Class of '66 Old Fart

Have we crossed into the Twilight Zone?  This just all seems too surreal.

:laugh:

Consider yourself lucky!

Do you really enjoy pain that much?  :D

All of you who were planning on a December bowl trip might want to reconsider.  Just a thought.

What in the hell is going on with IU athletics?  It's almost becoming comical - in a sad not funny way - with the number of players that are creating problems for our football and basketball teams.  To an old fart, this is progressing way beyond college kids will be college kids.

If the link works, you can watch McCutcheon's sectional final game against Logansport in its entirety.      http://www.waltonwebcasting.com/index.php?view=details&id=726%3Alogansport-vs-lafayette-jeff&option=com_eventlist&Itemid=2   If you do watch, keep an eye on Logansport's Jalen Adaway who plays on the UA Indy team with Scruggs, Gunn, etc.  He's had unofficials to both Butler and IU and has offers from Indiana State, Ball State, IUPUI & Evansville.

I saw him play in the McCutcheon sectional.  Wasn't necessarily focused on watching him because frankly, his name didn't mean anything as a potential recruit since he was only a freshman.  But I do remember that he handled the ball very well and found an open man for lots of easy McCutcheon buckets.

Once upon a time...........!   We've also  had a wee bit of problem in keeping the talent we do sign for a variety of reasons.

And Duke picks up a top 10 recruit in PG Frank Jackson.   Paraphrasing a classic 3 Stooges skit:  Slowly I turned; step by step; inch by inch and suddenly all the top recruits were gone.

UConn today picked up its third top-100 recruit for 2016.  We've picked up Grant Gelon who is probably a capable back-up player and Josh Newkirk who at the moment is damaged merchandise after having had microfracture surgery.  I'm worried and I readily admit I'm worried about next season's roster and our current recruiting efforts.  I just can't shake the feeling that we're going to get left at the altar and it will be last minute scrounging to fill the 2016 roster, i.e., MSB, April, Holt.... 

After all that's been going on, we need a commitment from one of our weekend visitors to put us into a better frame of mood.

The evidence in support of the university's decision must be overwhelming and very damning to take such action 1-week before the season starts.  And this on top of allegations that were made against their women's basketball program although those allegations didn't hold up but the combination certainly doesn't put Illinois in a very good light. 

I like 12-6 but wouldn't be surprised at 11-7.  Our typical late season swoons could be a real butt biter again.

That sounds right.  I was thinking they went on sale about 6 weeks before the tournament.

  I don't know when tickets go on sale but it won't be a sellout and if you end up with some bad seats just move into the ND section because they won't have much of a crowd at all.  Their fans do not support them at this event. 

You're right.  Mom couldn't have got 8 rebounds because she's lost her verticality due to arthritis.  :shout:   Yes it was an exaggeration but our poor defense made a lot of players look like first round draft picks. Newkirk got a lot of points and boards against us, but his season averages were nowhere near that good.  I'm not saying he's a bad pick-up but I'm not overly impressed and especially concerned about his surgery and if he'll be able to fully recover as did Colin Hartman or will he be limited in playing time because the knee just won't hold up to the rigors of B1G.  He didn't just have your basic everyday 'scope, he had microfracture surgery and that's a whole different thing.   I absolutely hope he proves me wrong.

  My 92-year old mother could have done the same as poor as our defense was last season.

  Maybe a little comforting but you have to wonder about the knee surgery - it wasn't just your normal scope - and what, if any, impact that can have.  From what I've seen thus far the time frame is a 6-mo. rehab which puts us at close to the end of this upcoming season.  He has to sit out anyway as a transfer, but the rehab period means he won't be able to participate in any meaningful team practice sessions this season.  On the other hand, I like his addition to the roster more than some of the other questionable additions we've had.  I hope his recovery is similar to Hartman's and he will be able to give us quality minutes in 2016.

He may have to become one!

Unless he absolutely has a horrible season, I think JBJ throws his name into the 2016 draft even if he's a borderline NBA pick and then heads overseas if he's not drafted.  I just have the feeling he never expected to be at IU for more than 2 years and he was optimistic that it might be only for 1 season.

I just don't think Alkins is a realistic commit.  Once again, I hope I'm wrong.

Ouch!

  This from ESPN:  Newkirk averaged 5.9 points, 1.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game last season for the Panthers. He underwent microfracture surgery on his knee on May 6.  The Panthers had hoped the speedy Newkirk would develop into one of the ACC's better point guards but it never happened. He struggled finding his shot, making just 38 percent of his field goal attempts as a sophomore in 2014-15 as Pitt failed to make the NCAA tournament.   Not very spectacular stats and now dealing with surgery rehab issues.   Not knocking either Grant or Newkirk but not exactly the first 2 commitments I would like to necessarily have coming in next season.  I know we have a lot of openings but I also can't help but think that some of the big names have give CTC indications they ain't coming to Bloomington.  Hope I'm wrong; very wrong.

Won't happen.  Too many players wouldn't pass and hurt the school's APR.