Old Friend

Reading through this thread the last few days, I have to say....we have a whole lot of people who love to speculate. Lots of odd guesses. Some who think they know what AND why. Some reasoned opinions. And some clearly fabricated crap. An impressive display! What we do NOT have is anyone who knows anything. Hell, boys...James Blackmon said he changed his mind 3 times walking on to the stage. What makes anyone think he knows what Romeo's going to do? Let alone WHY he's going to do it. He'll go where he feels most comfortable. Indiana is on the upswing, and he knows that. The current team has very little talent, but it has some..and more coming. Plus an experienced team coming back and a true point guard who he knows very well. I have no idea why anyone would want to play basketball at Vanderbilt, simply because I hate where the teams have to sit there. But Romeo will go where he can enjoy his college experience; work on his game; and where he feels like the best fit. And none of us know that. I would bet HE doesn't know yet.

There are games, players, recruits, movies, ice cream flavors, favorite dish soaps, art, the periodic table, dogs, wives goodand bad, kids, birthdays, snow amounts, construction zones, brooms, mops, pots, pans, and a litany of other things we can talk about. Why is anyone discussing this?

Think he'll do more as a freshman than Berry did, but I'd say that's a good comparison. Phinsee is just smart. He knows where team mates need the ball, he is a natural leader who can run an offense, and he lets scoring come to him. When he plays with the best kids his age, he always looks like he belongs. (at least when I've seen him) If he fails, I'll look foolish because I've been bullish on him for a long time....and I have zero worries.

This is my horse. I saw him play in the state finals as a sophomore; and I could see it even when his body was not yet developed. Tis kid is fantastic and WAY better than his ranking. Likely a 4 year player; and as much as I want Romeo; this is the kid I wanted most. He is now showing what he really is....we're gonna love him.

Did anyone else thing the broadcast team was Clark Kellogg and Mike Tirico? I swear to God, until I saw the guy and saw his name (which I didn't recognize), I thought it was Tirico.

Something I loved and never saw under Crean. We adjusted to what another team's defense was doing, set up offense to beat it, and executed it. During the game. Loved that.

Open to interpretation, but given his history with me, I thought so. Was there a point to the first sentence other than to condescend? I responded in kind. You think it was unwarranted. I disagree. Over.

First of all, my original question was "why would Morgan leave?" which is hardly against any civil policy. You can also ask people to respond without being "reason for censor side stepping." Calling a spade a spade. Morgan is not at all the most worthy pro player on our roster at this time. That would be Justin Smith. Way more athletic and a bigger pro-style body. Morgan wasn't on anyone's radar 9 weeks ago. Yes. Any player on our roster can play professionally somewhere if they want to. Have you seen some of the leagues in foreign countries? There are mediocre high school players who could make some of those teams. There are 10-12 professional teams in every country in Europe, and more than that in Asia. There's another 16 year old 6'2" guard named Coco Nazareno from Albania playing in Lithuania. I would bet anything I have he's not a better player than anyone on our roster. Which is why I asked....why would Morgan leave? (above anyone else) It was a legitimate and reasonable question unless you want to spin it otherwise.

It was a condescending sh*ty answer. Don't hide and put it on me. I asked a question because you made a statement and you were a smart @$$. Back to the question which you still haven't answered. Why single him out? That's true for every decent player on every team in college basketball.

You don't have to be a smart @$$. I was asking a question because you made a statement.. JBJ and Troy both had far more transferrable skills than Morgan has. Blackmon averaged 15.7 points/game as a freshman. He was far more developed and a far better shooter at his position than Morgan ever was. Morgan averaged 2.4 games as a freshman and 7.4 points last year. This is his first season doing anything marketable as a long term basketball player; AND he is a "tweener." Yes..he COULD leave because he COULD make money in, say Spain. Would that be in his long term best interest? Is that his goal? (It was always Blackmon's, and Williams' sort of ignored the classroom if you get my drift) Then anyone on our team can leave. Why not talk about DeVonte Green, too? Or Justin Smith? Or Clifton Moore? They all have equal or similar value internationally, right? Why would any kid stay in school if going to make money is that high a priority just any old time? Or are you someone who thinks because a kid has a few good games in college, he all of a sudden becomes an international basketball prospect and "at risk" of following money? Do you believe ALL players are that shallow and use college basketball as a means to an end? Can we just say our whole team is leaving early because "traditionally, people leave college to make money?" Zach McRoberts could get a job and launch a career managing any small retail store tomorrow if he wanted one. Why doesn't he leave? So....I'll ask again and also ask that you skip the condescension. Reasonably now....why would Morgan leave? Edit : I know most fans drastically over rate their own players, but seriously boys....

Why would Morgan not come back?

Between 2015 and 2017 : Indiana improved > 169 yards a game (from 509 to ~ 340) in total defense. #1 in the country for that stretch . Indiana improved by > 134 yards allowed in passing defense (> 313 to 179) in passing yards allowed. #1 in the country Indiana improved from .421 to ,299 in 3rd down efficiency (how often opponents converted 3rd downs). #6 in the country Indiana improved points per game allowed from 37.6 to 25.3. The 12.3 PPG change, #9 in the country Opponent completion % has dropped from .595 to .545. He needs to improve on the offensive side of the ball. Absolutely. But if anyone is questioning his ability to connect with players or do his job; take a look at the numbers again. Kids who don't buy in? I'd place that blame on kids. Because those who DO buy in - on the defensive side, anyway - are clearly playing far better than they did two years ago.

The sad part is the thing could be incredible with some work and effort. The layout and topography are perfect. I loved playing it when I was in school....always a fun round; but they need to lose some trees so the course gets light and air; and take better care of it.

Indiana plays better without him; at least recently. He looked out of shape the last few weeks, or at least not as "in shape" as he was earlier in the year; and his effort/statistics certainly faded. Was also not a high-minutes guy for us, and played more than 20 just once since December 9th. He played okay against Iowa and Louisville; but after that, scored 2, 7, 9, 9, and 2 against pretty inferior competition. Generally shot a good %, but started out the season taking 7-8 shots a game, took just 4-5 in the last games he played. He was dropping off significantly; and other than depth, I don't think we lose much without him. He needs to work a heck of a lot harder on his game and on his body if he wants to contribute like a starter on a good team.

I will say it again. Phinisee is better than that. He is only now starting to show he can score, and putting up 31 a night. He will start for Indiana from day 1. Just like Yogi did.

48 and 15 sounds like a good night.

Yes. I read Black Wind, then another by him that I swear was longer than an Easter Vigil. Need to find it. First to make sure it was another by him or if I'm mistaking him for someone else in this case. Which is possible.

Not all of 'em. Sheesh I have one that's gotta' be 600 pages. It's a good western, but it's not short!

Hansbrough was the beneficiary of the best secondary break in the history of college basketball. He was incredible at the rim run; and his team knew exactly how and where to get him the ball. But yes..apart from that, Morgan and he are very similar. A good comparison I wouldn't have thought of.

I have told many kids whom I've coached when they look at schools that may not be where they want them right now...."be the reason." Phinisee - with the right players around him - is good enough to lead a great basketball team. With Morgan, Davis, Smith and a cast of solid rotation players? That's more than good enough to compete for a Big Ten title; and I'm telling you right now, Butler has less talent than that and they beat #1 last week. What it takes to win a national title has far less to do with a collection of talent than it does chemistry and a team with pieces that fit. Romeo fits with that group. Smith just put up 20 on the road and looked like an NBA "4" doing it. We all know what Morgan is and can be as a senior. Phinisee is terrific. He will be at least as good as Yogi was as a freshman....and I think better because I think he's better as a scorer than Yogi was then. If Romeo looks....he will see he has every bit as much chance to win here as he does at Kansas. "Be the reason."

What skills does Morgan have at the next level that would make him go that route early? He is a 6'7" thin post player with a jump shot that may or may not be consistent. He is a WONDERFUL college player. He has skills that do not, however, transfer to the NBA.

Davis is out. I don't know for sure, but if he did anything but strain his achilles tendon, he's done. I am shocked, seeing what we did from Smith that he hasn't played more. Davis was very good early, and just awful recently. I think with Morgan and Smith as our front court, we are as athletic up there as any team in the Big 10 save one or two. I just wish we had a reliable point guard. Newkirk has no confidence right now; and he's playing very poorly.

Durham can red-shirt as I'm concerned. He is a bad basketball player right now; needs a lot of work, and his minutes haven't been productive. (Lest anyone think I'm being hard on him, in the last 10 games, he is shooting 12-35 from the floor and has 13 turnovers.) He is playing because we have nobody else; and I REALLY hope we add a guard to next season's class, whether it's a grad transfer or a freshman. Phinisee will start immediately (I think) and he'll be terrific, but he needs help.

He has to score, though. Otherwise, teams will adjust defenses and he won't be nearly as effective as he has been on occasion. He was invisible at Wisconsin, and.....we know the result. 0 points combined in 2 games isn't going to cut it. Yes he does the little things; but if he's not a threat to score, that is an EASY defensive adjustment for any coach.

I just think it limits teams and coaches. People don't donate because kids stay 4 years even if they don't contribute. They donate when you win. PS - Al Durham is really struggling.