Is It Still To Early To Judge This Team As A Top Contender

[JaybobHoosier 11,843]

Yes or No, and why?

 

Wanted to get some good discussion, because the TV "experts" want to put down IU's competition, even though they have been dominating.  To me, regardless of how good a team is, most conference games are lucky to be won by 20+.  I don't think it's too early to judge, this team would beat anyone the way they are playing.  They won't blow the top teams out, but I still think they would win by 10-15 points against top competition with the way they are playing.  

 

Would love to see them do this on the road :)

[Yogi'sBicep 1,048]

Yes or No, and why?

Wanted to get some good discussion, because the TV "experts" want to put down IU's competition, even though they have been dominating. To me, regardless of how good a team is, most conference games are lucky to be won by 20+. I don't think it's too early to judge, this team would beat anyone the way they are playing. They won't blow the top teams out, but I still think they would win by 10-15 points against top competition with the way they are playing.

Would love to see them do this on the road :)

We are a top contender. If we played the top ten I think we'd beat up on at least 5 teams and another 5 would be close games. Despite what experts say, I'll put my money on us against anyone on any given night. This teams got fire in their eyes

[Trish 11,566]

I mean if we play like we did vs Illinois and Ohio state every night, then yes.

But I need to see us play at Wisconsin and a team like Iowa, Maryland before I start banner 6 party themes.

We've been taking care of business, let's just hope our new and improved play is legit against top B1G teams!

[8bucks 6,452]

We have the talent and I think Crean has shown he can coach good teams well during the season. If we can keep from fading down the stretch we should be considered a contender.

Another good week and we will find ourselves in the top 20.

[Naturalhoosier 15,434]

It's easy for pundits to write off the wins based on opponents W/L records, but when you are doing so by 25-30 points?  That's exceptional.  This is what IU did in the glory days.  Beat the bottom of the barrel by 20, 30, 40 points.  Ultimately, it's too early to judge, but it's erroneous to be dismissive as well.

[Ranger78 1,293]

Just like I told my 10 year old daughter today, I think IU wins it all this year. So many keys, but it starts with YOGI and I think he's ready to bring it home. I think he's big enough to seize the moment and bring us number 6. 

[biteoftheapple 4,115]

I hate to judge this early. I like the way this team is playing. But like Bob Knight once said, when I look at the bench and see who's coaching.....

[HoosierAloha 30,068]

We have the potential to contend in the B1G and make a run in the big dance.  I want to see how we play @Wiscy, @Michigan, vs. Iowa, etc. before I consider IU to be a real player in the B1G conference race.  We might lose some of those but I want to see how we compete.  The recipe for a B1G regular season championship is as follows.

 

Defend home court (5 more wins against Minny, Iowa, Nebrasketball, pu, Maryland)

Win road games we should (@PSU, @ILL)

Steal one or two on the road we shouldn't (@Wiscy, @Michigan, @MSU, @Iowa)

 

I think 15-3 at least ties for the conference title.

[Ranger78 1,293]

We have the potential to contend in the B1G and make a run in the big dance.  I want to see how we play @Wiscy, @Michigan, vs. Iowa, etc. before I consider IU to be a real player in the B1G conference race.  We might lose some of those but I want to see how we compete.  The recipe for a B1G regular season championship is as follows.

 

Defend home court (5 more wins against Minny, Iowa, Nebrasketball, pu, Maryland)

Win road games we should (@PSU, @ILL)

Steal one or two on the road we shouldn't (@Wiscy, @Michigan, @MSU, @Iowa)

 

I think 15-3 at least ties for the conference title.

 

I'm pretty sure we're going to win it all ... I need to go to Vegas (right now) ...

[CrossboneIU22 1,193]

If we play like we have played the last 3 games then yes we can be a top contender.  

 

Here is the problem though.  We haven't beaten anyone who has a good team/coach except maybe Notre Dame.  

 

All of our good conference games against the top teams comes in the 2nd half of the B1G schedule.  This is when we tend to slump every year already.  

 

Is it because they are tired, Maybe?  

 

But when we get in games with good coaches we tend to get out coached and those games are yet to come.  

 

Hope I am wrong but the stars are aligning for an epic meltdown.........unless we continue to play the way we have the last 3 games.  Unfortunately, I just don't have the confidence this will continue.  I am hoping it will though!

[OliviaPope40 6,517]

http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/columnists/gregg-doyel/2016/01/23/doyel-time-take-iu-team-seriously/79234742/

[Ranger78 1,293]

I'm getting old, so I'm going to enjoy this team. Yogi is becoming a leader and he's growing up. He's the key and I would vote on that young man every day of the week. I've seen it before from IU teams and this team has the X factor. 

[Yogi'sBicep 1,048]

http://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2015-10-14/college-basketball-what-made-recent-champions-great

[mdn82 25,510]

http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/columnists/gregg-doyel/2016/01/23/doyel-time-take-iu-team-seriously/79234742/

Wow even Doyle is buying in. This is uncharted territory.

[NRT137 316]

It's way too early. What always happens to crean teams in the month of February?

[Yogi'sBicep 1,048]

It's way too early. What always happens to crean teams in the month of February?

they're gonna kick ace and take names :)

[coonhounds 8,941]

Not to early to judge. They are playing great basketball that is for sure and we are clearly contenders. The question is if they can keep it going

[TrueHoosier62 1,593]

I'll refrain from being overly sarcastic or negative and simply say "yes" it's too early. Way too early.

[Naismith 136]

More than ever, this will be "Yogi's Team" on the road.  

 

For IU to lose, they'll need to go through Yogi!  

 

Sorry, Kevin, You are who You are ... The Tallest Man on the Team.

[HoosierSadaseci 2,258]

I agree with the experts, can't judge this team realistically until we've played the top teams of the B1G. Beating up weaker teams doesn't do anything for me. Our matchups will be much different against Iowa, Maryland, Michigan State, and Purdue.