Euroclydon

I like Banks getting time. He is not ready to do much but he has energy and a bounce that's sorely needed and could help come tourney time.

Sometimes you just tip your hat when the other team is hitting everything, but most of their threes are wide open. Coaches not able to adjust and tell them not to chase all the way across the lane. No chance to recover.

Great start then lulled to sleep the last seven minutes. One guy basically carrying them from three. IU with several missed layups and open shots.

Ladies

I'd refuse to use their app just for this reason.

I've given Tamar a hard time this season when it is deserved. Sadly, that's more often than anyone would like but the stats and what we see in-game do not lie. He's scored a total four points in the past three games (all against Illinois). Hasn't scored in double digits since the first MSU game on 1/22 (adding three total steals and hitting three total threes since that same time) while still getting decent minutes in spite of it. He's a virtual no show in every road game and unpredictable at home. A guy who has played 59 official games at IU should be further along. His best skills appear to be the spot up jumper from three and scoring in transition. He's not a great ball handler, passer, and for his size doesn't rebound at a high rate (spectator when shots go up). His shot selection is at best suspect. He's a decent, at times, defender but not a lock down defender, and he frequently gets lost. For a guy 6'5 190 you don't see him taking advantage of smaller defenders or going by bigger defenders. Where does that leave Tamar? At this point, he has to figure out what he can do to help this team win down the stretch. It is unlikely we will see drastic improvements in his basketball skills this season. That will need to be done in the offseason. Still, he can make better decisions on offense and give more effort on defense. If all you get out of him is a reliable spot up jumper, getting out in transition, AND becoming more of an impact player on defense, it would help this team. The hardest thing about criticizing Tamar is everyone wants him to succeed. Everyone likes him and you want to believe he has the talent to be so much better. It starts with being a smarter basketball player and not trying to force things to happen. To be fair we can say similar things about Jordan and the reality is Logan should have been able to contribute by this point in his career. It is unfortunate but X and Race's injuries ended up highlighting the flaws in others. The good news is each of them has enough talent to become what IU needs. The bad news is, IU doesn't have time to wait on them this season.

A desperate MSU team at home. IU has to play clean ball to compete. The endless (senseless) turnovers have to stop. The forced shots early in the clock have to stop. No surprises in this game. Rebounding will be a major factor. IU getting good shots (actually getting shots) is also big. Why? Because MSU will run on every missed shot and turnover to score before IU can set up their defense. When MSU does run offense, it will be through Hauser the 15th year senior. I'm not sure how much longer IU can go with basically seven players. I said it before, Geronimo and Bates need to get it together and play their roles. Tamar 'May The Force Be With You' Bates has to play like a guy late into his second season. Geronimo needs to play D and rebound. The constant fouling is hurting his team. As for Race, he's out there battling but clearly not 100%. He can't get off the ground or move like he did pre-injury. Anything he offers now is icing on the cake. Thanks to him being the wily veteran he's still able to contribute, as long as it's within four feet of the basket. Malik has to pick up the slack on the boards, with his defense. Gotta stop fouling at such a high rate. I'd expect Izzo to be on the refs as they pull into the parking lot. CMW has to fight for his team and give them a semblance of fairness with the calls.

Congrats to the IU ladies. It would be great to beat Iowa on their home court and show them it doesn't matter how many show up to watch their games. That said, there is an argument to be made for taking a tough loss now rather than carrying such a long win streak into the postseason. I'm not a fan of that argument but I've heard it before in the men's game.

X coming back soon but you have to wonder how long it will take for him to be productive. In shape vs game shape? If he can dribble, pass and defend it would help this team. Race is out there trying but he's basically glued to the floor. Hasn't done a thing outside four feet. Some nice layups when Trayce finds him alone under the basket and that's it. The guys that need to grow up and play their roles are Jordan and Tamar. The disappearing acts, senseless fouls, and forced shots are not acceptable at this point in their careers. If you can't be trusted on your home court at this point in the season, what are the odds you can be trusted in a tournament?

If there was concern TJD might stay one more season, that's been answered. TJD to declare for the draft after this season.

Key players exhausted. Little from the bench.

W

Even at home they can't get the close call

Wonder who

JHS looked right at him and threw it to him for the dunk IL. Defies all reason.

This is where IL gets IU ti switch and Race ends up 20 feet away try to stop a guard.

JHS bad shot.long two. Miss.

Pretend it's not an issue but Trayce has looked bad at the FT line of late and and especially late in games. It has to be tired legs.

CMW has to be wondering how other coaches can berate the refs, walk all the way to your bench jawing and no Ts, but he gets warned constantly.

Where? When? He certainly hasn't scored off of it if true.

Wide open three JHS completely lost. Fortunate air ball.

They look exhausted. Can't get off the ground. Slow reaction.

When Trayce has the ball backing his guy down there should be more than two options when the double comes. Right now his options are throw it back to the entry passer on the wing or a skip pass for three? Where is the guy flashing to the wide open spot in the middle of the paint?

Repeat of Nortwestern. Lost on D and turning it over on offense.

JHS has a lot of ability but he's not ready for the NBA. Some horrible turnovers and gets caught watching on D while his guy spots up. Not able to recover.