HoosierFan1994

Things that I really liked about this season: 1) Felt like the pride of IU basketball is back. I've only been a fan for around 20 years and this was probably the 5th most enjoyable season I can remember ('02, '12, '13, and '16). Was so nice on Saturday's to wake up and know IU had a huge game that day. Also, as a teacher I'm stunned to see so many young fans for IU. This season was their first positive IU season yet. 2) This team didn't quit in mid-January when things got tough. I feel teams under Crean and Miller would have. 3) Not sure where he ranks but Trayce is an IU legend. He went from being a really good layer to an elite one in a matter of months. Also Jalen went from being undrafted to being a top 20ish pick. Trayce too will be around a 1st rounder. This bodes well for IU recruiting. 4) Sweeping Purdue twice. Even without X, I felt IU was the better team. I know they got beat by a 16 seed but this was huge for Coach Woodson. I know the grass isn't always greener and you need to be careful what you wish for, but I'm excited to see Woodson pick guys in the portal. There is NO REASON Indiana can't get the best possible players they want. It's going to be a huge disappointment if he can't get the dudes Indiana needs to compete Nationally. Anyone who watched the game Sunday saw it, there was a huge talent gap. To heck with the NIT, this team needs to make the NCAA Tournament next year. If it was 2018 I'd understand but it's basically open season with free agency now. Add in NIL, which I understand IU is doing very well in.

Sweet 16 to NCAA Picks South: Alabama over Creighton. I'll be stunned if Alabama doesn't make the final four in this region. I don't see anyone stopping them. Midwest: Houston over Texas. Should be some really good games in this region. I think Houston had their scare against Northern Kentucky and Auburn in the first half. That'll wake them up. West: UConn over Gonzaga. Gonzaga-UCLA will be a shootout. I just think the injury situation hurts UCLA. UConn is pretty deep and I like them a lot. East: Michigan State over Tennessee. I think winner of Michigan State-Kansas State goes to the Final 4. I don't see Tennessee beating either one without Zeigler. Final Four: Alabama over Michigan State. Sparty won't have the dudes to matchup with Alabama. Houston over UConn. Would be a great, great game. Houston is a little more athletic. NCAA: Houston over Alabama. Experience wins.

What's with the random Gonzaga players/fans in the AT&T commcercials?

Zero chance but this kind of reminds me of Dallas/Jason Garrett (I'm a Cowboys fan). Garrett had some good teams, but it was clear he could not get them by the divisional round. Painter is similar. He's had some VERY good teams/players. Think I saw where ten times he has been a top 5 seed in the NCAA tournament. Has only made the Elite 8 once and he can thank Cline for that. Purdue has only been to 2 FF's..1980 was their last..IU has been to 4 since their last. Purdue has also been to 5 E8..before 2019 the last one came in 2000. At Purdue they are just fine with winning Big Ten titles and making the Sweet 16. That's Painter's bread and butter. Nothing against them, but that is their standard.

Trying to keep track of guys IU has reached out to so far...Ledlum from Harvard, Timberlake from Towson, and Reeves from Florida.

Way I look at it is this..two years ago when Woodson was hired he probably needed to keep the majority of the guys around to avoid a rebuild and to develop a culture. The arrow has gone up since he got here. IU was a bottom 4 Big Ten Team in 2021. Last year in 2022 they were about a mid level team. 9 of the 13 scholarship players were players he inherited. That talent ranged from your best player to bench warmers. This year the expectations were higher. Unfortunately the Xavier Johnson injury, in my opinion, kept this team from reaching it's potential. Still, they finished tied for 2nd in the Big Ten with a TOUGH conference schedule and were a top 15 team in the eyes of the Selection Committee. Miami was just the better team. They wanted it more. Since about mid-February this is who this team has been. Can't put back to back games together. What happens in the next month is going to be similar to what Woodson had to do in 2021. This time he needs to be more picky. I said last night I think IU has 4 guys on scholarship who are not contributers on a team that wants to win a National Championship (Bates, Geronimo, Duncomb, and Leal). Jury is still out on Banks/Gunn and I hope both are back next year. I'm sure the 4 players I mentioned are great kids. However, this team lacks the athletes to compete with the Miami's, Houston's, Alabama's, etc.. Keeping these guys around prevents Woodson from getting athletes I think he would be able to land. Woodson can point to the success of JHS and Trayce this year. I'm actually very excited to see where this program can go. This team HAS to get: 1) A legit upper 30% three point shooter. Hopefully he is an athlete much like the guys we saw on Miami 2) A 6'10 guy that can play inside/out 3) I'd like for them to get a reserve guard that is a decent shooter as well as another big man that can come off the bench. A big is a must. I think Cupps could be the first guard off the bench. I think Xavier, Trey, and Malik are your building blocks. However, If X and Malik are the two best players I think IU is in trouble. Our portal guys have to be two of the best players on the team. X is coming off a serious injury and Malik, while I like him, I'm not sure he is ready to be the man. I see him as a 10 points 6 rebounds per game kind of player next year. Still solid but not All-Big Ten yet.

Unfortunately in this era I worry about all the players. It's open season with free agency. I could totally see it but I think he sticks around.

I am okay if he takes another step like he took this year. X, Trey, and Malik are likely starters. Need 3 more guys (shooters, big man, stretch forward?)

Yep. Should be a fun time next month. I trust Woody to get some guys. NIL I think helps IU. As someone else said...he needs to be selective. I apologize if this isn't the right thing to say but Bates, Geronimo, Leal, and, Duncomb aren't Big Ten players. They're wasted roster spots. I'd rather see IU get 4 legit dudes instead of keeping guys around because they are good people...jury is still out on Banks/Gunn. I'd like them to stick around another year.

Well said. Woody needs to get 2-3 starters in the portal. I'd like to see Cupps/Trey off the bench. X and Malik starters. See what Banks and CJ do.

This..I think he was too loyal to certain guys in letting them stick around/giving them too many minutes. I think we will have about 4 scholarships. Use them wisely.

Ugh. Not ready for the season to be over with. I'm not shocked though. Miami has dudes. IU just had the best player on the court. That was the difference. Props to them. This was a good season. Step in the right directions. If you told me after that miserable Wednesday in January after getting blown out by Penn State that IU would be here I would have said you are crazy. Trayce-thank you! I'm in my late 20's and you are by far the best IU player I've seen. I can't wait to watch you have a good NBA career. He saved this program coming back when Woody was hired and even last year. Race and Miller..thank you for your leadership in getting this program turned around. thoughts on the season...this team just wasn't good enough. Always going to ask what if Xavier Johnson doesn't miss the rest of the season. I really think this was a title contending team with him and Jalen back there.

Tough matchup but as long as IU doesn't trade 2's for 3's all night I like our chances. Trayce is the best player on the court. Hope I can see Tamar and Miller knocking down some shots.

Hoosiers a 1 point favorite Sunday. Miami averages 10 offensive boards a game. Similar to Kent State..gotta block out. They'll be a much better 3 point shooting team.

Very good win against a tough Kent State team. It was obvious early on who the better team was. 1) Trayce is the best player in colllege basketball. Not even close. Let's ride him. If he plays the way he did tonight, this team is almost unbeatable. The way he closed that game is EXACTLY what he should be doing. 2) Race and Miller did what seniors should do. Both play two of their best games of the season. However, they can't combine for 5 points on Sunday..need to keep being aggressive. 3) Thought we were outstanding defensively. They defend the way they did tonight they could make a run. Really proud of the effort tonight. Was hoping Drake would win. I think Miami is a very good team and will be a tough matchup. It's simple..they hit 3's they'll win. If not, we can run away from it. Omier looked okay tonight. If he was out I think that would really favor IU. Their 4 guards can shoot it. really aren't too deep of a team. Going to be a fun one. Celebrate today and be ready Sunday! What an awesome tournament so far.

Gameday!! So excited. Last year was a little different. Trayce said it best, it all went so fast. I really think the bracket is looking kind for us matchup wise. Just have to survive and advance!

Filled out my serious bracket last night..most challening one ever!! IU- I have IU beating Kent State and then Drake. I think Omier is a huge injury for Miami. As for Houston-IU I picked Houston. However, if Sasser is really banged up (have to assume he will be fine to play) they could lose in the Sweet 16 or 2nd round. South: Arizona over Alabama with Furman and Baylor in the Sweet 16. I'll be stunned if it's not Arizona-Alabama in the Elite 8. Baylor or Creighton could maybe get there. Midwest: Houston over Texas with Xavier and IU in the Sweet 16. Any 4 of these teams could make the Final 4. IF Sasser is hurt I probably pick Texas. I'd like Xavier if Freemantle was playing. West: Gonzaga over UConn with Kansas and UCLA in the Sweet 16. My pick would be UCLA but the injury to Clark hurts..especially in a game against Gonzaga. Kansas just isn't deep and I think UConn could expose that. East: Marquette over Duke with Memphis and Kentucky in the Sweet 16. Yes...I have Memphis beating Purdue in the 2nd round. Dukies will get them in the Sweet 16...if they could get by Oral Roberts. I'm picking Marquette because they are hot right now. However, I could see Michigan State getting to a Final 4. Izzo has done more with less. Give me Arizona over Houston in the final..and I don't feel great about it.

Really good video. Scares you a little when he compares them to Rutgers lol. My thoughts are this: Kent State could most certainly win this game. I would probably pick them against a team like Virginia, Tennesee, etc. I just think Trayce and Jalen will be the difference. Galen Clavio said this best on the Assembly Call: Kent State should be saying "Oh Shoot! We have to deal with Indiana".

I respect Kent State but I'm not worried. I don't think it's as bad of a matchup as some think. I remember back in 2012 it was New Mexico State that was supposed to beat us and in 2016 it was Chattanooga. Just the typical talking points from the national media clowns. Shocker..nobody is picking Oral Roberts (probably the best 12/13 team) over precious Duke. I will say that if they don't show up this game will get interesting. A good game from TJD and Jalen is all we need IMO..now going forward this team needs more.

I'll be frank, I haven't watched a second of Kent State. I did some research about them..take this as you will.... Best player is Sincere Carry. Second best is guard Malique Jacobs. Both have a high Assist to Turnover ratio. Neither can really shoot it. I think Jared Sullinger's brother is a sophomore on this team and plays some. He is probably their best three point shooter. Miryne Thomas is probably the third option. Looks like a stretch 4 and can shoot it. Think they will try and put Hornbeak on Jackson-Davis. He is 6'9 224. They don't really have any shot blockers. Davis and Payton provide some depth. They play about 7 guys like we will. Again, it's important to respect this team. But, I'm not afraid of them. IU will have the two most talented players on the floor. IF Jalen plays defense as half as good as he did on Young the other night, IU wins by double digits. We lose this game, there are some major problems.

I'm very happy with it. After tough draws in 2012, 2013, and 2016...

my thoughts exactly. Spare me with being scared of a 13 seed...sorry if I sound rude lol.

Virginia has to be ahead of us on the S Curve right since they get Louisville over us. Felt like both Virginia and IU were Orlando bound if 4's.

I'll be surprised if it isn't Arizona-Alabama in the Elite 8. We will see.

I would like that matchup. Would they put Iowa State a 5 with Kansas a 1?