jonz44

Prayers to you and your family bigrod. My parents are both getting close to 80. It's my biggest fear for them. That they'll know longer be the people I've known all my life. I visit and speak with them as often as possible.

I'm really hoping and thinking you are right. DD ability to score and pass out of the low post will be sorely needed next year. I'm just hoping that we have the shooters and slashers to punish the opposition. Deron always seems to maintain a positive attitude. Considering all the health issues he's had the last few years he seems due for some good fortune.

If I'm not mistaken, didn't IPFW transition from division two to division one while Fife was there? If I remember correctly most thought he did a pretty credible job during that time.

Devonte? That you?

I believe you're correct on most of this. Your last paragraph? When you tell players you do or do not want specific things done and they blatantly disobey? You lose their respect and the respect of the other players as well. I thought the frustration was very evident on Archie's face and in his body language this year. More so than last year. It'll be interesting to see how this offseason continues to play out and what transpires next season. I really think the next 12 months are make or break time for Archie. Hope he makes it.

To me that just puts him in a bigger pool of people that did the wrong thing.

I read that article when Doyel wrote it. 1) I thought it was disgraceful that he would put a family's private financial business out for public consumption like that. 2) on the other hand? That's not a burden that any parent should lay on their 19 year old child. If he wants to return? I'd hope he would tell them, I'm not responsible for your decisions. I love you and will help you financially at some point in time if I'm able but this is my life and I'm going to walk my own path. I'd hope as parents that's what they'd encourage him to do so.

Sometimes we tend to go through life and think we're really having, or have had, it tough. Then you read stories like this and realize...holy crap! My life hasn't been so bad compared to what this person has experienced! A parent walking away from you has got to be one of the most crushing blows that could happen to a young child. Not sure why but Devonte has been my favorite player at IU the last 3 seasons. He can be frustrating at times but I like something about his game. Hope he stays and excels next year. Count me as one of the people who thinks IU could make a step in a positive direction next year. It'll require health, the addition of maybe a key player(or two), and some guys working to develop themselves but I think sometimes it's just as important how parts fit together as it is how much talent those parts have. Maybe I'm just a hopeless optimist, idk but I'm ready.

Honestly, watching their game earlier? After they won to reach the final four all I had was two thoughts. 1) we beat their a$$ twice this year!!! and 2) after all the s**t that's gone on in their program under Izzo's watch they're going to the final four and he, the media, and other coaches just act like life's grand and he's the greatest thing since sliced bread. It's really pretty pathetic. Makes a person think there is no justice and ya wanna vomit. I think Cal is shady but at least he doesn't have that crap happening!

Other than the Dane Fife part I'm in wholehearted agreement with you. I feel the next 12 months are put up or shut up time for Archie. I think he's done some positive things so far but he needs to make sure it continues in a positive direction. Concerning Dane, it's not that I'm negative on him it's more that I don't really know enough about him as a coach to form a strong opinion. I liked him as a player and he seemed to do a decent job at IPFW.

First sentence, I don't know. Second sentence, from all I've heard that's understandable and he's not the only one. Third sentence, very true but times have changed and IU hasn't exactly overwhelmed them with great memories the last 20 years or so.

Sorry, didn't mean for you to think I was taking a leap lol. I was just seriously considering your comment and asking a question (as much of myself as of you). I just think things have changed. I see these other programs getting kids who play hard and with passion and they're not from those states. To compete with Duke, UNC, UK, Virginia, Gonzaga, and those type of programs we need a large talent infusion. We also need a large infusion of heart. I don't think IU has the cachet anymore to get that solely or primarily in the state of Indiana.

Times change. IU can fight to remain in the past or embrace the change. Recruiting has evolved. Television, social media, and other influences have changed the landscape. I'd like to think IU could thrive solely with the kids that they could get from the state of Indiana but I don't believe that's possible. To many other programs have easy access to those kids anymore and we don't have a coach who is an icon or a program with a lot of positive recent history. When I've watched the level of basketball that's been played the last 4 days? We're a loooooong way away from that talent level.

Do you think that most recruits are sold on the school's history or the history of the coach and their relationship with him? I feel it's the latter. When I look at our teams history the last 20 years or so it seems the majority of our most passionate players have come from out of state. I think recruiting has changed and became so national now that if you're going to be elite you have to go national.

Players don't have to grow up being IU fans to be willing to come here and put their heart and soul into helping build a winning program. They just need a burning desire to succeed.

Romeo, Romeo, where art thou?... in Rob's room...

It would definitely be helpful for Archie to bring in 2 immediate impact guys. My question is, do you see 2 high impact guys AVAILABLE that he can bring in to help next year? Can't say that I really do. I think those horses are already out of the barn. If this is true? What do you see happening going forward? I can't say that I see any giant gains coming next year. Incremental at best.

Much of what you say I agree with. The only part I would somewhat disagree with is your first sentence. I'm not sure it's "his team" yet but it's quickly getting there. I feel that by the end of next year we should have a pretty clear picture of the direction the program is headed. He'll have two recruiting classes in and a third on the way. If there are not signs that the program is headed up I think Archie is in trouble. In other words, the next 12 months are put up or shut up time for Archie.

Oh man, you're probably gonna get killed for this but I'm kinda in agreement. Results matter above all else. Ours as a team weren't very good the last two years. Hope they improve.

I'm pretty happy with Archie but Marshall was my pick if we couldn't get Donavon.

I'm in agreement with you but what I've struggled to understand this season is why some players continue! to take those shots when the numbers don't lie??? You're not a good outside shooter! You continue to take those shots and your @$$ is gonna be on the bench!

We are inept in so many ways it's freaking comical.

Coach K, Cal, Wright, and Izzo have a little cachet that Arch hasn't attained... yet? It's a little easier to accept coaching from someone who has succeeded at the highest level of what you're playing.

About 8-9 games ago actually.

I don't believe we're supposed to mention names so I won't but I will say that I do agree with you that based on what we've seen those (that?) player would view it as an empty threat. That's the first thing that needs to change. The rest of this season would be the opportunity to provide them with the impetus to leave.