Hey Hoosiers…….The Barn awaits you tonight!!
But chances are Tom Crean’s team will be ready for this match-up…Indiana looks to sweep the Gophers and continue their quest to their First Big Ten Regular Season crown since 2002. I have said this since last year, Indiana has a chance to be great and they have proved that to me every game they have played since their last stunning loss to Illinois in Champana (Champaign-Urbana). Oladipo’s explosiveness, Zeller’s ability to get baskets underneath and on the perimeter, Watford’s ability to stretch teams on the perimeter and Hulls, Farrell & Sheehey to defend and shoot the trey can give Minnesota problems. It did back in January when the Hoosiers ran away with the game until the Gophers fought back in the contest; but Minnesota has had some issues as of late. Mbakwe has not been impressive down the stretch, Ryan Hollins has fallen off the face of the earth…but tonight’s game can be a complete season-changing moment. That one moment that Tubby Smith’s team may need to reassure themselves to the committee. Minnesota in my opinion early on was a major contender for a Big Ten title…something they have not done since 1997 (remember they had to give that away due to NCAA sanctions*). The thing that is special about games this year in college basketball are road wins are hard to get…wait just last week Indiana went into spirited crowd in East Lansing where the great Earvin “Magic” Johnson was on scene and won on the road, all aside I think tonight Minnesota is going to give a valiant effort to make this Big Ten race even more interesting before it is all said and done. Michigan, Michigan State, Wisconsin & Ohio State are still on radar but if Indiana can stay composed and not let the electrifying crowd that “the Barn” get to them (which should not) they can prevail.
I feel people do not give Tom Crean the recognition he deserves…Indiana 3 years ago was dismal to watch and I know some Hoosiers fan can agree but what a fantastic job he has done. He is a winner with a winners’ mentality (have to be if you are married to John & Jim Harbaugh’s sister) he will continue the rich tradition that other coaches have graced us with in Bloomington…names like McCracken and the legend himself “the General” Bobby Knight. When it is all complete and we have our Four in Atlanta Indiana will contend for their 6th National Championship (first since 1987).
Trap game…yes, but Indiana will be ready and I know Minnesota will be too
March is here people!! Fasten those seat belts…because this ride is going to be bumpy!!!
SportsFire with Francis J. Stephens 