IU must plug some leaks

Well, at least it should be easier to get season tickets next year.\nAnd while people start flying off the Hoosier bandwagon like lemmings, the rest of us are left scratching our heads and wondering what exactly is going on.\nAny time a 16-point lead turns into a 19-point loss, these things tend to happen. So like a modern day Sherlock Holmes (or perhaps more like Inspector Clouseau) I have tried to sift through various causes for IU's recent woes. \nEditor's note: Many of these theories aren't very plausible. Why did we let this guy write for us?\nThe SI jinx: \nThe most recent edition of Sports Illustrated features a nice article about Mike Davis, and talks about how he has restored the luster of the IU program. IU is 0-2 since the story was published. While the SI jinx is generally associated with those who are placed on the magazine's cover (except for the swimsuit models), this should be chalked up as bad luck for IU nonetheless.\nUniform alterations:\nSo maybe I'm just using this as an excuse to express my distaste for IU's new (or old school, depending on your point of view -- though old school would include short shorts) crimson uniforms. The uniforms don't bother me as much as the new warm-ups do though. \nIU's warm-up pants are supposed to be "candy cane striped," but as of this date, I still have not come across a candy cane that had crimson striping. I'm also bothered by the fact that the warm-up shirts no longer have "Indiana" written in cursive on the back. Nike is evil.\nThe loss of Jeffries:\nIt wasn't as apparent before the Big Ten schedule got underway, but Jared Jeffries' early departure to the NBA has hurt the Hoosiers this season. IU is having a hard time proving that they can take over a game inside the paint. IU has lost the battle of the boards in all of their defeats, as teams are content to let the Hoosiers try to beat them with outside shooting. To quote Bill Walton (something I promise to never do again), "Somebody get a rebound!"\nBricklayers union:\nThere's no way to beat around the bush here. IU has not been able to score when it counts. The Hoosiers were unable to score a field goal in the last 7:55 of the game Saturday. To add insult to injury, the defense was lit up for 95 points. \nAgainst Purdue, IU had two separate stretches where they went over four minutes without managing to score. The team is now ranked tenth in the conference with its .420 shooting percentage.\nThey also can't hold onto the ball, with 20 turnovers against Louisville and 14 against Purdue. \nIt's just a crazy season:\n IU's loss to Louisville, as shocking as it was, was not even the most stunning comeback in college basketball this season. That would be Arizona's rally from a 20-point deficit at Kansas that turned into a 17-point win for the Wildcats.\nAnd as poorly as IU has played lately, they are still in contention for the Big Ten title in what could be the most wide-open conference race since … last year. But they are looking up to several teams, including two of last year's bottom feeders, Purdue and Michigan.\nMeanwhile, the only team from Indiana ranked in the Top 10 is Notre Dame, which is playing better basketball than football this season. \nAnd the last team from Indiana to beat a team in the Top 10? Evansville, which knocked off now-No. 13 Creighton when they were ranked No. 9. \nWith a month left in the season, there's no telling what will happen next.