Stuhoo

^^This^^ It seems like every year we have a 'big opportunity game' where we can make a legit claim as a top 25 team if we win. Last year, it was Ohio State at home. It also seems as if during those games, we play well, and fade in the 4th quarter. This year, Michigan State at home will be that game.

I'm sure that there are others that also fit the mold, but Wilkes, Waters, J. Smith, Gak, Bamba, J. Tucker all have two very, very important things in common: Top 75 players Completely squared away young men Along with Durham, I'd gladly welcome any of 'em.

I hear ya, but a healthy JBJr is starting. Hartman will start also.

Allow me to summarize: OG > Swanigan

I think he'll be okay: Mike Schmitz @Mike_Schmitz He didn't scrimmage but OG Anunoby's physical profile is elite. Should be able to play some 4 in NBA. Stroke much smoother than I thought. 1h

Purdoo will be big again, with a front line of Haas, Swanigan, and Edwards. I would expect OG to draw Swanigan with that lineup.

Nigel Hayes, Caleb Swanigan, Peter Jok, Miles Bridges, etc, etc, get ready; your offensive game is in store for a healthy heaping of OG defense.

FIU versus IUFB tickets on sale! Me and the Hoosiers on September 1st. Now if only IUBB would come to South Florida

Interested in all of them. Especially rooting for Emmitt and PJ.

A regular stream of video evidence that JB2's knees are cleared for hard work.

To infinity. And beyond.

Apparently UK has a few grad transfers from the University of ISIS for the coming year. (lol - too harsh?)

He is John Calipari!!! (Can you confirm or deny, Natty?)

Back on topic: College basketball...yay!

Wouldn't it just be easier to say: "I was wrong. Sorry guys!"

Bryant wanted to hang out with his teammates and enjoy the big-man-on-big-campus college spring season because, while the lure of pro riches is strong, there’s a lot to be said for life outside the real world. And you’d better believe pro basketball is rim-rocking real. "I thought, I love playing under Coach (Tom) Crean and playing with my guys,” Bryant said during Wednesday’s IU alumni gathering at Huber’s Wineries in southeastern Indiana. “I knew the key things I needed to get better at, so I thought I’d take that time to work on the things I needed to get better at, then go home and return to IU ready for the summer.” Bryant projected as a possible first-round pick, perhaps even a lottery selection. As a freshman, he averaged 11.9 points and 5.8 rebounds. He shot nearly 70 percent from the field and was three-for-three in double-figure scoring games in the NCAA tourney, including an impressive 19 points in the Kentucky win. Still, the first round means guaranteed millions of dollars, so not just passing on the draft, but also on the chance to work out with NBA teams, participate in the NBA Combine and receive input from NBA coaches, scouts and others was a significant decision for this former McDonald’s All-America. After all, 117 underclassmen did declare for the draft, and if most returned to school, all got a thorough evaluation from NBA officials. “I talked to my parents, I talked to my coaches, the coaching staff and I talked to a couple of other people that are close to me to help me with this process,” he said. “The best decision for me was to just return. It was my decision to not test the waters. I wanted to stay here and be with my teammates, the coaching staff and get better.”

Dunn eventually picked himself back up, both from the injury that threatened to derail his NBA career and from his shattered personal life. He won Big East Defensive Player of the Year and Player of the Year in 2014-15 after averaging 15.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game. He declared for the draft that year, but didn’t hire an agent and ultimately returned to Providence. “I think my decision was best for me and my family, and I think I really did improve this year,” Dunn said. “What made [the decision] so special is they allowed me to make my own choice. I could have easily went to go get the money and impact my family right away, but I wanted to do the right thing for me. Just to have that support, and having your back and allowing you to make that decision, and allowing you to learn from your decision, it was great.” Beyond improving on the basketball court, beyond winning a game in the NCAA tournament, Dunn wanted to set an example by getting his degree. “It was really important. That’s something nobody can take away,” Dunn said. “I was doing it because I’ve been putting a lot of work into my education. I’ve been at Providence College for four years, and I was at both summer sessions. “I was putting all that time into the education and trying to be a good role model to my family. Trying to be a good role model for my sisters. They don’t play sports, and I wanted to show them that sports aren’t everything. You can still be successful in the other side of the world.”

Why "huh?" I'm not saying they ARE ready for the NBA; I'm saying that kids like the Harrisons , Marcus Teague, James Young etc. etc. are not on campus to be student athletes. They wish they were in the NBA right away even if they are not ready to be there. In any event, they have no business being on a college campus.

Well said. My takeaway is that UK is stacking their roster with eligible players that are being forced to pretend to be student athletes when they need not ever see a college campus.

That's waaay too cynical, especially in light of the college degrees obtained by: Hulls, Watford, Oladipo, Zeller, Sheehey, Etherington, Roth, Pritchard, Creek, Ferrell, Jones, Williams, Elston, and many others that I'm probably forgetting. Oh, and also, every one of those IU degree recipients played on a B1G championship squad.

You have to stay eligible at UK. I believe that in nine years of Calipari, only one of his scholly recruits (Poythress) has obtained a college degree. That makes them within the corners of the page, but it also makes them poster children for making a mockery of the concept of the student athlete. And that's WITH giving them the benefit of the doubt that they're not pulling UNC/UL type shenanigans.

Yes! That too. The UK model is more along the lines of " figuring out you can go get paid without going to college...for very long."

Sounds like a UK recruit to me.

Starting the 4th quarter... Troy with 24 points, including 14-15 from the line!!! Go get 'em, Hoosier.