Terry Hutchens has Ask the Expert and now the IU Hoops blog has Ask the Idiot.
So, go ahead, ask the idiot (me) anything you want to about IU basketball and I will give you an answer. The answer may be factual, it may be my opinion, or it might be total bullshit, but I will give you an answer.
Ask anything as long as it relates to IU basketball. You could ask if IU is going to win at Michigan State or you could ask how IU is going to win at Michigan State or you could ask how many points Haston had in the game where his buzzer-beater beat #1 Michigan State or you could ask who IU's next coach is going to be or you could ask what's up with Eric Gordon or if DJ will make it in the NBA.....
So, go ahead, ask the idiot (me) anything you want to about IU basketball and I will give you an answer. The answer may be factual, it may be my opinion, or it might be total bullshit, but I will give you an answer.
Ask anything as long as it relates to IU basketball. You could ask if IU is going to win at Michigan State or you could ask how IU is going to win at Michigan State or you could ask how many points Haston had in the game where his buzzer-beater beat #1 Michigan State or you could ask who IU's next coach is going to be or you could ask what's up with Eric Gordon or if DJ will make it in the NBA.....
You get the picture. See also picture above for more idiots.
Go Hoosiers!
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20 comments:
Hi Mr. Obvious:
Long time listener, first time caller. I have a question for you. I have been a big IU basketball fan since the early '90s. I have folowed the Hoosiers game in and game out since then. Some even say I have become obsessed with the team and the outcome of the games. My work production decreases as March approaches. I have sleepless nights after losses and go out on drunken binges when they win. What I need to know is there a cure for this "disease" or should I just go on and try to cope the best I can.
Hello caller and thank you for listening.
So you say there is a growling noise underneath the kitchen sink any time you turn on the light switch. You say it sounds like a monster under there and the craziest thing is that the light doesn't turn on? Hmmm....
As for your specific question, there is no cure for this disease. The best you can do is embrace it. Love the crap out of it. You are on the right path with the victorious drunken binges.
And I would suggest even more of the same for losses. You see, there is no cure for this disease, but there are 12-step programs for alcoholism. Good luck and thanks for the question.
Ryun:
okay, casey and i were talking about this, and i guess i understand, but interesting that eric gordon is a known one and done, leads the big ten in scoring easily, and isn't even talked about as POY. dj is and even hummel. yeah, i'd rather have hummel for 4 years than gordon for 1 probably, but what of it? also, where will gordon and dj go in the draft? BTW-liked hearing dakich on PTI today. go out on a limb and say who will be the next hoosier coach.
Here's the link to Mr. Obvious - The Critter:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XZMC1M9o04
Two words. Head Cleaner.
Ryun/Casey,
I think the main reason that Gordon does not get any mention for Big Ten Player of the Year is because it is pointless to mention anyone other than D.J. White.
Recently, on the Big Ten Coaches Teleconference, the coaches were asked their thoughts on Big Ten POY. 7 coaches gave their thoughts and all 7 only mentioned one name -- D.J. White.
D.J. is second in scoring and is in first place in rebounding by 3.5 rebounds over the next guy. He's shooting over 60% from the field and he has been an automatic double-double. He's been playing at such a high level AND he has been consistent.
So, I think that's the main reason EJ doesn't get mentioned. The other reason is the turnovers and games like he had on Tuesday night. He is first in scoring, first in FTM, but he's also first in turnovers. His ball-handling is horrible.
Due to his ball-handling and turnover problems, I still think he's 2 years away from being ready from the NBA. Of course, that does not mean that he's not going to the NBA because he is.
I still think Gordon will be a lottery pick. All he has to do is improve his ball-handling and maybe develop a better mid-range game and he will be unstoppable. In addition, I think he could be a really good defender if he works at it. He's definitely got the talent, the strength, the quickness, the shot, and the work ethic to be a great one. I'm going to go with the 5th pick in the draft, but his first year or two may not be instant stardom.
As for DJ in the draft, I think he has played his way into the late first round. With the way he is rebounding this year, I think an NBA team would be happy to get him. He can hit the 12-footer and rebound. I could see him coming off the bench and getting solid minutes.
I just checked 2 NBA Draft Projection websites and Gordon was #3 & #6 and D.J. was #34 & #21.
The next head coach at IU will be Tony Bennett. Last year, in his first year as head coach at Washington State, he was National Coach of the Year and they are ranked again this year. He is the hottest name in college basketball to make the leap to a big-time program. He is a coach's son and was assistant under his dad at Wisconsin and is credited with recruiting Alondo Tucker and Devin Harris.
One item that I just did some research on was his sister, Kathi Bennett, was the IU womens coach until 2005. I wanted to do some research to make sure that did not end ugly. It looks like it was her own decision to resign and she was very well respected by the university. So, hopefully she would have good things to say about IU to her brother.
Tony Bennett was one of the first names that I heard and continues to be the hottest name. He is #1 on my list. I want a young up and comer that will hopefully have a long and successful career at IU. I like that he has Big Ten experience. And even though he is only in his second year as a head coach, he turned that team around in his first year and is successful again this year. Also, he's been around his dad as a coach for his whole life. I also read that he has won some recruiting battles at Washington State against some higher profile schools.
And finally, he has no baggage. So, I think it would be a pretty safe hire for IU's administration. He has no baggage, he's a Nat'l Coach of the Year, and he plays a Big Ten style already. He's somebody that I think the IU fans could definitely get behind. You would probably have a few rumblings from the old-school Knight loyalists that IU should have hired one of their own, but that candidate pool stinks.
So, I think it will be Tony Bennett.
To answer one of my own questions:
Kirk Haston hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer as Indiana beat No. 1 Michigan State, 59-58, yesterday, snapping the Spartans' 23-game winning streak.
Haston was tackled by his teammates in front of the Michigan State bench and Indiana students poured onto the floor in celebration, a rarity in Bloomington.
Haston finished with 27 points -- including the game-winner, just the sixth 3-pointer of his career.
Michigan State (12-1, 1-1) had the longest winning streak in the nation, not losing since last visiting Assembly Hall on Feb. 26, 2000. The Spartans led most of the way during the final 20 minutes.
But Indiana's 9-0 run midway through the second half, sparked by another Haston 3-pointer, allowed the Hoosiers (10-6, 1-1) to erase a 46-40 deficit. Michigan State regained the lead at 55-53 with 4 minutes 15 seconds to go and led until Haston's game-winner.
how about the general working for espn!?
Mr. Idiot Sir, In your expert opinion, which IU basketball player was the biggest surprise in terms of their overall performance? Also, what is Ray Tolbert up to these days? Lastly, did Uwe Blab dye his hair red? I'll hang up and listen to your answer.
Dabrickesha in Cleveland:
Two Questions:
1. Who has a better chance of playing (who has a better chance of playing)in the BCS Championship game (in the BC Championship game)in the next century (in the next century): IU's football team or IU's basketball team? (IU's football team or IU's basketball team?)..........Sorry about that, I forgot to turn off my radio.
2. What is your favorite IU moment involving Keith Smart hitting a last second shot in the NCAA Championship game?
The General working for ESPN is going to be awesome.
I can already imaging that bowling is going to be on next and then Bobby is going to literall rip Digger's head off, roll it across the set, look straight into the camera and say "Bowling's next on ESPN".
You just know something is going to happen, even if it is just some good verbal sparring and some priceless facial expressions from Knight.
I can't wait!
DC Mark and Dabrickesha -- I'll get to you on the other side of this commercial break (which might last several hours due to my stupid job).
DC Mark,
The IU basketball player that was the biggest surprise in terms of overall performance would have to be Matt Nover. Not only did he blossom into a damn fine player (which is an oddity for a white IU player that is taller than 6'8"), but the biggest surprise was his major role and outstanding acting performance in Blue Chips.
Ray Tolbert is the head coach of the Anderson Champions of the ABA. This ABA is not affiliated with the old ABA. Anyway, they plan in Anderson's famous Wigwam gymnasium.
And finally, Uwe Blab did not dye his hair red. It was all natural, baby! In fact, Uwe did not even turn to basketball until his clown gig went bad in Germany due to all the kids pulling on his real hair. Uwe was devastated when IU fans still referred to him as a clown in a Hoosier uniform. So devastated that he advised younger brother, Olaf Blab, to go to Evansville.
Great questions. I hope the answers are satisfactory.
Dabrickeshaw,
You have to remember to turn down your radio....and they call me the idiot.
On to your questions....
1. Even though there is not a BCS game in basketball, I am still going to have to say the basketball team. I think there is a better chance that basketball creates a BCS system that the basketball team ends up winning versus the football team winning the title in the existing football BCS system.
2. My favorite IU moment involving Keith Smart hitting a last second shot in the NCAA Championship game would have to be the one where Keith Smart hit a last second shot in the NCAA Championship game. That one really stands out in my mind as my personal favorite IU moment involving Keith Smart hitting a last second shot in the NCAA Championship game.
Cleveland rocks!
Hi Mr. Idiot. I love the show. I was part of the student body storming the floor after the huge win against MSU. It was one of the highlights of my 8 years in Bloomington.
My questions is about the current coaching situation. I think D2 was a great hire to keep the team and fans together while we finish up a great season. My concern comes after the season is over. If we make a deep run do we stay with Dakich, even though he doesn't have the top program win record that we would like to see at IU, or do we go for the big name coach that IU has earned for years of winning? If we get rid of Dakich, does that just cause the schism in the IU nation to grow?
I'll hang up and listen to your answer.
Dakich needs to win the national title this year to even be considered. Even then, it would be more of a "thank you" than it would be that we think he is the right man for the job. I would hope that IU learned a lesson from the Mike Davis situation. Quite frankly, Dakich doesn't have the resume to be considered for the IU job. Even if this year's team would win the title, it would be because of the way this team was already playing 26 games into the season and the way they stayed together and continued to play to finish the season.
I think IU has to go for the proven winner or the hot up and comer that is having big-time success at a mid-major or lower profile major. Dakich does not fit either of those categories. His 10 years at Bowling Green were unimpressive.
Schism....good word. Thank goodness for dictionay.com because this idiot was not familiar with the word. Anyway, if there are people that are upset if we don't hire Dakich, then they are the true idiots. IU can do better. It is still an elite job. My only concern is that the NCAA allegations will still be hanging over our head while we hire a new coach. That could cause some hesitation, especially for the big name proven winner type coaches. But for the younger up and comer, I think they could see past that potential hurdle and still see the IU job as their big opportunity.
Dan Dakich writes:
FYI...my dream job isn't IU. My true dream job is, Assistant Head Coach under Mike Davis during his successful tenure in the NBA.
With that said, here's my question: In their prime, who wins a fist fight between Woody Hayes and Bob Knight?
Great question. The answer really depends on the rules.
If it is traditional boxing rules, then I have to go with Woody Hayes. Woody has shown his deadly right hand to the world.
However, in a no rules street fight, it's definitely Bob Knight. The General has the crazy factor going for him. Once he snaps, it's over.
Here's how I picture it going down: Knight says, "let's go you son of a bitch." Woody wastes no time and immediately come in swinging with the right. It lands squarely, but only with enough power to stun Knight momentarily. Unfortunately for Hayes, taking one to the jaw is the action that causes Knight to snap. The General comes in with his classic choke hold and it's all over. Bobby doesn't even have to use the head-butt or the chair.
Mr. Idiot,
I know we've discussed this several time already and like you I'm firmly in the Tony Bennett camp, but today I read this following quote from Scott May and I was curious if it makes you give hiring "from the family" a little more consideration:
"The last time around a member of the (Indiana) Board of Trustees had me talk to guys like Dean Smith, Coach K and Larry Brown," May said. "They all said the same thing: 'Hire one of your own. Hire within your own family. Don't go outside."
Dean Smith, Coach K, and Larry Brown....I mean, what have the done, really? A couple thousand wins and that makes you an expert?
In all seriousness, I don't really care what they have to say.
Starting with Scott May, I love the guy to death and appreciate the perfect season. He would have a much louder voice if his son had also gone to IU and won a title. Where was keeping it in the IU family then???
Larry Brown has jumped around so much that he practically belongs to everybody's family, so that's easy for him to say.
Duke has never been in this situation since their program has been on the map.
As for North Carolina, it's an easy decision to hire within your own family when Roy Williams is sitting out there.
Trust me, if their was an IU guy with the credentials of Roy Williams, then it's a slam dunk.
Even if there's an IU guy in the spot of Tony Bennett, then that guy is probably my leading candidate.
But I still go back to the fact that the IU family doesn't have any good coaching candidates.
End of story.
Perfect answer, I can't believe I almost wondered if I wasn't really smart enough to pick the next IU coach.
Thanks Mr. Idiot, you're a lifesaver!
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