HoosierHoopster

I’ll push back a bit but won’t keep the discussion going bc I know I’m beating my dead horse. (Lol) Staff started and played Kopp and Stewart all year last year bc of exp and the “threat” of their virtually nonexistent outside shooting. They were and really have been focused on experience over talent/developing talent in game. Race is the big example this season. Despite how well — much better than any other time this year — we played during that run without him, and how poorly he played his first game back, he was injected into the starting group again ag Minn and played 24-25 min and we almost lost. It’s still clear he’s not 100 percent, even Vitale was commenting on it yesterday, the mobility is not there, he was the first player in the game to 4 fouls, he wasn’t contributing much offensively and was at best ok defensively. This is not me disrespecting or not appreciating Race, we’re better with him playing, he is a smart, experienced player and his experience helped when he was put back in late, he was in perfect position when the PU player left his feet and had to throw a pass baseline leading to the steal, and then the inbounding — but Malik was clearly the better all around player yesterday, he looks to be getting past his foul issues, and during our big run of games it was JG, including a 30 min excellent game, and Malik that had us going with TJD up front - but then just stick Race right back in despite that bc he can play again? That’s not a good decision, it’s over-reliance on experience. However, Malik logged 20 min yesterday — 20 impactful, important minutes, so progress. I’m looking forward to seeing more of that and, hopefully, more of JG with TJD and/or Malik. The athletic, attacking play is better with them — and I don’t want to see us punked again by Rutgers

The feedback he got from the NBA folks is that they are not concerned with his outside shooting, they wanted to see more P&R and finishing with either hand against rim protection, transition game, footwork, putting it on the floor, rebounding and blocks — what he’s been doing is what the GM’a/coaches wanted to see

Newton’s still one of my favorite players. Left it all on the floor.

He gone! kidding around aside, when you’re having a year like this (and a senior) you capitalize on it and don’t risk injury etc. He’ll be in the League.

Just me, but that sounds more like dad then son, that’s a second hand read from a dad who wants to see his son playing. The little I still hear (not a lot) is he’s happy, and he sure looks it on the bench. All these guys want to play of course, but the team looks very much bonded, they all respect Woodson, and the young guys know Race, X and TJD are graduating, and JHS is probably going pro.

Ha, right there with you. — Malik has stood out to me even more in the second half. He came in and immediately stopped the bleeding inside, 2 big stops in a row, then when PU had another mini run going he did it again and then got great position, read the back door play for TJD and executed a sweet lob to him rught past Edey. He’s moving more fluidly now, avoided fouling, i think he’s getting the college speed and defensive reads down, going to be a beast next season. So paused playback to type the above in second. A bit later When PU cut it to 4 on a three, JHS got it to Malik on the right side, and he went right at Edey and used his hook shot for another key score. Gamer

JHS orchestrated the O beautifully today. He’s been raising our all around O with the defense reads, and we now actually have an inside out game, creating space, significantly aided by how much better TJD has gotten playing out of double teams. That combination of JHS’s on ball play, TJD’s dominance and growth in playing out of the double team, creating space, along with improved shooting generally has our O humming. And the added inside play of Malik and JG over this stretch has opened things up even more. We’re gonna miss TJD, he’s a special player, but i’m also looking forward to Malik and JG together next season.

SIAP - but this is a nice one: TJD tonight became the 1st player to score at least 25 with 5 blocks against the #1 ranked team since Marcus Camby in 1995 — and that was against UK, so the 2 players to do that did it against PU and UK, classic

Exactly. So we had a 15 pt lead and then PU pounds it in to Frankenstein and the lead goes down, down — but we continued to respond, they didn’t get rattled, the fouling was in check, and they pulled it out. That’s a team that’s mature and has composure when it matters. And oh yeah, some pretty decent play calling there at the end

I’m so looking forward to Sunday morning, fresh coffee, and just sitting back and rewatching PU go down. A relaxing Sunday

In fainess, JHS brought us home. But Race made some vet plays

When they cut it to 7 in the 2nd it was JHS and Malik who then scored, beasts. And JHS who scored when they cut it to a one possession game

What was that Crean used to say? Oh yeah, THIS IS INDIANA! PurWho?

Well, having a good time so far :)

IU 71 PU 69

I'm back and forth in what I think will happen -- But I'm encouraged by the fact JHS is coming off his worst game ever -- I'm confident he'll be 100% dialed in and ready, and really both Gallo and Bates are more likely than not to have bounce back games after those underperformances from them. Really wish we had JG (a healthy and ready JG) for this game, but the Hall will be rocking for sure, our guys will be motivated and especially after that embarrassment that was our last game. Let's get it

Sounds like JG is still out along with X. On Xavier Johnson and whether he’s close to a return: “Not really. He’s been out there trying to shoot a little bit. He just got out of the boot. I mean, I just don’t know. It’s hard to say when he’s going to actually be back. On the status of Jordan Geronimo and Logan Duncomb: “With Geronimo, I think he shot a little bit yesterday. He’s had a calf strain. That’s what’s keeping him out. Logan has got a major sinus infection again. I mean, I’ve known players that have had calf problems, and that’s something you can’t mess around with or you can be out for a longer period of time if you come back too soon. https://www.insidethehall.com/2023/02/02/mike-woodson-updates-status-of-xavier-johnson-jordan-geronino-and-logan-duncomb-ahead-of-purdue-matchup/

In the practice of law, we say we never finish worse than 2nd

Scott's in his 50s :)

We agree on Purdoodoo!

PU FF: 0 During this span, we've gone through 4 HC's and are on our 5th, with, of course, the utter destruction of the program as a result of Sampsongate (when we were 24-4), and the resulting rebuild, and attempts to find the right coach, during which Crean won regular season titles and got us back to SW16s after starting playing baseball players with zero scholarship players. Is it really that surprising to you? BTW, Purdue's a joke.

I generally want him on the floor, paired with TJD and/or JG (when healthy). I'd take the fouls, let him learn/play through it, his skill level is right there with the best, imo, along with size and strength. If we're talking this year, it's TJD for me going forward, but I don't know who I otherwise have the most confidence in. I hear you, but I tend to look more at how guys play when paired with others, and just accepting some faults and letting them play through them because of how they help us win as a group. For me those are JHS, Malik and Gallo, all of whom have their areas to work on, and I'd slot JG in there when playing with/complimenting TJD and/or Malik (despite his off games, for what he showed in our unbeaten run playing good minutes with TJD). I think Bates' is close, still up and down but the talent is there.

I don't know, the floater is generally one of the most efficient and difficult to defend shots out there. Why everyone was missing is a question, but as a shot for a guard attacking the basket, it's one of the better ones.

Been saying all year that Malik (who fouls by far the most) is learning, as a frosh, how to play / defend B1G level bigs without fouling. He is. I don't see his work as film study, it's timing/defensive work in games against quality bigs. He's been getting better and I am fully sure he'll get there, he is exceptionally skilled on the offensive end/footwork, the defensive timing will come. Gallo is still prone to getting out of control, with all the energy and defensive tenacity he brings, I want him on the floor regardless, he usually elevates the team's play, but yeah it's something he should continue to work on as well.

I just think his shot wasn’t falling. He just came off a great game and we needed offense tn. Once he starts hitting he hits, rhythm shooter maybe, out of sorts tn, don’t think was just looking to get his