Euroclydon

Rebound the ball! Why does everyone not named Trayce just watch the ball instead of going to get it?

Trey? Moron shot. He knows better.

This is the big dance. Finger rolls and weak attempts at the rim are crap. You go strong every time Malik. If you can dunk it you better dunk it. 

JHS a little to eager to force up shots. He can get those anytime. Needs to work on patience and finding better shots.

At least three shots missed within four feet. Looks like another game where IU has a lot of chances to extend the lead but wasted opportunities keep the other team in it.

Barkley skewering Painter and lack of adjustments. Guard play matters and purdue doesn't have it today. 

A 4 seed already out. Statistically speaking, is it good for IU? Hope so.

19 minutes ago, SawatchHoosier said:

But can they squeak out 69?

Nope! I feel so bad for Armom Franklin.

The problem with game planning to win every game 60 - 59, like Virginia, is a lot of other team's can squeak out 61.

Gabe Cupps brings a lot to the table that this team needs at PG.

Ball handling beyond X and JHS was adequate at best this season and we don't know for certain if either will be on the team next season. Then you look at how IU struggled with the press at times and it's clear they need help.

X's injury forced Trey and Tamar to play point and that impacted both. While they may benefit from it in the long run they are playing out of position and it shows. The biggest impact seems to be on Trey who continues to play hard but isn't the same defensive presence he was the past two seasons. Likely because he has more responsibility on offense. 

Cupps can be a true PG and get the team into an offensive set while securing the ball. In addition, one site has him shooting 38% from three and 91% on FTs. I see that as a late game plus for any team.

The real question is can he defend? First thought is his size may hold him back. Inside The Hall had him at 6'2 170. That puts him in the Jordan Hulls range when he arrived in Bloomington. My guess is he's quicker and more athletic than Hulls. With some time at IU before next season he can be closer to 175 lbs. I'm also banking on the idea he is smart and can find a way to compete on defense.

 This is not only a good add for IU. It's a necessary add.

The NCAA needs to tighten up how the portal works. For one, the timeframe/windows for declaring should not be so long. I believe Justin Smith entered the portal in the mid-May window when he left. Hard to put a team together when you have no idea who's staying and who's going in May.

K State played Houston close but Houston couldn't shoot the ball inside or outside to save their lives and turned it over 23 times. Houston crushed them on the boards and despite playing terrible basketball they still won. Lesson is - don't turn it over 23 times. 

1 minute ago, Drroogh said:

I agree with all that, but isn’t prep school an alternative to high school?

Yes it is. But that's why I originally said unless he can't make the grades for college.  If he has the grades he needs to go to a college even if all he does is practice, workout, and get paid. If he never plays a game year one, it's still the better option. Hopefully he has smart people around him to help make a good choice.

12 hours ago, Drroogh said:

Not true! Competition changes everything. As much as we love Indiana basketball, prep school on a daily basis offers more competition with teammates than weekly competition in high school!

Disagree only because of the risk involved. Every season you go without getting paid at this point is a gamble. Especially if you are highly sought after. At a D1 school he not only can get the NIL money but he has access to resources to prepare for his future and he likely practices daily against multiple D1 athletes. Why risk injury at a prep school and not get paid? It's about getting paid now. The sooner everyone accepts this the better. 

Defend the three and rebound. That means the guards cannot sag and cheat inside. They shouldn't need to because IU has a huge advantage inside. The offense comes down to patience and turnovers. There really is no reason this game should be close at the end.

NIL changes everything. Unless he can't make the grades to go to college it doesn't make sense to go the prep school route anymore.

IU's defense has been significantly impacted by XJs injury.

X has a knack for being disruptive and getting in the other team's head to throw them off their game. He is not only a physical presence, he's also quick. But what some overlook is how his loss required Trey to pick up point guard duties.

I know Trey plays hard but he hasn't been as effective defensively this season. Whether it's fatigue from having to do much more on offense or having to carry more of that defensive weight without X. You do not see Trey getting in the passing lanes like he did his first two seasons. You don't see him getting the steal and taking it to the basket nearly as often as in the past. 

The loss of X has had a huge ripple affect.

Sweet 16. This team has talent. It also has significant holes. I'd take the Sweet 16 as success, anything more as cake, anything less a disappointment.

Kent St guard dominant. Their rotation apoears to be eight regularly, and 4 of them are guards. And not all Seniors, which is nice. Not a lot of size.

Albany beats going out west. Friday beats Thursday. 4 seed beats getting a 5 seed. All-in-all, IU did very well with this setup. 

What a difference a season makes. Last season hoping they get in. This season debating if they've earned a 4 or 5 seed.

The selection committee likes to set up tv worthy possibilities. I'm not as concerned about seeding as I am the location and path.

Yes, you have to beat good teams at some point regardless but I wouldn't be shocked to see some historically relevant rivalries awaiting in round 2.

Blown opportunity. Let psu control pace and dictate the game. Didnt quit but too little too late. Where was that effort most of the game?

Now it's down to win or go home. That's all there is to it.

The game may be lost but don't fold the season.. They didnt quit in spite of poor play. Time to prepare for the big dance.

This team can win games but the nonsense on offense can't continue. So many poor shots for no reason. Early shot clock jumpers with a hand in their face while running no offense. Fadeaway crap inside. Passing up open threes. This team has a small margin of error. Wasted possessions kill them.

The D wasn't any better. Completely lost at times. The lack of foot speed really shows up against some teams.

Senior guards schooling IU guards.

NW has a bunch of Sr guards. They did the same.

Decision time coming up at the half. Are you gonna to attack the rim and are you going to compete on the glass or not? Malik may have to play more. 

You get jack from the FT line? Not possible unless you try to fade away and avoid contact. Some early success inside and then nothing.