Portal Options

[TJ Inman]

This will be lengthy but I thought it could be informative and hopefully spark some discussion as wait for anything tangible from IU in regards to the coaching staff or roster:

I thought it might be fun to list out the currently available prospects (beyond Wilkerson) that I really like, by position. I'll note the prospect if I think the Hoosiers have a chance or a connection (which is kind of difficult since we still don't know the staff!):
-Guard (I actually think IU would do well to just pursue multiple combo guards/ball handlers and not worry about finding a "point guard")

• Rodney Rice (Maryland, two years left) - IU has contacted him but there has not been any real news about where Rice is leaning.
• LeJuan Watts (Washington State, two years left) - 42% three-point shooter, probably stays out West
• Malik Moore (Montana, one year left)
• Blake Harper (Howard, three years left) - averaged 19.5 points per game, 6.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists and shot 40%+ from three as a freshman
• Jasai Miles (North Florida, two years left) - 15.4 points per game and nearly 7 rebounds, good length
• Nick Dorn (Elon, two years left) - 15.2 points per game as a sophomore
• Kyan Evans (Colorado State, two years left) - a bit small but elite three-point shooter that could play a great role in our system
• Rakease Passmore (Kansas, three years left) - terrific athlete that was an IU prospect before Woodson just stopped recruiting him, high-ceiling and potential
• Tru Washington (New Mexico, two years left) - really good defensive metrics, not a good shooter but good athlete and could fit well as a perimeter stopper
• Jalen Celestine (Baylor, one year left)
• Kezza Giffa (High Point, one year left)

-Forward-

• Alvaro Folguieras (Robert Morris, two years left) - 6'9", 9 rebounds per game, really good defensive metrics...I think he's a really good player
• Kennard Davis (SIU, two years left) - 6'6" wing, 16.3 points per game, not a good defensive player so that's a knock
• Jamichael Stillwell (UW-Milwaukee, one year left) - 6'8", really good motor and very good rebounder, he's a tweener and I'd understand passing on him but I think he'd be a solid role player
• Izaiah Pasha (Delaware, three years left) - only a freshman, a bit undersized but good offensive efficiency metrics
• Tyler Betsey (Cincinnati, three years left) - a freshman, former top 60 recruit and IU target before Woodson quit recruiting him, really good three-point shooter in high school and he's 6'8", this would make a lot of sense if Drew Adams liked him
• Elyjah Freeman (Lincoln Memorial, three years left) - big jump in competition but Freeman has the goods...IU is a contender for him
• Gavin Walsh (Binghamton, two years left) - multiple years remaining, his metrics were the best on his team and he is a very good rebounder
• Kimani Hamilton (High Point, one year left)
• Barry Dunning (South Alabama, one year left) - good metrics, 15.1 points per game for Sun Belt regular season champions

-Center (it gets late pretty early for true centers...not a lot of promising options)-

• Efton Reid (Wake Forest, one year remaining) - he's the highest ranked one left but I'd rather just play small
• Gabe Dynes (Youngstown State, two years remaining) - he's 7'3" so there's some intrigue there but he averaged 6.8 and 5.8 only in the flippin' Horizon League...the key for him, development AND he already averages 3.1 blocks per game and posted a 2.87 DBPR this season. If you just want a rim protector to give you 15-20 minutes per game, this might work.
• Juslin Bodo Bodo (High Point, two years left) - multiple years remaining, 7'0" with good motor, 8.4 rebounds per game in 21.7 minutes per game, 4.74 BPR was highest on the team. As a side note, poor Alan Huss' team got shredded by the portal.
• Luke Bamgboye (VCU, three years left) - three years left and I think he's well-worth a shot...raw but he posted a 2.6 DBPR as a freshman...that is impressive. 2.1 blocks per game in 16.8 minutes per game!

Long post but hopefully informative as we wait on anything noteworthy from the staff or roster.

 

[ams66]

As a side note, poor Alan Huss' team got shredded by the portal.

This is just the reality for small schools now. Anyone who demonstrates any kind of game is going to hit the portal to see if he can move up, both as a player and in income.

 

[IUNorth]

This will be lengthy but I thought it could be informative and hopefully spark some discussion as wait for anything tangible from IU in regards to the coaching staff or roster:

I thought it might be fun to list out the currently available prospects (beyond Wilkerson) that I really like, by position. I'll note the prospect if I think the Hoosiers have a chance or a connection (which is kind of difficult since we still don't know the staff!):
-Guard (I actually think IU would do well to just pursue multiple combo guards/ball handlers and not worry about finding a "point guard")

• Rodney Rice (Maryland, two years left) - IU has contacted him but there has not been any real news about where Rice is leaning.
• LeJuan Watts (Washington State, two years left) - 42% three-point shooter, probably stays out West
• Malik Moore (Montana, one year left)
• Blake Harper (Howard, three years left) - averaged 19.5 points per game, 6.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists and shot 40%+ from three as a freshman
• Jasai Miles (North Florida, two years left) - 15.4 points per game and nearly 7 rebounds, good length
• Nick Dorn (Elon, two years left) - 15.2 points per game as a sophomore
• Kyan Evans (Colorado State, two years left) - a bit small but elite three-point shooter that could play a great role in our system
• Rakease Passmore (Kansas, three years left) - terrific athlete that was an IU prospect before Woodson just stopped recruiting him, high-ceiling and potential
• Tru Washington (New Mexico, two years left) - really good defensive metrics, not a good shooter but good athlete and could fit well as a perimeter stopper
• Jalen Celestine (Baylor, one year left)
• Kezza Giffa (High Point, one year left)

-Forward-

• Alvaro Folguieras (Robert Morris, two years left) - 6'9", 9 rebounds per game, really good defensive metrics...I think he's a really good player
• Kennard Davis (SIU, two years left) - 6'6" wing, 16.3 points per game, not a good defensive player so that's a knock
• Jamichael Stillwell (UW-Milwaukee, one year left) - 6'8", really good motor and very good rebounder, he's a tweener and I'd understand passing on him but I think he'd be a solid role player
• Izaiah Pasha (Delaware, three years left) - only a freshman, a bit undersized but good offensive efficiency metrics
• Tyler Betsey (Cincinnati, three years left) - a freshman, former top 60 recruit and IU target before Woodson quit recruiting him, really good three-point shooter in high school and he's 6'8", this would make a lot of sense if Drew Adams liked him
• Elyjah Freeman (Lincoln Memorial, three years left) - big jump in competition but Freeman has the goods...IU is a contender for him
• Gavin Walsh (Binghamton, two years left) - multiple years remaining, his metrics were the best on his team and he is a very good rebounder
• Kimani Hamilton (High Point, one year left)
• Barry Dunning (South Alabama, one year left) - good metrics, 15.1 points per game for Sun Belt regular season champions

-Center (it gets late pretty early for true centers...not a lot of promising options)-

• Efton Reid (Wake Forest, one year remaining) - he's the highest ranked one left but I'd rather just play small
• Gabe Dynes (Youngstown State, two years remaining) - he's 7'3" so there's some intrigue there but he averaged 6.8 and 5.8 only in the flippin' Horizon League...the key for him, development AND he already averages 3.1 blocks per game and posted a 2.87 DBPR this season. If you just want a rim protector to give you 15-20 minutes per game, this might work.
• Juslin Bodo Bodo (High Point, two years left) - multiple years remaining, 7'0" with good motor, 8.4 rebounds per game in 21.7 minutes per game, 4.74 BPR was highest on the team. As a side note, poor Alan Huss' team got shredded by the portal.
• Luke Bamgboye (VCU, three years left) - three years left and I think he's well-worth a shot...raw but he posted a 2.6 DBPR as a freshman...that is impressive. 2.1 blocks per game in 16.8 minutes per game!

Long post but hopefully informative as we wait on anything noteworthy from the staff or roster.

Might have already been discussed in another thread...apologies if so... Any thoughts, news, information on Coach AC and Murphy as assistants. I know Final Four weekend is a big one for some of these types of discussions and decisions... is it known that they're out? Unlikely options at this point? Of all the talk in the last week or two, I was most excited about the potential to get those 2 guys as lead assistants.

 

[T.M.P.]

This is just the reality for small schools now. Anyone who demonstrates any kind of game is going to hit the portal to see if he can move up, both as a player and in income.

And players from big schools that don't, move down to smaller schools ... the traffic goes in both directions.

 

[TJ Inman]

Might have already been discussed in another thread...apologies if so... Any thoughts, news, information on Coach AC and Murphy as assistants. I know Final Four weekend is a big one for some of these types of discussions and decisions... is it known that they're out? Unlikely options at this point? Of all the talk in the last week or two, I was most excited about the potential to get those 2 guys as lead assistants.

Your post on this got me thinking about the staff so I started made a post about the staff....

"We know there will be five assistant coaches. We know Nick Norton and Drew Adams are two of the five. That leaves three spots remaining. We know Garrett Sturtz is working at IU but the assumption is that he is not going to be one of the five assistants. We believe Preston Murphy from Alabama was targeted, Alabama gave him a raise and one of their other assistants left to become a head coach so Murphy's role increased. I would assume he is staying at Alabama. We know IU pursued Achoki Moikobu of Texas Tech. Texas Tech reportedly offered a big raise to Moikobu and Trilly, this morning, posted on his burner that Moikobu would be staying at Texas Tech. Is that final? We do not know but it does feel that way.

Beyond that, I am pretty confident that current SMU Associate Head Coach Chris Capko will be one of the five and I believe he would be one of the three primary off-campus recruiters. That leaves two of five spots. I have not heard anyone else linked with the roles (beyond Murphy and Moikobu) but I am confident DeVries, a college basketball lifer, will have plenty of good ideas and options."

 

[IUNorth]

Your post on this got me thinking about the staff so I started made a post about the staff....

"We know there will be five assistant coaches. We know Nick Norton and Drew Adams are two of the five. That leaves three spots remaining. We know Garrett Sturtz is working at IU but the assumption is that he is not going to be one of the five assistants. We believe Preston Murphy from Alabama was targeted, Alabama gave him a raise and one of their other assistants left to become a head coach so Murphy's role increased. I would assume he is staying at Alabama. We know IU pursued Achoki Moikobu of Texas Tech. Texas Tech reportedly offered a big raise to Moikobu and Trilly, this morning, posted on his burner that Moikobu would be staying at Texas Tech. Is that final? We do not know but it does feel that way.

Beyond that, I am pretty confident that current SMU Associate Head Coach Chris Capko will be one of the five and I believe he would be one of the three primary off-campus recruiters. That leaves two of five spots. I have not heard anyone else linked with the roles (beyond Murphy and Moikobu) but I am confident DeVries, a college basketball lifer, will have plenty of good ideas and options."

Thanks for the time and thought on it. Its easy to get wrapped up in the players...I think the assistants are exponentially more important, though.

 

[Tru2Irish]

This will be lengthy but I thought it could be informative and hopefully spark some discussion as wait for anything tangible from IU in regards to the coaching staff or roster:

I thought it might be fun to list out the currently available prospects (beyond Wilkerson) that I really like, by position. I'll note the prospect if I think the Hoosiers have a chance or a connection (which is kind of difficult since we still don't know the staff!):
-Guard (I actually think IU would do well to just pursue multiple combo guards/ball handlers and not worry about finding a "point guard")

• Rodney Rice (Maryland, two years left) - IU has contacted him but there has not been any real news about where Rice is leaning.
• LeJuan Watts (Washington State, two years left) - 42% three-point shooter, probably stays out West
• Malik Moore (Montana, one year left)
• Blake Harper (Howard, three years left) - averaged 19.5 points per game, 6.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists and shot 40%+ from three as a freshman
• Jasai Miles (North Florida, two years left) - 15.4 points per game and nearly 7 rebounds, good length
• Nick Dorn (Elon, two years left) - 15.2 points per game as a sophomore
• Kyan Evans (Colorado State, two years left) - a bit small but elite three-point shooter that could play a great role in our system
• Rakease Passmore (Kansas, three years left) - terrific athlete that was an IU prospect before Woodson just stopped recruiting him, high-ceiling and potential
• Tru Washington (New Mexico, two years left) - really good defensive metrics, not a good shooter but good athlete and could fit well as a perimeter stopper
• Jalen Celestine (Baylor, one year left)
• Kezza Giffa (High Point, one year left)

-Forward-

• Alvaro Folguieras (Robert Morris, two years left) - 6'9", 9 rebounds per game, really good defensive metrics...I think he's a really good player
• Kennard Davis (SIU, two years left) - 6'6" wing, 16.3 points per game, not a good defensive player so that's a knock
• Jamichael Stillwell (UW-Milwaukee, one year left) - 6'8", really good motor and very good rebounder, he's a tweener and I'd understand passing on him but I think he'd be a solid role player
• Izaiah Pasha (Delaware, three years left) - only a freshman, a bit undersized but good offensive efficiency metrics
• Tyler Betsey (Cincinnati, three years left) - a freshman, former top 60 recruit and IU target before Woodson quit recruiting him, really good three-point shooter in high school and he's 6'8", this would make a lot of sense if Drew Adams liked him
• Elyjah Freeman (Lincoln Memorial, three years left) - big jump in competition but Freeman has the goods...IU is a contender for him
• Gavin Walsh (Binghamton, two years left) - multiple years remaining, his metrics were the best on his team and he is a very good rebounder
• Kimani Hamilton (High Point, one year left)
• Barry Dunning (South Alabama, one year left) - good metrics, 15.1 points per game for Sun Belt regular season champions

-Center (it gets late pretty early for true centers...not a lot of promising options)-

• Efton Reid (Wake Forest, one year remaining) - he's the highest ranked one left but I'd rather just play small
• Gabe Dynes (Youngstown State, two years remaining) - he's 7'3" so there's some intrigue there but he averaged 6.8 and 5.8 only in the flippin' Horizon League...the key for him, development AND he already averages 3.1 blocks per game and posted a 2.87 DBPR this season. If you just want a rim protector to give you 15-20 minutes per game, this might work.
• Juslin Bodo Bodo (High Point, two years left) - multiple years remaining, 7'0" with good motor, 8.4 rebounds per game in 21.7 minutes per game, 4.74 BPR was highest on the team. As a side note, poor Alan Huss' team got shredded by the portal.
• Luke Bamgboye (VCU, three years left) - three years left and I think he's well-worth a shot...raw but he posted a 2.6 DBPR as a freshman...that is impressive. 2.1 blocks per game in 16.8 minutes per game!

Long post but hopefully informative as we wait on anything noteworthy from the staff or roster.

There are several Centers better than the ones you posted left yet.

This will be lengthy but I thought it could be informative and hopefully spark some discussion as wait for anything tangible from IU in regards to the coaching staff or roster:

I thought it might be fun to list out the currently available prospects (beyond Wilkerson) that I really like, by position. I'll note the prospect if I think the Hoosiers have a chance or a connection (which is kind of difficult since we still don't know the staff!):
-Guard (I actually think IU would do well to just pursue multiple combo guards/ball handlers and not worry about finding a "point guard")

• Rodney Rice (Maryland, two years left) - IU has contacted him but there has not been any real news about where Rice is leaning.
• LeJuan Watts (Washington State, two years left) - 42% three-point shooter, probably stays out West
• Malik Moore (Montana, one year left)
• Blake Harper (Howard, three years left) - averaged 19.5 points per game, 6.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists and shot 40%+ from three as a freshman
• Jasai Miles (North Florida, two years left) - 15.4 points per game and nearly 7 rebounds, good length
• Nick Dorn (Elon, two years left) - 15.2 points per game as a sophomore
• Kyan Evans (Colorado State, two years left) - a bit small but elite three-point shooter that could play a great role in our system
• Rakease Passmore (Kansas, three years left) - terrific athlete that was an IU prospect before Woodson just stopped recruiting him, high-ceiling and potential
• Tru Washington (New Mexico, two years left) - really good defensive metrics, not a good shooter but good athlete and could fit well as a perimeter stopper
• Jalen Celestine (Baylor, one year left)
• Kezza Giffa (High Point, one year left)

-Forward-

• Alvaro Folguieras (Robert Morris, two years left) - 6'9", 9 rebounds per game, really good defensive metrics...I think he's a really good player
• Kennard Davis (SIU, two years left) - 6'6" wing, 16.3 points per game, not a good defensive player so that's a knock
• Jamichael Stillwell (UW-Milwaukee, one year left) - 6'8", really good motor and very good rebounder, he's a tweener and I'd understand passing on him but I think he'd be a solid role player
• Izaiah Pasha (Delaware, three years left) - only a freshman, a bit undersized but good offensive efficiency metrics
• Tyler Betsey (Cincinnati, three years left) - a freshman, former top 60 recruit and IU target before Woodson quit recruiting him, really good three-point shooter in high school and he's 6'8", this would make a lot of sense if Drew Adams liked him
• Elyjah Freeman (Lincoln Memorial, three years left) - big jump in competition but Freeman has the goods...IU is a contender for him
• Gavin Walsh (Binghamton, two years left) - multiple years remaining, his metrics were the best on his team and he is a very good rebounder
• Kimani Hamilton (High Point, one year left)
• Barry Dunning (South Alabama, one year left) - good metrics, 15.1 points per game for Sun Belt regular season champions

-Center (it gets late pretty early for true centers...not a lot of promising options)-

• Efton Reid (Wake Forest, one year remaining) - he's the highest ranked one left but I'd rather just play small
• Gabe Dynes (Youngstown State, two years remaining) - he's 7'3" so there's some intrigue there but he averaged 6.8 and 5.8 only in the flippin' Horizon League...the key for him, development AND he already averages 3.1 blocks per game and posted a 2.87 DBPR this season. If you just want a rim protector to give you 15-20 minutes per game, this might work.
• Juslin Bodo Bodo (High Point, two years left) - multiple years remaining, 7'0" with good motor, 8.4 rebounds per game in 21.7 minutes per game, 4.74 BPR was highest on the team. As a side note, poor Alan Huss' team got shredded by the portal.
• Luke Bamgboye (VCU, three years left) - three years left and I think he's well-worth a shot...raw but he posted a 2.6 DBPR as a freshman...that is impressive. 2.1 blocks per game in 16.8 minutes per game!

Long post but hopefully informative as we wait on anything noteworthy from the staff or roster.

There are really good centers out there than these. I like Harper,Evans ,Passmore and Dorn. Plus Betsey,Freeman,Dunning. None of those centers stand out at all. I think Quincy Ballard 6-11 Witchita St. Ante Brzovic 6-10 225 College of Charleston, Drayton Jones 6-10240 SC State could all man the IU middle. Devon Williams 6-10 UCLA would be a great get. Langston Reynolds 6-4 NO.Colorado, Malik Thomas 6-5 San Francisco would be good gets. Another kid 6-9 from Cin. just entered today. Looked pretty good and Adams knows him. HS players are few Desmond Briscoe 6-9,Kevin Odeh 6-4, Trent McLean 6-8. Brayden Hawthorne 6-8 and Dante Allen 6-4 are a few standouts.

 

[IUNorth]

There are several Centers better than the ones you posted left yet.

There are really good centers out there than these. I like Harper,Evans ,Passmore and Dorn. Plus Betsey,Freeman,Dunning. None of those centers stand out at all. I think Quincy Ballard 6-11 Witchita St. Ante Brzovic 6-10 225 College of Charleston, Drayton Jones 6-10240 SC State could all man the IU middle. Devon Williams 6-10 UCLA would be a great get. Langston Reynolds 6-4 NO.Colorado, Malik Thomas 6-5 San Francisco would be good gets. Another kid 6-9 from Cin. just entered today. Looked pretty good and Adams knows him. HS players are few Desmond Briscoe 6-9,Kevin Odeh 6-4, Trent McLean 6-8. Brayden Hawthorne 6-8 and Dante Allen 6-4 are a few standouts.

Hope we end up getting Odih. He seems to be cut from the correct cloth I would hope we're looking for. "Dawg" traits.

 

[jsig]

Do you keep a couple spots open for the dual NBA draft / Portal guys who withdraw from draft. Darren Williams from Texas Tech comes to mind.

 

[mushroomgod_1]

This will be lengthy but I thought it could be informative and hopefully spark some discussion as wait for anything tangible from IU in regards to the coaching staff or roster:

I thought it might be fun to list out the currently available prospects (beyond Wilkerson) that I really like, by position. I'll note the prospect if I think the Hoosiers have a chance or a connection (which is kind of difficult since we still don't know the staff!):
-Guard (I actually think IU would do well to just pursue multiple combo guards/ball handlers and not worry about finding a "point guard")

• Rodney Rice (Maryland, two years left) - IU has contacted him but there has not been any real news about where Rice is leaning.
• LeJuan Watts (Washington State, two years left) - 42% three-point shooter, probably stays out West
• Malik Moore (Montana, one year left)
• Blake Harper (Howard, three years left) - averaged 19.5 points per game, 6.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists and shot 40%+ from three as a freshman
• Jasai Miles (North Florida, two years left) - 15.4 points per game and nearly 7 rebounds, good length
• Nick Dorn (Elon, two years left) - 15.2 points per game as a sophomore
• Kyan Evans (Colorado State, two years left) - a bit small but elite three-point shooter that could play a great role in our system
• Rakease Passmore (Kansas, three years left) - terrific athlete that was an IU prospect before Woodson just stopped recruiting him, high-ceiling and potential
• Tru Washington (New Mexico, two years left) - really good defensive metrics, not a good shooter but good athlete and could fit well as a perimeter stopper
• Jalen Celestine (Baylor, one year left)
• Kezza Giffa (High Point, one year left)

-Forward-

• Alvaro Folguieras (Robert Morris, two years left) - 6'9", 9 rebounds per game, really good defensive metrics...I think he's a really good player
• Kennard Davis (SIU, two years left) - 6'6" wing, 16.3 points per game, not a good defensive player so that's a knock
• Jamichael Stillwell (UW-Milwaukee, one year left) - 6'8", really good motor and very good rebounder, he's a tweener and I'd understand passing on him but I think he'd be a solid role player
• Izaiah Pasha (Delaware, three years left) - only a freshman, a bit undersized but good offensive efficiency metrics
• Tyler Betsey (Cincinnati, three years left) - a freshman, former top 60 recruit and IU target before Woodson quit recruiting him, really good three-point shooter in high school and he's 6'8", this would make a lot of sense if Drew Adams liked him
• Elyjah Freeman (Lincoln Memorial, three years left) - big jump in competition but Freeman has the goods...IU is a contender for him
• Gavin Walsh (Binghamton, two years left) - multiple years remaining, his metrics were the best on his team and he is a very good rebounder
• Kimani Hamilton (High Point, one year left)
• Barry Dunning (South Alabama, one year left) - good metrics, 15.1 points per game for Sun Belt regular season champions

-Center (it gets late pretty early for true centers...not a lot of promising options)-

• Efton Reid (Wake Forest, one year remaining) - he's the highest ranked one left but I'd rather just play small
• Gabe Dynes (Youngstown State, two years remaining) - he's 7'3" so there's some intrigue there but he averaged 6.8 and 5.8 only in the flippin' Horizon League...the key for him, development AND he already averages 3.1 blocks per game and posted a 2.87 DBPR this season. If you just want a rim protector to give you 15-20 minutes per game, this might work.
• Juslin Bodo Bodo (High Point, two years left) - multiple years remaining, 7'0" with good motor, 8.4 rebounds per game in 21.7 minutes per game, 4.74 BPR was highest on the team. As a side note, poor Alan Huss' team got shredded by the portal.
• Luke Bamgboye (VCU, three years left) - three years left and I think he's well-worth a shot...raw but he posted a 2.6 DBPR as a freshman...that is impressive. 2.1 blocks per game in 16.8 minutes per game!

Long post but hopefully informative as we wait on anything noteworthy from the staff or roster.

I was just trying to figure out how in the world we are going to have a complete roster............

I sure as heck hope Wilkerson commits. With him....3 very solid guys to build around.......Without him...........

Reid's the highest rated center in the portal who hasn't committed. And he's down the list quite a bit. I wonder if we could get two kids along the lines of the Page kid from Cincy who could give us 10-20M each at the 5.......

I was checking to see if the Freeman kid from D2 has visited anywhere else yet---not that I can see. He would be a big get in our present situation. I saw a list for him with UCF, Chattanooga, UK, TENN, and Michigan on it. UK's gotten a couple of stud forwards. I think he starts for us if we get him.

There were a few other Cincy forwards that were rated fairly high out of HS but haven't done a whole lot yet. I'm talking Betsy, Skillings, and Griffith there.

Personally I'm not that high on Rodney Rice if we get Wilkinson. If not you would get volume shooting from him.

I don't think Goode gets another year but we could use him.

We're said to be looking at Tayshawn Comer from Evansville. I think he could play for us.

I hope we get the Myk Lewis kid...HS PG who decommitted from Xavier. Plus some other unknown PG with a little more size than Enright.

The only other prospects I've seen mentioned with IU are the three WV decommits......Hawthorne, MacLean & Udih. I don't think any would make a big impact in year 1. I know people have talked about Hawthorne, but he is razor-thin. He'll need some time.

 

[TJ Inman]

There are several Centers better than the ones you posted left yet.

There are really good centers out there than these. I like Harper,Evans ,Passmore and Dorn. Plus Betsey,Freeman,Dunning. None of those centers stand out at all. I think Quincy Ballard 6-11 Witchita St. Ante Brzovic 6-10 225 College of Charleston, Drayton Jones 6-10240 SC State could all man the IU middle. Devon Williams 6-10 UCLA would be a great get. Langston Reynolds 6-4 NO.Colorado, Malik Thomas 6-5 San Francisco would be good gets. Another kid 6-9 from Cin. just entered today. Looked pretty good and Adams knows him. HS players are few Desmond Briscoe 6-9,Kevin Odeh 6-4, Trent McLean 6-8. Brayden Hawthorne 6-8 and Dante Allen 6-4 are a few standouts.

"There are several centers better than the ones you posted left yet" - Quincy Ballard is a good one, I forgot him and he's a good player. Good point. Ante Brzovic currently is out of eligibility. He is suing the NCAA and will probably end up winning but for now, he's not available. Drayton Jones was barely above average on BPR in a really poor conference. I don't think he makes sense for IU. Who is Devon Williams? If you mean Aday Mara from UCLA, yes, I like him. The 6'9" Cincy kid is Arrinten Page but he has failed to produce at USC or at UC and I didn't really like him as a high school prospect. Dez Briscoe is a good HS prospect but he is not going to contribute more than very minor minutes in college for a year or two...he's a project. I do not think any of the former WVU commits are options to come to IU.

I quite like a couple of the centers I mentioned but good discussion, thanks!

 

[mushroomgod_1]

This will be lengthy but I thought it could be informative and hopefully spark some discussion as wait for anything tangible from IU in regards to the coaching staff or roster:

I thought it might be fun to list out the currently available prospects (beyond Wilkerson) that I really like, by position. I'll note the prospect if I think the Hoosiers have a chance or a connection (which is kind of difficult since we still don't know the staff!):
-Guard (I actually think IU would do well to just pursue multiple combo guards/ball handlers and not worry about finding a "point guard")

• Rodney Rice (Maryland, two years left) - IU has contacted him but there has not been any real news about where Rice is leaning.
• LeJuan Watts (Washington State, two years left) - 42% three-point shooter, probably stays out West
• Malik Moore (Montana, one year left)
• Blake Harper (Howard, three years left) - averaged 19.5 points per game, 6.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists and shot 40%+ from three as a freshman
• Jasai Miles (North Florida, two years left) - 15.4 points per game and nearly 7 rebounds, good length
• Nick Dorn (Elon, two years left) - 15.2 points per game as a sophomore
• Kyan Evans (Colorado State, two years left) - a bit small but elite three-point shooter that could play a great role in our system
• Rakease Passmore (Kansas, three years left) - terrific athlete that was an IU prospect before Woodson just stopped recruiting him, high-ceiling and potential
• Tru Washington (New Mexico, two years left) - really good defensive metrics, not a good shooter but good athlete and could fit well as a perimeter stopper
• Jalen Celestine (Baylor, one year left)
• Kezza Giffa (High Point, one year left)

-Forward-

• Alvaro Folguieras (Robert Morris, two years left) - 6'9", 9 rebounds per game, really good defensive metrics...I think he's a really good player
• Kennard Davis (SIU, two years left) - 6'6" wing, 16.3 points per game, not a good defensive player so that's a knock
• Jamichael Stillwell (UW-Milwaukee, one year left) - 6'8", really good motor and very good rebounder, he's a tweener and I'd understand passing on him but I think he'd be a solid role player
• Izaiah Pasha (Delaware, three years left) - only a freshman, a bit undersized but good offensive efficiency metrics
• Tyler Betsey (Cincinnati, three years left) - a freshman, former top 60 recruit and IU target before Woodson quit recruiting him, really good three-point shooter in high school and he's 6'8", this would make a lot of sense if Drew Adams liked him
• Elyjah Freeman (Lincoln Memorial, three years left) - big jump in competition but Freeman has the goods...IU is a contender for him
• Gavin Walsh (Binghamton, two years left) - multiple years remaining, his metrics were the best on his team and he is a very good rebounder
• Kimani Hamilton (High Point, one year left)
• Barry Dunning (South Alabama, one year left) - good metrics, 15.1 points per game for Sun Belt regular season champions

-Center (it gets late pretty early for true centers...not a lot of promising options)-

• Efton Reid (Wake Forest, one year remaining) - he's the highest ranked one left but I'd rather just play small
• Gabe Dynes (Youngstown State, two years remaining) - he's 7'3" so there's some intrigue there but he averaged 6.8 and 5.8 only in the flippin' Horizon League...the key for him, development AND he already averages 3.1 blocks per game and posted a 2.87 DBPR this season. If you just want a rim protector to give you 15-20 minutes per game, this might work.
• Juslin Bodo Bodo (High Point, two years left) - multiple years remaining, 7'0" with good motor, 8.4 rebounds per game in 21.7 minutes per game, 4.74 BPR was highest on the team. As a side note, poor Alan Huss' team got shredded by the portal.
• Luke Bamgboye (VCU, three years left) - three years left and I think he's well-worth a shot...raw but he posted a 2.6 DBPR as a freshman...that is impressive. 2.1 blocks per game in 16.8 minutes per game!

Long post but hopefully informative as we wait on anything noteworthy from the staff or roster.

Mara (UCLA) is in the portal.....but I doubt that he knows where Indiana is..........he does have some skills and he can pass.

 

[mushroomgod_1]

"There are several centers better than the ones you posted left yet" - Quincy Ballard is a good one, I forgot him and he's a good player. Good point. Ante Brzovic currently is out of eligibility. He is suing the NCAA and will probably end up winning but for now, he's not available. Drayton Jones was barely above average on BPR in a really poor conference. I don't think he makes sense for IU. Who is Devon Williams? If you mean Aday Mara from UCLA, yes, I like him. The 6'9" Cincy kid is Arrinten Page but he has failed to produce at USC or at UC and I didn't really like him as a high school prospect. Dez Briscoe is a good HS prospect but he is not going to contribute more than very minor minutes in college for a year or two...he's a project. I do not think any of the former WVU commits are options to come to IU.

I quite like a couple of the centers I mentioned but good discussion, thanks!

I saw that Briscoe's offers since he decommitted from Iowa have been only low mid-major.

 

[TJ Inman]

I was just trying to figure out how in the world we are going to have a complete roster............

I sure as heck hope Wilkerson commits. With him....3 very solid guys to build around.......Without him...........

Reid's the highest rated center in the portal who hasn't committed. And he's down the list quite a bit. I wonder if we could get two kids along the lines of the Page kid from Cincy who could give us 10-20M each at the 5.......

I was checking to see if the Freeman kid from D2 has visited anywhere else yet---not that I can see. He would be a big get in our present situation. I saw a list for him with UCF, Chattanooga, UK, TENN, and Michigan on it. UK's gotten a couple of stud forwards. I think he starts for us if we get him.

There were a few other Cincy forwards that were rated fairly high out of HS but haven't done a whole lot yet. I'm talking Betsy, Skillings, and Griffith there.

Personally I'm not that high on Rodney Rice if we get Wilkinson. If not you would get volume shooting from him.

I don't think Goode gets another year but we could use him.

We're said to be looking at Tayshawn Comer from Evansville. I think he could play for us.

I hope we get the Myk Lewis kid...HS PG who decommitted from Xavier. Plus some other unknown PG with a little more size than Enright.

The only other prospects I've seen mentioned with IU are the three WV decommits......Hawthorne, MacLean & Udih. I don't think any would make a big impact in year 1. I know people have talked about Hawthorne, but he is razor-thin. He'll need some time.

All good points and let's get VERY hypothetical with this (please understand that this is not sourced information at all...I'm simply completing this thought exercise!): 13 scholarship spots and we currently have:
Guards: Conor Enright
Forward/Bigs: Reed Bailey, Tucker DeVries, Trent Sisley

That leaves nine scholarship slots available and something like this might make sense:
Guards: Conor Enright, Lamar Wilkerson, Rakease Passmore, Tru Washington, Nyk Evans (freshman)
Forwards: Tucker DeVries, Trent Sisley, Elyjah Freeman, Tyler Betsey, a defense/rebounding wing
Bigs: Reed Bailey, Luke Bamgboye (VCU) or Quincy Ballard (Wichita State), Dez Briscoe

That would be something like 12 or 13 guys and the classes would be sort of balanced so we would not have to totally start over again in 2026. That would not be a great team but I think it'd be really interesting. It will almost certainly not look anything like what I listed but that is not at all unthinkable or unattainable.

 

[mushroomgod_1]

There are several Centers better than the ones you posted left yet.

There are really good centers out there than these. I like Harper,Evans ,Passmore and Dorn. Plus Betsey,Freeman,Dunning. None of those centers stand out at all. I think Quincy Ballard 6-11 Witchita St. Ante Brzovic 6-10 225 College of Charleston, Drayton Jones 6-10240 SC State could all man the IU middle. Devon Williams 6-10 UCLA would be a great get. Langston Reynolds 6-4 NO.Colorado, Malik Thomas 6-5 San Francisco would be good gets. Another kid 6-9 from Cin. just entered today. Looked pretty good and Adams knows him. HS players are few Desmond Briscoe 6-9,Kevin Odeh 6-4, Trent McLean 6-8. Brayden Hawthorne 6-8 and Dante Allen 6-4 are a few standouts.

Sisley keeps trying to recruit Dante Allen for us but there's no evidence he's getting anywhere with it..........

 

[mushroomgod_1]

All good points and let's get VERY hypothetical with this (please understand that this is not sourced information at all...I'm simply completing this thought exercise!): 13 scholarship spots and we currently have:
Guards: Conor Enright
Forward/Bigs: Reed Bailey, Tucker DeVries, Trent Sisley

That leaves nine scholarship slots available and something like this might make sense:
Guards: Conor Enright, Lamar Wilkerson, Rakease Passmore, Tru Washington, Nyk Evans (freshman)
Forwards: Tucker DeVries, Trent Sisley, Elyjah Freeman, Tyler Betsey, a defense/rebounding wing
Bigs: Reed Bailey, Luke Bamgboye (VCU) or Quincy Ballard (Wichita State), Dez Briscoe

That would be something like 12 or 13 guys and the classes would be sort of balanced so we would not have to totally start over again in 2026. That would not be a great team but I think it'd be really interesting. It will almost certainly not look anything like what I listed but that is not at all unthinkable or unattainable.

I like it.........sign 'em up.

 

[mushroomgod_1]

All good points and let's get VERY hypothetical with this (please understand that this is not sourced information at all...I'm simply completing this thought exercise!): 13 scholarship spots and we currently have:
Guards: Conor Enright
Forward/Bigs: Reed Bailey, Tucker DeVries, Trent Sisley

That leaves nine scholarship slots available and something like this might make sense:
Guards: Conor Enright, Lamar Wilkerson, Rakease Passmore, Tru Washington, Nyk Evans (freshman)
Forwards: Tucker DeVries, Trent Sisley, Elyjah Freeman, Tyler Betsey, a defense/rebounding wing
Bigs: Reed Bailey, Luke Bamgboye (VCU) or Quincy Ballard (Wichita State), Dez Briscoe

That would be something like 12 or 13 guys and the classes would be sort of balanced so we would not have to totally start over again in 2026. That would not be a great team but I think it'd be really interesting. It will almost certainly not look anything like what I listed but that is not at all unthinkable or unattainable.

You mentioned Nyk Evans.....you mean Nyk Lewis.

I saw he is visiting Iowa on 4/11..........I really would like to get him. I was a McCollum guy once the big fish got away, so him going to Iowa would piss me off.

 

[Nate Comp]

Cincy Forward Dillon Mitchell hit the portal about a half hour ago, maybe a connection with Drew Adams coming over as a part of our staff now?

 

[dr.jb]

This will be lengthy but I thought it could be informative and hopefully spark some discussion as wait for anything tangible from IU in regards to the coaching staff or roster:

I thought it might be fun to list out the currently available prospects (beyond Wilkerson) that I really like, by position. I'll note the prospect if I think the Hoosiers have a chance or a connection (which is kind of difficult since we still don't know the staff!):
-Guard (I actually think IU would do well to just pursue multiple combo guards/ball handlers and not worry about finding a "point guard")

• Rodney Rice (Maryland, two years left) - IU has contacted him but there has not been any real news about where Rice is leaning.
• LeJuan Watts (Washington State, two years left) - 42% three-point shooter, probably stays out West
• Malik Moore (Montana, one year left)
• Blake Harper (Howard, three years left) - averaged 19.5 points per game, 6.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists and shot 40%+ from three as a freshman
• Jasai Miles (North Florida, two years left) - 15.4 points per game and nearly 7 rebounds, good length
• Nick Dorn (Elon, two years left) - 15.2 points per game as a sophomore
• Kyan Evans (Colorado State, two years left) - a bit small but elite three-point shooter that could play a great role in our system
• Rakease Passmore (Kansas, three years left) - terrific athlete that was an IU prospect before Woodson just stopped recruiting him, high-ceiling and potential
• Tru Washington (New Mexico, two years left) - really good defensive metrics, not a good shooter but good athlete and could fit well as a perimeter stopper
• Jalen Celestine (Baylor, one year left)
• Kezza Giffa (High Point, one year left)

-Forward-

• Alvaro Folguieras (Robert Morris, two years left) - 6'9", 9 rebounds per game, really good defensive metrics...I think he's a really good player
• Kennard Davis (SIU, two years left) - 6'6" wing, 16.3 points per game, not a good defensive player so that's a knock
• Jamichael Stillwell (UW-Milwaukee, one year left) - 6'8", really good motor and very good rebounder, he's a tweener and I'd understand passing on him but I think he'd be a solid role player
• Izaiah Pasha (Delaware, three years left) - only a freshman, a bit undersized but good offensive efficiency metrics
• Tyler Betsey (Cincinnati, three years left) - a freshman, former top 60 recruit and IU target before Woodson quit recruiting him, really good three-point shooter in high school and he's 6'8", this would make a lot of sense if Drew Adams liked him
• Elyjah Freeman (Lincoln Memorial, three years left) - big jump in competition but Freeman has the goods...IU is a contender for him
• Gavin Walsh (Binghamton, two years left) - multiple years remaining, his metrics were the best on his team and he is a very good rebounder
• Kimani Hamilton (High Point, one year left)
• Barry Dunning (South Alabama, one year left) - good metrics, 15.1 points per game for Sun Belt regular season champions

-Center (it gets late pretty early for true centers...not a lot of promising options)-

• Efton Reid (Wake Forest, one year remaining) - he's the highest ranked one left but I'd rather just play small
• Gabe Dynes (Youngstown State, two years remaining) - he's 7'3" so there's some intrigue there but he averaged 6.8 and 5.8 only in the flippin' Horizon League...the key for him, development AND he already averages 3.1 blocks per game and posted a 2.87 DBPR this season. If you just want a rim protector to give you 15-20 minutes per game, this might work.
• Juslin Bodo Bodo (High Point, two years left) - multiple years remaining, 7'0" with good motor, 8.4 rebounds per game in 21.7 minutes per game, 4.74 BPR was highest on the team. As a side note, poor Alan Huss' team got shredded by the portal.
• Luke Bamgboye (VCU, three years left) - three years left and I think he's well-worth a shot...raw but he posted a 2.6 DBPR as a freshman...that is impressive. 2.1 blocks per game in 16.8 minutes per game!

Long post but hopefully informative as we wait on anything noteworthy from the staff or roster.

you guys are off to a real good start!

keep it up

 

[ribbont]

This will be lengthy but I thought it could be informative and hopefully spark some discussion as wait for anything tangible from IU in regards to the coaching staff or roster:

I thought it might be fun to list out the currently available prospects (beyond Wilkerson) that I really like, by position. I'll note the prospect if I think the Hoosiers have a chance or a connection (which is kind of difficult since we still don't know the staff!):
-Guard (I actually think IU would do well to just pursue multiple combo guards/ball handlers and not worry about finding a "point guard")

• Rodney Rice (Maryland, two years left) - IU has contacted him but there has not been any real news about where Rice is leaning.
• LeJuan Watts (Washington State, two years left) - 42% three-point shooter, probably stays out West
• Malik Moore (Montana, one year left)
• Blake Harper (Howard, three years left) - averaged 19.5 points per game, 6.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists and shot 40%+ from three as a freshman
• Jasai Miles (North Florida, two years left) - 15.4 points per game and nearly 7 rebounds, good length
• Nick Dorn (Elon, two years left) - 15.2 points per game as a sophomore
• Kyan Evans (Colorado State, two years left) - a bit small but elite three-point shooter that could play a great role in our system
• Rakease Passmore (Kansas, three years left) - terrific athlete that was an IU prospect before Woodson just stopped recruiting him, high-ceiling and potential
• Tru Washington (New Mexico, two years left) - really good defensive metrics, not a good shooter but good athlete and could fit well as a perimeter stopper
• Jalen Celestine (Baylor, one year left)
• Kezza Giffa (High Point, one year left)

-Forward-

• Alvaro Folguieras (Robert Morris, two years left) - 6'9", 9 rebounds per game, really good defensive metrics...I think he's a really good player
• Kennard Davis (SIU, two years left) - 6'6" wing, 16.3 points per game, not a good defensive player so that's a knock
• Jamichael Stillwell (UW-Milwaukee, one year left) - 6'8", really good motor and very good rebounder, he's a tweener and I'd understand passing on him but I think he'd be a solid role player
• Izaiah Pasha (Delaware, three years left) - only a freshman, a bit undersized but good offensive efficiency metrics
• Tyler Betsey (Cincinnati, three years left) - a freshman, former top 60 recruit and IU target before Woodson quit recruiting him, really good three-point shooter in high school and he's 6'8", this would make a lot of sense if Drew Adams liked him
• Elyjah Freeman (Lincoln Memorial, three years left) - big jump in competition but Freeman has the goods...IU is a contender for him
• Gavin Walsh (Binghamton, two years left) - multiple years remaining, his metrics were the best on his team and he is a very good rebounder
• Kimani Hamilton (High Point, one year left)
• Barry Dunning (South Alabama, one year left) - good metrics, 15.1 points per game for Sun Belt regular season champions

-Center (it gets late pretty early for true centers...not a lot of promising options)-

• Efton Reid (Wake Forest, one year remaining) - he's the highest ranked one left but I'd rather just play small
• Gabe Dynes (Youngstown State, two years remaining) - he's 7'3" so there's some intrigue there but he averaged 6.8 and 5.8 only in the flippin' Horizon League...the key for him, development AND he already averages 3.1 blocks per game and posted a 2.87 DBPR this season. If you just want a rim protector to give you 15-20 minutes per game, this might work.
• Juslin Bodo Bodo (High Point, two years left) - multiple years remaining, 7'0" with good motor, 8.4 rebounds per game in 21.7 minutes per game, 4.74 BPR was highest on the team. As a side note, poor Alan Huss' team got shredded by the portal.
• Luke Bamgboye (VCU, three years left) - three years left and I think he's well-worth a shot...raw but he posted a 2.6 DBPR as a freshman...that is impressive. 2.1 blocks per game in 16.8 minutes per game!

Long post but hopefully informative as we wait on anything noteworthy from the staff or roster.

Any thought on High Point's Juslin Bodo Bodo or Ole Miss' Jon Bol? Seem like tall, athletic, rim protecting rebounders.

 

[Hoosier_Phenom]

Cincy Forward Dillon Mitchell hit the portal about a half hour ago, maybe a connection with Drew Adams coming over as a part of our staff now?

He’s one I like. Athletic and a good defender.

 

[76-1]

All good points and let's get VERY hypothetical with this (please understand that this is not sourced information at all...I'm simply completing this thought exercise!): 13 scholarship spots and we currently have:
Guards: Conor Enright
Forward/Bigs: Reed Bailey, Tucker DeVries, Trent Sisley

That leaves nine scholarship slots available and something like this might make sense:
Guards: Conor Enright, Lamar Wilkerson, Rakease Passmore, Tru Washington, Nyk Evans (freshman)
Forwards: Tucker DeVries, Trent Sisley, Elyjah Freeman, Tyler Betsey, a defense/rebounding wing
Bigs: Reed Bailey, Luke Bamgboye (VCU) or Quincy Ballard (Wichita State), Dez Briscoe

That would be something like 12 or 13 guys and the classes would be sort of balanced so we would not have to totally start over again in 2026. That would not be a great team but I think it'd be really interesting. It will almost certainly not look anything like what I listed but that is not at all unthinkable or unattainable.

Add two slots... Next season will be the first time there will be 15 scholarships available for Men's NCAA Basketball...

That's just informational... Keep up the good work... Interesting stuff...

 

[Warison]

Mara (UCLA) is in the portal.....but I doubt that he knows where Indiana is..........he does have some skills and he can pass.

Everybody knows where Indiana is bro. Indy 500 ring a bell? Greatest spectacle in racing? Home to the largest sporting event yearly on the planet?

 

[CG Paul]

 

[TJ Inman]

Add two slots... Next season will be the first time there will be 15 scholarships available for Men's NCAA Basketball...

That's just informational... Keep up the good work... Interesting stuff...

Yes but if you use scholarships 14 and 15, it negatively impacts your revenue sharing. Darian DeVries has already said IU would not go past 13 scholarships.

 

[76-1]

Yes but if you use scholarships 14 and 15, it negatively impacts your revenue sharing. Darian DeVries has already said IU would not go past 13 scholarships.

I do vaguely recall reading that now... (your last sentence)...

You've done Great job of framing who's available and the slots we have left... Interesting content...

Thanks!

 

[T.M.P.]

Everybody knows where Indiana is bro. Indy 500 ring a bell? Greatest spectacle in racing? Home to the largest sporting event yearly on the planet?

Is circular counter clockwise traffic really a sport?

 

[Tru2Irish]

"There are several centers better than the ones you posted left yet" - Quincy Ballard is a good one, I forgot him and he's a good player. Good point. Ante Brzovic currently is out of eligibility. He is suing the NCAA and will probably end up winning but for now, he's not available. Drayton Jones was barely above average on BPR in a really poor conference. I don't think he makes sense for IU. Who is Devon Williams? If you mean Aday Mara from UCLA, yes, I like him. The 6'9" Cincy kid is Arrinten Page but he has failed to produce at USC or at UC and I didn't really like him as a high school prospect. Dez Briscoe is a good HS prospect but he is not going to contribute more than very minor minutes in college for a year or two...he's a project. I do not think any of the former WVU commits are options to come to IU.

I quite like a couple of the centers I mentioned but good discussion, thanks!

Devin Williams 6-9 UCLA #210 RANKED on ON3 PORTAL LIST. Aday Mara went to Michigan as of today. Yes there are many bigs. I think Ballard is really good.

 

[TR32]

I think people may be getting the wrong idea about the direction of the program. Indiana did not go out and get a coach who is just going to buy players. That's what the last coach did.

Chances are he let the entire roster go for a reason and he is going to expect the players he recruits to show strong signs that they want to be at Indiana and buy into the program and stick around a while.
There isn't any point in coaching college basketball if the players leave every year. I certainly wouldn't expect a coach with a consistent track record of Friday. at lower tier Drake to want to change his methods and start shelling out money to try to outbid teams. He won't do that unless a kid is a special fit.

 

[IUNorth]

View embedded media

We could only be so fortunate. No idea if IU has reached out to him, if he fits DeVries system, etc… But just from basketball perspectives…he’s such a good lead guard.

 

[.Gerdis]

I think people may be getting the wrong idea about the direction of the program. Indiana did not go out and get a coach who is just going to buy players. That's what the last coach did.

Chances are he let the entire roster go for a reason and he is going to expect the players he recruits to show strong signs that they want to be at Indiana and buy into the program and stick around a while.
There isn't any point in coaching college basketball if the players leave every year. I certainly wouldn't expect a coach with a consistent track record of Friday. at lower tier Drake to want to change his methods and start shelling out money to try to outbid teams. He won't do that unless a kid is a special fit.

Is that what’s going on??

IF that is “the direction of the program”, I would be pleased. I really like your post, but it seems to be an idealist view that is untethered from the reality of big money athletics. I’m skeptical. My hesitancy is that I am afraid that:

The direction of this program won’t be altered by this hire. You say there is no point in coaching college basketball if the players leave every year (and I don’t disagree). You say that he isn’t going to “change his methods” and start shelling out money to outbid teams.

My fear is that is exactly what he signed up for. That is the game now. Our program has been at the cutting edge of NIL since the get go. Look at the teams we have been going toe to toe with when bidding, like Kansas. That wasn’t Woodson. That was the money, the boosters. The direction is etched in stone, play the game that exists and push the boundaries as far as they will go. The direction isn’t to be Drake, Wisconsin, or even Michigan. The direction is Kentucky under Calipari.

My thinking of what we now have is this: We will “play the game” better than all but a few teams. That means having one of the highest paid rosters. Huge annual turnover. Huge reliance on portal players. I do not expect a difference in the direction of the program as far as philosophy on paying players, using the portal, etc.

The hire, IMHO, was simply someone to coach up the players.

Indiana did not go out and get a coach who is just going to buy players.

Of course they did. The people that set the direction of the program do not view the concept of buying players or using the portal as the problem. The problem was having someone to coach them.

 

[Al Bino]

Is that what’s going on??

IF that is “the direction of the program”, I would be pleased. I really like your post, but it seems to be an idealist view that is untethered from the reality of big money athletics. I’m skeptical. My hesitancy is that I am afraid that:

The direction of this program won’t be altered by this hire. You say there is no point in coaching college basketball if the players leave every year (and I don’t disagree). You say that he isn’t going to “change his methods” and start shelling out money to outbid teams.

My fear is that is exactly what he signed up for. That is the game now. Our program has been at the cutting edge of NIL since the get go. Look at the teams we have been going toe to toe with when bidding, like Kansas. That wasn’t Woodson. That was the money, the boosters. The direction is etched in stone, play the game that exists and push the boundaries as far as they will go. The direction isn’t to be Drake, Wisconsin, or even Michigan. The direction is Kentucky under Calipari.

My thinking of what we now have is this: We will “play the game” better than all but a few teams. That means having one of the highest paid rosters. Huge annual turnover. Huge reliance on portal players. I do not expect a difference in the direction of the program as far as philosophy on paying players, using the portal, etc.

The hire, IMHO, was simply someone to coach up the players.

Indiana did not go out and get a coach who is just going to buy players.

Of course they did. The people that set the direction of the program do not view the concept of buying players or using the portal as the problem. The problem was having someone to coach them.

I see your point but IMO, preliminary evidence, even though scant, would show CDD has a different take that is more in line with what TR32 laid out.

He is not filling the roster very fast. Especially not fast enough for some on this forum.

It would appear that he is not out bidding schools. Case in point, the kid that went to UL.
He has stressed fit for potential players.

Every school is paying players, buying players, but it would appear that CDD's approach is light years from the previous staff.

We will find out soon enough!

 

[asindc]

I think there is very little doubt that CDD is utilizing NIL, but I think he is adhering to his own approach while doing so. In his public statements, he has stressed the importance of maintaining his approach to roster building and not taking any shortcuts. He has consistently talked about building a team, emphasis on “team.” It seems that he believes that NIL is compatible with his particular approach to team building.

 

[OpenWheels]

I think it's just that every coach says that. 'Right fit', 'culture', 'buy-in', 'all about team'. Ever hear a coach say 'I want guys that are in it just for themselves'?

So, we will see.
,

 

[mohoosier]

Is that what’s going on??

IF that is “the direction of the program”, I would be pleased. I really like your post, but it seems to be an idealist view that is untethered from the reality of big money athletics. I’m skeptical. My hesitancy is that I am afraid that:

The direction of this program won’t be altered by this hire. You say there is no point in coaching college basketball if the players leave every year (and I don’t disagree). You say that he isn’t going to “change his methods” and start shelling out money to outbid teams.

My fear is that is exactly what he signed up for. That is the game now. Our program has been at the cutting edge of NIL since the get go. Look at the teams we have been going toe to toe with when bidding, like Kansas. That wasn’t Woodson. That was the money, the boosters. The direction is etched in stone, play the game that exists and push the boundaries as far as they will go. The direction isn’t to be Drake, Wisconsin, or even Michigan. The direction is Kentucky under Calipari.

My thinking of what we now have is this: We will “play the game” better than all but a few teams. That means having one of the highest paid rosters. Huge annual turnover. Huge reliance on portal players. I do not expect a difference in the direction of the program as far as philosophy on paying players, using the portal, etc.

The hire, IMHO, was simply someone to coach up the players.

Indiana did not go out and get a coach who is just going to buy players.

Of course they did. The people that set the direction of the program do not view the concept of buying players or using the portal as the problem. The problem was having someone to coach them.

I see it completely different. If IU had hired a Calipari or Pitino, I’d agree. But they didn’t, they went an entirely different direction, almost 180 degrees. And, because of that, it tells us that different individuals were in control of the decision, unlike the last hire. There was a change in direction, not a continuation of the former. Dolson was driving this one and his model was clearly defined and evident with the Cignetti hire.

The portal is being prioritized at the moment due to necessity, but not as a rule. He has to put a team on the floor. It took Todd Golden a season (16-17) to turn things around in Florida, why would Indiana be any different? You’re framing CDD in an old model. It’s obvious that model has been broken, and it will only be a matter of time to prove this.

 

[IUNorth]

I see it completely different. If IU had hired a Calipari or Pitino, I’d agree. But they didn’t, they went an entirely different direction, almost 180 degrees. And, because of that, it tells us that different individuals were in control of the decision, unlike the last hire. There was a change in direction, not a continuation of the former. Dolson was driving this one and his model was clearly defined and evident with the Cignetti hire.

The portal is being prioritized at the moment due to necessity, but not as a rule. He has to put a team on the floor. It took Todd Golden a season (16-17) to turn things around in Florida, why would Indiana be any different? You’re framing CDD in an old model. It’s obvious that model has been broken, and it will only be a matter of time to prove this.

Great points. If he ends up filling his roster with more multi year kids, portal or not, that’s a nod to your points, I’d say. I think jumping on a kid like Enright points to what you’re saying as well. Gotta establish the identity and culture.

Not sure how well all take a 16-17 season though. Would have to see some really solid stuff within that result, to not be pretty alarmed by it.

 

[mohoosier]

Gotta establish the identity and culture.

Agree

Not sure how well all take a 16-17 season though. Would have to see some really solid stuff within that result, to not be pretty alarmed by it.

I’m not sure either, and I only mention it because the impatient ones need to hear it in case that’s what happens. They like to cite Dusty, Kelsey, and Pope but seem to forget about Golden, Pearl, Beard, etc. I’ll take a year of ‘getting things right’ as long as the trajectory is up.

 

[Tru2Irish]

Everybody knows where Indiana is bro. Indy 500 ring a bell? Greatest spectacle in racing? Home to the largest sporting event yearly on the planet?

He went to Michigan. They are doing awesome in portal recruiting.

 

[kkott]

Everybody knows where Indiana is bro. Indy 500 ring a bell? Greatest spectacle in racing? Home to the largest sporting event yearly on the planet?

I'm from Indy, am white and live in a racing town (Charlotte, NC) and that's barely a thing even for me. Not many of these kids know a thing about the Indy 500 or could identify IN on a map. It may not be Nebraska or South Dakota, but closer to those than NY, FL, TX or CA.

 

[mohoosier]

He went to Michigan. They are doing awesome in portal recruiting.

Good for Dusty, he’s a year ahead of DeVries