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Why remove Pearl for next year? There are rumors our people chatted with his people this year.

Can you share the deets? I can't tune in.

It's rumored that his recruiting success at UK is based on impermissible benefits and NIL has leveled that playing field (somewhat). Any idea if that's true, and any notion why the recruiting success didn't translate to his head coaching tenure? Also, now that he's a spectacularly failed head coach, that may impact how recruits and their influencers view being coached by Kenny.

If we want to believe there will be a change, then we aren't real fans. If we aren't real fans what are we doing here? CMW and Leal have me really confused. Do I care about IU basketball or not? Things just got really existential for me.

Can someone post the AD and BoT emails again? I know it won't matter to them, but it will make me feel better to let them know how divisive and toxic the coach's comments were today.

I've never worked in a collegiate athletic department, so the following is an honest question. What makes Dolson unqualified? I know he had no prior AD experience, but that alone doesn't disqualify him. There are first ADs that succeed. We're told he's a great fundraiser. Does he not work well with others? Does he go rogue while making decisions? Does he not have the right priorities? Does he not have the right connections to outside sources? Is he too beholden to certain influencers inside the institution? This is all fascinating. Appreciate any insight.

Maybe they wanted a puppet.

I can't speak for others, and I'll try not to reduce my response to hyperbole; but as someone who would rather have May than Woodson, I'd hate to think IU would let a hot commodity with ties to the program take over at a a rival's institution. I would take Pearl, Donovan, and others before May, but I would also take May before Woodson. I'm not leaping anywhere, except potentially from the mismanagement of the IU program. May is just one example of an option that's got more upside to Woodson. I can have the same conversation about many other coaches if that helps others understand--for me--it's less specifically about May and more about using him as an example.

@Chris007 - Surely Dolson, donors, Whitten, BoT all know about the May to OSU chatter. Are they discussing options about how to satisfy the Woodson backers, while securing our long-term future with May? Dolson needs to scare the heck out of them with tales of what Dusty will do at OSU, knowing Dusty preferred to be here initially. Knight had opportunities to coach OSU, but he had already built something special at IU. Same could be true for Dusty. IU won't always be his dream job.

It would so sum up the complete failure of IU to gift OSU Dusty, just so we can have one more bad to mediocre year of Woodson. There's something cosmic about Knight growing up in Ohio and attending OSU and being a legend at IU and have the reverse for Dusty. Dusty is no sure thing, no one is; but I'd rather him roam the IU sidelines instead of OSU's.

Isn't part of the problem that the decision isn't Dolson's alone? If he couldn't convince the other powers that be that a change must happen before an anonymous source within the department announced CWM's return, why think he can do it now? I just have no faith this combination of administration, donors and university executives will get this right. In betting, the saying goes "The trend is your friend." For the last 25 years the trend with IU basketball decision-makers has been failure. They need to drastically brake that trend for me to have hope again.

Don't know if we will or won't land great guards, but college basketball media was slamming CMW comment about college being played inside-out. Also, he doesn't appear to run a guard-friendly offense. There's little movement, CMW has been said to not like his team shooting many threes, because he plays with two bags that clogs the lane for guards. In some ways I can't see how CMW can land amazing guards unless it's through overwhelming NIL deals.

While I understand the chatter about Pearl and May, it's a little disconcerting that those names are so dominant. I hope Dolson is casting a wider net--Drew, Donovan, etc. If Louisville snags Drew or Donovan and IU takes May, it would suggest to me that IU didn't aim high enough or IU is more damaged than I imagine. Big Ten has more resources and more stability than ACC. It's not like UL is ahead in NIL, facilities, etc.

Just based on my experience and discussions with colleagues, coaches do meet with ADs. The frequency, topics, tone, etc. all very just like they would with any employee/supervisor relationship, though admittedly the dynamic changes based on success, tenure, etc.

I know what the bottom line is, and I'm agreeing with it. Because of his lack of confidence he acted out in a way that made him incompatible with the job.

This × 100. The aloofness was mistaken as arrogance. He's an awkward person, and he didnt know how to embrace the attention. It's almost like he didn't have self-confidence and in some situations he overcame his lack of self-confidence with grander displays of righteousness . . . or so I've hear.

@Chris007 Without providing specifics, wink if you see options A - D in the list below. Amir Abdur-Rahim Dusty May TJ Otzelberger Scott Drew Tommy Llyod Mick Cronin Greg McDermott Tony Bennett Grant McCasland Nate Oates Bruce Pearl

I know. I've been here for years. I'm just having fun at how we're all await word from you about CMW's future.

This is @Chris007's board. Everything else is just noise. ; )

I love what he did to expose Illinois paying players.

Just to be clear, is Trilly saying IU has reached out to Pearl?

Nearly each institution in the BigTen has more money than they know what to do with. The new TV deal, big donors, etc. make almost anything feasible--if it is wanted badly enough. Also, if IU is willing to fork over $15+ million to get rid of a bad football head coach, then less money to move on from a bad coach in the beloved sport that has been the university's athletic identity for more than 85 years won't be an issue--if they really want to. These buyouts sound like big money, and they are huge deals. It's just that the wallets are getting so fat it can be difficult to comprehend.

He has been very impressive.

I'm just speculating--I'm not advocating. @Chris007 - Do you think Dolson would try to work a coach-in-waiting situation for May? Kind of like a one year deal that smooths the transition? Gives Woodson one more season to get thngs back on track but also secures the future. (Again, in Dolson's mind.) Similar to the Keady, Painter situation? Obviously, Painter had just one year at SIU and then made the jump. May is much more advanced in his career. Curious to get your thoughts. Is this something you think Dolson would pursue? Isbit something either coach would be amenable to?

Just to your comment that Woody didn't actively recruit guards, I've heard that IU did really try to get more guards from the portal last spring. One of the major issues was many of the guards were turned off by having X and Trey--two starters--return.