triple

I concur that our fanbase puts tremendous pressure on the program. But the glaring issues associated with coaching are very real. Through a combination of recruiting and focus we lack the level of shooting required to consistently compete at this level. Our offense is simplistic and easy to both predict and defend. Our defense is static and thus increasingly easy to predict and attack. And finally the team as a whole (not to mention certain individuals) lacks the level of development and confidence needed to consistently hold leads and/or make comebacks in crunch time. I agree that Archie probably would have had more success at OSU. And Holtmann may have struggled more at IU vs OSU. But I don't agree that the extent of the gap between the two would have been so significant. The odds that the pressure of the IU job would have caused Holtmann to both miss and fail to correct so many issues are low.

Same here. But for the past few games I've waited to see the final score and only watched recordings of the wins. I hate to admit that I'm becoming a fair weather fan, but this offense feels like a form of punishment.

I think we're saying similar things but to me the fact that Archie is so passive on the sidelines really sets a tone. It implies that leadership is something he's just hoping to see, rather than something he is nurturing...and expecting! I want him to succeed but I just don't see it happening until/unless he starts leading by example.

The calls/texts were not that big of a deal. But he intentionally broke the rules and also the reports of rampant drug use and players skipping classes did not sit with me. Since then IU has been too squeaky clean for its own good and has failed to land 'the guy', but despite his coaching ability I for one am glad Sampson is in our rear view mirror.

I was too patient with Davis, and fairly patient with Crean. Perhaps because of that I'm not patient enough with Archie, but to me the writing is wall. We have individual players who display passion, but a team and indeed a program that fails to convey a sense of urgency.

I'm really torn on Miller. The progress is there even though it's very gradual in the making. And this could end up being a surprisingly good season. But the difference I see between us and the teams you mention here is that we are a single injury (knock wood that won't happen with TJD) away from ending the year near the bottom of our conference. And the comment above about weight lifting...that's my biggest gripe. Much more time shooting over the summer, less lifting. We'd be so much better!

Big Lie, Big Staged, Big Ten

https://www.tarheeltimes.com/recruitprofile2134.aspx

Ideally both, but Mohammed strikes me as offering a high level of "refuse-to-lose" stuff (attitude, motor, skills). He's been #1 on my list for a loooong time. I do feel like our current freshmen are going to bring an attitude upgrade, but Mohammed stands out to me as being elite in that regard.

As a middle age white guy I fully support them. We are in a forever-loop of allowing petty politics and instigators to distract us from those issues. If there had been an ongoing theme of non-white police officers fatally shooting white civilians this would have been addressed long ago.

Another Ragland article: https://www.hjnews.com/sports/usu/pair-of-aggie-assistant-coaches-make-list/article_6b5b0e04-22e2-59f3-b44a-c8f6e74257a7.html

Yes. Simply that. Since the Crean years I've always felt the program pushes too much too fast on physical transformation (whereas under Crean anyway, we seemingly had little focus on developing mental toughness which I believe is far more important at the college level).

I know there are different schools of thought on this, but when I see these annual pics from IU players my first reaction is always concern that the injury bug is right around the corner.

Harbaugh has done less with his talent level (specific to his Michigan teams) than most of the guys on the list. In my mind he should be closer to the middle. Definitely below Chyrst.

If you are suggesting that we all believe every bad review we ever encounter, I fear for the restaurant industry. Covid will be nothing compared to the wrath of Yelp!

I saw several of Lesmond's games last year when he played at Evanston, after moving here from France. He was the tallest player on a very good team that only lacked height, yet struggled to get playing time over more athletic guards and forwards (at least three of whom were also Sophs). So it wasn't surprising that he transferred to a smaller school. At the time he seemed to lack passion, consistency, and defensive instincts. That said, it's quite possible that being a starter this past year has boosted his confidence and helped him turn a significant corner.

They are a better team (better coaching leading to better chemistry and motivation), but they are not as talented as IU. There is a difference between team and talent.

I agree. If the tide does not turn soon there will be consequences (bottom 3-4 finish, missed dance, self-inflicted obstacles to future recruiting success, and yet more normalization of a program culture that leads to mediocracy). We have the talent to win every remaining game. And at this point if Archie told/allowed them to play street ball I suspect we'd improve. That's on him. He needs to unlock the mental obstacles that have infected the team and get back to playing basic basketball and, gulp, dare I say having fun.

I hate admitting this but I'd settle for being able to enjoy watching the games at this point. Our guys are in quick sand and watching it feels like a bad day at the office.

I'd say that's technically correct, but I'd add two qualifiers. Regarding our defense, when Rutgers scored they did so with relative ease. We played well for much of the shot clock in any given stance until we didn't, and then they feasted. Regarding our offense, there were too many possessions without any movement inside the three point line. As a result we rarely feasted. I'd give their coaching staff an A for that game, and ours an F. Which is all the more frustrating given that a win was within the reach of a few made threes.

I agree with him 100%. Basketball is at its best when it's based predominantly on basketball skills. And that includes the skill of playing defense without making contact. Which is much harder to perfect than the constant contact defense they allow some teams (underscore some) to play today.

Agree here. If you write off four year players based on their freshman and sophomore contributions you miss the point of having four year players. Looking forward to the payoff with Justin.

I'm not a big fan of bashing Hoosiers.

I hope IU does not let him slip away. He may or may not translate at the next level, but in a program where scholarship spots are expected to go unfilled at times, there is no reason to take a pass on somebody with so much talent right in the backyard. This feels like Nic Moore round two to me.