Indiana v. Minnesota - Post Game Thread

[Old Friend 8,389]

The most fun part of the ride, is going to be going to web sites every every game, and watching the swings in emotion.  Every win we are tops, every loss, we are the worst team to ever play college basketball.   :)

This is very true.  I, for one, try to look at reasons and causes rather than results.  When we lost at Wisconsin, we did so because we couldn't guard, and we we had the same problem we always do against them offensively....everything was off the dribble because they took away transition like they always do, and our half court offense is terrible.  (We had 6 assists....and that's true far more often than not against them.  Should tell anyone everything they need to know.  This week, we made a lot of shots off the dribble.   We don't do that consistently)  That's been true for the entirety of Crean's tenure.....which is a problem.  The formula for beating Indiana has been the same for 6 years (I'll stay away from the first 2).

 

When we win, we're usually able to score in transition and can open the floor, etc.  We've had that discussion ad nauseum.   Ohio State, 19 assists.  Northwestern  21 assists, etc.

 

If Indiana plays well....their way; and a team plays better?  I would hope people would see that.  

[Stuhoo 80,577]

Indiana is in a fun position. Current Sagarin rating is 16 with an SOS of 114. That'd put us at ~ 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament. But....the rest of this season plays out in such a way that I'm not sure any of it matters. So far, the only team we played ranked higher (in Sagarin) than we are is Duke, at 15. Notre Dame is next at 33. After that, it's Wisconsin at 50 and down from there. We truly have played an awful schedule. That's a real argument and a real problem. But....

We have 5 games left against teams rated higher than we are right now, and another against #22 Michigan on the road.

We have a chance to change things dramatically for the better. Or...dramatically to our detriment. Assuming we beat Illinois, Nebraska, and Penn State : We somehow win out and play on Saturday in the BTT? A #1 seed is possible given the parity around the country. Indiana figures out a way to win 3 games of those 5 against the teams rated higher than we are? Indiana can be a top 2-3 seed. We drop 4 or 5 of them? Probably a #8 seed. If a top 2-3 seed and some success in the BTT and NCAA Tournament? Indiana's coach probably quiets his critics for a little while. If a 6-9 seed and only a win or less in the NCAA? I don't know how he keeps his job.

A LOT can happen in the next 4 weeks; and (I'm not being flip about this) the prior 9 weeks truly are meaningless in comparison. Hands and feet inside the car at all times. The ride is about to begin.

And....Old Friend drops the mic; walks offstage to a standing ovation.

[chitown hoosier 743]

Indiana is in a fun position. Current Sagarin rating is 16 with an SOS of 114. That'd put us at ~ 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament. But....the rest of this season plays out in such a way that I'm not sure any of it matters. So far, the only team we played ranked higher (in Sagarin) than we are is Duke, at 15. Notre Dame is next at 33. After that, it's Wisconsin at 50 and down from there. We truly have played an awful schedule. That's a real argument and a real problem. But....

We have 5 games left against teams rated higher than we are right now, and another against #22 Michigan on the road.

We have a chance to change things dramatically for the better. Or...dramatically to our detriment. Assuming we beat Illinois, Nebraska, and Penn State : We somehow win out and play on Saturday in the BTT? A #1 seed is possible given the parity around the country. Indiana figures out a way to win 3 games of those 5 against the teams rated higher than we are? Indiana can be a top 2-3 seed. We drop 4 or 5 of them? Probably a #8 seed. If a top 2-3 seed and some success in the BTT and NCAA Tournament? Indiana's coach probably quiets his critics for a little while. If a 6-9 seed and only a win or less in the NCAA? I don't know how he keeps his job.

A LOT can happen in the next 4 weeks; and (I'm not being flip about this) the prior 9 weeks truly are meaningless in comparison. Hands and feet inside the car at all times. The ride is about to begin.

I agree. This team will either play beyond our expectations or will be like last years team. The only thing I don't agree with is if they end up in the tournament, I think coach will still be here next year despise the performance. There's some key components committed for next year. If they underachieve next year then yes, Crean is pretty much gone.

[Brass Cannon 24,726]

I agree. This team will either play beyond our expectations or will be like last years team. The only thing I don't agree with is if they end up in the tournament, I think coach will still be here next year despise the performance. There's some key components committed for next year. If they underachieve next year then yes, Crean is pretty much gone.

I'll post a response in the Fire Tom Crean Thread

[Whoozhers 3,683]

To have a poor defensive re-lapse is inexcusable at this point of the season.
Borders on coaching malpractice IMO.
it's embarrassing.
It's INDIANA for petes sake.

[indianato 157]

Look, even Knight's golden years, the team would struggle against lesser competition. The 87 team won a couple squeakers on the road. Players aren't always gonna be on. Just the way it is. If you can figure it out, bottle it and money will be meaningless the rest of your days. If superior teams didn't struggle some times against inferior competition then there would be a lot of undefeated champions since 76.

[Brass Cannon 24,726]

Look, even Knight's golden years, the team would struggle against lesser competition. The 87 team won a couple squeakers on the road. Players aren't always gonna be on. Just the way it is. If you can figure it out, bottle it and money will be meaningless the rest of your days. If superior teams didn't struggle some times against inferior competition then there would be a lot of undefeated champions since 76.

 

Its one thing to lose to a team not as good.  Its another thing to lose or almost lose to team almost 200 spots below you in Kenpom at home.  Thats worrisome, that raises red flags. 

[indianato 157]

Its one thing to lose to a team not as good. Its another thing to lose or almost lose to team almost 200 spots below you in Kenpom at home. Thats worrisome, that raises red flags.

Not really. If IU continues to win, then it meant nothing. Good teams lose to bad teams. Sometimes really good teams lose to really bad teams. After a good or bad game, turn the page and move on.

[Brass Cannon 24,726]

Not really. If IU continues to win, then it meant nothing. Good teams lose to bad teams. Sometimes really good teams lose to really bad teams. After a good or bad game, turn the page and move on.

 

Yeah but more often game like this are just true colors of a team being revealed.  Thats what people are getting worried about. 

[jmsgws 2,181]

I think one of the problems we all have is remembering that year to year teams are different.  However, a constant seems to be that IU plays worse in Feb and March than in December and January.  

That is the cloud hanging over top.  We all are afraid of it happening.  Here is to this team bucking the trend! :)

 

If we keep winning a lot more than we lose, none of us will care if the wins are by one point or by 20.  

[Whoozhers 3,683]

Not really. If IU continues to win, then it meant nothing. Good teams lose to bad teams. Sometimes really good teams lose to really bad teams. After a good or bad game, turn the page and move on.

You make really good points and I hope you're right. At times this year though..... You can see the debacle of last year carrying over into this year's team. That seems to me more than just a Wisconsin hangover.
BEAT MICHIGAN!

[chitown hoosier 743]

You make really good points and I hope you're right. At times this year though..... You can see the debacle of last year carrying over into this year's team. That seems to me more than just a Wisconsin hangover.
BEAT MICHIGAN!

Let's be honest. Last years team would've lost this game. Having a post player this year is a huge difference.

[Josh 12,625]

Live by the 3, die by the 3...except last night.  Thomas Bryant was the doctor that kept us from dying.  Great game by him.

 

Defense was terrible.  Turrrible.  Yogi and Troy had bad games...but IU still found a way to win.  I like how this team is playing right now.  Even when they're bad they're good.

[Whoozhers 3,683]

Live by the 3, die by the 3...except last night. Thomas Bryant was the doctor that kept us from dying. Great game by him.

Defense was terrible. Turrrible. Yogi and Troy had bad games...but IU still found a way to win. I like how this team is playing right now. Even when they're bad they're good.

Sorry, I don't quite see it that way. When they are bad they're BAD! It's embarrassing really. They're better than that. Got to bring it every game .......EVERY POSSESSION.

[Josh 12,625]

When they're bad...they're good enough to win.  This team is pretty good at closing out games.  At least since Big Ten season has started.

[Josh 12,625]

Last year's team would have lost this game

[GloryDays 5,920]

 With 2 minutes remaining in the first half my brother said this thing is about to get ugly.

He was right but I don't think he meant in the way it transpired. We thought maybe we could sneak out a couple minutes early and beat the crowd.

 Absolutely the worst defense Ive seen since the Duke game.And Turnover Troy initiating the offense is really offensive at this point.

Thank god for TB and OG!

[colonel06 1,913]

Look, even Knight's golden years, the team would struggle against lesser competition. The 87 team won a couple squeakers on the road. Players aren't always gonna be on. Just the way it is. If you can figure it out, bottle it and money will be meaningless the rest of your days. If superior teams didn't struggle some times against inferior competition then there would be a lot of undefeated champions since 76.

Being "on" usually refers to offense, in that sense I agree. But on defense in front of the home crowd to regress to the "olay" defense at this juncture does not have much to do about being on IMO.

[BubbleKnuts 569]

Lots of cons with this game, but for us sunshiners, there are pros as well.
Minnesota is a different team, we won without hitting 4 threes, Bryant is getting better every game. I'm looking towards Saturday!

[Brass Cannon 24,726]

Lots of cons with this game, but for us sunshiners, there are pros as well.
Minnesota is a different team, we won without hitting 4 threes, Bryant is getting better every game. I'm looking towards Saturday!

Different team?