Rapid Reaction IU vs Illinois

[mdn82 25,546]

Honestly, that was the most peaceful game in a while, if not all year for a multitude of reasons.  We are not going to be that team this year that wins pretty.  We may not even make the tournament.  At this point in the season, every minute means something.  Of course for next year, and all that.  But, we are still playing for this year.  Call me nuts, but we can still make some noise.  Our schedule plays out perfectly for us to get hot right now.  Today was a huge first step in that.  We may fall flat, but the intensity we brought today can be contagious when you are winning.  

 

As a team, we were solid.  We weren't great at really anything, but we played together, and we played hard.  That is something this IU team has to do, to give itself a chance.  We had 13 turnovers, and win by 10.  13 is a minor miracle after the start of the game.  After 4 very quick ones, we settled in and had 9 over the last 38 minutes.  That is incredible for this team.  We had 42 rebounds to their 28.  10 assists to their 5.  We shot just over 40% and held them to under 35%.  The biggest key to me was Illinois kept taking 3s (23) when they weren't hitting.  IU kept going to the rim.

 

Individually, I haven't had a game this year where I was more proud of this team.  The Wisconsin game was great.  No doubt about that.  This was a team game, where each player put a lot on themselves to bring something to the game.  Outside of forgettable performances by Hanner and Evan, everyone brought something to this game.  Yogi had a bad first half.  He came out in the 2nd and ended up with 17 points / 5 assists on 3 turnovers on only 7 shots.  Noah did not have a good offensive game (not all of his fault), but ended up with 14 boards.  Stan had 10 points and 5 boards.  Austin had 7 points.  Troy had a solid 8 points, but could have had more if he wasn't so locked in on making a highlight play.  Will had 5 points and 9 boards.  Jeremy hit a nice 3 and had 2 boards in a small sample.  Jeff Howard even had a soaring, "athletic", tip in off of a miss. 

 

Larger than my happiness after this game is the win.  We needed that more than anything.  We have to make a run to save this season.  I feel like this team has it in them.  You get the feeling they are finally starting to play together.  We said this would be a team by February.  We have one more in January before the calendar flips.  Our schedule lines up nicely for the possibility.  This team has to continue to improve to make that possibility a reality.  Lets see where we are next week, and then we can begin to talk.  

[JaybobHoosier 11,954]

Well said mdn. I was a little more disappointed with the offense, but it was a win. Credit Illinois for their defense on Noah. There was definitely a lot more team basketball in this game, which is very encouraging. Hope this is a good team building win!

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[Parakeet Jones 3,812]

I will admit I tend to be the eternal optimist and I can wear crimson colored glasses at times, but I agree I think this team can put together a season saving run.  That might not mean the NCAA tournament at this point, but it could mean finishing strong (including a deep NIT run) to give us hope heading into next year.  

 

IF, and I capitalize if on purpose, we win at Nebraska on Thursday we will end January at .500 in conference.  That sets up a 10 game season if you will to end the year.  There are some tough ones to be played, but if we can find a way to 6-4 in those games we might just get the RPI bump we need to slide in.  

 

The team is not anywhere near where any of us want them to be, but I think they are further along than they were a month ago.  I'll enjoy that for now and get ready for another big one in Lincoln on Thursday.  

[mdn82 25,546]

Well said mdn. I was a little more disappointed with the offense, but it was a win. Credit Illinois for their defense on Noah. There was definitely a lot more team basketball in this game, which is very encouraging. Hope this is a good team building win!

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Yep, offensively it wasn't pretty.  I don't think it will be with this team though.  Right now, we are somewhere around 150th in offensive efficiency.  I think if we can be a top 70 team in that area, while limiting turnovers to 15 per game on average, we can still make the tournament.  We have games left that are very winnable.  Enough to make the tourney.  We have little margin for error.  At this point we are a team who shoots 40% in wins and low 30% in losses and turns the ball over.  We need to be that 40% team, with 10 assists to 13 turnovers.  We also have to get to the line around 25 times.  Beyond that, if we do what we normally do elsewhere, we will make the tourney.  IMO

[mdn82 25,546]

I will admit I tend to be the eternal optimist and I can wear crimson colored glasses at times, but I agree I think this team can put together a season saving run.  That might not mean the NCAA tournament at this point, but it could mean finishing strong (including a deep NIT run) to give us hope heading into next year.  

 

IF, and I capitalize if on purpose, we win at Nebraska on Thursday we will end January at .500 in conference.  That sets up a 10 game season if you will to end the year.  There are some tough ones to be played, but if we can find a way to 6-4 in those games we might just get the RPI bump we need to slide in.  

 

The team is not anywhere near where any of us want them to be, but I think they are further along than they were a month ago.  I'll enjoy that for now and get ready for another big one in Lincoln on Thursday.  

 

I think it is very plausible to go into the B1G tournament with 19 wins if 90% of the things go right the rest of the way in us doing what we should do.  If we do that, and then we win a tournament game, I think we could get in.  We have to stay at or above .500 in conference to get in due to our crappy pre-conference against decent teams.  I should add I have been one of the most pessimistic people in regards to making the tournament, and have been since the beginning of December.  This is more of a feel thing that it is possible.  Not probable, but possible.  

[All_Hoosiers 873]

There's a very slim chance Indiana could still make the tournament. Slim, but still a chance.

Let's see what the team can do over the next couple of weeks.


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[BlueDevil 8,877]

[quote name="All_Hoosiers" post="32743" timestamp="1390776717"]There's a very slim chance Indiana could still make the tournament. Slim, but still a chance.

Let's see what the team can do over the next couple of weeks.


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The strength of the conference could play into their hands. Say they go .500 in league play they could get the benefit of the doubt over a team with a better record in a diff conference because of the B1G reputation.


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[HoosierReb01 7,511]

I will admit I tend to be the eternal optimist and I can wear crimson colored glasses at times, but I agree I think this team can put together a season saving run.  That might not mean the NCAA tournament at this point, but it could mean finishing strong (including a deep NIT run) to give us hope heading into next year.  

 

 

If we end up in the NIT, we might as well win it! I would actually call that a accomplishment for the team I've seen so far this year. It ain't the NCAA, but it isn't to be sneezed at either. Now, if we go NIT, and we meet Bob Morris in the opening round, and.....well, you know.

[JSHoosier 20,665]

Stan should keep starting.  Austin is getting more comfortable and starting to contribute when he's in instead of just hurting the team less than the alternatives.  Evan didn't do a darn thing.  Did Hanner even play?  It's sad when the walk-on is making the "terrific athletic" play which is what Hanner was supposed to bring.  I would've liked to seen more of Jeremy.  The second half is how Yogi needs to play more often instead of trying to be hero and forcing his own shots.  Troy was solid, but I still don't want him starting.

 

Defense was pretty good, our offense was okay.  I still hate our half court offense, and probably never will like it without real changes.  Limited turnovers after a horrid start.

[HoosierReb01 7,511]

Hanner played, made a great pass to AE for an assist. Then got a travel and never seen him again.

[Parakeet Jones 3,812]

I think it is very plausible to go into the B1G tournament with 19 wins if 90% of the things go right the rest of the way in us doing what we should do.  If we do that, and then we win a tournament game, I think we could get in.  We have to stay at or above .500 in conference to get in due to our crappy pre-conference against decent teams.  I should add I have been one of the most pessimistic people in regards to making the tournament, and have been since the beginning of December.  This is more of a feel thing that it is possible.  Not probable, but possible.  

 

Completely agree with the possible not probable statement.  At least now I have some hope which was something I was lacking driving home from the MSU game in Bloomington. 

[JSHoosier 20,665]

Hanner played, made a great pass to AE for an assist. Then got a travel and never seen him again.

Now that you mention, I remember the travel.  I promptly looked away thinking how bad he still sucks.

 

Remember people thinking he'd possibly start as a freshman, and be gone after two years?  Sure thing.  I wonder if it's too the point we can stop pointing to the 9 game suspension as the reason is so lost.

[HoosierReb01 7,511]

Now that you mention, I remember the travel.  I promptly looked away thinking how bad he still sucks.

 

Remember people thinking he'd possibly start as a freshman, and be gone after two years?  Sure thing.  I wonder if it's too the point we can stop pointing to the 9 game suspension as the reason is so lost.

Well, one thing on that is fans are always looking at the recruiting classes, seeing the stars and letting their imagination run away from them. The Next Great Thing! Hanner was overrated. He might still be a healthy contributor before his college career is over. But we are already seeing the predictions of how Johnson and Blackmon are going to lift IU back into the top 10 or 15. Might happen, don't be surprised if it isn't that simple.

[Stuhoo 82,430]

Seven B1G teams are likely to make the NCAA tournament.

 

The current top six are: UM, MSU, Iowa, OSU, UW, and Minn.

 

That leaves one spot for: Nebraska, Penn State, NW (too many losses even if they do well in conf) NOPE, NOPE, NOPE

 

Purdue, Illinois, and Indiana

 

I think we are the best team and the most likely... to be the seventh.

 

 

EDIT: Minny drops to 4-4 in conference. Let's make it Minny, us and Purdooo for three spots.

[JSHoosier 20,665]

Well, one thing on that is fans are always looking at the recruiting classes, seeing the stars and letting their imagination run away from them. The Next Great Thing! Hanner was overrated. He might still be a healthy contributor before his college career is over. But we are already seeing the predictions of how Johnson and Blackmon are going to lift IU back into the top 10 or 15. Might happen, don't be surprised if it isn't that simple.

I saw Hanner play for La Lu and knew he wouldn't do anything.

 

Blackmon will have some freshman struggles adjusting, but I think he could start.  Johnson I'm not as big on as others, he's a solid get but I'm not expecting much out of him as a freshman.

[Stuhoo 82,430]

Also;

 

This will be a redundant post that can be rinsed and repeated throughout the next 3 1/2 years:

 

Stan Robinson was absolutely great today.

[Hovadipo 57,301]

[quote name="HoosierReb01" post="32754" timestamp="1390777706"]If we end up in the NIT, we might as well win it! I would actually call that a accomplishment for the team I've seen so far this year. It ain't the NCAA, but it isn't to be sneezed at either. Now, if we go NIT, and we meet Bob Morris in the opening round, and.....well, you know.[/quote]

Reading this, it just hit me how reminiscent this team is of last year's Iowa team. Young, dangerous, and won a couple games they shouldn't and even though they didn't go dancing, they earned some valuable experience in the NIT. If we have a 2-year span that resembles Iowa's current span, it would be safe to say there will be a lot of happy Hoosiers.


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[JSHoosier 20,665]

I saw Hanner play for La Lu and knew he wouldn't do anything.

This actually leads me to another thought.  (Yes, I quoted myself.  Deal with it.)

 

Hanner's ranking was based entirely on his potential, but I'm not sure we have the staff to get the potential out of him.  I don't have much faith in this staff to develop a big, period.  How many bigs have we seen actually develop?  Watford developed more as a wing.  Cody got stronger, but could anyone objectively watch him and say he really improved skill wise?  Hanner has a lot of potential, but while he's gotten a little better he's still pretty much completely lost.  If I was a talented big, and I hate to say this, but I would not play for Crean.  I'd want to get touches in the half court set, something we haven't done consistently the last 3 years, and want a staff that has demonstrated they can develop a big.

[mdn82 25,546]

This actually leads me to another thought.  (Yes, I quoted myself.  Deal with it.)

 

Hanner's ranking was based entirely on his potential, but I'm not sure we have the staff to get the potential out of him.  I don't have much faith in this staff to develop a big, period.  How many bigs have we seen actually develop?  Watford developed more as a wing.  Cody got stronger, but could anyone objectively watch him and say he really improved skill wise?  Hanner has a lot of potential, but while he's gotten a little better he's still pretty much completely lost.  If I was a talented big, and I hate to say this, but I would not play for Crean.  I'd want to get touches in the half court set, something we haven't done consistently the last 3 years, and want a staff that has demonstrated they can develop a big.

 

Actually, from High School to college, I thought Cody improved.  I seen him play and thought so.  Same with Noah.  I am going to say first, it takes a will to improve, and some players don't have that.  Crean has been noted to improve Guards better than bigs.  I get that.  

 

Start with Cody.  Most bigs come into college having dominated smaller and weaker players.  Cody would get triple teamed in High School.  He would either dunk or get fouled.  I probably seen him in person five times before he was on campus.  He didn't hit a shot outside of five feet in any of those games.  His footwork was solid, but he played smart.  I think when he came to IU, he learned angles so much better.  He for the first time played against larger players regularly.  In high school he did not have to beat the team down the court.  At IU he did.  I think he learned how to play defense at a higher level.  Wasn't great, but you would have had to have to seen him in HS to understand why I say that.  He just was awkward at that end and would draw really bad fouls at time.  

 

Noah on the other end was always a rebounder at a high level.  What he did not have was an array of moves around the basket that he has now.  His points were almost always on dunks or free throws.  Cody would hit from 5 feet in.  Noah never did.  He would step out and try and hit a jumper, but he was best around the rim.  Now, when you see him shoot a 3, you don't cringe and wonder what in the hell he is doing.  Also, we have seen him use a lot of drop step and reverse for a baby hook.  Or, he has learned how to show ball and go under.  He has far more moves than he did in high school.  We got to see him on ESPN for a few games.  I seen him obviously less than Cody, but it was easy to see he was not comfortable creating in HS.  He is now.  

I won't deny.  Crean is better with wings than bigs.  He turns bigs in to more of a Euro big or stretch 4.  The problem is getting players with a work ethic, like a Vic, Cody, or Noah.  Those type of players that have potential, but also have work ethic.  Noah was Crean's greatest recruit talent wise.  But, he has improved.  I personally think it is wrong to bash a player like Hanner for being overrated then turn to Noah and Cody and say they should have done what they did because they were ranked high.  At some point, each player is ranked on potential.  With Cody, he was a high level player, but most thought he didn't have projection to improve.  With Noah, you look at every recruiting service before this year who was listed as the probable biggest bust of the high recruits, and they all listed Noah because he was raw.  

[mdn82 25,546]

^^^^^  Sorry for the long winded response.  It is an excellent discussion point.