Evan Fitzner commits to Indiana
- Thread starter Bippy
- Start date
Reports say he'll be ready to go at the beginning of the season. I doubt he's in condition, but he'll start if he can play at all.
Too many of you underestimate or just completely dismiss what he brings the team.
It’s a contingency plan to lower risk at the five spot. We don’t want our season defined by Davis’s health. I see it as Davis, Fitzner, Forrester.
Per the front page article (I think, I know I just read it somewhere, maybe Inside the Hall...), he's now weighing in at 230, while still listed as 6'10"...
If he's able to add 2 to 7 pounds of muscle between now and Christmas he could very well be a legitimate inside out/outside in threat come the Big Ten schedule...
I like that thought...
I think Valparaiso High School's Coach Coolman is too:
"Landing Romeo's obviously a huge get for IU and coach Miller," Valparaiso coach Barak Coolman said. "Indiana produces a lot of good basketball players and they've had issues recruiting the state. As a high school coach and as a basketball fan, I like to see talent stay in state. It's a vote of confidence for Archie. It could help change the tide."
IU had plateaued in the last few years, part of the reason it and Tom Crean went their separate ways. Whether it's the lingering allure of the national championship banners of another era or Miller himself, he was able to gain immediate traction on the recruiting trail, winning the state for the 2018 class in a runaway.
"I think it's a combination of everything," Coolman said. "Archie's the exact opposite of who he replaced, personality-wise, a mile deep instead of a mile wide. He's stoic, very business-like. He's not glad handing. He doesn't sweet talk you. There's not a lot of fluff. It's substance. He follows the same proven model as (Purdue) coach (Matt) Painter and that turned the program around for him. That has to be real refreshing to a lot of IU fans as well as high school coaches."
"He's very detailed," Coolman said. "There are used car salesmen and quality coaches. Some are good at selling, some are good at teaching. The great ones are a good balance of both."
Ouch.
Davis is a good player and he could be an important piece next year. He will probably be on minutes restriction. If he works at it he could be a monster his senior year.
He just doesn't seem to be a good fit in Archie's system. Many thought we got better last season when he went down. I don't necessarily share that opinion but a lot do.
I agree his mobility hampers him particularly on defensive rotations, but he’s good enough on the offensive post that you have to find a place for him.
We did get better. and it was obvious. Defensive improved considerably as our offense dropped a bit.
BUT.... those people are dumb.
The thing killing us in the beginning of the season was rotation to 3 point shooters on ball reversals and breakdowns. Once that was fixed we went up in defensive efficiency.
That had absolutely nothing to do with Davis. He wasn't the one getting beat on drives causing the breakdown, and he certainly wasn't the one being late on close outs.
Absolutely zero downside here, even if he never plays one minute.
He's a one year, fill out your roster player who is really a high level shooter. He's at 41% from three in his career with over a 300 shot sample size.
So he's got some size and can shoot. What's not to like?
He's also a high level free throw shooter...as a big. Davis was atrocious last year as a big.
Not bad to have a guy like that who could man the post down the stretch when we have a six point or more lead vs Davis. Between this guy, Romeo and Green that's a nice group to hit some free throws down the stretch.
Again think about how the game changes when you have the lead. The losing team is typically shooting threes so your post guy just needs to rebound. If they drive and score two...you have to answer by HITTING YOUR FREE THROWS.
Who would you rather have in that scenario? This guy or Davis, Thompson, Moore or Forrester? I'd prefer this guy at the line.
Biggest thing is he is free. Doesn't cost us a 2019 scholly (or in Priller's case, four years of a scholly).
I'm not expecting him to be all conference but he has a role on a winning team. Especially since our post guys are talented, but still rather green.
Personally I was hoping for the post guy from Old Dominion but...Fitzner might be a better fit IF Davis can give us 20 minutes a game.
He's a one year, fill out your roster player who is really a high level shooter. He's at 41% from three in his career with over a 300 shot sample size.
So he's got some size and can shoot. What's not to like?
He's also a high level free throw shooter...as a big. Davis was atrocious last year as a big.
Not bad to have a guy like that who could man the post down the stretch when we have a six point or more lead vs Davis. Between this guy, Romeo and Green that's a nice group to hit some free throws down the stretch.
Again think about how the game changes when you have the lead. The losing team is typically shooting threes so your post guy just needs to rebound. If they drive and score two...you have to answer by HITTING YOUR FREE THROWS.
Who would you rather have in that scenario? This guy or Davis, Thompson, Moore or Forrester? I'd prefer this guy at the line.
Biggest thing is he is free. Doesn't cost us a 2019 scholly (or in Priller's case, four years of a scholly).
I'm not expecting him to be all conference but he has a role on a winning team. Especially since our post guys are talented, but still rather green.
Personally I was hoping for the post guy from Old Dominion but...Fitzner might be a better fit IF Davis can give us 20 minutes a game.
Don't be surprised if Smith really gets better shooting the deep ball. I saw some promise last yr in that regard.
This signing gives us an insurance policy early for Davis and an experienced back up if he comes back. That still gives Thompson or another playing time early as they gain more confidence. I'm happy to see his 3 point shooting is 10 points higher than our guards shot last year.It gives us another open scholarship for 2019. Good job Archie!.
There's no better compliment to JM's game than a guy who can guard opposing posts while being able to play perimeter and stretch the defense. Perfect fit ..
He won't improve enough to play 25. Sadly this injury does set him back. He needed explosiveness, leg strength and conditioning. Those weakness were the reason he only played 18 a game. Rehabbing is rehab not training. I think he needs another year before he becomes a solid starter. So he'll probably only play 18 to 20. Another reason why this guy is a good pick up.
Down the stretch in a close game put the all-FT team on the floor:Fitzner, Romeo, Phinesee, Green
This is a logical, thoughtful roster addition. Not a stud by any measure but a useful piece if the puzzle that may also provide additional mature leadership to this young roster.
He brings experience, size, and is able to shoot, and will provide valuable minutes in spots next season...
Big difference in roster management between Archie and his predecessor. Kid went to St Mary’s...has to be smart!
Evidence of nothing. GWB went to Yale and Harvard and was far from 'smart'. Only proof of EF's genius thus far is picking IU.
Wrong, if not preseason they will be quickly and stay in the top 20 all year. This team has a lot of talent and a great coach. Expect great things!
He needs a few months in our S&C. 6'10 220lb. This a great pickup for CAM this late in the year. He will be an asset in practice. 76 starts in his career. 41% from deep. Shot 86% FT this year. The biggest question is his defense. I will go out on a limb and say 15-18 mpg. 7ppg-4rpg-1.5 app.
Go away. Your opinion isn't wanted here. Go back to the circlejerk that is GBI.
Yea, but I doubt he can do this....
There's only so much you can ask of one recruit, especially a 5th year transfer who hasn't had time to master the nuances of his role. I can forgive if he can't offer all to the program that Tim Priller did and would be fine if he can just play smart, hit the open shot, make FTs and play some D.
Yeah, I don't think we should expect much from him. If he ends up being pretty good then it's gravy. If Davis comes back and is fully healthy or Forrester and Thompson are better than we expect then he may not see much time. Archie brought him in as an "in case of emergency break box" type of guy and niche player which is smart. At least that's how I see it.
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Sounds like someone had their feeling hurt. Poor fella.
I do come in peace to talk basketball, but I understand your perspective. You would get the same from some of our jerks,... if you could still post on GBI.
