DISQUS

ricky · 1 year ago

illinois is definitely a better team then their record shows, they almost never get blown out, so this is not that terrible of a win, if there is such a thing as a terrible win. plus winning on the road in the big ten against any team, as michigan state has shown us, is not an easy task. so even though we deserved to lose, we didn't, and now we have to move on as quick as possible to avoid a hangover from this game when we play osu.

and frazier? come on. i don't really have a problem with illinois fans booing and yelling shit at gordon, it only makes his bank 3 that much more impressive. and it makes them look like idiots. but a player should be above that. your team is not even good enough for the nit, so you should probably worry about your team before you try and be a dick to another team. anyone remember from the illinois game at iu when they didnt go to center court to shake hands with iu players? classless. i guess id be a prick too if i lived in champagne.

and one last note, i love how they call their stadium the "real" assembly hall. just because their building is older than ours. even though we had an assembly hall before they did. nevermind the fact that they have never won a national title. what a wannabe powerhouse

Chris · 1 year ago

Is there video of Chester's shove anywhere?

Ryan_Btown · 1 year ago

I'll agree first with Ricky...Illinois is a much better team than the record indicates. I don't think they've lost a game by more than 10 all year. I know we looked sloppy...but this is the most hostile environment we will EVER play in this year...and for once, this team finally showed heart. I am disappointed with the play in the first half. But I am so proud of the heart these kids showed in the second half and in the ot's...Yeah, we got some breaks, but I am so happy that these guys finally showed a will to win. All year, the play has been bad. But if you are going to play bad, at least show something while doing it. These Illini bring it all the time. They have a lot of heart. For us to go in to this environment and pull out the "W", I am just really impressed. At times, I really thought only EJ and DJ cared. Tonight, I think they actually won as a team. Great win.

Puck Furdue · 1 year ago

such a huge win for the team. confidence wise and in the big ten standings. the refs tried to hand illinois the game twice but they couldn't take advantage of it. with everything going against the hooisers, they still were able to gut out a win.

steve · 1 year ago

Well I am very surprised we won given how far we got back I was pretty much ready to give up at that point given the last few weeks and Wisconsin.

I still do not think we are a good team but we found a way last night finally to win a close one in the big ten. I could not be happy more if nothing else then for Gordons parents who had to put up with that nonsense I keep reading about.

That is one reason we should deserve to win period. No parents should have to listen to that shit all night long.

I am just glad we as fans are better then that.

Alan · 1 year ago

Steve,

I do not think we are better fans. We boo our own players. We chant obscenities during a nationally televised game.

As to booing our own players: This might be acceptable if they were not trying, but I do think they are trying. They are just not as good as we would want them to be.

As to obscene chants: This is mob mentality at its worst.

No offense to you. I am sure you believe that IU fans are better behaved than UI fans. Unfortunately, I think reality reflects badly on all of us -- IU and UI.

CoveyDale · 1 year ago

just imagine if IU had an organized student section like Illinois?

What if Sean May was greeted by 7,800 kids in floor seats? That would be complete chaos.

It was a bad move by their fans to involve Gordon's family, but I'm not going to cast stones at them after our fans chanted "Fuck you, ref" on national TV just two weeks ago.

Scott · 1 year ago

AJ Ratliff didn't travel with the team. I'm sure Kelvin would have used him if he did. KS said it was some kind of personal issue, so don't blame him for AJ's personal life troubles.

kelin · 1 year ago

E- this is great stuff and your summary of KS and EJ is dead on!
Was I the only one noticed Weber...hand shake and run yesterday? where he didn't for the 2nd time shake our players hands? or did I miss something.....

I am glad about the win.......I have begun to brace myself with this team to manage my dissapointment and the let down, so I can go to work the next day. Yes I want EJ to stay and develope his game as MANY have said he should...i.e. mid range and ball handling.....I don't want KS to ruin his game and expose his flaws more like he has.

The times EJ got good looks was him coming off screens....why this took place in the 2nd half I don't know. Why not the first half.........finally......I am going to sit back, watch, and appreciate DJ white even more now cause it is his last year. We have seen this kid go through a ton...and WORKED himself into a better basketball players on both ends of the court. That should be appreciated and duplicated by many!

TomCoverdale's Eyebrows · 1 year ago

Couple observations about last night:
1) Chester Frazier needs to relax a little bit... or a lot for that matter. It seems like him and that Mike Tinsdale character are the only two on that team who cant seem to get over the fact that Gordon didnt want to play for The Fist. This guy is gonna be fighting for a seat at the end of the pine in the D-League. Good luck with your $23k salary and 14 hr bus trips to Bakersfield to play the Jam...sweet.
2) Its amazing how quickly Crawford can shoot this team out of a game; its also amazing how quickly he can shoot this team back into a game. Every time he touched the ball last night I had a mini heart attack...No!...No!... Dont shoot it!.... Yes!... As cool as the other side of the pillow.
3)Some questionable officiating. Maybe I should change my name to "The Guy who complains about the Officiating all the time".. but... I have never seen so many whistles in the last seconds of the game. Swallow the whistle fellas. You let em bang around for the first 40min, no need to tighten it up in OT.
4) Feel bad for Pruitt? HA! Just about as much as I feel bad for Fraizer rolling his ankle <cough-KARMA-cough>.
5) Finally... I was reading the thread during the game last night... and i've got to say there are some people who post on this site that are just plain maniacal. One minute IU sucks, the next minute its another story. Try to realize the game is 40min - and then some sometimes- Wait until the game is over if youre going jump ship. This team isnt going to bury everyone they face in the first 25 minutes of the game then cruise to a comfortable victory. Feeble.
I like this win. Hopefully Gordon has a little pent up frustration and goes off at OSU.

TomCoverdale's Eyebrows · 1 year ago

And one more thing... Pat Forde you are better served behind a keyboard then a microphone. Great writers def do not translate to good sideline reporters... if such a thing exists (excludes EA).

CoveyDale · 1 year ago

nice rant, but there's no way Frazier makes the D-League.

If Frazier makes the NBDL, then AJ Ratliff will be an NBA lottery pick.

widget · 1 year ago

Good rant.

On the Sampson front.....WHAT is up with our offensive? WHY does it take forever for our plays to get going? WHY is Gordon so stationary without the ball? WHY is our weak-side D so....well... weak?

Our interior is horrific. Take DJ out and we are in deep do-do.

True...we scrapped....we finally figured a way to exploit Gordon's strengths (high screen), we beat a marginal team in a tough environment. But we've got a LONG way to go to be really good.

SocksShortsSwish · 1 year ago

As far as disgracing your whole clan goes, a big night for the Chief.
1. Chester the Molester's bump pre-game
2. Throwing beads at Gordon's parents
3. Weber doing his about face at handshakes.

Weber has certainly elevated beyond Keady in my book. At least Keady stopped the histronics when the final horn sounded, for the most part.

Klabby · 1 year ago

Chester Frazier is a classless piece of trash...Let the crowd be obnoxious. You are a student athlete and you represent your entire university...Act like it !

Mikey M · 1 year ago

I'll take it. We're 19-3 (8-1 in conference). It hasn't been pretty lately but, we're winning.

Does anyone know the name of the guy who was secretly behind the recruitment of Derick Rose and other blue chip players. I think SI or ESPN did a story on him. I am thinking he goes by wayout wes or something like that.

b_side · 1 year ago

Mikey, I'm pretty sure the guys at ITH had a "best of 2007" where the article was listed. Think the guy's name is Wallace or something. I'd email them to get a link.

ricky · 1 year ago

william wesley, or worldwide wes. he runs the nba, he carries more influence with players then any agent.

Jerry · 1 year ago

In order to better evaluate Gordon I made my own score sheet for the game last night to record how he uses picks and how his drives impact the team. My results are not pretty.

He went the wrong way on every pick up high( Bassett went the right way every time)

Drove 8 times and only kicked once ( result was a good 3 , Bassett got us 5pts on 2 drives)

Was fouled 3 times for 5 points

Conclusion: half the time he either fouled or had a TO

Along with other issues mentioned on this site the team stands around waiting for him to get the ball and then after he has the ball...........................they stand around some more . What came first .......Gordon inability to create for others or our standing around ?.

RIght now he has great skills but is not a great PLAYER. There are at least 10-15 better PLAYERS at his position in college right now.

KS has shown in his recent interviews that he knows the problems with this team and MORE IMPORTANTLY has taken responsibity for fixing it.. I believe him and look forward to a game where Gordon becomes a PLAYER.

steve · 1 year ago

Those ten to fifteen PLAYERS do not get guarded like EJ every night either.

CoveyDale · 1 year ago

i agree that EJ has a ways to go as far as developing into an elite player but there is absolutely no way there are 10-15 better shooting guards in the country right now. that's just ridiculous.

tacojohn · 1 year ago

Correction: Without Jordan's two threes, we definitely don't make it to the second OT.

Don D · 1 year ago

Your right however after he scored he let his man get down the floor and score without playing defense. Very few picks or screens ran for the offense. Hurried shot's - bad passing lanes - this would not happen with BK. With exception of DJ - most of the freshmen believe they are the best. Afterall Coach Sampson mentions this to press about Gordon after every game. Imagine BK doing this while Isiah Thomas, Steve Alford, Mike Woodson, Calbert Chaney were there (No way). Coach Knight after kids graduated would talk about their positive contributions. Maybe with the upcoming NCAA investigation - Knight will be returning next year - ha,ha,ha.

tacojohn · 1 year ago

Sampson might be gone but there's a better chance that I'm coaching the team than Coach Knight.

R D cheddah · 1 year ago

Did anyone see that outfit that Eli Holman was wearing?! That was hilarious, and right when I saw that, I instantly thought of this: the west coast pimp Don Magic Juan. Holman is from the Compton area and I know the pimp hangs out with Snoop Dogg around there, so there has to be something going on with the two of them. The NCAA better not investigate this or there could be more bad news for illegal things that IU does

bleeding crimson · 1 year ago

RD,
I saw the Eli, D'Man...he was wearing all black with red overvest. I never laugh so hard through the game. Guys, I don't always get to enjoy the came thread because I'm on the road and don't have my laptop availalbe. I usually read the game threads afterward regardless to see what I may have missed and of course your options. I think that Chicago Hoosier said it best, your guys need to relax a little during games. We all get excited and crazy about the game but to flip/flop back and forth all the time is getting a little old. We have a good team and still have a ways to go. Freshman play is huge on our team and freshman will make mistakes.
Sampson has only been with IU for 1 1/2 seasons, it takes time to build teams not one year with four year kids. I've been a fan for many years and for coach to come in and put us back in the top 25, all season, is great. I'm not sure Bobby, Davis or anymone else would have.

I've seen many teams play this year and there are only a few that look like a well oil machine. I hope the fans of other great teams aren't as quick to pick there teams apart as we seem to be, but IU fans do expect perfection......
bc

tacojohn · 1 year ago

In the defense of knee-jerk fans like myself, that was our kind of game. When we went down 12 I refused to be excited about any comeback and sat at Kilroy's sullen for most of the second half. When EJ ripped out their heart, I was screaming obscenities at the top of my lungs. When EJ picked up that horrendously stupid 10 second call, I want to throw something. You can't not flip flop during a game like that.

kelin · 1 year ago

RD...it is Eli the Mack....get it straight.......Nice vest Eli

NOT ONE person has mentioned the quality minutes we got out of Kyle Taber last night. He went after the ball, played solid D and stayed the hell out of the way. He even set screens wow! Taber needs a chant..................

Timmy · 1 year ago

For those of you begging for more playing time for Ratliff and doubted me after the Uconn game that he was a team cancer and would mysteriously disappear before the end of the season, I'm ready for your apology.

Hart · 1 year ago

Given your body of work on this site, I would not stand on one foot waiting.

B Howes · 1 year ago

I thought it was a gutsy win. A big win. A turning point. These guys could have folded at several points in the game. This team will get better from this point forward. They proved their toughness last night. They won on the road in the Big Ten in front of a very hostile crowd and despite some 6 point per game guy who had the game of his life.

Jerry · 1 year ago

Tabor: Yes he gets a high five BUT are we saying that MCGee cannot do that and also score ? We know MWhite, Thomas are challenged in this area

Guards: I thnk Augustyne, Reynolds, CHalmers, COllison , Neitzel , Rose and others are guarded every bit as hard as Gordon when they are team keys to winning

Offense: Watching DUKE the other night I see no reason why we cannot elevate our intensity and style to that level and effectiveness

Defense: I think we can improve our zone dramatically and we are going to need it

I keep thinking Sampson is going to get this thing right w the team. I cannot wait for the Badgers and see how and if we have become better

john · 1 year ago

E, I generally like reading your commentary, but I think you are being too hard on Sampson and EJ. It's KS 2 year and he is working with a team that is using 4 new players that receive signficant playing time. EJ is very talented, but he is a freshman. He is going to make some mistakes along the way. I think we need to put things in perspective....How many teams would like to have a record such as ours with our losses to teams in the Top 25? Sure, I would like to have won each of those game, but on that night they were better than us.

b_side · 1 year ago

E, you touched on the zone last night, but just wanted to discuss further. I like that we came out and surprised them with the 2-3 zone, but Sampson needs to show the ability to adjust in-game. If someone like Cramery (sp?) comes out smoking and ignites the rest of his teammates from downtown, why not rattle the Illini with a little man-to-man from time-to-time? Surely our guys are capable of shifting from zone to man during the game.

Sampson, here's some advice. On made baskets, fall into a zone. On missed buckets, pick up man-to-man. Come second half, reverse that trend. Sure it's a little gimmicky, but it keeps the opposing offense on their heels, never letting them get in any offensive rhythm.

Jerry · 1 year ago

At first I thought we were staying in the zone too long but now that I ponder it I liked the move. It helped us to improve it , helped our foul situation and challenged UI to be consistent in their shooting. We went back to man when they had little time and energy to adjust.

We can also adjust the zone to matchup ( eg on McCamey if he is hot ) , box & 1, and especially a 1/2 court trap. I especially liked Crawford's hands and arms up , Gordon not so much , he is better on the man.

dabig · 1 year ago

By now, there is a bunch of game film on Gordon. Other teams have an idea of how to defend him. Unlike high school, it's tough for even a good freshman to beat two defenders in college. If he'd start dishing, there'd be more scoring, and the middle would open up a little bit for him. And I'm getting sick of the way Crawford dribbles around for a while and then shoots a sloppy shot. He's not the first option on offense. He's barely in the top five options. Maybe two extra hours of suicide drills every time he does it would help.

Jerry · 1 year ago

Your comment about the "dish" may be the key to our season.

I too hate dribbling for no purpose. If we are going to be an "off the bounce" offense like DUKE then we need to dribble/drive effectively and that means not just to the basket but to other areas ofthe court to create for others...............if we coudl only dish

b_side · 1 year ago

In fairness, we did have 14 assists on only 25 field goals. EJ did a great job in the OTs to drive to the middle of the lane after a ball screen, and then kick it out to Crawford or Stemler (finished with 4 dimes). Obviously would have liked to see that offensive attack earlier in the game, but EJ certainly knows how to create for others.

MLOVE · 1 year ago

Personally, i think this game has been on EJ's mind for a couple weeks now and it has also been on the TEAMS... I believe that now that this is past us and they can concentrate on playing basketball i think things are going to start looking better for this team (only time will tell i guess)

You guys ever think it isnt samspon... How abt guys just being lazy freshman that have been babied all of there lives bc they were the best Player in there schools. No One Runs on offense. You want DUKES offense then all we need to do is keep running. Run giuys off screens if it doesnt work the first time GUESS WHAT LITTLE GUYS do it again and again dont stop. Believe me guys get tired of getting bumped 3 times on a posession and they get tired of chasing ppl.

PB · 1 year ago

As Indiana Hoosiers, I hope we remember to never look as pathetic, classless and desperate as the Illinois fans did last night. I know this won't happen, however, seeing that our program has a history of excellence. Losing a big-time recruit wouldn't turn Hoosier Nation into a bunch of rabid dogs.

kurt · 1 year ago

Two words: Sean May. Four more: People.; glass houses; stones.

Seeing that we "control" this rivalry 82-78 or something like that I'd say we have no standing to get on our high horses about "excellence." A troll yesterday noted (to my chagrin) that this decade we haven't exactly dominated them.

We are very lucky to have escaped with two wins against the Illini this year. They have virtually nothing but D and yet probably should have beaten us twice. I've been in the Hall and seen horrible fan behavior (someone noted the UConn game last month) that when I was a student would have provoked Knight to grab the PA mike and take names. It's an epidemic and I see a lot of it in the Big Ten at both football and hoops games. Sadly, we're not above it, though you're right... we should be.

I'm not happy. I see KS struggling to get this team in sync. I don't care that itr's his second year. Weber of all people took Illinois to the NC game in his second year. I am sick of hearing him say that he just turns EJ loose. EJ isn't a good enough player yet to be turned loose. And I hate to admit that he isn't Mike Conley, either.

WTF? Illinois is at its low point; we're Top 10 material and nearly choke twice? What about two seasons from now when they are back in form? I'm not liking the program vibe this afternoon. And the next couple weeks aren't looking too hot, either.

Dale · 1 year ago

"Weber of all people took Illinois to the NC game in his second year."

Excellent point kurt...you are right on, we should definitely bring back davis.

ALH_00 · 1 year ago

"It was obvious this team isn’t experienced enough to run the zone against a good passing team"

As always thanks for the great posts. The quoted comment above, I don't necessarily agree with. Illinois looked good passing last night because IU was SO lazy in the zone. They didn't use their hands at all, they were really on their heels, and they put no pressure on the ball...even when it got inside.

I guess it may have been purposeful to pack the zone and let Illinois shoot from the outside. But once McCamey drained is 3rd or 4th, you've got to make the adjustment. Or, once we've baited uncontested ball reversal, why not anticipate and step into the passing lanes (once in a while). It's not like we weren't leaving open looks anyway! There was just zero defensive pressure last night. A team like Wisc./MSU will put us to sleep if we play D that way.

Glad to have the win (a tough road win), but I would like to see IU play with more desire and hustle (remember last year when we battled every night and the scores were in the 50s?).

Candystripes · 1 year ago

Mikey M, the guy you are asking about is William Wesley. He goes by Worldwide Wes. Look him up on TrueHoop. I believe Weber is in bed with him now.

tberry · 1 year ago

IU is not that good when we barely get a win over one more mediocre Big Ten team from a mediocre Big Ten. That is really disheartening for a team with so much natural talent to play so poorly.

Jerry · 1 year ago

Great agreeable points by MLOVE, B_side, PB and AHL_00. Talk about lazy what was with the unguarded 10 sec call ??

Did anyone follow the comments by Bootsie White last night ? What a great player he was for us. We could use him now on the point..........loved him as a player but then we did not have a shot clock

Mr_C · 1 year ago

Definition of irony: At home games the Fighting Illini play the "Charge" bugle call which is responsible for wiping out millions of Indians.

Travis · 1 year ago

I had to stop reading the article when you blamed Sampson for 'bungling' Ratliff's senior season. Are you serious?? The kid doesn't qualify academically for the first half of the year, then is injured while coming back, then misses another game with an illness, then is completely ineffective when in the game, then didn't make the trip to Illinois due to a personal issue. All Sampson's fault? Tough to use him last night when he isn't even in the same city. I know this team has been disappointing with the over-eager expectations for this year, but come on. If you are going to rip Sampson, at least get your facts straight.

Ryan_Btown · 1 year ago

I'll agree Travis...If anyone should be blamed for Ratliff's decline, it should be Ratliff. To be academically ineligible in your senior season is no one's fault but your own. The reason I am most happy to see some heart out of this team is because so far this year, we have seen an Indiana Mr. Basketball miss half the season because of grades, Bassett and Crawford, two young talents on this team, miss 3 games a piece for reasons we can all probably guess, and the entire team just look lazy all of the time. I was really questioning the heart on this team and last night we finally saw some passion. I think the offense should be better, and we have some strange lapses here and there, all of which should be fixed by the coach. But I blame these players, young adults, for not showing the respect the fans, the school, and themselves for making themselves ineligible.

Tony · 1 year ago

Not a great post, E.
1.First of all, you haven't been watching big ten basketball very long if you expected IU to control/dominate that game.
2.Ratliff didn't even travel with the team. Gotta know your facts before you rip on Sampson not playing him.
3.Ever hear the phrase "Jimmy's and Joe's not X's and O's?" Somehow I'm doubting CKS recently forgot how to coach defense. Ever think that our players just don't have a knack for defending or simply aren't putting out enough effort. Last year's team defended well, and I think this team will get much better.

Travis · 1 year ago

My thoughts exactly Tony, great post.

the other steve · 1 year ago

Great Post

Eamonn · 1 year ago

Tony:

1. I didn't think they were going to dominate and control the game. Read my post from early yesterday for the proof.
2. I know Ratliff didn't travel. But why? If Sampson wanted him at the game last night, you don't think he'd be there? Yes, the academic issues are A.J.'s fault, but he's eligible now. He should get what value out of him he can at this point.
3. I don't think Sampson has forgotten how to coach defense, but you're telling me you're satisfied with their defense at this point? And at what point is it Sampson's responsibility to teach -- you know, that thing a coach does.

MLOVE · 1 year ago

The reason for AJ was Family based that was straight from his uncle... Dont know if i believe it but that is what was said and he should be in Columbus for Sunday

Tony · 1 year ago

Fair enough. To expand on #3 ,though, regarding defense:

No, I don't think the D is up to snuff. I just refuted you on where the blame lies. I think we can agree that DJ's defense is probably improved over last year. Therefore, the drop-off must be on the wing defense. No big surprise due to the fact that we lost our two best wing defenders from last year in Wilmont and Calloway (plus AJ's absence).

Defense can be taught, but it will take longer for some (Crawford, Ellis, DeAndre, Jamarcus) to GET than others (EJ).

ALH_00 · 1 year ago

"There's more to the game than shooting...there's fundamentals and defense"

DEFENSE:
Help from the 4 on drives has not been great...we seem to be out of position frequently. On the ball defense was improving (see EJ and Basset...not Crawford, obviously), but that improvement was neutralized by our lazy zone last night.

FUNDAMENTALS:
I was going to say something about rebounding, because I feel like we could do a better job with positioning and blocking out, but "by the numbers" this is a good rebounding team. Am I crazy thinking that we could do even better?

Assist/Turnover Ratio: 1/1 basically. Simply not good enough. Although, we are not turing the ball over any more than our opponents (just about even in Big 10 play...still not good enough), I don't think we take care of the basketball as well as a top 15 team should. I also don't think that we distribute the basketball well.

Finally, we are getting out-hustled for loose balls. And hitting the ground seven times during a game doesn't count for anything unless you're actually coming up with the loose balls.

Consequently, we are missing opportunities to make simple, but important plays. Consequently, we are not dominating with the talent disparity that seems apparent.

So, I agree with E that a large portion of the blame lies with KS, because it is his job to drill fundamentals and effort, rewarding those who play sound basketball and give great effort. "You play like you practice". I would bet big money that we aren't practicing very good right now...and that lies squarely within the purview of KS.

td · 1 year ago

I agree with your issues on Sampson's coaching. Our defense is not good, zone or no zone. We don't/can't sustain an in-your-face defensive attitude. We have no one who can simply shut down the other team's main men and allowing a player averaging less than 7 pt. a game to go for more than 30 is just crazy. As much as I dislike Purdue, I believe it would benefit our players to watch tape of them playing defense in any of their recent games. They're now rotating 9-10 players and they all play tough-nosed, in your face defense. One thing that holds back our offensive strengths is the lack of defensive pressure on the ball which in turn does not allow for a lot of easy points. Our points are coming too hard with the upgrade in the talent were facing now that the pre-Big-10 season is over. A big problem with all of this is can we play in your face defense without relying on DJ to pick up our man going around us all of the time. Our overall team speed is SLOW!

Kevin · 1 year ago

Very happy we won last night, even though our play was still a little shaky.

I can't believe Pruitt missed all of those free throws, though I did think those fouls were a little cheap.

I guess as Rasheed Wallace would say, "The ball doesn't lie!"

Trav · 1 year ago

Great work on this post! This is, overall, the best analysis I have seen on this site.

I am with you on the crazy pills. The bench coaching baffles me. There seems to be very little passion or teaching by Coach Sampson. However, my hats off to D.J. White in this regard. He has been a cheerleader, a peacemaker and chewed some ass from time to time.

Jerry · 1 year ago

KS has been interviewed a number of times recently and has in fact made every point made on this website PLUS identified himself as responsible. I am critical of the team's play and would deploy players differently but I no longer share the negative feelings that the coach is the problem. Last I looked he does not play in the game and as such we give the players a pass when we blame their on court play on him.

I sense a gap between the coaching and some players' execution of the coaching. Maybe a behind the back dribble that gets stolen, one dish to Bassett on a drive in 50 minutes of action, and an unguarded 10 sec call tell us alot about our team's execution intensity.

Was that really Bootsie White posting on the game thread ? Wish he were back at the point

dabig · 1 year ago

I've said before that, too often of late, it looked to me like the players didn't even know what they were supposed to be doing. That has to do with coaching. It looked less like that last night on offense, but it still seemed like that while they were in the zone on defense. They haven't had very good defensive rebounding or rotation on man to man all season, either. That's coaching, too. Plus, a different coach would have given Crawford a good "talking to" during a time out followed by pine time after a couple of the birdbrained plays he pulled last night. If that happened, I didn't see it. Crawford's getting pretty far along to be showboating like he's in a pick up game.
Maybe I'm just too old. I see a lot of North Carolina and Duke where I live, and they often seem as undisciplined as IU, only with better players.

Jerry · 1 year ago

Right on ! Since many teams run their offense off the bounce ( ie Duke ) it can look sloppy thus your last sentence should be a clue that the coach( ie coach K ) may not be the problem .

So many guys on these posts seem to give Gordon a pass. Personally I think Gordon is a major offensive problem becasue he does engage the other players such that other players elevate THEIR game. We stand around waiting to get him the ball and then when he gets it , we stand around some more because he does not dish . We are thus stuck with 2 options instead of 4 or 5.

Again you are right about PLAYERS. A PLAYER is different than a guy with skills. Gordon right now is a guy with great skills, but not yet a PLAYER

Greg Matthews · 1 year ago

2 items to note today . . . it bugged me to no end that Ellis didn't sit out towards the end of the game. His dead legs were surely the reason that he missed 2 layups and 2 free throws down the stretch.
Second, I am surprised that nobody mentioned the foul that Pruitt laid on DJ White at the end of the first OT . . . shouldn't he have gone to the line to shoot 3 free throws?

BobKnightFan · 1 year ago

Did anyone else hear Kelvin's comment AFTER the game? He was asked what he said to EJ at halftime to produce such a huge 2nd half. Kelvin gave his lil shit-eatin grin and said..."I told him to shoot it everytime you get it..." I thought Mike Davis resigned and moved to UAB...I thought Bracey moved on to the NBDL or Europe or Siberian Basketball...AT WHAT POINT IN THE PAST 120 YEARS DID BASKETBALL BECOME A 1 VS 5 GAME? It is sad to see a program that has such a RICH tradition of teamwork and basketball history has come to this. The Kelvin era has taking an eerily similar road to that of his predecessor...great recruiter but SHITTY game coach. Perhaps...and I'm just living in a DREAM world here...just maybe Bobby left TTU to make a final run at #4 with his beloved Hoosiers???? Hey...if you're gonna dream...dream BIG!

Jerry · 1 year ago

Sorry but I think you are dreaming about time travel. Knight is a historically great coach but should have been fired , like Tubby, for losing too much in an elite program...........not for his antics. I would rather win with Sampson than lose with Knight

CoveyDale · 1 year ago

and I would rather win the right way with Knight than win the wrong way with Sampson.

all those criticisms are accurate. as great of a job that KS did last year, he's done an equally bad job this year. it's weird to say it but at 19-3 this team has actually underachieved.

Snipper · 1 year ago

I agree with everything you said except your overly high regard for IU's talent level and Sampson's recruiting ability. It seems obvious that , except for Gordon, the 2007 recruiting class was over-rated. After Gordon, Ellis is the best of the group, but he's a mediocre shooter and makes poor decisions with the ball. Crawford has raw ability but makes more bad plays than good ones. Thomas is awful. McGee? Is he so bad he can't contribute at all, even when depth is a problem? Yes, Holman is injured, but he looked awful when he saw very limited action before he was hurt. Minus DJ and Gordon, the Hoosiers will be in serious trouble next season.

Fozan · 1 year ago

Agree, even my 11 year old kid (which becamce a hoosier fanatic by defualt) made comments about CKS abilities!! imagine that. It's watching 5 individual players playing basketball, that's how I see the hoosiers. CKS stayed with the zone defense even after Illinois broke it so many times. Well, if something is not working, chang it!!. No set plays on the offensive front, nothing.

james · 1 year ago

chester frazier may not be the best point guard , he may not even be a decent point guard at all. but being able to guard one of the best guards in college basketball gets my attention. this kid is tough and for anyone to say for one minute that he posesses no skill at all is stupid. it was very unnecessary for him to bump gordon , but i can remember when basketball was played with toughness and was competitive. we shouldnt always pay attention to the things we can see but what we can not. i play basketball and things happen ten times worse on the court that you dont even know about. i think gordon handled it with class , and chester was just trying to intimidate him. i have a lot of respect for the 2. eric gordon is a great basketball player who seems to handle adversity very well. its no doubt he will be a superstar. p.s. this is chester frazier's big brother

Jerry · 1 year ago

I donot think we are in bad shape but the next games will tell.

It appears that the key to our winning will be to outscore the other team by having a lethal offense.

Our dribble drive, kick and pop offense is run by DUKE, NC alot of very good teams so though I donot like it myself it can be successful even though it looks unorganized

But we have 3 weaknesses in this offense

1. Gordon does not kick to anyone until too late for the pop
2. DJ does not play as well facing the basket or on dribble drives so he stops the flow
3. Intensity to keep the flow moving if the first drive does not yield a good shot

I am looking for signs that we can fix #1,#3 and then DJ can do what he does best , pop or backem down