Dave from Dayton

Gave up on bourbon and coke with a twist of lime a couple of decades ago. Still have a sip of bourbon on one big rock...once in a while with a slice of lime. Must be a tribute to my ole man. I like rye in the bourbon mash. Maker's Mark has no rye...but it is a standard bourbon. I have a comment about Jack Daniels. It is quite the fun discussion. If you look at the mash bill and how it is stored and in the kind of wood, etc. One might just say that it is a bourbon distilled in TN. Jack Daniels: 80% Corn, 8% Rye,12% Barley Old Forester: 72% Corn, 18% Rye, 10% Barley Woodford Reserve: 72% Corn, 18% Rye, 10% Barley Bulleit Bourbon: 68% Corn, 28% Rye, 4% Barley George Dickel: 84% Corn, 8% Rye, 8% Barley Elijah Craig: 78% Corn,10% Rye, 12% Barley Jim Beam: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Barley Bakers: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Barley Knob Creek: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Barley Old Grandad Bottled in Bond: 63% Corn, 27% Rye, 10% Barley Wild Turkey: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Barley Makers Mark: 70% Corn 16% Wheat, 14% Barley Four Roses Single Barrel: 60% Corn, 35% Rye, 5% Barley I do not like too much oak. I also will drink your expensive bourbon if you offer it. I lean toward Heaven Hill distilled brands. A couple of exceptions, of course...Four Roses Small Batch is my go to brand now. Can pop on Four Roses Single B...if you want to up the proof. Not sure if it is worth the jump in price, though. I can afford almost any bourbon that I want. But I really have an issue about overspending when my palate and billfold tell me different things. I have tried Ocean...smooth. But a wheat bourbon...well, some of them are, I think. I've done the smoke thing on top of a bourbon drink. Fun. I have even tried a smoked water from grilling something with mesquite and using that water to make a big ice cube. No grease in it please. Old Fashioneds are great if it doesn't have too much orange or cherry added. And I had a walnut bitters that was really not my favorite. Old Fashioned with rye will also satisfy me. New Riff is interesting...but overpriced. Done some craft bourbons from around Dayton. Most are only a few years old and need 7 or more. Going much above $40 for .75L of 100 proof 7 year bourbon is not my style. Maybe I will try more single b for grins and giggles. Or maybe that OF 117. Ever have a Bellini in San Marco plaza in Venice? Ever have Port in Porto? Ever have a Harvey Wallbanger in a disco in NYC? Ever have Ouzo on a ocean-going ferry from Greece to Italy? Brandy is the go-to drink in Wisconsin. Loved Kir in southern France. It is a white wine coctail with Creme de Cassis and a blackcurrant liquor...try it. I was in the Navy. Being in port after a very long tour of sea duty was always an adventure in how to spend lots of times doing the pub crawl. Ever see the movie...The Last Detail? Will do a bourbon tour some day. Been to Napa Valley CA. France and Italy have fine choices of wines. If you like brackets, check out the below link...this blog not only does bourbon and other reviews, the writer and his wife have challenges of different classes of mostly bourbons. Enlightening. 11th Annual BourbonGuy.com Brackets: The “Not Quite Bottom-Shelf” Edition — BOURBON GUY

I doubt that it would smell worse than most of the last 25 years of IU basketball. Besides, would I really notice? I worked at a wastewater treatment facility for a couple of years. We had a saying...your waste is our bread and butter. Just pretend it's chocolate.

If IU blows the next 4 years, they can bury me face down in Dunn Meadow... You know the rest.

Drop the gun and grab the cannoli. Not that gun. Jeez...

Nothing locally is saying that. There were rumors in 2023 that Grant was retiring. He did not. This year the Sports Information Director for UD Doug Hauschild announced his planned retirement...after 42 years. My fellow basketball fans and followers over here have heard no such credible information about Grant's alleged retirement this year.

Well, if I was in charge of squelching rumors, I would not even be stating anything on a message board. I do not put any weight on it until the fat lady does. She has to step up to the plate. Heavy that. By the way...where is Kathy with a Z? (Pssst...don't mean anything by this but don't tell anyone that Chris hangs out where others hang it out. And Tom Crean called Chris...Tiny. Shhhh....) Back to our regular scheduled misinformation and speculation without any basis.

Is this a joke? Lumping all of posting fans together is ludicrous...or something...maybe funny. I'm not demoralized. I realize that the green flag to start looking around at prospective coach candidates dropped a year or so ago. And most of the pack of good coaches are still coaching. Sure there are many that want immediate gratification and are expressing themselves while not having to show really who they are. I speculate that a lot more of the fans on the bell curve are not frustrated with the search. If they are, they are chasing conspiracy theories...kind of like people do that have never learned critical thinking skills. It's not PTSD. It's just not thinking clearly...and objectively...and fact checking.

Indiana men's basketball announcement said We retire Coach Woody - his last season is dead. We lingered and laughed like loons at the moon Will Brad, Mark or Dusty or all three be here soon? Then a coach selection poetry slam was proposed But we'd rather get the team over the f***in' hump with prose!

Puts another way to 'look' at the Wiz.

Opus approves of this message.

I can't hardly believe the crazy approach That we post about team's leaders we want to poach. So. I put my thinking cap on and recall This advice about mentors in basketball: "Kipling would have been a hell of a coach." RMK said that in his book, The Power of Negative Thinking) after this Kipling quote: “If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you; If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting, too; If you can dream—and not make dreams your master; If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim, If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster And treat those two impostors just the same; … If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve your turn long after they are gone; And so hold on when there is nothing in you Except the Will which says to them “hold on!” If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run, Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it, And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!"

Grew up in Evansville right next to Angel Mounds. My father, a civil engineer and registered land surveyor and our family were subjected to camping and hiking and geology and prehistoric settlements. I grew up reading National Geographic. I have visited earthworks all over eastern USA. I even met Dr. Glen Black before he became the head of the Archeology Department at IU. 2 years ago, went in to that department before going to a basketball game. Talked to the head of the department about a theory about Fort Ancient and why the walls were built around the site. They obviously are not there for defense. Some things we will never understand completely. To make a long story short, the City of the Monkey God explains early use of LIDAR to see through the jungle canopy. It was controversial because of the archeologists that were left out when the Honduras regime was displaced. That brought in change in many areas and hurt feelings. As an aside, because of disease transmitted by bug bites...there was speculation that may have killed the civilization 500 or so years ago. It is just a theory. One of many. Now a jump that was posited in the book. In looking at Machu Picchu, there are theories as to why that was settled/created at just above 7000'msl. Defense? Religion? How about to avoid disease? Seems the people there valued coca. And to get away from disease, some bugs do not thrive at that elevation. A simple Venn Diagram would lend a person to say...let's build above this height and near where coca grows. Have you ever visited Fort Ancient and Serpent Mound and/or Newark Earthworks in Ohio? Even visited Cromlech of the Almendres: A 7,000-year-old megalithic complex in Évora, Portugal, making it 2,000 years older than Stonehenge. One weird discovery is the theory of why Serpent Mound was built. It may have focused, not only on the measurements of the sun...but also the moon. In addition, and this is what blew me away, if true, it has to do with the religious belief that the Milky Way was a guide to the after death experience of warriors. (PDF) A Serpent's Tale: the Milky Way Serpent glyphs are found in many cultures around the world. Some day, when away from the light pollution. Look up at the Milky Way. The most concentrated waves of stars form a kind of serpent shape... There is more to that theory. (Search Wiki for the Cosmic Serpent.) History is so very important for us to learn. Recently, became more aware of how sugar and slavery ruined Puerto Rico and other nearby islands. And that begat certain...uh...beliefs in the USA and wars. Both outside of our borders and within..past and present.

In a contract like that, I would speculate that it is because Michigan chose Dusty May. Once a person has been selected and negotiation begins, that is the most advantageous time for the prospective hire. That clause is in there probably because Dusty May insisted on it. The only alternative would be if Michigan insisted on it and that does not make sense.

I really have never contemplated the question: Did Archie Miller, as coach of Indiana, really want TJD? At the time of recruiting>? Or during each game? Which are different questions than what was implied...did Archie Miller utilize TJD, with all of his talent and skills, correctly? I am not a coach of basketball. Nor am I a great analyst. I read. I support IU. Grew up in Indiana. I do have a perspective and loads of opinions. Do not know if any of them are spot on. Archie was a point guard with the Wolfpack. Shot 84% from the line. Sean Miller was a point guard for Pitt. Both of those guys think that the players all have to buy in to the system. And the point guard is in charge of distributing the ball and is tasked with defending loads of cuts during each game. Did he know what to do with a talented forward that played in the middle like TJD? From Wiki: Miller spent time at several programs as an assistant coach, spending a season at Western Kentucky (2003–04), two at NC State (2004–2006), one at Arizona State (2006–07) under former coach Herb Sendek, two at Ohio State (2007–09) under Thad Matta, and two at Arizona (2009–11) under his brother Sean.[4] While at Arizona, Miller shined as a top recruiter, helping secure Arizona's top 10 recruiting class for 2011 recruits. He also excelled as a game strategist and designed the Wildcats' upset of eighth-ranked Texas to get them to the Sweet 16.[5] My only answer can be that one player cannot win the game without 4 more performing and executing and sharing. Did IU have those players that bought in to the team concept? Or did IU have players that were there to steal the show? I used to compare TJD with Jared Jeffries. Jeffries had one hell of a team around him. I look at TJD's team. Uh, not quite up to par. RMK recruited JJ's team. Tom Crean left Archie Miller with players that had other agendas. Seemed IU did not allow Archie Miller to bring in a 4* PG that he had recruited at Dayton. IU wanted the new coach to recruit Indiana first. Seemed IU did not support the new coach who may have wanted to stop certain scholarship players from coming back and recruit his team anew. That is my perspective. Archie got a team that was never his team. But it is up to the coach to insist and obtain wins. Archie was not a good fit at Indiana. Then again, IU has not been a good fit for any coach since last century. PS. In answer to another poster...Romeo Langford tore a ligament in his shooting hand's thumb in November. He played in 26 games after that and averaged over 16 ppg. He was tough.

People mostly have no idea the splendid job that Archie Miller pulled off in Dayton. It was after Brian Gregory left. Archie pulled the rabbit out of the hat even in the first year. But the Elite Eight run was lightening in a jar. Kind of like Bob Knight in '75 and 76. Archie Miller only had 7 scholarship players. Think about that. He took the players aside when not performing at a point beginning in their conference schedule. Asked them what did they want to accomplish. What could they accomplish? They each and every one bought into the effort. They shared. Each and every one tried to help their teammates and went after it. Coming to Indiana, the players were...ahem...not helping each other. That is what Archie wanted to fix. Archie needed a point guard. We have needed a great point guard each and every year since. He really never did get the long and active perimeter basketball players that would try to defend the 3-point line. So people dissed him. The players were not up to helping. Neither was the administration. The IU administration severely handicapped him. You really do not want to know what I really think. Still pisses me off. No, he was not on my top tier of choices... Here we go again. Good luck IU. This time, please help the coach get his players for his scheme. And monitor to make darn sure that IU does not get blindsided with a dysfunctional coaching staff performance.

Really appreciate OF and Stu discussing these coaches today. Thank you. Just one comment about Archie Miller. (Sure he had to go.) He had more than one great season at Dayton. Dayton Flyers (Atlantic 10 Conference) (2011–2017) 2011–12 Dayton 20–13 9–7 5th NIT First Round 2012–13 Dayton 17–14 7–9 11th 2013–14 Dayton 26–11 10–6 T–5th NCAA Division I Elite Eight 2014–15 Dayton 27–9 13–5 T–2nd NCAA Division I Round of 32 2015–16 Dayton 25–8 14–4 T–1st NCAA Division I Round of 64 2016–17 Dayton 24–8 15–3 1st NCAA Division I Round of 64

Free slices of pizza for any win at AH. Now we're talking. A reason to go to the games. Except for the win part.

Either his first year at Wright State 23-10 or 2017 at Cornell 25-10 or this year yet to come at Cornell. Attended some of his coached years at WSU here just 5 miles from my home. And grew up on the east side of Evansville...I went to Bosse and he went to Harrison.

We have confirmed the appointment for Stuhoo. Just answer one question: Is it Brad?

I agree. He not only left dysfunctional lockeroom players for Archie Miller to clean up. And from my perspective, IU administration would not agree to let Archie get rid of a few and bring in his guy. Zeller saved Crean's butt. But it was time for Crean to go poof. Similar to what happened at Marquette.

No we don't.

Quite the contrary. He would go down the stairs with flair.

Not sure about that. It has been noted that Crean allegedly did not get along with Indiana high school coaches. And he offered scholarships to anyone that made eye contact. Quite the salesman, yes. At some point we all realized that he did have that gift...the gift to oversell/overhype. He worked very hard but really didn't come across as good with X's and O's as Sampson or Knight. Defense was hard for him to get his arms around or across to the players. Keep him away from the recruiting. (While he could get some recruits, he seemed to not follow through with others. Hence was felt to be...ahem...less believable by coaches and recruits.) Not sure if boosters would love it. I lived in Wisconsin and researched him way back when. While he and Wade were brilliant together at Marquette....I believe that was on Wade not Crean. And then some really bristled up there about his bait and switch on recruits. He also is a little to quirky...but who isn't? Zeller choosing IU saved Crean's job for years. Obviously, others felt differently.

Just read a non-fiction about exploring and discovery of an old city and community in Honduras. 'The Lost City of the Monkey God: A True Story' by Douglas Preston. If you like the idea of archeology and learning about other cultures and environments, this is the ticket. Wear your Deet and your anti-snake bite leggings. A few years ago, we went to Austria, Germany and Slovakia. Last year we visited Portugal and Maui. We visited San Diego, Palm Springs, Lake Havasu and (ugh) Vegas. Plus, toured the Valle de Guadeloupe just south of Tijuana. 90% of Mexican wine is produced there. This year, packing for St. Croix USVI. May get to Maine or N. Rockies in Canada. Going back to San Diego. Seems after we vacation somewhere, there is a disaster. Wondering where I should visit next...oh, I have an idea...looks east.

Wife and I are headed to St. Croix in 2 weeks. You have my proxy to vote on the prospective coach candidate's name that is submitted for approval by the loudest on this site.