ray

I read through a few of these threads, and they all seem about the same. There is no confidence from the fan base, and the overall perceived outlook is dismal. This much I can understand. However, I haven't been on BTB much this season (or any other IU basketball forums), and I believe it's because even if the performance on the floor becomes significantly improved, there will still be so much negativity surrounding the basketball program. I'm not impressed either, but gee-my-knees-christmas, some of you kids should attempt to crawl out of the perpetual darkness, even if only briefly, to take a few deep breaths and reach hard for even a small hint of optimism. It will make life more pleasurable, I can almost assure you.

He may wonder if he's the father, and if so, then that could explain the lack of enthusiasm. If my son outgrows me by 2 feet, then it might raise some questions and concerns in my head...so, I get it.

Sign him up. I like his name.

Hey, Chris, how many bases are you using? I wouldn't mind seeing a layout of your diamond, if you get the chance. Thanks! Edit: I guess the game isn't over just because someone ran all the bases.

That looks more like a Simple Deluxe fan. This is the closest thing I could find to a true fan.

After spending twenty minutes skimming through the posts on this thread from today, I realize I have wasted too much time reading an ongoing argument about whose opinions are more accurate than the opinions of others. Woodson is not being fired and we already missed on Dalton Knecht, so why did I even bother? I'll spend my time watching TJD slam on Wemby instead.

I think it's unfair to tell someone they possess tone deaf opinions, and then use a single social media "heresay" post to state what the "whole truth" is. No one with a social media presence (not even Trilly) is being fact-checked before typing out and posting their opinions. I'm sure, as codesbane tried to say and you apparently missed, this is likely a culmination of many factors. With that said, though, I think JSHoosier made a point that needs highlighted...and an opinion I believe you share. The fans most certainly have been a steady positive for 20+ years. Even during the post-Sampson era dumpster fire and the horrific record of Crean's beginnings at Indiana, Assembly Hall was selling out. Most fans are, and have been, supportive of even the worst of Indiana's teams. Some fans are toxic, and I would never condone such things as booing a team on the court to get into a coach's head or to prove a point to the administration, but any program with a strong and loyal fanbase will have some toxicity. Has anyone directly involved in the maintaining or firing of Woodson reported that either May or Pearl have said they would absolutely take the job? Have either of those potential candidates said publicly that if IU offers, then they will for certain accept the job? You say, as a matter of fact, they both would. Would they? Pearl has commented that he loves Indiana, but he's in a good place now with phenomenal pay and seemingly less expectations. He's also probably near his retirement. Would he want to start over from scratch with what seems like a limited time frame? Maybe. Maybe not. Would May leave what he's built for the pay raise and the promotion an Indiana HC job offers, or would he choose to stay in sunny Florida where his job is seemingly secure for a distant foreseeable future? I do think he would take the job, but I don't believe anyone knows that with certainty. I do agree the program is better off sending Woodson packing, and it would have been nice to at least see if either accepted. I would be FAR more hopeful with either at the helm.

I hope Indiana wins. I hope they win this one, and then I hope they win against Michigan State. I especially hope they beat MSU, because I cannot stomach Tom Izzo. I want them to win at least a couple games in the Big Ten Tournament. I hope they win some NIT games too. I hope they finish strong, and I hope for this because I want that for the players. The players are who I root for, and I always root for Indiana. It's fun to root for your favorite team, especially at this time in the season. The more games I can root for them, the better. Unlike some on this board, I wasn't excited by the Mike Woodson hire. Like many on this board, I think it is time to move on from him as the coach. I hope they do, but I sure hope they don't whiff again. The head coaching job in Bloomington is a very short tenure. The signing of the contract is done in a heated seat. This would be the eighth coach in 25 years. I hope they make necessary coaching changes, despite the way this team finishes. I hope Xavier Johnson ends on a high note. He's suffered through a whole lot of painful injuries and was forced to watch many games from the bench. I hope Ware gets to celebrate with this team some more, because I'm excited for his future and I think it's cool he chose to wear the candy stripes. I hope Leal gets to experience a bit more success while enjoying his increased playing time. It is a priceless reward for his loyalty to the school and his good attitude towards his team during his entire IU career. I really like Galloway. I love that he didn't waver with the coaching change, and I want good things for him too. I think Walker is an easy guy to root for, and his time is at its end too. I hope he ends with a sense of accomplishment to add to his success with Miami. I don't want them to lose, regardless of the coach or the implications of a win. I root for this team, and I have for damned near 50 years. I will never root against the players who choose to play for "my team". Go Hoosiers!

I made the trip for my first women's basketball game at Assembly Hall. I tried Yogi's for the first time, I received a Teri Moren bobblehead, I saw Indiana beat Purdue, and I saw Mackenzie Holmes make history. I still can't make the a** drop on my drop-top, but it was a good day.

I get your point. I tend to take the half-full approach to almost everything. I am glad they climbed back from an 18-point deficit and won, especially on the road. The alternative was to end with a loss, and potentially a blow-out loss, so I will relish the moment. However, I can also understand how someone could be disappointed they had to fight back from an 18-point deficit to begin with. As a long-time Indiana fan, I remember watching Indiana teams play like they were trailing by 18 for forty minutes every night, even if they were up by 18. I miss flipping on the television and expecting those types of performances, but I will always celebrate any tally mark in the win column. Just as some get excited by 18-point comebacks, others are disappointed by 18-point deficits. I understand both.

This is a very neat and well-written article about Holmes. https://www.insidethehall.com/2023/11/28/just-a-girl-from-maine-mackenzie-holmes-is-an-inspiration-to-hoosiers-and-mainers-alike/

I had to watch the game late, but I'm seeing it now as it comes to an end for me. I'm sure it's been discussed, but Johnson for UConn is allowed to jump onto the back of Sparks (literally) and that is no longer called an "over the back" foul? I just want to know the new rules. Thank you.

Mow them. It's better for the soil and much easier on the back.

Thank you. I agree with your entire first paragraph. Also, I have been asking him those types of questions while we watch games, and I've even pulled out the dry erase/magnetic board to have him "move himself" in different situations. I appreciate your feedback!

Yes, I agree. He's playing with kids who mostly know very little (if anything) about spacing. I coached youth soccer teams, and spacing was what I placed the most emphasis on...and after "beating it into their heads" for months, they were quite good near the end of the season simply because they understood spacing as a team. But, then I would get a whole new set of kids the following year who weren't taught about spacing and it was months of chaos again. I appreciate the videos. I'll show them to him. I'm aware he could move better than any 12-year old and still never get a pass made to him...but, I want to keep feeding his hungry mind because it should pay off down the road when other kids begin to better grasp the concepts.