DChoosier

Man, coaching is really easy. The announcers said Izzo told the team, during their timeout, “now we are going on a run” and they came out and went on a 13-0 run. Maybe Archie should have just said “let’s score more than them”.

Other than the first few minutes their defense has looked awfully good. EDIT: other than the first few minutes and last 6 minutes....LOL

Remind me again how we beat MSU twice :)

Thank you, thank you. That thread is very entertaining.

I’m with you on this if he projects (I have no idea) to be at least a decent backup. In another thread I mentioned hearing a Brian Snow podcast in which he said none of the last three Indiana native 5 stars (TJD, Brooks, Romeo) grew up being IU fans. Culturally/program/locker room I think the program needs some players that bleed IU.

These are only opinions, of course, but I don’t see how you think he is on schedule. Due to the injuries I’d give him a C so far with the sincere hope that he aces the next 20 years. I just have a tough time agreeing a coach that started with Romeo and Morgan, has not instilled his supposed “tough guy” mentality after two years, loses 12/13, watches Smith “dog it” in first halves but starts him in the second and has multiple games in which players openly admit they did not bring it...including a virtual play-in game against OSU, is on schedule.

Bummer. We would have landed him if he had been looking for a creepy uncle rather than a father figure.

Not great to hit 8 threes in a half but only be up a point.

And stand in line.

Two of the things I wanted was for them to play hard and make the tourney (not a long run) this year...especially when he started with argueably 2 of the best 10-12 players in the Big Ten. I’m not saying fire him but am saying he did not meet expectations. I could buy the injuries costing us the tourney but it’s still hard to ignore the lack of effort and think we should have won at least two of these 7 games (Rutgers/Minnesota/Iowa twice/Nebraska/Northwestern/OSU in BTT) which would have put us in the tourney. If the team that beat MSU twice played with consistent effort they would have made the tourney. The “we just didn’t bring it”, “we came out flat” comments from players and coaches, after multiple games, was disheartening. Hopefully we have a positive, healthy season next year and at least one alpha dog/tough player helps drive these guys.

I agree we need a big but think we will have room for both a big and shooter. Watching Auburn, Purdue, Texas Tech, Virginia, etc etc etc I would really like to have a shooter that scares the heck out of the defense when getting into position to shoot. We have guys that get hot but no one that stretches defenses out to the perimeter. There would be times when Romeo would get the ball 15 feet out (instead of a useless handoff from the top of the key) and all 5 defenders would be below the free throw line because they were not remotely worried about our perimeter.

Yes you can brag. Thanks for the suggestions. In a million years I never would have thought to look at the rosters or staff :)

Most pre season predictions in their first year disagree. They had IU around 5th in the BT and OSU 8-9. Matta’s last two teams went to the NIT and then no tourney at all.

Three things: You are right, a one season ultimatum is meaningless. In this case, however, year three will be upon us soon. Your patience is admirable. Are you available to conduct my year-end job review? It would be awesome if you could review my progress/job instead of my boss. :)

I agree we often did not get the ball to players in places in which they could score. That being said.....You seem to think we had guys that could stretch/alter defenses. Who? Al had his games but in plenty of others it was clank city (and I really like Al as he was one of the few that always seemed to care and put out effort). Rob was inconsistent. Fitz was very inconsistent. Smith is only a three point shooter in his mind. Green definately had his moments but I think we need another shooter. Really need another shooter.

I do not think any of our competitors defenses were disrupted because they were afraid of us from the perimeter. We need someone that will alter their defenses.

We need both. Big time. Another big and a guard that is a three point threat that can score and help spread the floor. Hopefully they are both Sheehey or Yogi type personalities.

I have very mixed feelings about Auburn but feel bad their best player hurt his knee. Really bad luck. Cheating aside (ie an assistant coach pleading guilty) they looked awfully good against UNC. I have been impressed with the speed of UNC’s transition offense but Auburn’s speed....holy S#&T.

I agree Duke got calls in that game but it would have been a moot point if UFC could have hit one of their last two or three shots.

Let’s not forget that Hill missed a wide open 2 footer and that VA Tech had the ball even though Blackshear clearly stepped out of bounds.

Oops, misread that you said we would not take one.....

This does not include Brunk, since he has two year left. I don’t want grad transfers being our mo but we need a shooter so badly are you sure we would pass up a good shooting grad student (and no, I don’t mean one that average 4points a game at St Mary’s ) ?

I have no inside knowledge but based on little playing time, Race getting time, and especially if we get Brunk, I would not be suprised if Jake leaves.

I get what you are saying but Archie obviously knew we needed another big, especially when Davis was out, but did not trust a second year player (that he saw every day in practice) enough to put him in. That told me all I needed to know.

As my wife will attest....I know nothing. My guess,, however, is that the Watfords reached out because the following happened or looked possible: LSU out because of Wades problems Alabama fired Johnson Memphis-rumors that his AAU couch was leaving Duke - no offer yet and not clear if Hurt commits. IU as a fallback probably sounded good around the Watford family kitchen table. Now that the coach is staying at Memphis I bet it is them or Duke if they offer with us as a relatively far behind third choice.