Disqus - Latest Comments for southsidehitmen

Re: Report: IU and Duke will get official visits from Irving

southsidehitmen — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 00:49:39 -0000

haha...Rick Pitino

Re: Why They’ll Win It All: Michigan State

southsidehitmen — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 11:05:14 -0000

I'm really looking forward to the Michigan State/Connecticut matchup.

I remember last year how badly Calhoun outcoached Sampson during the game at Indiana...and as Alex mentioned Izzo always has his team playing its best at the right time. (And their strategy against Louisville was a thing of beauty.)

Two of the best COACHES (both good recruiters, but even better in-game coaches) in the game. I can't wait to see the strategies.

Re: The Morning After: Staying positive

southsidehitmen — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 16:52:58 -0000

I think a big thing killing this team is lack of experience...but in practices.

These freshman probably are working harder than ever before in practice, but not likely hard enough. They don't have a commanding senior to harass them and FORCE them to work even harder.

Basset had Calloway and Wilmont. Crawford had Basset/Ellis to bust him.

These young guys have no-one. I'm not saying they're NOT working hard in practice, but they probably aren't working hard enough for reasons out of their control.

Re: A lesson in motivational speaking: The fist

southsidehitmen — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 15:57:32 -0000

Of course they're not his players...They are actually talented. Ha!

Re: A lesson in motivational speaking: The fist

southsidehitmen — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 12:31:19 -0000

The best is Deron Williams and Luther Head completely not paying attention to what Weber is saying. They both just sort of have this awkward/bored look on their faces. Priceless.

Re: Know Thy Opponent: Wake Forest Demon Deacons

southsidehitmen — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 13:41:36 -0000

Not to mention looking at Wake Forest's sweet ass mascot....that guy looks like he would be good friends with Joe Paterno...

Re: The Morning After: IUPUI

southsidehitmen — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:12:15 -0000

Dumes is a very streaky shooter. He could go for 28 some nights, and some nights he might not hit 10. I love his confidence and, (like everyone on this team) his attitude though.

That being said, Williams or Story need to emerge as a consistent scorer. That may be asking too much out of true freshmen playing out of position, but they are the two most talented players on the team. When Dumes is on a cold streak and Pritchard is in foul trouble, the scoring has to come from one of those two guys.

I like Moore as much as everyone, but Jones needs to be the starter, and step up. Him and Dume have been inconsistent so far, but all of those easy layups Eamon has talked about, many came at the expense of Moore. Moore still should and needs to play, but Jones needs to be the point guard that gets the most minutes. I hope he stays consistent.

I can't belive i'm saying this but this team's best player is Jeremiah Rivers. In the scrimmages he was the best perimiter defender, and he ran the offense as smooth as Moore. (Plus he had a three point shot.)

That being said, Notre Dame is going to be an ugly game, i'm just hoping the effort stays the same even if they're getting blown out.

Re: Know Thy Opponent: IUPUI Jaguars

southsidehitmen — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 10:59:36 -0000

It'll be interesting to see if the energy is at the same level it was on Saturday.

A young team like IU could be be tempted to looking ahead to warm Maui and (gag) Big bad 9th ranked Notre Dame.

If they come out flat with their heads somewhere else, they could get beat. If they play with the same vigor as Saturday, I think they'll be fine tonight.

Re: The Morning After: Your 2008-09 Indiana Hoosiers, I think

southsidehitmen — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 16:24:34 -0000

I'm with you on Verdell Jones, I like his game but have one small concern. That concern is that he throws very soft passes. He's gotten away with it in the exhibitions and against Northwestern State, but against Big Ten teams he'll have far more turnovers if he doesn't get sharper when he dishes the rock.

Pritchard is much more talented than Taber, I don't agree with that comparison at all. He's a true freshman and IU can't afford to keep him off the court because he's their only viable big man. If he put him with some other bigs in the next couple of years he has the potential to be an all-conference player.

Re: Signing day Q & A: Jody Demling

southsidehitmen — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 11:13:55 -0000

I don't think you can take Williams out of the lineup.

He didn't really have a bad game, he just didn't take a lot of shots and didn't play as much as he probably will during the regular season.

He's still probably their most talented player. I agree Story will eventually get into the starting lineup, but it will be over Roth, not Williams.

Re: All-Big Ten Preview: Raymar Morgan

southsidehitmen — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 09:26:05 -0000

I wouldn't rule out Manny Harris as a potential POY candidate for this conference.

Morgan's a tough player, it'll be interesting to see how he has progressed from last season. Like Harris, I think Morgan would be best suited for a 'Robin' and not a 'Batman' role on a team. He got into foul trouble early too many times last season in some big games.

But good call on labeling him a matchup problem, as he can beat guys a lot of different ways, and is probably the best player on the best team in the conference.

Re: All-Big Ten Preview: Robbie Hummel

southsidehitmen — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 18:48:18 -0000

My roomate fought me to the death last year when I predicted Hummel would finish first team All Big Ten last year.

He's just one of these guys that numbers don't equate his value to the team. He's a mismatch at 6'8, plays good defense, and always seems to make big plays.

I don't think he should have been pre-season Big Ten player of the year, because I think that Manny Harris, Raymar Morgan or a freshman like Roe will have better statistical years, but he definitely would be on my first team all Big Ten. Too bad he plays for Purdue.

Re: All-Big Ten preview: Manny Harris

southsidehitmen — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 21:29:25 -0000

Harris is a nice player, it'll be interesting to see how he develops.

I haven't heard anything about how Michigan is supposed to do this season, or how their recruits are.

It may have just been because he was a freshman, but Harris seemed like he could be the 2nd best player on a good team, but not the best player. Maybe as he gets older he'll morph into the #1, but I think he needs someone better than him on the floor to make Michigan go.

Either way, he could contend for an All-Big 10 spot.

Re: All-Big Ten preview: Kalin Lucas

southsidehitmen — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 10:53:38 -0000

Lucas is an exceptional player and would be on my 1st team pre-season all conference team.

He sort of reminded me of a more under controlled version of T.J. Ford.

I think he will be more valuable to State than Morgan.

Re: What qualifies as a successful season?

southsidehitmen — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 10:49:50 -0000

I think it'll be important for some of the guys on this team to prove they're big time players. The 09 class looks good, but they'll be just as raw as this years class.

Guys like Williams, Jones III and Pritchard need to establish that they are legitimate D1 players this year. Wins and losses aside, if a few guys on this years team can do that, the pressure won't be as great for the freshman next year, and it would set up a nice base for the next four years.

Re: Severance package details for Richard Greenspan

southsidehitmen — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 20:01:09 -0000

The one positive I guess is, this has to be one of the last bad things to happen to IU right?

Once the punishment is handed down from the NCAA, that'll be it...hopefully.

Then all the clouds that I can think of will have passed.

Re: Capobianco enjoys experience at NBA Top 100 Camp

southsidehitmen — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 11:03:19 -0000

Let's start Jobe....screw it, let him go out and intimidate everyone.

But I would think there are no real locks yet for starter...if there was one i'd guess it'd be Nick Williams.

On the draft: Chad Fords latest draft has Gordon going fifth to Memphis...and D.J. with the 36th pick to Portland. If D.J. falls that low, I would LOVE for him to keep falling all the way to 39th so the Bulls can pick him up.

If the Bulls draft Rose and White I might have to get season tickets....even though I still go to school at IU and am already in debt.

Re: Must be a slow news day in Birmingham

southsidehitmen — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 21:21:50 -0000

You gotta give Davis credit as a recruit. I came to IU in Samsponites first year, and they finished 21-11 with Davis's talent. (I mean, Stemler and Mike White were all Sampson, but they probably did more harm than good.)

Maybe it would be different if I was at IU when Davis was there, but I have nothing against him, and actually wish him well against Calipari and the Memphis Tigers. He's probably the second most competent coach in that conference.

Re: Williams sticks with Crean, signs with Indiana

southsidehitmen — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 10:35:41 -0000

Sorry this is a little belated, but Kelin:

Did you mention Josh McRoberts leaving and Duke keeping up their success?

C'mon. I agreed with your point in general, but McRoberts was trash. He was a loser and a mental midget, same as Paulus. It's probably why Duke hasn't been able to get into the Sweet 16 recently.

Re: Williams sticks with Crean, signs with Indiana

southsidehitmen — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 16:55:12 -0000

Seems like a typical Tom Crean guard. Tough, physical, he might not be great but he'll be a solid strong performer.

Re: Q & A: Bobby Capobianco

southsidehitmen — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 22:50:50 -0000

Sounds like he has good confidence in his game.

It's always nice to have a strong power player, if he does play like that i'll enjoy watching him.

Not to mention i'm pretty sure we now have an in with organized crime...that could come in handy....

Re: Stock Watch: Eric Gordon and D.J. White

southsidehitmen — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 12:46:14 -0000

The potential is still there for Gordon though, and NBA teams love trying to mold potential players.

Gordon, once upon a time, had a great three ponit shot, and the ability to get to the lane and draw fouls. Coaches and Gm's are going to think that they can teach him ball handling skills and a mid-range game, so he'll be a top 10 pick barring any unforseen instances.

Re: Stock Watch: Eric Gordon and D.J. White

southsidehitmen — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 21:23:08 -0000

D.J. is going to make some team very happy if he falls into the second round.

I could be wrong on the position he plays, but I believe Carl Landry is a 4 for Houston and doing very well. I have no doubt that D.J. is more talented and has a higher ceiling than Landry.

Re: Holloway, Ebanks look elsewhere

southsidehitmen — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 18:41:40 -0000

I guess at his first year at Marquette he had a late start on recruiting, and kind of held off on landing a bunch of players until the year after. My guess is he'll do the same and not panic and just offer scholarships to sub-standard players.

Re: Tim Buckley will likely be top assistant to Crean

southsidehitmen — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 13:59:43 -0000

Big A: But did Crean take the chance on him or did Buckley? I find it hard to imagine Wade not going to Marquette if Buckley wasn't there, his only other option was friggen Illinois State.

As for Basset, at least statistically it looked like he played hard when Dakich was coach. He was the only other player besides D.J. White to show up against Arkansas.

I still don't think the decision to keep him and Ellis should be based on whether or not they'll need them to be competitive, but I wouldn't be completely opposed to them being back next season.