Euroclydon

One thing that stood out last night - in the closing moments of the game IU actually got the two biggest rebounds. TJD with the rebound put back and Kopp (of all people) getting on the floor to really finish it. So many times over the past several seasons IU could not get the big rebound and it cost them. That was a nice change. And when was the last time IU won four straight in the conference or even two road games in a row? We have seen many multi-game slides over the years where it seems like the season literally slipped away with 4, 5, 6 straight losses.

Bates is a victim of his own shot selection. He's been best as a spot up shooter for the kick out when he gets his feet set and a clean look, along with scoring some in transition. Nothing off the dribble looks like it has a prayer of going in and rarely does he get past his defender cleanly on a drive. Add to it, they don't really run anything to get him open to drive the lane or baseline. At his size, he doesn't take advantage of his defender - posting smaller defenders or driving bigger defenders. I will say he has shown more willingness to go to the boards in the past two games instead of being a spectator.

Take the W and get out of town fast. Road wins are tough especially when you make it difficult on yourself. Lots of quick shots early in the clock. Lots of forced shots with a hand in their face. Long stretches where your best player doesn't touch the ball. First half fouling was at times unexplainable (better in the second half). The margin of error is slim for this team. They make it hard on themselves. Not a problem with effort but decision making. Just under 8 to go in the game and TJD is rolling. A JHS drive and lob for a monster dunk by Trayce is a highlight reel. So, obviously they go five straight possessions and 3 min of game time where he doesn't touch the ball on offense. Why? They have a chance to be special but they've got to cherish possessions more and foul less. Glad for the win but feels fortunate to escape considering they had several out with injury.

There are only so many winnable road games. IU is playing well and should have enough to take this game. But you never know what will happen on the road. Get in foul trouble, turn it over, settle for poor shots and the next thing you know it's a battle on the road. And as some noted, they have pushed some teams. Close with Wisconsin and Nebraska. Won at OSU. Close at Michigan. IU can't let up at this point. I'd like to see JHS come back to life. He may be hitting the wall. He's also been banged up pretty good of late.

In the recent past, potentially promising IU teams have fallen off the table with long excruciating losing streaks. This season could have been the same when you think about how they lost and the key injuries. No idea what happens next but they are back in position to do something special. Work Race back into service and maybe add X late. Who knows?

CMW and the assistants deserve a lot of credit. The players are coming around. Still plenty to work on and clean up but what a job knocking down open shots today. If the D stays locked in and they can reduce the fouling a little, they can win a lot of games.

Handling the press better but still shaky. If they win this and put consecutive Ws up against Wis, IL and MSU it's one of their best runs in years.

If you don't foul and prevent them from scoring they can't set up the oress.

Attack Hauser but don't force it. Get him out and it becomes a different game.

The look on LDs face tells me he's gone after the season. His ream on a nice run. Everyone smelse happy. He's not smiling or engaged with his team.

Izzo in the ear of the refs constantly. They ignore CMW. This is an ongoing problem. CMW has to figure out how to work the refs better.

Look for MSU to go to Hauser and drive more. I'd expect the press to be huge after they score. IU has to be ready.

Hauser the 9 year senior. I remember when he signed at Marquette in 2014. Exaggeration? Maybe.

Trey? Running three? Seriously not sure what they are thinking at times. Not necessary.

I'd be tempted to get TJD some strategic rest time but not sure they can afford to take him off the floor. Race clearly nit able to offer mich right now. MR playing well. LD should get a minute or two.

Evey possesion matters and IU has taken early contested jumpers for no reason and they've missed at least five right at the basket. Gotta settle down.

Tamar? Honestly. Just a stupid decision. Unforced bad error.

IU doesn't really run anything to get TJD open. It's isolation all the way and he makes a move. Gotta take tge contact and finish. Hate that teams walk into IU, body everybody, but have less fouls.

If they don't get on the glass it's going to be a short game but a long day.

Is that two or three straight games with a T?

TJD doubled on the first dribble. Needs teammates to cut and move.

Important for CMW to not let Izzo outwork the refs

JG on Houser. Foul in 1:05 min played.

One place where IU misses Race that we don't think about is his ability to bring the ball up against whatever big is guarding him. More often than not IU could get him the ball and let him bring it up while the guards head up court. And he was good being the pressure release if they threw it up court to him. To this point, IU has struggled to figure out even a decent press. It highlights the fact they don't have anyone who is truly strong with the dribble while X is on the bench. JHS and Galloway are decent at best right now and both picked up their dribble and turned their back to the press. Its going to cost IU again if they can't figure it out. You don't have to be the fastest but you have to be strong with your dribble, know where the press is coming from, and have teammates that move to open spots to receive the pass. Damon Bailey personally destroyed uk's press in '93(?) against elite athletes. It can be done.

MSU will not play like Wisconsin or Illinois. They will double TJD, crash the boards, and push to score in transition every chance they get. It's going to take a big effort by all because they won't sit back and let TJD dominate one-on-one matchups.