Dave from Dayton

Just watched a highlight video of him. Knowing that it is skewed to show his good attributes, he appears mobile, can dribble, seems to like to move well. Do not know about defense, footwork or hops. Seems quite slender. But that impression may not be accurate. He is listed at 240. Reports say he is better shooter than stats show. Mature role player and smart. Some sites say that he is likely coming to IU. On the surface, I say that he appears to be a really decent opportunity as a backup 4 or 5. And he reportedly always wanted to be a Hoosier. Could be a much better fit than Sparks.

I predict that the puns will not get better. I predict that the basketball court is the only court that IU players get reported going to this coming season. I predict that the Big Ten conference will grow larger. I predict that the Big Ten Network and Peacock will definitely not improve broadcasts and cause a lot of negative posts on this site. I predict that IU will not beat Wisconsin in SSAH this coming season. I predict that free throw and three-point scoring and the percentages made will be better this season. I predict that our guards will have much better all-around performances this season as compared to last year's crop. I predict that Coach Woodson might refer to getting over the hump and to win they might need to work on 'it'. I predict that the NCAA Tournament First Four will be in Dayton but IU won't. I predict that IU will be undefeated in the Final Four of the NCAAT this coming season.

May the Forth be with you. What do you call Chewbacca when he has chocolate stuck in his fur? Chocolate chip Wookie. Was Luke looking for love in Alderaan places? A stormtrooper walks into a bar. Bartender asks: "What's up?" Stormtrooper says: "I'm looking for my brother." Bartender: "What's he look like?" Laugh you must!

The University of Michigan is still under investigation for sign stealing. One of their assistant coaches was investigated years ago for stealing when he worked at the Michigan Department of Transportation. U of M should have checked his house before hiring him. The signs were there.

Shocked. Not Shocked. This Adidas contract was a shoe-in. Is it true that if we wear Adidas all the time...you never see de-feet? You have been a great audience. I thank shoe for the applause.

I was not a happy camper going into the season. Too many holes in the roster. Xavier was not the PG that IU should rely on. Injuries, controversies, maturity, decision-making, 3-point shooting...no way. Gabe Cupps, as a very young and inexperienced freshman PG is not the way to get the darn ball into play. Platooning drove us all crazy. But I rationalized it as getting experience down the bench and hoping that something floats to the surface. Lost games, dropped in the ratings because IU did not put points on the board when we did win. But, until the Auburn game, I thought that something might happen. I am not concerned about Coach Woodson's post-game interviews and statements. Yeah, when he said that they needed to work on that and just need to get over the hump...wow. But they are meaningless. So is the post-game interviews and statements, normally. It is about recruiting, development, taking advantage of matchups, flexibility, good sportsmanship, representing Indiana University well, graduating players, winning. The coaches dropped the ball on recruiting, taking advantage of matchups and winning. They might have plugged the hole on the recruiting. The jury is out on matchups and winning. Just win, baby!

February? Lol. The lack of top-notch point and shooting guards last year was telling even before the season began. I was hopeful, until December 9 when IU went to Atlanta and lost to Auburn by 28 points. The matador defense and lack of resiliency was evident at that point. Ware folded, no outside shooters...no rebounds...no assists...no free throws...platooning... The good news is the team did get tougher...didn't give up in lots of games. But the team could not overcome the roster deficiencies. At least they did get better, somewhat. Guards, creators, shooters, smart players, experience...gotta have em. Looks like Woody just may be catching lightening in a bottle. But we will not know until...likely December. But with Ballo, will IU be post oriented? I doubt it. He is not the scorer TJD or Ware were. Hope the wings catch fire. And the perimeter is great.

Heartfelt wishes to you and yours. You are not alone. We are a great community of people with bumps on the road for all of us. We are all staring in the face of health issues. And I am not the most sensitive person in the world to express sympathy. So, instead of wishing you well (which I definitely do), I will say: I am so saddened that you and yours are going through this. I would really like to help. Can I make you a loaded chicken sandwich or something?

I agree with Stuhoo about the guards issue. I wonder less about Myles Rice as a PG than I did about IU's previous PGs in years past. Myles Rice is older and has been through the ringer. However, all it takes is a slight injury. Then Gabe Cupps is our PG again. And if one believes that his 3 point shot and strength will blossom over a 5 month summer period then...well, nevermind. And I like Gabe Cupps. And who the heck is going to be our knockdown 3 point shooter wizard? (Looks around...)? Unknown, for sure. Yeah, great portal haul. But unknowns all. Our new center...footwork and defense? Seems to be a great idea...another unknown. Will Woody platoon early on seemingly putting IU's momentum behind the curve each and every game? I am seriously uncomfortable with IU's and opponents' unknowns. I do think, I hope, that IU will be deeper. Gabe Cupps, Galloway...great guys. Mbgbako is fanfreakingfantastic! Reneau, if not in the center...great. We need a coach that will put IU in a position to win each game. Does Woody understand X's and O's and can institute a certain offensive and defensive scheme to take advantage of differing opportunities and challenges? I think we win a few more games than last year. That is all I have. Injuries are the wild card. And shooters...and defense...and Woody...and opponents...and momentum...and...

NGW says hi. But it took him 4 pages and 750 words to say that. /s

Well, Ballo's thread was off the top 20. And I have been busy with spring chores and family health care. No excuse, I know. /s

Just read that Ballo NIL is a cool $1 million. If previously posted here then I missed it.

Koby Brea perspective...scroll down in the link below...he is ranked #2: Following the Leaderboard | The Prospect Overview (noceilingsnba.com) He is a small guy and might need work on defense...per the above link Wonder why he only scored 11 ppg in 29 mpg? Note that he won the A-10 6th man award for the 2nd time. Brea won the award 11 months after having rods inserted in both tibias to fix stress fracture issues he played with throughout the 2022-23 season. He overcome those surgeries to average a career-best 11.0. Dayton basketball: Koby Brea named Atlantic 10 Conference Sixth Man of the Year for second time (daytondailynews.com)

I'll drink to that. The worst thing about some people is that when they are not drunk, they are sober. I went on a diet, swore off drinking and heavy eating, and in fourteen days I had lost exactly two weeks. I like Cupps. But mugs hold a pint a lot easier. Cupps just isn't big enough. Plus one can only get a few shots out of Cupps. I like Galloway. But we need excellent guards or more whiskey. Later today, I will give a toast to Coach Ya. OK. Maybe this morning. I have a mixed feeling about getting Ballo. The mixed feeling is an Old Fashioned made with bourbon. One year of eligibility and how will Reneau feel about that. Enough to send me off the wagon, again. I went to an AA meeting. I asked about travel advice. They said that was a question for AAA. It was worth a shot. A couple of weeks ago, got back from vacation visiting family in S. Diego, Palm Springs, Lake Havasu & Las Vegas. So many breweries...so little time. Saw a strange atmospheric (?) event early one evening in Palm Springs. Huge, vaporous glow and trail streaking across the sky. It was a Falcon 9 rocket. Almost swore off drinking. If ever near Balboa Park in San Diego...check out the Mothership Bar.

No way that Purdue coeds will ever be hot. That just is not possible. Period.

Dan Dakich? Seth Davis? Mike Woodson? Edgar Allan Poe? Stephen Bardo? Class of '66 Old Fart?

To date, 7 of the top 30 players in the portal have signed to new schools. Players don't face a firm deadline on when they must commit. Additionally, graduate transfers and players impacted by coaching changes that occur after May 1 will be able to transfer after the deadline. Players who have also entered the NBA Draft will have until 11:59 p.m. Eastern on May 29 to withdraw if they wish to return to college for the 2024-25 season. I speculate that if I was in the portal, and in the top 30, I would be looking around for a good fit. No hurry at this juncture. A month from now I might just buy season tickets to the IU women's basketball. Or UD...or Wright State... definitely not OSU. Actually, looking forward to live bands outside in warm weather and fresh air.

UD, CBB Hall of Famer Don Donoher Passes Away - University of Dayton Athletics (daytonflyers.com) Enjoyed his coaching U of Dayton men's basketball. He was sharp, knowledgeable, loyal to friends and to the UD. Was assistant coach to Bob Knight for both the 1984 Gold-winning Olympics team and he brought him to IU as an assistant. Don Donoher on the Olympics, Bobby Knight and Obi Toppin | WDTN.com RMK had lots to say about UD firing Donoher in 1989. Bob Knight, Don Donoher had mutual respect, long friendship (daytondailynews.com)

I would get on your smart phone app and check travel times and alternate routes. We go from Dayton OH south on I-75 and 19 times out of 20 it is best to just go straight through Cincy to get to 75 southbound. There has been and will be construction on 75. One would think that it would be finished. But that is NEVER THE CASE. Saturdays are not bad except for the way northern migration southbound in spring. Just check before you arrive in that section. Sorry I can't be more precise. Heck, we even go straight through Atlanta rather than go around. Just not hit it during rush hours during the week.

It's the age-old issue. No coach has really had the players with the right skill set to employ in his scheme. RMK, at the end, did not get his smart, team-oriented, ball players...until the Jeffries team which was too late. Crean did not get the Dwayne pro or greyhound wing players. But he did not realize that. Archie didn't get his stellar guard that he needed. That and long-limbed defensive oriented team players. Woody has not gotten his outside-oriented ballers that can create and handle the ball. Where is that PG and SG and Sf? It is tough to coach a team that doesn't fit.

Witness protection is guaranteed. The poll doesn't show extenuating circumstances. Watch Woody pull in some spectacular portal players and do his thing to get IU into the Final Four. And I believe in miracles...

He and other football players were in my speech class in 1969. A fun guy to know back then. And a joy to cheer for at IU during games. Football letterman in 1967, 1968 and 1969...first team All-Big Ten in 1968 and 1969, and All-American in 1969...one of the greatest receivers in IU history...held Indiana records for passes received (119) and reception yardage (1,919), touchdowns (30) and points (180) at end of his career...also held IU season records for touchdowns (10, all three years)...set Big Ten record with 30 career touchdown catches...member of IU's 1967 Big Ten Co-Championship and Rose Bowl team. (IU Athletics HOF)

Men, when you lose your laugh, you lose your footing. Ugh, Juicy fruit. How many times can i abstain?

I get no respect... Told my wife I wanted to spice things up in the bedroom. She suggested a game called "sexy librarian." It's where I sit quietly at the end of the bed while she reads a book. Wife just yelled from upstairs: "Do you ever get a shooting pain across your body like someone has a voodoo doll of you and they're stabbing it?" I replied, "No." Then she said, "How about now?" She told her friends: Never wake a sleeping baby. Unless, that baby is the guy you married. People give a lot of relationship advice. You know mine? Two full bathrooms. You're welcome. I was thinking of starting a cooking competition show but all the chef's spouses are there to keep standing in front of whatever drawer or cabinet they need to get into. Marriage is between two people: One person who is on the verge of sleep and one person who is asking if the front door is locked. I asked her: Woman, are you a newspaper? Wife: No, why? Me: Because you've got a new issue every day. That's an ugly looking hat...but, it looks good on you! (RD in Caddyshack).

It's Jazz Appreciation Month! Do you know what a blue note is? Jazz is not a style of music. It is a way to play music. I like The Bird, Miles in Spain, Art Blakley... Not in to much New Orleans Jazz unless I can stand way back and flop around. Now for different: John Zorn - Naked City Peter Brotzmann - Machine Gun Evan Parker - Topography Of The Lungs Don Cherry - Complete Communion John Coltrane - Interstellar Space Black Music Sunday: It's Jazz Appreciation Month! (dailykos.com)