HoosierAloha

Spacing and shot making would be at the top besides the typical leadership and e and e. Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners

Never lost a tailgate Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners mobile app

Unfortunately, we're in a position where we simply need to build to a level of consistency that is above average as a program. It's crazy to think IU men's basketball is in this position but here we are. That's finishing top half of the conference and regularly advancing in the dance. I have my concerns we'll reach this level of consistency in the near future but that's a different discussion. We need to do this over the next 2-3 years without the bottom falling out and dropping to the back half of the conference (where we've lived for the past 5-6 years). Another data point to consider, the Big 1.o appears down this season making the likelihood of us finishing in the top half greater. That's all to state, if we dominate the Big 1.o this season and go on to reach a Final Four with the majority of our main contributors leaving it's natural we'd take a step back. However, I'd still expect Woody to have the roster at a point where we're finishing at the top half of the conference and NCAA tourney invite. The highs and lows need to be gone and, at minimum, need to steadily build.

The 22 class and this roster really came together well. This season should be, at a minimum, solid and something to build upon. I believe there are concerns about what our roster might look like next season should we have the departures many are expecting. Some, maybe most, acknowledge that the current recruits along with the likely returning players won't makeup for the production lost to maintain or improve upon what is likely to happen this season. Some would like to completely ignore it, others have penciled in returning players making Oladipo leaps, and some are concerned we'll return to the roller coaster of previous eras. I believe many on here want and expect similar from the men's basketball program; consistent success in the form of competing for conference titles and deep tourney runs. Until I see consistency in assembling rosters and winning games, I'll remain skeptical and concerned moving forward to include portal recruiting. This past off-season we added some nice pieces through high school recruits. However, we absolutely need to shoot better in terms of quantity and quality to reach our goals. There are question marks if that has been addressed through new and returning personnel. Time will tell but I hope we have multiple players step up and be consistent high 30+% makers from deep. I enjoy the discussion on roster management and player acquisitions.

Consistency! Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners mobile app

A lot of bark and little bite on the NIL PR campaign from IU? Shocking IU has never been the squeaky clean program a lot of fans have wanted or touted to other fan bases. NIL is open season and many of our fans are still wanting to play holier than thou, amazing.

You have me stumped. There is so much to unpack here I'm not really sure where to start. IU was able to pay some players before NIL. The NCAA has allowed for open season on paying players. If we're struggling to figure out how to pay players I've been giving the program way too much credit. There have been boosters that have wanted to pay players. There have been boosters that have figured out how to "assist" players and their families even when Knight was here. Are you suggesting that IU, with their PR campaign being first for NIL, is struggling to figure out NIL while other programs throughout the country are chasing in on it? If that is the case what does that tell you about the program?

I can't tell if it's ignorance, head in the sand, or something else going on but that's whack. Wasn't there talk about the coaching staff having their NIL plan in place to present to players on their visits...? I'm sure if Indiana is doing it then it's okay.

The series is not expected to begin for a couple of years Sounds about right Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners

It would be interesting to see what people are comfortable with before/after they know what IU has done throughout the history of the program. I'd imagine there would be almost as much flip flopping on here as Alaska sees up there.

I'd jayboob it up until my back gave out.

I didn't quote you for that exact reason. The "squad" does an excellent job of "moderating." I don't expect reason and evidence to go over well with some here. That would be asking far too much for some in this group. I don't post to get likes or to be included in the "gang." I enjoy identifying and discussing the trends, watching the few glimpses of great basketball we've seen the past decade, and laughing at the outrageous takes. There have been a handful of programs that have been at an elite level the past decade. IU should have an easier path to reaching that level but we continue to get passed by program with half our history, fan base, and passion for the round ball. It's actually amazing to watch the ineptness the administration has shown while pumping the "firsts" to the masses while we eat it up.

Can you not absolutely hate puke but acknowledge the results? I would be perfectly happy if puke never won another game. I would be falling all over the place if we were able to replicate their past decade in the next decade. Are people really not capable of separating those two points? Are we really back to the "you're not a fan" stage of this process again? It's amazing what some people on here contribute to the university and/or athletic department while being told they should take their stuff to a "rival's" board. That makes perfect sense. Should we fall in line and be happy when we make the tourney this season? Should we clap and excuse the mistakes made by coaches during games and in recruiting? Lower the expectations so we can "overachieve." "We all want the same thing" but take your opinion to another board because we don't want those perspectives posted here. Are we that fragile and insecure as a fan base and site that we can't recognize the success of others and want the same for our beloved Hoosiers? Amazing! Although, it is pretty much par for how things have been managed. I have yet to see any "doomer and gloomers" (what phrase have we picked for this season?) tell the "sunshine pumpers" (again, need a better term for this iteration) to go find another place to hangout.

Make sure they get paid, too. What did the KSU point guard get paid to transfer to Miami? There are many ways to skin the cayuts. The way we've done it for the past few decades is not the optimal way. Great for the program we've all stuck around with many others to continue our support.

Set expectations low and “overachieve” by just making the tourney. I feel like we, as IU fans, have been brainwashed by this the last decade+. Personally, I’d love to watch my team underachieve its way past the Sweet 16. It’s going on 20 years since IU has accomplished that on the court. Although, we have achieved that many times in the summer ;) Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners

Crazy how that’s panned out after we won the NIL PR campaign. It’ll be interesting to see how this latest class does regarding NIL in the coming years. Is there some NIL money out there to lure Flory or other top end talent to Btown? Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners mobile app

I think most here would love to lose in the Elite 8 or to claim COVID saved Woody from a probable run past the Sweet 16. Take the name out of the formula and we’d be **** talking anyone who would listen that our program was the best. Funny how those crimson-colored glasses seem to be super glued on. Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners

This, so much this. I don't want just a one hit wonder from IU once or twice during a coaches tenure. I want to see IU back to the days where you can pencil them in for a top 4 finish in the Big 1.o, advancing in the field of 64, and to know they're going to give all the e and e an opponent can handle and more. Sustaining that isn't snagging a couple of solid recruits who will need some time to adjust to college to be difference makers and praying you land impact recruits in April and/or hoping for great transfers. If our NIL is on the level of offering hundreds of thousands to transfer players I feel better about it. That was the precedence set this past free agent period. Will we rise to that level or keep talking?

Counting on decommits from coaching changes as a recruiting strategy is dangerous. Snagging those players if we have open slots late in the recruiting cycle can elevate a class but we probably shouldn't depend on that happening every season. I'd much prefer to have solid high school recruits and pepper in the occasional outstanding recruit or late bloomer.

Absolutely, I doubt there is anyone on this site that doesn't want IU to win every game every year. It's interesting to see and laugh at the different perspectives. Overall, we (as an athletic program) are great with the PR game but the on court/field and sustained successes are lacking. It's great we have a loyal basketball following or this program wouldn't have a chance. There isn't anything to take personally just different perspectives. Echo chambers are a great way to place blinders on and lead to ignorance.

What I enjoy the most about this thread and others on here is our collective critical thinking abilities. It’s incredible that we can like our team this season but question next years roster. We can like what a recruit might bring to the team and culture but pump the brakes on his ability to recruit top talent. We can like Woody’s dedication to IU and what he wants to do for IU but to be cautious of coaching and recruiting decisions. Glad we’re not all just blinded by our loyalty to The Indiana Hoosiers. Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners

Seems we won’t have to worry about e and e with him. Happy the staff was able to land two recruits they targeted for the 23 class. Also, it’s awesome Cupps has been on campus for others visits. It’d be AMAZING if he assisted in landing some high level 23 pieces that had IU competing for the conference and other worthy goals. Time will tell. Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners mobile app

Will he be ready to contribute starter minutes and lead a top notch team as a freshman? Like the intangibles and repping IU. I would love it even more if it paid off in landing some of the top talent like a big to pair with Malik and a starting level top end PG if JHS leaves after a year. Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners mobile app

Sounds like a terrific player and better person. If we have the year most hope we’re likely losing JHS along with X as our lead guards. Is a frosh Cupps coming in and running the team that is most likely losing their best big in sometime along with another experienced vet? I have my doubts. I will enjoy the team we have this season as it’s Indians basketball and it might be a bit before we have this talent and experience again. Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners mobile app

It has been about the $$$ for awhile and will continue to be about the $$$. When we get that figured out we’ll see the talent to match. We have a pretty solid combination of talented experience (that should be hungry after having little in the way of winning at a traditional Indiana level) and some young talent this season. It should be a lot of fun to watch and we should win something to put in the rafters. We’ll have a lot of production to replace after this season to remain towards the top of the Big 1.o conference. You know this, the staff knows this, and most on here know this but some don’t want to acknowledge it. Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners mobile app