Stromboli

Of course that could happen. Let's keep in mind this rule would help IU more than hurt us. We are in the group of teams that could poach good players from lesser programs. I'm ambivalent to the rule. I'll deal with it either way. I generally don't like limiting the choices of these amateur athletes. I am a little curious why we're even talking about it. It seems like the major issues facing the NCAA right now are concerning whether basketball/football players should be compensated in a manner that is more fair for their value, and the eligibility if a player does try to profit off his own likeness. So where did this come from?

I was just putting some furniture together and thinking about this. Just why are we being predicted to miss the tournament? That makes no sense! This is a well built team! Our main concern is that we don't have a backup center! Most teams can't field one good center. We have plenty of height and big bodies to compete. Good to see these tweets. I wonder sometimes if Archie doesn't get excited about what he's got brewing here.

Curtis has moves JBJ never had. Curtis is a funny case, in that he's a massive talent that has been hiding on our roster behind headlines about Thomas, OG, JBJ, coaching changes, and recruiting news. He came in with two very good shooting guards in front of him. And I think he, above many others, really suffered from the schizophrenic coaching last year. That's why he started like an assassin against Kansas, and then just withered as the season wore on. I disagree that CAM will start 3 guards so Curtis can start. I think that's a lineup that is just too small for the defense he wants to run. I truly believe CAM will base his lineups on defensive efficacy, and having three guards just doesn't provide the length he wants. Look at who he's recruiting, a bunch of lengthy, rangy players. RP aside, he seems to be looking for lengthy guards, and has spoken before about Al's value on defense with his length. Even talk of moving Jerome to SG. Whoa! Having that bevy of lengthy, quick guys works with the packline and constant switching, so there are no matchups to be created and exploited. I just don't see him putting a 6'3" Curtis in over a 6'7" Hartman. THAT SAID, Curtis may still start. I've heard the same, CuJo is showing signs of being one of the team's best. Add in that Robert came back from the combine being told that his place in the Association would be as a PG, and so Archie may just decide that Johnson and Jones are our best option back there. It certainly has some merit. I am not a Newkirk hater by any means, I'm just wondering if his abilities at PG over RoJo are so significant that it merits taking Hartman off the floor... or maybe Smith or Moore. I honestly don't think that there is enough, if any, increase from Johnson to Newkirk at this point to justify not fielding Archie's best defense (meaning only two guards). Round it out with Hartman, DD, and Juwan. Plenty of depth left behind them.

Sure they do! Welcome!

Archie REALLY seems to like him.

Good to get a feel for height in this pic. Race looks every bit of his reported height, Clifton and Justin Smith, too. And yeah Jager is a funny dude. His Instagram posts are awesome, always self-deprecating.

Treesh! Long time no see!

Yeah I read it's Damezi, Jerome, Rob, Trayce, and Romeo. And the rest of the team. I did not hear this directly from any source.

Garland just liked an Instagram post from IU basketball. If only he'd post some eyes emojis to really clear things up.

And Trendon. And Hurt.

Edit: Reply to USPS Yep, I didn't watch that game but I remember seeing the box score. He kinda disappeared. He's done that a few times. Hopefully there will be another event at Grand Park and we can meet up. I'm going to try to go to the Snow event in December, too. To Old Friend: I think everything has been said already, and your viewpoint is really important. This kind of spirited discourse is why forums exist. Specifically for Phinisee, I can't wait to see him play. Reports like yours definitely bring some excitement. I was really bummed that we missed on Henry. His impact on the game goes well beyond just points.

I'm generally tired of this discussion, but want to chime in on what USPSHoosier said. I attended maybe 5-7 hours of games over the course of 3 days in Westfield, too. It was very easy to see which players controlled the action on the floor. Garland was absolutely one of those guys. To mirror what USPS said, Coby White was tremendous. I wasn't there to watch him, and immediately it was evident that he was the best player on the floor. I look him up, and he was ranked in the 50s, but already committed to UNC. Ol' Roy had picked him out and locked him up long ago. He's now jumped up to maybe #24 composite. Another one is the little PG that committed to MSU. He's a little white kid that looks a bit more Rose Hulman than March Madness. But after my judgment, he went out there and was in the middle of everything, affecting the game. Come to find out later he was already locked up. Put me in the camp that rankings are an excellent tool. They are identified players that have skills and put up numbers. These things are great indicators of future success. Obviously not everything. That's why we play the game. That's why March is so much fun. Who doesn't watch a 12/5 matchup with a little bit of bloodlust? Who doesn't love the articles about Duke's team of 5-stars not meshing and being pretty beatable? And yet, we had Yogi, a 5-star, leading us for 4 years, and he was totally irreplaceable. Robert Johnson, a solid 4-star, has been a contributor for years. Josh Newkirk, a lower ranked player, plays a position that needs improvement. It is what it is. All of it, both the recruiting of highly ranked players and the rise of under-ranked, makes the game fun.

Vanderbilt is a great school in a great town. Drew has some buzz going on there. It is only 2.5 hours from Louisville (for his parents to attend games). They are not one of the huge shoe company contract teams, and just don't strike me as a shady school, and so I'm not about to jump to that conclusion. That said, IU is better. Just a better program, great coaches, better history. Very, very good college town. Bigger stage. For now, we have room for both, but possibly not for long. Romeo is a quiet kid and I don't really have a feel for what he wants. Everyone is inserting his parents into the equation quite a bit, which is fine. But I'm not about to put them in the same conversation as Waters' dad or Lavar Ball. They don't seem to be looking to profit off all this, just looking for the best situation for their kid.

Worst. Thread. Evverrrrrrrrrr.... I'd rather listen to someone convince me that Austin Boucher is The Second Coming of Damon Bailey.

Yeah there's no way George R. R. Martin isn't thirsty for his sister or something. Pervasive incest. Arya will probably take Baelish's face and use it later, which will be fun. Theon taking a knee to the crotch was a little goofy. Like the big Iron Born dude couldn't just go back to punching him in the face.

Totally. Hard not to see Trendon as part of the family, too. His comments upon receiving the offer were awesome.

We should be thrilled. Now add a Keion commitment tomorrow, and Romeo at HH, and we'll be the white hot team. Keep it rolling!

Great find! Excited to watch Robert.

Lol. Fight night is what my wife and I refer to as "dinner"!! Come on by, I'll tag you in! Watch for her jab!

I'm not a fan of boxing. I get that its an ancient contest and could be interpreted as the ultimate way to determine superiority or whatever. It's also barbaric and those are real brains getting jostled around. MMA is slightly better, in that at least you can win by arm bar instead of brain-shaking. This is a huge cultural event, that's all. Floyd should win easily. I guess I'll give Conor the proverbial puncher's chance, because if the phrase ever had meaning, it's here. The fighters and the promoters all know that millions will pay to watch if the Fightin' Irishman can land a punch on the Wife-Beating, Non-Reading Black Man. "Give the people what they want." And they'll enjoy the fortunes they receive until they're drooling and mad at 45 years old.

Thanks for the insight, Chris007. [EDIT: Off-topic question removed.]

I like it! Any idea what he's doing on campus?

I'm definitely following this recruiting closely. But last year I probably got a little too invested in the Kris Wilkes recruitment, and it sucked when he signed with Under Armour. Err, with UCLA. I think it's awesome that we're in the top 2 or 3. But it really feels like Romeo and his folks are going to be tight lipped about this whole thing. He doesn't play up his celebrity on Twitter, and he really doesn't give too many interviews. I think it is huge that IU is driving distance, as are many of the Big Ten games we'll play. That would not be the case with Louisville or Kansas. I also really think that Archie and his unassuming demeanor will be a boon. It seems to jive with Romeo's way. Here's a question. When was the last year IU didn't have a 5 star on the team? 2010 I think, but that team had Oladipo and Watford (ranked #35).

Where have you gone Robert Phinisee? Hoosier Nation turns it's lonely eyes to you. Hoo hoo hoo (siers).

Looks like the depth chart I had was 16-17. My bad. He was 57, and Daniel Ochefu came in at #49. So their average is 58, which is the same as IU in my little scenario. And yes, experience matters. We're talking about recruiting. Can't give them experience until you recruit them onto your roster. FFS. The point, Helpy Helpertons, is that we're building a roster that is good enough.