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So…now what do we need?

The bubble is so weak this year...that I'd bet a lot of money that the "eye test" will play a bigger role than normal.

I bet Memphis not only gets in, but has a 9-10 seed instead of the 12 playin type seed that their resume warrants. Because of how dominant they've looked recently.

For us...

A very competitive, close loss to Purdue, and then a win over MSU...would get us serious consideration.

Whereas a blowout loss to Purdue, and a win over MSU would get us less consideration.

Conversely, a win over Purdue, and a close loss to MSU...and I'd guess strongly that we're in.

A win over Purdue, and a blowout loss to MSU...and we'd be in serious Jeopardy.

The eye test is impossible to ingore when they'll be comparing us with a handful of other teams with similar mediocre resumes.
I disagree. I think wins over quality teams and losses over bad opponents are all that matters, the W's and L's to those teams. They don't take last second lucky shots into consideration, one way or the other. They haven't got the time to analyze past "good team" or "bad team" "W's" or "L's". That said, time will tell. Gone are the days when "Indiana" gave us special preference.
 
Probably need 2 more wins, if we don’t beat Purdue.

This is correct. People have closed the door on the tourney, but I disagree that it's closed. Most places I've seen still have us first 4 out. We're not winning at Purdue, so scratch that. But I believe that two wins in the BTT puts us in a position, dependent on what other teams do. I still think there is a reasonable path here.
 
As Purdue fan that comes in peace, a win over the Boilers gets the Hoosiers in, if that doesn’t happen than 2 for sure 3 Big Ten tourney wins gets IU in. Entertaining game last night, my question would be why are Koop and Stewart shooting late in games, Johnson’s been hot lately, he’s the one I’d want taking the outside shot. Not sure Woodson’s the answer but he has IU playing hard and for the most part they play really good D.
 
Hard fought game tonight, as expected.

If you sweep Purdue and win one in Indy, I think you are bubbly. If you lose at Mackey, I think you better make the B1G tournament finals to have a chance.
You don't have any bad losses, really, but sitting on only three Q1 wins right now will hurt.

We need to beat PSU Sunday or we could throw back what we got tonight.
We made it hard fought, just like the Minny game and many other losses this year. As long as these players continue to look at each other as if to say "Is it my turn to step up? Are you going to step up? this team is done. X has done it a few times, Rob, etc., but someone needs to take this team by the balls an will it to win.

Sadly, I just don't think we have players that hate losing, it's as though this is a slightly preferred seasonal job or something.
 
This is correct. People have closed the door on the tourney, but I disagree that it's closed. Most places I've seen still have us first 4 out. We're not winning at Purdue, so scratch that. But I believe that two wins in the BTT puts us in a position, dependent on what other teams do. I still think there is a reasonable path here.
We are not making the NCAA we have this same discussion every year going into the big ten tourney and we lay an egg every year. You are simply setting yourself up for a massive letdown if you think this group of players has what it takes to win two straight on a nuetral court in the BTT. Heck we have lost four of the last five home games. There is a path but it is not reasonable or even realistic at all imo. This team does not have what it takes to win two staight in the BTT.
 
As Purdue fan that comes in peace, a win over the Boilers gets the Hoosiers in, if that doesn’t happen than 2 for sure 3 Big Ten tourney wins gets IU in. Entertaining game last night, my question would be why are Koop and Stewart shooting late in games, Johnson’s been hot lately, he’s the one I’d want taking the outside shot. Not sure Woodson’s the answer but he has IU playing hard and for the most part they play really good D.

Honestly, this team doesn’t deserve the tournament and I think we’re wasting time even entertaining that pipe dream (no offense).

The entire program needs to be reevaluated at every level. And maybe we need less “IU guys” around the various levels (coaching, admin, etc.). Maybe bring in someone who thinks differently, because we are approaching a DECADE without being in the NCAA tournament.
This team had five very winnable games and all we had to do was win two of those and we are in. Instead we blew every single one of them. Like you said IU does not deserve the NCAA. We have the talent to be in games til the end but our losing mentality assures we blow every one of them. Heck we almost blew the game at Minnesota. The program is an utter mess and Woodson better spend alot of time trying to figure out what is wrong and fix it fast or we will simply assure we are another big ten bottom feeder forever.

Wisconsin - twice
Ohio State
Rutgers
Northewestern
 
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We are not making the NCAA we have this same discussion every year going into the big ten tourney and we lay an egg every year. You are simply setting yourself up for a massive letdown if you think this group of players has what it takes to win two straight on a nuetral court in the BTT. Heck we have lost four of the last five home games. There is a path but it is not reasonable or even realistic at all imo. This team does not have what it takes to win two staight in the BTT.

I'm not setting myself up for a letdown. I haven't had any true hope in years. I'm just suggesting that two BTT wins would probably get us in. We're not that far out of the discussion.

But no, it won't ruin my Sunday if our name isn't called. If it is, terrific. If not, oh well.
 
I'm not setting myself up for a letdown. I haven't had any true hope in years. I'm just suggesting that two BTT wins would probably get us in. We're not that far out of the discussion.

But no, it won't ruin my Sunday if our name isn't called. If it is, terrific. If not, oh well.
No we are not but we had five very winnable games down the strech and blew them all. Win two of those and we are in. Now we have to have to go and try and make the semis of the BTT. We have made the semis 4 times in 27 years and not once since like 2008. After we likely get run out of Mackey Arena I just dont see this team putting up much fight vs a team like Michigan.
 
The "once mighty" has fallen and there are a lot of folks finding it nice to see, us wallowing in misery. Sadly, I report, there is no end in sight to see, no end to our misery.
I'm not happy ..But far from misery..
I thought since early January we're a bubble team..
Many of my IU friends were saying ..Aren't en't they better than last yr ?
My reply was ..You couldn't place a piece of paper between them...
 
In terms of players, here is what I want.
1. A true point guard Who can handle the ball effectively late in the game. A guy Who has the judgment to know when to pull up rather than go all the way to the basket, and one Who doesn't leave the floor with no idea of whether to pass or shoot.

2. A big man Who can step out on the floor and hit a mid-range jumper and an occasional 3 as the Clock expires. The Dickinson kid from Michigan comes to mind.

3. A true shooting guard or small forward Who can hit an open shot when the opportunity presents itself.
 
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