Season Prediction from the Balcony- T-3 Days

Good evening fellow Hoosiers…tonight, almost at the cusp of the start of the season, I sit and ponder how our beloved team will handle another season under Mr. Crean in the wake of a very difficult off-season. Many of us are skeptical, others are optimistic, some neutral. I'm not writing this to debate opinions between fans or put myself in one of those categories (although I do fall into one…).

Many of you probably saw the great Ken Pomeroy and his rankings that were released last month with the Hoosiers coming in at #26. Honestly speaking, I was somewhat surprised and took a couple days to think about what we should really expect this season. As a fan of Indiana basketball I expect our team to make the tournament every year. I feel that the bar has been continually lowered by our fans but it's time for everyone to realize this tradition and program garner so much respect around the nation and we should expect nothing less. Heck, I think a Sweet 16 appearance is wonderful, but this program's expectations should be well beyond that phase of the tournament. That said, let's see the hand we have been dealt below and what my predictions are:

B1G Play- 8-10.
Overall- 19-12
Tournament Outlook: VERY suspect. Depends how B1G play & conf. tournament pan out. Need some big wins to solidify the season.

If the Hoosiers are able to get a few major wins in the B1G and improve the conference record, we could definitely make it in. Furthermore, weak as it may be, they must take advantage of the out-of-conference schedule and take care of business in that category. If Louisville can go down in the Hall it would be a massive boost for a tournament resume and certainly a confidence boost for this young team. I'm predicting a loss against PITT but you never know. I think by then we will have a very good indication of where this team is heading down the road and into conference play.

Of course, I absolutely dread making predictions on our team, because I don't like predicting losses…but if I played on emotion I feel my prediction would be far off to say the least...Feel free to share your thoughts and comments on the schedule & predictions as well. Sleep tight Hoosier faithful.


*Schedule pulled from ESPN

DATE	OPPONENT	RESULT/TIME	RECORD/TICKETS
Fri, Nov 14  W	vs    Miss Valley St	7:00 PM ET Big Ten Network	Conversation | Tickets
Mon, Nov 17  W	vs Texas Southern	6:00 PM ET Big Ten Network	Conversation | Tickets
Thu, Nov 20  W	vs #22 SMU	8:00 PM ET Big Ten Network	Conversation | Tickets
Sat, Nov 22  W	vs Lamar	8:00 PM ET Big Ten Network	Conversation | Tickets
Mon, Nov 24  W	vs Eastern Washington	7:30 PM ET ESPNews	Conversation | Tickets
Fri, Nov 28  W	vs UNC Greensboro	9:00 PM ET Big Ten Network	Conversation | Tickets
Tue, Dec 2  W	vs Pittsburgh	7:00 PM ET	Conversation | Tickets
Sat, Dec 6  W	vs Savannah St	7:30 PM ET Big Ten Network	Conversation | Tickets
Tue, Dec 9  L	vs #8 Louisville*	9:00 PM ET	Conversation | Tickets
Sat, Dec 13  W	vs Grand Canyon	5:00 PM ET Big Ten Network	Conversation | Tickets
Sat, Dec 20  W	vs Butler*	2:30 PM ET FOX Sports 1	Conversation | Tickets
Mon, Dec 22  W	vs New Orleans	7:00 PM ET	Conversation | Tickets
Sat, Dec 27  W	vs Georgetown*	12:00 PM ET	Conversation | Tickets
Wed, Dec 31  L	@ #21 Nebraska	TBD Big Ten Network	Conversation | Tickets
Mon, Jan 5  L	@ #18 Michigan St	7:00 PM ET Big Ten Network	Conversation | Tickets
Sat, Jan 10  W	vs #20 Ohio State	TBD	Conversation | Tickets
Tue, Jan 13  W	vs Penn State	7:00 PM ET Big Ten Network	Conversation | Tickets
Sun, Jan 18  L	@ Illinois	1:00 PM ET Big Ten Network	Conversation | Tickets
Thu, Jan 22  W	vs Maryland	9:00 PM ET	Conversation | Tickets
Sun, Jan 25  L	@ #20 Ohio State	1:30 PM ET CBS	Conversation | Tickets
Wed, Jan 28  L	@ Purdue	9:00 PM ET Big Ten Network	Conversation | Tickets
Sat, Jan 31  W	vs Rutgers	3:15 PM ET Big Ten Network	Conversation | Tickets
Tue, Feb 3  L	@ #3 Wisconsin	7:00 PM ET	Conversation | Tickets
Sun, Feb 8  L	vs #24 Michigan	1:00 PM ET CBS	Conversation | Tickets
Wed, Feb 11  L	@ Maryland	9:00 PM ET Big Ten Network	Conversation | Tickets
Sun, Feb 15  W	vs Minnesota	7:30 PM ET Big Ten Network	Conversation | Tickets
Thu, Feb 19  W	vs Purdue	7:00 PM ET	Conversation | Tickets
Sun, Feb 22  W	@ Rutgers	TBD	Conversation | Tickets
Wed, Feb 25  L	@ Northwestern	7:00 PM ET Big Ten Network	Conversation | Tickets
Tue, Mar 3  W	vs Iowa	7:00 PM ET	Conversation | Tickets
Sat, Mar 7  L	vs #18 Michigan St	TBD

The Eye Test

  After last weeks whirlwind of events surrounding the men's basketball team at Indiana University it is finally nice to talk about basketball. I listened to the first exhibition game on the radio, with the Hoosier Nation famous Don Fischer on the call. The Hoosies pulled away in the 24 point win. It was nice to have Indiana basketball back. Since it was a radio broadcast, I was unable to give the team the eye test. Well tonight I saw the game, and the broadcast by the students, both were given the eye test.

   So before the game started, everyone who would be tuning into the game knew that Hanner Perea was our only big man playing tonight. So he had to pull more than weight down low. After two quick fouls, I was a little bit concerned. Hanner was able to control his foul situation for the rest of the game but it did make me wonder. The Hoosiers did struggle on the boards tonight, how would we have done if Hanner was in real foul trouble vs a team like SMU or Wisconsin? I can't wait to find out.

   I also saw the crowd gravitate to an early fan favorite, Tim Priller. It was Hoosier Nation at it's finest when Priller entered the game in the first half. You could feel and hear the love that he received from his peers in the student section. Just imagine the roar if he throws down a two handed dunk vs Iowa ala Tom Pritchard style. That is what I want to see from the freshman. He should be in Bloomington for a while so give it some time Hoosier fans.

   I also witnessed, as usual, a solid game from number 11, Yogi Ferrell. The young man is a stud and we have known this for a few years now. His continual improvement is necessary for this team. He does have some shooters this year to help him out but he has to be the leader on and off the court. But that is obvious to everyone in this basketball crazed state.

  It was fantastic to see Colin Hartman play, and to play very well. He had a very solid game and a couple of blocks. A couple of steals. A couple of three points shots hitting nothing but the bottom of the net. He played so well that my wife said "everyone who wears number 30 for IU is good." So I asked her why and she replied with "because Matt Roth wore number 30 also." Fair enough, to step on the floor at Assembly Hall you have to be good, so she made a good point. Colin played so good I was ready to nominate him as player of the game.

   But the player of the game goes to Rob Johnson. The freshman DID NOT MISS. He was perfect from the field, ran the fastbreak, handled the ball and played the game almost perfectly. He did it all without missing a shot. Congratulations Robert Johnson you played a bell of a game.

   The play of the game goes to the "Sloppy Janitor", Mr.James Blackmon Jr. His first half baseline dunk/flex is definitely deserving as the play of the game.

   My eye test also caught one of the U of I players sporting a haircut straight out of the movies. That movie would be "Dumb and Dumber." Until next time, Hoosier fans.

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