IU Basketball - a busy week

3 games in 6 days... and IU is definitely improving

IU 57 - Southern Illinois 47

Does anyone question the importance of playing defense after watching IU beat the Salukis at their own game? IU couldn't buy a bucket in the first half, couldn't make a free throw at any point in the game, but their defense kept them in it until Rod nailed a 3 and a layup on subsequent possessions and a 5 point game was a 10 point game... game over. And what was that I saw at the 5 minute mark? A 1-3-1 press? What a great ambush... and Xavier Keeling is a natural at the point... big enough to make it difficult to pass over it... and quick enough to make it difficult to dribble through it.

IU 77 - Western Michigan 69

What was that I saw at the half? A major adjustment going to 4 guards and DJ to better defend the 3 point line as the Broncos were really spreading IU out and Stemler and Keeling were having difficulty getting out on their man. I did find it interesting that WMU was ready for IU when they deployed the 1-3-1... they spaced correctly and passed diagonally over the defense. Western Michigan was well coached and well prepared.

IU 86 - IUPUI 57

IU came out hot and took a 10-0 lead and never looked back. Earl Calloway is looking to pry the defense for a gap to drive the ball and it's turning into layups and assists. These last 3 games he has been "THE KEY". It is nice to see an IU team blow out a team they should dominate and to see the walk-ons get some playing time. And a note to the morons who couldn't figure out why the attendence was so low tonight at Conseco... Maybe a $35 ticket with a mandatory $7 service charge is a bit too high.

What a breath of fresh air watching IU Basketball this year. A team that is improving every game and a coach that is changing things up during the game and is quite the motivator. Now just 1 more tune-up before the B10 season begins with the biggest challenge right off the bat... at Ohio State.