lillurk

SEC tourney last spring was bonkers because of this, just so much fun

Classy. If he needs a new spot, and wants to stay high major, some defense-first coach would be wise to get him at an above-market assistant’s salary in a sort of offensive coordinator/skill development role. I think he could also be a coup for the right mid-major program.

At least there’s plenty of reason for optimism about the basketball program

Maybe Frye’s just eyeing the big job

I recall that during the home Purdue game the same year, IU ran one (1) empty side ball screen with its two best players: Romeo handling and Juwan picking and rolling. It got IU a layup or dunk in the first half. They didn’t run it again, and lost 46-48. They shot 15/55, turned it over 16 times. We saw some terrible offense for too long.

Gee it’s interesting — nay shocking — that Arizona and Indiana are better this year

The good news is the whole staff is rock solid, and if IU has a run of success and then turns to Kenya Hunter or Dane Fife when CMW retires, we’ll be in good hands. I don’t want to look too far ahead right now, though, because the present is enjoyable!

I think Chris mentioned it? If they take every third game then Ya had Maryland, too

Here’s hoping they use elements of the offensive game plan from the Purdue game, with a helping of what Loyola-Chicago did last year in the tournament: pull Kofi away from the basket. IU’s bigs aren’t the style of pass/handle playmakers Cam Krutwig is but the guards can snake PNRs and make Kofi defend in space.

It’s never smart to assume NO ONE will transfer but I would be far more confident some of the juniors/seniors will forgo eligibility than that any of the underclassmen are transferring. Everyone seems pretty pleased outwardly, winning helps, injuries have been a pleasant excuse for some bench time that might otherwise have been awkward, and if indeed some upperclassmen depart, there will be minutes for talented, developing underclassmen.

How about Julian Reese, who we saw yesterday, a guy who’s coach is ALREADY gone?

You’ve got to get the right guy, but it’s a terrific opportunity if they identify who that is. There are two types of players who’d fit: 1. the offensive star, high usage, efficient scorer; Woodson can point to his experience coaching Rasheed Wallace, Julius Randle, TJD, and say, “we need one of these and it’s you,” or 2. more of a defense-first, screen-and-dunk on offense type: think of Marcus Camby or Tyson Chandler. From here it looks like type 1 is the better fit, unless the staff thinks the offense can be carried by the guards/wings. My hunch is CMW will generally want the first type every year, but we’ll watch some seasons with good teams who have type 2 bigs.

My working assumption for a number of reasons is that the TOs aren’t a major red flag about him as a prospect, though I don’t have full game tape to confirm the assumption. I could be wrong, obviously. But two reasons not to worry: 1. The other indicators are impressive, from physical archetype to positive statistical accumulation, and at his age you expect you can keep the good stuff while eliminating some of the bad with coaching and reps. 2. It’s also possible you have like a “superstar guard”-style offensive scheme. I’m not calling him a superstar, and I don’t mean to make player comparisons, but think for a moment about NBA players who are the sun, moon, and stars of their team’s offense: tons of pick ‘n’ roll, isolation plays for them out of which they make a play or a read. Those guys rack up plenty of TOs, just as a hazard of the job (and often the teammates who roll, or catch and shoot, don’t account for much ball-handling and thus minimal TOs). There are not tons of players who can do it at the highest level, of course. But — as an example — if your lead guard averages 4 TOs and 8 assists, and the wings/bigs catching his passes don’t have to do much to have good scoring chances, you can still be an overall low-TO team, you’ve just concentrated the TOs in one offensive hub.

You’re absolutely right. But he’s welcome to hit two every game!

As I said

Race hits two more threes today.

I was watching Iowa/PU, remembered he transferred to UK, and didn’t realize he was out all year injured, lol. I hadn’t realized we’d offered in HS until last night. I doubt Archie kept recruiting him given the roster crunch but boy, those teams could’ve used him.

CJ is going to have eligibility into next century. He missed his academic freshman year with an injury, played two years at Iowa, and transferred to Kentucky. He got hurt again warming up for their first game of the year and will miss this entire season. Between the years lost to injury and playing the free Covid year, he could probably play three more years if he wanted.

Really looking forward to Iowa/Purdue in Iowa City. Two top ten offenses, mediocre defenses, tonight 9/8c

Boy it’s hard to know what got left out from that conversation in the editing process, but it reads pretty pro-IU

Let’s hope and pray that Rob just had a cramp or a stinger or something minor. What a great ambassador for the program he’s been.

Here’s hoping Khristian gets well soon. From all appearances he’s been a terrific teammate this year — enthusiastic on the bench, attentive, when he was healthy he gave it his all when called upon. He’s got special speed and court vision, and I hope he’s a valuable part of the program going forward.

Is no former Hoosier available to be BTN studio talent? What’s Will Sheehey up to? Christian Watford?

Coach just said Khristian is “not able to play…that’s why he didn’t play tonight.”

Beat writers have occasionally noted whether he’s dressed or not, participating in warmups or not.