westgym

fooled trick or deceive (someone); dupe. This is the second time you’ve accused me of attempting to “fool” someone with information. I actually sat on the info for a few days (as you know) until it was clear there would be a Brad backlash due to unreasonable expectations. My intention was to get fans looking ahead versus pining for what would not be. Not sure why my info was considered an attempt to “fool”. Especially when we all know the outcome.

Brad Stevens’ persona/character has been under a microscope since 2010. There is nothing to suggest he is anything but a straight shooter and a high integrity man—either known by the public or those closest to him. He would not play these sort of games. A report of him saying “no” a few days ago sounds like it could have been along the lines of SD saying, “hey, I know we’ve discussed this in the past and you’ve said you’re happy in Boston, but I think we’ve got our guy unless something’s changed. Just thought I’d give one last chance.” Having donors think that Brad Stevens was still in play until the last moment was to IU’s advantage. There’s no benefit to Brad mulling this over for months and playing cat and mouse with IU that I can see. In any case—on to a new era for the cream and crimson.

Thank you for the kind words, good sir! I may rarely have the inside story moving forward, but this one was rock solid or I wouldn’t have shared. And hoping your neck is still intact;)

With the understanding that I have little credibility here, debated for the past few days about sharing this outside of a few through DMs. But here goes: A longtime friend and colleague of Brad’s told me over the weekend that BS will not be the next coach. Was this an exact quote from Brad? He didn’t say that, (and didn’t say it wasn’t) but left no room for doubt. Post this due to some fans thinking BS is toying with the fan base/dragging this out/is letting his daughter decide (!) and turn against him based on untruths. The sooner fans can let go of Brad, then it allows folks to get excited about the next great coach waiting in the wings.

Unlikely to know if anyone entered today until tomorrow at the earliest and realistically Wednesday. Programs must enter a player in the portal within 2 business days after a player notifies them of their desire to enter. Today would be the earliest anyone could have filed.

I’m wondering if it is, though. Were IU fans tracking his scouting appearances all along? And why would taking in college games be tied to the IU opening instead of just doing his current job. Fun to think it’s more, but nothing to find meaningful, imo.

That may be true. But take the ND game out for obvious reasons, is it that unusual or are we just more attuned trying to read tea leaves? I just don’t see why him watching college games means anything other than he’s prepping for the draft.

Would agree however executives can and do show up for conference and NCAA tournament games. And agree on not wearing team gear—especially Brad.

To clarify since the tweet about Brad at the game was from a “ Talia”—It wasn’t Goodman’s daughter—different Talia. Covers Florida.

Help me out here—why does it matter if that’s Brad behind the bench at the ND game? And I’d say yes—that’s him with Tracy to his right and possibly Molly Shrewsberry next to Tracy.

Still think the most logical explanation for this is that AD folks need to be available to manage NCAA game duties. Handle ticket requests, determine who gets what tiks based on point system, possibly a travel package for bigger donors, pregame rally, in addition to travel arrangements for band, cheerleaders—everything that goes with NCAA games. Plus all the additional AD staff that must travel. As to HC, they would need to plan hospitality events for big donors/prospects on the road. Also HC—why would they need to be prepared to accept donations around an announcement? Easily done online. It’s not like people line up in Bloomington and hand over a check:).

But you wouldn’t get the official “hang around” unless there was a good chance you needed to perform those duties. Wasn’t that long ago an NCAA invite appeared out of the question. And aren’t donations to HC just online and processed by a third party?

Couldn’t that also be to hang around to assist with tournament ticket requests, fan/alumni pregame events, etc. Lots of planning/entertaining involved with tournament games.

Not so much that it’s “all above board now”, but that it’s not being policed/regulated. Under the coming revenue sharing model and the 20.5M cap, NIL collectives will be more closely monitored to be certain players are “earning” their NIL so as to not to work around the cap. It will put a damper on some of the monies by collectives that have been funneled to players as pay for play.

You’re right, they are not permitted to be involved in recruiting a prospect.