The Greatest College Basketball State. Ever.

[FinallyABoilerFinal4]

It's hard to imagine a state ever being as deep and talented as Indiana is this year. Purdue, IU, Butler, Valparaiso, Notre Dame, and Evansville all have the pieces in place to make historic runs. These teams are all undefeated and winning by ridiculous margins at this point. Who is the favorite to win it all? Here is a weekly power ranking:

1. Butler - They won by 73 points. They're locked in here until someone brings them back to reality.
2. IU - Finally developing some D to go with their lethal O.
3. Purdue - Deepest team in the state.
4. Valparaiso - Last year: 28 wins and a 3-point loss to Maryland in the Tournament. Return everyone.
5. Evansville - Last year: 2 wins over Tournament teams + CIT Tournament Champions. Return everyone.
6. Notre Dame - Elite talent, but do they have elite leadership like the Elite 8 team last year?

 

[FinallyABoilerFinal4]

Yes, I'll be updating the power rankings. My list is the only official one, so don't bother posting yours. Just complain about mine. Any D-1 school in Indiana is eligible. So Larry Bird's alma mater, Ball State, IPFW, and IUPUI all have a shot. I'm just keeping it at 6 teams so it doesn't get watered down. IUPUI beat Indiana State 72-70 in their 1st game, and if they can win at Marquette tonight they'll join the conversation.

 

[Heller]

Indiana is a top one but North Carolina has some chops as well on college basketball.

 

[SDBoiler1]

It's hard to imagine a state ever being as deep and talented as Indiana is this year. Purdue, IU, Butler, Valparaiso, Notre Dame, and Evansville all have the pieces in place to make historic runs. These teams are all undefeated and winning by ridiculous margins at this point. Who is the favorite to win it all? Here is a weekly power ranking:

1. Butler - They won by 73 points. They're locked in here until someone brings them back to reality.
2. IU - Finally developing some D to go with their lethal O.
3. Purdue - Deepest team in the state.
4. Valparaiso - Last year: 28 wins and a 3-point loss to Maryland in the Tournament. Return everyone.
5. Evansville - Last year: 2 wins over Tournament teams + CIT Tournament Champions. Return everyone.
6. Notre Dame - Elite talent, but do they have elite leadership like the Elite 8 team last year?

Not sure how any true Boiler fan could rank IU above Purdue right now.

 

[FinallyABoilerFinal4]

Indiana is a top one but North Carolina has some chops as well on college basketball.

Several states like North Carolina and Kentucky are talented at the top, but lack any depth. After UNC and Duke, I'm struggling to find a 3rd team in North Carolina that will even make the Tournament. N.C.State just lost to William & Mary by 17. Wake Forest has had to rally from behind against one mid-major and then barely hold off another. Davidson lost the leading scorer off a team that Iowa destroyed in the 1st-round of last year's Tournament. All 6 teams in the Indiana power rankings have a realistic shot at the Final Four. If you're doubting Evansville is a Final Four contender based on their name, keep in mind they beat Northern Iowa last year and I'm sure you thought 30-3 Northern Iowa had at least a shot at the FF. Shane Battier did. http://espn.go.com/mens-college-bas...-final-four-national-champion-ncaa-tournament

 

[Grover]

Not sure how any true Boiler fan could rank IU above Purdue right now.

I don't believe any have.

North Carolina since the 70's is pretty impressive, since the OP did say EVER in his title...

 

[SDBoiler1]

I don't believe any have.

North Carolina since the 70's is pretty impressive, since the OP did say EVER in his title...

So you're saying he's a LOO, LOO, LOOSIER? LOO LOO LOOSIER?

 

[Boilerbuck]

I have always been partial to the 1978-1981 period when four different teams represented the state in the final four:

1978 Notre Dame
1979 Indiana State
1980 Purdue
1981 Indiana

 

[lbodel]

It's hard to imagine a state ever being as deep and talented as Indiana is this year. Purdue, IU, Butler, Valparaiso, Notre Dame, and Evansville all have the pieces in place to make historic runs. These teams are all undefeated and winning by ridiculous margins at this point. Who is the favorite to win it all? Here is a weekly power ranking:

1. Butler - They won by 73 points. They're locked in here until someone brings them back to reality.
2. IU - Finally developing some D to go with their lethal O.
3. Purdue - Deepest team in the state.
4. Valparaiso - Last year: 28 wins and a 3-point loss to Maryland in the Tournament. Return everyone.
5. Evansville - Last year: 2 wins over Tournament teams + CIT Tournament Champions. Return everyone.
6. Notre Dame - Elite talent, but do they have elite leadership like the Elite 8 team last year?

Wasn't there a time in the 2000s when 7 teams from Indiana made the tournament?

 

[BoilerBulldog]

Wasn't there a time in the 2000s when 7 teams from Indiana made the tournament?

Yes. That was the record. Although I thought late 90's. Too lazy to look up right now.

 

[FinallyABoilerFinal4]

North Carolina since the 70's is pretty impressive, since the OP did say EVER in his title...

To clarify, this thread is based on the idea that Indiana might be the most talented and deep state ever for college basketball in a SINGLE season. So the Hoosier state is not competing against North Carolina-post 1970. They're competing against Kentucky during the 2011-12 season when UK won it all, Louisville made the Final Four, Murray State the round of 32, and Western KY squeaked in as a 16 seed. It's based on depth AND talent. Not only does Indiana need to shove 5+ teams into the Tournament like they did a year ago, they also have to do something a little more impressive when they get there. Earning higher seeds so they're not playing teams like Wichita State, Texas, Maryland, and Cincinnati in the 1st round again would go a long way towards that. Obviously, all this can't be determined until that time comes.

Purdue will have chances to pass Butler and IU on the court. As it should be.

 

[rgarlitz]

Butler I can see. Purdue hasn't been able to beat those guys in several years. But Purdue has won three straight vs. Indiana.

 

[FinallyABoilerFinal4]

FYI, the deepest Indiana has ever been was in 1999-2000, when the Hoosier state sent 6 teams to the Tournament. That tied the all-time record which was broken 2 seasons later by California's 7 teams. But 99-00 definitely wasn't one of Indiana's most talented years. Of the 6 teams, all but one was knocked out in the 1st round. The one that advanced? They made it all the way to the Elite 8 behind a leading scorer who was a real birdbrain.

 

[BoilerBulldog]

FYI, the deepest Indiana has ever been was in 1999-2000, when the Hoosier state sent 6 teams to the Tournament. That tied the all-time record which was broken 2 seasons later by California's 7 teams. But 99-00 definitely wasn't one of Indiana's most talented years. Of the 6 teams, all but one was knocked out in the 1st round. The one that advanced? They made it all the way to the Elite 8 behind a leading scorer who was a real birdbrain.

FWIW, Answer.com says Indiana had 6 in '00 and CA had 6 in '08.

 

[Heller]

To clarify, this thread is based on the idea that Indiana might be the most talented and deep state ever for college basketball in a SINGLE season. So the Hoosier state is not competing against North Carolina-post 1970. They're competing against Kentucky during the 2011-12 season when UK won it all, Louisville made the Final Four, Murray State the round of 32, and Western KY squeaked in as a 16 seed. It's based on depth AND talent. Not only does Indiana need to shove 5+ teams into the Tournament like they did a year ago, they also have to do something a little more impressive when they get there. Earning higher seeds so they're not playing teams like Wichita State, Texas, Maryland, and Cincinnati in the 1st round again would go a long way towards that. Obviously, all this can't be determined until that time comes.

Purdue will have chances to pass Butler and IU on the court. As it should be.

Well then as Grover pointed out, don't use "Ever" in your definition.

 

[FinallyABoilerFinal4]

FWIW, Answer.com says Indiana had 6 in '00 and CA had 6 in '08.

California did have 6 in '07-08. And '96-97 as well. But they had 7 in '01-02 like I said. Texas also had 7 in '09-10. Indiana had 6 in '99-00 and 5 in '02-03 and last year. The Hoosier state will probably tie and maybe even surpass its personal record for Tournament teams this year. You won't know until March.

Well then as Grover pointed out, don't use "Ever" in your definition.

This is about the state of Indiana's quest to have the most dominant season of college basketball ever. What would you call it?

 

[Heller]

California did have 6 in '07-08. And '96-97 as well. But they had 7 in '01-02 like I said. Texas also had 7 in '09-10. Indiana had 6 in '99-00 and 5 in '02-03 and last year. The Hoosier state will probably tie and maybe even surpass its personal record for Tournament teams this year. You won't know until March.



This is about the state of Indiana's quest to have the most dominant season of college basketball ever. What would you call it?

Well then you failed miserably in framing your intent in the initial post.

 

[sixpackpete]

California did have 6 in '07-08. And '96-97 as well. But they had 7 in '01-02 like I said. Texas also had 7 in '09-10. Indiana had 6 in '99-00 and 5 in '02-03 and last year. The Hoosier state will probably tie and maybe even surpass its personal record for Tournament teams this year. You won't know until March.



This is about the state of Indiana's quest to have the most dominant season of college basketball ever. What would you call it?

Well then you failed miserably in framing your intent in the initial post.

I guess Finally was wrong by 116%!

 

[Travisty13]

To clarify, this thread is based on the idea that Indiana might be the most talented and deep state ever for college basketball in a SINGLE season. So the Hoosier state is not competing against North Carolina-post 1970. They're competing against Kentucky during the 2011-12 season when UK won it all, Louisville made the Final Four, Murray State the round of 32, and Western KY squeaked in as a 16 seed. It's based on depth AND talent. Not only does Indiana need to shove 5+ teams into the Tournament like they did a year ago, they also have to do something a little more impressive when they get there. Earning higher seeds so they're not playing teams like Wichita State, Texas, Maryland, and Cincinnati in the 1st round again would go a long way towards that. Obviously, all this can't be determined until that time comes.

Purdue will have chances to pass Butler and IU on the court. As it should be.

As it should be? We beat IU last year, with essentially the same team we have now if not more improved. So if anything, IU needs to prove something, not the other way around.

 

[FinallyABoilerFinal4]

As it should be? We beat IU last year, with essentially the same team we have now if not more improved. So if anything, IU needs to prove something, not the other way around.

Basketball is about matchups. In last year's Tournament, West Virginia beat an underrated Maryland team by 10 and then lost to an overrated Kentucky team by 39. Likewise, Iowa beat Davidson by 31 and then lost to Gonzaga by 19. If your strength is another team's weakness, you'll beat them easily. If their strength is your weakness, you'll get blown out.

Purdue has one of the best frontcourts in the country. To counter this, IU recruited a McDonald's All-American center and a physically strong transfer power forward. IU has one of the most explosive backcourts in the country. To counter this, Purdue redshirted 2 of their best perimeter defenders. Purdue is improved this year, but they don't match up as well with IU. The power rankings are about this season and this season only.

 

[SDBoiler1]

Basketball is about matchups. In last year's Tournament, West Virginia beat an underrated Maryland team by 10 and then lost to an overrated Kentucky team by 39. Likewise, Iowa beat Davidson by 31 and then lost to Gonzaga by 19. If your strength is another team's weakness, you'll beat them easily. If their strength is your weakness, you'll get blown out.

Purdue has one of the best frontcourts in the country. To counter this, IU recruited a McDonald's All-American center and a physically strong transfer power forward. IU has one of the most explosive backcourts in the country. To counter this, Purdue redshirted 2 of their best perimeter defenders. Purdue is improved this year, but they don't match up as well with IU. The power rankings are about this season and this season only.

IU still has Crean for its coach. Advantage Purdue. Haas, Hammons, and Biggie >> Bryant and Bielfeldt

Purdue largely shut down IU's penetration game last year twice by employing a "picket fence". The picket fence also worked well against IU's 3-pt chucking game. Crean never really countered.

What is Crean's record at IU vs. Purdue without Cody Zeller? Try 0-8 on for size.

 

[FinallyABoilerFinal4]

IUPUI fell in overtime at Marquette, 75-71. I don't consider that a good loss, even though Marquette has the #9 Freshman in the entire Country, Henry Ellenson. Ellenson and fellow underclassman Sandy Cohen did their best to give IUPUI a chance by making stupid turnovers and having poor shot selection throughout. It shows the importance of Purdue having a Freshman like Biggie who is more concerned with efficiency than flash. Purdue's assist-to-turnover ratio will be off the charts this year.

Now that IUPUI, IPFW, Ball State, and Indiana State have all lost to a team that I deem to be not great, I've decided they're all ineligible for the power rankings. This is about POWER. Sorry if I just rained on your alma mater. But I will say that they've all shown themselves to be competitive enough to win their league and help Indiana tie or set the all-time record for most Tournament teams from one state.

 

[aggar66]

IU still has Crean for its coach. Advantage Purdue. Haas, Hammons, and Biggie >> Bryant and Bielfeldt

Purdue largely shut down IU's penetration game last year twice by employing a "picket fence". The picket fence also worked well against IU's 3-pt chucking game. Crean never really countered.

What is Crean's record at IU vs. Purdue without Cody Zeller? Try 0-8 on for size.

Don't forget they allowed 40 points in the paint to Austin Peay last night. So much for that much improved defense.

 

[SDBoiler1]

Don't forget they allowed 40 points in the paint to Austin Peay last night. So much for that much improved defense.

Bryant had a couple of blocks, but they were pretty soft in last night's game. When you get down to it, our bigs are going to eat up IU's bigs underneath.

 

[punaj]

Bryant had a couple of blocks, but they were pretty soft in last night's game. When you get down to it, our bigs are going to eat up IU's bigs underneath.

Agreed. They don't have depth. Look at their box score. After NZ, no one else really did anything, and they are starting a 5th year from Michigan that could hardly get minutes on a bad Michigan team. It will be interesting to see what happens when they start getting into foul trouble with their starters this year. I can't wait for the game this year down in Bloomington.

 

[purdue4sure]

Not sure how any true Boiler fan could rank IU above Purdue right now.

Yep. A Boiler fan he ain't.

 

[FinallyABoilerFinal4]

This is a separation weekend in my Indiana power rankings. Will a Champion's Classic Tournament title move Purdue to the top of the list? Can Evansville outscore the snipers from Belmont? Can Butler knock off the seemingly unstoppable Miami Hurricanes to win their own early-season tournament and retain the top spot? Is there even a chance that Valpo goes out West and knocks off the Ducks in Eugene? Tune in to this thread Sunday night for your chance to complain about my pics.

 

[proudopete]

This is a separation weekend in my Indiana power rankings. Will a Champion's Classic Tournament title move Purdue to the top of the list? Can Evansville outscore the snipers from Belmont? Can Butler knock off the seemingly unstoppable Miami Hurricans to win their own early-season tournament and retain the top spot? Is there even a chance that Valpo goes out West and knocks off the Ducks in Eugene? Tune in to this thread Sunday night for your chance to complain about my pics.

What? No percentages?

 

[FinallyABoilerFinal4]

Wow. Evansville won that game 93-88. Even with Belmont's Evan Bradds having a "Laettner Game", going 13 for 13 from the field and 1 of 1 from the free throw line while adding 14 rebounds. Btw, a 5-point win equates to 105% of a win in case you're wondering Pete.

The Indiana 6 remain undefeated.