Comments on: Know Thy Opponent: Pittsburgh Panthers

By: BGleas

BGleas — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 06:09:33 +0000

Anyone hear if Knight and Crean are meeting at all in NYC. Knight is doing the first game tonight, right? I'm surprised this hasn't come up at all. Might be a good chance for Crean to speak with him and continue to mend fences.

By: Pitt grad in Hoosierland

Pitt grad in Hoosierland — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 05:07:35 +0000

Actually Blair was only a 4 star…. and outside of Taylor not a single member of the Pitt squad was a top 50 recruit. Tonight should be a great battle of two teams with great tradition (in Pitt's case recent tradition) that are looking to reload and get back into the national equation. Crean had good success against Pitt while he was at Marquette and ranks right up there with Boeheim, Calhoun, and Huggins (aka Thuggins) as villian opposing coaches.

By: HoosierSmitty

HoosierSmitty — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 05:06:14 +0000

Let's not forget we're playing in a game that's for a good cause - The V Foundation!

This should get you to the speech if you haven't seen it plenty already.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePXlkqkFH6s

By: cooper

cooper — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 04:51:22 +0000

I'm hoping to see one of two things tonight:
1) I'd really like to see the team start out in the press and go with it for the first 10 minutes or so of the first half. Starting lineup would be Rivers, Dumes, Watford, Creek, and Elston(if he is hurt and can't go I'd put in Jobe since he is more athletic than Pritchard) The press can be the great equalizer when going against a tough team.

If they don't press then:

2) Start Pritchard and the first 3-5 possessions post him up and feed him the ball. He must start to produce and realize if he is not producing he is going to get yanked. If he keep gets the ball and goes strong then keep going to him, if he still looks lost I'd bench him and keep him there. Put in Elston, Jobe and Capo and let them get a chance.

3) (I really hope this doesn't happen but) If the game is a blow out or IU goes down by more than 15pts at any time put in Bawa. Crean keeps saying he wants to get him minutes, well thats his chance. This team isn't coming back from 15 down. Let Bawa play and give him the ball until he fouls out or can't get up and down the court anymore.

Sometimes its a trial by fire and its the best way for him to develop.

By: IUDan

IUDan — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 02:58:03 +0000

Shame on you, Jerry . . . using facts to interrupt a perfectly good argument. Can't we just go back to talking out of our rear ends?

Great stuff

By: HoosierSmitty

HoosierSmitty — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 02:28:08 +0000

Yep, I agree. All a young team needs is a "surprise" victory and the confidence level shoots through the roof.

I don't know what stat would prove it, but I'm convinced that this year's team has played competitive basketball for longer stretches than last year's team.

I feel like we've started off well in just about every game, and mainted a winning competitiveness throughout. We're 3-4 with two close losses to Boston and George Mason, started off well against Mississippi, and had our chances against Maryland. We have held our own in every game.

We need finish the 1st half well tonight and start the second half well. To me, those final 5 minutes of the first half and first 5 minutes of the 2nd half are going to be key to this team's chances to win the game.

By: BaseballBuc

BaseballBuc — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 02:20:14 +0000

Valpohistory, are you from valparaiso?

By: JerryCT

JerryCT — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 01:15:16 +0000

Good answer Kelin..........but is anyone wanting the facts ?

Going back to 2003 the beginning of Matt Painter recruiting at Div 1 here are the stats :

Dixon => 9 four stars, 20 three stars, nobody below 3
Crean => 8 four stars, 20 three stars, 1 two star
Painter=> 9 four stars, 14 three stars, many two stars and unranked

The case for Crean not recruiting as well as Dixon or Painter is not true. Furthermore his 2 star , Cubillion is now their star at Marquette

By: valpohistory

valpohistory — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:47:54 +0000

This is laughable.

By: CreamandCrimson

CreamandCrimson — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:47:01 +0000

You're right, it should not be a big deal. For whatever reason, LN players end up going out of state. Todd Leary was the last good LN player that went to IU and he grew up loving the Hoosiers.

Crean will do what he can and it might be really easy. I am just guessing that Keefer will keep pushing them out of state. There are so many good players from other schools that it doesn't really matter much.

By: Sean Hise

Sean Hise — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:33:02 +0000

Incorrect

By: Pablo Svirsky

Pablo Svirsky — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:18:12 +0000

Seriously? You're not just giving them out I assume. I'm going to the game with a friend, I think we're some thing like 30 rows up behind the basket. If you really do just have extra to give out though, send me an email - psvirsky@gmail.com. Otherwise, enjoy the view!

By: BGleas

BGleas — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:12:57 +0000

Hahahahaha…that's great Kelin!

By: CreamandCrimson

CreamandCrimson — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:01:29 +0000

Bingo, this would be a big confidence booster. Just think about the guys who have been with the program for two years. They haven't beaten anyone that you would say “Good win”. This team needs a tangible result that lets them believe all of their hard work is paying off.

By: CreamandCrimson

CreamandCrimson — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 23:58:13 +0000

BGleas, I don't really have much contact with the LN coaching staff anymore. The two coaches I was closest with, Joe Leonard and JR Shelt, now have head coaching jobs at Fishers and LC respectively. That being said, I think Crean can repair the relationship. However, I don't see Keefer pushing any kids to stay in state and play for Indiana schools. Lawrence North has produced a lot of D1 players over the past five or six years and there has only been one to stay in-state (Brandon McPherson at Valpo). Jeff Robinson committed to Purdue but didn't qualify.
These are just the guys I can think of:
Chaz Spicer- Utah State
Tyler Morris- Boston University
Greg Oden- Ohio State
Mike Conley- Ohio State
Stephen Van Treese, Michael Chandler, Ryan Taylor, Justin Martin- Louisville
Dominique Ferguson- FIU
Crean appears to have very good relationships with Pike and North Central (DSR looked great in his return) and I think he could repair the relationship with LN but it will be very tough. I won't guarantee anything but I would be surprised if an LN player committed to IU anytime soon. Always enjoy your guys thoughts!

By: Kelin Blab

Kelin Blab — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 23:43:22 +0000

I agree with JD and let me add this too....

- The invention of the wheel was so overrated and thats a fact
- I originally thought we would win all of our games but now I am not sure if that will happen
- Crean's recruiting is not good because he was not able to land the top 10 players in the 2010, 2011, and 2012 classes.
- Mike Davis was a far better coach than Knight and Wooden
- the 1976 team was NOT that good as they probaly would have lost to the Laker or Celtics
- Jordan Hulls should give back his Mr. Basketball award, as his team barely went undefeated

Thanks JD from Purdue......

By: Kelin Blab

Kelin Blab — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 23:34:28 +0000

I think Crean can repair it but it will take some time. The red carpet is NOT rolled out for IU and I am sure alot of things have been said about the IU of old (MD and KS) so Crean has his work cut out for him.

The encouraging sign is, Crean is still heavily involved in Pike and North Central schools two basketball factories for the next few years. Good news on that front is…..Crean was watching Teague play last friday night so he is still going after him…AND….Pike has some STUD underclassmen coming up witht the 2013 and 2014 classes

By: Kelin Blab

Kelin Blab — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 23:28:41 +0000

I could not agree more, this group needs a 'good/big' win for themselves and the program as a whole. If they win tonite, KY is in trouble……

By: BGleas

BGleas — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 22:38:54 +0000

I'm hoping IU can pull this out Jerry! I really think the kids need a confidence boost and the belief that they can really win against a good (at least by name) opponent, as we head into the Big Ten schedule.

It's going to be tough heading into the Big Ten with all the wins being over Howard, USC Upstate...etc. I think with the improvement we've seen since PR and with a confidence win over a program like Pitt at MSG, the team can feel more confident in surprising some people in the Big Ten.

Long story short, I'm saying I think the players could really use a confidence/pick-me-up win and Pitt seems like the best chance for that.

By: JerryCT

JerryCT — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 22:27:15 +0000

After a little examination of Pitt I , like Dakich, think we have 50/50 chance of winning:

1. Coach knows how to game plan Pitt
2. We can maintain guard pressure if Rivers/Dumes share duty on Gibbs
3. Watford can stalemate Wannamaker
4. In general we have played much tougher schedule so far

Crean said last night we had good practices and he can see the development. He said he was the most upset he has ever been at IU losing to MD, a game he thougth we were capable of winning. Taken at his word I believe both he and the team believe they can win this.

Winning in NYC would be huge for future recruiting