What are your expectations for the 2015-16 season?

[KelleyHoosh 2,263]

I don't think its unreasonable for Indiana fans to want in a four year span: 

 

Three years of at least the Sweet 16 and one early tournament exit. 

 

For me, I would be satisfied with 

 

One season where we play at a high level and get to at least the elite 8

Two seasons where we reach the sweet 16 

One season with a first or second round exit

 

The talent on this team makes me hope for one of those elite 8 type of seasons. But my expectation is a sweet 16

[Beowulf50 816]

I don't think its unreasonable for Indiana fans to want in a four year span:

Three years of at least the Sweet 16 and one early tournament exit.

For me, I would be satisfied with

One season where we play at a high level and get to at least the elite 8
Two seasons where we reach the sweet 16
One season with a first or second round exit

The talent on this team makes me hope for one of those elite 8 type of seasons. But my expectation is a sweet 16

Kelley I think we are just so thirsty for championship success...it's been along time. Some of us are patient some not so much, some to a detriment.

[JSHoosier 19,844]

No most of us are not content with sweet 16's or elite 8's. This is Indiana and it is time we get banners and I do mean championship banners. I see a lot of positive going on in the program so I really wish some of the die hard fans would not throw the negative gasoline on before the seasone begins.

The criticisms, or what you call negativity, are still completely valid though.  This team had very serious flaws that Bryant does not solve; all we have is hope that they're being worked on.  You can call it "throwing negative gasoline", but it is still 100% true.

 

Bryant won't make the perimeter players suddenly give a crap about staying in front of their man.  Bryant isn't going to hop in a space shuttle powered by pixie dust or hopes and dreams and bring "ball-you-man" back from Pluto or wherever because it sure as h-e-double hockey sticks isn't anywhere near Bloomington, IN.  We were putrid at those, and until we show otherwise we still are.  We can improve at those, but it will take a lot more than just adding Thomas Bryant.  We need to take an astronomical leap on the defensive end, for reasons that go beyond post defense; I won't get into why I don't think we have what it takes to make that kind of leap.

 

You can call it whatever you want, but it's still true.

[Beowulf50 816]

The criticisms, or what you call negativity, are still completely valid though. This team had very serious flaws that Bryant does not solve; all we have is hope that they're being worked on. You can call it "throwing negative gasoline", but it is still 100% true.

Bryant won't make the perimeter players suddenly give a crap about staying in front of their man. Bryant isn't going to hop in a space shuttle powered by pixie dust or hopes and dreams and bring "ball-you-man" back from Pluto or wherever because it sure as h-e-double hockey sticks isn't anywhere near Bloomington, IN. We were putrid at those, and until we show otherwise we still are. We can improve at those, but it will take a lot more than just adding Thomas Bryant. We need to take an astronomical leap on the defensive end, for reasons that go beyond post defense; I won't get into why I don't think we have what it takes to make that kind of leap.

You can call it whatever you want, but it's still true.

Same ol same ol. I would not expect anymore. "It's still true" the season is yet to begin and we are the same as last year??

[JSHoosier 19,844]

Same ol same ol. I would not expect anymore. "It's still true" the season is yet to begin and we are the same as last year??

Until we show otherwise, those things are the same.  All we have to go off of as far as those things go is what we've seen, and what we've seen is putrid.  As it stands now the only thing we have to say that those things are better or being worked on is hope.  That might be fine for you, but not everyone is wired that way; some of us need something more substantial than just hope.

[MikeRoberts 6,921]

Same ol same ol. I would not expect anymore. "It's still true" the season is yet to begin and we are the same as last year??

not the same, I think most would assume we will be better this year, but to compete for anything worth getting excited about, we would need to make astrinomical leaps and bounds in the defensive category. It would be one of the biggest defensive improvements by a team in history

[Walking Boot of Doom 18,170]

I get the attitude that improvement has to be shown before it is believed, but at the same time, no one here can say that Bryant hasn't allowed for more aspects of the defense to be improved than just the gaping hole in the paint. Maybe since our perimeter guys will have to worry less about sagging on the post, they can focus more on their perimeter defense.

You can just as easily say Bryant may fix a lot of our defensive issues as point out all of the issues he may not fix.

[Alford Bailey 12,355]

not the same, I think most would assume we will be better this year, but to compete for anything worth getting excited about, we would need to make astrinomical leaps and bounds in the defensive category. It would be one of the biggest defensive improvements by a team in history

This is where the numbers don't lie. From mid 200's on D to 100 ish would be huge. Let alone top 30 ish to start thinking about a final four. And all with the same coach who isnt known for his defense by any stretch.

[Alford Bailey 12,355]

I get the attitude that improvement has to be shown before it is believed, but at the same time, no one here can say that Bryant hasn't allowed for more aspects of the defense to be improved than just the gaping hole in the paint. Maybe since our perimeter guys will have to worry less about sagging on the post, they can focus more on their perimeter defense.

You can just as easily say Bryant may fix a lot of our defensive issues as point out all of the issues he may not fix.

Bryant will certainly help. But, the kid is a freshmen. If we are twice as good on defense this year vs last we still arent top 100. I expect improvement but boy we have a long way to go.

[KelleyHoosh 2,263]

I know he has a better basketball IQ than hanner did, but I'm really concerned about quality depth in the front court. We have bodies, but no real proven players. Going to be something to watch develop

[MikeRoberts 6,921]

This is where the numbers don't lie. From mid 200's on D to 100 ish would be huge. Let alone top 30 ish to start thinking about a final four. And all with the same coach who isnt known for his defense by any stretch.

not only same coach but same players sans one

[KelleyHoosh 2,263]

not only same coach but same players sans one

True, that may end up being addition by subtraction though

[WayneFleekHoosier 47,969]

Crean was in Fort Wayne apparently for a kids function (church) maybe.

Second hand info here but 2 things that were alluded to:

1. Max Bielfeldt fits in great with the team. Already acting like a leader. Crean expects things from him.

2. JBJ is going to play on the ball a little more apparently.

That is all I heard. Second hand here...

[Uspshoosier 45,157]

Each new season is a chance to improve or regress. In 2013 (17-15) year we were 47th ken Pom defense, last years defense regressed to in the 200's. Same coach and most of the same players. What was the difference in the 2 years that made such a huge gap? Losing will, evan, and noah. In my opinion some of it had to do with noah in the middle. I'm not saying they will be an elite defensive team next year but they will be closer in adjusted defense on par with the 2012, 2013, and 2014 teams instead of the 2015 team

[Walking Boot of Doom 18,170]

Bryant will certainly help. But, the kid is a freshmen. If we are twice as good on defense this year vs last we still arent top 100. I expect improvement but boy we have a long way to go.

Absolutely. Just wanted to highlight that there are two ways to look at the situation. I think, as JSHoosier has pointed out, this past seasons defense is a definite outlier. We may be able to expect much greater improvement than a reasonable person may assume.

[Class of '66 Old Fart 84,012]

Until we show otherwise, those things are the same.  All we have to go off of as far as those things go is what we've seen, and what we've seen is putrid.  As it stands now the only thing we have to say that those things are better or being worked on is hope.  That might be fine for you, but not everyone is wired that way; some of us need something more substantial than just hope.

 

To paraphrase the famous quote from 'Jerry Maguire', "Show me the improved defense!"  Many of us are tired of the off-season hand clapping and we're getting better everyday comments only to watch the team step on the floor and we shake our heads slowly in a horizontal direction vs. rapid shakes in a vertical direction.  If we can't exhibit a much improved defense against some pretty good caliber competition in the Maui Classic then it's probably going to be another disappointing season.   Oh, we'll be a good team but we won't be a great team and capable of making it to the Elite 8 let alone the Final 4.

[BGleas 7,880]

Thanks for sharing! #2 is where I shake my head! When we have a senior point guard who is 1st Team All Big Ten, a potential Big Ten POY and arguably an All-American candidate, why in the world would we put the ball in JBJ's hands more? JBJ has shaky handles and doesn't create well on his own.

It just doesn't make sense. Run JBJ off baseline screens like a mad man (ala Reggie Miller) and let's use his greatest strength to win some games.

Crean was in Fort Wayne apparently for a kids function (church) maybe.

Second hand info here but 2 things that were alluded to:

1. Max Bielfeldt fits in great with the team. Already acting like a leader. Crean expects things from him.

2. JBJ is going to play on the ball a little more apparently.

That is all I heard. Second hand here...

[JSHoosier 19,844]

Absolutely. Just wanted to highlight that there are two ways to look at the situation. I think, as JSHoosier has pointed out, this past seasons defense is a definite outlier. We may be able to expect much greater improvement than a reasonable person may assume.

Sure I'd go as far as to say the non-existent defense we saw was an outlier, but no more of an outlier than good defenses over Crean's career. Fact is his average defensive rank is mid 90s, far from good. Also not good enough to accomplish what some on this thread expect.

Bryant will help, but I still contend our issues extended beyond that.

[WayneFleekHoosier 47,969]

Thanks for sharing! #2 is where I shake my head! When we have a senior point guard who is 1st Team All Big Ten, a potential Big Ten POY and arguably an All-American candidate, why in the world would we put the ball in JBJ's hands more? JBJ has shaky handles and doesn't create well on his own.

It just doesn't make sense. Run JBJ off baseline screens like a mad man (ala Reggie Miller) and let's use his greatest strength to win some games.

exactly my thought when I heard that. Exactly.

[KelleyHoosh 2,263]

JBJ did brand himself on Twitter as a 6'4 point guard. Maybe this move is to help his NBA stock and let Yogi play off the ball as more of a scorer. I guess that's the thought process behind that...