IU vs. Minnesota

They say it's tough to beat a team 3 times in a season, but I really think that's just something the media idiots like to say. So, what do you think? Do you think this pathetic Hoosier team can pick themselves up and play some decent ball? If you're like me, you are completely disgusted with where the program is right now. This season has been such a train wreck that the Penn State debacle didn't even infuriate me. I just watched it unfold and said to myself "yeah, that's about right". If you are in that same state of mind, then you have probably made comments like "well, I guess IU only has 2 games left this year" or "at least I'll have this weekend free" or "I hate these fucking Hoosiers". Excuse the language, but sometimes you have to go for the f-bomb to get your point across. To continue with this line of thinking....you would not at all be surprised if the Hoosiers lost to Minnesota and you're probably saying that IU is ripe for a 1st round upset in the Big Dance. I know what you're doing because I have been doing the same thing. You're trying to protect yourself from more disappointment from this Hoosier team. Your heart can't take the ups and downs (and downs and downs and downs) of this season. But hey, we are Indiana basketball fans. And like the quote under the IU Hoops blog title says, we are often irrational, but always passionate. So I say it's time to be irrational and passionate about this team. It's March, it's the postseason, and the one good thing about this year is that the Hoosiers are safely in the Big Dance (I am thankful for not being on The Bubble like we have been far too many times over the past 10-15 years). So, go ahead, get excited. You know you want to. Still not convinced? Still think this team is going straight into the crapper? Ok, well I am going to first tell you why IU will beat Minnesota and then I will tell you why Indiana could still be a dangerous team in the NCAA Tournament. Here's why IU will beat Minnesota: 1. Jamarcus Ellis J-Ellis is an emotional guy, but if he gets those emotions headed in the right direction, he can be a difference-maker on this team. Reports are that he is expected to play and I expect him to play well. The one game that he seemed to have his head on straight since Sampson left was the Minnesota game where he had 10 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 steals. Of course, he got suspended right after that game, but it seemed that his attitude was probably wearing on Dakich ever since Sampson left and then something in practice was the final straw. 2. Eric Gordon Offense Rumor is that Gordon is going with a lighter wrap on the left wrist this week. The new wrap no longer covers any part of his hand, it only wraps around his wrist. Perhaps this is just wishful thinking, but I think Gordon might start to find the range again. EJ is 10 for his last 50 from the arc. I have to believe that the wrist injury and the wrap covering his hand has affected his shot. Also, there was that brief stint in the Penn State game where he scored 12 points in a 2:30 span with a traditional 3-point play immediately followed by 3 bombs. During that stretch, IU quickly went from being down by 5 or 6 to taking an 8-point lead. Even though EJ played like a steaming pile of 2-guard during the final minutes and overtime, that little stretch still showed me that this team is at a whole new level when he is hot. 3. Eric Gordon Defense There have been a handful of games this year where an opposing guard is on fire in the 1st half and then IU puts Gordon on that guy in the 2nd half and he shuts them down. What I can't figure out is why Gordon isn't on these guys in the first place. Take the recent Minnesota game as an example. McKenzie (who always tears up IU) is on fire and then Gordon shuts him down late and the Hoosiers pull away on Senior Night. Why isn't Gordon on him in the first place? So, I say put EJ on McKenzie at the outset. And I also think Gordon responds to challenges, so I would challenge him to completely shut-down McKenzie. We'll see if Dakich does this. 4. 3-point shooting In just the last 2 games, Bassett is 5-21, Gordon is 4-20, and Crawford is 2-9. These guys are simply better shooters than that. As mentioned above, I think Gordon breaks out of his slump and then it becomes contagious. 5. FT Shooting The main reason that IU beat Minnesota in both games was the FT shooting. 6. The earlier game at Minnesota If Minnesota could not beat IU in The Barn when IU had nearly 30 turnovers, then they're not going to do it at the Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis. Prediction: IU 74 Minnesota 66 Now, here's why IU could still be a dangerous team in the NCAA tournament. 1. D.J. White D.J. has been awesome all year and even with all the crap that has gone on, you can bet that he will play some inspired basketball in the Big Dance as a senior. 2. Eric Gordon This team is great when he is playing great. And this team can still be pretty damn good when he is playing pretty good. We at least need him to play pretty good. I think the turnovers will still be an issue because we still want him to be aggressive and get the FT line 10+ times a game. But he needs to get his shots to start falling again and then IU could be dangerous. 3. Everybody Else So, you know what you're going to get out of D.J. because he's been consistent all year. You know what you hope for out of Gordon. But it's the other guys that need to deliver. Crawford has been terrible lately. We always know that we are going to have some good and some bad out of Jordan, but lately it has been all bad. He needs to get hot again and making plays again. As for Bassett, he has shot a high percentage all year from the arc, but if you miss 9 treys in a row like you did at Penn State, you're going to get bounced out of the tournament quickly. Ellis just needs to keep his cool and do his thing. Taber just needs to get minutes and do his thing. I'm a big fan. Stemler.....well, I've practically given up on Stemler but he almost came up heroic against UCLA in last year's tourney and he has been known to hit some pretty big shots.....so maybe, just maybe he can find the range at a key moment this year. 4. FT Shooting Hitting your freebies is always important, but it's even more important in March when there is the pressure that you are done if you lose. IU has come through with the clutch FTs all year long and it could be a big advantage for them in the NCAA tournament. In fact, in one of my daydreams, FT shooting was the biggest factor in IU knocking off Memphis for this year's national title. 5. 3-Point Shooting If you get hot as a team at the right time in March, you can make a deep run in the tournament. 6. The Drama The Indiana Basketball program is a magnet for drama. What better drama would there be than to have an interim head coach (who has virtually zero chance of being named the head coach) lead the team to a national title. So, there you have it. Maybe it's all a stretch, maybe it's wishful thinking, maybe this team really is done. But, what the hell, I'm all in. LET'S GO! LET'S GO! (think Bill Cowher pumping his fists and yelling this on the sidelines....while spitting and slobbering on his big chin) GO HOOSIERS!!!