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IU Basketball: Who is leaving? Who is staying?


IndyHutch
  • It's clearly a question on the minds of most Indiana basketball fans now that the 2015-16 season has come to an end. Of the players with eligibility remaining, who will be in an Indiana uniform come the fall of 2016? Here is my take.

Let me begin by saying this is speculation. Educated speculation, but speculation nonetheless.

If there's one thing I've learned in my 18 years covering Indiana basketball it's that nothing is as simple as you would think it is. 

Players come and players go. Players that you think aren't transferring end up doing just that. Players that you're sure are definitely gone end up returning for another season.

And so until we have heard a final decision I won't go to the bank with any of this. But it's late March and once you're eliminated from the NCAA Tournament this is the kind of topic that begins weighing on the minds of Hoosier Nation.

Should I stay or should I go?

Let's throw out some names and get some opinions. Please feel free to weigh in on any of these guys. If you think I'm wrong, say so. If you think I'm right, you can agree, too. But I'm hoping we get some good discussion going on this one.

1. TROY WILLIAMS

Options: He could go to the NBA, go overseas, graduate from IU at the end of this semester and transfer to another school and play right away or return to Indiana for his final season of eligibility.

What I think he'll do: My guess is that Troy will be looking to collect a paycheck. Whether that's in the NBA or overseas, I'm not sure. But I'm guessing he's gone. I think the least possible option would be to transfer to another school. I think if he decides to play his final year of eligibility he would do so at Indiana. That's just my feeling. Is he ready for the NBA? I don't think so but no one is asking me either. Something just tells me though that if he hears any positive feedback at all from NBA folks that he'll probably make himself eligible for the NBA Draft. Again, it's just an opinion.

2. THOMAS BRYANT

Options: He go make himself eligible for the NBA Draft or he could return for his sophomore season at IU.

What I think he'll do: I think Bryant comes back. I think he likes school and he sees that he can improve if he sticks around and puts in the effort that he would need to put in. If he has a big year as a sophomore I think he's probably gone, just like Cody Zeller did. I know that Bryant has gotten some love from some of the draft boards but I just think if he had one more solid season that he could do a lot for his draft stock. Will he listen to what all of the NBA people have to say? Absolutely. But I think he's a pretty smart young man and he'll look at next year and realize how much of a dominant force he could be on that team.

3. JAMES BLACKMON JR.

Options: He could make himself eligible for the NBA Draft, transfer to another school and sit out a year, or return to Indiana.

What I think he'll do: I've heard the transfer rumors and they just don't make sense to me. I think Blackmon Jr. really has two options: He either goes to the NBA or he returns for one more season at Indiana. And again, I think the highest percentage here has him returning to IU. I can't imagine a lot of NBA people telling him that he should come out after what transpired from an injury standpoint this season. But the transfer rumors just make no sense to me at all. The only way he would transfer would be if he opted to go the Division II route but why would you do that? I can't imagine him transferring to a D1 school and sitting out another year. It just makes absolutely no sense to me. I think he's back in an IU uniform next season.

4. OG ANUNOBY

Options: Declare for the NBA Draft or return to IU for his sophomore season.

What I think he'll do: I know people cringe just seeing his name here but OG has been getting some love. I think he'll be at Indiana next season though. He may even be there a few more years. I think with a few more years of seasoning, OG could be a dynamic player both at this level and the next one. Again, I'm sure he'll listen to whatever people are saying but my guess is that he'll be back and will be part of the starting rotation.

5. TIM PRILLER

Options: Stay or go.

What I think he'll do: The only reason I put him on here is because I was on a radio show in Indy on Monday and was asked about him by Jake Query on 1260 WNDE. My answer there was depending on who is returning and what the scholarship numbers situation is, I guess he could be a casualty. But I really don't know. I think a lot will depend on what players leave and what players decide to stay. Unless you see him contributing at some point to this IU basketball team other than being the Victory Cigar, though, I just question how you can continue to allow him to occupy a roster spot.

So those are five players to think about. What do you think? 

Do you they stay or do they go?

Edited by IndyHutch



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35 minutes ago, dalton26 said:

I think Troy is coming back.

I think he'll be back too, because I don't think execs will be falling all over themselves trying to get him to come out.

I don't think we have a player that fills the slasher type player that he is. I think he's be a major asset on next years team. Push us over-the-top type asset.

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44 minutes ago, HoosierHoops1 said:

I think he'll be back too, because I don't think execs will be falling all over themselves trying to get him to come out.

I don't think we have a player that fills the slasher type player that he is. I think he's be a major asset on next years team. Push us over-the-top type asset.

Not only that, but would you rather have a player that is a known quantity that could improve even more or an unknown Juco? Not that those are the only 2 options, but that makes it pretty simple to me. I like the very little I know about McSwain or even the Aussie, but Troy has proven he can be a difference maker. Let's hope his Sr Season brings consistency.

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Looks like he will be back or is at least very open to the idea. If he was going to leave no matter what he would have gotten an agent. He's going to get his feedback and come back.....I hope. 

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7 minutes ago, HoosierRob said:

If Troy gets any kind of positive feedback he is gone.

Define positive feedback? First round. Actually drafted?  It's crazy just the scope his evaluations could run  my guess is his best case scenario is mid second round  is that positive feedback?

Btw saw on another board that Troy has academic issues and he will most certainly not be back. Granted this was from a fanbase that doesn't know the meaning of the word graduate. 

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I still think Troy leaves.

He sounded concerned when he said there aren't many seniors drafted in the first round.  If he has his degree in May, there wouldn't be much of a reason for him to return other than to chase a national championship, which he probably cares about less than his future in the NBA (which isn't necessarily a bad thing).

He seems like he'll be the type of guy who will ask 100 scouts if they think he should come back or go pro. Even though 99 of them will tell him to return, he'll listen to that 1 guy telling him to go pro.  Sometimes you only take the advice you want to hear.

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Question: Since, TW is graduating....Can he still play as a walk on and they give the scholarship to someone else? That is...if he doesn't make the NBA.

A few hurdles but he would ultimately have to pay his own way if he did. Why would he want to do that.

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I want him back--but I think he's gone.

He may have been inconsistent--but he led us to wins we would not have had without him. He and Yogi were the only two who could consistently break down defenses and get to the hoop and at least draw fouls late in games. Troy shot a ton of free throws.  We will also miss his rebounding. He and Bryant were basically tied in boards.

I will also miss his sportscenter highlight plays---which he seemed to turn in at least one per game.

We will support you in whatever you decide Troy----but ask Yogi---sometimes it's worth it to come back for that senior year. Banner #6 has to be tempting!

 

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Many NBA scouts are saying he will be in the second round. However, according to Woj, he could work his way up to the first round. I guess a few NBA teams really like him.

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