HoosierHoopster

Was thinking the same, the Illini road W should give us a shot anyway

See, told you guys we were lost without both X and Race. So there :)

No one. Such a great turnaround

Anyone want to bet on whether or not whiney Izzo makes excuses and shows his usual complaining lack of class post-game?

Just sitting here grinning. A nice quiet Sunday W over MSU

IU - 73 MSU - 67

He really is. There were a bunch of comments here earlier that it’s clear JHS isn’t a risk to get drafted, not playing like the 5 star he is etc. Well, now he is. His on-ball ability to create is outstanding, it’s next level. The way he broke down Ill’s D repeatedly was just a thing of beauty. This time without X has helped him get his game going, we’re going to be much better for it when Race and hopefully X get back

I don’t think it’s that JG is finally accepting his role — that makes it sound like he’s been trying to play on the wing, or not playing to his strengths up front. The whole wing discussion got overblown here - we got all down into the wing discussion, but JG himself, when interviewed at the start of season said he’s just going to do whatever is needed and kind of pushed back on questions about his developing to play wing, saying he’s worked on things so that he can help there when needed. What I see right now is his getting pushed by Woodson to attack on both ends, to study more film (JG has mentioned that more than once recently) so that he’s ready and can be more focused on just playing to his strengths without overthinking. He doesn’t look lost now, he’s in position. At the same time he’s added better perimeter D to his interior D, that’s clear, he’s guarded well when closing out in these last 2 games, his seals inside look good, and just his hands on the ball inside are better - he’s in position and ready when TJD dishes off. Related, I agree with one of the announcers in the Ill game, who said it’s taken him a few games, but JG has learned how to play with TJD - that positioning, understanding where to be and what TJD is doing, is starting to look more like how Race plays. Race plays off TJD, it looks natural bc he knows what TJD is doing. TJD dominates and just knowing where to he in the speed of the game is getting JG able to bring that 6-6 first half while cleaning up the glass. Maybe “lunch pail” guy is accurate, but it’s that understanding that’s allowing him to thrive imo, in 30 min PT. And to be fair, as well as he’s played these past 2, not sure he’s fully there yet. We haven’t seen how he’ll respond, with TJD, when TJD gets doubled and triple teamed, I’d bank on seeing some of that Sunday. Hope they’re both ready for it.

Some things? I know more than all of you about everything. :)

Yes I don't know why I typed conference, of course we're 3-4 in conference, that said we've still played 6 away games and in conf 3 of our 4 losses were away. Now we have MSU, @ Minn, and OSU coming, real shot at 3-0

Think it's worth noting that we've played 6 road conference games -- only Nebraska has played more. We're 2-4 on the road. We'll climb up the standings, question is just how much.

I beg to differ -- actual photo:

Not sure but think that's probably part of it -- I remember looking it up once but have forgotten

Preliminary prediction (specifics later):

Agree, and men's bball is the odd man out. Pro's run quarters, no reason why college men's ball can't.

^^ In fairness to Mr. Chicken Sandwich though, I'm definitely coming around on my stance that the team was largely lost without X and Race. We're certainly better with them, we did very much look to be lost and sinking fast without them, losing to NW at home, no fire, floor leadership missing, but we were also much better than we played in those games --as we now see -- and have to say I absolutely did not see that beatdown of Illinois coming, even after the great game we played against Wisc (and I'm still waxing in that beatdown, that was a long time coming). Btw, it's kinda funny - sad to see the absence of those posters here in this thread and during the beatdown, who always show up after losses to talk about how bad certain players are, or the staff. (And Chicken isn't one of them.)

And we finally agree!

No question he's up there with the all-time IU greats statistically -- now, if he can convert all of that into leading the team through the conference and well into March, he'll be up there with those other guys beyond just the stats as well

Please throw out your tv

2 in a row he’s been key and excellent all around. He’s not overthinking, it shows

Wow what a W. Can we now please admit that JG is good? Lol 2d leading scorer and rebounder on the road in a beatdown of Ill

I don’t know, how much are you willing to pay me to file? :$)

Ugly Illinois - 76 IU - 70 Think we'll get back on track after this game

I don't (can't) expect consistency from JG, but what he showed against Wisconsin, playing the role of the athletic, attacking forward, without over-thinking -- attacking the rim and glass, sealing off with good positional play, showing clearly improved perimeter D (that really needs to be acknowledged, it was clearly better) and with limited TO's -- if he brings that kind of game on the road and going forward, it's a big boost to our chances. And the combo of Malik - JG played well together while TJD rested, that's big -- if it continues.

Said in all caps lol :P