PointBlank

  Doesn't this reach across to other UNC sports as well? Unless the NCAA has botched yet another investigation this has to involve other UNC sports programs as well. Something else I feel the NCAA should consider is the noncooperation of UNC during the first investigation and not being forthright during that initial investigation. They hammered IU for Sampson's hindrance and untruthfulness during the NCAA investigation into the basketball program. 

The NCAA and UNC swept the first  investigation under the rug. The NCAA had no choice but to go back and perform another investigation after the media got hold of damaging information making them look like the incompetents they are, and just as corrupt as many of the outlaw college programs they are charged in investigating. 

  I can honestly see how another person would pick us last due to our most recent and long term history. I agree Purdue should be ranked lower than IU and Purdue's last two seasons have been horrific. This particular article has IU one spot ahead of Purdue which isn't a very good endorsement of the IU program. Until we prove otherwise, some of the "professional prognosticators" will still look at IU as the doormat of the Big Ten program. As I mentioned in my previous post, I expect at least 7 wins out of IU this year and that will be far from being the doormat.  

Not sure why so many get upset with someone's prognosis of the IU football program for the coming year. What type of benchmark have we given them to pick us any higher than where that person has selected us? Like many I expect IU to improve enough to make a bowl game this year but I can see why someone might select us to finish dead last due to our history. I expect at least 7 wins. Even with a healthy Sudfeld, the offense regressed last year.   My hope is CW has learned from not having the backup QBs ready even if one was a true freshman. Other programs played true freshman QBs after experiencing an injury and some of those programs made it to bowl games. It was obvious Diamond was not given a package to run during practices in order to be prepared in the event the two ahead of him became injured. CW has to stop crossing his fingers and develop the backups. Even Covington looked loss and unprepared.    

  I hate the DH, but after watching Price of the Reds manage, I wish we had the DH in order to simplify the game for him. Also, make the headhunters bat, unfortunately,  even in the NL many of the headhunters are relief pitchers who never bat.

  ND Stadium has a good atmosphere, good not great tailgating and depending on who they play the crowd is good. The concourse under the stands is reminiscent of walking in a small outdated sewer system.  

  Wrigley and Notre Dame stadiums are places you need to visit once. I am sure the new Wrigley will be improved, but both Notre Dame Stadium and Wrigley are cesspools. 

  I like the Royals as well, just wish the pitchers had to bat. I wonder if there would be as many hit batters if the pitchers had to bat. Not having to bat can make the most yellow belly coward of a pitcher look brave.

  I could not agree more, and Ramsey is a very good one. Now, we have to make sure they are ready to take the reigns if  there is an injury. Hopefully, Wilson learned a valuable lesson from last year. 

  Agree, the guys on the outside have to do a much better job of stopping their man. If the guys on the outside play defense like they did last year, even Bryant will look as if his head is on a swivel. 

  To Crean's credit he has been recruiting PFs and Centers in each class. Last year he recruited 3 PFs and a 7' center. 2011 is the only year he didn't recruit a center but he had Cody in the fold. Problem has been the development of the big men and Crean keeping them on campus.

  I agree for a different reason, it appears as if Crean would rather play smaller with only one big a lot of times. Two true big men appear to not work in his offense as well as the smaller lineup. HMP only averaged around 19 minutes per game last year.

  Apples and oranges comparing Zeller and Bryant. Bryant couldn't carry Zeller's jock strap if they played at the same time. Zeller was a much more polished and complete player than Bryant.    With the exception of Zeller, how has Crean noticeably developed any other IU center offensively? Some would argue even Zeller didn't progress as much offensively under Crean's system as expected.

I didn't say I didn't want him, I am not convinced he is going to immediately provide a missing piece.  

Is Bryant really a difference maker for IU? I am not too sure if he will see much of the ball offensively unless he has a stick back. Is he a vast improvement over an experienced HMP? Last year HMP only averaged 4 shots per game and how many of those were a result of his own offensive rebound? In my opinion, Yogi as the PG still does not include his teammates enough and the man down low is not a priority to him. Vonleh averaged 7 shots per game. Zeller naturally averaged more shots, but Yogi wasn't in control as much and Zeller had a much better supporting cast. Bryant is a consensus 4 star (very good) but I do not see him as the missing piece to get us further. He looked ordinary in the McDonalds game and looked good against a team not comprised entirely of McDonald players. Defense at the major college level is one of the hardest things for a player to comprehend and get right. Thon Maker is a different story if he were to come to IU and if they get him the ball.