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IU Basketball: Who is leaving? Who is staying?

IndyHutch

By IndyHutch (edited)

    • 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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Uspshoosier

For me it's ...

1)Newkirk / Cujo

2)JBJ / GREEN

3)ROJO / HARTMAN

4)OG / DAVIS

5)BRYANT / HOWARD

OR

1)ROJO / NEWKIRK

2)JBJ / CUJO /GREEN

3)OG / HARTMAN

4)DAVIS / JC TRANSFER

5)BRYANT / HOWARD

IMO ROJO and JBJ are locks to start if healthy

Howard? Do you mean Morgan

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Trish
1 hour ago, Stuhoo said:

 

Not quite:

Troy has his degree. He will go pro. No inside info here, but I betcha I'm right. Put Collin back in the starting lineup; he provides good post passing, court sense, leadership, and outside shooting.

 

 

Well i hope he took Chinese at IU, because he's going to need it in the China League next year. 

I wouldn't be surprised if he went Pro, but he is simply not ready for the D-League even. If Williams is indeed leaving, then yes, throw Collin back in the line up. 

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HoosierAloha

I can't see DD and TB in the starting lineup unless it or both develop a consistent outside game. That just goes against everything Cream tries to do on offense.

I can't see Hartman not starting after starting the majority of the last two seasons. He's the steady glue guy that keeps the team balanced.

Please, don't go back to a three guard starting lineup. I don't mind seeing it here or there throughout games depending on the opponent but not as a starting lineup.

I would like to see RoJo slide over to point and JBJ join him in the backcourt. Hartman and OG playing on the wing while being able to, in most cases, switch on defense. Obviously, TB manning the middle but developing his perimeter game for threes and dribble drives.

Newkirk would be the first guard off the bench. CuJo as the fourth guard with either RoJo or Newkirk on the court with him. Morgan would be the first wing off the bench for OG or Hartman. Davis playing 15ish minutes per game to give TB a breather or play alongside him for a few minutes.

This team has a good mix of talented upperclassmen (Hartman, Newkirk, RoJo, and JBJ), a solid frosh class that should make a big leap (TB, OG, and JMor), and a solid requiring class that doesn't have to fill any immediate holes.

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Bowhunter

I can't see DD and TB in the starting lineup unless it or both develop a consistent outside game. That just goes against everything Cream tries to do on offense.

I can't see Hartman not starting after starting the majority of the last two seasons. He's the steady glue guy that keeps the team balanced.

Please, don't go back to a three guard starting lineup. I don't mind seeing it here or there throughout games depending on the opponent but not as a starting lineup.

I would like to see RoJo slide over to point and JBJ join him in the backcourt. Hartman and OG playing on the wing while being able to, in most cases, switch on defense. Obviously, TB manning the middle but developing his perimeter game for threes and dribble drives.

Newkirk would be the first guard off the bench. CuJo as the fourth guard with either RoJo or Newkirk on the court with him. Morgan would be the first wing off the bench for OG or Hartman. Davis playing 15ish minutes per game to give TB a breather or play alongside him for a few minutes.

This team has a good mix of talented upperclassmen (Hartman, Newkirk, RoJo, and JBJ), a solid frosh class that should make a big leap (TB, OG, and JMor), and a solid requiring class that doesn't have to fill any immediate holes.

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I hear what you're saying about the three guard lineup. For me If it's between Hartman and OG I take OG for defense. If it's between Hartman and Davis , Hartman probably gets the nod.

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HoosierAloha

I hear what you're saying about the three guard lineup. For me If it's between Hartman and OG I take OG for defense. If it's between Hartman and Davis , Hartman probably gets the nod.

It depends on who else is in the starting lineup. If it's between OG and Hartman to play alongside Troy, I would pick Hartman. If it's between Davis and Hartman to play alongside OG I would go with Hartman.

OG will be that spark off the bench. Davis will be the backup big to give TB a rest. I would like to see DD and TB get some run together, especially if we can implement a little high-low sets with shooters on the wing/corners.

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DChoosier
3 hours ago, Stuhoo said:

 

Not quite:

Troy has his degree. He will go pro. No inside info here, but I betcha I'm right. Put Collin back in the starting lineup; he provides good post passing, court sense, leadership, and outside shooting.

 

I agree, but have no idea, that Troy will probably go pro. After all, how could anyone pass up the opportunity to play for the Ft. Wayne Ants?  For his sake  I just hope he has enough sense to try to go to the combine without hiring an agent so he has the flexibility to come back.

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BtownBanner6
It depends on who else is in the starting lineup. If it's between OG and Hartman to play alongside Troy, I would pick Hartman. If it's between Davis and Hartman to play alongside OG I would go with Hartman.

OG will be that spark off the bench. Davis will be the backup big to give TB a rest. I would like to see DD and TB get some run together, especially if we can implement a little high-low sets with shooters on the wing/corners.

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I really want DD to get some minutes we've never had a shot blocker.

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HoosierAloha
I really want DD to get some minutes we've never had a shot blocker.

I'm guessing he'll get 15ish minutes per game. Hopefully he can be brought along like OG and JMor were this season with a little more time early in the non-con season.

Can you imagine OG-DD-TB along the frontline?! That would be crazy length and athleticism.

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Hoosiers219
It depends on who else is in the starting lineup. If it's between OG and Hartman to play alongside Troy, I would pick Hartman. If it's between Davis and Hartman to play alongside OG I would go with Hartman.

OG will be that spark off the bench. Davis will be the backup big to give TB a rest. I would like to see DD and TB get some run together, especially if we can implement a little high-low sets with shooters on the wing/corners.

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DD is a special defense of player. I hope anticipate that he will do for more than "A back up big to give TB a rest." He is a 6 or 7 man and a potential starter in the event of injury.

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WayneFleekHoosier
DD is a special defense of player. I hope anticipate that he will do for more than "A back up big to give TB a rest." He is a 6 or 7 man and a potential starter in the event of injury.

Agree. Instant game changer on D. I think he will be a better shot blocker and Defender than TB early. Doesn't have anywhere near offensive polish as TB. Both are excellent FT shooting big men. DD will be 5-7 ranked in minutes played I think.

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HoosierAloha
DD is a special defense of player. I hope anticipate that he will do for more than "A back up big to give TB a rest." He is a 6 or 7 man and a potential starter in the event of injury.

I think he'll primarily backup TB but could play alongside Bryant for stretches too. TB averaged 23 mph this past season and that was with foul trouble while Max averaged 18. I'm guessing TB jumps up to about 28 mpg leaving 12 mpg at the 5. If DD gets all those minutes plus 6 minutes alongside TB that's still only 18 mpg. I don't see him averaging over 20 a game.

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Class of '66 Old Fart

Is this where we stand?

2015-2016 Scholarships

  1. Max
  2. JBJ
  3. Z
  4. OG
  5. RoJo
  6. Troy
  7. Yogi
  8. JM
  9. CH
  10. TB
  11. MSB
  12. Newkirk - ?

2016-2017 Scholarships (I'm assuming Troy leaves)

  1. JBJ
  2. OG
  3. RoJo
  4. JM
  5. CH
  6. TB
  7. MSB
  8. Newkirk
  9. CuJo
  10. Green
  11. Davis
  12. Gelon

 

 

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WayneFleekHoosier
Is this where we stand?

2015-2016 Scholarships

  1. Max
  2. JBJ
  3. Z
  4. OG
  5. RoJo
  6. Troy
  7. Yogi
  8. JM
  9. CH
  10. TB
  11. MSB
  12. Newkirk - ?
2016-2017 Scholarships (I'm assuming Troy leaves)

  1. JBJ
  2. OG
  3. RoJo
  4. JM
  5. CH
  6. TB
  7. MSB
  8. Newkirk
  9. CuJo
  10. Green
  11. Davis
  12. Gelon
 

 

Yep

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HoosierAloha
Is this where we stand?

2015-2016 Scholarships

  1. Max
  2. JBJ
  3. Z
  4. OG
  5. RoJo
  6. Troy
  7. Yogi
  8. JM
  9. CH
  10. TB
  11. MSB
  12. Newkirk - ?
2016-2017 Scholarships (I'm assuming Troy leaves)

  1. JBJ
  2. OG
  3. RoJo
  4. JM
  5. CH
  6. TB
  7. MSB
  8. Newkirk
  9. CuJo
  10. Green
  11. Davis
  12. Gelon
 

 

Yes

Senior - Troy/Hartman

(RS) Junior - Newkirk/RoJo/JBJ/MSB

Sophomore - TB/JMor/OG

Freshman - Davis/CuJo/Green/Gelon

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bhaggard89
Is this where we stand?

2015-2016 Scholarships

  1. Max
  2. JBJ
  3. Z
  4. OG
  5. RoJo
  6. Troy
  7. Yogi
  8. JM
  9. CH
  10. TB
  11. MSB
  12. Newkirk - ?
2016-2017 Scholarships (I'm assuming Troy leaves)

  1. JBJ
  2. OG
  3. RoJo
  4. JM
  5. CH
  6. TB
  7. MSB
  8. Newkirk
  9. CuJo
  10. Green
  11. Davis
  12. Gelon
 

 

Don't forget Priller

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HoosierTrav

I would switch Green and Cujo in terms of position. I think Green is more a PG and Cujo is a prototypical 2 guard.

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KB0

Important to remember that the starting five/rotation to start the season will likely be very different by the end of the season.

I would guess the starting five for the first game would look like this (assuming everyone is healthy and Troy is gone):

RoJo

JBJ

OG

Hartman

Bryant

 

Davis/Morgan/CuJo are the first three off the bench.

 

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