Comments on: Redefining expectations

By: tkirby

tkirby — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 02:39:32 +0000

I'd take 12 wins this year after six last year. Then 18 in 2010-2011 year. Improve by six the first three years and all the sudden you're right back in the mix of things.

By: jerryfromfranklin

jerryfromfranklin — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:13:33 +0000

I think 12-13 wins will ultimately be the number…not what we wanted when the season began but looking at their body of work thus far, I would say thats where they will end up….Now, if they find some inside presence maybe they find a way to win 14-15 games but thats being really optimistic for this team..

By: IUMIKE1

IUMIKE1 — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 21:01:52 +0000

I have been thinking and some of my prior comments reflect that exact same type of thought. I know Jerry CT says it will happen when he can set the screen at the top of the key but if that is the all there is to the trade off then it seems like it would be at least worth a try if for no other reason than to see what happens. It is easier to get / teach someone to set a screen than to do the other things that Elston seems to be able to do just as good if not better than TP plus lets not forget that he is also a threat from more than 10 feet from the basket. Basically the only drawback I can think of is you don't have that spark off of the bench when Elston starts over TP. We might also see that the bench might be able to motivate TP more than he seems to be now. Cooper makes a good point when he says ” its never a good thing when your point gaurd is outrebounding your center “

By: aceman07

aceman07 — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:44:22 +0000

I agree that fundamentals and effort can make up for some lack of size. If I'm correct, since I wasn't alive but my old man talks about it all the time, UCLA won a title with a line-up that included 5 players, none of whom were over 6'7″ tall during an era where size was becoming the norm. He always talks about how well they played the game and how solid they were fundamentally!

By: aceman07

aceman07 — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:41:26 +0000

The way I look at the teams left on the season schedule, I think it's realistic to think that the Hoosiers will finish at 13-17. That's giving them a win at home against a couple of teams we can beat but probably won't be expected to like Illinois and Ohio State. I obviously wasn't dumb enough to think that we'll beat PU or MSU at home but you never know. I can easily see losing a game or two we shouldn't lose and winning a game or two we shouldn't win so anywhere between 11-19 and 15-15 is possible. Let's hope for the latter!!!!

By: tberry

tberry — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:34:18 +0000

AGREED!!!

I'm not one of those who wish for Knight return BUT there are things Bobby did that were worth emulating.

His teams while not the most athletic or talented were successful because of Knight system and their brains. They boxed out for rebounds, they used screens to get shots, they shot faked to get open or fouled. they did all the fundamental things that leveled the court for them.

Today everyone and probably Crean depend too much on athleticism and pure skill than fundamentals. If you see a really great team they will have both!!!

By: JerryCT

JerryCT — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 19:10:38 +0000

Answer: When TP gets hurt or Elston sets the same screen at the top of the key.

Pritchard starts alot of the offense with his wide body screen for Rivers which Elston cannot do

By: bushworlda

bushworlda — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:26:38 +0000

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By: HoosierCrabbe

HoosierCrabbe — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 09:43:08 +0000

Just a question, but at what point will Derek Elston replace Tom Pritchard as a starter? He's more athletic, a better shooter, only slightly less physical in the paint, way more in shape and less foul prone, as well as he rebounds the ball way better!!…doesn't it seem inevitable??

By: cooper

cooper — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:28:39 +0000

12-15 is a reasonable scenario I feel. IU will probably win a couple it shouldn't and lose a couple it shouldn't. I've decided I hate Illinois bball more than Purdue or Kentucky until Bruce “Bitter Beer Face” Weber is fired. There is nothing redeeming about the Illini, at least UK is fun to watch (I'd still never root for them).

By: HoosierDavey

HoosierDavey — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:18:23 +0000

I thought 12 wins would be a realistic shot before the season started. Anything in that vicinity will be progress IMO.

By: Super Suhr

Super Suhr — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 05:20:10 +0000

CBS said Kentucky had a 6'7″ average which gives them the tallest team average in the NCAA.

By: GFDave

GFDave — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 04:39:33 +0000

Interesting that you should bring up this topic because I was just looking at the schedule and counting possible wins. First let me say that projecting wins with this group is a silly exercise since I am sure there are a few good and bad surprises on the horizon.

That said, I agree that we will win the next 3 to go 7-5 into B10 play. In the B10 I think we get two wins from Iowa and 1 each from Michigan, NU, and PSU. That gets us to 12 wins. Its very hard to project more than that, but let's say we have a couple happy surprises and get to 14 wins. That's my limit for now and I think it is realistically optimistic.

I agree with all the posters who have referenced defense. We really don't have anything to hang our hat on in that area, except effort, which Crean will demand.

It will be interesting to watch the learning curve of this team. So far I have been very impressed with the game-to-game improvement of the team (not counting PR where there was no real practice time between games). Of course they will show some roller coaster behaviors and maybe hit the wall a little in mid February when the season becomes a grind.

But, if they keep improving like they have, they will be playing some really good ball at the end of the year, regardless of what the record shows.

By: BFowler

BFowler — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 04:08:45 +0000

I definitely feel better about this team today than after Puerto Rico. Pitt win was huge, and even though Pitt is not what it was, it is still a middle-of-the-pack Big East team, so that is a huge step. Kentucky is what it is, a bunch of one-and-done mercenaries, and that is fine.

I like what Coach Crean has done here and I think we are a player or two away from really big things with this team. They need to learn how to defend without fouling, box out, and the value of the basketball, but other than that, there are some really good pieces here. Creek is a budding star, Watford has a very strong skill set and is a big contributor to this team, Bobby C. has shown us a tough side of his game, Hulls had a very strong game against KY, and Elston makes all kinds of hustle plays and brings energy and enthusiasm in addition to being skiled offensively. (I am a VJ III fan as well, but I wanted to focus on the freshman class.)

WIth that being said, I think it takes a day or two to get things into perspective and really focus on the positive steps this team has taken. We are a long way from last year. However, I thought we could not hang athletically with the elite and I have not been proven wrong, but you can win with fundamentals and skill in basketball (see: Wisconsin). Coach Crean's rebuilding project can not be underestimated; this is a very big reclamation project.

One odd side note: Does anybody else see the Rasheed Wallace bald spot on the back of Mo Creek's head, or is it just me? I thought he might have gotten something stuck back there one time, but the more I see it, the more I think he has the 'Sheed thing going on....

By: Gary C.

Gary C. — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 04:02:59 +0000

12 or more wins would show real progress! I am not sure, at this stage, where the 5 or more B10 wins will come from.
We will be favored 2 times, Iowa.
At this stage, 4 games might be toss ups. Mich at home, OSU (without Turner) at home, at PSU (do not play at home), NW at home. If we win 1/2 of those that = 3 wins. It is reasonable with continued improvement, to think we can get 2 upsets from the rest of the schedule. Remember, KY was a TOTAL effort mentally and physically. That only happens a few times per year. That total effort will be more productive as the year progresses, but, it does not happen every night!

By: JerryCT

JerryCT — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 03:37:47 +0000

Defense is our biggest issue as we seem to be figuring out the other stuff. If we donot get stops we not only have less offense we cannot come back after we fall behind.

PU 's D against Bama saved their butts after Bama exposed them as not too athletic. We just donot have any type of D that we can rely on. TP is getting so many fouls by defending Creek's man and Jones man as they go around them and head for the basket.

Crean ought to have a rule. When your man goes around you and the helper gets a foul you should have to raise your hand as well.

By: Ryan_Btown

Ryan_Btown — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 03:27:14 +0000

I agree. And let me second the “BIG” part regarding Kentucky. I was watching the game with some non-IU people and we all agreed, that Kentucky team wasn't only tall (I think 6-5 or 6-6 average), but they were just thick, strong kids. It really seemed like men vs. boys out there at times. I was proud that they hung in there as long as they did. Cousins picked up VJ3 like he was picking up a happy meal.

By: pubesblackly

pubesblackly — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 03:25:32 +0000

iu sucks sweaty cock

By: BGleas

BGleas — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 03:08:40 +0000

I'm not sure if .500 is realistic at this point. The Big Ten is just so tough this year. I will say this, I feel much better about this IU team after the last 2-3 games. There is definite improvement following Puerto Rico.

I think the biggest stretch of the season will be the first 5 games if the Big Ten. vs. Mich, @OSU, vs. Illinois, @Mich and vs. Minny. To me, competing and winning against those teams are the difference between suprising people and fighting not to finish last.

The next 2 games are @PSU and vs. Iowa. IMO opinion IU also has to sweep PSU and Iowa to have a chance at .500 in the league. IU has to enter those two games 3-2 or at worst 2-3 in the Big Ten.

By: semmoran

semmoran — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 02:50:11 +0000

Agreed. Key to that statement is “at the hall”. We are going to struggle on the road (as most teams do in the Big Ten, let alone a young team). It would be fun to see a couple of upsets at home…