Honkyman

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.