Tuesday, February 19, 2008

IU deserved to win.

The calling cards of this Purdue team during the last 11 games have been timely shooting, smart defense and good free throw shooting. Until about 8:00 left in the game, our Boilers really had not done any of the three. One positive was Scott Martin played well at times and nearly took the game over. Martin desperately needed to find his confidence and his stroke for both his and his team's sake. JaJuan Johnson played well during the first half, Kramer played well in the second half and Hummel finally got on track offensively late in the game. All that said, the team that deserved to win in Ass Hall tonight was IU. D.J. White, who was clearly hobbled played tough as the underweight Purdue bigs could do nothing to answer White's effort. Eric Jordan carried, lowered his shoulder and palmed his way to quite a few points...and Armon Bassett shot very well and Purdue didn't seem to understand that he was allowed to shoot from beyond the arc.

While I'm upset about the outcome, I'm flat-out angry that Delaney's brain trust has allowed this to happen...by the way, it's this way again next season, only converse...The problem is, this is the second time in a row that the BT has given IU the only home game...it also happened in the '03 season.

I'm also pissed that Kramer didn't give EJ something extra to remember the game by. And I don't like the fact that all of the players are "buds" after the game. While I think the rivalry might be back for the fans, it's no where near where it was 10, 15, 20 years ago. That said, Matt Painter did his part in letting Sanctions know that he's not a fan of the soon-to-be ex-IU coach after the game by barely acknowledging him during the forced pleasantries.

IU Fans celebrate Tuesday Night's Victory

IU fan, enjoy the victory, your team earned it. Revel in it...and send a big thank you to Jim Delaney for taking away the possibility of retribution*. After that, say your goodbyes to your cheating coach. Your Hoosiers rallied around a losing cause over the past two games, they treaded water to keep a sinking freighter afloat, but alas this exercise is for not. McRobbie wants this issue to be put to bed, it will be so Friday afternoon, if not before. I hope your boy Greenspan's not too close to the S.S. Sanctions because the suction of a sinking vessel can be strong.
*The basketball gods will allow a rematch in Indy next month

34 comments:

Anonymous said...

IU fan here, coming in peace. I have nothing but respect and admiration for your team and I enjoy reading your blog. However, this phrase gives me pause...

"I'm also pissed that Kramer didn't give EJ something extra to remember the game by. And I don't like the fact that all of the players are "buds" after the game."

Are you suggesting that you wished Kramer would have physically harmed Gordon, or something of that nature? I hate your team, but I think that's beneath them. The Boilermakers haven't gotten to where they are by being thugs and you should be proud of that. And why can't they be friends off the court as long as they play their asses off on it? It didn't seem to stop them tonight. If they hit their free throws and some more threes it might be a different story.

Don't act like a loser because your team lost. And aye, verily, a rematch may come this year. I know IU will be ready. Again, great game and great blog.

Anonymous said...

I think he means being more physical (although he did foul out), and not being so cordial after the game.

I don't think he's insinuating any physical harm though.

You are open to your interpretation. As are the majority of IU fans who signaled an "X" on Kramer's reach in foul of Gordon as he was trying to go on a break in the final minute.

You can continue to compliment his blog but when you say, "Don't act like a loser because your team lost." That completely undermines your entire post.

Anonymous said...

I'm not sending Delany any thank you notes. I want see IU kick Purdue's ass multiple times every year too. ;)

Anonymous said...

First of, i haven't been able to watch college basketball since i live on the other side of the world in the middle of nowhere, so when i saw Purdue was first in the big 10 last week after beating MSU, i went from a somewhat sad mood to the best mood i had been in years... ok slightly exaggerated.
When i got back home i came and read like 2 weeks of posts from you.

As for your actual post. i hate IU. i can never cheer for them. i don't think any Purdue fans wants to play dirty, but we don't mind being physical. And we love it when people hate IU

To me, there is no greater picture than the one where Todd Foster is jumping in the air to stomp on the IU logo back in the 90's. Brilliant

John M said...

Much as it sucks that the Big Ten has scheduled this way, it was exactly the same last time. IU had the only home game in 2001-02. Purdue had the only home game in 2002-03, although the teams played a non-conference game in Indianapolis. The Big Ten always does this stuff in two year rotations.

Purdue Matt said...

Eric Gordon should play running back. Its disappointing because I think we easily could have pulled away and won if we capitalized on those first half turnovers by knocking down shots. This will be the last time IU beats us for awhile. I too am hoping for a rematch in the Big Ten tournament. We would smoke them on a neutral court.

boilerdowd said...

Many ex-IU players used to say that Keady teams game-planned for IU better than anybody else...and Alford says he was sore the next day after the contests due to legal screens, physical bump play and hard fouls when warranted.

Make no bones about it, I don't like Gordon, his Dad, his coach that Sanctions brought to IU to help bring him to Bloomington or the shady nature by which he was landed. That said, I don't wish anything outside of the rules...but on this side of the flagrant foul, there is a lot of room that wasn't explored last night.

I like D.J. White and think the guy can play...he deserves better than the mess that IU is in, so do many IU fans. But most, don't.

Anonymous, either come back, stop the 10th grade name-calling and use a screen name so we can discuss or don't come back. I like fans like John who are knowledgeable and post...I have little use for your tactic.

The reason Duke/UNC is such a great rivalry is because the fans, coaches & players are all on the same page...they don't like eachother. It'd be a lot of fun if we got back to that point...or close to it.

The Big Ten's scheduling is a complete mess. Delaney is completely to blame and there is nothing that can be told to me that could legitimize the fact that there are no guarded rivalries.

Playing in Conseco will not be the same...but I am happy there's at least a chance.

Tim said...

Why are the basketball rivalries not taken into consideration when scheduling time comes around?

Imagine the uproar if Michigan and Ohio State didn't play a football game for two years "because of the rotation."

Sure seems like they're willing to make accommodations then.

Anonymous said...

Moooookie,

You get an extra 10 points for reminding me of Todd Foster!

That was the epitome of a Gene Keady player right there! He rode bulls in the offseason!

boilerdowd said...

Mook,
I hope you're well!!! Thanks for stopping by!

J Money said...

Yeah, I love the anonymous people who say "love your blog," say they "come in peace" and then say something incindiary, like "don't act like a loser."

BP, thanks for calling this brave soul on his baloney. When we do it, people like him can say we're being defensive.

J Money said...

also: classy interview by a classy guy in Kelvin Sanctions. I like how he acts like the game is the only thing on his or anyone else's mind. Moron.

Purdue Matt said...

Here's a great read with great perspective...from ESPN of all places:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&id=3254000&sportCat=ncb

Anonymous said...

While PU played poorly, I think it was a great effort. I think it's a great place to look and see the Boilers' weaknesses as we come down the stretch.

Notes: I think Painter was right, Hummel needed to be agressive in the first half... He just didn't get himself involved offensively in the first half.

Keaton Grant did a good job in the first half, but toward the end, he showed his quickness in being able to drive the court and score very quickly! I'd like to see him shot fake and take it into the lane more consistently. I think he is just more than a spot up shooter (which he thinks he is).

While we're talking about shot fakes, I think a team with Purdue's size needs to utilize it more often. Hummel and Martin seem to utilize it, but I think when Purdue's in the lane it's imperative to the get the defenders off their feet (which gets you to the line).

Also, when running back EJ and Basset are driving the lane, I'd like to see less reaching and more charge taking. When the help comes over to block the shot, you're going to get called for a foul at least half of the time (whether you fouled or not). Step in, set your feet and take one for the team.

Also defensively, PU allowed a simple pick and roll to let Gordon & co. get into the lane easily. I'd like to see less switches and more "hedging." Which the Boilers normally do very well.

This team is highly skilled, but it's the basketball IQ that they need to continue to develop. They will understand that early in the game it's better to go inside and draw fouls which will set up more outside shots later on.

Your thoughts?

T-Mill said...

The students were chanting, "Just like football" at the end.

I like that. That means Indiana wins once every 5-6 years and only reaches the postseason once every 13 years.

I can live with that.

RFS said...

@ Purdue Matt

"Its disappointing because I think we easily could have pulled away and won if we capitalized on those first half turnovers by knocking down shots. This will be the last time IU beats us for awhile. I too am hoping for a rematch in the Big Ten tournament. We would smoke them on a neutral court."

Last time I checked, IU has a better FG%, FT%, and 3PFG%...so what makes you think that on a neutral court you would start knocking down shots?

As an IU alum and current grad student, I can't help but marvel at how much harder Purdue plays than any other team in the Big Ten. Purdue's aggressive defense will naturally cause a lot of fouls to be called (Wisconsin shot 33 against you guys).

My point is that is was a hard fought game. While EJ or JaMarcus couldn't hold on to the ball to save their lives, I thought IU looked better last night, but there is no way that you can say IU would get "smoked." I could easily see Purdue winning, but to say that is quite a stretch.

Again, good job and your future looks great. Ours on the other...I'm just praying the NCAA doesn't give a post-season ban.

boilerdowd said...

Travis good point...Let's hope things go that way for the next few contests! I'm honestly already stoked for Tiller's last home game (for a lot of reasons)...I think IU will be less-and-less excited about that contest as next November gets closer.

Dakich will have his guys ready to win a game in Conseco come March...the second win will be a tougher proposition.

boilerdowd said...

MJS, long time no reply...are you like Hurley and you only post following victories?

We've had a lot of IU-related posts the last few months.

Regardless, thanks for stopping by.

Anonymous said...

Got to watch the game. Ugh. Not the same Purdue that was playing the last few weeks. My fiancee finally got to see what a real rivalry is about. She also got to hear a constant stream of profanity come out of my mouth.

I was impressed with how well IU shot the ball. EG needs to quit whining so much. White looked great. It was good to see Martin get into it finally.

J Money said...

MJS -

You know, anytime somebody begins a sentence with "last time I checked..." you just know you're in for a bitchy comment.

And yes, those numbers really tell the story... very small advantages in all shooting percentages. But let me ask the following:

In a rematch, do you think Purdue's going to shoot 35% again? Do you think their 24% from 3-land is typical? And do you think IU will shoot 48% from the floor and a blistering 64% behind the arc again?

Purdue shot 35% overall, 24% from three and didn't get to the line effectively. They were also outrebounded and outplayed and this was all by a young team on the road against a top 15 team rallying around their cheating coach. And yet it was only a 9-point game that Purdue SHOULD have opened up into a different game in the first half, and which Purdue closed to a two-point game late in the second half, DESPITE this poor showing.

So, yeah, I think a rematch would be good.

Purdue Matt said...

"so what makes you think that on a neutral court you would start knocking down shots?"

Because Purdue leads the conference in 3pt percentage.

Purdue Matt said...

Not to discount our chances at a Big Ten title this year, but next season cannot get here soon enough. We will obliterate their talent void roster next year in West Lafayette. Also can't wait for the Bucket game either.

Purdue Matt said...

Well said jmoney.

Anonymous said...

Considering Purdue normally hits 40% of their threes, and 72% of their free throws, they would have hit 5 more threes and 4 more free throws. So yeah, if we had scored 17 more points we would be bordering on "smoked them" territory.......

but alas, that didn't happen. It's alright, we're playing with house money right now anways for what we thought was an NIT season.

boilerdowd said...

Well put, Eric.

Matt, I don't know how devoid of talent IU will be unless a fire sale occurs upon Sanctions' dismissal.

They'll have shooters and I'm sure their recruiting class will be solid despite the loss of a player or two the coach is gone.

Still, Purdue will be good, let's not look too far ahead and miss '07/'08.

Anonymous said...

I think it would have been fine for Kramer to spit in EJ's general direction on the floor.

Purdue Matt said...

I had to share this. It's an email from an IU coworker who has never emailed me before. Its so nonsensical, I wouldn't know where to begin....


first off, the IU program is not going to implode. this sort of thing happens every year with some school. like duke's lacrosse team and the "dancer". Duke still has a lacrosse team and the program didn't implode. IU basketball is one of the longest traditions in the NCAA. something like that doesn't fall apart because of one idiot coach. secondly, IU WILL beat PU again very soon. even if we lose eric gordon and dj white and our coach, the competition between IU and PU is way too intense. year in and year out, it doesn't matter what either team is ranked, it's always a good game. and lastly, the IU fans don't really care about coach sampson. he's been here 2 years. it doesn't matter if he takes us to the final four, we will still fire him. What we really want is to get Bob Knight back. This is a perfect excuse for us to go and get him back. I say fire sampson now, let an asst. coach finish the season and try to get knight for next year with a new recruiting class.

Purdue Matt said...

My response to this confused gentlemen I work with:

Duke wasn't a case of NCAA violations, completely different situation.

IU is facing 5 major violations. This will result in loss of scholarships, recruiting restrictions, a show cause order for Sampson, and probably a postseason ban as well. Those are pretty hard to recover from and not conducive to successful recruiting. Not to mention losing 5 star recruit Devin Ebanks who is now looking elsewhere. Not to mention having to hire a new coach and new assistants that must start from scratch in buidling recruiting pipelines and relationships with high school coaches.

You might want to read the attached document. I don't think you realize how serious this is. The NCAA is going to drop the hammer on IU's program.

boilerdowd said...

Matt, while you're correct in principle, you probably will be saddened in reality.

The NCAA protects its cash cows from large hits. IU basketball is a revenue generator that helps Title IX chug along, so it will do its best to distance IU from Sanctions in the end. Note how they clearly point at Sactions for being dishonest to IU, not for IU being stupid for hiring a guy with previous problems. Once IU kicks KS and maybe Greenspan to the curb they'll lose ONE schollie and have no post season ban. They'll put it all on his shoulders and force him to "fade into Bolivian".

I hope I'm wrong and you're right...I also hope your co-worker's right and they hire Knight. I'm pulling for him! IU fans deserve such a great guy. Remember, he graduates his players.

RFS said...

Guys, my point isn't that Purdue is awful. I'm talking about "we'd blow them out." Granted, Purdue will shoot better, but do you really think IU will all of the sudden not be the 2nd best 3 point shooting team in the Big Ten?

http://bigten.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/stats/2007-2008/confldrs.html#conf.wkt

While IU and Purdue's shooting stats are close, it's safe to say they are very evenly matched. Purdue plays better D, whereas IU has an advantage on the boards. My issue is with the blowout talk...

boilerdowd said...

MJS, I think your take is fair...But Purdue played its worst since Wofford and was in the game until the closing minutes of the contest.

IU's good, filled with shooters and White's a force...I'm still pissed that we have to debate this issue BCS style and not let the student athletes decide.

Anonymous said...

Boilerdowd-

To further your point, won't IU escape from further punishment for "self-reporting" their violations (in Oct) in the first place?

J Money said...

BP -- Not only that, but the NCAA is very likely to be lenient on the program IF they clean house and fire Sampson and Greenspan. If so, then the logic goes, why punish the school, fans, students and remaning players who came there to play ball? I can get behind this and am actually okay with it. Unless the kids on the team took bags of cash or something, this works for me... exterminate the rats and the program deserves to prove it's clean.

Anonymous said...

It sure is funny to come over here and see how you guys saw the game through that black and gold haze. Purdue to take a rematch in Indy? Please. Tell me, how are Chris Kramer or Keaton Grant suddenly going to become quick enough to guard Gordon and Bassett? Are Calasan and Johnson going to have major growth spurts in the next month so they can actually stand a chance against DJ? They aren't going to lower the basket or move in the free-throw or 3-pt lines in Indy so you guys can actually make some shots, you know. Face it, Indiana won because the Hoosiers are better. They proved it on the court, end of discussion.