Euroclydon

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.

CMW deserves a lot of credit for righting the ship. Long way to go but now they have a chance to build something and save the season. Absolutely must figure out how to attack the press more effectively.

Solid win. Thanks to IL for the horrid FT shooting.

In spite of very real flaws the effort is there. Seems they have regained their footing defensively. TJD looks healthy. Still a lot of basketball to be played but if they can tread water and get into the middle of the pack until Race and possibly X return, anything can happen.

The press working again. Wrong guys in the wrong spots. Not ready to attack. Not understanding the D, even if beat, will be trailing. If CMW doesn't prioritize this it will be their doom the rest of the season. Frankly, none of the guards not named Xavier are great ballhandlers.

Sloppy late but a good half. The start of the second half will be huge.

Can't lose focus late. Turnovers and fouls really all they can score on.

JHS squared up is effective but floating/off balance is ugly. Seems to rush his shot at times when not needed.

This will be a good test of whether they learned from the Iowa game. Nice lead. Can they maintain or extend at the break.

Finding ways to hurt your team while not even able to play. That's the definition of stupid.

Pretty obvious they will not guard JG from three. He should set up at his favorite spot and shoot it until he proves he can't hit it or they change their D.

Wasted possessions where you don't get a shot is a guaranteed L. If I could eliminate one thing from IUs offense it would be the drive, jump, and try to pass backwards. Turnover just about every time. Good TO by CMW though.

I can't say I'm the biggest follower of women's basketball but you have to be impressed with what CTM has built at IU. She gradually put things together. She lost a lot of talent after last season but was able to add pieces to not only keep them at a high level, but they are better than last season's team. What is the next step? Final Four? Landing some of the top recruits, five stars? Maybe she just continues to build through the portal. Whatever it is she's seems to have them going in the right direction. The biggest question may be, how can IU keep CTM?

To this point I see a guy that can hit a spot up three but doesn't do anything else especially well. That's unfortunate because he could make the team much better if he could just do a few things really well. He's not a point but he's been given plenty of opportunity to bring the ball up and set the offense. He's not good off the dribble, so rarely gets to the lane and doesn't get fouled, so few free throws. No mid-range game to force the defense to move. He's not a great passer or playmaker. He doesn't go to the glass to rebound offensively. That leaves defense to make an impact. On defense he frequently gets lost. He's got the length and physical tools to guard multiple positions but he's by no stretch a lock down defender. And again, he's not getting on the glass. Mostly a spectator when the ball is shot. There has to be more to his game. If not, it's time to get someone else on the court. He's quickly becoming the new Rob P. All the potential with few results.

On the road and short two starters. That's a tough ask in conference. Nothing I've seen on the road this season says this game is winnable. It would take a monumental shooting game, which would be shocking. It's more likely UI shoots 30 free throws. I'm hoping they keep it close and figure it out in the end.

Congrats to CMW and the players. Could have packed it in and called it a season. Out Wisconsed Wisconsin in the second half. Gotta build on it. Gotta shoot better.

Fighting hard but so ugly. Every Wisconsin three wipes out about 8 IU possessions. Hard to believe a team can shoot so poorly for so many consecutive seasons.

IU relies on individual efforts to score. It's not so much an offense built on guys with roles set to get the best shot. It's more of an option 1 TJD and if he can't create move to option 2 to see if he can create, and so on. We talk a lot about Wisconsin's system. The reason they don't need elite recruits is they play with a specific idea of moving the ball and their players to get the easiest shot possible and then lock in on D. MSU crashes the boards and runs to get a layup or open three and if that doesn't work they run an offense to get the best shot possible. Then they play tough D. IU has neither working right now. The reason IU looks so out of sorts on offense against better teams is they really don't seem to know how to get an easy shot for anyone. It comes down to a 1x1 move. The open shots they do get, there's no proof they will hit them. When X is running the offense they look better and his ability to beat his man off the dribble opens up a lot of opportunities, but at the end of the day it's still individuals having to work really hard to get a good shot. And the D has fallen apart and looks completely lost. Confidence is gone. You can see it on their faces. Either someone steps up or they can call it a season. I suggest over a week ago it may be time to invest in the young guys who will be here next season, but with the portal you have no idea who that will be.

About to get ugly. Really no explanation and no excuses. Not a good team and nobody cares about your injuries.

Any hope for a decent season starts with a win tonight. Need to see a team locked in on D and rebounding, and a team completely focused on being efficient on offense. If it's more turnovers, wasted opportunities with bad shots, and missed assignments on D they will get smoked and many fans will call it a season.

If the team mindset was TJD, Race and X will play hard on D and I can relax, that's over now. Everyone on the floor has to be locked in on D from here on out if they want any chance to compete.