8bucks

Ok so you are on board with a change but just telling us why the administration might not be

Well you said no one is contemplating a change right?

This was a quote from Media day. "Woodson is laser-focused on his goals: Big Ten and national titles. He lamented falling short in his first pair of seasons, and knows he’ll need more from his group to reach the pinnacle." So, beginning of the year Woody lamented falling short in years 1 and 2. His goals are to win Big Ten and National titles. My, I would argue our, expectations are the same as his - to win Big Ten and National titles. If the staff builds a team that is not capable of doing this after the 3rd year and we have no recruits lined up for next year then it is completely fair to conclude that Mike Woodson is not capable of meeting his goals. The fans are not responsible for building the team (outside of our money into the NIL and corporate sponsorships) but we are reasonable to expect the results promised by the coach.

Their topics are so different though i don't think it is him. I know prior boards could determine if the poster was posting from the same location. Can this still be done?

If there is little concern to make a change now, have the results over 3 years met their expectations or are they expecting better results? What do you think the vision is from the BOT for the "bridge" to the next coach?

Seems like the Indy Star and SI articles would be far more alarming to me than getting on a message board. I also think as a recruit or recruits parent, the coach's age, lack of 24 recruits and not meeting his own goals for the program (BT and National Titles) would be more concerning.

I agree. Not sure I trust Sparks to back up MR though when he gets in foul trouble.

I don't think Woody, or really any on that list is terrible, but man are the mediocre enough to hang around. That is the problem I think with the strategy we have had in hiring coaches. Not sure if KathyC was real, had BOT sources, or was loony but she paints a picture many have alluded to regarding our admin. That they are not the ones we want to pick our next coach. Is a coup possible? I kid...

Were the stories true about his mother calling Woodson to see if he was going to be the coach next year? If so, I presume that means they would be fine with him returning assuming the NBA is not an option and we are in the ballpark on NIL.

This is probably true but dont follow them on X or peegs. I do listen to a podcast if they have an interesting guest. Here recently, they had Brian Evans on who is not shy to speak out about his displeasure with the team. He does stop short usually of saying they should be fired but his other comments leaves that as the logical conclusion. Ward has been sour on the program for about a month now and does not hold back and even Eric has been much more critical on the podcasts. So that does not seem like they just trumpet what they are told to at least on the podcasts.

I think IU was a little more shiny last year than this year. I do think with the staffs work now with TJD and Ware, getting a big with NBA aspirations becomes easier for us. The other positions, I think we may have to pay up for and those are ones (PG especially) we really need. I could see some of these kids being a little wary but I think if we return a strong core, finish the year strong and have playing time available we should be able to get a high end PG

I have been saying the same about freshman decommits being part of this. Right now though they seem more likely to need to go to our depth vs being a starter. Will that sit with them? How was Newton's outside game?

I am torn on whether it is better to go after MR to keep him or go after a SG/Wing player that can add scoring from the perimeter and inside but is not a liability on defense. Not sure we can rely on MR, MM and the new big to provide solid inside D next year but those are who I assume we will trot out as starters. Leaning towards moving MR to the 5 (wont happen and we might be able to find a true 5) or replacing him with a 3/4 combo that can score and play defense. The latter might get us past the bubble but could completely falter if the portal guys do not deliver like some of the top portal guys this year did.

Yep and about the only way this can be a meaningful bounce has to be if that portal PG is one of if not the best PG in the portal. He has to become one of the first 2 options on offense.

Mostly agree here. If MR and MM are back they start and assuming they are back then: PG: Proven 15+ ppg P5 transfer - needs to be a strong defender, ball handler and scorer. I would spend most of my NIL money here and get the best do it all PG available. SG: Galloway - if MR, MM and Gallo are back they all 3 start SF: MM PF: Reneau C: 5* Rim Protector - this one could be the easiest to get given the success of TJD and Ware Bench: Leal + Woody has done well with decommits as well so maybe one slides in to this spot. I would also like to see some portal guys that may be 2 year guys but would be an upgrade to Banks, CJ, Cupps. I am hoping Sparks can make a big jump in the offseason like we have seen in other bigs at IU. Does not have to move him to a starter role but if he can go to strong option with a few go to moves on offense and be a strong rebounder he could help. But as he is, he is limited. From the big NIL bucket you increase MM, probably MR, Gallo and then spend big on the best PG available and the next great center. You could get this with 2-3 Portal guys and a couple decommits. But I suspect we may lose several of the guys that move down the roster with these additions. CJ, Banks, maybe Cupps and added to the seniors leaving, we need some more guys for bench depth.

This week. Wasn’t he singing a different tune last week?

This makes more sense. Otherwise I would have made a lot more visits. I remember the time Crean got the big time visitors when he was on the hot seat. Not sure often we played that game but I believe we did then

Well, we got the first part accomplished. Seems a pretty favorable draw in the BTT. Does a good run in that help keep him? Is the off court stuff something you can share more on?

For those of us that missed them, what are these rumors and how do you know they are true?

Chatting with you is like trying to solve a puzzle. But I appreciate your perspective here and enjoy the puzzle. If a change is made, do you think it would be easier to build consensus for an established/qualified P5 coach or a promising up and comer who built a strong program from scratch.

Interesting since you mentioned that he and QB were on the same page. It would seem SD, if viewed as unqualified, has an impossible task. If he has to get consensus from a group who questions his qualifications then even if the consensus hire has success the group would feel they vs he chose this person.

So since SD is not viewed as qualified he in essence has training wheels on where he needs to get consensus before making a decision. If he were qualified then the "others" would defer to him?

So the process is a success when we fire a coach chosen by the same process?

C’mon of course the record matters. The trajectory is measured largely by results - the record. Certainly there are reasons to consider making a change but IF the team ends the year with several wins his seat becomes less hot. I would likely still want to make a change but down the road we are going to want a new arena or an upgrade practice facility and those donors that want to keep Woody will be the ones paying for that.

You mentioned that the decision making at IU is a time honored tradition. Do those decision makers think that process has been successful? I know at one point post RMK they wanted de-emphasize basketball or at least avoid having a larger than life coach. Wondering if trading wins for that has been considered ok by them.