Here is my take on DD after just 22 games:
The portal plays a role for most every team- he had to get 13! All are from mid major programs- took longer than we wanted but this group is getting better. Rebounding-toughness- and they don’t quit. All characteristics of the old days.
This group also has a realistic chance to go finish top half of a very tough conference. Has a nice group of hs kids coming in next yr. And as of today, a projected 9 seed- all in yr 1
hate away! Yes, some mistakes made. If the next couple seasons aren’t better, I’ll be back, like I was w crean, arch, and woody pushing for change
Improvement is apparent. I do believe even more scrappiness after TC returns. Really enjoying the D.
I've been a very harsh critic of DD. Still not there by any means. However the last 3 games what I've seen different is:
1. Hustle and effort .. controllable by players.
2. in game adjustments by DD
3. between game adjustments.
4. animation and emotion from DD.
all of this consequently comes with the absence of TC. He to me was the most head hanging of them all and inconsistent. So I think he comes off the bench. Go with the folks that have spiked this run.
I'm pleasantly surprised by the last 3 games. Hopefully they aren't an aberration
and some of it is timing related ... Dorn comes back ... TC is out?? Have to ask the question. Have to
This team had an extremely low ceiling. In the portal era I want a team that has a chance to do damage in march, this team has no chance. Ceiling is getting a win in the tourney. He has to do better next year getting talent. We have a bunch of guys that have no business playing 25+ mins in the big ten. Conor has been as good as he can be last few games. But if he is playing 40 minutes for your team you are not a good team.
This team had an extremely low ceiling. In the portal era I want a team that has a chance to do damage in march, this team has no chance. Ceiling is getting a win in the tourney. He has to do better next year getting talent. We have a bunch of guys that have no business playing 25+ mins in the big ten. Conor has been as good as he can be last few games. But if he is playing 40 minutes for your team you are not a good team.
I 100 percent agree with you.
Bailey too
What gets me is this seems to be the accepted level of achievement from many. To me it's mediocre. We've been waddling in mediocre for 26 -30 years. Except the lucky run in 2002.
I enjoy watching them play.
Just shorthanded. Why bitch about a roster built long ago? Cant change it.
Shows promise. I dont expect a lot this year, but may as well enjoy the wins we do get. I like to watch our guys compete and improve.
And they beat Purdue.
@hoosiers94 ya I’ll never get excited over mediocre and celebrate being on the bubble. Woodys teams had high high ceilings with god awful coaching. This team has to play its best to make the tourney. That is not fun for me. Max effort to be a 10 seed is cool if you are northwestern.
@hoosiers94 ya I’ll never get excited over mediocre and celebrate being on the bubble. Woodys teams had high high ceilings with god awful coaching. This team has to play its best to make the tourney. That is not fun for me. Max effort to be a 10 seed is cool if you are northwestern.
totally agree , making the tournament was an expectation not an accomplishment for our program. Now we celebrate just like Northwestern did after their first trip to the dance a few years back. It's not excellence
Pondering how low PUke feels after being tamed by the likes of IU?
Over the last week, this team has shown that its ceiling may be higher than we previously thought. Our frontcourt weakness wasn’t exploited by Purdue; instead, Painter was forced to go small in the second half just to match up with us. With Dorn’s emergence, we now have at least three players capable of going off on any given night. When you combine that kind of shooting with guys who bust their tails on defense, it’s not crazy to think this team could win some games in March.
Torvik has us ranked as the 16th best offense and 43rd best defense. Not bad.
My take after the initial 22 is Indiana is a team fighting to get into the NCAA Tournament. The positive is the players have not given up on the season. If the Hoosiers make it to the Sweet 16 they would have exceeded my expectations. As Cav wrote, IU appears to be a one and done team if they make the tourney.
During the initial 22 years of Knight's coaching tenure, IU won 11 Big 10 titles and 3 national championships. Over the last 32 years, an NCAA runner-up and 3 Big 10 titles are all the program has achieved. For most people, Indiana should not be classified as a Blue Blood type of program. They have not been relevant over three decades.
For me a definition of success should not be defined as annual struggle to get into the expanded 68 NCAA Tourney field. Getting into the NCAA field should be a given. In the money grab strategy of the NCAA, the tourney field has greatly increased from the 32 it was back in 1975. Making the tourney should not be an annual struggle for a "basketball school." To be relevant IU should be a familiar face in the Sweet 16 and beyond.
Winning conference titles is more difficult than it once was because of the greater number of teams in the conference. For me, conference success for IU would be defined as being a constant presence for the conference crown resulting in top 5 finishes in the standings. If IU is to be an elite program, winning a conference title or conference tournament every 4 or so years should be a given.
Like the rest of the posse on the Forum, I desire better days for our beloved Hoosier team. I'm not satisfied with the constant mediocrity over the recent years nor do I expect IU to return to the initial two decades of Knight's prominent teams. I do expect far more than what's transpired over the last 30 years.
@pryght " ... we now have at least three players capable of going off on any given night. ... "
Hmmm...
Wilkerson, Dorn, and ...? Bailey?
Oh, DeVries, right.
They need something new to free him up. I haven't seen a game without a defender in his face for awhile. He's not quick enough to create a shot. Even some stepbacks, he seems cautious and won't pull the trigger, as if he need more time. I'm fine with him trying to score closer in, especially as he's a game rebounder. But while he's tried a few turnarounds from intermediate, he hasn't really hit those either.
yeah I don't think he's a lethal 3rd option. His lack of speed/quickness is a deal breaker. Dorn... been what 3 games of high level. Hoping he can sustain but once teams figure out they have to guard him that may squelch that. Up to now the scouting report says Wilkerson and Devries. Now it may say Wilkerson and Dorn. Let's see how that goes. Which in turn may give TD more space but can he capitalize?
so if it's acceptable to you this year to finish middle of the pack in conference and a 9 seed likely losing on first round and maybe making it to second game. What then is your watermark for next year ? Whats acceptable to you for next years results? And then going forward ?
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