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1. I have NO excitement about the tourney this year, even though it could be a good one
2. I am 90% done and checked out of this season. The Big Ten tourney may be unwatchable...
3. In one night I saw D.Moore make a shot and Tijan take a shot
4. I saw Creans energy level sink during the game. The guy can't keep it up like this I know it is tough....
5. Next year will be better, but we will still be young.
6. We need not one, but two go to guys.
7. IU needs to only recruit post players for the next 5 years! I love Big Tom but we need a post player to compliment and help him...or visa versa.
I had the "good fortune" to be in Btown for tonght's game and listening to Tom Crean on the post-game show really brought home then "energy" point you reference, I'd call it "battle fatigue." He was still positive and complimentary of the fans but man, the guy is clearly running on fumes.
I think we had all better gird ourselves for the reality that next year will be better but even if we double the number of wins from this year, that would be a huge improvement. an NIT berth, well, that would exceed my expectations. We will still be young and its asking a lot from our freshmen to come in and light it up.
Tonight was simply a sad state of affairs... time to thank the Trustees and Adam Herbert for the disaster that was Kelvin Sampson.
Our young guys did the best they could. I was just hoping we could hit a few more open shots. Dumas looks completely out-of-sync. I hope he can get back on track soon.
One unexpected surprise is Taber being a vital factor in our "O" running decent. Never would have thought that, I was just hoping for some D & rebounding from him. Well done, Taber.
If you look at the chart on ESPN where they draw in the points by each team, our first half is almost always steeper than our second half.
Next season will be so much better. NIT? Of course if not the dance. Mark my words people, Rivers is the key. His experience is huge and his defense will make everyone better on that end.
Personally I was not originally wanting Crean as coach preferring Dixon, Bennett or Wright and my reason was I thought his sideline antics were distracting to the team.So here is my question. In the 2nd half our offense is in front of our bench. DOes Crean distract our fragile PG play, movement and passing with his sideline chatter ? Does it help ?
I loved the rugby scrum last night with Taber as usual in the middle of it
I'm not sure I agree with Crean being a distraction though. I think these kids have bought into the system. There were a couple instances last night where Jones would run over to the bench with a question and listen intently, so I don't know that they're distracted by him from the sidelines. I think they're just tired, physically and mentally, and when a team gets 2, 3, or 4 baskets in a row you can see their body language change negatively as they realize what's happening and it affects both ends of the floor.
I do agree these kids are mentally tired...practicing 4 days week only to get no reward with a victory...
I have been watching from Boston all season (the only game I missed was the win). There seem to be repeated themes from commentators, journalists, bloggers, coaches, players, and fans. The ITH guys have been spot on with these comments as well - great hustle, young team, great recruit class, Crean has energy, etc.
However, to me, it seems if we were a better shooting team, and I'm not talking just free throws, we would have had a less frustrating season. I'm curious how this is going to change much next year?
I've been impressed with Verdell's driving pull-up the past few games, but there really isn't a go to guy when you just need a shot to drop. Roth was spectacular one night, but since then he's been much better guarded and therefore less effective. Will the new guys next year open up some looks for him? How many pure(ish) shooters are in that class?
Thanks,
Witt
The play of the team until about the first TV timeout. There were many lay-ups off penetration and VJ III was distributing as well as I've seen him. That pass to Pritchard off transition was as good as I've seen. The rebounding was excellent especially off the offensive glass.
The Bad:
1st: The rest of the game including the entire 2nd half. The lack of intensity was noticible. I understand the kids are getting worn out, but it is not like Crean is only playng 5. There are at least 8 or 9 in the normal rotation:
VJ III, Moore, Dumes, Roth, Williams, Story, Taber, Pritchard, and Lewis and I even saw ol' Finks out there during key points in the game.
2nd: VJ III did not score like we need him to, Dumes was a non-factor (unlike the game at NW, where he carried the team), and Pritchard needs to be a force on the baseline.
The Ugly:
The defense, or, lack thereof. 45 points to NW in the 2nd half is bad. How in the world do you go zone against the Wildcats? I admit I am not a coach of Coach Crean's league, but with Craig Moore, Michael Thompson, and Kevin Coble, how do you zone that team? Also, I am an Indiana Jones/VJ III fan, but he can not keep quick point guards in front of him (see: Lewis Jackson, PU; Kalin Lucas, MSU; and Thompson, NW), why would you not put Dumes on Thompson and put VJ's length on Moore? Again, I don't want to pretend I could coach with Coach Crean, but I wonder about strategy just watching from home....
I know a lot of positions can be compared to this, but to me the PG position is the one that really stands out
Personally, I think VJ3 is our best player, but you just can't expect a freshman to come in and play well on a consistent basis.
Crean - I have done quite a bit of coaching myself and when I am fired up the kids are fired up. They want to please him there's no denying that. When he is over there doing his thing there is an energy transfer. Ask Dwayne Wade about his sideline behavior. They talk once a month.
Shooting - It all comes with experience and strength. Have you ever played basketball when you're in shape? Out of shape? I don't think a lot of people realize how leg strength plays into a jump shot. These guys are wirey (Nick and Malik are strong and just need more mechanical work). Crean is looking forward to the spring workouts trust me. All of our guys can use it. If Pritchard lets a 150 pounder block his shot at the rim next year I will be shocked. He needs to ATTACK!!!!!
For instance, the Craig Moore kid that hit all those three's last night? He's a senior, leads the league in minutes per game, and although he looks like a grocery store clerk I guarantee he is strong as hell. The ball flys off his hands. I'm looking forward to VIII, Roth and the incoming class getting in this kind of shape. Have you seen the shoulders on Elston and Capobianco? Injuries forced them off the court and into the gym and it really shows.
Can we go to sleep tonight and wake up in Sept 2009 and watch the new Hoosiers please?!?
I hope all the players and Tom Crean will never forget how embarassing and painful this season was. I wouldn't wish this upon anyone.