Most Feared/Most Anticipated NCAA Opponents...

[Bryan Medema 1,488]

Brothers and Sisters of the Hoosier Nation, I have seen the light. Maybe it's the Upland Wheat talking, but this Hoosier team has become one of my favorite to watch (a sentiment echoed by multiple major news outlets and sports writers) in recent memory. While the pace, shooting, and talent of this Hoosier team has made every IU game a must-see-tv event, their clear commitment to each other and the name on the front of their jersey (as well as their Diet Pepsi (c) guzzling leader) has made this team a pleasure to watch. But I digress...

With their current record (15-4, 5-1) and a challenging, but favorable, road ahead, the prospect of dancing this March is as real as it has been in almost two years. Call it blasphemy, but, as a great man once said "I callz um as I seez um." 

 

That being said, who are the teams that you want to see the most/least in this year's edition of the big dance? (not to be confused with the B1G dance) Take into consideration any and all factors you'd like: Lineups, tempo, style, rivalry, scores to settle, mascots, who produces more corn...Take your pick. 

 

Most Feared: 

-VCU: Small ball mastery under Shaka Smart. IU has brought B1G opponents to the woodshed playing small ball but VCU has more experience and their havoc defense might just reignite some old issues with turnovers.

 

-Virginia: The "1" seed that I'd least like to see. They play smart, physical, and seem to dictate pace wherever they go. Unlike Duke, who seems prone to lapses in judgement (covered by their talent level), UVA looks like an almost flawless product. Given a team that doesn't make mistakes, I think Virginia has the edge.

 

-Iowa State: Well coached, diverse lineup that will be battle tested by a rough Big 12. I have a hard time quantifying this one, but, from the few times I've seen them play I know they are a team I don't want to face come March. (Insightful, I know).

 

-UNC: Hot and getting hotter. Their seeding might suffer due to some early season woes (and the rough ACC), but they've proven they can strike with certainty and make use of their outstanding talent.

 

Most Anticipated:

-Eastern Washington: Revenge. 'Nuff said.

 

-Duke/UK: Outstanding talent, but prone to mistakes (covered by said talent). Both offer IU the chance to stun fellow blue-blood programs (albeit, bluer blood as of late, no team color pun intended) through our tempo, unique lineup, and ability to shoot the ball. Bonus points to UK for potentially offering IU the chance to protect the '76 team.

 

-Syracuse: They might not make it in, but if they do (and IU holds projected seeding) this could be a potential first round matchup. For IU, it's a chance at revenge with the perfect tools to do it. How to beat the zone? Shoot. Just ask Maryland, we've got that in spades.

 

-Anyone Else from the SEC: I just hate the SEC, so very, very much and I think we could beat any of them (except for that team from Lexington, maybe).

 

Who do you all want to/not want to see?

[OliviaPope40 7,440]

I almost want to say Wisconsin for most feared. 

[Bryan Medema 1,488]

I almost want to say Wisconsin for most feared. 

I agree, I just decided to keep B1G teams out of this. Their ability to dictate pace and Kaminsky's ability to step outside the post (something UW post players all seem to be capable of) neutralizes our ability to spread the floor effectively. We'd need to shoot 60% again to beat them. 

[Crimson and Cream 5,961]

Most Feared: Any team with size

Most Anticipated: Any team without size

[rebelhoosier848891 9,588]

I fear no one----bring them on!  :biggrin:

[KingPG21 6,587]

Not even the slightest bit concerned about VCU. Been saying for years the Havoc defense is overrated, because it is. For a defense that gets praised as much as it does, it sure doesn't pan out statistically with advanced statistics

[bnkepner 1,509]

Not even the slightest bit concerned about VCU. Been saying for years the Havoc defense is overrated, because it is. For a defense that gets praised as much as it does, it sure doesn't pan out statistically with advanced statistics

Yeah VCU doesn't scare me. Somehow they are ranked 16th even though they haven't really played anybody this year. They have played a few ranked teams but only won 1 game against a ranked team. Overrated in my book. Also North Carolina doesnt scare me either. Another overrated team

[rebelhoosier848891 9,588]

Not even the slightest bit concerned about VCU. Been saying for years the Havoc defense is overrated, because it is. For a defense that gets praised as much as it does, it sure doesn't pan out statistically with advanced statistics

 

Yeah---the VCU mystique has worn off---teams have figured them out---and they don't have the horses we do-----we would run them out of the building----Troy would have a field day!
 

[WayneFleekHoosier 51,365]

Yeah---the VCU mystique has worn off---teams have figured them out---and they don't have the horses we do-----we would run them out of the building----Troy would have a field day!

uh, not so fast. Look at VCUs record and results this year. They are no slouch at all.

[Str8Hoosiers 2,972]

I do fear VCU, a new defense that we haven't seen = disaster at IU usually...

 

Virginia however I do not fear.. don't get me wrong I think they are very good, however the packline defense plays PERFECTLY into what our offense wants to do... Dribble into shots, dribble kick to outside shooters who can hit even with a defender trying to closeout... I would take our offense over there defense 99 games out of 100 (vs I could see VCU defense winning the battle against our offense at least 60 times out of 100)

 

Most Anticipated = UofL &/or UK

I think we can beat either of these teams... UofL has some revenge factor in that they played there very best game of the season against us and wouldn't shoot like that again. Both would be tough games but i do think we could beat any of them if we are at least semi-on... wouldn't have to be full blown Maryland on but not MSU off either....