IU Wonderment

Anyone watch the Hoosier game last night? I did via TIVO delay. Short story is that they followed up a terrible performance against Illinois with an even worse performance against Minnesota. They had something around 26 turnovers last night, when they average 14 and a half. They simply look like crap.

My dilemma is whether or not to push these two crappy victories aside and say at least they won both games or to say, they really aren't as good as we think. I am going to make the case for the former.

Against Illinois - who is terrible in everything except for the fact that Ali's cousin Meg goes there - the Hoosiers had no offensive rhythm, they took bad fouls and didn't seem too excited to be playing in front of a national CBS audience. (By the way, the fact that Billy Packer was there would make me lethargic too - the guy sucks - mainly because he openly roots against IU. It's true - I have proven it, to myself, many times.) Against Minnesota last night - the Hoosiers didn't seem to remember how to throw the basketball to each other. They kept trying to throw it to the scorers table, the officials, Minn players, the mascot, the hot dog guy, just about everyone in the building except someone with an IU jersey. They shot a great percentage from the field and only missed two free throws - yet - they should have lost. They lost their best player to freshman-itis when Gordon couldn't figure out that he had a target on his back from the refs. (I thought the refereeing was fair last night - Minn got some homer calls, which one should expect - IU got the same calls against Illinois - just adapt and change what you are doing.)

So for two games in a row - one at home and one on the road - IU played like me in 5th grade - and I am bad. Yet, they won both games. How? Not sure, they should have lost at least last night. How do they do it then? I think its the internal mojo - they just don't want to lose to inferior opposition and when it comes down to the end, they are going to make it happen. I definitely wish they would understand that throughout the whole game though and make the other team play IU basketball for once instead of playing into the opposition's game plan.

Here are some random thoughts about this year's Hoosiers:
Not getting the Big Ten Network sucks.
Gordon will be good, but he is definitely young. Every time he shoots, you get a feeling that its going in.
As far as game planning - maybe they have to play the opponents game plan because Sampson doesn't have one.
DJ White is finally a beast. He is playing pissed off and it shows in his numbers and desire to kick ass. Averaging a double-double in college is huge.
I wish Deandre Thomas could play more - he is fat, but smooth.
Why doesn't Jamarcus Ellis drive more often. Last night he had some slow white dude on him - drive and kick - take the point guard role over.
Jordan Crawford is a great shooter - sometimes. Sampson should not let him attempt a three pointer until he makes a 15 foot jump shot - I think that once he gets the feeling and confidence, he is lights out.
There is no reason for Mike White to touch the ball other than getting a rebound.
AJ Ratliff is disappointing.
Bassett is good when not injured (or suspended.)
I don't think I am a Sampson fan. I say give the job to McCallum.
At what point does a high ranking get into their heads and then they get blown out at Northwestern? Hopefully DJ will kick their asses before that happens.

Feel free to ridicule me for my opinions - but if you use anonymous, you are a wuss.