JF87

The good news is that Iowa is one team that we can come back against.

Any chance it won't be the starting 5 out there to start the second half? LOL, I know the answer. I would be shocked if Woody started the guys that were playing well.

We seem to play under control when Leal is playing. Galloway is trying to play too fast.

I think we will win. I think the season plays out this way. Does our opponent have solid post players that can neutralize Ballo? If not, we're going to win most of those games. If our opponents can contain Ballo, we will lose a lot of those games. It's a guard's game, but Ballo is our wild card.

IU 86 Iowa 77

We're so talented, we can just out score most teams. The problem is that doesn't work when we step up in competition level.

I feel like we have a big run coming to open up this lead.

The fact that Calbert has made Ballo a respectable free throw shooter should not be overlooked.

I feel like we think it's a pick-up game.

Is there a decent crowd?

I don't see USC hanging with us. This will be a comfortable double-digit victory. The IU offense has been much better. It's too bad it took an injury to Malik to move away from playing the two bigs. In the last game, I was also happy to see Leal get more minutes than Tucker. It's possible that Woodson has finally started listening to many posters and his coaching staff. Maybe we can crowdsource Woodson to a Final Four. :)

IU 77 USC 64

Not sure how to feel about this win. Definitely, a gritty win. Any Big Ten road win is a great win, so ultimately that's a positive. However, I'm not sure if we won the game or Penn State lost it with their poor shooting from three and the free throw line. Hoping we've turned a corner with this team. The talent is there.

I remember a few years ago, under Crean, James Blackmon became injured, and we became better. I think Blackmon's injury opened up more playing time for OG Anunoby who gave us much better defense and chemistry. I think there's a chance that Reneau's injury may do the same thing.

IU 79 PSU 78

Retire/Fire Mike Woodson!

I'm in favor of Leal getting minutes in front of Tucker. Sure, Tucker likely has a higher ceiling, but right now Leal is a better all-around player and is better able to contribute to IU winning now. Big Ten season is here. You have to play the guys that will help us win now. I don't see Tucker surpassing Leal's all-around game this year. Play the experienced guy who knows defensive positioning and who is willing to do the little things. We have enough scorers. There will be plenty of minutes for Tucker next year.

This is so true. The few big games that Woodson has won against ranked teams it has been because the opponent missed wide open threes. We didn't shut anyone down. We gave up threes and the other team simply missed.

It seems to be working out well for McNeely.

If I remember correctly, Woodson brought in Rosemond. Woodson didn't know Rosemond, but he was suggested by World Wide Wes.

It's all Big Ten games from here on out. Time for Woodson to prove that he can coach and not just buy a talented roster through free agency. Our roster is probably top 2 in the Big Ten. Anything less than a top 4 finish in the Big Ten and a Sweet 16 with this roster will be inexcusable. As an IU fan this year, every win will make me happy, and every loss should mean that we are one step closer to a new coach which would also make me happy.

I think both players would be improved in a better system.

I'd be fine with changing the thread name to Fire/Retire Coach Woodson thread. :)

IMO, any Woodson retirement will give him a golden parachute on the way out the door.

X had some talent and moments. He played out of control at times. X won us a few games and cost us a few games. I would have preferred that we had developed Rob Phinisee. Rob was one of my favorite players. I love that Rob was instrumental in beating Purdue.