Demo

I imagine there are gonna be a fair number of coaches who think that way, at least for a while. And it feels like it could create a situation where HS kids with HM talent but who aren’t necessarily considered ready to play big minutes on teams with high expectations, kids perceived as 50-100 prospects, could become somewhat undervalued assets for programs willing and able to to develop along more conventional lines. Kind of like DDV’s ‘26 class. I just think building through the portal on a more than supplemental basis year in/year out is gonna be tough because you’re gonna be paying top of the market on every kid every time.

And Sam Orme, the Carmel kid, has been there for 2 years. 6’9” stretch 4 who averaged 13/5 this year and shot 40% from 3. Don’t know if it’s actually true but seem to remember hearing multiple places, maybe even around here, that he really, really wanted to go to IU out of HS. Suppose we’ll see.

Yup. Also spent the last 2 years being coached by 1 of the best developmental coaches in the country. At Belmont Alexander developed Malik Dia(15/6 at Ole Miss), Cade Tyson(20/5 at Minny) and Ja’Kobi Gillespie(18/5assts at Tennessee). Not necessarily advocating for Lundblade, probably fair to assume he’ll follow Alexander to K-State, just saying that where they played isn’t necessarily the thing. How well they’ve been coached is the thing.

Don’t I recall Winegar throwing a bit of a public hissy fit when Jalen Haralson left Fishers for LaLumiere? Hypocrisy, thy name is Garrett.

Penny fires basically his entire staff, including Mike Davis, at Memphis. ‘Cause clearly they’re the problem.

Hell, after the Darius Miles thing selling drugs seems positively quaint.

Anymore, who knows. The NCAA probably threw a dart at a board and it hit extra year.

Don’t know if he’s just planning to follow Alexander to K-State or if he’s genuinely testing the market but he will be a very hot commodity if he is.

Ball St PF Preston Copeland enters the portal. Had an IU offer under the previous staff, but it always felt like one of those WTH offers along the lines of William Jobe. Went nowhere and he ended up at Ball State where he averaged 4/4 as an occasional starter.

Looked at the Maryland and WVU staffs and Buzz and Hodge brought virtually their full staffs from their previous jobs while DDV brought almost no one with him. Will be interesting to see what, if any, staff turnover there is.

Had an IU offer when he was at Montverde and the previous staff was offering everybody there. Never felt like it went anywhere, though it may have been a function of being the year they went all in on the portal. Apparently had a Tennessee offer so Clark may have been involved with him.

Yup If this was a young team that might be different. But 6 of your 1st 7 are seniors. There is no point rolling them out in front of a couple of thousand at AH to play East Bumphrey Nowhere State. Immerse yourself 100% in roster building.

2nd year in a row that CBS’s selection show has been preempted where I am by severe weather alerts by the local stations.

Different style of play obviously but I can see him having Reed Bailey-type issues where his athleticism would play but the physicality of the conference would be a problem.

Would be completely down with getting in here. Tough, smart, mature game, good shooter. Plus, has kind of a chippiness about him where you just know he’s one of those kids opposing fanbases will always hate and he’ll eat it up.

Absolutely true, and he just does that stuff naturally. He’s got that wiring. Program hasn’t had that guy in a long time. Maybe since Yogi.

His range of outcome is as wide as one can be. You watch him and the way he runs and moves and he’ll make plays that good college players can’t make, he blocked a shot at the rim yesterday with 2 hands that looked like a borderline Coen Carr play, and he looks like an NBA guy and you just kind of go woah and then for the next 2 qtrs he won’t impact the game at all. Not playing badly, just not being impactful. Will be a fascinating follow. Will say this, if they have a dunk contest at HH next year he’s gonna win it. Kid floats.

Basically agree with a couple exceptions: 1) Based on what I saw looking into him last year I’d like to keep Harris. He’s so young, will still have 3 years, and has the frame to get strong enough to play in the B1G and has bounce and some skill. Could be an Alexis sort of player eventually which I think is a useful piece on a good team. 2) Would be fine keeping Drake. He worked so hard to get there and he’s played so much ball that as a combo 5th guard I’m confident you’d get his best and in that role I’m ok with that. 3) You probably have to retain him, but I’d be absolutely fine if Dorn left. Single skill dudes who can’t defend you or me are too tough to win with. He’s the 7th guy on a good team and I imagine his expectations here are gonna be Wilkerson-level shots which he doesn’t rate. Gonna have to just trust the staff on the kind of kid he is. 4) What I care about more than anything else, by far, is finding a leader. This team, despite all those old kids, didn’t have that guy and I think it cost it cost them a tournament bid. Way too many games where they splintered and just couldn’t get it pulled together. They have that kid comin’ down the road. Moody’s one of those kids, 100% sure of it, but not next year. Man, they need to find a heartbeat on the floor and it had to drive DDV nuts.

Unless you’re a UConn fan why wouldn’t you? As good a coach as he is, other than Sampson and maybe Muss who else is in Hurley’s league for unlikeability? Cronin, I guess. But those 4 are definitely the Mt Rushmore of current unlikeable coaches. ?

It’s not like I know him but gonna go out on a limb and guess that our reaction to the ‘26 roster will factor very little into however much DDV does or doesn’t enjoy his offseason.

Wow

Spire banged him around a lot this one. Their scouting report was pretty clearly that he tends to shy from contact a little, which is true, but in this one he played through everything. Encouraging

Watched this game this morning. Best all around game Karvala’s played this year that I’ve seen. Also had a couple of blocks and steals and was really active and engaged on both ends. Nice little thing to see: He’s not the most physical kid, but he got banged around a lot and just played though it pretty unaffected. Will play in the championship game at noon eastern time against what certainly looks at the moment like AZ Compass. Side note and completely evidence-free speculation: The best player in this game for Spire imo was pretty clearly ‘26 wing Aiden Derkack. Had a nice game and competed his a$$ off even when it started to get away from them. Currently a Providence commit and had an IU offer from the current staff. Depending what happens with the HC situation at Providence that situation could possibly come back around.

I hear the possible Holloway/Syracuse thing and my 1st thought is they don’t rate a coach that good because that’s not a great job anymore. The 2nd is, yeah, fans ain’t gonna love that if it’s a thing. Then the 1st thing in my feed is this guy probably speaking for Cuse Nation. Sigh

Slightly ill-timed given they just announced the Shertz extension.