Hardwood83

Over who do you think?

I sadly agree on all points. OSU's defense is the single best unit (offense or defense) in the nation this season. Likely for the last few years. Their offense is just good, but that D is great. I know it's fun to harass them about Michigan owning them, but the Wolverine offense is dog-crap. No way they pull it out this year. For IU to win they'll have to play better than they did against Iowa, Oregon and definitely Penn St.

I've never seen both Archie & Woody at the same time....I think they might actually be the same person!

I want every sports weekend to be like this one!

Absolutely. I am likely cancelling YT TV. Partially because of the ABC/ESPN boon-doggle, but also it's too expensive now. Was $45/mo when I initially got it in place of cable, it is $83/mo now. And every couple of mos there is some drama with XYZ network about contract negotiations. I have several streaming services too, mostly with various promos or discounts from credit cards. It's like a freaking part-time job keeping track of it all on a spreadsheets. Yes, I can afford full price, but I am a tightwad that likes to work the system. Which is still pretty stupid since I don't watch 99% of the content anyway.

I know about Dorn & Drake. What's going on with the other 3?

Iowa St Cyclones.....Cardinal? Auburn Tiger......Eagle?

Free throws, spacing and ball movement, oh my! Regardless of the opponent, those were all much better than anything we've seen over the last several years. Hustling, unselfish play, helping defense. They'll surely get abused inside by certain teams and possibly struggle with athletic teams. But good basketball is good basketball. I'm genuinely excited.

Hmmm, Interesting thought....I think of them as talented with JHS & TJD....but they certainly were not a deep or well-rounded team either.

That is an excellent reminder. It's hard to be patient, but it's not CDD's fault that IU has made so many stupid hires over the last 20+yrs. I am trying to temper my expectations for results (W-L) BUT I am very eager to see a team play smart & hard consistently game in & game out for a change. In other words a little "fast, physical, relentless, smart, disciplined, poised" will go a long way. How long has it been since an IU MBB team OVER-achieved, instead of grossly underachieving? Maybe the 2016 B1G champs?

According to this Evans is out for PSU. Sarratt and Fisher sound likely. No mention of anyone else.

Pre-season if we knew that one of these teams would be undefeated and the other had 5 losses coming into this game, how many people would believe it was IU that was perfect?

Everyone talks about how talented USC is, I'm not buying it. They are extremely average. Nebraska is terrible and was still challenging them with a backup QB. They aren't close to deserving a ranking.

Apparently UCLA is looking to vacate the Rose Bowl: Story and are getting sued as a result. I've been to LA a couple of times and driven past the Rose Bowl, but didn't realize it's 26 MILES from UCLA's campus. USC is actually closer. It might make sense, but still makes me sad. It seems like college sports is intentionally trying to abandon every cherished tradition that makes it special and beloved.

The only body more incompetent and with a worse track record than the NCAA & it's member schools is the US Congress. Leave it to them to 'help' and screw it up even worse.

Liking candy corn says something about your soul.....you don't have one.

If he's 100%? I wouldn't want him to sit. If he's not, then give him the week off to heal up for the stretch run.

I agree. Maryland isn't gonna be a cakewalk, but I think IU can (and should) rest any questionable players for the stretch run.

Any mention of Franke?

Yes to all of this. I watched the YT replay last night and came away thinking "IU didn't play very well" and still got the win against a team that had a lot of advantages against them. I'm not sure how this will translate into the real season, but I am getting pretty confident these guys will compete every night and not give up at the first sign of adversity.

Love this, Indiana basketball should have a culture of playing hard and smart regardless of how much talent they have. So tired of stupid, indifferent basketball over the last 20yrs.

Couldn't happen to a nicer guy. Of all the jerk head coaches, Brian Kelly is top of the list. Just an insufferably arrogant @ssho!e.

ET

I'm likely showing my ignorance of this new world of revenue in college sports, but don't they HAVE significantly less revenue without football, though? ETA- HoosierDevils addressed above

I think he means revenue generation. The Wall St suits aren't gonna care about prestige or winning, they want ROI. From what I have seen over the last few years it seems basketball is an afterthought in the conference scramble.