pumpfake

Well it sounds like MB was leaning towards ISU before Hoiberg left.  If he is still undecided, I'd say it's time to move on.

  I tend to agree.  While Max could help us, he's not a difference maker.  If he wants minutes, fine, this isn't the place for him.  If he wants to contribute to a team that has a chance to be really good, he should have figured out by now that we're the best choice.

It was a decision that had to be made.  Hopefully we don't have anyone left that is so stupid as to get caught after this (?).   Three years of waiting for HP to finally turn into a ball player and just when it looked like he might actually contribute, he pulls this stunt.  At least we've finally purged the roster of all of our dismal failure project players. Before this happened I really believed there was a chance that Emmit might have passed Hanner on the depth chart by the beginning of B10 season - and he certainly has now.  Time to pull out the stops and grab a quality replacement - it seems like CTC may be better at the whirlwind recruitments than the lengthy ones.

  I think we've established that game suspensions won't deter this group - time to try something else (harsher).

  Interesting map.  Three things jump out: 1) MSU & UW kind of own their respective states, 2)  Three of the FF teams have poached Indiana, and 3) Kentucky doesn't produce squat.

Regarding the Blackmon decision: it reminds me of Jay Edward's decision to go pro, with the exception that Jay was a reliable, dead-eye assassin and JBJ not so much.  Edwards crashed and burned with superior skills (at the time of his leaving), it doesn't make any sense for Blackmon.   P.S. How can JBJ or Yogi possibly have more "potential" or "upside" than A.J. Hammons?

From a few years ago: "With his potential, Hanner could be a one-and-done".

  I find the characterization of those ready for a change as "groupthink" or "mob mentality" a bit insulting.  I know there are several on here, like me, that were anything but Crean detractors up until this season.  There comes a point when you've seen enough to know that the status quo ain't working and is unlikely to improve - particularly when you consider that the problems/complaints we have today are the same ones that the MU fans had when he left there.    I really believe that the meager expectations we have for the football team have lowered them for the basketball team.  I believe Fred is a prime example of this.   As someone stated earlier, you have to give it to Kentucky - they have lofty expectations and they did/do what it takes to meet them.  We should be the same way (as long as it's within the rules.)

  Only if they are tempered.  I don't follow recruiting as close as many, but by some things I've read TB would appear to need to add a lot of muscle (one site lists him at 217 pounds).

Bryant is a must get it seems.  However, it's hard to see adding him making us B10 favorites.  Maryland is getting a higher rated big man, Michigan State might land another in Swanigan, Purdue will have two experienced bigs.  Maker would be a difference maker (if only for one season), but I don't see us out recruiting UK or KU.  Reason for optimism, albeit measured optimism.  Missing on TB, on the other hand, yikes.

"Because I believe in the team he has assembled and is assembling, his leadership of it and their ability to start achieving our program goals, I continue to support Tom Crean as our coach."   After 7 years it's time to start achieving our program goals?

  Hell, what has he seen to make him think he can beat Wisconsin or even Purdue?

  Prophetic.   A key line is this one:   "Problem is, Indiana’s hiring the Final Four guy. If they ever get a glimpse of the NIT guy, things could turn nasty."

Dick Harter.

  Coaching adjustments and competent recruiting to be sure.

I couldn't tell what Crean was trying to get at when he mentioned the FT disparity.  Something to the effect of "we need to do more to help get them (the players) to the line".  Was he suggesting he and the staff needed to be more vocal with the refs or teach the players how to get fouled?

  I hope they have a big-head of Santa they can put next to the one of Ralphie.

A concept that I've considered is in regard to getting 5 star recruits (i.e those that will be one and dones).  It seems that there are three approaches to these players: 1) Bring in lots of talent EVERY year and be able to reload with blue chippers (UK semi-pro system), 2) Get that 1 superstar player and ride him to glory with a balanced roster of good players, and 3) Get the occasional elite recruit, but to do this have capable players in the program (and recruited) to take the position when that star bolts to the NBA.  Of course the opposite approach is to stock up with a balanced roster (by position and class) of competent, lesser talented players and build a solid team (Wisconsin model).  IMO, our recruiting is pretty much just grab the best players we can without regard to skill set or position.

  No argument with 90% of this post, however bringing in Buckner & Jeffries is the very definition of rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.

  Exactly.  Butler always has one, even some of our "cupcake" opponents have centers with real size & skill, yet we end up with unskilled "athletic" project players.  And while good (particularly for a freshman) Vonleh wasn't dominant by any stretch.  Bottom line is that Crean doesn't seem capable of assembling a team of parts.  At this point there's nothing to indicate we're likely to be bringing in difference makers, let alone somebody to patrol the middle.

  Can't really argue with that, but I'd give Nick Z honorable mention.

When I see that posted picture, I have to think STEVE HOLT!!! - or better yet,  EMMITT HOLT!!!

  I'll be doing my part.  No way in hades will I pay (a second time) to watch a game or two "streamed".  BTN is a mediocre network at best. (unless you're a UM or OSU football fan).

  It's the double-edged sword of recruiting top-10 players.  They come in ready to contribute, but since they're gone after one or two seasons, you have to recruit 4-year (QUALITY) players or land blue chippers EVERY year.  CTC's failure was in recruiting (and keeping) another quality big man or two and not signing another star.

  Counting last year it will be TWO - at least we're half way through, but with no light at the end of the tunnel.