Win-Win Scenario for the IU Program
By TYLER SMITH (@TylerSmith_ISL)
ISL Editor
It’s been a rough few years (or decades, depending on who you ask) for Indiana basketball fans. However, things have changed for the better over the last few weeks. And now, you could even call their current situation the best-case scenario.
The Hoosiers will have a new basketball coach shortly after this season ends, and that’s still the most important thing. This team could make a deep run this March, and it wouldn’t change the reality that it was time to move on from Mike Woodson. Let’s not pretend like making a field of 68 teams in three out of four seasons is a big accomplishment. Let’s also not pretend that inching their way to a top-50 NET ranking is a big deal, or that winning a Tournament game when you have Jackson-Davis and Hood-Schifino on the roster is either.
With all of that said, the Mike Woodson era was still better than the Archie Miller era. And because the announcement of his pending departure came weeks ago, it has allowed the best-case scenario to take shape. This year’s team could finally focus on each game without the constant distractions from the outside. Fans that wanted a new coach could finally focus on cheering for their team instead of worrying that wins might hurt those chances. And to make things even better: Scott Dolson and his team could start the process of finding their next coach earlier. It has truly become a win-win scenario for the program.
(I joined “In Touch with Indiana Sports” to discuss the IU coaching search. Full video below)
With or without a new coach next season, we already knew there would be major roster turnover in the program once again. Over half of the current roster will be gone, which adds to the fact the current group has nothing to lose. The early season turmoil has shifted, and it has become a group that is now easy to rally behind. Fifth-year seniors Anthony Leal, Trey Galloway, and Luke Goode are leading the charge for this resurgent team that now finds themselves a win or two away from Dancing this March. And if they get in, they could absolutely do some damage depending on the match-ups.
The Hoosiers have a tall task ahead of them on Tuesday night, as they travel to play the red-hot Oregon Ducks out west. Oregon has won five straight games and comes in as a six-point favorite over Indiana. The winner of this game will likely finish 8th in the Big Ten compared to 9th, which also may make a difference in the eyes of the Tournament Selection Committee. After Tuesday night, the Hoosiers will then host Ohio State in Bloomington on Saturday. If Indiana wins both games, they are likely in the Tournament regardless of what happens in the conference tourney. If they split these games, they may have to win a game in Indy next week. I also won’t be surprised if this team ends up back in Dayton like they were three years ago, especially since they will drive up the ratings for the powers that be.
For now, fans can enjoy where things sit in the program. Their team has a chance to make the Tournament, and possibly be dangerous if they get there. Their team will also have a new Head Coach. The Hoosier legend Mike Woodson can go out on better terms. This scenario is exactly what Hoosier fans want to see in their final two regular season games: Win. Win.
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