Trish

What's been going on here lately? Anyways, the non-conference schedule in November for IUBB is extremely weak. Looks like Woodson wants to get to 20 wins as soon as possible next year to assure he's "doing his job".

None of us will ever be able to confirm if Woodson said that exactly. But it sounds like a statement from someone who talks in Third Person 70% of the time would make. Frankly he’s hinted at this thought this season before.

Eric said the Woodson meeting happened in May, not April. Scott Dolson podcast was released on April 30th as well so it sounds like there was a gap between the podcast and the in person conversation.

It’s been a while since I’ve been here, summer basketball is no joke folks. Nonetheless, thought I would share my thoughts on the news today as you all know I’ve been Anti-Mike Woodson since Archie was dismissed. First off, like most of you, I do agree HH are some dorks, but they do a lot of good for a lot of programs at Indiana. I’ve met them, they are friendly and are more passionate than your typical Indiana fan. On to Woodson, none of this is surprising. This 100% sounds like Mike Woodson behavior. I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt, this sounds like A LOT of P4 head coaches throughout America. Frankly, I think it’s the reason why Woodson hasn’t landed an NBA job (HC) and was out of the league a few years ago. It’s because he’s stubborn. Does this change his future? No. Am I surprised Dolson didn’t say a word throughout all of this? No. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if Dolson didn’t have a single clue as to why they were meeting with Eric in the first place. Woodson is a stubborn head coach. He’s sold on his ways and does not like when people veer to the left too much. He will have to prove this season that he’s a good coach as this current roster construction is worthy of a Sweet 16 at minimum (credit to the staff and boosters). I’m going to give Woodson this year to really show he’s worth his salary, but frankly I see this program coming up short once again.

His last team in NY went 37-45 for 7th in the league in 3PT %. So you can pick and choose his best years all you want, but his knowledge of modern basketball is still lackluster. Frankly, I think that’s why he was never hired again as a head coach.

I haven't been here in a month or so as it's the off-season for Indiana Basketball. But these quotes were hard to digest. Of course he will play Ballo and Malik together to start, it will work great vs the cupcakes on the schedule. I'm more interested in his actual rotations in the B1G. His comment on wanting to play like his team in New York is hysterical. But, I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt this season and see what he can do with this talent. I imagine it won't be pretty basketball, but I'll let him see what he can do. I have my doubts of this style of play he wants to play in the years 2024-2025.

I agree with the recent posts here, all the pressure is on Woodson now. There’s talent there on paper, it’s time for him and the staff to produce a further run than a first round NCAA. Dolson made it seem like he wants Big Ten championships and deep NCAA runs. I personally could care less of a Big Ten championship. It’s a Sweet 16 or bust for this program next year.

As one of the founding fathers of the Fire Woodson agenda here, I will give credit where it’s due. The NIL support has kept Indiana afloat this offseason and has lessened the fire under Woodson’s chair. This team on paper is Sweet 16 or bust. I could care less about Big Ten regular season or championship, it’s all about what happens in the real tournament. If he fails to make it to the Sweet 16, it’s a massive failure. There’s enough talent on this team to make it to the second weekend, we’ll see if Woodson can coach.

I’ll make a longer post another day, but with the amount of talent this team on paper, there is zero excuses for Woodson to not get this team to the Sweet 16 at the bare minimum. That being said, I think a stronger coach could get this team even further. Can we all agree Newton and Leal will be out of the rotation? I don’t see minutes for them anywhere.

At this point it’s all role players from here on out. Indiana has its top 7 kids. There’s going to be some players out of the rotation come February.

Here's his shot chart and other stuff for nerds. His adv offense and defense isn't great nor is his usage to true shooting. But he would only have one job at Indiana.

Here's my prediction as I assume the roster is mostly done for the most part, they'll need to land a back-up forward here soon but that won't change much in terms of expectations I believe. Rice / Cupps Trey / Kaanan Mackenzie / Malik / Tucker Ballo / That's eight players in the Big 10 rotation and March. CONCERNS: 3 PT SHOOTING FT SHOOTING SPACING I'm not concerned with the defense, Woodson has always been a defensive coach, he'll figure it out. Offense is a concern for me in terms of what I listed above. Players will need to step up and Woodson will need to stagger the players with the bench. Rice and Trey need to be on the court at all times, at least one of them for shot creation. I imagine we will see a lot of four guard line ups, which is probably a good thing. SEASON EXPECTATION: Sweet 16 or better. I'm not too concerned with finishing at the top of the conference nor winning the conference. This is Indiana, we know the real results come in the national tournament.

Congrats to the staff! This has been a surprising off season to say the least. Assuming there’s no major injuries, this team SHOULD make the Sweet 16. Anything less than that, is a disappointment and a failure IMO. I think they’ll keep an open scholarship and land one more big guy if possible.

Liam anyone? Kansas just landed someone over him.

That’s where I stay when I visit Bloomington. Best hotel!

Sounds like a pretty good off-season. That’s when we all pack up for the summer and we’ll see each other again come October. In between his days of golf I hope he finds a way to not be in the bottom of D1 in 3PT FGA! Will Leal be okay with not playing because I don’t see him playing if Woodson lands all those guys.

I’d love to have the head coach from 2007 but that’s for another thread. LOL

The issue at hand is Woodson needs to get Indiana to a Sweet 16 or further. First and second round doesn’t get me up from bed.

I just hope the basketball is more modern and less 2007.

That's fair. Nonetheless, Indiana needs some backup forwards. Malik is foul prone as we know.

I think Trey came back with the promise of more money and to start. I could be wrong of course but I think Woodson should stagger his starters with the bench. A whole different second unit isn't something I see him doing with the amount of talent available still.

Rice / Cupps Trey / Kaanan / Connor Mack / Tucker / Malik / Ballo / That's nine players without any back-up forwards at the moment. It would be Woodson's most talented team to date. Newton and Leal out of the rotation.

Eight players is the standard rotation of basketball coaches on all levels. No one has the talent for 11 players to play regularly, the NBA doesn't even do that. Woodson is going to count on eight, maybe nine guys to play during the Big Ten season and post-season. He'll play 10-11 when Indiana plays the school of the blind in the non-conference. By the time the regular season rolls around, Woodson will know who is top eight are and will roll with it. IMO - Newton and Leal are out of the rotation at this point.

Exactly what I've been saying. Indiana has seven guys in rotation, Woody isn't playing more than eight during B1G. On the shooting front: Yes it's important for Indiana to get better shooters. But Woodson and company seriously need to play a style of basketball where they shoot more 3's. They were bottom 300's in D1 last season. That's not acceptable at the P4 level.

He’s going to have to decide if he wants to come off the bench at IU or potentially start elsewhere. Indiana has seven guys in the rotation. Room is running out.