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Have you watched IU this year? The Hoosiers have a giant gaping hole at guard too. ; )

I love all the Hoosiers, but I can't imagine the duo of Race and Trayce is what Woodson really needs for his system. Ideally with 4 out and 1 in, you have four players who can shoot well from deep and can create off the dribble. All due respect to Race's many talents, those are two things he doesn't do well. Also, if Trayce can't develop any semblance of a jumper he will continue to clog the lane -- making it harder for our guards to create off the dribble. When he screens around the parameter everyone knows there's only one thing he will do next. When Race is on the parameter it's too easy for his defender to sag in the lane. Together they negate the advantage of spreading out a defense to create open driving lanes and open three pointers. Again, I love these guys and wish them the best, but their talents aren't very complimentary to what Woodson would like to do. There's a reason IU had the worse offense in the B1G. IU has some nice pieces, but as a whole they aren't necessarily compatible. The guards are excruciatingly one dimensionly too, which doesn't help. Some arw only comfortable shooting from deep, while some are predictably only adept at driving. No one, with the exception of X sometimes, can score at even two of the three levels.

I really can't show enough appreciation for this post. You are a messenger of truth.

On one hand I understand what you are saying, but on the other it's difficult to deny what the kids are saying about their recruitment these days. Duke plays in a small gym, but it's a nice place. Also, there are a lot of bells and whistles around it that make a kid's eyes pop, same with UNC, UK, and KU. They have great swag (on a pod cast earlier this season an IU assistant coached talked about how the swag is a big deal to these kids). We know IU upgraded some facilities in the past 10 - 15 years, but I know some visitors who have said these upgrades took IU out of the 1980s, but they don't compare to what kids experience at other high-level basketball schools. Facilities aren't the end all be all. Those elite schools have great coaches and they win a lot, two of the most important missing elements for IU. That said, IU will continue to lose the wow-factor for some elite talent because IU doesn't bring the same glitz.

Look at what UL has gone through since he left. The vacated title and mediocrity (at best) since . . . with sanctions and other schools doing negative recruiting. The impact of the cheating was a net negative. If only catching and punishing the cheaters were more of a priority across all programs . . . But I digress . . .

The short answer is yes. The slightly longer answer is that the issue goes farther back than 10 years. IU could have gone with a big hire after Davis's interim year, but they made a concerted effort to put basketball in the back seat. Some high ranking admins and donors didn't like that the basketball program was the school's identity. That concern has carried over for more than 20 years now. It's a deep rooted issue, and only time will tell if the new president and new AD can/care to find the donors with a different mind set and will lean on certain admins to adjust their thinking. The fans, the history, the media interest -- so many external culture points are aligned for IU to be relevant on a consistent basis. The question is whether the new power brokers can/care to change the culture on the inside.

Wish everyone the best no matter what happens. Based on playing time, new recruits, draft projections, the transfer portal, etc. it's tough to guess. One thing I'm curious about is if CMW will pursue another guard in the portal at the end of the season. We need more guard help than what CJ Gunn and JHS can provide next year. TJD - I think he stays. He is not close to getting drafted. The staff is trying to get him into the mind set that he's a sophomore, that's why he is listed as one. I imagine he'll test the NBA waters and get feedback for how to improve him game (the broad strokes we all already know), and he'll return to work on those aspects. Race - Taking the opportunity to speak at senior night makes me think he's leaning toward leaving. Opens the door for more JG (good, bad or otherwise). Michael - I think he goes somewhere else for more minutes. Parker - A little surprised to learn he'll give a speech tomorrow based on the journey he's had in his college career, though maybe he isn't jiving with this staff (ie, the suspension, the benchings). He has been more active driving the ball in the second half of the season, which makes me think he's taking to the coaching. Kopp - He hasn't provided what we brought him in for. He's too one dimensional and too hesitant to pull the trigger in his one dimension. Nothing would surprise me, but I think his minutes could be best used by someone else. Rob - Such a heartbreaking career. Would be a little surprised if he stayed, but not leaning into the senior night speech was interesting. He could find himself behind X and JHS. Lander - Maybe he goes, maybe not. He has his whole career in front of him with the covid year and potential redshirt year. If he were to transfer, where would he go? I would think IU is still his best bet if he wants to play high level college ball. Logan - Don't know why he'd transfer. Staff really wanted him to stay committed last year. He needed a season to gain weight and learn from experienced players. I think he can bring it in spurts next year.

I'm over simplifying it, but while the lack of any consistent shooting from deep is horrendous, the problem goes deeper. It's the guard play overall that hampers IU. There isn't one guard who can create on his own. There isn't one guard who can take it to the goal with any consistent composure. There isn't one guard that can hit free throws at a high level. There isn't one guard anyone can reliably state is a lock down defender. There isn't one guard that has the talent or mental fortitude to carry this team when enduring a bad stretch in a game. Basketball is a guard oriented game, and IU's roster is littered with inept, one-dimensional or complimentary guards.

Greg was a highly recruited kid who averaged about 10 ppg as a freshman and was selected in the 1st round of the NBA draft following his senior year. I don't know about C.J. as I've never seen him play, but that's a tough comparison on paper at least.

I believe Dec. or early Jan. of Romeo's freshman season.

Difference between Kopp and Stewart is that Stewart had to sit out a year. He's had an unusual journey. Another difference is that Stewart has been a lot more reliable from deep. I think IU will want to keep Stewart for next year.

I'd also love to see the script "Hoosiers" on the road jerseys.

Top high school talent won't be scared of Cupps, Lander, Leal, Galloway and Gunn. I mean no disrespect whatsoever. It's just knowing that a) Talent isn't afraid to compete against and play with other talent. b) Every high profile school will have junior and senior guards that make incoming freshman consider how they might fit the roster. Those juniors and seniors at other top-tier schools are just as talented -- if not more so -- than what IU is currently packing. c) The portal. While it's likely some of those kids stick with IU through graduation, it's also likely some will not. Not even the coaches know exactly what their roster will look like in April, let alone April 2023 and April 2024.

When people (especially coaches, media) put labels on you that limit what you know you are capable of it can be frustrating and discouraging. Those labels by people in a position to dictate how you move forward on your desired path can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy (theirs) that makes it incredibly more difficult to rise up against to prove them wrong.

Quick point of clarification. We wouldn't forfeit. PSU would forfeit and we'd get the win if the current rule stands.

I feel like the fanbase was pretty jazzed November through Xmas of Romeo's year.

What does a Cupps commitment mean for IU's recruitment of Fears?

I can't make this clear enough for everyone. Sam is as on the outside as anyone can be. He tweets things that he reads on boards, then he hopes it comes true. The other thing he does is post in an ambiguous way, so people can infer what they want and he can cover his buttocks.

I'm not saying they should replace SSAH, but it's not as if the only two options are keep the building or build what everyone else is building. Some new facilities do a great job of providing modern conveniences (like better site lines) while artfully, respectfully paying homage to the past.

Agreed no one should expect video from a secret scrimmage, but to your point about no video prior to the first game he did allow Bahamas video.

This whining and throwing around of unfounded rumors is was the Vols did when IU landed JHS. (They said IU promised him a starting spot.) So many posters thought it was sour grapes. So many posters thought those comments were pathetic. Now so many posters are doing what they called out Vols fans for. Maybe it's true, or maybe the kid just likes Alabama better. The program has a lot going for it.

I understand what you are saying, but the "half way" offer means a little than nothing at all. (This isn't always the case. Some kids want to know they are wanted now.) IU could slow play Leal because it was known that he'd commit with an other. It isn't the same situation with JQ.

Remember when OSU football players sold gear about a decade ago? That cost them a season. However, that was like five players. That said, because the mood has changed (and the regulations not long ago) -- combined with the fact the NCAA is inept and has no adherence to precedence -- my guess is nothing noticeable will happen.

Thanks for the info! Minor note, Cooper Koch attends Notre Dame High School in Peoria, Illinois -- not Iowa. 

Bigs that can extend their range are valued at every level. Just think about how the IU coaching staff, especially Woodson, is committed to helping TJD improve his jump shot. The staff wouldn't do this just to help TJD get to the league. They know if he can develop an outside shoot it will improve the offense.