ADVERTISEMENT

Great Expectations

rikki-tikka-tava

rikki-tikka-tava

All-American
Jul 17, 2002
7,813
6,350
113
IU has an extraordinary amount of experience this year. Reckon Everyone can be relied upon to be better (at least and likely) than last year. Came from thinking about how Jordan and Malik are challenging and making Race better every day just by dint of their athleticism and innate drive. And vice versa, and team-wide, with similar iterations similarly playing out every day in a myriad of variations. If the Hoosiers are going to do something symphonic (again), this is the year.

Not saying the 2022-23 Hoosiers are going to be one of Evolutions's Greatest Hits, but if there's not abundant cause for whooping this Season I'll leave off imagining to know anything about the Game.

New ponies (thoroughbreds by all accounts) with new tricks, a seasoned core of elder and wiser veterans, some noteworthy recent success even within what played out as a remarkably seamless and positive transition/upheaval year - all point to an ascendant Team/Program trajectory. And grins, bragging rights, winning tickets, and maybe onto rinse and repeat. Plus.

Only mid-July. Damn. In any case, "Welcome home Mike Woodson". My vote for most stylish, real and qualified Coach in the B10.
 
  • Like
Reactions: IU73, Hoosier Clarion, bkiefer7 and 1 other person
rikki-tikka-tava said:
IU has an extraordinary amount of experience this year. Reckon Everyone can be relied upon to be better (at least and likely) than last year. Came from thinking about how Jordan and Malik are challenging and making Race better every day just by dint of their athleticism and innate drive. And vice versa, and team-wide, with similar iterations similarly playing out every day in a myriad of variations. If the Hoosiers are going to do something symphonic (again), this is the year.

Not saying the 2022-23 Hoosiers are going to be one of Evolutions's Greatest Hits, but if there's not abundant cause for whooping this Season I'll leave off imagining to know anything about the Game.

New ponies (thoroughbreds by all accounts) with new tricks, a seasoned core of elder and wiser veterans, some noteworthy recent success even within what played out as a remarkably seamless and positive transition/upheaval year - all point to an ascendant Team/Program trajectory. And grins, bragging rights, winning tickets, and maybe onto rinse and repeat. Plus.

Only mid-July. Damn. In any case, "Welcome home Mike Woodson". My vote for most stylish, real and qualified Coach in the B10.
Click to expand...
Gonna be a fun year.
 
  • Like
Reactions: The one and only ACE and Hoosier Clarion
I hope, but in the back of my mind I can't help but think about how we performed last year in the B1G...9-11, with over 75% of those wins coming against B1G bottom-feeders.

Wins:

Nebraska
@Nebraska
Minnesota
@Minnesota
Maryland
@Maryland
OSU
Purdue
Penn State
 
  • Like
Reactions: IUgradman and kkott
Pryght said:
I hope, but in the back of my mind I can't help but think about how we performed last year in the B1G...9-11, with over 75% of those wins coming against B1G bottom-feeders.

Wins:

Nebraska
@Nebraska
Minnesota
@Minnesota
Maryland
@Maryland
OSU
Purdue
Penn State
Click to expand...
beat Michigan and Illinois in BTT blew game late vs Iowa, and played a lot of close road games, many times had late leads and found ways to lose. our teams in the past with similar records would get their ass blown out on the road. majority of teams in the Big are a little down from last year. We should be better, I'm optimistic.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SIhoosier26, IU73, IUgradman and 2 others
Hatchets7times said:
I'm realist..
But yes.. I'm optimistic at the moment.
We'll know after those four big games..
Kansas..UNC..Arizona..Xavier..
Click to expand...
IU could lose 2-3 of those games and still win the B1G. Remember when IU beat UNC and Kansas then flopped the rest of the season? While UNC won it all and Kansas was in the final 4? Those early games count but they aren’t always an indication of how a season goes. There are 2 B1G games in that stretch too.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SIhoosier26, ericrossiu, IUgradman and 3 others
Victorbmyboy said:
IU could lose 2-3 of those games and still win the B1G. Remember when IU beat UNC and Kansas then flopped the rest of the season? While UNC won it all and Kansas was in the final 4? Those early games count but they aren’t always an indication of how a season goes. There are 2 B1G games in that stretch too.
Click to expand...
Agreed. After beating KU in 2OT that year I remember thinking we were going to be a force…. Then Crean happened
 
  • Like
Reactions: IUgradman, hookyIU1990 and kkott
Pryght said:
I hope, but in the back of my mind I can't help but think about how we performed last year in the B1G...9-11, with over 75% of those wins coming against B1G bottom-feeders.

Wins:

Nebraska
@Nebraska
Minnesota
@Minnesota
Maryland
@Maryland
OSU
Purdue
Penn State
Click to expand...

To be fair, Indiana was truly 11-12 vs B1G opponents last year. We also beat Michigan and Illinois to end the season.

Although you gain nothing for close games, when trying to project next season it is certainly worth taking into account. Indiana had a TON of close games where IU had big leads late in games and faltered. Or close games that just kept going 1 possession in the favor of the other team.

The best way to look at it is to imagine how teams we played last year are thinking. Michigan lost to us at neutral site and lost a bunch of players. Think they feel good about running that back with our rosters now? The PU games came down to one possession. but they lost most of their talent. Think they feel good running it back now? Wisconsin was the same way, we were up big at their place and played them close at home. These teams all would not feel good about running those games back when we are basically returning our entire roster and they are not. It surely doesn't guarantee anything as next year is a new year but odds are in our favor.
 
  • Like
Reactions: IU2Bgood, Hoosier Clarion, Champs1976 and 1 other person
From July 2018 after watching some scrimmage highlights, we went 8-12 in conference that year
rikki-tikka-tava said:
Oh yeah. Imagine something special this year we do.
Click to expand...


From July 2021, we went 9-11 in conference last year
rikki-tikka-tava said:
Don't sleep on Rob 4.0. New coach is an opportunity to reinvent oneself - just ask Dane. And Bates is a freshman. Not likely he starts this year anymore than Lander last year.

All conjecture at this point, but what stands out to me is the depth - pick any five as starters, your quintet for instance, and that leaves Galloway, Geronimo, Lander, Leal, Phinisee, Bates, Durr, and Duncomb off the bench. Even with the potential for a couple of Players being sidelined in the usual/unfortunate event of back, ankle, etc. issues, not a Team that will be lacking for game.

Always a kick when the Season begins anew - moreso this year with as many as six new faces in the rotation. Add in the off-Season development among the veterans and hard not to expect a bit of magic/majesty on the Court.
Click to expand...


Take it all with a grain of salt fellas.
 
YOTHN said:
To be fair, Indiana was truly 11-12 vs B1G opponents last year. We also beat Michigan and Illinois to end the season.

Although you gain nothing for close games, when trying to project next season it is certainly worth taking into account. Indiana had a TON of close games where IU had big leads late in games and faltered. Or close games that just kept going 1 possession in the favor of the other team.

The best way to look at it is to imagine how teams we played last year are thinking. Michigan lost to us at neutral site and lost a bunch of players. Think they feel good about running that back with our rosters now? The PU games came down to one possession. but they lost most of their talent. Think they feel good running it back now? Wisconsin was the same way, we were up big at their place and played them close at home. These teams all would not feel good about running those games back when we are basically returning our entire roster and they are not. It surely doesn't guarantee anything as next year is a new year but odds are in our favor.
Click to expand...
I think you're wrong and that's what I hope changes, but I don't think any of those teams sweat playing IU, and you can add Rutgers to that list too. How long have they heard "they've got better talent" or "wait til next year". They will still believe they are tougher than us (and Hoosier's are p*ssies), until a team on the floor actually changes that. I hope this is the one to do that!
 
  • Like
Reactions: birdforbogey
kurt cloverdales said:
It was another freshman can't believe I don't remember his name was it Curtis jones, if I recall hit a couple of big 3s late and in ot
Click to expand...
Curtis Jones....thought he was going to be the next great thing here. A year later, he was gone.

Seasons are made from New Years thru mid march. Early big games get you ready for the real meat grinder. Been a long time (2013?) since we went up to Mackey and kicked some ass and made fat male cheerleaders cry ( time for the Sheehey flex meme...) . So wish we played up in Kohl this year to try getting that 20 yr monkey off our backs.
 
kkott said:
I think you're wrong and that's what I hope changes, but I don't think any of those teams sweat playing IU, and you can add Rutgers to that list too. How long have they heard "they've got better talent" or "wait til next year". They will still believe they are tougher than us (and Hoosier's are p*ssies), until a team on the floor actually changes that. I hope this is the one to do that!
Click to expand...
teams play as a reflection of their coaches.

RMK teams played as he demanded- a robotic machine, gears constantly grinding as opponents ran through a maze of off-the-ball screens within the motion offense the coach perfected. (luckily their on-the-floor personas where opposite of their coach's own)

CMD teams played like a group of kids who couldn't remember all the 100+ NBA sets they were given, and looked confused (as CMD often did)

CTC teams (sans the 2 Zeller yrs and Yogi's great Sr year) played spastically moving too fast for their own good (notice we no longer see our players running and jumping out of bounds at a 45 degree angle under the basket, looking for someone to pass to before they hit the floor?)

CAM teams played like kids who didn't even look like they were having fun and half the time, didn't even want to be here (same image I got from the coach)

So far, I like the vibe I get from CMW and he should be able to put an end to the image that Hoosiers are pu##ies.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Hoosier Clarion, kkott and hookyIU1990
kkott said:
I think you're wrong and that's what I hope changes, but I don't think any of those teams sweat playing IU, and you can add Rutgers to that list too. How long have they heard "they've got better talent" or "wait til next year". They will still believe they are tougher than us (and Hoosier's are p*ssies), until a team on the floor actually changes that. I hope this is the one to do that!
Click to expand...
Last year? Then you must've missed the opponents reactions after the game. I can vividly remember Wisconsin players sweating out the games and acting like they won a natty after beating IU. Most thought IU was a middle of the B1G last year and that result ends with IU being one of the B1G teams to make the tourney. They did that. You may have had higher personal hopes that were shattered but realistically that was never going to be the case.

However, bringing back the talent that pushed all of those teams to the brink, while they don't retain talent.....I stand by what I said. This season is not comparable to the last 8 or 9 seasons.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SIhoosier26 and Hoosier Clarion
Chicago-bound Hoosier said:
(notice we no longer see our players running and jumping out of bounds at a 45 degree angle under the basket, looking for someone to pass to before they hit the floor?)
Click to expand...
That drove me nuts. The first time I got to a game early enough to watch shoot arounds and I saw them doing a drill for that, I was unable to get past it. Mortal sin.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Hoosier Clarion and birdforbogey
hookyIU1990 said:
That drove me nuts. The first time I got to a game early enough to watch shoot arounds and I saw them doing a drill for that, I was unable to get past it. Mortal sin.
Click to expand...
notice I failed to mention the Sampson era? Just didn't feel like going there today.

and you are correct...some things they taught us in grade school ball. I screamed every time I saw Yogi take a Superman leap at 30mph over the baseline, looking to pass.
 
  • Like
Reactions: hookyIU1990
rikki-tikka-tava said:
IU has an extraordinary amount of experience this year. Reckon Everyone can be relied upon to be better (at least and likely) than last year. Came from thinking about how Jordan and Malik are challenging and making Race better every day just by dint of their athleticism and innate drive. And vice versa, and team-wide, with similar iterations similarly playing out every day in a myriad of variations. If the Hoosiers are going to do something symphonic (again), this is the year.

Not saying the 2022-23 Hoosiers are going to be one of Evolutions's Greatest Hits, but if there's not abundant cause for whooping this Season I'll leave off imagining to know anything about the Game.

New ponies (thoroughbreds by all accounts) with new tricks, a seasoned core of elder and wiser veterans, some noteworthy recent success even within what played out as a remarkably seamless and positive transition/upheaval year - all point to an ascendant Team/Program trajectory. And grins, bragging rights, winning tickets, and maybe onto rinse and repeat. Plus.

Only mid-July. Damn. In any case, "Welcome home Mike Woodson". My vote for most stylish, real and qualified Coach in the B10.
Click to expand...
How does next years IU team compare to last year’s Purdue team? Certainly, Purdue had more preseason hype and was an early favorite to make the Final Four, but they lacked a true PG and their defense was ranked outside the top 100. In retrospect, they were a ridiculously overrated preseason pick.

IU has a very good PG, a top big man, experience, and should have perhaps a top 10 defense, so in my opinion they should be a notch above last years Purdue team. It’ll be interesting to see if they can fill in the rest of the pieces and actually become a FF caliber team. One thing though, Purdue had some good shooters, but I’d take a good PG and top defense over shooters.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Hoosier Clarion and kkott
YOTHN said:
Last year? Then you must've missed the opponents reactions after the game. I can vividly remember Wisconsin players sweating out the games and acting like they won a natty after beating IU. Most thought IU was a middle of the B1G last year and that result ends with IU being one of the B1G teams to make the tourney. They did that. You may have had higher personal hopes that were shattered but realistically that was never going to be the case.

However, bringing back the talent that pushed all of those teams to the brink, while they don't retain talent.....I stand by what I said. This season is not comparable to the last 8 or 9 seasons.
Click to expand...
I just don't think the results of a single OK season where we met pretty minimal expectations (mine were end losing streak to PU, win at least a game in BTT and make the tourney) are going to leave the rest of the league quaking. Both PU games were close, but they could have just as easily beaten us at IU as we could've beaten them. I think players go more by their own experiences and all the teams mentioned (WI, PU, Rutgers, UM, MSU?) I'm sure still feel pretty confident about playing IU. Yes, it's always going to be a big game that matters to them, but I don't think they are worried about playing us.
 
kkott said:
I just don't think the results of a single OK season where we met pretty minimal expectations (mine were end losing streak to PU, win at least a game in BTT and make the tourney) are going to leave the rest of the league quaking. Both PU games were close, but they could have just as easily beaten us at IU as we could've beaten them. I think players go more by their own experiences and all the teams mentioned (WI, PU, Rutgers, UM, MSU?) I'm sure still feel pretty confident about playing IU. Yes, it's always going to be a big game that matters to them, but I don't think they are worried about playing us.
Click to expand...
There were shades of the Jekyll and Hyde personality last year But:

1. The team didn’t fold. After the NU game they could have mailed it in , which they have done numerous times in season past.

2, there is a slight recency bias for IU fans. I sure remember the 2nd half play in the MI game, and the play versus IL (btt). Had they not come back from the 17 point halftime deficit versus UM, the outlook might not be so optimistic. (But they did come back, and they did squeak into the tourney).
 
  • Like
Reactions: Hoosier Clarion
.Gerdis said:
There were shades of the Jekyll and Hyde personality last year But:

1. The team didn’t fold. After the NU game they could have mailed it in , which they have done numerous times in season past.

2, there is a slight recency bias for IU fans. I sure remember the 2nd half play in the MI game, and the play versus IL (btt). Had they not come back from the 17 point halftime deficit versus UM, the outlook might not be so optimistic. (But they did come back, and they did squeak into the tourney).
Click to expand...
OK, let me frame it this way. All the stuff that would have influenced any B10 players concerns about playing IU from last season had ocurred by the time we played St Marys. Did they look "concerned" to you about playing IU? And, they'd have had far more reason to be concerned than any of the teams we mentioned. You keep referring to my or fan's beliefs, but I'm talking about the other teams players and are they more worried about playing IU than normal or than other opponents. I think it will take actual history to change those opinions and the uptick last season wasn't enough to do it, imho. I look forward to the time again when teams to fret over playing IU, and I hope we get to that point again.
 
kkott said:
OK, let me frame it this way. All the stuff that would have influenced any B10 players concerns about playing IU from last season had ocurred by the time we played St Marys. Did they look "concerned" to you about playing IU? And, they'd have had far more reason to be concerned than any of the teams we mentioned. You keep referring to my or fan's beliefs, but I'm talking about the other teams players and are they more worried about playing IU than normal or than other opponents. I think it will take actual history to change those opinions and the uptick last season wasn't enough to do it, imho. I look forward to the time again when teams to fret over playing IU, and I hope we get to that point again.
Click to expand...
I think you misunderstood what I was saying. I was agreeing with you, and just pointing out that IU fans may have a recency bias - and that the players in the other teams don’t.

I doubt anyone is scared of us. As good as we as fans feel about things, the other teams know we were :
A) close to ending the season with a (min.) 6 game losing streak (and not for the first time)
B) getting blasted by Michigan , and looking like yet another season sitting at home for the postseason.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fighter of the Nightman
kkott said:
OK, let me frame it this way. All the stuff that would have influenced any B10 players concerns about playing IU from last season had ocurred by the time we played St Marys. Did they look "concerned" to you about playing IU? And, they'd have had far more reason to be concerned than any of the teams we mentioned. You keep referring to my or fan's beliefs, but I'm talking about the other teams players and are they more worried about playing IU than normal or than other opponents. I think it will take actual history to change those opinions and the uptick last season wasn't enough to do it, imho. I look forward to the time again when teams to fret over playing IU, and I hope we get to that point again.
Click to expand...
I think you may be correct about last year. However, I DO think other players look at polls. If they see they are playing a team that is ranked higher than they are, my guess is that they'll care less about the previous year than the polling for the current team they are playing. It's looking very likely that we will start the year with a ranking between 10 and 20 (ESPN has us 15 right now, CBS has us 16). IF we play up to our ranking, I doubt if the big boys in the B1G will care at all about previous years. They'll be worried about playing us.
 
kkott said:
I just don't think the results of a single OK season where we met pretty minimal expectations (mine were end losing streak to PU, win at least a game in BTT and make the tourney) are going to leave the rest of the league quaking. Both PU games were close, but they could have just as easily beaten us at IU as we could've beaten them. I think players go more by their own experiences and all the teams mentioned (WI, PU, Rutgers, UM, MSU?) I'm sure still feel pretty confident about playing IU. Yes, it's always going to be a big game that matters to them, but I don't think they are worried about playing us.
Click to expand...

Right, I get that. I just don't think its about quaking. Indiana isn't likely to be a 1 seed in the big dance and those are the only types of teams that might instill fear. But when going down the line of the teams we played last year, lining up on the court, then removing those players from the opposing teams who won't be back and saying, "ok, lets jump ball"......you have to say that most would give us a decided advantage this year. I don't think anyone is afraid but I think most who watched IU last year and saw the progression understand this team is likely the leader in the B1G clubhouse....today. Long season though and anything can happen so we shall see.
 
Pryght said:
I hope, but in the back of my mind I can't help but think about how we performed last year in the B1G...9-11, with over 75% of those wins coming against B1G bottom-feeders.

Wins:

Nebraska
@Nebraska
Minnesota
@Minnesota
Maryland
@Maryland
OSU
Purdue
Penn State
Click to expand...
SMH
 
kurt cloverdales said:
beat Michigan and Illinois in BTT blew game late vs Iowa, and played a lot of close road games, many times had late leads and found ways to lose. our teams in the past with similar records would get their ass blown out on the road. majority of teams in the Big are a little down from last year. We should be better, I'm optimistic.
Click to expand...
Wow! Kurt! That is the most coherent post I’ve ever read from you. Awesome
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest posts

ADVERTISEMENT
Top Bottom
Back