Michigan State 64, Indiana 59.
by John M (The Crimson Quarry) on Mar 4, 2009 7:34 AM EST
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PrintHere's the box score. The difference between this year's team and every other IU team I've ever watched is the lack of confidence that this one inspires. I don't mean that as an insult to the team or the coaching staff at all. If Tom Crean can continue to get this sort of effort from his future teams, it's inevitable that IU will return to the elite of college basketball. What I mean is that even in what we used to consider a mediocre year, there was always the sense that if the Hoosiers hung around long enough, especially at Assembly Hall, they would win. Last night, even when IU had a couple of shots at the lead late in the second half, there was always the sense that this team just didn't have the experience to finish off a team like Michigan State. Unfortunately, that proved true.
If my math is correct (Pomeroy's updated numbers aren't ready as I write this post), this was a 60 possession game, and the teams' numbers were strikingly similar across the board. Both teams turned the ball over 14 times. MSU shot just a touch better from the field and from the line, and rebounded somewhat better. It was a competitive game, much better than anyone could have imagined, but it's hard to take much solace in competitive at this point. IU has been somewhat competitive in most of its Big Ten games, but has only one win to show for it. I'll try to come back later with some Senior Night coverage. For now, some individual notes:
- Verdell Jones continues to emerge as a scoring threat, scoring 15 points on 12 attempts, but he still turned the ball over four times. His future role probably won't be as a point guard.
- Nick Williams scored 11 points on 7 attempts.
- Kyle Taber, in his final game at Assembly Hall, reprised his do-no-harm 2007-08 performance: 3 points on 1-1 from the field and 1-2 from the line, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, no turnovers.
- Malik Story, forced into action by Devan Dumes's early ankle injury, scored 11 points on 12 shots and continues to show glimmers.
- Tom Pritchard was there, but not there. He played 31 minutes, but didn't make much of an impact, good or bad, on the box score. He scored 2 points, had three rebounds, 2 turnovers, a block, and assist, and a steal.
Now, it's on to Wisconsin for the regular season finale. The Big Ten standings are fairly tight in the middle, and so it's difficult to project who IU might play next Thursday afternoon in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament.
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Great effort last night
I know I am in the minority of Purdue fans when I say this, but if IU can get some talent and maintain its effort that it has shown in a bunch of games this season they will be very dangerous. I actually like watching them play because they play so hard.
A futile crusade to prevent mass ignorance
Hammer & Rails
The talent
is coming in next year. I totally expect the Hoosiers to be much more competitive than this year. So as of right now the B10 is on notice.
Oh and I’m super very happy that the IU nation has come on to SBNation.
If things came easy, then everybody would be great at what they did, let's face it.
Mike Ditka
Catch Phrase of the day: YAAAAAAAY! <---- Courtesy of ChiFan13.
Watched bits and pieces
Like I did most Hoosiers games because they’re so painful to look at, but at least this team is out there busting their ass on every possession. It’s been a long time since any coach brought that kind of intensity to the Hoosiers. That part, at least, is fun to watch.
I would say your assessment is right on
Even though it was a one-possession game late, there was just never a sense that the team had the confidence to say “we’re going to win” and make it happen.
However, if this year’s team is able to instill the same effort and attitude into next year’s class, I think IU will begin the climb out of the Big Ten cellar.
I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg
Great effort
even though it didn’t result in a win. The fact that these kids are going thru such a rough year and they go out and bust ass all game is such a nice change of pace and a great thing to see. Coach Crean is building this program the right way, with hard work and tenacity. This is a good foundation we’re seeing here, with some promising players now and a great class coming in next fall. I really like Verdell Jones, and while he may be a little turnover prone, I do see him being able to run the team going forward, he seems very comfortable running the offense from what I’ve seen, and I’d be willing to bet that with a season of Big Ten play under his belt we’ll see big strides made next year. This is easily the most excited I’ve been since Bobby roamed the sideline. I wasn’t a fan of Davis or Sampson, to the point I didn’t want to watch IU anymore. Now I see us playing real basketball again, and while it’s a work in progress it’s going to be fun watching the future play out.
"So's your mom"-David Sloane
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