Puerto Rico Trip 8/5 - 8/12

[WayneFleekHoosier]

Just now, HoosierHoopster said:

I feel like you only have negative takes, lol. I guess the last game was just a fluke. A little optimism is good for the soul

I call it like I see it.  Last game was fun after big concerns. This game says all those concerns are valid.  
 

our BTB fanbase is happy with another rebuild and a bad year despite top 10 money.  
 

I’ve seen this song and dance a lot.  This season is critical for long term success. Hoping I can tuck my concerns away sometime soon, but I don’t think that’ll be happening in 25-26.

[Class of '66 Old Fart]

Just now, HoosierHoopster said:

Really would like to know if coach DeVries makes changes / adjustments in the 2nd, and what our primary lineups have been in the 1st, and what they will be in the 2nd. Is part of the 20-point down due to lineups, and some continuing testing by staff in this exhibition game, or has it been the unit(s) that played most in the 2nd half of last week's game. 

Let's see what happens in the 2nd...

Raby mentioned spacing on the floor is better.

[HoosierHoopster]

1 minute ago, WayneFleekHoosier said:

I call it like I see it.  Last game was fun after big concerns. This game says all those concerns are valid.  
 

our BTB fanbase is happy with another rebuild and a bad year despite top 10 money.  
 

I’ve seen this song and dance a lot.  This season is critical for long term success. Hoping I can tuck my concerns away sometime soon, but I don’t think that’ll be happening in 25-26.

If they build back in the 2nd half will you call that as you see it? 

don't get me wrong, not intending to call you out at all, we all have our own takes and viewpoints, it just seems like you're glossing over the good for the bad. A team that goes on what was basically a 70-point run after tinkering around in the 1st half of that game is not just fun imo, it showed how the team could score -- and defend -- when the primary lineups were tightened down and adjustments were made.

These are just exhibitions, can't really draw hard conclusions good or bad, but pace, schemes and who seemed to play better with who, for me, have value.

[Class of '66 Old Fart]

SMH.  We have an entirely new roster with 10 practices together; 2 players that likely would have seen significant minutes out with injuries; we're playing a European level pro team; we're having fun in the sun for a few days but OMG the sky is falling.  Maybe the season will be a complete and utter disaster but c'mon Doc.  You've been a downer on DVD, the team and the upcoming season since we didn't spend a bazilliongillion dollars on the players you specifically wanted out of the portal.  

[Home Jersey]

27 minutes ago, WayneFleekHoosier said:

I feel like this is preparing us as fans for what’s upcoming.  Maybe we can pull another miracle comeback?  

The game doesn't count for anything, so I'm less worried about a miracle comeback and reminding myself the lessons learned in August will be useful come November-March. The comeback win should give the team a little confidence if nothing else. So I don't care about losing the rematch.

I'm more concerned about what the staff is learning: how is Mega shutting down Tucker and Wilkerson schematically and what adjustments could we make, anticipating other teams will play them similarly? Is starting slow going to be a concern with this group? If so, do we need to start games with Conerway looking to get his so it opens up opportunities for others? On defense, what needs to be prioritized before November? How is each player carrying themself? Etc.

This group has had about 10 practices together. It'd be more surprising than not if they were dominating all the competition. Mega is not a cupcake team. 

[CSP]

10 minutes ago, WayneFleekHoosier said:

I call it like I see it.  Last game was fun after big concerns. This game says all those concerns are valid.  
 

our BTB fanbase is happy with another rebuild and a bad year despite top 10 money.  
 

I’ve seen this song and dance a lot.  This season is critical for long term success. Hoping I can tuck my concerns away sometime soon, but I don’t think that’ll be happening in 25-26.

Call it like you see it? Exactly WHAT are you SEEING today? 

[Pagoda]

18 minutes ago, WayneFleekHoosier said:

I call it like I see it.  Last game was fun after big concerns. This game says all those concerns are valid.  
 

our BTB fanbase is happy with another rebuild and a bad year despite top 10 money.  
 

I’ve seen this song and dance a lot.  This season is critical for long term success. Hoping I can tuck my concerns away sometime soon, but I don’t think that’ll be happening in 25-26.

This is getting to be strawman territory.

It is a rebuild regardless of whatever fans think or want.  It fact it’s a 100% total rebuild.  We can thank Woody and his friends for that.

Who would be happy with a bad year?  No one really.  And most people I see expect to make the tourney.

I’m not saying you’re wrong, but I just don’t see how August exhibitions vs a Serbian pro team under FIBA rules prove the validity of any viewpoint one way or the other.

[HoosierHoopster]

Score update anyone?

[go iu bb]

[WayneFleekHoosier]

3 minutes ago, Class of '66 Old Fart said:

SMH.  We have an entirely new roster with 10 practices together; 2 players that likely would have seen significant minutes out with injuries; we're playing a European level pro team; we're having fun in the sun for a few days but OMG the sky is falling.  Maybe the season will be a complete and utter disaster but c'mon Doc.  You've been a downer on DVD, the team and the upcoming season since we didn't spend a bazilliongillion dollars on the players you specifically wanted out of the portal.  

Not a downer on DeVries at all.  But the rest is true.  We spent a lot on staff and everything else.  Admittedly disappointed in the roster on paper.  He chose to build it the way he did.  He will get them better.  Time will tell. 

[Home Jersey]

Conerway limps off

Mega 62, IU 49, 1:17 left 3Q: Doesn't look too serious, but he took a hard fall contesting a screen defensively and IU cycled him out as quickly as it could.

[Class of '66 Old Fart]

It's 69-57 Mega after three. After not scoring in the first half, Wilkerson and DeVries had 15 in that quarter.

[HoosierX]

Both Wilkerson and Devries with 0 points at half is a bit shocking.

[Class of '66 Old Fart]

Osterman - 

Still struggling at times with needless fouls, which handed Mega enough free throws to keep the gap comfortable. If Indiana can keep Superbet off the free-throw line and run that caliber of offense for one more quarter, Hoosiers have a chance to come back here.  Conerway appears OK. Not sure if he'll come back in today or not. Indiana can't really afford more losses at guard.

[Hovadipo]

4 minutes ago, Home Jersey said:

Conerway limps off

Mega 62, IU 49, 1:17 left 3Q: Doesn't look too serious, but he took a hard fall contesting a screen defensively and IU cycled him out as quickly as it could.

[RaceToTheTop]

Mega 74, IU 63 with 8:14 left

[Napleshoosier]

https://x.com/daily_hoosier/status/1954946962404561202?s=61

[Napleshoosier]

Within 6 pts now.

[Class of '66 Old Fart]

76-68 #iubb trails. 6:26 remaining.

[Class of '66 Old Fart]

The Indiana bench just received a warning. Darian DeVries was irate after a foul was called on Reed Bailey seemingly out of nowhere.