The Hoosiers (7-1) enter today's game with Kentucky (4-2) with many questions still to be answered. Is Eric Gordon healthy enough to lead IU to victory? Will Jordan Crawford's return have an impact on the Hoosiers' overall play? Can the veteran DJ White handle his business down low against a young and talented Patrick Patterson? How will the young UK team react to a raucous Assembly Hall? One can certainly make an argument for a blowout win by the Hoosiers. But, you could also argue the possibility of a close game that the Wildcats could win.
As for the first question, I do believe that Eric Gordon will start. However, I doubt we will see him top his average of 32 minutes/game. The Hoosiers will likely look to get Gordon off to a hot start, as nothing helps a player fight through pain like a good performance. When your game is on, pain can find a way to exit out the back window. I do expect Sampson to create more rest periods for EJ today, particularly with the return of Jordan Crawford.
Crawford comes back to the IU lineup today after a 3 game suspension. Ironically enough, he'll be squaring off against his older brother Joe, the Wildcats' top scorer and senior leader. The elder Crawford will need to be held in check by the IU defense. Averaging 18 points/game, Joe Crawford will look to hit the key shots and lead the UK scoring attack. If IU can keep him below his average and limit the easy opportunities down low, they should be able to win easily. It will be interesting to see how Jordan Crawford plays in this game considering the 3 games missed, going up against his big brother, and playing in the best Assembly Hall atmosphere to be seen so far this year. Earlier in the season he was forcing the issue a lot and playing out of control. Perhaps seeing things from the bench will give him a better perspective on how he should assert himself in the IU lineup.
DJ White will need to be a beast down low today. UK went into the UNC game and attempted to be as physical as possible with Tyler Hansbrough in an effort to break the Tarheels mentally. UNC ended up shooting a lot of FTs and Patrick Patterson fouled out of the game. DJ White has the experience and the skill to do the same thing to Patterson. Along with getting Eric Gordon into the flow early, the Hoosiers need to be sure that White gets his touches early and often. If UK comes out with the same approach, we could see the Wildcats in early foul trouble which would mean only good things for IU. On the other end of the floor, White needs to be intelligently physical with Patterson and show him what it is like playing with the big boys. With his wingspan and footwork, DJ should be able to limit the number of good looks Patterson gets to the basket. Ultimately, the flow of this game could very well come down to these two players. The player with the most rebounds and the least fouls will likely be on the winning end of this battle.
I completely expect the crowd at Assembly Hall today to be out of this world. I was an usher at the IU-UNC game a few years ago when Sean May came back to town. And I was in the 2nd to last row of the balcony 2 years ago when Duke was in town for what was then considered the loudest AH has ever been. Today, I'll be in the 15th row of the student section helping to re-establish that date for best atmosphere in recent memory. IU fans harbor a particular animosity towards our neighbors to the south, and we are not the least bit ashamed to admit it. IU has rich basketball history, UK has a rich basketball history. Each team has been the the mountain-top on several occassions, although no player on either of these present squads have really tasted what it is like to be on top. Both schools have relatively new coaches that will rival each other in matchups on the court and in recruiting battles. There will be no love lost here. This is a border war. This is what Indiana basketball is all about. This is our game, and it is time to make a statement. It is time we take back what is rightfully ours. Today my friends, Indiana University puts themselves back on the map.
My score prediction: Hoosiers 77 - Wildcats 60
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment