Following a failed comeback try in a 70-67 loss to Michigan on Saturday, Indiana coach Mike Woodson sat on the postgame press convention with an expressionless gaze, staring into the void after yet one more missed alternative.
The start of the top had arrived.
Simply days faraway from rumors turned verify truths of Woodson’s resignation on the season’s conclusion, Saturday marked the third time in 4 contests the Hoosiers had alternatives to win within the remaining minute however couldn’t pull by means of. It was a consequence now repetitive in nature, sure to occur.
“We haven’t been the identical workforce for some time now,” Woodson stated postgame. “And for no matter purpose we’ve dug a gap. I’ve achieved a horrible job in actually placing them in the perfect place potential to win, I believe.”
That sums up the state of this system. Now searching for its sixth full-time coach since 2000, it marks one other failed teaching tenure, one other likelihood to hit the reset button. One other alternative to attempt to – lastly – get it proper.
IU basketball has develop into trapped in a loop of doom. What’s the fitting route to flee?
When it comes to closing out this season, even that is still a query mark.
“I want I knew,” Woodson stated relating to why Indiana’s roster expertise hasn’t equated to success. “My job, once more, because the coach is to proceed to push them and preserve them in an excellent mind set and hopefully one thing good will click on.”
In opposition to the Wolverines, IU turned a blowout right into a nail-biter. Trailing by as many as 18 factors only a minute earlier than halftime, the Hoosiers regarded misplaced and uninspired within the first half. Regardless of an encouraging crowd, the product was dangerous sufficient to advantage a string of boos getting into the tunnel.
Then, a swap flipped. Mackenzie Mgbako ignited a scoring burst, and some changes made the defensive effort evening and day – notably Anthony Leal’s success marking 7-foot point-forward Danny Wolf.
With 9:30 remaining, IU shrunk its deficit to 1 level. After Michigan responded with a run, the Hoosiers exerted one other push and tied the sport at 59 all with 4:08 left.
Nevertheless, Indiana ran out of gasoline. Regardless of a number of probabilities, the Hoosiers struggled to string collectively high quality possessions within the remaining minutes and misplaced a recreation they by no means led.
It wasn’t precisely the identical story, however the ringing shades of the Maryland and Purdue losses struck once more.
“You’ve acquired to tip your hat and provides them a whole lot of credit score – I do – as a result of they may have folded it up and known as it an evening,” Woodson stated. “Guys fought, however Michigan was the higher workforce.”
Now sitting 14-10 and 5-8 in Massive Ten play, IU – by some means – isn’t completely lifeless. With 5 Quadrant 1 alternatives remaining, the NCAA event remains to be in sight, although binoculars are wanted.
In the identical sentiment, the Hoosiers might miss the Massive Ten event completely. Tied for thirteenth earlier than Saturday evening’s video games have wrapped up, Indiana’s 2-10 Quad 1 report can foreshadow how the ultimate video games will play out.
That’s the place the brief time period stands for now. The long run? Oh boy.
Teaching sizzling boards have already been revealed, rightfully so, and the Indiana opening will undisputedly be the information of the offseason for so long as it’s open.
IU has time for now, however it wants to purchase in on a route and keep on with it. Which route that will probably be is an open query.
Since Bob Knight’s storied tenure ended clouded by controversy, this system has tried a number of completely different routes. First, it stayed in-house with Mike Davis. After a storybook 2002 Nationwide Championship run, Davis struggled and his ship slowly sank.
Subsequent was Kelvin Sampson. A superb coach with a questionable background, the Hoosiers took a danger and went for it. Recruiting violations pushed Sampson out the door.
Tom Crean pivoted this system from backside feeders to nationwide contenders however simply couldn’t attain the following stage and success began to bob. Subsequent.
When Indiana employed Archie Miller, it was seen as a house run. Though Miller had solely succeeded on the mid-major stage, a promising future with him on the helm regarded imminent.
Besides it didn’t occur. Miller floundered, couldn’t muster an NCAA event look (partially as a result of COVID-19) and was booted after 4 seasons.
That brings issues updated. IU selected to rent Woodson, hoping to re-ignite the times of Knight with a former participant with NBA teaching expertise. Clearly, it hasn’t labored out as anticipated.
It’s been a protracted, bumpy street to now. Indiana has seen success and promise slip proper from its grasp a number of occasions over, a irritating actuality for Hoosier followers.
Most teaching boards include candidates who embody all potential instructions. Whether or not it’s a reputation with relations to this system, a younger up-and-comer, an skilled but older candidate and even those that are profitable however muddled by controversy, the checklist has all of it.
All that’s left is to see the place it goes. As soon as once more, this system’s destiny lies in a singular rent, the identical resolution that hasn’t panned out a number of occasions over.
There could also be no singular proper or mistaken reply, however it’s a call that may require confidence and belief. With a minimum of the following 4 years possible relying on the fitting rent, it seems like greater than ever it must be proper.
For now, solely time will inform.
Filed to: Mike Woodson
