lillurk

Not the only one, no. Based on what Chris posted the other day it sounds like the only remaining intrigue is where you’d expect, on TJD, Race, and JG. As you’d expect, there’s contingency there (and of course beyond that, in what IU does in the portal and/or with remaining ‘22s). There will be years with more turbulence, but it speaks to CMW and staff’s vision, relationships/relatability, and communication with their team.

Contract runs through 2024, so we’re not far from its end. Typically adidas offers more cash, which is also important, and I wonder what their recently announced NIL deal will mean. It doesn’t seem to hold Kansas back, but I agree that Nike/Jordan is a big deal to lots of players regardless of their AAU affiliation

Why Cincy?

As illustrated by the Nigel Pack situation, players like Pack and TJD will get good, clear feedback from NBA teams before the deadline and way before the combine. IU has one open grant for next year as of now and thus could take Reneau even if TJD, Race, and JG haven’t publicly indicated plans by then. Obviously their decisions will impact available PT but Reneau could be informed of private info before announcements. Someone with more behind-the-scenes insight might know, but I would guess Race is the guy the staff can try to ask for an earlier decision. TJD has to wait on the league, JG has three years of eligibility left, but Race has one year. Are you still playing CBB, and if so, here? That’s less complicated in his situation.

Right, I agree, but if he wants to go somewhere and be promised 33 minutes/game, PG role, shots, he can see there are some places with a larger need there than IU this year. He’s terrific, probably the best available transfer, my comment was more to say we’ve been in worse spots in years past. Sometimes a Thomas Bryant-sized fit materializes when you need one, but sometimes you only get Evan Gordon.

I would love Pack, and I can absolutely imagine a three guard lineup working. But I will say: missing out on an impact transfer because: -you’ve got the best returning PG in the conference, -you’ve got a five star PG committed, and -you’ve got an interesting stable of other 2/3s, including one who’s likely on a lot of “breakout sophomores” lists next fall …is a good reason to miss. If that’s what happens, of course.

I’d agree w/ @Uspshoosier that Pack is more of a small 2 than a true point. He played next to a 5’7” PG at KSU, but has pretty good assist numbers anyway. We can only assume why he’s transferring but there are some obvious reasons. The less obvious reasons may determine where he lands, though. If he wants the ball in his hands a ton, yes, Purdue makes sense; if he wants to play for a guy who coached NBA-caliber guards in the NBA, though…

I would agree that he needs a more narrow offensive role. I’m optimistic that will happen, as replacing Stewart with JHS, Bates, Trey, etc. puts a more dynamic secondary ballhandler out there.

X, Kopp, and if they return, TJD and Race are very experienced. I think Geronimo, Leal, and Galloway bring different levels of production but all have quite a bit of experience by next year. And Bates had spotty minutes, but top 50 sophomores are often very good, even if they had iffy frosh years. I don’t want to downplay that shooting is important, but players get better at it (at least under adequate coaching they do). Nobody has to turn into Roth or Hulls but X shot well this year, Geronimo too and the stroke looks great, Bates and Kopp are better shooters than we saw, I’m bullish about Race keeping up the late-season pace, the staff knows what Trey needs…it would be nice to add a McNeil or Nigel Pack but I don’t think it’s crazy that the group of returners can be incrementally better than last year.

Sure. That’s not a walk-on playing over LD, though, it’s CMW deciding that TJD on empty gives him a better chance to win.

Right, if Reneau’s visiting then you have to assume the grant is his if he wants it. Even if another spot opens you might want a 2/3 who can shoot. If those things fall through and you still have a spot, let’s see, and/or if you end up with more space than you currently have. Could take all this to mean the underclassmen are staying and there’s a legitimate chance one or both of Race and/or TJD stay (though I assume Trayce declares and goes through the process).

I agree, and plenty of top 100 fresh who don’t get much run turn into good players. But if he was going to stick around after a year like this it makes it even stranger that he didn’t redshirt like the staff suggested.

I think what’s being referred to here is technically true: Childress played in the Northwestern game and Logan didn’t. But Childress came in and played on the wing alongside the starting bigs, so I don’t know that I agree he played over Duncomb; I can’t imagine playing TJD, Race, and Duncomb together

Walsh was just saying today that Matta told him to just get guys to campus and let Woody close. And that Woody’s good at it.

I’ll be curious to see how scoring is distributed at Centerville next year

The most deranged, hilarious thing I’ve read today? This Illinois football radio guy (?) claiming the best player on the Ayo/Kofi/Frazier #1 seed 2021 Illini was Curbelo

Dayton GA for two years, assistant DOBO one year there, came w/Arch to a similar role, last offseason listed his IU gear on Facebook marketplace during the transition but must’ve been convinced to stay. Was Team and Recruiting Coordinator this year, landed Gabe Cupps, which is one more recruit than I believe a departed assistant did

I believe it was just Walsh who championed him to the new staff and sealed the deal. On Walsh, but not Cupps: Walsh was right behind the first couple seats on the bench and, I noticed, very engaged this year. Not groundbreaking, but usually a DOBO or Recruiting Coordinator type would be told to pipe down if they were overstepping, and this was going on all year.

I think shooting is a fair concern here but also agree that it’s fair to be optimistic about development or simply better performance from guys with the background you mention. Yogi’s freshman to sophomore improvement is an unrealistic expectation but it’s not uncommon to see good shooters struggle as frosh or in limited minutes. Would add that a more specialized role for Kopp, next to a better secondary ballhandler, probably creates some chances, and Leal could become a reliable catch-and-shoot guy though I didn’t mention him.

This rocks, good for Walsh, and keeping Ya and Hunter is big.

I would guess you basically have to be a pg at that height for CMW, and/or have plus wingspan.

a good reminder, though I’d add you need some depth for the regular season due to injuries, so it’s nice if your 9th, 10th guy can play enough (or are specialists, like a big body for the Edeys and Kofis). To that end, I think a core of X, JHS, Trey, Bates, Kopp, Geronimo, and one or more of Race/TJD/transfer big is a good nucleus. Leaves ~four or five grants for youngsters who need some seasoning.

We measured in shoes. I know you play in shoes, of course, but there’s an easy inch.

Think there’s a stylistic fit issue too, all these dudes are more physically stout and really guard you.

Ohhh right