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IU 64 Rutgers 66

Happy to get the conference win against a good OSU team, should be a Q2 win right? Considering OSU is likely going to finish top 5ish of the B10, it's a solid W. Didn't really play great in a lot of phases of the game, but if we keep turnovers low, we'll give ourselves a shot most of the time. The rebounding is just atrocious. Need more from Mack and Ware (Reneau too but he was solid yesterday). Hopefully Ware is just still getting better from COVID. Mack played 13 mins last night... I'm not trying to start narratives but I would seriously not bet too much on him being back next year, one way or another. Personally I can see how Mgbako/Gunn/Banks could all reasonably feel they're not being set up for success/mins are herky jerky. Don't want to make this too much of a discussion at this time of year. I was admittedly very harsh on XJ yesterday and he made a huge difference this game. He is our best guard there's no denying that. There are valid reasons to be optimistic and valid reasons to be pessimistic about this team at this rate. Get a win at Rutger and I'll feel a little more warm and fuzzy. it just looks like they only really play hard in front of the home crowd or after an a$$ chewing for the most part. A lot of confusion between the players at times. I want to see some consistency from these guys as a team and individually.

Stole one at home. Will enjoy a solid conference win. For the most part everything about this team has been covered already.

IU 2 point lead about 2 mins left

Big man's gotta know he can't swipe his hands down like that. It's gonna get called every. single. time.

Lol. Holtmann said in the huddle relax, we're getting great looks. Just slow down and take them then focus on getting second chances.

When a shot comes off the rim, the ball can go in any direction. If you stand in place, you're probably not gonna grab too many. If the other team knows about this thing called boxing out and moving their feet, you're gonna get even less. It literally looks like there is an anti-IU magnetic forcefield around the ball when there's a rebound opportunity lol

Can Gunn play Safety the way he brings it against OSU and UM? Lol

JFC. 3 goes up. 4 white jerseys around the bucket, 1 red. Nobody boxes out. Guy slams a putback. Pathetic.

The sad part is, I feel like this sums up exactly why he will leave after this year. If he returns for year 2 and isn't dominating/still looks athletically challenged/unable to understand schemes, he gets written off as a prospect. Leave now and you can still convince execs based on potential. He won't get drafted before the 2nd round if he were to leave this year but I still think he'd prefer that to the gamble of not excelling in year 2 and wind up being forgotten about/having to try going the TJD route. Transfer even could make sense to him.

That was about as clear as the sky is blue or water is wet.

Kinda pissed I spent the $$$ I did on tickets to see them play @ Rutgers that I did. But I guess it'll be worth it to have some bonding time with my father if nothing else. Hopefully the old ball coach doesn't start chirping our staff lol.

If you're gonna have that strategy for the end of the first half, you've GOT to make sure the 5 guys going on the floor understand EXACTLY what the instruction is. Yes you can't control everything but it's just communicating clearly... to FIVE... guys. Mack's early foul screwed up the whole sequence. Now foul trouble is looming. How is Woody gonna get us over that hump.

Sometimes we play like a team of 6'3-7'1 4th grade girls.

Malik will literally try to muscle up a shot through 3 6'7+ guys before he passes the ball. Lol. Love it when it works.

Yes Mgbako is ultimately the one who did something stupid. But when you've got a freshman in a late clock situation like that, the staff's got to make sure he clearly understands what the instruction is. Yes it's on him but he's clearly trying and there's clearly a miscommunication based on Woody's reaction. Who's not being clear? How do we figure out how to make things more clear for the kids? Coaches got to figure these things out. Would hope to be further along down that road by game 15. I'm still firmly in the "its a long season, who knows what can happen" camp before opining on if Woody's seat should hot (it's not). But this is a really friggin ugly year.... so far! :)

Yes, and with 10 seconds left we were gifted a chance to take the last shot of the half down 1. XJ goes early, gets fouled, makes two free throws. We go up 1. In the next 9 seconds we foul for literally inexplicable reasons. Maybe it's not a master class in how not to end a half, but it's definitely a master class in how to not manage the last 10 seconds of a close game against an important conference opponent. Foul trouble is an issue for this team, we can't afford to do that willy nilly. They all look confused about what they're supposed to/expected to do, as far as I can see. Hard not to have a sour taste in your mouth for only being down 1 after that sequence.

To play so terribly and this still be a 1 point game is wild. We may not be a very good team but we do have an uncanny ability keep most games (at least in SSAH) close this year. Anywhere else, sometimes we can't even keep it close.

Honestly it's got to be close to a record to have 4 fouls within 9 seconds?

WTAF was that Mgbako?

XJ hitting a 4 point play as I open up an unreal can of $h!t talk is the happiest I've ever been to look like an @sshole

What else was he supposed to do in that sequence?

I don't even care about his play. It's all his attitude. He is frantic and flustered on the court. Whining at refs. Making stink face at teammates. Being dramatic throwing his hands up. You can't have that from the oldest guy in the locker room. Keep the troops composed, be a stabilizing force.... then worry about actually playing well (that's a whole other issue)

He should be so freaking embarrassed acting this way. I bet he thinks he's going to be a pro too LOL. He'll get a shake overseas, maybe a summer league contract after school. At best a couple years of G league. I am not trying to beat up on him but holy cow, he plays exactly like a sophomore who made the all-ACC freshman team (he did) and thinks he's on his way to being All American (laughable). He gives me the impression of someone who enjoys playing the part of a D1 hooper as much if not more than actually being one. I'm sure he loves the game and puts in work but whew he's not at all the lead guard on a competitive B10 team.

I'm trying to see the bright side where possible with this team but I mean watching this team compared to other D1 basketball teams is soooo much less enjoyable. Our style, our players, our conference officiating... often a tough watch.