Feathery

I had a guy tell me this week that he thought Armaan will be better than Romeo for IU. Not that he is a better player but his strengths will fit better than Romeo’s this season.

I’m not telling you that. I’m just looking at a terribly flawed roster and one that lacks experience/leadership. Everyone points to one and done and star rankings. Experience matters more, unless you are Duke and take the best of the best. Watching the game last night the starting 5 had the game well in control and then bc of fouls, the bench got exposed that’s a talent problem. Side note. 2020 looks to be when the 1 and done rule will be eliminated. So I look for Duke and UK to come crashing down when their batch of one and dines are gone and they don’t have experience quality talent to pick up the slack. This timeline will also coincide with IU having an experienced talented roster. Good times could very well be ahead, but we need to be patient and let the man work.

We lost 3 seniors who contributed in Johnson, Newkirk, and McSwain. Losing Johnson’s threat from deep has clogged the lane. Romeo might be a one and done but he isn’t a shooter. Every team is clogging the lane bc we don’t have anyone who has proven to be consistent as Rob was. Its not identical but it’s similar. Especially when you start comparing Archie to top coaches after their first 2 seasons. Jury is still out for me, but I’m not going to say Archie can’t coach yet. Like I’ve said elsewhere I’ll give him 3 years.

The lack of depth is very pronounced.

Something I just noticed. Looking back at Archie’s Dayton tenure, he actually regressed in wins and losses from year 1 to year 2. Then in year three they broke out to 26 wins. He didn’t have less than 24 wins (4 years) the rest his time at Dayton. So while things look bleak and there are concerns, be patient and let him get a roster of his guys. Also, the Big Ten giving is this many road games in January is ridiculous. Hopefully we get some confidence back and win some games down the stretch, as we will be at home more.

This reminds me of the tailspin’s that the Illinois teams would go through at the end of the Weber era. They did this a couple years in a row and then BAM was gone.

He will need to get some more players on the roster besides Brooks and TJD. I expect growth from the freshmen class this year, I’m not writing any of them off. I think we need a grad transfer or 2 that WILL contribute.

Phin, Al, Romeo, Juwan should start and play the most minutes. After that either too young or not good enough.

3 years to make the dance and show consistency in the years to follow. If we don’t make the NCAAs next year then bye Felecia.

Why not just hire Fife or Lewis as assistants and give them a pay raise. I’ve felt like every time a new coach has came in here, they paid lip service to the past but never embraced it. I’m hopeful that Archie will bring in a guy like Lewis as his staff changes over the years.

I think he is comparing him to some coach named Josh.

Nice stats. Pretty fair to say it takes more than 2 years to establish a new coach. Couple of those names were coaches our fan base wanted here in Bloomington.

Yes, bc it shows an upward trajectory. No coach of IUBB should still have a job if they miss the NCAA tournament 3 years in a row. In all honesty, after Archie gets his program established, full recruiting cycle, I’d say you can’t miss the NCAA tournament 2 years in a row. I do have concerns, but I do think Archie will get it done in the end. I fully expect some roster turnover this offseason. Bring in some transfers, to get some experience to go with the young talent. My gut tells me at least 5 new guys will be on the roster next year. Our recruiting class is sitting at 2 members right now.

I’m sticking to my belief that a coach gets 3 seasons. I gave Crean 3, I’ll give Archie 3. If we don’t make the NCAA’s this season, then he must next year or he should go.

The Yogi Noah’s Vonleh team was brutal as well. Common denominator is lack of shooting.

I think it was espn, but someone had him top 5 just this week when I looked. He isn’t staying another year, regardless of what fans think of his play. Scouts love him and he will be a NBA player next year.

The issue is the roster. Talented freshman class but only 1 elite recruit. Meaning the others are going to take some time. I’d expect more of the same next year.

He is definitely one and done. He will be a top 10, maybe top 5 pick. Poses potential and can develop his shot without class taking up time.

He did. But he is sitting in the bench.

McBob should be at the end of the bench. The fact that he plays, tells me everything I need to know about the current level of the roster.

Need a consistent 3rd option. Green isn’t that guy. The rest are too young to be consistent. Beyond Romeo, the rest of the class are 4 year guys, not freshmen superstars. I still think we make the NCAA’s. If not, Archie is on a warm seat next year.

I think fan desire plays a role. Look at when the Hall is rocking, how hard it is for the opposition. Also, if the arena was empty, there would be a decline in recruiting. Players want to play in exciting environments and be watched by a lot of people. This isn’t the most important thing but it’s a factor. Having former players on staff helps bridge the gap from the Knight era till now. They know how Indiana had success and where the failures came from. They aren’t afraid of the past (which I think some in administration are). It also shows that even if you don’t make it, IU will be there and support your growth as a coach. IU isn’t finished with you as soon as you stop playing. That pays dividends on the recruiting trail as well. I’m hopeful once Archie gets it rolling and feels secure in his position, that he will be open to some former players joining the ranks behind Elston.

I think the total mismanagement of the program and the lack of succession planning are key to this drought. Why is Derek Elston the only person on staff? Why didn’t Crean have more IU guys on his staff? To me Duke is the model. You take care of and treat your past with respect. Their bench is lined with former players. We have Elston as a player development coach. Where is Fife? Where is Lewis? To me you pay them enough to leave their gigs and be assistants here. Until IU can take care of their own, they will be a middling program imo. Edit: In summary it’s a cultural issue not a fan desire issue.

Yep, the roster still needs work. Which seems to be happening via recruiting. It just takes time. This team is still a NCAA tournament team. That was my expectations going in and it looks achievable.

I asked Archie on his radio show last season what the difference would be from year 1 to year 2. His response was we are going from a veteran group to a young group. I wondered bc we had a veteran group last year and he was in year 1 of implementing his system. We are now much younger and they all have to learn the system fresh. They get a help by the returning guys, but you will see freshmen mistakes throughout the year. Overall, we aren’t losing to IPFW this year. We lost a tough road game at Duke and a tip from winning @Arkansas. That’s pretty good considering the number of new faces and the team is still learning.