosiers on top 71-67. Indiana (27-7) advances to the Sweet Sixteen in Philadelphia on Friday and Sunday of next week where it will first meet the winner of Saturday’s North Carolina-Providence game. For IU it’s the third Sweet Sixteen for head coach Tom Crean in the last five seasons. It’s also the third time in the last five years that Indiana has won at least 27 games in a season. The last time Indiana went to three Sweet Sixteen’s or beyond in a five year period was when the Hoosiers did so in four consecutive seasons from 1991-94. Bryant played with passion, emotion and a will where it was clear that he wanted the ball in his hands in crunch time. And when it was all over, he let his emotions spill over as yelled in the direction of the IU fans in attendance in Des Moines. Bryant was asked what he said and he replied, “I told them ‘That’s why I’m here.’’ Earlier in the second half, IU coach Tom Crean had a message for his big freshman center. He told him he wanted Bryant to attack more in the second half. “The point of emphasis I had was staying on the attack,’’ Bryant said. “Coach told me that he wanted me to attack more, you know, get a quick whip or get a quick bucket down there on the block when I can. He believes in me, and I just went with the coach's plan, you know. Luckily it turned out that way.’’ And then later, after IU saw a nine-point lead evaporate as Kentucky cut that lead to two at 69-67, Bryant was fouled with 10.4 seconds to play and had two foul shots. He had just missed two others in the previous minute but he calmly made both to put the Hoosiers on top 71-67. Fellow freshman teammate Juwan Morgan said there was no doubt in his mind that Bryant was going to make the two foul shots at the end. “We made eye contact right there and he looked at me and mouthed, ‘I’ve got this,’’’ Morgan said. “And I knew he did. Thomas is a really good free throw shooter and I had complete confidence in him in that moment.’’ Max Bieleldt said Bryant is mentally tough. Troy Williams said Bryant was a player he was happy to see go to the line in that situation. Collin Hartman said Bryant may only be a freshman but he doesn’t play like that in clutch situations. “Thomas is a really hard worker,’’ Hartman said. “And he’s a great example of that hard work paying off.’’ Bryant was asked what was going through his mind when he stepped to the free throw line with the game hanging in the balance. “I was just trying to stay calm, you know, calming down, breathing, and then not letting my adrenaline pump so much to where it was too much for me,’’ Bryant said. “I just wanted to calm down. My teammates were there talking to me. We go through this in practice all the time, so I was just lucky to make 'em.’’ Kentucky coach John Calipari said he spent a lot of time recruiting Bryant. And the thing that has impressed him the most is how much he has improved since he got on campus at Indiana. “He was right down the street from us and the biggest thing I want to tell you is his family should be proud of how much better he's gotten,’’ Calipari said. “Tom and the staff have gotten a kid that I really liked, I thought was really good. I'm going to be honest, though, I didn't realize he was that good. “Tom saw something that I'm like, well -- and we spent a lot of time recruiting him and he was on our campus. He made every play and then made those free throws after missing one. You think about a young player like he is making that play. I thought from the beginning of the year until now he got way better in pick and roll defense. But I tell you, early in the year it was a struggle for him. The kid has worked hard. He's deserved everything that's coming his way right now and the staff did a great job with him.’’

IU's freshman center scored 17 of his game-high 19 points in the final 10 minutes of the 73-67 win over Kentucky in second round of NCAA Tournament. DES MOINES, Iowa – Thomas Bryant scored two points in the first 30 minutes of Saturday’s second round NCAA Tournament game against Kentucky.   That was a 17 foot baseline jumper he made with about 5 minutes to play in the first half. Some of that was because he picked up two quick fouls again and would sit more than 10 minutes in the first half. The other reason is that the freshman center simply wasn’t demanding the ball enough in the post and often settling for holding the ball on the perimeter.   All of that changed in the game’s final 10 minutes. Bryant would score 17 of his game-high 19 points to lead No. 5 seed Indiana to a 73-67 victory over No. 4 seed Kentucky Saturday afternoon at the Wells Fargo Arena.   Bryant had some big shots inside and also connected on 7 of 9 free throws including two with 10.4 seconds remaining that put the Hoosiers on top 71-67.   Indiana (27-7) advances to the Sweet Sixteen in Philadelphia on Friday and Sunday of next week where it will first meet the winner of Saturday’s North Carolina-Providence game. For IU it’s the third Sweet Sixteen for head coach Tom Crean in the last five seasons. It’s also the third time in the last five years that Indiana has won at least 27 games in a season.   The last time Indiana went to three Sweet Sixteen’s or beyond in a five year period was when the Hoosiers did so in four consecutive seasons from 1991-94.   Bryant played with passion, emotion and a will where it was clear that he wanted the ball in his hands in crunch time. And when it was all over, he let his emotions spill over as yelled in the direction of the IU fans in attendance in Des Moines.   Bryant was asked what he said and he replied, “I told them ‘That’s why I’m here.’’   Earlier in the second half, IU coach Tom Crean had a message for his big freshman center. He told him he wanted Bryant to attack more in the second half.   “The point of emphasis I had was staying on the attack,’’ Bryant said. “Coach told me that he wanted me to attack more, you know, get a quick whip or get a quick bucket down there on the block when I can. He believes in me, and I just went with the coach's plan, you know. Luckily it turned out that way.’’   And then later, after IU saw a nine-point lead evaporate as Kentucky cut that lead to two at 69-67, Bryant was fouled with 10.4 seconds to play and had two foul shots. He had just missed two others in the previous minute but he calmly made both to put the Hoosiers on top 71-67.   Fellow freshman teammate Juwan Morgan said there was no doubt in his mind that Bryant was going to make the two foul shots at the end.   “We made eye contact right there and he looked at me and mouthed, ‘I’ve got this,’’’ Morgan said. “And I knew he did. Thomas is a really good free throw shooter and I had complete confidence in him in that moment.’’   Max Bieleldt said Bryant is mentally tough. Troy Williams said Bryant was a player he was happy to see go to the line in that situation. Collin Hartman said Bryant may only be a freshman but he doesn’t play like that in clutch situations.   “Thomas is a really hard worker,’’ Hartman said. “And he’s a great example of that hard work paying off.’’   Bryant was asked what was going through his mind when he stepped to the free throw line with the game hanging in the balance.   “I was just trying to stay calm, you know, calming down, breathing, and then not letting my adrenaline pump so much to where it was too much for me,’’ Bryant said. “I just wanted to calm down. My teammates were there talking to me. We go through this in practice all the time, so I was just lucky to make 'em.’’   Kentucky coach John Calipari said he spent a lot of time recruiting Bryant. And the thing that has impressed him the most is how much he has improved since he got on campus at Indiana.   “He was right down the street from us and the biggest thing I want to tell you is his family should be proud of how much better he's gotten,’’ Calipari said. “Tom and the staff have gotten a kid that I really liked, I thought was really good. I'm going to be honest, though, I didn't realize he was that good.   “Tom saw something that I'm like, well -- and we spent a lot of time recruiting him and he was on our campus. He made every play and then made those free throws after missing one. You think about a young player like he is making that play. I thought from the beginning of the year until now he got way better in pick and roll defense. But I tell you, early in the year it was a struggle for him. The kid has worked hard. He's deserved everything that's coming his way right now and the staff did a great job with him.’’ [url=https://btownbanners.com/page/index.html/_/basketball/bryant-comes-up-big-to-lead-iu-over-kentucky-r327]Click here to view the article[/url]

No, this was definitely Crean's offer and Cal wanted all neutral site games. Cal offered a three-year deal with Indy, Indy and Louisville.

It’s amazing to me how much things can change in the course of less than a week. Six days ago, Indiana fans were mourning the performance that Indiana had against Michigan in the Big Ten Tournament, a loss that knocked the top-seeded Hoosiers out on the first day, prevented IU from facing Purdue for a second time and likely dropped the Hoosiers a seed line or two in the NCAA Tournament. After that performance, Indiana fans worried just what team they were going to see in the NCAA Tournament. And I think that was a fair criticism. The Hoosiers didn’t look anything last Friday like they had looked for the majority of January and February this season. Fast forward to Thursday night and the 99-74 beating that Indiana put on Chattanooga, a team that had won 29 games and beaten a few decent teams along the way. But Indiana was great at times Thursday night. It played with passion, it played with energy and it was the Indiana team that Hoosier fans had hoped they were going to see last weekend in Indianapolis playing out before their eyes. Chattanooga coach Matt McCall placed heavy praise on the Hoosiers after the game almost prophesizing that he expects IU to move to the Sweet Sixteen and beyond. “We just ran into, by far, hands down, the best team that we've played all year,’’ McCall said. “No question the most talented team we've played all year and all the credit goes to Coach Crean and Indiana on how well they played tonight.’’ McCall said the Mocs had no answer for what IU was doing offensively. “We had some chances I thought we could cut into the lead,’’ McCall said. “We got it down to 13 and 12 and they always seemed to have an answer and that's by far the best team that we've faced all year and we've played some really, really good ones. So give Coach Crean and Indiana credit as far as how they played and prepared and came into this game. There is no question that I think they're going to make a really deep run into this thing with how talented with the ball, and Yogi Ferrell did an unbelievable job controlling the game. And that's why he is one of the best point guards in the country. “So give Indiana credit the year they had. It's no question they won the Big Ten for a reason because of how good they are and I could see those guys making a deep run into this thing so give them credit.’’ There were a few statistics that jumped off the page in the box score for me in this one: ****Yogi Ferrell had his FIRST CAREER DOUBLE DOUBLE with 20 points and 10 assists. Let that one sink in for a second. His first career double-double. He had two previous double digit assist games in those games had seven and nine points. ****OG Anunoby was spectacular. He had a 360 dunk early and then that last one was just sick. He made a move into the lane and then just found a way to elevate and throw down a reverse jam. He finished with 14 points on 6 of 7 shooting from the field. ****The Hoosiers shot 60.7 percent from the field in the first half and then decided that wasn’t good enough and hit 69 percent in the second half (20 of 29 field goals). They finished at 37 of 57, 64.9 percent. ****Indiana had 23 assists on 37 baskets. ****The Hoosiers made 10 of 16 3-pointers. ****Robert Johnson looked really good in his first game back. He made all three of his field goal attempts including a 3-pointer. He had seven points and six assists and no turnovers. He also had a blocked shot. In fact, he did a really nice job on the defensive end in particular. But this wasn’t one outstanding performance over another. This was a nine-man, team victory by an Indiana basketball team absolutely needed the kind of performance it exhibited Thursday night. If IU plays like this on Saturday, Matt McCall’s prediction could quite possibly come true.

The Indiana team that didn't show up in the B1G Tournament last week in Indianapolis was on display Thursday at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. Here are my thoughts following IU's convincing 99-74 victory over Chattanooga. It’s amazing to me how much things can change in the course of less than a week.   Six days ago, Indiana fans were mourning the performance that Indiana had against Michigan in the Big Ten Tournament, a loss that knocked the top-seeded Hoosiers out on the first day, prevented IU from facing Purdue for a second time and likely dropped the Hoosiers a seed line or two in the NCAA Tournament.   After that performance, Indiana fans worried just what team they were going to see in the NCAA Tournament. And I think that was a fair criticism. The Hoosiers didn’t look anything last Friday like they had looked for the majority of January and February this season.   Fast forward to Thursday night and the 99-74 beating that Indiana put on Chattanooga, a team that had won 29 games and beaten a few decent teams along the way. But Indiana was great at times Thursday night. It played with passion, it played with energy and it was the Indiana team that Hoosier fans had hoped they were going to see last weekend in Indianapolis playing out before their eyes.   Chattanooga coach Matt McCall placed heavy praise on the Hoosiers after the game almost prophesizing that he expects IU to move to the Sweet Sixteen and beyond.   “We just ran into, by far, hands down, the best team that we've played all year,’’ McCall said. “No question the most talented team we've played all year and all the credit goes to Coach Crean and Indiana on how well they played tonight.’’   McCall said the Mocs had no answer for what IU was doing offensively.   “We had some chances I thought we could cut into the lead,’’ McCall said. “We got it down to 13 and 12 and they always seemed to have an answer and that's by far the best team that we've faced all year and we've played some really, really good ones. So give Coach Crean and Indiana credit as far as how they played and prepared and came into this game. There is no question that I think they're going to make a really deep run into this thing with how talented with the ball, and Yogi Ferrell did an unbelievable job controlling the game. And that's why he is one of the best point guards in the country.   “So give Indiana credit the year they had. It's no question they won the Big Ten for a reason because of how good they are and I could see those guys making a deep run into this thing so give them credit.’’   There were a few statistics that jumped off the page in the box score for me in this one:   ****Yogi Ferrell had his FIRST CAREER DOUBLE DOUBLE with 20 points and 10 assists. Let that one sink in for a second. His first career double-double. He had two previous double digit assist games in those games had seven and nine points.   ****OG Anunoby was spectacular. He had a 360 dunk early and then that last one was just sick. He made a move into the lane and then just found a way to elevate and throw down a reverse jam. He finished with 14 points on 6 of 7 shooting from the field.   ****The Hoosiers shot 60.7 percent from the field in the first half and then decided that wasn’t good enough and hit 69 percent in the second half (20 of 29 field goals). They finished at 37 of 57, 64.9 percent.   ****Indiana had 23 assists on 37 baskets.   ****The Hoosiers made 10 of 16 3-pointers.   ****Robert Johnson looked really good in his first game back. He made all three of his field goal attempts including a 3-pointer. He had seven points and six assists and no turnovers. He also had a blocked shot. In fact, he did a really nice job on the defensive end in particular.   But this wasn’t one outstanding performance over another. This was a nine-man, team victory by an Indiana basketball team absolutely needed the kind of performance it exhibited Thursday night.   If IU plays like this on Saturday, Matt McCall’s prediction could quite possibly come true. [url=https://btownbanners.com/page/index.html/_/basketball/analysis-now-thats-the-indiana-team-we-th-r325]Click here to view the article[/url]

The big question is whether he'll have to set that single season mark Saturday against Kentucky or will he have at least one more game next week in Philadelphia. We'll soon see.  

Tim Buckley told Robert Johnson apparently after the game that he didn't think that was just a great comeback game for Johnson but rather thought it was the best game Johnson had played all season. Hard to argue with that. He was good on both ends of the floor.    

Robert Johnson sat in the corner of the Indiana locker room Wednesday afternoon at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa and calmly and confidently answered question after question regarding his up-to-the-minute status with regard to playing Thursday in the NCAA Tournament first round game with Chattanooga. As of Wednesday, it had been 26 days since Johnson had injured his left ankle late in IU’s Assembly Hall victory over Purdue. He admitted it had been difficult just sitting there watching his teammates both in practice and in subsequent victories at Illinois and Iowa, before closing the regular season with a win over Maryland on Senior Day. It was hard watching last week’s Big Ten Tournament loss to Michigan, too. “The competitor in me wanted to be out there helping my guys but I just wasn’t ready,’’ Johnson said. “But I thought Harrison (Niego) came in and did some really good things for us and Nick (Zeisloft) really stepped up, too. That made things a little easier knowing that we had guys that could step up and get the job done.’’ As much as Johnson has yearned to play again, he didn’t want to rush things and neither did the IU medical staff. Even as it pertains to Thursday’s first NCAA Tournament game, Johnson expects to play for the first time in nearly a month but the reality is he’ll still need to get the final OK from the medical staff before he can plays against the Mocs. “I’m really close to playing and I expect to play (Thursday),’’ Johnson said. “In fact at this point I’ll be really surprised if I don’t play. But in the end it won’t really be my decision. It will be the doctor’s decision but I completely expect to play.’’ Later, when Indiana went through its public practice at the arena for 40 minutes Wednesday afternoon, Johnson didn’t appear to show any limitations on his ankle. He was able to ease into shots and cut in both directions equally well. But he wasn’t do any live scrimmaging either, at least not in that public practice setting. It was likely much different when the team held its private workout Wednesday in Des Moines. The challenge when you miss that much playing time, however, is always the conditioning aspect. Johnson isn’t expecting any problems in that regard. As he said, he has only missed less than a month of actual playing time and it hasn’t been rushed back because the medical staff wasn’t willing to take any chances. “Earlier on, if I had tried to come back, the conditioning piece might have been a challenge,’’ Johnson said. “But the staff has done a good job of easing me back into live action and simulating game movement to the point where I can get my confidence back and the explosion off my ankle that I’ll require. “As I said before, I’ll be 100 percent confident when I go out and play.’’ Before he got hurt, Johnson had been putting up solid, steady numbers in his sophomore campaign. The 6-3 guard from Richmond, Va. Had started 22 of 28 games and was averaging nearly 26 minutes of playing time per game. He was averaging 8.2 points and 3.5 rebounds. He was shooting 43.6 percent from 3-point range, having hit 48 of 100 shot attempts. Overall, his shooting percentage was 44 percent. He scored 17 points in the win over Notre Dame back in December and 16 when IU beat Michigan on the road in Big Ten play. He also had the game-winning steal in the Assembly Hall victory over Wisconsin. When he got hurt against Purdue on Feb. 20, Johnson had played 27 minutes in the game and had hit a pair of 3-pointers. But late in the game, he said he was driving to the past and as he planted his left foot he hurt his ankle. He knew it right away – pretty much in midair – and at that point was pretty much shut down until this week. Max Bielfeldt said there is no question about how much better Indiana could be if Johnson is able to be re-inserted into the lineup. “When you take someone out of your lineup who has been that important and that much of an integral part of everything you do it just makes things that much more difficult,’’ Bielfeldt said. “So absolutely we can’t wait to have him back and playing. Robert is a really good player and he can do so much for us.’’ When asked about Johnson’s status in his press conference Wednesday, Indiana coach Tom Crean was also optimistic. “Robert is doing more and I would say right now he is definitely probable as long as things continue to move in the right direction that they’re moving now,’’ Crean said. “His first time doing anything of a full court nature was (Tuesday). We worked him out Monday but it was more of a half court situation.’’ Crean said that Johnson has been making steady progress. Looking back though, even if IU had made a deep run in the B1G Tournament, Crean didn’t think Johnson could have played. “Even if we had gone all the way last weekend, I don’t think he would have been able to do that,’’ Crean said. “He’s made a lot of progress though so I think he’s probable.’’ Johnson believed there was a chance he could have played in Indianapolis last weekend. He went through the warmups prior the IU-Michigan game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse but that was as far as things were allowed to go. “I had it in my mind that there was a chance that I could have played last weekend but in the end we decided against it,’’ Johnson said. “You never want to come back too soon, especially at this time of year.’’ Johnson admitted that one of the biggest concerns at this point is from a mental standpoint. “It’s just difficult especially from the fact that at any moment you can tweak it again,’’ Johnson said. “I think it has been the bone bruise that I’ve been dealing with in my left ankle that has been the most pain I’ve been dealing with right now. I think I’m at a good place though and the doctors have really done a good job of getting me prepared to deal with various live situations.’’ Johnson said he is not expecting any limitations on how much he is able to play when he gets out there. “I think once they give me the green light, I should be able to play as much as I’m needed to play,’’ Johnson said.

Ever since Robert Johnson went down after driving to the basket against Purdue Feb. 20, all eyes have been on the sophomore guard and when he potentially could get back in the lineup. It appears the answer to that question is Thursday. Robert Johnson sat in the corner of the Indiana locker room Wednesday afternoon at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa and calmly and confidently answered question after question regarding his up-to-the-minute status with regard to playing Thursday in the NCAA Tournament first round game with Chattanooga.   As of Wednesday, it had been 26 days since Johnson had injured his left ankle late in IU’s Assembly Hall victory over Purdue. He admitted it had been difficult just sitting there watching his teammates both in practice and in subsequent victories at Illinois and Iowa, before closing the regular season with a win over Maryland on Senior Day. It was hard watching last week’s Big Ten Tournament loss to Michigan, too.   “The competitor in me wanted to be out there helping my guys but I just wasn’t ready,’’ Johnson said. “But I thought Harrison (Niego) came in and did some really good things for us and Nick (Zeisloft) really stepped up, too. That made things a little easier knowing that we had guys that could step up and get the job done.’’   As much as Johnson has yearned to play again, he didn’t want to rush things and neither did the IU medical staff. Even as it pertains to Thursday’s first NCAA Tournament game, Johnson expects to play for the first time in nearly a month but the reality is he’ll still need to get the final OK from the medical staff before he can plays against the Mocs.   “I’m really close to playing and I expect to play (Thursday),’’ Johnson said. “In fact at this point I’ll be really surprised if I don’t play. But in the end it won’t really be my decision. It will be the doctor’s decision but I completely expect to play.’’   Later, when Indiana went through its public practice at the arena for 40 minutes Wednesday afternoon, Johnson didn’t appear to show any limitations on his ankle. He was able to ease into shots and cut in both directions equally well. But he wasn’t do any live scrimmaging either, at least not in that public practice setting. It was likely much different when the team held its private workout Wednesday in Des Moines.   The challenge when you miss that much playing time, however, is always the conditioning aspect. Johnson isn’t expecting any problems in that regard. As he said, he has only missed less than a month of actual playing time and it hasn’t been rushed back because the medical staff wasn’t willing to take any chances.   “Earlier on, if I had tried to come back, the conditioning piece might have been a challenge,’’ Johnson said. “But the staff has done a good job of easing me back into live action and simulating game movement to the point where I can get my confidence back and the explosion off my ankle that I’ll require.   “As I said before, I’ll be 100 percent confident when I go out and play.’’   Before he got hurt, Johnson had been putting up solid, steady numbers in his sophomore campaign. The 6-3 guard from Richmond, Va. Had started 22 of 28 games and was averaging nearly 26 minutes of playing time per game. He was averaging 8.2 points and 3.5 rebounds. He was shooting 43.6 percent from 3-point range, having hit 48 of 100 shot attempts. Overall, his shooting percentage was 44 percent.   He scored 17 points in the win over Notre Dame back in December and 16 when IU beat Michigan on the road in Big Ten play. He also had the game-winning steal in the Assembly Hall victory over Wisconsin.   When he got hurt against Purdue on Feb. 20, Johnson had played 27 minutes in the game and had hit a pair of 3-pointers. But late in the game, he said he was driving to the past and as he planted his left foot he hurt his ankle. He knew it right away – pretty much in midair – and at that point was pretty much shut down until this week.   Max Bielfeldt said there is no question about how much better Indiana could be if Johnson is able to be re-inserted into the lineup.   “When you take someone out of your lineup who has been that important and that much of an integral part of everything you do it just makes things that much more difficult,’’ Bielfeldt said. “So absolutely we can’t wait to have him back and playing. Robert is a really good player and he can do so much for us.’’   When asked about Johnson’s status in his press conference Wednesday, Indiana coach Tom Crean was also optimistic.   “Robert is doing more and I would say right now he is definitely probable as long as things continue to move in the right direction that they’re moving now,’’ Crean said. “His first time doing anything of a full court nature was (Tuesday). We worked him out Monday but it was more of a half court situation.’’   Crean said that Johnson has been making steady progress. Looking back though, even if IU had made a deep run in the B1G Tournament, Crean didn’t think Johnson could have played.   “Even if we had gone all the way last weekend, I don’t think he would have been able to do that,’’ Crean said. “He’s made a lot of progress though so I think he’s probable.’’   Johnson believed there was a chance he could have played in Indianapolis last weekend. He went through the warmups prior the IU-Michigan game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse but that was as far as things were allowed to go.   “I had it in my mind that there was a chance that I could have played last weekend but in the end we decided against it,’’ Johnson said. “You never want to come back too soon, especially at this time of year.’’   Johnson admitted that one of the biggest concerns at this point is from a mental standpoint.   “It’s just difficult especially from the fact that at any moment you can tweak it again,’’ Johnson said. “I think it has been the bone bruise that I’ve been dealing with in my left ankle that has been the most pain I’ve been dealing with right now. I think I’m at a good place though and the doctors have really done a good job of getting me prepared to deal with various live situations.’’   Johnson said he is not expecting any limitations on how much he is able to play when he gets out there.   “I think once they give me the green light, I should be able to play as much as I’m needed to play,’’ Johnson said. [url=https://btownbanners.com/page/index.html/_/basketball/robert-johnson-says-hes-ready-to-play-in-n-r324]Click here to view the article[/url]

The question is a simple one. The answer, however, is more in the eye of the beholder. In your opinion, what has to happen for the 2015-16 Indiana University basketball season to be remembered as a successful one? As I see it, there are at least three scenarios that exist at the very least. Let’s begin with the worst case scenario: If Indiana followed up its opening round B1G Tournament loss to Michigan with a first round exit at the hands of Chattanooga on Thursday, will it have been enough that IU was the outright Big Ten regular season champion and won the conference by two full games. In your mind, will that 25-8 record have been a successful season? I’ve heard from some people who have told me they think that in and of itself has made this a successful season. Indiana had not won 15 games or more in the Big Ten is more than 20 years. And an outright Big Ten title is a big deal. Myself, however, I cannot imagine thinking of this season in successful terms if it ended with a pair of first round tournament losses. I think with most people it would leave a sour taste in their mouths and just provide ammunition for fans to be upset about the direction of the program. I think we would be hearing a lot of noise from IU fans on Thursday night and Friday afternoon on the talk shows. So let’s move on to scenario No. 2: If Indiana beat Chattanooga on Thursday but then lost to Kentucky on Saturday, would that be enough to make this season be considered a successful one by IU Nation? Think about it. If that happened, as a No. 5 seed you would have won the game you were expected to win and would have lost the one that, at least seed-wise, you probably wouldn’t have been favored in. So you could probably make the case that a 26-8 finish was a successful season. Still, I don’t know if it would be from the standpoint of having your season end at the hands of a rival like Kentucky or what, but my guess is that most people still wouldn’t be satisfied with that result. I think it was different in 2012 when IU lost to Kentucky in the Sweet Sixteen. Kentucky was a 1 seed and had revenge from the Wat Shot on its minds. An IU hadn’t been to the Sweet Sixteen in several years so it was a new accomplishment. Now it would be another exit before you got to the Sweet Sixteen and I think that’s different. Let’s talk about Scenario No. 3: You beat Chattanooga on Thursday and then knock off Kentucky on Saturday to advance to the Sweet Sixteen in Philadelphia. In the Sweet Sixteen you would likely play top-seeded North Carolina. If that was the case and IU lost at that point, would the season have been a success? I know a lot of people are going to say that in order for this season to have been a success that the program needs to get at least one round beyond where it has in recent years. Twice since the 2011-12 season, IU has lost in the Sweet Sixteen so making it to the Elite Eight could be the Mendoza Line for many IU fans. At the same time, if you get to the Sweet Sixteen and knock off Kentucky along the way, I somehow have to think that this year has been a successful one. Now if you get to the Sweet Sixteen and you’re facing a team other than North Carolina, that could change everything, too. But I still think if this team could get to the Sweet Sixteen it would have 27 wins, a Big Ten outright title, and a win over Kentucky along the way. That’s a pretty good year. I’ve also heard people say that nothing short of a Final Four appearance is enough in their minds for this season to be successful. I think that’s asking a lot for a 5 seed especially when you consider what IU’s road could potentially be to get there. You could potentially have to beat Chattanooga, Kentucky, North Carolina and Xavier to get there and while that would be an impressive feat, I think that may be asking a lot, too. And then if you got there, there’s a good chance you would meet Michigan State in the national semifinals. But again, we’re getting way ahead of ourselves. Thursday’s matchup with Chattanooga could be one where IU has its hands completely full. One thing in the back of the minds of IU fans this week is not to think too much about IU-Kentucky on Saturday. Remember what happened the last time you did that? You were thinking this time last week about IU-Purdue playing last Saturday and that didn’t end so well. My question for you though is a simple one: As an IU fan, is this season already a success or does IU have to do more? And if it’s the latter, how much does IU have to do for the 2015-16 season to be considered a success? I’m looking forward to your responses.

The jury is still out but it's a question that begs to be answered. What does IU have to do in the NCAA Tournament for this to be considered a successful season? The question is a simple one. The answer, however, is more in the eye of the beholder.   In your opinion, what has to happen for the 2015-16 Indiana University basketball season to be remembered as a successful one?   As I see it, there are at least three scenarios that exist at the very least.   Let’s begin with the worst case scenario: If Indiana followed up its opening round B1G Tournament loss to Michigan with a first round exit at the hands of Chattanooga on Thursday, will it have been enough that IU was the outright Big Ten regular season champion and won the conference by two full games. In your mind, will that 25-8 record have been a successful season?   I’ve heard from some people who have told me they think that in and of itself has made this a successful season. Indiana had not won 15 games or more in the Big Ten is more than 20 years. And an outright Big Ten title is a big deal.   Myself, however, I cannot imagine thinking of this season in successful terms if it ended with a pair of first round tournament losses. I think with most people it would leave a sour taste in their mouths and just provide ammunition for fans to be upset about the direction of the program. I think we would be hearing a lot of noise from IU fans on Thursday night and Friday afternoon on the talk shows.   So let’s move on to scenario No. 2: If Indiana beat Chattanooga on Thursday but then lost to Kentucky on Saturday, would that be enough to make this season be considered a successful one by IU Nation?   Think about it. If that happened, as a No. 5 seed you would have won the game you were expected to win and would have lost the one that, at least seed-wise, you probably wouldn’t have been favored in. So you could probably make the case that a 26-8 finish was a successful season. Still, I don’t know if it would be from the standpoint of having your season end at the hands of a rival like Kentucky or what, but my guess is that most people still wouldn’t be satisfied with that result.   I think it was different in 2012 when IU lost to Kentucky in the Sweet Sixteen. Kentucky was a 1 seed and had revenge from the Wat Shot on its minds. An IU hadn’t been to the Sweet Sixteen in several years so it was a new accomplishment. Now it would be another exit before you got to the Sweet Sixteen and I think that’s different.   Let’s talk about Scenario No. 3: You beat Chattanooga on Thursday and then knock off Kentucky on Saturday to advance to the Sweet Sixteen in Philadelphia. In the Sweet Sixteen you would likely play top-seeded North Carolina. If that was the case and IU lost at that point, would the season have been a success?   I know a lot of people are going to say that in order for this season to have been a success that the program needs to get at least one round beyond where it has in recent years. Twice since the 2011-12 season, IU has lost in the Sweet Sixteen so making it to the Elite Eight could be the Mendoza Line for many IU fans. At the same time, if you get to the Sweet Sixteen and knock off Kentucky along the way, I somehow have to think that this year has been a successful one.   Now if you get to the Sweet Sixteen and you’re facing a team other than North Carolina, that could change everything, too. But I still think if this team could get to the Sweet Sixteen it would have 27 wins, a Big Ten outright title, and a win over Kentucky along the way. That’s a pretty good year.   I’ve also heard people say that nothing short of a Final Four appearance is enough in their minds for this season to be successful. I think that’s asking a lot for a 5 seed especially when you consider what IU’s road could potentially be to get there. You could potentially have to beat Chattanooga, Kentucky, North Carolina and Xavier to get there and while that would be an impressive feat, I think that may be asking a lot, too.   And then if you got there, there’s a good chance you would meet Michigan State in the national semifinals. But again, we’re getting way ahead of ourselves. Thursday’s matchup with Chattanooga could be one where IU has its hands completely full.   One thing in the back of the minds of IU fans this week is not to think too much about IU-Kentucky on Saturday. Remember what happened the last time you did that? You were thinking this time last week about IU-Purdue playing last Saturday and that didn’t end so well.   My question for you though is a simple one: As an IU fan, is this season already a success or does IU have to do more? And if it’s the latter, how much does IU have to do for the 2015-16 season to be considered a success?   I’m looking forward to your responses. [url=https://btownbanners.com/page/index.html/_/basketball/analysis-what-will-it-take-for-iu-fans-to-call-r323]Click here to view the article[/url]

So what did we learn Sunday night when the brackets were revealed on CBS’s marathon Selection Sunday Show? We learned that the Big Ten was not taken very seriously by the committee. Michigan State was a 2. Indiana, Purdue and Maryland were all 5 seeds. Iowa and Wisconsin were all on the 7 lines. Michigan is in a play-in game and playing for an 11 spot. I think Tom Crean was a little taken aback by it when Indiana appeared on the screen as a No. 5 seed despite having won the Big Ten outright title by two full games. When we got to speak to Crean and a few players Sunday night in the press room at Assembly Hall, I asked the Indiana coach if he was surprised where the Hoosiers were seeded? I think his read-between-the-lines answer was pretty clear. “The only thing I’m really excited about is I was smart enough to bring our Big Ten Championship trophy down to the room into the team room,’’ Crean said. “I’m glad it was down there because we needed a quick visual reminder that we were a Big Ten champion. “So I’ll leave that for other people to talk about.’’ Crean said he is proud of what this team has accomplished. He said there was no question about that. But he believed what Indiana had done within the context of conference play should have amounted to more in the end. At least that’s what his read-between-the-lines answer seemed to indicate. “Villanova went 8-1 on the road in their league,’’ Crean said. “Ourselves, Michigan State, Kansas, people like that, we went 6-3 on the road in our leagues. We’ve gone through a tough league and I’m proud of the way these guys earned their championship.’’ I think Crean was expecting a little bit more to be given to the outright Big Ten champs. “In the last couple of years I know we were a 1 seed after we won it,’’ Crean said. “I know Michigan was a 2 seed after they won it. I know Wisconsin was a 1 seed after they won it. I don’t have much more to add other than that. I saw John Calipari’s interview with ESPN and he said you’ve got to play the games. He’s exactly right, so here we go.’’ I asked Nick Zeisloft if he felt like the Big Ten would head into the NCAA Tournament with a bit of a chip on its shoulder after the way the seeding turned out. “I mean, seeding-wise it might look like that, but it’s such a great conference anyways,’’ Zeisloft said. “We know it’s a battle-tested conference. It’s a great one and teams are going to see that in the conference.’’ NOTE: BtownBanners will have extensive coverage of the Hoosiers this week beginning Monday with a look at Chattanooga. I will be in on site in Des Moines to bring Btown Banners multiple articles and analysis during the week.

If you look at the Big Ten's seeds Sunday, you could make an argument that all were about one line below what had been expected. Here is my take on it and what Tom Crean had to say Sunday night. So what did we learn Sunday night when the brackets were revealed on CBS’s marathon Selection Sunday Show?   We learned that the Big Ten was not taken very seriously by the committee.   Michigan State was a 2. Indiana, Purdue and Maryland were all 5 seeds. Iowa and Wisconsin were all on the 7 lines. Michigan is in a play-in game and playing for an 11 spot.   I think Tom Crean was a little taken aback by it when Indiana appeared on the screen as a No. 5 seed despite having won the Big Ten outright title by two full games.   When we got to speak to Crean and a few players Sunday night in the press room at Assembly Hall, I asked the Indiana coach if he was surprised where the Hoosiers were seeded?   I think his read-between-the-lines answer was pretty clear.   “The only thing I’m really excited about is I was smart enough to bring our Big Ten Championship trophy down to the room into the team room,’’ Crean said. “I’m glad it was down there because we needed a quick visual reminder that we were a Big Ten champion.   “So I’ll leave that for other people to talk about.’’   Crean said he is proud of what this team has accomplished. He said there was no question about that. But he believed what Indiana had done within the context of conference play should have amounted to more in the end. At least that’s what his read-between-the-lines answer seemed to indicate.   “Villanova went 8-1 on the road in their league,’’ Crean said. “Ourselves, Michigan State, Kansas, people like that, we went 6-3 on the road in our leagues. We’ve gone through a tough league and I’m proud of the way these guys earned their championship.’’   I think Crean was expecting a little bit more to be given to the outright Big Ten champs.   “In the last couple of years I know we were a 1 seed after we won it,’’ Crean said. “I know Michigan was a 2 seed after they won it. I know Wisconsin was a 1 seed after they won it. I don’t have much more to add other than that. I saw John Calipari’s interview with ESPN and he said you’ve got to play the games. He’s exactly right, so here we go.’’   I asked Nick Zeisloft if he felt like the Big Ten would head into the NCAA Tournament with a bit of a chip on its shoulder after the way the seeding turned out.   “I mean, seeding-wise it might look like that, but it’s such a great conference anyways,’’ Zeisloft said. “We know it’s a battle-tested conference. It’s a great one and teams are going to see that in the conference.’’   NOTE: BtownBanners will have extensive coverage of the Hoosiers this week beginning Monday with a look at Chattanooga.   I will be in on site in Des Moines to bring Btown Banners multiple articles and analysis during the week. [url=https://btownbanners.com/page/index.html/_/basketball/analysis-was-big-ten-disrespected-with-ncaa-se-r321]Click here to view the article[/url]

Now that the dust has settled and Indiana basketball fans have begun wrapping their arms around a No. 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament, let’s take a look at IU’s first round opponent No. 12 seed Chattanooga. Indiana and Chattanooga will tip off on Thursday night in Des Moines, Iowa at 7:10 p.m. ET. Here’s what we know: The Moc’s are 29-5 overall and had the same record in Southern Conference play as Indiana had in the Big Ten – 15-3. Chattanooga was 13-1 at home, 10-4 on the road and 6-0 in neutral site games. Chattanooga and Indiana had two common opponents this season – Illinois and Kennesaw State. The Moc’s beat Illinois Nov. 21 in the opening game of the Emerald Coast Classic. That’s one of those events where you play two games on a local site, in this case for Illinois the game was played in Springfield. And then you advance and play two games at another site which for this event was in Niceville, Fla. But Chattanooga defeated the Illini 81-77. The other common opponent was Kennesaw State and the Moc’s won that game 78-66. An interesting note on that one is that they played Kennesaw State on Dec. 18 which means that was four days before Indiana beat Kennesaw State 99-72. So the games were played at about the same time. Indiana beat Illinois twice, winning 103-69 in Bloomington and 74-47 when the teams met in Champaign. Chattanooga also had a good win over Georgia in Athens in the season opener, winning 92-90 in overtime. Georgia went on to have a 19-13 record overall including 10-8 in the SEC. Chattanooga’s five losses were to No. 4 (at the time) Iowa State by 20, Louisiana Monroe by 10, Furman by 15, Western Carolina by six and UNC Greensboro by 15. Here’s a little bit closer look at Chattanooga: The Moc’s have eight players averaging between 6.0 points and 12.3 points per game. The starting five is 6-10 redshirt junior Justin Tuoyo, 6-7 junior forward Chuck Ester, 6-5 redshirt junior Tre McLean, 6-2 junior guard Greg Pryor and 6-4 senior guard Eric Robertson. McLean is the leading scorer and rebounder at 12.3 points and 6.4 rebounds. Tuoyo is averaging 11.1 points and 5.0 rebounds. Ester averages 7.7 points, Pryor averages 9.9 points and 4 assists per game and Robertson is averaging 8.8 points per game. Robertson shot 40.4 percent from 3-point range this season and made 80 3-pointers. As far as team numbers go, Chattanooga shot 45.6 percent from the field, 36.4 percent from 3, 73.3 percent from the free throw line. The Moc’s made more free throws (581) than their opponents attempted (566). They averaged 75.8 points per game and 35.8 rebounds. One note on the scoring, the Moc’s scored over 90 points in six games this season. But in the last 12 games, they only scored more than 80 one time. Another thing is crowds and Chattanooga averaged a home attendance of 3,530 this season. In the Southern Conference Tournament, Chattanooga won three games in a row to earn the automatic bid. But all three games were close. It beat Samford 59-54, Western Carolina 73-69 and Eastern Tennessee State 73-67. I hope to bring you more about the Moc’s when I’m on site in Des Moines beginning Wednesday.

Here is a look at Indiana's first round NCAA Tournament opponent, Chattanooga. Now that the dust has settled and Indiana basketball fans have begun wrapping their arms around a No. 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament, let’s take a look at IU’s first round opponent No. 12 seed Chattanooga.   Indiana and Chattanooga will tip off on Thursday night in Des Moines, Iowa at 7:10 p.m. ET.   Here’s what we know: The Moc’s are 29-5 overall and had the same record in Southern Conference play as Indiana had in the Big Ten – 15-3.   Chattanooga was 13-1 at home, 10-4 on the road and 6-0 in neutral site games.   Chattanooga and Indiana had two common opponents this season – Illinois and Kennesaw State.   The Moc’s beat Illinois Nov. 21 in the opening game of the Emerald Coast Classic. That’s one of those events where you play two games on a local site, in this case for Illinois the game was played in Springfield. And then you advance and play two games at another site which for this event was in Niceville, Fla.   But Chattanooga defeated the Illini 81-77.   The other common opponent was Kennesaw State and the Moc’s won that game 78-66. An interesting note on that one is that they played Kennesaw State on Dec. 18 which means that was four days before Indiana beat Kennesaw State 99-72. So the games were played at about the same time.   Indiana beat Illinois twice, winning 103-69 in Bloomington and 74-47 when the teams met in Champaign.   Chattanooga also had a good win over Georgia in Athens in the season opener, winning 92-90 in overtime. Georgia went on to have a 19-13 record overall including 10-8 in the SEC.   Chattanooga’s five losses were to No. 4 (at the time) Iowa State by 20, Louisiana Monroe by 10, Furman by 15, Western Carolina by six and UNC Greensboro by 15.   Here’s a little bit closer look at Chattanooga:   The Moc’s have eight players averaging between 6.0 points and 12.3 points per game.   The starting five is 6-10 redshirt junior Justin Tuoyo, 6-7 junior forward Chuck Ester, 6-5 redshirt junior Tre McLean, 6-2 junior guard Greg Pryor and 6-4 senior guard Eric Robertson.   McLean is the leading scorer and rebounder at 12.3 points and 6.4 rebounds. Tuoyo is averaging 11.1 points and 5.0 rebounds. Ester averages 7.7 points, Pryor averages 9.9 points and 4 assists per game and Robertson is averaging 8.8 points per game. Robertson shot 40.4 percent from 3-point range this season and made 80 3-pointers.   As far as team numbers go, Chattanooga shot 45.6 percent from the field, 36.4 percent from 3, 73.3 percent from the free throw line. The Moc’s made more free throws (581) than their opponents attempted (566). They averaged 75.8 points per game and 35.8 rebounds.   One note on the scoring, the Moc’s scored over 90 points in six games this season. But in the last 12 games, they only scored more than 80 one time.   Another thing is crowds and Chattanooga averaged a home attendance of 3,530 this season.   In the Southern Conference Tournament, Chattanooga won three games in a row to earn the automatic bid. But all three games were close. It beat Samford 59-54, Western Carolina 73-69 and Eastern Tennessee State 73-67.   I hope to bring you more about the Moc’s when I’m on site in Des Moines beginning Wednesday. [url=https://btownbanners.com/page/index.html/_/basketball/indianas-first-ncaa-opponent-chattanooga-r322]Click here to view the article[/url]

Good stuff sir. And probably spot on with how a lot of people feel. If they play well in the NCAA Tournament but run into the wrong matchup and lose I don't think that's a bad thing. But if they play down to the level of their competition and get beat or don't show up in a big game, that's something else. And I think we can all agree on the fact that the Michigan game has just added to the feeling of uncertainty heading into the NCAA Tournament.   So let's just hope Indiana plays like it did for most of January and February and see what happens.    

Unfortunately seeding does matter and while I get the Elite Eight or bust to an extent, I think you have to be realistic, too. That said, I'm a believer that if we see:   1. Good Troy 2. 3-pointers falling 3. Better help side defense   This team is Elite Eight or beyond worthy.   So who knows, right?  

You're right about my IU-Kentucky advice. I should probably keep that to myself. I guess when I say it out loud it adds to my therapy though. But you're right, hope all you want and I can just say that I hope you get the matchup you want because that would be a ton of fun.    

I'm always one for a good conspiracy theory and in this case I do think something doesn't smell right. But if we get IU-Kentucky on Saturday I cannot wait to watch that point guard matchup.  

One thing I found interesting was Matt Painter's remarks on the Big Ten Network last night when he was asked about the Big Ten's seeding. He felt Michigan State was a 1 and he thought Indiana was a 3. He said that Purdue was really looking forward to playing IU on Saturday because they were a team ranked ahead of them and that you always want to play those kinds of teams at this point of the year.   I agree about Blackmon Jr. on defense but I still think losing him hurts a team. And there's no doubt IU needs Johnson back this week, if not for the first game but especially in the second game if IU is able to get there.

  Agree with Maui Invitational and Duke. Ugly times. Wondered where this program was headed at that point. Beating Notre Dame was a good win and especially the way Indiana won in comeback fashion. 20-3 since Duke for the rest of the regular season before letting a desperate Michigan team hang around and that's a recipe for disaster. Penn State was a bad loss but Maryland, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan ... all had a bad loss, too. Maryland lost to Minnesota. What you don't mention is that we lost our leading scorer going into the Big Ten and went 15-3 and won the title outright by two games. You can say all you want about Blackmon's defense but a lot of teams don't recover when they lose their leading scorer. Indiana also lost Robert Johnson for the stretch run of the Big Ten and won all of its final regular season games despite that fact. IU was the No. 10 ranked team in the nation in the final poll ... and got a 5 seed. Michigan State was the No. 2 ranked team in the nation and got a 2 seed. I think you make some good points but I think there's more to the story that you're painting, too.