Exile on Waveland

Those are my goals for next season as well. At this point, I think they'll reach them; but my mind my change drastically depending on the level of improvement this season (and potential defections). I'm actually quite excited for this season. It's going to be really ugly at times, but I'm expecting them to play hard and improve. I'll be there tonight, wonder how many others will be?

i just don't see iowa being relevant in any big ten discussion. if it happens, i'll be extremely surprised. there are just other teams that have more going for themselves. I really think that it will be OSU and Illinois going for it in a few years. They are both going to be loaded. But, I also think that Purdue, Wisky, MSU, and even Minnesota will be pretty goodd again.s exciting to have the big ten getting good again. i think purdue is there to stay, i think msu is going nowhere, osu gets every single good player on earth, wisco will continue to contend with whomever they bring in and they're fairly loaded with incoming players, and minnesota is absolutely on their way back up in terms of recruiting. there just isn't any room for iowa at the table, although it would be good for the big ten. As much as I hate to say it Indiana will be back sometime in the next three years or so. Crean can recruit and a lot of players seem to be in on the rebuilding/restoring IU idea. As I told my roommates last year the Big Ten is ridiculous right now with its coaches especially recruiting wise. Tubby, Painter, Matta, Crean, Weber, Beilein, Izzo and Ryan are considered great recruiters and winning coaches. Crean has assembled a Top 10 class for 2009 thus far. I expect us to be a factor next season. I think you're aiming a bit too high/too soon to expect your '09 class to turn a last place team into a contender. IU should be shooting for a tourney bid next year, that's about it. And there's certainly no shame in that considering where you're coming from. I can't imagine IU competing for the Big Ten next year. I do think there is a good chance they end up in the tournament though.

He's actually very good at taking in-season data and applying it to the paradigm used by the selection committee. However, he knows absolutely nothing about basketball and his preseason predictions are beyond preposterous.

I assumed Taber would start. This is going to be an interesting year for an IU hater like myself. I'd put the over/under at 2.5 for Big 10 wins. He's currently hurt. That was the lineup that started Friday's exhibition game. Taber is almost certainly a starter when healthy; I also would guess that you'll see multiple starting lineups throughout the season. They won't win many, but think the over is the best bet there. I don't see who they could beat. Maybe 1 fluke win. I'll take the under. They still play at Assembly Hall. They have a very good coach. Their backcourt could be decent. The Big Ten doesn't have many good teams at all. They probably will be historically bad for Indiana, but I seriously doubt they go winless in the Big Ten. Winless Big Ten teams are extremely rare -- only 2000 Northwestern has done so since 1994 (cursory internet search only went back that far -- and that was 16-game schedule). This IU team is more talented and has far better fan support/homecourt advantage than teams that generally go winless. It's not about picking who they'll beat; no league game jumps out as a sure-fire win. Upsets happen in college sports; especially when average or below-average teams play in hostile environments.

The Colts are improving. That was easily the toughest game left on the schedule (at least until the last game of the season at home against the Titans, who I am hoping will return last year's favor and rest their starters). The Colts should definitely make the playoffs now.

I assumed Taber would start. This is going to be an interesting year for an IU hater like myself. I'd put the over/under at 2.5 for Big 10 wins. He's currently hurt. That was the lineup that started Friday's exhibition game. Taber is almost certainly a starter when healthy; I also would guess that you'll see multiple starting lineups throughout the season. They won't win many, but think the over is the best bet there.

Wisconsin has Bo Ryan.

It's going to be very difficult for IU to climb out of the Big Ten cellar. It may -- may -- be possible because Assembly Hall should still offer a greater homecourt advantage than the other teams at the bottom of the conference. IU is looking at probably about 8-10 wins overall.

Wood is the one player I have real difficulty separating emotional attachment from a cold business-like approach. I would be extremely sad to see him go, and, to me, think it's worth overpaying to keep him (I know that's not sound baseball business sense, but it's Wood).

Well, so much for that trade. McCargo fails his physical and goes back to the Bills. The Colts just can't catch a break at DT.

He's from Northwestern Indiana and grew up a Cubs fan. I pretty much guarantee he's not accepting a trade to the Padres.

Colts got John McCargo from the Bills for (reportedly) a fourth-round pick. He hasn't done much, but was a first-round pick and has much needed size (6'2", 307 lbs.).

I think you seriously underestimate Penn State.

I don't think there is any doubt. Hendry will want a left-handed power hitter to hit fourth between Lee and Ramirez. I think the Cubs will resign Wood and Dempster, make a huge push for that lefty power bat and potentially look into Furcal as well. If we're channeling Hendry, we must look at baseball through his eyes. I would let Dempster walk. I can't imagine the Cubs will be able to add much more payroll and if you're going to pay that much for a SP, I'd go for a more reliable one (Lowe or Burnett). But I'm sure Hendry will make re-signing Dempster a priority. The Cubs must address SP this offseason though - Zambrano and Harden are major health concerns and Dempster is unlikely to duplicate his 2008 success. Oh, I'd let Dempster get overpaid somewhere else and pocket the draft picks. I'd then look into Burnett or Lowe, as you said. I just don't think that will be the Cubs route. As much as I'd like to make offensive improvements, the Cubs had the NL's best offense. The rotation is most troublesome. Harden is great, but how many starts will he realistically make? How healthy will Zambrano be? Lilly has been healthier with the Cubs than previously. Another reliable starter should be top priority.

I agree it's not the best idea but if you can start getting younger in the OF with a pre-arbitration guy, that'd be a great start. If you're still talking Hermida, I'd be interested in your take on his awful year in 2008. What I'm hearing is that Hendry will be looking for someone from the left side that can produce 30+ HR and 100+ RBI to put between Ramirez + Lee. Adam Dunn fits that bill. I'm not sure he fits Hendry's bill.

I don't think there is any doubt. Hendry will want a left-handed power hitter to hit fourth between Lee and Ramirez. I think the Cubs will resign Wood and Dempster, make a huge push for that lefty power bat and potentially look into Furcal as well. If we're channeling Hendry, we must look at baseball through his eyes.

You'll beat us, pretty easily I might add. This team is done. This is the type of loss that just kills you for the rest of the season. Losing Cullen Jenkins was probably the worst thing that could've happened because now we can't get pressure on the quarterback. Seattle and Indianapolis before the bye and then you guys and Minnesota right after it. What a depressing turn of events. I won't be all that surprised if those four games produce 2-3 losses. The most likely wins, I'll admit, are Green Bay and Chicago but I'm not ready to chalk any of them into the win column quite yet. The bye is coming at a great time, though, after this tough, physical game. It'll give us a chance to rest before the toughest stretch of the year. The Colts aren't good. The Colts are very talented and, if they're able to get an early advantage, can turn the game into a shootout - exactly what this Titan team does not want. The Colts are a tough matchup and a rivalry, therefore the game worries me. Oh, the Colts certainly could beat the Titans. They've just given no indication that they're a team to be feared; talent level notwithstanding.

You'll beat us, pretty easily I might add. This team is done. This is the type of loss that just kills you for the rest of the season. Losing Cullen Jenkins was probably the worst thing that could've happened because now we can't get pressure on the quarterback. Seattle and Indianapolis before the bye and then you guys and Minnesota right after it. What a depressing turn of events. I won't be all that surprised if those four games produce 2-3 losses. The most likely wins, I'll admit, are Green Bay and Chicago but I'm not ready to chalk any of them into the win column quite yet. The bye is coming at a great time, though, after this tough, physical game. It'll give us a chance to rest before the toughest stretch of the year. The Colts aren't good.

I want Kuroda! Holy crap! Keep going! I want Wade!

I want Kuroda!

Rich Harden is not to blame for this fiasco. That would've been his 1st run given up of the game if the rules could be called correctly on the field, for one thing. didnt say he was to blame just said salary is high for a 5 inning guy He's not a 5 inning guy For the Cubs, he's pitched 5.1, 7, 5, 7, 5.2, 5, 7, 7, 5, 6, 5, 6, 4.2. That's, what, like an average of 5.2 a game? Not much more than a 5-inning pitcher.

Does the crowd think every fly ball is a homerun?

Sheesh.

I agree. He's playing with fire like Dempster was in Game 1. One of these innings the Cubs are going to put a couple on with zero or one out, and someone will come through. Surely.

I don't believe this game is over. I have faith Harden will shut them down the rest of the way. The offense? I'm skeptical, but somewhat hopeful.