Aaron

First massive transfer portal get for offseason adding Aiden Stewart from Delaware who will play in Cerny's place and fill in seemlessly. While it was at a mid-major level on a decent team (Delaware), I would be shocked if most of his .326 average and 9 home runs don't translate to Big Ten. This is a case of a player who outplayed his lower school and rightly wanted to move up a level and IU pounced. Assuming the four elite freshman come back, the offense should hum again, and it will be about the pitching as usual which will make or break team and this Mercer era at this point as he has clearly hitched his wagon to Glant and will sink or swim with him (which is a huge risk). So far, a couple portal guys here with not great numbers but really hard to know how that translates. IU has had anywhere from guys with great numbers previously struggling here (Seebold is an example of this), to a guy with not great numbers at last stop thriving (Giley is example of this). While offensive numbers are easy to read and will almost always translate between every NCAA team good or bad (and in Stewart's case very good), transfer pitchers are really hard to predict regardless of their stats.

Exactly on all of that. PG and Bird were like a married couple who were both at fault for acting like morons and refused to listen to each other and consider each other's views (ironically my parents got divorced for exactly this reason and are much better for it).

The rest of Hali's career starting in 2026-207 (along with Tatum) will be just fine. Since he is young and relies on shooting and passing and not burst or athleticism, the effect on his game as a star and team leaders should be minimal if noticed at all upon return (especially after 16 months off which Carlisle confirmed will be case on Indy radio today and Turner is still likely to return per him). Also, unlike Paul George (who came back just fine as a player despite acting like a jerk), Hali will be walking on to a championship contending roster intact and not have to be overburdened like George was with a bad roster. As long as Hali doesn't develop George's attitude which sounds unlikely based on his upbringing and personality, expect 5-10 more years of stardom with Pacers.

Pacers announce injury and surgery tonight for Hali. It should be noted the quicker you do it the better for recovery and the guy mentioned who is doing it is gold standard when it comes to Achilles surgery: https://www.nba.com/pacers/news/indiana-pacers-medical-update-tyrese-haliburton-250623 Still would not expect him to play next year, but given his game type and age would expect him to be back healthy for 2026-2027 with contending roster intact as well as his Achilles. Still sucks to have to close the championship window (although quite possibly a playoff team still) for a year in 2025-2026 with solid core intact. Unfortunately, this is what it took for best shot at championship this year Pacers ever had and closest they have ever come and most fun season in franchise history.

One suggestion I have that could help some with these high level of Achilles tears is to have a mandatory rest period for any diagnosed calf injuries similar to a concussion. Just as a concussion protocol is in place for player safety, you could have 'calf injury protocol' with mandatory rest period to protect the future of these athletes in similar fashion. While this would be far from a magic bullet, and some Achilles tears have no calf issues beforehand, trying to play through calf problems clearly has a very high risk of leading to career altering Achilles injuries, similar to playing with a concussion effecting career and life hence the protocol.

Best Pacers season ever with such an unfortunate ending, similar to a great fantasy novel with a 'tragic' final chapter. Pacers have some fascinating decisions now. Do you bring Turner back and pay luxury tax next season to win 45 games and lose in first round knowing you are a likely contender in 26-27 (I fully expect Haliburton to be healthy for 2026-27 given his age and the strengths of his game being shooting and passing and not athleticism)? Pritchard is shrewd at making trades so do you move Mathurin now or at trade deadline knowing he will be out of your price range if you sign Turner (can't go into second apron anymore for long and that goes for ALL teams which signing Mathurin would do)? Without Hali, expect Mathurin to have huge season in contract year, but how worth it is he to be sixth seed knowing he won't be back after it? Kevin Pritchard is a shrewd trader and elite GM and has most fascinating offseason ever, knowing current roster will be only decent in 25-26 and then a reopen championship window in 2026-2027 with rest of core signed long term on team friendly deals (and unlike NFL, NBA has fully guaranteed contracts, so tradeoff is you cannot ask for more money as a player when overachieving. What you sign for is what you make until deal runs out with no changes or exceptions allowed).

On that list, only Brenczewski, and maybe Swanson were likely to every contribute here. Others are the typical transfers that were either injured or near bottom of roster who enter portal at every other program. Cerny is interesting since I assumed he would be drafted and not spend anymore time in college, so was already mentally not factoring him into future. It's the four elite freshman on offense that will tell us a lot and who you hope to keep. As we know, offense is likely to always be elite and question will be if they can find enough good starting pitchers and bullpen guys with defined roles. If Glant is still here and the same issues happen in 2026 which causes team to miss postseason again, then the entire staff needs to be fired. I have defended Mercer and think he gets to much flack. However, if Mercer holds on to a guy in Glant who clearly is not doing his job well similar to Tom Allen and Darren Hiller, and it fails, then everyone needs to be gone regardless. Staff loyalty is a factor and Teri Moren did what was best for the program getting rid of her recruiting coach recently who was not getting job done for someone who likely can. If Mercer is blindly loyal to failing staff as Allen was, unfortunately I can say he is not cut out for the job no matter how well he recruits and develops players.

What is fascinating is by reappointing Buckner, Braun broke the law within the very same bill that gave him the power to make these appointments. The same bill limited trustees to three terms and Braun just appointed Buckner for a fourth. Will be fascinating how this plays out given he pick and chose what parts of the bill to follow by re-appointing Buckner which is really not how it is supposed to work. Will make the case against him in court with the changes in general (lawsuit is already pending) even more interesting since a court is now likely to scrutinize him and the state on why they are free to follow parts of the bill and not others. This is the part I am curious to follow. The rest is expected given the politics of the state.

Don't take my word for it being underachieving. Here is a recap from Zach Horowitz who covers team for IUBase.com with many of the same points I made: Underwhelming. A preseason buzz in the clubhouse that involved 'hosting a regional' flipped upon its head early in the season. Opening with a great opportunity to jump high in the RPI ranks, Indiana fell to an 0-4 weekend in the arms of UNLV (twice), now a national seed in Oregon State, and Xavier. The season rolled into conference play, where Indiana sported a 16-14 record, losing four rubber matches which included a dramatic loss to USC, where they once led 12-3. The Hoosiers hadn't won a Big Ten road series until Michigan in the final weekend of the regular season. The 2025 campaign ended in the first game of pool play to Rutgers, leaving 11 runners on base in the contest. For what feels like a massive let down year, given that Indiana showcased the Big Ten Freshman of the Year in Jake Hanley and two Big Ten First-Team outfielders in Devin Taylor and Korbyn Dickerson, they failed to make the tournament for the first time since 2022. In what now seems to be an annual occurrence, the Hoosier pitching staff didn't have much of an identity. This season offered many jumbled roles and the reliance on transfer arms became an issue. Cole Gilley, Ryan Kraft, and Ben Grable seemed to be the only legitimate hurlers, while Gavin Seebold grew into his own towards the back-half of the season. The injuries to Drew Buhr and Jacob Vogel played a big part of the staff's problems. This offseason will be crucial. A new era in collegiate athletics could alter a program in just a few months. There should be a good amount of roster turnover as Indiana loses many pitchers but hopefully keeps its young core who gained valuable experience in the lineup. I had wished for this season to involve more highs, with much positivity along the way, but the course of the season swayed away from it. Hoosier Nation, thank you for following along all season long. And, of course, a big thank you to @jovian34, @ChrisF3105, and the rest of the @SeeYouAtTheBart crew. I got the opportunity to create 15 articles and take part in 13 podcast episodes. Forever grateful for the opportunity and the future ahead.

Its about making the NCAA Tournament given talent of roster. Had no issues with performance in conference though this spring. 2016 team was third in league but missed tourney. 2017 they were sixth but made into a Regional. My measurement is whether they make NCAA Tournament given talent they have (which in 2016 and 2022 they did not). Not their placement in the conference. This was first time they had a clear NCAA caliber squad since 2011 and blew making it which by any measurement is a failure.

Everyone likes it there except IU and other fans who want to go at times when more centrally located. I think putting it in Omaha every other year makes sense given prestige and crowds. Then rotate it to somewhere more central in Columbus or Chicago or something the other times. Can't be in Indy with 500 as you said.

Publications preseason had IU borderline top-25 which puts you in range to host. Whether that was realistic or not is an open question but well known national publications had it within the realm of possibility. It was not a crazy thought till we saw team play. No one would have complained though if the reality was like 2023 where were very safely in as a 2-3 seed and top 35-40 all year. The bottom line though is IU massively underachieved. Given they have two high draft picks on offense, the direct culprit was the pitching where once again and Glant could not find set starters or roles for most part just like every season he has been here. At some point that is on you, when every year prior to being here roles and starters were found relatively easily. There is no doubt anyway you slice it this season did not come close to meeting expectations. Pitching has to get better whether it is development program (most likely culprit since never a problem pre-Glant) or talent. Whether this is by Glant or someone else, status quo cannot continue if this is going to continue to be a winning program. This season was worst season for the team since 2011 given expectations. I stand by that. This team had zero excuse to not make NCAA Tournament with talent they had.

A frustrating day with the NCAA selection show underway and IU not being in. Its not the first time, but only one since 2011 where you legitimately expected to be in at all costs when season started and wont make it. 2016 had hitting stink and 2022 had pitching stink with lower expectations. 2021 was weird COVID year with conference only and cant really hold that to normal standards. Those are only time they have missed since 2013 when program really came into its own. 2008 and 2012 had big runs late in season to nearly win big ten tournament but expectations were relatively low at that point. 2010 had worst pitching in program history (and made Glant's struggles recently look brilliant by comparison) where team was decent but nowhere near tourney quality. Pre-2008 program stunk. Its just annoying that this was a season where you should have competed to host a regional and instead missed all together. Expectations were similar in 2018, but then missing hosting meant being a two seed at a very tough regional in Texas and nearly winning it by making final game. That's how this season should have been if expectations were less then expected. Not completely missing postseason. It speaks to success that this is really only the second time where a high expectation season went completely off rails. However, it is still just as frustrating and cannot become the norm.

Mostly agree, but would argue Mercer didn't win enough this season and program is definitely teetering at moment. However, until this yr the bar of success was cleared (sometimes barely) during his tenure. 2022 was worse overall but that team was in a massive rebuild. This year was a bigger problem by almost every measure possible given talent and expectations. To me if Glant stays and everything continues status quo next season, then the staff needs to be house cleaned after 2026 if another season like this happens. If Mercer makes some changes to the pitching program and he replaces Glant, then to me at least he has a bit more leeway. How Mercer reacts this offseason to what was undisputably the biggest failure of a spring since (except maybe 2011) program got good in 2008 will say a lot.

Mercer has to wear this season being a massive failure anyway you slice it. Given this team has two potential first round picks you figured the floor was like what softball did this season of squeaking into a regional while the ceiling was contending to host and being borderline top-25 squad. The truth ended up being even lower then what the floor reasonably should have been. Mercer is definitely on the clock to do something about the pitching or he will likely be fired in a yr or two if he allows status quo to continue. Truth lies in between 'fire everyone' and 'program is in great shape and Mercer has been a great coach'. Interest in the program is starting to wain with the inconsistencies and IU as an athletic department will need to decide how important baseball success is if this starts to go south. Program is at a critical point and how Mercer reacts to what was indisputably the worst season since 2011 given expectations will say a lot.