cthomas

I think, with the guys we have back, we know what the floor is with this team. How good, and ready, the new guys are will determine our ceiling. Based on what I know about them, I think the ceiling is really high. I want to win early, but I really, really want to win late. As in March and, hopefully, April.

I expect a much smoother start to the season this season. We can put a veteran team on the floor early and work the young in at their own pace. What that amounts to in terms of wins is to be determined. But we should be competitive with anyone on our schedule. The defense should be there from the start and I expect the offense to be much improved. We are on the verge of being the team we have been hoping for.

If we want to be at the top of college basketball, we have to play and beat the best. This is an opportunity to prove we belong in the national conversation. My guess is our team is our team is beyond excited to play UNC.

I have a grandson named "Jack" but that's all I know.

I really hope all of this translates to the college level because if it does, we are going to be some kind of special with the front court players CMW is assembling. His ability to cut up a defense and get the ball to our play makers will be a joy to watch.

I think Hunter probably was the real deal before the medical issue. It's hard to quantify the psychological damage that very serious problem did to him. That being said, CMW seems to be doing things on a whole different level. The kids he is targeting, and signing, are what Indiana basketball should look like.

I know we go through the optimism phase every off season and then crash back to earth once the season begins. But this feels different. This feels like CMW is building a monster and by the time college basketball realizes it, it will be too late.

I believe you are correct. It was shaping up to be a very good class. Sampson could coach, no doubt. But then there was that culture thing.....

I think their problem is that they have a good but shallow fan base. Our success over the years, and recognition as basketball royalty, gives the depth to compete in that arena.

Hey, hey, hey, let's give them their moment. They finally landed someone from the portal. Let them feel good for at least a little while.

And then comes the mental challenge of trusting that he can do the things that made him so valuable. Just about every basketball move stresses that area of the body. TG is a tough kid, but this may take a while.

The next two seasons will say a lot about where we are headed as a program. Two great seasons and the momentum should be sustainable.

I only know him from what I have read on here and elsewhere, but there are a lot of talented kids. Fit is more important than talent in many cases. I don't mean this to be negative toward the young man, just that we will be alright with or without him.

I think we have a really high ceiling next season. I also think we could have a rough start because of the new guys we are integrating. It will take a while to get them acclimated to the college game. I believe will be better in the long run by working through their growing pains instead of just going with the veterans. Should be fun to watch it play out.

Interesting read although not much we didn't already know. I think I'm going to like this young man.

I had something that I was going to add to the discussion, but honestly, I'm too drunk to comment right now.

I've never been a fan of the "line in the sand" approach. Rules usually demand specific consequences when broken and that isn't always a good thing. Guidelines, on the other hand, allow for some discretion based on context. When working with young people especially, that can be a good thing.

You can certainly look at it that way with justification, but in recent years those BTT wins would have likely been one blowout loss. Feels like progress to me.

Just read an IndyStar article by Gregg Doyel claiming that TJD alleged drug use by some players last season. Didn't name names and I'm not really interested in knowing. But did say according to TJD any drug use should result in that player being removed from the team. I was a little surprised by the allegations and wonder how that may have impacted who stayed and who left.

I think we have a great chance to end up there. We have a lot of roles to figure out. The fact that for the first time in a while we were better at the end of season gives me renewed hope.

I'm sure there were some hard conversations after the season ended. Probably didn't go the way some wanted. I'm not going to say anything negative about these young men and wish them much success at their current schools. My advice to them would be to let the past go and embrace the future.

That sounds like leadership, accountability, and the long overdue culture change.

I agree that there are questions to be answered. The reason for my optimism is that he hasn't played against typical high school kids. The competition he faced, and played with, was at the highest level. That should make him farther along than the average freshman. It will be interesting to see how it plays out.

Don't know exactly what went wrong here in Indy, but the local media (Greg Doyel) rip him on a constant basis. I don't follow the NBA that closely so I just think of him from his IU days.

I remember Archie Dees a little. But, Walt Bellamy was the first guy to really imprint on my memory. He was like some kind of monster in basketball shorts. Tremendous talent and in some ways, ahead of his time.