HoosierFan1994

Yes. Problem is, can this program afford another major step back? Outside of Indiana and it's fans, nobody really cares about IU Basketball anymore. We are literally Nebraska Football. The answer is I don't think so. Each bad hire (Miller and now Woodson) Has set us back even more. If you are in high school right now, your only memory of IU Basketball is probably Yogi leading us to a Sweet 16. If college age, the Wat Shot and being #1 with Cody and Vic. Anyone under 14 has never seen IU win a Big Ten title or make the second weekend of the tournament. That's sad. Eventually, these kids will pick a school to play for. If you live in Indiana, why on earth would you choose IU over Purdue or even Notre Dame unless you are a diehard fan. Even then... Another reason why I think a change HAS to happen this year: Ohio State job is already open. Michigan, Louisville, maybe even UK. I've heard Cronin isn't happy at UCLA. What if Izzo retires? All these programs historically are top 15 (Kentucky, UCLA, Michigan, Ohio State, Louisville, Michigan State). Good chance they could hire a Pearl, or an Oats, or a May meaning they won't be available next year. I'd argue all those programs have had more recent success (last decade or so) than Indiana.

Gold. It can also, for the most part, be applied to IU basketball. I think the Woodson supporters don't understand...we don't have a top recruiting class coming in. Who know who we will lose. Nobody is confident he can land the talent needed in the portal. Next year could be worse than this year. Ex: Michigan.

This all reminds me of the scene in Christmas Vacation when Clark questions Ellen about things getting worse. "Worse? Take a look around you Ellen. We're at the threshold of hell!"

Just sad...Feels like we all have to root against this team for change to happen. I hate it. I can't see them bringing him back if they lose out or maybe only win one more game. Even a week ago I thought maybe, just maybe Woodson could field a good team next year. I just don't have any faith that can happen anymore. Will be stunning if Liam doesn't go elsewhere. Malik to the portal. Anything could happen. Going to be real interesting one day to hear all the behind the scenes stuff. I think the day was October 15th. Liam commits to IU. Had a legit chance with Boogie and Queen. Felt like this team had a lot of potential. How to lose all momentum in 4 months.

haha..I'll say this they are still very close. We will see if I hear anything in the next month. He tipped me off about Gouard getting the USI job.

One thing I heard about Crean was the IU administration was getting fed up with him. I wonder if the same thing is going on here...the admin is getting tired of his excuses and no accountability.

Dusty excites me too. Younger, Indiana guy, hoosier native, rumored to really want the job too. He too changed the culture at FAU. What's impressive is he was able to keep his team together after last years run. Almost impossible to do in the transfer/NIL era. He's 1B for me. Just not as proven as Bruce to be 1A.

Bruce Pearl was the head coach at USI, my alma mater, for 9 years. He gets Indiana basketball. Go google his comments before the IU-Auburn game about Indiana Basketball. I remember reading it at the time thinking "Holy cow, I think this guy would want to be here". I don't like how the media paints Bruce Pearl to be dirty. Bruce still is in contact with his D2 players from USI. I've shared the story on here but I coached with someone who played for Bruce. He doesn't big time anybody. He cares about them. Invites them to games all the time to sit in practice and go in the locker room during games. He is a reference for all these guys. People in Evansville have amazing things to say about him. USI basketball was equivalent to Nebraska basketball in D2. He turned them into a powerhouse. Without his success in the 90's, Herdes and Watson probably don't go to Elite 8's and USI isn't D1 right now. Is he guaranteed to win a National Title here? Heck no. But his track record at USI, Miluwakee, Tennessee, and Auburn tell me two things: 1) He will change the culture. 2) He will win. His teams compete for conference titles as well as National Titles. I texted by buddy that I would buy him a steak dinner if he could get Bruce Pearl back to Indiana. lol

Absolutely. It's insane what UConn has been able to do. I still think Indiana University can be relevant again, It's just up to the administration to make the right moves. I'd take Pearl, Cronin, May over what we have now.

I think we have to understand too..It is HARD to get to a Final Four. Yet alone win a title. This is zero disrespect to any IU team pre 1985 but Iu has only been to 3 final fours and won one title since the tournament expanded to 64 teams. There is so much parity in College Basketball right now.

Idk what is going on. Idk if it's realistic. But Bruce Pearl won and changed the culture at USI. He did the same thing at Milwaukee, Tennessee, and Auburn. Holy cow...I'd take him. IU would be competing for Big Ten and National Titles. In a 68 team tournament, there are no sure things. But I'd be willing to bet Indiana would be a top 10-15 team with him.

What I am really afraid of is this: Will there be a mass exodus at the end of the season? Losing both Malik and Mackenzie would be serious. I can get on board with this: Starting 5: Portal PG, Portal Guard, Liam, Mackenzie, Malik Bench: Cupps, Trey, Newton, Portal Forward, Portal Center How realistic is this? I have no idea. Crappy situation to be in. Edit: When I say Portal PG and Guard I mean legit top 25/50 portal guards. I would also love to have a player like Anthony Walker as a reserve at the forward spot next year. Bring in a legit Center to play when Malik gets in foul trouble. If this season ends like 2021 (lost their last six games) I don't see how they can bring Woodson back if IU loses everyone.

Yeah I remember it being said in October after the first IU Pro Day. Basically that while Trayce is the best player, Jalen would be the best NBA Prospect.

A few thoughts I have: 1) What if Liam decommits, Malik and Mgbako transfer, and IU doesn't land Queen? Not saying all will happen but possible. I don't see how Woodson can keep his job. 2) I don't care what state your program is in, you are always a great/very good coach away from being good. It's like having a franchise QB in the NFL. Ex: Go look at FAU's records before May. Iowa State won three games just 3 years ago. Otzelberger at Iowa State has been to a Sweet 16, 2 NCAA tournaments, and are a top 15 team this year. I said it the other day.. I don't think Woodson is the worlds worst coach. I also don't think he is the answer here for what IU fans want. Administration..that's a different story.

Here is my stance...If IU has an epic collapse to end the season much like in 2021 (lost 6 in a row/7 of 8 to end the season) or in 2017 (went from #3 to missing the NCAA tournament) then a change has to happen. This isn't a perfect roster. But enough talent to at least make the tournament. If this team fights the rest of the way and shows some promise, wins some games they shouldn't, then I'm all for Woodson getting one more year to figure this out. Unfortunatly I think it'll be somewhere in between. They'll go like 3-5 the rest of the way. My fear is this: Woodson lands two good portal guards to go with our frontcourt next year. IU has another good but not great year. Then, the university gives him an extension and we end up just like this season. I don't think Woodson is the worst coach in the world. I also don't think he is the guy to bring IU back to where we all want it to be. Right now at this moment, I don't even think he should be fired. That can change though. I don't want to go down that rabbit hole again, but I still believe Dolson thought he had his guy in 2021 and obviously that didn't happen. It caused him to hired Woodson, who quite frankly would not have been even top 5 in a good, thorough coaching search. I'd like to see what Dolson could do this time around. May, Shrewberry, Pearl, etc...

How I feel looking back too. Yeah, I think his peak at IU was 2012-2016. But who really knows. Certainly would rather have him than Archie. My issue was the inconsistency. We were supposedly back in 2012/2013. Then took a huge step back in 2014. Meh in 2015, good in 2016, and step back in 2017.

Where I'm at. 4 months ago I was pleased with coach. After this season and missing on a lot of '24 guys, I'm skeptical. I do think if things really get bad (this team goes 3-7 or worse the rest of the way) it'll get interesting. No matter what, what is currently happening with the program is unacceptable. I hate it. Last season was pretty exciting. It was awesome to wake up on a college Hoops Saturday and have IU play in big games (Purdue games, Illinois home game). I know they didn't make the second weekend or win a Big Ten Title, but it was nice to finally feel they were headed in a positive direction. Now? They aren't even appointment TV for me. I was watching Saturday on delay. About halfway through my friends were strongly suggesting I turn it off. Just sad.

Just absolutely insane. What happened? I felt like this program had so much momentum going into the summer. 1) Was Woodson carried by an all-time great Hoosier and a one and done freshman? Starting to seem like it.. 2) Did the staff get cocky and think our guard play was good enough? Or did guys just flat out not want to come here? 3) I love how Woodson was aggressive with the '24 class but you have to cast a wide net of prospects. Felt like it was Liam, Boogie, and Derik. They missed on the most important one. 4) Where do we go from here? I just don't see this team making the tournament. I'm looking ahead to 24-25. Probably going to have 6 scholarships to use. Cupps, Galloway, Malik are the only ones I'm confident that will stay. Maybe Jakai and Sparks. Only one freshman commit. HAVE to land a difference making PG and SG. Obviously would love to have Mgbako return and to get Queen. But guard play is important. 5) I personally think changes HAVE to happen with the staff. Love Woodson. If he's going to give it his all to turn this around, I want him back for next year. If not, he needs to step aside. I said this last year. 2 of our 3 assistants were Archie Miller hires. I don't think this staff is good enough. Question is will he listen to feedback? 6) I'm a huge Dallas Cowboys fan...there are so many similarities between IU basketball and them..outside of Jerry Jones. I feel like our fan base/media outlets hype these players up so much. Just feels like there is so much entitlement...not going to name names but I feel several guys on this team just don't care. My favorite all time sports team is the 2011-2012/2012-2013 IU basketball teams. Those guys worked so hard. They played hard too. Gave it their all. Indiana meant something to them. Outside of Zeller and Yogi nobody was really hyped up. Oladipo, Sheehey, Hulls, Elston, Verdell, Christian...those guys worked hard!! Oladipo went from "nothing" to the #2 draft pick. I miss that. 7) This fan base deserves better. I couldn't believe fans cheering their a** off in the second half down 22. That's loyalty. Many of you, like me, donate to NIL. Many people travel. I know several people who either went to Vegas, or Lawrence, KS, or NYC for an a** beating. Travel, hotels, food, tickets...$$$. It adds up. Hoosier fans went through the rough Crean years, the disastrous Archie Miller era, and the Sampson garbage. Dolson, Buckner, Whitten...fix this mess. It shouldn't be this hard.

I feel like this is almost deja-vu from last year. Around this time the team was really struggling. I just had no interest in IU basketball for a few weeks. Part of it could have been the NFL playoffs were going on. Eventually the team turned it around. However, I just don't get that vibe from this team. I just have no excitement for IU Basketball right now. It sucks. I feel like watching this team struggle vs low-majors at the start of the year did it. I didn't even watch the game on Peacock. I ended up doing something else. It's just not appointment TV for me right now. Xavier Johnson...this program demands and deserves more from him. It's a shame. Need him to play at an all-conference level. It's just not happening. I am not sure it will. I still like Woodson. I'm not ready to fire him like most. This program has to make significant changes to the staff. I don't think they are good enough. They failed this offseason thinking Xavier Johnson, Trey Galloway, CJ Gunn, and Gabe Cupps would be good enough. There need to be consequences for that. If Woodson doesn't figure it out in the future, it will be him that's gone. It's probably too late for any '24 recruits. Portal is the only option for guards to make a significant impact. IU needs to land a legit Point Guard and shooting guard. What they have in the frontcourt should be good (Liam, Malik, maybe Mackenzie, and possibly Queen..I am so out of touch I have no idea if he is even coming here). Move Galloway to 6th man. Cupps off the bench as well.

I haven't been on here as much this season for the reason that this team isn't really all that exciting to watch. It has been a brutal 3 months for this program. IMO, it all started when Fland chose Kentucky. 1) This is like deja-vu from last January. Last year I was concerned that injuries would derail the season. This year I just don't think this team is any good. At best, a fringe NCAA Tournament team. That being said, we will see what happens. 2) Woodson absolutely deserves heat. We as IU fans are told that this program is top 10/15 in NIL. This coaching staff left an open scholarship open. Also, Leal is someone who hasn't played significant minutes in his 3 year career. Add in Jakai redshirting only 9 players...unacceptable. 3) There isn't much to look forward too. I get IU is in on a lot of top recruits. But we heard that with this '24 class all summer. So far, just 1 player signed. Looking at next year, Liam, Malik, and maybe Mackenzie are bright spots. Possibly Cupps with Jakai. 4) There has been no improvement since November 7 when they started the season against FGCU. None. They better turn it around fast. Indiana cannot afford to take a major step back. It looks like it is heading that way. I said this last January...I just don't know about this staff. At times I like them. But..2/3 of our assistants are Archie Miller holdovers. I get fans get excited when they get a recruit or do a cryptic tweet, but what have they won?

Day after thoughts.. 1) The platoon substitutions aren't going to work for this team. Stop doing it. 2) I like Coach Woodson. I still want him to be the guy here. But he and this staff deserve an F on the backcourt construction of this team. I am a fool for believing that an Xavier Johnson/Trey Galloway led backcourt might work. They HAVE to get better for this team to even make the NCAA Tournament. 3) Staff has to have a complete overhaul in how they evaluate guards. Trey Galloway isn't a starter on a Big Ten team that is serious about winning. He is the perfect 6th man. I wanted to think he could take a step but he hasn't. Has taken a step backwards if anything. Was told all off-season by Rabjohns how picky the staff was on finding the right guys. That appears to be bologna. There were guys out there that were better than Galloway, Gunn, and Leal. Don't forget about the extra scholarship... I love that IU is playing in these types of games. But we saw it last year (Kansas and Arizona) and now this year (UConn and Auburn) that they don't belong. Lost by an average of 21 points in these 4 games. A big reason is guard play. Has to get fixed for this program to move forward. We don't have a one and done freshman to bail us out like last year. Indiana University should NEVER have a Gabe Cupps/Anthony Leal backcourt in any game. I've never had an IU game where IU led by 12 points and by halftime I turned the game off. I felt so good about this team on Tuesday. That all went away on Saturday. I just don't think Auburn is that good.

That was awesome. He would know first hand being the coach at USI in the 90s! Guy I coached basketball with played on Pearl's two teams that he took to the National Championship game in '94 (runner-up) and '95 (Won it all). He still talks to Pearl quite a bit. Pearl will even invite him to different road games from time to time. Say what you want about him but I am sure a lot of coaches would big time their former players at the smaller schools. Not Pearl. He is always there for his players. I always enjoyed hearing stories about Pearl. Always talked about how he preached that practices have to be harder than the actual game. Knowing Pearl, guy I coached with played EVERY kid on the team...even too much at times. But, that's what he was taught at USI. You are going to be so tired from the way we play that you are going to have to use the bench. Obviously tomorrow I hope Auburn loses by 100, but the other days of the year I root for them.

Too early to tell this but: I like how CJ and Kaleb have been getting better. On the previous coaching staffs I feel players who barely played as a freshman just never got the hang of it. Collin Hartman is the only one that comes to mind. Felt like players who needed a second year jump always transferred out of the program. This is a welcoming sight to see.

This depends on how successful IU is as a team, but he better get serious All-American consideration.

Very good team win. I had to listen to the game on the radio so unfortunately can't actually see how everyone looked 1) This is a game I think IU loses in the Tom Crean or Archie Miller era. Well done by Coach Woodson, the staff, and players. Michigan is probably a borderline NCAA tournament team if that. But still, winning on the road, especially in Ann Arbor, is tough. 2) Sounds like CJ and Kaleb are starting to get it. Love to see that. Indiana needs them. Happy for them too. It hasn't been an easy year and a half for them at IU. 3) Felt like Malik and Kel'el gave IU a bucket when they needed it most. Love them at the 4/5 spots. If Malik can stay out of foul trouble and improve a bit on defense, I think he is the next great IU player. 4) Sounds like Trey was better in the second half? Still concerned about our guard play. LOVE Cupps. He plays well on defense. Sounds like he was on McDaniel who was 3 for 14 last night. Maybe some phantom fouls is what got him to 13 points. That being said, would love to see Gabe turn into a 5-7 points a game kind of player. Bottom line, when Xavier is back they need him to play at an All-Big Ten leve. 5) Don Fisher is awesome. IU is so lucky to have him. Why I had no problem listening to him instead of watching it. I think this team can beat Auburn Saturday. Would be another quality win before coming home to play Kansas. Overall, this team has been getting better. We didn't see that the first 5 games.