IUc2016

The record has improved every year (even with the schedule getting tougher each year), Kenpom numbers have improved, AND the overall roster talent has improved. Is it perfect? hell no. I wish we were further along, of course. But this program right now isn't what most think it is and that is the real problem. It has taken more time, but it is definitely trending in the right direction.

Yeah it would be nice to see this team earn a top 25 ranking. Especially this upcoming year with Maui and another brutal year in the BIG. If they crack the top 25 it will certainly be earned.

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/28936673/villanova-tops-college-basketball-way-too-early-top-25-2020-21 7. Iowa 9. MSU 13. OSU 15. Wisconsin 19. Michigan Next in Line: Rutgers, IU

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/28936673/villanova-tops-college-basketball-way-too-early-top-25-2020-21 IU listed as the 5th team next in line. In other words, the 30th team. I think that is a little low for this team, but still a sure fire NCAA team projection.

Yeah it looks that way. I do think there are a few teams that take a step back, but a majority of the teams return the core of their rosters. The BIG may not get top end talent, but the coaches in this league are doing a great job of getting old and staying old.

Yikes. I’m sure some on here will defend him no matter what he does, but that is ridiculous. If you don’t like a decision fine. But come up with an intelligent way to articulate your dissent. Pisses me off that fisch still goes on his show but whatever Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners

If he is a typical transfer he wouldn't be eligible at all next year since he played into the second semester this year. BUT since he left for health issues there is presumably a possibility that he gets a waiver to compete immediately.

that is what everyone is speculating, I would assume Garza returns if that is the case too. That is a lot of Offensive firepower.

Edited my post. I still think they finish top four so I will leave them. If he returned I probably would have had them finishing 1st or 2nd.

I mean if you’re assuming he is going back to Iowa. But has that been reported? Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners mobile app

I could see Nebraska going hard after him too

someone posted on another board that he said on his account he will most likely reclassify to 2020. Hope so!

It is crazy how good Yogi was as a college player. He left a huge hole in this program that still has yet to be filled.

That first sentence..... my goodness. EDIT: No idea what he will provide. hoping he isn't just a status quo to the last twenty years. we will see.

I think for this next season, the biggest barometer will be where this team finishes in conference. It should be another tough year with plenty of conference teams getting into the tournament. I don't expect IU to compete to win it per se, but I do expect them to compete in the top of the second tier of teams. That 4-6 range. Obviously unbalanced schedules play into it, but if IU is in that range this program will have made a significant step forward given how tough the conference is expected to be. It is difficult to gauge success based on tournament results. Now over time if you keep seeing early exits that is different. But for one year it is better to look at the entire body of work IMO.

Agreed. I think they will be talented, but still flawed defensively. Plus that high of a ranking assumes Bohannon was his junior year self which is no guarantee.

https://collegehoopstoday.com/index.php/rothstein-files/early-edition-preseason-45-for-20-21/ USPS posted this in the IU projection thread and I thought I would include it here. 6. Iowa (lists Garza as returning) 9. Ohio State 12. Wisconsin 14. Michigan State 22. Michigan 23. IU 28. Rutgers 40. Illinois 43. Purdue 44. Maryland 10 teams in the top 45. He is a lot higher on Iowa than I am even with Garza returning. Not enough defense for number 6 in the country IMO. I think Michigan will struggle without a true PG and two freshman underneath. I don't think they will be top 25, but still a tournament team. He is much lower on Purdue than I am, and that is fine by me. Has IU right where I expect them.

Seems about right. I think IU will be right on the verge of starting the season top 25.

I really don’t see seniors getting another year. Sent from my iPhone using BtownBanners

These projections include some expected NBA departures. I expect it to be another brutal year in the BIG, but I don't think there will be 12 teams vying for a tournament bid like most of the 2019 season. 1. Wisconsin (Return everyone from the BIG championship team) 2. MSU (Lose Cassius and may struggle with PG play, but have Joey Hauser eligible for next season) 3. Rutgers (Mostly return everyone of note unless Geo Baker decides to leave.) 4. Purdue (This assumes their offense improves and their elite defense stays the same) 5. Indiana (TJD expected to come back, if Lander reclassifies I think the ceiling gets much higher) 6. Michigan (Have a lot of talent coming in, but the loss of Zavier and Teske hurts. Plus they finished 8th this year with those two) 7. Iowa (This assumes Garza leaves and they lack front court ability. If he comes back they are in the top four range) 8. Ohio State (expected to Lose Kaleb Wesson and Carton, gaffney, and muhammad are transferring, will be interesting season for Holtmann. He does have two talented transfers coming in who will help. 9. Illinois (lose griffin to transfer and most likely Ayo to draft. That may be too much to overcome despite the talent coming in. 10. Maryland (Lose Smith and Cowan. No notable recruits coming in) 11. Penn State (They will have a tough backcourt, but the loss of Lamar Stevens and Mike Watkins will be too much) 12. Northwestern (showed a lot of fight this year but were too young to close out games. Still a year away IMO from competing at a high level) 13. Minnesota (Oturu declared for draft. Doesn't look good for a coach on the hot seat) 14. Nebraska (No idea what this roster will look like next year but it doesn't look good right now) This is all very early and very fluid. Still worth some discussion since there is literally nothing else to discuss.

I think Leal's ability to shoot will get him the chance to see more minutes than the other two. But yeah it is obviously wild conjecture as I have no idea how the freshman will do. I have a hard time seeing either of those two leaving, Al more so than smith. I know smith graduates, but he averaged 30 minutes a game and got to play on the wing. Unless Archie forces him out I think he is back

I can't take it anymore. I have to have some sort of IU basketball discussion and one that doesn't involve the Coronavirus. Hopefully we can get this virus under control and there is no doubt about next season being played. Absent the unforeseen, I believe this will be the most talented and most complete team Archie has had yet. I don't believe they will be top 10, but most certainly top 25 with a chance to compete for a top 4 finish in the BIG. Let me know what you think/hope to see with IU next year! Starting Lineup Rob Phinisee (jr) Al Durham (sr) Justin Smith (sr) Race Thompson (jr) Trayce Jackson Davis (so) Bench (rotation players) Joey Brunk (sr) Jerome Hunter (so) Armaan Franklin (so) Anthony Leal (fr) Bench Reserves Trey Galloway (fr) Jordan Geronimo (fr) Damezi Anderson (jr) *I didn't include lander because he hasn't declared a reclassification to this point; just as I did include Anderson although it is expected he transfers. Estimated Record: 22-9 (13-7) Tournament Ceiling: 4-5 seed with outside chance of elite 8 appearance. I think the top of the BIG will be very strong, but there will not be as much depth depending on foreseen departures.

This is where I am at and honestly feel that is very reasonable. It seems he will have the team to achieve those results too.

I plan on watching so i will be right there with ya man

16-15 19-16 20-12* Progress. Slowly but surely. This season was not the most enjoyable as there were just as many lows as there were highs, and then of course it just ended without any finality. There was progress from the year before as this team won more games and in all likelihood was bound for the dance. I honestly think last years team was more talented, which makes this year much more successful. I projected the team would finish 19-12 and that is exactly what they did. I didn't expect the BIG to be as tough so 19-12 was probably more like 21-10 most years in the BIG. BUT it was still 19-12 and showed the team was flawed, as is this program right now. This program is moving forward, just taking a lot longer than most of us would want or hope. Archie deserves another year easily and he will obviously get it. Although this years team met my expectations of 19-12, that is not my expectation for next years team or this program moving forward, but I knew that was realistic for this team. Still feel that Archie is the guy for the job and really hope he gets it done. But i feel there is reason for criticism and skepticism of Archie for those who do not share my sentiment. GO HOOSIERS.