I know it's a little early to be talking about next season already, but I can't help myself. I follow the Crimson Guard on Twitter and I saw that they quoted Gary Parrish, CBS college basketball columnist, saying this: "Indiana might be preseason number 1 depending on what happens with UK and UNC's underclassmen."

Does anyone else think this is at all possible? I was expecting preseason top 10 at least, maybe even top 5. Thoughts?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0t5I9OvyHzU&feature=related

I'm sorry, but this guy just cracks me up. I heard about him on JMV I think a few days ago and found his videos on youtube. I don't think I've laughed so hard at someone in a long time. At first I really thought he was a UK fan, but now I get the feeling that he is either A.) and IU fan or B.) someone just looking for youtube hits. Either way, the guys ridiculously funny whether you think he is serious or not.

ENJOY THE HATE!

First off, I have to say that this is what Indiana basketball is all about, from the grade school level through college -it's all about heart. You can have the athletes, pedigree or whatever, but really deep down who wants it more? We have all watched this team play through situation after situation this year, growing each time, and the way I see it, it has set them up perfect for this moment.

The biggest asset that I see IU having over Kentucky is their maturity, experience and resiliency. It's all 'between the ears' so to speak. I hate to overly rely on analogy, but it brings to mind boxing for me. IU is facing a bigger, faster opponent who has "knocked out" all its previous opponents, coming out unscathed. IU needs to go in and first thing, punch KY in the mouth, bloody their nose and get KY trapped in their head, second guessing themselves. I believe that, given KY's schedule and youth, they have yet to learn to face this kind of situation. They think they will run over IU.

I hope that IU can come out super aggressive and continue that defense from the VCU game. In addition, they will need to rotate their bench, going deep in order to force Davis either outside, or hopefully, into fouls. If IU can dictate pace and develop a half court set, hit some outside shots to set Zeller up low, then they have a chance. what do you think?

If you are an Indiana Hoosiers fan, then the last four of five years have just been disgraceful. Then, this year came along and blew everyone, and I mean everyone away. This wasn't supposed to be the year Indiana basketball resurfaced to the NCAA tournament.

I would like to thank Mr. Crean, not Tom Crean or Crean, but Mr. Crean, who deserves the same respect as our former coach, Mr. Knight. Coach Crean has a similar team this year as many Hoosier teams in the past lead by Coach Knight. Hard working, over-achieving and proving all the nay-sayers wrong. Many of the players on this years team may not play at the next level but thanks to Coach Crean, learned how to play together and he in turn, got the most out of each player that he could. He is a great motivator and I love his enthusiasm on the sideline, which helps the player's enthusiasm as well.

All in all, this year, I believe has already been better than expected and win or lose vs. Kentucky, we come home with our head held as high as possible, knowing that we played our hearts out and made the state of Indiana very proud of what we have accomplished this year.......Thank You Coach Crean, Kory Barnett, Jordan Hulls, Christian Watford, Maurice Creek, Victor Oladipo, Will Sheehey, Daniel Moore, Verdell Jones III, Austin Etherington, Raphael Smith, Taylor Wayer, Remy Abell, Jeff Howard, Tom Pritchard, Matt Roth, Derek Elston, and Cody Zeller for a very memorable season and the return of INDIANA HOOSIER NATION!!!!!!!!!!

As an old-timer, I miss the buzz that the State Finals used to generate. I had the privilege of attending two girls Final Fours as a student, prior to class basketball. The experience was incredible.

There's a lot of blame to go around for what's happened with the State basketball tournament, and I don't really want to get into it here. However, one gripe that I will air: the coverage of it in the mainstream media is horrible, if it exists at all. Maybe it's better with the Indy Star. Here in Fort Wayne, there's just not much. There is some for a local team, but even then it's kind of sparse.

So I turn to you, internet, the great democratizer of information, to fee my jones.

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"Indiana played really well in their game against NMSU, but they're just not going to be able to do it again against VCU*"

*Change team name for each time IU wins

Seriously, I want to see his reaction to the win. I want him to tell the story of the game. Own up to it.

I don't expect it though. that shill is on to his next B1G disrespecting. Is it just because no one wanted you to play for they, doug? (yes, ND basketball counts as no one)

For all you Hoosiers in the state of Florida, future Hoosier basketball player Peter Jurkins will be playing in the Hardwood Classic which pits Team USA vs. Team Florida. The game will be played at the Amway Arena (Home of the Orlando Magic) on Friday, March 23 at 2pm. If you want tickets, let me know. I am on the committee and may have a few left over. coachdaviddavis@gmail.com. It should be a GREAT GAME!

at least in theory.

cool article on ESPN.com - pick your bubble teams based on blind resumes (polls imbedded):

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/7651466/debating-ncaa-tournament-resumes-men-college-basketball

It's interesting how different things look when you look at the stats, and then learn the name on the front of the jersey.

also - isn't it great to be safely on the right side of the bubble? Go Hoosiers!

Hello, College basketball fans!

A concept we'll be trying is the 24-hour open thread for fans of all basketball, located in the FanPosts section in the future. A place where basketball fans can get together and chat about a variety of topics ranging from the Big Ten Conference to how much we all hate Kentucky. Just think of it as your favorite bar/hang-out spot where you can get to know your fellow college basketball fans on a more relaxed and personal basis. The point of this thread will be to bring us, the fans of the college basketball, together for some friendly conversation and camaraderie. So by all means bring your friends and join in. The only rule is don't be an ass. Other than that have at it.

5.Purdue: The Boilermakers needed a signature victory to feel more secure about their at-large hopes. So they played with passion during a 75-61 win at Michigan this weekend. Matt Painter continues to find a way with this team. Despite limited size, limited depth and off-court issues, the Boilermakers are an NCAA tourney team.

6.Indiana: The Hoosiers were never going to live up to the hype that commenced after December victories over Kentucky and Ohio State. But you have to step back and take a look at what’s happened in Bloomington this season. A team that won three Big Ten games last season is comfortably in the field of 68 and has amassed 22 victories. The Hoosiers crushed Minnesota on Sunday (69-50 in Minneapolis), avenging an earlier loss to the Gophers.

Now it's obvious that Medcalf is a moron, just trying to get page hits, or is only focusing on the quality of the last couple wins because any sane person knows that IU is the better team, has a better body of work throughout the reg season, and will almost assuredly be a higher seed in the NCAA Tournament. Like most all rankings this one is completely meaningless but it did a good job of stoking the fire of my hatred for Purdue. Since it's hate week click the link and let your anger fill you up. Then feel free to list all the reasons why Medcalf isn't fit to live on this planet anymore.