1. This season has been a lot of fun. We spend a lot of time discussing the ins and outs of the program and coach, etc., but at the end of the day what I want to watch is a team playing good basketball and representing the university well. That's what we have. March is key to show that this season was actually an improvement year over year and we are heading in the right direction, but this team has really improved over the course of the year and is just fun to watch. Hopefully there are plenty of games left to show that.
2. A big part of #1 is that CTC is doing a very good job so far this year. I'm one who thought a change was warranted after last season, but it really looks like he has been introspective and addressed some flaws to this point. The tough shoot-arounds on game days, long practices, lack of improvement on D, etc. that seemed to plague teams in years past are not there this year. Everyone has noted how the work is different this year, and I think we are seeing it on the court. Let's hope this is the new normal, and that the improvements carry over.
3. TW is why I could never be a coach. I simply don't have the patience to stay with a kid through some of these performances to be able to experience games like this past one. People look to his points and the dunks specifically, but the reason he did so well was because of how active he was on D. He was everywhere, and that activity carried over to some run outs and to his confidence on offense. So why is that not always there?! I've always thought that TW needed to stop thinking he was MJ, and embrace trying to be Pippen. No, I absolutely 100% do not mean in terms of how good they are, believe, I mean solely in terms of style of play. Sat night he showed that ability, where he attacked when it was there on O, let his points come naturally versus hunting shots, and using his great length and athleticism to be a terror in the passing lanes. He's not going to be "the man", but he can be the matchup nightmare who scores in a variety of ways and makes every pass on the wing contested.
4. Yogi's senior year is as good as any we've seen in a long time. DJ White would be one, but it gets lost in the implosion of that year. Earlier this year, I think many would put Yogi closer to Bracey Wright than to the all-time greats. Not anymore. I hope he gets a huge, huge ovation on senior night.
5. This team is flawed, there's no doubt about it. Particularly if RJ is out for an extended period of time. But in this crazy year in college hoops, who the hell isn't flawed? I wouldn't be shocked if we lost the first game to a 11-12-13 seed, and I wouldn't be shocked if they made a Final 4. The tourney is always about matchups, but particularly in a year with no dominant forces I think it really just comes down to avoiding certain types of teams. For example, a relentless pressing team like West Va scares me more than a higher ranked team such as an OU. For my money,give me a 5 seed playing UK, with Nova as the 1 seed.
6. In terms of a B1G title, the most likely scenario to me is MSU winning out to get to 13-5, and Maryland winning out until they play us, putting them at 13-4. I think IU can split the next 2 to also be at 13-4 heading into that game. Iowa seems to be slowing down a bit, and actually has 4 tough-ish games. The key to me will be if they can win at Ohio State. If they do, they'd be at 14-3 going into the game at Michigan, with at least a share. That would set up a scenario where a worst case is IU loses to Maryland, finishes tied with MSU for either 2nd (if Iowa loses at Michigan), or 3rd (if Iowa wins). So outside of our own games, the Iowa @ OSU game is really the one to watch in terms of our chances at a title. You will note that in any of these scenarios, IU gets a double bye. Simply beat Illinois and IU is through to Friday and the quarter-finals IMO.
7. Generally for me the tipping point in terms of B1G title vs march success is the Elite 8. For example, I think UM had a better season than us in 2012-13 when we won the B1G title and lost in the Sweet 16 and they got 2nd and then played in the title game. Final 4 for me is clearly better than just a conference title, but when you get to the Elite 8, that's where I start waffling over which I'd rather have. Obviously would rather have both, but with only a few games left and the seed lines and potential matchups starting to form, it's an interesting discussion. Would be nice to make it to Sunday in the B1G tournament but at this point I'm honestly not sure if I'll see that, a win in Madison, or a Cubs world series first.
8. It's fun to be genuinely excited about games this late in the season.
2. A big part of #1 is that CTC is doing a very good job so far this year. I'm one who thought a change was warranted after last season, but it really looks like he has been introspective and addressed some flaws to this point. The tough shoot-arounds on game days, long practices, lack of improvement on D, etc. that seemed to plague teams in years past are not there this year. Everyone has noted how the work is different this year, and I think we are seeing it on the court. Let's hope this is the new normal, and that the improvements carry over.
3. TW is why I could never be a coach. I simply don't have the patience to stay with a kid through some of these performances to be able to experience games like this past one. People look to his points and the dunks specifically, but the reason he did so well was because of how active he was on D. He was everywhere, and that activity carried over to some run outs and to his confidence on offense. So why is that not always there?! I've always thought that TW needed to stop thinking he was MJ, and embrace trying to be Pippen. No, I absolutely 100% do not mean in terms of how good they are, believe, I mean solely in terms of style of play. Sat night he showed that ability, where he attacked when it was there on O, let his points come naturally versus hunting shots, and using his great length and athleticism to be a terror in the passing lanes. He's not going to be "the man", but he can be the matchup nightmare who scores in a variety of ways and makes every pass on the wing contested.
4. Yogi's senior year is as good as any we've seen in a long time. DJ White would be one, but it gets lost in the implosion of that year. Earlier this year, I think many would put Yogi closer to Bracey Wright than to the all-time greats. Not anymore. I hope he gets a huge, huge ovation on senior night.
5. This team is flawed, there's no doubt about it. Particularly if RJ is out for an extended period of time. But in this crazy year in college hoops, who the hell isn't flawed? I wouldn't be shocked if we lost the first game to a 11-12-13 seed, and I wouldn't be shocked if they made a Final 4. The tourney is always about matchups, but particularly in a year with no dominant forces I think it really just comes down to avoiding certain types of teams. For example, a relentless pressing team like West Va scares me more than a higher ranked team such as an OU. For my money,give me a 5 seed playing UK, with Nova as the 1 seed.
6. In terms of a B1G title, the most likely scenario to me is MSU winning out to get to 13-5, and Maryland winning out until they play us, putting them at 13-4. I think IU can split the next 2 to also be at 13-4 heading into that game. Iowa seems to be slowing down a bit, and actually has 4 tough-ish games. The key to me will be if they can win at Ohio State. If they do, they'd be at 14-3 going into the game at Michigan, with at least a share. That would set up a scenario where a worst case is IU loses to Maryland, finishes tied with MSU for either 2nd (if Iowa loses at Michigan), or 3rd (if Iowa wins). So outside of our own games, the Iowa @ OSU game is really the one to watch in terms of our chances at a title. You will note that in any of these scenarios, IU gets a double bye. Simply beat Illinois and IU is through to Friday and the quarter-finals IMO.
7. Generally for me the tipping point in terms of B1G title vs march success is the Elite 8. For example, I think UM had a better season than us in 2012-13 when we won the B1G title and lost in the Sweet 16 and they got 2nd and then played in the title game. Final 4 for me is clearly better than just a conference title, but when you get to the Elite 8, that's where I start waffling over which I'd rather have. Obviously would rather have both, but with only a few games left and the seed lines and potential matchups starting to form, it's an interesting discussion. Would be nice to make it to Sunday in the B1G tournament but at this point I'm honestly not sure if I'll see that, a win in Madison, or a Cubs world series first.
8. It's fun to be genuinely excited about games this late in the season.
