I, for one, as a proud Indiana University alum, am tickled Cream and Crimson that our basketball squadron was able to provide Nebraska with its first marquee, landmark Big 10 conference basktetball win. It might not go on page one of our rather proud and long history with the sport, but its now part of the Hoosier lore. Like it or not. It sucks to lose, but on the bright side, beating Indiana is all of a sudden a reason to storm the floor. After not just the last three seasons, but much of the last decade, its a welcome, if not bittersweet, sign of progress that the program is finally back to its proper relevancy. Beating Indiana is an important achievement again, something that could be your program and your fans highlight of the season.
Are you buying any of that? Probably not. But the rushing the court meme instantly came to me as the horn sounded and Husker fans romped towards center court. I cant even remember the last time somebody did that after beating Indiana. Most Indiana fans are more worried this morning about actual basketball issues than my quasi silver lining that we now have proof that beating IU is big news again. Nope. We’re all wondering whats become of our magical, dream season. A 3-game losing streak, highlighted by bad losses to Minnesota and Nebraska bookending a troubling, non competive beatdown at the hands of Ohio State has the pretty Bloomington sky a-falling.
Honestly, though, I am not taking that much umbrage with the loss. I did after the Minnesota loss because the team just didnt play well, they looked sloopy and almost played like a win was a foregone conclusion. The Gophers pretty much controlled the game, in Bloomington no less, the whole way. Last night was a different story. IU played well in the first half to forge a lead. Then, they played even better basketball for the first 13-14 minutes or so of the second half. The win seemed in hand. Then, total meltdown. The Hoosiers began coming away with empty possessions. They missed a key free free throw. Nebraska hit a pair of clutch free throws. A game winning layup attempt by Jordan Hulls was blocked by the rim. It all seemed so last season, which isnt good. But road losses, even inexplicable ones like last night, happen, especially with a team that still needs to figure out how to close consistently on the road. As a nasty puncuation mark to an on-going three game losing streak, however, the final result is all that matters, not necessarily the first 34 minutes of the game when the Hoosiers looked like a polished, top-15 team and forged an 11-point lead.
So, what gives? Whats been happening on this skid? To my untrained basketball eye, here are the problems, in a nutshell: Verdell Jones needs to start dribbling with his head up. Victor Oladipo needs to stop trying to make the game winning play on every touch. They cant lose sight of Cody Zeller down the stretch and not get the ball in his hands. Jordan Hulls needs to stop playing like a spaz like he did last night. Seriously, isnt there a house somewhere on Dunn Street where we can find him something to calm his nerves? When I was in school there was, so somebody hook him up please. As a team, they need more commitment to defense. Basically the team appears to be finally struggling under the weight of expectations and being the target. Crean, a spaz in his own right, needs to find a way to calm the team down, restore its confidence and get them back to playing with the carefree, we’re back so deal with it, style that had propelled them into the top-10.
Bottomline, its still January. A future NCAA bid has not been burned up. At least not yet. Every team goes through struggles and the winter blahs. I’d trade losing last night for wins over Purdue, Illinois and Michigan State during the final month. I’d rather see the team peak in four weeks, primed for runs in both the Big 10 and NCAA Tournaments. The team we’ve seen the last three games doesnt seem capable of that. But, the team the hit the court in the preceding games absolutely did. Its hard to not be concerned about this losing streak. But, getting back to my sentiment at the top, its also nice to not only be nervous during an IU game again, but also feel the sting of losing a game you should win and seeing the other teams rush the floor as a result. There’s a long way to go. The Hoosiers have bigger games to get ready for. I’m still enjoying this ride, losing streak be damned, and look forward to see how they respond against Penn State this weekend.
They'll be there. Sooner rather than later, methinks. This is the year they round the corner.