Hi there, how ya doin? It's been a while since we chatted. Not really much going on, though. I mean, sure, we beat #2 Ohio State on New Year's Eve, but what's the big deal after you already beat #1? Yeah, we played like crap tonight and still managed to beat a team that was ranked just below us, but the national morons will say it was another home game. Obviously, there are a lot of teams that have beat #1, #2, and now #13 or #15 or whatever the hell Michigan was ranked. There must be at least 11 teams that have accomplished at least that much already in the season, right? Or perhaps voters are just idiots who look at preseason rankings and adjust a couple spots up or down based on whether teams won or lost that week. Here's an idea -- look at the actual results and rank accordingly. I know, a radical idea that is probably way before it's time, but I'm just putting it out there.
Listen, I honestly don't care about the rankings at this point in the season. They are meaningless right now. I just think it's fun to talk about because I am a fan of college basketball. A fan of INDIANA BASKETBALL.
The reality is that I am ecstatic to be sitting hear bitching about not being in the Top 10 because it means we are playing Top 10 caliber basketball. We. Are. Back. No, seriously voters, we are back. If you took your job seriously, we should be #2 next week. Of course, that's only if we hold up our end of the donkey and win at Penn State this Sunday. A feat by which Purdue failed miserably at tonight (65-45 PSU).
I'm all in on these Hoosiers. ALL IN. I was talking to Tommy Boy this evening as he was driving down 37 approaching Bloomington -- what a great IU fan, in the Hall on a Thursday night and he'll be back next Thursday night against Minnesota. Anyway, I told him that I am "at risk" for tonight's game because I'm all in and if they lose tonight.....well, I just might not take it so well. But.....they didn't! At times, it looked like they were trying to lose, but in the end, it's another big win over another ranked team.
Truly amazing. Briefly, looking back at the NYE win over OSU, they did that without Sheehey and only 4 second half minutes from Cody. You have to love this team. You have to.
Tonight, they looked great building the big first half lead, but then it was turnovers, missed FTs, and horrible defense. But you know what, good teams find a way. They find a way to hang on at home. Christian Watford was fantastic yet again. I'm pretty sure he has not missed from "the spot" since "the shot".
Pinch yourselves, Hoosier fans. IU opened conference play against 3 straight ranked opponents. A key player in Will Sheehey was out for all 3 games. They lost the first of those games. But here we sit, 2-1 after a brutal 3-game stretch.
Now, it's time to win on the road in conference play. Trust me, I love it that Purdue got dropped by 20 by Penn State, but Purdue is no slouch. So, I don't think there is any guarantee that IU goes on the road to Happy Valley (doesn't quite sound right after the scandal, does it?) and get an easy win. BUT, it is a game they should win and a game they need to win. Get the W, and we will be Top 10 -- probably not #2 like we should be, but it should be Top 10.
Let's go get it.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
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7 comments:
This is IU! And we are a legit contender! No doubt! We have the best wins by far of any team in the country! And a tough win at NC St. So hopefully the voters will see that! If not We are back! And just getting better!
Duke loses at Temple and I guarantee they say ahead of us even if when we beat Penn State. Atmosphere was great in he first half tonight. Crowd and team got pretty tight in the second half. Some really bad turnovers took the crowd out of the game a couple of times. As bad as IU played, they never lost the lead. Hulls looked lost out there. Not sure what was wrong. Good win none the less. If this was the NBA, Watford would be up for the Comeback Player of the year. I cannot get over how much he has improved. He has actually turned into a good shooter. He also made some nice passes to Zeller. Go Hoosiers!
Awesome! Just awesome!
Ryun
I knew the winning culture was reestablished when I, as bad as they had played in the second half, up two with 1:30 left to play and I was calm. Last year I would have worn out the carpet pacing during those timeouts.
In terms of rankings, I'm less annoyed at the number (annoyed nonetheless) and more at all the a-holes that keep saying they can only win on the road. Look at the schedules of all teams ranked above Indiana right now. Even if you ignore the rank of opponents, nobody has played on the road much and most of those games are losses. Syracuse's only pre-conference road game was at NC State, sound familiar? Kentucky has one road game and as we recall it was a loss. Duke has two road games, both losses. The story is the same all the way to #12. Mich St is the only team with a credible road win and that came in conference just this week.
After Penn State's boiler beatdown last night, IU has a chance to silence a bunch of the critics if they march into the valley on Sunday and hang a 15+ point loss on the Nittany Lions.
Can't wait for Sheehey to get back. I noticed he was wearing the warmups last night instead of street clothes, but I couldn't tell if he still had the boot on. Tom, any in the Hall update on what you saw?
i think that every road win is going to be precious. unfortunately, i'm with you on the PU thing. they have played at some fairly good teams and looked pretty good. i don't take this game for granted. i also like the idea of getting Sheehey's contribution back soon! personally i think we should be about 6th or 7th, but i know we won't be, and i hate to say it, but i kind of understand it.
ryun
I don't understand the ranking. It makes no sense to me at all. We have better wins across the board than almost anybody else and have yet to lay an egg like UCONN and Duke. The national prognosticators are arrogant assholes that pander to the ACC Kentucky and Syracuse. All of the other schools in the top ten play some cupcakes and we play in the toughest conference this year. A win over #1, #2, and #13 are good wins home or away. This is IU were are the original Duke. Were are a GREAT program and it's time we got some respect!
Gavin
Chris Writes:
The rankings really do not make any statistical or "gut" sense.
Statistically, Jeff has pointed out that the KenPom and Sagarin ratings have IU in the Top 5. I mean, these are computers people, we should listen to them!
From an emotional standpoint or "gut check", Indiana has beaten competition with superior rankings which goes against the odds. Does anyone really think that Home Court advantage accounts for unranked Indiana to beat the #1 team in the USA? IU controlled the second half and they certainly had their opportunity to fade to the higher ranked team. Same can be said for #2 OSU.
Home Court crowd noise is an advantage, but it is not enough to get a win against #1 and #2. There is a whole lot more to the story.
IU has talent and balance. They seem to be playing hard and I see a chip on their shoulders. Lastly, Zeller makes everyone better because he takes the Center position and that allows everyone else to move to their natural positions where we have better matchups. Watford and or Pritch aren't trying to guard Sullinger, for instance. This just changes everything.
Could it be that the Coaches or AP don't have real respect for Tom Crean in the long run (of the season).
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