DISQUS

Brett · 1 year ago

I hate to say it A but I think AJ is done.. I was at the game Saturday and I felt the same way you did after Kelvin yanked him. I've seen a steady decline in his attitude since the Minnesota game. During the game I was also trying to figure out scenarios why he wasn't playing and really couldn't come up with anything but ; he just doesn't fit on this team anymore..

CoveyDale · 1 year ago

the expectations were too high for Ratliff because he was a Mr. Basketball. AJ was never a great scorer in high school and I think a lot of his hype was based on his length and defenensive talent. You could make the argument that he is one of the worst Mr. Basketball's from this state (with a special nod to permanent Notre Dame 7th man Luke Zeller...mostly because he beat out McRoberts and James).

AJ has talent but the effort has never been there (on or off the court). If he played half as hard or cared half as much as fellow classmate DJ White, I think he could've been a very good player here at IU. Instead, he's just another "never was" from that touted Davis recruiting class that never panned out:

Steijn - transfer
Vaden -transfer
Hardy - football
White - All Big-Ten
AJ - bench

b_side · 1 year ago

In fairness to Zeller, I think everyone knows he didn't deserve it. Problem was that McRoberts declined to participate in the Indiana-Kentucky All-star game so the media turned on him (and rightfully so). Zeller won a class championship, so it was a feel-good story. If you watch The Wire on HBO, you'll know how much newspapers matter, even if readership is in decline. So in effect, Luke didn't really beat McRoberts out -- it was just a gift to spite Dukey McRoberts.

Ironic how neither guy lived up to the hype, meanwhile Dominic James is kicking butt. Can you imagine him in an IU uniform? Davis thought he was too short and never seriously recruited him.

Sherron Wilkerson · 1 year ago

Agreed

W · 1 year ago

I have to make an indirect answer to the question, as the fundamental question of AJ's decline is unknown for now. The challenge I have with this latest post is the analysis of Jordan Crawford. There is no doubt Crawford is a free shooter to say the least. It should not be forgotten though that Crawford can be credited with carrying the team almost single-handedly in two victories this season when Gordon was either injured or cold (Kentucky and Minnesota - 1st half performance kept them in it). The title of "the undisciplined one" should go to Jamarcus Ellis. Every time he touches the ball he appears out of control. Ellis is shooting 24% from the arch and 42% from the field (Crawford 36% from 3 and 47% overall).
As for AJ, my boys refer to him as the "poor man's Tashawn Price". That was before this season, which obviously has not gone right thus far. Come tournament time, kids wake up. And with the current rotation and depth the Hoosiers have this season, even if AJ continues to tank, this team has the tools to win the Big 10 and make a run at the title.

W · 1 year ago

Tayshaun Prince, that is. I need coffee.

Mr_C · 1 year ago

My far flung theory is that Sampson is a patient man. How many upsets are there each year in March? Don't you think that a few of those coaches wish they had a fresh pair of legs to come in off the bench and knock down a few threes? Obviously this is all speculation, but it wouldn't surprise me to see AJ's playing time pickup down the stretch just in time for him to begin playing really well when the tourney rolls around.

HoosierSmitty · 1 year ago

The answer is obvious. He needs that cast/brace back on his left wrist.

DavidC · 1 year ago

On one hand, I can see how Sampson would want to stick with the lineup that got IU off to a 17-1 start (now 17-2).

But on the other hand I am finding it hard to understand why AJ saw so little action in the game against UCONN. Did he think offensive production was what IU needed, considering IU only shot what 35 percent or less for the game? Maybe that would justify leaving Crawford in the game. Or maybe AJ still isn't up to game speed/pace and Sampson is carefully bringing him along, trying to see who he matches up with best on the court?

I don't think AJ is done by any stretch of the imagination. I just hope he gets some more minutes and can work himself into the lineup for more than 3-4 minute spurts here and there. If anything, IU's defense could sure use AJ's tenacity on the wings and in the backcourt.

plane1972 · 1 year ago

I hope AJ can right the ship and become a solid performer off the bench or as a defensive stopper, which I think he can and is exactly what we need right now for a strong finish. However, Coach Sampson owes him nothing. I don't think the quick yank was vengeful, but could you blame the coach for sending a message to AJ about how he disappointed the entire team by not making grades in his SENIOR SEASON? Pouting would not be the best use of his time.

Quincy · 1 year ago

K.S. is the coach. He is with AJ everyday. We can 2nd guess coach to death, but he is responsible for making these decisions. I say give AJ a shot over "Tone" (Ellis) right now. I think Ellis is tired, maybe.

PB · 1 year ago

I must have missed something. Isn't the A.J. Ratliff we are seeing this year the A.J. Ratliff of old? I'm sorry but he's never struck me as a player that was going to "blow up" at any point. Sure he showed flashes, but he's never seemed to put forth consistent effort to be great.

People think that because he was a stud in high school that he'd be a stud in college. Clearly (and unfortunately,) it doesn't always work out that way. I hope he can prove me wrong and finish his college career strong.

steve · 1 year ago

It would not matter if AJ played all game we would still have trouble on offense. Sampson cannot coach offense. We have seen this time and time again this year. I am not trying to be negative I am just frustrated. I want the old hoosier style back! I do not want players that are projects (Holman, Mcgee, Thomas). There are enough players in the state of indiana to assemble to make an out of sight team.

xxZPxx · 1 year ago

A.J. should have lost Mr. Basketball to James Hardy. Fact. That was a clear case of Indianapolis bias that us Fort Wayners cry about constantly, but in this case is very true. As for the question that was asked I think it is a direct result of missing the first half of the season that is causing his decline. He was never going to be a baller on this team but he was expected to come in and play good defense and knock down 2-3 threes a game. *sidenote: By the way that is all he CAN do and I am sick of people on this team trying to do things they CANT do. Back to A.J....He missed all those games and then when he is ready to come back he gets hurt and for all we know he probably still is bothered by that ankle. I am hoping and predicting that he slowly shapes back into form and by the end of the season he finds his role on this team as being the 2nd guard off the bench for defensive and 3 point shooting purposes only. Sidenote #2: He really needs to find his shot because that is probably what is effecting his playing time the most.

ray · 1 year ago

i wouldn't be surprised if it is a simple matter of aj not being quite ready. i think it showed when in the little time he has seen he's picked up 2-3 fouls in a matter of a few minutes. for as good of a defender as he is, he shouldn't be making "i just ate my jockstrap" reach-in fouls...and that is exactly what i've witnessed...not your top-notch perimeter defender everyone is crediting him with. i think he just isn't ready, either due to his injury or because he was out for so long. when he is true to form, he will get his playing time...i hope!

as for the james hardy comment...i agree indianapolis stars are often beating out other superior ball players that are from out of the circle city...but james hardy? he would certainly beat out aj on the turf, but i certainly don't see him as a better hardwood baller.

ray · 1 year ago

xxZPxx

if the mr basketball of the 2010 class isn't granted to "the stud of the fort", then we should all cry out loud...or laugh out loud. there would certainly be reason for chants of bias...unless someone else becomes air jordan resurrected sometime soon.

james hardy was a good ball player in high school, but seeing him in iu gear his freshman season...it didn't seem like he was capable of competing with aj ratliff...my opinion.

Brett · 1 year ago

I don't know ray, did you ever see james hardy play basketball? He was incredibly gifted around the hoop and when his shot was on he was deadly from outside. Not to mention his height and length. As a freshman he got very limited PT and had an absolute awful coach. Who would want to play hard for that dumbass? ZP seems to be right on the money with this one, FW for lyfe!

xxZPxx · 1 year ago

I'm still standing by it...in High School at least. For the record Ratliff's senior year 19 ppg, 5.7 reb, 3.2 assists....rivals #77.......Hardy 27.3 ppg, 9.8 reb...rivals #80. So judging by that year which is all that matters for Mr. Basketball you see where I'm coming from though. Aj Graves was actually second and Hardy 3rd which is even more interesting.

T · 1 year ago

People are pretty harsh on Crawford. I think he's a huge weapon for this team - A guy who can come off the bench and score points in a HURRY. (All you Bulls fans, remember Janero Pargo from a few years ago? That's who Crawford sort of reminds me of right now.)

I'd rather have him in the games then Ratliff. Gordon and Basset are just flat out better and, Ellis is more versatile.

Ratliff is the odd man out. I still think he can help the team in spurts, but I don't think he should play more then the above four guys.

ricky · 1 year ago

it is unbelievable to think that ratliff could not have been useful to us against uconn when we were down late and needed stops. maybe our best on the ball defender not in the game when we need defensive stops? it doesnt make sense

Jerry · 1 year ago

I was at the game and we got outplayed and outcoached something fierce on Saturday. From what I saw AJ was still ok on defense given his assignments. Most of our team however was overmatched in size and stalemated in quickness......very surprising.

Good news is that Crawford:
1. went the correct way on picks every time ( Gordon has not learned that yet )
2. knew to shoot 3's when others seemed confused about how to get back in the game
3. often guarded 6'9" Robinson and did it better than Ellis

As such, I think this kid is eating up AJ's minutes

IndianaJoe · 1 year ago

If anyone doesn't know, I'm one of the dancers at Night Moves. AJ comes here before every game and I give him free boob slams. As far as his head not being in the game, he's still probably thinking about me. There's your answer.

SocksShortsSwish · 1 year ago

First softcore porn, now erotic stories.

Jerry · 1 year ago

Chocalate:

Can I substitue for AJ and see if it makes a difference in his game ?

IndianaJoe · 1 year ago

His head is completely out of the game. He's thinking about something else instead of using his talent. Instincts are a huge part of bball and if he keeps thinking twice about doing things on the court, he will continue to struggle.

Sherron Wilkerson · 1 year ago

AJ Ratliff has one good game a season where he will score 20+, every other game he goes 1-6 from behind the arc yet still gets praise as a "great player". Who cares if he doesn't play. I don't miss waiting around to see what game he and his shot are going to show up for. One of the most overrated players I can remember in 25 years if watching IU basketball.

b_side · 1 year ago

No one seems to mention that AJ's struggles coincide with the fact he just hasn't had any shot attempts. One to two flicks per game doesn't cut it for a streaky shooter. For a kid as fragile as AJ, he needs reps to build his confidence. Ratliff needs the confidence from Sampson, that even if he misses a 3, he won't get yanked. Stemler, another shooter with severe confidence/mental issues, seems to have come to grips with it.

AJ, we implore you -- play with a chip on your shoulder, act like you belong and prove us wrong.

xxZPxx · 1 year ago

Amen to that last comment...

Brett · 1 year ago

ZP go buy another guitar on the way home from work.. co-op fo sho! By the way im diggin the avatar.

xxZPxx · 1 year ago

We will see....oh and AJ Graves rocks flannel shirts to The Red Room which is another reason he should never be ranked ahead of Hardy for Mr. Basketball.

Brett · 1 year ago

Its so true.. we should have got a picture of that. amazing style. but hey hes aj graves..

CB in OR · 1 year ago

Remember last year when A.J. came off the bench against Wisconsin , scored 20 and led us to a win? A.J. deserves better treatment. At least enough minutes to play back into the coach's good graces. There were plenty of chances while we were in cupcake land.

DJ is a strong emotional leader and sets a good example on the court. EJ plays without passion. Yes, he does.

UConn leads the Big East with free throw opportunities and had 29 to our 8. UConn only had one scholarship player at guard when we played.

Sampson loses 500k and a scholarship for three-way phone calls. Bill Belichek loses 500k and a first round draft choice for cheating and is voted coach of the year.

Something important should be named after Bob Knight. Show Bob some love.

Pete Rose needs to be in the HOF as a player.

Rocky Balboa needs to turn in all his championship belts in to Don King.

xxZPxx · 1 year ago

And Jose Canseco should win the Nobel Peace Prize....

ZP Sucks · 1 year ago

Why not give Ahfeld a shot? He has proven he can consistently knock down the 3 in warmups and he has the passion IU basketball embodies. I think with Gordon's wrist injury Sampson should hand the reins over to Adam.

E · 1 year ago

Adam Ahlfeld may just be the most unathletic player in the history of Indiana University Basketball.

jeff · 1 year ago

I'm not trying to hijack what is an excellent thread (way to go, everyone), but I wanted to respond to Steve's comment a while back when he said: "I want the old hoosier style back! I do not want players that are projects (Holman, Mcgee, Thomas)." I share the frustration, but mine goes well back into the 90's when we had an ENDLESS progression of projects at the forward and center positons. Several redshirts. Several prep schools. Some forgettable jucos. It was a slow motion train wreck. During this time, Knight was quoted more than once as how he "hated" recruiting, and that begging a 16-year-old to play for IU was beneath him, so he just wouldn't do it. To me, our problems in 2008 can be directly traced all the way back to this time frame. We lost relationships with Indiana high school and summer league coaches. Players went elsewhere, and had great success. We became boring and average, or worse. Then came Davis, and here we are today. To me, Knight refusing to put the required time and effort into recruiting (he just wanted to coach) was like a player who just wanted to shoot but not play defense. No difference at all. Okay, that's all I have. Thanks for letting me vent. Feel free to add your opinion, as long as you agree with me.

PostmanR · 1 year ago

This is quite the intriguing theory to me. Seriously: when was the last time IU had consistency up front for a full four years?

Ever since Davis, it's been quite the struggle on the front line. Leach, Killingsworth, Kline ... ugh.

Sherron Wilkerson · 1 year ago

Point f-ing on bro. You hit the nail on the head with IU basketball. Give this guy his own blog

Sherron Wilkerson · 1 year ago

I mean hey, he might find his shot and score 20 against the Badgers. Please have a huge game against the Dirty Badgers AJ, please prove us all wrong