disappointing loss but really not too surprising. i don't want to pile on (esp after a loss) but do agree with some of the sentiment of your post: at what point is some of the concern / blame for underachieving, poor energy on coach?
1. Seems to be a lack of a 'surprise wrinkle' (for lack of a better term). for example, we only seem to ever press when down big / late (i.e. desperation time). the zone (yes, it was disaster last year and do credit him for trying) but with Ray D not seeming the Def power of last year, why not some match-up zone or just some other creative scheme that could (could!) throw a monkey wrench into what appears to be our oh-so-easy scouting report.
2. They say teams will take on the personality of their coach. well, we know CMP is not fiery like Gene or others. The guys just seem so tight (guards, wings) ...afraid to miss shots or make mistakes... for fear of facing immediate benching or the wrath of Coach.
as someone mentioned in the game thread, we started canning some shots and stuff after the game was blown up. as if the pressure was off, so why not?
I'm not one of the "fire CMP" fans at all. But we seem to have fallen into a very distinct pattern of 1. playing tight or 2. playing not to lose (when up). Idk.. still a very solid team this year but perhaps the hype / excitement when we were 11-0 was a bit premature.
Still a chunk of season left, including what *should be* the most exciting time of the year! BTT / NCAAs. Start hitting on all cylinders and who knows..
sickens me to say it but also have to credit Indiana and even Clappy for a solid game plan. tough loss!!