Lebowski

The local paper down here is reporting CAM is interested as is UCLA. https://www.courierpress.com/story/sports/college/evansville/2018/03/15/ryan-taylor-explore-other-options-after-two-seasons-evansville/430780002/

Good to know. Should be interesting to see this play out. Honestly, I hope he comes back. But regardless of what happens, I think UE did the right thing of letting Coach Simmons go. I didn't like how it happened but I think it was probably time for a change.

If that's true then that's actually a good thing for UE basketball, especially if they want to be conference contenders year after year. This job can be a really good job to land and if the school is willing to go "all in" then it makes sense to ask for a bigger pot. I mean it wasn't too long ago that Butler was playing in the Horizon League and considered a rival.

https://www.courierpress.com/story/sports/college/evansville/2018/03/14/looking-potential-evansville-basketball-coaching-candidates/423100002/

There's a buzz down in here that Cal's in the running for the UE HC job. Not sure if there's any validity to it though.

Thanks for sharing. I ended up reading a lot of his tweets. Man this guy seems like a really good hire. Seems like he has a "Moneyball" approach to things.

The fact that coach after coach after coach is saying the same thing about 'a change' speaks volumes. I hope the hammer comes down.

I'm not sure that would be case. Because a scholarship might prevent that from happening. Meaning, discrimination isn't really happening here. Another thought is a softball student-athlete at Florida or Oklahoma has a "higher value" compared to a softball player at Valpo. It's just the way it is. Any purchase of FU Softball t-shirt, and I would assume there's a lot, isn't going to go the Florida football team.

Well, the context is "paying the student-athlete" so I would assume it's the actual student-athlete you're currently watching on the court. All those other guys you mentioned are now professionals in their respected fields. Of course that's all up for debate though. I was thinking more of a percentage as a whole, meaning the entire basketball team will get a cut. But that would all depend on how the rules are established.

I'm not sure. I think it'll all depend on how the rules are established. Ever buy a school jersey/uniform with a number on it? Or a shirt that says IU <fill in the blank sport>. I live in the Evansville area and here UE sells a lot of multiple sport apparel. Certainly a percentage of those sales could go to the athlete(s) that are helping sell the product? Also, supply and demand is what it is. If a kid is good enough to play for UConn's women's basketball team she'll probably end up being compensated. If another kid is good to play for UE's squad then a free education is worth something. It's not like every high school student-athlete gets that kind of opportunity.

Bye Felicia.

I'm a happy camper. Can't wait to see what CAM does with an entire year already chalked up. Two of the top five state of Indiana recruits will be wearing the candy stripes, a red-shirt 4 star from Minnesota has an entire season under his belt, Ohio's #2 recruit is coming to Btown, and PA's #3 recruit will be joining the party. It's a very Villanova-esque type of recruiting class. That's without a possible shooter down in the southeast part of the state committing to IU. Future looks bright for the Hoosiers.

I tend to agree with you but a good D sinking free throw usually makes up for that kind of stuff. The MSU game is a prime example. And man, if all of the sudden a consistent guard play comes into it then I am almost certain IU makes some noise in the B1G tournament.

I might be having delusions of grandeur because of my bias but I really think if this improvement continues and they actually start sinking their free throws they might make some noise in the B1G tournament.

Thank goodness for the D because 44.4% at the charity stripe typically doesn't cut it. It was like the upside down last night. McSwain went 4-4 from the line and Johnson went 2-6. But man, that D! Absolutely velvet.

I was just talking about how much better this team's defense is compared to last year's team. Heck compared now to the start of the season is night and day! I think it all changed once Davis went down? It's like they had to play a completely different style?

I agree. And I'm not even sure elite players are necessary. A good example is Villanova. Just as long he's able to get his type of player he wants then I think (hope) us IU fans will be happy. His current team on the court are playing way beyond their potential. And if they manage to win eight games in the conference this year that's better than last year's three professional players on the roster team. Last night's game was tough to watch. 36.4% from the field and that consistency of 55.6% at the charity stripe doesn't really bode well for any team. Free throws. If they can make their free throws the wins will come.

OK, I'm now able to comment about this game, albeit I'm slowly recovering from that tough pill I swallowed. I thought IU played a decent game overall. They just played a really really good team to the wire. If this team can just get better at free throws they have a really good chance to finish above .500 in conference play. In my opinion, finishing above .500 is a very successful season with this team. These kids are giving it their all and I really like what I'm seeing with the overall progression. Now if they can somehow find a way to finish, along with improving their free throw shots, I think they actually can make a legitimate run in the B1G tournament. And if they can do all that starting tonight at OSU they may actually have a legitimate shot of getting an at-large bid to the dance. Highly unlikely but the potential is there and this team is playing way above its potential. That's a credit to the team from top to bottom. I'm seeing a lot of good things. A lot.

55.2% at the charity stripe with almost 30 attempts pretty much explains a two point loss on the road. Free throws. Make your free throws and all of us today would be talking about how awesome the win was. UI pretty gave a blueprint to the Iowa's of the league on how to beat IU. Put them on the line. It's been a problem for them the entire season. Overall I was really impressed with the team in the 1st half. They seem to be playing much better as a team. Honestly, I never would have thought I would be saying that after the season opener.

CB/S Kevin Brewer picked up CBs back in September. I'm wondering why he hasn't committed to any school yet? I really like the coaching staff going after Juco Kenny Turnier. If he decides to be a Hoosier that adds depth and experience rather quickly.

Juco SDE Kenny Turnier is another one to keep an eye on. I think he originally signed with Oregon State in 2016 and IU was on his short list back then. RB/ATH Andrew Cunningham has an OV coming up on the 27th. Looks like he's narrowed it down to IU and Louisville. OT Hamilton Hall just had an OV last month. He's got a nice list of offers but it looks like he might end up at Miss St.

Fun game to watch. I really enjoyed to see #3 J. Smith step up. A lot of positive to take away from this game. They were hitting their shots too! Was it me or did it look like they were playing with some chemistry? I think I really noticed it on the defensive side of the ball or was that Minnesota is just playing that bad? Hope they can stay on this awesome train for the next game against PSU this Tuesday at the Hall.

Man, bummer news. Hope it's not too serious. All hands on deck!

Well, after half way through the season I pretty much expected to be where they are. I didn't expect horrible losses to ISU and IPFW but I did expect a Jekyll and Hyde type of basketball team. This team is playing like a team that is learning a completely new system with a completely new coaching staff teaching it to them. I really think next year we'll see a lot more consistency on the court. I think it's possible they finish in the middle of the pack this season but realistically I don't see that happening. If they finish below .500 and at the bottom of the conference I'm content because I really expected that at the beginning of the season (last year they finished 7-11 with 3 professional players on the roster). If they finish .500, I'm happy. If they finish above .500, I'm ecstatic!

Coaching or personal or both?