A bitter taste lingers. A foul scent emanates. Two days removed from the merciful end of the ESPN inspired ACC/Big 10 Challenge, I’m left with more questions than answers. Like a college student eating a late dinner at Denny’s, when faced with a check he can’t pay, it’s time to start the car. There’s little reason to stick around and observe the mess befallen upon the Big 10 Conference. Sure, losing to Duke never feels good and losing to Maryland at home just plains hurts.
As we venture into December, one lesson is apparent: with the exception of Michigan and Wisconsin, the Big 10 is loaded with young teams that have yet to gel. The cupcakes that Ohio State and nearly every other team schedule to pad their numbers with eyes fixated on Selection Sunday are glorified scrimmages, contributing little besides easy wins. Wins, while certainly a necessity, don’t teach the discipline necessary to win big games. At this point in the season, easy wins don’t teach clock management and they certainly don’t simulate the pressure of making a jump shot with a hand in your face. Rather, the blowouts reinforce bad habits, quick shots, and scant defense. Hopefully, the drubbing the Big Ten took will inspire some soul searching, some pride and some tough practices. Lessons learned, we can only hope. Let’s get ready for the Big Ten Season and then prepare yourself for some March haymakers and ACC retribution. I’ll take Illiniois over Maryland in the Sweet Sixteen.
Like Beth Orton, on a tangent: Indiana returns to Bloomington with a lose to Duke but hopefully inspired by a resurgent second half. It was great to see Kelvin Sampson give big minutes to Erik Suhr, who responded with a passionate effort. Suhr’s game, however, seems more suited for the role of energizer coming off the bench, giving 16 to 20 minutes of hell to the opposing guards. Still, the biggest question for the Hooisers remains whether DJ White will emerge from his passive coccoon. Right now, his footwork stinks and his hands remind me of Perry Carter. If he doesn’t get it turned around, it’s a long season for IU.
Any Frank Houston reference is to be appreciated!
Left by ShorneyBuster on December 10th, 2006