lillurk

Very funny that Maryland has had an opening since December and they even kick the tires on Gates or Golden? Like the AD is just googling guys s/he recognizes from FS1 Thursday 8:30 broadcasts

Additional positive Tamar indication from his Dad here

I don’t disagree, but I will say that guys who TRULY do lots of things very well are hard to find and often not in college long (unless they lack pro-quality size/athleticism). So on my list above, for example: a do-it-all offensive guard in Pack…who may not give you a ton on defense due to size. A genuinely good 3-and-D wing doesn’t have to be just a standstill shooter…the best version of this type is, like, Khris Middleton. And so on. Think about this year’s Purdue squad, for example. They’ve got one guy, Ivey, who does it all. Around him they’ve got a huge center who finishes everything at the rim, another center who’s a great passer and a pretty strong finisher, a lunch pail 4 who cans 3s and guards, and other wings/guards who mostly do one or two things well (ball handle, shoot, defend). IU’s got some guys likely to return who have the start of some versatile skill sets. Can Trey hit 35% of his 3s and get shots up quicker? Can he avoid fouling? Can Scoop put it together? Can Jordan? If a couple of those hit, you’ve suddenly got a few versatile guys and need some fill in pieces.

Purely wishcasting: 1. Nigel Pack 2. the best 6’5”-6’8” 3-and-D wing in the portal 3. Rim protector who will dive and dunk on O.

Ok it makes sense that I’d read it somewhere. Nobody I’d rather think like on an amateur scout around here than Demo, so I’m feeling pretty good about this. And geez, what a reason for optimism.

Feel like we’ve gone around and around about player comps for Gabe and I don’t recall anyone saying this, but apologies if I’m inadvertently stealing someone’s idea: he reminds me of a Jay Wright Villanova point guard. Won’t floor you with measurables but he’s quick, shoots it, makes the right play, defends like heck, gonna seem like he’s been here forever before too long.

great hire IMO

Yeah I mean in the post game presser he said we need shooting and wing defense. If you had to distill it to two things that’s probably as good as you can do. Archie was both unlucky (Garland, Phinisee and Hunter’s injuries) and bad (Eric Hunter, Tony Perkins, and Jaden Ivey didn’t get offers, backed off Blake Wesley, picked Damezi over Aaron Henry) at recruiting those players. CMW and co. hit a HR with X, had a spot for Kopp, and he had his worst season in 4. It happens.

The only other game IU was never really close in — home vs. UM — their opponent hit 11/17 3s. UM and St. Mary’s are both a bit better than IU this year, I think. But to this team’s credit, they basically always defended well enough to give themselves a chance.

There is no excuse in the post I made

Yes, and in: re: transfer rumors a page back, that would surprise me, though of course I can’t refute it. By Ortg Bates was worse than the upperclassmen who played lots of frustrating minutes this year. More potential, sure. He seems to really like Woody — part of the reason I’d be surprised is based in things he’s said on the podcast he does with Jerod from Assembly Call. If he leaves I’d guess it’s to be closer to family. Here’s hoping he stays.

I think there’s a categorical difference between boilerplate “they had a tough night/didn’t hit shots” stuff and specifically saying they had absurd travel arrangements and were exhausted.

From his presser yesterday it sounds like he’s just used to it from insane 1980s and 90s NBA travel lol

I felt this way about the BTT semifinal, too

Here’s a guy who’s been awake almost nonstop from 8 am eastern Tuesday until this photo, at about 8 pm eastern Wednesday

Did he just prefer to stay home?

Well it’s really Ryan

Payne gives UL some juice, I think, I’m interested to watch that. If Ya goes, I wish him the best. Some modest staff turnover is normal, he’s been all in here.

Who’ve you got in ND/Rutgers?

I’m glad he stayed, grateful for his leadership and attitude. The way he’s played the last week…remarkable, a new level for him. Hats off, Trayce.

If IU plays about this well, BUT hits more than two jump shots, and avoids stupid fouls, I like the Hoosiers.

To the extent it’s possible I think you’re both right. The good thing about a team with IU’s profile is you tend to keep every game close. The bad news is unless you get some uncharacteristically hot 3 point shooting, you don’t run away with it. If — big if — IU can adequately guard Maldonado, I think it’s possible they chop wood and win by 7-10.

This is a good point, and yet conference tournaments lend really valuable neutral court info, so ignoring them to have Duke a 2, Tennessee a 3, and IU a 12, among others things, is just ignoring some valuable info about those teams

To be fair to the committee — in a backhanded way — they make a case that the college football playoff field should be larger. Hoops tourney is large enough that the marginal decisions don’t directly determine the champ. Most teams on the outside simply could’ve performed better. Conversely a 4 team football tourney is clearly too small and usually leaves out teams with a legitimate complaint AND genuine ability to win the title.

I don’t mean this rudely but I don’t have any confidence the committee really gets this