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

[mdn82 25,510]

Really you think MSU still has a chance.  Even if they run the table not sure Iowa losing 4 games is likely. 

 

As much as people aren't sold on us yet, the same should be said for Iowa.  They start league hot almost every year and then fall off worse than we do.  I am reserving thoughts on them the same as us until we get to mid February.  I think they are very good as I feel we are too.  If we could be ranked for one week of play instead of the whole season, I feel we both are playing like top 10 teams right now.  We will have to see in 3-4 weeks for both.  

[Uspshoosier 46,109]

For what it's worth, in my forty years of watching Big Ten basketball, this is the worst collection of teams I've ever seen, and it's not even close. There isn't one team that passes the eye test. Many years, there's at least one, possibly two or three that one can make an argument for; but not this year. Accordingly, I don't really care how good IU looks right now, or even how well they look down the stretch, it just doesn't say much. Let's save the hyperbole until this team, and particularly this coach, does something worthy of it. Until then, we're only sounding like Purdue or Illinois fans, thinking a championship is just around the corner, when everyone else knows better.

a different take could be since there is no dominate team in college basketball this year (maybe North Carolina or Kansas) this could be a year where iu is one of at least 20 teams that could make a run in the tournament this year. The best team doesn't always win in March

[mdn82 25,510]

For what it's worth, in my forty years of watching Big Ten basketball, this is the worst collection of teams I've ever seen, and it's not even close. There isn't one team that passes the eye test. Many years, there's at least one, possibly two or three that one can make an argument for; but not this year. Accordingly, I don't really care how good IU looks right now, or even how well they look down the stretch, it just doesn't say much. Let's save the hyperbole until this team, and particularly this coach, does something worthy of it. Until then, we're only sounding like Purdue or Illinois fans, thinking a championship is just around the corner, when everyone else knows better.

I think there aren't many teams that pass the "eye test" for older fans in this year and the past five years throughout the nation.  It isn't just the B1G that is down.  College ball is very different.  I think this tournament is a crap shoot.  I bet you there will be about 20 or so teams feeling very optimistic when the draws come out.  UNC is about as close as it comes to a favorite.  Beyond them?  A bunch of teams are capable if they are hot.

[8bucks 6,476]

Really you think MSU still has a chance. Even if they run the table not sure Iowa losing 4 games is likely.

MSU may not win the regular season but I think they will be a contender for the BTT.

[Brass Cannon 24,876]

I think there aren't many teams that pass the "eye test" for older fans in this year and the past five years throughout the nation.  It isn't just the B1G that is down.  College ball is very different.  I think this tournament is a crap shoot.  I bet you there will be about 20 or so teams feeling very optimistic when the draws come out.  UNC is about as close as it comes to a favorite.  Beyond them?  A bunch of teams are capable if they are hot.

 

Which is hilarious since they should have been on a post season ban

[Uspshoosier 46,109]

As much as people aren't sold on us yet, the same should be said for Iowa. They start league hot almost every year and then fall off worse than we do. I am reserving thoughts on them the same as us until we get to mid February. I think they are very good as I feel we are too. If we could be ranked for one week of play instead of the whole season, I feel we both are playing like top 10 teams right now. We will have to see in 3-4 weeks for both.

iowa starts 4 seniors and a junior. That's a lineup you usually see from s mid major making a run in the tournament. For a major conference team to have that many upper classman starting has to be unusual. To me Iowa has impressed me all year even in their losses. They had Iowa st beat on the road and kind of blew it at the end of the game. I agree the winner of the B1G will still have 4 losses. I look forward to out matchups agaisnt them in the future. I have said this before but I am rooting for Iowa more this year since Fran took the time to talk basketball with me when I approached him in between games at southport watching Malik Williams

[Uspshoosier 46,109]

I think there aren't many teams that pass the "eye test" for older fans in this year and the past five years throughout the nation. It isn't just the B1G that is down. College ball is very different. I think this tournament is a crap shoot. I bet you there will be about 20 or so teams feeling very optimistic when the draws come out. UNC is about as close as it comes to a favorite. Beyond them? A bunch of teams are capable if they are hot.

great minds think alike

[Brass Cannon 24,876]

The Parity might be somewhat good for the league if you think about it.  Right now there are 6-7 teams whose fanbases probably think they have a legit shot to win the Big Ten.  If both us and Iowa collapse that is.  

[HoosierSadaseci 2,258]

It shouldn't be a pissing match. Very valid question. Maryland hasn't beaten anyone much better than Notre Dame. They won at Wisky by 3 which isn't easy. What makes Maryland so impressive? By the perception of what we are downgrading our schedule, I would say the only team left worth a damn we have to play is Iowa. MSU just lost 3 in a row. PU hasn't been good. Maryland hasn't beat anybody. Its not like we get to go to Maryland. I am trying to figure out what will be even impressive beyond Iowa. If we go 16-2 and lose both games to Iowa, does that mean we are a 5 seed? I mean, the B1G sucks. Road wins really mean nothing. When we beat anyone it really doesn't matter, because we didn't beat anyone good. Please don't follow up with nice try sonny when you aren't sure of what to say, because you aren't sure who those teams have beat. Maryland has beaten UConn at home, and Wisky on the road. Those are their best wins. Purdue has beaten Wisky on the road. Florida at home which I wouldn't consider a "good" win this year. MSU has been better this year beating Kansas early on, as well as Louisville. They should be considered solid. There, hopefully that helps you see which teams have actually beaten anyone.

I'm sorry, I thought this was a thread about judging IU, not Maryland, try to keep it on topic.

[mdn82 25,510]

I'm sorry, I thought this was a thread about judging IU, not Maryland, try to keep it on topic.

When you are saying those other teams are good what makes them good? Scared to answer a question or what?

[mdn82 25,510]

Doesn't saying Indiana beating nobody instantly turn the discussion into what makes these teams into good teams that we are about to face? I understand you like to use blanket statements with little reasoning behind them other than disdain toward Crean but why don't YOU actually try discussing various topics. It might become enjoyable since you know this is what this board is all about. Oh and we are good on mods you don't have to try.

[HoosierSadaseci 2,258]

When you are saying those other teams are good what makes them good? Scared to answer a question or what?

Because all those teams have better wins overall than IU does. I'm not saying IU sucks, I'm just saying that I'm not sold until we beat a really good team. Anything wrong with that?

The topic started with the question that is to too early to judge this team as being a contender, I gave my answer, I don't need berated for it just because you don't agree. Geez.

[HoosierAloha 30,068]

Doesn't saying Indiana beating nobody instantly turn the discussion into what makes these teams into good teams that we are about to face? I understand you like to use blanket statements with little reasoning behind them other than disdain toward Crean but why don't YOU actually try discussing various topics. It might become enjoyable since you know this is what this board is all about. Oh and we are good on mods you don't have to try.

 

I think it's fair to look at other teams when trying to determine if IU is legit.  Northwestern went to Maryland and almost pulled out a huge road win.  They ventured down south after that game and got completely shellacked.  Did the tough road loss at Maryland lead to a loss of confidence before heading to Btown.  Maryland has the potential to be really good with the depth and talent of players but have yet to see that potential in big games.  I wouldn't be surprised to see IU finish ahead of them in the final B1G standings.  

[Brass Cannon 24,876]

Because all those teams have better wins overall than IU does. I'm not saying IU sucks, I'm just saying that I'm not sold until we beat a really good team. Anything wrong with that?

The topic started with the question that is to too early to judge this team as being a contender, I gave my answer, I don't need berated for it just because you don't agree. Geez.

Maryland does not have better wins that was the point.

[LIHoosier 26,458]

I think it's fair to look at other teams when trying to determine if IU is legit.  Northwestern went to Maryland and almost pulled out a huge road win.  They ventured down south after that game and got completely shellacked. 

Sorry to be Teddy Technical, but College Park is about 10 miles or so south of Bloomington.  :D

 

Maryland does not have better wins that was the point.

MD and IU have pretty similar best wins; MD's is UConn(KP:31) and IU's is Notre Dame(KP:28). MD also lost 6 weeks apart to good or traditionally good teams(UNC/MIchigan) while we laid a turd in Hawaii then came back and got taken to the shed by Duke in 10 days time; all on the national radar. With the week they had and the week we had, we should we within 5 spots of each other tomorrow. In reality, they'll be 10-12 while we might scrape the top 20.

[mdn82 25,510]

Because all those teams have better wins overall than IU does. I'm not saying IU sucks, I'm just saying that I'm not sold until we beat a really good team. Anything wrong with that?

The topic started with the question that is to too early to judge this team as being a contender, I gave my answer, I don't need berated for it just because you don't agree. Geez.

No you act like whiny kid when someone asked you a valid question before me. No need for that. When you put a thought on a message board you may want to expect people to debate you. It's part of that. Sorry you feel this is me berating you but debating differing opinions is sort of the point of this...

[drewheck 749]

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 :)

if we win tuesday i dont think it is

[colonel06 1,917]

I think we can contend with steady improvement each game. Also, we are getting some help with losses of the other league contenders so far. The key question remains can we keep the razor focus needed in that dreaded Hoosier month of February?

[Feathery 4,005]

No, it's not too early. Before the season started I felt the team was the most talented if Bryant was solid. He is solid and we Have the best talent. Already have a 2 game lead over everyone but Iowa. If we don't finish in the top 2, then the team struggled down the stretch again.

[HoosierAloha 30,068]

Sorry to be Teddy Technical, but College Park is about 10 miles or so south of Bloomington.  :D

 

 

I should have been more specific.  "Ventured down south" was meant in reference from Evanston to Btown.