honestly now

[prodigal hoosier 27]

what percentage of points on this team comes from players not named ferrell or vonleh?  is it greater than 10%?  asking a serious question here.  if i am defending this team in a game, i don't bother with anyone on the perimeter and double vonleh when he gets a touch, and double yogi on a drive to try to force him outside the lane into one of those jump passes.  i like crean but am removing him from this discussion entirely - who else scores reliably outside of those two? 

 

nobody seems to want to shoot from the perimeter.

 

all that said, the optimist in me feels that this group could be scary good in another 2-3 years sans vonleh.  the pessimist in me wonders why we can't seal the deal at home and don't show up on road games.  common sense says coaching but I'm not going to fire that shot at the moment.  the pessimist in me says we could also go 1-5 in the near future…..

 

one thing we can all agree on though - more booze please!  unless you're under age, then it's more library please!

 

edit: spelling - because I'm a dumbass sometimes

[Parakeet Jones 3,740]

what percentage of points on this team comes from players not named ferrell or vonleh?  is it greater than 10%?  asking a serious question here.  if i am defending this team in a game, i don't bother with anyone on the perimeter and double vonleh when he gets a touch, and double yogi on a drive to try to force him outside the lane into one of those jump passes.  i like crean but am removing him from this discussion entirely - who else scores reliably outside of those two? 

 

nobody seems to what to shoot from the perimeter.

 

all that said, the optimist in me feels that this group could be scary good in another 2-3 years sans vonleh.  the pessimist in me wonders why we can't seal the deal at home and don't show up on road games.  common sense says coaching but I'm not going to fire that shot at the moment.  the pessimist in me says we could also to 1-5 in the near future…..

 

one thing we can all agree on though - more booze please!  unless you're under age, then it's more library please!

 

Mental immaturity.  

[IU Hoosier41 14,465]

I think you've made quite a few fair observations.  This team is really missing a shooter and someone who can score consistently.  There does seem to be too much standing around before anything happens.  I've said this all year long, our best offense is when we get a shot up within 10 seconds because it allows us to either make it, get an offense rebound and putback or avoid turning the ball over.

 

That obviously isn't a long term solution, but for this team it might just actually work out.

[Hwy 1 2,053]

We have 3 sharpshooters coming in next year. Call me a cubs fan, wait till next year! ;)

[IU Hoosier41 14,465]

We have 3 sharpshooters coming in next year. Call me a cubs fan, wait till next year! ;)

 

I really think if Hoosiers knew just how good of shooters we have coming in they would cool their horses a little bit.  This isn't the end of the world.  These guys will all improve over the offseason and come back hungry to get to the dance.  The main question that remains is will Vonleh stay, or will he go.

[JSHoosier 19,811]

I really think if Hoosiers knew just how good of shooters we have coming in they would cool their horses a little bit.  This isn't the end of the world.  These guys will all improve over the offseason and come back hungry to get to the dance.  The main question that remains is will Vonleh stay, or will he go.

They're still freshman though.  As good as Blackmon is he will probably need time to adjust to the college game, the others absolutely will.  Let's not fall into the trap of thinking these kids will come right in and be difference makers again.

[BGleas 7,880]

The problem is, we don't want to "get to the dance". That was supposed to be this year. Next year is supposed to be IU being a contender in The Dance.

I really think if Hoosiers knew just how good of shooters we have coming in they would cool their horses a little bit.  This isn't the end of the world.  These guys will all improve over the offseason and come back hungry to get to the dance.  The main question that remains is will Vonleh stay, or will he go.

[mdn82 25,510]

They're still freshman though.  As good as Blackmon is he will probably need time to adjust to the college game, the others absolutely will.  Let's not fall into the trap of thinking these kids will come right in and be difference makers again.

I truly think he comes in as a Freshman and averages 15.  I have seen him play a bit, and think he has that ability.  Part of that is need, and part of that is his ability to get the ball in the basket.  That dude doesn't wait in the corner until he gets the ball to shoot.  He is good on the ball and off.  He is only 6'2", so when he sees a double team, he isn't looking over it.  He is still scoring.  He has done it against solid talent.  He has done it against elite talent.  That said, he will have good games, and bad games.  All players do.  I think the other Freshman will struggle more than him.  I hope we get a Juco big.  That is my main worry.  

[8bucks 6,345]

All the McDs under Crean have lived up to their hype so I will give you Blackman. But currently we are 1 game out of last place. Do you think that adding the 3 freshman next year will propel us from the cellar to a contender? <br /><br />If Noah does not come back are you still optimistic? If so is that based on an assumption we bring in a really good big to replace him? <br /><br /><br />Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners

[Hwy 1 2,053]

They're still freshman though.  As good as Blackmon is he will probably need time to adjust to the college game, the others absolutely will.  Let's not fall into the trap of thinking these kids will come right in and be difference makers again.

 

 

How do you know it's a trap? I don't expect him to score thirty a game but JB2 can light it up. Johnson and Max aren't exactly chopped liver either. It should open things up to have more than Yogi able to hit threes. Seriously, you're just being negative to be negative on this.

[mdn82 25,510]

The problem is, we don't want to "get to the dance". That was supposed to be this year. Next year is supposed to be IU being a contender in The Dance.
 

 

I think we have to have a team that can make some noise next year.  Iowa and MSU will lose key players.  UM might lose Stauskas.  We should be (talent wise) toward the top of the B1G next year if Vonleh comes back.  We have to be.  

[Hovadipo 54,963]

[quote name="JSHoosier" post="39766" timestamp="1392521436"]They're still freshman though. As good as Blackmon is he will probably need time to adjust to the college game, the others absolutely will. Let's not fall into the trap of thinking these kids will come right in and be difference makers again.[/quote]

Agreed. That's one of the problems this year as well. As much as I want Hoetzel to succeed (I think he will) I don't think it will be until he's a Junior. Maybe a Sophomore. JB2 will be really good after getting some time in and RJ I think will be a decent contributor, but won't ever set The Hall on fire.


Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners

[mdn82 25,510]

All the McDs under Crean have lived up to their hype so I will give you Blackman. But currently we are 1 game out of last place. Do you think that adding the 3 freshman next year will propel us from the cellar to a contender? <br /><br />If Noah does not come back are you still optimistic? If so is that based on an assumption we bring in a really good big to replace him? <br /><br /><br />Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners

 

If Noah does not come back, I am less optimistic.  We are currently 1 game out of last place.  I am banking on the progression of our players.  Stan will get better.  Troy will get better.  I think Devin has potential.  If Jeremy brings consistency, we are in business.  If Noah comes back, we will be legit.  He is only going to get better.  He just turned 18 in August.  He is young for his grade.  I am excited for next year, yet reserved after this year.  

[JSHoosier 19,811]

How do you know it's a trap? I don't expect him to score thirty a game but JB2 can light it up. Johnson and Max aren't exactly chopped liver either. It should open things up to have more than Yogi able to hit threes. Seriously, you're just being negative to be negative on this.

I'm just saying they are freshman, and in general freshman have to adjust.  The little bit I've seen of Johnson he won't be playing over Stan as a freshman, he's a solid get but I wouldn't expect much out of him next year.  It's just the way it is with most freshman.

 

I know Blackmon can light it up, he's the player I wanted most in 2014.

[8bucks 6,345]

Can you think of any team that has gone from the cellar to a contender in one year? Maybe a team like the fab 5 who brought in a 5 or 4 star kid at every position. We are not doing that. I agree we will likely see our current freshman improve too but I just find a jump of that magnitude unrealistic. <br /><br /><br />Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners

[Hwy 1 2,053]

I'm just saying they are freshman, and in general freshman have to adjust.  The little bit I've seen of Johnson he won't be playing over Stan as a freshman, he's a solid get but I wouldn't expect much out of him next year.  It's just the way it is with most freshman.

 

I know Blackmon can light it up, he's the player I wanted most in 2014.

 

 

Presentation is everything in posting, just like location is everything in real estate. You said the same thing this time but it wasn't with that overbearing negative confrontational attitude you often display. It makes a big difference. I can respect this post, the other one not so much. It's one thing to come off that way once in awhile, I think most of us have been guilty of that from time to time. It's quite another to do it all the time.

[JSHoosier 19,811]

Presentation is everything in posting, just like location is everything in real estate. You said the same thing this time but it wasn't with that overbearing negative confrontational attitude you often display. It makes a big difference. I can respect this post, the other one not so much. It's one thing to come off that way once in awhile, I think most of us have been guilty of that from time to time. It's quite another to do it all the time.

I really wasn't trying to be confrontational, and didn't feel I was.  It's the internet, it's difficult to convey tone in a typed message so I could see how a post can come across that way even if it's not intended.

[mdn82 25,510]

Can you think of any team that has gone from the cellar to a contender in one year? Maybe a team like the fab 5 who brought in a 5 or 4 star kid at every position. We are not doing that. I agree we will likely see our current freshman improve too but I just find a jump of that magnitude unrealistic. <br /><br /><br />Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners

 

We went from 12-20 to 27-9 just a couple of years ago.  I thought we had a team that could compete with anyone that year.  

[bronkonagurski 894]

Help is on the way!  :ninja:

 

Sorry could not help myself.  Adding shooters is a very good thing.  I'm still concerned about how the remainder of the roster will take shape.  And expecting James, Robert and Max to solve everything...I welcome these additions but you still have to allow some room for freshmen to be freshmen. 

 

The biggest key in my mind is about the existing roster.  Who stays?  Who leaves?  Who busts their ass the entire summer to get better?  The answers to those questions has a lot more to do with our fate next season then our incoming class of 3 fine young men who I cannot wait to watch play for Indiana.  Nothing but full support for every kid in the INDIANA uniform. 

[8bucks 6,345]

We went from 12-20 to 27-9 just a couple of years ago. I thought we had a team that could compete with anyone that year.

this is a good reference and I wonder if it would be enough. Let's say that happens and we jump like that again. Following a similar assumption we top out 4th or so in the BT and get to the sweet sixteen like that team. Though we could compete with anyone we are ranked around #15. A big jump from this year. For this to happen I think Noah has to stay. So after the sweet sixteen year Noah goes pro. Was that our peak? Do we fall back to marginal? Do we fall like this year?<br /><br /><br />Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners