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Is it too soon for the 2025 coach thread?

My bad it was 47-43 at the 16min mark. Wow I was way off... It's ok I know you get upset when daddy Woodson gets his feelings hurt.
It was 90-55 at the end. That's a 35 point win, and complete and total dominantation in the 2nd half. You sound really dumb, complaining about a 35 point win. It's not just me, it's anyone with the ability to reason without involving their personal emotions. You probably throw things or punch walls when you are mad, huh?
 
I think most of us knew this was coming. Another 11-9 or 10-10 season. Wash rinse repeat.
I’ve been a real critic of Woodson since about halfway through last season. I support all our coaches as much as I can, and I will support Woodson this year since he was retained, until I can no longer do so. He needs to show significant improvement this year.

I’d say 22+ wins, and a sweet 16 and he will likely be back and I would be ok but not thrilled. If he misses the tourney, he’s gone. If he makes it and loses first round, he should be gone. Hell, if he eeks out a win in the tourney, he should be gone. I don’t have a lot of faith in him as a coach, and I don’t particularly like him as a person. But winning cures all. He has zero excuse this year, so better bring it.
 
the answers are obvious. And when we play that way, we’re pretty good. Unfortunately, it doesn’t happen consistently enough. We’d have been down 20 to a decent P4 team.

Yet we went on the road and beat a P4 team without Tucker and Gallo. It was an exhibition but neither coach coached like it.

First half was about lack of intensity and effort on the defensive end. Late or slow close outs (2 I remember by Mgbako) and lack of physicality by guards.
 
Yet we went on the road and beat a P4 team without Tucker and Gallo. It was an exhibition but neither coach coached like it.

First half was about lack of intensity and effort on the defensive end. Late or slow close outs (2 I remember by Mgbako) and lack of physicality by guards.
My contention, which seems verified by now, is that these "slow starts", or bad finishes, or long stretches of un inspired play, are a by product of the system Woodson has chosen to continue to run, AND how he coaches and prepares his teams on a day to day basis.

What makes it all more frustrating is there are games here and there like the one at UT. And then stretches within most games where there's really great, beautiful basketball being played.

I guess I could just enjoy the good stretches when they come, and turn a blind eye on the bad ones. I'm certainly guilty of being more pessimistic about it all. But its those bad stretches that are keeping IU basketball from reaching its obvious potential.
 
My contention, which seems verified by now, is that these "slow starts", or bad finishes, or long stretches of un inspired play, are a by product of the system Woodson has chosen to continue to run, AND how he coaches and prepares his teams on a day to day basis.

What makes it all more frustrating is there are games here and there like the one at UT. And then stretches within most games where there's really great, beautiful basketball being played.

I guess I could just enjoy the good stretches when they come, and turn a blind eye on the bad ones. I'm certainly guilty of being more pessimistic about it all. But its those bad stretches that are keeping IU basketball from reaching its obvious potential.
Maybe it’s a test?

as fans we need to learn to keep those emotions in check.

I see posts here made by people who are clearly triggered by people “whining”, “complaining”, etc. Obviously people that vent are being too emotional. Yet, on the flip side wouldn’t cheering, jumping up and down at a game, etc. also be too emotional?

As fans we are being tested. Learn to accept the IU bb version of Jekyll or Hyde equally.

Learn to be at peace whether we are winning by 25 or losing by 25. It’s just entertainment and no reason to be emotional 🥲

(VBG)
 
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The first half was certainly cause for concern. The same lethargic team we’re too used to seeing. Looked like they were playing with a hangover. Must’ve been out partying with the football team.

On the other hand, the second half showed how good we can be.
I hope they were out partying with the football team. College kids need to fully enjoy the college experience.
 
Maybe it’s a test?

as fans we need to learn to keep those emotions in check.

I see posts here made by people who are clearly triggered by people “whining”, “complaining”, etc. Obviously people that vent are being too emotional. Yet, on the flip side wouldn’t cheering, jumping up and down at a game, etc. also be too emotional?

As fans we are being tested. Learn to accept the IU bb version of Jekyll or Hyde equally.

Learn to be at peace whether we are winning by 25 or losing by 25. It’s just entertainment and no reason to be emotional 🥲

(VBG)
Like everything in life, a good balance, and a dose of perspective always goes a long way.

I think we all desire the emotion of jumping around and cheering. Those of us old enough to remember IU pre mid 90s...have a sense of basketball entitlement to work through. And in my case, I have very specific experiences I draw from when I'm posting. I don't think they make me any smarter, the game has changed dramatically since I played and coached. But they have burnt in preconceived notions on aspects of the game that "should" be easily tought by programs at IU's level. So when a team that has "Indiana" on their jersey, can't consistently play basic help and recover defense...kinda riles me up. When the IU coach, in 2024, doesn't believe in running an offense that's based on movement, that aims to create space and gaps for perimeter players... kinda riles me up.

Anyway...there are a lot of things to like about this team. Hopefully they start shifting more and more towards how they played in the 2nd half yesterday, and how they finished the UT game.
 
Dude, hit the "ignore" button. Very little content here, but it's easier to skim if you limit the stupid.
That's a great idea. Lifelong can ignore a bunch of us and then he won't have to contstantly call everyone dumb, stupid and the rest because his rose colored opinions aren't in agreement with others.
 
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That's a great idea. Lifelong can ignore a bunch of us and then he won't have to contstantly call everyone dumb, stupid and the rest because his rose colored opinions aren't in agreement with others.
Why do you think I pay my $9.99/month?...smh

The whole point is to throw a wrench into the stupid machine and slow it down.
 
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A win win.
Sure. Bottom line is that's
Absolutely true. That said, I can look at those early season games last season and those close wins against really weak opponents were pretty telling as to what laid ahead. So far, given this miniscule sample size, I see signs of "same old", and I see some really promising periods of play.

I hope IU has a great season. I'd like to think everyone on this forum hopes for the same. If it's a good season, woodson will stay on. If it's not, he probably won't. It's really that simple.
 
Why do you think I pay my $9.99/month?...smh

The whole point is to throw a wrench into the stupid machine and slow it down.
You acting like a prick is the point?

You bring very little to the conversation when your go-to is just to call those you disagree with dumbass, stupid or idiot. If you were half as smart as you think you are, you'd might really be something.
 
You acting like a prick is the point?

You bring very little to the conversation when your go-to is just to call those you disagree with dumbass, stupid or idiot. If you were half as smart as you think you are, you'd might really be something.
I don't just call them dumbass, or stupid or idiot. I also tell them why.
 
Why do you think I pay my $9.99/month?...smh
you say, while posting on the free board?

You're right to point out that ultimately this was a 35 pt win "as expected", but you're 100% wrong if you think there's nothing to worry about after that first half performance. Backed up by all of our no-shows under Woody, it's a concern when you have a team this talented.
 
you say, while posting on the free board?

You're right to point out that ultimately this was a 35 pt win "as expected", but you're 100% wrong if you think there's nothing to worry about after that first half performance. Backed up by all of our no-shows under Woody, it's a concern when you have a team this talented.
It was the 2nd game of the season. 54-18 in the 2nd half. I didn't say there aren't things to work on. But the game thread during the first half was absolutely hilariously dumb. Not sorry.

And yes...this one is on the free site...but the next may not be...I have to cover all bases.
 
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It was the 2nd game of the season. 54-18 in the 2nd half. I didn't say there aren't things to work on. But the game thread during the first half was absolutely hilariously dumb. Not sorry.

And yes...this one is on the free site...but the next may not be...I have to cover all bases.
Yeah yeah yeah, you're a fan of mediocrity. We get it.

I genuinely can't fathom a "true" fan thinking Woody has achieved anything at IU. All the resources (NIL, etc.) and the highlight of his tenure is a Round of 32 beatdown ... with an All-American and 1st-Round pick. But hey, all is roses because he's (arguably) better than Archie. 🙄
 
It was the 2nd game of the season. 54-18 in the 2nd half. I didn't say there aren't things to work on. But the game thread during the first half was absolutely hilariously dumb. Not sorry.

And yes...this one is on the free site...but the next may not be...I have to cover all bases.
LOTS of losses in Woody's tenure because of long stretches of poor play. This teams' "good" does appear to be better than what we've seen out of his other teams. So hopefully they build on yesterday's 2nd half, and squeeze out the poor stretches with longer good stretches. This team could be REALLY good if they can do that.

Until they do, having 20+ minutes of play like they had yesterday, against a glorified D2 team, is just as noteworthy as the 15 minutes of really, really good play.

Those first half stretches are how we get blown out by Nebraska multiple times last year. How we've been owned by NW and PSU in recent years. I'd like for those things to not happen any more. That doesn't even mention how I'd like to compete with Purdue and Illinois for B10 titles.

Gotta cut out the stagnant offense, and poor defensive rotations...stretches, for any of the good stuff to consistently happen.
 
LOTS of losses in Woody's tenure because of long stretches of poor play. This teams' "good" does appear to be better than what we've seen out of his other teams. So hopefully they build on yesterday's 2nd half, and squeeze out the poor stretches with longer good stretches. This team could be REALLY good if they can do that.

Until they do, having 20+ minutes of play like they had yesterday, against a glorified D2 team, is just as noteworthy as the 15 minutes of really, really good play.

Those first half stretches are how we get blown out by Nebraska multiple times last year. How we've been owned by NW and PSU in recent years. I'd like for those things to not happen any more. That doesn't even mention how I'd like to compete with Purdue and Illinois for B10 titles.

Gotta cut out the stagnant offense, and poor defensive rotations...stretches, for any of the good stuff to consistently happen.
Psst...last year is over. It's a new roster. A roster that has addressed a lot of the talent issues IU had last year. It's pretty dumb, to critique this year's team, because of last year, when the players are different.
 
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