DocLibby

This thread makes me cry! I absolutely love all of you guys. Even the critics are appreciated because you all made Yogi stronger, better, tougher. Just know he gave all he had. Much love! I'll make sure he sees this thread!!

I've watched this game in Wisconsin four times now and I always have to check the date on the DVR because I'm not sure which year I'm watching, because they all look the same.  Yogi and company know that they ALWAYS have to play 5 on 8 ball when they are there and Yogi showed up accordingly.  But another common theme is that we can't seem to get all of the IU players to show up at the same time in the cheese state.  It could be the mental block of "IU hasn't won here since 1998" that is weighing on the freshman but we can only come up with so many excuses.  I'm going to copy and save this comment so I can paste it in the thread next year!  LOL     This Doc and her beloved son love you guys!  Thank you for your undying support!

There are several players that still need to get their head in the game.  We will only win when everyone contributes.  We don't even have an X-factor player for this game....yet.  As usual, I will hold my breath for the second half and hope I don't faint before the end of the game.  We got this.  

            The last few weeks have been a time of reflection combined with excitement for the future that Yogi has worked so hard to create.   It is my hope that his experiences, especially the process of reaching his recent decision, have taught him a ream of life lessons that have a positive impact on who he is and what he loves to do.   He has certainly learned that fans can be unrelenting.   As I go back and sift through the plethora of comments and analysis on whether he should stay or go, it’s easy to form a less than flattering opinion of the fan base. Forgive me if I’m a little jaded coming fresh off of a season where the IU men’s basketball team was booed at home by their own “fans.” Comments such as “Good luck overseas” were comical at best.   We can accept constructive criticism, but social media allowed some people to hide behind the keyboard and their cute, unassuming avi as they spewed their pessimistic and jaundiced view of Yogi and the fact that he would even consider leaving early.   Good enough to lead us to another banner … but not good enough to even consider the NBA.   Shame on him for wanting to continue doing what he loves: play basketball.   Some individuals had a more public platform to shed their non-enthusiastic views of the state of the Indiana University Men’s Basketball program, and the current comings and goings. I suppose every sports program has their very own Rush Limbaughs.   While that portion of the fan base was loud, it was also small. What we have learned above all is that Yogi is loved and appreciated at Indiana University. It is a joy to have the nugatory comments overshadowed by the true fans.   It is no secret that Yogi leaves it “all on the floor.” EVERY practice. EVERY game. Those who have realized that have given Yogi the respect as a basketball player that he deserves and blessed him regardless of his decision to stay or leave.   He certainly is an IU legend in his own right, and he will certainly continue to add to his accomplishments while he joins other elite players on the IU roster this season in the culmination of his four-year endeavor to hang another banner.   The support of so many individuals, including family, teammates, coaches, and fans, helped Yogi sustain a positive attitude while he made his decision. He felt the love of many and the acrimony of only a few. He knew what he had to gain by staying and he knew what he had to gain (yes: gain) by leaving.   The most wonderful thing about either decision was that either way he would continue doing what he loves: playing basketball.   Hoosier nation can now breath a sigh of relief.   I myself have been waiting to exhale since that loss in Nebraska.   As a parent, I sat by encouraging Yogi to make the choice that he himself could live with for the rest of his life … without wondering “What if?” I encouraged him to stay off of social media and sports blog sites. Everyone has an opinion, yet his was the only one that mattered.   Of course I weighed in with my wishes. It was no secret that I wanted him to stay for primarily educational reasons. He hopefully now is understanding the importance of secondary schooling.   Chances are, whatever path he chose for next year, he likely will be done playing basketball before or by the time he is 30 years old. Then what? Now he’ll have a college degree and an opportunity to stay in the sports world as a coach, commentator, or whatever sports-related endeavor he wishes to pursue.   Basketball has always been plan B.   Naturally, I took advantage of my unique position as his Mother to convey my wishes, but I assured him that I would support him no matter what. I successfully lined up a few of my own former college basketball players who one found themselves in the same position of the stay-or-go scenario. I wanted Yogi to get a full picture of what he was contemplating.   Yogi ultimately made his decision having done his research. The decision was not taken lightly.   Selfishly, I’ve become wedded to the Assembly Hall, which was definitely another reason I wanted him to stay. It’s my getaway, if you will. I am not ready to leave any more than Yogi is.   So, yes, education is the motivation to stay, but Hoosier Nation provides great incentives as well, without a doubt.   Thoughts on the future   This team is now “perfect” … or so I am told. But I beg to differ.   I feel like the recent teams of the past have had a great combination as well. After all, we’ve had guys like Victor Oladipo, Cody Zeller, and Noah Vonlah. Were they not good enough for a national championship? No one would argue that they are not elite players.   We are now adding more top Rivals players, but they are “green.” Will they be ready to play? We can only hope so.   I hope that the leadership of the seniors and other upperclassmen on the team help this 2015 team to gel cohesively and quickly. If the past three years have taught me anything, it would be to not over-predict the success or failure of a team before the games begin.   Preseason predictions are sometimes no more than best guesses using tarot cards and a crystal ball. Yogi knows all too well — that a number one ranked team can be beaten by a lesser regarded team any day of the week. Skill certainly contributes to success, but heart and luck belong in a winning recipe as well.   I shall remain optimistic and hopeful nevertheless.   Here’s to a year of hanging banners and breaking records.   Here’s to another year of candy stripes.   Here’s to another year of “Are you Yogi’s Mom?”   Here’s to another year of Assembly Hall and being the sixth man.   Here’s to another year of sideline coaches and radio hosts.   Here’s to another year of basketball know-it-alls … who have never played or coached a day of basketball in their life.   Here’s to another year of blogs and people who claim they never read them.   Here’s to supporting Coach Crean and being crucified for it.   Here’s to not having it any other way.   Here’s to one more year.   And hopefully one more banner.             [url=http://doclibby.net/2015/05/01/yogis-decision/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=yogis-decision]View the full article[/url]

We know you were talking about us when you mentioned the true fans

Awww shucks! Yal got me blushin' like a school girl! I love you guys! ❤️

Hahaha!  I hate steak and I hate announcements.  :stop:  But I would love to celebrate after we banner up!

I guess you guys are stuck with me for another season. I wouldn't have it any other way!!

No one knows ANYTHING! There are no inside sources. Half the rumors are right but then half are wrong. After all, there's a 50/50 chance right? After a few days we can hopefully move on to more important sports topics. In the meantime, I guess we'll just keep guessing

Oh how I love reading this thread! You all are so hilarious!

Well said

This is funny in so many ways

          IU has millions of fans (especially when the bandwagon is full), but only a select few are able to grace the presence of Assembly Hall on a regular basis.   17,472 to be exact.   The Hall may not be as full as we would like these days. Some say the student section has been light as of late. And when the fans don’t show, it’s obvious how quiet it can get in a building that usually has a deafening atmosphere.   I don’t know about you, but I take my position as a sixth man pretty seriously.   My seats are better than most, admittedly. When I yell at the players and tell them to stay “locked in” while they sit on the bench for a short rest, it is heard by all the players and the coaches. I am the sixth (wo)man.   I apologize to anyone who sits around me before the game ever starts. I am passionate about this IU team. Win or lose, I will be cheering until the clock ticks to 0:00.   But what is the point of booing?   Why would I, or anyone, ever boo the IU team at home (or away)? I’m still having a big problem wrapping my head around this one.   We know that we are hurting as fans, but don’t you think that the players and coaches feel even worse? Is it a “herd mentality” that took over for a brief second at the most recent Iowa game? Did one genuine boo turn into hundreds of blind followers? Whatever the case, it is not helping the team.   No doubt, it is hard to keep up the enthusiasm that was echoed after the heartfelt loss at Maryland. Blood, sweat and tears were left on that floor—literally. After that tough road loss, we had some great things to say about this same team that not long ago lost miserably at Michigan State and in other tough road environments. But things seemed to be improving.   Unfortunately, the pendulum has swung back in the other direction in recent games.   Needlessly to say, there will be ups and downs with any sport, and a true fan cares about wins but they care less about losses. Ultimately, it’s all about entertainment. These young men are here to give the fans something to do for 40 minutes. Yes, there is big money in this pastime, and maybe that is why people get so angry about something that is supposed to be fun …   I’m a competitor like Yogi, but I know that a loss will not make or break me. Even though my heart breaks with every loss, I still have to wake up and go to work the next day. The world will still turn, and the young will continue to be restless.   Remember all the things we don’t see as fans   There is one man who may have to worry about employment, but rest assured he will be back for another year and the voices of naysayers won’t change that.   Coach Crean is the head coach, but he has a lot of unsolicited help.   Sideline coaches without perspective are  the worst fans because the only thing a sideline coach sees is the 40 minutes with bright lights and whistles. They don’t see the practices, the film sessions, the late night curfew checks. They don’t witness the off-court leadership. They don’t see the one-on-one conversations with the players.   Players are reduced to their stat lines and become only as good as their last game. Unfortunately, during that 40 minutes nothing else matters, unless you are the coach.   I’m not blind. I know we need presence down low. I know that some players have off shooting nights. I know that the defense has been lacking.   Even I am guilty of second guessing the offense, and questioning why Yogi keeps shooting or is not shooting. And whether he wants to hear it or not, I will often tell Yogi how I thought the game should have gone. (Parents sometimes are the worst sideline coaches because we tend to over-focus on our own child).   So yes, you can be a fan and still be critical, but there is a way to do it without being hurtful, disloyal, or asking for the resignation or firing of certain individuals.   Let’s all move forward together … and pack The Hall on Saturday   There is a very important game that will be played on Saturday versus Michigan State.   Will it make or take a job? Athletic Director Fred Glass says no. I would tend to think that we have a better chance of winning without that added pressure, and I hope that the focus can stay on the game and its players.   Please keep come out in big numbers on Saturday to show your support for these young men who work more hours than you can imagine.    They work hard in the gym so that you can come into Assembly Hall to sing “Indiana, Our Indiana” and be entertained; but what they did not sign up for is booing by their own fans.   This is not a team beyond repair.   And if anyone can recall, we are actually exceeding expectations established by the preseason experts. The excuse of this being a young team has faded, though it is particularly evident at that last home game, which is usually reserved for senior night. But Saturday’s game will end without any senior speeches.   Hopefully the gift that ends our home season to the unwavering Assembly Hall fans will be a win. I’m holding out hope like I always do.   Will you be a faithful fan and join me in Assembly Hall this one last time?   IU Men’s basketball needs their sixth man now more than ever.   Let’s pack the Hall out!      Never daunted … Indiana, we’re all for you.           [url=http://doclibby.net/2015/03/06/hoosiers-need-their-6th-man/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=hoosiers-need-their-6th-man]View the full article[/url]

Of course! It's how I grow :o) (by the way, I am not responsible for backlash. This flock protects me) Okay go

Hahahaha. Funny indeed!

To clear the air and so people can focus on other things, "one last time" is only meant to mean the last home game of the season. I've posted before about all the decisions that we face as a family at the end of EVERY season. This year is no different.