Trish

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.

Boogie says he’s open to hearing from schools. Does Indiana make a call?

Rice / Trey / Mack / Malik / Ballo Personally I don’t like the Malik + Ballo combination on offense, not unless Malik is playing on the wing and shooting / making the 3. I doubt Trey is going to accept a bench role after coming back. Personally I rather have Malik come off the bench so Indiana can play more modern. Malik if not Ballo. Nonetheless Indiana has to shoot the 3PT shot more often than this season. Being in the 300’s for attempts per game is so bad.

I think this helps the case of firing him if anything. A good coach should take this team to the Sweet 16. If he doesn’t make the Sweet 16 this season, fire him. The NIL support has made it possible to buy this roster. Now just hire a great coach.

I'm in the boat of leaving scholarships open. You're not going to play all your kids, having that scholarship open allows more flexibility each portal season.

The talent is there for a Sweet 16 showing IMO. Experienced players and talent, no excuse not to get a Sweet 16.

Fully agree! No excuses outside of major injuries.

He must be a US citizen now.