BGleas

Yes, there are outlier teams that still play traditional bigs, but they’re much less common. I’m watching the NBA playoffs and I’m not sure there’s a single traditional, post-up big on any team still playing. Look at the Final Four, I think Kansas was the only team with a traditional big and Villanova exploited the heck out him with Spellman playing the perimeter bombing threes. Kansas’ big couldn’t get out on him and Spellman exploited it so much I don’t think Davis, even pre-injury, is good enough to warrant Archie changing the system. Davis and Morgan also just aren’t a good match, unless Morgan can significantly increase his 3-pt percentage. Morgan is best when operating in the paint, and having Davis there clogs everything for him.

There is absolutely no reason Fitzner can’t contribute very similar to what Max contributed his year. Fitzner comes more proven than Max with better numbers in his career. I don’t see anyone saying Fitzner will be a star or even a starter, but a very important piece of the team, just like Max was. No reason he can’t play 17-20 minutes and average close to 8 and 4.

I have seen very few people, if any, say he's going to start. A lot of us are saying he's going to play ahead of Davis, yes, but for most us this is coming from a group that wouldn't have Davis in our starting lineup anyways. We think he'll be the backup 5 ahead of Davis. I expect Fitzner to play somewhere around 15-20mpg, probably netting out around 18. I expect him to play a very similar role to Max Beilfeldt the year he was here, and despite what many think Fitzner actually comes to IU way more proven than Bielfeldt was. Max took about 60 3's his first three years at Michigan shooting about 28%. Fitzner has taken over 300 in his three years at St. Mary's making over 40%. Max was on a team that played in big games, but he didn't play much at all. As a freshmen at St. Mary's Fitzner started, averaging 23.5mpg, 8.7ppg on 46.8% from the field and 41% from 3, to go along with 4.4rpg. From what I've gathered the main reason his role reduced is because St. Mary's switched systems and he had an upperclassmen big ahead of him.

I would argue that McRoberts is more important to next years team than he was to last years team. McRoberts is a tremendous defender, so I'd be hard pressed to find someone who will fill that role to his ability. McRoberts will be great for Langford. He'll take so much defensive pressure off of Romeo. Offensively, I agree that he has to start taking the open shots. He can't pass on as many as he did last season. With that said, he was not an offensive liability. There is a lot of value, and there will be even more next season, to his ball movement, people movement, and ability to grab offensive rebounds and keep possessions alive with tip backs, etc.

I just don't see how Davis fits into too many systems in 2018. The game is changing. You need five guys on the court that are skilled, athletic players that can space the floor and attack the rim. Gone are the days, for the most part, where you ride a slow, plodding, below the rim center and slow the game down to pound it inside. That's just not how basketball is played anymore. Defensively bigs in 2018 need to be able to switch onto guards, defend the pick and pop, hedge/recover, etc. That requires a certain level of athleticism. I hate to be negative on Davis. He seems like a great kid and a kid that values playing for IU, but the game has passed his body type by. Maybe he could work in a system like Syracuse where they play zone and it would be more difficult to expose him on defense?

I’m not trying to be the big Evan Fitzner backer, I’ve never even seen him play as far as I know, but not sure why you’re comparing him to April/Priller/Gelon? The guy was offered by Cal, Colorado, Oregon St., USC and others coming out of high school, and in three years as a 6’9” guy has shot over 40% from 3 in over 300 attempts for a really good mid-major program.

Assuming Morgan comes back, the goal is to surround Morgan, Langford, Smith, Green, etc. with pieces that fit, not necessarily just to fill the last scholly with the most talented guy. I have no idea, I've never seen this kid play, but IMO a 6'10" guy that shoots over 40% from deep is a great piece to help spread the floor offensively for the aforementioned guys, and if he can cover defensive rotations and defend the block a bit, then Fitzner seems like he could be a really great fit. This could be a really underrated signing if it happens. At this point it's all about fit and role.

So exciting to be excited about IU basketball again!

Let's assume Langford comes to IU and Morgan comes back. At that point IU has a lot of talent in those two guys, Smith, Green (if he settles down), Hunter, etc. At that point adding players is about fit and how they compliment those guys. You need defenders, rebounders, guys that can hit open 3's/stretch the floor and good character guys. I've never seen Finzer play, but if at 6'10" he can defense the post, handle the defensive rotations, rebound and shoot 40ish% from 3, then I think it's a great fit. If he's some resemblance to the role Bielfeldt played in '16, then it could be a great, really underrated signing if it happens.

I’ll jump in here too, and this doesn’t mean I’m fully in favor of the one and done, I’m not, but there has been some benefits for college basketball. From an entertainment perspective college basketball has absolutely benefitted from having Greg Oden, John Wall, Anthony Davis, Kevin Love, etc., etc. It’s miles away from a perfect system, but having these great players come to college, even if for just a year, has definitely provided some benefit to college basketball, and of course a lot of benefit to the NBA.

I think the piece you mentioned about fitting into the offense is good for IU too. That has various aspects, such as how does the offense fit his skillset, but one aspect that is perfect for IU is where he would fit. IU has a glaring hole at the 2-guard/wing spot. We've got options at PG (green, RP), we've got options on the other wing/3 spot (McRoberts, Hunter, Smith), we've got options at the stretch 4 (Smith, Morgan, Thompson) and we've got options at the 5 (Morgan, Davis, Thompson, Forrester, Moore). IU's roster has a glaring hole and is in desperate need of a player that matches Langford's skill set to a T. He would own that position/role on the team. Most people would say that Kansas is more talented, but they also have his position/skill set covered even if he doesn't go there. While he'd certainly play a ton at Kansas as well, it's not as clear-cut where he fits or his role.

Completely agree. This idea of a "true 5" is almost non-existent anymore. Defensively everyone on the court has to be able to switch, hedge/recover and defend the perimeter, and everyone offensively has to be able to handle, shoot, etc. Look at Villanova, their big (Spellman) shot like 43% from 3. Wagner with Michigan shot 38ish%. Look at the NBA, you have guys like Embiid and Anthony Davis roaming around the perimeter. Al Horford essentially plays point-center for the Celtics. Big's in today's game need to be long, athletic, and skilled. A big, plodding center like Davis just isn't going to be able to play Archie's defense and offensively is going to jam up the paint for guys like Morgan, Langford (hopefully), Smith and Green.

It's basically an advertorial.

Would still love to see a grad transfer shooter added. That's the one area this roster still needs, a consistent 40%+ 3-pt shooter. Someone you know is going to knock down daggers when Langford (assuming he comes), Morgan, and Green are drawing in the defense.

Agree, though I was more referring to a guy like Juwan, not a guy like Darius Bazely. I do wonder what Bazely will get, he’s not remotely a household name. He’ll get some press for being the first guy to do what he’s doing, but he doesn’t/won’t have the name recognition of a Reddish or Zion Williamson.

Show companies aren’t killing themselves to pay undrafted G-League guys though. In some cases their deal might just be free gear/shoes.

I might have posted this earlier, but I saw a stat a week or so ago that after the avg number of foreign players and the avg number of seniors drafted, on avg there are only 34 draft slots for underclassmen.

Agree. I think some of the disagreement is because you and I think Morgan should be the 5. In that scenario we don’t need another big. But, for the people that think Morgan should be the 4, then I can see why they’d want another big. I don’t agree, but I get their thought process. I just want as many shooters on the floor as possible. As many athletic, skilled playmakers as possible.

I’m with BTown on this, I’d prefer to surround Juwan and Langford with as many shooters as possible. Don’t see why we’d really need another big, unless the staff feels none of Davis, Thompson, Moore or Forrester are ready to contribute. Edit: Caveat is if we can find a Beilfeldt type big that can rebound and play D, and also hit open 3’s. But the key is surrounding Morgan and Langford (assuming he comes) with as many shooters as possible.

Me too. Would really love for Green to make a leap next season as a pg.

Sure, but it’s not like there’s some established, or even typical, two-guard on the roster that will be relegated to the bench. There’s no RoJo or someone like JBJ that has to be worried about moving from the starting 2-guard spot to a 6th man role. If someone like Green or Al transfer it’s not because of Langford.

I don’t really see how Langford would impact anyone on the current roster? Our returning lineup literally has nobody at his position.

I'd be really surprised if he gets a combine invite.

I find the "join the greatest class in Vandy history" thing as a reason to go there pretty hilarious. That's like saying "be the best restaurant on the street" when the only other restaurants are a McDonald's, Burger King, and a gas station hot dog.

I'm not saying there would be an article with quotes from the Langfords. That's kind of my whole point, this recruitment has been so close to the vest and even the people closest to Langford have said they have no idea, so I doubt this Kansas reporter does either. He's making a guess. If he had sourced info from the Kansas staff he would most certainly write an article saying "sources close the recruitment tell me Langford was waiting to see if Newman and Vick were going pro, and now is heavily leaning toward Kansas." That article would drive a TON of clicks, which is basically what his job is to do. Once again, I'm not saying whether Newman/Vick impacts Langford or not, we have no idea, just saying we shouldn't get all worked up over a few crystal ball picks going that way this week. My posts on this topic are more to the "darn, looks like Kansas has all the momentum" crowd.