Is this team really different from last year?

[demunn]

In a lot of ways, this is a redux of last year. Swap Durham for X, Kopp for Armann and Brunk for Durr and you've got a lot of similarities.

I do nevertheless think this team is better. I think not having Rob is killing us and definitely Trey tonight as well. This team hustles better and plays better defense. If we won tonight, I don't think it was because we played particularly well, we had a lot of things fall our way.

We've got three games to rattle off and we need to blow the doors off these teams to get into the tourney before we get blown out in W. Lafayette to end the season.

I'm usually not the optimist on this forum but I think it might happen, we'll see what they're made of.

 

[Indyhorn]

Brunk didn’t play last season though.

 

[Lucy01]

Brunk didn’t play last season though.

That wasn't his point!

 

[ufo33]

No shooting.
Year 5?

 

[Pledgemygrievance]

Aside from TJD, Race and Bates, this is a Dayton-level roster.

Transfers are from average b-ball schools. Kopp is from NW. XJ and Stewart are from Pitt. Durr from South Florida.

We’re all pulling for this group and IU, but the sad reality is the talent level is not there. Plain and simple.

 

[SoccerSammy]

In a lot of ways, this is a redux of last year. Swap Durham for X, Kopp for Armann and Brunk for Durr and you've got a lot of similarities.

I do nevertheless think this team is better. I think not having Rob is killing us and definitely Trey tonight as well. This team hustles better and plays better defense. If we won tonight, I don't think it was because we played particularly well, we had a lot of things fall our way.

We've got three games to rattle off and we need to blow the doors off these teams to get into the tourney before we get blown out in W. Lafayette to end the season.

I'm usually not the optimist on this forum but I think it might happen, we'll see what they're made of.

I keep hearing that this team "Cares more".... What the hell does that mean? I haven't seen a single player put more effort into a game than Al Durham did during his time here. Thrilled he's finally with a team and a coach that can utilize his passion well. I think he would have been a start this year with Woody, but who knows??

 

[Harry Hondo]

It’ll certainly be an interesting off season seeing who’s left and who Woodson can get in the portal. One thing for sure we will see a lot of new faces playing next year.

 

[Pledgemygrievance]

It’ll certainly be an interesting off season seeing who’s left and who Woodson can get in the portal. One thing for sure we will see a lot of new faces playing next year.

Assuming TJD, Rob and Race are gone, I’m curious to see if the guys with one more year will leave - Kopp, Durr, Stewart and XJ. Or if they will get Creaned.

I’m guessing only one of Lander or X will stay.

 

[B_Town_Buford]

Trayce, Race and young Master Bates

aren't bad pieces to build around

 

[Pledgemygrievance]

Trayce, Race and young Master Bates

aren't bad pieces to build around

Need good and consistent guard play. IU doesn’t have.

 

[mushroomgod_1]

I keep hearing that this team "Cares more".... What the hell does that mean? I haven't seen a single player put more effort into a game than Al Durham did during his time here. Thrilled he's finally with a team and a coach that can utilize his passion well. I think he would have been a start this year with Woody, but who knows??

What's up with Providence? I haven't been watching them this year, but they are 22-3 and 12-2 in conference.

What's crazy about that is Al is playing 35 minutes/game for a 22-3 team and shooting .405 on 2s and .213 on 3s. He's their second leading scorer. His other #s are ok, but nothing special, except his FT % is .847. But overall, his offensive #s aren't any better than at IU. Crazy.

 

[SoccerSammy]

What's up with Providence? I haven't been watching them this year, but they are 22-3 and 12-2 in conference.

What's crazy about that is Al is playing 35 minutes/game for a 22-3 team and shooting .405 on 2s and .213 on 3s. He's their second leading scorer. His other #s are ok, but nothing special, except his FT % is .847. But overall, his offensive #s aren't any better than at IU. Crazy.

I've watched a couple of their games recently. Al is actually THE playmaker at the end of games. So incredibly happy for him

 

[shooter1977]

Starting to think this team is worse than last season. The defense is improved and it's a bigger and deeper roster, but the offense is basically beating your man one-on-one. Very stagnant and tough to watch.

 

[SoccerSammy]

Starting to think this team is worse than last season. The defense is improved and it's a bigger and deeper roster, but the offense is basically beating your man one-on-one. Very stagnant and tough to watch.

you're forgetting just how bad we've been under Archie.

 

[still4IU]

I keep hearing that this team "Cares more".... What the hell does that mean? I haven't seen a single player put more effort into a game than Al Durham did during his time here. Thrilled he's finally with a team and a coach that can utilize his passion well. I think he would have been a start this year with Woody, but who knows??

Obviously you have not watched many games this season.
RT, TG, XJ to name a few have given everything when they have played.
You may not like the results (like me) but you cant question their desire to win and play hard.

 

[SoccerSammy]

Obviously you have not watched many games this season.
RT, TG, XJ to name a few have given everything when they have played.
You may not like the results (like me) but you cant question their desire to win and play hard.

wasn't railing on this team's desire... just not sure it's any more evident than last year

 

[HoosierJimbo89]

In a lot of ways, this is a redux of last year. Swap Durham for X, Kopp for Armann and Brunk for Durr and you've got a lot of similarities.

I do nevertheless think this team is better. I think not having Rob is killing us and definitely Trey tonight as well. This team hustles better and plays better defense. If we won tonight, I don't think it was because we played particularly well, we had a lot of things fall our way.

We've got three games to rattle off and we need to blow the doors off these teams to get into the tourney before we get blown out in W. Lafayette to end the season.

I'm usually not the optimist on this forum but I think it might happen, we'll see what they're made of.

I think Archie had ran the team and the program into the ground, and morale wasn't very high. This year does have a different feel and a fresh start for the players. If IU can close the Wisky and Ohio St. games out and beat a bad NW team on the road, they are 10-6. I understand close doesn't count, but the opportunity has been there: IU just hasn't been able to seal the deal. Seasons can come down to just a few possessions.

I don't think this team is a world beater, but they are good enough to at least make the NCAA Tourney. I'm not going to pretend that Rob was consistent every game. But, maybe IU wins another game or two if he is healthy.

 

[SoccerSammy]

I think Archie had ran the team and the program into the ground, and morale wasn't very high. This year does have a different feel and a fresh start for the players. If IU can close the Wisky and Ohio St. games out and beat a bad NW team on the road, they are 10-6. I understand close doesn't count, but the opportunity has been there: IU just hasn't been able to seal the deal. Seasons can come down to just a few possessions.

I don't think this team is a world beater, but they are good enough to at least make the NCAA Tourney. I'm not going to pretend that Rob was consistent every game. But, maybe IU wins another game or two if he is healthy.

also came a whisker from losing to Eastern something state earlier this year.

 

[mushroomgod_1]

I've watched a couple of their games recently. Al is actually THE playmaker at the end of games. So incredibly happy for him

Sure, good for him. But my question is how in the holy hell is that team 22-3 and 12-2 in conference with AL being the 2nd leading scorer and the go-to guy at the end of games?

And it's not like he's having a crazy good year--he's hitting a little over 40% of his 2s and .213 of his 3s. And his other #s are really any better than they were at IU, except his FT shooting.

Is their defense that good? Do they have a dominating shot-blocking center? A great pg? Obviously no legit big-time scorer because their #1 scorer is avg 1 more pt a game than Al. I have 0 idea because I haven't watched 10 seconds of them this year........and I know the Big East won the challenge this year......but their record makes me think the BT may be better positioned to do well in the tourney then we think.

 

[mushroomgod_1]

wasn't railing on this team's desire... just not sure it's any more evident than last year

TJD? Looked fairly uninterested last night. Certainly not inspired. 3-13 from the field, 7-13 of FTs. Is that 'giving everything'? (this is for still, not Sammy).

 

[.Gerdis]

Sure, good for him. But my question is how in the holy hell is that team 22-3 and 12-2 in conference with AL being the 2nd leading scorer and the go-to guy at the end of games?

And it's not like he's having a crazy good year--he's hitting a little over 40% of his 2s and .213 of his 3s. And his other #s are really any better than they were at IU, except his FT shooting.

Is their defense that good? Do they have a dominating shot-blocking center? A great pg? Obviously no legit big-time scorer because their #1 scorer is avg 1 more pt a game than Al. I have 0 idea because I haven't watched 10 seconds of them this year........and I know the Big East won the challenge this year......but their record makes me think the BT may be better positioned to do well in the tourney then we think.

I believe they have won a ton of close ones. Supposedly Al has been clutch for them.

 

[T.M.P.]

I believe they have won a ton of close ones. Supposedly Al has been clutch for them.

Al Durham is getting 7.2 FTA per game in conference play and hitting at 85+%. To put that into perspective. That's about the same amount of FTA as Kofi, and higher than TJD. From dribble penetration.

5 FTA is good for a driving wing. 7 is exceptional.

He's not shooting well from three but getting to the line at that ratio, especially for his position, is phenomenal. Imagine having a wing go to the line 7 times and hitting 6. That would really have helped this team.

All those years getting fouled in the big (avg a high of 4 FT per game) with no calls is paying off for him in a league with real refs... Almost doubled attempts and fouls drawn.

 

[bailey777]

I think Archie had ran the team and the program into the ground, and morale wasn't very high. This year does have a different feel and a fresh start for the players. If IU can close the Wisky and Ohio St. games out and beat a bad NW team on the road, they are 10-6. I understand close doesn't count, but the opportunity has been there: IU just hasn't been able to seal the deal. Seasons can come down to just a few possessions.

I don't think this team is a world beater, but they are good enough to at least make the NCAA Tourney. I'm not going to pretend that Rob was consistent every game. But, maybe IU wins another game or two if he is healthy.

But we didn't win them and that momentum is gone and fans are very frustrated. It had s different feel when we were 7-4 but it does not anymore it feels just luke last year honestly if you read the comments

 

[bailey777]

Aside from TJD, Race and Bates, this is a Dayton-level roster.

Transfers are from average b-ball schools. Kopp is from NW. XJ and Stewart are from Pitt. Durr from South Florida.

We’re all pulling for this group and IU, but the sad reality is the talent level is not there. Plain and simple.

I really hope durr is not one of our top two options down low next season.

 

[Pledgemygrievance]

I really hope durr is not one of our top two options down low next season.

Agree! I think they’ll have three … Logan, Durr and either a portal person or I could see Woodson playing Race some at the 5 if he stays. But more likely a portal I would think.

 

[bailey777]

Agree! I think they’ll have three … Logan, Durr and either a portal person or I could see Woodson playing Race some at the 5 if he stays. But more likely a portal I would think.

You think Logan will go from not playing to starting? That is a massive jump. Hope he has the summer of his life.

 

[bsmitty08]

Plus our schedule sucks this year. Last year much tougher.

 

[bailey777]

Plus our schedule sucks this year. Last year much tougher.

Next year I think the schedule is really tough in the preseason. Yikes.

 

[bsmitty08]

Next year I think the schedule is really tough in the preseason. Yikes.

I do t see the Woodson reign having much success

 

[Pledgemygrievance]

You think Logan will go from not playing to starting? That is a massive jump. Hope he has the summer of his life.

Huh? Not starting. But one of three big men next year.

 

[bailey777]

I do t see the Woodson reign having much success

Needs to hit the portal hard. This team cannot start durr and duncomb and expect to compete in the big ten.

 

[frikkenfrakken]

Sure, good for him. But my question is how in the holy hell is that team 22-3 and 12-2 in conference with AL being the 2nd leading scorer and the go-to guy at the end of games?

And it's not like he's having a crazy good year--he's hitting a little over 40% of his 2s and .213 of his 3s. And his other #s are really any better than they were at IU, except his FT shooting.

Is their defense that good? Do they have a dominating shot-blocking center? A great pg? Obviously no legit big-time scorer because their #1 scorer is avg 1 more pt a game than Al. I have 0 idea because I haven't watched 10 seconds of them this year........and I know the Big East won the challenge this year......but their record makes me think the BT may be better positioned to do well in the tourney then we think.

They are really lucky this year. They are 10-1 in games decided by 5 points or less.

They are #1 in luck factor on kenpom by a wide margin.

But yeah, the Big refs are terrible too. Put Al in a conference where he doesn't have to win a wrestling match in order to get a shot off and he becomes a decent player. HT to TMP.

 

[ufo33]

Better defensively but worse offensively

 

[SRIV94]

They are really lucky this year. They are 10-1 in games decided by 5 points or less.

They are #1 in luck factor on kenpom by a wide margin.

But yeah, the Big refs are terrible too. Put Al in a conference where he doesn't have to win a wrestling match in order to get a shot off and he becomes a decent player. HT to TMP.

Al must be the reason. Even Arch beat PROV last year, and we sucked.

/Only half of that is accurate. Up to you to guess which half.

 

[frikkenfrakken]

Al must be the reason. Even Arch beat PROV last year, and we sucked.

/Only half of that is accurate. Up to you to guess which half.

Well, as noted above, he has been a very good free throw shooter this year, so he probably is playing a part in closing out those close games by making his free throws.

But if I fill out a bracket this year, they will probably be one of my upsets.

 

[SoccerSammy]

Well, as noted above, he has been a very good free throw shooter this year, so he probably is playing a part in closing out those close games by making his free throws.

But if I fill out a bracket this year, they will probably be one of my upsets.

Providence has moxie this year.... they could actually make a deep run

 

[go_iu]

I've watched a couple of their games recently. Al is actually THE playmaker at the end of games. So incredibly happy for him

I was too, did you see that trick shot he threw up there. It's Google worthy, from yesterday, crazy shot, but he did know what he was doing to put English on it like that