On the day the Tom Crean era “officially” starts (live stream
here), I thought it would be fun to look at the Hoosiers schedule and made my predictions for the season. With one of the youngest teams in the nation and one of the hardest non-conference schedules it should be a roller coaster ride.
The Big Ten doesn’t seem to be as strong as the past couple of years, so I’m still optimistic that these baby Hoosiers can pull off double digit wins this season.
I also believe that these kids are going to pull off an upset or two. Here are my picks for the season:
W: IU vs. Anderson University
The Division III school just doesn’t have the skill, size, strength or quickness to match up to the Hoosiers- a blowout in my book. I see all the players getting in there and seeing what they have to offer for the team. Even with all the walk-ons playing, still won’t be close.
W: IU vs. Bemidji State
To be honest, I have never heard of these guys so I had to look them up (thank you Google). The Division II Bemidji St. Beavers are coming off a 6-21 season and again just don’t match up to our Hoosiers, another no contest.
W: IU vs. Northwestern State
The first “official” game of the season, the Demons come in again under skilled. They won’t have the guys to match up with the Hoosiers. Another blowout victory for the Hoosiers.
W: IU vs. IUPUI
The first real test of the year. The Jags won 26 games last year, a testament to any team. They were led by George Hill, who is now in the NBA, but the Jaguars still will bring a talented team to Bloomington. I see the Hoosiers picking up the win with the strong play from the guards. The first close, competitive game will be a true test for the young Hoosiers.
L: IU vs. #9 Notre Dame @ Maui Invitational
Here is the where the season gets interesting. Notre Dame brings back a strong group of kids with preseason favorite Big East player of the year and preseason All-American Luke Harangody, and Kyle McAlarney, the Hoosiers just don’t have the size to match up with Harangody down low and an answer to McAlarney on the perimeter. Big win for Notre Dame.
L: IU vs. Saint Joseph’s @ Maui Invitational
I don’t think it matters who the Hoosiers play, Texas or St. Joseph’s - this game will result with an L. Saint Joseph isn’t as strong this year as in past years but they are a little bit more experienced and have some pretty good size with 6’10 Temi Adebayo and 6’11 Todd O’Brien.
W: IU vs. Chaminade University @ Maui Invitation
At least the Hoosiers won’t come away winless from Hawaii. Going 1-3 with a very, very, very competitive field is respectable. The tournament might not come out like this - just making an educated guess.
W: IU vs. Cornell
The Hoosiers will have a welcome return home. This should be an easy win over Cornell. The Hoosiers are just more talented.
L: IU at #21 Wake Forest, ACC/Big Ten Challenge
Wake Forest returns with a very talented group from last year. The Demon Deacons have a solid group of inside and outside players. They should be a team to be reckoned with in the ACC.
L: IU vs. #10 Gonzaga, Hartford Hall of Fame Classic @ Lucas Oil Stadium
Gonzaga is led by Jeremy Pargo and sharp shooting Micah Owens. The Bulldogs are very talented this year. The Hoosiers aren’t ready for the upset.
L: IU at Kentucky
Billy Gillespie is building something special down there at Kentucky. Look for them to be back at the national prominence. The Hoosiers again just aren’t experienced nor ready to pull off a big win, especially at Rupp Arena.
W and W: IU vs. Northeastern and Lipscomb
Both easy victories against two teams that are just not as talented against our Hoosiers.
L: IU at Iowa
First Big Ten game for Coach Crean. Iowa is a tough place to play. Don’t see a victory happening here.
W: IU vs. Michigan
First Big Ten win. Wolverines are just not very strong this year, and it’s always tough to play on the road in the Big Ten. A big win for the Hoosiers.
L: IU at Illinois
Hoosier fans desperately want to win this game but playing in Champagne is no easy task. A newly formed rivalry, this should be a fun game to watch.
L: IU at Ohio State
Ohio St. should be very talented this year. They've got size with #1 prospect in the nation in B.J. Mullens and will be a tough game down low for our big men. Don’t see them pulling off the win on the road.
W: IU vs. Penn State
IU holds off the home court advantage and pulls out a nail bitter with Penn State.
L: IU vs. Minnesota
IU can’t win the close game two games in a row. They lose the nail bitter this time.
W: IU at Northwestern
Northwestern has already lost to NAIA Robert Morris but have some talented freshman as well. The young Hoosiers are coming together and pull of the first Big Ten road victory.
W: IU vs. Ohio State
The Buckeyes come into Bloomington and the Hoosiers pull off the upset. The first big upset of the season. The young Hoosiers play well together and are lights out from the field, a signature win.
L: IU vs. Iowa
Just like any other young team, they are unbelievable one night, terrible the next, Iowa wins an easy one.
L and L: IU at #6 Michigan State and Minnesota
Both are very tough places to play and I don’t see us winning either game. Michigan State is the favorite to win the Big Ten and the Hoosiers should be no match for them. IU has always struggled up at Minnesota and I don’t see this year being any different.
W: IU vs. Illinois
Emotions are running high in this rivalry game - the Hoosiers pull out a big win.
L: IU vs. #25 Wisconsin
Marcus Laundry is a force down low. A big game from Laundry means a big win for Wisconsin.
L: IU at #11 Purdue
Baby Boilers have all grown up. The other Big Ten favorite with Michigan St, the Boilers probably have the most talent of any team. A usually heated rivalry should be a no contest. The Boilers just have too much talent.
W: IU vs. Northwestern
IU sweeps the series.
L: IU at Penn State
Can’t pull of the road victory. Penn. State shoots well from the outside and wins the game.
L: IU vs. Michigan State
Michigan State may very well be the top team in the nation by now. I see a home blowout loss game against the Spartans. Michigan State is just too talented.
L: IU at Wisconsin
The Hoosiers close of the regular season with a tough game up at Wisconsin. Again I see a big game from Laundry and a loss for the Hoosiers. We will play well, but just won't be as talented yet.
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That puts the Hoosiers at 14-17. A respectable number for the team compiled up of Freshman and walk-ons. Not good enough for March Madness. They don’t finish in the cellar of the Big Ten and surprise many teams around the Nation. This team grows throughout the year and becomes competitive with the best teams in the league. A definite rebuilding year for Hoosier Nation, but an encouraging and successful year for a team who is predicted to finish dead last.