JF87

I want Reneau shooting threes. He's 41% on the year. But we run nothing to get Reneau or Mgbako open looks.

I think we have adequate shooters. Our iso ball and heavy post style provides no rhythm for our players to shoot effectively or consistently.

Maryland appears to be improving as the season progresses.

Virginia up 32-9 at Louisville. Payne should not be coaching on Monday if Louisville doesn't come back and at least make it respectable.

I hear Woody is clearing cap space to chase a big free agent.

We are certainly an underdog. As I've posted earlier, I think we are talented enough to win. I would never wager on us winning. I'm not a complete fool. But I still hold out hope. I'll be focusing on improvement in the way we play. We've had a week to improve. Shot selection- are we focusing on getting the ball to Reneau and Mgbako. They should always be options 1 and 2. Be happy with an assist or even a hockey assist- this is primarily for Reneau. Please pass out of double and triple teams. Shooting threes- we need to shoot 20+ threes each game. Preferably by Mgbako and Reneau. Are we running offense to get open looks from three? Rebounding- All 5 players need to hit the defensive glass. We get so few fast breaks there's no reason for guys to leak out. Reduce turnovers- Play under control. Make the easy pass. Don't force passes when guys aren't open. Don't cheat off of good three-point shooters. Know the scouting report. Giving up wide open threes can get you blown out and gets their crowd into the game. Smile, have fun. The opportunity to play Division 1 basketball should be a blast. Play your @$$ off and enjoy it. Someday you'll be an old guy sitting at a computer wishing you could still play.

I think we have taken the wrong approach to recruiting. IU would be better served by trying to recruit players in the 40-150 range who plan on being in college 3 to 4 years. Then we can add a top 25 guy once you have your foundation built. We aren't Duke or Kentucky that can bring in 4 or 5 top 30 players each year. Ware and Mgbako seem like good young men, but if they leave after this year what have we accomplished? Adding multiple one year mercenaries out of the portal does not build a program or a culture. Woodson's age doesn't help anything. He doesn't have the time to build a program the right way. Also, I think he prefers to use the portal like NBA free agency than to recruit and develop younger players.

I'm interested to see how the 15 Big Ten Tournament teams will be decided. Since we will have unbalanced schedules, I would think a tool like the NET ratings would have to be used. Will they base participation off of only Big Ten games or the entire schedule?

Great! Now we can give our coach a raise if we make the Big Ten Tournament.

I agree completely! I keep hoping this is the game it changes.

I do think this game is winnable if Illinois plays poorly. I know our record playing good teams on the road and neutral sites has been atrocious this year. However, I don't think there is a huge talent gap between the teams. We need big games from Reneau and Mgbako and we will need Illinois to miss a lot of open threes and free throws.

Obviously, our goal is to play through the post, get fouled and shoot 50% from the free throw line.

From this it would appear that Alabama has someone on staff that understands the analytics and they have game planned accordingly. Does IU have someone that helps incorporate analytics into offensive and defensive schemes? Perhaps that's Armond Hill's role?

I ask because when Thad Matta was at Xavier he started recruiting Oden and Conley Jr. When he took the Ohio State job, he was able to sign these two to Ohio State. Wishful thinking on my part that Dusty might be able to do something similar.

Anyone know if Dusty is recruiting Sisley, Haralson, and Mullins? If Dusty would be our future coach, it would be nice if he was already developing a relationship with these state of Indiana recruits.

IU 72 Illinois 71 Give Woodson a week to prepare, he can beat anyone.