Battle 4 Atlantis opener against Louisville provides perfect opportunity for Hoosiers to validate early promise, buck big game struggles under Woodson.
Very nice presentation, Jarod. Professionally stated strength and weakness concerns while not being unduly critical. IU may well be defined for the pre-BIG season with the performance of players and coaches alike. Here's hoping! GO IU!!
This is a strong analysis of IU hoops current state. Well written and considered. The key to me is for the team to show increased toughness for the entire length of the game. This means defense, getting that first rebound and not only hitting the open man, but having the correct open man make the shot. There are lots of head coaches that can get teams to the "almost" status - the key now for Woody is to not only reach "almost" (which I'm not sure he has attained in his era), but to go past "almost" to "succeed in the biggest games". Cignetti has reframed Indiana football - but now and into the future must get the program to the "succeed" level. Woody needs to show the faithful this season, after all the portal recruits and NIL $ spent that he can get to the "succeed" level with a B1G regular season / tournament title and a deeper run in the NCAA. Let's see that progress this week, not just that "we're better, but still lost."
I’m not worried about a potentially soft schedule being a “season long albatross.” Louisville, West Virginia, Oklahoma and Providence are top 100 teams. Arizona could lose too. Upsets tend to happen early on neutral floors. Just need to be competitive and improve. IU has 12 potential Quad 1 opportunities in conference. I’m hoping IU is not on the bubble this year. Computer ranking drive tournament seedings. Getting blown out against top teams has been just as much of an albatross for IU as anything for IU than anything recently.
To be clear, I don't think Wednesday's game is the difference between us making the tournament or not. I think we'll be good enough to make that on the back of our Big Ten performance. But a non-con schedule devoid of a top-25 victory could certainly be the difference in a seed line. Take care of business in this event, and we can reduce that likelihood.
Very nice presentation, Jarod. Professionally stated strength and weakness concerns while not being unduly critical. IU may well be defined for the pre-BIG season with the performance of players and coaches alike. Here's hoping! GO IU!!
This is a strong analysis of IU hoops current state. Well written and considered. The key to me is for the team to show increased toughness for the entire length of the game. This means defense, getting that first rebound and not only hitting the open man, but having the correct open man make the shot. There are lots of head coaches that can get teams to the "almost" status - the key now for Woody is to not only reach "almost" (which I'm not sure he has attained in his era), but to go past "almost" to "succeed in the biggest games". Cignetti has reframed Indiana football - but now and into the future must get the program to the "succeed" level. Woody needs to show the faithful this season, after all the portal recruits and NIL $ spent that he can get to the "succeed" level with a B1G regular season / tournament title and a deeper run in the NCAA. Let's see that progress this week, not just that "we're better, but still lost."
Let’s go IU.
On another note, I’m in Utah getting ready to watch Trent Sisley and Montverde Academy play in the 5 for the fight Hoopsfest.
I’m not worried about a potentially soft schedule being a “season long albatross.” Louisville, West Virginia, Oklahoma and Providence are top 100 teams. Arizona could lose too. Upsets tend to happen early on neutral floors. Just need to be competitive and improve. IU has 12 potential Quad 1 opportunities in conference. I’m hoping IU is not on the bubble this year. Computer ranking drive tournament seedings. Getting blown out against top teams has been just as much of an albatross for IU as anything for IU than anything recently.
To be clear, I don't think Wednesday's game is the difference between us making the tournament or not. I think we'll be good enough to make that on the back of our Big Ten performance. But a non-con schedule devoid of a top-25 victory could certainly be the difference in a seed line. Take care of business in this event, and we can reduce that likelihood.