Loyola Fucking Maryland?

[UKSUX]

Unfortunately, my TV coverage here in Abu Dhabi doesn't allow me to watch the IU games live, so I am left with vid clips and news stories.  As a result, I am unable to get a feel for Tom Arnold's coaching ability.  That said, I hope we didn't hire the Lee Corso of college basketball with this guy.  Does he have any legit "big game" skill at all?  Thanks for any insight.

[IUFLA]

I haven't given up the ship yet, but the first half was about the worst half of Indiana basketball I've ever witnessed...Turnover after turnover got us in a big hole, and while I loved the effort (especially on the defensive end) it took to get us back in the game, having a point guard (Rivers) who can't hit free throws down the stretch killed our comeback...Not good...

The only alternative I see is Hulls, who at this point, looks overmatched on both ends of the floor against any decent D-1 point guard...

As far as TC goes. I've always thought he was a decent recruiter and an excellent motivator, but I've never thought he was all that in the technical aspects of the game...

On a side note, Sux, I know you've never been a big Steve Alford fan, but I hope you will at least acknowledge the job he's doing down in New Mexico...I still think he could have been like our Luke Skywalker...

[benchwarmer]

uab is 11-1 after kicking butler's ass last night.   

and texas tech is 10-1.
 

[IUFLA]

I guess I jinxed SA...

Anyway, reference IU...I've watched the majority of our games this year, and while I've seen improvement, I'm not sure I've seen enough improvement...

Watford and Creek are definitely going to carry the bevy of the scoring load, and both are solid D-1 players...Elston has looked great at times as well...And Rivers is a good on the ball and help defender, but his offense is very linited...No outside shot, and a 53% FT shooter...Good passer though...

Capobianco has had flashes, but the 2 big guys, Jobe and Muniru, aren't really ready to compete with even semi-skilled big men... Pritchard seemed to take a step back at the beginning of the year, but I thought he played fairly well against Loyola...And, as I said, Hulls just doesn't look like he can compete consistently at the Big 10 level to me...

VJIII also seems to have taken a step backward from last year...I know he played a lot of point then and has been more of a shooting guard this year, but he's shooting less than 40% from the field and he still turns it over a lot...


I'd kinda hoped we'd win 11-13 games this year, but unless we take care of the ball better than we have been, I'd say 3 wins in the B10 is about all we can hope for...And that's not good...

[GO BIG RED]

I thought the major problem in the 1st half of the Loyola game was our lack of effort.  Loyola was clearly playing much harder.  And I'm pretty sure Crean warned them about taking this game easy because he had talked to them about he Lipscomb game last season.  That and Loyola simply could not miss a shot even when defended and I think our 1st half offense disintegrated into too much of guys trying to do it on their own. 

The 2nd half was a night & day difference and if not for Rivers choking like a dog at the free throw line, we win. 

I just don't know how much of the slow start I can put on Crean, his strength is generally preparing us to play while his weakness is supposed to be making in game adjustments......the Loyola game was bass ackwards in that respect.

Also I think his ability to "teach" by benching guys is still pretty limited because let's face it most of these kids are young and our "veteran" bench depth is kind of limited.  The best he can do right now is interchange the parts and hope to find a combo that clicks.

I do want to see more improvement in the coming weeks though.

It is going to take another 2-3 years to really get a feel for how good of a coach Crean can be, IMO.  I know it sounds dreadful, nobody wants to wait to be good again.  It is a painful process to endure. Hopefully the payoff is good.

[Doobius]

I feel for you guys....I really do 

SUX, I have a good percentage of finding internet video streams for IU games.  Do you want me to post a link when I do?

[Hoosier Deity?]

I would appreciate links to video streams. I don't always have a chance to be in front of a TV at gametime.

[Hoosier Deity?]

What's the significance of the number 45, by the way?

[Eeetmi]

What's the significance of the number 45, by the way?

I've been wondering that too.

[Doobius]

What's the significance of the number 45, by the way?

I believe it signifies boredom.

[Doobius]

Crud, I didn't even realize the IU game was so early today.

Here's a link

http://www.justin.tv/s/li/li9G61U/tdfootballamerica

[Doobius]

This link looks good for tonight's (1/14) game at Michigan

http://www.justin.tv/rwb_3#r=li9G61U

[Eeetmi]

It's probably the eternal optimist in me, but this team IS getting better.  The fact we've won two B10 games without our best player bodes well for next year.  After Creek went down, I thought two wins in the B10 would be about right...here's hoping we don't lose out the rest of the way.  Now we need to show some balls on the road and continue to play well at home.  The Illinois game was painful to watch (especially b/c of Crybaby Bruce) down the stretch, and we should have won that game too.  The team is coming together, and is night/day difference from last year.  Now if we could only hit our FTs...25-40 at home?  Seriously?