Indiana 73, Michigan 71: Hoosiers survive.

1. When I opened this post, the ad at the bottom of the page encouraged me to “Embrace the Awesomeness of Zubaz pants.” I wonder what that says about us or about me that the ad robots would target that for me.

2. This game was pretty terrifying. It’s one thing to get out-and-out beat by a team that out-executes or out-athleticizes (what?) you over the course of the game. But it’s a whole different animal when you lead for most of the game and (almost) give it away due to boneheaded turnovers, missed shots, and bizarro threes off of offensive rebounds of other threes from your foe. I mentioned last night that I’m still shellshocked from Game 6 of the World Series. Even many hours later, the feeling resonates.

3. I can’t wait to see what a year or two will do for Cody. When he wants to score, he just does. It would be nice to see a focus on getting the ball to him in the last ten minutes of the second half, where he has a tendency to disappear of late. Some of that is foul trouble, and some of it seems to be nerves. I can’t wait to see him get over that hump.

4. Predictions for the next six games? 5-1? Sound good?

This isn’t necessarily directed at anyone here but…can we PLEASE all lay off of VJIII. He’s a good defender, he can be great in the clutch, and sometimes (this point is key) he’s the only one who is able to get the ball down to Zeller. Also, the guy deserves respect because he’s been with us through the bad times. I will say that I wish Abell would get more playing time, but I rarely am upset when Verdell is on the floor. I truly think that we’re a better team with him out there.

When he isn’t missing the front end of 1 and 1s and turning it over.

and yes it was hard for me to not check scores on any of my electronic devices as well as not watch any sports programming just so I would be able to watch the game and not know the outcome. Overall the Hoosiers played a solid game offnesively, free throw’s were ok, I think Olidipo did soem great things but just wasnt hitting his shots, but his impact on the game overall was never in doubt. VJ3 is playing much better this year and he does still piss me off from time to time but when we need him the most he usually comes through.

I’m loving the 1,2 punch that Watford and Zeller are brining and I think when Sheehey comes back that will only elevate the overall game even more. I think Jordy will be ok but he needs to take better control of the point at the ends of the games, he’s a smart player with a killer 3 point shot and sometimes when he doesn’t get going early offensively he almost disappears, but he still is playing pretty solid D.

I think overall we will see IU come out with a much better defensive performance against PSU and if we can shoot like we did in the UM game I’m not worried. I think this team knows it can play with anyone but is still playing hungry and with a chip on their shoulder. Like I said above if I told you that IU would be 14-1 at this point in the season most people would’ve called me crazy. But this team is special and I know that at some point we will drop another game but that in no way will dimminish what this team has already been able to accomplish.

The one where you get off to a good start, ride up to a comfortable double-digit first half lead – and then watch that lead shrink to nothing and hang on for the “whew” kind of victory.

But, that can be what you get in conference play. Most of these teams are too good and too well coached to just let you pull away. Michigan definitely fits that bill – they have an offense, and the players, to score threes, and they are extremely well-coached. So, we can be a little disappointed in how the game went, but give some credit to the other side and move on with the win.