one big issue I see: where would 3 pt shooting come from on that team? We were already bad, and Kopp and Stewart were regularly roasted on here, but % wise I think they were still our 2 best shooters and XJ benefitted from the attention paid to them on the perimeter, and having lesser defenders and his funky shot. On the roster you are describing, he's about the only one other teams would have to guard closely. I'd close out on JG, and not give him set looks from 3, but if I were defending that team, I'd make Galloway prove he can make 3s. You'd live with a worse shooting team than the one we had this year? Cause that team would be worse shooting.
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- Thread starter MikeHoncho69
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When he came back he was maybe playing at 80% capacity
And it wasn't just one good game, the 7 game stretch (all BT opponents) before Phin's injury, he was averaging more points, rebounds, assists than either Kopp/Stewart. Take away each of their best games during that stretch to remove bias from the Purdue game, and Phin is still outscoring Kopp and only trailed Stewart by about a point per game. Plus, Phin is the best defender of the 3.
Also, this isn't a complete defense of Phin, and more a criticism of Stewart/Kopp.
But if you have three good shooters/scorers around him then his D becomes much more important than his shooting. IE Reynolds.
I'm not sure there's a D1 basketball program that is a bigger mess right now than Evansville. What's maybe most remarkable about it is that the collapse began right after beating UK at Rupp.
Part of their problem is that the University itself is in a financial bind. They've been figuring out ways to bail water for a couple years now. They're looking for a new AD -- the one who hired McCarty was just politely asked to make his desk available for somebody else.
But yeah, they're not going to attract much of a coach by paying ~$300K. I haven't looked at Michael's salary at UCLA. But I'm sure it's considerably higher than that.
I think they should think about dropping back in class -- especially with USI going D1.
If UE is so shortsighted to cave to USI, the admin are truly knuckleheads. UE needs to stay D1, and stay in the MVC. UE wIll never be invited to a mid major conference as strong as the MVC, ever again. Sign a solid coach, make amends with the fanbase, and get competitive.
I think Johnson's success was more about getting space because of his speed and ability to dribble penetrate.
Also, I think too much of the offensive troubles are attributed IU's 3 point shooting. Both Texas and Texas Tech had similar if not worse 3 point shooting compared to IU - all about 6 makes per game and IU had the best percentage. Texas Tech which is still in the tournament and ranked 12th in the country is just shooting 31% from 3.
The biggest issue with IU's offense was having too many minutes eaten up by 3 point specialists (Kopp/Stewart) that were too hesitant to shoot and that otherwise mostly stood around on offense because they couldn't do anything else. Unfortunately due to injuries to Phin/Galloway and Bates' struggles on defense, they were forced into more playing time than they should have gotten.
Think that is best case outcome and you still have a scholarship to burn in the portal or 2022 class.
They’re so starved of funds that they can’t even afford to keep a number of academic programs active. Their BBall attendance has been pathetic. They’re still facing potential civil liabilities over the McCarty fiasco.
I just don’t see things improving for them without some kind of outside financial infusion. But I’m pulling for them.
Sad, as the Aces were so beloved by the area in the 70's, that they drew 9k to Roberts Stadium as a D2 team. That support continued thru the 80's and 90's, and then the bonehead decisions started, affecting attendance and donors.
Lander, Leal, Galloway, Phin, Duncomb, etc are all way worse. You’d cut those before you ever got to Stewart or Kopp.
There is nothing that says Woodson cannot tell him thanks but it is time for you to move on. There is zero reason for us to keep him if he is not going to play and if we can upgrade at his position.
For what it's worth, Woodson said from day one he aspired to implement a four-out, guard-oriented offense. If he feels Durr doesn't fit what he's looking for in a rim protector in that offense, good for him. Either Logan Duncomb fits what he's looking for (doubtful), Jackson-Davis will return (doubtful), or he will find the right guy in the transfer portal.
Well, it looks like I'm 1-for-2 so far. I predicted Durr leaving, but missed on Lander. I should have thought about that one a little harder.
I’m two for two so far (see above). Don’t ask me about my NCAA bracket though.
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