cthomas

I think CMW is doing as much as he can with this team given how he wants to play. We constantly over estimate our level of talent relative to other teams. What I'm not going to do is be critical of the kids in a forum. I'll leave pointing out what they can or cannot do to the coaches. They win or lose as a team. From his recruiting targets it's pretty easy to see what CMW wants. Before we judge him too harshly, let's wait to see what he puts on the floor going forward. Nobody wants to lose. Not the coaching staff and certainly not the players.

Not my all-time favorite, but definitely in my top five. I love how he has progressed throughout his life and career. I don't know how to describe it, but what he brings to the program is a steady, confident demeanor that I believe will deliver the results we are looking for. There is just a different vibe with him. You can see and hear when he talks to the media.

I don't know. The way Michigan handled OSU makes me think they have a chance. That running game is impressive and it keeps the opposing offense off the field.

Just another turncoat!

YIKES!! You mean literally Haas or through a common third party?

My high school, Westfield, was a part of the Carmel sectional. It is below ground level so you walk in at the top of the seating area. Some really good teams played in that sectional. Tipton had a team that was ranked in the top five in the state in the early to mid '60s. They lost to Noblesville that year. Later, Carmel had really good teams with the Shepard brothers eventually winning a state Championship. David Shepard spent a little time at IU and his older brother, Billy, was really good at Butler. Sorry for getting off track.

Always love a good Festivus! I can't quite get the grandkids to embrace it though.

My wife has criticized me for about 30 years for being negative about things. So maybe I try a little harder here not to be that guy because of her. I don't mind the criticism as long as it doesn't get nasty toward the kids. I would have loved to see what a message board would have said about the '76 team. Probably would have similar to we see now.

Since we are at that time of year again, I want to wish everyone a great holiday season no matter how you may celebrate it. The last couple of years have been really divisive on more than one issue. I would just like to say that we are all human beings and we are better together than we are apart. I wish you all love and happiness into the new year.

Kind of harsh, but I can certainly see your point of view. CMW is doing about as much with this group as can be expected. When I look at the guys he has committed and the ones he is recruiting, I don't see many similarities to the team we have now. I think we have enough to beat about anyone in the conference on a given night. We can also lose to anyone on an off night. I think Kopp and Stewart are capable of more than we are currently getting and I think coach is trying to get that out of them. Durr is a big body with bad hands right now but will be useful in certain situations. What I don't expect is that Coach Woodson will put up with some of the stuff we have seen in the past few years. He has a presence that demands respect and he is clearly in charge of the program.

The program is in good hands. It might not be popular with some of our fans, but kids with a defensive mentality pop up quite frequently in his targets. He clearly knows the type of team he wants and is going out to get them. I'm more than fine with the direction he wants to take us.

A corollary to that is that I have often said for all of the commercials I have to watch, regardless of the platform, they should be paying me to watch or at least bidding for my veiwership.

As an alum, class of '70, even I would call that sparse. Come to think of it, that was probably the last time I went to a game, although I did see a John Mellencamp show there sometime in the early '80's.

I think CMW is pretty much spot on with his evaluation of the team. He sees them every day in practice and knows more about them than any of us. If a kid is not playing, then there is an overwhelming chance that they bring less to the table than who is playing. That we are recruiting multiple point guards tells me that he thinks we need an upgrade. I never thought it was in Lander's best interest to reclassify. He has potential but until his play exceeds those who are playing, he will stay on the bench. And I don't believe you play guys who haven't earned it in practice just to "develop" them.

I actually used to love watching the America's Cup races years ago. Kind of lost interest when the catamaran started racing. The teamwork on those boats was impressive.

Everyone wants the guy on the bench when things aren't going well....until he actually plays and they see why he was on the bench. Kind of like Lander on the basketball team.

This thread lately has reminded me of trying to define pornography: I can't define it but I know it when I see it. Except at this point, I'm not sure I know what it looks like anymore.

Kind of what happened. A lot of people on here have been calling for an end to this event. Like it's too small time for us. I liked it, but what do I know.

Really glad things are going well and welcome back!

Not going to be critical of the kid, but how is this possible. Really good players have multiple high level offers, unless there I something that makes people uneasy. Once again, I'm not trying to imply something. I just don't understand this particular situation.

The players may be able to return but the question for Me is if CMW wants them back. Probably going to be some hard conversations once the season is over.

I think this is an example of "you can't always get what you want" type of thing for CMW. Kopp and Durr were the best options available. Steward was already here but I doubt the Woodson would have recruited any of them. This is not meant to be critical of those players because I like them and that they wanted to be here. Bates is a different matter. He is a guy that we would want regardless. There is no reason to be critical of the coach or the players at this point because this is a makeshift roster at best. In a couple of years we can begin to know whether Woodson is going to succeed or not. But for now, I trust what he is doing.

Go 2 - 10 on the season and 0'fer in conference, probably should.

I think the bench use is a carry over for CMW's NBA days. The way he talks about the "second unit" kind of gives it away also. He seems pretty locked in to his starting five as well. He may modify his thought process as gets more experience coaching the college game. Then again, maybe he won't.

Games like this are part of his progression. He has all the tools, rough though they may be at times. If we expect to do anything this season beyond just meeting the experts expectations, he will have to be a part of it.