In a season that looks like a big disappointment and where they're projected to mostly lose out and miss the tournament and where they just lost a really close one at home in a mess of confusion and where the boo birds have been out at home and pretty much everybody is calling out the players and the coach and where effort and focus has been inconsistent at best, there was every reason to think a collapse was more likely than any kind of rebirth. But maybe other than that comeback stretch against Maryland last game, it sure looked like the players took it on themselves to fight back against the clear trajectory of the season. It was a really great game on the road against a really good team. Hats off to the players for sure. Really happy for them. That was a game worth watching and rooting for IU. Frankly, it was the first (only?) time in a long while. Stinks that they lost but the players seemed to take over and that's pretty respectable. I know we can't escape from the obvious Woodson story, but I don't think that should detract from what the players did Friday night.
If I give Woodson credit for anything, it's finally going with and sticking with Leal. He's been such a difference-maker. Huge hats off to Leal and great that he's finishing his IU career on such an upward arc. The combo of Leal, Galloway, Goode, Mgbako, and Ballo was basically terrific. Yes, there were flaws, but they battled and they produced in a way that we haven't seen this season. Mgbako was a surprise as well. He didn't just shoot well. He was active and clearly part of the answer. Ballo was a force like he's been all season (MVP for all his flaws) and wanted it as much as anybody (I'll come back to that). Goode and Galloway needed to be on the floor even if there were too many turnovers.
I think the game was over when Leal fouled out. Rice wasn't part of the groove and it was unsurprising the ball just went to and stayed in his hands at the end. That was unfortunate and I hate that he's something of the scapegoat. He bears some blame for an individual play, but I don't think he's been put in a position to be part of a better groove in that moment or during this season.
Ballo's scene at the end was unfortunate and it says not great things about the leadership in the program. It doesn't look great for Ballo, but he clearly cares and that's something about the program that was in doubt. The players, at least for this big game, answered that question loudly, even though it ended in a loss. And note who talked Ballo down. Also not a shocker. The leadership among the paid staff and administrators is where the questions should be clearly placed.
Painter's comments after the game were interesting. Sure seemed like a subtext that questioned Woodson.
If I give Woodson credit for anything, it's finally going with and sticking with Leal. He's been such a difference-maker. Huge hats off to Leal and great that he's finishing his IU career on such an upward arc. The combo of Leal, Galloway, Goode, Mgbako, and Ballo was basically terrific. Yes, there were flaws, but they battled and they produced in a way that we haven't seen this season. Mgbako was a surprise as well. He didn't just shoot well. He was active and clearly part of the answer. Ballo was a force like he's been all season (MVP for all his flaws) and wanted it as much as anybody (I'll come back to that). Goode and Galloway needed to be on the floor even if there were too many turnovers.
I think the game was over when Leal fouled out. Rice wasn't part of the groove and it was unsurprising the ball just went to and stayed in his hands at the end. That was unfortunate and I hate that he's something of the scapegoat. He bears some blame for an individual play, but I don't think he's been put in a position to be part of a better groove in that moment or during this season.
Ballo's scene at the end was unfortunate and it says not great things about the leadership in the program. It doesn't look great for Ballo, but he clearly cares and that's something about the program that was in doubt. The players, at least for this big game, answered that question loudly, even though it ended in a loss. And note who talked Ballo down. Also not a shocker. The leadership among the paid staff and administrators is where the questions should be clearly placed.
Painter's comments after the game were interesting. Sure seemed like a subtext that questioned Woodson.
