BGleas

Bilas is so annoying on this topic.

I hear what you're saying, but most of those same publications had Dusty May's Michigan, Maryland and Wisconsin rated in that same range ahead of last season, while having IU a top 3 team. I get it though, we spent a lot of money on the roster, so you'd hope there would be more preseason momentum behind us. Also just because those aforementioned teams out-paced projections last year it doesn't mean IU will this season. What has me cautiously optimistic are a few things. 1. We brought in a lot of experienced, proven guys, albeit at the mid-to-low major level. 2. We brought in a lot of skill and shooting, not just raw athleticism. 3. While DeVries wasnt really on my radar, i remember watching Drake in their conference tournament championship game in DeVries last season there, and thinking, 'i wish we had guys like that and I wish we played like that.' 4. He's from the Creighton/McDermott tree, and same thing there. Watching Creighton in the tournament this past season, I just loved the way they played. If our offense is anything like that, we should compete and be fun to watch. 5. I loved his answer at the Winery thing when asked about the 5 being a weakness. I feel like our last two coaches would have agreed with the question and then said they have to recruit better. DeVries didn't agree it was a weakness, said he liked his guys at the 5, but did acknowledge rim protection will be an issue and that the coaching staff will need to develop schemes and coach the 5 to be a strength. I dont know, I just really liked that answer. Really long story short, I get your skepticism especially with how much money IU spent, but I think this team has a chance to be really fun to watch and to outperform the preseason rankings like Michigan, Maryland and Wisconsin last season. We'll see.

This is partly why the Alexis signing is interesting to me. Apparently he's had a higher offreb rate in his career than TJD, Ware or Ballo. One of the best 3's you can shoot is the kickout 3 from an offensive rebound. If Alexis can translate that to IU, it will be a big asset.

I lean Conerway. Like that he was POY in his conference, that says something. Like that he's a good defender and was a strong finisher at the rim. With our shooters, we need guards that can get into the paint and both finish and kick out. I dont love how much Mack's shooting efficiency dropped with the move from Harvard to Georgetown.

And yes, he's definitely NOT the #2 ranked Center in the portal. Not sure where that came from? He's a solid piece, especially if he's behind Lendebourg, Wolf and Johnson in their front court rotation. Though, I have a hard time believing all four of those guys end up there.

Where are you seeing Mara as the #2 ranked center in the portal? I guess it's splitting hairs, as your point that Dusty is killing it in the portal at least optically still stands, but a quick look at CBS's rankings (probably not the best but it popped up first) has Mara as the 7th ranked Center.

If the Knicks lose in the 1st or 2nd round, I could see that job opening. I'd guess Michael Malone would be the obvious choice, but you never know, could be a spot for Hurley.

Definitely needed as well! Would definitely take an aggressive, downhill, good passing guard that is also a plus defender.

To your point, while i'd love everyone to be a plus-shooter, we're going to need tough guards that can drive and get into the paint to go with our shooters. Not sure if you've heard but I'm a Celtics fan lol. Nobody shoots more 3's than the Celtics. Their poor shooting nights are typically when the ball is stagnant on the perimeter, step-backs, etc. Their good shooting nights are when Tatum, Brown, Holiday, White and Pritchard are penetrating, collapsing the defense and kicking out. Even if Conerway isn't a great shooter, we're going to need guys that can collapse the defense, get into the paint and kick out to DeVries, Bailey, hopefully Wilkerson and Goode, etc. We haven't had that at IU in a long, long time.

I think the hindsight is more that "interested in coming home" actually meant Louisville, not Indiana. Didn't it come out after his commitment that his grandfather had been a big Louisville fan and used to take him to Louisville games?

You really gotta wonder who are the people advising these kids? It's crazy to go to 8 schools in 8 years. Almost as crazy as pursuing a player who has been to 8 schools in 8 years.

Crazy. This will be his 8th school in 8 years dating back to high school.

Beat them by 2 in 1997 when he was an assistant at West Liberty before getting the head job!

And on top of all of that, he's been amazing supporter of IU basketball even after being fired.

I think you'd get more of what you're looking for if they did another one of these in maybe a month and a half or two months when the staff is filled and at least most of the roster is filled out. Then DeVries could speak on specific staff members and what they'll bring to the table and talk specifics on players and how they'll be used in his system. Would love to see another one of these sometime in mid-May or something.