BGleas

I don't know that all reports are saying that about Exum. Most things I've seen have the top 3 pretty much down to Embiid, Parker and Wiggins, usually in that order.

I wasn't arguing either. Hope it didn't come off that way. All good!

A player as highly ranked as Robinson isn't going to waste an official on a school like OSU if they haven't offered. Rivals showes they offered.

Then they made a mistake. They were definitely involved/offered. I'm 99% sure he took an official there.

I think Oklahoma State too.

Jordan Hulls seems the obvious choice, but one thing I would like to see Crean do, if he's at IU long term, is start a pipeline of developing former players as coaches. One thing I love about Coach K is how he's built that pipeline. You have Amaker, Snyder, Dawkins, Capel, Wojo, Collins, and I'm probably missing a bunch. I think it's good for the consistency of the program, teaching the system, highlighting to recruits just how much of a "family" atmosphere the program is, and much more.

Agree, we do have talent, but much like last year it's a terribly constructed roster in terms of the balance and pieces. It's more skilled and playing in a weaker conference, so should win more, but is still a poorly constructed roster IMO. I'm actually pretty optimistic about Hoetzel. I don't think Hartman is in his league as a shooter. I'm not saying he'll be great as a freshmen, but I think he's a lot better than Hartman. I think he's got an attitude and an "it" factor. A little bit of "Sheehey" in him, if you know what I mean I was very impressed with how he spoke on some of those videos at the Derby thing. I was especially impressed when he was asked about the 3-pt contest and just said "I'm going to win it", then he went out and won it. I think we're going to be glad we got Hoetzel. Admittedly, it's more a hunch than anything else.

The interesting thing about next year is going to be how the fan base reacts to the results. Say IU overachievers a little bit but also is pretty far off from what we expect big picture as fans. You'll have segment of fans saying Crean overachieved and has things on the right path again, but also a segment that feels he's still falling way short of big picture expectations two years in a row.

The Celtics have more pieces to get Love. The question would be if he'd commit to a long-term deal.

The fans are still very high on Brad Stevens in Boston.

Crap, Celtics dropped a slot. I'm not a huge Kevin Love fan, but I hope they can ditch that pick for him.

I'm mad at myself for not having Guyton or Haston on my squad.

This might be the greatest thread of all-time! Alford Oladipo Chaeney Henderson Zeller Bench: Eric Anderson DJ White Damon Bailey Greg Graham Jay Edwards Tom Coverdale Brian Evans Eric Gordon That was really hard, I could keep going with the bench.

  What I don't understand is that you make it sound like IU isn't recruiting all of these Indiana kids that want to come to IU. IU is recruiting these kids, but apparently they don't have the heart for IU that you think they do, because they're picking other schools. 

- use screens to get our shooters open shots, instead of making them rely on getting open themselves and taking contested shots - someone emerges to defend the post and rebound - utilize our strengths, speed, quickness & shooting, to set and control the tempo during games - limit turnovers - develop a scrappy pressuring defense

It's not that IU didn't land some of these kids, it's that the staff can't even get them on campus. Or even worse, they plan actual visits and then never make it.

Very smart move for Hollowell to post that.

Everyone has their own experiences of course, but mine more mirrors yours. I live in Maryland and get into DC several times a year, usually a Wizards game, Caps game and Nationals game, and have always found the Metro to be really clean. I've also always enjoyed the area surrounding the Verizon Center. Several cool bars and restaurants.   

Unless you live in Maryland like me, then it's not lame :)

This does sound a little odd though, it's not like Finals week gets planned to week of. Finals week would have already been in place when the visit was scheduled. 

Snap judgements like offering a kid a scholarship after only seeing him in an open gym once?

That is an awesome piece. Great find!

I'm optimistic IU will be better than many think next year, but I also think we'll be well below where IU "should" be. I guess my point is we're predicted 10th by some and I could see us finishing 6th, but is that really something to celebrate at this point?

I'm pretty high on Max! I think he has an "it" factor and a confidence, and being a 6'8" shooter helps too! Not sure if you saw some of his video interviews during the Derby Festival, but I was really impressed. Something about him saying "oh, I'm going to win it" when asked about the 3-pt shooting contest, and the. Going out and doing it. I don't know what he'll contribute next season, but I think we'll really like Max over the course of his career.

Thank you, Stuhoo! Good to see you and I'll try and be around here more often. A lot of familiar names!