College Basketball 2009-10

[UMFan83]

I'm pretty happy UM beat UConn today. It's too bad that with a 10-7 (3-2) record it's gonna take an almost impossible run to get into the dance. With @ Wis, @ Pur, @ MSU, MSU, @ OSU, @ NW, IL left I don't see it. Oh well at least we helped the conference RPI

[Bruno7481]

Just wanted to say that IU is tied with Purdue in the Big 10 standings.

 

Kidding aside, this team is slowly making progress. Losing Creek was bad, but it is nice to see them do well without him. They will most likely continue to lay an absolute turd in every road game this year, but should be competitive with most other teams at home.

 

Eh, I don't know. Everytime I think they are making progress, they take a step backwards. They did just lose by 24 a few days ago. Before that, they blew a double digit lead at home and lost. If they can continue to get this type of effort at home and steal a couple of road wins, I'd be satisfied with this season. For that to happen, IU has to take care of the ball more consistently, rebound like they did today, and make some damn free throws.

 

After Iowa next weekend, IU's home schedule is Purdue, Michigan St, Ohio St, Wisconsin and Northwestern. I'd like to win at least 6-8 conference games, which means at least 4 more from somewhere. If we can get both vs. Iowa and keep Penn St down this weekend, then I'd like our chances to take at least 1 of those home games. Of course, a win at PSU and home win vs. Iowa would mean 4-3 in conference and 3 straight, which would be a huge boost. In that case, just 2 more wins could be a sign that things aren't going as well as they need to be.

 

I don't know how likely 6 conference wins is, but it would be a hell of a turnaround from last year's squad. IU is lost on the road, which isn't surprising considering the majority of their team is freshmen and sophomores.

 

What gives me hope, and a sense of progress if the play of the younger guys that should be around 4 years. Guys like Jones, Watford, Creek (before injury), Hulls, etc. They are gaining quite a bit of experience early on. Obviously having a team that sin't very good will give you plenty of opportunities for playing time.

[Sosa21MVP]

I think a 6-12 Big Ten mark for IU would be pretty amazing seeing as how Creek is out. Heck, that was more or less my B10 goal before Creek got injured.

[SouthSideRyan]

I think a 6-12 Big Ten mark for IU would be pretty amazing seeing as how Creek is out. Heck, that was more or less my B10 goal before Creek got injured.

 

They're gonna need to win on the road to do that. Iowa at home is the only game Pomeroy has them favored in, but that's before the Minnesota game. It'd probably have to be a sweep of Iowa, win at PSU, beat NU at home.

[soapy]

I'd be pretty thrilled with six B10 wins, but looking at the schedule, I just can't see it. As raw said, every time they seem to take a step forward, they take two steps back. It was great to see them hit the glass as well as they did against Minnesota and that effort needs to continue (particularly from the "bigs").

 

It's been said a billion times, but make some [expletive] free throws you jerks. That game never should have gone to OT.

[Exile on Waveland]

I think the next two games are winnable (at Penn State, home to Iowa). However, I just don't see them winning on the road, and Penn State will be starving for a conference win. I do think they'll beat Iowa at home -- and probably relatively comfortably (8-12 points?). After that comes a stretch where one win would have to be considered an emphatic success: at Illinois-Purdue-at Northwestern-Ohio State-at Wisconsin-Michigan State-at Minnesota-Wisconsin. Where do wins come from? Maybe Wisconsin without Jon Leuer? I think that's a stretch and that's probably the best chance.

 

The final three games of at Iowa-at Purdue-Northwestern allows two solid chances for wins (though I'm dubious about this team's chances against Northwestern). I think five conference wins would be significant progress -- and should be the goal. Even getting to five wins is going to take either winning on the road (at Penn State or at Iowa) and/or a rather significant upset at home (Ohio State, Wisconsin).

[tadowdaddy]

Good first half for the Cats. Lets see how they show up in the 2nd.

[tadowdaddy]

Bye Bye Texas! WOO!!!!

[Sammys Boombox]

I really wish Mizzou hadn't been flat against Oklahoma. Dang.

[tadowdaddy]

Can't wait for 2 weeks. Couldn't think of a better way to enjoy my bachelor party than in Manhattan KS with about 15 college buddies for KSU/KU. Gonna be the first time we've all been back there together in 10 years.

[snoodmonger]

Man, KSU really has UT's number. Does UT ever win in Manhattan?

[Andy]

Barring an insane run, ND's going to the NIT. Cincinnati was a body blow, and Cuse delivered the knockout punch.

 

Notre Dame's not a bad team - they're actually better than I thought they'd be, especially after Scott Martin went out. But they're not good enough to be more than .500-ish in the Big East.

[hawkeyecub]

Can't wait for 2 weeks. Couldn't think of a better way to enjoy my bachelor party than in Manhattan KS

 

Oh, I think I could.

[tadowdaddy]

Can't wait for 2 weeks. Couldn't think of a better way to enjoy my bachelor party than in Manhattan KS

 

Oh, I think I could.

 

 

Well, it's a hell of an excuse to get everyone back together in one place. Some of the guys couldn't go to the typical places (Vegas, Chicago, a beach somewhere) as their significant others wouldn't allow it. Besides, seeing #3 vs #9 will be a hell of a good time. Not to mention a bunch of guys in their early 30's going back to a college town. I forsee a weekend of dubachery.

[illiniguy]

Can't wait for 2 weeks. Couldn't think of a better way to enjoy my bachelor party than in Manhattan KS

 

Oh, I think I could.

 

 

Well, it's a hell of an excuse to get everyone back together in one place. Some of the guys couldn't go to the typical places (Vegas, Chicago, a beach somewhere) as their significant others wouldn't allow it. Besides, seeing #3 vs #9 will be a hell of a good time. Not to mention a bunch of guys in their early 30's going back to a college town. I forsee a weekend of dubachery.

You will both be ranked higher than that by then, no? Great win by the way.

[UK1679666180]

It's good to know that UK will be #1 next week.

[Jon]

I get Gus Johnson tonight doing the Northwestern vs. Ohio State game. A win and I think my life would be complete.

[Keener98]

Hope the "good" Illini show up tonight, and not the bad Illini

[Jon]

Can we agree to not play centers and just go 4 on 4? A stationary metal pole would be far more productive right now.

[XZero771679666304]

I'm just catching it on ESPN Gamecast, but this game looks U-G-L-Y.

[illiniguy]

I'm just catching it on ESPN Gamecast, but this game looks U-G-L-Y.

It has been, Gene is beaming with pride.

[Keener98]

Make your God Damn free throws Jesus Christ!

[ISUCubsFan]

Lucca Staiger is leaving Iowa State...to turn pro...in Germany...in the middle of the season. WTF? That's like 20 defections in the last 4 years. Looks like 7 scholarship players until Colvin comes off suspension sometime in February.

[Smack]

Good thing, for Purdue, Illinois missed a million free throws. Crazy that Illinois hit 6 of 7 threes down the stretch.

[gflore34]

Eventually, we'll see some consistent play from the Illini maybe, it'll result in some NIT wins.