Finally, there’s optimism surrounding Indiana basketball. Question is, how long can it last?
The Hoosiers are 6-0 for the first time since 2003-04 and hit triple digits for the first time under Tom Crean with a 100-66 win against Northwestern State on Friday. Indianapolis Star beat writer Terry Hutchens thinks they could be 8-0 when a Dec. 11 trip to Lexington rolls around.
Given the state of the program since Kelvin Sampson’s firing, that’s no small thing. Indiana has some talent, plays hard and can occasionally look pretty good in transition.
But celebrate now because rougher times are ahead.
The Hoosiers have yet to play outside of Assembly Hall. The early schedule was filled with cupcakes in order to build cohesion and confidence. A win at Boston College on Wednesday would be huge – and probably unexpected. To beat Kentucky … well, pick an adjective.
Still, this is a good sign for a program desperate for good news. As the guys at Inside the Hall write, the next few weeks could see the Hoosiers brought back down to Earth or emerge as one of the season’s biggest surprises.
And the future? It looks mighty bright.
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