Rapid Reacton IU vs. 2nd to last cupcake

[mdn82 25,510]

Well, there isn't much to say about this one.  Normally, I type about some positives and negatives.  This won't be as in depth, because there isn't much you can learn from a team on the positive side when you have 2 walk-ons playing in the first half.  Overall, I felt they were really flat.  One thing is obvious with this team is they don't get up for these cupcakes anymore.  It has been that way for the last few.  They have some bad habits as a result.  They are very cavalier with the ball.  Normally, at this point in the season that issue has lessoned going into conference.  IU has not improved there.  There was never any doubt whether or not IU would lose this game in spite of that.  

 

As a team, I was disappointed with the lack of intensity.  When you have 3 players closer to the cheerleaders than Coach Crean when they are on the bench, playing, things are bad.  This was that game.  This team has upside no doubt.  They just seem lost.  Last year, two players had a presence on the court no matter how they were playing.  IU does not have that this year, and it shows.  It should be noted this week was finals week.  I am not trying to make excuses for the play or even the dead crowd, but that is a reason.  Anybody who has gone through college understands how much time, preparation, and stress goes into this week.  I will assume they will look better come Sunday.

 

Individually, I really liked what Jeremy and Yogi brought to the game.  Also, Will has had himself a couple of good games in a row.  Really wish we would see more from Davis and Robinson at times.  They are two energetic players that just make plays when they are in the game.  Is Evan the only player in the Crean era to get a pass into the post with normalcy?  Really love the way he has played overall in the last few weeks sans the Notre Dame game.  Normally I would bring stats into this section, but our exhibition team was better than the team we were just on the court with.  

 

I like some of you are ready for this exhibitions to be over with.  The only thing we seem to be gaining in these games are bad habits.  Sorry for the delay in getting this out there.  I was having internet issues.  If anyone has any family functions where they travel, please be safe.  Soon enough we will see where we stand with the rest of the B1G.  We may have to see where BtownBanners feels IU stacks up against the competition soon.  

[Stuhoo 79,590]

• First time for six of our thirteen having college finals week. 

• Lots (and lots) of experimentation; with different defenses, with pace, with pressing.

• A very uninteresting opponent.

All of that equals a game that was not particularly enjoyable to watch, but was probably fairly productive toward the education and improvement of an inexperienced group.

 

I expect the final cupcake game to have us in a more focused state of performance.

[bronkonagurski 894]

We look like a NIT team.  I'm not even being emotional or angry about it.  I need to see us step up to some challenges in Big Ten play to change my mind.  And I hope that happens. 

[IUfan_Charlie 3,867]

I didn't watch much of the 2nd half, couldn't bring myself to do it, too boring / angering. 

[JSHoosier 19,816]

There's nothing you can take away from a game like this because that opponent would've been better matched up playing random drunk people from the stands.

[Hoosiers96 912]

Really had a problem with Crean saying he was going to adjust the minutes of some players after the ND game then go out here and everyone gets playing time. I understand that it was a weak opponent but I feel like these last 2 games you have to cut down the rotation to 9 or 10 and put it to the weak teams. These guys would build off a little momentum going into B1G play. I didn't have a problem with a full court pressure because it did cause a few TOs but I don't feel like we will see that again all year aside from Sunday maybe. Just a few thoughts that


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[tjbechtel 4]

One thing I notice is a lot of substitution...I understand Crean's view on this, first view is guarantee the recruits their minutes and then show incoming classes we can put Indiana boys on the court all at once, but with this being said we still need to find our rhythm And a solid starting 5 and supporting cast in the near future.


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[JSHoosier 19,816]

Really had a problem with Crean saying he was going to adjust the minutes of some players after the ND game then go out here and everyone gets playing time. I understand that it was a weak opponent but I feel like these last 2 games you have to cut down the rotation to 9 or 10 and put it to the weak teams. These guys would build off a little momentum going into B1G play. I didn't have a problem with a full court pressure because it did cause a few TOs but I don't feel like we will see that again all year aside from Sunday maybe. Just a few thoughts that


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You shouldn't have expected anything different.  He's said things like that before and it never changes.

[Hoosiers96 912]

You shouldn't have expected anything different. He's said things like that before and it never changes.

I wasn't expecting it to change but tonight would have been a place to start


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[HoosierReb01 7,511]

You nailed it on post entry passes. If there is one thing that kills IU in the half court every year, its the entry pass. With a lack of outside shooting that's even made it worse. That's pretty basic stuff. Learning footwork, positioning, and interior passing is something that would cut down on the PG driving into the lane, getting in the trouble and then having to look for a escape. Right now that is leading to a lot of turnovers.

[JaybobHoosier 11,839]

Well, the first half was pretty blah.  The best line-up we had out there was: Marlin, Gordon, Davis, Hollowell, and Fischer.  They were clicking, and playing good, tough, team basketball.  Pretty sad when only one starter was in our best line-up of the half.  That was a very uninspiring half of basketball.  Luckily, most of the 2nd half was so much better, and, Yogi Ferrell decided to play some very good basketball. 

 

This team is just a frustrating team to watch.  Troy Williams seems to be hitting a road block or something.  He hasn't played effectively since the Washington game.  I would also like to see the team get the ball down low more often.  Use Vonleh and Hollowell in the post, and then Sheehey and Williams can use their slashing/mid-range game.  Anyway, this is still a very young team that will continue to frustrate us.  Just one of those seasons. 

[Naturalhoosier 15,407]

Our bench players got some valuable PT. I'm still worried about our core starters. They just don't play like they are on the same page. Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners

[mdn82 25,510]

Our bench players got zone valuable PT.

I'm still worried about our core starters. They just don't play like they are on the same page.


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I agree.  Only two players who aren't Freshman seem to have improved from the 1st game to this game.  Jeremy and Evan have effort others don't.  Hanner just needs to settle down and catch the ball before he goes to make his move.  I shouldn't be disappointed by the way Crean uses Yogi.  He has done that with his PG since his time at Marquette.  IMO, anyone who watched him in High School knows Crean is taking away his best asset, which is his vision.  He is using that vision to look for his shot, and not someone getting to the rim.  I really thought that would be our saving grace in a season we didn't have a shooter.  I thought he could get in to the lane and find a slasher.  Austin just doesn't look comfortable shooting.  That is his only chance at PT.  Beyond that the Freshman look like Freshman, but I am happy with their progression.  They will soon hit that wall.  They all do.  Really like what I see from them as we head to next year.  We are going to rely on James Blackmon a bunch next year and his ability to put up points in bunches.  Not unhappy with this team at all.  They are improving.  Just would like to see some players utilized differently.  

[Rookie33 932]

We look like a NIT team. I'm not even being emotional or angry about it. I need to see us step up to some challenges in Big Ten play to change my mind. And I hope that happens.

^^^ this


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[Hovadipo 54,985]

The Notre Dame loss is looking better by the minute. ND up on Ohio State by 4 at the 2nd half under 8 timeout. Yes we should have beat ND, but they are not a bad team.


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[Oladipo 130]

The Notre Dame loss is looking better by the minute. ND up on Ohio State by 4 at the 2nd half under 8 timeout. Yes we should have beat ND, but they are not a bad team.


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We should always beat Wisconsin too, but when was the last time that happened.


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[Hovadipo 54,985]

We should always beat Wisconsin too, but when was the last time that happened.


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I don't see how that applies...


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[Oladipo 130]

I don't see how that applies...


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You said we should have beat ND, I'm just saying we should always beat Wisconsin because we are more talented. Just adding on to what you are saying, not trying to start an argument.


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[Hovadipo 54,985]

You said we should have beat ND, I'm just saying we should always beat Wisconsin because we are more talented. Just adding on to what you are saying, not trying to start an argument.


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My bad. I think we lost to Notre Dame for the same reason we always lose to Wisconsin. It rhymes with "lad foaching".


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[bronkonagurski 894]

Notre Dame was up 8 points with 58 seconds left and they started playing like Fat Tony had money on OSU to win.  That was an ugly collapse. 

 

I do not doubt that ND is a decent team.  I just question our ability to beat decent teams right now.