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.

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