Honkyman

It doesn't make sense for anyone on this team to transfer. With four players either graduating or going to the NBA, there will be more opportunity for playing time. Plus, top schools won't be interested in these players. If Davis graduates, he might want to use his last year of eligibility to go to a program that has a chance to compete for a title next year. Like or not, the current squad minus the three graduating and one going to the NBA (plus the two commits) is probably the IU team next year. Unless the current team shows some life during the rest of this season, it will be difficult to attract any more players of real value.

I'm feeling nostalgic for Kelvin Sampson. His Houston Cougars are ranked #12 in the country and some are calling them a potential Final Four team--with no NBA draft picks. Too bad he got slippery with the text messages while in Bloomington. He can coach. In article in Yahoo Sports today says his singular skill is "his ability to motivate and connect with players to drive them to play with unflinching aggression." We could use some of that motivation this year.

The team moves the ball much better with Davis at center, as was demonstrated in the Michigan State game. Davis should start at the 5 and Morgan at the 4.

Knight didn't walk into a pot party--he heard about it. Then he quizzed the players. The ones who lied to him were tossed off the team (Baker, Roberson & Cox). The ones who admitted it to him were suspended but kept on the team (e.g., Mike Woodson).

For somebody who grew up watching Indiana basketball, it is painful to watch this team from the players who can't score to the coach who can't seem to devise a fluid enough offense to put the players in a position to score. Archie may have been a good coach at Dayton but he hasn't learned how to coach at this level yet. I bet I'm like a lot of fans--willing to give Archie latitude. But he has to make adjustments. This team doesn't lack talent--it has two of the best players in the conference. And some of the other players like Justin Smith were highly recruited.

Actually, the only current IU player who is both basketball savvy and not soft is Juwan Morgan who was not recruited by Archie. Watching last night, I was struck by how lacking in good basketball judgment most of our players are. Over and over Rob Phinisee drives into a crowd of bigs for a layup only to have his shot blocked (although his dunk was sweet). Justin Smith can't finish on many of his shots because he seems to be going for a highlight dunk instead of an easy lay-in. Aside from the occasional hustle play, McRoberts can't shoot, is a poor defensive player and has a tendency to cough up the ball. Romeo is a great talent but too often he exercises poor judgment and shoots a 3-pointer when he isn't really open or when nobody is underneath to rebound if/when he misses. Yes, Archie is here to stay and I believe the vast majority of fans are all inclined to give him latitude. But he clearly hasn't figured out how to coach this team. It's time to go with Al Durham--he makes more than his share of boneheaded moves but he plays with grit and at least is capable of hitting a few shots. Archie has to fix the offense which is absolutely dreadful and find a way to guard against the 3-point shot (his pack line defense has yet to prove itself). There were times down the stretch last night when this team looked good but they couldn't get over the hump--they dug too deep a hole. Archie has to find a way to get the team to play with intelligence and consistency.

My opinion is not that IU won't make the tourney or is not capable of making the tourney. I think and certainly hope they can and will. My opinion is that the way IU has played the past 2 games (2 1/2 games), they are not tournament worthy and if the coaches and players don't fix what is wrong, they will lose many more games--probably too many games to make the NCAA Tournament. The offense is stagnant and the defense is porous. That has to be fixed or IU will not only lose home games to Michigan, Iowa, and Ohio State but also road games to Northwestern, Rutgers, and Illinois.

The last two games, IU has looked like a team that may not win another game this year. That is not a tourney team.

Obviously IU is not playing like a tourney team.

McRoberts makes a couple of hustle plays per game and those are great. But he can't shoot and his defense isn't great either. He should be coming off the bench and playing 10 minutes maximum.

Trump talking is way more painful, although IU's offense causes severe indigestion.

What a pathetic display! IU has two of the best players in the conference and can't even compete with Nebraska at home. This team will be lucky to make it to the NIT. No offensive scheme. Archie is a likable guy, but he has yet to demonstrate yet he can coach at this level.

Devote Green had 15 points against Maryland. He led the way in the 1st half when Indiana jumped out to a lead. Overall, he was 2 for 3 from 3-point range and 5 for 5 from the line, most fouls occurring when he drove to the basket. Yes, he took a couple of bad shots, but generally he played a good game. The plus/minus on him was plus 3. It's hardly accurate to pin the loss on his shooting.

Clifton Moore earns playing time! Fitzner and Smith are complete mysteries. McRoberts didn't add anything. Green hit two clutch 3s and then turns it over the rest of the time he's on the floor. Rob played awful the first half and the first half of the 2nd half and then played great most of the rest of the way. DD spent four minutes fouling out. Romeo was unbelievable the first half and then Penn State handcuffed the 2nd half. Morgan was OK but too many fouls. The team hits free throws and even some threes. A win is great, but we have to beat teams like Penn State and Northwestern that aren't as good as us.

Statistics aren't necessarily the most important indicator of how valuable point guards are to a team. Quinn Buckner led IU to a Final Four his freshman year. He joined the team after starting as a defensive back on IU's football team. His leadership was indispensable to that team's success as it was to the 1974-75 team and the 1975-76 undefeated team. Isaiah Thomas led IU to a Sweet Sixteen his freshman year. Isaiah is one the top five best players in IU history. Yogi Farrell's IU team also went to a Sweet Sixteen, a disappointment since they were ranked Number 1 a good part of the season. But he was critical to that team's success. Vernon Payne was an All American point guard at IU during the Lou Watson years, ranked 9th in IU scoring, and led IU to a Big Ten Championship. Freshmen weren't allowed to play then (1964-68). Vernon Payne was a truly great point guard and often overlooked. In my opinion, he was as good or better than any IU point guard not named Isaiah Thomas or Quinn Buckner.

Duke--93 IU--66

It wasn't just the freshmen who played like freshmen at times. Durham had five turnovers, Smith missed critical free throws and a dunk, and Fitzner failed to even score. IU will only have a chance to beat the top teams if everyone plays well. At this point, IU does not look like a team that beat Michigan or Michigan State. But Romero and Rob and Damezi will improve their games as the year goes and the team will be much improved when the injured players return.

Indiana is just that good a team.