Honkyman

Obviously, the coach will decide whether Lander and Leal deserve to start over Durham. Lander is a point guard and there is only one other point guard on the team. So presumably Phinisee and Lander will share point guard duties, though there may be occasions when both are on the floor. Durham, Franklin and Leal will fight it out for the other guard spot. Any one of those three could end up starting although all three are likely to see playing time. I think it is premature to conclude that Leal is already better than Durham or Franklin.

Some of you have short memories. OG was projected as a 1st rounder after his spectacular play in the NCAA tournament. He had to fend off questions about whether he was going to the NBA. In fact, OG's high pick was based as much on his tournament play during his freshman year than anything in his sophomore year when first he was sick and then injured.

There is a reason why some players like OG Anunoby do not go through the process. Anunoby like Trayce Jackson Davis had already decided to return to college for another year and knew he would have another chance in just one year to go through this process. In Anunoby's case he became a lottery pick without having to get advice from NBA types. He understood he was better off spending the time working on his basketball skills than chasing down NBA scouts and executives for advice.

"The only reason to argue against a kid going through this process is because of your desire for them to stay at IU longer..." That's a totally absurd statement. The question isn't whether TJD is going through the process in order to see if he can go pro now rather than later. He has already stated he is coming back to IU. The question is whether a player who knows he is coming back to school benefits sufficiently from the process to make it worth his time. I think in most cases it doesn't, imo. But it wouldn't bother me if he went through the process or even if he decided to try to latch onto an NBA team. The latter is not likely to happen, however.

The only reason some players who are not likely 1st round draft picks (e.g., Al Durham) go through the process is to try to get on the radar of some NBA executives. If you are not invited to the combine, there is no "mentoring" involved. And, there is little feedback. And going through the process could hurt if you are player who is not invited to the combine because it announces to the pro basketball world that you are not a player who would even be drafted in the 2nd round.

There is no reason for him to do so. TJD knows what he has to work on. If he has any doubt his father can tell him. Besides, getting before NBA scouts may highlight his weaknesses rather than strengths. He should wait until he is actually ready to go pro. OG Anunoby did not enter the draft for feedback after his freshman year even though some projected him as a 1st round draft pick.

Mike Davis' offense was essentially Bobby Knight's offense without Knight around to make sure that it operated properly. The 2002 team was composed almost entirely of Knight recruits and most had played under Knight. If Knight had coached that team in 2002 instead of Davis they probably would have won the national championship game. And, yes, the team's performance declined over time as Knight's recruits moved on which is why Davis didn't last. It would be hard to define Archie Miller's philosophy with respect to offense. Part of Archie's problem is the players. The team has poor 3-point shooters, a mediocre point guard, and several bigs who can't hit 2-foot shots consistently. But I suspect the offense will improve next year if and when Kristian Lander is on the floor. If TJD and Lander are able to team up, the role players who are mostly now experienced might perform better as well.

TDJ could be almost as good a college player as Jared Jeffries. However, Jeffries was 6-11 and could handle the ball much better. The difference between the 2002 team and IU's current team is that the guards on the 2002 team were really tough. Coverdale, Fife and Moye were not overly athletic but they could play. And, those guards had leadership qualities that seem to be lacking with our current guards.

The first IU basketball team I followed was the 1964-65 IU team with the Van Arsdale twins and Jon McGlocklin which was just after my family moved to South Bend from Chicago. I was already a big college basketball fan having followed Loyola win the national championship in 1963. All three Hoosiers were future NBA players. It was also Branch McCracken's last season coaching. By then the two time national champion coach had lost his touch but those three were remarkable to watch.

It would be nice if summer workouts and strength activities would begin on time. It's hard to tell at this point. I don't think we'll see things back to normal at Easter time as someone is pressing for.

With more time on my hands than usual I just watched the 1987 semi-final game between IU and UNLV. I hadn't seen it since it was broadcast live and it was a great game to watch in the context of IU's current issues. That IU team operated in the half court offense as good as any IU team has, making very few mistakes in part because of the discipline. The players were patient with the ball and constantly moving without the ball, setting screens so that someone was usually open for a good shot many of them within a few feet for the basket. Of course, that was Bobby Knight basketball. It is quite a contrast with what we have now--players often standing around, few screens set and lots of 3-point shots from players who have no business taking those shots. After three seasons with Archie, there is still no discernible offensive approach and insufficent discipline on the offensive end. Players like Justin Smith might be playing at a higher level if their roles were more clearly defined and within their skill set--and they were required to play with more discipline.

Wisconsin is not a Final Four team though they will probably be near the top of the conference standings. With Lander, TJD and strong group of experienced role players Indiana should be able to compete for the conference championship.

Maryland was the most talented team in the conference. They weren't the best, in my opinion.

It could be the Ohio State campus drove Carton to depression. If so that would eliminate many of the schools cited as colleges expressing interest as they similarly have ugly campuses.

By the end of the season Lander will be getting the most time at point guard.

It is nice to see an IU team hitting 3-point shots.

Calling a poster who is wishing that a top contributing IU player transfer "ignorant" is actually tactful and as "nice" as the comment deserves.

There is no doubt that Lander will be the best guard on next year's team (assuming he is able to reclassify) and his ability will improve IU's chances at a very good season (assuming TJD stays). But Lander is a point guard and the player most likely impacted by Lander's playing time is Rob Phinisee. It remains to be seen how ready Leal will be to log significant time. In any event, a player like Al Durham who has demonstrated he can hit clutch 3-point shots and free throws will undoubtedly play an important role on the team. A comment like "it wouldn't bother me" if Durham would transfer simply demonstrates ignorance on the part of the writer.

It is always amusing to read postings by so-called IU fans trashing IU players. Durham is the kind of player Bobby Knight would have loved--a less talented player who gives it his all. Durham came here ranked well below most other IU players and he winds up leading the team in 3-point and free throw percentage.

Durham transferring makes no sense which is why it won't happen.

Why would Al Durham transfer? He was the team's top 3-point (38.3%) and free throw shooter (81.1%) and 3rd in playing time (26.4 minutes per game). He hit some big shots and big free throws down the stretch. He was co-captain. Assuming he continues to improve and stays healthy, there is no reason to expect he won't continue to play a major role on the team next season.

If Lander is on the team next year IU has the talent to compete for the conference title. They'll have two 5-stars (Lander & TJD) and a solid group of experienced role players. There is really no excuse for not having a very good season in 2020-21.

The IU fan base never embraced Vonleh like other players--maybe because he never seemed to embrace IU. If he had grown up in Indiana it might have been different. He left after one year because he was a high draft pick but probably would have benefitted from another year of college play.

Lander more likely in 2020 class.

Ingram is likely headed to North Carolina.