Tasmanian Devil

Fans are supposed to. Players can get T’d up for it - and cost their team points. And possibly the game. Is stopping and woofing towards the opponent worth that much? Argue all you want about whether it should be called or not, but is it really worth it? Versus what it might cost you?

http://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/35055281 Did he turn around after the dunk? Yeah - as he was running back down the court. He didn’t stop and visibly motion toward Trey. Yes, Jones probably should have been T’d up. But, again, you’re on the road, tough environment. You can ***** all you want about the calls “not being fair”, but more times than not you’re going to have calls not go your way on the road. What I do know is you can’t demonstrably react towards the opposition and expect to get by with it - especially on the road. Why make a tough situation worse? Get your comments in during the handshake line.

Oh, I get what you’re saying. But wanting guys to play with emotion can be tricky as well. Johnson is so much of a key to how good we can be. Do we REALLY want him talking smack and having it come back to bite us? Last year we lost at Wisconsin and Syracuse in part because of X getting too emotionally charged. I remember Anderson Madison Heights coach Phil Buck being interviewed after beating Anderson Highland for the 1982 sectional championship. Highland had Butch Stafford as coach, and he would run his mouth constantly about how good the Scots were. He was so bad, when Highland beat Anderson in the semifinals in a close game one of the Anderson cheerleaders spit on him. After the Pirates beat the Scots on two Stew Robinson FTs with 1 second left (after a stupid foul at halfcourt by Highland), Buck was asked about Stafford basically guaranteeing a win before the game and what Buck had to say now after winning the championship. His response was epic: “If you’re good, you don’t need to talk.” Sound advice from an all time coaching legend.

I’m not in favor of staring down guys, either. Whether that should be called or not can be debated. But you CAN’T woof toward an opponent - especially the opponent’s bench - right in front of the official and expect to get by with it. If it’s true that the announcers said it’s a point of emphasis this year, even more of a reason to keep yourself in check. Again, I go back to this: What do you GAIN by doing it vs what it could COST you? Control the things you can control.

Wouldn’t surprise me at all if Malik is a starter soon. Kid played like a stud last night, and can still play a lot better.

I was there. X definitely said something right at the bench. Just hit a big 3, but then gives back two points. Don’t need to do that.

Guess you need to listen to Woodson: https://247sports.com/college/indiana/Article/Coach-TV-Indiana-basketball-coach-Mike-Woodsons-postgame-QA-after-IUs-81-79-win-at-Xavier-197925451/Amp/ “I’m gonna stay on ‘em because that can be the difference in winning and losing games. If you make shots, you’re supposed to make shots; if you make a dunk or layup, that’s what you’re supposed to do, so you don’t have to talk, do all the unnecessary things that get us in trouble.” Smart. Don’t be dumb and possibly cost yourself a game.

We GAVE them 4 points for those two actions. What do you gain by doing that? What do you lose by doing that? If I’m Woodson, I’m letting both guys have it. Those are the kind of plays that get you beat. Gotta be better.

I understand what you’re saying, but both of those were BAD. Right in front of the ref each time. No way you’re gonna get away with that - especially on the road. Those are technical fouls that SHOULD be called every time. But we can’t worry about whether or not they are called on the other team; we need to be concerned about ourselves. Damn, those almost cost us the game.

Good news is, we can play a LOT better. Bad news is, Kansas likely will, too.

Yep. You CAN’T taunt anyone right in front of the official and expert to get away with it - especially Johnson right in front of the Xavier bench. Incredibly stupid. Shut up and play!

BTW - how about that dagger 3 from Kopp to put us up 8 down the stretch? Epic form, looked like the shooter he is. Hope he carries confidence over from that.

Yep, one helluva game. Atmosphere was electric. As I said before the game, Xavier is so tough at Cintas. If Colby Jones was injured, he didn’t show it; kid played 36 minutes. We had two INCREDIBLY stupid T’s from Johnson and Reneau for taunting. A really bad TO from Johnson up 6 with less than a minute to go which The Musketeers turned into a 3-pt play. And still came out with the win. Lots to be proud of, yet still a lot we can do better. Perfect early-season test that we passed.

This game was torture for me because I love both teams. If anyone is disappointed in this game, get over yourself. That’s a damn good road win over a damn good team who plays tough in their house. They’re going to win a lot of games. But IU can really build on that win. Didn’t play nearly as well as they could and still win in a hostile environment. Nice job, guys.

I will be going to the game (daughter is a Xavier grad; they’re my 2nd favorite team). I expect us to win, but I hope this group takes X seriously - they can be tough inside Cintas. We need to impose our will early.

Besides our two guys, Taris Reed also is ranked above Clark - who is the highest rated player from the B1G incoming frosh in the Rivals rankings; JHS and Reneau are also the top ranked B1G players in the 247 rankings. Braden Smith? Not ranked in Rivals, 196th in 247.

If ya all wanna have a few laughs, pull up Rupp Rafters and enjoy the meltdown after pUKe loses to Sparty. Of course, there is the obligatory “refs cheated us” thread. At least they can’t blame John Higgins this time.

Can’t really blame NCAA for the Carolina mess.

Spot on - especially Nova

Difference between now and 2013 is the portal. This year is a big key. Win big and recruits will come. That simple.

Very well said

You hit the nail on the head when you mentioned the biggest issue with IU basketball the last 20 years: The IU Administration. Dolson I believe is trying to right the ship. But you don’t eliminate 20 years of ineptitude overnight. This is a big year for the basketball program to make a statement that they can play at an elite level again.

I’m fine with getting better horses; nobody wins with Mr Ed (Priller). If we’re turning over the roster every year, you’re never building anything.

No kidding. Do I want IU to be better? Without question. But building something sustainable IMO gives you a better chance at the ultimate goal: National Championships.

Do all 300 + teams recruit to the level UK does? How many of those teams have lost consistently to teams they in no way should have lost to? 2018 2019 2022 All 3 years they lost to teams with less talent. In all 3 losses the lack of a veteran leader was telling. Now, is it possible that you COULD win a title with the OAD approach? It’s possible - but how likely? Even Duke - who had 3 of the top 4 RSCI recruits and arguably the best coach of all time - couldn’t get past a veteran Michigan State team in 2019. You think that is the way to go? Become a Kentucky fan - or Duke fan. IU will never become like them. And that’s not a bad thing, either.