Good work on this, chap. And yeah: I couldn't agree more on the "knocked down a peg" feeling.
But alas, it's just one game. We'll see what this team is really made of once we head into this tough stretch ahead ... but I'm not exceedingly confident we'll come out of it with our heads held high. I just hope we haven't been exposed as frauds after yesterday's loss.
And as far as Ratliff is concerned ... that's just Sampson being Sampson on his substitutions. He'll play a guy for 35 minutes one game ... then three the next. Odd.
DavidC
· 1 year ago
Count me among the befuddled to see AJ on the bench when time and time again the UCONN guards were penetrating into the lane.
Kelin
· 1 year ago
Good News......on the political front....
Just heard a local Indiana Senator endorse screening for EJ at IU.
This is a big big endorsement
Screening 2008
T
· 1 year ago
The four spot is brutal. Too bad Patrick Ewing Jr. didn't stick around.
Out of the three I like Mike White the best because he's the toughest. He can't score worth a damn but at least he does't take shit from bigger guys, unlike Stemler and Big D, (who thinks he's MJ with that fadeaway apparently.)
Also - As of right now, Gordon may be a top 3 pick, but honestly I think Mike Conley Jr. was better last year then Gordon is this year. He just got overshaddowed by Oden.
Gordon spazes out way too much when driving to the lane. He's still the most explosive scoer in the Big Ten and one of the most in the country, but he could improve his game by leaps and bounds.
DavidC
· 1 year ago
Conley is different from Gordon. Gordon is a SG who is playing a little out of position bringing the ball up the court since IU does not have a true PG (Bassett is also a natural SG). Conley is a true PG and was impressive last year, no doubt. But he didn't have to be counted on to score 20 plus points a game.
I still think Gordon is the all-around better talent, despite his recent struggles.
Alex
· 1 year ago
T,
Ewing would already be gone had he stayed a Hoosier.
xandervan
· 1 year ago
Agree about Mike White, but that shows you how sad the situation is. DeAndre missed 2 uncontested layups in a row. He's already been a defensive liability, and this just makes it worse.
Disco Briscoe
· 1 year ago
Ewing stunk and still stinks...but he is better than our 4's.
jaime gongora
· 1 year ago
I just feel like I need to take some time off from our hoosiers. It hurt me to think that we weren't as good as advertised. It ticks me off that I have no one who cares in chapel hill, because it least I wouldn't feel like crap alone. I once thought this team could win the whole thing, but right now, I would be very happy with the sweet sixteen. This is the first time I have reservations about Coach Sampsons's coaching ability. I'm hoping this changes, after all anything can happen in march.
Phillip
· 1 year ago
UCONN beat Marquette by a ton last week. Marquette was a top ten team at that time...Maybe UCONN is just good and we just bitch alot.
Phillip
· 1 year ago
pardon me. not at that time. my mistake.
Kelin
· 1 year ago
Jaime ....
Hang in there bro...I always tell myself, I didn't expect IU to go undefeated. Secondly...losing to UCONN is better than losing to ...say Iowa or N'western...now there would be a conversation.
IU can learn a lot from this loss and they will, which will help them going into Wisconsin. I think KS also will learn as a coach. He has to know, he needs better movement on offense....HELL WE ALL KNOW THAT.
Screening 2008
Alex
· 1 year ago
Jaime and Kelin,
As two of our first ever commenters here on ITH, I'm surprised you haven't signed up to customize your avatar. Get er done, fellas.
jgongora86
· 1 year ago
big a, I think I'm in but I'm not sure. I was in Paris when you guys first brought this out and I feel I'm in a boat without a padle. Go hoosiers.
jgongora86
· 1 year ago
Thanks Kelin. I know there will be a time when we compete for a national championship every year. I just hope its sooner than later. If this team makes it to the elite eight great things will occur.
dabig
· 1 year ago
What drove me nuts yesterday wasn't that the players were getting out played, but that about 90% of the time, offense and defense, they looked like they did not know what they were supposed to do. This is pretty late in the season to see this sort of stuff.
Kelin
· 1 year ago
Big A U R right........
give me 24hrs.....I will then be ofishal.....
What irritated me yesterday was, the lack of speed, pace, etc. As if UCONN was that much more athletic and faster. I DO NOT for the life of me don't understand why we don't press, trap, or run more often........not to mention my screens.
I love screens and I am sure EJ would too....
Big A ...I am sure you have some pull, ask KS why they don't push the damn ball more? and what is wrong with a screen for ANYONE.
I need a drink.....
Alex
· 1 year ago
Kelin, Jamie and anyone else who wishes to have an avatar, here are some instructions:
Log-in to Disqus (leave remember me checked), hit Settings in the top right corner, the first item on that screen will be picture. You can upload and size your picture from there. You can also add a website from that screen, your location (if you wish to share) and a little about yourself (again, if you wish to share).
Sherron Wilkerson
· 1 year ago
I concur, spot on analysis. I am pretty sure a tougher schedule would have shown these imperfections earlier. We were turning the ball over 14.7 times a game and only had one loss, only really bad teams lose to teams that cough up the ball 15 times. We should have played UConn (or anyone but Chico State) in December instead of February
LRubes
· 1 year ago
that picture really hits the nail on the head. that is the worst feeling when your ball is teetering on the edge or lips out. UGGGGGGHHHHH!! i had the same feeling watching the game
Timmy
· 1 year ago
AJ Ratliff? Are you kidding me? He's worse now than when he was a freshman. It doesn't matter if you can jump out the building if you have no mental strength. AJ's gotten by on his athleticsm in high school but in college he hasn't matured one bit into a real player. Who would you sit so AJ can have minutes and stink it up on the court? Crawford is more of a scoring threat and ball handler, Bassett has a thousand times better shot, ball handler and leadership, Ellis is 10x's the basketball player AJ is and don't even try to compare AJ's game to IDKWTI's. After the couple years of off court stuff AJ has pulled (and there is a lot more than just grades) he should be happy to still be on the team guarding the water bucket.
PMK
· 1 year ago
The Ratliff thing is weird to me as well. I have trouble being able to judge as Timmy has that he is worse now than he was as a freshman. He has only played twenty plus minutes against Michigan and Illinois and in the last four games he has played 4, 3, 6, and 5 minutes respectively. What do we really know about him as a player right now?
Eric Gordon to me was really the one who let us down this game. I felt like DJ missed a fair amount of shots he should have knocked down, but Gordon stuck out most. I even went as far to mention at the game that if given a choice between Ellis and Gordon, I would take Ellis right now.
I say that for a few reasons, but mainly for the fact that I feel like Gordon is missing the "edge" Ellis has. There was a ball on the floor near half court towards the end of the first half, and I distinctly remember Gordon not making an aggressive play, and UCONN ended up getting the ball I feel like if some guy started bodying Ellis and getting into him, he we come down on the other side and do the same, but with more tenacity and win the one-on-one battle. I am not asking for Gordon to be emotional and beat his chest or whatever. I am just saying I question his tenacity and for lack of something better than a cliche, playing with a chip on his shoulder.
People locally and nationally have been gripping Gordon every step of the way and maybe that has made him complacent. Gordon just seems like he is ok to not be involved in the offense at times, while I want to see him get the ball and attack the rim and draw fouls. Especiallly against an idiot like Thabeet (see fake out of him on the shot clock at the end of 1st half), Gordon should have been the one to attack him, not DJ shooting jumpers from the elbow and equivalent distance sideline jumpers.
ricky
· 1 year ago
We might be over analyzing this a little bit. Gordon had a bad shooting game. DJ had an even worse shooting game. DJ missed many open shots that he normally makes. If D makes those 2 bunnies in the first half it would have been a totally different game. They did not play well at all, but DJ just making his open shots could have swung this game in our favor.
That said, it was troubling to see IU totally unable to get a defensive stop when we needed it. That is what championship teams do; you cant have a come from behind win without getting key stops. Also the lack of a good #4 is very scary. I love mike whites toughness and I wish he played more. But D seems to be only good for giving DJ some rest, and while Stemler played his heart out saturday he is not athletic or big enough to play the 4. and if we think the 4 spot is bad this year, holy crap think about next year. D is the only returning big that played any significant time this year; we dont know much about holman and pritchard will be just a freshman. maybe a 3 guard lineup with ebanks and D? i digress, as that is neither here nor there.
All that been said, IU needed to lose. At least it was to a good team. We can learn from this and I expect to see IU play with more passion and intensity at wisconsin
CoveyDale
· 1 year ago
what people fail to mention as a glaring difference between IU and UConn:
UConn's best opponents going into Saturday: Memphis, @Georgetown, Gonzaga IU's best opponents going into Saturday: Xavier, @Minnesota, Illinois State
we were not ready for a team as physical and athletic as UConn.
b_side
· 1 year ago
Someone ridiculed me for mentioning UConn's "best losses" in a previous post.. Since you have the same viewpoint as me, I'd like to add on they beat Marquette (top 15) by 15+ points and beat a good Cincy team on the road in the two games prior to ours. Clearly the cupcakes are coming back to bite us.
ALH_00
· 1 year ago
Sorry b_side...don't I look like the idiot now. I was just trying to impart some positive energy into the conversation, because many here and in the mainstream media were predicting an IU loss. I guess y'all were right.
The loss itself doesn't bother me as much as the team's attitude and uninspired play. And I certainly don't feel any better about the loss given UConn's record/schedule and the fact that (outside of IU) they have won a couple games and lost a couple to good competition. I still think IU should have won on Sat...they just played really poorly and got beat by a talented (but not great) team. And at this point, maybe that's what IU is...a talented (but not great) team.
Quincy
· 1 year ago
Ok you nay sayers.. Calm Down.. It was a tough loss that puts an uneasy feeling in the stomach, and broke the home win streak, so be it. Who currently sits a top the Big Ten? The BIG game is Thurs. night. Wisconsin lost to PU, they will be a hand full, but a win there would hopefully calm the IU faithfuls nerves.. (for awhile) Time to right this ship!!..
Hoosierfan27
· 1 year ago
Totally agree with the Packer statements. He sounds like he completely despises college basketball. What did Thabeet do that irritated Packer so much? Even being an IU fan it was agonizing listening to him bash a 20 year old kid.
HoosierSmitty
· 1 year ago
Packer is just a bitter, bitter, bitter man.
I wonder how much basketball he actually watches anymore after some of his comments...
tberry
· 1 year ago
I've been saying all year that the ridiculously easy preseason schedule has led everyone to believe that IU is better than they really are.
Playing god teams is exposing our lacks that have been covered up by hype. We have to get better in a hurry or we will be lucky to get two wins in the NCAA.
HoosierSmitty
· 1 year ago
The worst thing that's really happened after this game is that we somehow now have the faintest of hopes that EJ is going to stick around for another year.
Let's get realistic and give up that hope. He's gone. So is DJ. We'll be lacking an interior game even more so next year without DJ. I'd take Todd Lindeman at this point. Hell, even George Leach again. We need two reliable post players and we'll be lucky to have one.
It was a nonconference game in the middle of the Big Ten season...big deal. Our tournament seeding hopes rest on where we finish in the Big Ten.
Anyway...this loss should... 1.) Serve as a wake up call. 2.) Take pressure off of the team from "protecting the winning streak" when Wisconsin and Michigan State come to town. I think we'll play better as a result. 3.) Instill a sense of urgency in Kelvin Sampson to teach this team how to play basketball better. If not, Dan Dakich is waiting...
Peter
· 1 year ago
Sampson knows AJ gives 90% 90% of the time.
Patrick Ewing would have graduated last year had he not transferred.
It was Kelvin's coaching/game plan that cost IU the most. The 7'3" guy blocks 3.9 shots per game so Kelvin decides to have DJ play out where he is not consistently comfortable. Should have played DJ inside and let the UConn guy have his 3.9 blocks - Its better than shooting 28% for the first 1/2! DJ played inside the first 3 minutes of the game!
Henry
· 1 year ago
We should have won the game. We missed a lot of easy jumpers and layups. This game comes down to three possession. two missed dre bunny layups, and a goaltending no call, which gives us six points and a victory. We should have won the game but missed too many easy shots.
Alex
· 1 year ago
I too am baffled about the playing time, or lack thereof, for A.J. Ratliff.
Maybe I'm missing something, but he was one of IU's better players a season ago. He shot 45 percent from the field, including 41 percent from three and played hard-nosed defense.
Now it seems that every time he gets into the game, he's taken out less than three minutes later. He's only getting 11 minutes a game.
Not sure if something is going on behind the scenes or if Sampson just doesn't like A.J., but I definitely think he needs to see the floor for 15-20 minutes per game minimum.
All Comments
But alas, it's just one game. We'll see what this team is really made of once we head into this tough stretch ahead ... but I'm not exceedingly confident we'll come out of it with our heads held high. I just hope we haven't been exposed as frauds after yesterday's loss.
And as far as Ratliff is concerned ... that's just Sampson being Sampson on his substitutions. He'll play a guy for 35 minutes one game ... then three the next. Odd.
Just heard a local Indiana Senator endorse screening for EJ at IU.
This is a big big endorsement
Screening 2008
Out of the three I like Mike White the best because he's the toughest. He can't score worth a damn but at least he does't take shit from bigger guys, unlike Stemler and Big D, (who thinks he's MJ with that fadeaway apparently.)
Also - As of right now, Gordon may be a top 3 pick, but honestly I think Mike Conley Jr. was better last year then Gordon is this year. He just got overshaddowed by Oden.
Gordon spazes out way too much when driving to the lane. He's still the most explosive scoer in the Big Ten and one of the most in the country, but he could improve his game by leaps and bounds.
I still think Gordon is the all-around better talent, despite his recent struggles.
Ewing would already be gone had he stayed a Hoosier.
not at that time. my mistake.
Hang in there bro...I always tell myself, I didn't expect IU to go undefeated. Secondly...losing to UCONN is better than losing to ...say Iowa or N'western...now there would be a conversation.
IU can learn a lot from this loss and they will, which will help them going into Wisconsin. I think KS also will learn as a coach. He has to know, he needs better movement on offense....HELL WE ALL KNOW THAT.
Screening 2008
As two of our first ever commenters here on ITH, I'm surprised you haven't signed up to customize your avatar. Get er done, fellas.
This is pretty late in the season to see this sort of stuff.
give me 24hrs.....I will then be ofishal.....
What irritated me yesterday was, the lack of speed, pace, etc. As if UCONN was that much more athletic and faster. I DO NOT for the life of me don't understand why we don't press, trap, or run more often........not to mention my screens.
I love screens and I am sure EJ would too....
Big A ...I am sure you have some pull, ask KS why they don't push the damn ball more? and what is wrong with a screen for ANYONE.
I need a drink.....
Go here: http://www.disqus.com/login/
Log-in to Disqus (leave remember me checked), hit Settings in the top right corner, the first item on that screen will be picture. You can upload and size your picture from there. You can also add a website from that screen, your location (if you wish to share) and a little about yourself (again, if you wish to share).
i had the same feeling watching the game
Eric Gordon to me was really the one who let us down this game. I felt like DJ missed a fair amount of shots he should have knocked down, but Gordon stuck out most. I even went as far to mention at the game that if given a choice between Ellis and Gordon, I would take Ellis right now.
I say that for a few reasons, but mainly for the fact that I feel like Gordon is missing the "edge" Ellis has. There was a ball on the floor near half court towards the end of the first half, and I distinctly remember Gordon not making an aggressive play, and UCONN ended up getting the ball I feel like if some guy started bodying Ellis and getting into him, he we come down on the other side and do the same, but with more tenacity and win the one-on-one battle. I am not asking for Gordon to be emotional and beat his chest or whatever. I am just saying I question his tenacity and for lack of something better than a cliche, playing with a chip on his shoulder.
People locally and nationally have been gripping Gordon every step of the way and maybe that has made him complacent. Gordon just seems like he is ok to not be involved in the offense at times, while I want to see him get the ball and attack the rim and draw fouls. Especiallly against an idiot like Thabeet (see fake out of him on the shot clock at the end of 1st half), Gordon should have been the one to attack him, not DJ shooting jumpers from the elbow and equivalent distance sideline jumpers.
That said, it was troubling to see IU totally unable to get a defensive stop when we needed it. That is what championship teams do; you cant have a come from behind win without getting key stops. Also the lack of a good #4 is very scary. I love mike whites toughness and I wish he played more. But D seems to be only good for giving DJ some rest, and while Stemler played his heart out saturday he is not athletic or big enough to play the 4. and if we think the 4 spot is bad this year, holy crap think about next year. D is the only returning big that played any significant time this year; we dont know much about holman and pritchard will be just a freshman. maybe a 3 guard lineup with ebanks and D? i digress, as that is neither here nor there.
All that been said, IU needed to lose. At least it was to a good team. We can learn from this and I expect to see IU play with more passion and intensity at wisconsin
UConn's best opponents going into Saturday: Memphis, @Georgetown, Gonzaga
IU's best opponents going into Saturday: Xavier, @Minnesota, Illinois State
we were not ready for a team as physical and athletic as UConn.
The loss itself doesn't bother me as much as the team's attitude and uninspired play. And I certainly don't feel any better about the loss given UConn's record/schedule and the fact that (outside of IU) they have won a couple games and lost a couple to good competition. I still think IU should have won on Sat...they just played really poorly and got beat by a talented (but not great) team. And at this point, maybe that's what IU is...a talented (but not great) team.
The BIG game is Thurs. night. Wisconsin lost to PU, they will be a hand full, but a win there would hopefully calm the IU faithfuls nerves.. (for awhile) Time to right this ship!!..
I wonder how much basketball he actually watches anymore after some of his comments...
Playing god teams is exposing our lacks that have been covered up by hype. We have to get better in a hurry or we will be lucky to get two wins in the NCAA.
Let's get realistic and give up that hope. He's gone. So is DJ. We'll be lacking an interior game even more so next year without DJ. I'd take Todd Lindeman at this point. Hell, even George Leach again. We need two reliable post players and we'll be lucky to have one.
It was a nonconference game in the middle of the Big Ten season...big deal. Our tournament seeding hopes rest on where we finish in the Big Ten.
Anyway...this loss should...
1.) Serve as a wake up call.
2.) Take pressure off of the team from "protecting the winning streak" when Wisconsin and Michigan State come to town. I think we'll play better as a result.
3.) Instill a sense of urgency in Kelvin Sampson to teach this team how to play basketball better. If not, Dan Dakich is waiting...
Patrick Ewing would have graduated last year had he not transferred.
It was Kelvin's coaching/game plan that cost IU the most. The 7'3" guy blocks 3.9 shots per game so Kelvin decides to have DJ play out where he is not consistently comfortable. Should have played DJ inside and let the UConn guy have his 3.9 blocks - Its better than shooting 28% for the first 1/2! DJ played inside the first 3 minutes of the game!
Maybe I'm missing something, but he was one of IU's better players a season ago. He shot 45 percent from the field, including 41 percent from three and played hard-nosed defense.
Now it seems that every time he gets into the game, he's taken out less than three minutes later. He's only getting 11 minutes a game.
Not sure if something is going on behind the scenes or if Sampson just doesn't like A.J., but I definitely think he needs to see the floor for 15-20 minutes per game minimum.