I agree that zone is really our only option. Problem is, IU is not a great zone team. They aren't even a good zone team at this point. Kentucky will know it's coming. The Hoosiers are going to have to execute perfectly on offense for 40 minutes (turnovers will lead to easy Kentucky buckets) to keep this one close. The Hoosiers have a chance but everyone needs to be on.

What I do know is IU better stop given the baseline or our bigs will get dunked all over. I am seeing a lot of teams giving the baseline then trying to trap. I think that's what is going on with guards releasing to the bigs to trap but the communication is not there yet (Tom Prichards foul trouble). If I was coach I would take away the baseline looking to get the charge on Wall or whoever he try to through the alley oop too. Step right in front of whoever they try to set up for the oop before they leave the ground.

I think Patterson has to be let go. The key is going to be only allowing one guy to get 20 plus points. If they have more than one going for twenty IU clearly has no chance. The zone is the best chance to keep Wall and Bledsoe from going off unless they hit their shots from deep. If they do, the game is over. I think Patterson can score but he scores a lot of his points on the penetration of the other players and rebounds. We have to box him out and keep him from easy shots in the lane. Keep him shooting the 10-15 foot jumper. If he hits, again the game is over.

In addition, I'm telling everyone but Rivers, Creek, and Watford to foul foul foul. Screw it. They can't shoot free throws (66% clip). The difference between Pritchard, Jobe, Bawa, Elston, and Capo is minimal. None are really go to guys. Thats 25 fouls we can use to keep them from easy shots. I'm talking knocked on their a$$ fouls too. Wall needs to be on the ground when he comes in the middle, nothing dirty just hard fouling

IU has to pick their battles in this game. Somebody for UK is going to score and probably score alot. The key is making them score shooting jumpers and not layups. If they hit their shots they win. If they have an off day shooting IU has a shot.

The crowd needs to get on Cousins early. We need to hope and pray he throws up and early airball and gets off his game. If he gets a dunk like he did early in the UCONN game on that spin move we are in trouble. I don't think Jobe can stop him but he may be able to piss him off to the point of picking up a T or getting off his game

Cream and Crimson I agree with you. Running will get us blown out but its the only shot of winning. If we had more guys who could create their own shot I'd say slow it down. We need to make them slow down, and we need to speed it up on offense. Hard to do but only shot of winning.

Dakich made a good case on why KY is not that good as people are making them out to be a fully agree with his assessment on their experience, depth, and their 'freshmenness'

Slowing it down probably decreases the chances of pulling the upset, due to reasons you highlighted, but also probably gives IU a better chance at staying in game longer and keeping it close.

I hope that made sense?!?!

On defense IU should be in zone for the majority of the game. It protects Rivers from foul trouble and his injury. IU is going to have trouble staying in front of Wall and Bledsoe and Patterson will be tough to guard one on one. I'd play a tight zone as well, a couple feet off of Wall. If Wall and Bledsoe are hitting their shots then you tip your hat and hope they start missing. If IU is going to play man, I'd put Dumes on Wall. He is the best defender and it will save energy for Rivers.

Patterson will be a problem inside, another guy you give the jumper to so he doesn't just drive by you. When Cousins comes in I'd put Jobe on him. I think Cousins can get frustrated and get in to foul trouble. Jobe is awkward enough to frustrate him.

Again, I am worried about Patterson down low. UConn is a pretty big team and Patterson was able to have his way at times last night. I really don't know if Pritchard, Elston, Capobianco and Jobe are up to the task of handling him down low. KY is now coming off wins over UNC and UConn. I hope they come out a little bit over confident and the Hoosiers put a lead on them early. If that happens, we're in for a game.

Cousins has been a head case all year, I don't worry a ton about him. Cal has had problems with him over and over. I do like the fact they are coming in off a win, could be a little over confident and have yet to play a solid road game. This crowd could rival the Duke IU game from a few years ago…..

I still disagree on the running thing. KY looked unbelievable on the break last night. With our tendency to get out of control and turn the ball over, it could get out of hand quickly if we play sloppy and allow them to get us in a running game. I do see where you're coming from though, because we have been effective in the running game this year and probably have more turnovers in the halfcourt, it's almost a Catch 22 here 🙂

I watched the UConn game and I saw the Cats play against Stanford. I truly believe a zone is the only option we have. They don't have any phenomenal shooters and our man-to-man would get shredded on the perimeter. If the Hoosiers can get off to a good start and get the crowd behind them, this could be a contest. Kentucky has a lot of talent but they only have two consistent players (Wall and Patterson). If the rest of their guys don't show up, Kentucky will be in for a shock! This was a great confidence win over a team that will win 20 games (Dixon does it every year). Go Hoosiers!

I think Wateford could have a big game as their bigs are not mobile enough to guard him…I cannot wait

Looking forward to the game and hopefully IU surprises some people!

I think the problem is that people had unfair expectations of Hulls for this season and now anybody who disagrees with those expectations after seeing him play is labeled a “hater”. Again, he probably will be, and I hope he is, a great player as he develops, but he's not there yet. I still think he was a great recruit for Crean to get and I'm glad he's at IU.

To the extent we have fans on this site that are hard on players I think Dumes probably ranks #1 and TP #2 . I donot believe they deserve it and honestly all of the players deserve our support they are working their butts off