Hoosier
Fans: Make Your Reservations for San Antonio
By Biff Stevens, THG Sports
Editor
You
heard it here first. Much like Babe Ruth in the 1932 World Series, I’m going to
call my shot. Make your plans now to avoid the rush. The Indiana Hoosiers will
be playing in this year’s Final Four in San Antonio.
I know
it’s early. The Big 10 season hasn’t even started yet, but I’ve already seen
enough. This team is for real. As of this writing, the Hurryin’ Hoosiers are
5-4--A mediocre record at best; a record unacceptable at IU. Having said that,
though, this team is showing all of the signs of a championship caliber team.
A
prediction like this needs some qualifiers. Any intelligent sportswriter can’t
just go out on a limb like this without hard evidence. So let’s delve into the
not-so-obvious reasons why this team will reach it’s ninth Final Four in school
history this year.
Let’s
begin with the scoring. IU has a horrendous inability to put the ball in the
basket. Before the
Morehead State
game, IU had failed to score 70 or more points in five consecutive games. This
hasn’t happened in 20 years. More alarming to some, is the fact that only four
players scored in the Kentucky game. The Hoosiers shot a paltry 24% during that
game, led by Bracy Wright’s Allen Iverson-esque 8 of 21 shooting performance for
23 points. The culmination of the scoring woes is summed up by this stat: the
Wildcats had more rebounds than IU had points.
These
stats are misleading. To those who see the shooting woes of IU as problematic,
I say “hogwash”. To me, these numbers say there are a lot of players willing to
do the small things that don’t show up in the box score. Setting picks, diving
for loose balls-- intangible things like these add up to victories. Besides,
scoring is overrated anyway.
Another
roadblock that fans see preventing this team from a successful year are the two
blowout losses. Conventional wisdom says that no team is worth a damn if it
sustains a number of ridiculous losses like the ones IU has been subject to this
year. Kentucky
took the Hoosiers to the woodshed and beat them by 39. Wake Forest hit the Hoosiers
in the mouth and beat them by 33. Some might call these pathetic losses or an
abomination for an IU team. I call these games character builders. These types
of losses, in addition to choking at home against Missouri,
will only make this team stronger in the Big 10.
The
third factor to overcome in the eyes of fans is Coach Mike Davis. Many believe
he is in over his head. “For Sale“ signs placed in his front yard by disgruntled
fans are on the horizon. People believe Coach Knight should still be coaching
the team or, at least, some other qualified coach should be running the program.
I
disagree with these assessments. I see Davis as the greatest asset the Hoosiers
possess. A capable leader such as Davis will rally the team.
For
example, rather than waste his precious time addressing the media after the UK
game, he sent out in his place assistant John Treloar. According to the
Indianapolis Star, Treloar rationalized the absence of Davis by saying he was
using this time in a teaching effort. Brilliant! Everyone knows the NCAA
limits the amount of time players and coaches can associate with each other.
Why waste time answering questions about a 39 point loss to your arch-rival when
you can instead impart some wisdom on your team?
So what
was the wisdom Davis
conveyed to the team? One player told the Indianapolis Star that the players
and coaches stared at each other for an hour after the game. Coach Davis is a
firm believer that some things are better left unsaid. Kind of like when your
mom was disappointed in you and just gave you a look that made you embarrassed
at your actions.
Davis could have said, “Team, we got our ass kicked today in front our own fans
and a national TV audience, we have to be the most untalented team in the
nation.” Instead, Mike took a fatherly approach and let the team down easy,
thus inspiring a buoyancy that will propel the team to San Antonio.
For
those who dispute the effectiveness of Davis’ tactics, just look at the results
of the next game. IU pummeled Morehead State 77-57! That game was important
because now we can say at least we beat a team from Kentucky.
In the
post game comments following the victory over Morehead, Davis, like any good
coach, did not take the credit. Rather, he chalked it up to being focused.
That was a huge problem in the Kentucky
game. There definitely was a lack of focus against the Wildcats, but that’s
understandable. Everyone knows how difficult it is to remain focused when you
play your arch nemesis at home, especially with Christmas so close.
Also
during his post-game comments, Mike got around to talking about the Kentucky
game. Davis had this pearl: “Against Kentucky we missed five or six early
lay-ups and if we made those, then who knows.” Who knows? Yeah, he’s right.
Maybe they would have lost by only 29 instead of 39. Nevertheless, these
comments demonstrate that Davis
has a full grasp on the reasons why IU lost. Rest assured--he’s working night
and day to correct them.
Coach
Davis is also not too proud to accept some constructive criticism. Davis got
some expert suggestions recently regarding his gruff behavior on the bench. The
‘expert’ in this case is none other than Bill Cosby.
According
to the Louisville Courier Journal, Davis received some guidance from the Cos
after the Missouri game. Commenting on the priceless advice from the long-time
basketball expert, Davis said “Sometimes in a panic situation, our players will
look over at me, and I have this look on my face sometimes that would kill a
bull.” A sour look is definitely not the image a coach wants conveyed to his
team. Davis, according to Cosby, would be better served using a soothing look
for his team-- exactly like the kind Bob Knight would give his teams.
Further, Davis said, “One thing that really sticks with me is he (Cosby) said
that I have to move out of the way and just show them love.” Could you imagine
the General saying he needs to show his team love? There’s no confirmation on
the rumors that Gary Coleman would start giving Davis
advice once the Big 10 season starts.
This
article has addressed the so-called major weaknesses of this year’s team. The
evidence has demonstrated, in reality, that IU possesses unselfish players, has
some character building losses under their belt, and a very talented coach that
is applying expert advice. Who could disagree with logic like this? Certainly
not me. You can just thank The Hoosier Gazette when late March rolls around and
your making plans to watch the Hoosiers in the Final Four. After all, we gave
you the heads up back in December.
