Bracketology and Team Resumes

[Uspshoosier]

41 minutes ago, Stuhoo said:

I know Lunardi sux but for full disclosure, even after last night, here's what he says about IUBB currently:

• News around the bubble: New Mexico survives its loss at Nevada thanks to USC's lopsided loss at UCLA. Indiana survives its loss to Northwestern, for now, because we still need 68 teams in the field.

Yeah. You hear me say it a lot. You have to field 68 teams.    Looking at who is knocking on the door there just isn’t May teams as deserving to replace some of these teams.  Auburn is 15-13 and still projected in the field.   Cal has a big one tonight.   IU can’t get out of its one way.   They took the harder path.   That harder path starts Sunday 

[IUHoosierJoe]

3 hours ago, Uspshoosier said:

Yeah. You hear me say it a lot. You have to field 68 teams.    Looking at who is knocking on the door there just isn’t May teams as deserving to replace some of these teams.  Auburn is 15-13 and still projected in the field.   Cal has a big one tonight.   IU can’t get out of its one way.   They took the harder path.   That harder path starts Sunday 

Looking at this year's bubble teams is why I'm so against expanding the tournament field.  In fact, I'd like to see it go back to 64.  There just aren't that many teams deserving to play in a championship tournament.

[HinnyHoosier]

On 2/23/2026 at 2:24 PM, Uspshoosier said:

32 NET 

Oof. Loss at Oregon last night doesn't help that or us. 

[Uspshoosier]

4 minutes ago, HinnyHoosier said:

Oof. Loss at Oregon last night doesn't help that or us. 

Just means Wisky won’t be a Q1 win.  Would have been nice for IU if they got to Q1 but that win will stay Q2.   Now with Oregon winning can they jump up enough to get to 75 and make our home win against them Q2?   Don’t think they jump that much but if they string together some wins at the end then maybe 

[Dave from Dayton]

11 hours ago, IUHoosierJoe said:

Looking at this year's bubble teams is why I'm so against expanding the tournament field.  In fact, I'd like to see it go back to 64.  There just aren't that many teams deserving to play in a championship tournament.

Strong disagreement here.  Love watching IU in Dayton for the first four.

That is if I ever bought tickets to those play-in games.

And if I really enjoyed IU basketball when they are on the bubble with no realistic chance of going deep into the NCAAT, much less the B1GT.

I only missed viewing one game this season so far that was broadcast on Peacock or BTN or nationally.

Before the season started, I said that we had to have a great PG to compete....and active, smart ballers...some that could hit...and a coach that figures how to make the best of matchups.

  Enright is struggling.  Some perimeter players are of slow feet and reach in to compensate.  And the coach is struggling, too.  But any coach might struggle with this flawed roster.

A big loss to Northwestern at Assembly Hall put a nail in my enthusiasm.

Makes for a depressing February and March.  Hate that.

And my whole family are IU fans.  

Not too excited about all this at this time of year. 

The players are mostly paid to be at IU, and the next year roster will be mostly replacements. How many and which ones have no eligibility left?  Never mind.

Would be nice to get into the big dance for recruiting, right?  Does that matter anymore?

Need some coffee.  I will watch the games and cheer for ole IU.   

Get the loose ball!  Block out!  How about an assist, today.

 

[Uspshoosier]

4 minutes ago, Dave from Dayton said:

Strong disagreement here.  Love watching IU in Dayton for the first four.

Strong disagreement here. I hate watching IU in Dayton.  That’s my stress free basketball  vacation.  Last time they were in Dayton I was far from stress free the whole day before the game.  Even if IU isn’t in the First 4 I would highly recommend just going to enjoy the hoops 

[Stuhoo]

35 minutes ago, Uspshoosier said:

Strong disagreement here. I hate watching IU in Dayton.  That’s my stress free basketball  vacation.  Last time they were in Dayton I was far from stress free the whole day before the game.  Even if IU isn’t in the First 4 I would highly recommend just going to enjoy the hoops 

Here's some good news for you - games that matter with IU get me super happy/excited now that I'm becoming an old sucker.[sorry Dave-you too :)]

They used to stress me out to no end.

Therefore, you are young.

[Dave from Dayton]

42 minutes ago, Stuhoo said:

Here's some good news for you - games that matter with IU get me super happy/excited now that I'm becoming an old sucker.[sorry Dave-you too :)]

They used to stress me out to no end.

Therefore, you are young.

Agreed.  I do get excited for the challenging and meaningful games.  I don't get quite as stressed as my wife.  She is normally a very controlled and caring individual.  Wow!  Envision banshee screeches.  

I still yearn to have IU in the NCAAT every year.   And I don't want IU to just barely qualify resulting is a bottom seed.

This bubble crap really ticks me off.

All of us IU fans could see this coming.  Rolling the dice on transfers for a completely new starting or rotational players is not ideal.  Hence the flawed roster.  Lack of starting the offense, lack of go-to-players, slow feet...ugh.

To top it off is a new coach.  New to the B1G.  New program. But lots of NIL.  And hired without any significant lead time to fill the roster and staff.  Why our coach stuck with certain players in many games without finding someone who would provide something different, I wonder... 

So, imho, my vote on the coach is held in abeyance...certainly until the season is over.  And probably he should be given another year before we really can evaluate his mettle.  

No doubt if he continues to be middle-of-the-pack as a coach...year after year...I may have to perform a stupid and futile gesture.   

 

[Uspshoosier]

Here we are with IUs first must win game if they are not wanting to use Phase 3(Conference tourney) to build their resume to get selected.  Inability to win home games against bottom of the bracket seeded team(Iowa ) and no tourney team(Northwestern) has made this game against (Sparty) a top of the bracket seeded team as a must have game.  Also will need Minny and @Ohio St but need this first.    Winning this would give them 4 wins against the projected field with 2 of those wins coming against protected seeds.   Not sure how many bubble teams will be able to say that.   Roll the dice and see how Sunday goes