lillurk

I’d recommend this week’s edition of the Assembly Call radio for a discussion of how IU might be better offensively next year.

Correct

the burger place here: very good, but I’ve only had the half pounder

I will reiterate that, based on what we know, it would be virtually unprecedented for a scholarship athlete to be kicked off a team for this (even with a one game suspension earlier this year).

With Pack as an obvious exception, IU’s portal outreach has been for two spots: 1. Bigs as TJD/Race/JG contingencies and 2. wings that either shoot or defend. This fits with the two ‘22s they’re in with, too, Reneau in group one and Thiero in 2. I infer that they don’t anticipate additional attrition aside from possibly the frontcourt trio, they’re set at point, and they really want a wing who can shoot AND defend, but everyone wants those, and they’re scarce.

I think the question even in this scenario for PU is defense. This plus Gillis, Furst, Morton etc. is a good offense in Painter’s hands. But Trevion was their preferred 5 for D. Hunter got all-conference defensive recognition, deservedly. Ivey could at least flip an athletic switch. Pack’s many things but probably not a plus PG defender right now. So dial back Purdue’s national-best offense a little, and dial back their suspect defense even more, if this comes to pass.

I know IU fans have had lots of disappointment over the last twenty (heck, thirty) years, so there’s plenty of fatalism around here. But Butler’s been in a pretty bad spot for awhile now. If Matta’s there a couple years to right the ship, they’re not going to suddenly overtake IU

If you’re wondering why he wasn’t much of a scoring factor in the final, check his fingers in the last pic of this slideshow

Even in these days of higher levels of semi-professionalism, college coaches are educators. CMW clearly sees himself that way. IU can have high standards and still have Xavier Johnson after this, assuming there’s not some really bad ish hiding here.

I was dreading coming over to BTB after I saw this on Twitter but the discussion is largely fair and level-headed. Thanks to @stuhoo and other mods, I’m sure, but thanks to the lay posters, too. As someone who’s worked in student conduct and dealt with my fair share of athletes, I’ll add a couple thoughts: 1. Without all the facts, we can’t say definitively, but even with the one-game NW suspension as a prior, my strong hunch is this probably falls FAR short of deserving a lengthy suspension. The season’s far, maybe he sits a game or two. 2. As stated up thread, this isn’t good, but we also don’t know how bad it really might be yet. 3. College students, even really good folks, do unwise things. I know I did then. 4. don’t assume that discipline that happens in private is weak or “getting off easy.”

Would recommend checking the page of this actual lawyer

Gotta have guards. They won’t all be on the same roster but X, JHS, Bates, Jakai, Cupps…IU’s staff knows

We do not deserve you

I love Raf, the man-to-man thing is goofy but he’s hard to beat

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).