Disqus - Latest Comments for Hoosier Hound

Re: Bruuuuce loses an assistant and a recruit

Hoosier Hound — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:11:36 -0000

I have no sympathy for Illinois or Weber, but I am sure not happy for Kentucky either. Would have prefered UofL or someone else to get Miller. It's nice something went against Illinois but bad something worked out for UK.

Re: Preseason: Where will you rank the Hoosiers?

Hoosier Hound — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:21:24 -0000

I feel like their are a Big 3 this year in UCLA, Memphis, and UNC. I also feel like Kansas and Louisville are ahead of IU to start the year. But I feel like the Hoosiers are right there in the 6-10 rankings along with Michigan St., Georgetown, Tennessee, and Washington St.

I think IU will win the Big Ten and the Final Four is certainly within reach.

Re: What are realistic expectations for Eric Gordon?

Hoosier Hound — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 17:55:44 -0000

I expect Gordon to average at least 16 points a game, and it could be closer to 20. But I expect this whole team to be explosive offensively and average nearly 80 a game (yeah, an offense in the Big Ten).

I don't expect too much from Gordon elsewhere on the stat sheet, about 3 reb and 2 ast per game. Not because I don't think Gordon can do better, but I think other players will really stuff those stats. DJ, Thomas, and Ellis on rebounds and Bassett, Crawford, and Ellis on assists. Besides, with a player like Gordon you want him to shoot first and pass second (like Rod with better accuracy).

Gordon reminds me so much of my favorite Hoosier, A.J. Guyton, especially in his demeanor. But Gordon appears to be even better than Guyton in almost every regard, which is really exciting.

Re: What are realistic expectations for Eric Gordon?

Hoosier Hound — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 19:48:50 -0000

kelin,

In your first comment you said,
"He has DJ, toine, Armon, Jordan etc. to take some of the heat off."

who is toine?

Re: Ohio forward Tom Pritchard joins 2008 class

Hoosier Hound — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 16:14:43 -0000

The kid is still a year away from campus and some of you are already treating him like some fans used to treat Sean Kline. In case you are unaware, it is always a good thing when a young man says, "I want to play for your school." (Just ask baby Brucey) Besides, Coach Sampson would not have recruited and offered a scholarship to Pritchard if he was not a good player.

Re: More on Pritchard commitment and Tuesday links

Hoosier Hound — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 19:54:15 -0000

IU has six scholarships before Gordon goes pro, seven if he does.

Shaw transferred-scholarship to DeAndre Thomas (0)
Keeling transferred-scholarship to Adam Ahlfeld (0)
Allen transferred-scholarship to Kyle Taber (0)
D.J. White, Mike White, Ratliff, Stemler and Ahlfeld graduate (5)
Kyle Taber goes back to walk-on status (6)
*Gordon goes to the NBA (6 or 7*)

Ebanks, Mackey, Roth, and Pritchard commit (2 or 3*)

So the big questions are: does Gordon go to the NBA (likely), does D.J. come back for his redshirt year (unlikely), does Taber someway earn to keep his scholarship (unlikely). So we probably still have 3 scholarships available, but its some uncertain and tricky math.

Re: Lance Stephenson will attend Hoosier Hysteria

Hoosier Hound — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 21:05:54 -0000

I don't want to judge the guy based on what high school he attends, but I am totally disinterested in a Marbury or Telfair coming to IU. Stephenson though, for all I know, may be much more intelligent and level-headed than either of his fellow Lincoln alums. In that case, it would be great if a Top 5 player came to IU.

Re: Bud Mackey arrested on drug charges

Hoosier Hound — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 10:41:01 -0000

Inexcusable.

Re: What to do with a problem like Bud

Hoosier Hound — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 21:47:53 -0000

First of all, from what I have read it is unlikely Mackey will come out of this without serving time in jail.

To the point though, he made his choices and there are consequences. One of which is the losing the opportunity to play basketball at Indiana University. I hope Mackey gets his life turned around. But there is no excuse for this incident if he intended to be a Division I basketball player.

There is no justification, in my opinion, for giving this young man a scholarship to a Big Ten university when so many of his and my peers and working and taking out loans to pay for education.

Re: Trio of 2009 guards to attend Hoosier Hysteria

Hoosier Hound — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 13:22:37 -0000

I got a queston for you guys. As I understand it, Hoosier Hysteria has never sold out Assembly Hall. Last year was close to 15,000 and I heard it was the biggest crowd ever for Hysteria. I know 05 only had about 11,000.

So, will Assembly Hall be sold out this year for Hoosier Hysteria? Are the combination of Sampson's 2nd season, DJ White, Eric Gordon, and a Top 10 preseason rank enought to do the trick?

Personally, I think so, and it will be an incredible night.

Re: Who will start for the Hoosiers?

Hoosier Hound — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 17:29:28 -0000

I agree with the starting five to start the season, but I'm reserving the right to change my opinion until after HH and the exhibition games. As of right now though, I expect big things from DJ and EJ, of course, but also from Armon and Jamarcus.

I'm curious how often the Hoosiers might go to a four-guard lineup with Bassett, Gordon, Crawford/Ratliff, Ellis, and DJ White. That lineup would really be able to get up and down, shoot, and could provide some really nice mismatches in midgame situations. Of course, if Stemler gets his shot back you would have that style of lineup without giving up as much size.

I'm also excited to see how Stemler, Mike White, Holman, and Thomas battle each other out to get minutes. They all have their own strengths and weaknesses, and I see each one coming in during different in-game situations.

Re: Hoosier Hysteria kicks off the season

Hoosier Hound — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 11:16:05 -0000

That crowd was larger than 13,000, I'm estimating ~15,000. The place went nuts whenever DJ and then Sampson were introduced. You also had to love Ellis urging the crowd on for more when he was introduced and then he just stood there a basked in the cheers.

Believe it or not, I was impressed with the every single player. Some observations from HH:

- DJ is fit and built this year, stronger than we've ever seen him.
- Armon is bigger and somehow more athletic this year. Plus, he won the 3pt contest in 4 straight rounds.
- Anyone who doubted DeAndre's mile time when Hutch posted it should quite down. Most athletic 299lb player I've ever imagined. He's quick and can jump at that weight, what if he loses 20 more pounds like is his goal?
- Everyone of the freshman is physically bigger and stronger than I thought. Eric, I'd seen of course, but Jordan looks almost as strong as him. Brandon and Eli look strong for freshmen too, but as bigs, especially Eli, they still need to get stronger.
- Brandon McGee really impressed me. I was under the false impression he was coming in here raw, ala Joey Shaw, and might redshirt. But he looked better in the scrimmage last night then Shaw did at points last year when he was a rs sophomore.
- Eli Holman is just a freak. He is 6-10 with the athleticism of a wing player. And he doesn't really jump, he sort of floats off the ground like Drexler. He did all these amazing athletic things last night and never looked like he was even trying. Plus, he just never stops grinning, got to love that kid.
- Eric may have disappointed last night since he didn't cure cancer or bring world peace. Actually though, he missed his first dunk in the "layup" line, but on his second attemp he threw down a behind the head dunk so vicious I think the rim actually cried. His intensity in the game is just at a whole other level, more than DJ, Wilmont, even Coverdale. But as soon as play stops, he is a calm as Guyton or Strickland, it's amazing. Let's hope that intensity infects the whole team.

It was a fun night, and a great start to the basketball season, which I hope doesn't end for a long time and without a few championships first.

Re: New sanctions to be imposed on IU coaching staff

Hoosier Hound — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 17:38:45 -0000

Didn't Coach Sampson promise to "do things the right way" and "make you proud of us". Well, they sure as hell didn't do it the right way and I am in no way proud of this bull. How embarrasing. I am ashamed to be affiliated with Indiana University and a fan of Hoosier basketball right now.

I heard a rumor that this was coming on Friday afternoon before Hoosier Hysteria, but I refused to believe it and let it drag me down during that celebration. Then to find out its true less than two days later. I feel sick right now.

The rumor I heard also said the probable punishment was the loss of two scholarship and no postseason in 08. And with how accurate the rest of the rumor was, I'm terrified that the NCAA is going to bring down that exact punishment too. Right now I'm trying to forgive this even though I don't know why. But if the NCAA puts a postseason ban on this team, Sampson should be fired.

We don't pull this crap at Indiana, period. We're not Kentucky or Illinois or Michigan or Ohio State, at least we weren't before. Now I don't know what to think. What was it, like 30-35 years since Indiana had any sort of violation, then it takes Sampson less than a year to end that streak. Only description is embarrasing.

Re: Unraveling the latest Sampson debacle

Hoosier Hound — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 17:59:07 -0000

Let me just say this: I don't believe for a second that "everyone is doing this." That is the lamest excuse possible. Not everyone does drugs, not everyone drives drunk, not everyone lies, and not everyone cheats.

Even if they did, I DO NOT want my school to do it. Plain, simple, but apparently too hard for this staff.

Re: Unraveling the latest Sampson debacle

Hoosier Hound — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 00:52:09 -0000

Big A,

I'm not naive. Of course there are other schools cheating. Not a month goes by that the NCAA doesn't punish someone and another school announces self-reported violations. But until today, Indiana had never been the school.

What I said still stands, I don't give a rat's ass if every other school in the country is cheating. You can tell me it's not that bad and you can tell me others are doing it too. But I don't care.

I DO NOT want this crap at my school, period.

Re: Zeller recruitment will go down to the wire

Hoosier Hound — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 22:42:14 -0000

I just don't get the comments he makes. He says that he has no idea where he is going, and that he is just waiting for the day he wakes up and knows where he is going to go to school. It is just more proof that picking your college is the first real decision a person makes. Because if he had ever made a tough decision before, he would know you don't just wake up one morning with all your decisions made for you. Someday pretty close to signing day it will hit him like a ton of bricks, "Shit, I'm going to have to make a conscious decision and live with the consequences!" That is the way adulthood and the real world works.

Re: Hoosiers to hold open practice on Friday

Hoosier Hound — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 13:45:53 -0000

Please turn off all cell phones when you enter Assembly Hall.

Re: Zeller recruitment will go down to the wire

Hoosier Hound — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 19:28:59 -0000

I feel that he is going to pick Purdue. He passed on going to Midnight Madness at either IU or UNC. That tells me that he didn't want to see the best each had to offer so he could more easily choose another. I also think ND is way more in the running than most are giving credit. The Catholics in Washington are very religious, including Zeller's family, and don't think that won't weigh a great deal in his decision. But with everything I know about Zeller, since the beginning he has just always 'seemed' like a Boiler. It would be a disappointment, really. :{

Re: Zeller recruitment will go down to the wire

Hoosier Hound — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 23:47:40 -0000

Witt,

I don't find it odd because the trustees have not approved to build any new arena. They have approved recently the North End Zone Complex, the Basketball Development Facility, new Baseball and Softball Fields, and a decision not to renovate Assembly Hall but rather to replace it in the indefinite future with a yet to be designed new arena.

P.S. What about anything you have posted is "worthwhile conversation"? You're just spouting off random incoherent statements.

Re: Hoosiers ranked No. 9 in preseason coaches poll

Hoosier Hound — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 19:36:57 -0000

Here's how my preseason rankings look.
This year has a big 3 in:
1. UCLA
2. N. Carolina
3. Memphis
You can rank those three in order, this is mine, but it has to be those three teams at the top in my opinion. After them I see clearly defined next six to round out the top 9 with me putting them in this order
4. Kansas
5. Indiana
6. Georgetown
7. Tennessee
8. Michigan State
9. Louisville
10. Washington State
The Cougs slide into the number 10 spot out of all the remaining teams because I am a big fan of Derrick Low but I think they're a step below the first 9.

Re: Weekend linkage: Comcast takes a tumble

Hoosier Hound — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 19:34:33 -0000

I went to the the open practice on Friday, the drills were nothing interesting but the team scrimmaged for over a half hour. It confirmed some things we already knew, like DJ and EJ are awesome. The starting five for crimson was DJ, EJ, Armon, Lance, and JaMarcus so read whatever you want into that. They pulled out to a big lead before they switched the teams up and the DJ led white team made it closer.

I gathered that there is a quite clear first seven with the starting five and DeAndre and Jordan being the first two subs. Eric looked just amazing, his three pointers are frickin beautiful and he had some drives to the basket where he made it look like he was on an empty court. DJ's play and especially energy was great, since he will probably take his energy level up a notch in real games, he might be unstoppable. In other good news, Lance hit some threes, Armon played well, and JaMarcus made some great plays.

Crawford looked both great and lost at times during the scrimmage and the matchup between him and Armon was outstanding to watch. My biggest complaint aboout Jordan was that he didn't appear at all interested in running the offense for his team as the point guard. He often just dribbled around until he threw up a bad shot that missed. Eventually, KS snapped at the Crawford led white team yelling, "No more bull shit shots!" That drew a pretty good round of applause from the crowd.

In curious news, AJ Ratliff was nowhere to be seen. Taber had a brace on his wrist and did little more than shag balls.

On the coaching front, Sampson is pretty loud and active. Ray McCallum and Jeff Meyer are very active as well but much less loud. Senderoff was nowhere to be seen, hopefully he wasn't off violating any rules. Dakich sat in a chair with his legs crossed the entire practice but had a couple long chats with Eli and than Brandon when they were out of the scrimmage for a while. The coaching staff and other personnel looked like glorified cheerleaders at times, contantly clapping and cheering on the players.

Overall, I was glad I went and pleaded at my own personal restraint when I didn't chuck my cell phone onto the court. I'm now more excited about the start of the season than ever.

Re: Report: Rob Senderoff will resign

Hoosier Hound — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 02:59:50 -0000

I'm not voting in your poll because its bull. Senderoff isn't anyone's "fall guy", he's being punished for the rules HE broke and so are a lot of other people.

Re: Rob Senderoff and the myth of the lone dialer

Hoosier Hound — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 20:22:43 -0000

Ocean front property? Indiana's not next to an ocean.

Hhhhhhmmmmm

Ooooohhhhhhh......................

Re: Senderoff dismissal raises more questions

Hoosier Hound — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 20:57:42 -0000

I've said since the beginning I probably would have fired Sampson and the whole lot. They embarrassed the University, have since lied ("I didn't look at the caller ID," "I didn't know Rob was on the line," ect.), have provide pitiful escuses ("We're making thousands of calls," "They're only secondary violations," "We did a pretty good job," ect.), and have shown what I would classify as zero remorse (go back to the Oct. 14 transcript, nowhere do the words "sorry" or "apology" appear toward IU or the NCAA, and they have not been uttered any time since).

I also said then that minor and secondary these violations may be, at this school, with this coach, in this year, and with the restrictions in place; THIS COULD NOT HAPPEN. But it did, and we are all living in the fallout with the often-asked, rarely answered question, "How could this happen?"

So I'm not going to shed a single tear over the "voluntary" resignation of Rob Senderoff. If anyone wants to defend him, call him a "fall guy", and rue this result (Katz, Goodman, etc.) then they should push for him to be hired at their respective alma maters, where he can go about embarrasing some school that I don't give a mouse's mule about. At worst Senderoff was the instigator, slightly better would portray him as a willing participant in the violations, best case scenario would be if he were simply an incompetent moron. In any case, not the profile of a coach at Indiana University. I'm not naive enough to believe that Senderoff was a "lone dialer." But he was the one with the phone in his hand.

The question does remain though: If this is enough to fire Senderoff, why isn't it enough to fire Sampson?

I can find some solace in that these are secondary violations and did not provide any unfair competitive advantage that would tarnish on-court results. Seriously, nobody bribing anyone with Blazers. I can also have pride in the Athletic Department's work on the compliance front, to find the infractions, investigate them, report them, and apply punishment. Not only was there no thought of a cover up, like many schools have attempted, there was an active effort to find any possible violations. That leaves me with a strong faith in the athletic department and somewhat with Rick Greenspan.

I want to go back to a point that probably keeps me more riled up than anything else. Kelvin Sampson, you are a highly paid, high profile employee of my university. Your actions brought severe shame and embarrassment on my university. Will you at least apologize?

Re: IU issues release with further details on sanctions

Hoosier Hound — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 21:07:20 -0000

kelin,

I disagree, last season the coaching staff should have been able to rewrite from memory the section on phone contact with recruits.

Re: Senderoff dismissal raises more questions

Hoosier Hound — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 21:09:02 -0000

OMG, can you guys do something about that effin Kansas banner on the page? I really don't need any encouragement to snap right now.

Re: Chipped tooth doesn’t stop Gordon in debut

Hoosier Hound — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 23:42:06 -0000

My opinion is that you have to take stuff to learn from in exhibition games. So I'm going to forget all the good points you all have all made and go straight to the nitpicking.

1. Either Basset and Crawford are going to have to commit to the one-on-one pressure when the opponent is bringing the ball up the court and start moving their feet, or we need to scrap that defensive strategy. Basset picked up a couple of fouls on the strategy and they each got burned several times. Generally, it yielded little and cost much.

2. I saw 1 good block-out in the game. IU gave up way too many rebounds because they were just trying to out-jump UNA for the ball. IU may have ended with a rebounding advantage, but considering the size and level difference and what I saw at the game, they did not do a very good job. Oh yeah, that one good block out was courtesy of Kyle Taber when he created so much space the ball hit the floor.

3. Very disappointed in Stemler. With all the newcomers playing well in the game, he looked completely lost making dumb fouls and turnovers.

4. Thomas fouled out in only 12 min, he has to be able to stay in the game longer than that.

5. Holman was the one freshman who definitely looked like he was playing in his first college game, but he gets a pass for the most start. After all, it really was his first college game.

6. Did Crawford remind anyone else of Rod Wilmont during the game. Some of those shots were what you would call, poor shot selection. But what can you say when they are all going in, just like Rod. Hopefully, they keep falling all year.

7. I thought free throw shooting was much worse than it was while I was at the game. Turns out it was a decent 70%, but it could still be better.

A couple of my favorite observations from the game were:

1. Thomas coming up with those 3 steals. How can a 300 lb guy be so sneaky?

2. The look on Stemler's face when Crawford threw him an alley-oop on a fast break. Stemler just looked dumbfounded as the ball sailed over his head and out of bounds.

3. 121 pts, 60% shooting, 12 threes, a solid exhibition win, and the start of basketball season.

Re: Tyler Zeller heading to Tobacco Road

Hoosier Hound — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 18:27:03 -0000

What a misleading picture you have there.

Re: Class of 2007 vs. Preseason All-Americans: The ITH game of the century

Hoosier Hound — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 17:09:51 -0000

I'm going to have to change the teams up before I answer this.

The upperclass team for me would be:
F D.J. White
F Tyler Hansborough
W Brandon Rush
G Chris Lofton
G Darren Collison

The frosh team would stay the same though.

This is just filled with awesome matchups. Especially, the Collison/Rose faceoff, hopefully we get to see that for real in the Final Four. Honestly a toss-up between the two. In the two-guard spot, I give Gordon the advantage because he can shoot from anywhere Lofton can but has better quickness and athleticism. On the wing, Rush proves to be the much better player after Mayo commits three costly turnovers by repeatedly chucking the ball into the stands. At one forward spot, it is just unfair. Psycho T would dominate Beasley to the point he will be glad he's a diaper dandy because he will want to piss himself. At the last spot, the matchup between DJ and Love is close, both great rebounders, I give DJ a slight edge on defense because of experience, but Love has a little more polish on his offense.

Overall, I would take the upperclassmen, largely because of Hansborough. Plus, I really don't trust the passion and commitment of Mayo or Beasley despite their ability. You never know what either Rose or Gordon could do to swing this game towards the frosh though.

Re: Taking the Wonk to task on Eric Gordon

Hoosier Hound — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 10:23:42 -0000

Eric and Rod are nearly night and day difference. The ONLY similarity is their penchant and ability to shoot threes, which seems to be the only thing Gasaway examined.

On penetrating: Rod NEVER drove the ball to the basket. In the end a good thing, because Rod dribbling was a turnover waiting to happen. But EJ is a great penetrator and will score alot of points and draw alot of fouls.

On free-throw shooting: Like you said, Rod shot only 53 free throws last year, less than two per game, and he shot a pedestrian 66% from the line. EJ will easily shoot over 100 free throws next year, probably close to 150, and make over 80% of his tosses.

On passing: I looked it up and Rod had only 34 assists in 32 games last year. I expect Eric to average at least 2 per game. Not only will he actually look to pass, compared to the black hole of three-pointers that was Roderick Wilmont, Eric is a very good passer.

On rebounding: Rod was second on the team in rebounding last year. No way does EJ do that for two reasons. First, Eric is simply not as good at rebounding as Rod was, and second, Eric doesn't need to be with the additions of Thomas and Holman.

On defense: This is a hard comparison. Rod was a good off-the-ball defender and led the team in steals last year by picking off alot of passes. I don't think EJ will be as good in that area, but I think he will be a better on-the-ball defender and come up with quite a few blocked shots.

This is the problem with all this "statistical" analysis. Gasaway found one way they were similar and declared them alike without ever seeing them play.

Re: Taking the Wonk to task on Eric Gordon

Hoosier Hound — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 12:30:14 -0000

nealE,

I basically agree with you about Rod's passing and dribbling being turnovers in the making, but I give Rod alot more credit. Rod KNEW he couldn't pass or dribble very well, and made considerably good decisions with that knowledge. Rod took what alot of people might consider "bad shots", but considering the alternative passing or dribbling in tight defense, Rod obviously made the right choice on these occasions and IU benefited for it with made three-pointers and chances at offensive rebounds. Theis explains how even though Rod was quite capable of turning the ball over, he didn't very often.

Re: Taking the Wonk to task on Eric Gordon

Hoosier Hound — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 13:07:16 -0000

I just went back and reread Gasaway's arguments about IU and have come to the conclusion that he may be a moron. According to him, the only real difference between IU last year and IU this year is that Gordon will replace Wilmont. He then postulates that IU will not be considerably better than last year because they are basically the same team. So I have to ask, is he retarded?

Leaving aside the huge argument that, Gordon > Wilmont.

He points out immediately that the Hoosiers are an incredible three-point shooting team, but he fails to realize that they will be even better this year. Yeah, IU lost Wilmont and he was a good shooter. But Bassett and Ratliff are back, Gordon and Crawford and Ellis join the fold, and there is the potential for Stemler to actually make his shots. Also, don't underestimate the potential for three-pointers that comes with replacing Calloway with one of these guards that will shoot and can make shots from behind the arc. In short, this team could be better than the 2002 team that shot itself into the National Title game with Coverdale, Hornsby, Fife, and Jeffries, and this team could easily do the same. Because don't forget that three-pointers are, after all, worth more than two points.

On the other side of the ball, he bemoaned IU's interior defense from last year, besides DJ, and pratically disregarged the additions of Thomas and Holman. He instead focused on the "short"-comings of Mike White, even though he may redshirt this year.

I think IU should be the favorite to win the Big Ten this year because of their shooters. Remember, just one hot shooter can keep a team in a game, see Wilmont at Penn State last year. The odds that at least one of the group of Gordon, Basset, Crawford, Ellis, and Ratliff is having a good shooting night are exceptional, in fact odds are that 2 or 3 of them will shoot great in any one game. Include DJ to make this a two-dimensional team, and the Hoosiers should definitely find themselves at the top of the Big Ten.

Re: Game Thread: UNC Pembroke @ Indiana

Hoosier Hound — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 20:56:52 -0000

Halftime: IU 52 - UNCP - 35

Gordon 24 points

Re: Game Thread: UNC Pembroke @ Indiana

Hoosier Hound — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 21:00:49 -0000

Halftime:
Bassett - 15 pts, 2 ast
Thomas - 2 pts, 2 reb
DJ - 6 pts 2 reb, 2 ast
Crawford - 2 pts, 3 ast
Ellis - 0 pts, 1 ast
Stemler - 3 pts, 3 reb
Gordon - 24 pts, 6/6 3pters, 2 reb

Re: Game Thread: UNC Pembroke @ Indiana

Hoosier Hound — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 21:02:10 -0000

Big A,

I'm on the radio, do you have the BTN? What happened when Bassett when down? Did it look bad?

Re: Game Thread: UNC Pembroke @ Indiana

Hoosier Hound — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 21:14:12 -0000

What does it mean when they tell you what direction the team is going "on your radio dial"? Fish told me what direction they were going "on the radio dial" at the start of the football game today too. Either way, I can't see it, so what is the point.

Re: Game Thread: UNC Pembroke @ Indiana

Hoosier Hound — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 21:25:32 -0000

Pacers lose to the Nuggets 113-106 after leading by 25 in the second quarter. Pacers shot the lights out in the first half, then started turning it over like the Fightin' Spatulas in the second half.

I hate the NBA.

Re: Game Thread: UNC Pembroke @ Indiana

Hoosier Hound — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 22:07:45 -0000

IU 111 UNCP 62 Final

Lights out from 3-pt range again, these guys can really shoot. Not sure how much better the defense was, but less points and a lot of blocks. Radio guys made a point that they were out jumping Pembroke for rebounds and not blocking out, so that is no better than last game. Good win, but just an exhibitiong game.

Re: Know Thy Opponent: Chattanooga Mocs

Hoosier Hound — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 18:11:37 -0000

Chattanooga has one of the best and most consistent programs in the SoCon. I certainly don't expect them to pull a Garder-Webb/Mercer/Belmont on IU, but the Hoosiers better come out ready because they sure aren't a lowly DII team.

In fact, why don't they go ahead and make 20 threes this game, and DJ can go for a double-double. :)

Re: Know Thy Opponent: Chattanooga Mocs

Hoosier Hound — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 23:55:43 -0000

I checked out their forum, its pretty nice. Thing that really caught me though was this offhand comment by the above JohnMoc about watching IU's second exhibition game on BTN. Are you effing serious? He's watching the BTN down in Chattanooga and I can't get it in Bloomington? Load of bull!

Re: Know Thy Opponent: Chattanooga Mocs

Hoosier Hound — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 00:16:59 -0000

Lexington? The Commonwealth? That sounds awful, ugh.

Re: Know Thy Opponent: Chattanooga Mocs

Hoosier Hound — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 00:22:26 -0000

kelin,

I agree that I don't know what happened to Vinitieri, but you can't put this whole game game on him. I think Manning did quite a bit more to lose it.

Re: Ratliff still a Hoosier, rumor untrue

Hoosier Hound — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 12:36:46 -0000

Jaime,
You're making too much out of this. Every Indiana fan I know loved Moye and would know who wore that jersey. If anyone questions you on your #2 jersey, just direct them to youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdHIDhSeDDA

Other than that, tell them to go ask Carlos Boozer about the #2 IU jersey. Oddly, the above video leaves that defining play out. Ends with the blocked Luther Head alley-oop though, very nice.

Re: Game Thread: Chattanooga @ Indiana

Hoosier Hound — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 18:11:46 -0000

I'm looking for rebounding tonight. In both the exhibition games, IU was just out-jumping the other players to get rebounds. That won't fly tonight, Chattanooga has some big bodies. I'm not worried so much about the defense. I think the points we gave up in the exhibition games were more a matter of the number of possesions the other teams had because IU was scoring so fast every time down the court. The only real qualm I had with defense was that there were a few occasions (not many) when I felt the attitude was, "so what if they score, that just means we get to play offense and score again." They can't EVER have that attitude.

Indiana 92
UTC 74

Re: Gordon sets freshman record as IU rolls, 99-79

Hoosier Hound — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 21:45:41 -0000

I take back what I said before the game when I opined that we were giving up alot of points because of the pace of the games. While the pace of this game was definitely fast, we were running around like chickens with our heads cut off in the first half. Giving up a 50 point half at home, seriously? Credit to Sampson for putting Gordon on Bridgewater to start the second half, and credit to Gordon for totally disrupting Bridgewater's ability to score and direct his team. That defensive adjustment, to put EJ out top, was the difference in this game. Sampson may need to put in a zone defense, even though I hate zone, but rotating in a man-to-man system appears to be WAY too complicated for these guys.

Lot of other disapointing things from this game. Rebounding is still dreadful. Will anybody block out? Way too many stupid turnovers. Armon, our point guard, seemed terified to bring up the court at times, even when they weren't in the 1-3-1 (

Re: Gordon sets freshman record as IU rolls, 99-79

Hoosier Hound — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 21:47:12 -0000

Ahhhhhh, is there a word limit?

The only other things I said were that I called the 1-3-1 retarted, and...

Eric Gordon is awesome.

Re: The Morning After: Chattanooga

Hoosier Hound — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 16:28:20 -0000

It's one thing for Stemer to be less athletic, but he played dumb basketball last night. In 16 minutes he had 2 missed shots, 1 turnover, and 3 fouls with no points, no rebounds, no assists, and no steals. Those fouls were all dumb slaps at the basketball, plus, he was one of the worst contributors to the horrible team defense. I've seen nothing from Lance to show me that he should be on the floor.

The problem becomes that if Stemler isn't playing, Sampson only has a six-man rotation. McGee looked great in the second exhibition game, but he's in Sampson's doghouse for practicing like Allen Iverson. Plus, all he did against UTC was force up a couple of bricks from behind the arc in his few minutes. Maybe Eli Holman, but he has yet to look actually comfortable on the court yet. For now, start Thomas and give him more minutes, but Stemler is still going to be the frontcourt sub.

Re: Kevin Jones to West Virginia; LOI’s arrive

Hoosier Hound — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 14:57:12 -0000

Welcome! Terrell, Matt, and Tom are now officially Hoosiers! Devin will be welcomed in the coming days!

Good luck to Kevin at West Virginia, though that has to be one of the most business-like recruiting decision processes I've ever seen. But whatever works for you.

I'm also perplexed with this redshirt Mike White talk. If he does redshirt than our 08 class is already at its limit. Right now there are five seniors DJ, Mike, Lance, AJ, and Ahfeld, plus EJ likely leaving brings the available up to six, minus the one because of phone calls and there are five, minus another if Mike redshirts and there are four. Lo and behold we already have a four-man recruiting class. I think we should just let Mike White move on after this year and go back to the recruiting pool or juco ranks to try and turn up a big body.

Re: Kevin Jones to West Virginia; LOI’s arrive

Hoosier Hound — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 15:18:50 -0000

nealE, Taber is a Junior. But Jim K is right, I lost track with all the transfers over the summer. Keeling's scholarship went to Thomas, Shaw's went to Ahfeld, but that leaves Allen's still open. So there is one more spot even if Mike White redshirts. Good call Jim. In that case, if IU can somehow get a big body that can be at least serviceable next season, I'd accept another year from Mike. But next year's team is going to need another big.

Anyway, we still have THIS year. Yay.

Re: Sampson talks 2008 recruiting class

Hoosier Hound — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 00:32:42 -0000

Where is all the righteousness coming from in these comments about Jones and Huggins? I really don't think Hoosier fans are in a very strong position to be laying down judgment on coaches. Huggins is a great basketball coach, his UC teams were always very good, one year at Kstate got that team into the top 25, and he's going to just keep rolling now at his alma mater West Virginia. Adding K Jones to his team is going to help with that. There is no reason to be bitter about it, leave that for the illannoy fans.

Re: Is it OK to boo Lance Stemler?

Hoosier Hound — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 13:57:07 -0000

First of all, I think this is way overblown. There may have been a sprinkling of boos when Stemler came back into the game at one point, but it wasn't even comparable to th way Kline always got treated.

As for me, I've never booed a player on a team I support. I don't see the point. That's not to say I don't cuss and mutter under my breath and want to jump out on the court because I can certainly do better (can't I?). But I never boo. If your booing your own team or players, all I think it is saying is, "I'm an asshole!"

Besides, we need to save some boos, Kentucky is coming into Assembly Hall this year. Now there are some players to boo at.

Re: Is it OK to boo Lance Stemler?

Hoosier Hound — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 14:10:13 -0000

Most of the boos when they are directed at an IU player come from the students. I think that might stem from the tendency of most people to be harder on their peers. Some older fans may see it as booing a kid, but when you're the same age it doesn't seem like that. To the students, kids are twelver year-olds playing little league, the IU players and students are the same age. Again, I don't boo, but I think this might be some additional reasononing.

Re: Is it OK to boo Lance Stemler?

Hoosier Hound — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 18:03:24 -0000

Jaime,

Did that really happen? Because Brian Cardinal has to be one of the most hated Purdue players ever. He would go into Assembly Hall and egg the crowd on, he thrived off the road atmosphere. Plus, he played like eight years at Purdue. It was fun to watch him progress from thinning hair to true baldness during his college career.

Re: Know Thy Opponent: Longwood Lancers

Hoosier Hound — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 18:15:04 -0000

mlove,

It's not like we have more recruits coming in than scholarships available. Even if he redshirts, we have an open scholarship already.

Re: Indiana state rep proposes arbitration for BTN

Hoosier Hound — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 14:30:13 -0000

Long said he wants to “let the free market operate.”

What free market? This is cable, they have monopolies wherever they operate. Its obvious there is really high demand for the Big Ten Network. No other channel has ever cause this much stir. Why else is Comcast/Insight spending money to run commercials to tell people they shouldn't want the Big Ten Network? They aren't anti-campaigning HGTV. I can't get satelite, so I'm kind of screwed. But every time I see those hypocritical load of bull commercials about how, "Cable competes, you win," I have to convince myself not to cancel my cable right then and there.

If the free market was really operating in this regard, we'd all be able to choose what channels we wanted. Instead, the FCC and local governments protect cable companies by giving the monopolies and they cohort together to rip everyone off. Bunch of bullshit.

Re: It’s Official: Mike White will redshirt

Hoosier Hound — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 14:35:16 -0000

Barring any further action from the NCAA, I actually think Sampson will get another JC big guy in the spring with the last scholarship.

Re: Gordon’s 30 leads IU past Wilmington, 95-71

Hoosier Hound — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 22:52:51 -0000

I agree that Stemler came in with some intensity, especially on defense. But it was Armon Bassett that turned the game around. He just willed himself into the lane and drew a foul three straight times until he gave Indiana the lead with a three-point play. He may have the smallest shoulders of any Hoosier, but those shoulders carried the whole team when they were down in the first half. Once Bassett had gotten the Hoosiers the lead, Gordon took it from there and what a sight he always is.

But I was freaked out when I looked down to see Bassett sitting all alone on the bench during a time out in the second half with a trainer standing over him. What happened? I didn't see anything occur during the game. Please tell me it was nothing serious. I can't take the stress!

Re: Gordon’s 30 leads IU past Wilmington, 95-71

Hoosier Hound — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 22:58:28 -0000

Also, for everyone who wasn't at the game, I want to explain what turned the game around. At the second tv timeout of the first half, IU was still down by about 5 or 6. But during the stop, Tracy Porter and Josiah Sears brought out the Old Oaken Bucket to a standing ovation. From that point on it was just about all Hoosiers. More than a coincidence, I would say. That Bucket has supernatural powers.

Re: Game Thread: Indiana vs. Xavier

Hoosier Hound — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 19:14:19 -0000

You have Bassett in the probably starters. Do you know something, or is it hopeful guessing?

Re: Game Thread: Indiana vs. Xavier

Hoosier Hound — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 20:52:38 -0000

Is it really this hard to hang a net? I've done it a few times before, never taken me more than two minutes.

Re: Bob Knight will shoot you with a pellet gun

Hoosier Hound — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 00:42:14 -0000

Who gives a crap?

If you want to see Bobby arguing on camera, watch a Texas Tech game, it's two straight hours of him arguing with three guys.

Re: The Morning After: Tennessee State

Hoosier Hound — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 13:21:08 -0000

Here is some good advice to keep you from getting worked up about the ruminations of moronic tv announcers:

MUTE BUTTON

Then you can put Fish on the radio.

Re: Inaugural Inside the Hall Podcast: You know, you know, you know

Hoosier Hound — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 14:26:31 -0000

First off, its a white out. You guys are the only ones I've ever heard this stipe out thing from, and face it, you aren't that influential. IUHoosiers.com is promoting a white out. It's not going to happen, but I would much rather have a Crimson Out, especially against Kentucky. We've already had three white outs the past two years, and they are apparently planning two more for later this season. Why not crimson?

Additionally, I think Coach Sampson should not wear a blue shirt on Saturday like he always does. Most of you are going to say, "Who cares?" But, well, I do. It's stupid for him to be wearing a shirt the color of one of our biggest rivals every game, and more so when we play them. He's at a school where the colors are cream and crimson. I guarantee you won't see Billy wearing a red shirt on Saturday.

Re: Tune the dial (or stream) to PostmanE

Hoosier Hound — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 08:39:22 -0000

He probabaly knows what he is talking about. If any fanbase should be able to smell a cheater, its Kentucky's. They've had crap swirling under the noses for close to three-quarters of a century. Most likely because those damn hicks never take a bath.

Re: The Morning After: Kentucky

Hoosier Hound — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 13:31:53 -0000

I can't believe I'm going to be critical after the Hoosiers destroyed Kentucky by 19. Damn I hate them. But I totally disagree with you about Crawford. Of the five guards on this team, only Ratliff would seem to be a worse point guard. I have numerous complaints about Crawford's play, but most of all he just doesn't see the floor and misses passing opportunities to open teammates. His whole focus when he has the ball is on the defender immediately in front of him. He had only two assists against UK after playing the point the entire game. Nevertheless, he is a freshman, he is a good outside shooter and has amazing ability to finish when he penetrates into the lane, but he is behind where Bassett was last year.

Overall the basketball played yesterday was pretty crappy, but IU still ended up with a 19 point win so that's good. But still too many turnovers, I hate turnovers. They really need to work on cutting down on turnovers before Big Ten play starts.

Re: Bud Mackey enrolls at Atlanta high school

Hoosier Hound — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 15:06:30 -0000

I'm going to preface this by saying that I know it is a stereotype and maybe even racist remark.

But is Atlanta really the place for a kid to go to turn his life around? I mean, if he can find trouble in Georgetown, Kentucky, what is he going to do in his spare time in Atlanta? On the trouble rankings, Atlanta, GA > Georgetown, KY by an immeasurable distance.

I hope it's not so, and it would be a good story if Mackey got his act together. But I wouldn't be surprised if the next time you mention Bud Mackey, it will be because of another felony.

Re: Nick Jezierny isn’t a fan of the Cream and Crimson

Hoosier Hound — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 16:04:20 -0000

Google his name and see what pops up....it's this blog! Obviously, ITH has more influence than I previously gave you credit for. Even more, apparently, than the largest newspaper in Idaho.

Re: Hoosiers crush Catamounts, 100-52

Hoosier Hound — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 13:50:33 -0000

Although the site is great already, I have a suggestion for some site content. You guys may already be planning to do this, but I would like to see a breakdown of the Big Ten so far before conference play starts. You know, who has everyone played, beaten, lost to, have they looked good or bad, and what could happen once Big Ten plays starts. It will likely take some time, so I would very much appreciate your effort and insight if you take up the task.

Re: Hoops Weiss on EJ, Dickie V takes a leave from ESPN

Hoosier Hound — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 14:06:39 -0000

If I was an NBA gm I would take Rose first overall, because I can count on one hand the number of really good point guards in the league (Nash, Kidd, Billips, Paul, Williams). A true point guard is so valuable in the NBA it trumps a lot of other qualities. Then I would take Beasley second because he looks like the next Garnett, Stoudamire, D Howard of the NBA. After those two, EJ might be the best player, though it would depend on if the team wanted a guard or a big guy like Hibbert, Hansbrough, or Jordan.

Best wishes to Dickie V.

Re: Bassett likely out on Tuesday; D.J. talks to SI

Hoosier Hound — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 18:13:08 -0000

Thanks for linking the DJ interview, I doubt I would have ever seen it otherwise.

Re: Game Thread - Live Blog: Indiana @ Michigan

Hoosier Hound — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 18:47:54 -0000

Dammit! I hate, HATE watching flippin 1-3-1 zone defense. Now two teams in the Big Ten use it. Christ, I'm going to need to watch this game with a friend to make sure I don't hit myself in the head from the idiocy.

IU rolls 73-58

The Hoosiers own UM and that sure isn't changing tonight.

Re: Game Thread - Live Blog: Indiana @ Michigan

Hoosier Hound — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 19:27:26 -0000

I think EJ is pissed that Johnson stole some of the thunder from his Big Ten debut, and he is determined to hit more threes than anybody tonight. He hasn't hit the rim on an outside shot yet.

Re: Game Thread - Live Blog: Indiana @ Michigan

Hoosier Hound — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 20:16:05 -0000

It's a good thing IU is shooting pretty well and UM is not, because except for DJ the Hoosiers are playing pretty sloppy. Bad shots, dumb fouls, poor passes, excessive dribbling by just about everyone, especially Crawford.

Re: Game Thread - Live Blog: Indiana @ Michigan

Hoosier Hound — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 20:16:43 -0000

Forget double-double, DJ is going for 20-20 tonight!

Re: There will be blood

Hoosier Hound — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 19:08:56 -0000

I don't know when it happened. I didn't used to hate Illinois, despite growing up just 10 miles east of the Wabash. I remember not hating them as recently as five years ago. Sure they were a Big Ten opponent and I sure didn't aim any goodwill toward them, but hate? Nah, best saved for others like Purdue or Kentucky. Seriously, this is Illinois week? Since when does Illinois get a week? But things have changed.

Like a festering pile of manure, they slowly started to irritate me. The stench got worse and worse and needled into my mind until nowadays I can smell them coming before we're about to play them. It's an awful smell too, gets in your head so that you can't focus straight and all you want to do is destroy whatever is causing the reeking odor.

The Hoosiers need to clear the air and send the reeking pile of crap that is Illinois back with a buttkicking to be remembered.

Re: Film Session: Gordon’s ridiculous range

Hoosier Hound — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 14:13:47 -0000

The best shooter I've seen for Indiana is AJ Guyton, and Gordon is every bit as good as he was. While other aspects of their games are easy to break apart, Guyton was a better defender and passer while Gordon is a much better penetrator and creator, I'm not sure how to separate the two of them on shooting alone. Both extremely talented shooters.

Re: We all know who he is

Hoosier Hound — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 14:47:18 -0000

I look at this game and I see Kentucky all over again. Illinois also has a good big (Pruitt-Patterson), a very overrated player (Randle-Crawford), is terrible this year, and can't even win at home. IU destroyed Kentucky by 19 without Gordon. My imagination is running wild trying to predict the margin of victory for Sunday's game. The sweet taste of that UK pounding was great and lasted a long time. But that game was a month ago and I'm ready for a new flavor, namely a delicious chief stew.

Re: Help us improve Inside the Hall

Hoosier Hound — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 14:02:37 -0000

I think you guys do a fine job. My only comment is, DON'T do this:

http://www.blackheartgoldpants.com/

Re: Q and A: ESPN’s Pat Forde

Hoosier Hound — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 17:26:10 -0000

Great job getting an interview with the best college sports writer in the country guys. Very nice and interesting read.

Thanks Pat Forde and the ITH guys.

Re: Game Thread: Indiana @ Minnesota

Hoosier Hound — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 18:21:22 -0000

The Hoosiers went with a four guard lineup for most of the the second half against Illinois. They had DJ, Eric, Armon, Jamarcus, and AJ out there for a long time (and made the comeback happen) until Ellis went down with fouls.