Hoosiers Face Tough Challenges in Harrell, Cardinal Defense
Greetings fellow Hoosier fans. I suppose it’s time to introduce myself. Many of you know me from my rants and rumblings on twitter as @HoosierHaze. Today begins my journey as a contributor to Ink On Indy. I must say I’m excited to be on board, and ready to bring my little edge to IU sports coverage! Without further adieu, let’s talk basketball!
Two of college basketball’s most storied programs are set to do battle tonight at what some call the most famous venue in sports, the almighty Madison Square Garden. Being from Indiana, I beg to differ, but be that as it may, the stage is set for a showdown between #4 Louisville and the unranked Indiana Hoosiers. While my heart tells me that Indiana has a shot to pull the upset, my cynical nature tells me to brace for a night full of profanities and yet another broken TV remote.
Two years ago, these programs entered the season ranked #1 and #2 in the country. Since then, they’ve taken vastly different paths. Not to rub salt in the still fresh wounds of my fell Hoosier faithful, but facts are facts. That year, the Cards went on to claim the national title. You all know what happened to the Cream and Crimson… For the last few years, just hearing the words “Syracuse,” and “2-3 zone” was enough to make even the least devout IU fan want to throat punch Jim Boeheim personally (but let’s be serious, aside from a select few people in upstate new york, I think every basketball fan in America has felt those sentiments at some point.)
Ah, what were we talking about again? Oh yeah, Louisville… Since they won the title, they’ve consistently been ranked in the top ten ever since. Indiana? Yeah, not so much. Am I mad? Sure. Every red-blooded Hoosier basketball fan should be. In all honesty, aside from Yogi Ferrell, the Hoosiers couldn’t toss a pebble into a swimming pool last year, but oh, what a difference a year makes. This year Tom Crean brings a polar opposite, hot shooting Hoosier team to NYC to battle the defensive juggernaut that Rick Pitino appears to have assembled.
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These teams couldn’t be any more different on paper, which makes the matchup incredibly intriguing. Indiana brings a guard heavy, lights out shooting team devoid of a true go-to post presence. As entertaining as their offense has been to watch, at times watching the Hoosiers’ defense has been as painful as having a root canal.
Louisville, on the other hand, struggles a bit offensively, but plays some of the best defense in the country, second only to Kentucky in defensive efficiency. Oh, and there’s this Harrell guy in the middle. He’s good. Really good. In fact, at 16.1 points and 9.4 rebounds per game (per ESPN.com) , he’s one of the few players in major college basketball essentially averaging a double-double. Let’s just say Hanner and Emmitt will have their work cut out for them. (Did I say that Harrell is good?)
Can the Hoosiers win? Sure. If Indiana hits for three-point range like they are capable of doing, and they can contain Montrezl Harrell by committee, IU is capable of pulling the upset. The operative word be “capable.” The Hoosiers enter the game as the third highest scoring team in the country, at 88.4 points per game. If the right Indiana team shows up tonight, they can battle with the Cards.
On the flip side, a very young Hoosier squad is playing their first game away from Assembly Hall this season, against a great defensive team that is known to pressure the ball. Louisville has one of the best big men in the country, and to add insult to injury, they have one Kenny Johnson sitting on their bench, who I’m guessing just happens to know Tom Crean’s play book almost as good as Tom does. There’s a lot to be worried about in this game if you’re a fan of the cream and crimson. Warning: If you see Ted Valentine anywhere near MSG tomorrow night, please remove all breakable objects from then room. (Public service announcement. You’re welcome.)
My prediction? My heart says Hoosiers by 3. My head says Louisville by 15. Let’s split the difference, Cards by 9. If I’m wrong, this Hoosier fan will gladly sit down for a meal of crow after I dance an Irish jig through the neighborhood in my candy striped pants. Yeah, I know I’m not Irish, but I can do a mean jig. Don’t judge.