Hardwood83

I would also add, I'm not a fan of transfers inside the conference. Michigan is screwing themselves by pushing out these guys and I agree the players shouldn't get punished- but not a good precedent for them to move to conference rivals.

Boooo:

Really? Not trying to be a hater, but I don't see Spike making that much of a difference. Sure, he's a solid back-up PG (although maybe a starter for them) but not moving the needle that much, IMO. Plus PU (ESPECIALLY) without Swanigan looks very pedestrian. I think they will fall back pretty significantly from this past year, which as you may recall wasn't that spectacular. I would have preferred he go elsewhere, for sure, but not exactly the missing piece for the Toiletmakers.

No kidding, we just saw with Carolina what a luxury it is to have waves of big athletic guys off the bench. I would still love to pick up a true back-up Center via Grad transfer, a la Max.

If IU stays healthy and the Sophs make solid improvement, Hoosiers will be the best in the conference. Unfortunately I think Wisconsin will be very tough too. I'm not as sold on MSU. I know, I know 'Izzo this- and recruiting class that'....but looking at their roster doesn't intimidate me. Come on, their starting center is named 'Gavin', that's not intimidating unless your playing golf at the country club. Who is gonna play power forward for them? They are successful by rebounding and defending the crap out of the interior.....not sure the Spartans have the team for that this season. Plus none of those super recruits are replacing Valentine & Forbes, so I say they drop back a level. I think Purdue takes a step back too. Hammons and Davis (defensively) will be tough to replace. Ohio St might be much better, although I'm glad Giddens bolted on them- he has potential. Good news for Michigan is they get everyone back....bad news is they get everyone back. They are solid, but no where near elite.

I'm not shocked or upset he's pursuing this.....just not sure what happened over 13 games and an injury that will change from last year? NBA: "stop hurting your knees and play better defense....oh, and growing 3 more inches and better ball-handling wouldn't hurt either"

See Freddie. See Freddie Dunk. Dunk Freddie, DUNK! Dude can leap and I agree his shot doesn't look too bad, a little slow on the release, but if he can hit over 30% from 3, rebound and occasionally, yes, dunk, I think he'll do just fine. A lot of possibilities at the 3-4 spots.

Yeah, no kidding- but USC is #14 and UCLA top 10.......

I don't like it, but agree Happ's going to be really good. As for Haas? I think he'll have trouble playing a lot of minutes- averaged only 14mpg this past year. I know that was backing up Hammons, but I have a hard time imagining him playing 20+ mins a game. Just too much of a big lumbering dork.

So who's been the most successful IU transfer at their new school (Crean Era)? Fischer? Remy? No one really stands out as being a difference maker elsewhere. IU sure coulda used Fischer for a couple yrs though.

Well played.

Not only that, but would you rather have a player that is a known quantity that could improve even more or an unknown Juco? Not that those are the only 2 options, but that makes it pretty simple to me. I like the very little I know about McSwain or even the Aussie, but Troy has proven he can be a difference maker. Let's hope his Sr Season brings consistency.

I know nothing about their recruits, but I think Johnson was the real difference maker on this year's team. Subtract him and they drop-off pretty fast. Meeks, Jackson, Berry- they're all good, but not scary. I'd like another shot at them without Paige having THE shooting half of his entire life (future included).

They won the last couple that I can recall: Zimmerman and Okonoboh. Apparently Goodluck is transferring, but a few minutes of google-fu failed to produce to where.

I predict a UNC @ IU rematch, kinda like they did with Syracuse a few yrs ago.