Dave from Dayton

How does one say farewell to a team member that goes to the dark side? I hope that Joey Brunk has Ewe Blab's underclassman hands when playing IU. OSU's basketball is becoming the old folks assisted living for wayward retirees. I hope Joey gets the third degree. Think I remember that he wants a law degree. For a career student...Joey seems to be doing well. I see him in the future as the Cadillac Lawyer...well, maybe the Moving Truck Lawyer. Indiana is getting a 4* freshman center and OSU is cobbling together a MASH-rehab inside game...a 5 rpg 6'11" guy without a shot coming off of back surgery and didn't play last year...OSU continues their run of meh offense.

Congratulations IU soccer! Was a fun and dramatic game. Really have to give credit to Penn State too. They absolutely were on it during the second period. Excellent defense by IU. My what a goalie! The kicks were spot on! Well played.

bumping this up to the top! Go IU!

I am getting fired up for this! Since 1969 I have followed IU soccer. That was waaaay back when it was a club sport. Then in 1975 when I returned to IU to be focused...rented a private house on 11th street. Had some 2nd and 3rd stringers at the 505 house. Was fun watching the team mature. Getting with friends and camping at a sports bar for the game. My wife can't get excited for soccer. But I will be glued to the screen...as long as the beer keeps coming. Yuengling on draft. Wings. Salad split for two. Watching for the B1G Offensive POY to get a hat trick. Well, a win would be awesome.

He was the best backup 5 that IU has had in the last...ahem...5 or so years. Year before last, he played 19+ mpg, scored 5+ ppg, defended as he was instructed. Sure, he wasn't anyone's dream backup 5. But he helped get IU in position to get into the NCAAT. That there wasn't a NCAAT isn't on Brunk. His hedging on defense which was evidently what Archie wanted but drove a lot of us nuts and opened the inside doesn't show that he was lost. He obviously is a smart player. He just isn't a Jared Jeffries or Cody Zeller. That he was injured last year and IU underperformed also is not on him. Indiana basketball really missed him as backup center last year. Even players that sit on the end of the bench that never get into games aren't busts in my books. As long as they are doing what they can and helping the team either or both on court or off of it. I guess, if the criteria is comparing him to other starting centers in the B1G, then he was not above average. If one really thinks that was his role...still doesn't make him a bust.

IU basketball and fans were fortunate to have Joey Brunk on the team. He was big in the center where IU needed a big. He was a leader. He tried. He has 2 degrees and has been an upstanding team player and representative. He has had to deal with a lot. His father passed away during his college days. He has been injured and he had to be out for a year. And when playing, he had B1G bigs coming at him. He gave it his all. Well played, Joey. Best of luck! And no I do not know if or where he will be playing next.

I agree with Aloha. Except for his decision to leave HI. But it is not only lack of shooters. TJD needs to progress. He arguably has been playing out of position as an undersized 5. But, the PG needs serious upgrading. Maybe Phin will shake off the apparent lack of confidence. A lot of it was Archie's apparent desire to control him. Either that or Phin would take his time, look over at the bench, and not penetrate or make the fast entry pass or reversal pass. Maybe Lander will step up. Maybe not. Maybe Phin will get the magic elixir and do everything right. Maybe not. Defenses were always set. And they would challenge all ball reversals thereby shutting IU down. If we don't have an upgrade in PG then the offense is a non-starter. If we don't have shooters, then the offense plays uphill all season. If we don't move on offense then...and screens and assists? So, who is the shot doctor on staff? Gotta fix Lander and Phin and Race and TJD shooting. And the defense is going to be totally different. This coming season is not likely to look pretty at the start. Hope that we have a whole season with a significant non-conference schedule. Without Covid maybe this will work. IU had to make changes. But, to get significantly better is going to take more than I am seeing so far. Coach Woodson and staff have their work cut out for them. They seem to be doing what they have to do. It just may work. Hope it happens. Best of luck to all.

I would not be surprised when IU lands additional talent from the transfer portal. Really depends on how one defines top talent, though. Indiana basketball and Indiana University have a lot to attract the student/athletes. Everyone knows that IU was really close in many games to winning. Everyone knows why IU didn't win those games. Corrective actions are taking place. Plus, if the prospective transfer wants to play against the best in the B1G, IU provides that. If one is a shooter, he will likely start. If one is a stretch 4 that can shoot, then he will likely start. I think that there are so very many coaches and teams that pursue the top talent that it would be difficult to get one of the very top talents regardless. More important to me is the development of the players. Reflecting on what Race did before last year to get ready, that is what I envision our players doing in the off-season. Correcting shooting including the free throws are really important. Putting some beef on some of the players so that they can handle the rigors of B1G play is important. I just wonder if Brunk can see the court again. I wonder if IU really has a PG that is one of the best in the B1G. I yearn for shooters and some wings that can create and hit 3's. I hope TJD finds his right hand and jumper. I hope that the new players and the coaches make the players get motivated to improve in all aspects of the game. If we really believe that we can land a Dean Garrett or a 6'8 AJ Moye....yeah, right. But then again we could.

Out here in fandom, we do not know. But, it seems that he wanted to not play on the court last year. Maybe, his grieving for loss of his father and his coach was really too much. Maybe he wanted to get settled at IU. Maybe he had other things to work out...like family, Covid-19, schooling, life plans, etc. His life seems to be all very significant changes in the last two years. That maybe was a lot for him to get his arms around. He did practice with the team. He did stay with the team for this year. Hope that he does well.

As a multi-year player and a starter at IU, I doubt that Armaan Franklin was too worried about his role on the IU team. Sure, he could improve. Maybe even jump big like he did between years. I see it as he wanted a change. He wanted to go to a program that had an established coach. He wanted to do very well in a program in another conference that would raise his visibility. He wanted a team that wasn't down on themselves. One poster has stated that Armaan was not happy during the last couple of weeks. Maybe losing the last bunch of games turned his head. Maybe the players getting boo'd off of the court in their last game was the last straw. He is going to a program that has the pack-line defense. So the transition won't be too tough on that side of the court. He is a talent. He is well liked. He puts forth the effort. He can score in transition, shooting the 3, and is a good teammate. He will be missed by yours truly. IU really needs shooters. Among other things.

Well, it sure has been a very interesting week in this basketball off-season. I'm glad for the coach change. Happy that the majority of the players came back from the transfer portal. Pleasantly surprised Race is back...love his effort and rebounds. Goodbye Al, and good luck. Goodbye Armaan, good luck. Lots of questions remaining. Seems the problem at PG is partially answered, I hope. Xavier Johnson seems to be a scrapper that can create and likes contact. Here is an article about Xavier Johnson leaving Pitt with games remaining: https://www.cardiachill.com/2021/2/24/22299274/xavier-johnson-pitt-panthers-basketball-leaving-program-enter-transfer-portal-jeff-capel-point-guard So, XJ doesn't shoot the 3 with efficiency, can create with his quick moves, likes to have the ball, can and will go to the hoop and likes contact. As a freshman and sophomore he turned over the ball a lot, but the numbers are trending down and he handles the ball a lot. He also seems to have a penchant for talking to the refs and getting T'd. And leaving the team with games to play is, on one level, a bad look. Well, IU coaches know what they are getting. It will work out. Welcome XJ, good luck. Lets get some shooters. Or develop them over this summer.

Lot's of postings on the U of Virginia fan forum but no news. It is all speculation. It is interesting that Virginia uses the pack-line defense. Wonder if Armaan Franklin likes that. I predict that Franklin announces in the next 2 days that he will return to IU!

Google the title of the documentary (ie. perfect in '76 reviews). There are some reviews online. One hour long is not enough to show games develop during the year. But it seems to get decent reviews. I have not seen it.

Never give up! Go Hoosiers! Graduated in '77. The team that refused to lose went undefeated and won the NC! Dancing on Kirkwood. People on cars. Didn't jump in Showalter Fountain. But people did. Cheered for IU when attending UW-Madison in Civil/Environmental Engineering. Upset at IU and RMK. Still watched HC Davis and attended IU's 2 games at Rupp including the upset of Duke. Upset at coach "he who must not be named" and IU's lack of oversite. IU self penalized...stupid...stupid... Just do not let Dakich be HC, please. Oh, no, not Crean. Still watching.... Archie Miller was not my first choice but thought it was an interesting selection. Cheering and watching...needing a good point guard, shooters, team disfunctioning...Holy crap, Hoosiers?! Went to OSU at IU and watched IU throw the game away. Seemed Archie lost the players over a year ago. Alleged fight in the lockerroom? Really? Watched most of the games...but some things are more important...life? IU has been on double-secret probation for over 20 years. I have to have BTN. I still watch. But...my wife gets more pissed than I do when things go wrong. I will watch. But the game of basketball has changed. IU basketball has been deemphasized by IU administration. The 3-point shot, the shot clock, the emphasis on offense in the rules, the expansion of the NBA has sucked the best players from the college ranks, the Indiana high school situation, entertainment options devalue basketball, parity, NCAA goofiness, $$$, ...all of that has hurt basketball in college. And people ask, do you still watch and cheer for IU like you did once upon a time? Well it is not the same. And I will wait for news. And I will watch the games. But, no...I do not see IU basketball players refusing to lose. For instance: The Wat Shot does not equal the undefeated team's National Championship. BTN does not equal Channel 4. Crean and Miller and those other coaches do not equal RMK. Very happy to see Coach Woodson brought in Xavier a really gifted PG. Man O Man have we needed one. But plugging the other holes and making the team refuse to lose...

There are all sorts of portal related questions. From postings on this site, those that are in the portal have lost their scholarships. Players only may get scholarships if the coach approves. Do the player and/or his parents and the coach have to sign off on this (ie. commitment) ? So, let's say a player is allowed to return after entering the portal. Coach gives the player the scholarship. Then the player changes the decision...can he go back into the portal? I just wonder when Coach Woodson will draw the line. And, it may be flexible considering the decision thought process and meetings with player and parents. Heard it was today...but not sure. On a side note...hope this team jells, hits shots, plays with intensity, help each other, and wins and wins...and represents Indiana University in a very positive manner....banners galore!

I'm cheering for Baylor. Didn't want Houston to win. And they didn't. I want anyone to beat the Zags. But, wouldn't mind a great contest between one seeds: Baylor vs Zags.... With Baylor coming out on top.

I tell ya, my wife likes to talk during s*x. Last night, she called me from a motel. - Rodney Dangerfield. Wonder if Phin will have a breakout year. And Brunk... And I really like Race. Maybe he won't fit. Maybe he won't come back. But, he got prepared and gave his all. We need a glue guy. A big glue guy would be great.

I say: "Yah!".

My wife has a lifetime contract. Well, the buyout is huuuuge. But each of us could use professional training. Thinking about a recruiting trip, though. I do have to be somewhat careful about my back. (Just kidding, sort of...) Back to the transfer portal. Who thinks that IU's PG situation is clear, settled, and ready to compete with the best in the B1G? Well, I don't. Veteran PG Rob Phinesee has lots of experience. Can he get across the timeline and distribute the ball? Can he cause some disruption in the opponents' defenses? Can he get the entry pass more quickly? Can he recover his shot and his drive? Can he stop that first quick step of the opponents' guards? Will Rob share the spotlight with Lander? If not him, then is Lander ready for prime time? Is he working hard during this break? Is he coming back? Will he share the spotlight with Rob? If both of the above are in question, who is the likely next man up? Stewart? A transfer? The Pitt PG? Hopefully better than Josh Newkirk. Will Phin and Lander get an answer from Woodson and vice versa on Monday? How will they react when Woodson says he is still going for a new PG in the transfer portal? Is Stewart a decent CG and will he be THE answer for a part of the year?

OMG! It's The Big One! https://www.si.com/college/indiana/basketball/april-fools-indiana-mike-woodson-quits-at-indiana-to-record-bedtime-stories Sorry, SI deleted the link.

Supreme Court is taking oral arguments and considering if NCAA has a monopoly over student/athletes. https://lawandcrime.com/supreme-court/supreme-court-appears-poised-to-break-up-ncaas-monopoly-power-over-college-athletes-in-landmark-antitrust-case/?utm_source=mostpopular Don't know if this is posted in the correct thread. Will this end college sports as we know it?

A really decent article about Woodson, Knight and regaining what IU has lost...from tOSU perspective of their fan site 11 Warriors: https://www.elevenwarriors.com/college-basketball/2021/03/121964/an-emperors-shadow#comments The comments are fun, too.

Coach Woodson is looking for that team with echos of: George McGinnis; Joby Wirght; Calbert Cheaney; Dick Van Arsdale; Walt Bellamy; Isiah Thomas; Scott May; Steve Alford; Randy Wittman; Jared Jeffries; Quinn Buckner; and all of the Indiana University basketball team members. Make it so. I arrived, as a freshman, in 1969. It was far out back then. Basketball in the old fieldhouse. Football was big. and Basketball was bigger! I wish Coach Woodson great success.

Coach Woodson seems to be a well-respected leader, a thoughtful person who gets it, a sensitive friend and proponent of the extended family, a lover of all things basketball especially Indiana, and a focused coach of young adults and men. He seems serious and will draw the line about certain things. And the players and everyone else will clearly know where that line is drawn. But, of course, that is the impression the university and Coach Woodson are trying to get out to us. During the press conference, Coach Woodson was being extremely careful to stress certain things. He wanted the message to be clear. And he was overwhelmed at times because of all the emotions, the memories, and the thoughts. These next few months are so vitally important. Getting the right staff, making connections with all of the players individually and then as a team, getting to know Thad Matta and AD Dolson, the NCAA from a coaching perspective, prospective recruits, transfers, moving those pieces around on the multi-dimensional chessboard... IU basketball was great before RMK, during, and will be great afterwards. The new coach has arrived. Bring it!