Kelin/Alex, I know I got more than a little long on my post. Hard to keep it short when I've had so much anticapation bottled up for so long. Guess the players are not the only ones that have some things that need some work.

I agree 100% with your Bawa assessment ……he seems to know how to play big and not leave his feat. Did a solid defensive job while in there….Didn't rebound as much but I think that will come.

I am a little torn on Elston starting cause I like him coming in bringing that fire power off the bench but you won't be able to keep him on the bench if he keeps playing like this….love his quick release on this shot….

- Thought most of the mistakes made were mistakes that are to be expected from the type of team that we have right now but more importantly are the type that are fixable and I believe CTC can and will fix them.

- Believe that Dumes will continue to come off of the bench and it will be interesting how he handles that if it becomes reality. If he starts to go outside of the offense for his shots, well Crean has already shown what will probably happen if that is the case in that he will see even less of the floor.

- Rivers had four turnovers but I tend to agree with CTC in that at least some of those were due to the fact that the rest of the team could not keep up with him and that it is better to try and speed them up rather than trying to slow Rivers down. This will be the situation less and less as he continues to knock off rust and the others continue to come along with their game.

- It is going to be hard to keep Big E(lston) off of the floor. He is already starting to remind me looks wise as well as game wise of a taller and somewhat faster Brian Evans……which is not a bad thing by any means.

- Bawa may be able to help us more this year than what most expect. The body and desire seem to be there and so are the people with the know how to help him get better quicker.

- Hulls continues to be the other person in the highlights, you know the one that makes the pass that makes it possibe for the one making the shot to be make it into the highlights. This is something that every successfull team has to have. Oh and then there is the little thing of him AGAIN not having any turnovers.

- Watford continued to show that he is already in the mix for Big Ten freshman of the year. If he continues the free throw shooting percentage he has shown so far he will see alot of double doubles this season due in large part to that. He will be a S-T-U-D.

- Mr. Selby we know you were there watching and can you honestly tell yourself that you don't want to play the style of play you witnessed last night. That style of ball would allow you many avenues to showcase your many talents and would fit you like a glove ? When you get here and start playing for Coach Crean the inevitable comparisions to a certain former gaurd, now starring in the NBA, that Coach Crean developed are sure to follow rather quickly and not in a bad way either. Trust me being known as one of the big reasons that Indiana bball returned back to the title of perenial powerhouse will serve you well on and off the court when you first get here, during your playing days here, during your playing days at the next level and for the rest of your years after bball.

- Maybe the most encouraging thing is that the vast majority of these kids are no where near their full potential and will only continue to get better. Look out rest of bball world we are on our way back and we are not slowing down for anybody or anything. GOOOO HOOOOSIERS !!!!!!!!!!!!

The only disagreement I have with the comments below relate to Dumes. I thought his defense looked incredibly lazy. He had two steals because he was reaching in on guys the entire second half. Better players would have gone right past him or gotten a foul called. His bricks from the free throw line didn't impress me either. I think he can help off the bench, but right now I like the other guys in the back court (Rivers, Creek, Hulls, and Jones) a lot better.

To me the most efficient player last night was Elston who only played 14 minutes but seemed to be the kid who broke the game open.

Also it is easy to under estimate what Pritchard means to the team and it does not show in the box score. He did not get credit for any steals but took charges ( 2 or 3 ) altered shots, and did not allow 2nd chance pts. He also starts the offense by his single handed “double screens”.

It was good to see Dumes back. In 14 minutes he got 7pts but missed 2 FT's and had a layup taken back for a travel . His D is maybe the best on the team.

I liked virtually everything I saw.

Elston was fantastic, Bobby C not so much and Hulls was what Hulls is. I hope Creek doesn't turn into Bracey and I worry about Dumes 'not getting his shots' and going outside of the offense to get them. Bawa looks like he can be something in the future and Watford had the desire I wanted to see in such a highly recruited player.

Once the first game jitters left they looked like a young team trying to find their way. An encouraging win for the Hoosiers.