Two questions from a reader in Cincinnati, OH:
Q: Now that we are 1/3 of the way through the Big Ten season, what are your predictions for IU's finish in the Big Ten regular season and their possible seedings for the Big Ten and NCAA tournaments?
A: I had predicted IU to be 3-3 at this point in the season even though I wrongly predicted the first OSU game and Minnesota game. At this point, I don't see any reason to change my original prediction of 11-7. Going 8-4 over the last 12 games in the grind that is the Big Ten conference seems daunting, but two things still have me believing in this team -- Cody Zeller and their ability to shoot the basketball. There are concerns with this team, but I choose to focus on the positive.
Good question on the possible seeding in the Big Ten tournament. Right now, it looks like they could very well finish in an 8-way tie or something like that. I'm going to go with a #4 seed in the Big Ten tournament.
As for the NCAA tournament, I'm going to go with a #4 seed there as well. I was surprised that we only dropped to #11/#13 in this week's polls. I thought the pollsters would use last week as an opportunity to say "told you so about the Hoosiers". But considereing where the Hoosiers are right now, if they can go 8-4 the rest of the way, they will probably hang in the teens in the rankings. Then, those two huge wins should treat them well on Selection Sunday.
Q: Will I ever recover from the sports disaster that I witnessed on Sunday, January 15, a day that will live in infamy?
A: No, you'll never fully recover. Time heals, but I am pretty sure that we share a common bond of puking a little in your mouth anytime someone says "4th and 26" and even after old-age, dimentia, and alzheimers fully set in, you'll still remember the name "Brendan Plavich".
Question from Kokomo, IN:
Q: Is it "Opposite Day"?
A: Today is Opposite Day. Of course, if this statement is true and today is indeed opposite day, then that statement must be interpreted as "today is NOT opposite day".
A series of questions from Wauwatosa, WI:
Q: When is it appropriate to use the on-side kick in a home playoff game?
A: Only when it works.
Q: When is it appropriate to call time out on 4th down with 11 seconds to go in the half?
A: When you have the ball and it is 4th and Goal inside the 1-yard line and you want to decide whether or not to go for it. Probably not the scenario you had in mind.
Q: Do you like the State Farm commercials as much now that the Packers have lost?
A: If you are talking about the one where Jerry drove his car up a pole and regrets dropping his State Farm insurance, I never really liked that one.
Q: How many points is the home court advantage really worth in the Big Ten?
A: Vegas will tell you 3-4 points, I say more. The Indiana/Ohio State sample says about 10.5, but I would say 6-7 points in the Big Ten.
Q: The Hoosier woes are front page news today (Monday) on the IndyStar website.
A: Not really a question, but I'll comment anyway. To me, this just is another example that we're back. We're relevant again and the Hoosiers rule the state. Any news -- good or bad -- is going to be big news right now.
Another K-town reader asks:
Q: Why does my boy Slick Vic Oladipo Makesha take a bonehead 3 or a runner in the lane with under 3:00 min to go? This bothers me idiot.
A: Vic's going to be fine, just going through some growing pains right now. There's no doubt that Oladipo has greatly improved this year, but he needs to make some adjustments to his game for conference play. A guy like Vic looks like an NBA player against the cupcake schedule -- he gets steals from weak ball-handlers and drives right around poor defenders for dunks. However, it's a different game in the Big Ten. Every possession is a war and you have to be sound in every area to win the war. On the defensive end, Oladipo needs to take fewer chances and focus on playing solid D for the entire shot clock. On the offensive end, he needs to let the game come to him and focus on his strengths such as slashing to the basket, finding open spots in the defense, getting offensive rebounds, and dunking everything possible. Word is that he worked incredibly hard on his jumper this past off-season, so I am sure he is very frustrated that it's not falling right now.
I think that's all the Ask The Idiot questions for this go-round. Perhaps we'll do it again later in the season.
Go Hoosiers!
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
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2 comments:
Hi Mr. Idiot. Thanks for taking my post. Long time reader. First time writer. I was curious what to call the epidemic Derek Elston has. It is almost the basketball version of happy feet. It also seems he has the first 5-10 plays pre-scripted in his mind (a la Mike Holgrem). No matter the situation, Elston is making a spin move to the basket and shooting the first time he gets the ball. This could be from 25 feet out or from 3 feet out. On his second possession he is making a bullet pass across court, etc. You get my point. Is this something that can be cure over time or is now in the Charlie Miller post freshman year category? Thanks again, Mr. Idiot. Ill put down my ipad and wait for your response. By the way, I would prefer this post to be anonymous so I will just sign it Tom E. Wait....that may be too obvious. Let's just go with T. Earth.
Of course, these comments can remain anonymous. But I do appreciate the hint that you are from the planet Earth, Tom. Your assessment of Derek Elston is spot on. However, I would add some sort of immediate foul to the mix. Shortly after he enters the game, you can guarantee he will either get a defensive foul 35-feet from the basket while trying to hedge on a screen for the point guard or we will commit a foul on the offensive while setting an illegal screen for our point guard.
I think Charlie Miller Syndrome is an accurate diagnosis. You can’t blame Charlie Miller for having Charlie Miller Syndrome – you’re doomed when your name is in the title of the affliction. I’ve always thought that was a tough break for Lou Gerhig.
Other possible explanations:
* He’s allergic to his plastic facemask
* An infection from his tattoo impacting the basketball section of his brain
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