DISQUS

Bill · 2 years ago

Where are the links that were on the right side ?

Tsell · 2 years ago

The "Stemler Praise" is merely the psychological effect that exists when you praise that which is most like yourself. White broadcasters are going to praise a white ball-player more often merely because he is the player on the floor that resembles them the most. Especially if he is playing on a team whose only other players who get minutes are black. If you are thinking I am reading racism in where none exists, think of it this way: not racist like using the "n" word; racist like ditching a resume that has the name "Jamarcus" on it. From the post: "And after Ellis finishes an effective, difficult scoring drive … we’re going to credit Stemler?"

Big A · 2 years ago

Bill,

Not sure what you're referring to on the links. Anyone else having any problems with the site? Everything looks good for me in both Mozilla and IE.

Mike · 2 years ago

Stemler hustles his butt off and makes plays. Leave the guy alone. He's one of ours, he works hard, and we needed him and his effort last night.

Stemler doesn't have the athleticism that some of our other players do. But he made some great plays last night, including the one on the baseline where he ripped the ball out of the guys hands on the baseline and gave it off for an easy deuce. He had a pretty good game last night. Leave him alone.

Anyways, we learned that this offense revolved around penetrating and kicking the ball out. We had a hobbled Basset who played most of the game and was exhausted, and only one other "guard" (Ellis, who was really a small forward).
Our three best guys at getting to the basket were out.
We'll be allright in two or so weeks.

Craig · 2 years ago

I think the bottom line with Stemler is he is fine for what he is: a streaky, slow-footed perimeter shooter. He is too slow defensively to defend at the 3, and too short to defend 4's. So by my account, if he is your 7th man or so, then he's fine. The fact that he is our starting power forward is not fine. We are asking him to do more than he is capable of, and therefore are disappointed that he cannot meet these unrealistic expectations.

Mike from Atlanta · 2 years ago

I think KS plays and starts players who work hard every day. If you have ever played a team sport you would know how important it is to have a Stemler on your team. He dives for more loose balls than anyone. Watch how many times he hits the floor. Although he doesn't have quicks to drive the lane or defend a quick player, he is one of the best spot up long range shooters we have. Once we have JC and AJ back, Lance is going to have alot of outside shots. Take his back to back 3's away in the SIU game, we might not have got the W.
He wasn't recruited to be a stud offensive player. KS was lucky to find him that late in the year. I think Lance is a true team player who put the team first, and just as importantly understands his role. Ill take him in my foxhole anyday.

Ryan · 2 years ago

T Bill's explanation of what the announcers said last night is WAY off base. I think PostMan E's analysis misconstrued what the commentators were trying to relay. This has NOTHING to do with the broadcasters associating best with Stemler because he is "the player on the floor that resembles them the most." All that was said was that Stemler made a nice extra pass, and I agree with that analysis. It was obvious in my eyes, as it should have been in anyone’s (who knows anything about basketball) that the play was made by Ellis. But that doesn’t mean that the commentators have to give commentary on that move NOR does it have anything to do with color, race, ethnicity, eye color, hair color (you get the point). Did you watch the game? Did you hear the announcers singing Ellis' praise for the final 15 min of the game for keeping IU on track? Sure, we aren’t terribly high on Stemler right now, but comm'on, lets not misconstrue one comment from an announcer. That’s idiocy.

MikeyD · 2 years ago

Dang E...those Wheaties taste a little tart this morning? "Stemler sucks...DJ is overrated...other media types are goofy". I'll take the W. I'll take Stemler in my "foxhole" any day(Mike in Atl). And, you guys gotta "talk" about somethin'.

Whether it's good bad or otherwise, the media has this strange fixation with Stemler. Some love him, while others couldn't see him making the JV squad at their sons' high schools. He is as important a part to the puzzle this team is as Keith Smart was to the '87 team. Without Stemler, the complexion of this team changes dramatically.

As far as DJ goes...when somebody "gets it done", give 'em credit. Remember all the praise EJ was getting during all the other cupcakes earlier? I rather think DJ is getting into his groove and trying to get his game established going into B10 play. I hope he and Stemler keep it up and continue to set extremely important examples for this otherwise young team. Maybe try a Sunshine Skillet tomorrow.

Tom · 2 years ago

could not disagree more with the racist thing.

lance gets the "rudy" treatment because he's not a good player but does try hard. anything he does well is a bonus so it might excite people a little more. he's still a garbage time only player, though. ks plays him too much.

MikeyD · 2 years ago

Tsell is just trying to get a reaction. Sorry T...not worthy.

David · 2 years ago

Damn, Stemler sure is becoming a favorite to kick around. I'll never understand the fascination people have with continually finding ways to take a shot at Stemler. The opening statement on Stemler was completely unnecessary.

As for DJ, he's played cupcakes before and he hasn't scored that many. With Gordon out of the lineup, DJ had to shoulder most of the load and he did a great job (against obviously inferior talent). I agree with MikeyD - give the man credit.

Tom · 2 years ago

There's no doubt Stemler lacks the athletism of others, however he has a common-sense towards the game I admire. He is willing to take a charge when others give it the matador wave.He doesn't do the AAU fancy stuff when it isn't needed. You might be surprised by him if he were playing for a Butler-like team. With I.U., he fits in best when two other bigs are playing and we play zone to cover some of his deficiencies as well others on the team. He appears to be a good kid and deserves our support as an I.U. team member.

MKH · 2 years ago

Free Eli Holman!

PostmanE · 2 years ago

Like I said in the post, I wasn't trying to diss Stemler at all, simply the media fascination that can credit him for making an obvious pass, while ignoring a considerably more difficult play by Ellis. It's been said before, but I think Lance is good for what he is, and I've learned to temper my expectations.

I guess my point is that I've yet to see anyone on this team not play hard, or not work hard, so praising Stemler for that at the exclusion of the rest of the team -- or for the example I wrote about -- just seems silly to me.

Kevin Q · 2 years ago

Let's keep in mind that aside from Laskowski (where was he?), the people hired at the BTN are not the best in the business; far from it. They have been and are going to make a lot of silly statements. I wish there a was a way to sync up the radio with the TV so I could listen to Dandy Don.

P.S. No problems with this site for me.

ccmoney · 2 years ago

Mike in ATL - Stemler hit 1 three at SIU, and we won by 13. HIs back to back 3's were big against GT.
He COULD be a good outside shooter, but has yet to show it. Just like Hornsby in his senior year - you've got to have confidence and Davis ruined his, Lance is still looking for his. 8-22 this year is adequate, but 38-115 last year was weak, and I know all about the injury excuse. Gordon, Bassett, Ratliff, maybe even Ellis and McGee have a better permieter shot, right now. That could change, I hope, because Lance will get his minutes.

Mike · 2 years ago

Please quit criticizing Lance all the time. He does what he is supposed to do and is a good compliment to our TEAM! Also, since when did Laskowski become one of the best in the business! He is about as exciting as watching paint dry! If he never did another IU game the rest of his life it would be OK with me!

Mike from Atlanta · 2 years ago

You 're right CC. It was the GT game. Nevertheless those were 2 needed scores. Even last night, the lead was down to 7 and back to back Stemler 3's put the game out of reach. Once we have all 5 guards in the rotation, I think you will see alot of 3's from Stemler.

MKM from Indy · 2 years ago

I agree with TSELL. There is way too much love for a guy who couldn't hit the broadside of a barn last year. He certainly had nothing to offer against Xavier. That's how basketball is these days. The white dude is the hustler and a "smart" ball player, and the black dude has the god-given athleticism. It is a racist and more broadcaster should temper their statements.

David · 2 years ago

It was one broadcaster making one single statement and people are blowing it all out of proportion to suit their own arguments.

Some see it as racist, some see it as a slight against Ellis, some see it as unnecessary adulation for Stemler.

See for it what you will but this is getting out of hand.

Hoosier Hound · 2 years ago

Here is some good advice to keep you from getting worked up about the ruminations of moronic tv announcers:

MUTE BUTTON

Then you can put Fish on the radio.

PostmanE · 2 years ago

Hound:

Pretty excellent point. Fish is so great; it's too bad I can't get him on over the air here in Chicago.

David:

I know it's just one broadcaster and one statement, but it is a perfect example of a larger problem I think is worth looking into. I don't think this is getting out of hand; on the contrary, I think this is healthy discussion. It's good to question why we say the things we do from time to time, and why perceptions are perceptions even if they don't seem all that accurate.

McD · 2 years ago

Echo David on that one, this is really getting out of hand with the race card and man crushes. PostmanE - I think you are reading way too much into the analyst's commentary and he was just filling dead air. Everyone can see that Jamarcus made the play happen.

I happened to be at the game last night and Assembly Hall rose to their feet more times because of the play of Lance Stemler than any other person on the court. What a turn around from the 1st game of the year. Also, not sure if it made BTN, but the big screen showed a fan holding a sign that read: "If you have Insight, you can't read this." The place erupted with laughter.

I think in general it is easy for the fans to identify with Stemler because he plays with heart all the time, which is different than playing hard. And I would argue that the whole team does not play hard all the time - go back and watch the Xavier tape and see some of the transition defense and blocking out and help-side rotation efforts.

A couple of other thoughts:

Where would this team be without Mike White the last couple of games with his production and a needed extra body?

This team gets immediately better on defense and rebounding with the return of AJ Ratliff on Dec 15. He gives us another excellent on the ball defender with shot blocking ability and goes to the glass well.

casey · 2 years ago

I am getting REALLY burnt out with all of this negative Stemler talk. KS feels that Stemler is the best choice, the players feel that he is the best choice. Leave it alone. There is a lot more worthwile conversation that we could be having.

sizeless · 2 years ago

TSell and MKM..... go peddle ur racist b.s. to al sharpton or jesse jackson.... noone on here is gonna
take the bait.

McD · 2 years ago

IU vs Kentucky 1990 on BTN right now, talk about all 5 players playing hardnosed man to man, rebounding, and motion offense, even the bigs Nover and E Anderson. What a lineup with Bailey, Chaney, and the Graham brothers. Linden Jones the only senior. Dakich is still on the bench.

I think it's going to take Kelvin a couple more years to have these kids playing like this, getting all the kids to buy-in and usher the MD era out of Bloomington.

KeithB · 2 years ago

Hoosier Hound said it all, just hit the mute button. Why is it that some mega corp put together the BIG TEN Network and couldn't find any decent announcers?

In last nights game, excluding DJ, everyone had a low light to be concerned with. Unfortunately these POP Warner announcers shouldn't be calling any games at all, but for someone to hang on to some stupid comment by them and then to rant about racism shows how little you care about the TEAM and really need a life.

It's a game people, nothing is perfect. My glass is half full and Thank God I realize it.

PostmanE · 2 years ago

Keith:

I didn't infer the race issue, for the record.

And lastly, everyone: I'm not hanging on the comment simply for the merits of the comment itself; I only care about it because it is an example of stuff we've been hearing all year, from both media types and fan types. That's all I wanted to discuss.

Kyle · 2 years ago

If you all new anything about basketball, then you would understand the value that Lance Stemler brings to this team.

Winston Morgan · 2 years ago

It is not just Stemler. The whole team except for number 23 and White are marginally talented division 1 players.

widget · 2 years ago

The thing that makes me nervous is just how thin our team is without Gordon right now. For a sizeable stretch the other night no one on the floor wanted the ball. We couldn't break a press, we were looking for someone to take the game over.

For that I give Stemler credit. He stepped up and knocked down a few shots, breaking the mental log jam.

We're gonna need to grow up pretty fast.

Tsell · 2 years ago

For anyone going back to this thread...

...I should have started with the fact that I really like how Stemler plays. I even think he should start sometimes. IU needs him. This team needs him. I am super glad that he saw a sports psychologist to get over that shooting slump.

The media though...definitely has some extra love for the "hard-working, blue-collar, carries his lunch pail, "Rudy", "Norman Dale" fundamentals, smart, high basketball-IQ" white players out there, Stemler included. If you don't want to see it (or hear it), that's okay.

If you think that racism doesn't exist, move to Kentucky, and go cheer for your Wildcats in Adolph Rupp Arena!