pumpfake

Fred might want to check on Georgia Southern's availability that day. UL basketball might be swinging from a rope by then.

Man, I have to feel our chances with Romeo have to be really good now. Logically, we should be an odds on favorite - if it was a two-way battle between us and UL, I don't see how another school immediately steps into it with the same odds. Of course, it's never over until it's over and things can change, but you gotta feel cautiously optimistic.

If the FBI uncovers records of payments to players, and these are substantial sums of money, won't those players be in jeopardy of being charged with tax evasion (or at least failure to report income)?

I'd imagine there'll be a lot of singing 'canaries' and soon.

Indeed. I think we've all felt suspicious about NCAA basketball for a while. Those that have been skirting the rules need to be ferreted out and punished - no matter who they are or what school they're associated with.

NCAA: There's corruption among our basketball institutions but we don't know what to do. FBI: Hold my beer.

...and when they do (investigate) they do it poorly.

Probably just Dakich trying to create a controversy out of thin air.

Well, I'll be angry as hell too. But I've seen nothing to indicated that Crean was willing to stoop to such tactics.

I'd be very surprised if these tactics were exclusive to Adidas.

Obviously this will have to play out, but as someone mentioned earlier, this is Big, REALLY BIG. It would seem that if this is true, the NCAA is going to have to react in a major way. Schools like UL should be very concerned that they may get the 'death penalty". (If not for this, then what would it take?)

I've suspected this for quite a while. It never has made sense to me how beholden some players are to certain brands and schools. Just too many instances of players making abrupt commitments to BIG name programs. As for our program, I recall Crean making vague comments about not playing certain 'games' in the recruiting process - I suspect he didn't go in for these shenanigans and was angry because we lost out to others that did.

Heck, if he needs a tie-breaker he look no further than the two courts. We have a beautiful and iconic setting while Vandy has that stupid layout with the benches behind the basket (honestly, who does that?) vbg

Obviously Trendon is a great prospect and it appears we are high on his list. I'm very impressed with the interview with Ernest - he and Mrs. Watford seem to have a really great family. The fact that Archie didn't come off as hyper (i.e. CTC), but rather laid back, is one reason I think our recruiting is seeing (and will continue to see) tremendous improvement.

^^^ Hmmmmm. I guess we'll know soon enough.

Wow, that's an absolute blockbuster roster of players and teams. As a Southport grad, the only game I'm not interested in is the first one, LOL.

I agree with this. In addition I'd think it also mean CAM should be pretty good at identifying PG potential and capabilities during the scouting and recruiting process.

Well, that rumor about the girlfriend is sure to get the PU cluster chanting "Boiler Up" (iuPUi). LOL

Unless my memory is going, I believe Birdman is Chris Hawkins ('Hawk') and is the current head coach at Crispus Attucks (who just won a state championship). Also as stated by btownqb, he's been a very trusted source of information.

I'd have to say that OSU got a solid coach and it's a good thing they have a big budget. They're still paying Matta for 2 or 3 years, Holtmann has a decent buyout and if they had to make a second run at him with a bigger check it's probably not chicken feed.

This is where I am on the issue. While you certainly don't want a mass exodus of players when a coaching change is made, just because the existing players are talented doesn't mean they are a good fit for the new system. Bryant has definite flaws and strengths and he's the one guy that could possibly retard the transition to CAM's style the most. Like "O" said, get the young guys some experience so they can improve and become proficient in playing the way Archie wants his team to - this should be the best thing for us long term.

I really liked the comment about having a post presence. I think Davis is going to give us that (much moreso than Bryant) - I just hope he can handle more minutes and stay out of foul trouble. I look forward to recruiting (successfully) another difference maker in the middle in 2018/2019.

100% agree. With the NCAA acting as the best feeder league for any professional sport, you'd think the NBA would be much more cooperative and coordinating. It's one of many reasons I have little respect for the NBA.

I don't know if it's much of a concern, but I wonder how often the evaluation suggestions may conflict with the role the college coach envisions. If a player is told to improve his dribble or drive to the basket and then tries to "showcase" his abilities to the detriment of the team. Like I said, maybe it doesn't happen like that, but I think we probably saw something like that with Vonleh. I would think that some of the kids that start their college careers with one eye already focused on the next level couldn't help but look at it as a way to show off their individual game.

I wonder how this might affect the stipulation in his contract (with IU) that he actively look for employment after termination? Kind of sets up a possible legal challenge. That is, unless the terms are defined in the contract (very possible).