Talked to a UNC fan this past week . . .

[Sope Creek]

. . . they're aware that IU's roster is better than it has been, and they have the game at IU on November 30 circled. They're aware of Trayce and Race . . . the guy I talked to wanted to know about X a bit . . . he didn't know that Trayce was Dale's son, but he knew who Dale was. He asked about the 5* frosh . . . I didn't have much to say because I hadn't seen them play . . .

. . . UNC is looking at this as a test of their team, and an early marker for how good their season might be. I didn't have the heart to tell him that UNC beat IU by nine early in the 80-81 national championship run . . . .

 

[Cavanagh]

We might win that game by double digits, but definitely will win. Will be the best environment the hall has seen in 10 years. Bet the farm. LOCK

 

[The Vid]

We might win that game by double digits, but definitely will win. Will be the best environment the hall has seen in 10 years. Bet the farm. LOCK

I tend to agree with this. It will be a version of last time they played at SSAH and got smoked.

 

[ulrey]

. . . they're aware that IU's roster is better than it has been, and they have the game at IU on November 30 scheduled. They're aware of Trayce and Race . . . the guy I talked to wanted to know about X a bit . . . he didn't know that Trayce was Dale's son, but he knew who Dale was. He asked about the 5* frosh . . . I didn't have much to say because I hadn't seen them play . . .

. . . UNC is looking at this as a test of their team, and an early marker for how good their season might be. I didn't have the heart to tell him that UNC beat IU by nine early in the 80-81 national championship run . . . .

Knight owned Smith.. Am I right?

 

[Sope Creek]

Knight owned Smith.. Am I right?

Not on December 20, 1980 . . .

. . . but when it counted on March 30, 1981, absolutely!

 

[ulrey]

Not on December 20, 1980 . . .

. . . but when it counted on March 30, 1981, absolutely!

… march 22 1984 ring a bell ?

 

[Cavanagh]

March 31st 1985 anyone?>>>>>

 

[ulrey]

March 31st 1985 anyone?>>>>>

??

 

[birdforbogey]

??

Probably his birthday

 

[Champs1976]

We might win that game by double digits, but definitely will win. Will be the best environment the hall has seen in 10 years. Bet the farm. LOCK

Rewatched NC/Baylor in the tournament. Pretty interesting to compare NC offense to IU's. NC never ran two guys down low in the paint like IU did, NC's spacing much better than IU and Love/Davis two pretty good guards who are both over 36% in 3pt. FG and lights out from the line - 83/86%.

Maybe IU's defense is disruptive, but Baylor plays pretty good D also. I hope that's how it turns out, HC will make a difference for IU I think, but NC has a lot coming back. CMW has a lot to do on the offensive end to be more competitive against NC, AZ and KU.

 

[reluctantnit]

. . . they're aware that IU's roster is better than it has been, and they have the game at IU on November 30 circled. They're aware of Trayce and Race . . . the guy I talked to wanted to know about X a bit . . . he didn't know that Trayce was Dale's son, but he knew who Dale was. He asked about the 5* frosh . . . I didn't have much to say because I hadn't seen them play . . .

. . . UNC is looking at this as a test of their team, and an early marker for how good their season might be. I didn't have the heart to tell him that UNC beat IU by nine early in the 80-81 national championship run . . . .

UNC would be my pre-season pick for NCCA champ. They essentially have their team back from last year and went to the final game.,.

 

[kkott]

UNC would be my pre-season pick for NCCA champ. They essentially have their team back from last year and went to the final game.,.

Not entirely. They lost a much bigger and more crucial piece than we did in Brady Manek. I'm not sure he was their best player last year, but he likely may have been their most important. Much bigger loss for them vs Parker Stewart for us. Now, it does seem like they filled that spot really well with the Northwestern kid, but I think Manek's influence was as big or bigger in the locker room than on the court.

 

[Courtsensetwo]

We might win that game by double digits, but definitely will win. Will be the best environment the hall has seen in 10 years. Bet the farm. LOCK

Well, the last one was in 2016 vs #3 UNC and that room will be tough to beat. 17,450 Hoosier fans, 20 UNC fans, Kyle Schwarber, Jim Cornelison ripping the acoustic tiles off the ceiling. That will be tough to beat my friend.

 

[Cavanagh]

Well, the last one was in 2016 vs #3 UNC and that room will be tough to beat. 17,450 Hoosier fans, 20 UNC fans, Kyle Schwarber, Jim Cornelison ripping the acoustic tiles off the ceiling. That will be tough to beat my friend.

This will be better.

 

[Courtsensetwo]

This will be better.

Can't wait

 

[Coach Geez]

Rewatched NC/Baylor in the tournament. Pretty interesting to compare NC offense to IU's. NC never ran two guys down low in the paint like IU did, NC's spacing much better than IU and Love/Davis two pretty good guards who are both over 36% in 3pt. FG and lights out from the line - 83/86%.

Maybe IU's defense is disruptive, but Baylor plays pretty good D also. I hope that's how it turns out, HC will make a difference for IU I think, but NC has a lot coming back. CMW has a lot to do on the offensive end to be more competitive against NC, AZ and KU.

The UNC team you saw for 3 weeks in March wasn't anywhere close to the UNC team in the regular season. That's the beauty of the NCAAT. UNC had one Quad 1 win heading into their finale at Cameroon Indoor and parlayed that into a F4 run featuring a hurt Baylor squad (in which they blew a 20+ point lead in regulation) and a broken bracket. They lost to Pitt at home by double digits after trailing by 20+ for the majority of it and were squarely on the bubble before their big win at Duke. Also lost to Purdue by 30 back in December.

UNC is undoubtedly talented with two great guards and a monster in the middle who plays very similar to TJD. But if you followed them throughout the year, they played horrific defense and if they weren't shooting lights out from 3, they were an average team at best. They're getting quite the preseason pub given the way they finished the season and returning a strong nucleus, but this is a game I would expect Indiana to win at home and wouldn't be surprised if they won convincingly. UNC has been blown out in their last two trips to Bloomington.

 

[.Gerdis]

The UNC team you saw for 3 weeks in March wasn't anywhere close to the UNC team in the regular season. That's the beauty of the NCAAT. UNC had one Quad 1 win heading into their finale at Cameroon Indoor and parlayed that into a F4 run featuring a hurt Baylor squad (in which they blew a 20+ point lead in regulation) and a broken bracket. They lost to Pitt at home by double digits after trailing by 20+ for the majority of it and were squarely on the bubble before their big win at Duke. Also lost to Purdue by 30 back in December.

UNC is undoubtedly talented with two great guards and a monster in the middle who plays very similar to TJD. But if you followed them throughout the year, they played horrific defense and if they weren't shooting lights out from 3, they were an average team at best. They're getting quite the preseason pub given the way they finished the season and returning a strong nucleus, but this is a game I would expect Indiana to win at home and wouldn't be surprised if they won convincingly. UNC has been blown out in their last two trips to Bloomington.

Weren’t they an 8 seed?

 

[Coach Geez]

Weren’t the an 8 seed?

Yes and were graciously overseeded at that. Namesake went a long way for their seeding.

If you take out their tournament opponents (which wouldn't have been factored at the time of seeding), UNC last year:

2-4 against Q1 opponents, 6-1 against Q2 opponents and had a Q4 loss on their home court all in a historically weak ACC. Compare UNC's resume to Indiana's and the Hoosiers got absolutely jobbed by the committee.

 

[.Gerdis]

Yes and were graciously overseeded at that. Namesake went a long way for their seeding.

If you take out their tournament opponents (which wouldn't have been factored at the time of seeding), UNC last year:

2-4 against Q1 opponents, 6-1 against Q2 opponents and had a Q4 loss on their home court all in a historically weak ACC. Compare UNC's resume to Indiana's and the Hoosiers got absolutely jobbed by the committee.

And back to your original point, that is the beauty and perhaps the unfairness of the tourney.

Fans set up mystical things to measure success “sweet 16”, “elite 8”, or (bad) “first round loss”. None of those three labels gets a trophy. We discount something earned over the course of a season, such as a seed and overhype a couple of games in the tourney. And, it’s fun, and I get it.

I’m sure IU fans would prefer to be be a nine seed this year and go to an elite eight, over a #1 seed that gets bounced by a 9 seed in round 2.

 

[hookyIU1990]

Yes and were graciously overseeded at that. Namesake went a long way for their seeding.

If you take out their tournament opponents (which wouldn't have been factored at the time of seeding), UNC last year:

2-4 against Q1 opponents, 6-1 against Q2 opponents and had a Q4 loss on their home court all in a historically weak ACC. Compare UNC's resume to Indiana's and the Hoosiers got absolutely jobbed by the committee.

At one point in Feb, they still didn't have a Q1 win on their record. Talk about timing and getting it together at the right time.

 

[IUNorth]

The UNC team you saw for 3 weeks in March wasn't anywhere close to the UNC team in the regular season. That's the beauty of the NCAAT. UNC had one Quad 1 win heading into their finale at Cameroon Indoor and parlayed that into a F4 run featuring a hurt Baylor squad (in which they blew a 20+ point lead in regulation) and a broken bracket. They lost to Pitt at home by double digits after trailing by 20+ for the majority of it and were squarely on the bubble before their big win at Duke. Also lost to Purdue by 30 back in December.

UNC is undoubtedly talented with two great guards and a monster in the middle who plays very similar to TJD. But if you followed them throughout the year, they played horrific defense and if they weren't shooting lights out from 3, they were an average team at best. They're getting quite the preseason pub given the way they finished the season and returning a strong nucleus, but this is a game I would expect Indiana to win at home and wouldn't be surprised if they won convincingly. UNC has been blown out in their last two trips to Bloomington.

There's been quite a lot of talk about Coach Davis changing their focus during the season from the traditional UNC "high low", post centric, offense...to what we saw at the end of the year, and in the tournament.

Their run is part of the fuel for my insistence on IU doing the same. I haven't used UNC much though, as an example of what we should do, mainly because their players around Bacot are very different than our players. Bacot is a decent TJD comp, though I think TJD is much more athletic and versatile than Bacot is. But neither are threats from the 3, and both can dominate inside.

But if you watch games of theirs early in the season, versus their tournament run, they were MUCH more spread out, and perimeter focused. That allowed guys like Davis, Love, and Manek to flourish. And Bacot still made huge impacts.

 

[kkott]

There's been quite a lot of talk about Coach Davis changing their focus during the season from the traditional UNC "high low", post centric, offense...to what we saw at the end of the year, and in the tournament.

Their run is part of the fuel for my insistence on IU doing the same. I haven't used UNC much though, as an example of what we should do, mainly because their players around Bacot are very different than our players. Bacot is a decent TJD comp, though I think TJD is much more athletic and versatile than Bacot is. But neither are threats from the 3, and both can dominate inside.

But if you watch games of theirs early in the season, versus their tournament run, they were MUCH more spread out, and perimeter focused. That allowed guys like Davis, Love, and Manek to flourish. And Bacot still made huge impacts.

There's a reason: you have to guard a Davis, Love or Manek 23' from the basket! Not so much with Thompson, Galloway or Geronimo! I'd love it if we can get there, but we just don't have the guys to play that way. If I'm guarding Race, Trey or Jordan, I'm happily letting them do what they want from 23', because my butt is going to be waiting on them, or their rebound, with a foot in the paint!

 

[IUNorth]

There's a reason: you have to guard a Davis, Love or Manek 23' from the basket! Not so much with Thompson, Galloway or Geronimo! I'd love it if we can get there, but we just don't have the guys to play that way. If I'm guarding Race, Trey or Jordan, I'm happily letting them do what they want from 23', because my butt is going to be waiting on them, or their rebound, with a foot in the paint!

You do have to guard X that far from the basket.

I suspect you'd have to guard Tamar when he becomes a regular rotation guy.

Kopp is a mid 30's percent guy from the 3.

JHS not sure. Geronimo probably not, but he did show some abilities shooting the ball. Galloway, likely not.

But even if you wouldn't need to guard them, a more open paint/middle of the defense is the goal anyways.

Since we're likely not going to be proficient from the outside, why, on earth, wouldn't we do everything we can to open up the areas of the floor that we could be proficient?

TJD and Race have already shown they can be really, really, good in the post. But how they were able to do that last year, led to our teams offensive efficiency hovering around 100 nationally... If they were...Zach Edey type players, I'd agree with you. Find creative ways to get them the ball as much as possible 3 feet from the basket. They're not. They're both mobile, good with the ball going to the basket, bouncy, etc... There are better ways to utilize them. I hope Woody finds those better ways.

 

[T.M.P.]

Not entirely. They lost a much bigger and more crucial piece than we did in Brady Manek. I'm not sure he was their best player last year, but he likely may have been their most important. Much bigger loss for them vs Parker Stewart for us. Now, it does seem like they filled that spot really well with the Northwestern kid, but I think Manek's influence was as big or bigger in the locker room than on the court.

They also have a deeper bench this year, though a bit young. UNC should go 8 deep, where last year the main rotation was basically 6. That was part of the reason Kansas put on a late run...

You give Manek credit for Garcia leaving and improving the chemistry? Hmmm ...

That helped regardless what dynamic was at play, but it was Love's improved play that made them a different team during that run.

 

[kkott]

They also have a deeper bench this year, though a bit young. UNC should go 8 deep, where last year the main rotation was basically 6. That was part of the reason Kansas put on a late run...

You give Manek credit for Garcia leaving and improving the chemistry? Hmmm ...

That helped regardless what dynamic was at play, but it was Love's improved play that made them a different team during that run.

I don't really know, but I can tell you that's a pretty widely held opinion in Baby Blue Nation; and I'm sure you can find articles on it. And, I didn't mean to say Manek had anything to do with Garcia leaving, which I believe was a family issue, but his leaving solidified their rotation and gave Manek more minutes and that's generally when their season turned around.

Check the last couple sentences of this article. This is a widely help opinion of Tar Heel fans. I think Love was pretty solid all season, but Garcia took a fair # of minutes and shots so they were better off with Manek getting those minutes and Manek, Love, etc... taking those shots. I think Manek was a bigger influence in their turnaround than Love.

Dawson Garcia Transfer Portal

 

[MG80]

The UNC team you saw for 3 weeks in March wasn't anywhere close to the UNC team in the regular season. That's the beauty of the NCAAT. UNC had one Quad 1 win heading into their finale at Cameroon Indoor and parlayed that into a F4 run featuring a hurt Baylor squad (in which they blew a 20+ point lead in regulation) and a broken bracket. They lost to Pitt at home by double digits after trailing by 20+ for the majority of it and were squarely on the bubble before their big win at Duke. Also lost to Purdue by 30 back in December.

UNC is undoubtedly talented with two great guards and a monster in the middle who plays very similar to TJD. But if you followed them throughout the year, they played horrific defense and if they weren't shooting lights out from 3, they were an average team at best. They're getting quite the preseason pub given the way they finished the season and returning a strong nucleus, but this is a game I would expect Indiana to win at home and wouldn't be surprised if they won convincingly. UNC has been blown out in their last two trips to Bloomington.

Spot on analysis. If their guards don't dominate us, and X and company basically play them even, we'll be ok. And as much as I love watching Bacot play, I like TJD's athleticism against him. They are really going to miss Manek's toughness and ability to get hot from deep.

 

[IUNorth]

Spot on analysis. If their guards don't dominate us, and X and company basically play them even, we'll be ok. And as much as I love watching Bacot play, I like TJD's athleticism against him. They are really going to miss Manek's toughness and ability to get hot from deep.

This game will be a very interesting barometer...Caleb Love is exactly the type of player that destroyed us last year, especially late in games.

To me, that'll decide the game in all likelihood. We're pretty even with them at all other positions, depth, etc...

Davis and XJ is a pretty decent matchup.
Black and Kopp are very different players, but overall output is pretty similar.
Nance and RT is a good comp.
Bacot and TJD is a good matchup.

Their bench will be pretty good with guys like Puff Johnson. But ours should be too, albeit a tad unproven.

It'll be that Caleb Love matchup that could get us. If our guys that will fill that matchup do well, that could be a very good early sign for us.

 

[kkott]

This game will be a very interesting barometer...Caleb Love is exactly the type of player that destroyed us last year, especially late in games.

To me, that'll decide the game in all likelihood. We're pretty even with them at all other positions, depth, etc...

Davis and XJ is a pretty decent matchup.
Black and Kopp are very different players, but overall output is pretty similar.
Nance and RT is a good comp.
Bacot and TJD is a good matchup.

Their bench will be pretty good with guys like Puff Johnson. But ours should be too, albeit a tad unproven.

It'll be that Caleb Love matchup that could get us. If our guys that will fill that matchup do well, that could be a very good early sign for us.

Hey, something we agree on!

Love is a matchup problem for us, but he's also been hot and cold... even within his "big" games last year, several times he had a huge half and a modest one. The other thing you didn't address is the venue; I'm counting on the Hall to be rocking and it could/should have an influence for an early season game.

The interesting thing of course is who gets the Love matchup: TB, JHS or put them on RJ and put XJ on Love? I'd guess it will be all 3 and maybe some Galloway if he's back. JHS's reputation is that of a good defender, so maybe we'll get to see it here! Great matchup! My UNC friends are not worried in the slightest I can tell you that!

 

[IUNorth]

Hey, something we agree on!

Love is a matchup problem for us, but he's also been hot and cold... even within his "big" games last year, several times he had a huge half and a modest one. The other thing you didn't address is the venue; I'm counting on the Hall to be rocking and it could/should have an influence for an early season game.

The interesting thing of course is who gets the Love matchup: TB, JHS or put them on RJ and put XJ on Love? I'd guess it will be all 3 and maybe some Galloway if he's back. JHS's reputation is that of a good defender, so maybe we'll get to see it here! Great matchup! My UNC friends are not worried in the slightest I can tell you that!

The Hall will be electric. Can't wait. Just worried that we don't have anyone capable of stopping Love if he gets hot late in the game. That bit us more than once last season. And while we brought in some talented players, I'm not sure we addressed that particular weakness. Its one of the reasons I was openly wanting Dexter Dennis to come to IU, despite him not helping to solve the shooting issues.

 

[T.M.P.]

I don't really know, but I can tell you that's a pretty widely held opinion in Baby Blue Nation; and I'm sure you can find articles on it. And, I didn't mean to say Manek had anything to do with Garcia leaving, which I believe was a family issue, but his leaving solidified their rotation and gave Manek more minutes and that's generally when their season turned around.

Check the last couple sentences of this article. This is a widely help opinion of Tar Heel fans. I think Love was pretty solid all season, but Garcia took a fair # of minutes and shots so they were better off with Manek getting those minutes and Manek, Love, etc... taking those shots. I think Manek was a bigger influence in their turnaround than Love.

Dawson Garcia Transfer Portal

Two turnarounds ... one in conference, one post conference tournaments. 1st was Manek, 2nd was Love.

 

[kkott]

This game will be a very interesting barometer...Caleb Love is exactly the type of player that destroyed us last year, especially late in games.

To me, that'll decide the game in all likelihood. We're pretty even with them at all other positions, depth, etc...

Davis and XJ is a pretty decent matchup.
Black and Kopp are very different players, but overall output is pretty similar.
Nance and RT is a good comp.
Bacot and TJD is a good matchup.

Their bench will be pretty good with guys like Puff Johnson. But ours should be too, albeit a tad unproven.

It'll be that Caleb Love matchup that could get us. If our guys that will fill that matchup do well, that could be a very good early sign for us.

"he's an all-around player on the defensive end. He picks up the ball 94 feet. He's going to defend their best players and he's just going to be a spark plug regardless if he's starting or he's coming off the bench, and he's just a great guy to be around." Malik Reanu on Jalen Hood Schifino!

hard to think about a freshman being put on the other team's star guard, but I bet we'll see JHS on Love, along with Tamar and maybe even Trey if he's back. XJ could slide over too, but then that means someone has to deal with RJ Davis and I would guess that's where they'll leave XJ most of the time.

 

[hookyIU1990]

"he's an all-around player on the defensive end. He picks up the ball 94 feet. He's going to defend their best players and he's just going to be a spark plug regardless if he's starting or he's coming off the bench, and he's just a great guy to be around." Malik Reanu on Jalen Hood Schifino!

hard to think about a freshman being put on the other team's star guard, but I bet we'll see JHS on Love, along with Tamar and maybe even Trey if he's back. XJ could slide over too, but then that means someone has to deal with RJ Davis and I would guess that's where they'll leave XJ most of the time.

It's just nice to finally be back in a position where we're excited about that kind of match up potential again.

 

[kkott]

It's just nice to finally be back in a position where we're excited about that kind of match up potential again.

I'll take a younger guy who really loves the challenge of trying to stop someone but will get beat on occassion over an upperclassmen who knows where to be, but doesn't "love" to play defense anyday! I don't usually have expectations for freshmen but I'm really hoping with their experience at Montverde and 2 HS national championships that they bring a winning expectation and tough minded expectation to this team. Something we've not had for a very, very long time!

 

[Cavanagh]

The Hall will be electric. Can't wait. Just worried that we don't have anyone capable of stopping Love if he gets hot late in the game. That bit us more than once last season. And while we brought in some talented players, I'm not sure we addressed that particular weakness. Its one of the reasons I was openly wanting Dexter Dennis to come to IU, despite him not helping to solve the shooting issues.

This is where JHS could shine. I could see him being elite defensively from the jump.

 

[8Stars5Banners]

The Hall will be electric. Can't wait. Just worried that we don't have anyone capable of stopping Love if he gets hot late in the game. That bit us more than once last season. And while we brought in some talented players, I'm not sure we addressed that particular weakness. Its one of the reasons I was openly wanting Dexter Dennis to come to IU, despite him not helping to solve the shooting issues.

This is as excited as I’ve been to be in the hall since IU - UM in 2013. Have 2 season tickets and am planning to buy a couple (I’m sure at a crazy price) for my daughter and a friend to be named later. Told my daughter that her friends will have to apply for that ticket!!

 

[ericrossiu]

IU blows the tarholes out by over 15. Going to be a fun season, especially March

Go IU

 

[Cavanagh]

. Told my daughter that her friends will have to apply for that ticket!!

and by apply it is going to be group voting on the AOTF of something in a 2 piece.

 

[8Stars5Banners]

and by apply it is going to be group voting on the AOTF of something in a 2 piece.

I’ll let you choose for me!!

 

[Cavanagh]

I’ll let you choose for me!!

Gladly .

 

[Courtsensetwo]

This is as excited as I’ve been to be in the hall since IU - UM in 2013. Have 2 season tickets and am planning to buy a couple (I’m sure at a crazy price) for my daughter and a friend to be named later. Told my daughter that her friends will have to apply for that ticket!!

Both the UNC and KU games are perfectly timed development events.

Not sure we blow either out and could come out on the short end of the score but these experiences will pay far bigger dividends in conf and post season than any early season W in a made for TV matchup.