BGleas

Put this in the game thread, but will put it here too, the first 4-5 possessions of the 2nd half were a masterclass by DeVries.

Masterclass by DeVries with the sets on the first 4-5 possessions of the 2nd half. Wilkerson is unbelievable!

Not that KenPom is the end all, be all. But, UConn was 98th in a way weaker conference (still in the AAC) in Hurley's first season. DeVries has IU 35th and at least at this point positioned to make the tournament.

Which one? The call on Blackwell was absolutely a foul. Not even really debatable.

There were like 3 games on Wednesday or Thursday night, can't remember, where teams blew 15+ point leads. Happens almost every night in college basketball.

DeVries made several comments in the off-season saying that our 5 spot and rim protection were a concern and something they were going to need to figure out scheming around. It's not like hes a moron that didn't realize you need size in the Big Ten. With that said, that makes the next question, 'why could he and the staff recruit a legit big'? That's the issue. How come we couldn't recruit better with our resources? That also makes me concerned for next season since we have to recruit an entire new team.

I hear you. The state of IU basketball is very frustrating (meaning the last 10 years and even 20+ years). I don't really see lack of effort from this group, though. I feel like we've largely played hard. Although I think Conorway is way too nonchalant for me. But, I haven't seen a team 'mailing it in'. I think we just have a huge lack of athleticism, strength and size, which is really frustrating and is easy to expose for Big Ten teams. Why did we think Bailey could be a starting Big Ten center? Why is Tucker DeVries so out of shape? Etc.,etc

I'll say I lightly disagree lol. What I mean is, the system is sound and I've actually been impressed with how we've been defensively, given our roster limitations. IU wilting in second halves IMO is largely a roster issue, not a coaching or scheme one. It's hard to stop runs against teams bigger, faster and more athletic. We have no size and can't stay in front of guys because we're slow. The reason I say "lightly disagree" is because I don't know what it will look like if/when we have comprobable size and athleticsm. I think our system and coaching is fine if we can get a solid, balanced Big Ten caliber roster. We don't have that right now. Of course that is the staffs and administrations fault.

It's kind of everyones approach at this point. With DeVries, I feel much, much more confident he would coach those guys well. Give DeVries Woodson's rosters and I think we'd be in a much better spot. I'm just concerned we won't be able to get that level of talent at this point.

For sure, the landscape has changed drastically and you definitely have to re-recruit your own players. Lots of programs are in that situation. I'd just feel more optimistic about next season if we had the opportunity to bring 3-4 of our core guys back.

For me, it's you making stuff up people didn't say to create a false argument, that take the cake for me, lol

The bold is largely where my concern lies. I like DeVries for the most part and IMO he's definitely an upgrade from a coaching perspective compared to the last two coaches. But, we're right back in this position in 3 months. We have to recruit an entirely new team in 3 months. I'd feel a bit different if we had say Conorway, Wilkerson and maybe Alexis back along with Sisley. Then you go hit the portal hard for 3-4 legit, power 5 pieces to go with them, including a legit starting 5 that would make Alexis the backup, etc. We'd have a core to build around. But right now, I just see very little path to making next season markedly better than this season. I just don't see how this gets much better next season.

Yeah, I'm with you on all of that. I might have misread the post I quoted. I absolutely don't think it's the fans fault. I was more agreeing with the idea that some circumstances made the portal season tougher than it should have been last season. A lot of that is on DeVries for sure. I'm with you though, apathy has absolutely set in. I'd usually be screaming at the TV during a 2nd half like today. This year? I just expected it and frankly other than being frustrated with the state of the program, it didn't even really bother me. I think we're in a mess right now. The only real way out I see if is a huge investment in the program from someone so we can buy a team next year.

I think it's so early to even have this thread and to be talking about firing DeVries at this point, and I agree with a lot of what you're saying here. With that said and knowing DeVries has to essentially recruit an entire new team for next season, do you expect him to have the resources, staff and momentum in place to be able to recruit a high level Big Ten team? That's my thing, I don't see how this gets markedly better next season. He's going to have to hit an absolute grand slam in the portal.

Money seems the only way out of this. We're trying to recruit an entirely new team again, and with basically zero momentum.

I like DeVries, I really do. I just don't see how this gets much better than a bubble team next year too? He's created no momentum and then has to go recruit an entire new team this off-season. I don't see how DeVries has the money, cache or momentum to go recruit an entire roster essentially that would be anything more than a bubble team. Again I like DeVries, I just don't have much confidence he can get us out of this mess.

I like DeVries. Obviously a more modern offense and I've been pleasantly surprised with how good our defense is given our pieces. I think he has a chance to end up being a good hire. With that said and you've been beating this drum, he is going to have to find a way to hit a grand slam in the portal this off-season. We can't do another year of being a fringe bubble team. 10 years of this is ridiculous for this program (not DeVries fault) and he won't be able to sustain missing the tournament his first two years. Like you, I just get concerned on whether DeVries will have the resources and/or the cache to beat out 15-20 other programs for top portal talent. I'm concerned we're essentially a "bubble team" program at this point and there's no end in sight.

I think our offense really gets going when Wilkerson is more aggressive penetrating and not always settling for 3's. Helps space things for the other guys, gets the defense moving side-to-side and creates easier drives for guys like Conorway when the ball is reversed. He's done it some, but would like to see Wilkerson play like that even more.

I'd honestly want some of my money back from Rhoades if I was PSU. Maybe the worst end of game possession I've ever seen, given they called a timeout to draw something up and had plenty of time. So bad!

One thing that is important to remember about Kelsey at Louisville is that he benefitted massively from being in a very weak ACC last season. If Louisville was in the Big Ten last season they're probably not in the tournament and people are questioning Kelsey. It is what it is and nothing changes what really happened, but he did get really lucky with how bad the ACC was last year. DeVries unfortunately doesn't have that luxury.

It's very concerning how absolutely awful Conorway has been against both Louisville and Kentucky. The only reason he hasn't been unplayable is because our other guard is Enright. Also just crazy that the staff thought Bailey was a Big Ten player. He's given us almost nothing this season. This roster puts so much pressure on Wilkerson and DeVries. They have to do almost everything.

He really is a joy to watch! I just can't stand to root for anything Iowa.

I hate that I have to hate Bennet Stirtz.

That's a really solid non-conference resume win, especially given the margin of victory. I thought DeVries did an excellent coaching job the last 5 or so minutes of the first half going back to Tucker and Alexis offense for defense to stretch the lead back out. Many coaches would have just sat them the rest of the half.

So sad! I was working for the Celtics when we got him at the trade deadline during the 2001-2002 season and made a run to the ECF. He was an incredibly nice person. Very respectful and engaging with all the front office staff, etc. Not all players are. So sad what happened to him after his playing days.