Demo

Yesterday was the birthday of the late, great Townes Van Zandt. If someone wanted to argue he was the greatest modern American songwriter I’m not sure I’d agree but I wouldn’t argue, either. Immense talent. In honor of Townes I busted out 1 of the great music docs ever, “Heartworn Highways”, an incredibly raw look at some of the pioneers of Outlaw Country. I don’t care if that kind of music hits your palette or not, you owe to yourself to check this out. It’s incredible.

Probably meaningless but since DDV has said they’re still recruiting ‘26 kids I thought I’d throw it in here. My favorite ‘26 that I saw in person this year. Very good athlete. Smooth as silk. Wired scorer but plays under control. Could be the best pure shooter in the class, Has a little bit of secondary facilitator to him, though he’s definitely score 1st. Gave Jason Crowe, top 5 ‘26, all he wanted in a showcase event near me. Big fan. If he’s legitimately open, and I sort of doubt that but who knows, he’s worth going all in on. Kid’s gonna play in the League.

Punting work today and hitting the Missouri Valley Conference qtrs. The friend I’m going with and knows way more about that conference than I do, gave me 3 names to watch for portal purposes: 1) Sam Orme(Belmont)- Carmel kid who’s busted out this year pretty good. Averaging 13 and 5 on 38% from 3. 2 years of eligibility. Given the 2 ‘26 kids, Dorn and, presumably, Sisley can’t imagine a 6’7” wing shooter would be a high priority, but who knows. 2) Jaquan Johnson(Bradley)- averaged 17 and was 1st team all conference and 1st team all defense. Averaged more steals than to’s. 2 years of eligibility. Since Norton was there he feels like at least worth checking into. 3) Drew Scharmowski(Belmont)- The one I really want to see. 6’10” and apparently possibly still growing. Averaged 11/6 with a block and a steal in 19mins a game and was 1st team all conference and 1st team all defense. 2 years of eligibility. My friend loves him. Says he’s a straight up winning player. At minimum, anyone coached by Casey Alexander absolutely knows how to play. That guy is as good a developmental coach as there is. Should be fun.

Would be curious to know how Branch’s deal stacks up to Dybantsa’s. He’s a hell of an athlete with a ton of projectability, but he’s not nearly the scorer that Dybantsa is. He’s not gonna be ready to be the 1st option on team with final 4 aspirations.

Watched very little WBB this year, but her statistical profile is so nuts that unless she never crossed halfcourt into the defensive end ever there is just no way there are 5 better seasons in the B1G this year.

https://247sports.com/college/indiana/article/indiana-basketball-recruiting-national-top-10-class-of-2027-prospect-king-gibson-receives-an-indiana-scholarship-offer-276210960/ Rabby with a summary. A little tough to see this as a thing given that he’s not some kid who just blew up and the offer list was already excellent and has been for a good while. He had a Georgetown offer when Kenny was there, so I assume that’s contact point.

He may have helped.

IU offers 2027 consensus top 10 CG King Gibson. Originally from Burlington, NC and currently playing at Spire Academy. Transferred there from Montverde when Kevin Boyle took the Spire gig. Played last year for Team United on the EYBL circuit. https://247sports.com/player/king-gibson-46144397/ https://www.on3.com/rivals/king-gibson-237657/ https://www.hudl.com/profile/21760790/King-Gibson

So many kids that it’s been so much fun to root for. Sarratt coming from nowhere. Roarke playing through the knee. There’s a million of them. It continues to be kind of incomprehensible what’s gone on here.

And I’m sure he’s interviewed really well and they’re gonna watch his film and he doesn’t back down from anyone ever and he never takes a single play off. Players don’t get more winning than that kid. Firmly established as my favorite IUFB player.

The Cooper/Stefon Diggs comp the NFL Network just put up on screen needed to include an asterisk noting that Cooper isn’t, ya know, evil.

Somebody on the broadcast talked about Ponds staying on the outside and pulled a Jason Verrett comp. That’s a hell of a pull. They’re basically the same guy and Verrett was tremendous until the injuries hit.

A play from Legacy when he was still being recruited: He’s in the left corner with the ball and tries to throw a skip pass to the right wing. A kid reads it and picks it off on the run with his momentum going to the other end and nobody at the top of the key. Clean path to the basket. Carr runs him down from the opposite corner and blocks his layup. He made up 20’ on a kid who caught it on the move. Should have been impossible and he did it easily. I watched that over and over. Will forget my kids’ names on my deathbed and will remember that play.

Jesus Christ. The block at 1:10 where he slows down and shuffles his feet to time it up, stone nuts. And from all indications Woody could have absolutely had him. Kind of a strange game to work with, but that energy can’t be duplicated.

The one I’ve had for him for a while, and it’s pretty funny given how pi$$y the Dukies are here, is sort of a Brandon Ingram without the same suddenness. He’s such a long kid that he can get his shot off against any wing defender but he can also take them down on the block or the mid-post and get some work done there. What he would lack a little is the ability to face up and drive a guy from a static position. Might need a little dribble handoff action for that.

Nice clip. But the highlight is actually the Dukie replies. About 10 variations of “No, we didn’t offer that scrub.” Don’t know if they did or not, but they hosted an official so they had some kind of interest.

https://247sports.com/college/indiana/article/indiana-commit-and-national-top-30-2027-player-chase-branham-set-to-visit-indiana-again-this-weekend-275712669/ Visiting this weekend

It’s Tipton, so take it for what it’s worth. But it really doesn’t sound that nuts to me at all. I’m sure BYU paid huge for Wright but I’d really like to know what UM paid for Cadeau.

The plot change from Maekar giving his blessing to Egg going with Dunc to Egg just busting out and lying about it is a pretty giant alteration. Will be really curious to see how that’s dealt with.

Personally I’d rather win at basketball than football. Just means more to me. But, I agree with the point USPS has made several times about IUBB that if you hire a good competent dude and give him appropriate resources he’ll win. I’m comfortable DDV will win here. Whereas, what Cignetti has done is complete unicorn stuff. I legit believe no other guy in the country could have done this. So it’s the choice of both being relevant or 1 being relevant. So, yeah, it’s Cig.

Speechless. Absolutely speechless.

Remember thinking when his visit photos hit that he looked like Casey Affleck’s son but yours is better.

Love. This. So. Much.

Absolutely lovely A shining example that immense talent does not require spectacular genes from BOTH parents.

Thoughts? Other than PU having no shot I agree with this. Would have had TTU in tier 3, maybe even the bottom of tier 2, before the Toppin injury.