Because they get blown out on the road and then at home they lose in the last few minutes. I’m sorry if us true Indiana fans get upset after losing. What do you do? Go have some beers and celebrate that participation trophy.
This team has flaws. Flaws that won’t be corrected this season or even over the summer. Flaws that lead to inconsistent execution. However, while at times this season effort has been inconsistent, the last two games reflected 40 minute effort. The team has enough talent with 40 minute effort to be a middle of the pack Big Ten team and middle of the pack NCAA seed. This team has a low margin for error, so even 35 minute efforts can sink them.
In terms of the program, IU is where it is, but go back to Archie’s arrival and a couple of highlights from his opening press conference:
1. Recruit inside out (State of Indiana first). —This has been reflected in his first 3 recruiting classes
2. Team will be based on defense / effort. — This has been a work in progress over each season, but prior to and after each game (rebounding, effort, closeouts) have been Archie’s focus
3. Defense into transition — Countlessly mentioned about IU’s offense much more effective in transition
Archie stated a strategy and so far has been a man of his word. Many also mentioned he wants long teams, for defensive and rebounding advantages. —TJD, Smith, Race, Hunter, Franklin, add in the 2020 recruits all 6’ 4”+ (all sg/sf), the transformation is underway.
Archie is building a foundation, a foundation he expressed in his acceptance speech and frankly hasn’t deviated from. Will the foundation be strong enough to re-establish Indiana as a blue blood, that is TBD. However, this year’s team and their corresponding performance being used as a referendum on the program and its future trajectory is flawed.
For this season 20-11 regular season is successful, it won’t be a success next season or after. Archie needs to stack the 2020 & 2021 classes. When he does and as the fr/so become upperclassmen, the Indiana you want/expect should return.
Remember, this current team has flaws/ a talent ceiling, the hope is to achieve that ceiling through sustained effort, but at the end of the day talent wins out (Indiana will lose to certain teams even at 100% effort). This team isn’t talented enough, over the next few years it needs to be.
2020 & 2021 recruiting and next seasons play will provide plenty of data points to evaluate the state/trajectory of the program vs this season’s team.
Underlying 95% of the discussions on this board for the last 12 months have been varying opinions based on extrapolation of the future. Mix in long-term frustration, game specific frustration, the need to be right / not admitting on being wrong, state recruits vs star ratings, and its Thunderdome. All because there are not enough data points and Romeo/TJD turned many IU fans into Veruca Salt (I want it all / I want it now / I’m entitled to it).
This program’s foundation was pretty hollow (APR, 2016 / 2017 recruiting classes, in state recruiting dead). The Big Ten title in 2016 masked significant program level flaws. The foundation 3 years later against those 3 areas is much stronger. The question still unanswered is whether the program is becoming strong enough and will it be strong enough to support an eventual blue-blood performing level. Still to early to tell, but 18 months from now it will be much clearer.
Meanwhile, try to enjoy this season for what it is, trying to maximize the effort/performance of a flawed team.