A Bandwagon Lament Part 2

Maybe I'm just crazy... Maybe.

Maybe I'm alone in the corner with Tom Crean as the only two people who still believe in Banner Six, but the more I watch this team, the more converts I see.  I know we lost last night, but I guarantee in the coming years, February 4th, 2010 will a day that we remember as a turning point.

Two years ago, our team was undermined and destroyed.  Last year, we were in shambles.  This year, even the most optimistic fans were just hoping we could turn the corner, but the general consensus was that this rebuilding process would take years.

Ladies and gentlemen, introducing the new Indiana Hoosiers.

Out of nowhere, Tom "The Wall" Pritchard learned how to play basketball.  Christian Watford looked like he had inherited some Kobe chromosomes, and Devan Dumes apparently picked up some defense at the NBA's Goodwill.  What surprised me the most, however, was the passionate play of freshman Jordan Hulls.  As a Bloomington South kid, Hulls is born and raised Cream and Crimson, so I fully expected him to come out at the beginning of the game and just start shooting.  As a born-and-raised Hoosier, when it's IU-Purdue, you want---no---you NEED to be the hero.  Now, don't be mistaken, his nerves showed, but despite his scrambling around midcourt late into the shot clock, his nerves didn't negatively impact us.  By keeping his emotions in check (and two key threes didn't hurt), Hulls proved that (despite my fears), we DO have a reliable guard to run the offense in the future.  As skilled as Jeremiah Rivers is, he plays with his heart.  As much as I love watching his sick crossovers, there's only so much patience I can have with the guy who insists on driving into the lane and chucking the ball at the backboard every time we need points.  Yet another question mark answered.  So let's look at our team next year without our next recruiting class.

Tom Pritchard- With a very loud 13 points, 5 rebounds, and a steal, "The Wall" who was once known most for having balls bounce off him has established a post presence that we've been lacking.  If he can play for the rest of the season with half the intensity he displayed in the first half last night, we've got a hell of a team to watch

Christian Watford- Beast.  His stats speak for themselves.  I'm not going to elaborate because it's unnecessary.

Verdell Jones III-  My greatest fear about him going into this season is that he has sticky hands.  He wants the ball (good), but he wants to keep it when he shouldn't (bad).  He's skilled, however, and he's learned how to work with the team.  Come next year, everyone will know his name.

Maurice Creek-  Remember me?  I guarantee... yes... GUARANTEE that if Maurice Creek was healthy last night we win that game.  Regardless, he's the centerpiece of this team.  This is the guy that's going to make it on the Tshirts.  "Got Creek?" perhaps?  Maybe you prefer something else, but one thing is sure, when he comes back, we won't be Up a Creek Without a Paddle.

Jordi Hulls-  The glue holding together our lineup.  This kid has it.  He's skilled, but we knew that.  Now we know that he has mental fortitude.  He showed courage not in a lack of nerves, but rather a conquering of his nerves.  This is the first test, but give this kid two years and he'll be leading the charge towards Banner Six.


So maybe I'm crazy, or maybe Crean knows what he's doing.  Maybe this team has what it takes.  For those of you who aren't along for the ride right now, I beg you to jump on board now.  This team is the next great story in Indiana basketball.

First, there was Milan.
Then there was Bobby, Reggie, Larry Legend.
Now, there's Tom Crean and the next generation of Hoosier Hysteria.

From Bobby Plump to Bobby Knight and everyone inbetween, we've seen too many legends in Indiana to not recognize one when he's coaching our sidelines.

Banner Six, here we come.