IU vs. Maryland

Indiana fans are itching for their first big win of the Tom Crean era. A good performance in Tuesday night's ACC-Big Ten Challenge clash would be a big step forward in the restoration process. I am really pumped up for this game and I have an odd feeling. I am usually a pessimist when it comes to sports and this will probably bite me in the butt. Call me crazy, the Hoosiers are going to win. The Northwestern State game was much better than I thought it would be. IU led the whole way and they were in absolute control for the entire second half. I thought Rivers played well (ten assists), Creek continues to score, and Elston had a really good game off the bench. Devan Dumes finally played some decent minutes. The only negative was the foul trouble Tom Pritchard continues to get himself into. He will need to be active without fouling against the Terps. Here are my three keys to victory.

3. Don't Let Vasquez Heat Up
Greivis Vasquez is one of the most puzzling players in the nation. There are times throughout his career where he has looked like the best player in the country. There are also times where he looks like a hot-dogging sideshow that belongs at the YMCA. He is a fiery player that tends to play better when he gets a little bit riled up. The IU crowd is going to be fired up (White Out night) and Vasquez might be really into this one. If he has a really good game, IU doesn't have a shot. For some reason, I don't think he will play well. Rivers will control him and keep him from burning the Hoosiers.

2. Young Guns Grow Up Quick
Indiana is still one of the youngest teams in the country. The "veterans" are sophomores and a junior. The senior leadership that you usually expect is not where Tom Crean wants it. This game is going to have a crazy atmosphere and it will be important for the IU freshmen to play calm and under control. Maurice Creek, Derek Elston and Christian Watford will need to have big games. Jordan Hulls and Bobby Capobianco will need to play some solid minutes. It will be tough but they can't play like freshmen in this game.

1. Don't Beat Yourselves
I will be able to handle a loss if Maryland proves to simply be more talented. However, I will be really frustrated if Indiana blows an opportunity for a big win by turning the ball over and missing free throws. I truly believe IU will have a chance to win this game but they have to limit careless turnovers and make their free throws. I want to see at least 25 attempts and at least 75% from the line. That will give IU a shot at the end.

Prediction
Like I said, getting my hopes up is not a good idea. I am probably going to regret it. I am picking the Hoosiers, 79-77. The restoration project gets a boost tonight!

Quick Observations from Holiday Tournaments
-Butler fans, don't panic. They lost two games in the 76 Classic and fell to #23 in the rankings. They played awful against Minnesota and still had a chance and they let Clemson win after leading the whole game. The Bulldogs still play Ohio State, Xavier and Georgetown. I think this will help them refocus. People are going to jump off the bandwagon and the team should be able to just concentrate on playing ball. If they keep struggling and drop a few more games this month, you can panic. For now, this could be a good thing.

-Syracuse is much better than anyone thought. Bob Knight believes that this team will be the best zone team Jim Boeheim has ever had. Bob Knight is a lot of a things. Two of those things are smart and honest. I love to watch the 'Cuse play because of the zone and because of Andy Rautins, the sharpshooter from Canada. Wesley Johnson, a transfer from Iowa State, is a very good scorer and they have a good inside game as well. They should battle West Virginia for a #1 seed out of the Big East.

-Duke is a Final Four contender again. They are the clearly the class of the ACC right now. UNC will get it together but they don't have a backcourt at the moment. Singler and Scheyer are playing very well and Coach K appears to have his best team in a while.

Go Hoosiers and until next time, God Bless.